Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for the First Sunday in Advent
From a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop
(Cat. 15, 1-3: PG 33, 870-874)
On the twofold coming of Christ
We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much mote glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom.
In general, what relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God before the ages, and a birth from a virgin at the fullness of time. There is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future.
At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising the shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels. We look then beyond the first coming and await the second. At the first coming we said: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. At the second we shall say it again; we shall go out with the angels to meet the Lord and cry out in adoration: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
The Savior will not come to be judged again, but to judge those by whom he was judged. At his own judgment he was silent; then he will address those who committed the outrages against him when they crucified him and will remind them: You did these things, and I was silent.
His first coming was to fulfill his plan of love, to teach men by gentle persuasion. This time, whether men like it or not, they will be subjects of his kingdom by necessity. Malachi the prophet speaks of the two comings. And the Lord whom you seek will come suddenly to his temple: that is one coming.
Again he says of another coming: Look, the Lord almighty will come, and who will endure the day of his entry, or who will stand in his sight? Because he comes like a refiner's fire, a fuller's herb, and he will sit refining and cleansing.
These two comings are also referred to by Paul in writing to Titus: The grace of God the Savior has appeared to all men, instructing us to put aside impiety and worldly desires and live temperately, uprightly, and religiously in this present age, waiting for the joyful hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Notice how he speaks of a first coming for which he gives thanks, and a second, the one we still await.
That is why the faith we profess has been handed on to you in these words: He ascended into heaven, and is seated ]at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
Our Lord Jesus Christ will therefore come from heaven. He will come at the end of the world, in glory, at the last day. For there will be an end to this world, and the created world will be made new.
Responsory
Watching from afar, I see the power of God advancing,
and the whole earth enveloped in a cloud.
Go out to meet him crying:
--Tell us if you are the One who is to reign over the people of Israel.
All peoples of the earth,
all children of men,
--rich and poor alike, go out to meet him crying:
Shepherd of Israel, hear us,
you who lead Joseph's race like a flock,
--tell us if you are the One.
Throw wide the gates, you princes,
let the King of glory enter,
--who is to reign over the people of Israel.
Te Deum
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
R. Govern and uphold them now and always.
V. Day by day we bless you.
R. We praise your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in you.
V. In you, Lord, is our hope:
R. and we shall never hope in vain.
Prayer
All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good.
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
and call us to his side in the the kingdom of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Alternative Prayer
Father in heaven,
our hearts desire the warmth of your love
and our minds are searching for the light of your Word.
Increase our longing for Christ our Savior
and give us the strength to grow in love,
that the dawn of his coming
may find us rejoicing in his presence
and welcoming the light of his truth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Patras in Achaia, the birthday of St. Andrew the Apostle. He preached the sacred Gospel of Christ in Thrace and Scythia, and was arrested by Aegeas the proconsul. After imprisonment, he was barbarously scourged and finally hung on a cross; he lived for two days, during which he did not cease to teach the people. He asked God not to permit him to be taken down from the cross, and he was then surrounded with a great light from heaven. When the light finally disappeared, he gave up his soul. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Rome, the suffering of SS. Castulus and Euprepes.
At Constantinople, St. Maura, virgin and martyr.
Also, St. Justina, virgin and martyr.
At Rome, St. Constantius, confessor. He fought bravely against the Pelagians and from that faction suffered many injuries, which made him a fellow of the holy confessors.
Near Saintes in Gaul, St. Trojan, bishop. He was a man of great holiness. He made it clear, by the many miracles he worked, that he lives in Heaven even though his body was buried on earth.
In Palestine, Blessed Zosimus, confessor. He was renowned for holiness and miracles, in the days of the Emperor Justin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Vigil of St. Andrew the Apostle.
At Rome on the Via Salaria, the birthday of the holy martyrs Saturninus, an old man, and Sisinius, deacon, under the Emperor Maximian; After they had been imprisoned for a long time, the prefect of the city ordered them to be raised upon the rack and stretched; then they were flogged with thongs, clubs, and scorpions. After fire had been applied to them, they were taken down from the rack and beheaded. A memory.
At Toulouse, St. Saturninus, bishop. In the reign of Decius, he was taken by the pagans to the capitol of that city and flung down the steps of the highest stairway. His skull was crushed, his brains dashed out, and his entire body mangled. Thus, he offered his worthy soul to Christ.
Also the suffering of SS. Paramon and three hundred and seventy-five companions under the Emperor Decius and the governor Aquilinus.
At Ancyra in Galatia, St. Philomenus, martyr. In the persecution of the Emperor Aurelian, under the governor Felix, he was tried by fire. Then his hands, feet, and lastly his head were pierced by spikes and he completed his martyrdom.
At Veroli in the Hernican mountains, the holy martyrs Blaise and Demetrius.
At Todi in Umbria, St. Illuminata, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
At Corinth, the birthday of St. Sosthenes, a disciple of the Apostle St. Paul, whom the same Apostle mentions in his Epistle to the Corinthians[1]. He had been a ruler of the synagogue but was converted to Christ. Cruelly flogged before the governor Gallio, he thus hallowed the firstfruits of his faith by an admirable beginning.
At Rome, St. Rufus. Diocletian made him and his whole family martyrs of Christ.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Papinian and Mansuetus, bishops. At the time of the Vandal persecution by the Arian King Genseric, these bishops defended the Catholic faith. For so doing, their bodies were seared with red-hot iron plates until they had completed their glorious contest. At the same time, other holy Bishops Valerian, Urban, Crescens, Eustace, Cresconius, Crescentian, Felix, Hortulanus, and Florentian, all were condemned to exile where they finished their earthly days.
At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Stephen the Younger, Basil, Peter, Andrew, and three hundred and thirty-nine fellow-monks. Under Constantine Copronymus, they were tortured in various ways because of their veneration of the holy images. They confirmed Catholic truth by shedding their blood.
At Naples in Campania, the death of St. James of Piceno, priest, of the Order of Friars Minor, and confessor. He was famed for the austerity of his life, apostolic preaching, and the many diplomatic missions he performed for the Church. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Benedict XIII.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] 1 Cor. 1:1.
At Antioch, the holy martyrs Basileus, bishop, Auxilius, and Saturninus.
At Sebaste in Armenia, the holy martyrs Hirenarchus, Acacius, priest, and seven women. Hirenarchus was moved by the constancy of these women and was converted to Christ. Under the Emperor Diocletian and the governor Maximus, Hirenarchus together with Acacius was slain with an axe.
At the river Cea in Galicia, SS. Facundus and Primitivus, who suffered under the governor Atticus.
In Persia, St. James, a famous martyr surnamed "Dismembered." In the days of Theodosius the Younger, he denied Christ to secure the favor of King Isdegerd; whereupon, his mother and wife avoided his company. Repenting of his deed, James approached King Vararanes, the son and successor of Isdegerd, and confessed that he was a Christian. Hence, the angry monarch sentenced him to this death: his limbs were to be cut off one by one and finally he was to be beheaded. At that time and in the same place, innumerable other martyrs were slain.
At Aquileia, St. Valerian, bishop.
At Riez in Gaul, St. Maximus, bishop and confessor. He was endowed with every grace and virtue from his earliest years. He was at first the superior of the monastery at Lerins, and later Bishop of the Diocese of Riez. He was renowned for his signs and miracles.
At Salzburg in Germany, St. Virgil, Bishop and Apostle of Caranthia. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff Gregory IX.
In India, near the Persian border, SS. Barlaam and Josaphat, whose wondrous deeds are narrated by St. John Damascene.
At Paris, the death of St. Severinus, monk and hermit.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time
From a homily attributed to Saint Macarius, bishop
(Hom. 28: PG 34, 710-711)
Woe to the soul that does not have Christ dwelling in it
When God was displeased with the Jews, he delivered Jerusalem to the enemy, and they were conquered by those who hated them; there were no more sacrifices or feasts. Likewise angered at a soul who had broken his commands, God handed it over to its enemies, who corrupted and totally dishonored it. When a house has no master living in it, it becomes dark, vile and contemptible, choked with filth and disgusting refuse. So too is a soul which has lost its master, who once rejoiced there with his angels. This soul is darkened with sin, its desires are degraded, and it knows nothing but shame.
Woe to the path that is not walked on, or along which the voices of men are not heard, for then it becomes the haunt of wild animals. Woe to the soul if the Lord does not walk within it to banish with his voice the spiritual beasts of sin. Woe to the house where no master dwells, to the field where no farmer works, to the pilotless ship, storm-tossed and sinking. Woe to the soul without Christ as its true pilot; drifting in the darkness, buffeted by the waves of passion, storm-tossed at the mercy of evil spirits, its end is destruction. Woe to the soul that does not have Christ to cultivate it with care to produce the good fruit of the Holy Spirit. Left to itself, it is choked with thorns and thistles; instead of fruit it produces only what is fit for burning. Woe to the soul that does not have Christ dwelling in it; deserted and foul with the filth of the passions, it becomes a haven for all the vices.
When a farmer prepares to till the soil be must put on clothing and use tools that are suitable. So Christ our heavenly king, came to till the soil of mankind devastated by sin. He assumed a body and, using the cross as his plowshare, cultivated the barren soul of man. He removed the thorns and thistles which are the evil spirits and pulled up the weeds of sin. Into the fire be cast the straw of wickedness. And when he had plowed the soul with the wood of the cross, be planted in it a most lovely garden of the Spirit, that could produce for its Lord and God the sweetest and most pleasant fruit of every kind.
Responsory: John 15:1, 5, 9
I am the true vine and you are the branches.
--Whoever lives in me and I in him
brings forth much fruit.
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.
--Whoever lives in me and I in him
brings forth much fruit.
Prayer
Lord,
increase our eagerness to do your will
and help us to know the saving power of your love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Mantua, Blessed James Benefatti, bishop and confessor, of the Order of Preachers. On account of his having perfectly fulfilled the duties of a good shepherd, he earned for himself the name "Father of the Poor," as well as the love of his flock. A semi-duplex feast.
At Fabriano in Piceno, Blessed Silvester, abbot, founder of the Congregation of Silvestrine Monks.
At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Peter, bishop of that city and martyr. He was adorned with every kind of virtue. He was beheaded by command of Galerius Maximian.
Also at Alexandria, there suffered in the same persecution the holy martyrs Faustus, priest, Didius, and Ammonius; also Phileas, Hesychius, Pachomius and Theodore, Egyptian bishops, with six hundred and sixty-six others. All gained heaven by the sword of persecution.
At the village called Fratta[1] near Rovigo, St. Bellinus, Bishop of Padua and martyr. He was an excellent defender of the rights of the Church. He was cruelly attacked by assasins who, having inflicted many wounds on him, killed him.
At Nicomedia, St. Marcellus, priest. In the reign of Constantius, he was flung headlong from a cliff by the Arians and thus died a martyr.
At Rome, St. Siricius, pope and confessor. Eminent for his learning, piety, and zeal for religion, he condemned various heretics, and restored ecclesiastical discipline by his most salutary decrees.
At Autun, St. Amator, bishop.
At Constance in Germany, St. Conrad, bishop.
At Rome, St. Leonard of Port Maurice, priest, of the Order of Friars Minor, and confessor. He was noteworthy for his zeal for souls and his missionary journeys throughout Italy. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius IX.
In the district of Rheims, the birthday of St. Basolus, confessor.
At Adrianople in Paphlagonia, St. Stylian, hermit, noted for miracles.
In Armenia, St. Nicon, monk.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Fratta Polesine.
From a treatise on John by Saint Augustine, bishop
(Tract. 35, 8-9: CCL 36, 321-323)
To the source you will come, the light itself you will see
We Christians are the light, at least by comparison with unbelievers. Thus the Apostle says: For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk then as sons of the light. And elsewhere he says: The night is far spent, the day is drawing near. Let us therefore lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us walk uprightly as in the day.
