Ss. Cornelii Papæ et Cypriani Episcopi, Martyrum

                                                                                                                                                                    Art: Paolo Veronese, Meal at the house of Simon the Pharisee

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 21:9-19
At that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: When ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. And so on.

Homily by Pope St Gregory the Great.
35th on the Gospels.
Our Lord and Redeemer willeth us to know what shall be the signs that the end of the world is at hand, to the end that ye may be the less terrified, when that cometh whereof ye have already had warning. Darts strike less which are seen coming: and the plagues of the earth will be to us more bearable, if we are harnessed against them with the shield of foreknowledge. Behold, how He saith When ye shall hear of wars and commotions be not terrified for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. It behoveth us to ponder these words of our Redeemer, wherein He warneth us of suffering, from without, and from within. Wars are the work of a foreign enemy, commotions of the citizens. Therefore, that He may let us know that we shall be troubled from within and from without, He showeth that our wrestling shall be in part against strangers, and in part against our brethren.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the feast of the blessed Martyrs and Bishops, Cornelius and Cyprian, protect us, O Lord, we beseech You, and may their holy prayer recommend us to You.
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.

Let us pray.
For Sts. Euphemia, Lucy and Geminianus
O Lord, grant that our prayers may bear fruit in joy, that we who each year devoutly honor the death of the Martyrs, Euphemia, Lucy and Geminianus, may also follow them by steadfastness in faith.
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.

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady

The Seven Dolors or Sorrows of Mary:

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50) 
4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

From the Holy Gospel according to John
John 19:25-27
At that time: There stood by the Cross of Jesus His Mother, and His Mother's sister, Mary (the wife) of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. And so on.

Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.
On Virgins, 7.
There stood by the Cross His Mother. Men had forsaken Him, but she stood there fearless. Behold how the Mother of Jesus could break through her shrinking modesty, but could not belie her heart. With the eyes of a mother's love she gazed upon the Wounds of her Son, those Wounds through Which she knew that redemption for all mankind was flowing. The Mother, who feared not the executioners, was able to endure the sight of their work. Her Son was hanging upon the Cross, and she braved His tormentors.

From the same 25th Epistle to the Church of Vercelli.
Mary, the Mother of the Lord, stood by the Cross of her Son. My only informant of this fact is the holy Evangelist John. Others have written that when the Lord suffered, the earth quaked, the heavens were veiled in darkness, the sun was hidden, and the thief received, after a good confession, the promise of Paradise. John hath taught us what the others have not taught us. Upon the Cross He called her Mother. It is reckoned (by John) a greater thing that in the moment of triumph over agony, He should have discharged the watchful duty of a Son to His Mother, than that He should have made gift of the kingdom of heaven. For if it be a sacred thing to have forgiven the thief, this so great kindness of the Son to the Mother is to be worshipped as the outcome of a tenderer and more touching love.

Behold, saith the Lord, thy son: Behold thy Mother! Christ bore witness from the Cross, and divided the offices of his tender love between his Mother and his disciple. Thus doth the Lord give us a testament, not only of his love for souls, but also of his natural affection. Moreover, the testimony which John doth give us concerning this same testament, is a worthy testimony to the original Testator himself. It is a good testament, not of earthly riches, but of eternal life, written not in ink, but in the Spirit of the living God, who speaketh of such testimony in the Psalms, saying: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, at Whose suffering the prophecy of Simeon was fulfilled, and a sword of sorrow pierced through the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin and Mother Mary, mercifully grant that we who speak worshipfully of her woes, may obtain the saving purchase of thy suffering.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

In Exaltatione Sanctæ Crucis ~ Duplex majus

Tempora: Sabbato infra Hebdomadam XVI post Octavam Pentecostes II. Septembris

Adam Elsheimer, ‘Glorification of the Cross’, ca. 1600 (photo: Register Files)

Today is the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross under the 1954 (double major) and 1962 (II class; raised to the II class in 1960 following the 1960 suppression of the May 3 feast of the Finding of the True Cross) rubrics.

Mass: Proper Mass. Red. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of the Holy Cross. Ite. No commemorations.

Office: Under 1954, festal office. Red. Invitatory Christum Regem. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1st nocturn = proper). 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 Magnificat antiphon. Proper collect. No commemorations at Lauds. Omit suffrage.

Under 1962, semi-festal office. Red. Matins and Lauds as above. At Prime and the hours, psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the proper.

