SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT; SAINT OSBURGA Abbess

The painting is by Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri; Italian, ca. 1591-1666),
Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery, 1621.

SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT

SAINT OSBURGA

SIMPLE / PURPLE


Jesus said: "Do not judge, that you may not be judged. For with what judgement you judge, you shall be judged. . . . But why dost thou see the speck in thy brother's eye, and yet dost not consider the beam in thine own eye? . . . Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam from thine own eye, and then thou wilt see clearly to cast out the speck from thy brother's eye" (Matt. 7:1-3,5).
It is common tendency to favor ourselves and condemn others precisely in proportion to our own guilt. Conversely, the innocent find it easy to believe in the innocence of others, and to sympathize with their failures.
 
INTROIT Ps. 5:2-3
Hear my words, O Lord; consider my cry. Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my king and my God.
Ps. 5:4. For to You I pray, O Lord; in the morning You hear my voice.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Almighty God, while Your servants mortify their bodies by fasting, may they also follow after righteousness and avoid sin. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT OSBURGA

St. Osburga became the first Abbess of the monastery of Coventry, built by king Canute. A holy death crowned her marvelous life of prayer and penance in the middle of the eleventh century.

Hear us, O God, our Savior, and as we rejoice in the feast of blessed Osburga, Thy Virgin, so we may learn a filial devotion to Thee. Through our Lord . . .


LESSON Dan. 13:1-9, 15-17, 1930, 33-62
Now there was a man that dwelt in Babylon, and his name was Joakim: And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helcias, a very beautiful woman, and one that feared God. For her parents being just, had instructed their daughter according to the law of Moses.
Now Joakim was very rich, and had an orchard near his house: and the Jews resorted to him, because he was the most honourable of them all. And there were two of the ancients of the people appointed judges that year, of whom the Lord said: 'That iniquity came out from Babylon, from the ancient judges, that seemed to govern the people.' These men frequented the house of Joakim, and all that had any matters of judgment came to them. And when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went in, and walked in her husband's orchard. And the old men saw her going in every day, and walking: and they were inflamed with lust towards her:
And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.
And it fell out, as they watched a fit day, she went in on a time, as yesterday and the day before, with two maids only, and was desirous to wash herself in the orchard: for it was hot weather. And there was nobody there, but the two old men that had hid themselves, and were beholding her. So she said to the maids: "Bring me oil, and washing balls, and shut the doors of the orchard, that I may wash me."
Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders arose, and ran to her, and said: "Behold the doors of the orchard are shut, and nobody seeth us, and we are in love with thee: wherefore consent to us, and lie with us. But if thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee, and therefore thou didst send away thy maids form thee." Susanna sighed, and said: "I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death to me: and if I do it not, I shall not escape your hands. But it is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord." With that Susanna cried out with a loud voice: and the elders also cried out against her. And one of them ran to the door of the orchard, and opened it. So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the orchard, they rushed in by the back door, to see what was the matter. But after the old men had spoken, the servants were greatly ashamed: for never had there been any such word said of Susanna. And on the next day, When the people were come to Joakim, her husband, the two elders also came full of wicked device against Susanna, to put her to death. And they said before the people: "Send to Susanna, daughter of Helcias, the wife of Joakim." And presently they sent. And she came with her parents, and children and all her kindred.
Therefore her friends, and all her acquaintance wept. But the two elders rising up in the midst of the people, laid their hands upon her head. And she weeping, looked up to heaven, for her heart had confidence in the Lord. And the elders said: "As we walked in the orchard alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the doors of the orchard, ans sent away the maids from her. Then a young man that was there hid came to her, and lay with her. But we that were in a corner of the orchard, seeing this wickedness, ran up to them, and we saw them lie together.
And him indeed we could not take, because he was stronger than us, and opening the doors, he leaped out: But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: of this thing we are witnesses."
The multitude believed them, as being the elders, and the judges of the people, and they condemned her to death. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said: "O eternal God, who knowest hidden things, who knowest all things before they come to pass, Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me: and behold I must die, whereas I have done none of these things, which these men have maliciously forged against me."
And the Lord heard her voice. And when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young boy, whose name was Daniel: And he cried out with a loud voice: "I am clear from the blood of this woman." Then all the people turning themselves towards him, said: "What meaneth this word that thou hast spoken?" But he standing in the midst of them, said: "Are ye so foolish, ye children of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth, you have condemned a daughter of Israel? Return to judgment, for they have borne false witness against her."
So all the people turned again in haste, and the old men said to him: "Come, and sit thou down among us, and shew it us: seeing God hath given thee the honour of old age." And Daniel said to the people: "Separate these two far from one another, and I will examine them." So when they were put asunder one from the other, he called one of them, and said to him: "O thou that art grown old in evil days, now are thy sins come out, which thou hast committed before: In judging unjust judgments, oppressing the innocent, and letting the guilty to go free, whereas the Lord saith: The innocent and the just thou shalt not kill. Now then if thou sawest her, tell me under what tree thou sawest them conversing together?": He said: "Under a mastic tree." And Daniel said: "Well hast thou lied against thy own head: for behold the angel of God having received the sentence of him, shall cut thee in two."
And having put him aside, he commanded that the other should come, and he said to him: "O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thy heart: Thus did you do to the daughters of Israel, and they for fear conversed with you: but a daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness. Now, therefore, tell me, under what tree didst thou take them conversing together?" And he answered: "Under a holm tree." And Daniel said to him: "Well hast thou also lied against thy own head: for the angel of the Lord waiteth with a sword to cut thee in two, and to destroy you."
With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and they blessed God, who saveth them that trust in him. And they rose up against the two elders, (for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth) and they did to them as they had maliciously dealt against their neighbour, To fulfil the law of Moses: and they put them to death, and innocent blood was saved in that day.