Nevertheless, since the days in which we are now living are still dark compared to the light which we shall see, hear what the apostle Peter says. He speaks of a voice that came from the Supreme Glory and said to the Lord Jesus Christ: You are my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. This voice, he says, we heard coming from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because we ourselves were not present there and did not hear that voice from heaven, Peter says to us: And we possess a more certain prophetic word to which you do well to attend, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
When, therefore, our Lord Jesus Christ shall come and, as the apostle Paul says, bring to light things hidden in darkness and make plain the secrets of the heart, so that everyone may receive his commendation from God, then lamps will no longer be needed. When that day is at hand, the prophet will not be read to us, the book of the Apostle will not be opened, we shall not require the testimony of John, we shall have no need of the Gospel itself. Therefore all Scriptures will be taken away from us, those Scriptures which in the night of this world burned like lamps so that we might not remain in darkness.
When all these things are removed as no longer necessary for our illumination, and when the men of God by whom they were ministered to us shall themselves together with us behold the true and dear light without such aids, what shall we see? With what shall our minds be nourished? What will give joy to our gaze? Where will that gladness come from which eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, which has not even been conceived by the heart of man? What shall we see?
I implore you to love with me and, by believing, to run with me; let us long for our heavenly country, let us sigh for our heavenly home, let us truly feel that here we are strangers. What shall we then see? Let the gospel tell us: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. You will come to the fountain, with whose dew you have already been sprinkled. Instead of the ray of light which was sent through slanting and winding ways into the heart of your darkness, you will see the light itself in all its purity and brightness. It is to see and experience this light that you are now being cleansed. Dearly beloved, John himself says, we are the sons of God, and it has not yet been disclosed what we shall be; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
I feel that your spirits are being raised up with mine to the heavens above; but the body which is corruptible weighs down the soul, and this earthly tent burdens the thoughtful mind. I am about to lay aside this book, and you are soon going away, each to his own business. It has been good for us to share the common light, good to have enjoyed ourselves, good to have been glad together. When we part from one another, let us not depart from him.
Responsory: Revelation 22:5, 4
Night will be no more,
nor will they need the light of a lamp or the sun,
--for the Lord God will be their light,
and they shall reign for ever.
They shall see him face to face
and bear his name on their foreheads.
--For the Lord God will be their light,
and they shall reign for ever.
Prayer
Lord,
increase our eagerness to do your will
and help us to know the saving power of your love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Alexandria, St. Catherine, virgin and martyr. In the reign of the Emperor Maximian, she was cast into prison for confessing the Christian faith. Then she was flogged for a long time with scorpions, and finally completed her martytdom by being beheaded. Her body was miraculously carried by angels to Mount Sinai, and is there piously venerated by huge gatherings of Christians. A totum duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Moses, priest and martyr. While he was detained in prison together with other Christians, he was often encouraged by letters from St. Cyprian. With undiminished courage, he resisted not only the pagans but also the schismatics and Novatian heretics. Eventually, as Pope St. Cornelius testifies, he was crowned with a famous and admirable martyrdom in the persecution of Decius.
At Antioch, St. Erasmus, martyr.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the suffering of St. Mercurius, soldier. By the protection of his guardian angel, he conquered barbarians and overcame the cruelty of Decius. Enriched with the trophies of many tortures, he passed into heaven, crowned with martyrdom.
In Emilia, a province of Italy, St. Jucunda, virgin.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, and companions, martyrs
From a letter of Saint Paul Le-Bao-Tinh sent to students of the Serninary of Ke-Vinh in 1843
I, Paul, in chains for the name of Christ, wish to re-late to you the trials besetting me daily, in order that you may be inflamed with love for God and join with me in his praises,
In the midst of these torments, which usually terrify others, I am, by the grace of God, full of joy and gladness, because I am not alone--Christ is with me.
Our Master bears the whole weight of the cross, leaving me only the tiniest, last bit. He is not a mere onlooker in my struggle, but a contestant and the victor and champion in the whole battle. Therefore upon his head is placed the crown of victory, and his members also share in his glory.
How am I to bear with the spectacle, as each day I see emperors, mandarins, and their retinue blaspheming your holy name, O Lord,
O Lord, show your power, save me, sustain me, that in my infirmity your power may be shown and may be glorified before the nations; grant that I may not grow weak along the way, and so allow your enemies to hold their heads up in pride.
Beloved brothers, as you hear all these things may you give endless thanks in joy to God, from whom every good proceeds; bless the Lord with me,
I write these things to you in order that your faith and mine may be united. In the midst of this storm I cast 1my anchor toward the throne of God, the anchor that is the lively hope in my heart.
Beloved brothers, for your part
Come to my aid with your prayers, that I may have the strength to fight according to the law, and indeed
Responsory
Through patience let us run the race that is set before us.
--Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Consider him who from sinners endured such hostility against himself,
so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
--Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Prayer
O God,
the source and origin of all fatherhood,
you kept the blessed martyrs Andrew and his companions
faithful to the cross of your Son
even to the shedding of their blood.
Through their intercession
enable us to spread your love
among our brothers and sisters,
that we may be called and may truly be your children.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
St. John of the Cross, priest, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He was the associate of St. Teresa in the reform of Carmel. His birthday is mentioned on December 14. A duplex feast.
On the same day, the birthday of St. Chrysogonus, martyr. For his unwavering confession of Christ, he endured for a prolonged period chains and imprisonment. By orders of Diocletian, he was brought to Aquileia, there beheaded, and his body thrown into the sea, thus completing his martyrdom. A memory.
At Rome, St. Crescentian, martyr. He is mentioned in the martyrdom of Blessed Pope Marcellus.
At Corinth, St. Alexander, martyr. Under Julian the Apostate and the governor Sallust, he fought for the faith of Christ, even unto death.
At Perugia, St. Felicissimus, martyr.
At Ameria in Umbria, St. Firmina, virgin and martyr. In the persecution of Diocletian, she was tortured in various ways. At last, she was hung up and burned with flaming torches until she gave up her spotless soul to God.
At Cordoba in Spain, the holy virgins and martyrs Flora and Mary, who, in the Arab persecution, after long imprisonment were put to the sword.
At Milan, St. Protasius, bishop. At the Council of Sardica and in the presence of the Emperor Constans, he defended the cause of Athanasius. He died in the Lord, after he had performed many labors both for the Church committed to him and for religion.
In the province of Auvergne, St. Portianus, abbot. He was celebrated for his miracles in the reign of King Theodoric. He has given his name both to the monastery of which he had charge, and to the town which afterward was built in that place.[1]
In the district of Blaye in Gaul, St. Romanus, priest. The praise of his holiness is declared by the glory of his miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, near Vichy.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for the Last Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Solemnity of Christ the King
From a notebook On Prayer by Origen, priest
(cap. 25: PG 11, 495-499)
Your kingdom come
The kingdom of God, in the words of our Lord and Savior, does not come for all to see; nor shall they say: Behold, here it is, or behold, there it is; but the kingdom of God is within us, for the word of God is very near, in our mouth and in our heart. Thus it is clear that he who prays for the coming of God's kingdom prays rightly to have it within himself, that there it may grow and bear fruit and become perfect. For God reigns in each of his holy ones. Anyone who is holy obeys the spiritual laws of God, who dwells in him as in a well-ordered city. The Father is present in the perfect soul, and with him Christ reigns, according to the words: We shall come to him and make our home with him.
Thus the kingdom of God within us, as we continue to make progress, will reach its highest point when the Apostle's words are fulfilled, and Christ, having subjected all his enemies to himself, will hand over his kingdom to God the Father, that God may be all in all. Therefore, let us pray unceasingly with that disposition of soul which the Word may make divine, saying to our Father who is in heaven: Hallowed by your name; your kingdom come. Note this too about the kingdom of God. It is not a sharing of justice with iniquity, nor a society of light with darkness, nor a meeting of Christ with Belial. The kingdom of God cannot exist alongside the reign of sin.
Therefore, if we wish God to reign in us, in no way should sin reign in our mortal body; rather we should mortify our members which are upon the earth and bear fruit in the Spirit. There should be in us a kind of spiritual paradise where God may walk and be our sole ruler with his Christ. In us the Lord will sit at the right hand of that spiritual power which we wish to receive. And he will sit there until all his enemies who are within us become his footstool, and every principality, power and virtue in us is cast out.
All this can happen in each one of us, and the last enemy, death, can be destroyed; then Christ will say in us: O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory? And so, what is corruptible in us must be clothed with holiness and incorruptibility; and what is mortal must be clothed, now that death has been conquered, in the Father's immortality. Then God will reign in us, and we shall enjoy even now the blessings of rebirth and resurrection.
Responsory: Revelation 11:15; Psalm 22:28-29
The kingdom of this world belongs to our Lord and his Christ,
--and he shall reign for ever and ever.
All the families of nations shall bow down before him,
for the Lord is our king.
--And he shall reign for ever and ever.
Te Deum
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
R. Govern and uphold them now and always.
V. Day by day we bless you.
R. We praise your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in you.
V. In you, Lord, is our hope:
R. and we shall never hope in vain.
Prayer
Almighty and merciful God,
you break the power of evil
and make all things new
in your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe.
May all in heaven and earth proclaim your glory
and never cease to praise you.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
The birthday of St. Clement I, pope and martyr. He was the third pope after St. Peter the Apostle. In the persecution of Trajan, he was exiled to the Chersonese; there, an anchor was fastened to his neck and he was cast into the sea and so was crowned with martyrdom. During the time of the Sovereign Pontiff, Hadrian II, his body was taken to Rome by two brothers, SS. Cyril and Methodius, and buried with honor in the church which had been built and named after him. A duplex feast.
At Rome, St. Felicitas martyr, the mother of seven martyred sons. At the command of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, she was beheaded for Christ after her sons had been martyred.
At Cyzicus in the Hellespont, St. Sisinius, martyr. In the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian, he was put to the sword after he had endured many tortures.
At Merida in Spain, St. Lucretia, virgin and martyr, who gained martyrdom in the same persecution under the governor Dacian.
At Iconium in Lycaonia, St. Amphilochius, bishop. He was the companion of SS. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa in the desert and their colleague in the episcopate. After suffering many trials for the Catholic faith, he died a peaceful death, famed for holiness and learning.
At Agrigento (in Sicily), the death of St. Gregory, bishop.
In the town of Hasbain in Belgium, St. Trond, priest and confessor. Both the monastery he erected there on his own land, and the town which shortly after arose, were later named after him.[1]
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Saint-Trond or Sint-Truiden, near Hasselt.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 22, Memorial of Cecilia, virgin and martyr
In the fifth century a basilica dedicated to Saint Cecilia was erected at Rome. From that time devotion to her spread, largely owing to accounts of her sufferings. She is praised as the most perfect model of the Christian woman because of her virginity and the martyrdom which she suffered for love of Christ.
From a discourse on the psalms by Saint Augustine, bishop
(Ps. 32, sermo 1, 7-8: CCL 38, 253-254)
Sing to God with songs of joy
Praise the Lord with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song. Rid yourself of what is old and worn out, for you know a new song. A new man, a new covenant--a new song. This new song does not belong to the old man. Only the new man learns it: the man restored from his fallen condition through the grace of God, and now sharing in the new covenant, that is, the kingdom of heaven. To it all our love now aspires and sings a new song. Let us sing a new song not with our lips but with our lives.
Sing to him a new song, sing to him with joyful melody. Every one of us tries to discover how to sing to God. You must sing to him, but you must sing well. He does not want your voice to come harshly to his ears, so sing well, brothers!
If you were asked, "Sing to please this musician," you would not like to do so without having taken some instruction in music, because you would not like to offend an expert in the art. An untrained listener does not notice the faults a musician would point out to you. Who, then, will offer to sing well for God, the great artist whose discrimination is faultless, whose attention is on the minutest detail, whose ear nothing escapes? When will you be able to offer him a perfect performance that you will in no way displease such a supremely discerning listener?
See how he himself provides you with a way of singing. Do not search for words, as if you could find a lyric which would give God pleasure. Sing to him "with songs of joy." This is singing well to God, just singing with songs of joy.
