SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS (1240 A.D.); SAINT ARISTEDES

Saint Raymond Nonnatus, Patron of midwives, pregnant women, unborn children, and women in labor; Saint Aristedes

Patron of midwives, pregnant women, unborn children, and women in labor.

In Mexico, he is invoked for silence and protection against curses.

He was called non natus, “not born,” because he was taken out of his mother’s womb after she died in labor.

He voluntary offered himself as a slave to save others and while in captivity,

he gave comfort to other Christians in captive and hoped to convert his captors to Christianity.

To punish and to stop St. Raymond from preaching, his lips were pierced with a

red-hot iron and his mouth closed with a padlock.

SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS

Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
Raymond Nonnatus (c.1204-40),
a Catalonian, was a pioneer member of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy
for the redemption of Christians enslaved by the Mohammedans. After
freeing hundreds of Christian captives in Africa, he gave himself up as a
hostage so as not to expose to apostasy those still unransomed. At
length he himself was ransomed and he returned to Spain. He died soon
after Pope Gregory IX had nominated him a cardinal. He believed with St. John Chrysostom that the greatest charity of all is to contribute to the salvation of a soul.



Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except


Introit


Ps 36:30-31

The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.

Ps 36:1

Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.

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.

The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.

COLLECT 

O God, You granted
remarkable success to the efforts of the holy confessor Raymond in
releasing Christians from the slavery of unbelievers. May his prayers
free us from the slavery of sin, so that we may fulfill Your wishes with
complete freedom. Through our Lord . . .


Lesson


Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus

Ecclus 31:8-11

Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor
puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise
him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and
come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned
but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his
possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall
recount his alms.


Gradual


Ps 91:12, 14.

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.

Ps 91:3

V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.

James 1:12

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


GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke

R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

Luke 12:35-40

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about
and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their
master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they
may straight-way open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the
master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will
gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and
serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third,
and fins them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured,
that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he
would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the
Son of Man is coming.  


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 . . .

SAINT ARISTEDES

[Historical]

A confessor of the faith and Athenian philosopher. He wrote an Apologia for Christianity, presented to Emperor Hadrian in 125. His text was included in a work by Sts. Barlaam and Josaphat.

13th Sunday after Pentecost; Saint Rose of Lima (1617 A.D.); Saints Felix and Adauctus (304 A.D.)

Saints Felix & Adauctus with Jesus & Mary

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

SAINT ROSE OF LIMA

Virgin

SAINTS FELIX AND ADAUCTUS

Martyrs

DOUBLE / GREEN 

God promised and gave to His people the country of Palestine. That
land stood for all the blessings that God promises and gives to those
who sincerely believe in Christ.

The obvious endurance and influence of Christ's Church is proof
that God is keeping His promise. Every good Christian, every saint and
martyr, every doctrine and directive, every least Christian kindness,
and above all, every Mass, in which Christ mystically seals God's
promise with His blood -- all these are the work of God keeping His
promise. Daily thanks are due Him.

 

INTROIT Ps. 73:20, 19, 23
Advert to Your covenant, O Lord, and
forget not forever the lives of the poor. Arise, O Lord, defend Your own
cause; and be not unmindful of the cries of those who seek You.
Ps. 73:1. O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why is Your anger blazing up against the sheep of Your pasture?
V. Glory be . . .


COLLECT

 Almighty
and Eternal God, deepen our faith, our hope and our charity, so that we
may attain what You have promised and love what You have commanded.
Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT ROSE OF LIMA

The
first canonized saint of the Western Hemisphere, Rose of Lima
(1586-1617) might also be considered a type of the special vocation of
contemplative-in-the-world. Inspired by the example of St. Catherine of
Siena, Rose became a Dominican lay tertiary and devoted herself to works
of active charity while living a life of extreme austerity. She longed
to evangelize the Indians, not at all discouraged by the thought that
they would probably kill her. Saint Martin de Porres and Bl. John Masias
were among her friends. She died at the age of 31, praying, "Lord,
increase my sufferings, and with them increase Your love in my heart."

