24 April 2014 - Thursday of Easter Week and Commemoration of Saint Sigmaringen, Martyr

Of the First Class Octave – White

INTROIT Sap. 10.20-21

They praised with one accord thy victorious hand, O Lord, alleluia. For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of infants eloquent, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 97.1. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he hath done wondrous deeds. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O God, the distinctions between nations were destroyed when thou didst unite all men in praising thy Name. Let those who have been born again through baptism be of one mind in faith and holiness. Through.

Commemorate Saint Sigmaringen

COLLECT

O God, who didst vouchsafe to adorn with the grace of working miracles and the palm of martyrdom in the propagation of the true faith the blessed Fidelis, inflamed with seraphic ardour of soul, we beseech thee, by his merits and intercession, so to strengthen us through thy grace in faith and charity that we may be worthy to be found faithful in thy service even unto death. Through.

LESSON Acts 8.26-40.

In those days, an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert. And rising up, he went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore. And he was returning, sitting in his chariot and reading Isaias the prophet. And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest? Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter: and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth. In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth? And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beseech thee, of whom doth the prophet speak this? Of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip, opening his mouth and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water. And the eunuch said: See, here is water: What doth hinder me from being baptized? And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch. And he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took away Philip: and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found in Azotus: and passing through, he preached the Gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL Ps. 117.24, 22-23

This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. V. The stone which the builders rejected hath become the cornerstone. This is the work of the Lord, and is wonderful in our eyes.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Christ, who created all things and who hath had compassion upon the human race is risen.

SEQUENCE – Victimae Paschali
As on Easter Sunday

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John (20.11-18.)

At that time, Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre, And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid. They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord: and I know not where they have laid him. When she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing: and she knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She, thinking that it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him: and I will take him away. Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master). Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me: for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God. Mary Magdalen cometh and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord; and these things he said to me. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Ex. 13.5

In the day of your celebration, saith the Lord, I will bring you into a land flowing with milk and honey. Alleluia.

SECRET

Receive the offerings of thy people, O Lord. May the baptism and belief in thy Name, which hath given them a new life, lead them to everlasting happiness. Through.

Commemorate Saint Sigmaringen

SECRET

We beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to accept these our prayers and oblations: that we, being cleansed by these heavenly mysteries, may obtain of thy great mercy the fulfillment of all our desires. Through.

Communicantes
As given for Easter Sunday.

COMMUNION I Peter 2.9

O purchased people, proclaim the perfection of him, alleluia. Who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, alleluia.

POSTCOMMUNION

Hear our prayers, O Lord. May the ransom price thou didst pay for our redemption bring us help in this life and everlasting happiness in the next. Through.

Commemorate Saint Sigmaringen

POSTCOMMUNION

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord our God: that like as we in this life do gladly honor the memory of thy Saints, so we may in heaven rejoice in their eternal fellowship. Through.