SAINT PETER CLAVER (1654 A.D.); SAINT GORGONIUS (303 A.D.)

SAINT PETER CLAVER
Confessor

SAINT GORGONIUS
Martyr

SIMPLE / WHITE
Cartagena, in Columbia, was the central slave mart of Spanish America. Transported on filthy ships like animals, the hapless Africans were forgotten men. A young Spanish Jesuit named Peter Claver appeared providentially in Cartagena in 1610, and until his death in 1654, he cared with the tenderness of Christ for the wracked bodies and tortured souls of the slaves. During his long apostolate he baptized some three hundred thousand Negro children of God. The Church has designated him the special patron of all Catholic missioners working among the Negroes.

INTROIT Ps. 106:9-10
For he hath satisfied the empty soul, and hath filled the hungry soul with good things. Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in want and in iron.
Ps. 106:8. Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
O God, in order to bring the enslaved Blacks the knowledge of Your holy name, You gave blessed Peter the strength to help them through a wondrous love and patience. May we all seek the things that belong to Jesus and in doing so love our neighbors in truth and in deed through the intercession of Your saint.

Commemoration of SAINT GORGONIUS
During the early years of the fourth century, Gorgonius, with the help of his ally Dorotheus, both Christian freedmen in the palace of Diocletian at Nicomedia, had managed to convert almost the whole imperial household. When they saw another servant, Peter, tortured for having borne witness to Jesus, they protested to the Emperor. Diocletian promptly condemned them to severe tortures, and then to death by strangulation.

O Lord, may the intercession of saint Gorgonius fill us with joy and may his holy feast be the occasion of happiness for us. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Isaias 58:6-9, 10
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy healing shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in darkness, and thine obscurity be as the noonday. 

GRADUAL Ps. 71:12-14
He shall deliver the poor from the mighty, and the needy that had no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and he shall save the souls of the poor. He shall redeem their souls from usuries and iniquity, and their names shall be honorable in his sight.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 9:33, 35
Arise, O Lord God, let Thy hand be exalted; for get not the poor. To Thee is the poor man left; Thou wilt be a helper to the orphan. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 10:29-37
At that time, a certain lawyer desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" Jesus made answer and said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, which both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said, 'Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.' Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbour unto him that fell among the robbers?" And he said, "He that shewed mercy on him." And Jesus said unto him, "Go, and do thou likewise."


OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Job 29:12-13, 15-16
Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless, that had no helper. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow. I was an eye to the blind, and a foot to the lame. I was a father of the poor.

SECRET 
O Lord, may the Victim of love which we offer here in sacrifice obtain mercy for us; and may the prayers and merits of blessed Peter help us toward salvation by making us more patient and charitable.

Commemoration of SAINT GORGONIUS
Be pleased, O Lord, by the offering which we, Your servants, make to You through the intercession of the blessed martyr Gorgonius. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ezech. 34:15-16
I will feed my sheep; and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost; and that which was driven away, I will bring again; and I will bind up that which was broken, and I will strengthen that which was weak. 

POSTCOMMUNION 
Increase in us the effects of Your life-giving love, O Lord, so that after being refreshed by the Food of Heaven we may come to the reward of everlasting life through the intercession of blessed Peter.

Commemoration of SAINT GORGONIUS
Let the everlasting sweetness of the Sacrifice fill Your household and bring it to new life, O Lord, so that through Your martyr Gorgonius we may always be refreshed by the fragrance of Christ, Your Son; who lives and rules with You . . .

The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST; Saint Adrian (304 A.D. Martyr

Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God,
heralded joy to all the world.
For from thou hast risen the Sun of justice,
Christ our God.

Destroying the curse, He gave blessing;
and damning death, He bestowed on us
life everlasting.

Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
For from thou hast risen of Sun of justice,
Christ our God.

from The Divine Office - Matins (Morning Prayer)

THE NATIVITY OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

SAINT ADRIAN
Martyr

DOUBLE, SECOND CLASS / WHITE
Mary was born to be the Mother of the Saviour of the world, the spiritual Mother of all men, and the holiest of God's creatures. Because of her Son's infinite merits, she was conceived and born immaculate and full of grace. Through her, Queen of Heaven and of earth, all grace is given to men. Through her, by the will of the Trinity, the unbelieving receive the gift of faith; the afflicted are tendered the works of mercy, and the members of Christ grow in likeness of their Head. In Mary all human nature is exalted. We rejoice in her birthday, as the Church has done from the earliest times.