O
Almighty God, from whom every good gift comes, it pleased You that
blessed rose should blossom as a flower of purity and patience in the
Indies under the shower of Your heavenly grace. May we, Your servants,
follow the fragrance of her sweetness so that we too may become a
pleasing offering to Christ.



Commemoration of SAINTS FELIX AND ADAUCTUS

Felix, a Roman
priest, was beheaded about A.D. 303. Adauctus, a Christian layman,
insisted on sharing the crown of the martyred priest. Since his name was
not known, he was simply called by the Latin equivalent of "added on."



O Lord, we humbly implore Your majesty
to defend us through the intercession of Your saints, just as You fill
us with happiness by the celebration of their feast. Through our Lord . .
.

EPISTLE Gal. 3:16-22
Brethren: To Abraham were the promises
made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as
of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say: that the
testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four
hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no
effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise.
But God gave it to Abraham by promise. 

Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the
seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels
in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one.
Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there
had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have
been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that
the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that
believe.


GRADUAL Ps. 73:20, 19, 22
Advert to Your covenant, O Lord, and forget not forever the lives of the poor.
V. Arise, O Lord, and defend Your own cause; remember the abuse hurled against Your servants.


Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 89:1
O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generations. Alleluia!


GOSPEL Luke 17:11-19
At that time, as Jesus was going to
Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he
entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers,
who stood afar off. And lifted up their voice, saying: "Jesus, Master,
have mercy on us." Whom when he saw, he said: "Go, shew yourselves to the priests." 

And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of
them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice
glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks.
And this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said: "Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger?"And he said to him: "Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole."


OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 30:15-16
I have hoped in You, O Lord. I have said, "You are my God; my life is in Your hands."


SECRET 
O Lord, look with favor upon Your
people and their gifts. Let this offering move You to compassion and
grant forgiveness for our sins and a speedy answer to our prayers.
Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT ROSE

Accept
this gift, O Lord, from a people dedicated to You. We offer it in honor
of Your saints for the help we have received from them when we were in
trouble. 



Commemoration of SAINTS FELIX AND ADAUCTUS

Look upon the offering of Your people, O
Lord, and let the Sacrifice which we devoutly celebrate in honor of
Your saints also bring us the consolation of knowing that it helps us
toward salvation. Through our Lord . . .


COMMUNION ANTIPHON Sap. 16:20
You have given us Bread from Heaven, o Lord, all delicate and sweet to taste. 



POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption. Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT ROSE

O
Lord, You have feasted Your family with the Food of Heaven. May we
always be refreshed through the intercession of Your saint whose feast
we celebrate this day. 



Commemoration of SAINTS FELIX AND ADAUCTUS

We have feasted on Your Sacred Gifts, O
Lord; may the prayers of Your saints keep us constant in returning
thanks to You. Through our Lord . . .

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, Saint Sabina (127 A.D.) Martyr

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, Saint Sabina (127 A.D.) Martyr

 



Saint Sabina

THE BEHEADING OF SAINT JOHN
THE BAPTIST




SAINT SABINA

Martyr

GREATER DOUBLE / RED

To our short
vision, the beheading of St. John the Baptist to satisfy the rancor of a
wicked woman appears as a painfully ignominious death for the "friend
of the heavenly bridegroom." Yet never was the burning and the shinning
light (John 5:35) of the Precursor's lamp more radiant than at this
moment, when it was absorbed within the abyss of light that is the
Godhead. Because John's role in the economy of redemption was so vital,
the Church has made room for him in her glowing firmament of saints
next to the Mother of God herself. Today, as long ago on the banks of
the Jordan, John leads us to the fount of apostolic zeal -- the divine
simplicity of loving only Christ, and all men in and for Him.



INTROIT Ps. 118:46-47

I spoke of Your testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed; I meditated on Your commandments, which I loved dearly.

Ps. 91:2. It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High!

