OUR LADY OF PILLAR; SAINT KENNETH, Abbot (599 A.D.)

OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR (36 A.D.)

Español: Francisco de Goya, El apóstol Santiago y sus discípulos adorando a la Virgen del Pilar, 1775-1780, 107 x 80 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, in Zaragoza, Spain. Español: Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar en Zaragoza (Aragón, España) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the early days of the Church, the ApostleJames the Greater was evangelizing the Gospel in Caesaraugusta, but his mission was making little progress until miraculously, he saw The Blessed Virgin Mary committing him to Jerusalem. In his vision, she was atop a column or pillar, which was being carried by angels. That pillar is believed to be the same one venerated in Zaragoza today. Miraculous healings have been reported at the scene.Our Lady of the Pillar (Spanish: Nuestra Señora del Pilar) is the name given to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her appearance in Spain. Her shrine is in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, by the river Ebro.

 

SAINT KENNETH

INTROIT
Hail, holy Parent, that didst bring forth the King who ruleth Heaven and earth for ever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 44:2 My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak of my works to the King. Glory be to the Father . . . Hail . . .
 
COLLECT
Almighty and eternal God, who in the most glorious Mother of Thy Son hast wondrously given us a heavenly protectress, mercifully grant us perpetual protection through her aid whom we devoutly honor under the special title of Our Lady of the Pillar. Through the same . . . 

Commemoration of SAINT KENNETH
St. Kenneth, one of the twelve called the  "Apostles of Ireland," was an Irish missionary in Western Scotland. He founded a monastery at St. Andrews and became Abbot at Achaboe, where he died A.D. 599.

Omnipotent God, whom to serve is the climax and fulness of felicity, grant, we beseech Thee, that in imitation of blessed Kenneth, being subject one to another in the fear of Christ, we may, like submissive sons, serve Thee frankly in charity, holiness and justice. Through the same . . . 

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 24:14-16
Before all ages, in the beginning, He created me, and through all ages I shall not cease to be. In the holy Tent I ministered before Him, and in Sion I fixed my abode. Thus in the chosen city He has given me rest, in Jerusalem is my domain. I have struck root among the glorious people, in the portion of my God, His heritage, and my abode is in the full assembly of Saints.

Gradual

Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who, with unsullied virginity, were found to be the Mother of the Saviour.
V. O Virgin, Mother of God, He Whom the whole world does not contain, becoming man, shut Himself in your womb. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. After childbirth you remained a pure virgin, O Mother of God, intercede for us. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 11:27-28
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd lifted up her voice and said to Him, Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts that nursed You. But He said, "Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it."     

 Secret
Through Your mercy, O Lord, and by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, the Mother of Your only-begotten Son, may this offering profit us for prosperity and peace, now and forevermore.

Commemoration of SAINT KENNETH
We beseech Thee, O Lord, receive the prayers and sacrifices we offer Thee, and vouchsafe us that in imitation of blessed Kenneth, mortifying by the spirit the desires of the flesh, we may serve Thee alone. Through . . . 

Communion
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.

Post Communion
Having received the aids conducive to our salvation, O Lord, we beseech You, grant that we may everywhere be protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Your Majesty. 

Commemoration of SAINT KENNETH
O God of our heart, and our portion for ever, through this Sacrament which we have received, vouchsafe through the intercession of blessed Kenneth, that during our life we may adhere solely to Thee, from whom we hope to receive an everlasting inheritance in Heaven. Through our Lord . . .  

    Prayer to Our Lady of the Pillar
O Queen and Mother of Mercy, who dispenses graces to all who have recourse to thee with so much liberality, because thou art a Queen and with so much love, because thou art our most loving Mother; to thee do I, who am so devoid of merit and virtue, and so loaded with debts to the Divine justice, recommend myself this day. O Mary, thou holdest the keys of all the Divine mercies; forget not my miseries, and leave me not in my poverty. Thou art so liberal with all, and givest more than thou art asked for, O, be thus liberal with me. O Lady, protect me; this is all that I ask of thee.