3 May 2016 - Invention of the Holy Cross (Rogation Tuesday and the Lesser Litanies; Commemoration of St. Alexander I, PM, Eventius and Theodolus, MM., and Juvenalis, BC)

Double – Red

INTROIT Gal. 6.14.

But it behooveth us to glory in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ: in whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection; by whom we are saved and delivered. V. May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us; and may he have mercy on us. V. Glory be.

COLLECT

O God, who in the finding of the Cross of our salvation didst renew the wonders of thy Passion: vouchsafe to grant that through the ransom once paid upon that Tree of life, we may attain unto life eternal. Who livest and reignest with the Father.

Commemoration: Saints Alexander I, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal

O Almighty God, today we do celebrate the birthday of thy saints Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal. Hear their prayers and rescue us from all the dangers that threaten us. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Low Sunday.

EPISTLE Philipp. 2.5-11

Brethren: For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause, God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, (here all kneel) of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ps. 95.10 Announce among the nations that the Lord reigneth upon a Cross. Alleluia. V. O sweet wood, O sweet nails. O precious the burden suspended thereon. Thou alone wert worthy to bear the King and Lord of Heaven. Alleluia.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to John (3.1-15)

At that time, there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him. Jesus answered and said to him: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born again? Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Wonder not that I said to thee: You must be born again. The Spirit breatheth where he will and thou hearest his voice: but thou knowest not whence he cometh and whither he goeth. So is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said to him: How can these things be done? Jesus answered and said to him: Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things? Amen, amen, I say to thee that we speak what we know and we testify what we have seen: and you receive not our testimony. If I have spoken to you earthly things, and you believe not: how will you believe, if I shall speak to you heavenly things? And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Ps. 117.16, 17

The right hand of the Lord hath exercised power, the right hand of the Lord hath lifted me up. I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord, alleluia.

SECRET

May the sacrifice we offer be pleasing to thee, O Lord. Let it free us from all the evils of war and destroy the pitfalls prepared by our powerful enemy, so that we may be safely protected under the banner of thy Son's cross. Through the same.

Commemoration: Saint Alexander I etc.

Pour out thy rich blessings, O Lord, upon this sacrifice, so that through it we may come closer to our sanctification and be made joyful on the feast of thy saints. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Low Sunday.

Preface: Of the Holy Cross.

COMMUNION

By the Sign of the Cross deliver us from our enemies, thou who art our God, alleluia.

POSTCOMMUNION

We have been nourished by the Food of Heaven and refreshed by spiritual drink. Shield us from our evil enemies, O Almighty God, for thou hast commanded us to fight through to victory under the Cross of thy Son, the weapon of justice that will save the world. Through.

Commemoration: Saint Alexander I, etc.

We are refreshed by the reception of thy sacred Gift, O Lord. May the prayers of thy saints Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal make us feel the benefit of the sacred Rite we have performed. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
As given before Low Sunday.