FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING; COMMEMORATION OF THE XXIII SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

 

FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
THE KING

COMMEMORATION OF THE XXIII 

SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE

Christ is fully the spiritual King of all mankind, for He is the giver of life, the maker of law, the supreme judge and ruling authority, in the minds and wills and hearts of human beings. He is King of mankind by natural right, because He is the divine maker and sustainer of the universe and He took human nature unto His divine Person. He is King by acquired right, because He redeemed mankind by the sacrifice of His body and blood. The Lamb of God from the throne of His Cross, reunited all peoples. Although formerly separated by sin, they became one kingdom, one family, and prospective members of one Mystical Body.

INTROIT (Apoc. 5:12, 1:6)
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive powers and divinity and wisdom and strength and honor. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. 
Ps. 1. Give to the King, O God, Thy judgment, and to the King's Son Thy justice.V. Glory be . . . 

KYRIE ELEISON

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO
COLLECT 
Almighty and everlasting God, who has willed to restore all things in Thy beloved Son, the King of all creation, mercifully grant that all the families of nations scattered by the wound of sin may become subject to His most gentle rule. Who liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. 

Commemoration of the 23st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Forgive, we beseech You, O Lord, the sins of Your faithful people, so that by Your goodness we may be released from the net of sin in which we have been caught by our weakness.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.

EPISTLE (Col. 1:12-20)
Brethren: Giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For in him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by him and in him. And he is before all: and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may hold the primacy: Because in him, it hath well pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell: And through him to reconcile all things unto himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, both as to the things that are on earth and the things that are in heaven.
GRADUAL (Ps. 71:8, 11) 
He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. 
V. And all kings of the earth shall adore Him, and all nations shall serve Him. 

Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Dan. 7:14)
His power is an everlasting power which shall not be taken away; and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Alleluia! 

GOSPEL (St. John 18:33-37)
At that time, Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to him: "Art thou the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered:"Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me?"Pilate answered: "Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done?" Jesus answered: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence." Pilate therefore said to him: "Art thou a king then?" Jesus answered: "Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 2:8) 
Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the Gentiles for Thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for Thy possession.

SECRET 
To Thee, O Lord, we present this Victim, offered for man's reconciliation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that He whom we now immolate in this sacrifice may Himself, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, grant to all nations the gifts of unity and peace. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Commemoration of the 23st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
We offer You O Lord, the sacrifice of praise that we may serve You even better, so that You may graciously complete what You have given us, Your undeserving servants.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Ps. 28:10, 11)
The Lord shall sit as King forever; the Lord will bless His people with peace. 

POSTCOMMUNION 
Having received the food of immortality, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we who are proud to fight under the banners of Christ the King, may one day reign in the eternally with Him in heaven. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Commemoration of the 23st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
We beseech You, almighty God, let not human dangers overcome us to whom You grant joyful participation in things divine.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.

OCTOBER 30 FERIAL DAY; THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF DOUAI; SAINT ALPHONSUS RODRIGUEZ; SAINT MARCELLUS THE CENTURION

 

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF DOUAI
 

SAINT ALPHONSUS RODRIGUEZ

SAINT MARCELLUS THE CENTURION

Martyr

[Historical]

The Douai Martyrs is a name applied by the Roman Catholic Church to 158 Catholic priests trained in the English College at Douai, France, who were executed by the English state between 1577 and 1680. Eighty were beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1929. Today, British Catholic dioceses celebrate their feast day on 30 October. 

INTROIT (Ps. 78:1)
O God, the heathen are come into Thy inheritance, they have defiled Thy holy temple, they have made Jerusalem as a garner of fruit. (Ps. ibid. 2) The dead bodies of Thy servants have they given to be meat for the fowls of the air, the flesh of Thy Saints for the beasts of the earth. Glory be to the Father . . . ---O God, the heathen are come .  . .

COLLECT
Excite in us, O Lord, that Spirit which Thy blessed Martyrs of Douai obeyed, that we, filled with the same Spirit may ourselves endeavor to love what they cherished, and to practice what they taught. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALPHONSUS RODRIGUEZ 
St. Alphonsus, born at Segovia in Spain A.D. 1531, was a clock merchant up to thr age of forty. After the death of his wife and child he entered the Society of Jesus as a lay-brother and spent his religious life as porter in a College in the Island of Majorca, where he closed a life of humility, mortification and charity by a saintly death on October 31, A.D. 1617.

