The Martyrdom of Saint Agatha
c. 1755; Oil on canvas,
Gemaeldegalerie, Staatliche Museen Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin

SAINT AGATHA

Virgin and Martyr

DOUBLE / RED

The remarkable beauty of Agatha, a Sicilian, attracted the attention of the Roman governor. She was horribly tortured for resisting his offers; but she stood firm, saying, "Jesus Christ, Lord of all things! You see my heart, You know my desires. Do you alone possess all that I am." On the day of her martyrdom in 251, she was rolled over live coals. As she was being carried back to prison she died while praying, "Lord, my Creator, receive now my soul."

INTROIT

Let us all rejoice in the Lord as we celebrate the feast in honor of the blessed virgin martyr Agatha, at whose sufferings the angels rejoiced and praised the Son of God.
Ps. 44:2. My heart overflows with good tidings; I sing my song to the king.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, one of the marvelous examples of Your power was granting the victory of martyrdom even to delicate womanhood. May the example of the blessed virgin martyr Agatha, whose birthday we celebrate today, draw us closer to You. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Cor. 1:26-31

Brethren: For see your vocation, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong. And the base things of the world and the things that are contemptible, hath God chosen: and things that are not, that he might bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his sight. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and justice and sanctification and redemption: That, as it is written: "He that glorieth may glory in the Lord."

GRADUAL Ps. 45:6.5

God will help her by His presence. God is within her, she shall not be disturbed.
V. The flowing stream gladdens the city of God, where the Most High has sanctified His own dwelling place.

TRACT Ps. 125:5-7

They who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
V. They went forth weeping to sow their seed.
V. But on their return they shall come with joy, carrying their sheaves.

GOSPEL Matt. 19:3-12

At that time, there came to Jesus some Pharisees tempting him, saying: "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?" Who answering, said to them: "Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, made them male and female?" And he said: "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." They say to him: "Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away?" He saith to them: "Because Moses by reason of the hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery." His disciples say unto him: "If the case of a man with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry." Who said to them: "All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mothers womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:15

Behind her the virgins shall be led to the king; her friends shall be brought to you.

SECRET
O Lord, accept the gifts we bring You on the feast of Your blessed virgin martyr Agatha, through whose intercession we hope to be set free. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

I call upon the living God Himself, who was pleased to heal all my wounds and restore my breast to my body.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Agatha may we be aided by the reception of the Blessed Sacrament and rejoice in Your everlasting protection. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT ANDREW CORSINI
Bishop and Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE

Andrew Corsini was born in the fourteenth century in Florence, Italy. He fell into bad company; but soon, touched by the grief of his mother, the young nobleman entered the Carmelite Order. Having served as prior of his convent, he was chosen to fill the vacant bishopric of Fiesole. He continually helped the poor, doing so in secret in the case of those who were ashamed to make known their distress. By showing his people the true nature of Christian peace, Bishop Andrew put an end to a number of troublesome disturbances in the city. He died on the feast of the Epiphany, 1373.

Mass of a CONFESSOR BISHOP, except

COLLECT

O God, You continually provide Your Church with new examples of virtue. May Your people follow in the footsteps of the blessed confessor bishop Andrew and obtain the same reward he now enjoys. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT BLAISE

Bishop and Martyr

SIMPLE /RED

Blaise, a physician in Armenia, perceived that the ills of the soul are infinitely more grievious than those of the body. He was ordained a priest and later appointed bishop, but God permitted this healer of souls to retain the power of healing bodies. St. Blaise became known far and wide for his miraculous cures, and he is still invoked for protection against diseases of the throat. He was martyred in 316, during a persecution under Emperor Licinius.

Mass of a Martyr Bishop

COLLECT

O God, who gladdens us each year by the feast of Your blessed martyr bishop Blaise, mercifully grant that we who celebrate his birthday may also enjoy his protection. Through Our Lord . . .

Image via Wikipedia

THE PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Candlemas Day

Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple on this day. The Holy Spirit had revealed to the just and devout Simeon that he should not die before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. In the temple the old man glimpsed Jesus in Mary's arms and blessed God, knowing that at last he had seen the Savior, "a light of revelation to the Gentiles and a glory of Thy people Israel."

