SAINTS PERPETUA AND FELICITAS, (203 A.D.) Martyrs; THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

 

SAINTS PERPETUA AND FELICITAS
Martyrs

THURSDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

DOUBLE / RED
Vivia Perpetua, a young wife and mother of noble birth, and Felicitas, a slave girl who was with child, were among the Christians arrested in Carthage (Africa) during the year 203. Felicitas gave birth to a daughter in prison, and the baby was adopted by a fellow Christian. Three days later the martyrs were exposed to wild beasts in the arena. The people soon tired of seeing the young mothers tortured and demanded that they should be slain by the sword. Greater devotion no human beings can have than to prefer Christ to the children of their love.

Mass of a HOLY WOMAN MARTYR, except

INTROIT Psalms 118: 95-96

The wicked have waited for me to
destroy me: but I have understood Thy
testimonies, O Lord: I have seen an
end of all perfection; Thy command is
exceeding broad. (Ps. 118: 1) Blessed
are the undefiled in the way: who walk
in the law of the Lord. Glory be to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world
without end. Amen. The wicked have
waited for me to destroy me: but I
have understood Thy testimonies, O
Lord: I have seen an end of all
perfection; Thy command is exceeding
broad.

GLORIA

 

COLLECT
O Lord Our God, grant that we may always honor the victories of Your blessed martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas. Although we are unable to pay them the honor that is due, may we at least offer them our humble tribute. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of Lenten Feria

O God, Who by sin art offended and
by penance appeased, mercifully
regard the prayers of Thy suppliant
people: and turn aside the scourges of
Thine anger, which we deserve for our
sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with
Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

 

LESSON Ecclesiasticus 51: 13-17

O Lord, my God, You have exalted my dwelling place upon the earth, and I have prayed for death to pass away. I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that He would not abandon me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help. I will ever praise Your name, and will praise it with thanksgiving; and my prayer was heard. And You saved me from destruction, and delivered me from the evil time. For this reason I thank You and I praise You, O Lord, our God.

 

GRADUAL Psalms 45: 6, 5 

God will help her with His countenance. God is in her midst; she shall not be disturbed.
℣. There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God; the Most High has sanctified His dwelling.
 

TRACT
Come spouse of Christ, receive the crown, which the Lord has prepared for you forever: for the love of Whom you shed your blood. Ps 44:8; 44:5 You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
℣. In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign.

 

GOSPEL Matthew 13: 44-52

At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it hides it, and in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he finds a single pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea that gathered in fish of every kind. When it was filled, they hauled it out, and sitting down on the beach, they gathered the good fish into vessels, but threw away the bad. So will it be at the end of the world. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the just, and will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to Him, Yes. And He said to them, So then, every Scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth from his storeroom things new and old.

 
SECRET
O Lord, see the gifts we offer at Your altar in honor of the feast of Your holy martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas. May this sacred rite, which honors them, forgive us our sins. Through Our Lord . . .

 

Commemoration of Lenten Feria
O Lord, we beseech You to look with favor upon these offerings before You, and may they be profitable to our devotion as well as to our salvation.

 

Communion
Ps 118:121-122; 118:128
I have fulfilled just ordinances, O Lord; let not the proud oppress me. For in all Your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate.

POSTCOMMUNION
We have been filled with spiritual gifts and joy, O Lord. May we always profit spiritually from the service we perform here on earth, through the intercession of Your holy martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of Lenten Feria

 We humbly beseech You, almighty God, that, having received the blessing of Your heavenly gift, it may be for us the source of sacramental grace and of salvation.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
We humbly beseech You, almighty God, that, having received the blessing of Your heavenly gift, it may be for us the source of sacramental grace and of salvation.