O God, strength of the weak and greatness of the humble, who didst make Thy servant Alphonsus wonderful by the practice of constant penance and the merit of deep humility, grant that we may mortify our flesh as he did and faithfully carry the cross in the footsteps of Thy Son, and thus attain eternal glory, Who liveth and reigneth . . .


EPISTLE (Hebrews 12:1-10)
 And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:

² Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God.

³ For think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself; that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds.

⁴ For you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin:

⁵ And you have forgotten the consolation, which speaketh to you, as unto children, saying: My son, neglect not the discipline of the Lord; neither be thou wearied whilst thou art rebuked by him.

⁶ For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

⁷ Persevere under discipline. God dealeth with you as with his sons; for what son is there, whom the father doth not correct?

⁸ But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.

⁹ Moreover we have had fathers of our flesh, for instructors, and we reverenced them: shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰ And they indeed for a few days, according to their own pleasure, instructed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his sanctification.

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. Thewhite robed army of Martyrs praises Thee, O Lord. Alleluia.

GOSPEL (St. 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.

OFFERTORY (Baruch 3:5-6)

Remember not the iniquities of our fathers, but be mindful of Thy hand and of Thy Name at this time, for Thou art the Lord our God, and we will praise Thee, O Lord.

SECRET

Hearken, O Lord, unto the voices of Thy blessed Martyrs who cry from beneath Thine altar, and look kindly upon our offerings. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALPHONSUS RODRIGUEZ
May the holy prayers of blessed Alphonsus accompany our offerings to Thee, for, whilst he prayed before Thine altars, Thou didst refresh him with the sweetness of heavenly favors. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Apoc. 6:9, 11)

Beneath the altar of God I heard the voice of the slain saying, Wherefore dost Thou not defend our blood? And they received a divine answer, Bear ye yet a little time, until the number of your brethren be fulfilled.

POSTCOMMUNION

Quickened by this heavenly Banquet, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that by the intercession of these Thy blessed Martyrs, we may worthily attain unto their fellowship. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALPHONSUS RODRIGUEZ
 May this heavenly banquet give us the spirit of fortitude, O Lord, so that like the blessed Confessor Alphonsus we may escape the snares of the enemy of our salvation and deserve to enjoy eternal peace. Through our Lord . . .

 

 

Saint Marcellus, The Centurion, Martyr

 

The birthday of the Emperor Maximum Herculeus in the year 298 was celebrated with extraordinary feasting and solemnity. Marcellus, a Christian centurion or captain in the legion of Trajan, then posted in Spain, not to defile himself with taking part in those impious abominations, left his company, declaring aloud that he was a soldier of Jesus Christ, the eternal king. He was at once committed to prison. When the festival was over, Marcellus was brought before a judge, and having declared his faith, was sent under a strong guard to Aurelian Agricolaus, vicar to the prefect of the praetorium, who passed sentence of death upon him. Saint Marcellus was forthwith led to execution, and beheaded on the 30th of October. Cassian, the secretary or notary of the court, refused to write the sentence pronounced against the martyr, because it was unjust. He was immediately hurried to prison, and was beheaded, about a month after, on the 3rd of December.

OCTOBER 29 FERIAL DAY; SAINT NARCISSUS (222 A.D.)

 

OCTOBER 29

FERIAL DAY 

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

 

INTROIT Ps. 129:3, 4
If Thou, O Lord, shalt observe iniquities; Lord, who shall endure it? for with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, O God of Israel.
Ps. 129:1-2. Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, our refuge and strength, Author of all devotedness, give ear to the devoted prayers of Thy Church, and grant, that we may obtain in deed what we ask with faith. Through our Lord . . .

  
EPISTLE Phil. 1:6-11
Brethren: we are confident of this very thing, that he which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

GRADUAL Ps. 132:1-2
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron.

Alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 113:11
They that fear the Lord, let them hope in Him; He is their helper and protector. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 22:15-21
At that time, the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk. And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, "Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money." And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They say unto him, "Caesar’s." Then saith he unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Esther 14:12, 13
Remember me, O Lord. Thou who rulest above all power; and give a well-ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing in the sight of the prince.

SECRET
Grant, O merciful God, that this saving rite may unremittingly free us from all personal guilt and fend off all misfortune. Through our Lord . . .

 

 
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 16:6
I have cried, for Thou, O God, hast heard me; O incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my words.

POSTCOMMUNION
We have received, O Lord, the gifts of this sacred Mystery, and humbly beseech Thee, that what we do at Thy bidding in memory of Thee, may avail us in our weakness. Who livest and reignest . . .

