June 16 Ferial Day; Within the Octave; Saint John Francis Regis (1640 A.D.)

  

FERIAL DAY

WITHIN THE OCTAVE

OF THE SACRED HEART

[Commemoration]

SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Saint John Francis Regis (1640)
Priest (Historical)

Jesus, the pursuing shepherd of souls, follows and sustains each person in his worst battles with the world, the flesh, and the devil. Even when, ignoring Christ's presence and rejecting His grace, a man chooses to sin, Jesus does not abandon the sinner but gives him the graces of sorrow and of confidence in God's forgiveness. Following Christ's example, the Pope continues to shepherd souls by making himself the "servant of the servants of God."

DOUBLE / WHITE
INTROIT Ps. 24:16, 18 Look upon me, O Lord, and have pity on me, for I am alone and desolate. See my poverty and my pain, and pardon all my sins, O my God.
Ps. 24:1-2. I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord, in You I place my trust, O my God. Let me not be put to shame. 
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, You are the protector of all who trust in You, and without You nothing is strong, nothing is holy. Be even more merciful towards us, and rule and guide us that we may use the good things of this life in such a way as not to lose the blessings of eternal life. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule, he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, John Francis undertook missionary work in various French towns. While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.

The last four years of his life were spent preaching and organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

O God, Who, that blessed John Francis Thy Confessor might endure much labor for the salvation of souls, didst adorn him with a wondrous charity and an invincible patience, grant graciously, that we, gaining instruction from his example, and helped by his prayers, may obtain the rewards of everlasting life. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Peter 5:6-11
Beloved: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

GRADUAL Ps. 54:23, 17, 19
Cast your care upon the Lord and He will support you. 
V. When I called upon the Lord, He heard my voice and delivered me from those who war against me. 

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 7:12
God is a just judge, strong and patient. Shall He be angry all the time? Alleluia! 

GOSPEL Luke 15:1-10
At that time, the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 
"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 9:11-12, 13
Let those trust in You who cherish Your name, O Lord, for You do not forsake those who seek you. Sing praise to the Lord, enthroned in Sion, for He has not forgotten the cry of the poor.
 
SECRET
 O Lord, look with favor upon the offerings of Your Church as she prays to You. Bless these gifts, that the faithful who receive them may attain salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

May the victim of love which we offer up in this sacrifice, be a propitiation for us, through Thy mercy, O Lord, and by the prayers and merits of blessed John Francis may it be most efficacious and salutary in obtaining for us greater patience and charity. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 15:10
I say to you, there will be joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, let the reception of Your Holy Sacrament bring us to life, atone for our sins, and prepare us to receive Your unfailing mercy. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Let Thy loving kindness, O Lord, ever increase our health, so that we who are refreshed with heavenly food and inspired by the example of the saints, by Thy merciful protection and the intercession of blessed John Francis, may happily win the haven of eternal salvation. Through our Lord . . .

 

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST; SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS (1640 A.D.)

 

 

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

[Commemoration]

SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

God does not ask anyone to embrace suffering for its own sake. He asks only that we embrace His will, a divine will that can be shown through suffering as well as through good fortune. God wills that all men and all the rest of creation be brought to share in the blessings of redemption, both now and in eternity. He wills that atonement for sin should be made through sacrifice offered by Christ and His members. He wills that mankind be converted and transformed through the realistic courage of apostolic charity. Upon the ruins of selfish dreams, God must triumph. His infallible truth and invincible power guarantee the final and true glory of a redeemed world.

 

DOUBLE / GREEN
INTROIT Ps. 26:1, 2
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Mine enemies that have troubled me have themselves been weakened and have fallen.Ps. 26:3. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear.V. Glory be . . .

Gloria

COLLECT
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that the world may be regulated in its course by Thy governance for our peace, and that Thy Church may with tranquil devotion rejoice. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule, he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, John Francis undertook missionary work in various French towns. While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.

