Saint John Baptist de la Salle (1719 A.D.); Saint Dymphna, Martyr

SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE

Confessor

 DOUBLE / WHITE

John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719) was born of a titled family in Rheims. Although a private fortune and a high order of talent promised a brilliant secular career, John Baptist studied for the priesthood (at St. Sulpice), offering his first Mass with an intensity of devotion that never afterward left him. Gradually the heretical mood of the times and the abysmal ignorance of the poor disclosed a special vocation to him" "to teach the poor and to lead the young in the path of truth" (Collect). Weathering the reverses and heartbreaks that beleaguer every creative spirit, John baptist established the Brothers of the Christian Schools, whose vocation would be to teach and only to teach.
Although good teaching was important to John Baptist, spiritual formation was more so; and, in the face of a rampant Jansenism, he was advocating frequent and even daily Communion. When his foundation was firmly rooted and oriented, he resigned as superior, living thereafter as the humblest of his subjects. He died two years later, on Good Friday.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

INTROIT Ps. 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justly. The law of God is in his heart. Alleluia, alleluia! 
Be not envious of evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
V. Glory be to the Father . . .

Probably the most famous portrait of St. John Baptist de La Salle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

COLLECT
O God, You inspired the holy confessor John Baptist to teach the poor and to lead the young in the path of truth, and then founded a new congregation in Your Church through him. May his intercession and example fill us with zeal to glorify You by the saving of souls, so that we may also share his reward in Heaven. Through Our Lord . . .



LESSON Eccl. (31:8-11)

[Sirach 31:8-11]

⁸ Blessed is the man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.

⁹ Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.

¹⁰ Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:

¹¹ Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.

[Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition]

ALLELUIA, alleluia. Jac. 1:12

 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 18: 1-5
At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in their midst, and said, "Amen I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whoever, therefore, humbles himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such little child for My sake, receives Me."


SECRET
We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise in memory of Your Saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through our Lord . . .


POSTCOMMUNION
Refreshed with heavenly Food and Drink we humbly pray You, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of Your Saint, in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through our Lord . . .

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Dymphna was fourteen when her mother died. Damon is said to have been afflicted with a mental illness, brought on by his grief. He sent messengers throughout his town and other lands to find some woman of noble birth, resembling his wife, who would be willing to marry him. When none could be found, his evil advisers told him to marry his own daughter. Dymphna fled from her castle together with St. Gerebran, her confessor and two other friends. Damon found them in Belgium. He gave orders that the priest's head be cut off. Then Damon tried to persuade his daughter to return to Ireland with him. When she refused, he drew his sword and struck off her head. She was then only fifteen years of age. Dymphna received the crown of martyrdom in defense of her purity about the year 620. She is the patron of those suffering from nervous and mental afflictions. Many miracles have taken place at her shrine, built on the spot where she was buried in Gheel, Belgium.
Prayer: Hear us, O God, Our Saviour, as we honor St. Dymphna, patron of those afflicted with mental and emotional illness. Help us to be inspired by her example and comforted by her merciful help. Amen.