GRADUAL Ps. 22:4
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, O Lord.
V. Your rod and Your staff, these give me courage.

GOSPEL John 8:1-11
At that time, Jesus went unto mount Olivet. And early in the morning he came again into the temple: and all the people came to him. And sitting down he taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst, And said to him: "Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery. Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou?" And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him.
But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground. When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself and said to them: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground.
But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst. Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: "Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee?" Who said: "No man, Lord." And Jesus said: "Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 118:133
Direct my footsteps according to Your promise, O Lord, and let no iniquity rule over me.

SECRET
Almighty God, grant that our sacrificial offering may cleanse and protect our frail nature from all evil. Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT OSBURGA May this sacrifice of Thy dedicated people be accepted by Thee, O Lord, in honor of Thy Saints, to whose merits we attribute the help afforded us in tribulation. Though our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 8:10, 11
Has no one condemned thee, woman? No one, Lord. Neither will I condemn thee. From now on sin no more.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty God, may we, who have received the Body and Blood of Christ in Communion, be numbered among the members of His Mystical Body; who lives and rules with You . . .


Commemoration of SAINT OSBURGA Thou hast filled Thy household, O Lord, with holy gifts: do Thou cherish us always, through the intercession of her whose festival we are keeping. Through our Lord . . .


 PRAY OVER THE PEOPLE
O Lord, stretch out Your helping hand from heaven to all the faithful who seek You with all their hearts. May they be worthy of receiving that which they rightly ask for. Through our Lord . . .

The 1579 engraving by Paul Perret (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT; SAINT JOHN CAPISTRAN (1456 A.D.); SAINT STEPHEN HARDING Abbot (1134 A.D.)

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT

SAINT JOHN CAPISTRAN
Confessor

[Commemoration]

SAINT STEPHEN HARDING

SIMPLE/PURPLE

Man's entire being cries out for the presence of God -- a God who knows, loves, protects, forgives, and heals. The man whose life is God-centered will be God's agent of charity toward the oppressed, the abandoned, the sick, the stranger, regardless of race or nationality. Such God-centered agents of charity were Saints Cosmas and Damian, martyred physicians in whose honor the "stational church" of today's liturgy was built.

