SAINT ANDREW, Apostle

  

Image via Wikipedia

SAINT ANDREW 
Apostle

A native of Bethsaida in Galilee, a fisherman by trade, and a former disciple of John the Baptist, Andrew was the one who introduced his brother Peter to Jesus, saying, "We have found the Messias." Overshadowed henceforth by his brother, Andrew nevertheless appears again in the Gospels as introducing souls to Christ. In St. John 12:22, he goes with St. Philip to tell Our Lord of a group of Gentiles who wish to speak with the Master.
After Pentecost, Andrew took up the apostolate on a much wider scale, and is said to have been martyred at Patras in southern Greece on a cross which was in the form of an "X". This type of cross has long been known as "St. Andrew's cross.

"INTROIT Ps. 138:17 
Your friends are greatly honored by me, O God; their pre-eminence is definitely established.Ps. 138:1-2 O Lord, You have proved me and You know me; You know when I sit and when I stand.V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT 
O Lord, we humbly implore Your divine majesty to give us for our perpetual intercessor in heaven the blessed apostle Andrew, who was so outstanding a preacher and ruler in Your Church. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Rom. 10:10-18
Brethren: For, with the heart, we believe unto justice: but, with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith: "Whosoever believeth in him shall not be confounded." For there is no distinction of the Jew and the Greek: for the same is Lord over all, rich unto all that call upon him. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent, as it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things?" But all do not obey the gospel. For Isaias saith: "Lord, who hath believed our report?" Faith then cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say: Have they not heard? Yes, verily: "Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the whole world."

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

Alleluia, alleluia!V. The Lord loved Andrew as a sweet fragrance. 
Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 4:18-22
At that time, Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers). And he saith to them: "Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men." And they immediately leaving their nets, followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets: and he called them. And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed him. 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 138:17
Your friends are greatly honored by me, O God; their pre-eminence is definitely established.


SECRET
May the prayers of the blessed apostle Andrew accompany our sacrifice, O Lord, so that his merits, which we commemorate by these offerings, may make it acceptable to You. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 4:19-20
"Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." And at once they left their nets, and followed the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION 
We have received Your divine Mysteries with joy, O Lord, on the feast of Your blessed apostle Andrew. Grant that our reception of the Holy Eucharist may give glory to Your saints and bring us Your forgiveness. Through Our Lord . . . 

The Calling of Saints Peter and Andrew by Caravaggio

Saint Saturninus (309 A.D.); Vigil of Saint Andrew

 

SAINT SATURNINUS

Martyr

VIGIL OF SAINT ANDREW

SIMPLE / RED

Saturninus is said to have been a priest who came to Rome from Carthage. At an advanced age he was arrested for his faith. After suffering long imprisonment and barbarous tortures, he was beheaded in the year 309.

Mass of a Martyr, except:

Introit
Ps 24:1-3
To You I lift up my soul: in You, O my God, I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. No one who waits for You shall be put to shame.
Ps 24:4
Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me Your paths.
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.
To You I lift up my soul: in You, O my God, I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. No one who waits for You shall be put to shame.

COLLECT

O God, who fills us with joy at the celebration of Your martyr Saturninus' heavenly birthday, grant that the merits of this saint may help us. Through Our Lord . . .


Lesson
Lesson from the letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Romans
Rom 13:11-14
Brethren: Understand, for it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we came to believe. The night is far advanced; the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Let us walk becomingly as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in debauchery and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gradual
Ps 24:3-4
No one who waits for You shall be put to shame.
V. Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me Your paths.  

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 21:25-33
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations bewildered by the roaring of sea and waves; men fainting for fear and for expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the son of Man coming upon a cloud with great power and majesty. but when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand. And He spoke to them a parable. Behold the fig tree, and all the trees. When they now put forth their buds, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things coming to pass, know that the kingdom of God is near. Amen I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all things have been accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 

SECRET

Bless the gifts we have set apart for You, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr Saturninus help these offerings to win Your mercy for us. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament sanctify us and make us acceptable to You through the intercession of Your saints. Through Our Lord . . .

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

 

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

                           

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / PURPLE
This First Sunday of Advent or the Fourth before Christmas, is the first day of the Liturgical Year. The Mass prepares us this day for the double coming (adventus) of mercy and justice. That is why St. Paul tells us, in the Epistle, to cast off sin in order that, being ready for the coming of Christ as our Saviour, we may also be ready for His coming as our Judge, of which we learn in the Gospel. Let us prepare ourselves, by pious aspirations and by the reformation of our life, for this twofold coming. Jesus our Lord will reward those who yearn for Him and await Him: "Those who trust in Him shall not be confounded." 
 
