July 9 Ferial Day; Saints John Fisher and Thomas More (1535 A.D.); Saint Maria Goretti (1902 A.D.) Virgin, Marytr

  

FERIAL DAY

MASS OF PRECEDING SUNDAY

OR

SAINTS JOHN FISHER AND THOMAS MORE

MARTYRS

[England & Wales]

SAINT MARIA GORETTI

                                                              Virgin and Martyr

[Mass Granted to the Passionist Fathers]

St. John Fisher, Cardinal, Bishop of Rochester, was beheaded on Tower Hill under Henry VIII, June 22, A.D. 1535, for his fidelity to the Apostolic See, and the freedom of the Church.

St. Thomas More was made High Chancellor of England. On account of his strenuous resistance to the encroachments on the rights of the Church, attempted by Henry VIII, he was, by order of this miserable monarch, beheaded on Tower Hill on July 6, A.D. 1535.

COLLECT

O God, who didst raise up from among the English people, Thy blessed Martyrs, John and Thomas, to be the zealous defenders of the true Faith and of the primacy of the Roman Church, grant through their merits and prayers that, by the practice of the same Faith, we may all become and remain united in Christ. Through our Lord . . .

 
Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
Mary Goretti (1890-1902) was the child of poor Italian farm laborers. When she was nearly twelve years old, her beauty aroused the passion of a young man who lived under the same roof as her family. Mary defended her chastity and he wounded her mortally with a knife. The martyr of purity died praying for her murderer's conversion, which God granted to him. St. Mary Goretti was canonized on June 25, 1950, in the presence of her own mother. "Dear Lord," the aged woman said, "I was not worthy of such an angel!"

COLLECT
O God, You blessed the young maiden Mary with the victory of martyrdom in her early youth. May we be firm in our obedience to Your commandments through the prayers of this virgin whom You crowned in reward for her struggle. Through our Lord . . .

 

Lesson
Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans
Rom 8:18-23
Brethren: I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us. For the eager longing of creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God. For creation was made subject to vanity - not by its own will but by reason of Him Who made it subject - in hope, because creation itself also will be delivered from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the sons of God. For we know that all creation groans and travails in pain until now. And not only it, but we ourselves also who have the first-fruits of the Spirit - we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption as sons of God, the redemption of our body, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual
Ps. 78:9-10
Pardon our sins, O Lord; why should the nations say, Where is their God?
℣. Help us, O God our Saviour; because of the glory of Your name, O Lord, deliver us. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps. 9:5; 9:10
O God, seated on Your throne, judging justly: be a stronghold for the oppressed in times of distress. Alleluia. 

 

Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 5:1-11
At that time, while the crowds were pressing upon Jesus to hear the word of God, He was standing by Lake Genesareth. And He saw two boats moored by the lake, but the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. And getting into one of the boats, the one that was Simon’s, He asked him to put out a little from the land. And sitting down, He began to teach the crowds from the boat. But when He had ceased speaking, He said to Simon, Put out into the deep, and lower your nets for a catch. And Simon answered and said to Him, Master, the whole night through we have toiled and have taken nothing; but at Your word I will lower the net. And when they had done so, they enclosed a great number of fishes, but their net was breaking. And they beckoned to their comrades in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had made; and so were also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid; henceforth you shall catch men. And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all and followed Him.
℟. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out. 

 

OFFERTORY (Ps. 67: 36)

God is wonderful in His Saints; the God of Israel is He who will give power and strength to His people; blessed be God.

SECRET

We beseech Thee, O Lord, look mercifully upon our offerings, and by the prayers of Thy Martyrs interceding for us, grant us the gifts of Thy bounty. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
 O Lord, we offer You this sacrifice of atonement, through which the blessed maiden Mary, even in her early youth, offered her body to You as a holy and pleasing victim. Through our Lord . . .

 

COMMUNION (John 10: 27-28)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them life everlasting, and they shall not perish for ever.

POSTCOMMUNION

Invigorated by this heavenly banquet, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that through the intercession of Thy blessed Martyrs, John and Thomas, we may be made worthy to attain unto their fellowship. Though our Lord . . . 

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
O Lord, grant those who have been refreshed with the Bread of Heaven the same strength to defend the purity of body and soul that You bestowed upon Your handmaiden Mary. Through our Lord . . .

 

Sanctae Mariae Sabbato OUR LADY'S SATURDAY; ST. MARIA GORETTI, (1902 A.D.) VIRGIN – MARTYR

  

Sanctae Mariae Sabbato

OUR LADY'S SATURDAY 

wikipedia.org images

  ST. MARIA GORETTI

 VIRGIN – MARTYR

 

 

Introit

Hail, holy Mother, who in childbirth brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth world without end.
Ps 44:2
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King.
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.
Hail, holy Mother, who in childbirth brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth world without end.