 

Saint Narcissus

99 - 215

October 29

2nd-3rd century bishop of Jerusalem. Late in life, he was accused of a crime. None of the Christians in his diocese believed it, but Narcissus did not believe he should serve after being under such a cloud, and he became a desert hermit. After a complete acquittal, Narcissus returned to his see, older, weathered, but stronger and more zealous than ever, and served several more years. When his age began to wear on him, he begged God to send a bishop to help him. Saint Alexander of Cappadocia responded, and the two ruled the diocese together, Narcissus lived to age 116.

Born: 99
Died: 215 of natural causes
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Patronage: insect bites

SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES

 

 

SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE
Apostles

Simon is called in the Gospels "the zealous one." Jude was the brother of St. James the Less and therefore related to Christ. He is the author of one of the seven Catholic (i.e., addressed to all the faithful) Epistles in the New Testament. It is not known for certain where Simon and Jude preached the Gospel after Pentecost; but according to tradition they finally went to evangelize Persia and were martyred together there.

INTROIT (Ps. 138:17)
Your friends are greatly honored by me, O God; their pre-eminence is definitely established.
Ps. O Lord, you have proved me and You know me; You know when I sit and when I stand.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, Your blessed apostles Simon and Jude brought us the knowledge of Your Holy Name. May our progress in virtue add honor to their eternal glory, and may the honor we pay them make us even more holy. Through Christ Our Lord . . .


EPISTLE (Eph. 4: 7-13)
Brethren: But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.Wherefore he saith: "Ascending on high, he led captivity captive: he gave gifts to men." Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens: that he might fill all things. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors: For the perfecting of the saints, for the word of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Until we all meet into the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ.

GRADUAL (Ps. 44:17-18)
You shall make them princes through all the land; they shall remember Your Name, O Lord. V. To take the place of your fathers, sons shall be born to you; therefore peoples shall praise you.


Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Ps. 138:17)
Your friends are greatly honored by me, O God; their pre-eminence is definitely established. Alleluia!


GOSPEL (St. John 15:17-25)
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hate you, know ye that it hath hated me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake: because they know not him that sent me.
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no other man hath done, they would not have sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. But that the word may be fulfilled which is written in their law: 'They hated me without cause.' "


OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 18:5)
Their voice has gone forth through all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.


SECRET 
O Lord, we pay homage to the everlasting glory of Your holy apostles Simon and Jude. May these sacred mysteries atone for our sins so that we may be more worthy to honor them. Through Christ Our Lord . . .


COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Matt. 19:28)
You who have followed Me shall sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


POSTCOMMUNION 
We who received Your Sacraments, O Lord, humbly pray that this sacred rite which we offer in honor of the sufferings of Your blessed apostles Simon and Jude may heal our own infirmities through their intercession. Through Christ Our Lord . . .

Oct. 27 Ferial Day - What is a Ferial Day? See Answer here:

 

FERIAL DAY
(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

INTROIT Ps. 129:3, 4
If Thou, O Lord, shalt observe iniquities; Lord, who shall endure it? for with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, O God of Israel.
Ps. 129:1-2. Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, our refuge and strength, Author of all devotedness, give ear to the devoted prayers of Thy Church, and grant, that we may obtain in deed what we ask with faith. Through our Lord . . .

 
EPISTLE Phil. 1:6-11
Brethren: we are confident of this very thing, that he which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

GRADUAL Ps. 132:1-2
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron.

Alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 113:11
They that fear the Lord, let them hope in Him; He is their helper and protector. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 22:15-21
At that time, the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk. And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, "Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money." And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, "Whose is this image and superscription?" They say unto him, "Caesar’s." Then saith he unto them, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Esther 14:12, 13
Remember me, O Lord. Thou who rulest above all power; and give a well-ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing in the sight of the prince.

SECRET
Grant, O merciful God, that this saving rite may unremittingly free us from all personal guilt and fend off all misfortune. Through our Lord . . .

 

 
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 16:6
I have cried, for Thou, O God, hast heard me; O incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my words.

POSTCOMMUNION
We have received, O Lord, the gifts of this sacred Mystery, and humbly beseech Thee, that what we do at Thy bidding in memory of Thee, may avail us in our weakness. Who livest and reignest . . .

 

 

Question:
What is a Ferial Day?


This information is from the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1917.

A feria (Latin for "free day") was a day on which the people, especially the slaves, were not obliged to work, and on which there were no court sessions. In ancient Rome the feriae publicae, legal holidays, were either stativae (recurring regularly, e.g. the Saturnalia), conceptivae (i.e. movable), or imperativae (i.e. appointed for special occasions).