 
INTROIT Ps. 24. 1-3
To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed. Neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. Ps. 24:4 Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me, and teach me Thy paths.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

COLLECT
Arise in Thy strength, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: from the dangers which threaten us because of our sins, be Thy presence our sure defense, be Thy deliverance our safety for evermore. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

 
EPISTLE Rom 13. 11-14
Brethren, knowing the time, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is past, and the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL Ps. 24. 3, 4
None of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me, and teach me Thy paths.

Alleluia: Ps. 84. 8
Alleluia, alleluia. Show us O Lord, Thy mercy: and grant us Thy salvation. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Luke 21. 25-33
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves: men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved; and then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand."
And He spoke to them a similitude: "See the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh; so you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 24. 1-3
To Thee have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait for Thee shall be confounded.

SECRET PRAYER
May, O Lord, these Sacred Rites enable us, whom by Thy mighty power Thou hast cleansed from sin, to come pure in heart before Thee who art their author. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.



COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 84. 13
The Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
May we in the midst of Thy holy temple, O Lord, receive of Thy mercy, who seek with fitting honor to welcome the coming festival of our Redemption. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

English: Advent wreath, First Advent Sunday (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

OUR LADY"S SATURDAY - Sanctae Mariae Sabbato; SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE' Virgin (1876 A.D.)

 

Sanctae Mariae Sabbato

[Commemoration]
SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE' 
Virgin

Introit

Hail, holy Mother, who in childbirth brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth world without end.
Ps 44:2
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King.
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.
Hail, holy Mother, who in childbirth brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth world without end.

Collect
Grant us, Your servants, O Lord God, we beseech You, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body; and by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness.
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. 

Commemoration of SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE'

In 1830, 24 years before the dogma of the Immaculate Conception became an article of faith, Our Lady showed to Catherine Laboure', a Sister of Charity in Paris, the pattern of the medal that was to popularize this belief. During her 46 years of community life, Sister Catherine never revealed by word or sign the favors granted her by the Blessed Virgin, but gave herself in obscure devotion to the care of derelict old men. The medal has received the name of "Miraculous Medal," because of the many wonders God has worked by its means.

O Lord Jesus Christ, You blessed the holy virgin Catherine with the wondrous apparition of Your Immaculate Mother. May we follow the example of this saint in honoring Your most holy Mother with childlike devotion and obtain the happiness of eternal life; who lives and rules with God the Father. 



Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 24:14-16
Before all ages, in the beginning, He created me, and through all ages I shall not cease to be. In the holy Tent I ministered before Him, and in Sion I fixed my abode. Thus in the chosen city He has given me rest, in Jerusalem is my domain. I have struck root among the glorious people, in the portion of my God, His heritage, and my abode is in the full assembly of Saints. 

Gradual
Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who, with unsullied virginity, were found to be the Mother of the Savior.
V. O Virgin, Mother of God, He Whom the whole world does not contain, becoming man, shut Himself in your womb. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. After childbirth you remained a pure virgin, O Mother of God, intercede for us. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 11:27-28
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd lifted up her voice and said to Him, Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts that nursed You. But He said, Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. 

 SECRET 
 Through Your mercy, O Lord, and by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, the Mother of Your only-begotten Son, may this offering profit us for prosperity and peace, now and forevermore.
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.

Commemoration of SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE' 
May the prayer of the blessed virgin Catherine make our sacrifice pleasing to You, O Lord, so that as we celebrate it in her honor it may be acceptable to You through her merits. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION 


Having received the aids conducive to our salvation, O Lord, we beseech You, grant that we may everywhere be protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Your Majesty.
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. 

Commemoration of SAINT CATHERINE LABOURE' 
Be merciful to Your servants, O Lord, so that we, who have been wondrously refreshed by these Holy Rites, may now live a virtuous life through the example of blessed Catherine. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT SYLVESTER (1267 A.D.), Abbot; SAINT PETER OF ALEXANDRIA (311 A.D.), Bishop and Martyr

St Sylvester - 15thC fresco at Montepulciano

St Peter of Alexandria with Christ - Byzantine fresco

SAINT SYLVESTER
Abbot

SAINT PETER OF ALEXANDRIA
Bishop and Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
Sylvester, of the noble Gozzolini family, was born in Italy in 1177. After making a distinguished record at the universities of Bologna and Padua, he was made a canon at Osimo, his native city. His inclination toward the contemplative life was strengthened by the sight of the dead body of a once handsome relative. "I am what he was," said Sylvester to himself, "and I will also be what he is." At the age of 50 he resigned his post and became a hermit. Many disciples came to him, and these he organized under the rule of St. Benedict. After his death the order became known as the Sylvestrines, especially noted for their spirit of poverty. Their founder died at the age of 90.

