S. Teresiæ Virginis ~ Duplex

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

Thurs, 10/15/26

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.

Introitus
Ps 44:8
Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ præ consórtibus tuis.
Ps 44:2
Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego ópera mea Regi.
V. Glória Patri, ...

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Hear us, O God, our Savior, that as we rejoice in the feast of Blessed Teresa, Your 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.
R. Amen.

From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
Matt 25:1
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: The Kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom and the Bride. And so on.

Homily by Pope St. Gregory the Great
12th on the Gospels
Dearly beloved brethren oftentimes do I warn you to fly corrupt conversation, and to keep yourselves unspotted from the world. But the portion which is this day read from the Holy Gospel doth oblige me to say that even to these good things which ye do, ye must needs take all careful heed. Look ye well to it, that, when ye work righteousness, ye do it not as seeking the praise and admiration of men, for if the lust of praise do once creep in, that which seemeth so fair without, loseth its reward within. Behold how the Redeemer speaketh of these ten virgins. He calleth them all virgins, yet entered not all of them into the door of blessedness, for there were some of them who sought outwardly the honour of virginity, but would take no oil within their vessels with their lamps.

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)

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Thou hast fed thy servants, O Lord, with the holy gifts; comfort us ever we pray, by her intercession whose festival we celebrate.
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. Callisti Papæ et Martyris ~ Duplex

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

The relics of San Callisto rest under the main altar of S Maria di Trastevere 

Wed, 10/14/26:

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.

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.
O God, Who behold how we fail in our weakness, mercifully restore us to Your love through the examples of Your Saints.
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 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.

Communion
Matt 16:18
Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
We beseech You, almighty God, that these consecrated gifts may cleanse us of our sins and by their effect make us lead holy lives.
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. Eduardi Regis Confessoris ~ Semiduplex

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

Tuesday, October 13, 2025

Color: White

Mass

After Terce, 2nd. Orations "A cunctis", 3rd. Orations - choice of the Celebrant.

Gloria. No Credo.

Preface: Common

 Introitus

Ps 36:30-31
Os justi meditábitur sapiéntiam, et lingua ejus loquétur judícium: lex Dei ejus in corde ipsíus.
Ps 36:1
Noli æmulári in malignántibus: neque zeláveris faciéntes iniquitátem.
℣. Glória Patri, …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who crowned blessed King Edward with the glory of eternity, grant us, we beseech You, so to venerate him on earth that we may be worthy to reign with him in heaven.
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.
Collect of the Saints
From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, thy Church may serve thee in security and freedom.

for the Church
Mercifully hear the prayers of thy Church, we beseech thee, O Lord, that all adversities and errors being overcome, she may serve thee in security and feedom.
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 Luke
Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. And so on.

Homily by Pope St. Gregory the Great.
13th on the Gospels.
Dearly beloved brethren, the words of the Holy Gospel, which have just been read, lie open before you, and, lest their very plainness should make them seem to some to be hard, we will go through them with such shortness as that neither may they which understand not remain unenlightened, nor they which understand be wearied. The Lord saith Let your loins be girded about. Now, we gird our loins about, when by continency we master the lustful inclination of the flesh. But, forasmuch as it sufficeth not for a man to abstain from evil deeds, if he strive not to join thereto the earnest doing of good works, it is immediately added And your lights burning. Our lights burn when, by good works, we give bright example to our neighbour; concerning which works the Lord saith Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Which is in heaven. Matth. v. 16.

Communion
Matt 24:46-47
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.

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.
℟. Amen.

Let us pray.
Of the Saints
May the offering of this divine Sacrament cleanse and protect us, O Lord we beseech thee, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, may it purify us from all sin, and free us from all adversity.

for the Church
We beseech thee, O Lord, our God, that thou permit not those, to whom thou hast given a participation of divine things to be subjected to human dangers.
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.