The last four years of his life were spent preaching and organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

O God, Who, that blessed John Francis Thy Confessor might endure much labor for the salvation of souls, didst adorn him with a wondrous charity and an invincible patience, grant graciously, that we, gaining instruction from his example, and helped by his prayers, may obtain the rewards of everlasting life. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Rom. 8:18-23
Brethren: I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity: not willingly, but by reason of him that made it subject, in hope. Because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature groaneth and travaileth in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit: even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body.

GRADUAL Ps. 78:9, 10
Forgive us our sins, O Lord. lest the Gentiles should at any time say, "Where is their God?"V. Help us, O God, our Savior; and for the honor of Thy Name, O Lord, deliver us.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 9:5
O God, who sittest upon the throne, and judgest justice, be Thou the refuge of the poor in tribulation. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 5:1-11
At that time, when the multitudes pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Genesareth, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets. And going into one of the ships that was Simon's, he desired him to draw back a little from the land. And sitting, he taught the multitudes out of the ship. Now when he had ceased to speak, he said to Simon: "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught." 
And Simon answering said to him: "Master, we have laboured all the night and have taken nothing: but at thy word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they enclosed a very great multitude of fishes: and their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners that were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships, so that they were almost sinking.
Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. And so were also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus saith to Simon: "Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men." And having brought their ships to land, leaving all things, they followed him.

CREED

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 12:4-5
Enlighten mine eyes, that I never sleep in death, lest at any time mine enemy say, "I have prevailed against him."

SECRET
Accept our oblations, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and be appeased by them, and mercifully compel even our rebel wills to turn to Thee. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGISMay the victim of love which we offer up in this sacrifice, be a propitiation for us, through Thy mercy, O Lord, and by the prayers and merits of blessed John Francis may it be most efficacious and salutary in obtaining for us greater patience and charity. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 17:3
The Lord is my firmament, and my refuge, and my deliverer, my God is my helper.

POSTCOMMUNION
May the Mysteries which we have received, we beseech Thee, O Lord, purify us, and fulfill their purpose by defending us. Through our Lord . . .

 

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Let Thy loving kindness, O Lord, ever increase our health, so that we who are refreshed with heavenly food and inspired by the example of the saints, by Thy merciful protection and the intercession of blessed John Francis, may happily win the haven of eternal salvation. Through our Lord . . .

June 16 Ferial Day; Within the Octave; Saint John Francis Regis (1640 A.D.)

 

FERIAL DAY

WITHIN THE OCTAVE

OF THE SACRED HEART

[Commemoration]

SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Saint John Francis Regis (1640)
Priest (Historical)

Jesus, the pursuing shepherd of souls, follows and sustains each person in his worst battles with the world, the flesh, and the devil. Even when, ignoring Christ's presence and rejecting His grace, a man chooses to sin, Jesus does not abandon the sinner but gives him the graces of sorrow and of confidence in God's forgiveness. Following Christ's example, the Pope continues to shepherd souls by making himself the "servant of the servants of God."

DOUBLE / WHITE
INTROIT Ps. 24:16, 18 Look upon me, O Lord, and have pity on me, for I am alone and desolate. See my poverty and my pain, and pardon all my sins, O my God.
Ps. 24:1-2. I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord, in You I place my trust, O my God. Let me not be put to shame. 
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, You are the protector of all who trust in You, and without You nothing is strong, nothing is holy. Be even more merciful towards us, and rule and guide us that we may use the good things of this life in such a way as not to lose the blessings of eternal life. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule, he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, John Francis undertook missionary work in various French towns. While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.

The last four years of his life were spent preaching and organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

O God, Who, that blessed John Francis Thy Confessor might endure much labor for the salvation of souls, didst adorn him with a wondrous charity and an invincible patience, grant graciously, that we, gaining instruction from his example, and helped by his prayers, may obtain the rewards of everlasting life. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Peter 5:6-11
Beloved: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

GRADUAL Ps. 54:23, 17, 19
Cast your care upon the Lord and He will support you. 
V. When I called upon the Lord, He heard my voice and delivered me from those who war against me. 