INTROIT
Hail, holy Mother, who brought froth the king who rules heaven and earth forever and ever.
Ps. 44:2. My heart overflows with good tidings, I sing my song to the king.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Grant us the gift of Your heavenly peace, O Lord. Let the solemn feast of the Blessed Virgin's nativity establish us more securely in that peace, just as the birth of her Child heralded the beginning of our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the 13th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 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. 

Commemoration of SAINT ADRIAN
About the year 303, Adrian, a military officer at the imperial court, was executed at Nicomedia for his fidelity to Christ.

O Almighty God, grant that we who celebrate the birthday of Your blessed martyr Adrian may be made stronger in our love of You through his intercession. Through our Lord . . .

LESSON Prov. 8:22-35
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out. The mountains, with their huge bulk, had not as yet been established: before the hills, I was brought forth: He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world.
When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law, and compass, he enclosed the depths: When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters: When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when he balanced the foundations of the earth; I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times; Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men.
Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.

GRADUAL
You are blessed and venerable, O Virgin Mary, for without loss of your virginity you became the Mother of our Saviour.
V. O Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world cannot contain enclosed Himself in your womb and was made man.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.
Happy are you indeed, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise, for out of you arose the sun of justice, Christ our Lord. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 1:1-16
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse. And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa. And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias. And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who bore the Creator of all things. You brought forth your won Creator, and yet you remain a virgin forever.

SECRET 
Rescue us, O Lord, through the Incarnation of Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who by His birth did not impair the virgin purity of His Mother, but rather sanctified it. May He free us from our sins and make us acceptable to You on this feast of Mary's nativity; who lives and rules with You . . .

Commemoration of the 13th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 
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.

Commemoration of SAINT ADRIAN
Accept our offerings and prayers, O Lord. Cleanse us by this heavenly rite, and in Your mercy hear our petitions. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father.

POSTCOMMUNION 
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 . . .

Commemoration of the 13th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
O Lord, may the reception of Your Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption. 

Commemoration of SAINT ADRIAN
O Lord our God, may we who now joyfully commemorate Your saints on earth rejoice one day with them in heaven. Through our Lord . . .

 

Sept. 6th Ferial Day; Saint Eleutherius (585 A.D.); Blessed Bertrand of Garrigues

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]

ST. ELEUTHERIUS (585 A.D. ) 

[HISTORICAL]

The Story and History of Saint Eleutherius
The story and history of Saint Eleutherius. Simplicity and spirit of compunction were the distinguishing virtues of this holy man. He was chosen abbot of St. Mark's near Spoleto, and favored by God with the gift of miracles. A child who was possessed by the devil, being delivered by being educated in his monastery, the abbot said one day: "Since the child is among the servants of God, the devil dares not approach him." These words seemed to savor of vanity, and thereupon the devil again entered and tormented the child. The abbot humbly confessed his fault, and fasted and prayed with his whole community till the child was again freed from the tyranny of the fiend. St. Gregory the Great not being able to fast on Easter-eve on account of extreme weakness, engaged this Saint to go with him to the church of St. Andrew's and put up his prayers to God for his health, that he might join the faithful in that solemn practice of penance. Eleutherius prayed with many tears, and the Pope, coming out of the church, found his breast suddenly strengthened, so that he was enabled to perform the fast as he desired. St. Eleutherius raised a dead man to life. Resigning his abbacy, he died in St. Andrew's monastery in Rome, about the year 585.

BL. BERTRAND OF GARRIGUES (13th C. A.D.) 

 [HISTORICAL]

 

Also known as

• The Second Dominic

Memorial

• 6 September

Profile

Priest. Worked with the Cistercians. Noted preacher. Fought Albigensianism. Worked with Saint Dominic de Guzman, and became his close friend and travelling companion. Joined the Dominicans in 1216 and helped them survive and thrive in their early years. Governed the first Dominican foundation in Paris, France, and helped establish their tradition of scholarship. Dominican provincial of Provence. Miracle worker. Died during the preaching of a mission to the Cistercian sisters of Saint Mary of the Woods.

Saint Lawrence Justinian (1455 A.D.)

