Sanctissimi Nominis Jesu

Introitus
Phil 2:10-11
In nómine Jesu omne genu flectátur, cœléstium, terréstrium et infernórum: et omnis lingua confiteátur, quia Dóminus Jesus Christus in glória est Dei Patris
Ps 8:2.
Dómine, Dóminus noster, quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
In nómine Jesu omne genu flectátur, cœléstium, terréstrium et infernórum: et omnis lingua confiteátur, quia Dóminus Jesus Christus in glória est Dei Patris

Sun, 1/4/26

Today is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus under the 1954 (double of the II class) and 1962 (II class) rubrics. This feast is ordinarily assigned to the Sunday between January 2 and 5 inclusive.

Mass: Proper Mass. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of the Nativity. Ite. Under 1954, commemoration and Last Gospel of the vigil of the Epiphany at all Masses. Commemoration of St. Telesphorus, P & M, at private (low) Masses only. No commemorations under 1962 (the vigil of the Epiphany having been suppressed in 1955).

Office: Under 1954, festal office. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (IX = of the vigil of the Epiphany). Te Deum. Proper psalms and antiphons at Matins. At Lauds and the hours, psalms of Sunday (Prime = 53, 118.1, 118.2) with proper antiphons. All else from the proper. Proper collect. Commemoration of the vigil of the Epiphany and of St. Telesphorus (collect Gregem tuum) at Lauds. Omit suffrage. At Prime, V = Qui natus es. (LB236 on Twitter/X.)

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, You Who appointed Your only-begotten Son to be the Saviour of the human race, and commanded that He be called Jesus, mercifully grant that we may enjoy in heaven the vision of Him Whose holy Name we venerate on earth.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration In Vigilia Epiphaniae
O Almighty and everlasting God, do Thou order all our actions in conformity with thy good pleasure, that through the name of thy well-beloved Son, we may worthily abound in all good works.
Commemoration S. Telesphori Papæ et Martyris
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Telesphorus thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 2:21
In that time: when eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb. And so on.

Homily by St. Bernard, Abbot (of Clairvaux)
1st on the Circumcision
Behold a mystery, great and full of wonder! The Child is circumcised, and His Name is called Jesus. Why are these two things thus mentioned together? It would seem that circumcision should rather be for the saved than for the Saviour; that the Saviour ought rather to be Circumciser than circumcised. But behold here the Mediator between God and men, how even from His childhood He joineth the things of the Highest to the things of the lowest, the things of God to the things of men. He is born of a woman, but her womb is made fruitful without the loss of the flower of her virginity. He is wrapped in swaddling-bands, but these swaddling-bands are a theme for the jubilation of angels. He is laid in a manger, but a bright star standeth in heaven over the place. So also in His circumcision, the ceremony gave proof of the reality of the Manhood which He had taken, and that Name which is above every name proclaimed the glory of His Blessed Majesty. As very son of Abraham He underwent circumcision; He assumed the Name of Jesus as very Son of God.

REMARKS OF ST. BERNARD ON THE SWEET NAME OF JESUS The sweet name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works, and nourishes pure affections. All spiritual food leaves the soul dry, if it contain not that penetrating oil, the name Jesus. When you take your pen, write the name Jesus: if you write books, let the name of Jesus be contained in them, else they will possess no charm or attraction for me; you may speak, or you may reply, but if the name of Jesus sounds not from your lips, you are without unction and without charm. Jesus is honey in our mouth, light in our eyes, a flame in our heart. This name is the cure for all diseases of the soul. Are you troubled? think but of Jesus, speak but the name of Jesus, the clouds disperse, and peace descends anew from heaven. Have you fallen into sin? so that you fear death? invoke the name of Jesus, and you will soon feel life returning. No obduracy of the soul, no weakness, no coldness of heart can resist this holy name; there is no heart which will not soften and open in tears at this holy name. Are you surrounded by sorrow and danger? invoke the name of Jesus, and your fears will vanish. Never yet was human being in urgent need, and on the point of perishing, who invoked this help-giving name, and was not powerfully sustained. It was given us for the cure of all our ills; to soften the impetuosity of anger, to quench the fire of concupiscence, to conquer pride, to mitigate the pain of our wounds, to overcome the thirst of avarice, to quiet sensual passions, and the desires of low pleasures. If we call to our minds the name of Jesus, it brings before us His most meek and humble heart, and gives us a new knowledge of His most loving and tender compassion. The name of Jesus is the purest, and holiest, the noblest and most indulgent of names, the name of all blessings and of all virtues; it is the name of the God-Man, of sanctity itself. To think of Jesus is to think of the great, infinite God Who, having given us His life as an example, has also bestowed the necessary understanding, energy and assistance to enable us to follow and imitate Him, in our thoughts, inclinations, words and actions. If the name of Jesus reaches the depths of our heart, it leaves heavenly virtue there. We say, therefore, with our great master, St. Paul the Apostle: If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema (I Cor. 16:22). Post Communion P. The Lord be with you. S. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Almighty, eternal God, You Who have created and redeemed us, graciously look upon our needs, and deign to receive with kind and favorable countenance the sacrifice of the Saving Victim, which we have offered to Your majesty, in honor of the Name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that, Your grace being poured out upon us, we may have the joy of seeing our names written in heaven, under the glorious Name of Jesus, the sign of eternal predestination. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen. Let us pray. Commemoration In Octava Ss. Innocentium. We have partaken, O Lord, of the dedicated gifts: may they, we beseech You, help us through the intercession of Your saints both for this life and life eternal. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

