Saint Gregory VII (1085 A.D.); Saint Urban I (230 A.D.); Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, Virgin (1865 A.D.)

ST. GREGORY VII

ST. URBAN

SAINT GREGORY VII
Pope and Confessor

SAINT URBAN I

Pope and Martyr

SAINT MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT
Virgin

Born in Tuscany, Italy, Hildebrand became a Benedictine monk in the famous monastery of Cluny in France. At the death of Alexander II, Hildebrand was elected pope and took the name of Gregory VII. In the eleventh century the bishops were virtually the dependents of secular princes. Gregory, therefore, fought with constancy and courage for the independence of the Church. His fearlessness stands out strikingly in his conflict with Henry IV, Emperor of Germany. At length the aged pope was obliged to flee. As Gregory was dying in 1085, he said, "I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile."


Mass of a POPE, except
Introit 
John 21:15-17
If you love Me, Simon Peter, feed My lambs, feed My sheep. Ps 29:1
I will extol You, O Lord, for You drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
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.
If you love Me, Simon Peter, feed My lambs, feed My sheep. 

COLLECT
O God, the strength of all who trust in You, it was from You that blessed confessor bishop Gregory drew courage and perseverance in defending the freedom of Your Church. May his example and intercession help us to face all adversity bravely. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN I, POPE AND MARTYR

Pope Urban I, one of the glorious early pontiffs of the Church, was martyred in A.D. 230.

O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Urban shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this martyr and supreme pontiff move You to look with favor upon Your flock and keep it under Your continual protection. 

Commemoration of SAINT MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT
St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, born in France (A.D. 1779) of poor parents, was called by a special inspiration to fond the Society of the Religious of the Sacred Heart for the education of girls. She became the first Superior and spread her society throughout the world. Her holy soul passed from this life on May 25 A.D. 1865.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst marvelously adorn blessed Madeleine Sophie with a humility and charity that had Thine own Heart as pattern, and who didst will that through her there should flower forth a new company of Virgins; do Thou make us ever to cleave to Thy most Sacred Heart, and by imitation of that Heart to enjoy fellowship with Thee, Who livest . . .

  Lesson 
Lesson from the first letter of St Peter the Apostle
1 Pet 5:1-4; 5:10-11
Beloved: I exhort the presbyters among you - I, your fellow presbyter and witness of the sufferings of Christ, the partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed in time to come - tend the flock of God which is among you, governing not under constraint, but willingly, according to God; nor yet for the sake of base gain, but eagerly; nor yet as lording it over your charges, but becoming from the heart a pattern to the flock. And when the Prince of the shepherds appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. But the God of all grace, Who has called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself, after we have suffered a little while, perfect, strengthen and establish us. To Him is the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Gradual 
Ps 106:32; 106:31
Let them extol in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.
V. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness and His wondrous deeds to the children of men. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. Matt. 16:18. You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 16:13-19
At that time, Jesus, having come into the district of Caesarea Philippi, began to ask His disciples, saying, Who do men say the Son of Man is? But they said, Some say, John the Baptist; and others, Elias; and others, Jeremia, or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus answered and said, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

SECRET
We have offered our gifts to You, O Lord. Let Your light graciously shine upon Your Church, so that this flock may everywhere prosper, and its pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN
O Lord, graciously accept the gifts that we joyfully offer to You. May Your Church, through the prayers of blessed Urban, always live in peace and rejoice in the security of her faith. 

Commemoration of SAINT MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT
Hearken, O Lord, unto our supplications, look graciously upon our offerings, that by the intercession of St. Madeleine Sophie, through the humility and charity of Thy Heart, they be made profitable for us unto salvation, Who livest . . . 
POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, govern the Church, which You have been pleased to nourish with Your Heavenly Food. Guide her by Your powerful direction, so that she may enjoy greater freedom and remain unshaken in the fullness of faith. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT URBAN
O Lord, increase the spirit of grace which You have bestowed upon Your Church. let the prayers of Your Martyr and supreme pontiff Urban aid her so that she may never fail in obedience to her shepherd, and the shepherd may never be wanting in his care of the flock. 

Commemoration of SAINT MADELEINE SOPHIE BARAT
Grant, O Lord Jesus Christ, that we who have been refreshed with this heavenly food may grow in the humility and charity of Thy Heart, by which Thou didst raise St. Madeleine Sophie to the eternal glory of heaven, Who livest . . .