But only after the Savior's Passion and Crucifixion would the light win for men the final victory over bodily and spiritual death. Simeon therefore said to Mary, the co-redeemer of mankind, "Thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:35). May we, too, after having shared the redemptive sufferings of Christ attain the final grace of presentation in the holy temple of God's glory.

THE BLESSING OF THE CANDLES

PURPLE

PRAYER

Let us pray. O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God who created all things out of nothing, at Your creative command this honey was transformed into wax by the industry of the bees. On this day on which You granted just Simeon his request, we invoke Your most holy name and ask You through the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary -- whose feast we reverently observe today -- and through the prayers of all Your saints, graciously to bless and sanctify these candles for the use of men, and for the health of bodies and souls of all on land and on the sea. From Your throne of majesty in heaven, hear the voices of Your people who hold these lights in their hands to honor You and praise You with song. Be merciful to all who call upon You, all those whom You have redeemed with the Precious Blood of Your Son, who lives and rules with You. Amen.

The celebrant sprinkles the candles three times with holy water and then incenses them three times. While sprinkling holy water, he says:

You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be clean; You shall wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE CANDLES

The celebrant distributes the candles to the congregation, who in receiving them kiss first the candle, then the hand of the celebrant.

THE PROCESSION

The deacon turns to the congregation.

V. Let us go forth in peace.

R. In the name of Christ.

V. Amen.

THE MASS

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / WHITE
INTROIT Ps. 47:10-11

We have received Your kindness, O Lord, within Your temple. As Your name, O God, is known to the ends of the earth, so also shall Your praise be voiced to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is just in all things.
Ps. 47:2. Great is the Lord, and worthy of all praise in the city of our God, upon His holy mountain.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Almighty and Eternal God, we humbly ask that we may be presented to You with purified souls just as Your only-begotten Son was presented this day in the temple after He had taken on the substance of our flesh. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON Mal. 3:1-4

Thus says the Lord God: Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold, he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts. And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb: And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years, says the Lord almighty.

GRADUAL Ps. 47:10-11, 9

We have received Your kindness, O Lord, within Your temple. As Your name, O God, is known to the ends of the earth, so also shall Your praise be voiced to the ends of the earth.
V. As we had heard, so we have seen in the city of our God, upon His holy mountain.

TRACT Luke 2:29-32
Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace.
V. Because my eyes have seen thy salvation.
V. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples.
V. A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.

The candles are held lighted during the Gospel, and from the Sanctus to the Communion.

GOSPEL Luke 2:22-32

At that time, when the days of Mary's purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: As it is written in the law of the Lord: "Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord": And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons"

And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon: and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, He also took him into his arms and blessed God and said, "Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace: Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:3

Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever and for all ages.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously hear our prayers and in Your mercy help us so that our offering may be worthy of Your majesty. Through Our Lord . . .

The Preface for Christmas is said.

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 2:26

Simeon received an answer from the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord Our God, may this sacred rite, which You instituted to protect us in our new life of grace, bring us healing now and forever through the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary. Through Our Lord . . .

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH
Bishop & Martyr

INTROIT (Ps. 96:7-8)

Worship God, all you his angels. Sion heard and was glad, and all the daughters of Juda rejoiced. Ps. 96:1. The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad! V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, You know that our weakened nature cannot withstand the dangers that surround us. Make us stron in mind and body, that with Your help we may be able to overcome the afflictions that our own sins have brought upon us. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IGNATIUS

Ignatius was the second bishop of Antioch after St. Peter. When Emperor Trajan tried to force the Christians of that region to worship the Roman gods, the greatest obstacle to his purpose proved to be the aged bishop of Antioch. Trajan ordered that the intrepid prelate be taken to Rome in the year 107 and then thrown to the lions in the arena. The magnificent letters Ignatius sent to several Christian communities during his journey recall the mysticism of St. Paul's Epistles. "My yearning is for death. My love has been crucified, and I am not on fire with the love of earthly things. I desire incorruptible love," he wrote.

Almighty God, look upon our weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our own deeds. Let the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Ignatius in heaven be our protection. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE (Rom. 13:8-10)

Brethren: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour hath fulfilled the law. For: "Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet." And if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law.

