S. Teresiæ Virginis ~ Duplex

Scriptura: Feria Tertia infra Hebdomadam XXI post Octavam Pentecostes III. Octobris

Today is the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, V, under the 1954 (double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: Dilexisti of a non-martyr virgin with proper collect. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Ite. No commemorations.

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/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 non-martyr virgins. Proper collect. No commemorations at Lauds. Omit suffrage (1954). (LB236 on Twitter/X.)

Earnest as were the examples of graces which she had shown, and grievous as was the state of her body, afflicted by disease, she still burnt with the desire of tormenting it. She tortured it with sackcloth, chains of spikes, handfuls of nettles, and heavy scourging. She rolled herself sometimes among thorns, and was used to cry to God “Lord! to suffer or to die.” As long as she remained exiled from the heavenly Fountain of eternal life, her life was to her a lingering death. She was eminent for the gift of prophecy, and God did indeed so pour forth His bounties upon her, that she often cried to Him in entreaty not to bless her so as to make her forget her sins. It was worn out rather by the fever of her love than by the wasting of disease that she sank upon her deathbed at Alba. She foretold the day of her own death, received the Sacraments of the Church, and exhorted her disciples to peace, love, and strictness in observing the Rule, and then her soul, like a pure dove, winged its flight to rest with God, on the 15th day of October in the year 1582, being then 67 years of age. At her death she had a vision of Christ Jesus surrounded by Angels. A dead tree hard by the cell instantly broke into foliage. Her body is untouched by corruption even unto this day, and lieth in a sort of perfumed oil, regarded with godly reverence. She was famous for miracles both before and after her death, and was numbered by Gregory XV. among the Saints. (Breviarium Romanum)

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Hear us, O God, our Savior, that as we rejoice in the feast of Blessed Teresa, thy Virgin, so we may be fed with the food of her heavenly teaching and be instructed in the affection of pious devotion.
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.

S. Callisti Papæ et Martyris ~ Duplex

Scriptura: Feria Secunda infra Hebdomadam XXI post Octavam Pentecostes III. Octobris

Today is the feast of St. Callistus I, P & M, under the 1954 (double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: Si diligis me of a supreme pontiff with proper orations. Red. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Preface of the Apostles (1954)/Common Preface (1962). Ite. No commemorations.

Office: Ordinary office. Red. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/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 one martyr outside Paschaltide. Proper collect. No commemorations at Lauds. Omit suffrage (1954).

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, Who seest that in our own weakness we do continually fall, make, in thy mercy, the examples of thy holy children a mean whereby to renew in us the love of thyself.
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.

Dominica XXI Post Pentecosten III. Octobris ~ Semiduplex Dominica minor

Commemoratio: S. Eduardi Regis Confessoris

Today is the 21st Sunday after Pentecost under the 1954 (semi-double Sunday) and 1962 (II class Sunday) rubrics.

Mass: Proper Mass. Green. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of the Most Holy Trinity. Ite. Under 1954, commemoration of St. Edward, King & C. 3rd prayer A cunctis for the intercession of the saints. No commemorations under 1962.

Office: Sunday office. Under 1954, liturgical 3rd Sunday of October; under 1962, liturgical 2nd Sunday of October. Green. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (II = lessons II & III of the old Breviary combined, III = lesson VII of the old Breviary). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of Sunday (Prime = 117, 118.1, 118.2). All else from the Sunday office per annum. Proper Benedictus antiphon. Collect of the Sunday. Under 1954, commemoration of St. Edward at Lauds. No commemorations under 1962. Suffrage of the saints (1954). At Prime, recite the Athanasian Creed (Quicumque) after the 3rd psalm (1954 only). (LB 236 on Twitter/X.)

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 18:23-35

At that time, Jesus spoke unto His disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And so on.

Homily by St. Jerome, Priest at Bethlehem.