But how is this done? You must first understand that words cannot express the things that are sung by the heart. Take the case of people singing while harvesting in the fields or in the vineyards or when any other strenuous work is in progress. Although they begin by giving expression to their happiness in sung words, yet shortly there is a change. As if so happy that words can no longer express what they feel, they discard the restricting syllables. They burst out into a simple sound of joy, of jubilation. Such a cry of joy is a sound signifying that the heart is bringing to birth what it cannot utter in words.
Now, who is more worthy of such a cry of jubilation than God himself, whom all words fail to describe? If words will not serve, and yet you must not remain silent, what else can you do but cry out for joy? Your heart must rejoice beyond words, soaring into an immensity of gladness, unrestrained by syllabic bonds. Sing to him with songs of joy.
Responsory: Psalm 71:8, 23; 9:3
My mouth will be filled with your praise.
I will sing of your greatness all the day long.
--My lips will shout for joy when I sing to you.
In you I will rejoice and be glad;
I will sing to your name, Most High.
--My lips will shout for joy when I sing to you.
Prayer
Lord of mercy,
be close to those who call upon you.
With Saint Cecilia to help us
hear and answer our prayers.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr. Purpled with her own blood, she departed to her heavenly Spouse, on September 16. A duplex feast.
At Colossae in Phrygia, SS. Philemon and Apphias, disciples of St Paul. In the reign of the Emperor Nero, on the feast of Diana, the heathens burst into the (Christian) church and seized Philemon and Apphias, while the rest of the congregation fled. By orders of the governor Artocles, they were flogged; after which, they were buried up to their waists in a pit and then stoned to death.
At Rome, St. Maurus, martyr. He came from Africa to visit the tomb of the Apostles, and suffered martyrdom under Celerinus, governor of Rome in the reign of the Emperor Numerian.
At Antioch in Pisidia, the suffering of SS. Mark and Stephen, in the days of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Autun, St. Pragmatius, bishop and confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 21, Memorial of the Presentation of Mary
This feast commemorates the dedication of the church of Saint Mary which was built in Jerusalem near the site of the Temple. With Christians of the East, the Latin Church also recalls on this day the tradition according to which Mary as a small child was presented to the Lord by her parents in the Temple.
From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop
(Sermo 25, 7-8: PL 46, 937-938)
She who believed by faith, conceived by faith
Stretching out his hand over his disciples, the Lord Christ declared: Here are my mother and my brothers; anyone who does the will of my Father who sent me is my brother and sister and my mother. I would urge you to ponder these words. Did the Virgin Mary, who believed by faith and conceived by faith, who was the chosen one from whom our Savior was born among men, who was created by Christ before Christ was created in her--did she not do the will of the Father? Indeed the blessed Mary certainly did the Father's will, and so it was for her a greater thing to have been Christ's disciple than to have been his mother, and she was more blessed in her discipleship than in her motherhood. Hers was the happiness of first bearing in her womb him whom she would obey as her master.
Now listen and see if the words of Scripture do not agree with what I have said. The Lord was passing by and crowds were following him. His miracles gave proof of divine power, and a woman cried out: Happy is the womb that bore you, blessed is that womb! But the Lord, not wishing people to seek happiness in a purely physical relationship, replied: More blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it. Mary heard God's word and kept it, and so she is blessed. She kept God's truth in her mind, a nobler thing than carrying his body in her womb. The truth and the body were both Christ: he was kept in Mary's mind insofar as he is truth, he was carried in her womb insofar as he is man; but what is kept in the mind is of a higher order than what is carried in the womb.
The Virgin Mary is both holy and blessed, and yet the Church is greater than she. Mary is a part of the Church, a member of the Church, a holy, an eminent--the most eminent--member, but still only a member of the entire body. The body undoubtedly is greater than she, one of its members. This body has the Lord for its head, and head and body together make up the whole Christ. In other words, our head is divine--our head is God.
Now, beloved, give me your whole attention, for you also are members of Christ; you also are the body of Christ. Consider how you yourselves can be among those of whom the Lord said: Here are my mother and my brothers. Do you wonder how you can be the mother of Christ? He himself said: Whoever hears and fulfills the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and my sister and my mother. As for our being the brothers and sisters of Christ, we can understand this because although there is only one inheritance and Christ is the only Son, his mercy would not allow him to remain alone. It was his wish that we too should be heirs of the Father, and coheirs with himself.
Now having said that all of you are brothers of Christ, shall I not dare to call you his mother? Much less would I dare to deny his own words. Tell me how Mary became the mother of Christ, if it was not by giving birth to the members of Christ? You, to whom I am speaking, are the members of Christ. Of whom were you born? "Of Mother Church," I hear the reply of your hearts. You became sons of this mother at your baptism, you came to birth then as members of Christ. Now you in your turn must draw to the font of baptism as many as you possibly can. You became sons when you were born there yourselves, and now by bringing others to birth in the same way, you have it in your power to become the mothers of Christ.
Responsory: Isaiah 61:10; Luke 1:46-47
I will cry out with joy to the Lord;
my soul will rejoice in my God,
--for he has clothed me with the robe of salvation,
like a bride adorned with her jewels.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
--For he has clothed me with the robe of salvation,
like a bride adorned with her jewels.
Prayer
Eternal Father,
we honor the holiness and glory of the Virgin Mary,
May her prayers bring us
the fullness of your life and love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Jerusalem, the Presentation in the Temple of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. A totum duplex feast.
On the same day, the birthday of Blessed Rufus, whom St. Paul the Apostle mentions in his Epistle to the Romans.[1]
At Rome, the suffering of SS. Celsus and Clement.
At Rheims in Gaul, St. Albert, Bishop of Liege and martyr, who was killed for defending the liberty of the Church.
Near Ostia, the holy martyrs Demetrius and Honorius.
In Spain, the holy martyrs Honorius, Eutychius, and Stephen.
In Pamphylia, St. Heliodorus, martyr, in the persecution of Aurelian, under the governor Aetius. After his execution, his executioners themselves were converted to the faith and were drowned in the sea.
At Rome, Pope St. Gelasius I, famed for his learning and holiness.
At Verona, St. Maurus, bishop and confessor.
In the monastery of Bobbio, the death of St. Columban, abbot. He founded many monasteries and was the spiritual father of a very great number of monks. Eminent for his many virtues, he died peacefully at a good old age.
The death of the venerable brothers Stephen of Besançon, 8th master general of the Order; and Seraphin Cavalli of Brescia, 48th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Romans, 16:13.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Thursday the Thirty-third Week of Ordinary Time
From a commentary on the Song of Songs by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop
(Cap. 2: PG 44, 802)
A prayer to the Good Shepherd
Where do you pasture your sheep, O Good Shepherd, you who carry on your shoulders the whole flock? For it is but one sheep, this entire human race whom you lift onto your shoulders. Show me the place where there are green pastures, let me know restful waters, lead me out to nourishing grass and call me by name so that I can hear your voice, for I am your own sheep. And through that voice calling me, give me eternal life.
Tell me, you whom my soul loves. This is how I address you, because your true name is above all other names; it is unutterable and incomprehensible to all rational creatures. And so the name I use for you is simply the statement of my soul's love for you, and this is an apt name for making your goodness known. Very dark though I am, how could I not love you who so loved me, that you laid down your life for the sheep you tend? No greater love can be conceived than this, that you should purchase my salvation at the cost of your life.
Show me, then, says the bride, where you tend your sheep, so that I may find the saving pasture and be filled with heavenly nourishment. For whoever does not eat this food cannot enter eternal life. Let me run to you, the spring, and drink the divine draught that you cause to pour forth for the thirsty, offering water from your side opened by the spear. Whoever drinks of this becomes a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.
If you feed me thus, then you will surely make me lie down at noonday, and I shall at once sleep in peace, resting in a light that knows no shadow. Indeed, there is no shadow at noon, for the sun shines directly over that summit where you make those you tend lie down, and take your children with you to your bed. No one is judged worthy of this noonday rest who is not a child of light and of the day. But if anyone makes himself equally distant from the shadows of daybreak and those of nightfall, that is, from the origin of evil and its conclusion, the sun of righteousness makes him lie down at noontide.
Show me, then, says the bride, how I should lie down; show me the path to this noonday repose, lest my ignorance of your truth cause me to stray from your good guidance and consort with flocks which are strangers to yours.
Thus speaks the bride, anxious about the beauty God has given her, and seeking to learn how her comeliness may continue for ever.
Responsory: Psalm 27:13, 4; Philippians 1:21
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
--One thing I ask of the Lord,
this I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
--One thing I ask of the Lord,
this I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Prayer
Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
St. Felix of Valois, priest and confessor. He founded the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives. He died in the Lord on November 4. A duplex feast.
In Persia, the martyrdom of SS. Nersas, bishop, and his companions.
At Messina in Sicily, the holy martyrs Ampelus and Caius.
At Turin, SS. Octavius, Solutor, and Adventor, martyred soldiers of the Theban Legion. At the time of the Emperor Maximian, they fought wonderfully (for the faith) and were crowned with martyrdom.
At Caesaria in Palestine, St. Agapius, martyr. In the reign of the Emperor Galerius Maximian, he was condemned to the beasts. As he was not injured by them, he was flung into the sea with stones attached to his feet.
At Silistria in Rumania, St. Dasius, martyr. He was put to death by the governor Bassus, because he would not take part in the shameless rites of the Saturnalia.
At Nicaca in Bithynia, the holy martyrs Eustace, Thespesius, and Anatolius, in the persecution of Maximinus.
At Heraclea in Thrace, the holy martyrs Bassus, Dionysius, Agapitus, and forty others.
In England, St. Edmund, king and martyr.
At Constantinople, St. Gregory Decapolites, who suffered much because of his veneration of the holy images.
At Milan, St. Benignus, bishop. During a great incursion of barbarians, he governed the Church committed to his care with great firmness and piety.
At Chalons in Gaul, St. Silvester, bishop. In the forty-second year of his priesthood, rich in days and virtues, he died in the Lord.
At Verona, St. Simplicius, bishop and confessor.
At Hildesheim in Saxony, St. Bernard, bishop and confessor. He was canonized by Pope Celestine III.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Wednesday of the Thirty-third Week of Ordinary Time
From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop
(Sermo 21, 1-4: CCL 41, 276-278)
The heart of the just man will rejoice in the Lord
The just man will rejoice in the Lord and put his hope in him; the hearts of all good men will be filled with joy. We must surely have sung these words with our hearts as well as with our voices. Indeed, the tongue of the Christian expresses his deepest feelings when it addresses such words to God. The just man will rejoice, not in the world, but in the Lord. Light has dawned for the just, Scripture says in another place, and joy for the upright of heart. Were you wondering what reason he has for joy? Here you are told: The just man will rejoice in the Lord. Another text runs: Delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.
What are we instructed to do then, and what are we enabled to do? To rejoice in the Lord. But who can rejoice in something he does not see? Am I suggesting that we see the Lord then? No, but we have been promised that we shall see him. Now, as long as we are in the body, we walk by faith, for we are absent from the Lord. We walk by faith, and not by sight. When will it be by sight? Beloved, says John, we are now the sons of God; what we shall be has not yet been revealed, but we know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. When this prophecy is fulfilled, then it will be by sight.
That will be the great joy, the supreme joy, joy in all its fullness. Then we shall no longer drink the milk of hope, but we shall feed on the reality itself. Nevertheless, even now, before that vision comes to us, or before we come to that vision, let us rejoice in the Lord; for it is no small reason for rejoicing to have a hope that will some day be fulfilled.
Therefore, since the hope we now have inspires love, the just man rejoices, Scripture says, in the Lord; but because he does not yet see, it immediately goes on to say, and hopes in him.
Yet already we have the first fruits of the Spirit, and have we not also other reasons for rejoicing? For we are drawing near to the one we love, and not only are we drawing near--we even have some slight feeling and taste of the banquet we shall one day eagerly eat and drink.
But how can we rejoice in the Lord if he is far from us? Pray God he may not be far. If he is, that is your doing. Love, and he will draw near; love, and he will dwell within you. The Lord is at hand; have no anxiety. Are you puzzled to know how it is that he will be with you if you love? God is love.
