29 February 2016 - Feria II after Lent III

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 55.5

Through God I will glory in this word, through the Lord I will praise this speech: in God I trust, and I will not fear what man can do to me. Ps. 55.2. Have pity on me, O God, for men trample upon me; all the day they press their attack against me. V. Glory be.

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.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON IV Kings 5.1-15

In those days, Naaman, general of the army, of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable: for by him the Lord gave deliverance to Syria: and he was a valiant man, and rich, but a leper. Now there had gone out robbers from Syria, and had led away captive out of the land of Israel, a little maid, and she waited upon Naaman's wife. And she said to her mistress: I wish my master had been with the prophet that is in Samaria: he would certainly have healed him of the leprosy which he hath. Then Naaman went in to his lord, and told him, saying: Thus and thus said the girl from the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said to him: Go; and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment; And brought the letter to the king of Israel, in these words: When thou shalt receive this letter, know that I have sent to thee Naaman, my servant, that thou mayst heal him of his leprosy. And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he rent his garments, and said: Am I God, to be able to kill and give life, that this man hath sent to me to heal a man of his leprosy? mark, and see how he seeketh occasions against me. And when Eliseus, the man of God, had heard this, to wit, that the king of Israel had rent his garments, he sent to him, saying: Why hast thou rent thy garments? let him come to me, and let him know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Eliseus: And Eliseus sent a messenger to him, saying: Go, and wash seven times in the Jordan, and thy flesh shall recover health, and thou shalt be clean. Naaman was angry, and went away, saying: I thought he would have come out to me, and standing, would have invoked the name of the Lord his God, and touched with his hand the place of the leprosy, and healed me. Are not the Abana, and the Pharphar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel, that I may wash in them, and be made clean? So as he turned, and was going away with indignation, his servants came to him, and said to him: Father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, surely thou shouldst have done it: how much rather what he now hath said to thee: Wash, and thou shalt be clean? Then he went down, and washed in the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child: and he was made clean. And returning to the man of God, with all his train, he came, and stood before him, and said: In truth, I know there is no other God, in all the earth, but only in Israel: I beseech thee, therefore, take a blessing of thy servant.

GRADUAL Ps. 55.9 2

O God, I have recounted my life to thee; thou hast placed my tears before thee. V. Have pity on me, O God, for men trample upon me; all the day they press their attack against me.

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 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.

OFFERTORY Ps. 54.2-3

Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer and turn not away from my pleading; give heed to me, and answer me.

SECRET

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 13.7

Who shall bring out of Sion the salvation of Israel? When the Lord shall have restored his people from captivity, then shall Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, aid us by thy mercy. Protect us from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins, and lead us to salvation. Through.

28 February 2016 - Third Sunday in Lent (Commemoration of St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows)

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.

Commemoration: St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

O God, thou didst teach blessed Gabriel to meditate constantly on the sorrows of thy most sweet Mother, and thou didst exalt him by glorious virtues and miracles. Through his prayers and example, may we share the sorrows of thy Mother and come to eternal life under her motherly care; who livest and reignest.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

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.

Commemoration: St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

We offer thee, O Lord, this life-giving sacrifice in memory of blessed Gabriel. Make us always remember the sacrifice of thy death, and let us share in the abundant effects of that sacrifice through the merits of the sorrowing Virgin; who livest and reignest.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

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.

Commemoration: St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

O Lord, on this feast of thine holy confessor Gab-riel, we give thanks for all we have received from thee. Graciously accept our gratitude through the hands of the glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, from whom thou didst take flesh, the same flesh that we have received in this Banquet of Salvation; who livest and reignest.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

27 February 2016 - 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.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

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 for-giveness for our own sins; let us not be burdened with the sins of others. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

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.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

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.

26 February 2016 - Feria VI after Lent II

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 16.15

But I shall appear before thee in justice; I shall be content when thy glory shall be made manifest. Ps. 16.1. Hear, O Lord, a just cause; hearken to my supplication. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON Gen. 37.6-22

