Saint Eustace & Companions (120 A.D.) Martyrs, Vigil of St. Matthew

 

The Vision of St. Eustace (c.1436) by Pisanello (Antonio or Vittore Pisano; c.1395-1455)

SAINT EUSTACE AND
HIS COMPANIONS
Martyrs

VIGIL OF SAINT MATTHEW

DOUBLE / RED
Eustace was a distinguished Roman officer. He owed his conversion to the vision of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers, seen by him while he was hunting. His wife and their two sons became Christians at the same time. In about the year 120 A.D., Eustace and his wife and two children, after undergoing many cruel tortures, were martyred for having refused to offer sacrifice to false gods.

INTROIT Eccli. 44:13, 14
Let the people show forth the wisdom of the saints, and let the Church declare their praise; and their names shall live for all generations. 
Ps. Rejoice in the Lord, you just: praise befits the upright.
V. Glory be to the Father . . .

COLLECT
O God, who granted us the grace to celebrate the birthday of Your blessed martyrs Eustace and companions, grant that we may also share their eternal happiness in heaven. Through our Lord . . .

Wisdom 5:16-20 Douay-Rheims 1899

¹⁶ But the just shall live for evermore: and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High.

¹⁷ Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord: for with his right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he will defend them.

¹⁸ And his zeal will take armour, and he will arm the creature for the revenge of his enemies.

¹⁹ He will put on justice as a breastplate, and will take true judgment instead of a helmet.

²⁰ He will take equity for an invincible shield:

GRADUAL Ps. 123:7-8

Our soul has been rescued as a bird from the snare of the hunters.

V. The snare has been broken and we are free. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

GOSPEL

Luke 6:17-23 Douay-Rheims 1899

^{17 At that time, Jesus} coming down with them, stood in a plain place, and the company of his disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon,

¹⁸ Who were come to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits, were cured.

¹⁹ And all the multitude sought to touch him, for virtue went out from him, and healed all.

²⁰ And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

²¹ Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.

²² Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

²³ Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven.

OFFERTORY Ps. 149:5-6

The saints shall rejoice in glory; they shall shout for joy on their couches. The praise of God shall be in their throats. Alleluia!

SECRET
We offer to Thee, O Lord, the gifts of our devotion: may they be pleasing to Thee, honorable to Thy Saints, and through Thy mercy salutary to us. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION

And I say to you, My friends, Be not afraid of them who persecute you.

POSTCOMMUNION
Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs, Eustace and Companions, that what we take with our mouth, we may receive with a pure heart. Through our Lord . . .