GRADUAL (Ps. 101:16-17)

The nations shall revere Your name, O LOrd, and all the kings of the earth shall reverence Your glory. V. For the Lord has built up Sion, and He shall appear in His glory.

Alleluia, alleluia! (V. Ps. 96:1)

The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad!

Alleluia!

GOSPEL (Matt. 8:23-27)

At that time, Jesus entered into the boat, and his disciples followed him: And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep. And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: "Lord, save us, we perish." And Jesus saith to them: "Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?" Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm. But the men wondered, saying: "What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey him?"

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 117:16, 17)

The right hand of the Lord has exercised power; the right hand of the Lord has lifted me up. I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord.

SECRET

Almighty God, grant that our sacrificial offering may cleanse and protect our frail nature from all evil. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IGNATIUS

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed martyr bishop Ignatius and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Luke 4:22)

All marveled at these things that came from the mouth of God.

POSTCOMMUNION

May this Gift draw us away from earthly pleasures, O God, and may the nourishment we recieve from this Bread of Heaven fill us always with new strength. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT IGNATIUS

We are refreshed by the reception of Your Sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Ignatius make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT JOHN BOSCO

Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
John Bosco (1815-88) grew up on a Piedmont farm in Italy. While still a student-priest at Turin, he began his mission for the abandoned boy apprentices of the early industrial era, who roamed uncared for on the streets of the city. Priests and Brothers gathered about John Bosco as his work developed, and formed the Salesian Order, named in honor of St. Francis of Sales. He also founded a community of Sisters to aid needy girls. Today, the missioners of John Bosco carry on his ideals of gentleness and charity among poor children in Asia, Africa, and South America, as well as in Europe and North America.

INTROIT III Reg. 4:29

God gave him wisdom and understanding exceedingly great, and a heart as wide as the sands on the seashore.
Ps. 112:1. Praise the Lord, you His children, praise the name of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, You made Your confessor St. John a father and teacher for the young and willed that he should found in Your Church flourishing new communities under the protection of the Virgin Mary. Enkindle in us the same fire of love to seek after souls and serve You alone. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE Philipp. 4:4-9

Brethren: Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline: think on these things. The things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do ye: and the God of peace shall be with you.

GRADUAL Ps. 36:3-5

Put your trust in the Lord and do good; and you shall dwell in the land and feast on its abundance.
V. Take delight in the Lord, and He will grant you your heart's desires. Commit your life to the Lord and trust in Him, and He will provide.

TRACT Ps. 60:4-6

You have been my hope, O Lord, a tower of strength against the enemy. V. In Your dwelling place I shall abide forever; I shall be protected under the shelter of Your wings. V. For You, my God, have heard my prayers; You will grant and inheritance to those who fear Your name.

GOSPEL Matt. 18:1-5

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: "Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. And said: "Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 33:12

Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

SECRET

Accept, O Lord, our offering of this perfect host of salvation. May we love You in all things and above all things so that our lives may praise and glorify You. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Rom. 4:18

Hoping against hope he believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was said to him.

POSTCOMMUNION

We have partaken of the sacred mystery of Your Body and Blood, O Lord. remind us always of our obligation of gratitude through the intercession of Your blessed confessor saint John; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

FROM http://www.tridentine.tv/

Summorum Pontificum
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Tridentine Mass News

Chino Hills, California, January 26, 2009: With permission of the pastor, Fr. Patrick O'Hagan, SS. CC., a group of parishoners will be polling the parish to determine interest in a local Tridentine Mass. Please see CH.Tridentine.TV. for more information.

The Tridentine Mass Today

With the release of the Summorum Pontificum, our blessed Pope Benedict XVI has clarified that the Tridentine Mass (the mass codified by Pius V at Trent, and undergoing minor revisions up to 1962) is still a valid mass, and is available to any Priest who wishes to celebrate it. It puts forth guidelines for establishing a regularly celebrated Tridentine mass, as well as permitting its celebration by any Priest at any time.

