Saint Wenceslas (929 A.D.)

  

Young prince Wenceslas

SAINT WENCESLAS
Duke and Martyr

SIMPLE / RED
Son of a Christian duke of tenth-century Bohemia, Wenceslas received a pious upbringing from his grandmother St. Ludmilla, who later died a martyr. Taking over the government at the time of a strong pagan reaction among his people, Wenceslas labored with Christlike patience and mildness to stem this regression. He rebuilt churches, recalled exiled priests, and invited missioners from Germany. But Boleslas, the duke's heathen brother, had Wenceslas assassinated while he was on his way to Mass. The 22-year old martyr died uttering the words, "May God forgive you."

Mass of a MARTYR, except

Introit 
Ps 20:2-3
O Lord, in Your strength the just man is glad; in Your victory how greatly he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire.
Ps 20:4
For You welcomed him with goodly blessings, You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
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.
O Lord, in Your strength the just man is glad; in Your victory how greatly he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire.

GLORIA 

COLLECT
O God, You raised blessed Wenceslas from his earthly honors to the glory of heaven by granting him the victory of martyrdom. May his prayers shield us from all harm and bring us to share his heavenly happiness. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson 
Lesson from the book of Wisdom
Wis 10:10-14
The Lord guided the just in direct ways, showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things. He prospered him in his labors and made abundant the fruit of his works, stood by him against the greed of his defrauders, and enriched him; He preserved him from foes, and secured him against ambush, and He gave him the prize for his stern struggle that he might recognize that devotion to God is mightier than all else. He did not abandon the just man when he was sold, but delivered him from sin. He went down with him into the dungeon, and did not desert him in his bonds, until He brought him the scepter of royalty and authority over his oppressors, and showed those who had defamed him false; and the Lord our God gave him eternal glory.

Gradual 
Ps 111:1-2
Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands.
V. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 20:4
V. You placed on his head, O Lord, a crown of pure gold. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 10:34-42
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Do not think that I have come to send peace upon the earth; I have come to bring a sword, not peace. For I have come to set a man at variance with his father, and a daughter with her mother, and a daughter-in-law with her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or  daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me, is not worthy of Me. he who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake, will find it. He who receives you, receives Me; and he who receives Me, receives Him Who sent Me. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a just man because he is a just man, shall receive a just man’s reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones but a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.  

Offertory 
Ps 8:6-7
Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: and hast set him over the works of thy hands.

  

SECRET

Receive our gifts and our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord; cleanse us by the heavenly Mysteries and mercifully hear us. Through our Lord . . .

Communion 
Matt 16:24
Whoever wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

POSTCOMMUNION

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that as we rejoice on earth in keeping the memory of Thy saints, so also we may enjoy their company for evermore. Through our Lord . . .Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
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SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN (283 A.D.)

   

Saints Cosmas and Damian performing transplant surgery.
Attributed to Alonso De Sedano, Burgos, Spain, ca. 1495.

SAINTS COSMAS AND DAMIAN
Martyrs

SIMPLE / RED
Doctors and mission dispensaries have special patrons in Cosmas and Damian, brothers who practiced medicine in Syria in the closing years of the third century. They were called in the East "the moneyless ones," because they cared for their patients free of charge. Devout lovers of Jesus, they were even more solicitous for the souls than for the bodies of those they tended. The apostolic brother-physicians converted many sinners and exorcised the possessed. They were given the grace of martyrdom during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian.

INTROIT Eccli. 44:15, 14 
Let the people show forth the wisdom of the saints, and let the Church declare their praise; and their names shall live for all generations.
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT
O Almighty God, today we are celebrating the birthday of Your blessed martyrs Cosmas and Damian. Hear their prayers and rescue us from all the dangers that threaten us. Through our Lord . . .

READING Wisdom 5:16-20
But the just shall live for evermore: and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High. Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord: for with his right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he will defend them. And his zeal will take armour, and he will arm the creature for the revenge of his enemies.
He will put on justice as a breastplate, and will take true judgment instead of a helmet: He will take equity for an invincible shield.

