1 April 2014 - Feria III after Lent IV

Greater Non-Priv. Feria – Rose/Purple

INTROIT Ps. 54.2-3

Hearken, O God, to my prayer and turn not away from my pleading; give heed to me, and answer me. Ps. 54.3-4. I am tossed about in my grief, and am troubled at the uproar of the enemy and the oppression of the wicked. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Lord, may our observance of the Lenten fast increase our piety and bring us thy continued merciful help. Through.

LESSON Ex. 32.7-14

In those days, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Go, get thee down: thy people, which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, hath sinned. They have quickly strayed from the way which thou didst shew them: and they have made to themselves a molten calf, and have adored it, and sacrificing victims to it, have said: These are thy gods, O Israel, that have brought thee out of the land of Egypt. And again the Lord said to Moses: I see that this people is stiffnecked: Let me alone, that my wrath may be kindled against them, and that I may destroy them, and I will make of thee a great nation. But Moses besought the Lord his God, saying: Why, O Lord, is thy indignation enkindled against thy people, whom thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, with great power, and with a mighty hand? Let not the Egyptians say, I beseech thee: He craftily brought them out, that he might kill them in the mountains, and destroy them from the earth: let thy anger cease, and be appeased upon the wickedness of thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou sworest by thy own self, saying: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven: and this whole land that I have spoken of, I will give to your seed, and you shall possess it for ever: And the Lord was appeased from doing the evil which he had spoken against his people.

GRADUAL Ps. 43.26, 2

Arise, O Lord, and help us, and save us for thy name's sake. V. O God, our ears have heard, our fathers have declared to us the deeds thou didst perform in their time, in the days of old.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John (7.14-31)

At that time, about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews wondered, saying: How doth this man know letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them and said: My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do the will of him, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, he is true and there is no injustice in him. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why seek you to kill me? The multitude answered and said: Thou hast a devil. Who seeketh to kill thee? Jesus answered and said to them: One work I have done: and you all wonder. Therefore, Moses gave you circumcision (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers): and on the sabbath day you circumcise a man. If a man receive circumcision on the sabbath day, that the law of Moses may not be broken: are you angry at me, because I have healed the whole man on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance: but judge just judgment. Some therefore of Jerusalem said: Is not this he whom they seek to kill? And behold, he speaketh openly: and they say nothing to him. Have the rulers known for a truth that this is the Christ? But we know this man, whence he is: but when the Christ cometh, no man knoweth, whence he is. Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying: You both know me, and you know whence I am. And I am not come of myself: but he that sent me is true, whom you know not. I know him, because I am from him: and he hath sent me. They sought therefore to apprehend him: and no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. But of the people many believed in him.

OFFERTORY Ps. 39.2, 3, 4

I have waited and waited for the Lord, and he inclined towards me and heard my cry. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God.

SECRET

May this offering cleanse us from our sins, O Lord, and may it sanctify thy servants in body and soul for the celebration of this Sacrifice. Through.

COMMUNION Ps. 19.6

We will rejoice at thy salvation, and in the name of our God we shall be lifted up.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, cleanse us from sin through the reception of this Sacrament and lead us toward the kingdom of heaven. Through.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, have mercy on thy people and strengthen them in their daily trials and labors. Through.

31 March 2014 - Feria II after Lent IV

Greater Non-Priv. Feria – Rose/Purple

INTROIT Ps. 53.3-4

O God, by thy Name save me, and by thy might deliver me. O God, hear my prayer; hearken unto the words of my mouth. Ps. 53.5. For strangers have risen up against me, and the powerful have sought my life. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Almighty God, may we please thee with our bodies and our souls by keeping this yearly fast with devotion. Through.

LESSON III Kings 3.16-28

Then there came two women that were harlots, to the king, and stood before him. And one of them said: I beseech thee, my lord, I and this woman dwelt in one house, and I was delivered of a child with her in the chamber. And the third day after I was delivered, she also was delivered; and we were together, and no other person with us in the house; only we two. And this woman's child died in the night: for in her sleep she overlaid him. And rising in the dead time of the night, she took my child from my side, while I, thy handmaid, was asleep, and laid it in her bosom: and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I arose in the morning, to give my child suck, behold it was dead: but considering him more diligently, when it was clear day, I found that it was not mine which I bore. And the other woman answered: It is not so as thou sayst, but thy child is dead, and mine is alive. On the contrary, she said; Thou liest: for my child liveth, and thy child is dead. And in this manner they strove before the king. Then said the king: The one saith, My child is alive, and thy child is dead. And the other answereth: Nay; but thy child is dead, and mine liveth. The king therefore said: Bring me a sword. And when they had brought a sword before the king, Divide, said he, the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other. But the woman, whose child was alive, said to the king; (for her bowels were moved upon her child) I beseech thee, my lord, give her the child alive, and do not kill it. But the other said: Let it be neither mine nor thine; but divide it. The king answered, and said: Give the living child to this woman, and let it not be killed; for she is the mother thereof. And all Israel heard the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king, seeing that the wisdom of God was in him to do judgment.

GRADUAL Ps. 30.3; 70.1

Be a God of protection to me, a place of shelter to give me safety. V. I have placed my trust in thee, O God; O Lord, let me never be put to shame.

TRACT Ps. 102.10; 78.8-9

O Lord, repay us not according to the sins we have committed, nor according to our iniquities. V. O Lord, remember not our iniquities of the past; let thy mercy come quickly to us, for we are being brought very low. (All kneel.)
V. Help us, O God our Savior, and for the glory of thy Name, O Lord, deliver us; and pardon us our sins for thy Name’s sake.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John (2.13-25)

At that time, the pasch of the Jews was at hand: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found in the temple them that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting. And when he had made, as it were, a scourge of little cords, he drove them all out of the temple, the sheep also and the oxen: and the money of the changers he poured out, and the tables he overthrew. And to them that sold doves he said: Take these things hence, and make not the house of my Father a house of traffic. And his disciples remembered, that it was written: The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up. The Jews, therefore, answered, and said to him: What sign dost thou shew unto us, seeing thou dost these things? Jesus answered and said to them: Destroy this temple; and in three days I will raise it up. The Jews then said: Six and forty years was this temple in building; and wilt thou raise it up in three days? But he spoke of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen again from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this: and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had said. Now when he was at Jerusalem, at the pasch, upon the festival day, many believed in his Name, seeing his signs which he did. But Jesus did not trust himself unto them: for that he knew all men, And because he needed not that any should give testimony of man: for he knew what was in man.

OFFERTORY Ps. 99.1-2

Sing joyfully unto God all the earth; serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song, for the Lord is God.