INTROIT

"I AM the salvation of the people," said the Lord. "In whatever distress they shall cry to me, I will hear them; and I will be their Lord forever."

Ps. 77:1 Hearken, my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

We honor You, O Lord, in the celebration of the feast of Your blessed Cosmas and Damian. Help us through these saints upon whom, in Your wondrous providence, You have bestowed eternal glory. Through Our Lord . . .  

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN CAPISTRAN 

 John was born in 1386, at Capistrano in the kingdom of Naples. He became a famous lawyer and then was appointed governor of Perugia. At the age of 34 he entered the Franciscan Order. John Capistran was the friend of four Popes: he reformed his order, and he evangelized Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Poland. At the close of his life, John led a crusade against the Turks and was a chief organizer of the glorious Christian victory at Belgrade in 1456.

  O God, blessed John manifested the power of the most holy name of Jesus when he led the faithful in triumph over the enemies of the Cross. May we overcome the deceits of our spiritual enemies and receive the crown of justice from You through the intercession of this saint. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT STEPHEN HARDING 

Born to the English nobility. After a somewhat mis-spent youth, he was drawn to religious life and entered the Benedictine Sherborne Abbey. Following the Norman conquest of England in 1066, Stephen left the monastic life, moved to Scotland and then to Paris, France to study. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy, seeking forgiveness for having abandoned monasticism. Monk at Molesme Abbey. With Saint Robert of Molesme, he helped begin the Cistercian reform by helping found Citeaux Abbey in 1098. Chosen abbot of the house in 1109, he came in with a reformer’s zeal and administrative skill. Accepted Saint Bernard of Clairvaux into the Order with all the reform and expansion that he and his brothers brought with them. Helped found a dozen other Cistercian houses. amd gave the statutes that started the Cistician nuns. Worked for a reform to simplicity in all things including liturgical rites, church decor, monastic dress, and life in the Order.  

O God, by whose gift the blessed Abbot Stephen resigned all goods in order to  become perfect, grant unto all those who are engaged in the way of evangelical perfection, the grace neither to look back, nor to stick fast in the way, but running to Thee without stumbling, they may obtain that everlasting life to which they have been called. Through our Lord . . . 

LESSON Jer. 7:1-7
In those days, the word that came to Jeremias from the Lord, saying:
"Stand in the gate of the house of the Lord, and proclaim there this word, and say: Hear ye the word of the Lord, all ye men of Juda, that enter in at these gates, to adore the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: Make your ways and your doings good: and I will dwell with you in this place.
"Trust not in lying words, saying: The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, it is the temple of the Lord. For if you will order well your ways, and your doings: if you will execute judgment between a man and his neighbour, If you oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, and walk not after strange gods to your own hurt, I will dwell with you in this place: in the land, which I gave to your fathers from the beginning and for evermore, says the Lord Almighty."

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.


GOSPEL Luke 4:38-44
And Jesus rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever: and they besought him for her. And standing over her, he commanded the fever: and it left her. And immediately rising, she ministered to them.
And when the sun was down, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to him. But he, laying his hands on every one of them, healed them. And devils went out from many, crying out and saying: "Thou art the son of God." And rebuking them he suffered them not to speak; for they knew that he was Christ.
And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him. And they stayed him that should not depart from them. To whom he said: "To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God: for therefore am I sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 137:7
Though I walk in the midst of tribulation, you shall preserve my life, O Lord. You will stretch forth Your right hand against the anger of my enemies, and Your right hand shall save me.