GRADUAL Ps. 33:18-19
The just have cried out, and the Lord answered them and rescued them from all their distress.
V. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and He will save those who are humble in spirit.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.
Here was true brotherliness which overcame the sinfulness of the world and followed Christ to attain the glorious kingdom of heaven. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 6:17-23
At that time, Jesus, coming down from the mountain, stood in a plain place: and the company of his disciples and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast, both of Tyre and Sidon, Who were come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch him: for virtue went out from him and healed all.
And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: "Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice: for behold, your reward is great in heaven." 

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 5:12-13
All those who love your name shall glory in You, for You, O Lord, will bless the just man. O Lord, You surround us with Your good will, as with a shield.

SECRET 
O Lord, may Your saints' unfailing prayer of honor render our offerings acceptable to You and obtain Your pardon for us. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 78:2, 11
They have given the dead bodies of Your servants, O Lord, as food to the birds of the air, and the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. With Your great power, save the sons of those who have been put to death.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, let Your people find protection in this banquet at which You have generously fed them, and in the prayers of all Your saints. Through our Lord . . .
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Saints Isaac Jogues, John De Brebeuf & Companions; Saints Cyprian and Justina, Martyrs

 

 

SAINTS ISAAC JOGUES, JOHN DE BREBEUF,
AND THEIR COMPANIONS
Martyrs

[IN ALL DIOCESES OF THE UNITED STATES]

SAINTS CYPRIAN AND JUSTINA 
Martyrs

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / RED 
These eight French Jesuit missioners, the first canonized saints of the North American continent, labored and died among the most barbaric of red men in the most impenetrable fastnesses of the 17th-century New World. After struggling with unbelievable privations and hardships, they were severely tortured and martyred by the Iroquois Indians between the years 1642 and 1649. Fathers Isaac Jogues and Anthony Daniel and the two lay oblates, John Lalande and Rene Goupil, gave their lives in what is now New York State; Fathers John de Brebeuf, Gabriel Lalemant, Charles Garnier, and Noel Chabanel in central Canada.

INTROIT Apoc. 7:14
These are they who have come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.
Ps. 116:1. Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise Him, all you peoples!
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, You blessed the first fruits of the faith in the vast expanse of North America by the missionary labors and martyrdom of blessed Isaac, John, and their companions. May the harvest for Christ grow daily more abundant in the whole world through the intercession of these saints. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS CYPRIAN AND JUSTINA
At Antioch the virtue of the virgin Justina converted Cyprian, a magician, to Christianity. Cyprian later became a priest and then a bishop. Both suffered martyrdom under Diocletian in the year 304, and their bodies were brought to Rome by some Christian mariners.

Comfort us, O Lord, with the unfailing protection of Your holy martyrs Cyprian and Justina, for You are always merciful to those who are helped by Your saints. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE II Cor. 12:11-15
Brethren: I ought to have been commended by you, For I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing. Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. For what is there that you have had less than the other churches but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury. Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls: although loving you more, I be loved less.

GRADUAL Ps. 123:7-8
Our soul has been rescued as a bird from the snare of the hunters.
V. The snare has been broken and we are free. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. II Cor. 1:5
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also through Christ does our comfort abound. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 6:17-23
At that time, Jesus coming down from the mountain, stood in a plain place: and the company of his disciples and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast, both of Tyre and Sidon, Who were come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch him: for virtue went out from him and healed all. 
And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: "Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice: for behold, your reward is great in heaven."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Sap. 3:6
As gold in the furnace the Lord has proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust He received them.

SECRET 
O Lord, let us offer You with pure hearts this spotless Victim, in which Your holy martyrs found a food of unutterable sweetness, because of their own unsullied purity and their tireless zeal for mortification. Through our Lord . . . 

Commemoration of SAINTS CYPRIAN AND JUSTINA

We offer these gifts to You in sacrifice, O Lord. May the honor we pay to Your saints please You, and may these offerings, through Your mercy, bring us closer to our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHONPhilipp. 1:20-21
Christ will be glorified in my body whether through life or death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

POSTCOMMUNION 
Almighty God, we are refreshed by the food of the valiant. When Your holy martyrs Isaac, John, and their companions were strengthened by this same Bread, they were able to lay down their own lives for their brothers; may we also bear one another's burdens and love our neighbors with an effective and sincere charity. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS CYPRIAN AND JUSTINA Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
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September 25 Ferial Day, Blessed Herman the Cripple (1054 A.D.) Author of Salve Regina; Saint Cadoc, Bishop, Martyr (490 A.D.)

