NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST (1 B.C.)

  

 NATIVITY OF 

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE

Our Lord said of His Precursor that among those born of women there had not risen a greater than John the Baptist. John was more than a prophet, because it was his office to point out to mankind the Saviour whom the ancient prophets had foretold obscurely and from afar. The Baptist practiced in a heroic degree the virtues of purity, penance, and incessant prayer; but the crown of his great holiness was his selfless humility. "He must increase, but I must decrease," John said of Christ. These words are the inspiration of foreign missioners striving to train native priests, in order to yield their places to them. They also mark the goal of all sincere Catholics, in whom self must die before they can attain "to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13).

INTROIT Isa. 49:1, 2
The Lord has called me by name from my mother's womb, and 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.
Ps. 91:2. It is good to praise the Lord, and sing to Your name, O Most High!
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT
O God, the birth of blessed John made this day one of honor to us. Grant the grace of spiritual happiness to Your people everywhere, and lead Your people in the path of eternal salvation. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Isa. 49:1-3, 5, 6, 7
Give ear, ye islands, and hearken, ye people from afar. The Lord hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother he hath been mindful of my name. And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword: in the shadow of his hand he hath protected me, and hath made me as a chosen arrow: in his quiver he hath hidden me. And he said to me: Thou art my servant Israel, for in thee will I glory. And now the Lord, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, says, "Behold, I have given thee to be the light of the Gentiles, that thou mayst be my salvation even to the farthest part of the earth. Kings shall see, and princes shall rise up, and adore for the Lord's sake, because he is faithful, and for the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee."

GRADUAL Jer. 1:5, 9
Before I formed you in the body of your mother, I knew you; and before you came forth from the womb, I sanctified you.
V. The Lord stretched forth His hand and touched my mouth, and said to me:

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Luke 1:76
"Thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High, for thou shall go before the Lord to prepare His ways." Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 1:57-68
At that time, Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come: and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shewed his great mercy towards her: and they congratulated with her. And it came to pass that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they called him by his father's name Zachary. And his mother answering, said: "Not so. But he shall be called John." And they said to her: "There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And demanding a writing table, he wrote, saying: "John is his name." And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed: and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came upon all their neighbours: and all these things were noised abroad over all the hill country of Judea. And all they that had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: "What an one, think ye, shall this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost. And he prophesied, saying: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people."

CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 91:13
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon.

SECRET
We place our gifts upon Your altar, O Lord, in solemn celebration of the birthday of John. John was the herald of the coming of the Saviour of the world, and pointed Him out when He arrived as Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord; who lives and rules with You.
 
The Preface for Weekdays is said.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 1:76
Thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High, for thou shalt go before the Lord to prepare His ways.

POSTCOMMUNION
O God, let Your Church rejoice over the birth of blessed John the Baptist, for through him she came to know the author of her own birth, Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord; who lives and rules with You . . .

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Vigil of Saint John the Baptist; SAINT ETHELDREDA [AUDREY] (679 A.D.)

 

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST



VIGIL OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

 

 SAINT ETHELDREDA
Virgin

DOUBLE / GREEN
INTROIT Ps. 26:7-9
Hear, O Lord, my voice with which I have cried to Thee, be Thou my helper, forsake me not, do not Thou despise me, O God, my Savior.
Ps. 26:1. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

 
COLLECT
O God, who hast prepared for them that love Thee such good things as pass understanding, pour into our hearts such love towards Thee, that we, loving Thee in all things and above all things, may obtain Thy promises which exceed all that we can desire. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ETHELDREDA
St. Etheldreda or Audrey, queen of Northumbria, fled from the world and founded the famous monastery of Ely where she gathered a numerous community around her. She passed to her heavenly reward, A.D. 679.

O God, who dost gladden us by the annual Solemnity of blessed Etheldreda, Thy Virgin, mercifully vouchsafe that we may be sustained by her merits, by whose shinning example of chastity we are instructed.

Commemoration of VIGIL OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
The important feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is preceded by a vigil. An angel announced to the saint's father Zachary, a priest of the house of Aaron, that the child should be called John and that many would rejoice in his birth. God had chosen John to be the herald of mankind's Redeemer, the morning star to usher in the daylight of justice and of truth. Therefore he was sanctified in his mother's womb, when Elizabeth was honored by a visit from the Virgin Mother of God, carrying Christ in her body. In like manner, Jesus today gives sanctifying joy to the missionary precursors whom He calls to go before Him into pagan lands.