SECRET
We honor the glorious death of Your saints, O Lord, in the offering of this sacrifice which has given meaning to all martyrdom. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN CAPISTRAN
May the sacrifice we offer please You, O Lord, and protect us against the trickery of our enemies through the intercession of Your blessed confessor John. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT STEPHEN HARDING 
May the holy Abbot Stephen, we beseech Thee, O Lord, obtain by his prayers that the sacrifice laid on Thy holy altar may profit us unto salvation. Through our Lord . . . 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 118:4-5
You have commanded that Your precepts be kept most diligently. Oh, that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Your statutes!

POSTCOMMUNION
We beg You, O Lord, through the merits of Your blessed Martyrs Cosmas and Damian, to let this Sacrament be a sure promise of our salvation. Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT JOHN CAPISTRAN
We have been nourished by the Food of Heaven and refreshed by Spiritual Drink. Shield us from our evil enemies and keep the Church in enduring peace. Through Our Lord . . .  

Commemoration of SAINT STEPHEN HARDING 
 May the pleading of blessed Stephen, the Abbot, for us, as well as the reception of Thy Sacrament, protect us, O Lord, that we may both share in the glory of his works, and receive the help of his intercession. Through our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
Draw all nations to Yourself by Your divine mercy, O Lord, and make them always obedient to Your commandments. Through our Lord . . .

WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT; SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE (749 A.D.)

WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN LENT

[Commemoration]

SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE
Confessor and Doctor of the Church

SIMPLE / PURPLE
The clear commandments of God are the light of hope for all the world; they are the eternal will, the eternal law of God that keeps everyone and everything in order and in peace. Obedience to God, and to His authority delegated to men, is the first duty of justice and the beginning of wisdom. Disobedience is injustice, shortsightedness, foolishness. Without  a vivid sense of God's rightful sovereignty over everything and every detail of life, there can be no sense of sin and no sorrow for sin.
 
INTROIT (Ps. 30:7-8)
I will hope in the Lord. I shall rejoice and be glad because of Your mercy, for You have regarded my humility.
Ps. 30:2. In You, O Lord, have I hoped.Let me never be put to shame. In Your justice rescue me and set me free.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Lord, may our fasting and our avoidance of sin win for us Your readier forgiveness. Through Our Lord . . .
 

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE 

Although Christian, John was grand vizier of the Mohammedan caliph of Damascus, when Emperor Leo the Isaurian began his campaign in the eight century against the veneration of holy images. John strongly opposed the destroyers of images, and for that reason lost his high post. John became a monk and passed the rest of his life in prayer, in study, and in writing about the things of God. He composed commentaries on St. Paul, many beautiful poems, and the Fountain of Wisdom, a summary of Christian beliefs. He is the last of the Greek Fathers, and has been called the St. Thomas Aquinas of the East.

Almighty and Eternal God, You endowed blessed John with divine learning and wondrous fortitude of soul in order that he might defend the veneration of sacred images. May the example and prayers of blessed John help us to imitate the virtues and enjoy the protection of the saints whose images we venerate. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON (Ex. 20:12-24)
Thus says the Lord God: "Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayst be long-lived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house; neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his."
And all the people saw the voices and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and being terrified and struck with fear, they stood afar off, Saying to Moses: "Speak thou to us, and we will hear: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die."
And Moses said to the people: "Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that the dread of him might be in you, and you should not sin."
And the people stood afar off. But Moses went to the dark cloud wherein God was. And the Lord said to Moses: "Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. You shall not make gods of silver, nor shall you make to yourselves gods of gold. You shall make an altar of earth unto me, and you shall offer upon it your holocausts and peace offerings, your sheep and oxen, in every place where the memory of my name shall be."

GRADUAL (Ps. 6:3-4)
Have pity on me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord.
V. For my body is in terror, and my soul. too, is utterly terrified.

TRACT (Ps. 102:10; 78:8-9)
O Lord, repay us not according to the sins we have committed, nor according to our iniquities.
V. O Lord, remember not our iniquities of the past, let Your mercy come quickly to us, for we are being brought very low. (All Kneel.)
V. Help us, O God our Savior, and for the glory of Your name, O Lord, deliver us; and pardon us our sins for Your name's sake.

