Showing posts with label Second Sunday after Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Second Sunday after Easter. Show all posts

Sunday, May 04, 2025

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER; SAINT MONICA, WIDOW (387 A.D.); The Blessed Martyrs of England and Wales (1535 to 1583 A.D.)

 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER




SAINT MONICA
Widow
 

[Commemoration]
THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES
 


 
DOUBLE / WHITE
With the memory of Christ's death still vivid in our minds and daily renewed with the renewal of His death in each Mass, we know the price of shepherding souls. That divine and dangerous leadership began with Christ. By His command, it must reach across the world to embrace all men, until there shall be but one flock and one shepherd. The inspiring leadership of each successive Pope is the living voice and power of Jesus to each generation. The Pope's commands and admonitions require reverent acceptance. The closer men are to the mind and will of the Vicar of Christ, the closer they are to Christ Himself.


INTROIT
Ps. 32:5-6The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.

V. Glory Be . . .

GLORIA

COLLECT

You raised up our fallen world, O God, by the humiliation of Your own Son. May we, Your faithful people, be always joyful on earth, and, by being rescued from the danger of eternal death, come to everlasting happiness in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT MONICA

In North Africa during the fourth century, Monica converted her pagan husband by the power of her prayers and her holy life. After her husband's death, she suffered intense grief when her brilliant son Augustine went astray in morals and faith. A saintly bishop consoled her with the words, "It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." Augustine crossed over into Italy, but his mother followed him. There, by St. Augustine's marvelous conversion, Monica's sorrow was turned into joy.
 
O God, You are the comfort of those who mourn and the Saviour of all who trust in You. Blessed Monica's loving tears moved You to convert her son Augustine. may we also grieve for our sins and win the grace of Your pardon through the intercession of these two saints. 
 
Commemoration of THE BLESSED MARTYRS
This Feast commemorates fifty-four English Martyrs who suffered from A.D. 1535 to 1583 under Henry VIII and his successors.

O God, who from among all ranks of the English people didst raise up Thy blessed Martyrs, the Bishop John, Thomas and their Companions, to be defenders of the true Faith and of the Holy See, grant through their merits and prayers that, by the profession of that Faith, we may all become and remain united, according to the prayer of Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

  
EPISTLE I Peter 2:21-25
Beloved: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.


Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 24:33

The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia!

V. John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia!


GOSPEL John 10:11-16.

At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."


CREED
 
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 62:2, 5
O God, my God, for You do I watch at the break of day; and I lift up my hands in Your name, alleluia!


SECRET

May this holy offering bring us the blessing of salvation, O Lord, and may the mystery of the sacrifice which we here perform, work its effect in us. Through Our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT MONICA 
Accept this gift, O Lord, from a people dedicated to You. We offer it in honor of Your Saints for the help we have received from them when we were in trouble.

Commemoration of THE BLESSED MARTYRS 
 Hearken, O Lord, unto the voices of Thy blessed Martyrs who cry from beneath Thine altar, and look kindly upon our offerings. Through our Lord . . .

 
COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, alleluia! 

And I Know my sheep, and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION

O Almighty God, may we always proudly rejoice in Your Gift of grace, which has brought us back to life again. Through Our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT MONICA
O Lord, You have feasted Your family with the food of heaven. May we always be refreshed through the intercession of Your Saint whose feast we celebrate this day.

Commemoration of THE BLESSED MARTYRS
Quickened by this heavenly Banquet, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that by the intercession of these Thy blessed Martyrs, we may worthily attain unto their fellowship. Through our Lord . . .

Some of the Martyrs are:
  • Saint John Almond
  • Saint Edmund Arrowsmith
  • Saint Ambrose Barlow
  • Saint John Boste
  • Saint Alexander Briant
  • Saint Edmund Campion
  • Saint Margaret Clitherow
  • Saint Philip Evans
  • Saint Thomas Garnet
  • Saint Edmund Gennings
  • Saint Richard Gwyn
  • Saint John Houghton
  • Saint Philip Howard
  • Saint John Jones
  • Saint John Kemble
  • Saint Luke Kirby
  • Saint Robert Lawrence
  • Saint David Lewis
  • Saint Anne Line
  • Saint John Lloyd
  • Saint Cuthbert Mayne
  • Saint Henry Morse
  • Saint Nicholas Owen
  • Saint John Payne
  • Saint Polydore Plasden
  • Saint John Plessington
  • Saint Richard Reynolds
  • Saint John Rigby
  • Saint John Roberts
  • Saint Alban Roe
  • Saint Ralph Sherwin
  • Saint Robert Southwell
  • Saint John Southworth
  • Saint John Stone
  • Saint John Wall
  • Saint Henry Walpole
  • Saint Margaret Ward
  • Saint Augustine Webster
  • Saint Swithun Wells
  • Saint Eustace White
 

