Wednesday, May 24, 2023

MAY 24 OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS; ST. JOANNA; STS. DONATIAN, Martyrs

 

 




 



DOUBLE / WHITE


Saint Pius V gave Mary the title: "Help of Christians," after the victory of the Christian fleet over the Turks at Lepanto on October 7, 1571, and he added this invocation to her litany. When Pius VII returned to Rome on May 24, 1814, after spending five years of exile and captivity, he established the Feast of Our Lady, Helper of the Papal States.

The invocation of Mary as Help of Christians is part of the oldest prayer addressed directly to Mary, the "Sub tuum praesidium," which was found on a papyrus dating, at the latest, from the end of the third century. This prayer was composed at a time of great danger for Christians and for the Church. "Praesidium" is translated as "an assistance given in time of war by fresh troops in a strong manner." 

  INTROIT
Hail, holy Parent, that didst bring forth the King who ruleth Heaven and earth for ever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 44:2. My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak of my works to the King. Glory be to the Father . . . Hail . . .

O Almighty and merciful God, who didst wondrously appoint the most Blessed Virgin perpetual help for Christians in need of protection, grant in Thy mercy that after battling in life under such a protectress, we may be able to conquer our enemy at death. 

EPISTLE (Ecclesiasticus 14: 14-16)

14 From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him.

15 And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem.

16 And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.

Alleluia, alleluia!
  The rod of Jesse hath blossomed, a Virgin hath brought forth God and man; God hath restored peace, reconciling in Himself the lowest with the highest. Alleluia. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, Alleluia.


GOSPEL Luke 11: 27-28

27 And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck.

28 But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Luke 1:  28, 42
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Alleluia
 

SECRET 
For the triumph of the Christian faith we immolate to Thee, O Lord, these victims of propitiation; may the Blessed Virgin's help render them of profit to us, for such a perfect victory ever comes through her.  

COMMUNION ANTIPHON 

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father. Alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION 

After refreshing Thy people with a participation of Thy Body and Blood, O Lord, come to their aid, so that with the help of Thy Blessed Mother they may be freed from all evil and danger, and preserved in good works; Who livest and reignest . . .


SAINT JOANNA

Saint Joanna and the Head of Saint John the Baptist
(Wikipedia.org image)

Facts

Feastday: May 24

Jennifer is a derivative of Joanna whose feast day is May 24th. Joanna was the wife of Chuza, steward of King Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. She was one of the women who helped provide for Jesus and the Apostles and was one of the three women who discovered the empty tomb of Jesus on the first Easter morning.




Brothers of a Roman-Gallo noble family of Nantes, France. Donatian was arrested and soon joined by Rogatian. They were tortured and beheaded by Pictovarius under co-Emperor Diocletian. 

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