SECRET

May the Sacrifice that we offer thee, O Lord, always bring us new life and keep us from harm. Through.

COMMUNION Ps. 18.13-14

Cleanse me from my hidden faults, O Lord, and spare thy servants from those of others.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may the reception of thy Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption. Through.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, graciously hear our prayers. Protect those who depend upon thee even for the desire to ask for help. Through.

30 March 2014 - Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Sunday of the I Class – Rose or Purple

¶ Depending on local custom, rose vestments may be worn this day or both this day and at ferial masses during this week. Modest flowers may also be upon the altar during this Sunday or during this week, according to local custom.

INTROIT Isa. 66.10-11

Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and come together all ye who love her. Rejoice with joy, ye who have been in sorrow, that ye may exalt and be filled from the abundance of your consolation. Ps. 121.1. I rejoice at the tidings that were told me, We shall go into the house of the Lord. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Almighty God, we are being justly punished for our sins, but comfort us with thy grace, that we may live. Through.

EPISTLE Gal. 4.22-31

Brethren: For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman and the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman was by promise. Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from Mount Sinai, engendering unto bondage, which is Agar. For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which now is: and is in bondage with her children. But that Jerusalem which is above is free: which is our mother. For it is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry thou that travailest not: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born according to the flesh persecuted him that was after the spirit: so also it is now. But what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.

GRADUAL Ps. 121.1, 7

I rejoice at the tidings that were told me, We shall go into the house of the Lord. V. May peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy towers.

TRACT Ps. 124.1-2

They who trust in the Lord are like Mount Sion; he who dwelleth in Jerusalem shall never be moved. V. Mountains are round about it, and the Lord is round about his people, from henceforth and forever.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John (6.1-15)  

At that time, After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is that of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were diseased. Jesus therefore went up into a mountain: and there he sat with his disciples. Now the pasch, the festival day of the Jews, was near at hand. When Jesus therefore had lifted up his eyes and seen that a very great multitude cometh to him, he said to Philip: Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to try him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him: Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them that every one may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him: There is a boy here that hath five barley loaves and two fishes. But what are these among so many? Then Jesus said: Make the men sit down. Now, there was much grass in the place. The men therefore sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves: and when he had given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down. In like manner also of the fishes, as much as they would. And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost. They gathered up therefore and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which remained over and above to them that had eaten. Now those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet that is to come into the world. Jesus therefore, when he knew that they would come to take him by force and make him king, fled again into the mountains, himself alone. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Ps. 134.3, 6

Praise the Lord, for he is good; sing praise to his Name, for he is sweet. All he hath willed, he hath done in heaven and on earth.

SECRET

Look with favor upon these offerings, O Lord, that they may be an aid to our devotion and to our salvation. Through.

COMMUNION Ps. 121.3-4

Jerusalem was built as a city with compact unity; to it the tribes went up, the tribes of the Lord, to give praise to thy Name, O Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

O merciful God, we never fail to be nourished by thy Sacrament. May we offer it with true devotion and receive it always with faith. Through.

29 March 2014 - Saturday after the Third Sunday in Lent

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple 

INTROIT Ps. 5.2-3

Hear my words, O Lord; consider my cry. Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my king and my God. Ps. 5.4. For unto thee I pray, O Lord; in the morning thou hearest my voice. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Almighty God, while thy servants mortify their bodies by fasting, may they also follow after righteousness and avoid sin. Through.

LESSON Dan. 13.1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62

Now there was a man that dwelt in Babylon, and his name was Joachim: And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helcias, a very beautiful woman, and one that feared God. For her parents being just, had instructed their daughter according to the law of Moses. Now Joachim was very rich, and had an orchard near his house: and the Jews resorted to him, because he was the most honourable of them all. And there were two of the ancients of the people appointed judges that year, of whom the Lord said: That iniquity came out from Babylon, from the ancient judges, that seemed to govern the people. These men frequented the house of Joachim, and all that had any matters of judgment came to them. And when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went in, and walked in her husband's orchard. And the old men saw her going in every day, and walking: and they were inflamed with lust towards her: And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments. And it fell out, as they watched a fit day, she went in on a time, as yesterday and the day before, with two maids only, and was desirous to wash herself in the orchard: for it was hot weather. And there was nobody there, but the two old men that had hid themselves, and were beholding her. So she said to the maids: Bring me oil, and washing balls, and shut the doors of the orchard, that I may wash me. Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders arose, and ran to her, and said: Behold the doors of the orchard are shut, and nobody seeth us, and we are in love with thee: wherefore consent to us, and lie with us. But if thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee, and therefore thou didst send away thy maids form thee. Susanna sighed, and said: I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death to me: and if I do it not, I shall not escape your hands. But it is better for me to fall into your hands without doing it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord. With that Susanna cried out with a loud voice: and the elders also cried out against her. And one of them ran to the door of the orchard, and opened it. So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the orchard, they rushed in by the back door, to see what was the matter. But after the old men had spoken, the servants were greatly ashamed: for never had there been any such word said of Susanna. And on the next day, When the people were come to Joachim, her husband, the two elders also came full of wicked device against Susanna, to put her to death. And they said before the people: Send to Susanna, daughter of Helcias, the wife of Joachim. And presently they sent. And she came with her parents, and children and all her kindred. Therefore her friends, and all her acquaintance wept. But the two elders rising up in the midst of the people, laid their hands upon her head. And she weeping, looked up to heaven, for her heart had confidence in the Lord. And the elders said: As we walked in the orchard alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the doors of the orchard, ans sent away the maids from her. Then a young man that was there hid came to her, and lay with her. But we that were in a corner of the orchard, seeing this wickedness, ran up to them, and we saw them lie together. And him indeed we could not take, because he was stronger than us, and opening the doors, he leaped out: But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: of this thing we are witnesses. The multitude believed them, as being the elders, and the judges of the people, and they condemned her to death. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said: O eternal God, who knowest hidden things, who knowest all things before they come to pass, Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me: and behold I must die, whereas I have done none of these things, which these men have maliciously forged against me. And the Lord heard her voice. And when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young boy, whose name was Daniel: And he cried out with a loud voice: I am clear from the blood of this woman. Then all the people turning themselves towards him, said: What meaneth this word that thou hast spoken? But he standing in the midst of them, said: Are ye so foolish, ye children of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth, you have condemned a daughter of Israel? Return to judgment, for they have borne false witness against her. So all the people turned again in haste, and the old men said to him: Come, and sit thou down among us, and shew it us: seeing God hath given thee the honour of old age. And Daniel said to the people: Separate these two far from one another, and I will examine them. So when they were put asunder one from the other, he called one of them, and said to him: O thou that art grown old in evil days, now are thy sins come out, which thou hast committed before: In judging unjust judgments, oppressing the innocent, and letting the guilty to go free, whereas the Lord saith: The innocent and the just thou shalt not kill. Now then if thou sawest her, tell me under what tree thou sawest them conversing together?: He said: Under a mastic tree. And Daniel said: Well hast thou lied against thy own head: for behold the angel of God having recieved the sentence of him, shall cut thee in two. And having put him aside, he commanded that the other should come, and he said to him: O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thy heart: Thus did you do to the daughters of Israel, and they for fear conversed with you: but a daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness. Now, therefore, tell me, under what tree didst thou take them conversing together? And he answered: Under a holm tree. And Daniel said to him: Well hast thou also lied against thy own head: for the angel of the Lord waiteth with a sword to cut thee in two, and to destroy you. With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and they blessed God, who saveth them that trust in him. And they rose up against the two elders, (for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth) and they did to them as they had maliciously dealt against their neighbour, To fulfil the law of Moses: and they put them to death, and innocent blood was saved in that day.