Sunday, April 23, 2023

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER; SAINT GEORGE (303 A.D.) Martyr

 


SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
 
[Commemoration]
SAINT GEORGE
Martyr 
Saint George by Gustave Moreau. Español: San J...
Saint George by Gustave Moreau. Español: San Jorge por Gustave Moreau. Galego: San Xurxo por Gustave Moreau. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
 


DOUBLE / WHITE
With the memory of Christ's death still vivid in our minds and daily renewed with the renewal of His death in each Mass, we know the price of shepherding souls. That divine and dangerous leadership began with Christ. By His command, it must reach across the world to embrace all men, until there shall be but one flock and one shepherd. The inspiring leadership of each successive Pope is the living voice and power of Jesus to each generation. The Pope's commands and admonitions require reverent acceptance. The closer men are to the mind and will of the Vicar of Christ, the closer they are to Christ Himself.

INTROIT 
Ps. 32:5-6The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory Be . . .

COLLECT
You raised up our fallen world, O God, by the humiliation of Your own Son. May we, Your faithful people, be always joyful on earth, and, by being rescued from the danger of eternal death, come to everlasting happiness in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT GEORGE

George from an illustrious family, was a Cappadocian who who fought in the Roman army during the third century. He rebuked Diocletian when that ruler began to persecute the Christians, and was in consequence tortured and beheaded. The brave and defiant cheerfulness of the young officer during his torture was so great an inspiration to Christians of succeeding centuries that both the East and the West surrounded his bright figure with clusters of beautiful legends. St. George is the patron of England, and Christian soldiers. He was especially venerated in Christian Russia. 

O God, Who dost gladden us through the worthy deeds and prayers of thy blessed martyr George, mercifully grant that all they which seek thy mercy through him may effectually obtain the gift of thy grace. 
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.

EPISTLE I Peter 2:21-25
Beloved: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 24:33
The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia!
V. John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 10:11-16.
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 62:2, 5
O God, my God, for You do I watch at the break of day; and I lift up my hands in Your name, alleluia!

SECRET
May this holy offering bring us the blessing of salvation, O Lord, and may the mystery of the sacrifice which we here perform, work its effect in us. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoratio S. Georgii Martyris
Hallow, O Lord, the gifts we offer, and through the intercession of blessed George, thy Martyr, cleanse us by their means from the stains of our sins.
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.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, alleluia!
And I Know my sheep, and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty God, may we always proudly rejoice in Your Gift of grace, which has brought us back to life again. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoratio S. Georgii Martyris
We humbly beseech thee, almighty God, vouchsafe to grant that we, whom to hast refreshed by thy sacraments, may be able, through the intercession of blessed George, thy martyr, to serve thee, by conduct well pleasing to thee.
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.
 

Sunday, April 26, 2020

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER; SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS Popes and Martyrs







SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS
Popes and Martyrs

DOUBLE / WHITE
With the memory of Christ's death still vivid in our minds and daily renewed with the renewal of His death in each Mass, we know the price of shepherding souls. That divine and dangerous leadership began with Christ. By His command, it must reach across the world to embrace all men, until there shall be but one flock and one shepherd. The inspiring leadership of each successive Pope is the living voice and power of Jesus to each generation. The Pope's commands and admonitions require reverent acceptance. The closer men are to the mind and will of the Vicar of Christ, the closer they are to Christ Himself.

INTROIT Ps. 32:5-6
The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory Be . . .

COLLECT
You raised up our fallen world, O God, by the humiliation of Your own Son. May we, Your faithful people, be always joyful on earth, and, by being rescued from the danger of eternal death, come to everlasting happiness in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS
Cletus was third in the succession of popes after Peter. He died a martyr about A.D. 91, during the reign of Emperor Domitian. Like Pope Cletus, Pope Marcellinus was a Roman. He was Vicar of Christ from 296 to 304, and acquired great glory during the stormy persecution of Diocletian, who ordered his beheading.

PRAYER
O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Cletus shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this martyr and supreme pontiff move You to look with favor upon Your flock and keep it under Your continual protection.

O God, you have founded Your Church firmly upon the rock of Your apostles and defended her against the fearful powers of hell. May the intercession of the blessed martyr and supreme pontiff Marcellinus preserve her always unwavering in Your truth and keep her safe under Your protection. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Peter 2:21-25
Beloved: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 24:33
The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia!
V. John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 10:11-16.
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 62:2, 5
O God, my God, for You do I watch at the break of day; and I lift up my hands in Your name, alleluia!