At Tridentine Mass TV, we wish to promote the beautiful, unchanging, reverent Holy Tridentine Mass per the 1962 Roman missal, and per the guidelines of Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum. Tridentine Mass TV is intended to be a resource for the United States (and if wished it can be extended to Canada and elsewhere) for local groups attempting to establish the celebration of the Tridentine Mass in their parishes. Tridentine Mass TV has subdomains for local groups in various geographical regions to post news, information, etc. An example for Chino Hills, California is CH.Tridentine.TV .

The Tridentine Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal.

Revocation of excommunication: an act of real ecumenism.

VATICAN - WORDS OF DOCTRINE: Rev Nicola Bux and Rev Salvatore Vitiello -

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI expressed a wish in a Letter which accompanied the Motu proprio “Summorum Pontificum”, addressed to the Catholic bishops of the world, on 7 July 2007:

“ It is a matter of coming to an interior reconciliation in the heart of the Church. Looking back over the past, to the divisions which in the course of the centuries have rent the Body of Christ, one continually has the impression that, at critical moments when divisions were coming about, not enough was done by the Church’s leaders to maintain or regain reconciliation and unity. One has the impression that omissions on the part of the Church have had their share of blame for the fact that these divisions were able to harden. This glance at the past imposes an obligation on us today: to make every effort to enable for all those who truly desire unity to remain in that unity or to attain it anew. ”

Now, following various meetings between the Pope and officials of the Roman Curia, and Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Pius X Society, we have the result: the revocation of the excommunication on the four bishops ordained by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1988 without pontifical mandate.

The Holy Father Benedict XVI did this with the authority to bind and to loose, - the “power of the keys ” – which the Lord gave to Saint Peter and his Successors in the Church. This is part of the Church's mission or “oikonomia”. Therefore this gesture towards the Saint Pius X Fraternity of priests, was analogous to the gesture Paul VI made towards Orthodox Christians on 7 December 1965: excommunication is revoked to foster reconciliation in charity.
The presupposition is given by the fundamental unity of faith, which persisted despite the schismatic ordination of bishops. Moreover, it was agreed that there are no substantial doctrinal differences and that Vatican II, and its decrees signed also by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, cannot be separated from the whole of Church Tradition. Marginal errors must be tolerated and corrected with a spirit of understanding. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, old or more recent divergences must be healed by means of purification of hearts, the ability to forgive and the will to overcome these divergences once and for all.

Very often in the past, anathema were revoked without any formal act, but simply with reciprocal acceptance of the parties in conflict. Today this step is clearly indispensable on the path towards Christian unity. The abrogation of excommunication is therefore, an “act of charity”.
In a letter to the S. Pius X Society, the Society's superior general Bishop Bernard Fellay wrote that the gesture was a fruit of ardent praying of the Rosary to Our Lady of Lourdes, and he reaffirmed faith in the Roman Catholic Church and obedience to the Pope.

Above all it is necessary to reflect on the fact that the itinerary which led to the revocation of the excommunication is pleasing to God who forgives us when we forgive one another; in this Gospel spirit, it cannot fail to be appreciated by all true Catholics all over the world as an expression of reconciliation and a call to continue, in reciprocal charity, dialogue which will lead, with God's grace, to the full communion of faith, fraternal harmony and sacramental life which existed before the schism.

May 'political' interpretations of the ecclesial community which aim only to divide the Body of Christ into traditional and progressive be put aside once and for all. Let us leave this to the world. We belong to Christ. Do we not seek dialogue and reconciliation? Or are we only ecumenical on alternate current?

(Agenzia Fides 29/1/2009; righe 49, parole 598)

El Greco

SAINT MARTINA

Virgin and Martyr

SIMPLE / RED
According to tradition, Martina was a young Roman who after her parents' death gave all her possessions to the poor and consecrated her virginity to Christ. When arrested by Emperor Alexander Severus, she steadfastly refused to deny her Lord. In spite of atrocious torments, Martina professed her love for Christ: "I love my Lord Jesus Christ who strengthens me." She was beheaded for that love in 228 A. D.