Feria Sexta infra Hebdomadam XVI post Octavam Pentecostes

II. Septembris ~ Ferial

Today is a feria under the 1954 (simple) and 1962 (IV class) rubrics.

Mass: Of the preceding Sunday. Green. Omit Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Benedicamus (1954)/Ite (1962). 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.

Private (low) votive Masses/daily Requiems are prohibited today under the 1954 rubrics; the Mass of the feria (resumed 16th Sunday after Pentecost) is obligatory today, as the Sunday Mass and Office this week were supplanted by the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. Under 1962, votive Masses/daily Requiems are permitted today without restriction. 

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May Your grace, we beseech You, O Lord, ever go before us and follow us, and may it make us ever intent upon good works.
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. Nominis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis ~ Duplex majus

Today is the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary (formerly assigned to the Sunday within the octave of the Nativity of Our Lady prior to the reforms of Pius X) under the 1954 (double major) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: Proper Mass. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo (1954 only). Preface of Our Lady (et te in Festivitate). Ite. No commemorations.

Office: Under 1954, festal office. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1st nocturn = proper). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons at Matins from the common of Our Lady. At Lauds and the hours, psalms of Sunday (Prime = 53, 118.1, 118.2) with antiphons from the common of Our Lady. All else from the common. Proper collect. No commemorations at Lauds. Omit suffrage. At Prime, V = Qui natus es.

From the Sermons of St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux.
Second Homily on Luke i. 26
It is said: And the virgin's name was Mary. Let us speak a few words upon this name, which signifieth, being interpreted, Star of the Sea, and suiteth very well the Maiden Mother, who may very meetly be likened unto a star. A star giveth forth her rays without any harm to herself, and the Virgin brought forth her Son without any hurt to her virginity. The light of a star taketh nothing away from the star itself, and the birth of her offspring took nothing away from the Virginity of Mary. She is that noble star which was to come out of Jacob, Num. xxiv. 17, whose brightness still sheddeth lustre upon all the earth, whose rays are most brilliant in heaven, and shine even unto hell, lighting up earth midway, and warming souls rather than bodies, fostering good and scaring away evil. She, I say, is a clear and shining star, twinkling with excellencies, and resplendent with example, needfully set to look down upon the surface of this great and wide sea.

Thou, whosoever thou art, that knowest thyself to be here not so much walking upon firm ground, as battered to and fro by the gales and storms of this life's ocean, if thou wouldest not be overwhelmed by the tempest, keep thine eyes fixed upon this star's clear shining. If the hurricanes of temptation rise against thee, or thou art running upon the rocks of trouble, look to the star, call on Mary. If the waves of pride, or ambition, or slander, or envy toss thee, look to the star, call on Mary. If the billows of anger or avarice, or the enticements of the flesh beat against thy soul's bark, look to Mary. If the enormity of thy sins trouble thee, if the foulness of thy conscience confound thee, if the dread of judgment appall thee, if thou begin to slip into the deep of despondency, into the pit of despair, think of Mary.

In danger, in difficulty, or in doubt, think on Mary, call on Mary. Let her not be away from thy mouth or from thine heart, and that thou mayest not lack the succour of her prayers, turn not aside from the example of her conversation. If thou follow her, thou wilt never go astray. If thou pray to her, thou wilt never have need to despair. If thou keep her in mind, thou wilt never wander. If she hold thee, thou wilt never fall. If she lead thee, thou wilt never be weary. If she help thee, thou wilt reach home safe at the last and so thou wilt prove in thyself how meetly it is said And the virgin's name was Mary.

 V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that through the protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, Your faithful people who delight in her name may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from all evils on earth and be found worthy to attain everlasting happiness 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.
R. Amen.

Ss. Proti et Hyacinthi Martyrum ~ Simplex

Today is the feast of Ss. Protus and Hyacinth, Mm, under the 1954 (simple) rubrics.

Mass: Salus autem of several martyrs outside Paschaltide with proper orations. Red. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Ite. 2nd prayer A cunctis for the intercession of the saints. 3rd prayer at the choice of the celebrant.

Votive Masses/daily Requiems are permitted today without restriction under the 1954 rubrics.

Office: Ordinary office. Red. Matins of 1 nocturn of 3 lessons (III = short hagiography). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the common of several martyrs outside Paschaltide. Proper collect. No commemorations at Lauds. Suffrage of the saints. 

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the precious witness of Your blessed Martyrs, Protus and Hyacinth, comfort us, O Lord, and may their kind intercession continually protect 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.
R. Amen.

