FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING; COMMEMORATION OF THE XXIII SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
THE KING

COMMEMORATION OF THE XXIII 

SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE

Christ is fully the spiritual King of all mankind, for He is the giver of life, the maker of law, the supreme judge and ruling authority, in the minds and wills and hearts of human beings. He is King of mankind by natural right, because He is the divine maker and sustainer of the universe and He took human nature unto His divine Person. He is King by acquired right, because He redeemed mankind by the sacrifice of His body and blood. The Lamb of God from the throne of His Cross, reunited all peoples. Although formerly separated by sin, they became one kingdom, one family, and prospective members of one Mystical Body.

INTROIT (Apoc. 5:12, 1:6)
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive powers and divinity and wisdom and strength and honor. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. 
Ps. 1. Give to the King, O God, Thy judgment, and to the King's Son Thy justice.V. Glory be . . . 

KYRIE ELEISON

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO
COLLECT 
Almighty and everlasting God, who has willed to restore all things in Thy beloved Son, the King of all creation, mercifully grant that all the families of nations scattered by the wound of sin may become subject to His most gentle rule. Who liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. 

Commemoration of the 23st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Forgive, we beseech You, O Lord, the sins of Your faithful people, so that by Your goodness we may be released from the net of sin in which we have been caught by our weakness.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.

EPISTLE (Col. 1:12-20)
Brethren: Giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For in him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by him and in him. And he is before all: and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may hold the primacy: Because in him, it hath well pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell: And through him to reconcile all things unto himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, both as to the things that are on earth and the things that are in heaven.
GRADUAL (Ps. 71:8, 11) 
He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. 
V. And all kings of the earth shall adore Him, and all nations shall serve Him. 

Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Dan. 7:14)
His power is an everlasting power which shall not be taken away; and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Alleluia! 

GOSPEL (St. John 18:33-37)
At that time, Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to him: "Art thou the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered:"Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me?"Pilate answered: "Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done?" Jesus answered: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence." Pilate therefore said to him: "Art thou a king then?" Jesus answered: "Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 2:8) 
Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the Gentiles for Thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for Thy possession.

SECRET 
To Thee, O Lord, we present this Victim, offered for man's reconciliation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that He whom we now immolate in this sacrifice may Himself, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, grant to all nations the gifts of unity and peace. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Commemoration of the 23st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
We offer You O Lord, the sacrifice of praise that we may serve You even better, so that You may graciously complete what You have given us, Your undeserving servants.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Ps. 28:10, 11)
The Lord shall sit as King forever; the Lord will bless His people with peace. 

POSTCOMMUNION 
Having received the food of immortality, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we who are proud to fight under the banners of Christ the King, may one day reign in the eternally with Him in heaven. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Commemoration of the 23st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
We beseech You, almighty God, let not human dangers overcome us to whom You grant joyful participation in things divine.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.

October 27 Ferial Day (What is a Ferial Day?)

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

INTROIT Ps. 129:3, 4
If Thou, O Lord, shalt observe iniquities; Lord, who shall endure it? for with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, O God of Israel.
Ps. 129:1-2. Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, our refuge and strength, Author of all devotedness, give ear to the devoted prayers of Thy Church, and grant, that we may obtain in deed what we ask with faith. Through our Lord . . .


EPISTLE Phil. 1:6-11
Brethren: we are confident of this very thing, that he which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offense unto the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. 

GRADUAL Ps. 132:1-2
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron.

Alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 113:11
They that fear the Lord, let them hope in Him; He is their helper and protector. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 22:15-21
At that time, the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk. And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, "Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money." And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They say unto him, "Caesar’s." Then saith he unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Esther 14:12, 13
Remember me, O Lord. Thou who rulest above all power; and give a well-ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing in the sight of the prince.

SECRET
Grant, O merciful God, that this saving rite may unremittingly free us from all personal guilt and fend off all misfortune. Through our Lord . . .


COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 16:6
I have cried, for Thou, O God, hast heard me; O incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my words.

POSTCOMMUNION
We have received, O Lord, the gifts of this sacred Mystery, and humbly beseech Thee, that what we do at Thy bidding in memory of Thee, may avail us in our weakness. Who livest and reignest . . .
Question:
What is a Ferial Day?


This information is from the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1917.

A feria (Latin for "free day") was a day on which the people, especially the slaves, were not obliged to work, and on which there were no court sessions. In ancient Rome the feriae publicae, legal holidays, were either stativae (recurring regularly, e.g. the Saturnalia), conceptivae (i.e. movable), or imperativae (i.e. appointed for special occasions).

