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DOUBLE/GREEN
Baptism and the Eucharist are the great sources of all Christian
life. As the priest makes a thanksgiving after each Mass, and as the
communicant makes a thanksgiving after each reception of Christ's Body,
so every day of living as a Christian ought to include a prayer of
thanksgiving for the gift of Baptism. A baptismal day is more important
than a birthday; for the Sacrament of Baptism gives a share in the
divine life, as well as membership in Christ and a pledge of eternal
life.
INTROIT Ps. 27:8-9
The
Lord is the strength of His people, and the assurance of the salvation
of His anointed. Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance,
and guide them forever.
Ps. 27:1. I cry to You, O Lord my God; do not be deaf to me, lest if You heed me not, I become like those who go down into the pit.
V. Glory be . . .
GLORIA
COLLECT
O
Mighty God, author of every good thing, implant in our hearts a deep
love of Your name. Increase in us the true spirit of devotion and
sincere virtue so that we may be supported by You and protected by Your
loving care. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT PAUL
After his conversion and baptism, Paul embarked on great missionary journeys. He preached in the cities of the Mediterranean to the simple and the learned, both in the east and in the west. He offered the Jews the first chance of listening to the Gospel story, but most of them returned his love with bitter hatred. Then Paul gave himself to the Gentiles. Because of the sufferings he endured in winning his converts, the Apostle of the Nations could well say that he was their Father in Christ. In the persecution of Nero, he was condemned to death by beheading.
O
God, You have instructed many nations through the preaching of the
blessed apostle Paul. Let the power of his intercession with You help us
who venerate his memory this day. Through our Lord . . .
EPISTLE Rom. 6:3-11
Brethren:
Know you not that all we who are baptized in Christ Jesus are baptized
in his death? For we are buried together with him by baptism into death:
that, as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so
we also may walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted
together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness
of his resurrection.
Knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may
be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer. For he that is
dead is justified from sin. Now, if we be dead with Christ, we believe
that we shall live also together with Christ. Knowing that Christ,
rising again from the dead, dieth now no more. Death shall no more have
dominion over him. For in that he died to sin, he died once: but in that
he liveth, he liveth unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GRADUAL Ps. 89:13, 1
Turn a little, O Lord, and be moved by the entreaties for Your servants.
V. O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generations.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 30:2-3
I
have hoped in You, let me never be put to shame. In Your justice rescue
me and set me free. Incline Your ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL Mark 8:1-9
In
those days again, when there was great multitude and they had nothing
to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them: "I
have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me
three days and have nothing to eat. And if I shall send them away
fasting to their home, they will faint in the way: for some of them came
from afar off." And his disciples answered him: "From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness?" And he asked them: "How many loaves have ye?" Who said: "Seven."
And
he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven
loaves, giving thanks, he broke and gave to his disciples for to set
before them. And they set them before the people. And they had a few
little fishes: and he blessed them and commanded them to be set before
them. And they did eat and were filled: and they took up that which was
left of the fragments, seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about
four thousand. And he sent them away.
CREED
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 16:5, 6-7
Keep
my steps steadfast in Your paths, that my feet may not falter. Incline
Your ear and hear my words. Show Your wondrous kindness, O Saviour of
those who trust in You, O Lord.
SECRET
Let
our prayers win peace for Your people, O Lord, so that their offerings
may be pleasing in Your sight. Grant us the requests we confidently make
of You, so that it cannot be said that anyone hopes or calls upon You
in vain. Through our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 26:6
I will draw near and joyfully offer a sacrifice in His tabernacle; I will sing and chant a psalm to the Lord.
POSTCOMMUNION
We have been filled with Your gifts, O Lord; grant, we beseech You, that we may be cleansed and strengthened by their effect.
Through Jesus Christ,
thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Commemoration of SAINT PAUL
We
who have received Your Sacrament, O Lord, look hopefully for the
prayers of Your blessed Paul. May the Sacred Rite that we have
celebrated in his honor bring us healing for our own sinfulness. Through
our Lord . . .
