[Commemoration]
SAINT BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS
Awake!
Why are you asleep, O Lord? Arise! Cast us not off forever! Why do you
hide your face and forget our troubles? Our bodies are pressed to the
earth. Arise, O Lord, help us, and free us!
Ps. 43:2. O God, our ears have heard, our fathers have spoken to us.
V. Glory be . . .
Ps. 43:2. O God, our ears have heard, our fathers have spoken to us.
V. Glory be . . .
COLLECT
O
God, You see that we place no trust in our ability and actions. May
the prayers of the Doctor of the Gentiles defend us against all
adversity. Through Our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT BERNADETTE
Bernadette Soubirous, in religion Sister Mary Bernard, was born at Lourdes, 7th January 1844. Died at Nevers, in the odour of sanctity, 16th April 1879. She was declared venerable 13th August 1913 and canonised 8th December 1933. The eighteen apparitions of the Immaculate Virgin took place between the 11th of February and 16th July 1858, when Bernadette was in her fifteenth year.
O God, protector and friend of the humble, who filled Thy servant, Mary Bernard, with joy by the apparition and the conversation of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, that by the simple way of faith we may be counted worthy to see Thee face to face in heaven.
Commemoration of SAINT SIMEON
St. Simeon was a close relative of the Blessed Virgin. The Apostles chose him to succeed the martyred St. James the Lesser as bishop of Jerusalem. In all probability Simeon directed the Christians in their retreat to Pella, when the Holy City was destroyed. During Trajan's persecution, Simeon was denounced to the governor Atticus as being not only a Christian, but also a descendant of David. The venerable bishop endured two days of torture before his crucifixion in the year 106.
Almighty God, look upon our
weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our own deeds. Let
the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Simeon in Heaven be our
protection. Through Our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT BERNADETTE
Bernadette Soubirous, in religion Sister Mary Bernard, was born at Lourdes, 7th January 1844. Died at Nevers, in the odour of sanctity, 16th April 1879. She was declared venerable 13th August 1913 and canonised 8th December 1933. The eighteen apparitions of the Immaculate Virgin took place between the 11th of February and 16th July 1858, when Bernadette was in her fifteenth year.
O God, protector and friend of the humble, who filled Thy servant, Mary Bernard, with joy by the apparition and the conversation of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, that by the simple way of faith we may be counted worthy to see Thee face to face in heaven.
Commemoration of SAINT SIMEON
St. Simeon was a close relative of the Blessed Virgin. The Apostles chose him to succeed the martyred St. James the Lesser as bishop of Jerusalem. In all probability Simeon directed the Christians in their retreat to Pella, when the Holy City was destroyed. During Trajan's persecution, Simeon was denounced to the governor Atticus as being not only a Christian, but also a descendant of David. The venerable bishop endured two days of torture before his crucifixion in the year 106.
EPISTLE II Cor. 11:19-33; 12:1-9
Brethren:
For you gladly suffer the foolish: whereas yourselves are wise. For
you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a
man take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you on the
face.
I seek according to
dishonour, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare
(I speak foolishly), I dare also. They are Hebrews: so am I. They are
Israelites: so am I. They are the seed of Abraham: so am I. They are
the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise): I am more; in many
more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in
deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes save
one. Thrice was I beaten with rods: once I was stoned: thrice I
suffered shipwreck: a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea.
In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren: In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness: Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?
In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren: In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness: Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is blessed for ever, knoweth that I lie not. At Damascus, the
governor of the nation under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the
Damascenes, to apprehend me. And through a window in a basket was I let
down by the wall: and so escaped his hands. If I must glory (it is not
expedient indeed) but I will come to visions and revelations of the
Lord. I know a man in Christ: above fourteen years ago (whether in the
body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such a
one caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the
body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth): That he was caught
up into paradise and heard secret words which it is not granted to man
to utter.
For such an one I will
glory: but for myself I will glory nothing but in my infirmities. For
though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish: for I will
say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above
that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.
And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
GRADUAL Ps. 82:19, 14
Let the nations know that You whose name is God, alone are the Most High over all the earth.
V. O my God, whirl them about like chaff before the wind!
V. O my God, whirl them about like chaff before the wind!
TRACT Ps. 59:4, 6
You have shaken the earth, O Lord, and thrown it into confusion.
V. Repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.
V. That they may flee out of bowshot; that Your chosen ones may escape.
V. Repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.
V. That they may flee out of bowshot; that Your chosen ones may escape.
GOSPEL Luke 8:4-15
At
that time, when a very great multitude was gathered together and
hastened out of the cities, unto him, he spoke by a similitude. "The
sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way
side. And it was trodden down: and the fowls of the air devoured it.
And other some fell upon a rock. And as soon as it was sprung up, it
withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among
thorns. And the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some
fell upon good ground and, being sprung up, yielded fruit a
hundredfold." Saying these things, he cried out: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said: "To
you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the
rest in parables, that 'seeing they may not see and hearing may not
understand.' Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And
they by the way side are they that hear: then the devil cometh and
taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved.
Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear receive the word
with joy: and these have no roots: for they believe for a while and in
time of temptation they fall away. And that which fell among thorns are
they who have heard and, going their way, are choked with the cares and
riches and pleasures of this life and yield no fruit. But that on the
good ground are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word,
keep it and bring forth fruit in patience."
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 16:5, 6-7
Keep
my steps steadfast in Your paths, that my feet may not falter. Incline
Your ear and hear my words. Show Your wondrous kindness, O Savior of
those who trust in You, O Lord.
SECRET
May the sacrifice we offer You, O Lord, bring us new life and keep us safe. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT BERNADETTE
O Lord, by Thy Sacrifice inflame our souls with that heavenly ardour by which blessed Mary Bernard, Thy Virgin, presented herself as a praise-offering agreeable to Thee.
Commemoration of SAINT SIMEON
O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyr bishop Simeon and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT BERNADETTE
O Lord, by Thy Sacrifice inflame our souls with that heavenly ardour by which blessed Mary Bernard, Thy Virgin, presented herself as a praise-offering agreeable to Thee.
Commemoration of SAINT SIMEON
O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyr bishop Simeon and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 42:4
I will go in to the altar of God, to God who gives joy to my youth.
POSTCOMMUNION
Almighty God, we humbly ask that those who are nourished with Your Sacrament may live a life of worthy service pleasing to You. Through Our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT BERNADETTE
We, who are renewed by those holy Mysteries, beseech Thee, O Lord, that imitating the marvelous constancy of the blessed Mary Bernard, we may obtain the eternal reward of our patience.
Commemoration of SAINT SIMEON
We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Simeon make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through our Lord . . .
St. Bernadette Soubirous
Died: 1879
Famed visionary of Lourdes, baptized Mary
Bernard. She was born in Lourdes, France, on January 7, 1844, the
daughter of Francis and Louise Soubirous. Bernadette, a severe asthma
sufferer, lived in abject poverty. On February 11, 1858, she was granted
a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary
in a cave on the banks of the Gave River near Lourdes. She was placed
in consider able jeopardy when she reported the vision, and crowds
gathered when she had futher visits from the Virgin, from February 18 of
that year through March 4.The civil authorities tried to frighten
Bernadette into recanting her accounts, but she remained faithful to the
vision. On February 25, a spring emerged from the cave and the waters
were discovered to be of a miraculous
nature, capable of healing the sick and lame. On March 25, Bernadette
announced that the vision stated that she was the Immaculate
Conception, and that a church should be erected on the site. Many
authorities tried to shut down the spring and delay the construction of
the chapel, but the influence and fame of the visions
reached Empress Eugenie of France, wife of Napoleon Ill, and
construction went forward. Crowds gathered, free of harassment from the
anticlerical and antireligious officials. In 1866, Bernadette was sent
to the Sisters of Notre Dame in Nevers. There she became a member of
the community, and faced some rather harsh treatment from the mistress
of novices. This oppression ended when it was discovered that she
suffered from a painful, incurable illness. She died in Nevers
on April 16,1879, still giving the same account of her visions.
Lourdes became one of the major pilgrimage destinations in the world,
and the spring has produced 27,000 gallons of water each week since
emerging during Bernadette's visions. She was not involved in the
building of the shrine, as she remained hidden at Nevers. Bernadette
was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please no anonymous comments. I require at least some way for people to address each other personally and courteously. Having some name or handle helps.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.