Bk. III Comment. on Matth. XVIII

It is a way much in use with the Syrians, and especially with the inhabitants of Palestine, to illustrate their discourse with parables, that what their hearers may not be able to catch so easily when spoken plainly, they may lay hold on by dint of comparisons and examples. Thus it was that the Lord, by an allegory about a Royal master and a servant who owed him ten thousand talents, and who obtained by entreaty forgiveness of the debt, taught Peter how it was his duty to forgive his fellow-servants their comparatively trifling offences. For if that Royal master so readily forgave his servant his debt of ten thousand talents, should not his servants much more forgive lesser debts unto their fellows?

Who are understood by the king, and the servants?

The King is God, and the servants are all mankind.

What is meant by the ten thousand talents?

The ten thousand talents, according to our money more than ten million dollars, signify mortal sin, the guilt of which is so great that no creature can pay it; even all the works of the saints cannot make atonement, because by every mortal sin the infinitely great, good, and holy God is offended, which offence it is as impossible for any creature to cancel as it is for a poor servant to pay a debt of ten million dollars. Nevertheless God is so merciful that He remits the whole immeasurable debt of sin, on account of the infinite merits of Christ, if the sinner contritely begs forgiveness and amends his life.

Why did the master order, not only the debtor, but also his wife and children to be sold?

Probably because they assisted in contracting the debt, or gave occasion for its increase. This is a warning to those who in any way make themselves partakers of others' sins, either by counsel, command, consent, provocation, praise or flattery, concealment, partaking, silence and by defending ill-done things.

What is understood by the hundred pence?

By the hundred pence are understood the offences committed against us, and which, in comparison with our debt against God, are very insignificant.

What does Jesus intend to show by this parable?

That if God is so merciful and forgives us our immense debts, we should be merciful and willingly forgive our fellow-men the slight faults and offences, which they commit against us; he who does not this, will not receive pardon from God, in him will be verified the words of the apostle St. James: Judgment without mercy to him that hath not done mercy. (James ii. 13.)

Who are those who throttle their debtors?

These are, in general, the unmerciful, but particularly those who have no compassion for their debtors; those who immediately go to law and rest not until the debtor is left without house or home; those who oppress widows and orphans, if they owe them anything, thus committing one of the sins which cry to heaven for vengeance; (Ecclus. xxxv. 18. 19.) those who even in just lawsuits act harshly and severely with their opponent, without the slightest inclination to come to an agreement with him; finally, rulers and landlords who overburden their subjects with excessive tithes and taxes, and exact their share with the greatest rigor.

Who are those who accuse these hardened men before God?

They are the guardian angels and their own conscience; the merciless act itself cries to God for vengeance.

What is to forgive from the heart?

It is to banish from the heart all hatred, ill-will and revengeful desires, to treasure a true and sincere love towards our offenders and enemies not only in our hearts, but also manifest it externally by deeds of charity. Therefore those have not forgiven from their hearts, who, indeed, say and believe, that they have no ill-will against their enemy, but everywhere avoid him, refuse to salute him, to thank him, to pray for him, to speak to him, and to help him in necessity, even when they might do so, but who rather rejoice at his need.

INSTRUCTION ON THE VIRTUE OF PATIENCE

Have patience with me. (Matt. xviii. z6.)