GLORIA

Collect
Grant us, Your servants, O Lord God, we beseech You, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body; and by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness.
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.

Commemoration of SAINT MARIA GORETTI

Born on October 16 1890 in Corinaldo, in the Ancona Province in Italy, her farmworker father moved his family to Ferrier di Conca, near Anzio. When he died of malaria, Maria's mother had to struggle to feed her children.

Maria's mother, brothers, and sisters worked in the fields while she cooked, sewed, kept the house clean, and watched her youngest sister Teresa. Though the family's circumstances were extremely difficult, they were very close and loved God.

On July 5, 1902, Maria was sitting outside the steps of her home sewing her 18-year-old brother or neighbor -it is unclear which - Alessandro's shirt while he threshed beans in the barnyard. As she concentrated on her sewing, Alessandro surprised her and grabbed her from her steps. When he tried to rape her, Maria cried that it was a mortal sin and warned he would go to hell.

When Alessandro persisted, she fought him and screamed, "No! It is a sin! God does not want it!" At her words, Alessandro began to choke her and she said she would rather die than submit. Upon hearing her words, Alexander pulled out a knife and stabbed her eleven times. When she attempted to reach the door, he stabbed her three more times then fled.

O God, who hast bestowed the victory
of martyrdom at a young age upon
Thy handmaiden Maria; we beseech
Thee, who gavest the crown to the
virgin in her struggle, grant us
perseverance in Thy commandments
through her patronage. Through our
Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives
and reigns with Thee in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
 
Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 24:14-16
Before all ages, in the beginning, He created me, and through all ages I shall not cease to be. In the holy Tent I ministered before Him, and in Sion I fixed my abode. Thus in the chosen city He has given me rest, in Jerusalem is my domain. I have struck root among the glorious people, in the portion of my God, His heritage, and my abode is in the full assembly of Saints.

Gradual
Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; alone you have put an end to all heresies.
V. You who believed the words of the Archangel Gabriel.
V. Still a virgin, you brought forth God and man; and after childbirth you remained an inviolate virgin.
V. O Mother of God, intercede for us.

GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 11:27-28
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd lifted up her voice and said to Him, Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts that nursed You. But He said, Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.

Offertory
Lk 1:28; 1:42
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Secret
Through Your mercy, O Lord, and by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, the Mother of Your only-begotten Son, may this offering profit us for prosperity and peace, now and forevermore.
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.

Commemoration of SAINT MARIA GORETTI 

Lord, we offer to Thee this sacrifice of
atonement, through which blessed
Maria, Thy handmaiden, learned in
early youth to offer her body as a holy
and pleasing sacrifice to Thee.
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 Antiphon
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father. 
  

Post Communion
Having received the aids conducive to our salvation, O Lord, we beseech You, grant that we may everywhere be protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Your Majesty.
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.

Commemoration of SAINT MARIA GORETTI

Refreshed by heavenly Bread, grant,
we beseech Thee, O Lord, the same
strength in defending the purity of
body and soul which Thou didst
wondrously bestow upon Thy
handmaiden, Maria. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and
reigns with Thee in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
 

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST; Saints John Fisher and Thomas More (1535 A.D.) Martyrs; Saint Maria Goretti (1902 A.D.) Virgin, Martyr

 

 

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

 

[Commemoration]

SAINTS JOHN FISHER AND THOMAS MORE

MARTYRS

[England & Wales]

SAINT MARIA GORETTI

                                                              Virgin and Martyr

[Mass Granted to the Passionist Fathers]

 

DOUBLE/GREEN
Baptism and the Eucharist are the great sources of all Christian life. As the priest makes a thanksgiving after each Mass, and as the communicant makes a thanksgiving after each reception of Christ's Body, so every day of living as a Christian ought to include a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of Baptism. A baptismal day is more important than a birthday; for the Sacrament of  Baptism gives a share in the divine life, as well as membership in Christ and a pledge of eternal life.

INTROIT Ps. 27:8-9
The Lord is the strength of His people, and the assurance of the salvation of His anointed. Save Your people, O Lord, and bless Your inheritance, and guide them forever.
Ps. 27:1. I cry to You, O Lord my God; do not be deaf to me, lest if You heed me not, I become like those who go down into the pit.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O Mighty God, author of every good thing, implant in our hearts a deep love of Your name. Increase in us the true spirit of devotion and sincere virtue so that we may be supported by You and protected by Your loving care. Through our Lord . . .