Mass of a VIRGIN MARTYR, except

COLLECT

O God, one of the marvelous examples of Your power was granting the victory of martyrdom even to delicate womanhood. May the example of the blessed virgin martyr Martina, whose birthday we celebrate today, draw us closer to You. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT FRANCIS OF SALES

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE
Born on the border of Switzerland, into an old aristocratic family of Savoy, Francis of Sales became one of the foremost missioners of the Catholic Restoration. He drew Calvinists to the Church by his Christlike kindness; but after the winning of the heretics, the saint was very exacting in the direction of his converts. His writings are Christian classics in which he emphasizes the importance of a staunch Catholic laity, holding that it is an error to believe that piety is incompatible with any state of life. Francis of Sales was appointed bishop of Geneva in 1603. Seven years later, together with St. Jane de Chantal, he founded the Order of the Visitation. This holy and gentle apostle died in 1622.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH except

COLLECT

O God, You willed that the blessed confessor bishop Francis should become all things to all men to save their souls. Fill us with the spirit of Your love, so that guided by the counsels of Your saint and aided by his merits we may come to the happiness of eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

SAINT PETER NOLASCO
Confessor

Saint Agnes
Virgin and Martyr
[2nd Mass]

DOUBLE / WHITE
Peter (1182-1258) was born in southern France. After the death of his wealthy parents, he spent his inheritance in Barcelona to rescue Christians enslaved by the Moors. He formed a lay confraternity, which later developed into the religious order of the Mercedarians, and led his fellow workers into Moorish territory to purchase the freedom of Christian captives, and to make numerous conversions among the non-Christians. Later Peter's Mercedarians labored among the Indians of the far-flung Spanish American Empire.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

COLLECT
O God, St. Peter was divinely guided by the example of Your won love to enrich Your Church with a new community dedicated to the ransoming of imprisoned Christians. Release us from the slavery of sin through his intercession so that we may enjoy the eternal freedom of our home in heaven; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

Commemoration of SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

We are made happy, O God, by the annual feast of Your blessed virgin martyr Agnes. May we be inspired by the example of Your saint, as we honor her in this Mass. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET

We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT AGNES

Pour out Your rich blessings, O Lord, upon this sacrifice, so that through it we may come closer to our sanctification and be made joyful on the feast of Your martyrs. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION

Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink, we humbly pray You, our God, to strengthen us through the prayers of Your saints, in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT AGNES

We have partaken of Your Sacrament, O Lord, with which we yearly celebrate this feast.May it help us in this life and in the life to come. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Archbishop of Constantinople in the fourth century, John was surnamed Chrysostom, "the golden-mouthed," because of his moving eloquence. His gifted pen, as well as his sermons drew many to christ. The saint's courageous condemnation of sinfulness brought him exile and all manner of ill-usage from his persecutors. Solicitous for the poor of Constantinople, St. John also looked beyond the boundaries of his episcopal see, and sent out missioners among the Scythians, Persians, and Goths. With the praise of God on his lips, this great Doctor of the Eastern Church died in exile on September 14, 407.

Mass of a DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH, except

COLLECT

O Lord, the merits and teachings of the blessed confessor bishop John Chrysostom reflected glory on Your Church. May she flourish and increase through Your divine grace. Through Our Lord . . .

GRADUAL (Eccli. 44:20)

Behold a great priest, who pleased God in his life. V. There was none found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High.

Alleluia, alleluia! (V. Jac. 1:12)

Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life.

Alleluia!

SECRET
O Lord, let the blessed bishop and doctor John Chrysostom always help us, and through his intercession accept our offering and pardon our sins. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may this Sacrifice bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of Your blessed bishop and illustrious doctor John Chrysostom. Through our Lord .

FROM http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com:

FROM http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com:

Fellay: the first interview
"I am confident"

The Swiss daily Le Temps published today the first interview granted by Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX), after the remission of excommunications made public last Saturday.

The full text:

- [Patricia Briel, Le Temps:] Do you condemn the negationist declarations of Bishop Williamson?

- [Fellay:] It does not belong to me to condemn them. I do not have the competence for this. But I deplore that a Bishop may have given the impression of involving the Fraternity with a view that is not ours.

- According to observers, the Pope's decision could create divisions within the Fraternity. All the faithful and priests would not be ready for unity.

- [Fellay:] I do not fear it. There may always be a dissonant voice here or there. But the zeal with which the faithful prayed the Rosary to ask for the removal of the excommunications says a lot about our union; 1 700 000 rosaries were said in two and a half months.