GRADUAL Ps. 22.4

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, O Lord. V. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John (8.1-11)

At that time, Jesus went unto mount Olivet. And early in the morning he came again into the temple: and all the people came to him. And sitting down he taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees bring unto him a woman taken in adultery: and they set her in the midst, And said to him: Master, this woman was even now taken in adultery. Now Moses in the law commanded us to stone such a one. But what sayest thou? And this they said tempting him, that they might accuse him. But Jesus bowing himself down, wrote with his finger on the ground. When therefore they continued asking him, he lifted up himself and said to them: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again stooping down, he wrote on the ground. But they hearing this, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest. And Jesus alone remained, and the woman standing in the midst. Then Jesus lifting up himself, said to her: Woman, where are they that accused thee? Hath no man condemned thee? Who said: No man, Lord. And Jesus said: Neither will I condemn thee. Go, and now sin no more.

OFFERTORY Ps. 118.133

Direct my footsteps according to thy promise, O Lord, and let no iniquity rule over me.

SECRET

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

COMMUNION John 8.10, 11

Hath no one condemned thee, woman? No one, Lord. Neither will I condemn thee. From now on sin no more.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Almighty God, may we, who have received the Body and Blood of Christ in Communion, be numbered among the members of his Mystical Body; who liveth and reigneth.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, stretch out thine helping hand from heaven to all the faithful who seek thee with all their hearts. May they be worthy of receiving that which they rightly ask for. Through.

28 March 2014 - Saint John Capistrano, Confessor

Semi-double– White

INTROIT Habak.3.18-19.

YET I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. Ps. 80.2. Sing we merrily unto God our strength, make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O God, who by thy blessed servant John didst cause thy faithful people in the power of the Most Holy Name of Jesus to triumph over the enemies of the Cross: grant, we pray thee; that by his intercession, we may overcome the crafts and assaults of all spiritual enemies, and be found worthy to obtain of thee the crown of righteousness.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria VI after Lent III. 

COLLECT

May our Lenten fast please thee, O Lord. May we keep our minds free from sin as we deprive our bodies of food. Through.

LESSON Wis. 10.10-14.

The Lord conducted the just through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. In the deceit of them that overreached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable. She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all. She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit. And in bands she left him not.

GRADUAL Ps. 21.24-25.

O praise the Lord ye that fear him: magnify him all ye of the seed of Jacob. V. And fear him all ye seed of Israel: for he hath not despised nor abhorred the low estate of the poor.

TRACT Ex. 15.2,3.

The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will exalt him. V. The Lord is a man of war, the Lord is his Name.
V. Jud. 16.3. The Lord hath broken the battle: the Lord is his Name.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (9.1-6)

At that time: Then calling together the twelve apostles, Jesus gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And he said to them: Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And whatsoever house you shall enter into, abide there and depart not from thence. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off even the dust of your feet, for a testimony against them. And going out, they went about through the towns, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.

OFFERTORY Ecclus. 46.5.

He called upon the Most High, when the enemies pressed upon him on every side, and the great Lord heard him.

SECRET

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to look upon this our sacrifice: that at the intercession of blessed John thy Confessor, we may so tread under foot all the snares of our adversaries, that we may ever be established with thy sure defense.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria VI after Lent III. 

SECRET

O Lord, look kindly upon these gifts we offer, so that they may please thee and always prove helpful to us. Through.

COMMUNION Wis. 10.20.

The righteous have praised thy holy Name, O Lord, and have magnified with one accord thy hand that fought for them.

POSTCOMMUNION

Almighty God, who hast vouchsafed to satisfy us with heavenly meat, and to refresh us with spiritual drink: we humbly beseech thee; that, at the intercession of blessed John thy Confessor, thou wouldst defend us against all the crafts and assaults of the enemy, and preserve thy Church in continual peace and security.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria VI after Lent III. 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, cleanse us from sin through the reception of this Sacrament and lead us toward the kingdom of heaven. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John (4.5-42)

At that time, Jesus cometh therefore to a city of Samaria, which is called Sichar, near the land which Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well. It was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria, to draw water. Jesus saith to her: Give me to drink. For his disciples were gone into the city to buy meats. Then that Samaritan woman saith to him: How dost thou, being a Jew; ask of me to drink, who am a Samaritan woman? For the Jews do not communicate with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her: If thou didst know the gift of God and who he is that saith to thee: Give me to drink; thou perhaps wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith to him: Sir, thou hast nothing wherein to draw, and the well is deep. From whence then hast thou living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank thereof, himself and his children and his cattle? Jesus answered and said to her: Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but he that shall drink of the water that I will give him shall not thirst for ever. But the water that I will give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into life everlasting. The woman said to him: Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come hither to draw. Jesus saith to her: Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said: I have no husband. Jesus said to her: Thou hast said well: I have no husband. For thou hast had five husbands: and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband. This, thou hast said truly. The woman saith to him: Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers adored on this mountain: and you say that at Jerusalem is the place where men must adore. Jesus saith to her: Woman, believe me that the hour cometh, when you shall neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, adore the Father. You adore that which you know not: we adore that which we know. For salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh and now is, when the true adorers shall adore the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father also seeketh such to adore him. God is a spirit: and they that adore him must adore him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith to him: I know that the Messias cometh (who is called Christ): therefore, when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith to her: I am he, who am speaking with thee. And immediately his disciples came. And they wondered that he talked with the woman. Yet no man said: What seekest thou? Or: Why talkest thou with her? The woman therefore left her waterpot and went her way into the city and saith to the men there: Come, and see a man who has told me all things whatsoever I have done. Is not he the Christ? They went therefore out of the city and came unto him. In the mean time, the disciples prayed him, saying: Rabbi, eat. But he said to them: I have meat to eat which you know not. The disciples therefore said one to another: Hath any man brought him to eat? Jesus saith to them: My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, that I may perfect his work. Do not you say: There are yet four months, and then the harvest cometh? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and see the countries. For they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life everlasting: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. For in this is the saying true: That it is one man that soweth, and it is another that reapeth. I have sent you to reap that in which you did not labour. Others have laboured: and you have entered into their labours. Now of that city many of the Samaritans believed in him, for the word of the woman giving testimony: He told me all things whatsoever I have done. So when the Samaritans were come to him, they desired that he would tarry there. And he abode there two days. And many more believed in him, because of his own word. And they said to the woman: We now believe, not for thy saying: for we ourselves have heard him and know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.