"What do you mean by love?" you will ask me. It is that which enables us to be loving. What do we love? A good that words cannot describe, a good that is for ever giving, a good that is the Creator of all good. Delight in him from whom you have received everything that delights you. But in that I do not include sin, for sin is the one thing that you do not receive from him. With that one exception, everything you have comes from him.
Responsory
The unseen God lies hidden from you;
if you wish to see God,
believe in him though you cannot yet see him.
--Walk on in faith
and you shall some day see his face.
If faith has not consoled you along the path of life,
you will never enjoy the blessed privilege of seeing him in his kingdom.
--Walk on in faith
and you shall some day see his face.
Prayer
Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
In the town of Marburg in Germany, the death of St. Elizabeth, widow, daughter of King Andrew of Hungary, and (a member) of the Third Order of St. Francis. She was sedulously devoted to works of piety and went to the Lord, renowned for her miracles. A duplex feast.
St. Pontian, pope and martyr, whose birthday occurs on October 30.
At Samaria in Palestine, St. Abdias, Prophet.
At Rome on the Appian Way, the birthday of St. Maximus, priest and martyr. He suffered in the persecution of Valerian and was buried at St. Sixtus.
In the city of Ecija in Spain, Blessed Crispin, bishop, who obtained the glory of martyrdom by being beheaded.
On the same day, St. Faustus, a deacon of Alexandria. In the persecution of Valerian, he was first sent into exile with St. Dionysius. Later, in his old age, he suffered martyrdom, being slain by the sword.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, St. Barlaam, martyr. Although he was an ignorant countryman, yet, strengthened by the wisdom of Christ, he conquered the tyrant, and by his unshaken faith he rose superior to the fire. St. Basil the Great delivered a famous panegyric to the people on his birthday.
At Vienne in Gaul, the holy martyrs Severinus, Exuperius, and Felicianus, whose bodies, after the course of many years, were found by their own revelation. Their bodies were reverently removed by the clergy and people of that city and given an honorable burial by the bishop.
In Isauria, the suffering of SS. Azas and his one hundred and fifty fellow soldiers, under the Emperor Diocletian and the tribune Aquilinus.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 18, Memorial of the Dedication of the Churches of Peter and Paul, apostles
Anniversaries of dedication were celebrated in the Vatican Basilica of Saint Peter and in the Basilica of Saint Paul on the Ostian Way as early as the twelfth century. The two basilicas had been completed under Pope Sylvester and Siricius in the fourth century. More recently this commemoration was extended to the entire Latin Rite. Just as the Maternity of the Virgin Mother of God is celebrated on the anniversary of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (August 5), so on this day we honor the two princes of Christ's apostles.
From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope
Peter and Paul, offspring of the divine seed
Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his holy ones. No type of cruelty can tear down the religion established by the mystery of Christ's cross. The Church is not diminished by persecutions, but rather increased. The field of the Lord is always being enriched with a more abundant harvest, while the seeds which are sown one by one yield a manifold return.
From this field those two famous shoots of the divine seed burst forth into a great progeny, witnessed by thousands of blessed martyrs. To emulate the apostles' triumph, these martyrs have adorned our city far and wide with people clothed in purple and shining brilliantly, and they have crowned it with a diadem fashioned by the glory of many precious stones.
On the commemoration of all the saints it is right for us to rejoice in this heavenly band, fashioned by God as models of patience and a support for our faith; but we must glory and exult even more in the eminence of these two forebears, whom the grace of God raised to so high a summit among all the members of the Church, and established like two eyes that bring light to the body whose head is Christ.
As to their merits and virtues, which no words can describe, we should not think of any difference or distinction between them; their calling was the same, their labors were similar, theirs was a common death.
Our experience has shown, as our predecessors have proved, that we may believe and hope that in all the labors of the present life, by the mercy of God, we shall always be helped by the prayers of our special patrons. Just as we are humbled by our own sins, so we shall be raised up by the merits of these apostles.
Responsory
In life the holy apostles served Christ with a generous spirit,
and they founded the Church upon the witness of their blood.
--They drank the blood of the Lord
and were made the friends of God.
Just as love united them in this life,
so death could not separate them.
--They drank the blood of the Lord
and were made the friends of God.
Prayer
Lord,
give your Church the protection of the apostles.
From them it first received the faith of Christ.
May they help your Church to grow in your grace
until the end of time.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Collect from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 18, Memorial of Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin
Born on 29 August 1769, at Grenoble, France, and educated by the Visitation nuns at Sainte Marie d'en Haut, Rose Philippine Duchesne entered the Visitation community at the age of 17. During the Reign of Terror the community was expelled from France, and Philippine returned home. After the Concordat of 1801, she and her companions attemted to rebuild their convent but were unsuccessful. In 1804 she persuaded Mother Madeleine Sophie Barat to accept the convent of Sainte Marie, and Philippine and four others became postulants of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She was professed in 1805. In 1818, with four other sisters, she was sent to the United States of America to found the first American house of her Society, a log cabin at Saint Charles, near Saint Louis, Missouri. She opened the first American free school west of the Mississippi, received the first American postulant in 1820 and, by 1828, had founded six houses. Rose Philippine Duchesne resigned as superior, at the age of 71, in order to devote herself to beginning a school for Indians at Sugar Creek. Deteriorating health forced her to resign this much cherished work, and on 18 November 1852, she died, having spent 34 years of her life extending the work of the Society as an international community. She was beatified in 1940 and canonized on 3 July 1988, at Saint Peter's in Rome by Pope John Paul II.
The reading is taken from the common of virgins.
Prayer
Gracious God,
you filled the heart of Philippine Duchesne
with charity and missionary zeal,
and gave her the desire
to make you known among all peoples.
Fill us, who honor her memory today,
with that same love and zeal
to extend your kingdom to the ends of the earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Rome, the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul. The Basilica of St. Peter was solemnly consecrated on this day by the Sovereign Pontiff Urban VIII, after it had been rebuilt on a larger scale. The Basilica of St. Paul had been entirely destroyed by an unfortunate fire; it was rebuilt in a more imposing manner and was consecrated with solemn ritual by Pius IX on December 10; its annual commemoration was transferred to this day. A totum duplex feast.
At Antioch, the birthday of St. Romanus, martyr. During the reign of the Emperor Galerius, when the prefect Asclepiades attacked the Church and tried to destroy it completely, St. Romanus encouraged the other Christians to resist him. After he had endured terrible tortures, his tongue was cut out, but even without it, he spoke the praises of God. Then he was strangled with a noose in prison and so was crowned by a famous martyrdom. Ahead of him there suffered a young boy named Barula. He was asked by the governor whether it were better to worship one God or many gods; the boy replied that one must believe in the one God whom the Christians worship. For this answer, he was flogged and then ordered to be beheaded.
Also at Antioch, St. Hesychius, martyr. He was a soldier, and when he heard the order that anyone who would not offer sacrifice should lay aside his military insignia, he immediately did so. For this action, a huge rock was fastened to his right hand and he was flung into the river.
On the same day, SS. Oriculus and his companions, who suffered for the Catholic faith in the Vandal persecution.
At Mainz, St. Maximus, bishop. In the time of Constantine, he underwent many sufferings at the hands of the Arians. He died a confessor.
At Tours in Gaul, the passing of Blessed Odo, Abbot of Cluny.
At Antioch, St. Thomas, monk. In an annual solemnity, the people of Antioch were accustomed to reverence him for having ended a plague by his prayers.
At Lucca in Tuscany, the transferal of the relics of St. Frigidianus, bishop and confessor.
The death of the venerable brother Guido Flamochetti, 28th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 17, Memorial of Elizabeth of Hungary
Saint Elizabeth, born in 1207, was the daughter of Andrew, king of Hungary. While still a young girl she was married to Louis the Landgrave of Thuringia, and give birh to three children. She devoted herself to prayer and meditation. After her husband's death, she embraced a life of poverty, erecting a hospital in which she herself served the sick. She died at Marburg in 1231.
From a letter by Conrad of Marburg, spiritual director of Saint Elizabeth
(Ad pontificem anno 1232: A. Wyss, Hessisches Urkundenbuch I, Leipzig 1879, 31-35)
Elizabeth recognized and loved Christ in the poor
From this time onward Elizabeth's goodness greatly increased. She was a lifelong friend of the poor and gave herself entirely to relieving the hungry. She ordered that one of her castles should be converted into a hospital in which she gathered many of the weak and feeble. She generously gave alms to all who were in need, not only in that place but in all the territories of her husband's empire. She spent all her own revenue from her husband's four principalities, and finally she sold her luxurious possessions and rich clothes for the sake of the poor.
Twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, Elizabeth went to visit the sick. She personally cared for those who were particularly repulsive; to some she gave food, to others clothing; some she carried on her own shoulders, and performed many other kindly services. Her husband, of happy memory, gladly approved of these charitable works. Finally, when her husband died, she sought the highest perfection; filled with tears, she implored me to let her beg for alms from door to door.
On Good Friday of that year, when the altars had been stripped, she laid her hands on the altar in a chapel in her own town, where she had established the Friars Minor, and before witnesses she voluntarily renounced all worldly display and everything that our Savior in the gospel advises us to abandon. Even then she saw that she could still be distracted by the cares and worldly glory which had surrounded her while her husband was alive. Against my will she followed me to Marburg. Here in the town she built a hospice where she gathered together the weak and the feeble. There she attended the most wretched and contemptible at her own table.
Apart from those active good works, I declare before God that I have seldom seen a more contemplative woman. When she was coming from private prayer, some religious men and women often saw her face shining marvelously and light coming from her eyes like the rays of the sun.
Before her death I heard her confession. When I asked what should be done about her goods and possessions, she replied that anything which seemed to be hers belonged to the poor. She asked me to distribute everything except one worn out dress in which she wished to be buried. When all this had been decided, she received the body of our Lord. Afterward, until vespers, she spoke often of the holiest things she had heard in sermons. Then, she devoutly commended to God all who were sitting near her, and as if falling into a gentle sleep, she died.
Responsory: Judith 15:11; Acts 10:4
You acted bravely, and your heart has been strengthened because
you loved chastity.
--Your name will be praised for ever.
Your prayers and generosity have been accepted in God's sight,
and because of them he has remembered you.
--Your name will be praised for ever.
Prayer
Father,
you helped Elizabeth of Hungary
to recognize and honor Christ
in the poor of this world.
Let her prayers help us to serve our brothers and sisters
in time of trouble and need.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Neocaesarea in Pontus, the birthday of St. Gregory, bishop and confessor. He was celebrated for his learning and sanctity. Because of the signs and miracles he performed with great glory to the Church, he is called the Wonderworker. A simplex feast.
At Helfa in Saxony, the birthday of St. Gertrude, virgin, of the Order of St. Benedict, who was noted for the gift of revelations. Her feast is celebrated on November 15.
In Palestine, the holy martyrs Alpheus and Zachaeus. In the first year of Diocletian's persecution, they received capital punishment after having undergone many tortures.
At Cordoba in Spain, the holy martyrs Acislus and Victoria, brother and sister. In the same persecution, they were most savagely tortured by order of Dion the governor, and merited crowns from the Lord for their remarkable suffering.
At Alexandria, St. Dionysius, bishop. A man of the greatest learning, he was renowned for his many confessions of the faith. He was extraordinary in the diversity of the sufferings and tortures he endured. However, he lived to an advanced age and died a peaceful death.
At Orleans in Gaul, St. Aignan, bishop. His death was precious in the sight of the Lord, as many miracles showed.
In Britain, St. Hugh, bishop. He was called from the state of a Carthusian monk to govern the Church of Lincoln. He was renowned for numerous miracles and died a holy death.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Gregory, bishop.
At Florence, St. Eugene, confessor. He was the deacon of St. Zenobius, bishop of that city.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
From a discourse on the Psalms by Saint Augustine, bishop
(Ps. 95, 14. 15: CCL 39, 1351-1353)
Let us not resist the first coming, so that we may not dread the second
All the trees of the forest will exult before the face of the Lord, for he has come, he has come to judge the earth. He has come the first time, and he will come again. At his first coming, his own voice declared in the gospel: Hereafter you shall see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds. What does he mean by hereafter? Does he not mean that the Lord will come at a future time when all the nations of the earth will be striking their breasts in grief? Previously he came through his preachers, and he filled the whole world. Let us not resist his first coming, so that we may not dread the second.
