GREATER DOUBLE /
WHITE
In the year 1521 a cannon ball fractured the left leg of
Captain Ignatius Loyola, the future founder of the Jesuits. While he was
convalescing, Ignatius read about Christ and His saints and thus turned wholly
to God. He then undertook to equip himself for Christ's service by acquiring a
good classical and theological education. On the feast of the Assumption, 1534,
the seven pioneer Jesuits pronounced their vows in Paris. The members of the
Society of Jesus became the shock troops of the Church in the battle against the
spread of Protestantism in Europe, as well as one of the greatest foreign
mission organizations that the world has known. Ignatius died on July 31,
1556.
INTROIT Philipp. 2:10-11
At the name of Jesus every
knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under the earth, and every
tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the
Father.
Ps. 5:12-13. All those who love Your name shall glory in You,
for You will bless the just man.
V. Glory be . . .
GLORIA
COLLECT
O
God, in order to promote the greater glory of Your name, You fortified Your
Church militant with a new army through the work of blessed Ignatius. may his
help and example bring us through our battle on earth to be crowned with him in
heaven. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT GERMANUS
Born at Auxerre, Gaul, of Catholic parents he was also known as
Germain; he studied at local schools and then law at Rome and became a
lawyer. After he married, he was made governor of the Amorican border
provinces of Gaul; in 418 was named bishop of Auxerre. He changed his
life to one of poverty and austerity, building a monastery, dedicated
to Sts. Cosmas and Damian on the banks of the Yonne, and endowing
various poor churches in the diocese. [I was unable to find out when
his noble wife died.] In 429, he and St. Lupus, bishop of Troyes, were
sent to Britain to combat the Pelagian heresy which was raging there:
they were most successful in restoring orthodoxy. On his way Germain
stopped at Nanterre, where he met a young child, Genevieve, destined to
become the patroness of Paris. One of the early lives of St. Patrick,
Apostle of Ireland, tells us that he formed one of St. Germain's suite
on this occasion. Tradition tells us that the main discussion with the
representatives of Pelagianism took place at St. Alban's, and resulted
in the complete discomfiture of the heretics. Germain remained in
Britain for some time preaching, and established several schools for
the training of the clergy. It was on this trip that occurred the
famous incident in which Germanus is reputed to have saved a force of
Britons from destruction by a superior force of marauding Picts and
Saxons. He led the Britons to a narrow ravine between two high
mountains, and when the enemy approached had the Britons shout
"Alleluia!" three times. The echoes magnified the shouts causing the
invaders to believe they were confronted by a far superior force, and
they fled. It was at this time that Germanus Baptized many of the
Britons in the army. On his return to Gaul, he convinced Auxiliaris,
prefect of Gaul, to reduce taxes when he healed Auxiliaris' sick wife,
returning Britain about 440 to combat Pelagianism once more. Again he
was successful, eliminating the heresy, and founded numerous schools to
teach true doctrine. When he returned to Gaul, he found that Aetius, a
Roman general, had dispatched a barbarian army under Goar to put down a
revolt in Amorica. Fearful of the savagery of the barbarian forces,
Germanus persuaded Goar to desist and then went to Ravenna in an
unsuccessful attempt to persuade Emperor Valentinian III to call off
the attack. Germanus' effort came to naught when news of another
Amorican uprising reached the Emperor. Germanus died on July 31 while
he was still in Ravenna, July 31 450.
On this feastday of blessed Germanus, Thy Confessor and Bishop hear
our prayers to Thee, O Lord, and since he gave Thee such worthy
service, be mindful of his merits and blot out all our sins. Through
our Lord . . .
EPISTLE II Tim. 2:8-10;
3:10-12
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 labour
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 also may obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. But thou hast fully
known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, 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 Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.
GRADUAL Ps. 91:13, 14, 3
The just man shall
flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon in the house
of the Lord.
V. That he may show forth Your mercy in the morning and
Your truth throughout the night.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. Jac.
1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia!
GOSPEL Luke
10:1-9
At that time, the Lord appointed also other seventy-two. And he
sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he
himself was to come. And he said to them: "The harvest
indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the
harvest that he send labourers into his harvest. Go: Behold I send you as lambs
among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by
the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And
if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it
shall return to you. And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such
things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from
house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat
such things as are set before you. And heal the sick that are therein and say to
them: The kingdom of God is come nigh
unto you."
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 88:25
My truth
and My mercy shall be with him; and in my name shall his power be
exalted.
SECRET
We join our offering, O Lord God, to the gracious
prayers of blessed Ignatius so that we may in truth be sanctified by these most
sacred mysteries which were instituted as the source of all holiness. Through
our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT GERMANUS
May the annual feast of saint Germanus, Thy Confessor and Bishop
make us in Thy kindness acceptable to Thee, O Lord, and may this present
rite duly appease Thee, bring happy recompense to him, and assure gifts
of Thy grace to us. Through our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 12:49
I have come to
cast fire upon the earth, and what will I but that it be
enkindled?
POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may our offering of this Sacrifice of
praise in thanksgiving for the saint Ignatius bring us through this life in
answer to his prayers, and lead us to heaven where we shall praise Your majesty
for all eternity. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT GERMANUS
O God, the Rewarder of faithful souls, grant that by the prayers
of blessed Germanus, Thy Confessor and Bishop, whose venerable feast we
celebrate, we may obtain pardon. Through our Lord . . .
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| St. Ignatius of Loyola (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