May Your servants walk in the path of salvation, O Almighty God. May they follow the exhortation of blessed John, the precursor of Jesus Christ and herald of His coming, so that by doing so they may come safely to Your Son our Lord; who lives and rules with You . . .
 

EPISTLE I Peter 3:8-15
Dearly beloved: Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble: Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him decline from evil and do good: Let him seek after peace and pursue it: Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and his ears unto their prayers but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things. And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good? But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear: and be not troubled. But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you.
 
GRADUAL Ps. 86:10, 9
Behold, O God our protector, and look on Thy servants. 
V. O Lord God of hosts, give ear to the prayers of Thy servants.
 
Alleluia, alleluia! Ps. 20:1
In Thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy, and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Alleluia!
 
GOSPEL Matt. 5:20-24
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "Unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: 'Thou shalt not kill.' And whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee; Leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift."
 
CREED

 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 15:7, 8
I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding. I set God always in my sight; for He is at my right hand, that I be not moved.
 
SECRET
Be merciful, O Lord, to our humble pleading, and favorably receive these offerings of Thy servants and handmaidens, that what each of us has offered to the honor of Thy Name, may profit us all unto salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ETHELDREDA 
May this sacrifice of Thy dedicated people be accepted by Thee, O Lord, in honor of Thy Saints, to whose merits we attribute the help afforded us in tribulation.

 
Commemoration of VIGIL OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
Bless these gifts we offer You, O Lord. May they cleanse us from the stain of our sins by the intercession of blessed John the Baptist. Through our Lord . . .
 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 26:4
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
 
POSTCOMMUNION
Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that we whom Thou hast fed with the heavenly Gift, may be cleansed from our hidden sins and delivered from the snares of our enemies. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ETHELDREDA
Thou hast filled Thy household, O Lord, with holy gifts, do Thou cherish us always, through the intercession of her whose festival we are keeping. 

Commemoration of VIGIL OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
O Lord, may the powerful intercession of blessed John the Baptist be ours, so that it may obtain for us the mercy of Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, whom John foretold would come; who lives and rules with You . . .

SAINT PAULINUS OF NOLA (431 A.D.); SAINT ALBAN, Martyr (286 A.D.)

 

 

SAINT PAULINUS
Bishop and Confessor

[Wikipedia image]

SAINT ALBAN

Martyr

DOUBLE / WHITE
The son of a Roman praetorian prefect in Gaul, Paulinus (c. 354-431) enjoyed the warm friendship of the leading churchmen of his day, such as St. Jerome, St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, and St. Martin of Tours. After the death of his only child, Paulinus went to Spain where, because of his great charity to the poor, the people of Barcelona compelled him to accept the priesthood. Later, while he was living as a hermit near Nola in Campania, the inhabitants chose him for their bishop. He proved to be one of the best prelates of his age. As he lay dying, lamps were being lighted for Vespers. Rousing himself, the saint murmured, "I have prepared a lamp for my Christ."

INTROIT Ps. 131:9-10Let Your priests be clothed with justice, O Lord, and let Your saints be joyous. For the sake of David, Your servant, turn not away the face of Your anointed.
Ps. 131:1. O Lord, remember David and all his meekness.
V. Glory be . . .

 

GLORIA

COLLECT 

O God, You promised a hundredfold reward and eternal life to those who forsake the world for Your sake. May we walk in the footsteps of Your holy bishop Paulinus, despising the things of the earth and desiring only those of heaven; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALBAN
St. Alban, a pagan, gave hospitality to a Roman priest, who was in danger of life. Converted by him to the Christian Faith, he offered himself to death instead of the priest and was beheaded at Verulanum (now St. Albans) under Diocletian, A.D. 286. His constancy led his jailer to declare himself a Christian.

O God, who hast sanctified this day by the sufferings of blessed Alban, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be constantly supported by his help, at whose annual commemoration we rejoice. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Cor. 8:9-15
Brethren: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor for your sakes: that through his poverty you might be rich. And herein I give my advice: for this is profitable for you who have begun not only to do but also to be willing, a year ago. Now therefore perform ye it also in deed: that as your mind is forward to be willing, so it may be also to perform, out of that which you have. For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath: not according to that which he hath not. For I mean not that others should be eased and you burdened, but by an equality. In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want: that there may be an equality, As it is written: He that had much had nothing over; and he that had little had no want.