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 7:12
God is a just judge, strong and patient. Shall He be angry all the time? Alleluia! 

GOSPEL Luke 15:1-10
At that time, the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 
"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 9:11-12, 13
Let those trust in You who cherish Your name, O Lord, for You do not forsake those who seek you. Sing praise to the Lord, enthroned in Sion, for He has not forgotten the cry of the poor.
 
SECRET
 O Lord, look with favor upon the offerings of Your Church as she prays to You. Bless these gifts, that the faithful who receive them may attain salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGISMay the victim of love which we offer up in this sacrifice, be a propitiation for us, through Thy mercy, O Lord, and by the prayers and merits of blessed John Francis may it be most efficacious and salutary in obtaining for us greater patience and charity. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 15:10
I say to you, there will be joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, let the reception of Your Holy Sacrament bring us to life, atone for our sins, and prepare us to receive Your unfailing mercy. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Let Thy loving kindness, O Lord, ever increase our health, so that we who are refreshed with heavenly food and inspired by the example of the saints, by Thy merciful protection and the intercession of blessed John Francis, may happily win the haven of eternal salvation. Through our Lord . . .

 

FERIAL DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CORPUS CHRISTI; SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS (1640 A.D.)

[Commemoration]

SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

WITHIN THE OCTAVE

DOUBLE / GREEN

When Jesus said, "To him who strikes thee on the one cheek, offer the other also" (Luke 6:29), it was a way of telling anyone worthy of the name of Christian that he must be ready to be imposed upon. It is a hard saying, but inescapable. Meekness is essential to thoroughgoing charity. When Jesus, the all-holy God, gave His very life for the world's sinners -- and that means all human beings -- He gave the supreme example of willingness to suffer imposition. After that, there can be no complaint on our part. 

INTROIT Ps. 17:19-20
The Lord came to my protection, and He led me out into freedom; He saved me, because He loves me.
Ps. 17:2-3. I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my support, my refuge, and my Deliverer.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O  Lord, grant that we may always have a reverential fear and love of Your holy name, for those who are firmly founded in Your love will ever be guided and governed by Your grace. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule, he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, John Francis undertook missionary work in various French towns. While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.

The last four years of his life were spent preaching and organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

O God, Who, that blessed John Francis Thy Confessor might endure much labor for the salvation of souls, didst adorn him with a wondrous charity and an invincible patience, grant graciously, that we, gaining instruction from his example, and helped by his prayers, may obtain the rewards of everlasting life. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE  I John 3:13-18
Beloved: Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

GRADUAL Ps. 119:1-2
In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me.
V. O Lord, deliver me from lying lips and from a treacherous tongue.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 7:2
O Lord, my God, in You have I placed my trust; save me from all my persecutors, and rescue me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 14:16-24
At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.' "

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 6:5
Turn to me, O Lord, and save my life; in Your mercy rescue me.

SECRET 
O Lord, may this Sacrifice, which we are about to offer in Your name, cleanse us from sin and bring us each day closer to the realization of a heavenly life. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

May the victim of love which we offer up in this sacrifice, be a propitiation for us, through Thy mercy, O Lord, and by the prayers and merits of blessed John Francis may it be most efficacious and salutary in obtaining for us greater patience and charity. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 12:6
I will sing to the Lord, who has given me all good; I will sing to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Lord, may we, who have received Your Gifts, be brought closer to our salvation by each performance of this sacred rite. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JOHN FRANCIS REGIS

Let Thy loving kindness, O Lord, ever increase our health, so that we who are refreshed with heavenly food and inspired by the example of the saints, by Thy merciful protection and the intercession of blessed John Francis, may happily win the haven of eternal salvation. Through our Lord . . .