V. Glory be . . .



COLLECT

May the holy festival of Thy Forerunner
and Martyr, St. John the Baptist, we beseech Thee, O Lord, afford us
help unto salvation; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .



Commemoration of  SAINT SABINA

St. Sabina, who
gave her name to the famous old church which is now Dominican world
headquarters, was probably martyred during the second century.



O God, one of the marvelous
examples of Your power was granting the victory of martyrdom even to
delicate womanhood. May the example of the blessed martyr Sabina, whose
birthday we celebrate today, draw us closer to You. Through our Lord . .
.



LESSON  Jer. 1:17-19

In those days, the word of the Lord
came to me, saying: "Gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak to them all
that I command thee. Be not afraid at their presence: for I will make
thee not to fear their countenance. For behold I have made thee this
day a fortified city, and a pillar of iron, and a wall of brass, over
all the land, to the kings of Juda, to the princes thereof, and to the
priests, and to the people of the land. And they shall fight against
them, and shall not prevail: for I am with thee," saith the Lord, "to
deliver thee."



GRADUAL  Ps. 91:13, 14, 3

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow up like a cedar of Lebanon in the house of the Lord.

V. That he may show forth Your mercy in the morning and Your truth throughout the night.



Alleluia, alleluia!  V. Osee 14:6

The just man shall blossom as the lily, and shall flourish forever before the Lord. Alleluia!



GOSPEL  Mark 6:17-29

At that time, Herod himself had sent
and apprehended John, and bound him prison for the sake of Herodias the
wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her. For John said
to Herod: "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife." Now
Herodias laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to death and
could not. For Herod feared John, knowing him to be a just and holy man:
and kept him, and when he heard him, did many things: and he heard him
willingly. And when a convenient day was come, Herod made a supper for
his birthday, for the princes, and tribunes, and chief men of Galilee.
And when the daughter of the same Herodias had come in, and had
danced, and pleased Herod, and them that were at table with him, the
king said to the damsel: "Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it
thee." And he swore to her: "Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give
thee, though it be the half of my kingdom." Who when she was gone out,
said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" But her mother said: "The head
of John the Baptist." And when she was come in immediately with haste
to the king, she asked, saying: "I will that forthwith thou give me in a
dish, the head of John the Baptist." And the king was struck sad. Yet
because of his oath, and because of them that were with him at table,
he would not displease her: But sending an executioner, he commanded
that his head should be brought in a dish. And he beheaded him in the
prison, and brought his head in a dish: and gave to the damsel, and the
damsel gave it her mother. Which his disciples hearing came, and took
his body, and laid it in a tomb.



OFFERTORY ANTIPHON  Ps. 20:2-3

O Lord, the just man rejoices in Your strength, and he greatly exalts in Your aid. You have granted him his heart's desire.



SECRET 

O Lord, may the gifts we offer You in
memory of the sufferings of Your holy martyr John the Baptist bring us
closer to salvation through his prayers. through our Lord . . .



Commemoration of  SAINT SABINA

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we
offer You in honor of Your blessed martyr Sabina and help us find in
them unending assistance. Through our Lord . . .



COMMUNION ANTIPHON  Ps. 20:4

O Lord, You have placed on his head a crown of precious stones.



POSTCOMMUNION 

O Lord, may the feast of blessed John
the Baptist teach us to reverence the deep significance of the Holy
Eucharist which we have received, and to be filled with joy at the
fulfillment of this promise in ourselves. Through our Lord . . .



Commemoration of  SAINT SABINA

We have been nourished by Your divine
gift, O Lord our God. May the reception of this Bread of Heaven bring us
eternal life through the intercession of Your blessed martyr Sabina.
Through our Lord . . .

Saint Augustine (430 A.D.); Saint Hermes (132 A.D.) Martyr

From Dutch Book of Prayers from the mid-fifteenth century.

Saint Hermes is the figure in the back, in armor.

Other saints pictured include Saint James the Great, Saint Joseph,Saint Ghislain, and Saint Eligius.

