Dominica in Sexagesima: "Semen est verbum Dei. The seed is the word of God."

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Sun, 2/23/25:

Today is Sexagesima Sunday under the 1954 (semi-double Sunday of the II class) and 1962 (II class Sunday) rubrics.

Mass: Proper Mass. Violet. Omit Gloria. Gradual/Tract. Credo. Preface of the Most Holy Trinity. Benedicamus (1954)/Ite (1962). Under 1954, commemoration of St. Peter Damian, B, C, & D. No commemorations under 1962.

Office: Sunday office. Violet. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (1962; I & II from occurring Scripture as in the 1st nocturn of the old Breviary [II = II & III combined]; III = lesson VII of the old Breviary). Omit Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of Sunday (Lauds = schema II). All else from the Sunday office per annum. Proper Benedictus antiphon. Collect of the Sunday. Under 1954, commemoration of St. Peter Damian at Lauds. No commemorations under 1962. Omit suffrage (1954). At Prime, under 1954, psalms 92, 99, 118.1, and 118.2; under 1962, psalms 53, 118.1, and 118.2.

"And they by the way side are they that hear; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved.

Now they upon the rock, are they who when they hear, receive the word with joy: and these have no roots; for they believe for a while, and in time of temptation, they fall away.

And that which fell among thorns, are they who have heard, and going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit.

But that on the good ground, are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience." (Luke 8, 4-15)

To welcome the seed of the Word is to welcome the Kingdom.

"This Kingdom shines out before men in the word, in the works and in the presence of Christ." To welcome Jesus' word is to welcome "the Kingdom itself." The seed and beginning of the Kingdom are the "little flock" of those whom Jesus came to gather around him, the flock whose shepherd he is. They form Jesus' true family. To those whom he thus gathered around him, he taught a new "way of acting" and a prayer of their own." (CCC 764)

Indeed, to welcome the Word is to welcome Jesus Christ Who is the Kingdom present among us.

 

“He who has ears yo hear, let him hear.”

Collect

℣. The Lord be with you.

℟. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O God, You Who see that we put no trust in anything we do, mercifully grant that by the protection of the Doctor of the Gentiles we may be defended against all adversity.

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 S. Petri Damiani

Grant us, we beseech You, almighty God, to follow the counsel and examples of St. Peter, Your Confessor and Bishop, so that by setting earthly goods at naught we may attain everlasting 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.

℟. Amen.