Since God has such great patience with us, ought not this to move us to have patience likewise with the faults and weaknesses of our fellow-men, and to resign ourselves patiently in all the sufferings and tribulations sent us from God? What will your impatience avail you? Will you thereby change or ease your sufferings? Do you thereby correct the faults of your neighbor? No; on the contrary, it makes suffering more oppressive, misfortune greater, and the erring neighbor more obstinate, so that he will ultimately refuse even mild and patient corrections. Besides impatience leads to many sins, to cursing, raillery, quarrelling, contention and murder. The pious Job gives us a good example of true patience and resignation to the will of God. He was a wealthy, respected, God-fearing man in the land of Hus, the father of seven sons and three daughters, and lived peacefully and happy. God wished to try him and permitted the devil to vent his entire rage upon him. Job was deprived of his children and all his property, and, finally, he was himself afflicted with the most painful disease of leprosy. But in the midst of all these dreadful misfortunes he remained calm. Naked, covered only with a few patches, he sits on a dunghill, a picture of misery, and yet no sound of murmuring comes from his lips, he does not curse, does not blaspheme God, but says resignedly: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord, so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord. To all this misery was added the baseness of his own wife, who came and mocked him, and of three intimate friends, who instead of consoling him, judged him falsely and said that his misery was a just punishment from heaven. Still Job did not murmur against God's wise dispensations; with unshaken patience he faithfully confided in God, and he was not forsaken. God rewarded him well for his fidelity and patience; for He restored him to health, and gave him greater wealth than he had previously. See what patience can do, what reward is in store for it! And thou a Christian, a follower of Christ, the patient, crucified Lamb, art immediately irritated, become angry and morose at every little cross which you meet! Be ashamed of your weakness, and learn from the pious Job, to practice the virtue of patience, for patience proves hope, and hope permits us not to be put to shame. Patience always gains the victory, and will be rewarded in heaven.

If you find yourself inclined to impatience, make every morning a firm resolution to battle bravely against this vice and often ask God for the virtue of patience in the following prayer:

O God who by the patience of Thy only-begotten Son hast humbled the pride of the old enemy, vouchsafe that devoutly considering what He has suffered for us we may cheerfully bear our adversities, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, … (Fr Goffine)

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O Lord, we beseech thee to keep thine household in continual godliness, that, through thy protection, it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name.
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.

Sanctæ Mariæ Sabbato ~ IV. classis

Scriptura: Sabbato infra Hebdomadam XX post Octavam Pentecostes I. Octobris

Today is a Saturday of Our Lady under the 1954 (simple) and 1962 (IV class) rubrics.

Mass: Salve sancta parens (Saturday Mass no. 5, Trinity Sunday to Advent). White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Preface of Our Lady (et te in Veneratione). Ite. Under 1954, 2nd prayer Deus qui corda of the Holy Ghost. 3rd prayer either Ecclesiae tuae for the Church or Deus omnium for the pope. No additional prayers under 1962.

Votive Masses/daily Requiems are permitted today without restriction under both sets of rubrics. (LB236 on Twitter/X.)

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Grant us, Your servants, O Lord God, we beseech You, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body; and by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness.
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.

S. Francisci Borgiæ Confessoris ~ Semiduplex

Scriptura: Feria Quinta infra Hebdomadam XX post Octavam Pentecostes II. Octobris

Today is the feast of St. Francis Borgia, C, under the 1954 (semi-double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: Os justi of an abbot with proper orations. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Ite. Under 1954, 2nd prayer A cunctis for the intercession of the saints. 3rd prayer at the choice of the celebrant. No additional prayers under 1962.

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (1962). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the common of a confessor not a bishop. Proper collect. No commemorations at Lauds. Suffrage of the saints (1954 only).

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, model of true humility and its reward, we beseech Thee, that as Thou made blessed Francis one of Thy glorious imitators by his contempt for earthly honors, grant us to follow his example and to share in his glory.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Biography of S Francis Borgia: https://www.jesuits.global/saint-blessed/saint-francis-borgia/

S. Joannis Leonardi Confessoris ~ Duplex

October 9th

Commemoratio: S. Dionysii Episcopi, Rustici et Eleutherii, Martyrum

Today is the feast of St. John Leonardi, C, under the 1954 (double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: Proper Mass. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Ite. Commemoration of Ss. Denis, B, Rusticus and Eleutherius, 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 St. Denis et al.)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (1962; I & II = occurring Scripture [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. At Lauds, commemoration of St. Denis et al. under both rubrics. Omit suffrage (1954).

