THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST; SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA (1591 A.D.) Confessor

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

WITHIN THE OCTAVE

OF THE SACRED HEART

SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA

Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE



Jesus, the pursuing shepherd of souls, follows and sustains each person in his worst battles with the world, the flesh, and the devil. Even when, ignoring Christ's presence and rejecting His grace, a man chooses to sin, Jesus does not abandon the sinner but gives him the graces of sorrow and of confidence in God's forgiveness. Following Christ's example, the Pope continues to shepherd souls by making himself the "servant of the servants of God." 

INTROIT Ps. 24:16, 18 Look upon me, O Lord, and have pity on me, for I am alone and desolate. See my poverty and my pain, and pardon all my sins, O my God.
Ps. 24:1-2. I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord, in You I place my trust, O my God. Let me not be put to shame. 
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, You are the protector of all who trust in You, and without You nothing is strong, nothing is holy. Be even more merciful towards us, and rule and guide us that we may use the good things of this life in such a way as not to lose the blessings of eternal life. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALOYSIUS
Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-91) was chosen by Pope Benedict XIII and again in this century, by Pope Pius XI, as the patron of youth. Turning resolutely aside from the turbulent manner of living of the Gonzaga clan, he entered the Society of Jesus. During his six years as a Jesuit, Aloysius explained the catechism to ragamuffins in the poor Trastevere district of Rome, and constantly begged his superiors for permission to visit the city's hospitals and prisons. It was in a hospital ward that the saint of youth caught the plague from a contagious patient whom he had held in his arms while the man was dying. 


O God, among the gifts of heaven bestowed upon the angelic youth, Aloysius, You united a wondrous innocence to his exceptional spirit of penance. Although we have not followed his path of innocence, may we at least imitate his penance through his own merits and prayers. Through our Lord . . .


EPISTLE I Peter 5:6-11
Beloved: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

GRADUAL Ps. 54:23, 17, 19
Cast your care upon the Lord and He will support you. 
V. When I called upon the Lord, He heard my voice and delivered me from those who war against me. 

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 7:12
God is a just judge, strong and patient. Shall He be angry all the time? Alleluia! 

GOSPEL Luke 15:1-10
At that time, the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 
"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 9:11-12, 13
Let those trust in You who cherish Your name, O Lord, for You do not forsake those who seek you. Sing praise to the Lord, enthroned in Sion, for He has not forgotten the cry of the poor.

SECRET
O Lord, look with favor upon the offerings of Your Church as she prays to You. Bless these gifts, that the faithful who receive them may attain salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALOYSIUS
O Lord, may we approach the banquet of heaven dressed in the wedding garment of priceless pearls such as blessed Aloysius prepared for himself by his devotion and sorrow. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 15:10
I say to you, there will be joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, let the reception of Your Holy Sacrament bring us to life, atone for our sins, and prepare us to receive Your unfailing mercy. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALOYSIUS
O Lord, may we who have been nourished by the Food of Angels also live like angels and follow the example of the saint whom we honor this day by always being grateful to You. Through our Lord . . .