In those days, Joseph said to his brethren, Hear my dream which I dreamed. I thought we were binding sheaves in the field: and my sheaf arose as it were, and stood, and your sheaves standing about bowed down before my sheaf. His brethren answered: Shalt thou be our king? or shall we be subject to thy dominion? Therefore this matter of his dreams and words ministered nourishment to their envy and hatred. He dreamed also another dream, which he told his brethren, saying: I saw in a dream, as it were the sun, and the moon, and eleven stars worshipping me. And when he had told this to his father, and brethren, his father rebuked him and said: What meaneth this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother, and thy brethren worship thee upon the earth? His brethren therefore envied him: but his father considered the thing with himself. And when his brethren abode in Sechem, feeding their father's flocks, Israel said to him: Thy brethren feed the sheep in Sichem: come, I will send thee to them. And when he answered: I am ready: he said to him: Go, and see if all things be well with thy brethren, and the cattle: and bring me word again what is doing. So being sent from the vale of Hebron, he came to Sichem: And a man found him there wandering in the field, and asked what he sought. But he answered: I seek my brethren, tell me where they feed the flocks. And the man said to him: They are departed from this place: for I heard them say: Let us go to Dothain. And Joseph went forward after his brethren, and found them in Dothain. And when they saw him afar off, before he came nigh them, they thought to kill him: And said one to another: Behold the dreamer cometh. Come, let us kill him, and cast him into some old pit: and we will say: Some evil beast hath devoured him: and then it shall appear what his dreams avail him: And Ruben hearing this, endeavoured to deliver him out of their hands, and said: Do not take away his life, nor shed his blood: but cast him into this pit, that is in the wilderness, and keep your hands harmless: now he said this, being desirous to deliver him out of their hands and to restore him to his father.

GRADUAL Ps. 119.1-2

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. V. O Lord, deliver me from lying lips and from a treacherous tongue.

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 (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.

OFFERTORY Ps. 39.14, 15

Look down, O Lord, to help me. Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life. Look down, O Lord, to help me.

SECRET

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 11.8

O Lord, thou wilt keep us, and preserve us always from this generation.

POSTCOMMUNION

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, grant thy people health of soul and body. May we be fervent in doing good and so deserve to be protected by thy mighty power. Through.

25 February 2016 - Saint Mathias, Apostle (Feria V after Lent II)

Double of the Second Class – Red 

¶ By ancient custom, the Vigil and Feast of Saint Mathias are kept on the 24th and 25th of February respectively in leap years.

INTROIT Ps. 138.17

THY friends, O God, are made exceeding honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. Ps. 139.1. Lord, thou hast proved me and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O GOD who didst join blessed Matthias to the company of thine Apostles, grant, we beseech thee, that through his intercession, we may ever be conscious of thy compassion and loving kindness towards us.

Then under one ending commemorate the Lenten Feria as in the mass below.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
Of the Saints and For the Quick and the Dead

EPISTLE Acts 1.15-26

IN those days, Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said: (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty:) Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus: who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged, burst asunder in the midst: and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: so that the same field was called in their tongue, Haceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric let another take. Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place. And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

GRADUAL Ps. 138.17-18

Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened. I will number them, and they shall be multiplied above the sand: I rose up and am still with thee.

TRACT Ps. 20.3-4

Thou hast given him his heart's desire: and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips. For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (11.25-30)

AT that time, Jesus answered, and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones. Yea, Father; for so hath it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son, but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him. Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Ps. 44.17-18

Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall remember thy name throughout all generations.

SECRET

O LORD, may the prayer of holy Matthias, thine Apostle, accompany the oblations which we dedicate to thy Name: and grant that through it we may be both forgiven and defended. 

Then under one ending commemorate the Lenten Feria as in the mass below.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
Of the Saints and For the Quick and the Dead

PREFACE: Of the Apostles.

COMMUNION Matt. 19.28

You who have followed me shall sit on the seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

POSTCOMMUNION

GRANT, we beseech thee, almighty God, that by means of these holy mysteries which we received, through the intercession of blessed Matthias, thine Apostle, we may obtain pardon and peace. 

Then under one ending commemorate the Lenten Feria as in the mass below.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
Of the Saints and For the Quick and the Dead

_________________________________

THURSDAY AFTER THE

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple 

INTROIT Ps. 69.2-3

O God, make speed to save me; O Lord, make haste to help me. Let mine enemies who seek my life be put to shame and confounded. Ps. 69.4. Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

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.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON Jer. 17.5-10

Thus saith the Lord: Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like tamaric in the desert, and he shall not see when good shall come: but he shall dwell in dryness in the desert in a salt land, and not inhabited. Blessed be the man that trusteth in the Lord, and the Lord shall be his confidence. And he shall be as a tree that is planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots towards moisture: and it shall not fear when the heat cometh. And the leaf thereof shall be green, and in the time of drought it shall not be solicitous, neither shall it cease at any time to bring forth fruit. The heart is perverse above all things, and unsearchable, who can know it? I am the Lord who search the heart, and prove the reins: who give to every one according to his way, and according to the fruit of his devices.

GRADUAL Ps. 78.9-10

Pardon us our sins, O Lord, lest the nations ever say, Where is their God? V. Help us, O God our Savior, and for the glory of thy Name, O Lord, deliver us.