In Octava S. Joannis Apostoli et Evangelistæ ~ Simplex

Scriptura: Ad Romános, cap. 6

Fri, 1/3/26:

Today is the octave day of St. John, Ap & Ev, under the 1954 (simple) rubrics.

Mass: As on the December 27 feast of St. John. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Preface of the Apostles. Celebrant bows his head at mention of St. John in the Canon. Ite. 2nd prayer Deus qui salutis of Our Lady. 3rd prayer either Ecclesiae tuae for the Church or Deus omnium for the pope.

Private (low) non-privileged votive Masses/Requiem Masses are prohibited today under the 1954 rubrics.

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 1 nocturn of 3 lessons (I & II = occurring Scripture from the Epistle to the Romans with accompanying responsories, III = proper for the octave day). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the proper. Collect of the feast of St. John. No commemorations at Lauds. Omit suffrage.

Introitus
Eccli 15:5
In médio Ecclésiæ apéruit os ejus: et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus: stolam glóriæ índuit eum.
Ps 91:2
Bonum est confitéri Dómino: et psállere nómini tuo, Altíssime.
V. Glória Patri, ...

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O Lord, graciously shed light upon Your Church, so that, enlightened by the teachings of blessed John, Your Apostle and Evangelist, she may gain Your everlasting rewards.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Continuation + of the Holy Gospel according to John
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
John 21:19-24
At that time, Jesus said to Peter, Follow Me. Turning around, Peter saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who, at the supper, had leaned back upon His breast and said, Lord, who is it that will betray You? Peter therefore, seeing him, said to Jesus, Lord, and what of this man? Jesus said to him, If I wish him to remain until I come, what is it to you? You, follow Me. This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple was not to die. But Jesus had not said to him, He is not to die; but rather, If I wish him to remain until I come, what is it to you? This is the disciple who bears witness concerning these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his witness is true.

The Lesson is taken from a treatise of St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.
on John. 36.
Of the Four Evangelists, or, rather, the Four Writers of the 'one Evangel, the holy Apostle John hath not unworthily been compared by spiritual writers to an eagle, because of the lofty and glorious flight of his teaching, soaring above the other three; a flight that raiseth not himself alone, but also the hearts of all, whosoever will hear him. The other three writers walk with the Lord upon earth, as with a man, and enlarge little upon His Godhead; but John, as though it had wearied him to walk upon earth, in the very first words of his writing, riseth not above the earth only, or above the firmament, and the heavens, but above every angel, and above every power of things unseen, and flieth directly to Him by Whom all things were made, saying In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Refreshed with heavenly food and drink, we humbly pray You, our God, that we also may be helped by his prayers in memory of whom we have partaken of these gifts.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

In Octava S. Stephani Protomartyris ~ Simplex

Scriptura: Ad Romános, cap. 5

Sat, 1/2/26:

Today is the octave day of St. John, Ap & Ev, under the 1954 (simple) rubrics.

Mass: As on the December 27 feast of St. John. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Preface of the Apostles. Celebrant bows his head at mention of St. John in the Canon. Ite. 2nd prayer Deus qui salutis of Our Lady. 3rd prayer either Ecclesiae tuae for the Church or Deus omnium for the pope.

Private (low) non-privileged votive Masses/Requiem Masses are prohibited today under the 1954 rubrics.

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 1 nocturn of 3 lessons (I & II = occurring Scripture from the Epistle to the Romans with accompanying responsories, III = proper for the octave day). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the proper. Collect of the feast of St. John. No commemorations at Lauds. Omit suffrage. At Prime, announce at the beginning of the martyrology Festum sanctissimi Nominis Jesu. (LB236 on Twitter/X.)

Introitus
Ps 118:23; 118:86; 118:23
Sedérunt príncipes, et advérsum me loquebántur: et iníqui persecúti sunt me: ádjuva me, Dómine, Deus meus, quia servus tuus exercebátur in tuis justificatiónibus.
Ps 118:1
Beati immaculáti in via, qui ámbulant in lege Dómini,
℣. Glória Patri, …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui primítias Mártyrum in beati Levítæ Stephani sánguine dedicásti: tríbue, quǽsumus; ut pro nobis intercéssor exsístat, qui pro suis étiam persecutóribus exorávit Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum:
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen

Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 23:34-39
At that time, Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees, Therefore, behold, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them you will put to death and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from town to town; that upon you may come all the just blood that has been shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the just unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. Amen I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem! you who kill the prophets, and stone those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you would not! Behold, your house is left to you desolate. For I say to you, you shall not see Me henceforth until you shall say, Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!