27 March 2014 - Saint John Damascene, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Double– White

INTROIT Ps. 72.24

Thou hast held me by my right hand, and guided me with thy counsel, and in the end thou wilst receive me in glory. Ps. 72.1. How good is God to Israel, to those whose hearts are upright. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

Almighty and Eternal God, thou didst endow blessed John with divine learning and wondrous fortitude of soul in order that he might defend the veneration of sacred images. May the example and prayers of blessed John help us to imitate the virtues and enjoy the protection of the saints whose images we venerate.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria V after Lent III. 

COLLECT

Let the blessed feast of thy saints, Cosmas and Damian, magnify thee, O Lord, for on this day thou didst, in thine ineffable providence, confer on them everlasting glory, and on us the resource of their help. Through.

LESSON Wis. 10.10-17

The Lord conducted the just, through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. In the deceit of them that overreached him, he stood by him, and made him honourable. He kept him safe from his enemies, and he defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all. He forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: he went down with him into the pit. And in bands he left him not, till he brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory. He delivered the just people, and blameless seed, from the nations that oppressed them. He entered into the soul of the servant of God and stood against dreadful kings in wonders and signs. And he rendered to the just the wages of their labours.

GRADUAL Ps. 17.33, 35

God who girded me with strength and made my way sinless. V. He hath trained my hands for battle and my arms like a bow of brass.

TRACT Ps. 17.38, 39, 50

I pursued my enemies and overtook them. V. I struck them and they could not stand; they fell beneath my feet. V. Therefore I will praise thee, O Lord, among the nations, and sing a hymn of praise to thy Name.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (6.6-11)  

At that time, it came to pass also, on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught. And there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched if he would heal on the sabbath: that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts and said to the man who had the withered hand: Arise and stand forth in the midst. And rising he stood forth. Then Jesus said to them: I ask you, if it be lawful on the sabbath days to do good or to do evil? To save life or to destroy? And looking round about on them all, he said to the man: Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth. And his hand was restored. And they were filled with madness: and they talked one with another, what they might do to Jesus. 

The Creed is said. 

OFFERTORY Job 14.7

A tree hath hope; if it be cut, it groweth green again, and its boughs will sprout once more.

SECRET

O Lord, may our offerings be pleasing unto thee through the prayerful intercession of blessed John and of thy saints whose images we today venerate in our churches because of the efforts of their defender.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria V after Lent III. 

SECRET

We offer thee, O Lord, in the meritorious death of thy saints, this sacrifice, from which alone martyrdom hath sprung. Through.

COMMUNION Ps. 36.17

The strength of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord supporteth the just.

POSTCOMMUNION

Shield us, O Lord, with thy divine protection through the Gift we have just received. Cover us over with the prayers of blessed John and of all thy saints whose images are held in veneration in our churches today because of his efforts.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria V after Lent III. 

POSTCOMMUNION

May we be allotted, O Lord, the salvation pledged by thy sacrament, which we implore by the merits of thy blessed martyrs Cosmas and Damian. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (4.38-44)

At that time, Jesus, rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house: and Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever, and they besought him for her. And standing over her, he commanded the fever, and it left her: and immediately rising, she ministered to them. And when the sun was down, all they that had any sick with divers diseases, brought them to him: but he laying his hands on every one of them, healed them. And devils went out from many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, he suffered them not to speak, for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, going out he went into a desert place; and the multitudes sought him, and came unto him; and they stayed him that he should not depart from them. To whom he said, To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God, for therefore am I sent. And he was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

26 March 2014 - Feria IV after the Third Sunday in Lent

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 30.7-8

I will hope in the Lord. I shall rejoice and be glad
because of thy mercy, for thou hast regarded my humility. Ps. 30.2. In thee, O Lord, have I hoped. Let me never be put to shame. In thy justice rescue me and set me free. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Lord, may our fasting and our avoidance of sin win for us thy more ready forgiveness. Through.

LESSON Ex. 20.12-24

Thus says the Lord God: Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayst be long-lived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neigh-bor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house; neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his. And all the people saw the voices and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and being terrified and struck with fear, they stood afar off, Saying to Moses: Speak thou to us, and we will hear: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die. And Moses said to the people: Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that the dread of him might be in you, and you should not sin. And the people stood afar off. But Moses went to the dark cloud wherein God was. And the Lord said to Moses: Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. You shall not make gods of silver, nor shall you make to yourselves gods of gold. You shall make an altar of earth unto me, and you shall offer upon it your holocausts and peace offerings, your sheep and oxen, in every place where the memory of my name shall be.

GRADUAL Ps. 6.3-4

Have pity on me, O Lord, for I am weak; heal me, O Lord.
V. For my body is in terror, and my soul also is utterly terrified.

TRACT Ps. 102.10; 78.8-9

O Lord, repay us not according to the sins we have committed, nor according to our iniquities. V. O Lord, remember not our iniquities of the past, let thy mercy come quickly to us, for we are being brought very low. (All Kneel.)
V. Help us, O God our Savior, and for the glory of thy Name, O Lord, deliver us; and pardon us our sins for thy Name's sake.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (15.1-20)

At that time, then came to him from Jerusalem scribes and Pharisees, saying: Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the ancients? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answering, said to them: Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for your tradition? For God said: Honour thy father and mother: And: He that shall curse father or mother, let him die the death. But you say: Whosoever shall say to father or mother, The gift whatsoever proceedeth from me, shall profit thee. And he shall not honour his father or his mother: and you have made void the commandment of God for your tradition. Hypocrites, well hath Isaias prophesied of you, saying: This people honoureth me with their lips: but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men. And having called to-gether the multitudes unto him, he said to them: Hear ye and understand. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said to him: Dost thou know that the Pharisees, when they heard this word, were scandalized? But he answering, said: Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind, and leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit. And Peter answering, said to him: Expound to us this parable. But he said: Are you also yet without understanding? Do you not understand, that whatsoever entereth into the mouth, goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the privy? But the things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart, and those things defile a man. For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man. But to eat with unwashed hands doth not defile a man.