+ 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.

OFFERTORY Ex. 32.11, 13-14

Moses prayed before the Lord his God, saying, Why, O Lord, should thy wrath blaze up against thine own people? Let thine anger die down. Remember Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and how thou didst swear to give them a land flowing with milk and honey. And the Lord relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.

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.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION John 6.57

He who eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me and I in him, saith the Lord.

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.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, come to the assistance of thy servants and be merciful to those who implore thy mercy. Bind up the wounds of sin in those who glory in thee as their creator and ruler, and keep them whole and sinless. Through.

24 February 2016 - Feria IV after Lent II (Commemoration of the Vigil of St. Mathias, A.)

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

Vigil held this day due to the leap year. 

INTROIT Ps. 37.22-23

Forsake me not, O Lord, my God; be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation. Ps. 37.2. Rebuke me not in thine anger, O Lord, and chastise me not in thy wrath. V. Glory be.

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.

Commemoration: Vigil of St. Mathias, Apostle

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that we who on this day anticipate the feast of thy holy Apostle, blessed Mathias, may by the devout observance of the same increase in godliness to the attainment of everlasting salvation. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON Esther 13.8-11; 15-17

But Mardochai besought the Lord, remembering all his works, And said: O Lord, Lord, almighty king, for all things are in thy power, and there is none that can resist thy will, if thou determine to save Israel. Thou hast made heaven and earth and all things that are under the cope of heaven. Thou art Lord of all, and there is none that can resist thy majesty. And now, O Lord, O king, O God of Abraham, have mercy on thy people, because our enemies resolve to destroy us, and extinguish thy inheritance. Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed for thyself out of Egypt. Hear my supplication, and be merciful to thy lot and inheritance, and turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and praise thy name, O Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to thee.

GRADUAL Ps. 27.9, 11

Save thy people, O Lord, and bless thine inheritance. V. To thee, O Lord my God, I cry; be not deaf to me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit.

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 (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.

OFFERTORY Ps. 24.1-3

I have lifted up my soul unto thee, O Lord; in thee, O my God, I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies exalt over me. No one who waiteth for thee shalt be left in confusion.

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.

Commemoration: Vigil of St. Mathias, Apostle

O Lord, who didst exalt thy blessed Saint Mathias to be numbered among thine Apostles: grant that we thy people, who on this day, anticipating his heavenly birth, do offer unto thee these holy mysteries, may be assisted by his intercession both in the making of our supplications before thee, and in the obtaining of all that we desire. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 10.8

The Lord is just, and he hath loved justice; the upright shall see his face.

POSTCOMMUNION

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

Commemoration: Vigil of St. Mathias, Apostle

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to hear the prayers of thy holy Apostle Mathias : that we may thereby obtain the pardon of our sins and the healing gifts of everlasting life. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O God, thou lovest innocence and hast restored it to us. Turn the hearts of thy people towards thyself. Set them on fire with thy Spirit, that they may be firm in faith and zealous in virtues. Through.

23 February 2016 - Saint Peter Damian, Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor of the Church (Feria III after Lent II)

Double - White

INTROIT Ecclus. 15.5. 

In the midst of the Church he opened his mouth: and the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and under-standing. 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 unto us, we beseech thee, O almighty God, so to follow the counsels and example of blessed Peter, thy Confessor and Bishop, that we may by despising earthly things, obtain everlasting joys.  

Then under one ending, say the collect of the Feria as in the mass below.

EPISTLE II Tim. 4.1-8.

Dearly beloved, I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom: preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just Judge, will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming.

Gradual Ps. 36.30-31.

The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgement. V.: 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. 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 (5.13-19)

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

¶ The Creed is said in all masses of Doctors of the Church.

OFFERTORY Ps. 91.13.

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up, like the cedar of Libanus.

SECRET

May the holy prayer of Saint Peter, thy Bishop, Confessor and Doctor, fail us not, O Lord: may it render our offerings acceptable, and ever obtain for us thy pardon. 

Then under one ending, say the collect of the Feria as in the mass below.

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

We beseech thee, O Lord, that blessed Peter, thy Bishop, Confessor and illustrious Doctor may join his prayers to ours that this thy sacrifice may bring us salvation. Through.

_________________________

TUESDAY AFTER THE

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 26.8, 9

My heart hath spoken unto thee; I have sought thee. Thy presence, O Lord, I will still seek; hide not thy face from me. Ps. 26.1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? V. Glory be.