 Commemoration of SAINTS JOHN FISHER & THOMAS MORE

St. John Fisher, Cardinal, Bishop of Rochester, was beheaded on Tower Hill under Henry VIII, June 22, A.D. 1535, for his fidelity to the Apostolic See, and the freedom of the Church.

St. Thomas More was made High Chancellor of England. On account of his strenuous resistance to the encroachments on the rights of the Church, attempted by Henry VIII, he was, by order of this miserable monarch, beheaded on Tower Hill on July 6, A.D. 1535.

O God, who didst raise up from among the English people, Thy blessed Martyrs, John and Thomas, to be the zealous defenders of the true Faith and of the primacy of the Roman Church, grant through their merits and prayers that, by the practice of the same Faith, we may all become and remain united in Christ. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
Mary Goretti (1890-1902) was the child of poor Italian farm laborers. When she was nearly twelve years old, her beauty aroused the passion of a young man who lived under the same roof as her family. Mary defended her chastity and he wounded her mortally with a knife. The martyr of purity died praying for her murderer's conversion, which God granted to him. St. Mary Goretti was canonized on June 25, 1950, in the presence of her own mother. "Dear Lord," the aged woman said, "I was not worthy of such an angel!"

COLLECT
O God, You blessed the young maiden Mary with the victory of martyrdom in her early youth. May we be firm in our obedience to Your commandments through the prayers of this virgin whom You crowned in reward for her struggle. Through our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Rom. 6:3-11
Brethren: Know you not that all we who are baptized in Christ Jesus are baptized in his death? For we are buried together with him by baptism into death: that, as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer. For he that is dead is justified from sin. Now, if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall live also together with Christ. Knowing that Christ, rising again from the dead, dieth now no more. Death shall no more have dominion over him. For in that he died to sin, he died once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL Ps. 89:13, 1
Turn a little, O Lord, and be moved by the entreaties for Your servants.
V. O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generations.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 30:2-3
I have hoped in You, let me never be put to shame. In Your justice rescue me and set me free. Incline Your ear to me; make haste to deliver me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Mark 8:1-9
In those days again, when there was great multitude and they had nothing to eat; calling his disciples together, he saith to them: "I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I shall send them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way: for some of them came from afar off." And his disciples answered him: "From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness?" And he asked them: "How many loaves have ye?" Who said: "Seven."
And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, he broke and gave to his disciples for to set before them. And they set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes: and he blessed them and commanded them to be set before them. And they did eat and were filled: and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand. And he sent them away.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 16:5, 6-7
Keep my steps steadfast in Your paths, that my feet may not falter. Incline Your ear and hear my words. Show Your wondrous kindness, O Saviour of those who trust in You, O Lord.

SECRET
Let our prayers win peace for Your people, O Lord, so that their offerings may be pleasing in Your sight. Grant us the requests we confidently make of You, so that it cannot be said that anyone hopes or calls upon You in vain. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS JOHN FISHER & THOMAS MORE

We beseech Thee, O Lord, look mercifully upon our offerings, and by the prayers of Thy Martyrs interceding for us, grant us the gifts of Thy bounty. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
 O Lord, we offer You this sacrifice of atonement, through which the blessed maiden Mary, even in her early youth, offered her body to You as a holy and pleasing victim. Through our Lord . . .

 
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 26:6
I will draw near and joyfully offer a sacrifice in His tabernacle; I will sing and chant a psalm to the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION
We have been filled with Your gifts, O Lord; grant, we beseech You, that we may be cleansed and strengthened by their effect.
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.
R. Amen.

Commemoration of SAINTS JOHN FISHER & THOMAS MORE

Invigorated by this heavenly banquet, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that through the intercession of Thy blessed Martyrs, John and Thomas, we may be made worthy to attain unto their fellowship. Though our Lord . . . 

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
O Lord, grant those who have been refreshed with the Bread of Heaven the same strength to defend the purity of body and soul that You bestowed upon Your handmaiden Mary. Through our Lord . . .

July 9 Ferial Day; Our Lady's Saturday or Saints John Fisher and Thomas More (1535 A.D.); Saint Maria Goretti (1902 A.D.) Virgin, Martyr

  

Sanctae Mariae Sabbato OUR LADY'S SATURDAY

https://tridentine-mass.blogspot.com/2022/02/sanctae-mariae-sabbato-our-ladys_090255724.html
OR

SAINTS JOHN FISHER AND THOMAS MORE

MARTYRS

[England & Wales]

SAINT MARIA GORETTI

                                                              Virgin and Martyr

[Mass Granted to the Passionist Fathers]

St. John Fisher, Cardinal, Bishop of Rochester, was beheaded on Tower Hill under Henry VIII, June 22, A.D. 1535, for his fidelity to the Apostolic See, and the freedom of the Church.