SAINT AUGUSTINE

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

SAINT HERMES

Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
Monica had
instilled into the heart of her son Augustine (353-430) the truths of
Christian belief, but the young man fell into bad company and was drawn
to heresy. At Milan he met the great bishop Ambrose, who guided his way
back into the true Faith. Augustine then returned to North Africa, his
birthplace, was ordained to the priesthood, and was consecrated bishop
and placed over the see of Hippo at the age of 41. He became the
author of enduring Christian classics, and wrote a rule of religious
life that strongly influenced the development of Western spirituality.
The numerous heresies of his time had in St. Augustine an untiring foe.



Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except



COLLECT
Hear our petitions, O Almighty God.
Your love has given us hope; let Your unfailing mercy protect us through
the intercession of Your blessed confessor and bishop Augustine.
Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT HERMES 
Probably during
Diocletian's persecution, St. Hermes, a prominent citizen of Rome, was
beheaded, together with several other Christian martyrs.


O God, it was Your strength that kept
the blessed martyr Hermes unfaltering under suffering. May we follow his
example in spurning earthly riches for love of You and in fearing no
worldly harm. Through our Lord . . .


Lesson


Lesson from the second letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timothy

2 Tim. 4:1-8

Beloved: I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus, Who will
judge the living and the dead by His coming and by His kingdom, preach
the word, be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, entreat, rebuke
with all patience and teaching. For there will come a time when they
will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap
up to themselves teachers according to their lusts, and they will turn
away their hearing from the truth and turn aside rather to fables. But
be watchful in all things, bear with tribulation patiently, work as a
preacher of the Gospel, fulfill your ministry. As for me, I am already
being poured out in sacrifice, and the time of my deliverance is at
hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have
kept the faith. For the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of
justice, which the Lord, the just Judge, will give to me in that day;
yet not to me only, but also to those who love His coming.

R. Thanks be to God.


Gradual


Ps 36:30-31

The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right.

V. The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps do not falter. Alleluia, alleluia.

Ps 88:21

V. I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him. Alleluia.

Gospel


The Missal is transferred to the other side of the
altar to symbolize that the divine favor was taken away from the
unfaithful Jews and given to the Gentiles. At Low Masses, the priest,
bowing down at the middle of the altar, with his hands joined, says:

Cleanse my heart and my lips, O almighty God, who didst cleanse the lips
of the prophet Isaias with a burning coal, and vouchsafe, through Thy
gracious mercy, so to purify me, that I may worthily announce Thy holy
Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Give me Thy blessing, O
Lord. The Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I may worthily and
in a becoming manner, proclaim His holy Gospel. Amen.



P. The Lord be with you.

S. And with thy spirit.

Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

Matt 5:13-19

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: "You are the salt of the
earth; but if the salt loses its strength, what shall it be salted with?
It is no longer of any use but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot
by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot
be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under the measure, but
upon the lampstand, so as to give light to all in the house. Even so
let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good
works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Do not think that I have
come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy, but
to fulfill. For amen I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not
one jot or one tittle shall be lost from the Law till all things have
been accomplished. Therefore whoever does away with one of these least
commandments, and so teaches men, shall be called least in the kingdom
of heaven; but whoever carries them out and teaches them, he shall be
called great in the kingdom of heaven.

R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.
SECRET 
O Lord, let the blessed bishop and
doctor Augustine always help us, and through his intercession accept our
offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT HERMES
We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of
praise in memory of Your saints, and pray that just as it was the
source of their glory, it may be our help toward salvation. Through our
Lord . . .


POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, may this Sacrifice bring us
closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed bishop
and illustrious doctor Augustine. Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT HERMES
We are filled with the blessings of
heaven, O Lord. May the holy martyr Hermes intercede for us, so that we
may sensibly feel the effects of this Sacred Rite that we have humbly
celebrated. Through our Lord . . .

Saint Joseph Calasanctius (1648 A.D.); Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saint Joseph Calasanctius (1648 A.D.); Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

St. Joseph Calasanctius' last Communion.

