Saint Anacletus, Pope and Martyr (91 A.D.); Saint Mildred, Abbess (700 A.D.)

 

SAINT ANACLETUS
Pope and Martyr

SAINT MILDRED

Abbess

[Historical]

SIMPLE / RED
Anacletus (sometimes referred to simply as Cletus) was an early successor of St. Peter. As yet no historical evidence has been unearthed to establish whether he was third or fourth pope, as there was no official archivists in the pioneering "underground" days of the Church. It is known that he was martyred in A.D. 91 during the reign of Domitian; and in thus sacrificing his life for Christ he became one of the foundation stones of the Church, then as now a Church of martyrs. "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he who would save his life will lose it; but he who loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matt. 16:24-25).

Mass of a Pope

Introit
John 21:15-17
If you love Me, Simon Peter, feed My lambs, feed My sheep. Ps 29:2
I will extol You, O Lord, for You drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
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 love Me, Simon Peter, feed My lambs, feed My sheep.

COLLECT
 O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Anacletus, 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 first letter of St Peter the Apostle
1 Pet. 5:1-4; 5:10-11.
Beloved: I exhort the presbyters among you - I, your fellow presbyter and witness of the sufferings of Christ, the partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed in time to come - tend the flock of God which is among you, governing not under constraint, but willingly, according to God; nor yet for the sake of base gain, but eagerly; nor yet as lording it over your charges, but becoming from the heart a pattern to the flock. And when the Prince of the shepherds appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. But the God of all grace, Who has called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself, after we have suffered a little while, perfect, strengthen and establish us. To Him is the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia.
Matt 16:18
V. You are Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church. Alleluia.
Ps 44:17-18
You shall make them princes through all the land; they shall remember Your name through all generations. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt. 16:13-19
At that time, Jesus, having come into the district of Caesarea Philippi, began to ask His disciples, saying, Who do men say the Son of Man is? But they said, Some say, John the Baptist; and others, Elias; and others, Jeremia, or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus answered and said, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  

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 . . .

Saint Mildred of Thanet

Memorial

• 13 July
  

St Mildred, Preston next Wingham, Kent (Wikipedia)
Profile

Daughter of Merewalh, King of Mercia, and Saint Ermenburga of Thanet. Sister of Saint Milburga andSaint Mildgytha. Educated at the convent school of Chelles, near Paris, France. Rejected an offer ofmarriage, and entered the convent of Minster on the Isle of Thanet, a house which was founded by her mother, is still in use, and is one of the oldest continuously occupied structures in Britain. Benedictine nun. Worked with Saint Theodore of Canterbury. Abbess at Minster where one of hernovices of Saint Edburga. Noted for her generosity to the poor, and special attention to social outcasts. Yearly pilgrimages to her relics at Minster continue to today.

Died

• c.700 of natural causes
• relics first enshrined at Canterbury, England
• relics translated to Deventer, the Netherlands
• part of the relics have been translated to Minster, England