When Christianity spread, on the feriae (feasts) instituted for worship by the Church, the faithful were obliged to attend Mass; such assemblies gradually led, for reasons both of necessity and convenience, to mercantile enterprise and market gatherings which the Germans call Messen, and the English fairs. They were fixed on saints' days (e.g. St Bartholomew's Fair in London, St Germanus's fair, St Wenn's fair, etc.).

In the Roman Rite liturgy, the term feria is used to denote days of the week other than Sunday and Saturday. Various reasons are given for this terminology. The sixth lesson for December 31 in the pre-1962 Roman Breviary says that Pope Sylvester I ordered the continuance of the already existing custom "that the clergy, daily abstaining from earthly cares, would be free to serve God alone". Others believe that the Church simply Christianized a Jewish practice. The Jews frequently counted the days from their Sabbath, and so we find in the Gospels such expressions as una Sabbati and prima Sabbati, the first from the Sabbath. The early Christians reckoned the days after Easter in this fashion, but, since all the days of Easter week were holy days, they called Easter Monday, not the first day after Easter, but the second feria or feast day; and since every Sunday is the dies Dominica, a lesser Easter day, the custom prevailed to call each Monday a feria secunda, and so on for the rest of the week. The only modern language that fully preserves this Latin ecclesiastical style of naming weekdays is Portuguese, which uses the terms segunda-feira, etc. Greek uses very similar terms, but without the Latin-derived feira.

A day on which no saint is celebrated is called a feria (and the celebration is referred to as ferial, the adjectival form of feria). In the present form of the Roman Rite, certain ferias, especially those of Lent, exclude celebration of memorials occurring on the same day, though the prayer of the memorial may be used in place of that of the feria, except on Ash Wednesday and in Holy Week, which exclude even solemnities and feasts.

The Code of Rubrics of Pope John XXIII (1960) divided ferias into four classes:[1]

Class I: Ash Wednesday and the whole of Holy Week.
Class II: Advent from 17 December to 23 December and Ember Days.
Class III: Lent and Passiontide from the day after Ash Wednesday to the day before the Second Sunday in Passiontide, excluding Ember Days.
Class IV: all other ferias.

In pre-1960 forms of the Roman Rite, ferias were divided into major and minor. The major ferias, which required at least a commemoration even on the highest feast days, were the ferias of Advent and Lent, the Ember days, and the Monday of Rogation week; all others were called minor.

Saint Evaristus (107 A.D.); Saint Demetrius (4th C.)

 

 

SAINT EVARISTUS
Pope and Martyr

 

SAINT DEMETRIUS

Martyr

[Historical]

SIMPLE / RED
The fourth successor of St. Peter, Pope Evaristus was said to have been the son of a Hellenic Jew of Bethlehem. He ruled for some eight years, during a very stormy period in the history of the Church. He died about A.D. 107, and was buried near St. Peter's tomb on the Vatican.

Mass of a POPE, except:

Introit
Ps 129:3-4
If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, O God of Israel.
Ps 129:1-2
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice!
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.
If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, O God of Israel.
 
COLLECT
O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Evaristus 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 letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
Phil 1:6-11
Brethren: We are confident in the Lord Jesus that He Who has begun a good work in you will bring it to perfection until the day of Christ Jesus. And I have the right to feel so about you all, because I have you in my heart, all of you, alike in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, as sharers in my joy. For God is my witness how I long for you all in the heart of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the better things, that you may be upright and without offense unto the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 Gradual
Ps 132:1-2
Behold how good it is, and how pleasant where brethren dwell as one!
V. It is as when the precious ointment upon the head runs down over the beard, the beard of Aaron.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 22:15-21
At that time, the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might trap Jesus in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that You are truthful, and that You teach the way of God in truth, and that You care naught for any man; for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said, Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin of the tribute. So they offered Him a denarius. Then Jesus said to them, Whose are this image and the inscription? They said to Him, Caesar’s. Then He said to them, Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
 
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 . . .  

Demetrius of Thessaloniki

[Historical]

15th-century icon of St. Demetrius (Russian State Museum, Saint Petersburg).

 Relics of St. Demetrius at the Aghios Demetrios Basilica in Thessaloniki

Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki (Greek: Άγιος Δημήτριος της Θεσσαλονίκης) was a Christian martyr, who lived in the early 4th century.
During the Middle Ages, he came to be revered as one of the most important Orthodox military saints, often paired with Saint George. His feast day is 26 October for Christians following the Gregorian calendar and 8 November for Christians following the Julian calendar.