SAINT JOSEPH CALASANCTIUS

Confessor

SEVEN JOYS OF THE BLESSED 

VIRGIN MARY

[Historical]

(See below)

DOUBLE / WHITE

Joseph Calasanctius
(1556-1648) was born in Aragon, Spain. He went to Rome after his
ordination to the priesthood, and in the Eternal City he was dismayed by
the vice and ignorance of the children of the poor. In order to provide
for the religious education of these neglected youngsters, he founded
the Order of Clerks Regular of the Pious Schools, also called Piarists.
In the latter years of his long life, he had much to suffer in
persecutions by members of his own order. Yet he died full of hope and
peace, saying, "My work was done solely for the love of God."



INTROIT Ps. 33:12 

Come, children listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Ps. 33:2. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall ever be in my mouth.

V. Glory be . . .



COLLECT

O God, in the person of Your blessed
confessor Joseph You provided the Church with new help to train the
young in wisdom and holiness. Grant that we may be led by his example
and prayer so to work and teach that we may gain an everlasting reward.
Through our Lord . . .



LESSON Wisdom 10:10-14 

The Lord conducted the just through the right ways, and shewed him the
kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him
honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. In the deceit
of them that overreached him, he stood by him, and made him honourable.
He kept him safe from his enemies, and he defended him from seducers,
and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that
wisdom is mightier than all. He forsook not the just when he was sold,
but delivered him from sinners: he went down with him into the pit. And
in bands he left him not, till he brought him the sceptre of the
kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to
be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.



GRADUAL Ps. 36:30-31

The mouth of the just man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justly.

V. The law of God is in his heart and his steps do not falter.



Alleluia, alleluia! V. 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, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of
heaven?" And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the
midst of them. And said: "Amen
I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children,
you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore
shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the
kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my
name, receiveth me."



OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 9:17

The Lord has heard the desire of the poor; Your ear has heard the prayer prepared in their heart.



SECRET 

We place our gifts in offering upon
Your altar, O Lord. May they win us Your mercy through the prayers of
Your saint, whom we have given as our intercessor and helper. Through
our Lord . . .



COMMUNION ANTIPHON Mark 10:14

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for of such is the kingdom of God.



POSTCOMMUNION 

We are made holy by this life-giving
Rite, O Lord; may we advance toward more perfect holiness through the
intercession of Your blessed confessor Joseph. Through our Lord . . .

FEAST DAY OF THE SEVEN JOYS OF

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 

[Historical]

The Franciscans celebrate this feast August 27 and the Conventuals on
August 26. Pope St. Pius X authorized them to celebrate this feast in
1906. The original day was the Sunday after the octave of the
Assumption, but in 1914 it was transferred to the octave day itself; and
in 1942, when the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was assigned to
that day, that of the Seven Joys was moved to August 26 or 27. The
Franciscans wear the Rosary of the Seven Joys on their cord. 

ON THE FRANCISCAN CROWN 

1.  The
Blessed Virgin herself pointed out that the Franciscan Crown, like the
Dominican rosary, is a devotion pleasing to her. The annuals of the
order state that a young man - it is generally believed to be James of
the Rosary - who entered the order had been a fervent client of our
Blessed Lady and had decked her statue daily with a wreath of flowers.
Since he was not permitted to continue this practice in the novitiate,
he thought of leaving the order. But first he knelt before the statue of
Our Lady to say a prayer.

There
the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and said: "Remain here, and do not
grieve because you can no longer weave a wreath of flowers for me. I
will teach you how you can daily weave a crown of roses that will not
wither and will be more pleasing to me and more meritorious for
yourself."  And she taught him the rosary of seven decades.  From that
incident we can learn not to be selfishly attached to pious practices,
and that prayer is of greater value than perishable decorations.

