Relic of the True Cross. Image by Lawrence OP via Flickr
Martyrs
DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / RED
In
about the year 326, Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine,
discovered after many attempts and failures the cross on which the
Saviour had died. The miraculous cure of a woman of Jerusalem
authenticated the sacred tree of our salvation. Today's feast calls to
mind that Christ said we cannot be His true disciples unless we share
the burden of the cross. In imitation of our Lord, we must humble
ourselves, "becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross"(Reading).
INTROIT Gal. 6:14
But
it is fitting that we should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, in whom is salvation, life, and resurrection for us, by whom we
are saved and delivered, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 66:2. May God have mercy on us and bless us; may He let His face shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us.
V. Glory be . . .
GLORIA
COLLECT
O
God, we were reminded again of the mystery of Your passion by the
miraculous discovery of the cross of salvation. May we attain eternal
happiness through the ransom price You paid for us on that tree of life;
who lives and rules with God the Father . . .
Commemoration of Saints ALEXANDER, EVENTIUS, THEODULUS, AND JUVENAL
Under the Emperor Hadrian, in A.D. 117, Pope
Alexander I suffered martyrdom, together with the priests Eventius and
Theodulus. Juvenal, bishop of Narni, was executed on May 3, A.D. 377.
O
Almighty God, today we are celebrating the birthday of Your saints
Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal. Hear their prayers and
rescue us from all the dangers that threaten us. Through Our Lord . . .
EPISTLE Philipp. 2:5-11
Brethren:
For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being
in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But
emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the
likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself,
becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which
cause, God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is
above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, (here all kneel) of
those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every
tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God
the Father.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 95:10
Announce among the nations that the Lord reigns upon a cross. Alleluia!
V.
O sweet wood, O sweet nails! O precious the burden suspended thereon!
You alone were worthy to bear the King and Lord of Heaven. Alleluia!
GOSPEL John 3:1-15
At
that time, there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler
of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him: "Rabbi, we
know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these
signs which thou dost, unless God be with him." Jesus answered and said
to him: "Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus
saith to him: "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a
second time into his mother's womb and be born again?" Jesus answered: "Amen,
amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy
Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of
the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Wonder not that I said to thee: You must be born again. The Spirit
breatheth where he will and thou hearest his voice: but thou knowest not
whence he cometh and whither he goeth. So is every one that is born of
the Spirit." Nicodemus answered and said to him: "How can these things be done?" Jesus answered and said to him: "Art
thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things? Amen, amen, I
say to thee that we speak what we know and we testify what we have seen:
and you receive not our testimony. If I have spoken to you earthly
things, and you believe not: how will you believe, if I shall speak to
you heavenly things? And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that
descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses
lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted
up: That whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life
everlasting."
CREED
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 117:16, 17
The
right hand of the Lord has exercised power, the right hand of the Lord
has lifted me up. I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works
of the Lord, alleluia!
SECRET
May
the sacrifice we offer be pleasing to You, O Lord. Let it free us from
all the evils of war and destroy the pitfalls prepared by our powerful
enemy, so that we may be safely protected under the banner of Your Son's
cross. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT ALEXANDER AND HIS COMPANIONS
Pour
out Your rich blessings, O Lord, upon this sacrifice, so that through
it we may come closer to our sanctification and be made joyful on the
feast of your saints. Through Our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
By the sign of the cross deliver us from our enemies, You who are our God, alleluia!
POSTCOMMUNION
We
have been nourished by the Food of Heaven and refreshed by spiritual
drink. Shield us from our evil enemies, O Almighty God, for You have
commanded us to fight through to victory under the cross of Your Son,
the weapon of justice that will save the world. Through Our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT ALEXANDER AND HIS COMPANIONS
We
are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. May the
prayers of Your saints Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal make
us feel the benefit of the sacred Rite we have performed. Through Our
Lord . . .
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