COLLECT

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON III Kings 17.8-16

In those days, the word of the Lord came to Elias the Thesbite, saying: Arise, and go to Sarephta of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed thee. He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And when she was going to fetch it, he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand. And she answered: As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruise: behold I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it and die. And Elias said to her: Fear not; but go, and do as thou hast said but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me, and after make for thyself and thy son. For thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruise of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth. She went, and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day The pot of meal wasted not, and the cruise of oil was not diminished according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias.

GRADUAL Ps. 54.23, 17, 18, 19

Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he will support thee. V. When I called upon the Lord, he heard my voice and delivered me from those who war against me.

+ 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.

OFFERTORY Ps. 50.3

Have mercy on me, O Lord; in the greatness of thy compassion, O Lord, blot out my sinfulness.

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.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 9.2-3

I will declare all thy wondrous deeds; I will be glad and rejoice in thee; I will sing praise to thy name, O Most High!

POSTCOMMUNION

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, be moved by our prayers and heal the sickness of our souls. Grant us pardon for our sins and make us always joyous in thy blessings. Through.

22 February 2016 - Chair of Saint Peter in Antioch (Feria II after Lent II)

Greater Double – White

INTROIT Eccl. 45.30

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

COLLECT

O God, thou hast entrusted the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to thy blessed Apostle Peter and have given him the power of bishop to bind or to loose. May his intercession free us from the slavery of sin; And under one ending:

Commemoration of St. Paul

O God, thou hast instructed many nations through the preaching of the blessed apostle Paul. Let the power of his intercession with thee help us who venerate his memory this day. 

And then under one ending as usual, the collect of the Lenten feria as in the next mass. 

EPISTLE I Peter 1.1-7

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers dispersed through Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, elect, according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, unto the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy hath regenerated us unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: Unto an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled and that cannot fade, reserved in heaven for you, Who, by the power of God, are kept by faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you shalt greatly rejoice, if now you must be for a little time made sorrowful in divers temptations: That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL Ps. 106.32; 31

Let them extol him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders. V. Let them praise the Lord for his mercies and for his wondrous deeds to the children of men.

TRACT Matt. 16.18-19.

Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.
V. And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it: and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. V. Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. V. And whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (16.13-19)

At that time, Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon BarJona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Matt. 16.18-19

Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.

SECRET

O Lord, we offer thee the prayers and sacrifice of thy Church through the intercession of thine Apostle Peter. May this holy mass, which we celebrate in his honor, win pardon for us. 

And then the following under one ending:

Commemoration of St. Paul

O Lord, sanctify the offerings of thy people through the intercession of the blessed apostle Paul. The sacrifice we offer is already acceptable unto thee because thou didst institute it; may it become even more pleasing to thee through the prayers of thy saint. 

And then under one ending as usual, the collect of the Lenten feria as in the next mass. 

Preface: Of the Apostles

COMMUNION Matt. 16.18

Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.

POSTCOMMUNION

May our offering bring us happiness, O Lord. We praise thee for the wondrous things thou didst accomplish through thine Apostle Peter and ask forgiveness through his intercession. 

And under one ending:

Commemoration of St. Paul

We have been made holy by this life-giving Sacrifice, O Lord. May we always be aided by the prayers of thy saint, whom thou didst give us as a protector and a guide. 

And then under one ending as usual, the collect of the Lenten feria as in the next mass. 

____________________________

MONDAY AFTER THE

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 25.11-12

Redeem me, O Lord, and have pity on me, for my foot standeth on the right path. In the assemblies I will bless the Lord. Ps. 25.1. Do me justice, O Lord, for I have walked in innocence, and in the Lord I trust without wavering. 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.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON Dan. 9.15-19

In those days, Daniel prayed to the Lord, saying, O Lord, our God, who hast brought forth thy people out of the land of Egypt, with a strong hand, and hast made thee a name as at this day: we have sinned, we have committed iniquity, O Lord, against all thy justice: let thy wrath and thy indignation be turned away, I beseech thee, from thy city, Jerusalem, and from thy holy mountain. For by reason of our sins, and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem, and thy people, are a reproach to all that are round about us. Now, therefore, O our God, hear the supplication of thy servant, and his prayers: and shew thy face upon thy sanctuary, which is desolate, for thy own sake. Incline, O my God, thy ear, and hear: open thy eyes, and see our desolation, and the city upon which thy name is called: for it is not for our justifications that we present our prayers before thy face, but for the multitude of thy tender mercies. O Lord, hear: O Lord, be appeased: hearken, and do: delay not, for thy own sake, O my God: because thy name is invocated upon thy city, and upon thy people.

GRADUAL Ps. 69.6, 3

Help me and deliver me, O Lord, and make no delay. V. Let mine enemies who seek my life be put to shame and confounded.

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 (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.