 

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

ANOTHER PRO-LIFE SAINT: GOOD! WE NEED HIM

Blessed Herman the Cripple

[Historical]
(See below) 

SAINT CADOC

Bishop, Martyr

Saint Cadoc [Cattwg], known as "the Wise," is venerated as one of the chief Saints of Wales. He founded the monastery of Llan-carvan over which he presided for many years. Desiring to lead a life of retirement, he went to Brittany. When that country was overrun by pirates he returned to Wales and passed away about A.D. 490.  

 
INTROIT Eccli. 36:18
Grant peace, O Lord, to those who wait for You, that Your prophets may be found faithful. Hear the prayers of Your servant of Your people Israel.
Ps. 121.1. I rejoice at the tidings which were told me, "We shall go into the house of the Lord."
V. Glory be . . .

 

COLLECT

O Lord, let Your mercy direct our hearts, for without You we can do nothing to please You. Through our Lord . . .
 

 Commemoration of SAINT CADOC
Look upon our weakness, almighty God, and since the weight of our own deeds bears us down, may the glorious intercession of Blessed Cadoc, Thy Bishop and Martyr, protect us. Through our Lord . . .

 EPISTLE I Cor. 1:4-8
Brethren: I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus: That in all things you are made rich in him, in all utterance and in all knowledge; As the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, So that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the days of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL Ps. 121:1, 7
I rejoiced at the tidings which were told me,
 
GOSPEL Matt. 9:1-8
At that time, Jesus entering into a boat, passed over the water and came into his own city. And behold they brought to him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: "Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee." And behold some of the scribes said within themselves: "He blasphemeth." And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: "Why do you think evil in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee: or to say, Arise, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins," (then said he to the man sick of the palsy,) "Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house." And he arose, and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God that gave such power to men.

 

 OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps 39:2-4 

I Have waited, waited for the Lord, and He stooped toward me, and heard my cry. And He put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.
 
SECRET

O God, who allows us to share in Your own divine nature by partaking of this sacrifice, grant that our conduct may be guided by Your revealed truth. Through our Lord . . .
 

Commemoration of SAINT CADOC
Graciously receive, O Lord, the sacrifice offered to Thee by the merits of Blessed Cadoc, Thy Martyr and Bishop, and grant that it may be to us an unfailing help. Through our Lord . . . 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 95:8-9
Bring offerings, and enter his courts; worship the Lord in His holy temple.

POSTCOMMUNION
We thank You, O Lord, for nourishing us with Your Sacred Gift. In Your mercy, make us worthy of the Sacrament we have received. Through our Lord . . .

 
Commemoration of SAINT CADOC 
Refreshed by the partaking of Thy holy Gift, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that through the intercession of Blessed Cadoc, Thy Martyr and Bishop, we may perceive the fruit of the rite which we celebrate. Through our Lord . . .  

Blessed Herman the Cripple 

Today, September 25, is the feast day of Blessed Herman (1013-1054). He was born with many medical problems: cleft palate, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. During his lifetime he was known as Blessed Herman the Cripple. Father Robert F. McNamara on his website, Saints Alive, calls him Blessed Herman the Disabled.

He was a remarkable man. Despite his daunting physical limitations he studied and wrote on astronomy, theology, math, history, poetry, Arabic, Greek, and Latin. He also built musical and astronomical equipment. He was considered a genius in his time. He wrote prayers and hymns – the most notable being the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen).

Father McNamara in his article on Blessed Herman the Disabled comments on the great meaning of Herman’s life with this closing insight: “In his own day, the heroic cripple who achieved learning and holiness was called ‘The Wonder of His Age’.

In our day, many voices say that people with disabilities should be phased out of existence. Which were the Dark Ages, then or now!”

Thanks to http://unbornwordoftheday.com/ for this article.

Our Lady of Ransom; Saint Pacific of San Severino (1707 A.D.)

 

OUR LADY OF RANSOM

SAINT PACIFIC OF SAN SEVERINO
[Historical]

GREATER DOUBLE / WHITE
This feast was extended to the whole Church in thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin, for having in the thirteenth century inspired St. Peter Nolasco and St. Raymond of Pennafort to found a religious order for the release of Christians captured by the Saracens. The Mercedarians vowed to give themselves up as hostages for the imprisoned Christians when ransom and military means failed. Their heroism saved countless souls from apostasy and despair.

