SAINTS FAUSTINUS AND JOVITA, MARTYRS (121 A.D.)

  

Saints Faustinus & Jovita with the Blessed Virgin Mary and Christ Child. Image via Wikipedia

[Commemoration]
SAINTS FAUSTINUS AND JOVITA

Martyrs

SIMPLE/RED

Faustinus, a priest and Jovita, a deacon, were brothers, born into a family of the nobility in Brescia, Italy. They preached the Christian religion openly during the persecution under the Emperor Hadrian. When neither threats nor torments could shake their fidelity to Christ, Hadrian ordered their beheading about the year 121.

The two brothers were sent to the amphitheater to be devoured by lions, but four of those came out and lay down at their feet. They were left without food in a dark jail cell, but Angels brought them strength and joy for new combats. The flames of a huge fire respected them, and a large number of spectators were converted at the sight. Finally sentenced to decapitation, they knelt down and received the death blow. The city of Brescia honors them as its chief patrons and possesses their relics, and a very ancient church in that city bears their names.

Introit
Ps 96:7-8
Adore God, all you His angels: Sion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Juda rejoiced.
Ps 96:1
The Lord has reigned; let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.
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.
Adore God, all you His angels: Sion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Juda rejoiced.

COLLECT
 O Lord, we beseech You to keep Your household continually under Your mercy: that as it leans only upon the hope of Your heavenly grace, so it may always be protected by Your mighty power.
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.

Commemoration of SAINTS FAUSTINUS AND JOVITA

We are made happy, O God, by the annual feast of Your holy martyrs Faustinus and Jovita. As we joyously remember the merits of these saints, may we also be inspired by their example. Through Our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Colossians
Col 3:12-17
Brethren: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has a grievance against any other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so also do you forgive. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts; unto that peace, indeed, you were called in one body. Show yourselves thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom teach and admonish one another by psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing in your hearts to God by His grace. Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Ps 101:16
The Gentiles shall fear Your name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory.
V. For the Lord has built up Sion, and He shall be seen in His glory. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 96:1
V. The Lord has reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ✠︎of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 13:24-30
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to the crowds: The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. And when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then the weeds appeared as well. And the servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ And the servants said to him, ‘Will you have us go and gather them up?’ ‘No,’ he said, ‘lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will say to the reapers: Gather up the weeds first, and bind them in bundles to burn; but gather the wheat into my barns.’
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.

SECRET
We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of atonement, that You would mercifully absolve our sins and direct our faltering hearts.
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.

  Commemoration of SAINTS FAUSTINUS AND JOVITA
 O Lord, hear the prayers we offer on the feast of Your saints. Since we cannot rely on our own merits, let the merits of those who have been pleasing to You help us. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION 
We pray You, almighty God, that we may obtain that salvation whose pledge we have received in this divine sacrament.
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.
 
Commemoration of SAINTS FAUSTINUS AND JOVITA
 We have been nourished by the Sacrament of Salvation, O Lord. Help us also through the prayers of Your saints whom we honor this day. 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.