SECRET
May this holy offering bring us the blessing of salvation, O Lord, and may the mystery of the sacrifice which we here perform, work its effect in us. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS
We have offered our gifts to You, O Lord. Let Your light graciously shine upon Your Church, so that this flock may everywhere prosper, and its pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You.
O Lord, graciously accept the gifts which we joyfully offer to You. May Your Church, through the prayers of blessed Marcellinus, always live in peace and rejoice in the security of her faith. Through our Lord . . .
 
COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, alleluia!
And I Know my sheep, and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty God, may we always proudly rejoice in Your Gift of grace, which has brought us back to life again. Through Our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS
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.
O Lord, increase the spirit of grace which You have bestowed upon Your Church. Let the prayers pf Your Martyr and supreme Pontiff aid her so that she may never fail in obedience to her Shepherd, and the Shepherd may never be wanting in His care of the flock. Through our Lord . . . 
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Sunday, May 05, 2019

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER; SAINT PIUS V, Pope (1572 A.D.)


SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

[Commemoration]
SAINT PIUS V
Pope and Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
With the memory of Christ's death still vivid in our minds and daily renewed with the renewal of His death in each Mass, we know the price of shepherding souls. That divine and dangerous leadership began with Christ. By His command, it must reach across the world to embrace all men, until there shall be but one flock and one shepherd. The inspiring leadership of each successive Pope is the living voice and power of Jesus to each generation. The Pope's commands and admonitions require reverent acceptance. The closer men are to the mind and will of the Vicar of Christ, the closer they are to Christ Himself.

INTROIT 
Ps. 32:5-6The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory Be . . .

COLLECT
You raised up our fallen world, O God, by the humiliation of Your own Son. May we, Your faithful people, be always joyful on earth, and, by being rescued from the danger of eternal death, come to everlasting happiness in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PIUS V
Michael Ghislieri, who later became Pope Pius V (1506-72), entered the Dominican Order at the age of 15 and was made successively inquisitor bishop, cardinal, and then pope. When he became Vicar of Christ, the first care of Pius V was to translate the reforms of the Council of Trent into immediate action. Pius V revised the missal and the breviary. He strongly upheld the Catholic rulers and parties in the countries affected by Protestantism, and he was the soul of Christian resistance to the Moslem advance in Europe. Pope Pius V found his wisdom and strength in devotion to Christ Crucified.

O God, You chose blessed Pius as Pope to overcome the enemies of the Church and to restore the beauty of sacred liturgy. May his prayers protect us and help us to persevere in serving You, so that we may avoid the snares laid by our enemies and enjoy everlasting peace. Through Our Lord . . . 

EPISTLE I Peter 2:21-25
Beloved: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 24:33
The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia!
V. John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 10:11-16.
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 62:2, 5
O God, my God, for You do I watch at the break of day; and I lift up my hands in Your name, alleluia!

SECRET
May this holy offering bring us the blessing of salvation, O Lord, and may the mystery of the sacrifice which we here perform, work its effect in us. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PIUS V
We have offered our gifts to You, O Lord. Let Your light graciously shine upon Your Church, so that this flock may everywhere prosper, and its pastors, under Your guidance, may be truly pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . . 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, alleluia!
And I Know my sheep, and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty God, may we always proudly rejoice in Your Gift of grace, which has brought us back to life again. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT PIUS V 
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. Through our Lord . . .

Sunday, May 04, 2014

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER; SAINT MONICA, WIDOW (387 A.D.)



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER




SAINT MONICA
Widow


DOUBLE / WHITE
With the memory of Christ's death still vivid in our minds and daily renewed with the renewal of His death in each Mass, we know the price of shepherding souls. That divine and dangerous leadership began with Christ. By His command, it must reach across the world to embrace all men, until there shall be but one flock and one shepherd. The inspiring leadership of each successive Pope is the living voice and power of Jesus to each generation. The Pope's commands and admonitions require reverent acceptance. The closer men are to the mind and will of the Vicar of Christ, the closer they are to Christ Himself.


INTROIT
Ps. 32:5-6The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.

V. Glory Be . . .


COLLECT

You raised up our fallen world, O God, by the humiliation of Your own Son. May we, Your faithful people, be always joyful on earth, and, by being rescued from the danger of eternal death, come to everlasting happiness in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT MONICA

In North Africa during the fourth century, Monica converted her pagan husband by the power of her prayers and her holy life. After her husband's death, she suffered intense grief when her brilliant son Augustine went astray in morals and faith. A saintly bishop consoled her with the words, "It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." Augustine crossed over into Italy, but his mother followed him. There, by St. Augustine's marvelous conversion, Monica's sorrow was turned into joy.
O God, You are the comfort of those who mourn and the Saviour of all who trust in You. Blessed Monica's loving tears moved You to convert her son Augustine. may we also grieve for our sins and win the grace of Your pardon through the intercession of these two saints. Through Our Lord . . .