 

St. Laurence Justinian as Patriarch of Venice

SAINT LAWRENCE JUSTINIAN
Bishop and Confessor

SIMPLE/WHITE
When Lawrence Justinian's father, a Venetian noble of illustrious line, died, his mother of equally distinguished rank and even more distinguished holiness, devoted herself exclusively to bringing up her six young children as good citizens and Christians. Granted a vision of the Eternal Wisdom when he was 19 years old, Lawrence fled from the family mansion and joined the austere community of canons regular of St. George, becoming a priest in 1406. As bishop of Castello ( which included part of Venice), and later patriarch of Venice ( a title created for him by Pope Nicholas V), he changed the face of the diocese, healing political and spiritual strife by prayer, preaching, charity, and the force of his own austerity of life and gentleness of heart. He died in 1455, at 74 years of age.

Mass of a CONFESSOR BISHOP, except



Introit
Ecclus. 45:30
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever.
Ps 131:1
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness.
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.
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever. 
 
COLLECT
O Almighty God, grant that our solemn celebration of the feast of Your confessor bishop Lawrence Justinian may increase our devotion and bring us closer to our salvation. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 44:16-27: 45:3-20
Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God, and was found just; and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Therefore, by an oath, the Lord made him to increase among his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in His blessings; He preserved for him His mercy; and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him a great priesthood; and made him blessed in glory. To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him a worthy incense for an odor of sweetness.
R. Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Ecclus 44:16, 20.
Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God.
V. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 109:4
V. You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedec. Alleluia.

Gospel
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 25:14-23
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A man going abroad, called his servants and handed over his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his particular ability, and then he went on his journey. And he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more. In like manner, he who had received the two gained two more. But he who had received the one went away and dug in the earth and hid his master’s money. Then after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others in addition.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over man; enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had received the two talents came, and said, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; behold, I have gained two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master.’
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.  

SECRET 
O Lord, may Your saints everywhere be a source of joy for us, and may we feel the power of their intercession with You as we solemnly recall the deeds of their lives. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION 
O Almighty God, may the expression of our gratitude to You for all Your gifts bring us even greater benefits, through the intercession of Your blessed confessor bishop Lawrence Justinian. Through our Lord . . .

Ferial Day 9/4; Saint Rosalia (1166 A.D.) ; Saint Rose of Viterbo (1252 A.D.); Saint Marinus (4th C.)

September 4th

Image via Wikipedia

FERIAL DAY

(Mass of preceding Sunday)

[Requiem or Votive Mass allowed]




SAINT ROSALIA
Virgin (1166 A.D.)
[Historical, Patron of Palermo, Sicily]

La Santuzza (the little saint)
Memorial 4 September

 

(Wikipedia) Santa Rosalia, depicted on the right, before St. Mary by Anthony van Dyck

Daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses, and Quisquina. Descendant of Charlemagne. From her
youth, Rosalia knew she was called to dedicate her life to God. When grown, she moved to cave near her parent's home, and lived in it the rest of her life. On the cave wall she wrote "I, Rosalia, daughter of Sinibald, Lord of Roses, and Quisquina, have taken the resolution to live in this cave for the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ." Rosalia remained apart from the world, dedicated to prayer and works of penance for the sake of Jesus, and died alone.

In 1625, during a period of plague, she appeared in a vision to a hunter near her cave. Her relics were discovered, brought to Palermo, and paraded through the street. Three days later the plague ended, intercession to Rosalia was credited with saving the city, and she was proclaimed its patroness.

Born in Palermo, Italy

Died c.1160 apparently of natural causes; buried in her cave by workers collapsing it

Patronage

Palermo, Sicily

SAINT ROSE OF VITERBO
Virgin (1252 A.D.)
[Historical]

Virgin, born at Viterbo, 1235; died 6 March, 1252. The chronology of her life must always remain uncertain, as the Acts of her canonization, the chief historical sources, record no dates. Those given above are accepted by the best authorities.

Born of poor and pious parents, Rose was remarkable for holiness and for her miraculous powers from her earliest years. When but three years old, she raised to life her maternal aunt. At the age of seven, she had already lived the life of a recluse, devoting herself to penances. Her health succumbed, but she was miraculously cured by the Blessed Virgin, who ordered her to enroll herself in the Third Order of St. Francis, and to preach penance to Viterbo, at that time (1247) held by Frederick II of Germany and a prey to political strife and heresy. Her mission seems to have extended for about two years, and such was her success that the prefect of the city decided to banish her. The imperial power was seriously threatened. Accordingly, Rose and her parents were expelled from Viterbo in January, 1250, and took refuge in Sorriano. On 5 December, 1250, Rose foretold the speedy death of the emperor, a prophecy realized on 13 December. Soon afterwards she went to Vitorchiano, whose inhabitants had been perverted by a famous sorceress. Rose secured the conversion of all, even of the sorceress, by standing unscathed for three hours in the flames of a burning pyre, a miracle as striking as it is well attested. With the restoration of the papal power in Viterbo (1251) Rose returned.