OFFERTORY Ps. 108.21

O Lord, be merciful to me for thy Name's sake, because thy mercy is sweet.

SECRET

O Lord, accept the prayers and sacrifice thy people offer thee. May we who celebrate thy sacred rites be guarded from all danger. Through.

COMMUNION Ps. 15.10

Thou hast made known to me the path of life; thou shalt fill me with the joy of thy presence, O Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may the heavenly banquet of which we have partaken sanctify us, free us of all error, and make us worthy of thy promise of heaven. Through.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Almighty God, may we who seek the help of thy protection be delivered from all evil, to serve thee with untroubled minds. Through.

25 March 2014 - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Patroness of the Court of Saint Mary of Walsingham,

the Patriarchal Household of the See of Saint Stephen

Double of the First Class - White or Marian Blue

INTROIT Ps. 44.13,15,16

All the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbors shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. Ps. 44.2. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O God, who didst will that thy Word should take flesh, at the message of an Angel, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant to thy suppliant people, that we who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with thee. 

Then under one ending, commemorate Feria III after Lent III. 

COLLECT

O Almighty and merciful God, hear our prayers, and in thy kindness grant us thy grace as a result of our self-denial. Through.

EPISTLE Isa. 7.10-15.

In those days the Lord spoke to Achaz, saying: Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above. And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said: hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and his Name shall be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.

GRADUAL Ps. 44.3,5

Grace is poured abroad in thy lips; therefore hath God blessed thee forever. V.: Because of truth and meekness, and justice; and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully.

TRACT Ps. 44.11,12

Hearken, O daughter, and see, incline thy ear: for the King hath greatly desired thy beauty. All the rich shall entreat thy countenance: the daughters of kings in thine honor. After her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbors shall be brought to thee. They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: they shall be brought into the temple of the King.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (1.26-38)

At that time the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the Angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying: and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God: behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the Angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the Angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren; because no work shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Luke 1.28,42

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women and blessed in the fruit of thy womb.

SECRET

Strengthen in our minds, we beseech thee, O Lord, the mysteries of the true faith; that we who confess him who was conceived of a Virgin to be true God and man, may deserve by the power of his saving resurrection, to attain to eternal happiness. 

Then under one ending, commemorate Feria III after Lent III. 

SECRET

O Lord, may this Sacrament bestow on us the effects of redemption by restraining our human passions and bringing us always closer to our salvation. Through.

Preface: Of the Blessed Virgin, with In the Annunciation.

COMMUNION Is. 7.14-15

Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and his Name shall be called Emmanuel.

POSTCOMMUNION

May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from guilt: and through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, make us sharers of the heavenly remedy.

Then under one ending, commemorate Feria III after Lent III. 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, cleanse us by this sacred Rite and grant us thy pardon and grace. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (18.15-22)  

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven. For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times.

24 March 2014 - Saint Gabriel the Archangel

Greater Double – White

INTROIT Ps.102.20

Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders. V. Ps. 102.1. For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O God, who didst choose from among all other angels the Archangel Gabriel to announce the mystery of thine Incarnation, grant in thy mercy that celebrating his feast on earth we may reap the effect of his protection in Heaven.

Then under one ending, commemorate Feria II after Lent III. 

COLLECT

O Lord, mercifully fill our hearts with thy grace. We mortify our bodies by abstaining from food; may we also guard our senses from the danger of unbridled pleasures. Through.

EPISTLE Dan. 9. 21-26

In those days: As I was yet speaking in prayer, behold the man, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, flying swiftly, touched me at the time of the evening sacrifice. And he instructed me, and spoke to me, and said: O Daniel, I am now come forth to teach thee, and that thou mightest understand. From the beginning of thy prayers the word came forth: and I am come to shew it to thee, because thou art a man of desires: therefore, do thou mark the word, and understand the vision. Seventy weeks are shortened upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, that transgression may be finished, and sin may have an end, and iniquity may be abolished; and everlasting justice may be brought; and vision and prophecy may be fulfilled; and the Saint of saints may be anointed. Know thou, therefore, and take notice: that from the going forth of the word, to build up Jerusalem again, unto Christ, the prince, there shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks: and the street shall be built again, and the walls, in straitness of times. And after sixty-two weeks Christ shall be slain: and the people that shall deny him shall not be his. And a people, with their leader, that shall come, shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary: and the end thereof shall be waste, and after the end of the war the appointed desolation.

GRADUAL Ps.102.20, 1

Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders. V. Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.

TRACT Luke 1.28,42,31,35

And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. V. And she cried out with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. V. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his Name Jesus. And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (1.26-38)

At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren. Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The Creed is said. 

OFFERTORY Apoc. 8.3-4

And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer: and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.

SECRET

May the offering of our service and the prayer of the blessed Archangel Gabriel be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord ; that he whom we venerate on earth, may be our advocate before thee in Heaven.

Then under one ending, commemorate Feria II after Lent III. 

SECRET

O Lord, transform this gift we offer thee in worship into the Sacrament of our salvation. Through.

COMMUNION Dan. 3.58

O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

POSTCOMMUNION

Having partaken in the mysteries of thy Body and Blood, we implore thy clemency, O Lord our God ; O Lord our God; that we to whom thine Incarnation was made known by the message of Gabriel, may likewise obtain through his help the benefits of that same Incarnation.

Then under one ending, commemorate Feria II after Lent III. 

POSTCOMMUNION

Almighty and merciful God, may we cherish with our hearts the Sacrament we have received with our lips. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (4.23-30)

At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself. As great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country. And he said: Amen I say to you that no prophet is accepted in his own country. In truth I say to You, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth. And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger. And they rose up and thrust him out of the city: and they brought him to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them, went his way.

23 March 2014 - Third Sunday in Lent

Sunday of the First Class – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 24.15-16

MINE eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he shall free my feet from the snare. Look upon me, and have pity on me, for I am alone and wretched. Ps. 24.1-2. I have lifted up my soul unto thee, O my God; in thee I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Almighty God, fulfill the petitions of the humble; and defend us with thy right hand of power. Through.

EPISTLE Eph. 5.1-9

Brethren: Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints: Or obscenity or foolish talking or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks. For know you this and understand: That no fornicator or unclean or covetous person (which is a serving of idols) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light. For the fruit of the light is in all goodness and justice and truth.

