Saturday, August 28, 2021

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


SAINT AUGUSTINE
Bishop and Doctor of the Church




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 GreatSaint Joseph,Saint Ghislain, and Saint Eligius.



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

Introit
Ecclus 15:5
In the midst of the assembly he opened his mouth; and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding; He clothed him with a robe of glory.
Ps 91:2
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praise to Your name, Most High.
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.
In the midst of the assembly he opened his mouth; and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding; He clothed him with a robe of glory.
 
 
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
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.

 
 Offertory
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Ps 91:13
The just shall flourish like the palm tree; like a cedar of Libanus shall he grow.
 
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 . . .
 
Communion
Luke 12:42
The faithful and prudent servant whom the master will set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due time.


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 . . .

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