FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THE KING; Saint Evaristus (107 A.D.); 20th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

FEAST OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
THE KING

 

SAINT EVARISTUS
Pope and Martyr

 

COMMEMORATION

TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / WHITE

Christ is fully the spiritual King of all mankind, for He is the giver of life, the maker of law, the supreme judge and ruling authority, in the minds and wills and hearts of human beings. He is King of mankind by natural right, because He is the divine maker and sustainer of the universe and He took human nature unto His divine Person. He is King by acquired right, because He redeemed mankind by the sacrifice of His body and blood. The Lamb of God from the throne of His Cross, reunited all peoples. Although formerly separated by sin, they became one kingdom, one family, and prospective members of one Mystical Body.

INTROIT (Apoc. 5:12, 1:6)
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive powers and divinity and wisdom and strength and honor. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.
Ps. 1. Give to the King, O God, Thy judgment, and to the King's Son Thy justice.
V. Glory be . . .

KYRIE ELEISON

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO

COLLECT
Almighty and everlasting God, who has willed to restore all things in Thy beloved Son, the King of all creation, mercifully grant that all the families of nations scattered by the wound of sin may become subject to His most gentle rule. Who liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. 

 

Commemoration of SAINT EVARISTUS

The fourth successor of St. Peter, Pope Evaristus was said to have been the son of a Hellenic Jew of Bethlehem. He ruled for some eight years, during a very stormy period in the history of the Church. He died about A.D. 107, and was buried near St. Peter's tomb on the Vatican. 

 O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Evaristus 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 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Forget Your anger, O Lord, and grant Your faithful pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from their sins and serve You without fear. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE (Col. 1:12-20)
Brethren: Giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For in him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by him and in him. And he is before all: and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may hold the primacy: Because in him, it hath well pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell: And through him to reconcile all things unto himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, both as to the things that are on earth and the things that are in heaven.

GRADUAL (Ps. 71:8, 11)
He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
V. And all kings of the earth shall adore Him, and all nations shall serve Him.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. (Dan. 7:14)
His power is an everlasting power which shall not be taken away; and His kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Alleluia!

GOSPEL (St. John 18:33-37)
At that time, Pilate therefore went into the hall again and called Jesus and said to him: "Art thou the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered: "Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me?" Pilate answered: "Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me. What hast thou done?" Jesus answered: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence." Pilate therefore said to him: "Art thou a king then?" Jesus answered: "Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 2:8)
Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the Gentiles for Thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for Thy possession.

SECRET
To Thee, O Lord, we present this Victim, offered for man's reconciliation. Grant, we beseech Thee, that He whom we now immolate in this sacrifice may Himself, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, grant to all nations the gifts of unity and peace. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

 

Commemoration of SAINT EVARISTUS
 By the offered gifts we beg Thee, O
Lord: enlighten kindly Thy Church: so
that Thy flock everywhere may be
increasing, and the Shepherds, under
Thy direction, may be pleasing to Thy
Name.  

Commemoration of the 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
O Lord, let this sacred rite bring us healing from heaven and cleanse our hearts of all sinfulness. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Ps. 28:10, 11)
The Lord shall sit as King forever; the Lord will bless His people with peace.

POSTCOMMUNION
Having received the food of immortality, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we who are proud to fight under the banners of Christ the King, may one day reign in the eternally with Him in heaven. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Commemoration of SAINT EVARISTUS 

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 20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
O Lord, make us ever obedient to Your Commandments, that we may be deserving of Your heavenly Gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.