Saint Bede the Venerable (735 A.D.); Saint John I (526 A.D.); Rogation Day

 

SAINT BEDE THE VENERABLE

Confessor and Doctor of the Church

[Commemoration]

SAINT JOHN I

Pope and Martyr

ROGATION DAY

DOUBLE / WHITE

Venerable Bede (673-735), the first English historian, was consecrated to God from childhood. He became a Benedictine monk in the monastery of Jarrow in Northumberland, and trained there some six hundred scholars. His Ecclesiastical History of England is a treasure to scholars and lovers of spiritual life alike; but his principal study was ever the Bible. When this great Englishman died, on Ascension Day, 735, he had just finished dictating the final sentence of a translation of the Gospel of St. John.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

Introit
Sir 15:5
In the midst of the church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory.
Ps 91:2
It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy name, O most High.
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.
In the midst of the church he opened his mouth, and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory.

 

GLORIA

 

COLLECT

O God, who dost enlighten Thy Church by the learning of blessed Bede, Thy Confessor and Doctor, mercifully grant to Thy servants ever to be enlightened by his wisdom and helped by his merits. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN I

Pope John I (525-26) was imprisoned by the heretical ravager of Italy, King Theodoric, and died in a dungeon from the hardships he had to endure.

O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed John 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 the MASS OF ROGATION  

The death and resurrection of Jesus have opened heaven and won the grace to avoid sin and to gain eternal happiness. But many of the consequences of sin still remain; and every person has his guilt to confess and atone for. Besides, there are the countless needs of soul and body that put all men on their knees before God. Earthquakes and other calamities afflicted Europe in the fifth century and St. Mamertus, instituted a penitential procession with public supplications in his Diocese. Hence, the special days of petition, called Rogation Days, marked by a special Mass, the Litany of the Saints, and, where possible, a procession during which the Litany is sung. It is well to join penance and fasting to all prayer. In 816 A.D., Pope Leo III introduced this Mass in Rome, and soon after it became a general observance throughout the Church.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who in our affliction put our trust in Thy mercy, may ever be defended by the protection against all adversity. Through our Lord . . .

SECRET

O Lord, let the blessed Confessor and Doctor Bede always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN I

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 the MASS OF ROGATION 
 May these oblations, O Lord, we beseech Thee, loosen the bonds of our wickedness, and obtain for us the gifts of Thy mercy. Through our Lord . . . 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may this Sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed Confessor and illustrious Doctor Bede. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN I

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.

Commemoration of the MASS OF ROGATION 

Favorably receive our prayers, O Lord, we beseech Thee; may we in our distress be consoled by Thy gifts and grow in love accordingly. Through our Lord . . .