GRADUAL Ps. 9.20, 4

Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail; let the nations be judged in thy presence. V. When mine enemies shall be turned back, they shall be weakened and destroyed before thee.

TRACT Ps. 122.1-3

To thee who art enthroned in heaven, have I lifted up mine eyes. V. Behold, as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. V. And as the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord, our God, until he hath pity upon us. V. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (11.14-28)

At that time, Jesus was casting out a devil: and the same was dumb. And when he had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes, were in admiration at it. But some of them said: He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven. But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation; and house upon house shall fall. And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because you say that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth. But if a stronger than he come upon him and overcome him, he will take away all his armour wherein he trusted and will distribute his spoils. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest: and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself: and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it. Creed.

OFFERTORY Ps. 18.9-12

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart, and his judgments are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb; for thy servant observeth them.

SECRET

May this offering cleanse us from our sins, O Lord, and may it sanctify thy servants in body and soul for the celebration of this sacrifice. Through.

COMMUNION Ps. 83.4-5

The sparrow hath found herself a home, and the turtledove a nest in which to lay her young. Thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God. Blessed are they who dwell in thy house; they shall praise thee forever and ever.

POSTCOMMUNION

O God, thou hast allowed us to share in this great Sacrament. In thy mercy free us also from all guilt and danger of sin. Through.

22 March 2014 - Saturday after Lent II

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple 

INTROIT Ps. 18.8

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting souls. The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. Ps. 18.2. The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Lord, may our fasting attain its saving effect so that the mortification of our bodies may bring a new life to our souls. Through.

LESSON Gen. 27.6-40

In those days Rebecca said to her son Jacob: I heard thy father talking with Esau, thy brother, and saying to him: Bring me of thy hunting, and make me meats that I may eat, and bless thee in the sight of the Lord, before I die. Now therefore, my son, follow my counsel: And go thy way to the flock, bring me two kids of the best, that I may make of them meat for thy father, such as he gladly eateth. Which when thou hast brought in, and he hath eaten, he may bless thee before he die. And he answered her: Thou knowest that Esau, my brother, is a hairy man, and I am smooth: If my father should feel me, and perceive it, I fear lest he will think I would have mocked him, and I shall bring upon me a curse instead of a blessing. And his mother said to him: Upon me be this curse, my son: only hear thou my voice, and go, fetch me the things which I have said. He went, and brought, and gave them to his mother. She dressed meats, such as she knew his father liked. And she put on him very good garments of Esau, which she had at home with her: And the little skins of the kids she put about his hands, and covered the bare of his neck. And she gave him the savoury meat, and delivered him bread that she had baked. Which when he had carried in, he said: My father? But he answered: I hear. Who art thou, my son? And Jacob said: I am Esau, thy firstborn: I have done as thou didst command me: arise, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said to his son: How couldst thou find it so quickly, my son? He answered: It was the will of God, that what I sought came quickly in my way: And Isaac said: Come hither, that I may feel thee, my son, and may prove whether thou be my son Esau, or no. He came near to his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob; but the hands, are the hands of Esau. And he knew him not, because his hairy hands made him like to the elder. Then blessing him, He said: Art thou my son Esau? He answered: I am. Then he said: Bring me the meats of thy hunting, my son, that my soul may bless thee. And when they were brought, and he had eaten, he offered him wine also, which after he had drunk, He said to him: Come near me, and give me a kiss, my son. He came near, and kissed him. And immediately as he smelled the fragrant smell of his garments, blessing him, he said: Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a plentiful field, which the Lord hath blessed. God give thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, abundance of corn and wine. And let peoples serve thee, and tribes worship thee: be thou lord of thy brethren, and let thy mother's children bow down before thee. Cursed be he that curseth thee: and let him that blesseth thee be filled with blessings. Isaac had scarce ended his words, when, Jacob being now gone out abroad, Esau came, And brought in to his father meats, made of what he had taken in hunting, saying: Arise, my father, and eat of thy son's venison; that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said to him: Why! who art thou? He answered: I am thy firstborn son, Esau. Isaac was struck with fear, and astonished exceedingly; and wondering beyond what can be believed, said: Who is he then that even now brought me venison that he had taken, and I ate of all before thou camest? and I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed. Esau having heard his father's words, roared out with a great cry; and, being in a consternation, said: Bless me also, my father. And he said: Thy brother came deceitfully and got thy blessing. But he said again: Rightly is his name called Jacob; for he hath supplanted me lo this second time: My birthright he took away before, and now this second time he hath stolen away my blessing. And again he said to his father: Hast thou not reserved me also a blessing? Isaac answered: I have appointed him thy lord, and have made all his brethren his servants: I have established him with corn and wine, and after this, what shall I do more for thee, my son? And Esau said to him: Hast thou only one blessing, father? I beseech thee bless me also. And when he wept with a loud cry, Isaac being moved, said to him: In the fat of the earth, and in the dew of heaven from above, Shall thy blessing be.

GRADUAL Ps. 91.2-3

It is good to praise the Lord, and to sing to thy Name, O Most High. V. To proclaim thy mercy in the morning and thy truth throughout the night.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (15.11-32)  

At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and Scribes this parable: A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his substance. And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously. And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country: and he began to be in want. And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger! I will arise and will go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee. I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And rising up, he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion and running to him fell upon his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him: Father: I have sinned against heaven and before thee I am not now worthy to be called thy son. And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe and put it on him: and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it: and let us eat and make merry: Because this my son was dead and is come to life again, was lost and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said to him: Thy brother is come and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe. And he was angry and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him. And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee and I have never transgressed thy commandment: and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends. But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me; and all I have is thine. But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.

OFFERTORY Ps. 12.4-5

Give light to my eyes that I may never sleep in death, that my enemy may never say, I have overcome him.

SECRET

O Lord, be appeased by this Sacrifice. We seek forgiveness for our own sins; let us not be burdened with the sins of others. Through.

COMMUNION Luke 15.32

Thou ought to rejoice, my son, for thy brother was dead, and hath come to life; he was lost, and is found.

POSTCOMMUNION

May this sacramental libation of thy Sacrament fill our hearts, O Lord, and impart its own strength to us. Through.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, watch over thine household with constant, loving care. Let thy protection forever shield those who place their trust solely upon the hope of thy heavenly grace. Through.

21 March 2014 - Saint Benedict the Abbot

Greater Double - White

INTROIT Ps. 36.30-31.

The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgement: the law of his God is in his heart. Ps. 36.1. Be not emulous of evildoers: nor envy them that work iniquity. V.: Glory be.

COLLECT

May the intercession of the blessed abbot Benedict, commend us, we beseech thee, O Lord, that what we cannot attain by our own deserts we may attain through his patronage.