GRADUAL Eccli. 44:16, 20
Behold a great priest, who pleased God in his life.
V. There was none found the like to him who kept the law of the Most High.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 109:4
You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 12:32-34
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom. Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 88:21-22
I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil I have anointed him, that my hand may help him and my arm strengthen him.

SECRET
O Lord, grant that we may imitate the example of Your holy bishop Paulinus and unite our offering of perfect love with the Sacrifice on Your altar, so that our zeal for good may merit us Your everlasting mercy. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALBAN

As in the veneration of blessed Alban, Thy Martyr, we proclaim Thee wonderful, so by this sacrifice of loving atonement, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that he may intercede on our behalf. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 12:42
This is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master has set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due time.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may this Sacred Rite inspire us with the spirit of piety and humility, just as the holy bishop Paulinus acquired these virtues from this divine source. Pour out the treasures of Your grace upon all who pray to You through the intercession of this saint. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT ALBAN
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy blessed Martyr Alban may ever entreat Thy Majesty, that Thy Sacraments may cleanse us from guilt, and keep us zealous in Thy charity. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA (1591 A.D.) Patron of Catholic Youth

  

SAINT ALOYSIUS GONZAGA
Confessor

Within the Octave

DOUBLE / WHITE
Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-91) was chosen by Pope Benedict XIII and again in this century, by Pope Pius XI, as the patron of youth. Turning resolutely aside from the turbulent manner of living of the Gonzaga clan, he entered the Society of Jesus. During his six years as a Jesuit, Aloysius explained the catechism to ragamuffins in the poor Trastevere district of Rome, and constantly begged his superiors for permission to visit the city's hospitals and prisons. It was in a hospital ward that the saint of youth caught the plague from a contagious patient whom he had held in his arms while the man was dying.


INTROIT Ps. 8:6
You have made him a little less than the angels, You have crowned him with glory and honor.
Ps. 148:2. Praise the Lord, all you His angels, praise Him, all you His hosts.
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT
O God, among the gifts of heaven bestowed upon the angelic youth, Aloysius, You united a wondrous innocence to his exceptional spirit of penance. Although we have not followed his path of innocence, may we at least imitate his penance through his own merits and prayers. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccli. 31:8-11 [Sirach]
Blessed is the man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life. 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: Therefore are his goods established in the Lord.

Gradual
Ps 70:5-6
My trust, O Lord, from my youth; on You I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb You are my strength.
Ps 40:13
V. But because of my integrity You sustain me and let me stand before You forever. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 64:5
V. Happy the man You choose, and bring to dwell in Your courts. Alleluia.

 GOSPEL Matt. 22:29-40
At that time, Jesus answering, said to them: "You err, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they shall neither marry nor be married, but shall be as the angels of God in heaven. And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you: 'I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?' He is not the God of the dead but of the living." And the multitudes hearing it were in admiration at his doctrine. But the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together. And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him: " 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 23:3-4
Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? or who may stand in His holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean.

SECRET 
O Lord, may we approach the banquet of heaven dressed in the wedding garment of priceless pearls such as blessed Aloysius prepared for himself by his devotion and sorrow. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 77:24-25
He gave them the Bread of Heaven, and man ate the Bread of Angels.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, may we who have been nourished by the Food of Angels also live like angels and follow the example of the saint whom we honor this day by always being grateful to You. Through our Lord . . .

JUNE 20 FERIA SAINT SILVERIUS (537 A.D.) Pope and Martyr

 

SAINT SILVERIUS
Pope and Martyr

SIMPLE / RED

INTROIT Ps. 26:1, 2
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Mine enemies that have troubled me have themselves been weakened and have fallen.Ps. 26:3. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear.V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that the world may be regulated in its course by Thy governance for our peace, and that Thy Church may with tranquil devotion rejoice. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT SILVERIUS

This brave shepherd of Christ's sheepfold was only a subdeacon when he was elevated to the Roman See. He incurred the unrelenting hatred of the forceful Empress Theodora by refusing to restore to the see of Constantinople the heretical Bishop Anthimos. Pope Silverius was aware that his courageous decision would cost him his life. The Empress had him condemned to banishment on a false charge of high treason. He died in A.D. 537 on an islet off Naples, either of privation or by actual murder.

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

EPISTLE Rom. 8:18-23
Brethren: I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body.