Feria Secunda infra Hebdomadam XX post Octavam Pentecostes II. Octobris ~ Feria

 Introitus

Dan 3:31; 31:29; 31:35
Omnia, quæ fecísti nobis, Dómine, in vero judício fecísti, quia peccávimus tibi et mandátis tuis non obœdívimus: sed da glóriam nómini tuo, et fac nobíscum secúndum multitúdinem misericórdiæ tuæ.
Ps 118:1
Beáti immaculáti in via: qui ámbulant in lege Dómini.
℣. Glória Patri, …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O Lord, we beseech You, graciously grant Your faithful forgiveness and peace, that they may be cleansed of all sin and serve You with minds free from care.
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.
Collect of the Saints
From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, thy Church may serve thee in security and freedom.

for the Church (or any other)
Mercifully hear the prayers of thy Church, we beseech thee, O Lord, that all adversities and errors being overcome, she may serve thee in security and feedom.
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.

Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to John
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
John 4:46-53
At that time, there was a certain royal official whose son was lying sick at Capharnaum. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and besought Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him, Unless you see signs and wonders, you do not believe. The royal official said to Him, Sir, come down before my child dies. Jesus said to him, Go your way, your son lives. The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and departed. But even as he was now going down, his servants met him and brought word saying that his son lived. He asked of them therefore the hour in which he had got better. And they told him, Yesterday, at the seventh hour, the fever left him. The father knew then that it was at that very hour in which Jesus had said to him, Your son lives. And he himself believed, and his whole household.

Communion
Ps 118:49-50
Remember Your word to Your servant, O Lord, since You have given me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
That we may be made worthy, O Lord, of Your sacred gifts, make us, we beseech You, ever obedient to Your commandments.
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.
Of the Saints
May the offering of this divine Sacrament cleanse and protect us, O Lord we beseech thee, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, may it purify us from all sin, and free us from all adversity.

for the Church (or any other)
We beseech thee, O Lord, our God, that thou permit not those, to whom thou hast given a participation of divine things to be subjected to human dangers.
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.

Maternitatis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis ~ Duplex II. classis

Commemoratio: Dominica XX Post Pentecosten II. Octobris

Sun, 10/11/26: Today is the feast of the Maternity of Our Lady under the 1954 (double of the II class) and 1962 (II class) rubrics. Mass: Proper Mass. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of Our Lady (et te in Festivitate). Ite. Commemoration and last Gospel of Dominica XX post Pentecosten.

Introitus
Isa 7:14
Ecce Virgo concípiet, et páriet fílium, et vocábitur nomen ejus Emmánuel.
Ps 97:1.
Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: quia mirabília fecit.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Ecce Virgo concípiet, et páriet fílium, et vocábitur nomen ejus Emmánuel.

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who, by the message of an Angel, willed to take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, your suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with You.
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.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Dominica XX Post Pentecosten II. Octobris
O Lord, we beseech You, graciously grant Your faithful forgiveness and peace, that they may be cleansed of all sin and serve You with minds free from care.
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 Luke
Luke 2:43-51
In that time, having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. And so on.

A Homily of St. Bernard the Abbot
Homilia 1. de Laud. Virg. Matris
Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Mary called God, the Lord of Angels, her son. Which of the angels would have dared to do so? It is enough for them, and they reckon it is a great thing, that, being naturally spirits, they should receive the grace of being made and called angels, as witness David: Who maketh spirits his angels. But Mary, knowing herself to be his Mother, doth boldly apply the word Son to that Majesty whom the angels do serve with awe; neither doth God despise to be called what he hath made himself. For a little after, the Evangelist saith: And he was subject unto them. Who to whom? God to men. I say that God, unto whom the angels are subject, and who is obeyed by the Principalities and Powers, was subject to Mary.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us of sin, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, may it make us sharers of 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.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Dominica XX Post Pentecosten II. Octobris
That we may be made worthy, O Lord, of Your sacred gifts, make us, we beseech You, ever obedient to Your commandments.
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. Francisci Borgiæ Confessoris ~ Semiduplex

Tempora: Sabbato infra Hebdomadam XIX post Octavam Pentecostes I. Octobris

Sat, 10/10/26: 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

Introitus
Ps 36:30-31
Os justi meditábitur sapiéntiam, et lingua ejus loquétur judícium: lex Dei ejus in corde ipsíus.
Ps 36:1
Noli æmulári in malignántibus: neque zeláveris faciéntes iniquitátem.
℣. Glória Patri, …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
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

Let us pray.
Collect of the Saints
From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, thy Church may serve thee in security and freedom.

for the Pope
O God, the shepherd and ruler of all the faithful, graciously look upon thy servant Leo, who thou hast willed to be chief pastor of thy Church; grant him we beseech thee, by word and example to profit those over whom he rules, that together with the flock entrusted to him, he may attain to life everlasting.
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 19:27-29
At that time, Peter said unto Jesus: Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee what shall we have therefore? And so on.