And then under one ending commemorate Feria VI after Lent II.

COLLECT

O Almighty God, cleanse us by this holy fast, so that we may celebrate the coming feast with pure hearts. Through.

LESSON Ecclus. 45.1-6.

Beloved of God, and men: whose memory is in benediction. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory. He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction.

GRADUAL Ps. 20.4-5.

Lord, thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. V.: He asked life of thee, and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.

Tract Ps. 111.1-3.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments. V:. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. V.: Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (19.27-29)

At that time, Peter said to Jesus: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my Name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

OFFERTORY Ps. 20.3-4.

Thou hast given him his heart's desire, O Lord, and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips: Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.

SECRET

May the holy Abbot, Benedict, we beseech thee, O Lord, pray that the sacrifices laid upon the sacred altars may avail for our salvation.

And then under one ending commemorate Feria VI after Lent II.

SECRET

O God, may this sacrifice remain in us, and may it increase the good effect it has accomplished. Through.

Communion Luke 12.42.

The faithful and wise servant, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season.

POSTCOMMUNION

Together with the reception of thy sacrament, O Lord, may the blessed abbot Benedict protect us by interceding for us, that we may put into practice the virtues of his life and partake of the power of his intercession.

And then under one ending commemorate Feria VI after Lent II.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may our lives always be guided by this promise of eternal salvation, so that we may eventually attain our goal. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (21.33-46)

At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to the multitude of the Jews and the chief priests, There was a man, an householder, who planted a vineyard and made a hedge round about it and dug in it a press and built a tower and let it out to husbandmen and went into a strange country. And when the time of the fruits drew nigh, he sent his servants to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits thereof. And the husbandmen laying hands on his servants, beat one and killed another and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the former; and they did to them in like manner. And last of all he sent to them his son, saying: They will reverence my son. But the husbandmen seeing the son, said among themselves: This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and we shall have his inheritance. And taking him, they cast him forth out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those husbandmen? They say to him: He will bring those evil men to an evil end and let out his vineyard to other husbandmen that shall render him the fruit in due season. Jesus saith to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? By the Lord this has been done; and it is wonderful in our eyes. Therefore I say to you that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and shall be given to a nation yielding the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they knew that he spoke of them. And seeking to lay hands on him, they feared the multitudes, because they held him as a prophet.

20 March 2014 - Saint Cuthbert, Bishop and Confessor

Double - White

INTROIT Ps. 131.9-10.

LET thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with justice, and let thy Saints rejoice: for thy servant David’s sake, turn not away the face of thine Anointed. Ps. 131.1. O Lord, remember David and all his meekness. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O God, who by the inestimable gift of thy grace dost glorify thy Saints: grant, we beseech thee; that at the intercession of blessed Cuthbert thy Confessor and Bishop, we may be found worthy to attain to the perfection of all virtues.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria V after Lent II.

COLLECT

O Lord, help us by thy grace to be diligent in fasting and prayer, that we may be shielded against the enemies of our soul and body. Through.

EPISTLE Heb. 7.23-27.

Brethren: The others indeed were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue: But this, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood: Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens: Who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, in offering himself.

Gradual Ps. 131.16-17.

I will clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall rejoice with exceeding great joy. There will I bring forth a horn to David: I have prepared a lamp for mine Anointed.

Tract Ps. 111.1-3.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments. V. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. V. Glory and wealth shall be in his house : and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (24.42-47)

At that time: Jesus said unto his disciples: Watch ye therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come. But this know ye, that, if the goodman of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come. Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath appointed over his family, to give them meat in season? Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find so doing. Amen I say to you: He shall place him over all his goods.

OFFERTORY Ps. 88.25.

My truth and my mercy shall be with him: and in my Name shall his horn be exalted.

SECRET

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to accept the sacrifice of our redemption: and at the intercession of blessed Cuthbert thy Confessor and Bishop, mercifully accomplish in us salvation both of body and soul.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria V after Lent II.

SECRET

O Lord, may the fast we observe in thy Name sanctify us through this Sacrifice, so that our acts of penance may accomplish within us the effects they outwardly signify. Through.

Communion Matt. 24.46-47.

Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find so doing: Amen I say to you, he shall place him over all his goods.

POSTCOMMUNION

We beseech thee, O Lord, that these holy Sacraments which we have received may evermore defend us by their mighty power: and at the intercession of blessed Cuthbert thy Confessor and Bishop, whose life shone forth in glory; they may preserve us in all peace and holiness.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria V after Lent II.

POSTCOMMUNION

Let us not be wanting of thy grace, O Lord. May it fire us with devotion to thy service and bring us thine assistance. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke (16.19-31)

At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees, There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores, Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And no one did give him: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom: And he cried and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame. And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you cannot, nor from thence come hither. And he said: Then, father, I beseech thee that thou wouldst send him to my father's house, for I have five brethren, That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments. And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them. But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance. And he said to him: 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.

19 March 2014 - Saint Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. and Universal Patron of the Church

Double of the First Class – White

INTROIT Ps.91.13,14

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. V. They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

We beseech thee, O Lord, that we may be helped by the merits of the Spouse of thy most holy Mother, so that we cannot obtain of ourselves, may be given to us through his intercession.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria IV after Lent II. 

COLLECT

O Lord, look mercifully upon thy people. We abstain from food at thy command; may we also turn away from the spiritual poison of sin. Through.

EPISTLE Ecclus. 45. 1-6

Beloved of God and men, whose memory is in benediction. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him his glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For he heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction.

GRADUAL Ps. 20.4, 5

For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. V. He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.

TRACT Ps. 111.1-3.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Glory and wealth shall be in his house and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (1.18-21)

Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Ps.88.25

And my truth and my mercy shall be with him: and in my Name shall his horn be exalted.

SECRET

We render thee, O Lord, the debt of our service, humbly entreating that thou wouldst preserve thy gifts within us through the intercession of blessed Joseph, the Spouse of the Mother of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; on whose holy festival we offer to thee the sacrifice of praise.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria IV after Lent II. 

SECRET

O Lord, look with favor upon the sacrifices we offer thee. May this holy exchange of gifts free us from the bondage of our sins. Through.

Preface: Of St. Joseph with "In the Festivity."

COMMUNION Matt.1.20

But while he thought on these things, behold the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.

POSTCOMMUNION

Come to our assistance, we beseech thee, O merciful God; and through the intercession of blessed Joseph thy confessor, graciously preserve thy gifts about us.

