Saint William of Vercelli, Hermit (1142 A.D.)

 

SAINT WILLIAM 
Abbot

DOUBLE / WHITE
This Piedmontese religious founder (1085-1142) lived as a hermit in various regions of Italy. While he was on a height between Nola and Benevento, he was joined by a group of hermit-monks to whom he gave a rule based on that of St. Benedict. His congregation of Williamites was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. William was merciless in the austerities he imposed upon himself, believing ardently that the Christian who suffers with Jesus will also be glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17).

Mass of an ABBOT, except

Introit
Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
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.
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.

 
GLORIA

 
COLLECT 
O God, the example and protection of Your saints, strengthen us in our own weakness, and enable us to walk in the path of salvation. May we pay fitting honor to the merits of the blessed abbot William, so that he may intercede for us and lead us in his own footsteps. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson Ecclesiasticus 45: 1-6
Beloved of God, and men: whose
memory is in benediction. He made
him like the saints in glory, and
magnified him in the fear of his
enemies, and with his words he made
prodigies to cease. He glorified him in
the sight of kings, and gave him
commandments in the sight of his
people, and shewed him His glory. He
sanctified him in his faith, and
meekness, and chose him out of all
flesh. For he heard Him, and His
voice, and brought him into a cloud.
And He gave him commandments
before His face, and a law of life and
instruction.

Gradual Psalms 20: 4-5
Lord, Thou hast prevented him with
blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set
on his head a crown of precious
stones. He asked life of Thee, and
Thou hast given him length of days for
ever and ever.

GOSPEL Matthew 19: 27-29

At that time, Peter said to Jesus:
Behold we have left all things, and
have followed thee: what therefore
shall we have? And Jesus said to
them: Amen, I say to you, that you,
who have followed me, in the
regeneration when the Son of man
shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you
also shall sit on twelve seats, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel. And every
one that hath left house, or brethren,
or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife,
or children, or lands, for My name's
sake, shall receive an hundredfold,
and shall possess life everlasting.

 
OFFERTORY Psalms 20: 3-4

Thou hast given him his heart's desire,
O Lord, and hast not withholden from
him the will of his lips: Thou hast set
on his head a crown of precious
stones

  
SECRET
May the holy Abbot William, we
beseech Thee, O Lord, obtain by his
prayers, that the Sacrifice laid on Thy
holy altar, may profit us unto salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy
Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God,
forever and ever.

COMMUNION LUKE 12:42

The faithful and wise servant, whom
his lord setteth over his family, to give
them their measure of wheat in due
season

POSTCOMMUNION
May the pleading of blessed William,
the Abbot, for us, as well as the
reception of Thy Sacraments, protect
us, O Lord, that we may both share in
the glory of his works, and receive the
help of his intercession. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives
and reigns with Thee in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.