OFFERTORY Ps. 15.7, 8

I bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

SECRET

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 8.2

O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is thy Name over all the earth.

POSTCOMMUNION

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

Hear our petitions, O Almighty God. Thy love hath given us hope; let thine unfailing mercy protect us. Through.

21 February 2016 - Second Sunday in Lent

Sunday of the First Class – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 24.6, 3, 22

Remember, O Lord, thy compassion and thy mercy are from of old, that mine enemies may never rule over us. Deliver us from all our distress, O God of Israel. Ps. 24.1-2. I have lifted up my soul unto thee, O Lord; in thee, O my God, I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O God, thou seest that we are completely powerless of ourselves. Protect us from bodily and spiritual dangers, so that we may not be harmed by physical misfortunes and evil thoughts. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

EPISTLE I Thess. 4.1-7

Brethren: For the rest therefore, brethren, pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus that, as you have received from us, how you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: That you should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, Not in the passion of lust, like the Gentiles that know not God: And that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification, in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

GRADUAL Ps. 24.17-18

The cares of my heart are multiplied; deliver me from my distress, O Lord. V. See my wretchedness and my suffering, and forgive all my sins.

TRACT Ps. 105.1-4

Give glory to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever. V. Who shall tell the mighty deeds of the Lord; who shall proclaim all his praises? V. Blessed are they who keep the precepts, who do what is just at all times. V. Remember us, O Lord, in thy benevolence towards thy people; visit us with thy saving help.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (17.1-9)

At that time, Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Ps. 118.47, 48

I will meditate on thy commandments, which I love dearly; and I will lift up my hands to thy commands, which I cherish.

SECRET

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

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 5.2-4

Hear my call for help and hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God; for unto thee I pray, O Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

Almighty God, we humbly ask that those who are nourished with thy Sacrament may live a life of worthy service pleasing unto thee. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

20 February 2016 - Ember Saturday of Lent

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple 

INTROIT Ps. 87.3

Let my prayer come before thee; incline thine ear to my call for help, O Lord. Ps. 87.2. O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and by night in thy presence. V. Glory be.

¶ After the Kyrie Eleison is said:

Oremus (Let us pray.)

V. Flectamus genua.
(Let us bend the knee.)

R. Levate. (Arise.)

¶ The above is observed before all the Collects between the lessons in this mass.

COLLECT

Look with mercy upon thy people,O Lord, and in thy pity spare them from the punishment they deserve. Through.

FIRST LESSON Deut. 26.12-19

In those days, Moses spoke to the people, saying, When thou hast made an end of tithing all thy fruits, in the third year of tithes thou shalt give it to the Levite, and to the stranger, and to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled: And thou shalt speak thus in the sight of the Lord thy God: I have taken that which was sanctified out of my house, and I have given it to the Levite, and to the stranger, and to the fatherless, and to the widow, as thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments nor forgotten thy precepts. I have not eaten of them in my mourning, nor separated them for any uncleanness, nor spent any thing of them in funerals. I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God, and have done all things as thou hast commanded me. Look from thy sanctuary, and thy high habitation of heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou didst swear to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey. This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these commandments and judgments: and to keep and fulfill them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast chosen the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways and keep his ceremonies, and precepts, and judgments, and obey his command. And the Lord hath chosen thee this day, to be his peculiar people, as he hath spoken to thee, and to keep all his commandments: And to make thee higher than all nations which he hath created, to his own praise, and name, and glory: that thou mayst be a holy people of the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken.

GRADUAL Ps. 78.9, 10

Pardon us our sins, O Lord, lest the nations ever say, Where is their God? V. Help us, O God our Savior; and for the glory of thy Name, O Lord, deliver us.

COLLECT

O God, our Protector, look down upon us: that we who are oppressed by the weight of our evils, may, through thy mercy, serve thee with a free mind. Through.

SECOND LESSON Deut. 11.22-25

In those days Moses said to the children of Israel: If you keep the com­mandments which I command you, and do them, to love the Lord your God, and walk in all His ways, cleav­ing unto Him, the Lord will destroy all these nations before your face, and shall possess them, which are greater and stronger than you. Every that your foot shall tread upon be yours. From the desert, and Libanus, from the great river Euphrates unto the western sea shall be your borders. None shall stand against you: the Lord your God shall lay the dread and fear of you upon all than land that you shall tread upon, as hath spoken to you, the Lord your God.

GRADUAL Ps.83. 10, 9.

Behold, O God, our Protector, and look down upon thy servants. O Lord God of hosts, graciously hear the prayers of thy servants.

