Saint John Leonardi (1609 A.D.); Saint Denis and Companions, Martyrs

 

SAINT JOHN LEONARDI
Confessor

SAINTS DENIS, RUSTICUS, AND ELEUTHERIUS
Martyrs

DOUBLE / WHITE
John Leonardi (1543-1609), a zealous Italian apostle, founded the congregation of the Mother of God, whose priest-members traveled throughout Tuscany urging the people to a stronger interest in their religion. Father John Leonardi longed to convert pagans, but his spiritual director, St. Philip Neri, told him to remain in Italy. So instead he founded in Rome a seminary to train for the priesthood young men from all the mission lands. This seminary developed into the Urban College of Propaganda, which has during succeeding centuries sent forth thousands of priests of all nationalities, to carry the Gospel to their own peoples.

INTROIT Eccli. 42:15-16
By His word the Lord has accomplished His works. The sun in giving light looks down upon all things; and the work of the Lord is full of His glory.
Ps. 95:1. Sing to the Lord a new canticle; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, You filled the blessed confessor John with a wondrous zeal to spread the faith among pagans, and through him You established in Your Church a new congregation to instruct the faithful. Grand that his teachings may lead us, Your servants, to the reward of eternal life. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS DENIS, RUSTICUS, AND ELEUTHERIUS
Denis, a third-century apostle of God, and now one of the "auxiliary saints," became first bishop of Paris. He suffered martyrdom there, together with his priest Rusticus and his deacon Eleutherius.

O God, You sent Rusticus and Eleutherius to join blessed Denis in preaching Your glorious name to the pagans, and on this day You so strengthened this martyr bishop in virtue that he was able to endure martyrdom courageously. May we follow the example of Your saints for love of You and spurn the pleasures of the world, without fearing to face any of its trials. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Cor. 4:1-6, 15-18
Brethren: Therefore seeing we have this ministration, according as we have obtained mercy, we faint not. But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor adulterating the word of God: but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience, in the sight of God. And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost,
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord: and ourselves your servants through Jesus. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus.
For all things are for your sakes: that the grace, abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God. For which cause we faint not: but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For that which is at present momentary and light of our tribulation worketh for us above measure, exceedingly an eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen, are eternal.

GRADUAL Ps. 72:21; 68:10; Isa. 49:2
My heart was inflamed and my emotions were changed to excitement; the zeal for Your house has consumed me.
V. He has made my mouth as a sharp sword. Under the shadow of His hand He has protected me, and has made me a chosen arrow.

Alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 70:7. V.
I have become a matter of wonderment to many, but You are my strength and helper. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 10:1-9
At that time, the Lord appointed also other seventy-two. And he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come. And he said to them: "The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he send labourers into his harvest. Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Col. 1:25
I have become a minister of Christ in virtue of the office that God has given me, that I may preach the word of God fully.

SECRET 
Accept the offering of this pure host of salvation, O Lord. May this Sacrifice be presented to You unceasingly throughout the world through the intercession of Your blessed confessor John. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT DENIS AND HIS COMPANIONS
O Lord, graciously accept these gifts which Your people offer in honor of Your saints, that we may be sanctified through their intercession. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Philipp. 3:7
The things that were gain to me, these, for the sake of Christ, I have counted loss.

POSTCOMMUNION 
We are refreshed, O Lord, by the Sacrament of Your precious Body and Blood. May we imitate Your blessed confessor John, and profess what he believed and practice what he taught, who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT DENIS AND HIS COMPANIONS
O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption through the prayers of Your blessed martyrs Denis, Rusticus, and Eleutherius. Through our Lord . . .