FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER; SAINT ANTONINUS (1459 A.D.) Bishop and Confessor; SAINTS GORDIAN AND EPIMACHUS (362 A.D.) Martyrs

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

SAINT ANTONINUS

MARTYRDOM OF ST. GORDIAN

SAINT ANTONINUS
Bishop and confessor

SAINTS GORDIAN AND EPIMACHUS
Martyrs

DOUBLE / WHITE
INTROIT Ps. 97:1, 2
Sing to the Lord a new canticle, alleluia! For the Lord has done wondrous deeds, alleluia! He has revealed His justice in the sight of the nations, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 97:1. His right hand has won him victory, and his holy arm has brought salvation.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, in whom all the faithful are united in one mind, let Your people everywhere love Your commandments and yearn for Your promises, so that, even amid the changes of this world, their hearts may always be fixed upon the true happiness of heaven. Through Our Lord . . .



Commemoration of SAINT ANTONINUS
The Catholics of Florence have never forgotten their Archbishop Antoninus (1389-1459). Although christened "Anthony," the diminutive "Antoninus" clung to him all his life, partly because of his small stature, chiefly because of his lovable nature. as a youth he entered the Dominican Order, in which he soon gave evidence of exceptional gifts of mind and personality. Finally, in 1446, he was compelled to accept the archbishopric of Florence. Before long the Florentines were calling him "the father of the poor." During chronic earthquakes, epidemics, natural and political storms, and famine, he gave away everything he had, even his clothes, and anonymously supported thousands of "proud poor."
An illustrious canonist, he was consulted on all questions of Church and State, well deserving his title "the Counsellor." Pope Eugenius IV insisted upon receiving the Last Sacraments from him, dying in his arms. He was fellow novice and dear friend of the beatified artist Fra Angelico; and when he founded the Dominican convent of San Marco, he chose Fra Angelico to create the famous frescoes which are among the choicest treasures of Christian art.


O Lord, may the merits of Your holy confessor bishop Antoninus help us, so that while we sing Your praise for having manifested Your power through him we may also rejoice in the mercy You show to us.

Commemoration of SAINTS GORDIAN AND EPIMACHUS
Gordian, a Roman judge, was converted by a Christian whom he had been ordered to condemn. Gordian was martyred about the year 360, and he was buried in the tomb where already lay the relics of the martyr St. Epimachus.

O Almighty God, may the intercessory power of Your blessed Martyrs Gordian and Epimachus aid us who celebrate their feast today. Through Our Lord . . .


EPISTLE James 1:17-21
Beloved: Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no change nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creature.
You know, my dearest brethren. And let every man be swift to hear, but slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man worketh not the justice of God. Wherefore, casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 117:16 The right hand of the Lord has exercised power, the right hand of the Lord has lifted me up. Alleluia!
Rom. 6:9 Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death shall no longer have dominion over Him. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 16:5-14
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "I go to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me: 'Whither goest thou?' But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is expedient to you that I go. For if I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin and of justice and of judgment. Of sin: because they believed not in me. And of justice: because I go to the Father: and you shall see me no longer. And of judgment: because the prince of this world is already judged. "I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak. And the things that are to come, he shall shew you. He shall glorify me: because he shall receive of mine and shall shew it to you."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 65:1-2, 16
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to the glory of His name. Come and hear, all you who fear God, the great things the Lord has done for me, alleluia!

SECRET
O God, who allows us to share in Your own divine nature by partaking of this sacrifice, grant that our conduct may be guided by Your revealed truth. Through Our Lord . . .



Commemoration of SAINT ANTONINUS
O Lord, may Your saints everywhere be a source of joy for us, and may we feel the power of their intercession with You as we solemnly recall the deeds of their lives.

Commemoration of SAINTS GORDIAN AND EPIMACHUS
O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed Martyrs Gordian and Epimachus, and help us find in them unending assistance. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 16:8
When the Paraclete, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will convict the world of sin, and of justice, and of judgment, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Help us, O Lord our God, that we may be cleansed from sin and shielded from all dangers by these Gifts which we receive with faith. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ANTONINUS
O Almighty God, may the expression of our gratitude to You for all Your gifts bring us even greater benefits, through the intercession of Your blessed confessor bishop Antoninus.

Commemoration of SAINTS GORDIAN AND EPIMACHUS
Almighty God, we pray that the reception of this Bread of Heaven may strengthen us against all adversity through the intercession of Your blessed Martyrs Gordian and Epimachus. Through Our Lord . . .