JUNE 16 FERIAL DAY; SAINT REGIS (1640 A.D.) WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CORPUS CHRISTI

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

Introit
Ps 12:6
O Lord, I have trusted in thy mercy. My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things:
Ps 12:1
How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me unto the end? how long dost thou turn away thy face from me?
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.
O Lord, I have trusted in thy mercy. My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things:

Collect
O God, the Strength of all them that put their trust in thee, mercifully accept our prayers, and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without thee, grant us the help of thy grace, that in keeping of thy commandments we may please thee, both in will and deed.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 

Lesson
Lesson from the first letter of St John the Apostle
1 John 4:8-21
Dearly beloved: He that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is charity. By this hath the charity of God appeared towards us, because God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we may live by him. In this is charity: not as though we had loved God, but because he hath first loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins. My dearest, if God hath so loved us; we also ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and his charity is perfected in us. In this we know that we abide in him, and he in us: because he hath given us of his spirit. And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father hath sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. And we have known, and have believed the charity, which God hath to us. God is charity: and he that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him. In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in this world. Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath pain. And he that feareth, is not perfected in charity. Let us therefore love God, because God first hath loved us. If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he seeth, how can he love God, whom he seeth not? And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God, love also his brother.

Gradual
Ps 40:5; 40:2
I said: O Lord, be thou merciful to me : heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee. Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor : the Lord will deliver him in the evil day. Allelúja, allelúja
Ps 5:2
Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry. Allelúja.
I said: O Lord, be thou merciful to me : heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee. Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor : the Lord will deliver him in the evil day. Allelúja, allelúja

GOSPEL

Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 6:36-42
In that time Jesus said to his disciples: Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. And he spoke also to them a similitude: Can the blind lead the blind? do they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master. And why seest thou the mote in thy brother's eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not? Or how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye, when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother's eye.

Secret
We call upon Your Name, O Lord, and beseech You to hallow this sacrificial offering and through it to make us an eternal offering to You.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

Post Communion
May the reception of this sacrament, O Lord our God, and the profession of our faith in the eternal holy Trinity and undivided Unity, benefit us for the salvation of body and soul.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.     

Saint John Francis Regis (1640)
Priest (Historical)

Born into a family of some wealth, John Francis was so impressed by his Jesuit educators that he himself wished to enter the Society of Jesus. He did so at age 18. Despite his rigorous academic schedule he spent many hours in chapel, often to the dismay of fellow seminarians who were concerned about his health. Following his ordination to the priesthood, he undertook missionary work in various French towns. While the formal sermons of the day tended toward the poetic, his discourses were plain. But they revealed the fervor within him and attracted people of all classes. Father Regis especially made himself available to the poor. Many mornings were spent in the confessional or at the altar celebrating Mass; afternoons were reserved for visits to prisons and hospitals.

The Bishop of Viviers, observing the success of Father Regis in communicating with people, sought to draw on his many gifts, especially needed during the prolonged civil and religious strife then rampant throughout France. With many prelates absent and priests negligent, the people had been deprived of the sacraments for 20 years or more. Various forms of Protestantism were thriving in some cases while a general indifference toward religion was evident in other instances. For three years Father Regis traveled throughout the diocese, conducting missions in advance of a visit by the bishop. He succeeded in converting many people and in bringing many others back to religious observances.

English: Monochrome version of the IHS emblem of the Jesuits Polski: IHS - symbol Towarzystwa Jezusowego (zakonu jezuitów) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Though Father Regis longed to work as a missionary among the North American Indians in Canada, he was to live out his days working for the Lord in the wildest and most desolate part of his native France. There he encountered rigorous winters, snowdrifts and other deprivations. Meanwhile, he continued preaching missions and earned a reputation as a saint. One man, entering the town of Saint-Andé, came upon a large crowd in front of a church and was told that people were waiting for "the saint" who was coming to preach a mission.

The last four years of his life were spent preaching and in organizing social services, especially for prisoners, the sick and the poor. In the autumn of 1640, Father Regis sensed that his days were coming to a conclusion. He settled some of his affairs and prepared for the end by continuing to do what he did so well: speaking to the people about the God who loved them. On December 31, he spent most of the day with his eyes on the crucifix. That evening, he died. His final words were: "Into thy hands I commend my spirit."

He was canonized in 1737.