SAINTS CHRYSANTHUS AND DARIA, Martyrs; Sts. Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs

 

SAINTS CHRYSANTHUS AND DARIA
Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED 
Chrysanthus and his wife Daria carried on an active apostolate among the noble families of Rome during the third century. When they were denounced as Christians, they underwent various tortures with great constancy, and they were buried alive in a sandpit in the year 283.

MASS OF SEVERAL MARTYRS
INTROIT (Ps. 78, 11, 12, 10)
Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before Thee, O Lord; render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom; revenge the blood of Thy Saints, which hath been shed.
O God, the heathens are come into Thine inheritance, they have defiled Thy holy temple, they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
May the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria be with us, O Lord, so that we who devoutly honor them may always experience their kind assistance. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Cor. 6:4-10
Brethren: But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings, In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, In the word of truth, in the power of God: by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left: By honour and dishonour: by evil report and good report: as deceivers and yet true: as unknown and yet known: As dying and behold we live: as chastised and not killed: As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: as needy, yet enriching many: as having nothing and possessing all things.


GRADUAL (Exodus 15, 11, 6)
Glorious is God in His Saints, marvellous in majesty, doing wonders. Thy right hand, O Lord, is magnified in strength, Thy right hand hath slain the enemy.
Alleluia, alleluia (Eccl. 44, 14)
The bodies of the Saints are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation. Alleluia

GOSPEL St. Luke 11:47-51
At that time Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees: "Woe to you who build the monuments of the prophets: and your fathers killed them. Truly you bear witness that you consent to the doings of your fathers. For they indeed killed them: and you build their sepulchres. For this cause also the wisdom of God said: I will send to them prophets and apostles: and some of them they will kill and persecute. That the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, who was slain between the altar and the temple. Yea I say to you: It shall be required of this generation."

SECRET 
Be pleased, O Lord, by this sacrificial offering that Your people solemnly present to You on the feast of Your holy martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria. Through Christ, our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION 
We have been filled with spiritual gifts and joy, O Lord. May we always profit spiritually from the service we perform here on earth, through the intercession of Your holy martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria. Through Christ our Lord . . .

Sts. Crispin and Crispinian

[Historical]

Martyrs of the Early Church who were beheaded during the reign of Diocletian; the date of their execution is given as 25 October, 285 or 286. It is stated that they were brothers, but the fact has not been positively proved. The legend relates that they wereRomans of distinguished descent who went as missionaries of the Christian Faith to Gaul and chose Soissons as their field of labour. In imitation of St. Paul they worked with their hands, making shoes, and earned enough by their trade to support themselves and also to aid the poor. During the Diocletian persecution they were brought before Maximianus Herculius whom Diocletian had appointed co-emperor. At first Maximianus sought to turn them from their faith by alternate promises and threats. But they replied: "Thy threats do not terrify us, for Christ is our life, and death is our gain. Thy rank and possessions are nought to us, for we have long before this sacrificed the like for the sake of Christ and rejoice in what we have done. If thou shouldst acknowledge and love Christ thou wouldst give not only all the treasures of this life, but even the glory of thy crown itself in order through the exercise of compassion to win eternal life." When Maximianus saw that his efforts were of no avail, he gave Crispin and Crispinian into the hands of the governor Rictiovarus (Rictius Varus), a most cruel persecutor of the Christians. Under the order of Rictiovarus they were stretched on the rack, thongs were cut from their flesh, and awls were driven under their finger-nails. A millstone was then fastened about the neck of each, and they were thrown into the Aisne, but they were able to swim to the opposite bank of the river. In the same manner they suffered no harm from a great fire in which Rictiovarus, in despair, sought death himself. Afterwards the two saints were beheaded at the command of Maximianus.
This is the story of the legend which the Bollandists have incorporated in their great collection; the same account is found in various breviaries. The narrative says that a large church was built over the graves of the two saints, consequently the legendcould not have arisen until a later age; it contains, moreover, many details that have little probability or historical worth and seems to have been compiled from various fabulous sources. In the sixth century a stately basilica was erected at Soissons over the graves of these saints, and St. Eligius, a famous goldsmith, made a costly shrine for the head of St. Crispinian. Some of the relicsof Crispin and Crispinian were carried to Rome and placed in the church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna. Other relics of the saintswere given by Charlemagne to the cathedral, dedicated to Crispin and Crispinian, which he founded at Osnabrück. Crispin and Crispinian are the patron saints of shoemakers, saddlers, and tanners. Their feast falls on 25 October.

(From Lives of the Saints, XII, 628; BUTLER)