St. Thomas More was made High Chancellor of England. On account of his strenuous resistance to the encroachments on the rights of the Church, attempted by Henry VIII, he was, by order of this miserable monarch, beheaded on Tower Hill on July 6, A.D. 1535.

COLLECT

O God, who didst raise up from among the English people, Thy blessed Martyrs, John and Thomas, to be the zealous defenders of the true Faith and of the primacy of the Roman Church, grant through their merits and prayers that, by the practice of the same Faith, we may all become and remain united in Christ. Through our Lord . . .

 
Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
Mary Goretti (1890-1902) was the child of poor Italian farm laborers. When she was nearly twelve years old, her beauty aroused the passion of a young man who lived under the same roof as her family. Mary defended her chastity and he wounded her mortally with a knife. The martyr of purity died praying for her murderer's conversion, which God granted to him. St. Mary Goretti was canonized on June 25, 1950, in the presence of her own mother. "Dear Lord," the aged woman said, "I was not worthy of such an angel!"

COLLECT
O God, You blessed the young maiden Mary with the victory of martyrdom in her early youth. May we be firm in our obedience to Your commandments through the prayers of this virgin whom You crowned in reward for her struggle. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON (2 Machabees 6: 18-28)

In Those days, Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years, and of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh.

¹⁹ But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful life, went forward voluntarily to the torment.

²⁰ And considering in what manner he was come to ii;, patiently bearing, he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of life.

²¹ But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh might be brought, which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded of the flesh of the sacrifice:

²² That by so doing he might be delivered from death: and for the sake of their old friendship with the man they did him this courtesy.

²³ But he began to consider the dignity of his age, and his ancient years, and the inbred honour of his grey head, and his good life and conversation from a child: and he answered without delay, according to the ordinances of the holy law made by God, saying, that he would rather be sent into the other world.

²⁴ For it doth not become our age, said he, to dissemble: whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, at the age of fourscore and ten years, was gone over to the life of the heathens:

²⁵ And so they, through my dissimulation, and for a little time of a corruptible life, should be deceived, end hereby I should bring a stain and a curse upon my old age.

²⁶ For though, for the present time, I should be delivered from the punishments of men, yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty neither alive nor dead.

²⁷ Wherefore by departing manfully out of this life, I shall shew myself worthy of my old age:

²⁸ And I shall leave an example of fortitude to young men, if with a ready mind and constancy I suffer an honourable death, for the most venerable and most holy laws. And having spoken thus, he was forthwith carried to execution.

GRADUAL (Ps. 33: 6, 16)

Come ye to Him and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be confounded. The eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and His ears unto their prayers.

Alleluia, alleluia (John 17:3)

This is eternal life; That they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. Alleluia.

GOSPEL (St. John 10: 23-30)

At that time:  And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

²⁴ The Jews therefore came round about him, and said to him: How long dost thou hold our souls in suspense? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

²⁵ Jesus answered them: I speak to you, and you believe not: the works that I do in the name of my Father, they give testimony of me.

²⁶ But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep.

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me.

²⁸ And I give them life everlasting; and they shall not perish for ever, and no man shall pluck them out of my hand.

²⁹ That which my Father hath given me, is greater than all: and no one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father.

³⁰ I and the Father are one.

OFFERTORY (Ps. 67: 36)

God is wonderful in His Saints; the God of Israel is He who will give power and strength to His people; blessed be God.

SECRET

We beseech Thee, O Lord, look mercifully upon our offerings, and by the prayers of Thy Martyrs interceding for us, grant us the gifts of Thy bounty. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
 O Lord, we offer You this sacrifice of atonement, through which the blessed maiden Mary, even in her early youth, offered her body to You as a holy and pleasing victim. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION (John 10: 27-28)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them life everlasting, and they shall not perish for ever.

POSTCOMMUNION

Invigorated by this heavenly banquet, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that through the intercession of Thy blessed Martyrs, John and Thomas, we may be made worthy to attain unto their fellowship. Though our Lord . . . 

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
O Lord, grant those who have been refreshed with the Bread of Heaven the same strength to defend the purity of body and soul that You bestowed upon Your handmaiden Mary. Through our Lord . . .