When Christianity spread, on the feriae (feasts) instituted for worship by the Church, the faithful were obliged to attend Mass; such assemblies gradually led, for reasons both of necessity and convenience, to mercantile enterprise and market gatherings which the Germans call Messen, and the English fairs. They were fixed on saints' days (e.g. St Bartholomew's Fair in London, St Germanus's fair, St Wenn's fair, etc.).

In the Roman Rite liturgy, the term feria is used to denote days of the week other than Sunday and Saturday. Various reasons are given for this terminology. The sixth lesson for December 31 in the pre-1962 Roman Breviary says that Pope Sylvester I ordered the continuance of the already existing custom "that the clergy, daily abstaining from earthly cares, would be free to serve God alone". Others believe that the Church simply Christianized a Jewish practice. The Jews frequently counted the days from their Sabbath, and so we find in the Gospels such expressions as una Sabbati and prima Sabbati, the first from the Sabbath. The early Christians reckoned the days after Easter in this fashion, but, since all the days of Easter week were holy days, they called Easter Monday, not the first day after Easter, but the second feria or feast day; and since every Sunday is the dies Dominica, a lesser Easter day, the custom prevailed to call each Monday a feria secunda, and so on for the rest of the week. The only modern language that fully preserves this Latin ecclesiastical style of naming weekdays is Portuguese, which uses the terms segunda-feira, etc. Greek uses very similar terms, but without the Latin-derived feira.

A day on which no saint is celebrated is called a feria (and the celebration is referred to as ferial, the adjectival form of feria). In the present form of the Roman Rite, certain ferias, especially those of Lent, exclude celebration of memorials occurring on the same day, though the prayer of the memorial may be used in place of that of the feria, except on Ash Wednesday and in Holy Week, which exclude even solemnities and feasts.

The Code of Rubrics of Pope John XXIII (1960) divided ferias into four classes:[1]

Class I: Ash Wednesday and the whole of Holy Week.
Class II: Advent from 17 December to 23 December and Ember Days.
Class III: Lent and Passiontide from the day after Ash Wednesday to the day before the Second Sunday in Passiontide, excluding Ember Days.
Class IV: all other ferias.

In pre-1960 forms of the Roman Rite, ferias were divided into major and minor. The major ferias, which required at least a commemoration even on the highest feast days, were the ferias of Advent and Lent, the Ember days, and the Monday of Rogation week; all others were called minor.

Saint Evaristus (107 A.D.); Saint Demetrius (4th C.)

SAINT EVARISTUS
Pope and Martyr

SAINT DEMETRIUS

Martyr

[Historical]

SIMPLE / RED
The fourth successor of St. Peter, Pope Evaristus was said to have been the son of a Hellenic Jew of Bethlehem. He ruled for some eight years, during a very stormy period in the history of the Church. He died about A.D. 107, and was buried near St. Peter's tomb on the Vatican.

Mass of a POPE, except:


Introit
Ps 129:3-4
If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, O God of Israel.
Ps 129:1-2
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, O God of Israel.
 
COLLECT
O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Evaristus shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this martyr and supreme pontiff move You to look with favor upon Your flock and to keep it under Your continual protection. Through our Lord . . .



Lesson
Lesson from the letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
Phil 1:6-11
Brethren: We are confident in the Lord Jesus that He Who has begun a good work in you will bring it to perfection until the day of Christ Jesus. And I have the right to feel so about you all, because I have you in my heart, all of you, alike in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, as sharers in my joy. For God is my witness how I long for you all in the heart of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the better things, that you may be upright and without offense unto the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 Gradual
Ps 132:1-2
Behold how good it is, and how pleasant where brethren dwell as one!
V. It is as when the precious ointment upon the head runs down over the beard, the beard of Aaron.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 22:15-21
At that time, the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might trap Jesus in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that You are truthful, and that You teach the way of God in truth, and that You care naught for any man; for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said, Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin of the tribute. So they offered Him a denarius. Then Jesus said to them, Whose are this image and the inscription? They said to Him, Caesar’s. Then He said to them, Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
 
SECRET
We have offered our gifts to You, O Lord. Let Your light graciously shine upon Your Church, so that this flock may everywhere prosper, and its pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, govern the Church, which You have been pleased to nourish with Your Heavenly Food. Guide her by Your powerful direction so that she may enjoy greater freedom and remain unshaken in the fullness of faith. Through our Lord . . .  