Introit
Ps 118:137; 118:124
You are just, O Lord, and Your ordinance is right. Deal with Your servant according to Your kindness.
Ps 118:1
Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
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 are just, O Lord, and Your ordinance is right. Deal with Your servant according to Your kindness. 

Mass of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY,except

 



COLLECT
O God, through the glorious Mother of Your Son You enriched the Church with a new religious congregation dedicated to freeing Christians from slavery among the heathens. We venerate Mary as the foundress of this institution and pray that she may also deliver us from our sins and the slavery of the devil through her own merits and intercession. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .


Lesson Ecclesiasticus 24: 14-16
From the beginning, and before the
world, was I created, and unto the
world to come I shall not cease to be,
and in the holy dwelling place I have
ministered before him. And so I was
established in Sion, and in the holy
city likewise I rested, and my power
was in Jerusalem. And I took root in
an honorable people, and in the
portion of my God his inheritance, and
my abode is in the full assemble of saints.

Gradual
Thou art blessed and venerable, O
Virgin Mary, who with purity unstained
was found to be the Mother of our
Savior. Virgin Mother of God, He
whom the whole world was unable to
contain enclosed Himself in thy womb,
being made man.
Alleluia, alleluia. After childbirth thou
didst still remain an inviolate virgin:
Mother of God, indtercede for us.
Alleluia

 
GOSPEL  Luke 11: 27-28

At that time, as Jesus was speaking to
the multitudes, a certain woman from
the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to
Him: Blessed is the womb that bore
Thee and the paps that gave Thee
suck. But He said: Yea, rather,
blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.

OFFERTORY Luke 1: 28, 42

Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is
with thee: blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb

SECRET
O Lord, through Your mercy and the intercession of the Blessed ever-Virgin Mary, let this offering bring us prosperity and peace now and forever. Through our Lord . . .


POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, grant that we who have received the Sacrament of our salvation may be protected through the intercession of the Blessed ever-Virgin Mary, in whose honor we have offered this Sacrifice to Your majesty. Through our Lord . . .

Saint Pacific of San Severino
(San Pacifico di San Severino)

Feast Day – September 24
Saint Pacific of San Severino was born of a distinguished family in the Italian city of San Severino. As a child he evinced unusual seriousness, great piety, and love of mortification.
Early in his youthful life this spirit of mortification was put to the test. He was quite young when he became an orphan, and was taken to the home of his uncle, who brought him up very strictly. Two servants in his uncle’s home could not bear the sight of the boy and caused him many unpleasant experiences. If anything went wrong in the house, even if they were to blame for it, they accused the boy; and his uncle would then punish him severely for it. Pacific accepted the punishment in the spirit of mortification, bore it with remarkable patience, and so advanced in virtue.
Our Lord saw to it that his virtue was made manifest. One day a servant knocked the spigot of a wine barrel loose and all the wine ran out into the cellar. She blamed Pacific for it. His uncle took the boy down into the cellar with him to show him what he had done and to give him the punishment he deserved. The boy went along calmly. When they reached the cellar, they found the floor quite dry and the barrel full of wine. The maid was called, and when she saw the miracle, she admitted her fault and praised the holiness of the innocent boy.
When he was seventeen years old, Pacific entered the Order of Friars Minor. After the year of probation, he made his vows, and from that time took great pains to observe them perfectly. He was ordained to the priesthood when he was twenty-five years old. He was first assigned to the surrounding villages of the Apennines, where he found the greatest delight in preaching the Gospel to the poor and the uneducated. No road was too rough, no mountain too steep for him. He looked up the poor shepherds in their out-of-the-way huts in order to instruct and guide them on the road that leads to God.