Mass of an ABBOT, 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 Most merciful God, You gave the holy abbot Sylvester his vocation to be a hermit as he stood before an open grave, contemplating the vanity of this world; and then later made his hidden life brilliant with merit. May we imitate him in despising the pleasures of this life, so that we may enjoy Your presence for all eternity. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PETER OF ALEXANDRIA
Patriarch of Alexandria, Peter was martyred because of his orthodoxy in 310. Eusebius wrote that Patriarch Peter was "a divine model of the Christian teacher."
Almighty God, look upon our weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our own deeds. Let the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Peter, in heaven, be our protection. Through our Lord . . .

 Lesson 
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 45:1-6
Beloved of God and men, whose memory is held in benediction. He made him like the Saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words He made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him Commandments in the sight of his people, and revealed to him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For He heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And, face to face, He gave him the Commandments, the law of life and understanding.

Gradual 
Ps 20:4-5
O Lord, You welcomed him with goodly blessings, You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
V. He asked life of You: You gave him length of days forever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. Ps 91:13The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation +︎ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 19:27-29.
At that time, Peter said to Jesus, Behold, we have left all and followed You; what then shall we have? And Jesus said to them, Amen I say to you that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of His glory, shall also sit on the throne of His glory, shall also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.  

SECRET
O Lord, we reverently offer these gifts to Your divine majesty. Grant that we may imitate the exemplary recollection and purity of Your blessed abbot Sylvester, so that we may be worthy to receive the Body and Blood of Your Son; who lives and rules with You . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PETER OF ALEXANDRIA
O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyr bishop Peter, and help us find in them unending assistance. Through our Lord . . .

Communion 
Luke 12:42
The faithful and wise servant, who his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season. 

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, You have refreshed us at Your divine banquet. Grant that we may now follow in the footsteps of the holy abbot Sylvester in order that we may share Your bounteous reward with Your saints in Your glorious kingdom. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PETER OF ALEXANDRIA
We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord, our God. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Peter make us feel the benefit of the sacred Rite we have performed. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA, Virgin and Martyr (307 A.D.)

 

English: Parish church Irschen - Fourteen Holy Helpers Deutsch: Pfarrkirche in Irschen - Vierzehn Nothelfer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SAINT CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA

Virgin and Martyr

DOUBLE / RED
The saint of philosophers and wheelwrights and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, Catherine of Alexandria was very popular in the Middle Ages. Her legend relates that in the early years of the fourth century, Catherine converted to Christianity a group of philosophers whom Emperor Maximinus had appointed to shake the maiden's own faith. The infuriated ruler had Catherine scourged and bound to wheels on which knives were fixed; but the wheels broke and the knives flew off, killing some of the onlookers. Then she was beheaded. Angels are said to have carried her body up to Mount Sinai in Arabia, as today's Prayer recalls.

Mass of a VIRGIN MARTYR, except: 

Introit
Ps 118:46-47
I will speak of Your decrees before the kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.
Ps 118:1
Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law 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.
I will speak of Your decrees before the kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.

COLLECT
O God, You gave the law to Moses on Mount Sinai, and later had the body of the blessed virgin Martyr Catherine miraculously carried to the same spot by Your holy angels. Grant that we may reach the mountain which is Christ, through the merits and intercession of this saint; who lives and rules with You . . .


Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 51:1-8, 12
I will give You thanks, O Lord, O King; I will praise You, O God my Savior! I will make known Your name; for You have preserved my body from destruction, from the scourge of a slanderous tongue, and from lips that went over to falsehood; and in the sight of those who stood by, You have been my helper. And You have delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of Your name, from those who did roar, prepared to devour; from the power of those who sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions which compassed me about; from the oppression of the flames which hemmed me in on every side, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt; from the deep belly of the nether world, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from dishonest tongues. My soul shall praise the Lord even to death; because You, O Lord, our God, save those who take refuge in You, and rescue them out of the hands of the nations.

Gradual
Ps 44:8
You love justice and hate wickedness.
V. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 44:15-16
V. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King. They are borne in to You with gladness. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt. 25:1-13
At that time Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: "Then will the kingdom of heaven be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom and the bride. Five of them were foolish and five wise. But the five foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, while the wise did take oil in their vessels with the lamps. Then as the bridegroom was long in coming, they all became drowsy and slept. And at midnight a cry arose, 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' The wise answered, saying, 'Lest there may not be enough for us and for you, go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.' Now while they were gone to buy it, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Finally there came also the other virgins, who said, 'Sir, sir, open the door for us!' But he answered and said, 'Amen I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." 

 SECRET
O Lord, accept the gifts we bring You on the feast of Your blessed virgin Catherine, through whose intercession we hope to set free. Through our Lord . . .


POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, through the intercession of Your blessed virgin Martyr Catherine, may we be aided by the reception of the Blessed Sacrament and rejoice in Your everlasting protection. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS (1591 A.D.); SAINT CHRYSOGONUS, MARTYR

  

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS
Confessor and Doctor of the Church

SAINT CHRYSOGONUS

Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
John of the Cross was born near Avila in Spain in 1542. Educated by the Jesuits, he entered the Carmelite Order at the age of 21. He felt attracted to the life of a Carthusian, but Teresa of Avila asked him to co-operate with her in the restoration of the primitive Carmelite rule. After John established several monasteries of Discalced Carmelites, those opposed to the reform had him imprisoned at Toledo. During the nine months of his imprisonment, he wrote many of the poems and prose works that have made him one of the foremost authorities on mysticism in the West. He had asked God for suffering, and he received an abundance of both physical and spiritual torment right up to his death in 1591.


Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except:

Introit 
Sir 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
O God, who blessed the holy confessor and doctor John with a spirit of complete self-denial and a deep love of the cross, grant that we may always follow his example and thus attain to eternal glory. Though Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of  SAINT CHRYSOGONUS, MARTYR
Mentioned in the Canon of the Mass, Chrysogonus, a Greek Christian, was martyred under Diocletian at Aquileia at the beginning of the fourth century.

O Lord, hear our humble prayers. May the intercession of Your blessed martyr Chrysogonus free us from the guilt of sin which troubles us. 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.

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.
Sir 45:9
V. The Lord loved him and adorned him; He clothed him with a robe of glory. 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.

Offertory

Ps 91:13
The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.

SECRET  
O Lord, let the blessed confessor and doctor John always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of  SAINT CHRYSOGONUS
O Lord, be moved to compassion by our offerings and shield us from all danger through the prayers of Your holy martyr Chrysogonus. Through Our Lord . . .

Communion
Luke 12:42
The faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season.

POSTCOMMUNION  
O Lord, may this sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed confessor and illustrious doctor John. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of  SAINT CHRYSOGONUS
O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament cleanse us from our hidden faults, and guard us against the deceptions of our enemies. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT CLEMENT I Pope and Martyr; SAINT FELICITAS Martyr

  

SAINT CLEMENT I
Pope and Martyr

SAINT FELICITAS
Martyr

DOUBLE/RED

Pope Clement I, third successor of St. Peter, is believed to have ruled the See of Rome during the last ten years of the first century. He was the author of a beautiful and widely celebrated letter to the Corinthians. "They who are great," he wrote, "cannot yet subsist without those that are little, nor the little without the great. In our body, the head without  the feet is nothing, neither the feet without the head. And the smallest members of our body are useful and necessary to the whole." He is said to have been exiled by Trajan to the Chersonese, where he converted so many pagans that the Emperor had him drowned in the sea.

INTROIT Isa. 59:21; 56:7 
The Lord said, "My words which I have put into your mouth shall never be wanting to your lips. And your gifts shall be acceptable upon my altar." 
Ps. 111:1. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Clement 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 . . .

Commemoration of SAINT FELICITAS, MARTYR 
According to ancient tradition, Felicitas, a Roman widow, was the mother of seven sons executed for the Faith. Felicitas herself was beheaded in the year 165 under Marcus Antoninus.

O Almighty God, may the merits and prayers of Your blessed Martyr Felicitas, whose feast we celebrate today, be our protection. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Philipp. 3:17; 4:1-3
Brethren: Be ye followers of me, brethren: and observe them who walk so as you have our model. For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping) that they are enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction: whose God is their belly: and whose glory is in their shame: who mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of his glory, according to the operation whereby also he is able to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore my dearly beloved brethren and most desired, my joy and my crown: so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beg of Evodia and I beseech Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, my sincere companion, help those women who have labored with me in the gospel, with Clement and the rest of my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

GRADUAL Ps. 106:32, 31
Let them extol him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders. 
V. Let them praise the Lord for his merits and for his wondrous deeds to the children of men.

Alleluia, alleluia! Matt. 16:18
Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church. 
Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 16:13-19
At that time, Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: "Whom do men say that the Son of man is?" But they said: "Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Jesus saith to them:"But whom do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said: "Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answering said to him: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Jer. 1:9-10
Behold, I have placed my words in your mouth; lo, I have set you over the nations and over kingdoms, to root up and to pull down, to build and to plant.

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 it pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You. Through Our Lord . . . 

Commemoration of SAINT FELICITAS
Look with favor upon the offerings of Your people, O Lord. Let us rejoice in the protection of Your saints whose feast we are permitted to celebrate today. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 16:18
Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church.

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 . . .

Commemoration of SAINT FELICITAS
Increase Your Gifts within us, O Almighty God, and order our lives according to Your will through the intercession of Your saints. Through Our Lord . . .