THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
St. Joseph Calasanctius' last Communion.
SAINT JOSEPH CALASANCTIUS
Confessor
SEVEN JOYS OF THE BLESSED
VIRGIN MARY
[Historical]
(See below)
DOUBLE / GREEN
God promised and gave to His people the country of Palestine. That
land stood for all the blessings that God promises and gives to those
who sincerely believe in Christ.
The obvious endurance and influence of Christ's Church is proof
that God is keeping His promise. Every good Christian, every saint and
martyr, every doctrine and directive, every least Christian kindness,
and above all, every Mass, in which Christ mystically seals God's
promise with His blood -- all these are the work of God keeping His
promise. Daily thanks are due Him.
INTROIT Ps. 73:20, 19, 23
Advert
to Your covenant, O Lord, and forget not forever the lives of the poor.
Arise, O Lord, defend Your own cause; and be not unmindful of the cries
of those who seek You.
Ps. 73:1. O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why is Your anger blazing up against the sheep of Your pasture?
V. Glory be . . .
COLLECT
Almighty
and Eternal God, deepen our faith, our hope and our charity, so that we
may attain what You have promised and love what You have commanded.
Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT JOSEPH CALASANCTIUS
Joseph Calasanctius
(1556-1648) was born in Aragon, Spain. He went to Rome after his
ordination to the priesthood, and in the Eternal City he was dismayed by
the vice and ignorance of the children of the poor. In order to provide
for the religious education of these neglected youngsters, he founded
the Order of Clerks Regular of the Pious Schools, also called Piarists.
In the latter years of his long life, he had much to suffer in
persecutions by members of his own order. Yet he died full of hope and
peace, saying, "My work was done solely for the love of God."
O God, in the person of Your blessed
confessor Joseph You provided the Church with new help to train the
young in wisdom and holiness. Grant that we may be led by his example
and prayer so to work and teach that we may gain an everlasting reward.
Through our Lord . . .
EPISTLE Gal. 3:16-22
Brethren:
To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to
his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law
which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to
make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it
is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Why
then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed
should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the
hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one. Was
the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there had
been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been
by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the
promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that
believe.
GRADUAL Ps. 73:20, 19, 22
Advert to Your covenant, O Lord, and forget not forever the lives of the poor.
V. Arise, O Lord, and defend Your own cause; remember the abuse hurled against Your servants.
Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 89:1
O Lord, You have been our refuge through all generations. Alleluia!
GOSPEL Luke 17:11-19
At
that time, as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst
of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there
met him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off. And lifted up
their voice, saying: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." Whom when he
saw, he said: "Go, shew yourselves to the priests."
And
it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them,
when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice
glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks.
And this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said: "Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger?" And he said to him: "Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole."
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 30:15-16
I have hoped in You, O Lord. I have said, "You are my God; my life is in Your hands."
SECRET
O
Lord, look with favor upon Your people and their gifts. Let this
offering move You to compassion and grant forgiveness for our sins and a
speedy answer to our prayers. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT JOSEPH CALASANCTIUS
We place our gifts in offering upon
Your altar, O Lord. May they win us Your mercy through the prayers of
Your saint, whom we have given as our intercessor and helper. Through
our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Sap. 16:20
You have given us Bread from Heaven, o Lord, all delicate and sweet to taste.
POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption. Through our Lord . . .
Commemoration of SAINT JOSEPH CALASANCTIUS
We are made holy by this life-giving
Rite, O Lord; may we advance toward more perfect holiness through the
intercession of Your blessed confessor Joseph. Through our Lord . . .
FEAST DAY OF THE SEVEN JOYS OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
[Historical]
The Franciscans celebrate this feast August 27 and the Conventuals on
August 26. Pope St. Pius X authorized them to celebrate this feast in
1906. The original day was the Sunday after the octave of the
Assumption, but in 1914 it was transferred to the octave day itself; and
in 1942, when the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was assigned to
that day, that of the Seven Joys was moved to August 26 or 27. The
Franciscans wear the Rosary of the Seven Joys on their cord.
ON THE FRANCISCAN CROWN
1. The
Blessed Virgin herself pointed out that the Franciscan Crown, like the
Dominican rosary, is a devotion pleasing to her. The annuals of the
order state that a young man - it is generally believed to be James of
the Rosary - who entered the order had been a fervent client of our
Blessed Lady and had decked her statue daily with a wreath of flowers.
Since he was not permitted to continue this practice in the novitiate,
he thought of leaving the order. But first he knelt before the statue of
Our Lady to say a prayer.
There
the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and said: "Remain here, and do not
grieve because you can no longer weave a wreath of flowers for me. I
will teach you how you can daily weave a crown of roses that will not
wither and will be more pleasing to me and more meritorious for
yourself." And she taught him the rosary of seven decades. From that
incident we can learn not to be selfishly attached to pious practices,
and that prayer is of greater value than perishable decorations.
2. Consider
the fragrant roses that make up the Franciscan Crown. This rosary
consists of seventy-two Hail Marys, and originally these were said in
honor of the seventy-two years which Our Lady spent on earth according
to the more probable opinion and tradition. As such, it was certainly in
existence during the first half of the fifteenth century, for St.
Bernardin and St. John Capistran both promoted it. It was not until the
seventeenth century apparently that the children of St. Francis began to
recite the seven decades of the crown also in honor of the seven joys
of Our Lady. The seven joys are as follows: The Annunciation, The
Visitation, The Nativity, The Adoration of the Magi, The Finding of
Jesus in the Temple, The Resurrection of Our Lord, The Assumption and
Coronation of Our Lady. At each decade it is well to reflect on the
sweet joy Our Lady experienced on the occasions indicated. Said in this
way, the rosary will be very pleasing to Mary, and you will learn to
love it more and more.
3. Consider
how effectual this rosary has proved to be. The servant of God James
experienced its good effects even in his lifetime, and throughout the
history of the Franciscan Order blessed results have been so often
achieved in various necessities, that at the request of the superiors of
the order the popes have attached rich indulgences to its recitation.
It is urgently recommended that all members of the order recite it at
least every Saturday. Make that a rule for yourself. You may then rest
assured that you will participate in the joys of Our Lady in heaven.
From THE FRANCISCAN BOOK OF SAINTS edited by Marion Habig, ofm
