3 February 2016 - Saint Blaise, Bishop & Martyr

Simple - Red

INTROIT Dan 3.84,87.

O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, praise God. V. Dan. 3. 57. All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. V.: Glory be.

COLLECT

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

EPISTLE II Cor. 1.3-7.

Brethren: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we also may be able to comfort them who are in all distress, by the exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so also by Christ doth our comfort abound. Now whether we be in tribulation, it is for your exhortation and salvation: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation: or whether we be exhorted, it is for your exhortation and salvation, which worketh the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. That our hope for you may be steadfast: knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.

GRADUAL Ps. 8.6-7.

Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor. V.: And hast set him over the works of thy hands, O Lord.

Tract Ps. 111.1-3

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he delighteth 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 (16.24-27)

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.

OFFERTORY Ps. 88.21-22.

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

SECRET

Bless the gifts we have set apart for thee, O Lord. May the prayers of thy blessed martyr bishop Blaise help these offerings to win thy mercy for us. Through.

Communion Ps. 20.4

Thou hast set on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones.

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, may this Communion cleanse us from sin, and bestow on us spiritual health from heaven through the intercession of thy martyr bishop Blaise. Through.