She wished to enter the monastery of St. Mary of the Roses, but was refused because of her poverty. She humbly submitted, foretelling her admission to the monastery after her death. The remainder of her life was spent in the cell in her father's house, where she died. The process of her canonization was opened in that year by Innocent IV, but was not definitively undertaken until 1457. Her feast is celebrated on 4 September, when her body, still incorrupt, is carried in procession through Viterbo.

SAINT MARINUS
Hermit (4th C.)
[Historical]

Saint Marinus was the founder of the world's oldest surviving republic, San Marino, in 301. Tradition holds that he was a stonemason by trade who came from the island of Rab on the other side of the Adriatic Sea (modern Croatia), fleeing persecution for his Christian beliefs in the Diocletianic Persecution. He became a Deacon, and was ordained by Gaudentius, the Bishop of Rimini, until he was accused by an insane woman of being her estranged husband, when he fled to Monte Titano to live as a hermit.^[1] There he built a chapel and monastery. Marines were canonized and later, the State of San Marino grew up from the center created by the monastery.^[1] His memorial day is September 3, commemorating the day of the year when he founded San Marino, which is also the state's national holiday.

According to legend, he died in the Winter of 366 and his last words were: "Relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine." ("I leave you free from both men"). This somewhat mysterious phrase is most likely to refer to the two "men" from whose oppressive power Saint Marinus had decided to separate himself, becoming a hermit on Mount Titano: respectively the Emperor and the Pope. This affirmation of freedom (first and foremost fiscal franchise) from both the Empire and the Papal States, however legendary, has always been the inspiration of the tiny republic.^[2]

Saint Pius X, Pope (1914 A.D.)

SAINT PIUS X
Pope and Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
The future pope and saint, Joseph Sarto was born in poverty in the northern Italian village of Riese in 1835. He was successively curate, parish priest, bishop of Mantua, patriarch of Venice and Pope. As Vicar of Christ (1903-14) he intrepidly defended the purity of Christian doctrine, his one aim being to restore all things in Christ. He returned sacred music to its rightful place in the liturgy; fostered Catholic popular action; directed a codification of Canon Law; urged in his Eucharistic Degrees early and daily Communion; and spent himself to sanctify the Catholic clergy. In his universal charity, Pius X considered it his mission "to have a care, not only for all the faithful, but for every soul for whom Christ died."

INTROIT Ps. 88:20-22I 
Have raised up a chosen man from My people; with My holy oil I have anointed him, that My hand may help him and My arm strengthen him.
Ps. 88:2. The mercies of the Lord I will sing forever; through all generations my tongue shall proclaim Your faithfulness.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT 
O God, you filled Saint Pius, the supreme pontiff, with the wisdom of heaven and the courage of the apostles in order that he might defend the Catholic faith and restore all things to Christ. May we follow his teaching and example and attain to our eternal reward. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

EPISTLE I Thess. 2:2-8 
Brethren: We had confidence in our God, to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deceit. But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proveth our hearts. For neither have we used at any time the speech of flattery, as you know: nor taken an occasion of covetousness (God is witness): Nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others. Whereas we might have been burdensome to you, as the apostles of Christ: but we became little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her children: So desirous of you, we would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God but also our own souls: because you were become most dear unto us.

GRADUAL Ps. 39:10-11 
I have declared Your justice in the vast assembly, and behold, O Lord, as you know, I did not restrain my lips.
V. I have not hidden Your justice within my heart, but I have spoken about Your truth and Your salvation.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 22:5-6 
You prepare a banquet before me, you anoint my head with oil; my cup is overflowing. Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 21:15-17 
At that time, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these?" He saith to him: "Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." He saith to him: "Feed my lambs." He saith to him again: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?" He saith to him: "yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." He saith to him: "Feed my lambs." He said to him the third time: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?" Peter was grieved because he had said to him the third time: "Lovest thou me?" And he said to him: "Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee." He said to him: "Feed my sheep."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ps. 33:12 
Come, children, hear me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

SECRET  
O Lord, graciously accept our Sacrifice and grant that we may celebrate these divine mysteries with true devotion and receive them in perfect faith through the intercession of blessed Pope Pius. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 6:56-57 
My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood, abides in Me and I in him.