What then should the Christian do? He ought to use the world, not become its slave. And what does this mean? It means having, as though not having. So says the Apostle: My brethren, the appointed time is short: from now on let those who have wives live as though they had none; and those who mourn as though they were not mourning; and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing; and those who buy as though they had no goods; and those who deal with this world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away. But I wish you to be without anxiety. He who is without anxiety waits without fear until his Lord comes. For what sort of love of Christ is it to fear his coming? Brothers, do we not have to blush for shame? We love him, yet we fear his coming. Are we really certain that we love him? Or do we love our sins more? Therefore let us hate our sins and love him who will exact punishment for them. He will come whether we wish it or not. Do not think that because he is not coming just now, he will not come at all. He will come, you know not when; and provided he finds you prepared, your ignorance of the time of his coming will not be held against you.
All the trees of the forest will exult. He has come the first time, and he will come again to judge the earth; he will find those rejoicing who believed in his first coming, for he has come.
He will judge the world with equity and the peoples in his truth. What are equity and truth? He will gather together with him for the judgment his chosen ones, but the others he will set apart; for he will place some on his right, others on his left. What is more equitable, what more true than that they should not themselves expect mercy from the judge, who themselves were unwilling to show mercy before the judge's coming. Those, however, who were willing to show mercy will be judged with mercy. For it will be said to those placed on his right: Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the beginning of the world. And he reckons to their account their works of mercy: For I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink.
What is imputed to those placed on his left side? That they refused to show mercy. And where will they go? Depart into the everlasting fire. The hearing of this condemnation will cause much wailing. But what has another psalm said? The just man will be held in everlasting remembrance; he will not fear the evil report. What is the evil report? Depart into the everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. Whoever rejoices to hear the good report will not fear the bad. This is equity, this is truth.
Or do you, because you are unjust, expect the judge not to be just? Or because you are a liar, will the truthful one not be true? Rather, if you wish to receive mercy, be merciful before he comes; forgive whatever has been done against you; give of your abundance. Of whose possessions do you give, if not from his? If you were to give of your own, it would be largess; but since you give of his, it is restitution. For what have you that you have not received? These are the sacrifices most pleasing to God: mercy, humility, praise, peace, charity. Such as these, then, let us bring and, free from fear, we shall await the coming of the judge who will judge the world in equity and the peoples in his truth.
Responsory: Matthew 16:27; Psalm 96:13
The Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels.
--Then he will reward each according to his deeds.
He will judge the world with justice and the peoples with truth.
--Then he will reward each according to his deeds.
Prayer
Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Ferrara (in Italy), Blessed Lucy of Narni, virgin, of the Order of our Father St Dominic. Her incorrupted body is held in the greatest reverence at Ferrara. A semi-duplex feast.
At Edinburgh in Scotland, the birthday of St. Margaret, widow, Queen of the Scots. She was conspicuous for her love of the poor and her voluntary poverty. Her feast is kept on June 10.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Rufinus, Mark, Valerius, and their companions.
On the same day, the holy martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus, Eustochius, and their associates. Elpidius, who was of senatorial rank, confessed the faith with great firmness before Julian the Apostate. He, with his companions, was first tied to wild horses and dragged by them; then he was cast into the fire and thus completed a glorious martyrdom.
At Lyons in Gaul, the birthday of St. Eucherius, bishop and confessor. He was a man of admirable faith and learning. Although he enjoyed the most noble senatorial rank, he exchanged it for the religious life and the religious habit. He had himself walled up in a cave where for a long period of time he served Christ by prayer and fasting. Then, because of a revelation made by an angel (to the faithful), he was solemnly made Bishop of Lyons.
At Padua, St. Fidentius, bishop.
At Canterbury in England, St. Edmund, archbishop and confessor. He was driven into exile for defending the rights of his church, and he died a most holy death at Provins, a town near Sens. He was inscribed in the canon of saints by Pope Innocent IV.
On the same day, the death of St. Othmar, abbot.
The death of the venerable brother Albert de las Casas of Spain, 44th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 15, Optional Memorial of Albert the Great, bishop and doctor
Saint Albert was born at Lauingen along the Danube about the year 1206. Having studied at Padua and Paris, he entered the Order of Preachers and excelled as a teacher. Ordained bishop of Ratisbon, he strove earnestly to establish peace among peoples and between cities. He wrote brilliantly on many subjects to the advantage of sacred and secular sciences alike. He died at Cologne in 1280.
From a commentary on the gospel of Luke by Saint Albert the Great, bishop
(22, 19; Opera omnia, Parisiis 1890-1899, 23, 672-674)
He was a shepherd and doctor who built up the body of Christ
Do this in remembrance of me. Two things should be noted here. The first is the command that we should use this sacrament, which is indicated when he says: Do this. The second is that this sacrament commemorates the Lord's going to death for our sake.
Do this. Certainly he would demand nothing more profitable, nothing more pleasant, nothing more beneficial, nothing more desirable, nothing more similar to eternal life. We will look at each of these qualities separately.
This sacrament is profitable because it grants remission of sins; it is most useful because it bestows the fullness of grace on us in this life. The Father of spirits instructs us in what is useful for our sanctification. And his sanctification is in Christ's sacrifice, that is, when he offers himself in this sacrament to the Father for our redemption, to us for our use. I consecrate myself for their sakes. Christ, who through the Holy Spirit offered himself up without blemish to God, will cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
Nor can we do anything more pleasant. For what is better than God manifesting his whole sweetness to us. You gave them bread from heaven, not the fruit of human labor, but a bread endowed with all delight and pleasant to every sense of taste. For this substance of yours revealed your kindness toward your children, and serving the desire of each recipient, it changed to suit each one's taste.
He could not have commanded anything more beneficial, for this sacrament is the fruit of the tree of life. Anyone who receives this sacrament with the devotion of sincere faith will never taste death. It is a tree of life for those who grasp it, and blessed is he who holds it fast. The man who feeds on me shall live on account of me.
Nor could he have commanded anything more lovable, for this sacrament produces love and union. It is characteristic of the greatest love to give itself as food. Had not the men of my tent exclaimed: Who will feed us with his flesh to satisfy our hunger? as if to say: I have loved them and they have loved me so much that I desire to be within them, and they wish to receive me so that they may become my members. There is no more intimate or more natural means for them to be united to me, and I to them.
Nor could he have commanded anything which is more like eternal life. Eternal life flows from this sacrament because God with all sweetness pours himself out upon the blessed.
Responsory: Luke 22:29; John 15:16
Just as the Father handed a kingdom over to me,
I now hand one over to you.
--In my kingdom you will eat and drink at my table.
I chose you and appointed you to go forth and bear fruit.
--In my kingdom you will eat and drink at my table.
Prayer
God our Father,
you endowed Saint Albert with the talent
of combining human wisdom with divine faith.
Keep us true to his teachings
that the advance of human knowledge
may deepen our knowledge and love of you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Cologne, St. Albert surnamed the Great, at one time Bishop of Ratisbon, and confessor, of the Order of Preachers. Radiant by the holiness of his life, by his zeal for the salvation of souls, and by his surpassing doctrine, he enlightened the Church. Pope Pius XI declared him to be a Doctor of the Universal Church (and Pius XII constituted him patron before God of students of the natural sciences).[1] A totum duplex feast of the first class.
St. Gertrude, virgin, of the Order of St. Benedict, who was called by her heavenly Spouse to eternal happiness on November 17.
On the same day, the birthday of St. Eugene, Bishop of Toledo and martyr. He was a disciple of Blessed Dionysius the Areopagite. Having finished the course of martyrdom near Paris, he received from the Lord the crown of his blessed suffering. His body was afterward transferred to Toledo in Spain.
At Nola in Campania, Blessed Felix, bishop and martyr. From the age of fifteen, he was remarkable for his miracles. Under the prefect Marcianus, he completed, together with thirty companions, the course of martyrdom.
At Edessa in Mesopotamia, the suffering of St. Abibus, deacon. He was mangled with hooks under the Emperor Licinius and the governor Lysanias, and was then burned alive.
In the same place, the holy martyrs Gurias and Samonas, under the Emperor Diocletian and the governor Antoninus.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Secundus, Fidentianus, and Varicus.
At Archingcay, in the territory of Saintes, the birthday of St. Malo, Bishop of Aleth in Gaul. Born in England, he was famous for his miracle from his earliest years.
At Verona, St. Luperius, bishop and confessor.
At Klosterneuburg near Vienna, in Austria, St. Leopold, margrave of the same province of Austria. He was canonized by Pope Innocent VIII.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] The clause "and Pius XII, etc." is taken from the 1952 Supplement of the Roman Martyrology.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Friday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
From a homily written in the second century
(Cap. 15, 1--17, 2: Funk 1, 161-167)
Let us return to God who has called us
With regard to self-control, I believe I have given you good advice. No one who follows it will have reason for regret but will save his own soul and mine as well, since I have been his counselor. Indeed there is no small reward for converting an erring soul and saving it from perishing. Moreover, whether it is our duty to speak or to listen, we have it in our power to make some recompense to the God who created us, by speaking or listening with faith and love.
We must remain firm in our faith, therefore, and live upright and holy lives, for we shall then feel at ease and confident when we present our petitions to God, who says: While you are still speaking I will say: "See, I am here!" In these words the Lord makes a wonderful promise, and shows us that he is more ready to give than we are to ask. We all have a share in this extraordinary goodness, so the great blessings we receive should never make us envy one another. In fact, the degree of pleasure these words bring to those who live by them is equaled only by the condemnation they will bring on those who disregard them.
So you see, my brothers, that we have been given every inducement to amend our lives. We have been called by God, and now it is up to us to return to him while we still have time and one who is ready to receive us. For if we renounce sinful pleasures and practice self-control by refusing to yield to our evil desires, we shall share in the mercy of Jesus.
You must know, however, that the day of judgment, like a flaming furnace, is already approaching. Sun, moon and stars will be consumed, and the whole earth will become like lead melting in the fire. All that each man has done, whether openly or in secret, will then be brought to light. Therefore, a very good way of atoning for our sins is by being generous to the poor. Fasting is better than prayer, but almsgiving surpasses both, for love covers a multitude of sins. Nevertheless, prayer delivers the soul from death if it proceeds from a good conscience. Happy the man who is found rich in these virtues; by relieving the poor, he himself will be relieved of his sins.
To make sure that none of us is lost, we must repent from the bottom of our hearts. Since we have been commanded to go out and rescue idolaters and to instruct them, is it not even more important to save souls who already know God? If we are all to be saved, we shall have to help one another and support the weak in their struggle to live a good life. When one of us does wrong, it is for the others to warn him and persuade him of his error.
Responsory: Jude 21; Titus 2:12
Keep yourselves in God's love
--as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
which leads to eternal life.
We must reject godless ways and worldly desires,
and live temperate, honest and devout lives in this world.
--As you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
which leads to eternal life.
Prayer
God of power and mercy,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Caccamo in Sicily, Blessed John Liccio, confessor, of the Order of Preachers. He was notable for his eloquence in speaking of divine things, for charity toward his neighbor, for the propagation of the Rosary, for striving after regular observance, and for other virtues. At the age of one hundred and eleven, he quietly rested in the Lord. A semi-duplex feast.
St. Josaphat, of the Order of St. Basil, a Polish archbishop and martyr, whose birthday is remembered on November 12.
At Gangra in Paphlagonia, St. Hypatius, bishop. While on the way home from the great Nicene Council, he was stoned by Novatian heretics and thus died a martyr.
At Heraclea in Thrace, the birthday of the holy martyrs Clementinus, Theodotus, and Philomenus.
At Alexandria, St. Serapion, martyr. In the reign of the Emperor Decius, the executioners inflicted on him the most cruel sufferings. After they had broken the joints of all his limbs, they flung him off the roof of his house, and so he became a glorious martyr of Christ.
At Troyes in Gaul, St. Venerandus, martyr, under the Emperor Aurelian.