- In your letter to the faithful of January 24 [PDF], you display your desire to examine, with Rome, the deeper causes of the "unprecedented crisis which afflicts the Church today". What are these causes?

- [Fellay:] In the essence, this crisis is caused by a new approach to the world, a new view of man, that is, an anthropocentrism which consists of an exaltation of man and a forgetfulness of God. The arrival of modern philosophies, with their less precise language, has led to confusion in theology.

- Is the Second Vatican Council also responsible for the Church crisis, in your opinion?

- [Fellay:] Not all comes from the Church. But it is true that we reject a part of the Council. Benedict XVI himself condemned those who claim the Spirit of Vatican II to demand an evolution of the Church in a break with its past.

- Ecumenism and religious liberty are at the center of the criticisms you make of Vatican II

- [Fellay:] The quest for unity of all in the Mystical Body of the Church is our dearest desire. Nonetheless, the method that is used is not appropriate. Today, there is such a focus on the points which unite us to other Christian confessions that those which separate us are forgotten. We believe that those who have left the Catholic Church, that is, the Orthodox and the Protestants, should come back to it. We conceive ecumenism as a return to the unity of Truth.

Regarding religious liberty, it is necessary to distinguish two situations: the religious liberty of the person, and the relations between Church and State. Religious liberty implies liberty of conscience. We agree with the fact that there is not a right to force anyone to accept a religion. As for our reflection on the relations between Church and State, it is based on the principle of tolerance. It seems clear to us that there where there are multiple religions, the State should be watchful of their good coexistence and peace. Nevertheless, there is but one religion that is true, and the others are not. But we tolerate this situation for the good of all.

- What will happen if the negotiations fail?

- [Fellay:] I am confident. If the Church says today anything that is in contradiction with what it taught yesterday, and if it forced us to accept this change, then it must explain the reason for it. I believe in the infallibility of the Church, and I think that we will reach a true solution.

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VATICAN - Remission of the excommunication “Latae sententiae” of Bishops of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, “following a process of dialogue between the Fraternity of St. Pius X and the Holy See,” has accepted the request made once again by the Superior General of the Fraternity, Bishop Bernard Fellay, as well as in the name of the other three Bishops of the Fraternity (Bishops Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta), to lift the excommunication imposed on them upon their episcopal ordination on June 30, 1988 without pontifical mandate.

As a press release from the Holy See Press Office states, Bishop Bernard Fellay, in his letter on December 15, 2008, clearly expressed to the Holy Father that “We are always fervently determined in the will to be and to remain Catholics and to place all of our strength at the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Roman Catholic Church. We accept all of her teachings with a filial spirit. We firmly believe in the primacy of Peter and in his prerogatives and because of this, the present situation makes us suffer so much.”

His Holiness Benedict XVI, who has followed the process closely from its beginning, has always sought to mend the break with the Fraternity, even meeting personally with Bishop Bernard Fellay on August 29, 2005. On that occasion, the Pontiff expressed his desire to gradually proceed on the path and now, it is with great pastoral solicitude and paternal compassion, through a Decree issued by the Congregation of Bishops on January 21, 2009, that he lifts the censure of excommunication from the above mentioned Prelates. The Holy Father was inspired to make this decision by his desire for a complete reconciliation and full communion as soon as possible.

In the Decree from the Congregation of Bishops, with which the censure of the excommunication latae sententiae, which was declared by the same Congregation on July 1, 1988, it mentions that

“This gift of peace, at the end of the celebrations of Christmas, also aims to be a sign for the promotion of unity in charity of the universal Church, and with this means, come to remove the scandal of division. It is desired that this step be followed by the solicitous fulfillment of full communion with the Church of the Society of St. Pius X, thereby witnessing to authentic fidelity and a true recognition of the magisterium and the authority of the Pope, with the proof of visible unity.”

(SL) (Agenzia Fides 26/1/2009)

Links:
Complete text of the Decree, in Italian
http://www.fides.org/ita/vita_chiesa/2009/ss_sanpiox_240109.html

SAINT POLYCARP

Bishop and Martyr

DOUBLE / RED

A disciple of St. John the Beloved, Polycarp received from the Apostle himself his appointment as bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp served his master ardently during a long episcopate. In his old age he refused to flee persecution and faced martyrdom with supreme peace of soul. When ordered to deny Christ, Polycarp replied, "For 86 years I have served Him; how then can I blaspheme my Savior and my King?" The last of the bishops chosen by the Apostles, he was martyred in the year 156.