John Leonard was born of pious and respectable parents in the town of Diecimo, not far from the city of Lucca. From very early boyhood he shewed himself mature and serious, with an inclination to solitude and prayer. When he was twenty-six years old God called him to enlist among the soldiers of the Church. John renounced immediately all his worldly interests. At first he had to study elementary Latin with little boys, but he soon advanced in a knowledge of literature, philosophy and theology. After a scant four years, at the command of his superior, he was ordained to the priesthood. Soon afterward he and a group of noble youths, alike inflamed with high ideals, earnestly set about attaining perfection in virtue. The following year they formed the Congregation of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God, a name chosen because of their intense devotion to her. John and his companions laboured with such diligence in their care of souls, that before long a change of attitude was brought about. In the city state of Lucca, where through the perfidious wiles of the heretics, hateful passion turned fiercely among the citizens, where morals were corrupted, in a very short space of time the primitive piety of the Christians seemed to revive.

In his work for the salvation of souls John met most bitter insults from wicked men who tried in every way to destroy the newly gathered family. But the man of God, bearing all things cheerfully and serenely, defended pertinaciously the fruit of his apostolic labours by securing from the Supreme Pontiff, Gregory XIII, papal approbation of his Congregation. Many bishops about to undertake difficult enterprises sought his advice and aid. Even the Holy Father delegated to him the solution of intricate litigation and the reform of religious societies. He stood in support of Saint Joseph Calasanctius when his society was on the verge of collapse. Scarcely less arduous were the hours John devoted to the affairs of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit in the English section of Rome, and to those of the convent of Saint Frances of Rome.

Greatly saddened that so many peoples in far distant places were without the light of the Gospel, John burned with a desire to journey to those countries to spread the light of the true Faith. But when Saint Philip Neri, who called John a true reformer, showed him that he and his Congregation were destined to educate the Italian people, John acquiesced to the will of God. He did not, however, refrain so completely that he did not try to do some work for the infidels. He is therefore, very rightly credited along with the pioneer Vives with being the founder of the movement among the bishops to send well-qualified young men to distant, alien lands to propagate the faith. Wherefore he is very properly regarded as the author of that most illustrious institute which augments the work of the Sovereign Pontiffs and serves to spread the Catholic faith throughout the world. John wrote many works on theology and morality, well adapted to the men of that day. Finally, in sackcloth and ashes, lacking nothing in his sacred ministry, he passed to the Lord in Rome on the 9th day of October, 1609, at the age of sixty-six. He was so famous for sanctity and miracles that Pius IX, the Supreme Pontiff, named him on the calendar of the Blessed. In 1938 on the solemn Feast of Easter, Pius XI enrolled him among the Saints.

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, who didst deign wonderfully to rise up blessed John thy confessor, for the propagation of the faith among the Gentiles, and through him didst organize in Thy Church a new family for the instruction of the faithful, grant to us, Thy servants, so to profit by his works that we may attain unto eternal 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.
℟. Amen.

S. Birgittæ Viduæ ~ Duplex

Scriptura: Feria Tertia infra Hebdomadam XX post Octavam Pentecostes II. Octobris

Statue of Saint Bridget in Valdstena Cloister Church, Valdstena.

Today is the feast of St. Bridget, Widow, under the 1954 (double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics. Mass: Cognovi of a non-virgin holy woman with proper collect. White. Gloria. Epistle Carissime: Viduas honore from the common. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Ite. No commemorations under 1954. Under 1962, commemoration of Ss. Sergius, Bacchus, Marcellus, and Apuleius, Mm at conventual/low Mass only (transferred from October 7 in 1960 due to the 1960 rubrics limiting the number of commemorations permitted on days of the II class [October 7, the feast of the Rosary] to only one).

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/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 non-virgin holy women. Proper collect. No commemorations at Lauds under 1954. Under 1962, commemoration of Ss. Sergius et al. at Lauds. Omit suffrage (1954). (LB236 on Twitter/X.)

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O Lord our God, Who, through thine Only-begotten Son, didst cause thy blessed hand-maid Bridget to see certain things which are naturally known not on earth but in heaven, grant unto us thy servants at her motherly prayers, to be one day blessed for ever in the vision of thine eternal glory.
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.