Demetrius of Thessaloniki

[Historical]

15th-century icon of St. Demetrius (Russian State Museum, Saint Petersburg).

 Relics of St. Demetrius at the Aghios Demetrios Basilica in Thessaloniki

Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki (Greek: Άγιος Δημήτριος της Θεσσαλονίκης) was a Christian martyr, who lived in the early 4th century.
During the Middle Ages, he came to be revered as one of the most important Orthodox military saints, often paired with Saint George. His feast day is 26 October for Christians following the Gregorian calendar and 8 November for Christians following the Julian calendar.

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, "MATER ADMIRABILIS", SAINT JOHN CANTIUS (1473 A.D.); SAINT IRENE (653 A.D.)

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY,

"MATER ADMIRABILIS"

FOR THE RELIGIOUS OF THE SACRED HEART

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS
Confessor

GREATER DOUBLE / WHITE

Humble manual labor was forever sanctified by Mary, "the handmaid of the Lord," the Mother of Christ and of all mankind. By her prayers, she renders the toil of her adopted human children fruitful and pleasing to God. A fresco (above) in the convent of the Trinita dei Monti in Rome depicts our "Mother most admirable" spinning in a court of the temple. This painting, blessed by Pope Pius IX, is venerated by pilgrims from all parts of the world, and among them extraordinary conversions and cures continually occur.

INTROIT

Hail, holy Mother, who brought forth the King who rules heaven and earth forever and ever.
Ps. 44:2  My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king.
V . Glory Be . . .

COLLECT

O God, you wondrously exalted the humble Virgin Mary in the Incarnation of Your only-begotten Son. May we be adopted as sons into Your divine family through the intercession of Your most Admirable Mother. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Commemoration of  SAINT JOHN CANTIUS
Except for a number of pilgrimages and eight years as a parish priest, John Cantius (1390-1473) spent his life as professor of theology in the University of Cracow. His pockets were always empty on account of his love for the poor. He often told his pupils to "fight all false opinions, but let your weapons be patience, sweetness, and love. Roughness is bad for your own soul and spoils the best cause."

O Almighty God, grant that the example of the holy confessor John may help us to advance in the science of the saints and in mercy towards others, so that we may obtain forgiveness for ourselves through his merits. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON (Cant. 2:10-14)

Behold my beloved speaketh to me: "Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come. For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land: The fig tree hath put forth her green figs: the vines in flower yield their sweet smell. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come: My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, shew me thy face, let thy voice sound in my ears: for thy voice is sweet, and thy face comely."

GRADUAL (Cant. 2:2, 16)

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. V. My beloved to me, and I to him who feeds among the lilies.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.(Cant. 6:9)
Who is she who comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array? Alleluia!

GOSPEL (Luke 1:26-35)

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON

You bore a child, O Virgin, and remained a virgin still. Mother of God, intercede for us.

SECRET

May this offering bring us prosperity and peace now and always, O Lord, through Your mercy and the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary. Through Christ our Lord.

Commemoration of  SAINT JOHN CANTIUS

May the merits of the holy confessor John make these offerings acceptable to You, O Lord. Grant that we may love You above all and love all men for Your sake, so that we may please You by every thought and deed. Through Christ our Lord.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

You are blessed and venerable, O Virgin Mary, for without loss of your virginity you became the Mother of our Saviour.

POSTCOMMUNION

May we who have partaken of these helps toward our salvation, O Lord, be protected everywhere by the prayers of the most pure Virgin Mary, in whose honor we have offered this sacrifice to Your majesty. Through Christ our Lord.

Commemoration of  SAINT JOHN CANTIUS

O Lord, You have fed us with the food of Your own precious Body and Blood. We humbly ask that we may be led by the merits and example of Your holy confessor John to imitate his charity and to share in his glory; who lives and rules with God in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

 SAINT IRENE

(653 A.D.)