In Gaul, St. Veneranda, virgin. She received the crown of martyrdom under the Emperor Antoninus and the governor Asclcpiades.
At Emesa in Phoenicia, the suffering of many holy women. They were most brutally tortured and slain for the Christian faith under the cruel Arab chief Mady.
At Bologna, St. Jucundus, bishop and confessor.
At Eu in Gaul, St. Laurence, Bishop of Dublin.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Britius, bishop, who, on November 13, died in the Lord. A memory.
At Algiers in Africa, Blessed Serapion. He was the first one of the Order of our Lady of Ransom to merit obtaining the palm of martyrdom.
Because he redeemed the faithful from captivity and preached the Christian faith, he was crucified and then cut to pieces limb from limb.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 13, Memorial of Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini was born in Lombardy, Italy, in 1850. At Codogno, Italy, in the diocese of Lodi, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in 1880. In 1887 she established many schools, hospitals and orphanages. With the encouragement of Pope Leo XIII, she set out for the United States in 1889, where, for the next twenty-eight years, she established many schools, hospitals and orphanages. Her missionary zeal also led her to South America where she founded schools in Argentina, Brazil and Nicaragua. Mother Cabrini died in Chicago on December 22, 1917, and on July 7, 1946 she became the first United States citizen to be canonized.
From a homily at the Canonization of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini by Pope Pius XII
(July 7, 1946)
A humble woman who lived a virtuous life
Inspired by the grace of God, we join the saints in honoring the holy virgin Frances Xavier Cabrini. She was a humble woman who became outstanding not because she was famous, or rich or powerful, but because she lived a virtuous life. From the tender years of her youth, she kept her innocence as white as a lily and preserved it carefully with the thorns of penitence; as the years progressed, she was moved by a certain instinct and a supernatural zeal to dedicate her whole life to the service and greater glory of God.
She welcomed delinquent youths into safe homes and taught them to live upright and holy lives. She consoled those who were in prison and recalled to them the hope of eternal life. She encouraged prisoners to reform themselves and to live honest lives.
She comforted the sick and the infirm in the hospitals and diligently cared for them. She extended a friendly and helping hand especially to immigrants and offered them necessary shelter and relief, for having left their homeland behind, they were wandering about in a foreign land with no place to turn for help. Because of their condition she saw that they were in danger of deserting the practice of Christian virtues and their Catholic faith.
Where did she acquire all that strength and the inexhaustible energy by which she was able to perform so many good works and to surmount so many difficulties involving material things, travel and men?
Undoubtedly she accomplished all this through the faith which was always so vibrant and alive in her heart; through the divine love which burned within her; and, finally, through constant prayer by which she was so closely united with God from whom she humbly asked and obtained whatever her human weakness could not obtain.
In the face of the endless cares and anxieties of life, she never let anything turn her aside from striving and aiming to please God and to work for his glory for which nothing, aided by God's grace, seemed too laborious, or difficult, or beyond human strength.
Responsory: Matthew 25:35, 40
I was hungry and you gave me food;
I was thirsty and you gave me drink;
I was homeless and you took me in.
--Now I tell you this:
When you did these things for the most neglected of my brothers,
you did them for me.
This is what I command:
Love one another as I have loved you.
--Now I tell you this:
When you did these things for the most neglected of my brothers,
you did them for me.
Prayer
God our Father,
you called Frances Xavier Cabrini from Italy
to serve the immigrants of America.
By her example teach us concern for the stranger,
the sick, and the frustrated.
By her prayers help us to see Christ
in all the men and women we meet.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
The Patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas over Catholic Schools. A totum duplex feast of the first class.
St. Didacus, confessor, of the Order of Friars Minor, whose birthday is observed on November 12.
At Ravenna, the birthday of the holy martyrs, Valentine, Solutor, and Victor, who suffered in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.
At Aix in the province of Narbonne, Blessed Mitrius, a most famous martyr.
At Caesarea in Palestine, the suffering of St. Antoninus, Zebina, Germanus, and Ennatha, virgin. At the time of Galerius Maximus, Ennatha was scourged and then burned alive; the others were beheaded because they had fearlessly and loudly accused the governor Firmilian of idolatry in offering sacrifice to the gods.
In Africa, the holy Spanish martyrs Arcadius, Paschasius, Probus, and Eutychian. In the Vandal persecution, they refused positively to join the Arian heresy. They were first proscribed by the Arian king Genseric, and then exiled. They were treated with atrocious cruelty and finally put to death in various ways. At that time, too, was seen the constancy of Paulillus, the little brother of SS. Paschasius and Eutychian. Since all efforts failed to turn him away from the Catholic faith, he was subjected to a long clubbing and then condemned to the vilest slavery.
At Rome, Pope St. Nicholas I, preeminent for his apostolic vigor.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Britius, bishop, who was a disciple of Blessed Bishop Martin. His memory is recalled on November 14.
At Toledo in Spain, St. Eugene, bishop.
In Auvergne in Gaul, St. Quinctian, bishop.
At Cremona in Insubria, St. Homobonus, confessor. He was renowned for miracles and was canonized by Pope Innocent III.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 12, Memorial of Josaphat, bishop and martyr
Saint Josaphat was born in the Ukraine of Orthodox parents about the year 1580. Embracing the Catholic faith, he became a Basilian monk. Ordained to the priesthood and chosen bishop of Polock, he worked faithfully for the unity of the Church. Enemies plotted his death, and he was martyred in 1623.
From the Encyclical Letter Ecclesiam Dei by Pope Pius XI
(AAS 15 [1923], 573-582)
He gave his life for the unity of the Church
In designing his Church God worked with such skill that in the fullness of time it would resemble a single great family embracing all men. It can be identified, as we know, by certain distinctive characteristics, notably its universality and unity.
Christ the Lord passed on to his apostles the task he had received from the Father: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. He wanted the apostles as a body to be intimately bound together, first by the inner tie of the same faith and love which flows into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and, second, by the external tie of authority exercised by one apostle over the others. For this he assigned the primacy to Peter, the source and visible basis of their unity for all time. So that the unity and agreement among them would endure, God wisely stamped them, one might say, with the mark of holiness and martyrdom.
Both these distinctions fell to Josaphat, archbishop of Polock of the Slavonic rite of the Eastern Church. He is rightly looked upon as the great glory and strength of the Eastern Rite Slavs. Few have brought them greater honor or contributed more to their spiritual welfare than Josaphat, their pastor and apostle, especially when he gave his life as a martyr for the unity of the Church. He felt, in fact, that God had inspired him to restore worldwide unity to the Church and he realized that his greatest chance of success lay in preserving the Slavonic rite and Saint Basil's rule of monastic life within the one universal Church.
Concerned mainly with seeing his own people reunited to the See of Peter, he sought out every available argument which would foster and maintain Church unity. His best arguments were drawn from liturgical books, sanctioned by the Fathers of the Church, which were in common use among Eastern Christians, including the dissidents. Thus thoroughly prepared, he set out to restore the unity of the Church. A forceful man of fine sensibilities, he met with such success that his opponents dubbed him "the thief of souls."
Responsory: John 17:11, 23, 22
Jesus said: Holy Father, protect those you have given me
with the power of your name,
--that they may be perfectly one;
then the world will know that it was you who sent me.
The glory which you gave me,
I have given to them.
--That they may be perfectly one;
then the world will know that it was you who sent me.
Prayer
Lord,
fill your Church with the Spirit
that gave Saint Josaphat courage
to lay down his life for his people.
By his prayers
may your Spirit make us strong
and willing to offer our lives
for our brothers and sisters.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
The Feast of All the Saints of our Order. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
St. Martin I, pope and martyr, whose birthday is commemorated on September 16.
At Vitebsk in Poland, the suffering of St. Josaphat, of the Order of St. Basil a Polish archbishop and martyr. He was cruelly slain by the schismatics in their hatred of Catholic unity and truth. He was numbered among the martyrs by Pope Pius IX. His feast, however, is kept on November 14.
At Alcalá in Spain, the birthday of St. Didacus, confessor, of the Order of Friars Minor, who was noted for his humility. He was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Sixtus V; his feast is celebrated on November 13.
In Asia, the suffering of the holy Bishops Aurelius and Publius.
At Eachen in Belgium, St. Livinus, bishop and martyr. He had convcrted many persons to the Christian faith when he was slain by the heathens. His body was later transferred to Ghent.
At Gnesen in Poland, the holy hermits and martyrs Benedict, John, Matthew, Isaac, and Christian. They were engaged in prayer when they were savagely attacked by robbers and put to the sword.
At Sergines near Sens, St. Paternus, monk and martyr. He met some robbers in the nearby forest and when he tried to persuade them to correct their lives, they put him to death.
At Avignon, St. Rufus, who was the first bishop of that city.
At Cologne, the death of St. Cunibert, bishop.
At Tarazona in Aragon, Blessed Emilian, priest. He was remarkable for his many miracles. St. Braulio, Bishop of Saragossa, wrote his admirable life.
At Constantinople, St. Nilus, abbot. In the reign of Theodosius the Younger, he had been prefect of that city and then became a monk. He was distinguished for his learning and holiness.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Saint Martin of Tours was born in Pannonia of pagan parents around the year 316. He gave up military life and was baptized. Soon after, he founded a monastery at Ligugé in France where he led a monastic life under the direction of Saint Hilary. He was ordained a priest and chosen bishop of Tours. He provided an example of the ideal good pastor, founding other monasteries, educating the clergy, and preaching the Gospel to the poor. He died in 397.
From a letter by Sulpicius Severus
(Epist. 3, 6. 9-10. 11. 14-17. 21: SC 133, 336-344)
Martin the poor and humble man
Martin knew long in advance the time of his death and he told his brethren that it was near. Meanwhile, he found himself obliged to make a visitation of the parish of Candes. The clergy of that church were quarreling, and he wished to reconcile them. Although he knew that his days on earth were few, he did not refuse to undertake the journey for such a purpose, for he believed that he would bring his virtuous life to a good end if by his efforts peace was restored in the church.
He spent some time in Candes, or rather in its church, where he stayed. Peace was restored, and he was planning to return to his monastery when suddenly he began to lose his strength. He summoned his brethren and told them he was dying. All who heard this were overcome with grief. In their sorrow they cried to him with one voice: "Father, why are you deserting us? Who will care for us when you are gone? Savage wolves will attack your flock, and who will save us from their bite when our shepherd is struck down? We know you long to be with Christ, but your reward is certain and will not be any less for being delayed. You will do better to show pity for us, rather than forsake us."
Thereupon he broke into tears, for he was a man in whom the compassion of our Lord was continually revealed. Turning to our Lord, he made this reply to their pleading: "Lord, if your people still need me, I am ready for the task; your will be done."
Here was a man words cannot describe. Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him. He was quite without a preference of his own; he neither feared to die nor refused to live. With eyes and hands always raised to heaven he never withdrew his unconquered spirit from prayer. It happened that some priests who had gathered at his bedside suggested that he should give his poor body some relief by lying on his other side. He answered: "Allow me, brothers, to look toward heaven rather than at the earth, so that my spirit may set on the right course when the time comes for me to go on my journey to the Lord." As he spoke these words, he saw the devil standing near. "Why do you stand there, you bloodthirsty brute?" he cried. "Murderer, you will not have me for your prey. Abraham is welcoming me into his embrace."
With these words, he gave up his spirit to heaven. Filled with joy, Martin was welcomed by Abraham. Thus he left this life a poor and lowly man and entered heaven rich in God's favor.
Responsory
Happy this man who did not deceive, nor judge, nor condemn anyone.
--He spoke only of Christ, of his peace and his mercy.
Here is a man whom words cannot describe.
Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him.
He neither feared to die nor refused to live.
--He spoke only of Christ, of his peace and his mercy.
Prayer
Father,
by his life and death
Martin of Tours offered you worship and praise.
Renew in our hearts the power of your love,
so that neither death nor life may separate us from you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Tours in Gaul, the birthday of Blessed Martin, bishop and confessor. His life was so resplendent with miracles that he merited to raise three dead men to life. A totum duplex feast.
