Saint Leo II (683 A.D.); Saint Irenaeus (203 A.D.); Saints Julius and Aaron, Martyrs (304 A.D.)

 

SAINT LEO II

Pope and Confessor

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[Commemoration]
SAINT IRENAEUS

[Commemoration]
SAINTS JULIUS AND AARON
Martyrs 

 

SIMPLE / WHITE
Leo II, a native of Sicily, was pope only for 18 months, dying on July 3, 683. In a period when heresy was widespread, Pope Leo used his apostolic authority fearlessly to defend and preserve the integrity of Catholic doctrine. He was zealous as a teacher and preacher, eloquent in spreading the word of God, musically gifted, a lover of poverty, and continually concerned for the needy and those suffering in body or soul.

Mass of a  POPE


COLLECT
O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Leo II, shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this supreme pontiff move You to look with favor upon Your flock and to keep it under Your continual protection. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IRENARUS

The writings of St. Irenaeus entitle him to a high place among the fathers of the Church, for they not only laid the foundations of Christian theology but, by exposing and refuting the errors of the gnostics, they delivered the Catholic Faith from the real danger of the doctrines of those heretics.
He was probably born about the year 125, in one of those maritime provinces of Asia Minor where the memory of the apostles was still cherished and where Christians were numerous. He was most influenced by St. Polycarp who had known the apostles or their immediate disciples
Many Asian priests and missionaries brought the gospel to the pagan Gauls and founded a local church. To this church of Lyon, Irenaeus came to serve as a priest under its first bishop, St. Pothinus, an oriental like himself. In the year 177, Irenaeus was sent to Rome. This mission explains how it was that he was not called upon to share in the martyrdom of St Pothinus during the terrible persecution in Lyons. When he returned to Lyons it was to occupy the vacant bishopric. By this time, the persecution was over. It was the spread of gnosticism in Gaul, and the ravages it was making among the Christians of his diocese, that inspired him to undertake the task of exposing its errors. He produced a treatise in five books in which he sets forth fully the inner doctrines of the various sects, and afterwards contrasts them with the teaching of the Apostles and the text of the Holy Scripture. His work, written in Greek but quickly translated to Latin, was widely circulated and succeeded in dealing a death-blow to gnosticism. At any rate, from that time onwards, it ceased to offer a serious menace to the Catholic faith.
The date of death of St. Irenaeus is not known, but it is believed to be in the year 202. The bodily remains of St. Irenaeus were buried in a crypt under the altar of what was then called the church of St. John, but was later known by the name of St. Irenaeus himself. This tomb or shrine was destroyed by the Calvinists in 1562, and all trace of his relics seems to have perished.


O God, Who enabled blessed Irenaeus, Your Martyr and Bishop, to overcome heresy with true doctrine and to establish peace happily in the Church, grant, we beseech You, that Your people may be steadfast in holy religion, and give us Your peace in our times.


Commemoration of SAINTS JULIUS AND AARON
Saints Aaron and Julius (or Julian) are two British saints who are traditionally held to have been martyred at Caerleon, Wales (or possibly at Chester, England), during the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians in AD 304. Along with Saint Alban and Amphibalus, they are two of the four named martyrs from Roman Britain. Their feast day is traditionally celebrated on July 3rd.

O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly festival of Thy holy Martyrs Julius and Aaron, grant, we beseech Thee, that, as we rejoice in their merits, so our fervor may be kindled by their example. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the second letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timotheus
2 Tim. 3:14-17; 4:1-5
Beloved: Continue in the things that you have learned and that have been entrusted to you, knowing of whom you have learned them. For from your infancy you have known the Sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you unto salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproving, for correcting, for instructing in justice; that the man of God may be perfect, equipped for every good work. 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.
R. Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Ps 121:8
Because of my relatives and friends I will say, Peace be within you!
Ps 36:37
V. Keep innocence, and behold equity; for there is a future for the man of peace. Alleluia, alleluia.
Eccli 6:35
V. Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him. Be eager to hear every godly discourse. Alleluia.

Gospel
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 10:28-33
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather be afraid of Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave. But as for you, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I in turn will disown him before My Father in heaven.
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.   


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 . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IRENARUS
O God, Who do not allow the nations that believe in You to be troubled by any distress, graciously accept the prayers and sacrificial gifts Your people dedicate to You, so that the peace bestowed by Your love may make Christian lands safe from every foe.


Commemoration of SAINTS JULIUS AND AARON 
 May this Sacrifice, O Lord, which we offer in remembrance of the birthdays of Your Saints, free us from the slavery of sin and win us Your mercy. 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 . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IRENARUS
O God, author and lover of peace, to know You is to live, and to serve You is to rule; protect from all assaults those who humbly implore You, that, trusting in Your protection, by the intercession of St. Irenaeus, Your Martyr and Bishop, we may not fear the power of any foe.


Commemoration of SAINTS JULIUS AND AARON 
Nourished by Your sacred gift, O Lord, we humbly ask that through this worship we may receive an increase of Your saving grace. Through our Lord . . .