Then under one ending commemorate Feria IV after Lent II. 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may the reception of thy Sacrament bring us ever nearer to our eternal redemption. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (20.17-28)

At that time: as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart and said to them: Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes: and they shall condemn him to death. And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified: and the third day he shall rise again. Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him. Who said to her: What wilt thou? She saith to him: Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. And Jesus answering, said: They say to him: We can. He saith to them: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father. And the ten, hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them to him and said: You know that the princes of the Gentiles lord it over them; and that they that are the greater, exercise power upon them. It shall not be so among you: but whosoever is the greater among you, let him be your minister. And he that will be first among you shall be your servant. Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a redemption for many.

18 March 2014 - Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church

Double – White

INTROIT Ecclus. 15.5

In the midst of the Church the Lord opened his mouth: and filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: he clothed him with a robe of glory. Ps.91.2 It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy Name, O Most High. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

Grant us, we beseech thee, O almighty God, by the intercession of the blessed Bishop Cyril, so to know thee, the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent that we may be accounted worthy to be numbered for evermore among the sheep who hearken to his voice.

Then together under one ending commemorate Feria III after Lent II. 

COLLECT

O Lord, help us keep the holy Lenten fast. Teach us our duties and assist us with thy grace to perform them. Through.

EPISTLE Ecclus. 39.6-14.

He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High. He will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins. For if it shall please the great Lord, he will fill him with the spirit of understanding: And he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will confess to the Lord. And he shall direct his counsel, and his knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate. He shall shew forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. Many shall praise his wisdom, and it shall never be forgotten. The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation. Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise.

GRADUAL Ps. 36.30-31.

The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment. The law of his God is in his heart: and his steps shall not be supplanted.

TRACT Ps. 111.1-3.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Glory and wealth shall be in his house and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (10.23-28)

At that time: Jesus said unto his disciples: When they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come. The disciple is not above the master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the good man of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household? 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. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Ps.91.13.

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall be multiplied like the cedar that is in Libanus.

SECRET

Look down, O Lord, upon the spotless victim we offer to thee: and grant that by the merits of blessed Cyril, thy confessor and bishop, we may ever strive to receive it into a clean heart.

Then together under one ending commemorate Feria III after Lent II. 

SECRET

O Lord, sanctify us by this sacred rite so that we may be cleansed from earthly sinfulness and come to our eternal reward. Through.

COMMUNION Luke 12.42.

The faithful and wise servant, whom his lord setteth over his family: to give them their measure of wheat in due season.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord Jesus Christ, may the sacrament of thine own Body and Blood which we have received, sanctify our minds and hearts, through the prayers of the holy bishop Cyril, and thereby make us worthy to become partakers of the divine nature.

Then together under one ending commemorate Feria III after Lent II. 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, make us ever obedient to thy command-ments so that we may be deserving of thy heavenly gifts. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (23.1-12)

At that time Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not. For they say, and do not. For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens and lay them on men's shoulders: but with a finger of their own they will not move them. And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad and enlarge their fringes. And they love the first places at feasts and the first chairs in the synagogues, And salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi. But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master: and all you are brethren. And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your master, Christ. He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

17 March 2014 - Saint Patrick, Bishop and Confessor

Double – White

INTROIT Ecclus. 45.30.

The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince: that the dignity of the priesthood should be to him forever. Ps. 131.1. O Lord, remember David: and all his meekness. V.: Glory be.

COLLECT

O God, who didst vouchsafe to send blessed Patrick, Confessor and Bishop, to preach thy glory to the Gentiles, grant that, through his merits and intercession, we may be enabled to accomplish by thy mercy what thou commandest us to do.

Then together under one ending, commemorate Feria II after Lent II.

COLLECT

O Almighty God, while thy servants mortify their bodies by fasting, may they also follow after righteousness and avoid sin. Through.

LESSON Ecclus. 44.16-27; 45.3-20.

Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations. Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a recon-ciliation. Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came. The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood. Abra-ham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him. In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful. Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth, And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father. The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his cove-nant upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes. And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory. He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judg-ments. He exalted Aaron his brother, and like to himself of the tribe of Levi: He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory, And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire. He put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and an ephod, and he compassed him with many little bells of gold all round about, That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people. He gave him a holy robe of gold, and blue, and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth: Of twisted scarlet the work of an artist, with precious stones cut and set in gold, and graven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. And a crown of gold upon his mitre wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour: a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty. Before him there were none so beautiful, even from the beginning. No stranger was ever clothed with them, but only his children alone, and his grandchildren for ever. His sacrifices were consumed with fire every day. Moses filled his hands and anointed him with holy oil. This was made to him for an everlasting testament, and to his seed as the days of heaven, to execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise, and to glorify his people in his name. He chose him out of all men living, to offer sacrifice to God, incense, and a good savour, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people.

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.

Tract Ps. 111.1-3.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments. V. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. V. Glory and wealth shall be in his house : and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 25.14-23

At that time: Jesus said this parable unto his disciples: For even as a man going into a far country called his servants and delivered to them his goods; And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way and traded with the same and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents. Behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me. Behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

OFFERTORY Ps. 88.21-22.

I have found David my servant, with my holy oil I have anointed him: for my hand shall help him, and my arm shall strengthen him.

SECRET

May thy saints, we beseech thee, O Lord, in every place bring us joy; that while we commemorate their merits, we may experience their patronage.

Then together under one ending, commemorate Feria II after Lent II.

SECRET

O Lord, protect us through this sacrifice which we offer to atone for our sins and to give glory unto thee. Through.

Communion Luke 12.42.

This is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family : to give them their measure of wheat in due season.

POSTCOMMUNION

Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that by showing gratitude for the gifts which we have received, we may, by the intercession of blessed Patrick thy Confessor and Bishop, obtain yet greater benefits.

Then together under one ending, commemorate Feria II after Lent II.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may this Communion cleanse us from sin, and bestow upon us spiritual health from heaven. Through.

PROPER LAST GOSPEL

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John 8.21-29

At that time, Jesus said to them: I go : and ye shall seek me. And you shall die in your sin. Whither I go, you cannot come. The Jews therefore said: Will he kill himself, because he said: Whither I go you cannot come? And he said to them: You are from beneath: I am from above. You are of this world: I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you shall die in your sins. For if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sin. They said therefore to him: Who art thou? Jesus said to them: The beginning, who also speak unto you. Many things I have to speak and to judge of you. But he that sent me, is true: and the things I have heard of him, these same I speak in the world. And they understood not that he called God his Father. Jesus therefore said to them: When you shall have lifted up, the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he and that I do nothing of myself. But as the Father hath taught me, these things I speak. And he that sent me is with me: and he hath not left me alone. For I do always the things that please him.