Artwork by Hanna Hajjar
Saints Mark & Marcellian
Medieval manuscript ca. 14th century.
Bibliothèque nationale de France.
SAINTS MARK AND MARCELLIAN
Martyrs
DOUBLE / WHITE
Ephrem the Syrian (c. 300-373) was a native of Nisibis, in Roman
Mesopotamia, and was very probably the head of the catechetical school
of that city until its capture by the Persians. He subsequently became a
monk near Edessa and there spent most of his life writing commentaries
on the Bible and composing hymns. Ephrem's hymns, written in his native
Syriac, kept his people free from heresy and won for the saint the title
of "Harp of the Holy Spirit." His hymns to the Virgin Mary, in
particular, form an important contribution to Catholic dogma.
COLLECT
O
God, You added glory to the Church by the brilliant learning and
outstanding merits of Your blessed confessor and doctor Ephrem. Defend
Your Church against the dangers of sin and error, through the
intercession of this saint. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINTS MARK AND MARCELLIAN, MARTYRS
Brothers,
and deacons of the Roman Church, these two martyrs were slain (pierced
with arrows, after two days of suffering) early in the reign of
Diocletian.
O
Almighty God, may the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Mark and
Marcellian, whose heavenly birthday we celebrate today, rescue us from
all the dangers that threaten to overcome us. Through our Lord . . .
Lesson
Lesson from the secons letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timotheus
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 own 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 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 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 Ephrem always help us, and
through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins.
Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINTS MARK AND MARCELLIAN
Bless
the gifts we have set apart for You, O Lord. may the prayers of Your
blessed martyrs Mark and Marcellian help these offerings to win Your
mercy for us. 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 Ephrem.
Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINTS MARK AND MARCELLIAN
O
Lord, may the Banquet of salvation, of which we have partaken with joy,
bring us new life by the intercession of Your blessed martyrs Mark and
Marcellian. Through our Lord . . .
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| Icon of Saint Ephrem the Deacon (Meryem Ana Kilesesi, Diyarbakır, Turkey). (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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