POSTCOMMUNION  
We have been strengthened by the food of Your heavenly table, o Lord our God. Make us strong in faith and unite us in love of You through the intercession of blessed Pope Pius. 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.

Tomb of Pope Pius X, Basilica DI San Pietro (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Saint Stephen, King of Hungary (1038 A.D.); Saint Ingrid of Sweden (1282 A.D.)

SAINT STEPHEN

King, Confessor

SIMPLE/WHITE
As late as the tenth century the Magyar tribesmen of eastern Europe were still strangers to Christianity. King Stephen (997-1038) summoned missioners from France and Germany to preach the Faith to his subjects, and he himself accompanied the foreign priests on their apostolic journeys. The royal apostle promoted the growth of the Church in his realm so tirelessly that even during his lifetime Hungary developed from a rough mission land into a Christian kingdom. The Holy Father established a Hungarian hierarchy and conferred upon Stephen the title of Apostolic King. Having dedicated his country to Mary, "the Great Lady," King Stephen died in 1038 on the feast of her Assumption.

Mass of a CONFESSOR OF THE FAITH, except

Introit
Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
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.
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart. 

COLLECT
Almighty God, grant that the blessed confessor Stephen may now defend the Church from his throne in heaven, just as he fostered her growth when he ruled on earth. Through our Lord . . .

Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 31:8-11
Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall recount his alms.
R. Thanks be to God.

Gradual
Ps 91:12, 14.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
James 1:12
V. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia.

Gospel
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 19:12-26
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A certain nobleman went into a far country to obtain for himself a kingdom and then return. And having summoned ten of his servants, he gave them ten gold pieces and said to them, ‘Trade till I come.’ But his citizens hated him; and they sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not wish this man to be king over us.’ And it came to pass when he had returned, after receiving the kingdom, that he ordered the servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him in order that he might learn how much each one had made by trading. And the first came, saying, ‘Lord, your gold piece has earned ten gold pieces.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten towns.’ Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your gold piece has made five gold pieces.’ And he said to him, ‘Be you also over five towns.’ And another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold your gold piece, which I have kept laid up in a napkin; for I feared you, because you are a stern man. You take up what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I am a stern man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow. Why, then, did you not put my money in a bank, so that I on my return might have gotten it with interest?’ And he said to the bystanders, ‘Take away the gold piece from him, and give it to him who has the ten gold pieces.’ But they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten gold pieces.’ I say to you that to everyone who has shall be given; but from him who does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away.


SECRET
Look graciously upon our offerings, O Almighty God. Grant that we may imitate the selfless sacrifice of Our Lord's Passion which we celebrate in this Sacrificial Rite. Through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
Almighty God, may we walk with true devotion in the path of faith of Your blessed confessor Stephen, whose zeal for spreading that faith made him worthy to pass from an earthly kingdom to a glorious throne in heaven. Through our Lord . . .

SAINT INGRID OF SWEDEN

[Historical]

Born in Skänninge, Sweden, in the 13th century, St. Ingrid lived under the spiritual direction of Peter of Dacia, a Dominican priest. She was the first Dominican nun in Sweden and in 1281 she founded the first Dominican cloister there, called St. Martin's in Skänninge. She died in 1282 surrounded by an aura of sanctity.

Miracles obtained through her intercession followed and led to a popular cult of this saint. In 1405, a canonization process was begun and the Swedish Bishops introduced her cause at the Council of Constance. An inquest was held in Sweden in 1416-1417 and the results were inconclusive. In 1497, the cause was reactivated and in 1507 her relics were solemnly translated, and a Mass and Office were composed - but formal canonization seems never to have occurred. During the Reformation, her cult came to an end and her convent and relics were destroyed.