Mass of a MARTYR BISHOP, except the following:

COLLECT

O God, who gladdens us each year by the feast of Your blessed martyr bishop Polycarp, mercifully grant that we who celebrate his birthday may also enjoy his protection. through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I John 3:10-16

Beloved: Whosoever is not just is not of God, or he that loveth not his brother. For this is the declaration which you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one and killed his brother. And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked: and his brother's just. Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

GOSPEL Matt. 10:26-32

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, " Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven."

POSTCOMMUNION

We are refreshed by the reception of Your sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Polycarp make us feel the benefit of the sacred rite we have performed. Through Our Lord . . .

Breaking: Pope lifts excommunications of Lefebvrite bishops

Breaking: Pope lifts excommunications of Lefebvrite bishops

CNS:

Pope Benedict XVI has lifted the excommunication of four bishops ordained against papal orders in 1988 by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The move was considered a major concession to the archbishop's traditionalist followers.

The Vatican said the decree removing the excommunication, signed Jan. 21 and made public three days later, marked an important step toward full communion with the Society of St. Pius X, founded by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1970.

It said some questions remain unresolved with the society, including its future status and that of its priests, and that these issues would be the subject of further talks.

The entire CNS article is worth the read. See also:

• CNA: Pope Benedict lifts excommunication of Bishops ordained by Lefebvre
• UK Telegraph: Bishop Fellay salutes 'benevolent and courageous' Pope Benedict
• UK Holy Smoke blog: Pope Benedict is taking a huge risk in lifting the SSPX excommunications
• Associated Press

From http://www.americanpapist.com/2009/01/breaking-pope-lifts-excommunications-of.html

SAINT TIMOTHY

Bishop and Martyr

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Conversion of the Jews

DOUBLE / RED

Timothy, born in Galatia in Asia Minor, was baptized and later ordained to the priesthood by St. Paul. The young Galatian became Paul's missionary companion and his most beloved spiritual son. Paul showed his trust in this disciple by consecrating him bishop of the great city of Ephesus. During his last imprisonment in Rome, Paul wrote to Timothy to make haste and come from Asia minor. But St. Paul was martyred before an earthly reunion with his son in Christ was possible. Thirty years later, Timothy was stoned to death at Ephesus for having denounced the worship of the goddess Diana.

Mass of a MARTYR BISHOP, except

COLLECT

Almighty God, look upon our weakness and the heavy burden we carry because of our own deeds. Let the prayers of Your blessed martyr bishop Timothy in heaven be our protection. Through Our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Tim. 6:11-16

Beloved: Pursue justice, godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called and be it confessed a good confession before many witnesses. I charge thee before God who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good confession: That thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, Which in his times he shall shew, who is the Blessed and only Mighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality and inhabiteth light inaccessible: whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting. Amen.

Saint Emerentiana

SAINT RAYMUND OF PENNAFORT

Confessor

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Return of Lapsed Catholics

SIMPLE / WHITE
Raymund of Pennafort (1175-1275), a native of Catalonia, Spain, was outstanding in the direction of souls and is revered as a patron saint of confessors. A learned professor of philosophy and law, he was entrusted by the Holy Father with the codification of canon law. When he was nearly fifty years of age, Raymund entered the Dominican Order. He converted thousands of Moors, Jews, and Albigensian heretics, and pioneered in founding language schools for aspirant missioners. Raymund performed numerous miracles. The Prayer alludes to his miraculous journey from Barcelona to the Island of Majorca on his cloak spread on the sea.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

COLLECT

O God, You chose blessed Raymund to be an example of the true minister of the Sacrament of penance and marked his life by the miraculous trip across the sea. May his intercession make us worthy of the forgiveness and grace of penance and help us toward the shore of our eternal salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT EMERENTIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

Tradition holds that Emerentiana, a foster-sister of St. Agnes, was stoned to death by a pagan mob while she was praying at the martytr's tomb.