2.  Consider
the fragrant roses that make up the Franciscan Crown. This rosary
consists of seventy-two Hail Marys, and originally these were said in
honor of the seventy-two years which Our Lady spent on earth according
to the more probable opinion and tradition. As such, it was certainly in
existence during the first half of the fifteenth century, for St.
Bernardin and St. John Capistran both promoted it. It was not until the
seventeenth century apparently that the children of St. Francis began to
recite the seven decades of the crown also in honor of the seven joys
of Our Lady.  The seven joys are as follows: The Annunciation, The
Visitation, The Nativity, The Adoration of the Magi, The Finding of
Jesus in the Temple, The Resurrection of Our Lord, The Assumption and
Coronation of Our Lady.  At each decade it is well to reflect on the
sweet joy Our Lady experienced on the occasions indicated. Said in this
way, the rosary will be very pleasing to Mary, and you will learn to
love it more and more.

3.  Consider
how effectual this rosary has proved to be. The servant of God James
experienced its good effects even in his lifetime, and throughout the
history of the Franciscan Order blessed results have been so often
achieved in various necessities, that at the request of the superiors of
the order the popes have attached rich indulgences to its recitation.
It is urgently recommended that all members of the order recite it at
least every Saturday.  Make that a rule for yourself. You may then rest
assured that you will participate in the joys of Our Lady in heaven.

From THE FRANCISCAN BOOK OF SAINTS edited by Marion Habig, ofm

SAINT ZEPHYRINUS (217 A.D.); OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA

SAINT ZEPHYRINUS

Pope and Martyr



OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA

[Historical]

SIMPLE/RED

A native of Rome,
Zephyrinus was Pope from 199 to 217. During part of his rule, the Church
endured the bloody persecution of Emperor Septimus Severus. Pope
Zephyrinus rejoiced in the triumphs of the martyrs, but he had much to
suffer from current heresies and apostasies. It was his glory that the
heretics called this holy Pope the principle defender of Christ's
divinity.



Introit


Ps 83:10-11

Behold, O God, our
Protector, and look upon the face of Your Anointed. Better is one day in
Your courts than a thousand elsewhere.

Ps 83:2-3

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord.

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.

Behold, O God, our
Protector, and look upon the face of Your Anointed. Better is one day in
Your courts than a thousand elsewhere.



Mass of a POPE, except



COLLECT

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



Lesson


Lesson from the first letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

1 Cor. 15:1-10

Brethren: I recall to your minds the Gospel that I preached to you,
which also you received, wherein also you stand, through which also you
are being saved, if you hold it fast, as I preached it to you - unless
you have believed to no purpose. For I delivered to you first of all,
what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third
day, according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, and
after that to the Eleven. Then He was seen by more than five hundred
brethren at one time, many of whom are with us still, but some have
fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by the Apostles.
And last of all, as by one born out of due time, He was seen also by me.
For I am the least of the Apostles, and am not worthy to be called an
Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God
I am what I am, and His grace in me has not been fruitless.

R. Thanks be to God.



Gradual


Ps 27:7

In God my heart trusts, and I find help; then my heart exults, and with my song I give Him thanks.

V. To You, O Lord, I call; O my God, be not deaf to me; depart not from me. Alleluia, alleluia.

Ps 80:2-3

V. Sing joyfully to God our strength; acclaim the God of Jacob. Take up a pleasant psalm with the harp. Alleluia.



Gospel

 Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Mark

R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

Mark 7:31-37

At that time, Jesus departing from the district of Tyre came by way of
Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the district of
Decapolis. And they brought to Him one deaf and dumb, and entreated Him
to lay His hand upon him. And taking him aside from the crowd, He put
His fingers into the man’s ears, and spitting, He sighed, and said to
him, Ephpheta, that is, Be opened. And his ears were at once opened, and
the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak correctly. And
He charged them to tell no one. But the more He charged them, so much
the more did they continue to publish it. And so much the more did they
wonder, saying, He has done all things well. He has made both the deaf
to hear and the dumb to speak.

R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.  



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 . . .



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 . . .

