[Commemoration]
THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN
SAINT BENET BISCOP
Abbot
INTROIT Ps. 43:23-26
Awake!
Why are you asleep, O Lord? Arise! Cast us not off forever! Why do you
hide your face and forget our troubles? Our bodies are pressed to the
earth. Arise, O Lord, help us, and free us!
Ps. 43:2. O God, our ears have heard, our fathers have spoken to us.
V. Glory be . . .
Ps. 43:2. O God, our ears have heard, our fathers have spoken to us.
V. Glory be . . .
COLLECT
O
God, You see that we place no trust in our ability and actions. May the
prayers of the Doctor of the Gentiles defend us against all adversity.
Through Our Lord . . .
Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN
Twenty-six Christians: Franciscans, Jesuits and layfolk were led from town to town exposed to the insults of the people. They were crucified at Nagasaki (Japan) and pierced by spears. A.D. 1597
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst consecrate the first fruits of the faith in Japan with the blood of the holy martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions who died on the cross in imitation of Thee, grant that while celebrating their feast today, we may be spurred on by their example.
Twenty-six Christians: Franciscans, Jesuits and layfolk were led from town to town exposed to the insults of the people. They were crucified at Nagasaki (Japan) and pierced by spears. A.D. 1597
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst consecrate the first fruits of the faith in Japan with the blood of the holy martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions who died on the cross in imitation of Thee, grant that while celebrating their feast today, we may be spurred on by their example.
Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP
St.
Benet Biscop, a Northumbrian of illustrious birth, left all earthly
things and became the first Abbot of Wearmouth. He died on January 12,
A.D. 690, and is venerated as the Patron of the English Congregation of
the Order of St. Benedict.
O
God, by whose gift the blessed Abbot Benet left all things in order to
become perfect, grant unto all who have entered the path of evangelical
perfection that they may neither look back not stick fast in the way,
but that running to Thee without stumbling, they may obtain everlasting
life. Through our Lord . . .
EPISTLE II Cor. 11:19-33; 12:1-9
Brethren:
For you gladly suffer the foolish: whereas yourselves are wise. For you
suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man
take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you on the face.
I
seek according to dishonour, as if we had been weak in this part.
Wherein if any man dare (I speak foolishly), I dare also. They are
Hebrews: so am I. They are Israelites: so am I. They are the seed of
Abraham: so am I. They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less
wise): I am more; in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in
stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I
receive forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods: once I
was stoned: thrice I suffered shipwreck: a night and a day I was in the
depth of the sea.
In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren: In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness: Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?
In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren: In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness: Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is blessed for ever, knoweth that I lie not. At Damascus, the
governor of the nation under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the
Damascenes, to apprehend me. And through a window in a basket was I let
down by the wall: and so escaped his hands. If I must glory (it is not
expedient indeed) but I will come to visions and revelations of the
Lord. I know a man in Christ: above fourteen years ago (whether in the
body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such a
one caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the
body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth): That he was caught
up into paradise and heard secret words which it is not granted to man
to utter.
For
such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory nothing but in my
infirmities. For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be
foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should
think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth
from me.
And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me. For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
GRADUAL Ps. 82:19, 14
Let the nations know that You whose name is God, alone are the Most High over all the earth.
V. O my God, whirl them about like chaff before the wind!
V. O my God, whirl them about like chaff before the wind!
TRACT Ps. 59:4, 6
You have shaken the earth, O Lord, and thrown it into confusion.
V. Repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.
V. That they may flee out of bowshot; that Your chosen ones may escape.
V. Repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.
V. That they may flee out of bowshot; that Your chosen ones may escape.
GOSPEL Luke 8:4-15
At
that time, when a very great multitude was gathered together and
hastened out of the cities, unto him, he spoke by a similitude. "The
sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way
side. And it was trodden down: and the fowls of the air devoured it. And
other some fell upon a rock. And as soon as it was sprung up, it
withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among
thorns. And the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some
fell upon good ground and, being sprung up, yielded fruit a
hundredfold." Saying these things, he cried out: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said: "To
you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the
rest in parables, that 'seeing they may not see and hearing may not
understand.' Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And
they by the way side are they that hear: then the devil cometh and
taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved.
Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear receive the word
with joy: and these have no roots: for they believe for a while and in
time of temptation they fall away. And that which fell among thorns are
they who have heard and, going their way, are choked with the cares and
riches and pleasures of this life and yield no fruit. But that on the
good ground are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word,
keep it and bring forth fruit in patience."
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 16:5, 6-7
Keep
my steps steadfast in Your paths, that my feet may not falter. Incline
Your ear and hear my words. Show Your wondrous kindness, O Savior of
those who trust in You, O Lord.
SECRET
May the sacrifice we offer You, O Lord, bring us new life and keep us safe. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN
O Lord, receive the gifts we offer Thee on this feast of Thy holy Martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions, and by their merits grant that we Thy servants may prove steadfast in professing Thy Name.
Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP
O Lord, receive the gifts we offer Thee on this feast of Thy holy Martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions, and by their merits grant that we Thy servants may prove steadfast in professing Thy Name.
Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP
Mat
the holy Abbot Benet, we beseech Thee, O Lord, obtain by his prayers,
that the Sacrifice laid on Thy holy altar may profit us unto salvation.
Through our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 42:4
I will go in to the altar of God, to God who gives joy to my youth.
POSTCOMMUNION
Almighty
God, we humbly ask that those who are nourished with Your Sacrament may
live a life of worthy service pleasing to You. Through Our Lord . . .
Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN
O God, who
by Thy holy Martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions, didst
honor the mystery of the Cross, enable us by their prayers and merits to
be so steadfast in faith and love that no temptation can separate us
from Thee.
Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP
Mat
the pleading of blessed Benet, the Abbot, for us, as well as the
reception of Thy Sacrament, protect us, O Lord, that we may both share
in the glory of his works, and receive the help of his intercession.
Through our Lord . . .
SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI
(1522 - 1589 A.D.)
Virgin
[Historical]
St. Catherine was born in Florence in 1522. Her baptismal name was Alexandrina, but she took the name of Catherine upon entering religion. From her earliest infancy she manifested a great love of prayer, and in her sixth year, her father placed her in the convent of Monticelli in Florence, where her aunt, Louisa de Ricci, was a nun. After a brief return home, she entered the convent of the Dominican nuns at Prat in Tuscany, in her fourteenth year. While very young, she was chosen Mistress of Novices, then subprioress, and at twenty-five years of age she became perpetual prioress. The reputation of her sanctity drew to her side many illustrious personages, among whom three later sat in the chair of Peter, namely Cerveni, Alexander de Medicis, and Aldo Brandini, and afterward Marcellus II, Clement VIII, and Leo XI respectively. She corresponded with St. Philip Neri and, while still living, she appeared to him in Rome in a miraculous manner.
She is famous for the "Ecstacy of the Passion" which she experienced every Thursday from noon until Friday at 4:00 p.m. for twelve years. After a long illness she passed away in 1589. Her feast day is February 13.
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| English: Catherine of Ricci (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Virgin
[Historical]
St. Catherine was born in Florence in 1522. Her baptismal name was Alexandrina, but she took the name of Catherine upon entering religion. From her earliest infancy she manifested a great love of prayer, and in her sixth year, her father placed her in the convent of Monticelli in Florence, where her aunt, Louisa de Ricci, was a nun. After a brief return home, she entered the convent of the Dominican nuns at Prat in Tuscany, in her fourteenth year. While very young, she was chosen Mistress of Novices, then subprioress, and at twenty-five years of age she became perpetual prioress. The reputation of her sanctity drew to her side many illustrious personages, among whom three later sat in the chair of Peter, namely Cerveni, Alexander de Medicis, and Aldo Brandini, and afterward Marcellus II, Clement VIII, and Leo XI respectively. She corresponded with St. Philip Neri and, while still living, she appeared to him in Rome in a miraculous manner.
She is famous for the "Ecstacy of the Passion" which she experienced every Thursday from noon until Friday at 4:00 p.m. for twelve years. After a long illness she passed away in 1589. Her feast day is February 13.
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