Virgin & Martyr

[Historical]

Irene was born in present-day Tomar, Portugal. She was born into an influential family, and her parents, wishing to protect her, sent her to a convent school and a private tutor. The only times she ever left her house was to attend Mass or pray at the sanctuary of Saint Peter. It so happened that a young nobleman named Britald happened to see her on one of her rare outings and fell desperately in love with her. Every time she left to go to church, he would follow her. Eventually he came forward with his proposal to court her; however, Irene made it clear that she would never marry him. When Britald fell ill with depression, Irene hastened to make it clear to him that the reason for her celibacy was that she had given herself to God as a nun.^[1]
Meanwhile, her tutor, a monk named Remigius (or Remígio) made improper advances to her, and when she declined, quit and spread vicious rumors about her. When asked why he was no longer tutoring the girl, he replied that he had left upon having learned that she was pregnant. This rumor circulated around the town, and eventually Britald learned of his beloved's supposed infidelity. Enraged, he hired a mercenary soldier to kill her. So, as Irene was returning home from visiting an elderly cripple, the assassin approached from behind and killed her with a single stroke of his sword.

Her body was thrown into River Tagus. Later, it was recovered uncorrupted by Benedictines near the town of Scalabris. They gave her a proper burial, and spread her cultus. Eventually, so great was the reverence paid to the virgin saint, that the name of the town of Scalabis was changed to Santarém ("Saint Irene").
Thus, Irene is the patron saint of Tomar and namesake Santarém.

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY
AFTER PENTECOST

DOUBLE / GREEN
Many temptations result from exposing ourselves to persons, places, and things that entice us to unlawful satisfaction. Other temptations come from reflex actions of our instincts. But some temptations may be due to the subtle deceptions of the devil. A fallen angel, the devil retains the intelligence of an angel and directs all his rebellious hatred to detracting from God's glory and undoing Christ's work. But the devil can do only what God permits him to do. Sometimes God may permit severe temptations of every sort, in order to humble and purify a person for a special grace or a special office. Even the devil is made to serve God's purposes.
INTROIT Esth. 13:9, 10-11
All things depend on Your will, O Lord, and there is no one who can resist Your will. For You have made all things, heaven and earth, and all things that are under the canopy of heaven. You are the Lord of all.
Ps. 118:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Keep Your family under Your continual care, O Lord. Shelter it with Your protection from all adversity, that it may be zealous in doing good for the honor of Your name. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Eph. 6:10-17
Brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his power. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.
Therefore, take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of justice: And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).

GRADUAL Ps. 89:1-2
O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generation.
V. Before the mountains were made, or the earth was formed, from eternity to eternity You are God.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 113:1.
When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob fled from a barbarous people. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 18:23-35
At that time, Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: "The kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one as brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents. And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt.
"But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: 'Pay what thou owest.' And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him, saying: 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt.
"Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came, and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him: and said to him: 'Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me: Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee?' And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Job 1:2
There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, simple and upright, and fearing God. Satan asked that he might tempt him, and power was given Satan from the Lord over Job's possessions and his flesh; and Satan destroyed all his substance and his children, and afflicted his body with a grievous ulcer.

SECRET 
O Lord, graciously accept this offering which You in Your boundless mercy instituted to atone for our sins and to restore salvation to us. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 118:81, 84, 86
My soul looks to Your salvation, and in Your word have I hoped. When will You come in judgment for those who persecute me? The wicked have persecuted me; help me, O Lord my God.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
We have eaten at the banquet of immortality, O Lord. May we cherish with a pure heart this Food which we have received through our lips. Through our Lord . . .

  . .

Saint Edward the Confessor (1066 A.D.)

SAINT EDWARD
King and Confessor

SIMPLE / WHITE
King Edward the Confessor reigned in England from the end of the Danish rule (1042) to the Norman conquest (1066). His subjects praised his simplicity, gentleness, humility, and purity. He made a practice of standing at his palace gate, speaking kindly to the beggars and lepers who crowded about him, and often he wrought cures among them. England grew prosperous during his rule of almost unbroken peace, and for ages afterward the people spoke with affection of the "laws of good St. Edward."

Image via Wikipedia

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

Introit
Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
  

COLLECT
O God, You gave the blessed confessor king Edward a crown of everlasting glory. may we who honor him on earth be worthy to rule with him in heaven. Through our Lord . . .



Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 31:8-11
Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall recount his alms.
R. Thanks be to God. 

Gradual
Ps 91:12, 14.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straight-way open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third, and fins them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming. 

SECRET 
We offer You, O Lord, this Sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through our Lord . . .


POSTCOMMUNION 
Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink, we humbly pray You, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of Your saint in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through our Lord . . .

TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST; OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

  [Commemoration]

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

DOUBLE / GREEN 
Christian Wisdom does not judge and choose according to rebellious instincts or misguided opinion; it chooses according to the teachings of the New Testament and in view of man's destiny for eternal happiness. The wise Christian sees God's Will in all things and surrenders to God's Will in all things. He chooses God's way gladly and gratefully in all things, and not merely when God's Will is in accord with his own inclinations. Moreover, wisdom leads the Christian to be content with God's favor and guidance and not to ask for signs and wonders to prove His presence and power.
Christian wisdom puts charity above everything. Truth and justice are not enough, for they are never complete without charity. And charity has no national boundaries. As Christ cured the officer's son at a distance, so His death offered on a local altar can mean grace to a pagan in a distant land.

INTROIT (Dan 3:31, 29, 33)
All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done in just judgment, because we have disobeyed Your Commandments; but give glory to Your own name and deal with us in accord with Your bounteous mercy.
Ps. 118:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Forget Your anger, O Lord, and grant Your faithful pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from their sins and serve You without fear. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

This feast was instituted by Pope St. Pius V in thanksgiving for the great naval victory over the Turks at the battle of Lepanto on this day in the year 1570, a favor due to the recitation of the Rosary. This victory saved Europe from being overrun by the forces of Islam.

 O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has merited for us the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech You, that, meditating on those mysteries in the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

EPISTLE (Eph. 5:15-21)
See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise, But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore, become not unwise: but understanding what is the will of God. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury: but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord: Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father: Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.

GRADUAL (Ps. 144:15-16)
The eyes of all look hopefully to You, O Lord, and You give them food in due season.
V. You open Your hand, and fill every living creature with blessing.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 107:2
My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing and praise You, my glory. Alleluia!

GOSPEL (St. John 4:46-53)
He came again therefore into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain ruler, whose son was sick at Capharnaum. He having heard that Jesus was come from Judea into Galilee, sent to him and prayed him to come down and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
Jesus therefore said to him: "Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not." The ruler saith to him: Lord, come down before that my son die. Jesus saith to him: "Go thy way. Thy son liveth."
The man believed the word which Jesus said to him and went his way. And as he was going down, his servants met him: and they brought word, saying, that his son lived. He asked therefore of them the hour wherein he grew better. And they said to him: "Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him." The father therefore knew that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him: "Thy son liveth." And himself believed, and his whole house.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 136:1)
By the streams of Babylon we sat and wept, when we remembered you, O Sion.

SECRET
O Lord, let this sacred rite bring us healing from heaven and cleanse our hearts of all sinfulness. Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY
 Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord, to be properly prepared to offer these gifts, and, through the mysteries of the most holy Rosary, so to keep in mind the life, passion and glory of Your only-begotten Son, that we may be made worthy of His promises.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
R. Amen

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Ps. 118:49-50)
Remember Your promise to Your servant, O Lord, by which You have given me hope. This is my solace in my affliction.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, make us ever obedient to Your Commandments, that we may be deserving of Your heavenly Gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Commemoration of OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

May the prayers of Your most holy Mother, whose Rosary we are honoring, help us, we beseech You, O Lord, that we may derive strength from the mysteries we celebrate and obtain benefit from the sacrament we have received.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
R. Amen 

Saint Bruno (1101 A.D.)

Fillipo Lauri, Ecstasy of Saint Bruno, 
Second half of the 17th century., oil on canvas

SAINT BRUNO
Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
As a young priest, Bruno (1030-1101) was a brilliant teacher at the cathedral school of Rheims. He became rector of that school and later chancellor of the diocese. In 1084 he withdrew to the wilderness of Chartreuse and founded there a monastery of monk-hermits which grew into the Carthusian Institute, the most penitential of all contemplative communities. His character, far from being harsh, was marked by serene gaiety and tender charity. Saint Bruno is Patron of those who suffer from demonic possession.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

Introit
Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.

COLLECT
May the prayers of the holy confessor Bruno assist us, O Lord, so that we, who have deeply offended Your majesty by our sins, may be pardoned through his merits and intercession. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 31:8-11
Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall recount his alms.
R. Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Ps 91:12, 14.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straight-way open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third, and fins them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming.  

SECRET 
We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION 
Almighty God, we pray that the reception of this Bread of Heaven may strengthen us against all adversity through the intercession of Your blessed confessor Bruno. Through our Lord . . .

Painting by Sebastiano Ricci (1659-1734) depicting the founder of the Carthusians, Bruno of Cologne (c1030-1101), adoring the Virgin Mary and the Infant Christ, with Hugh of Lincoln (1135-1200) looking on in the background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)