S. Nicolai de Tolentino Confessoris ~ Duplex

Scriptura: Feria Tertia infra Hebdomadam XVI post Octavam Pentecostes II. Septembris

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

Mass: Justus ut palma of a confessor not a bishop. White. Gloria. Collect Adesto Domine. 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 a confessor not a bishop. Collect Adesto Domine from the common. No commemorations at Lauds. Omit suffrage (1954).

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Be mindful, O Lord, of our humble prayers in this commemoration of Your Saints, so that we, who have no confidence in our own righteousness, may be helped by the merits of those who have been pleasing to You.
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. Gorgonii Martyris

Arm reliquary of Gorgonius of Nicomedia at Minden Cathedral.

Today is the feast of St. Gorgonius, M, under the 1954 (simple) rubrics.

Mass: Laetabitur of one martyr outside Paschaltide with proper orations. Red. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Ite. 2nd prayer A cunctis for the intercession of the saints. 3rd prayer at the choice of the celebrant.

Votive Masses/daily Requiems are permitted today without restriction under the 1954 rubrics.

Office: Ordinary office. Red. Matins of 1 nocturn of 3 lessons (I & II = occurring Scripture, III = short hagiography). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the common of one martyr outside Paschaltide. Proper collect. Suffrage of the saints. 

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May Gorgonius, Your Saint, O Lord, gladden us by his intercession, and cause us to rejoice on his festival which we are devoutly keeping.
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 Nativitate Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 1:1-17
The Book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob. And so on.

Homily by St. Jerome, Priest at Bethlehem.
Bk. i. Comm. on Matth.
In Isaiah liii. 8 we read: "Who shall declare His generation?" Let us not think that there is any contradiction between the Prophet and the Evangelist, because the Prophet saith that this thing cannot be done, and the Evangelist beginneth by doing it. The one speaketh of the generation of the Divine (Word by the Eternal Father,) the other of the (family in which the) Incarnation (took place.) Matthew beginneth with carnal things, that by learning of men we may go on to learn of God. "The Son of David, the son of Abraham." The reversal of the order in these clauses is a needful change. If Abraham had been put first and David afterwards, Abraham would have had to be taken again, in order to marshal the pedigree properly.

Matthew first calleth Christ the Son of these twain Abraham and David without making mention of the others, because unto these twain only was promise of Christ made unto Abraham, where it is said: "In thy seed" that is, in Christ "shall all the nations of the earth be blessed," Gen. xxii. 18 and unto David, in the words "Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne." Ps. cxxxi. 11. "And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar." It is to be remarked that in the genealogy of the Saviour none of the holy women are named, but those women only are named against whom the Scripture hath to say something amiss. He Who came to save sinners was born of sinners, that He might wash away all sin. Afterwards are named Ruth, who was a Moabitess, and Bathsheba, who had been the wife of Uriah.

From the Sermons of St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.
18th on the Saints.
Dearly beloved brethren, the day for which we have longed, the Feast-day of the Blessed and Worshipful and Ever-Virgin Mary, that day is come. Let our land laugh and sing with merriment, bathed in the glory of this great Virgin's rising. She is the flower of the fields on which the priceless lily of the valleys hath blossomed. This is she whose delivery changed the nature that we draw from our first parents, and cleansed away their offence. At her that dolorous sentence which was pronounced over Eve ended its course to her it was never said: "In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children." Gen. iii. 16. She brought forth a Child, even the Lord, but she brought Him forth, not in sorrow, but in joy.

Eve wept, but Mary laughed. Eve's womb was big with tears, but Mary's womb was big with gladness. Eve gave birth to a sinner, but Mary gave birth to the sinless One. The mother of our race brought punishment into the world, but the Mother of our Lord brought salvation into the world. Eve was the foundress of sin, but Mary was the foundress of righteousness. Eve welcomed death, but Mary helped in life. Eve smote, but Mary healed. For Eve's disobedience, Mary offered obedience and for Eve's unbelief, Mary offered faith.

Let Mary now make a loud noise upon the organ, and between its quick notes let the rattling of the Mother's timbrel be heard. Let the gladsome choirs sing with her, and their sweet hymns mingle with the changing music. Hearken to what a song her timbrel will make accompaniment. She saith: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the lowliness of His hand-maiden, for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed for He That is Mighty hath done to me great things." The new miracle of Mary's delivery hath effaced the curse of the frail backslider, and the singing of Mary hath silenced the wailing of Eve.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Bestow upon Your servants, we beseech You, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace, that, as the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin stood for the beginning of our salvation, so may the solemn feast of her Nativity bring about an increase of peace.
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.

