FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
From Dutch Book of Prayers from the mid-fifteenth century.
Saint Hermes is the figure in the back, in armor.
Other saints pictured include Saint James the Great, Saint Joseph,Saint Ghislain, and Saint Eligius.
From Dutch Book of Prayers from the mid-fifteenth century.
Saint Hermes is the figure in the back, in armor.
Other saints pictured include Saint James the Great, Saint Joseph,Saint Ghislain, and Saint Eligius.
SAINT AUGUSTINE
Bishop and Doctor of the Church
SAINT HERMES
Martyr
Human weakness requires help in sharing the weight of life's distress. In what manner should one person bear the burdens of another? First of all, there should be compassion, a suffering-with, in view of each one's own weakness and many failures. A sense of personal superiority often poisons well-meant pity and renders it worse than useless. Secondly, there should be meekness in any sort of counseling; not ridicule or harshness. Finally, one should begin with persons who are united in Christian belief. All of this charity, done for Christ, who is the greatest bearer of mankind's burdens, is a continual spiritual sowing for an eternal harvest.
INTROIT Ps. 85:1, 2-3
Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me. Save Your servant who trusts in You. Have pity on me, O Lord, for to You I call all the day.
Ps. 85:4. Gladden the soul of Your servant, for I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord.
V. Glory be . . .
COLLECT
O Lord, let Your abiding mercy purify and defend the Church. Govern her always by Your care, for without Your assistance she cannot remain safe. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT AUGUSTINE
Monica had instilled into the heart of her son Augustine (353-430) the truths of Christian belief, but the young man fell into bad company and was drawn to heresy. At Milan he met the great bishop Ambrose, who guided his way back into the true Faith. Augustine then returned to North Africa, his birthplace, was ordained to the priesthood, and was consecrated bishop and placed over the see of Hippo at the age of 41. He became the author of enduring Christian classics, and wrote a rule of religious life that strongly influenced the development of Western spirituality. The numerous heresies of his time had in St. Augustine an untiring foe.
Hear our petitions, O Almighty God. Your love has given us hope; let Your unfailing mercy protect us through the intercession of Your blessed confessor and bishop Augustine. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT HERMES
Probably during Diocletian's persecution, St. Hermes, a prominent citizen of Rome, was beheaded, together with several other Christian martyrs.
O God, it was Your strength that kept the blessed martyr Hermes unfaltering under suffering. May we follow his example in spurning earthly riches for love of You and in fearing no worldly harm. Through our Lord . . .
EPISTLE Gal. 5:25-26; 6:1-10
Brethren: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens: and so you shall fulfill the law of Christ. For if any man think himself to be some thing, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every one prove his own work: and so he shall have glory in himself only and not in another. For every one shall bear his own burden. And let him that is instructed in the word communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things. Be not deceived: God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit of the spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
GRADUAL Ps. 91:2-3
It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most high.
V. To proclaim Your mercy in the morning and Your truth throughout the night.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 94:3
For the Lord is a great God, and a great king over all the earth. Alleluia!
GOSPEL Luke 7:11-16
At that time, Jesus went into a city that is called Naim: and there went with him his disciples and a great multitude. And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother: and she was a widow. And a great multitude of the city was with her. Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, he said to her:"Weep not." And he came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it stood still. And he said: "Young man, I say to thee, arise." And he that was dead sat up and begun to speak. And he gave him to his mother. And there came a fear upon them all: and they glorified God saying: "A great prophet is risen up among us: and, God hath visited his people."
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 39:2, 3, 4
I have waited and waited for the Lord, and He inclined toward me and heard my cry. And He out a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.
SECRET
O Lord, may Your Sacrament safeguard and defend us always against the attacks of the devil. through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT AUGUSTINE
O Lord, let the blessed bishop and doctor Augustine always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT HERMES
We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints, and pray that just as it was the source of their glory, it may be our help toward salvation. Through our Lord . . .
The Bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world.
POSTCOMMUNION
Let the grace of your Heavenly gift rule our minds and bodies, O Lord, that we may overcome the unruly impulses of our nature. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT AUGUSTINE
O Lord, may this Sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed bishop and illustrious doctor Augustine. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT HERMES
We are filled with the blessings of heaven, O Lord. May the holy martyr Hermes intercede for us, so that we may sensibly feel the effects of this Sacred Rite that we have humbly celebrated. Through our Lord . . .