GOSPEL (Matt. 15:1-20)
At that time, then came to him from Jerusalem scribes and Pharisees, saying: "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the ancients? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread." But he answering, said to them: "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for your tradition? For God said: 'Honour thy father and mother': And: 'He that shall curse father or mother, let him die the death.' But you say: 'Whosoever shall say to father or mother, "The gift whatsoever proceedeth from me, shall profit thee." And he shall not honour his father or his mother': and you have made void the commandment of God for your tradition. Hypocrites, well hath Isaias prophesied of you, saying: 'This people honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men.' "
And having called together the multitudes unto him, he said to them: "Hear ye and understand. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."
Then came his disciples, and said to him: "Dost thou know that the Pharisees, when they heard this word, were scandalized?" But he answering, said: "Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind, and leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit."
And Peter answering, said to him: "Expound to us this parable." But he said: "Are you also yet without understanding? Do you not understand, that whatsoever entereth into the mouth, goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the privy? But the things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart, and those things defile a man. For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man. But to eat with unwashed hands doth not defile a man."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 108:21)
O Lord, be merciful to me for Your name's sake, because Your mercy is sweet.

SECRET
O Lord, accept the prayers and sacrifice Your people offer You. May we who celebrate Your sacred rites be guarded from all danger. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE 
O Lord, may our offerings be pleasing to You through the prayerful intercession of blessed John and of Your saints whose images we today venerate in our churches because of the efforts of their defender. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Ps. 15:11)
You have made known to me the path of life; You shall fill me with the joy of Your presence, O Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may the heavenly banquet of which we have partaken sanctify us, free us of all error, and make us worthy of Your promise of heaven. Through Our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE 
Shield us, O Lord, with Your divine protection through the Gift we have just received. Cover us over with the prayers of blessed John and of all Your saints whose images are held in veneration in our churches today because of his efforts. Through Our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O Almighty God, may we who seek the help of Your protection be delivered from all evil, to serve You with untroubled minds. Through Our Lord . . .

TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

SIMPLE / PURPLE
The point at which we most quickly become Pharisees is in refusing forgiveness. Failing often in greater or lesser ways, everyone must constantly ask forgiveness of God and men. Besides, the duty of forgiveness is binding upon all souls, and in regard to all. Only when fraternal correction fails and the common good requires, does authority step in to heal the damage of scandal by corrective action. Everyone else must forgive and love and keep strong the bond of brotherhood. United in love and worship, especially at Mass and Holy Communion, we are one in Christ and sure to be heard by His Father when we pray.

INTROIT (Ps. 16:6, 8)
I cry to You, for You will answer me, O God. Incline Your ear and hear my words. Keep me as the apple of Your eye, O Lord; protect me under the shadow of Your wings.
Ps. 16:1. Hear, O Lord, a just cause; hearken to my supplication.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Almighty and merciful God, hear our prayers, and in Your kindness grant us Your grace as a result of our self-denial. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON (IV Kings 4:1-7)
In those days, a certain woman of the wives of the prophets, cried to Eliseus, saying: "Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant was one that feared God, and behold the creditor is come to take away my two sons to serve him." And Eliseus said to her: "What wilt thou have me do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in thy house?" And she answered: "I, thy handmaid, have nothing in my house but a little oil, to anoint me." And he said to her: "Go, borrow of all thy neighbours empty vessels, not a few. And go in, and shut thy door, when thou art within, and thy sons: and pour out thereof into all those vessels: and when they are full, take them away."
So the woman went, and shut the door upon her, and upon her sons: they brought her the vessels, and she poured in. And when the vessels were full, she said to her son: "Bring me yet a vessel." And he answered: "I have no more." And the oil stood. And she came, and told the man of God. And he said: "Go, sell the oil, and pay thy creditor: and thou and thy sons live of the rest."