From the Sermons of St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.
2nd on St. Stephen.
Christ, the Captain of the Martyrs, hath first suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps, i Pet. ii. 21. And truly, Blessed Stephen followed them, when, having confessed Christ, he was stoned to death by the Jews, and obtained the crown which his name had foreshown. For the meaning of the Greek name Stephanos is a crown. Already he had a crown for his name, a foreshadowing of the martyr's palm which he beareth in heaven. Then they stoned him he did not rejoice at the thought that God would take vengeance on his persecutors. On the contrary, he prayed that they might be forgiven.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the sacrament we have received aid us, O Lord; and by the intercession of blessed Stephen, Your Martyr, may it sustain us under Your everlasting protection.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

In Circumcisione Domini ~ Duplex II. classis

Scriptura: Ad Romános, cap. 4

Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ & Octave Day of the Nativity

Thurs, 1/1/26: Today is the feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord and the octave day of Christmas under the 1954 (double of the II class) rubrics, retitled simply the Octave Day of the Nativity of Our Lord in the 1962 (I class) books. Mass: Pro populo. Proper Mass. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of the Nativity. Proper Communicantes for Christmas in the Canon. Ite. No commemorations. Office: Festal office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons. Te Deum. Proper psalms and antiphons at Matins. At Lauds and the hours, psalms of Sunday (Prime = 53, 118.1, 118.2) with proper antiphons. All else from the proper. Collect Deus qui salutis of the feast. No commemorations. Omit suffrage (1954). Reminder that at Prime, V = Qui natus es through January 5 inclusive. (LB236)

Introitus
Isa 9:6
Puer natus est nobis, et fílius datus est nobis: cujus impérium super húmerum ejus: et vocábitur nomen ejus magni consílii Angelus.
Ps 97:1
Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum, quia mirabília fecit.
℣. Glória Patri, …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, have bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech You, that we may enjoy the intercession of her through whom we have been found worthy to receive among us the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen

Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.
Book ii on Luke ii
So the Child is circumcised. This is the Child of Whom it is said: Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, Isa. ix. 6.Made under the law to redeem them that were under the law. Gal. iv. 4. To present Him to the Lord, ~22. In my Commentary on Isaiah I have already explained what is meant by being presented to the Lord in Jerusalem, and therefore I will not enter into the subject again. He that is circumcised in heart gaineth the protection of God, for the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous. Ps. xxxiii. 16. Ye will see that as all the ceremonies of the old law were types of realities in the new, so the circumcision of the body signified the cleansing of the heart from the guilt of sin.

But since the body and mind of man remain yet infected with a proneness' to sin, the circumcision of the eighth day is also a type of that complete cleansing from sin which we shall have at the resurrection. This ceremony was also performed in obedience to the commandment of God: Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy unto the Lord. These words were written with especial reference to the delivery of the Blessed Virgin. Truly He That opened her womb was holy, for He was altogether without spot, and we may gather that the law was written specially for Him from the words of the Angel: That Holy Thing Which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from sin and, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, make us sharers of Your heavenly healing.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

S. Silvestri Papæ et Confessoris ~ Duplex

Commemoratio: Diei VII infra Octavam Nativitatis

 

Wed, 12/31/25:

Today is the feast of St. Sylvester I, P & C, under the 1954 (double) rubrics.

Mass: Pro populo. Mass Si diligis me of a supreme pontiff. White. Gloria. Collect Gregem tuum. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo (for the octave of Christmas). Preface of the Nativity. Proper Communicantes for Christmas in the Canon. Ite. Commemoration of the octave of Christmas.

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1st nocturn = proper lessons for December 31 from the Epistle to the Romans with accompanying responsories). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the common of a confessor bishop. Collect Gregem tuum of a supreme pontiff. Commemoration of the octave of Christmas at Lauds. Omit suffrage.

Introitus
Joann 21:15-17
Si díligis me, Simon Petre, pasce agnos meos, pasce oves meas.
Ps 29:2
Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me, nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.
℣. Glória Patri, …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Sylvester thy Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Seventh day of the Octave of Christmas
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of Your only-begotten Son may deliver us whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 16:13-19
At that time: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And so on.

A Homily by St. Leo the Pope
Sermo 2 in anniversario assumpt. suæ ante medium
When the Lord, as we read in the Gospel, asked his disciples who did men, amid their diverse speculations, believe him the Son of Man to be, blessed Peter answered and said: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And the Lord answered and said unto him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father, which is in heaven: and I say also unto 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 unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. But the dispensation of truth perdures, and blessed Peter, persevering in the strength of the rock which he hath received, hath not relinquished the position he assumed at the helm of the Church.

Post Communion

P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Being appeased, O Lord, guide thy Church, which has been nourished by holy refreshment, that under thy direction and powerful rule it may receive increase of liberty and may continue in religious integrity.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Seventh day of the Octave of Christmas
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the Saviour of the world, born this day, Who is the author of our birth in godliness, may bestow on us immortal life.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen