S. Ephræm Syri Confessoris et Ecclesiæ Doctoris ~ Duplex

Commemoratio: SS. Marci et Marcelliani Martyrum 

Wed, 6/18/25:

Today is the feast of St. Ephrem the Syrian, Dcn, C & D, under the 1954 (double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: In medio of a doctor with proper collect. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo (1954 only; for feasts of doctors). Common Preface. Ite. Commemoration of Ss. Mark and Marcellinus, Mm, at all Masses (1954)/conventual and low Mass only (1962).

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954; IX = of Ss. Mark and Marcellinus)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (1962; II = II & III of occurring Scripture combined, III = short hagiography). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the common of a confessor not a bishop. Proper collect. Commemoration of Ss. Mark and Marcellinus at Lauds. Omit suffrage (1954). At Prime, announce at the beginning of the martyrology Festum sanctissimi Corporis Christi. (Source: LB236.)

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.
℣. Glória Patri …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who willed to enlighten Your Church by the wondrous learning and glorious merits of the life of blessed Ephrem, Your Confessor and Doctor, we humbly pray You, that, by his pleading, You will shield her with Your lasting power against the snares of error and evil.
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 Sts. Mark and Marcellian, Martyrs
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that we who celebrate the anniversary of the death of Your holy Martyrs, Mark and Marcellianus, may by their intercession be delivered from all the evils that threaten us.
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.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 5:13-19
At that time: Jesus said unto His disciples: Ye are the salt of the earth. But if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted. And so on.

Homily of St. Ephrem of Syria Deacon
Sermo de vita et exercitatione monastica
Clearly it is a good thing to begin and to accomplish, to be acceptable to God and useful to one's neighbour, to please our most high and gracious ruler, Christ Jesus, who saith: Ye are the salt of the earth and the pillars of the heavens. The burden of your affliction, dearly beloved, is as a sleep; then there followeth unspeakable and priceless rest from labour. Therefore, watch thyself carefully, so that while thou followest after neither, wholeheartedly, thou shouldst not lose both the present and the eternal joy. Study rather to attain to the perfect virtue, adorned and stamped by all that God loveth. If thou dost strive after this, thou wilt never either anger God nor injure thy neighbour.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May blessed Ephrem thy Confessor and illustrious Doctor intercede for us, O Lord, that this thy sacrifice may obtain for us salvation.
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 Sts. Mark and Marcellian, Martyrs
Refreshed by the sacramental gift of Your salvation, we humbly beseech You, O Lord, through the intercession of blessed Mark and Marcellianus, Your Martyrs, that, enjoying its savor, we may be made new by its action.
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.