COLLECT

Hear our supplications, we beseech thee, O Lord, that by thy goodness we may both deserve to be humble in prosperity and secure in adversity. Through.

THIRD LESSON II Mach. 1. 23-26, 27

In those days all the priests made prayer, while the sacrifice was consuming, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering. And the prayer of Nehemias was after this manner: O Lord God, Creator of all things, dreadful and strong, just and merciful, who alone art the goad king, Who alone art gracious, who alone art just, and almighty, and eternal, who deliverest Israel from all evil, who didst choose the fathers and didst sanctify them: receive the sacrifice for all thy people Israel, and preserve thy own portion, and sanctify it. Gather together our scattered people, deliver them that are slaves to the Gentiles, and look upon them that are despised and abhorred: that the Gentiles may know that thou art our God.

GRADUAL Ps. 89. 13, 1.

Be turned somewhat, O Lord, and be entreated in favor of thy servants. Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.

COLLECT

Graciously hear the prayers of thy people, we beseech thee, O Lord: that we, who are justly afflicted for our sins, may for the glory of thy name be mercifully delivered. Through.

FOURTH LESSON Eccli. 36.1-10

Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and shew us the light of thy mercies: And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that they may shew forth thy wonders. Lift up thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see thy power. For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence, That they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there is no God beside thee, O Lord. Renew thy signs, and work new miracles. Glorify thy hand, and thy right arm. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath. Take away the adversary, and crush the enemy. Hasten the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy wonderful works, O Lord, our God.

GRADUAL Ps. 140.2.

Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.

COLLECT

Go before our actions, we beseech thee, O Lord, with thine inspirations and further them by thine assistance; that every word and work of our may begin always from thee and by thee be likewise ended. Through.

FIFTH LESSON Dan. 3.47-51

In those days the Angel of the Lord went down with Azarias and his companions into the furnace: and he drove the flame of the fire out of the furnace, and made the midst of the furnace like the blowing of a wind bringing dew. And the flame mounted up above the furnace nine and forty cubits: and it broke forth, and burnt such of the Chaldeans as it found near the furnace, the king's servants that heated it. And the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them nor did them any harm. Then these three as with one mouth praised and glorified and blessed God in the furnace, saying:

¶ The response Deo gratias or Thanks be to God is not said after the Fifth Lesson, but instead the Hymn below is begun immediately.

HYMN Dan. 3.52-56

Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. And blessed is the name of thy glory, which is holy: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. Blessed art thou in the holy temple of thy glory: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. Blessed art thou on the holy throne of thy kingdom: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. Blessed art thou upon the sceptre of thy divinity: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. Blessed art thou that sittest upon the Cherubims, beholding the depths: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. Blessed art thou that walkest upon the wings of the wind, and on the waves of the sea: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. Let all thy Angels and Saints bless thee: and praise thee and glorify thee for ever. Let the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the things that are in them, bless thee: and praise thee and glorify thee for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, who is worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. As it ws in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. And worthy to be praised and glorified for ever. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised and glorified for ever.

COLLECT

O God, who didst allay the flames of fierce for the three young men, grant in thy mercy that the flame of vice may not consume us thy servants. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

EPISTLE I Thess. 5.14-23

Brethren: And we beseech you, rebuke the unquiet: comfort the feeble minded: support the weak: be patient towards all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other and towards all men. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all. Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

TRACT Ps. 116.1-2

Praise the Lord, all you nations; praise him in unison, all you peoples. V. For his mercy is steadfast towards us, and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (17.1-9)

At that time, Jesus took unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.

OFFERTORY Ps. 87.2-3

O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and by night in thy presence. let my prayer come before thee, O Lord.

SECRET

O Lord, sanctify our fasting by these offerings, so that our acts of penance may interiorly accomplish in us the effect that they outwardly signify. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 7.2

O Lord, my God, in thee have I placed my trust; save me from all my persecutors, and rescue me.

POSTCOMMUNION

Almighty God, may the grace of this Sacrament cure our sinfulness and be an everlasting remedy for our weakness. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O God, strengthen thy people with the blessing they ask, so that they may always be obedient to thy will and rejoice in thy gifts. Through.

