SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY; THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN (1597 A.D.); SAINT BENET BISCOP (690 A.D.) Abbot

 

SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY

[Commemoration] 

THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN

SAINT BENET BISCOP

Abbot

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / PURPLE

The emphasis today has ceased to be upon the joys of Christ's coming or upon the peace and wonder of possessing Him. Now the stress is on what it cost Our Lord to atone for the sins of men, on how much everyone needs His atoning death, and on what everyone can do to have a part in atoning for sin.

Every Christian without exception must enter into the warfare between Christ and Satan -- the warfare that begins to be dramatized and lived anew in these weeks.

INTROIT Ps. 17:5, 6, 7

The moaning of death surrounded me, the sorrows of hell enveloped me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and from His holy temple He heard my voice.
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, we beg You to kindly hear the prayers of Your people. We are being justly punished for our sins, but be merciful and free us for the glory of Your name. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN
Twenty-six Christians: Franciscans, Jesuits and layfolk were led from town to town exposed to the insults of the people. They were crucified at Nagasaki (Japan) and pierced by spears. A.D. 1597 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst consecrate the first fruits of the faith in Japan with the blood of the holy martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions who died on the cross in imitation of Thee, grant that while celebrating their feast today, we may be spurred on by their example.

Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP

St. Benet Biscop, a Northumbrian of illustrious birth, left all earthly things and became the first Abbot of Wearmouth. He died on January 12, A.D. 690, and is venerated as the Patron of the English Congregation of the Order of St. Benedict.

O God, by whose gift the blessed Abbot Benet left all things in order to become perfect, grant unto all who have entered the path of evangelical perfection that they may neither look back nor stick fast in the way, but that running to Thee without stumbling, they may obtain everlasting life. Through our Lord . . . 

EPISTLE I Cor. 9:24-27; 10:1-5

Brethren: Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize. So run that you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things. And they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown: but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air. But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud: and all passed through the sea. And all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud and in the sea: And did all eat the same spiritual food: And all drank the same spiritual drink: (And they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.) But with most of them God was not well pleased.

GRADUAL Ps. 9:10-11, 19-20

You are a helper to those in need, in time of distress. Let those who know You trust in You, O Lord, for You do not forsake those who seek You. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor shall the patience of the poor forever perish. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail.

TRACT Ps. 129:1-4

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the prayer of Your servant. 
V. If You, O Lord, shall mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?
V. But with You there is merciful forgiveness, and because of Your law I have waited for You, O Lord.

GOSPEL Matt. 20:1-16

At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable:"The kingdom of heaven is like to an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And having agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing in the marketplace idle. And he said to them: 'Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give you what shall be just.' And they went their way. And again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did in like manner. But about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing, and he saith to them: 'Why stand you here all the day idle?' They say to him: 'Because no man hath hired us.' He saith to them: 'Go ye also into my vineyard.' And when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward: 'Call the labourers and pay them their hire, beginning from the last even to the first.' When therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first also came, they thought that they should receive more: And they also received every man a penny. And receiving it they murmured against the master of the house, Saying: 'These last have worked but one hour. and thou hast made them equal to us, that have borne the burden of the day and the heats.' But he answering said to one of them: 'friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Is thy eye evil, because I am good?' So shall the last be first and the first last. For many are called but few chosen."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 91:2

It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to Your name, O Most High.

SECRET
Accept our offerings and prayers, O Lord. Cleanse us by this heavenly rite, and in Your mercy hear our petitions. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN
O Lord, receive the gifts we offer Thee on this feast  of Thy holy Martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions, and by their merits grant that we Thy servants may prove steadfast in professing Thy Name.

Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP

Mat the holy Abbot Benet, we beseech Thee, O Lord, obtain by his prayers, that the Sacrifice laid on Thy holy altar may profit us unto salvation. Through our Lord . . . 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 30:17-18

Let Your face shine upon Your servant, and save me in Your kindness. Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, for I call upon You.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may the faithful be strengthened by the reception of Your Sacramental Gifts. And having received them, may they hunger after them still; and through hungering may they come constantly to be nourished by them. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN
O God, who by Thy holy Martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions, didst honor the mystery of the Cross, enable us by their prayers and merits to be so steadfast in faith and love that no temptation can separate us from Thee. 
 

Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP

Mat the pleading of blessed Benet, the Abbot, for us, as well as the reception of Thy Sacrament, protect us, O Lord, that we may both share in the glory of his works, and receive the help of his intercession. Through our Lord . . . 

Our Lady's Saturday - Sanctae Mariae Sabbato; THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN; SAINT BENET BISCOP (690 A.D.) Abbot; SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI (1589 A.D.)

 

English: Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Vilnius. Mother of God with St. Francis. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sanctae Mariae Sabbato

[Our Lady's Saturday] 

[Commemoration]

THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN

SAINT BENET BISCOP Abbot

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.

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.
R. Amen.
 

Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN

Twenty-six Christians: Franciscans, Jesuits and layfolk were led from town to town exposed to the insults of the people. They were crucified at Nagasaki (Japan) and pierced by spears. A.D. 1597 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst consecrate the first fruits of the faith in Japan with the blood of the holy martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions who died on the cross in imitation of Thee, grant that while celebrating their feast today, we may be spurred on by their example. 

 

Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP

St. Benet Biscop, a Northumbrian of illustrious birth, left all earthly things and became the first Abbot of Wearmouth. He died on January 12, A.D. 690, and is venerated as the Patron of the English Congregation of the Order of St. Benedict.

O God, by whose gift the blessed Abbot Benet left all things in order to become perfect, grant unto all who have entered the path of evangelical perfection that they may neither look back not stick fast in the way, but that running to Thee without stumbling, they may obtain everlasting life. Through our Lord . . .

 

  
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
Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who, with unsullied virginity, were found to be the Mother of the Savior.
V. O Virgin, Mother of God, He Whom the whole world does not contain, becoming man, shut Himself in your womb. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. After childbirth you remained a pure virgin, O Mother of God, intercede for us. Alleluia.

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. 

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.
R. Amen.

Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN

O Lord, receive the gifts we offer Thee on this feast  of Thy holy Martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions, and by their merits grant that we Thy servants may prove steadfast in professing Thy Name.  

 

Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP

May the holy Abbot Benet, we beseech Thee, O Lord, obtain by his prayers, that the Sacrifice laid on Thy holy altar may profit us unto salvation. Through our Lord . . . 

 

Communion

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.   

 

POSTCOMMUNION
 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.
R. Amen.

Commemoration of THE HOLY MARTYRS OF JAPAN

O God, who by Thy holy Martyrs Peter Baptist, Paul, and their Companions, didst honor the mystery of the Cross, enable us by their prayers and merits to be so steadfast in faith and love that no temptation can separate us from Thee.   

 

Commemoration of SAINT BENET BISCOP

May the pleading of blessed Benet, the Abbot, for us, as well as the reception of Thy Sacrament, protect us, O Lord, that we may both share in the glory of his works, and receive the help of his intercession. Through our Lord . . . 

 

SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI

English: Catherine of Ricci (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(1522 - 1589 A.D.)
Virgin
[Historical]

St. Catherine was born in Florence in 1522. Her baptismal name was Alexandrina, but she took the name of Catherine upon entering religion. From her earliest infancy she manifested a great love of prayer, and in her sixth year, her father placed her in the convent of Monticelli in Florence, where her aunt, Louisa de Ricci, was a nun. After a brief return home, she entered the convent of the Dominican nuns at Prat in Tuscany, in her fourteenth year. While very young, she was chosen Mistress of Novices, then subprioress, and at twenty-five years of age she became perpetual prioress. The reputation of her sanctity drew to her side many illustrious personages, among whom three later sat in the chair of Peter, namely Cerveni, Alexander de Medicis, and Aldo Brandini, and afterward Marcellus II, Clement VIII, and Leo XI respectively. She corresponded with St. Philip Neri and, while still living, she appeared to him in Rome in a miraculous manner.
She is famous for the "Ecstacy of the Passion" which she experienced every Thursday from noon until Friday at 4:00 p.m. for twelve years. After a long illness she passed away in 1589. Her feast day is February 13.