Saint Henry II (1024 A.D.)

 

  

 

SAINT HENRY II
Emperor and Confessor

SIMPLE / WHITE
Henry, the son of Henry, Duke of Bavaria, was chosen Emperor in 1002, upon the death of his cousin, Otto III. He became one of the strongest rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, triumphing over many difficulties as a Christian statesman and warrior. He made frequent journeys through his empire to promote religion, correct public abuses, and prevent the oppression of the poor. According to the chronicles of the time, when upon his return from an expedition against the Greeks in Italy, he was taken sick at Monte Cassino, he was miraculously cured through the intercession of St. Benedict, founder of the abbey.

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 God, on this day You raised the blessed confessor Henry from earthly royalty to an eternal kingdom. May his example enable us to turn aside from the enticements of the world and come to You with a pure heart, even as he was strengthened by Your grace to withstand the fascination of worldly attractions. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccl. (31:8-11)

[Sirach 31:8-11]

⁸ Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.

⁹ Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.

¹⁰ Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:

¹¹ Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.

[Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition]

Gradual
Ps 91:12, 14.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL (Luke 12:35-40)

^{35 At that time, Jesus said to His disciples:}  Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands.

³⁶ And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.

³⁷ Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them.

³⁸ And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

³⁹ But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open.

⁴⁰ Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.

[Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition]

 

Offertory

Ps 88:25
My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his horn be exalted.

 

 SECRET
We offer You, O Lord, this Sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through our Lord . . .

Communion
Matt 24:46-47.
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.


POSTCOMMUNION
Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink,we humbly pray You, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of Your saint in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through our Lord . . .