O Lord, pardon our sins through the intercession of the blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana, who pleased You by her purity and her faith. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET

We offer You, O Lord, this sacrifice of praise in memory of Your saints. Free us from evil now and in the future through their intercession. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT EMERENTIANA

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You in honor of Your blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana, and grant us Your unending assistance through these offerings. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION

Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink we humbly pray you, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of Your saint, in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through Our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT EMERENTIANA

We have been nourished by Your Divine Gift, O Lord our God. May the reception of this Bread of Heaven bring us eternal life through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Emerentiana. Through Our Lord . . .

SAINTS VINCENT AND ANASTASIUS

Martyrs

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Catholic Unity for American Christians

SIMPLE / RED

During the early years of the fourth century, Vincent, a young deacon, was inhumanly tortured by Dacian, Roman governor of Valencia in Spain. Vincent rejoiced in his sufferings until he drew his last breath. More than three hundred years later, Anastasius the Persian, a convert from the priestly caste of Magi, endured a similar martyrdom in distant Assyria. Through all the Christian centuries martyrs of the West and of the East have united their sacrifices to that of Calvary for the salvation of every man born into the world.

Mass of SEVERAL MARTYRS, except

COLLECT

O Lord, hear our humble prayers. May the intercession of Your blessed martyrs Vincent and Anastasius free us from the guilt of sin which troubles us. Through Our Lord . . .

SECRET

We offer these gifts to You in sacrifice, O Lord. May the honor we pay to Your saints please You, and may these offerings. through Your mercy, bring us closer to our salvation. Through Our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION

Almighty God, we pray that the reception of this Bread of Heaven may strengthen us against all adversity through the intercession of Your blessed martyrs Vincent and Anastasius. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

SAINT AGNES
Virgin and Martyr

Chair of Unity Octave Intention: Return of European Protestants

DOUBLE / RED

Agnes is the archetype of the virgins who throughout the Christian centuries have followed the Lamb wherever He goes, "first fruits unto God and unto the Lamb" (Apoc. 14:4). She was twelve years old when she was commanded to offer incense before the pagan altar of Minerva at Rome, soon after Emperor Diocletian began his persecution of the Christians in the year 303. The persecutors tried in vain to overcome the virgin's refusal by flattery and offers of marriage. "Christ is my Spouse," she answered. "He chose me first and His I will be." Her sentence of death was passed and the child martyr died by the sword.

INTROIT Ps. 118:95-96

The wicked have lain in wait to destroy me, but I have understood Your testimonies, O Lord. I have seen that all things are finite, but Your commandment is indeed perfect.
Ps. 95:1. Blessed are they who are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

Almighty and eternal God, you choose the weak things of the world to confound the strong. May the virgin martyr Agnes intercede for us who celebrate her feast. Through Our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccli. 51:1-8, 12 [Sirach]

I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me. And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about: From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue: My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.

GRADUAL Ps. 44:3, 5
Grace is poured out upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever and for all ages.
V. For the sake of truth and meekness and justice may your right hand lead you on wonderfully.

TRACT Ps. 44:8, 5
Come, O spouse of Christ, receive the crown that has been prepared for you forever by the Lord, for whose love you did shed your blood.
V. You loved justice and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellow creatures.
V. In your splendor and your beauty, make ready, ride on triumphant, and rule.

GOSPEL Matthew 25: 1-13)

At that time, Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable, "The kingdom of heaven will be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: 'Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet him.' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: 'Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.' The wise answered, saying: 'Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves.' Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he answering said: 'Amen I say to you, I know you not.' Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 44:13, 16

Behind her the virgins shall be led to the king; her friends shall be brought to you with gladness and joy, they shall be led into the temple of the king, the Lord.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the sacrifices we offer You, and free us from the slavery of sin through the intercession of Your blessed virgin martyr Agnes. Through Our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt. 25:4, 6

The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And at midnight a cry arose, "Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet Christ the Lord."

POSTCOMMUNION

Refreshed with Heavenly Food and Drink we humbly pray You, our God, that we may be strengthened by the prayers of Your saint, in whose memory we have received this Sacrament. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and rules with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.