Saints Hippolytus (235 A.D.) and Cassian (320 A.D.), Martyrs

 

The Torture of St. Hippolyte
Dieric Bouts the Elder
after 1468
Oil on wood, 90 x 89.2 cm
St Salvator Cathedral, Bruges

SAINTS HIPPOLYTUS AND CASSIAN
Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED
Hippolytus was a prominent priest of the church of Rome at the beginning of the third century and guardian of St. Laurence. Together with the Pope St. Pontian he was exiled to Sardinia, and his sufferings ended in martyrdom A.D. 235.
In about the year 320, officials at Imola, Italy, arrested Cassian, a Christian schoolmaster. The governor ordered him to be tortured by his own pagan pupils. After making barbarous sport of Cassian in various ways, the pagan boys stabbed their former teacher to death with their stilettos.

Mass of SEVERAL MARTYRS, except

INTROIT Ps. 36, 39

But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, and He is their protection in the time of trouble. Be not emulous of evildoers, nor envy them that work iniquity. Glory be . . .

 
COLLECT
O Almighty God, grant that our solemn celebration of the feast of your holy martyrs Hippolytus and Cassian may increase our devotion and bring us closer to our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson

Hebrews 10: 32-38

³² Brethren, call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions.

³³ And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were made a gazing-stock; and on the other, became companions of them that were used in such sort.

³⁴ For you both had compassion on them that were in bands, and took with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a better and a lasting substance.

³⁵ Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward.

³⁶ For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.

³⁷ For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come, will come, and will not delay.

³⁸ But my just man liveth by faith; but if he withdraw himself, he shall not please my soul.

 

Gradual
Ps 33, 18, 19

The just cried, and the Lord heard them, and delivered them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart, and He will save the humble of spirit.

Alleluia, alleluia. The white robed army of Martyrs praises Thee, O Lord. Alleluia. 


Gospel
Luke 12: 1-8

And when great multitudes stood about him, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

² For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: nor hidden, that shall not be known.

³ For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops.

⁴ And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

⁵ But I will shew you whom you shall fear: fear ye him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him.

⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

⁷ Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.

⁸ And I say to you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.

 

SECRET
Look kindly upon the gifts Your people offer on this feast day of Your saints. May the testimony that these saints gave to the truth help us toward salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Communion Matt: 10:27

That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light, saith the Lord, and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the house-tops. 
 

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacraments save us and confirm us in the light of Your truth. Through our Lord . . .