19 February 2016 - Ember Friday of Lent

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 24.17-18

Deliver me from my distress, O Lord. See my affliction and my suffering, and forgive all my sins. Ps. 24.1-2. I have lifted up my soul unto thee, O Lord; in thee, O my God, I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Lord, be merciful towards thy people. Comfort them with thy loving help, as thou hast kept them loyal unto thee. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON Ezech. 18.20-28

The soul that sinneth, the same shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, and the father shall not bear the iniquity of the son: the justice of the just shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked do penance for all his sins which he hath committed, and keep all my commandments, and do judgment, and justice, living he shall live, and shall not die. I will not remember all his iniquities that he hath done: in his justice which he hath wrought, he shall live. Is it my will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways, and live? But if the just man turn himself away from his justice, and do iniquity according to all the abominations which the wicked man useth to work, shall he live? all his justices which he hath done, shall not be remembered: in the prevarication, by which he hath prevaricated, and in his sin, which he hath committed, in them he shall die. And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear ye, therefore, O house of Israel: Is it my way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse? For when the just turneth himself away from his justice, and comitteth iniquity, he shall die therein: in the injustice that he hath wrought he shall die. And when the wicked turneth himself away from his wickedness, which he hath wrought, and doeth judgment, and justice: he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth and turneth away himself from all his iniquities which he hath wrought, he shall surely live, and not die.

GRADUAL Ps. 85.2, 6

Save thy servant who trusteth in thee, O my God. V. Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer.

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 (5.1-15)

At that time, there was a festival day of the Jews: and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem a pond, called Probatica, which in Hebrew is named Bethsaida, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered: waiting for the moving of the water. And an angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pond and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water was made whole of whatsoever infirmity he lay under. And there was a certain man there that had been eight and thirty years under his infirmity. Him when Jesus had seen lying, and knew that he had been now a long time, he saith to him: Wilt thou be made whole? The infirm man answered him: Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pond. For whilst I am coming, another goeth down before me. Jesus saith to him: Arise, take up thy bed and walk. And immediately the man was made whole: and he took up his bed and walked. And it was the sabbath that day. The Jews therefore said to him that was healed: It is the sabbath. It is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed. He answered them: He that made me whole, he said to me: Take up thy bed and walk. They asked him therefore: Who is that man who said to thee: Take up thy bed and walk? But he who was healed knew not who it was: for Jesus went aside from the multitude standing in the place. Afterwards, Jesus findeth him in the temple and saith to him: Behold thou art made whole: sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee. The man went his way and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole.

OFFERTORY Ps. 102.2, 5

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; and thy youth shall be renewed like that of the eagle.

SECRET

O Lord, accept our offering as a mark of our worship, and in thy mercy sanctify the gifts we bring thee. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 6.11

Let all my enemies be put to shame in utter terror; let them be turned back in sudden shame.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may this sacred rite wash away our sins and fulfill our reasonable desires. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O God of Mercy, hear us and enlighten our minds with thy grace. Through.

18 February 2016 - Feria V of Ember Week in Lent (Commemoration of St. Simeon, B.M.)

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 95.6

Praise and beauty go before him; holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary. Ps. 95.1. Sing to the Lord a new canticle; sing to the Lord, all the earth. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O Lord, look with favor upon the devotion of thy people. As we mortify our bodies through abstinence, may our minds be refreshed by this good work. Through.

Commemoration: St. Simeon, Bishop & Martyr

Look down upon our weakness, almighty God; and since the weight of our deeds bears us down, may the glorious intercession of Blessed Simeon, thy Bishop and Martyr, protect us. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON Ezech. 18.1-9

In those days, the word of the Lord came to me, saying: What is the meaning? That you use among you this parable as a proverb in the land of Israel, saying: The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge. As I live, saith the Lord God, this parable shall be no more to you a proverb in Israel. Behold all souls are mine: as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, the same shall die. And if a man be just, and do judgment and justice, And hath not eaten upon the mountains, nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel: and hath not defiled his neighbour's wife, nor come near to a menstruous woman: And hath not wronged any man: but hath restored the pledge to the debtor, hath taken nothing away by violence: hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment: Hath not lent upon usury, nor taken any increase: hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, and hath executed true judgment between man and man: Hath walked in my commandments, and kept my judgments, to do truth: he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.

GRADUAL Ps. 16.8, 2

Keep me as the apple of thine eye, O Lord; protect me under the shadow of thy wings. V. Let my judgment come from thee; let my eyes behold what is right.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (15.21-28)

At that time, Jesus went from thence, and retired into the coast of Tyre and Sidon. And behold a woman of Canaan who came out of those coasts, crying out, said to him: Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David: my daughter is grievously troubled by a devil. Who answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying: Send her away, for she crieth after us: And he answering, said: I was not sent but to the sheep, that are lost of the house of Israel. But she came and adored him, saying: Lord, help me. Who answering, said: It is not good to take the bread of the children, and to cast it to the dogs. But she said: Yea, Lord; for the whelps also eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters. Then Jesus answering, said to her: O woman, great is thy faith: be it done to thee as thou wilt: and her daughter was cured from that hour.