Homily by St. Jerome, Priest at Bethlehem.
Bk. iii. on Matth xix.
Peter was a fisherman, he was not rich, he earned his bread by his hand and skill, and nevertheless he is thus bold, and saith confidently: We have forsaken all. And because it sufficeth not to forsake only, he addeth that which to do is to be perfect: and followed thee. We have done that which Thou hast commanded us, what reward therefore wilt Thou give us? And Jesus said unto them Amen I say unto you, that ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. He said not, Ye which have forsaken all, for this did even Crates the philosopher, and they which have set nothing by riches are many, but, Ye which have followed Me. This did the Apostles, and this do believers do.

Communion
Luke 12:42
The faithful and prudent servant whom the master will set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due time.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the pleading of the blessed Francis for us, together with the partaking of Your sacrament, protect us, O Lord, so that we, mindful of his way of life, may obtain the help of his intercession.
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.
Of the Saints
May the offering of this divine Sacrament cleanse and protect us, O Lord we beseech thee, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, may it purify us from all sin, and free us from all adversity.

for the Pope
Let the reception of this divine Sacrament protect us, O Lord, we beseech theee: and may thy servant Leo, whom thou has chosen as the chief pastor of thy Church, along with the flock committed to him derive always from it protection and help.
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. Joannis Leonardi Confessoris ~ Duplex

Commemoratio: S. Dionysii Epíscopi, Rustici et Eleutherii Martyrum

Fri, 10/9/26: 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.)

Introitus
Eccli 42:15-16.
In sermónibus Dómini ópera ejus: sol illúminans per ómnia respéxit, et glória Dómini plenum est opus ejus.
Ps 95:1
Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: cantáte Dómino, omnis terra.
℣. Glória Patri, …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who in a wondrous way graciously urged blessed John, Your Confessor, to propagate Your faith among the pagans, and through him brought together a new religious family in Your Church for the education of the faithful, grant Your servants so to profit by his teaching that we may reach 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.
℟. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Sts. Denis, Bishop, Rusticus et Eleutherius, Martyrs
O God, Who on this day strengthened blessed Dionysius, Your Martyr and Bishop, with the power to be steadfast in his suffering, and were pleased to join with him Rusticus and Eleutherius to preach Your glory to the pagans, grant us, we beseech You, out of love for You, to despise the favors of this world and to fear not its enmity.
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 Luke
Luke 10:1-9
At that time, the Lord appointed other seventy-two also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come. And so on.

Homily by Pope St. Gregory the Great.
17th Homily on the Gospels
Dearly beloved brethren, our Lord and Saviour doth sometimes admonish us by words, and sometimes by works. Yea, His very works do themselves teach us for that which He doth silently His example still moveth us to copy. Behold how He sendeth forth His disciples to preach by two and two since there are two commandments to love, that is, a commandment to love God, and a commandment to love our neighbour and where there are not two, the one, being alone, hath not whereon to do the Lord's commandment. And no man can properly be said to love himself: for love tendeth outward toward our neighbour, if it be the love whereto the Gospel doth oblige us.

Communion
Phil 3:7
The things that were gain to me, these, for the sake of Christ, I have counted loss.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Refreshed by the holy sacrament of Your precious Body and Blood, we beseech You, O Lord, that, following the example of blessed John, Your Confessor, may we strive to profess what he believed and in our actions put into practice what he taught.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen

Let us pray.
Commemoration Sts. Denis, Bishop, Rusticus et Eleutherius, Martyrs
We who have received Your sacrament beseech You, Lord, that through the intercession of Your blessed Martyrs, Dionysius, Rusticus, and Eleutherius, we may profit unto an increase of eternal 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.

From the Breviarium Romanum:

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.