Saint Agapitus (275 A.D.), Saint Helen (326 A.D.) Within the Octave

 

 

Beheading of Saint Agapitus

SAINT AGAPITUS
Martyr

SAINT HELENA

SAINT HELEN

Empress, Widow

[In some places]

 

WITHIN THE OCTAVE 

SIMPLE / RED
When only 15 years old, Agapitus was beheaded at Praeneste (Palestrina), Italy, about the year 275, as his punishment for professing Christ. Legend has it that he was beheaded only because the animals in the arena refused to attack him, and that a tribune, Anastasius, watching the "entertainment," was converted by the animal's reaction to the boy martyr.

Mass of a MARTYR, except

COLLECT
Let the Church rejoice in the trust she places in the intercessions of Your holy martyr Agapitus, O God, and grant that through the prayers of this saint she may always serve You devotedly in peace and security. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT HELEN
St. Helen was born in Britain and espoused to the Roman Emperor, Constantius Chlorus. Her son Constantine became the first Christian Emperor of Rome. The saintly Empress made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, where she had the joy of discovering the true Cross, to enshrine which, she built a magnificent Basilica on Mount Calvary. Saint Helen died in August, A.D. 326.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who to blessed Helen didst reveal the place where Thy cross was hidden, in order, through her, to enrich Thy Church with this precious treasure: grant us through her prayers, that by means of the ransom of this Tree of Life, we may attain to the reward of eternal life: Who livest . . .

Lesson  2 Timothy 2: 8-10; 3: 10-12
Dearly beloved, be mindful that the
Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from
the dead, of the seed of David,
according to my gospel. Wherein I
labor even unto bands, as an evildoer:
but the word of God is not bound.
Therefore I endure all things for the
sake of the elect, that they may also
obtain the salvation, which is in Christ
Jesus, with heavenly glory. But thou
hast fully known my doctrine, manner
of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering,
love, patience, persecutions,
afflictions, such as came upon me at
Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra;
what persecutions I endured and out
of them all the Lord delivered me. And
all that will live godly in Jesus Christ

shall suffer persecution.

Gradual Psalms 36:24
When the just man shall fall, he shall
not be bruised: for the Lord putteth His
hand under him. (Ps. 36: 26) He
showeth mercy and lendeth all the day
long: and his seed shall be in blessing.

Gospel John 12: 24-26

At that time, Jesus said to his
disciples: Amen, amen I say to you,
unless the grain of wheat falling into
the ground die, itself remaineth alone.
But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
He that loveth his life shall lose it; and
he that hateth his life in this world,
keepeth it unto life eternal. If any man
minister to me, let him follow me; and
where I am, there also shall my
minister be. If any man minister to me,
him will my Father honor. 

OFFERTORY Psalm 20 4:5

O Lord, Thou hast set on his head a
crown of precious stones: he asked
life of Thee, and Thou hast given it to
him. Alleluia.

 

SECRET
O Lord, accept the gifts we bring You on the feast of him through whose intercession we hope to be set free. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT HELEN
Grant us through these holy Mysteries, O Lord, who in Thy mercy didst vouchsafe to blessed Helen ever to bear in her heart Thy crucified Son: that we, too, may carry Him in our hearts for evermore. Through the same . . .

 

COMMUNION JOHN 12:26

If any man minister to Me, let him
follow Me; and where I am, there also
shall My minister be 

 
POSTCOMMUNION

Thou hast satisfied, O Lord, Thy
household with holy gifts: ever cherish
us, we beseech Thee, through the
intercession of him whose festival we
are keeping. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns
with Thee in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Commemoration of SAINT HELEN
Grant, O merciful God, that we who on earth have been recreated by the fruit of Thy salutary Cross, may, by the intercession of blessed Helen, deserve to enjoy that fruit for ever more in heaven: Who liveth and  . . .