At Cotyacus in Phrygia, the celebrated suffering of St. Menas. He was an Egyptian soldier who, in the persecution of Diocletian, cast away his military insignia and withdrew to the desert to wage an interior war for his heavenly King. Presenting himself before a public gathering, he loudly announced that he was a Christian. He was first subjected to severe tortures. Finally, as he was kneeling in prayer and giving thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, he was put to the sword. After his death, he became famous for miracles. A memory.
At Ravenna, the holy martyrs Valentine, Felician, and Victorinus, who were crowned in the persecution of Diocletian.
In Mesopotamia, St. Athenodorus, martyr. He was tortured with fire and tried by other punishments. Finally, he was condemned to capital punishment. When the executioner fell to the ground and no one dared to strike him with the sword, the martyr, while engrossed in prayer, went to his rest in the Lord.
At Lyons in Gaul, St. Veranus, bishop, whose life was noteworthy for his faith and the merits of his virtue.
At Constantinople, St. Theodore, Abbot of Studium.[1] He fought zealously for the Catholic faith against the Iconoclasts and became famous throughout the Universal Church.
In the monastery of Grottaferrata on the site of Tusculanum, the Abbot St. Bartholomew, a companion of St. Nilus, whose life he wrote.
In the province of Samnium (Central Italy), Blessed Mennas, anchorite. Pope St. Gregory has commemorated his virtues and miracles.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Studium was the name of a famous monastery at Constantinople; it was built in the year 463 by the Roman consul Studius.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for November 10, Memorial of Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor
From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope
The minister of a special calling
Although the universal Church of God is constituted of distinct orders of members, still, in spite of the many parts of its holy body, the Church subsists as an integral whole, just as the Apostle says: We are all one in Christ, nor is anyone separated from the office of another in such a way that a lower group has no connection with the head. In the unity of faith and baptism, our community is then undivided. There is a common dignity as the apostle Peter says in these words: And you are built up as living stones into spiritual houses, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. And again: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of election.
For all, regenerated in Christ, are made kings by the sign of the cross; they are consecrated priests by the oil of the Holy Spirit, so that beyond the special service of our ministry as priests, all spiritual and mature Christians know that they are a royal race and are sharers in the office of the priesthood. For what is more king-like than to find yourself ruler over your body after having surrendered your soul to God? And what is more priestly than to promise the Lord a pure conscience and to offer him in love unblemished victims on the altar of one's heart?
Because, through the grace of God, it is a deed accomplished universally on behalf of all, it is altogether praiseworthy and in keeping with a religious attitude for you to rejoice in this our day of consecration, to consider it a day when we are especially honored. For indeed one sacramental priesthood is celebrated throughout the entire body of the Church. The oil which consecrates us has richer effects in the higher grades, yet it is not sparingly given in the lower.
Sharing in this office, my dear brethren, we have solid ground for a common rejoicing; yet there will be more genuine and excellent reason for joy if you do not dwell on the thought of our unworthiness. It is more helpful and more suitable to turn your thoughts to study the glory of the blessed apostle Peter. We should celebrate this day above all in honor of him. He overflowed with abundant riches from the very source of all graces, yet though he alone received much, nothing was given over to him without his sharing it. The Word made flesh lived among us, and in redeeming the whole human race, Christ gave himself entirely.
Responsory
Jesus said to Simon: I tell you most solemnly that you are Peter,
and I will build my Church upon this rock foundation,
--and the powers of hell will never overcome it.
For all eternity, God's Church stands firm.
--And the powers of hell will never overcome it.
Prayer
God our Father,
you will never allow the power of hell
to prevail against your Church,
founded on the rock of the apostle Peter.
Let the prayers of Pope Leo the Great
keep us faithful to your truth
and secure in your peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Naples in Campania, the birthday of St. Andrew Avellino, Clerk Regular and confessor. He was renowned for holiness and zeal in promoting the salvation of his neighbors. Noted for his miracles, he was canonized by the Sovereign Pontiff, Clement XI.
On the same day, the birthday of the holy martyrs Tryphon and Respicius, and Nympha, virgin.
At Rome, the birthday of Pope St. Leo I, confessor and Doctor of the Church, who, by reason of his outstanding qualities, is surnamed the Great. During his pontificate, the Council of Chalcedon was held at which, through his legatcs, he condemned Eutyches; afterward, he confirmed the decrees of this Council by the weight of his authority. By the many laws he passed and by his numerous writings, he deserved well of the Holy Church of God and of the entire flock of the Lord as their good shepherd. His feast, however, is observed on April 11.
At Iconium in Lycaonia, the holy women Tryphenna and Tryphosa.
By the preaching of St. Paul and the example of St. Thecla, these women made the greatest progress in Christian training.
At Antioch, SS. Demetrius, bishop, Anianus, deacon, Eustosius, and twenty other martyrs.
At Agde in Gaul, the holy martyrs Tiberius, Modestus, and Florence. In the reign of Diocletian, they were subjected to various tortures and so gained martyrdom.
At Ravenna, St. Probus, bishop, noted for miracles.
At Orleans in Gaul, St. Monitor, bishop and confessor.
In England, St. Justus, bishop. Pope St. Gregory sent him together with Augustine, Mellitus, and others, to England to preach the Gospel. There, renowned for his sanctity, he died in the Lord.
In the town of Melun in Gaul, St. Leo, confessor.
On the island of Patmos, St. Theoctiste, virgin.
Anniversary of all the Brothers and Sisters of our Order. An anniversary.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
From a homily written in the second century
Christ willed to save those who were perishing
Brethren, we ought to regard Jesus Christ as God and judge of the living and the dead. We should not hold our Savior in low esteem, for if we esteem him but little, we may hope to obtain but little from him. Moreover, people who hear these things and think them of small importance commit sin, and we ourselves sin if we do not realize what we have been called from, who has called us, and to what place, and how much suffering Jesus Christ endured on our account.
How then shall we repay him? What fruit can we bear that would be worthy of what he has given us? For how many benefits are we not in his debt! He has enlightened our minds; he has called us sons as a father does; he saved us when we were about to perish. How then shall we praise him, how repay him for his gifts? Spiritually blind, we worshiped stones and pieces of wood, gold and silver and bronze, things made by men, and our whole life was death. Darkness enfolded us, and nothing but gloom met our eyes. Then, by his will, we escaped from the cloud that enveloped us and recovered our sight. For he saw our many errors and the damnation that awaited us, and knowing that apart from him we had no hope of salvation, he pitied us, and in his mercy saved us. He called us when we were not his people and willed us to become his people.
Rejoice, O barren woman who never bore a child; break into shouts of joy, you who never knew a mother's pangs; for the deserted wife shall have more children than she who has a husband. When he says: Rejoice, O barren woman who never bore a child, he is speaking of us, for our Church was barren until children were given her. When he says: Break into shouts of joy, you who never knew a mother's pangs, he means that we should not grow weary like women in labor, but tirelessly and in all simplicity offer our prayers to God. He declares that the deserted wife shall have more children than she who has a husband, because faith has now made our people who seemed to have been deserted by God more numerous than those who were thought to possess him.
Another text says: I have come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance, for it is those who are on the point of perishing who must be saved. It is a great and wonderful work to uphold those who are falling, rather than those who already stand firm. Christ willed to save people who were in danger of losing their souls, and he has been the salvation of many. When we were rushing headlong on the way to perishing, he came and called us.
Responsory
God has not destined us to endure wrath
but to win salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ
who died for us,
--so that we might live in him.
God rescued us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of his own beloved Son.
--So that we might live in him.
Prayer
God of power and mercy,
protect us from all harm.
Give us freedom of spirit
and health in mind and body
to do your work on earth.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
In Rome at the Lateran, the Dedication of the Basilica of the Most Holy Saviour, which is the mother and the head of all the churches of Rome and of the world. A totum duplex feast of the second class.
At Amasea in Pontus, the birthday of St. Theodore, soldier. In the reign of the Emperor Maximian, he was severely beaten and thrown into prison, for confessing the Christian faith. There the Lord appeared to him and encouraged him to be steadfast and brave, and his spirits were raised. Finally, he was stretched on the rack and torn with iron hooks until his insides were visible; he was then placed in a raging fire to be burned to death. St. Gregory of Nyssa celebrated his name in a famous panegyric. A memory.
At Tyana, in Cappadocia, the suffering of St. Orestes, under the Emperor Diocletian.
At Thessalonica, St. Alexander, martyr, in the reign of the Emperor Maximian.
At Bourges in Aquitaine, St. Ursinus, confessor. He was ordained by the successors of the Apostles and was appointed the first Bishop of Bourges.
At Naples in Campania, St. Agrippinus, bishop, famed for his miracles.
At Constantinople, the holy virgins Eustolia, a Roman maiden, and Sopatra, the daughter of the Emperor Mauritius.
At Beirut in Syria, the commemoration of the image of the Saviour which, being nailed to a cross by some Jews, poured forth blood so abundantly that the Churches of the East and West both received an ample share of it.[1]
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] Needless to say, this story is regarded as a fable by many historians.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Saturday of the Thirty-First Week of Ordinary Time
From a treatise on death as a blessing by Saint Ambrose, bishop
Let us show Christ crucified in our lives
The Apostle tells us: The world is crucified to me, and I to the world. We are to understand that this death by crucifixion takes place in this life, and that this death is a blessing. So he goes on to urge us to bear the death of Jesus with us in our bodies, for whoever bears the death of Jesus in his body will bear also in his body the life of the Lord Jesus.
Death must be active within us if life also is to be active within us. "Life" is life after death, a life that is a blessing. This blessing of life comes after victory, when the contest is over, when the law of our fallen nature no longer rebels against the law of our reason, when we no longer need to struggle against the body that leads to death, for the body already shares in victory. It seems to me that this "death" is more powerful than "life." I accept the authority of the Apostle when he says: Death is therefore active within us, but life also is active within you. Yet the "death" of this one man was building up life for countless multitudes of peoples! He therefore teaches us to seek out this kind of death even in this life, so that the death of Christ may shine forth in our lives--that blessed death by which our outward self is destroyed and our inmost self renewed, and our earthly dwelling crumbles away and a home in heaven opens before us.
The person who cuts himself off from this fallen nature of ours and frees himself from its chains is imitating death. These are the bonds spoken of by the Lord through Isaiah: Loose the bonds of injustice, untie the thongs of the yoke, set free the oppressed and break every yoke of evil.
The Lord allowed death to enter this world so that sin might come to an end. But he gave us the resurrection of the dead so that our nature might not end once more in death; death was to bring guilt to an end, and the resurrection was to enable our nature to continue for ever.
"Death" in this context is a passover to be made by all mankind. You must keep facing it with perseverance. It is a passover from corruption, from mortality to immortality, from rough seas to a calm harbor. The word "death" must not trouble us; the blessings that come from a safe journey should bring us joy. What is death but the burial of sin and the resurrection of goodness? Scripture says: Let my soul die among the souls of the just, that is, let me be buried with the just, so that I may cast off my sins and put on the grace of the just, of those who bear the death of Christ with them, in their bodies and in their souls.
Responsory
Here is a saying you can depend on:
If we have died with him,
we shall also live with him;
--if we suffer with him,
we shall also reign with him.
A patient man will stand firm until the right time,
and then joy will break through for him.
--If we suffer with him,
we shall also reign with him.
Prayer
God of power and mercy,
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess and
trust your promise of eternal life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
The Octave of All Saints. A solemn octave.
At Rome, on the Via Lavicana, at the third milestone from the city, the suffering of the holy martyrs Claudius, Nicostratus, Symphorian, Castorius, and Simplicius. They were first cast into prison, and then severely flogged with scorpions. Since they could not be turned away from the faith of Christ, by the command of Diocletian, they were thrown headlong into the river.
At the same place, on the Via Lavicana, the birthday of the Four Holy Crowned Brothers, Severus, Severian, Carpophorus, and Victorinus. Under the same Emperor, they were flogged to death with blows from leaden-tipped scourges. Since their names could not then be learned (they were divinely revealed years later), it was decreed that their anniversary should be kept along with the five martyrs mentioned above, under the name of the Four Holy Crowned Ones. This has continued to be done in the Church even after their names were revealed. A memory.
