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)