---

---

Saint Pacific of San Severino was not long to enjoy this apostolic work. After a few years, he became ill and never completely recovered his health, so that he was obliged to serve God patiently with an infirm body for more than thirty years.
Pacific was completely satisfied with God’s designs in his regard. “God wills it,” he said in a cheerful way, “and so may His will be done.”
The painful suffering he had to endure, and the many acts of mortification he performed in addition, he joined to his unceasing prayers and offered them up for the salvation of souls and the conversion of sinners. Even in his sickness he was so modest that he would never allow anyone else to dress the ugly sores on his legs, but always took care of them himself.
When he was able to say holy Mass, Saint Pacific did it with the utmost fervor and devotion. In his later years he was often favored with ecstasies after the elevation at holy Mass. His countenance shone with a radiance like that of the sun. The sick were miraculously cured by him, and he foretold many future events.
When death finally summoned him and he had received Holy Communion for the last time with admirable devotion, he once more expressed his gratitude to God for all His benefits, and then, with his hands crossed upon his breast, surrendered his soul to his Creator. The day was September 24, 1721.
Many miracles occurred at his grave, and two dead persons were restored to life after his holy relics were applied to them. He was buried in a common grave used by his deceased brothers in the community, but his body was found incorrupt after four years, even though he was given no coffin.
When the body was moved, the head of the saint was accidently struck so hard against a stairway that the head of the corpse detached from the body. Blood flowed freely from the neck, splattering blood as if the body were still alive. The blood was sopped up with a shirt and kept as a relic.
Pope Gregory XVI canonized Saint Pacific in 1839.
from The Franciscan Book of Saints, edited by Marion Habig, OFM

SAINT LINUS (79 A.D.); SAINT THECLA, Martyrs

 

 

SAINT LINUS
Pope and Martyr

SAINT THECLA
Virgin and Martyr

SIMPLE/RED
Very little is known of Pope Linus, the immediate successor of St. Peter, beyond the fact that he ruled the Christian community for over eleven years. Although his martyrdom is uncertain, the sufferings he underwent for the infant Church sufficed to place him among the martyrs in the canon of the Mass.

 
INTROIT

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
O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Linus 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.

Commemoration of SAINT THECLA
Thecla was a convert of St. Paul, with a Pauline love of virginity. Strong in purity of body and spirit, Thecla survived fierce tortures of persecution until Christ called her to Heaven. 

Almighty God, we celebrate today the birthday of Your blessed virgin martyr Thecla. May her feast fill us with joy and may we profit by the example of her great faith. Through our Lord . . .

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. Amen.

Gradual
Ps 106:32; 106:31
And let them exalt him in the church of the people: and praise him in the chair of the ancients.
V. Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men. Allelúja, allelúja
Matt 16:18
And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, 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.  

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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. 

 

SECRET
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.

Commemoration of SAINT THECLA
O Lord, accept the gifts we bring You on the feast of Your blessed virgin martyr Thecla, through whose intercession we hope to be set free. Through our Lord . . .

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.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, govern Your 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.

Commemoration of SAINT THECLA
O Lord, through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Thecla, may we be aided by the reception of the Blessed Sacrament and rejoice in Your everlasting protection. Through our Lord . . .

Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist; Ember Saturday

 

The Inspiration of Saint Matthew

 Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
1602
Contarelli Chapel, San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome

SAINT MATTHEW
Apostle and Evangelist


EMBER SATURDAY IN SEPTEMBER

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / RED
In the second year of His public ministry Jesus called Levi, the tax-gatherer, away from his booth and gave His new disciple the name of Matthew, which means "Gift of Yahweh." To Christ, the humble, willing soul of the publican was far more pleasing than were those of the self-satisfied Pharisees, proud of their observance of the letter of the Law but oblivious of its spirit. Soon afterward, the Savior chose the converted tax-gatherer as one of His Apostles. Matthew wrote the first Gospel, which records so many loving details about his master's life on earth. Tradition relates that he evangelized Persia and suffered martyrdom among the Parthians.

INTROIT Ps. 36:30-31The mouth of the just man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justly. The law of God is in his heart.
Ps. 36:1. Be not envious of evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
V. Glory be . . .

GLORIA 


COLLECT
O Lord,may the prayers of the blessed apostle and evangelist Matthew help us to obtain the graces we ourselves cannot acquire by our merits. Through our Lord . . .

Almighty, everlasting God, You Who cure body and soul through healing self-denial, we humbly entreat Your majesty to hear favorably the devout prayer of those who fast, and to grant us help for the present and the future. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Ezech. 1:10-14
And as for the likeness of their faces: there was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four: and the face of an ox, on the left side of all the four: and the face of an eagle over all the four. And their faces, and their wings were stretched upward: two wings of every one were joined, and two covered their bodies: And every one of them went straight forward: whither the impulse of the spirit was to go, thither they went: and they turned not when they went. And as for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. This was the vision running to and fro in the midst of the living creatures, a bright fire, and lightning going forth from the fire. And the living creatures ran and returned like flashes of lightning.