Also at Rome, Pope St. Deusdedit, who had such great merit that he healed a leper of his disease by a kiss.
At Blexcn on the river Weser, in Germany, St. Willehad, who was the first Bishop of Bremen. He, together with St. Boniface, whose disciple he was, spread the Gospel in Friesland and Saxony.
At Soissons in Gaul, St. Godefrid, Bishop of Amiens, a man of great sanctity.
At Verdun in Gaul, St. Maurus, bishop and confessor.
At Tours in Gaul, St. Clarus, priest, whose epitaph was written by St. Paulinus.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Friday of the Thirty-first Week of Ordinary Time
From a sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop
(Or. 7, in laudem Caesarii fratris, 23-24: PG 35, 786-786)
It is a holy thought to pray for the dead
What is man that you are mindful of him? What is this new mystery surrounding me? I am both small and great, both lowly and exalted, mortal and immortal, earthly and heavenly. I am to be buried with Christ and to rise again with him, to become a coheir with him, a son of God, and indeed God himself.
This is what the great mystery means for us; this is why God became man and became poor for our sake: it was to raise up our flesh, to recover the divine image, to re-create mankind, so that all of us might become one in Christ who perfectly became in us everything that he is himself. So we are no longer to be male and female, barbarian and Scythian, slave and free--distinctions deriving from the flesh--but are to bear within ourselves only the seal of God, by whom and for whom we were created. We are to be so formed and molded by him that we are recognized as belonging to his one family.
If only we could be what we hope to be, by the great kindness of our generous God! He asks so little and gives so much, in this life and in the next, to those who love him sincerely. In a spirit of hope and out of love for him, let us then bear and endure all things and give thanks for everything that befalls us, since even reason can often recognize these things as weapons to win salvation. And meanwhile let us commend to God our own souls and the souls of those who, being more ready for it, have reached the place of rest before us although they walked the same road as we do.
Lord and Creator of all, and especially of your creature man, you are the God and Father and ruler of your children; you are the Lord of life and death, you are the guardian and benefactor of our souls. You fashion and transform all things in their due season through your creative Word, as you know to be best in your deep wisdom and providence. Receive now those who have gone ahead of us in our journey from this life.
And receive us too at the proper time, when you have guided us in our bodily life as long as may be for our profit. Receive us prepared indeed by fear of you, but not troubled, not shrinking back on that day of death or uprooted by force like those who are lovers of the world and the flesh. Instead, may we set out eagerly for that everlasting and blessed life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Responsory
We ask you, O Lord our God,
to raise up the souls of the dead
for whom you laid down your life.
--Remember that we are dust,
and our lives are as fleeting as the flower or the grass of the field.
O merciful, kind and compassionate Lord.
--Remember that we are dust,
and our lives are as fleeting as the flower or the grass of the field.
Prayer
God of power and mercy,
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess and
trust your promise of eternal life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Turin (in Italy), Blessed Peter of Ruffia, (martyr) of our Order. Appointed Inquisitor in Turin, he did not cease to shine by his great virtues, and especially by his zeal in defense of Catholic truth. Finally, on the day consecrated to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day most auspicious for himself, he was slain by heretics, and so merited to enter the temple of Heaven. A semi-duplex feast.
At Padua, the death of St. Prosdocimus, who was the first bishop of that city. He was ordained bishop by St. Peter the Apostle, and sent to that city to preach the Word of God. He died a holy death at Padua, adorned with many virtues and miracles.
At Perugia, St. Herculanus, bishop and martyr.
At Schwelm in Germany, the suffering of St. Engelbert, Bishop of Cologne. He was on his way from Cologne to Essen to consecrate a church, when he was attacked on the road by assassins and slain by numerous wounds. Thus, he suffered martyrdom for defense of the liberty of the Church and the authority of the Church of Rome.
On the same day, St. Amaranthus, martyr. He underwent loyally the test of his faith. At Albi in Gaul, his body lies buried, but he lives in eternal glory.
At Melitina in Armenia, the suffering of SS. Hieron, Nicander, Hesychius, and thirty others, who were crowned in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Lysias.
At Amphipolis in Macedonia, the holy martyrs Auctus, Taurion, and Thessalonica.
At Ancyra in Galatia, the suffering of SS. Melasippus, Anthony, and Carina, under Julian the Apostate.
At Alexandria, Blessed Achilles, bishop, who was distinguished for his learning, faith, conduct, and purity of life.
In Friesland, the death of St. Willibrord, Bishop of Utrecht. He was ordained bishop by Blessed Pope Sergius, and preached the Gospel in Friesland and Denmark.
At Metz in Gaul, St. Rufus, bishop and confessor.
At Strasbourg, St. Florentius, bishop.
The death of the venerable brother Anthony de Monroy of Mexico, 59th master general of the Order.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Thursday of the Thirty-first Week of Ordinary Time
From a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop
On the creed
In learning and professing the faith, you must accept and retain only the Church's present tradition, confirmed as it is by the Scriptures. Although not everyone is able to read the Scriptures, some because they have never learned to read, others because their daily activities keep them from such study, still so that their souls will not be lost through ignorance, we have gathered together the whole of the faith in a few concise articles.
Now I order you to retain this creed for your nourishment throughout life and never to accept any alternative, not even if I myself were to change and say something contrary to what I am now teaching, not even if some angel of contradiction, changed into an angel of light, tried to lead you astray. For even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which you have now received, let him be accursed in your sight.
So for the present be content to listen to the simple words of the creed and to memorize them; at some suitable time you can find the proof of each article in the Scriptures. This summary of the faith was not composed at man's whim, the most important sections were chosen from the whole Scripture to constitute and complete a comprehensive statement of the faith. Just as the mustard seed contains in a small grain many branches, so this brief statement of the faith keeps in its heart, as it were, all the religious truth to be found in Old and New Testament alike. That is why, my brothers, you must consider and preserve the traditions you are now receiving. Inscribe them across your heart.
Observe them scrupulously, so that no enemy may rob any of you in an idle and heedless moment; let no heretic deprive you of what has been given to you. Faith is rather like depositing in a bank the money entrusted to you, and God will surely demand an account of what you have deposited. In the words of the Apostle: I charge you before the God who gives life to all things, and before Christ who bore witness under Pontius Pilate in a splendid declaration, to keep unblemished this faith you have received, until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You have now been given life's great treasure; when he comes the Lord will ask for what he has entrusted to you. At the appointed time he will reveal himself, for he is the blessed and sole Ruler, King of kings, Lord of lords. He alone is immortal, dwelling in unapproachable light. No man has seen or ever can see him. To him be glory, honor and power for ever and ever. Amen.
Responsory
The just man will live by faith;
but if he draws back,
I will take no pleasure in him.
--We are not people who draw back and are lost;
we live by faith, that we might be saved.
The unbeliever has no integrity.
--We are not people who draw back and are lost;
we live by faith, that we might be saved.
Prayer
God of power and mercy,
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess and
trust your promise of eternal life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
In the kingdom of Tonkin (Indo-China), the Blessed martyrs Jerome Hermosilla and Valentine Berrio-Ochoa, both bishops; Peter Almato, Francis Gil de Federich, Matthew Alphonse Leziniana, Hyacinth Castañeda, Vincent Liem, priests and missionaries of the Order of Preachers; also Joseph Khang, a catechist of the Third Order of our Father St. Dominic. Although these martyrs died at different times, they were all united by the same strength of soul, and confirmed the faith they preached by the shedding of their blood. A duplex feast.
At Barcelona in Spain, St. Severus, bishop and martyr. For confessing the Catholic faith, a spike was driven into his skull and he thus won his crown of martyrdom.
At Tunis in Africa, the birthday of St. Felix, martyr. He confessed the faith of Christ and was removed for torture, but the next day he was found dead in his prison. So declared St. Augustine, when explaining a certain psalm to his flock on the feast day of St. Felix.
At Theopolis, now called Antioch,[1] ten holy martyrs, who are said to have suffered at the hands of the Saracens.
In Phrygia, St. Atticus, martyr.
At Berg in Flanders, the death of St. Winoc, abbot. He was famed for his virtues and miracles, and he ministered for a long time to the brethren subject to him.
At Fondi in Latium, St. Felix, monk.
At Limoges in Aquitaine, St. Leonard, confessor. He was a disciple of Bishop St. Remigius. Though of noble birth, he chose a solitary life, and was enriched with holiness and miracles. His goodness manifested itself especially in liberating captives.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
Footnote:
[1] When Justinian rebuilt Antioch (middle of 6th cent.), he named it Theopolis. The name, however, did not last.
Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for Wednesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
From a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop
(Cat. 5, De fide et symbolo, 10-11: PG, 33, 518-519)
The power of faith transcends man's strength
The one word faith can have two meanings. One kind of faith concerns doctrines. It involves the soul's ascent to and acceptance of some particular matter. It also concerns the soul's good according to the words of the Lord: Whoever hears my voice and believes in him who sent me has eternal life, and will not come to be judged. And again: He who believes in the Son is not condemned, but has passed from death to life.
How great is God's love for men! Some good men have been found pleasing to God because of years of work. What they achieved by working for many hours at a task pleasing to God is freely given to you by Jesus in one short hour. For if you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved and taken up to paradise by him, just as he brought the thief there. Do not doubt that this is possible. After all, he saved the thief on the holy hill of Golgotha because of one hour's faith; will he not save you too since you have believed?
The other kind of faith is given by Christ by means of a special grace. To one wise sayings are given through the Spirit, to another perceptive comments by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing. Now this kind of faith, given by the Spirit as a special favor, is not confined to doctrinal matters, for it produces effects beyond any human capability. If a man who has this faith says to this mountain move from here to there, it will move. For when anybody says this in faith, believing it will happen and having no doubt in his heart, he then receives that grace.
It is of this kind of faith, moreover, that it is said: If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed. The mustard seed is small in size but it holds an explosive force; although it is sown in a small hole, it produces great branches, and when it is grown birds can nest there. In the same way faith produces great effects in the soul instantaneously. Enlightened by faith, the soul pictures God and sees him as clearly as any soul can. It circles the earth; even before the end of this world it sees the judgment and the conferring of promised rewards. So may you have the faith which depends on you and is directed to God, that you may receive from him that faith too which transcends man's capacity.
Responsory: Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:25
We know that no one is justified by obedience to the law
but by faith in Jesus Christ.
--and we have believed in Christ Jesus
in order to be justified by faith in him.
Through the sacrifice of his life,
God chose him as the means of expiation
for all who believe.
--And we have believed in Christ Jesus
in order to be justified by faith in him.
Prayer
God of power and mercy,
only with your help
can we offer you fitting service and praise.
May we live the faith we profess
and trust your promise of eternal life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.
At Lima in South America, Blessed Martin de Porres, a tertiary of the Order of Preachers. Having pronounced his solemn vows to God, he united integrity of life so perfectly with the most severe penances, that both before and after death he merited to become famous for his miracles. A duplex feast.
St. Zachary, priest and prophet. He was the father of St. John the Baptist, Precursor of the Lord.
Also, St. Elizabeth, the mother of the aforesaid holy Precursor.
At Terracina in Campania, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix, priest, and Eusebius, monk. Eusebius buried the holy martyrs Julian and Caesarius, and he converted many persons to the faith of Christ, while St. Felix baptized them. As they could not be intimidated, they were imprisoned, and on their refusal to offer sacrifice were beheaded that very night.
At Emesa in Phoenicia, the holy martyrs Galatio and Epistemis, his wife. In the persecution of Diocletian, they were flogged; in addition, their hands, feet, and tongues were amputated. They finally completed their martyrdom by being beheaded.
Also, the holy martyrs Domninus, Theotimus, Philotheus, Silvanus, and their associates, in the reign of the Emperor Maximinus.
At Milan, St. Magnus, bishop and confessor.
At Brescia, St. Dominator, bishop.
At Treves, St. Fibitius, at first an abbot, and later Bishop of Treves.
At Orleans in Gaul, St. Lactus, priest and confessor.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