English:
The Black Madonna of Czestochowa Polski: Ikona Matki Boskiej z Jasnej
Góry w Częstochowie zwana Czarną Madonną (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Feast Day: August 26 - Our Lady of Czestochowa

History:

The origin of this miraculous image
in Czestochowa, according to tradition, the painting was a portrait of
Our Lady done by St. John sometime after the Crucifixion of Our Lord
and remained in the Holy Land until discovered by St. Helena of the
Cross in the fourth century. The painting was taken to Constantinople,
where St. Helena's son, the Emperor Constantine, erected a church for
its enthronement.  During the siege by the Saracens, the invaders
became frightened when the people carried the picture in a procession
around the city; the infidels fled. Later, the image was threatened
with burning by an evil emperor, who had a wife, Irene, who saved it
and hid it from harm. The image was in that city for 500 years, until
it became part of some dowries, eventually being taken to Russia to a region that later became Poland.

After the portrait became the
possession of the Polish prince, St. Ladislaus in the 15th century, it
was installed in his castle. Tartar invaders besieged the castle and an
enemy arrow pierced Our Lady's image, inflicting a scar.
Interestingly, repeated attempts to fix the image, artistically have
all failed.

Tradition says that St. Ladislaus
determined to save the image from repeated invasions, so he went to his
birthplace, Opala, stopping for rest in Częstochowa; the image was brought nearby to Jasna Góra (bright hill")and
placed in a small wooden church named for the Assumption. The
following morning, after the picture was carefully placed in the wagon,
the horses refused to move. St. Ladislaus understood this to be a sign
from Heaven that the image should stay in Częstochowa; thus he replaced
the painting in the Church of the Assumption, August 26, 1382, a day
still observed as the Feast Day. The Saint wished to have the holiest of
men guard the painting, so he assigned the church and the monastery to
the Pauline Fathers, who have devoutly protected the image for the
last six hundred years.

Having survived two attacks upon it,
Our Lady's image was next in peril by the Hussites. The Hussites
successfully stormed the Pauline monastery in 1430, plundering the
sanctuary. Among the items stolen was the image. After putting it in
their wagon, the Hussites went a little ways but
then the horses refused to go any further. Recalling the former
incident that was so similar, the heretics threw the portrait down to
the ground, which shattered the image into three pieces. One of the
plunderers drew his sword and slashed the image twice, causing two deep
gashes; while attempting a third gash, he was overcome with a writhing
agony and died.

The two slashes on the cheek of the Blessed Virgin, together with the one on
the throat, have always reappeared after artistic attempts to fix
them. The portrait again faced danger in 1655 by a Swedish horde of
12,000, which confronted the 300 men guarding the image. The band of
300 routed the 12,000 and the following year, the Holy Virgin was
acclaimed Queen of Poland.

Prayer

(to be said each day upon rising)

HOLY MOTHER of Czestochowa, Thou art full of grace,

goodness and mercy. I consecrate to Thee all my thoughts,

words and actions----my soul and body. I beseech Thy

blessings and especially prayers for my salvation.

Today, I consecrate myself to Thee, Good Mother, totally

 ----with body and soul amid joy and sufferings to obtain

for myself and others Thy blessings on this earth and

eternal life in Heaven. Amen.

Imprimatur: Cardinal O' Boyle, Washington, DC

SAINT LOUIS IX (1270 A.D.); SAINT PATRICIA (665 A.D.)

Detail of 'St-Louis IX at the Battle of Taillebourg',

painted by Eugène Delacroix in 1837 (at 'Galerie des Batailles',
Versailles). The decisive engagement of this brief, but critical war
was fought on 21 or 22 July 1242, near the strategic bridge over the
Charente river just south of the château of Taillebourg.

SAINT LOUIS IX

King and Confessor

SAINT PATRICIA

Virgin (665 A.D.)