GRADUAL Ps. 78:9, 10
Forgive us our sins, O Lord. lest the Gentiles should at any time say, "Where is their God?"V. Help us, O God, our Savior; and for the honor of Thy Name, O Lord, deliver us.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 9:5
O God, who sittest upon the throne, and judgest justice, be Thou the refuge of the poor in tribulation. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 5:1-11
At that time, when the multitudes pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Genesareth, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets. And going into one of the ships that was Simon's, he desired him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting, he taught the multitudes out of the ship. Now when he had ceased to speak, he said to Simon: "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught." 
And Simon answering said to him: "Master, we have laboured all the night and have taken nothing: but at thy word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they enclosed a very great multitude of fishes: and their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners that were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships, so that they were almost sinking.
Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. And so were also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus saith to Simon: "Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men." And having brought their ships to land, leaving all things, they followed him.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 12:4-5
Enlighten mine eyes, that I never sleep in death, lest at any time mine enemy say, "I have prevailed against him."

SECRET
Accept our oblations, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and be appeased by them, and mercifully compel even our rebel wills to turn to Thee. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT SILVERIUS

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 . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 17:3
The Lord is my firmament, and my refuge, and my deliverer, my God is my helper.

POSTCOMMUNION
May the Mysteries which we have received, we beseech Thee, O Lord, purify us, and fulfill their purpose by defending us. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT SILVERIUS

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 . . .

Saint Juliana Falconieri (1341 A.D.); Saints Gervase and Protase, Martyrs (165 A.D.)

 

 
Saint Juliana Falconieri

 
Saints Gervase and Protase

SAINT JULIANA FALCONIERI
Virgin


Saints Gervase and Protase
Martyrs

DOUBLE / WHITE
Born at Florence, Juliana Falconieri (1270-1341) was the niece of St. Alexis, one of the founders of the Servite Order. At the age of sixteen, Juliana embraced the rule of the Servite Friars. When the community of Servite tertiaries was later established, she served as its first superior. The religious present at Juliana's death-bed testified that, unable to retain food, she nevertheless received Holy Viaticum miraculously. "Then Juliana, with a tender and joyous face, as if she was rapt in ecstasy, died in the kiss of her Lord," the old document reads.

Mass of a VIRGIN, except the following:

Introit
Ps 44:8
You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
Ps 44:2
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King.
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.
You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

GLORIA
 
COLLECT
O God, You miraculously nourished the blessed virgin Juliana by the Precious Body of Your Son, when she was on the point of death. May we likewise be comforted and strengthened at our last hour and brought safely to our heavenly home through the merits of this saint. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS GERVASE AND PROTASE
The relics of these martyrs were discovered at Milan in 386, during the time of St. Ambrose. They were venerated as the first martyrs of Milan, and their cult spread everywhere in the West.

We are made happy, O God, by the annual feast of Your holy martyrs Gervase and Protase. As we joyously remember the merits of these saints, may we also be inspired by their example. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the second letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
2 Cor. 10:17-18; 11:1-2
Brethren: He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord. For he is not approved who commends himself, but he whom the Lord commends. Would to God that you could bear with a little of my foolishness! Nay, do bear with me! For I am jealous for you with a divine jealousy. For I betrothed you to one spouse, that I might present you a chaste virgin to Christ. 

Gradual
Ps 44:5
In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign.
V. In the cause of truth and mercy and for the sake of justice: may your right hand show you wondrous deeds. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 44:15-16
V. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King. They are borne in to You with gladness. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 25:1-3
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: Then will the kingdom of heaven be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom and the bride. Five of them were foolish and five wise. But the five foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, while the wise did take oil in their vessels with the lamps. Then as the bridegroom was long in coming, they all became drowsy and slept. And at midnight a cry arose, ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ The wise answered, saying, ‘Lest there may not be enough for us and for you, go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.’ Now while they were gone to buy it, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Finally there came also the other virgins, who said, ‘Sir, sir, open the door for us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Amen I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Offertory
Let us pray.
Ps 44:10
The daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory. The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety.
  
SECRET 
Accept this gift, O Lord, from a people dedicated to You. We offer it in honor of Your saints for the help we have received from them when we were in trouble. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS GERVASE AND PROTASE
O Lord, be moved to compassion by our offerings and shield us from all danger through the prayers of Your holy martyrs Gervase and Protase. Through our Lord . . .

Communion
Matt 25:4; 25:6
The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet Christ the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, You have feasted Your family with the Food of Heaven. May we always be refreshed through the intercession of Your saint whose feast we celebrate this day. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS GERVASE AND PROTASE
O Lord, may this Communion cleanse us from sin, and bestow on us spiritual health from heaven through the intercession of Your blessed martyrs Gervase and Protase. Through our Lord . . .