8 May 2016 - Apparition of Saint Michael (Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension)

Double of the First Class – White 

INTROIT Ps. 102.20

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

COLLECT

O God, who wondrously dost direct the services of angels and men, grant that our lives on earth may be guarded by the angels who stand ever before thy face ministering to thee in heaven. Through.

Commemoration: Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension

O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, make us bear towards thee always a devoted will, and serve thy majesty with a sincere heart. Through.

COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave

GRANT, we beseech thee, almighty God: that we, who be-lieve thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have ascended on this day into heaven, may also ourselves dwell in mind amid heavenly things. Through the same.

EPISTLE Apoc. 1.1-5

IN those days: God signified the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John, Who hath given testimony to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, what things so-ever he hath seen. Blessed is he, that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy; and keepeth those things which are written in it; for the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you and peace from him that is, and that was, and that is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne, And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own Blood.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Holy Archangel Michael, defend us in battle; that we may not perish in the dreadful judgment. Alleluia. V. The sea doth move and the earth doth quake wheresoever the Archangel Michael decendeth from heaven. Alleluia.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (18.1-10)

AT that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my Name, receiveth me. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh. And if thy hand, or thy foot scan-dalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Apoc. 8.3,4

An Angel stood near the altar of the temple, having a golden cen-ser in his hand: and there was given to him much incense, and the smoke of the perfumes as-cended before God.

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the Sacrifice of praise we offer thee. May it bring us closer to our salvation through the Angels' prayers of intercession. Through.

Commemoration: Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension

MAY these spotless Sacrifices purify us, O Lord, and give to our minds the strength of heav-enly grace. Through.

COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave

ACCEPT, O Lord, the gifts we offer up to thee, for the glorious Ascension of thy Son: and mercifully grant that we may be freed from present perils and attain unto everlasting life. Through the same.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
Of the Saints
Collect ad Libitum

COMMUNION Dan. 3.58

All ye Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: sing a hymn, and exalt him above all for ever.

POSTCOMMUNION

We rely on the prayers of the blessed Archangel Michael, O Lord, that the Sacrament that we have received upon our lips may always remain in our hearts. Through.

Commemoration: Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension

GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord, that being filled with thy sacred gifts, we may ever remain in thanksgiving for them. Through.

COMMEMORATION: Of the Octave

GRANT to us, we beseech thee, almighty and merciful God, that we may obtain the in-visible effects of that which we have shared by communion in visible Mysteries. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECTS
Of the Saints
Collect ad Libitum