Saints Soter (175 A.D.) and Caius (296 A.D.), Popes and Martyrs

 

 

The Martyrdom of Pope Caius (San Gaggio). By Lorenzo Monaco (Lorenzo di Giovanni), ca. 1394-5. Originally part of altarpiece of church of San Gaggio in Florence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

April 22
SAINTS SOTER AND CAIUS
Popes and Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED
In 166 Soter succeeded Pope Anicetus on the Throne of St. Peter and was martyred some ten years later. Pope Soter was solicitous for the poor, and he consoled with the tenderness of a father the Christians who suffered persecution for their beliefs. Pope Caius, who died about the year 296, is said to have been a Dalmatian. Like all the Vicars of Christ in the first centuries, St. Soter and St. Caius were constant in uniting their sufferings to those of the Divine Redeemer and "in Him bore much fruit".

Introit
John 21:15-17
If thou lovest me, Simon Peter, feed my lambs, feed my sheep. Allelúja, allelúja
Ps 29:2
I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast upheld me: and hast not made my enemies to 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 thou lovest me, Simon Peter, feed my lambs, feed my sheep. Allelúja, allelúja.

GLORIA

COLLECT
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Soter and Cajus thy Martyrs and Sovereign Pontiffs, whom thou didst constitute Shepherds of the whole Church.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Lesson
Lesson from the first letter of St Peter the Apostle
1 Pet 5:1-4; 5:10-11.
Dearly beloved brethren: The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre's sake, but voluntarily: Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory. But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. 

Alleluia
Allelúja, allelúja
Matt 16:18
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church
Ps 44:17-18.
Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth. They shall remember thy name throughout all generations. Therefore shall people praise thee for ever; yea, for ever and ever. Allelúja.

GOSPEL
Continuation ✝ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 16:13-19
In that time: Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Offertory
Jer 1:9-10
Behold I have given my words in thy mouth: Lo, I have set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root up, and pull down, and to waste, and to destroy, and to build, and to plant. Allelúja. 

SECRET

By the offered gifts we beseech thee, O Lord, that thou kindly enlighten thy Church, so that thy flock may everywhere progress and prosper, and thy shepherds, under thy guidance may be pleasing to thy name.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Communion
Matt 16:18
Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Allelúja.

POSTCOMMUNION 

Being appeased, O Lord, guide thy Church, which has been nourished by holy refreshment, that under thy direction and powerful rule it may receive increase of liberty and may continue in religious integrity.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.