GRADUAL Ps. 111:1-2
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.
V. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the righteous generation shall be blessed.


Alleluia, alleluia! V.
The glorious choir of apostles praises You, O Lord. Alleluia!


GOSPEL Matt. 9:9-13
At that time, Jesus saw a man sitting in the custom house, named Matthew; and he saith to him: "Follow me." And he arose up and followed him. And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: "Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners?" But Jesus hearing it, said: "They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill. Go then and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I am not come to call the just, but sinners."


CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 20:4-5
O Lord, You have placed on his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of You and You gave it to him, alleluia!


SECRET 
O Lord, may the offering of Your Church be presented to You by Your blessed apostle and evangelist Matthew, through whose learned teaching she was instructed in the faith. Through our Lord . . .

  Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the gift in the sight of Your majesty may obtain for us the grace of reverent devotion and secure eternal happiness. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 20:6
His glory is great because of Your help; You have conferred upon him glory and great splendor, O Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION 
We who have received Your Sacrament, O Lord, look hopefully for the prayers of Your blessed apostle and evangelist Matthew. May the Sacred Rite that we have celebrated in his honor bring us healing for our own sinfulness. Through our Lord . . .

O Lord, let this Sacrament accomplish in us all that it signifies, so that we may truly obtain that which its outward sign implies. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT EUSTACE AND COMPANIONS; EMBER FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER

 

The Vision of St. Eustace (c.1436) by Pisanello (Antonio or Vittore Pisano; c.1395-1455)

SAINT EUSTACE AND
HIS COMPANIONS
Martyrs

EMBER FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER

DOUBLE / RED
Eustace was a distinguished Roman officer. He owed his conversion to the vision of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers, seen by him while he was hunting. His wife and their two sons became Christians at the same time. In about the year 120 A.D., Eustace and his wife and two children, after undergoing many cruel tortures, were martyred for having refused to offer sacrifice to false gods.

INTROIT Eccli. 44:13, 14
Let the people show forth the wisdom of the saints, and let the Church declare their praise; and their names shall live for all generations. 
Ps. Rejoice in the Lord, you just: praise befits the upright.
V. Glory be to the Father . . .

Mass of SEVERAL MARTYRS

GLORIA
 
COLLECT
O God, who granted us the grace to celebrate the birthday of Your blessed martyrs Eustace and companions, grant that we may also share their eternal happiness in heaven. Through our Lord . . .


Almighty God, we beg that, by keeping this yearly fast with devotion, we may please You both in body and in soul. Through our Lord . . .

Wisdom 5:16-20 Douay-Rheims 1899

¹⁶ But the just shall live for evermore: and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High.

¹⁷ Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord: for with his right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he will defend them.

¹⁸ And his zeal will take armour, and he will arm the creature for the revenge of his enemies.

¹⁹ He will put on justice as a breastplate, and will take true judgment instead of a helmet.

²⁰ He will take equity for an invincible shield:

GRADUAL Ps. 123:7-8

Our soul has been rescued as a bird from the snare of the hunters.

V. The snare has been broken and we are free. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

GOSPEL

Luke 6:17-23 Douay-Rheims 1899

^{17 At that time, Jesus} coming down with them, stood in a plain place, and the company of his disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon,

¹⁸ Who were come to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits, were cured.

¹⁹ And all the multitude sought to touch him, for virtue went out from him, and healed all.

²⁰ And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

²¹ Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh.

²² Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

²³ Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven.

 
 

OFFERTORY Ps. 149:5-6

The saints shall rejoice in glory; they shall shout for joy on their couches. The praise of God shall be in their throats. Alleluia!

SECRET
We offer to Thee, O Lord, the gifts of our devotion: may they be pleasing to Thee, honorable to Thy Saints, and through Thy mercy salutary to us. Through our Lord . . .

May our fasting be acceptable to You, O Lord. Let it atone for our sins and make us worthy of Your grace, so that we may attain the fulfillment of Your everlasting promises. Through our Lord . . .


POSTCOMMUNION
Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs, Eustace and Companions, that what we take with our mouth, we may receive with a pure heart. Through our Lord . . .


Almighty God, may our gratitude for the gifts we have received from You bring us even greater benefits. Through our Lord . . .