OFFERTORY Ps. 33.8-9

The angel of the Lord shall encamp around those who fear him, and shall deliver them. Taste and see how good is the Lord.

SECRET

O Lord, may we be brought even closer to our salvation through this sacrifice by uniting our lenten fast with it. Through.

Commemoration: St. Simeon, Bishop & Martyr

Graciously receive, O Lord, the sacrifice offered to thee by the merits of blessed Simeon, thy Martyr and Bishop, and grant that it may be to us an unfailing help. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION John 6.52

The Bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, support us in this life with thy grace and bring us to a new life in the world to come. Through.

Commemoration: St. Simeon, Bishop & Martyr

Refreshed by partaking of thy holy Gift, we beseech thee, O Lord, our God, that through the intercession of Blessed Simeon, thy Martyr and Bishop, we may perceive the fruit of the rite which we celebrate. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, grant all thy Christians an understanding of the faith they profess, and a deep love of the heavenly Sacrament they receive.Through.

17 February 2016 - Ember Wednesday in Lent

Greater Non-Privileged Feria – Purple

INTROIT Ps. 24.6, 3, 22

Remember, O Lord, thy compassion and thy mercy are from of old, that our enemies may never rule over us. Deliver us from all our distress, O God of Israel. Ps. 24.1-2 I have lifted up my soul unto thee, O Lord; in thee, O my God, I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame. V. Glory be.

¶ After the Kyrie Eleison is said:

Oremus (Let us pray.)

V. Flectamus genua.
(Let us bend the knee.)

R. Levate. (Arise.)

COLLECT

O Lord, mercifully hear our prayers and let thy right hand of power shield us against our enemies. Through.

LESSON Ex. 24.12-18

In those days, the Lord said to Moses: Come up to me into the mount, and be there; and I will give thee tables of stone, and the law, and the commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Moses rose up, and his minister Josue: and Moses going up into the mount of God, Said to the ancients: Wait ye here till we return to you. You have Aaron and Hur with you: if any question shall arise, you shall refer it to them. And when Moses was gone up, a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord dwelt upon Sinai, covering it with a cloud six days: and the seventh day he called him out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of the Lord, was like a burning fire upon the top of the mount, in the eyes of the children of Israel. And Moses entering into the midst of the cloud, went up into the mountain: And he was there forty days and forty nights.

GRADUAL Ps. 24.17-18

The cares of my heart are multiplied; deliver me from my distress, O Lord. V. See my wretchedness and my suffering, and forgive all my sins.

COLLECT

O Lord, look with favor upon the devotion of thy people. As we mortify our bodies through abstinence, may our souls be refreshed by this good work. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

LESSON III Kings 19.3-8

In those days, Elias came to Bersabee of Juda, and left his servant there, And he went forward, one day's journey into the desert. And when he was there, and sat under a juniper tree, he requested for his soul that he might die, and said: It is enough for me, Lord; take away my soul: for I am no better than my fathers. And he cast himself down, and slept in the shadow of the juniper tree: and behold an angel of the Lord touched him, and said to him: Arise and eat. He looked, and behold there was at his head a hearth cake, and a vessel of water: and he ate and drank, and he fell asleep again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said to him: Arise, eat: for thou hast yet a great way to go. And he arose, and ate and drank, and walked in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights, unto the mount of God, Horeb.

TRACT Ps. 24.17, 18, 1-4

Deliver me from my distress, O Lord. See my affliction and my suffering, and forgive all my sins. V. I have lifted up my soul to You, O Lord; in thee, O my God, I place my trust. Let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies exult over me. V. No one who waiteth for thee shall be left in confusion; let all those be confounded who trust in vain things.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (12.38-50)

At that time, certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying: Master, we would see a sign from thee. Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was in the whale's belly three days and three nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas here. The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon here. And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith: I will return into my house from whence I came out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation. As he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him. And one said unto him: Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking thee. But he answering him that told him, said: Who is my mother, and who are my brethren? And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said: Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

OFFERTORY Ps. 118.47-48

I will meditate on thy commandments, which I love dearly; and I will lift up my hands to thy commands, which I cherish.

SECRET

We offer this sacrifice unto thee, O Lord, to atone for our sins. Mercifully absolve us from our wrong-doing and exert thy power over the inconstancy of our hearts. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

COMMUNION Ps. 5.2-4

Hear my call for help and hear-ken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God; for unto thee I pray, O Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may the reception of thy Sacrament cleanse us from our hidden faults, and guard us against the deceptions of our enemies. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Ash Wednesday

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

O Lord, enlighten our minds with thine own clear light, that we may understand our duties and fulfill them with courage. Through.