  
EPISTLE I Peter 2:21-25
Beloved: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.


Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 24:33

The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia!

V. John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia!


GOSPEL John 10:11-16.

At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."


OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 62:2, 5

O God, my God, for You do I watch at the break of day; and I lift up my hands in Your name, alleluia!


SECRET

May this holy offering bring us the blessing of salvation, O Lord, and may the mystery of the sacrifice which we here perform, work its effect in us. Through Our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT MONICA 
Accept this gift, O Lord, from a people dedicated to You. We offer it in honor of Your Saints for the help we have received from them when we were in trouble. Through our Lord . . .
 
COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, alleluia! 

And I Know my sheep, and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION

O Almighty God, may we always proudly rejoice in Your Gift of grace, which has brought us back to life again. Through Our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT MONICA
O Lord, You have feasted Your family with the food of heaven. May we always be refreshed through the intercession of Your Saint whose feast we celebrate this day. Through our Lord . . . 

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Second Sunday after Easter, Saints Justin, Tiburtius and Companions


SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER


[Commemoration]
SAINT JUSTIN
Martyr

SAINTS TIBURTIUS, VALERIAN, & MAXIMUS
Martyrs

DOUBLE / WHITE
With the memory of Christ's death still vivid in our minds and daily renewed with the renewal of His death in each Mass, we know the price of shepherding souls. That divine and dangerous leadership began with Christ. By His command, it must reach across the world to embrace all men, until there shall be but one flock and one shepherd. The inspiring leadership of each successive Pope is the living voice and power of Jesus to each generation. The Pope's commands and admonitions require reverent acceptance. The closer men are to the mind and will of the Vicar of Christ, the closer they are to Christ Himself.

INTROIT Ps. 32:5-6
The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord, alleluia! By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 32:1. Rejoice in the Lord, you just; praise befits the upright.
V. Glory Be . . .

COLLECT
You raised up our fallen world, O God, by the humiliation of Your own Son. May we, Your faithful people, be always joyful on earth, and, by being rescued from the danger of eternal death, come to everlasting happiness in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT JUSTIN
Attracted by the supernatural fortitude of Christian Martyrs, Justin studied the Scriptures, was baptized at about the age of 30, and found peace in a humble acceptance of his new faith. Believing that reason is a vital auxiliary of faith, this "apologist" opened at Rome the first school of Christian philosophy and became its most eminent teacher. Emperor Marcus Aurelius had Justin scourged and put to death in the year 165.

O God, who through the foolishness of the cross didst teach the blessed Martyr Justin the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ: enable us by his intercession to put away all deceits of error and obtain steadfastness of faith. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son . . .


Commemoration of SAINTS TIBURTIUS, VALERIAN, AND MAXIMUS
About the year 229, the brothers Tiburtius and Valerian converted their executioner Maximus by the example of their courage. Then all three were martyred in the Roman arena.

Almighty God, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who keep the solemn festival of Thy holy Martyrs Tiburtius, Valerian and Maximus, may also follow the example of their virtues. Through our Lord . . .


EPISTLE I Peter 2:21-25
Beloved: Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Luke 24:33
The disciples recognized the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia!
V. John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 10:11-16.
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 62:2, 5
O God, my God, for You do I watch at the break of day; and I lift up my hands in Your name, alleluia!

SECRET
May this holy offering bring us the blessing of salvation, O Lord, and may the mystery of the sacrifice which we here perform, work its effect in us. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JUSTIN
Graciously receive, O Lord God, these our oblations, the wondrous Mystery of which Thy holy  Martyr Justin resolutely defended against the calumny of the ungodly. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT TIBURTIUS AND HIS COMPANIONS
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that this Sacrifice, which we offer in celebration of the heavenly birthday of Thy holy Martyrs, may loosen the bonds of our sins and obtain for us the gifts of Thy mercy. Through our Lord . . .


COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, alleluia!
And I Know my sheep, and mine know me, alleluia, alleluia!

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty God, may we always proudly rejoice in Your Gift of grace, which has brought us back to life again. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT JUSTIN
We who have been refreshed with heavenly food, humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, that following the teaching of blessed Justin, Thy Martyr, we may ever give thanks for the gifts we have received. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT TIBURTIUS AND HIS COMPANIONS
Filled with Thy sacred gifts, O Lord, we humbly beseech that this rite of dur submission which we celebrate may bring us evident increase of Thy saving grace. Through our Lord . . .