Sanctæ Mariæ Sabbato ~

 

Simplex
Scriptura: Sabbato infra Hebdomadam XV post Octavam Pentecostes I. Septembris

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 under both sets of rubrics.

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.

Feria Sexta

Fri, 8/6/24:

Feria Sexta infra Hebdomadam XV post Octavam Pentecostes I. Septembris ~ Ferial

Today is a feria under the 1954 (simple) and 1962 (IV class) rubrics.

Mass: Of the preceding Sunday. Green. Omit Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Benedicamus (1954)/Ite (1962). 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.

Votive Masses/daily Requiems are permitted today under both sets of rubrics. Under the 1962 rubrics, the conventual Mass may be a Requiem Mass for all deceased priests, benefactors, etc. of the order or chapter (permissible on IV class ferias); this is not obligatory, however.

S. Laurentii Justiniani Episcopi et Confessoris ~ Semiduplex

Scriptura: Feria Quinta infra Hebdomadam XV post Octavam Pentecostes I. Septembris

℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the worshipful feast of thy blessed Confessor and bishop Laurence may avail us to the increase of both of goodliness toward thee, and the healthfulness of our own soul.
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.

Our Lady, Mother of the Divine Shepherd (1962)

Our Lady, Mother of the Divine Shepherd, or Notre Dame de Brebières, is located in the small town of Albert in the Diocese of Amiens, France. At one time, probably sometime in the 12th century and according to local tradition, a shepherd was grazing his sheep at Brebières when he observed that many of the animals were staying in the same area to eat, ripping the grass out by the roots. It must have seemed very odd to the shepherd, who decided that the sheep were trying to uncover something, so he started to dig in the very spot himself. In a short time he uncovered a Statue of the Blessed Virgin sculpted from a single piece of solid stone.

This feast is celebrated in a number of places and by certain religious communities and congregations: Capuchins, Marists and others, on widely different dates. It is a special festival of the Shrine of Our Lady of Brebières a very old Sanctuary near Albert in France, formerly much resorted to by the shepherds.(Source: Ana St Paul, Breathing Catholic )

 

Wed, 9/4/24:

Today is a feria under the 1954 (simple) and 1962 (IV class) rubrics.

Mass: Of the preceding Sunday. Green. Omit Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Benedicamus (1954)/Ite (1962). Under 1954, 2nd prayer A cunctis for the intercession of the saints. 3rd prayer Fidelium for all the faithful departed (said on the first feria of the month outside Advent, Lent, Paschaltide, and November). 4th prayer at the choice of the celebrant. No additional prayers under 1962.

Under the 1962 rubrics, the festal Mass of Our Lady, Mother of the Divine Shepherd found in the pro aliquibus locis (Masses for some places) supplement may be celebrated today anywhere in the world. Mass Salve sancta parens from the common Mass of Our Lady with proper collect. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Preface of Our Lady (et te in Festivitate). Ite. No commemorations. Alternatively, the festal Mass of St. Rose of Viterbo, V, also from the pro aliquibus locis supplement, may be celebrated today. Mass Dilexisti of a non-virgin martyr with proper collect. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Ite. No commemorations.

(LB 236 on X.)

Our Lady, Mother of the Divine Shepherd

4/24: Today is a feria unde the 1954 (simple) and 1962 (IV class) rubrics. Mass: Of the preceding Sunday. Green. Omit Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Benedicamus (1954)/Ite (1962). Under 1954, 2nd prayer A cunctis for the intercession of the saints. 3rd prayer Fidelium for all the faithful departed (said on the first feria of the month outside Advent, Lent, Paschaltide, and November). 4th prayer at the choice of the celebrant. No additional prayers under 1962.  

Under the 1962 rubrics, the festal Mass of Our Lady, Mother of the Divine Shepherd found in the pro aliquibus locis (Masses for some places) supplement may be celebrated today anywhere in the world. Mass Salve sancta parens from the common Mass of Our Lady with proper collect. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Preface of Our Lady (et te in Festivitate). Ite. No commemorations. Alternatively, the festal Mass of St. Rose of Viterbo, V, also from the pro aliquibus locis supplement, may be celebrated today. Mass Dilexisti of a non-virgin martyr with proper collect. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface. Ite. No commemorations.