July 9 Ferial Day; Saints John Fisher and Thomas More (1535 A.D.); Saint Maria Goretti (1902 A.D.) Virgin, Marytr

 

FERIAL DAY

MASS OF PRECEDING SUNDAY

OR

SAINTS JOHN FISHER AND THOMAS MORE

MARTYRS

[England & Wales]

SAINT MARIA GORETTI

                                                              Virgin and Martyr

[Mass Granted to the Passionist Fathers]

St. John Fisher, Cardinal, Bishop of Rochester, was beheaded on Tower Hill under Henry VIII, June 22, A.D. 1535, for his fidelity to the Apostolic See, and the freedom of the Church.

St. Thomas More was made High Chancellor of England. On account of his strenuous resistance to the encroachments on the rights of the Church, attempted by Henry VIII, he was, by order of this miserable monarch, beheaded on Tower Hill on July 6, A.D. 1535.

COLLECT

O God, who didst raise up from among the English people, Thy blessed Martyrs, John and Thomas, to be the zealous defenders of the true Faith and of the primacy of the Roman Church, grant through their merits and prayers that, by the practice of the same Faith, we may all become and remain united in Christ. Through our Lord . . .

 
Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
Mary Goretti (1890-1902) was the child of poor Italian farm laborers. When she was nearly twelve years old, her beauty aroused the passion of a young man who lived under the same roof as her family. Mary defended her chastity and he wounded her mortally with a knife. The martyr of purity died praying for her murderer's conversion, which God granted to him. St. Mary Goretti was canonized on June 25, 1950, in the presence of her own mother. "Dear Lord," the aged woman said, "I was not worthy of such an angel!"

COLLECT
O God, You blessed the young maiden Mary with the victory of martyrdom in her early youth. May we be firm in our obedience to Your commandments through the prayers of this virgin whom You crowned in reward for her struggle. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON (2 Machabees 6: 18-28)

In Those days, Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years, and of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh.

¹⁹ But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful life, went forward voluntarily to the torment.

²⁰ And considering in what manner he was come to ii;, patiently bearing, he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of life.

²¹ But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh might be brought, which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded of the flesh of the sacrifice:

²² That by so doing he might be delivered from death: and for the sake of their old friendship with the man they did him this courtesy.

²³ But he began to consider the dignity of his age, and his ancient years, and the inbred honour of his grey head, and his good life and conversation from a child: and he answered without delay, according to the ordinances of the holy law made by God, saying, that he would rather be sent into the other world.

²⁴ For it doth not become our age, said he, to dissemble: whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, at the age of fourscore and ten years, was gone over to the life of the heathens:

²⁵ And so they, through my dissimulation, and for a little time of a corruptible life, should be deceived, end hereby I should bring a stain and a curse upon my old age.

²⁶ For though, for the present time, I should be delivered from the punishments of men, yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty neither alive nor dead.

²⁷ Wherefore by departing manfully out of this life, I shall shew myself worthy of my old age:

²⁸ And I shall leave an example of fortitude to young men, if with a ready mind and constancy I suffer an honourable death, for the most venerable and most holy laws. And having spoken thus, he was forthwith carried to execution.

GRADUAL (Ps. 33: 6, 16)

Come ye to Him and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be confounded. The eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and His ears unto their prayers.

Alleluia, alleluia (John 17:3)

This is eternal life; That they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. Alleluia.

GOSPEL (St. John 10: 23-30)

At that time:  And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

²⁴ The Jews therefore came round about him, and said to him: How long dost thou hold our souls in suspense? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

²⁵ Jesus answered them: I speak to you, and you believe not: the works that I do in the name of my Father, they give testimony of me.

²⁶ But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep.

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me.

²⁸ And I give them life everlasting; and they shall not perish for ever, and no man shall pluck them out of my hand.

²⁹ That which my Father hath given me, is greater than all: and no one can snatch them out of the hand of my Father.

³⁰ I and the Father are one.

OFFERTORY (Ps. 67: 36)

God is wonderful in His Saints; the God of Israel is He who will give power and strength to His people; blessed be God.

SECRET

We beseech Thee, O Lord, look mercifully upon our offerings, and by the prayers of Thy Martyrs interceding for us, grant us the gifts of Thy bounty. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
 O Lord, we offer You this sacrifice of atonement, through which the blessed maiden Mary, even in her early youth, offered her body to You as a holy and pleasing victim. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION (John 10: 27-28)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them life everlasting, and they shall not perish for ever.

POSTCOMMUNION

Invigorated by this heavenly banquet, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that through the intercession of Thy blessed Martyrs, John and Thomas, we may be made worthy to attain unto their fellowship. Though our Lord . . . 

Commemoration of SAINT MARY GORETTI
O Lord, grant those who have been refreshed with the Bread of Heaven the same strength to defend the purity of body and soul that You bestowed upon Your handmaiden Mary. Through our Lord . . .