GRADUAL (Ps. 18:13-14)
Cleanse me from my hidden faults, O Lord, and spare Your servant from those of others. V. If they be not master of me, then I shall be blameless, and I shall be free of the most serious sin.

GOSPEL (Matt. 18:15-22)
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven. For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Then came Peter unto him and said: "Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" Jesus saith to him: "I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 117:16-17)
The right hand of the Lord has exercised power, the right hand of the Lord has lifted me up. I shall not die, but live,and declare the works of the Lord.

SECRET
O Lord, may this Sacrament bestow on us the effects of redemption by restraining our human passions and bringing us always closer to our salvation. Through Our Lord . . .



COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Ps. 14:1-2)
Lord, who shall abide in Your dwelling place? Who shall dwell on Your holy mountain? He who walks blamelessly and does justice.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, cleanse us by this sacred Rite and grant us Your pardon and grace. Through Our Lord . . .

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O Lord, shield us by Your protection and keep us always from committing sin. Through Our Lord . . .

 

THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Every year this feast recalls anew Mary's reply to God's angelic messenger: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word." Every work of the Creator is called to perfection, and perfection consists in obedience. The heavens and the earth inevitably announce the glory of God, but to human beings alone God granted a free will to serve Him. At the Annunciation, the obedience of Mary brought Christ down on earth to save fallen humanity. we, too, are called upon to co-operate with the Creator. The glory of God awaits our human word of obedient consent.

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE
INTROIT (Ps. 44:13, 15, 16)All the rich among the people shall seek your favor. Behind her the virgins shall be led to the king, her friends shall be brought to you with gladness and joy.
Ps. 44:2. My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king.
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT
O God, by Your divine decree the Word was made flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the announcement of the angel. May the prayers of the Virgin help us, for we believe that she is truly the Mother of God. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of  MONDAY THIRD WEEK OF LENT
O Lord, we beseech You, in Your mercy, pour forth Your grace into our hearts, that, as we abstain from material food, so may we restrain our senses from sin.
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.

LESSON (Isa. 7:10-15)
In those days, the Lord spoke again to Achaz, saying: "Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above." And Achaz said: "I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord." And he said: "Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and his name shall be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good."

Gradual
Ps 44:3, 5.
Grace is poured out upon your lips; thus God has blessed you forever.
V. In the cause of truth and mercy and for the sake of justice: may your right hand show you wondrous deeds.
Ps 44:11-12
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear; for the King shall desire your beauty.
Ps 44:13, 10.
V. All the rich among the people seek Your favor; the daughters of kings come to meet You.
Ps 44:15-16
V. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King; they are borne in to You.
V. They are brought with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the King.

GOSPEL (Luke 1:26-38)
At that time, 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. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren. Because no word shall be impossible with God." And Mary said: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word."

CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Luke 1:28, 42)
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

SECRET
O Lord, fix deeply in our minds the mysteries of our true faith. We profess that Your Son who was conceived of a virgin is true God and true man. May His life-giving resurrection bring us the reward of eternal happiness. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of  MONDAY THIRD WEEK OF LENT
O Lord, make for us a sacrament of salvation the gift of homage which we offer to You.
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 (Isa. 7:14)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and shall bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

POSTCOMMUNION
Pour forth Your grace into our hearts, O Lord, so that we who learned of the Incarnation of Your Son Christ through the message of an angel, may be brought to the glory of Jesus' resurrection by His passion and cross. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of  MONDAY THIRD WEEK OF LENT
Grant, we beseech You, almighty and merciful God, that what we take into our mouth, we may eat with a pure heart.
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. 