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost; Saint Giles (724 A.D.); Twelve Holy Brothers

TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Saint Giles

Martyrdom

SAINT GILES
Abbot

TWELVE HOLY BROTHERS
Martyrs

DOUBLE / GREEN
Every bit of truth and goodness and beauty is a partial revelation of the truth, goodness and beauty in God. Since the redemption of mankind by Christ, every person has been, or will be, destined to know the full glory of His Gospel, His love, His visible Church and its rich life of grace. It is the duty of Christians, at least in gratitude, to live according to their Faith, for the inspiration of neighbors, fellow workers and acquaintances. It is their duty to be missioners, or to send missioners, for the spreading of Christ's glory over the world. Above all, it is the charity of Christ, His love, that needs to be revealed in action.
   
INTROIT Ps. 69:2-3
O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let my enemies who seek my life be put to shame and confounded.
Ps. 69:4. Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT
Almighty and merciful God, it is through Your grace that the faithful are able to serve You fittingly and laudably. Grant that we may hurry, without faltering, toward the rewards You have promised to us. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT GILES
Tradition tells us that in the seventh century the Athenian Giles left his native Greece for a rough hermitage in far-distant Gaul. Hunters of a local ruler accidentally wounded Giles as he was shielding a fleeing deer. The ruler, Flavius said to him, "This must be the holy Giles! Come out of your hermitage, servant of God, and teach my Franks about heaven. They need you more than this forest does." Flavius built a monastery on the site of the hermitage; and under Giles' leadership it became a center of civilization and Christianity for all that sector of Gaul.

Let the blessed abbot Giles intercede for us, O Lord. May his prayers win us Your help, since our own actions cannot merit it. 

Commemoration of the  TWELVE HOLY BROTHERS
These fourth-century apostles refused to offer sacrifice to pagan gods. After imprisonment in an African jail, they died for Christ in pagan spectacles at various places along the Italian coast.

O Lord, may the martyrdom of these brothers warm our hearts with joy, enliven our faith by an increase of virtue, and comfort us by the added number of intercessors we have in heaven. Through our Lord . . . 
 
EPISTLE II Cor. 3:4-9
Brethren: And such confidence we have, through Christ, towards God. Not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from God. Who also hath made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter but in the spirit. For the letter killeth: but the spirit quickeneth.
Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious (so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance), which is made void: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather in glory?
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.

GRADUAL Ps. 33:2-3
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall ever be in my mouth.
V. My soul shall glory in the Lord; the humble will hear and be made glad.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Ps. 87:2
O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and by night in Your presence. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 10:23-37
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: "Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear and have not heard them."
And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him and saying, "Master, what must I do to possess eternal life?" But he said to him: "What is written in the law? How readest thou?" He answering, said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with all thy strength and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as thyself." And he said to him: "Thou hast answered right. This do: and thou shalt live." But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: "And who is my neighbour?"
And Jesus answering, said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who also stripped him and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead. And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. But a certain Samaritan, being on his journey, came near him: and seeing him, was moved with compassion: And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pence and gave to the host and said: 'Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee.' "Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers?" But he said: "He that shewed mercy to him." And Jesus said to him: "Go, and do thou in like manner."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Ex. 32:11, 13, 14
Moses prayed before the Lord his God, saying, "Why, O Lord, should Your wrath blaze up against Your own people? Let Your anger die down. Remember Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, how You swore to give them a land flowing with milk and honey." And the Lord relented in the punishments He had threatened to inflict of His people.

SECRET
O Lord, look with mercy upon the offerings we have placed upon Your altar. May they win pardon for our sins and give glory to Your name. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of SAINT GILESMay the offerings we lay upon Your sacred altar, O Lord, bring us closer to our salvation through the intercession of the blessed abbot Giles. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the  TWELVE HOLY BROTHERS
O Lord, grant that we may celebrate these sacred mysteries with devotion to honor Your holy martyrs, so that through this sacrifice we may have new help and a deeper joy. Through our Lord . . .
 

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 103:13, 14-15
The earth is filled with the fruit of Your works, O Lord, that You may bring forth food from the earth and wine to cheer the heart of man, oil to make his face gleam, and bread to sustain his strength.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
May the reception of this Sacrament bring us life, O Lord, and win for us Your pardon and Your protection. Through our Lord . . .


Commemoration of SAINT GILES

May the Sacrament we have received and the prayers of the blessed abbot Giles protect us, O Lord. Grant also that we may imitate the virtues of this saint who is our intercessor with You in heaven. Through our Lord . . .

Commemoration of the  TWELVE HOLY BROTHERS
O Almighty God, grant that we may grow in grace by emulating the faith of these martyrs whose memory we honor by the reception of Your Sacrament. Through our Lord . . .