Saint John Before the Latin Gate, Rogation Day

SAINT JOHN BEFORE THE LATIN GATE

 

ROGATION DAY

[Commemoration]

 

GREATER DOUBLE / RED

Jesus told St. John and his brother, St. James, that the sincerity of their love for Him would be put to trial by their partaking of the chalice of His sufferings. St. James was the first of the Apostles to be martyred; St. John was the last of the Twelve to die. Emperor Domitian caused John to be brought to Rome and condemned him to be cast into a cauldron of boiling oil; but God preserved the Apostle from injury. St. John thus suffered a far greater martyrdom than death; his longing to be reunited with Christ in heaven had to be endured with an increasingly loving patience. So, we, too, must learn to wait lovingly on God's will.

INTROIT Ps. 63:3

You have protected me, O God, from the throng of evildoers, alleluia; from the multitude of malefactors, alleluia, alleluia!

Ps. 63:2. Hear, O god, my prayer of supplication; deliver me from the fear of the enemy.

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, you see how we are tossed about by the misfortunes that surround us. May Your blessed Apostle and Evangelist John intercede for us and protect us. Through our Lord . . .

 

Commemoration of the MASS OF ROGATION  

The death and resurrection of Jesus have opened heaven and won the grace to avoid sin and to gain eternal happiness. But many of the consequences of sin still remain; and every person has his guilt to confess and atone for. Besides, there are the countless needs of soul and body that put all men on their knees before God. Earthquakes and other calamities afflicted Europe in the fifth century and St. Mamertus, instituted a penitential procession with public supplications in his Diocese. Hence, the special days of petition, called Rogation Days, marked by a special Mass, the Litany of the Saints, and, where possible, a procession during which the Litany is sung. It is well to join penance and fasting to all prayer. In 816 A.D., Pope Leo III introduced this Mass in Rome, and soon after it became a general observance throughout the Church.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who in our affliction put our trust in Thy mercy, may ever be defended by the protection against all adversity. Through our Lord . . .

 

LESSON Wisd. 5:1-5

Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labours. These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation, Saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they, whom we had sometime in derision, and for a parable of reproach. We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honour. Behold, how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.

ALLELUIA

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 91:13; Os. 14:6

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon. Alleluia!

V. The just man shall blossom as the lily, and shall flourish forever before the Lord. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 20:20-23

At that time, then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him. Who said to her: "What wilt thou?" She saith to him: "say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom." And Jesus answering, said: "You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink?" They say to him: "We can." He saith to them: "My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 88:6

The heavens proclaim Your wonders, o Lord, and Your truth in the assembly of the saints, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

SECRET

Accept our offerings and prayers, O Lord. Cleanse us by this heavenly rite, and in Your mercy hear our petitions. Through our Lord . . .

 

Commemoration of the MASS OF ROGATION 
 May these oblations, O Lord, we beseech Thee, loosen the bonds of our wickedness, and obtain for us the gifts of Thy mercy. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 63:11

The just man rejoices in the Lord and trusts in Him; and all the upright of heart glory in Him, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may the Bread of Heaven that refreshes us strengthen us unto life everlasting. Through our Lord . . .

 

Commemoration of the MASS OF ROGATION 
Favorably receive our prayers, O Lord, we beseech Thee; may we in our distress be consoled by Thy gifts and grow in love accordingly. Through our Lord . . .