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT; SAINT GABRIEL Archangel

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

[Commemoration]

SAINT GABRIEL

Archangel

DOUBLE / PURPLE
Today we worship Jesus as the Prince of Light, the "stronger" One, who casts out a devil, defends His authority over the whole kingdom of devils, and demands that we declare our allegiance to Him. Loyalty is in our very blood because God put it there; it is meant to hold us firm when truant desires tempt us. Loyalties reveal where we have put our securities. False loyalties can be given to lofty ideals as well as to earthly pleasures. As "children of the light," be wise. "Hear the word of God and keep it." Above everything, be loyal as love. "Walk in love."

INTROIT Ps. 24:15-16My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall free my feet from the snare. Look upon me, and have pity on me, for I am alone and wretched.
Ps. 24:1-2. I have lifted up my soul to You, O my God; in You I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Almighty God, fulfill the petitions of the humble; and defend us with Your right hand of power. Through Our Lord . . .
 


Commemoration of SAINT GABRIEL 
Gabriel the Archangel announced to Daniel the time of the coming of the Messias (Dan. 9:21), and to Zachary the future birth of the Precursor of the Word Incarnate (Luke 1:10). Then came the sublime message to Mary at Nazareth and the God-inspired salutation, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women" (Luke 1:28).
In the "Hail Mary," the words of the Angel of the Annunciation have been repeated through the centuries by countless millions of human beings. Thrice daily the church bells ring the "Angelus" to recall through the ages how the strong angel who stands before God bowed in reverence to a humble Jewish virgin, soon to become the Mother of Christ and the Queen of heaven and earth.

O God, from among all the angels You chose the archangel Gabriel as the messenger of the mystery of Your Incarnation. May his intercession in heaven help us as we celebrate his feast on earth; who lives and rules with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
 
EPISTLE Eph. 5:1-9
Brethren: Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints: Or obscenity or foolish talking or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks. For know you this and understand: That no fornicator or unclean or covetous person (which is a serving of idols) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light. For the fruit of the light is in all goodness and justice and truth.

GRADUAL Ps. 9:20, 4
Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your presence. V. When my enemies shall be turned back, they shall be weakened and destroyed before you.

TRACT Ps. 122:1-3
To You who are enthroned in heaven, have I lifted up my eyes. 
V. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters.
V. And as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord, our God, until He have pity on us.
V. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy.

GOSPEL Luke 11:14-28
At that time, Jesus was casting out a devil: and the same was dumb. And when he had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes, were in admiration at it. But some of them said: "He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils." And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven. But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation; and house upon house shall fall. And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because you say that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth. But if a stronger than he come upon him and overcome him, he will take away all his armour wherein he trusted and will distribute his spoils. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest: and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself: and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." 
And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: "Blessed is the womb that bore thee and the paps that gave thee suck." But he said: "Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 18:9, 10, 11, 12The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart, and His judgments are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb; for Your servant observes them.

SECRET 
May this offering cleanse us from our sins, O Lord, and may it sanctify Your servants in body and soul for the celebration of this sacrifice. Through Our Lord . . .

 Commemoration of SAINT GABRIEL
Accept the offering of our gift and the prayers of the blessed archangel Gabriel, O Lord. May he whom we venerate on earth be our advocate before You in heaven. Through Our Lord . . .
 
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 83:4-5
The sparrow has found herself a home, and the turtledove a nest in which to lay her young -- Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God! Blessed are they who dwell in Your house; they shall praise You forever and ever.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O God, You have allowed us to share in this great Sacrament. In Your mercy free us also from all guilt and danger of sin. Through Our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT GABRIEL
We have received the Sacrament of Your Body and Blood, O Lord our God. may Gabriel, who brought us the news of Your Incarnation, help us to obtain the benefits of it; who lives and rules with God . . .

THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT; SAINT BENEDICT Abbot (543 A.D.)

THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN LENT

[Commemoration]

SAINT BENEDICT

Abbot

SIMPLE / PURPLE

The natural joys and comforts of life are blessings from God. Kept within limits, they help men to bear life's burdens and to do God's will. But where pleasure-seeking dominates life, a man becomes his own worst enemy; God and eternity seem unreal, hardly worth the bother. There is little thought of God's poor or of the world's sufferers. Lent recalls everyone to the wisdom of restraint in all pleasure. Trust rather in God for eternity's happiness.
 
INTROIT Ps. 69:2-3
O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let my enemies who seek my life be put to shame and confounded.
Ps. 69:4. Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Lord, help us by Your grace to be diligent in fasting and prayer, that we may be shielded against the enemies of our soul and body. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT BENEDICT

Benedict was born in central Italy, about the year 480, when the civilized world was being overrun by pagan and heretical tribes. As a young man, he withdrew to the mountainous region of Subiaco to live there as a hermit. Soon many disciples followed him. Later, St. Benedict left Subiaco for Monte Cassino and founded on its summit a monastery that became the most famous in Europe. After having rescued Europe from the darkness and ignorance that followed the downfall of the Roman Empire, St. Benedict's monks went out into the whole world to combat paganism with the light of Christ. They were the great civilizers, and their influence upon subsequent history is incalculable.
Even more importantly, the spirituality of Western Christianity has been shaped by the famous Rule Benedict devised for his monks. With this Rule he provided a "school of the Lord's service" which embraced a program of liturgical prayer, sacred study, and work, lived socially in community under one common father, with noticeable emphasis on peace, moderation (especially as regards austerities), and charity towards all men.

Let the blessed Abbot Benedict intercede for us, O Lord. May his prayers win us Your help, since our own actions cannot merit it. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON Jer. 17:5-10
Thus saith the Lord: "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like tamaric in the desert, and he shall not see when good shall come: but he shall dwell in dryness in the desert in a salt land, and not inhabited.
"Blessed be the man that trusteth in the Lord, and the Lord shall be his confidence. And he shall be as a tree that is planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots towards moisture: and it shall not fear when the heat cometh. And the leaf thereof shall be green, and in the time of drought it shall not be solicitous, neither shall it cease at any time to bring forth fruit.
"The heart is perverse above all things, and unsearchable, who can know it? I am the Lord who search the heart, and prove the reins: who give to every one according to his way, and according to the fruit of his devices."

GRADUAL Ps. 78:9-10
Pardon us our sins, O Lord, lest the nations ever say, "Where is their God?"
V. Help us, O God our Saviour, and for the glory of Your name, O Lord, deliver us.

GOSPEL Luke 16:19-31
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees, "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores, Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And no one did give him: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. "And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom: And he cried and said: 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.' And Abraham said to him: 'Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you cannot, nor from thence come hither.' And he said: 'Then, father, I beseech thee that thou wouldst send him to my father's house, for I have five brethren, That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments.' And Abraham said to him: 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them.' But he said: 'No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance.' And he said to him: 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.' "

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ex. 32:11, 13-14
Moses prayed before the Lord his God, saying, "Why, O Lord, should Your wrath blaze up against Your own people? Let Your anger die down. Remember Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and how You swore to give them a land flowing with milk and honey." And the Lord relented in the punishment He had threatened to inflict on His people.

SECRET
O Lord, may the fast we observe in Your name sanctify us through this Sacrifice, so that our acts of penance may accomplish within us the effects they outwardly signify. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT BENEDICT
Accept this offering which we humbly present in honor of Your Saints, O God, and through it purify our bodies and our souls. Through our Lord . . .

 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 6:57
"He who eats My flesh, and drinks My blood, abides in me and I in him," said the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION
Let us not be wanting of Your grace, O Lord. May it fire us with devotion to Your service and bring us Your assistance. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT BENEDICT 

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 Benedict. Through our Lord . . . 

 

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
O Lord, come to the assistance of Your servants and be merciful to those who implore Your mercy. Bind up the wounds of sin in those who glory in You as their creator and ruler, and keep them whole and sinless. Through our Lord . . .