[Historical]

SIMPLE / WHITE 


King Louis IX of France (1215-70) is acknowledged the ideal Christian
monarch. Not only was his private life marked by a spirit of
contemplation and asceticism overflowing in Christ-like charity toward
all men, from fellow kings to the lowest of his subjects; he also gave
his country a rule of unprecedented peace, justice, and material and
spiritual prosperity. He fostered the flowering of Gothic architecture,
developed the University of Paris. So great was his apostolic zeal that
when he joined the Crusades he
personally prepared Saracen converts for baptism and sent their
children to France for a Catholic education. In a message to the Sultan
of Tunis he wrote: "I desire so strongly the salvation of your soul that
to secure it I would gladly spend the rest of my life in a Saracen prison. . . ." He died of plague at Tunis during his second campaign to save the Holy Land.







Introit


Ps 36:30-31

The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.

Ps 36:1

Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.

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.

The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart. 



Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except



 COLLECT

O God, You raised the blessed confessor Louis from an
earthly throne to the glory of Your kingdom in heaven. May the merits
and prayers of this saint bring us to share in the kingdom of Jesus
Christ, Your Son, the King of kings; who lives and rules with You . . .



LESSON Wisdom 10:10-14

The Lord conducted the just through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. In the deceit of them that overreached him, he stood by him, and made him honourable.
He kept him safe from his enemies, and he defended him from seducers,
and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that
wisdom is mightier than all. He forsook not the just when he was sold,
but delivered him from sinners: he went down with him into the pit. And
in bands he left him not, till he brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.





Gradual


Ps 91:13-14

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.

Ps 91:3

V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.

James 1:12

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



GOSPEL Luke 19:12-26

At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples, "A
certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a
kingdom and to return. And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten
pounds and said to them: 'Trade till I come.' But his citizens hated him
and they sent an embassage after him, saying: 'We will not have this
man to reign over us.' "And it
came to pass that he returned, having received the kingdom: and he
commanded his servants to be called, to whom he had given the money,
that he might know how much every man had gained by trading, And the
first came saying: 'Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.' And
he said to him: 'Well done, thou good servant, because thou hast been
faithful in a little, thou shalt have power over ten cities.' And the
second came, saying: 'Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.' And he
said to him: 'Be thou also over five cities.' And another came, saying:
'Lord, behold here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin.
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up what
thou didst not lay down: and thou reapest that which thou didst not
sow.' "He saith
to him: 'Out of thy own mouth I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou
knewest that I was an austere man, taking up what I laid not down and
reaping that which I did not sow. And why then didst thou not give my
money into the bank, that at my coming I might have exacted it with
usury?' And he said to them that stood by: 'Take the pound away from him
and give it to him that hath ten pounds.' And they said to him: 'Lord,
he hath ten pounds.' But I say to you that to every one that hath shall
be given, and he shall abound: and from him that hath not, even that
which he hath shall be taken from him."



SECRET

O Almighty God, may we be made acceptable to You through the prayers of
Your blessed confessor Louis, who spurned the pleasures of this world
and sought only to please Christ the King. Through the same Jesus
Christ, our Lord . . .



POSTCOMMUNION

O God, may the Church have as her defender the blessed confessor Louis,
on whom You bestowed renown on earth and glory in heaven. Through our
Lord . . .

 

Virgin 

{Historical}

 Patron of Naples, Italy

Saint Patricia of Naples, or Patricia of Constantinople (Italian: Santa Patrizia) (d. ca. 665 AD), is an Italian virgin martyr and saint. Tradition states that she was noble; she may have been related to the Roman Emperor. Some sources say that she was a descendant of Constantine the Great.^[1]

Wishing to escape an marriage arranged by Constans II and become a nun, she went to Rome. There she received the veil from Pope Liberius.
Upon the death of her father, she returned to Constantinople and,
renouncing any claim to the imperial crown, distributed her wealth to
the poor. She then planned to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

However, a terrible storm shipwrecked her on the shores of Naples. Finding refuge on the tiny island of Megarides (the site of the present-day Castel dell'Ovo), the site of a small hermitage, Patricia died shortly after from disease.

Like St. Januarius there, a vial believed to be filled with her blood reportedly liquefies thirteen hundred years after her death.

TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS PROPERS IN ENGLISH: Saint Patricia