The Season of Pentecost

Pentecost

Jesus had laid the foundation of the Cburch during His apostolic life, and conferred on her His powers after the Resurrection. It was left for the Holy Ghost to complete the training of the Apostles and to endow them with Divine strength (Gospel). The visible reign of Christ was succeeded by the visible reign of the Holy Ghost.

"The Feast of Pentecost is the Commemoration of the first manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the disciples of Jesus Christ, and consequently that of the foundation of the Church." And it was for this reason that the basilica dedicated to St. Peter, the Head of the Church, was chosen for the Station held today.

Jesus, as the Gospel tells us, has foretold to His disciples the coming of the Paraclete, and the Epistle shows how this promise was fulfilled. It was at the Third Hour that the Cenacle was filled with the Spirit of God. The marvellous outward signs of this event were a mighty wind which suddenly filled the house and the apparition of tongues of fire within.

Instructed by the light of the Holy Ghost (Collect) and filled with the outpouring of His sevenfold gits (Sequence), the Apostles were renewed, and they in their turn are going renew the whole face, of the earth (Introit, Alleluia).

Introit: The Spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world, alleluia; and that which contains all things has knowledge of the voice, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. [Ps.] Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered. And let them that hate Him flee from before His face. Glory.- The Spirit.-

Collect: O God, who on this day didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant us by the same Spirit to judge rightly in all things, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost.-

Epistle: Acts of the Apostles ii: 1-11 When the days of Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues, as it were, of fire; and it sat upon every one of them, ,and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. And they began to speak with diverse tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now, there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: "Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans? And how have we heard, every man, in his own tongue, in which he was born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, Jews also, and ,proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: We have heard them speak in our own tongues, of the wonderful works of God."

Alleluia: Alleluia, alleluia. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth! Alleluia.Come, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful: and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Sequence:

Gospel: John xiv: 23-31 At that time Jesus said to His disciples: "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode in him. He that loves Me not, keeps not My words. And the word that you have heard is not Mine; but the Father's, who sent Me. These things have I spoken to you, abiding with you. But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things, and will bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have told you. Peace I leave you, My peace I give unto you. Not as the world gives, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have heard that I said to you, `I go away, and I come unto you.' If you loved Me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes to pass; that when it shall come to pass, you may believe. I will not now speak many things with you. For the Prince of this world comes, and in Me he has nothing. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has given Me commandments, so I do."

Offertory: Confirm, O God, what Thou hast wrought in us. From Thy temple, which is in Jerusalem, kings shall offer presents to Thee, alleluia.

Secret: Sanctify, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gifts which we offer Thee, and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Ghost. Through our Lord - in the unity of the same Holy Ghost.-

Communion: Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming (and it filled the house) where they were sitting, alleluia; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking the wonderful works of God, alleluia, alleluia.

Postcommunion: May the outpouring of the Holy Ghost purify our hearts, O Lord, and by the inward sprinkling of His heavenly dew may they be made fruitful. Through our Lord - in the unity of the same Holy Ghost.

Trinity Sunday

The Holy Ghost, Whose reign commences with the feast of Pentecost, comes to repeat to our souls, during the second part of the year(from Trinity to Advent--six months) what Jesus taught us Himself in the first part (from Advent to Trinity--six months).

The fundamental dogma to which everything in Christianity is related is that of the holy Trinity, of whom are all things (Epistle) and to Whom are to return all those who are baptized in Its name (Gospel). Therefore after having reminded us in turn during the Cycle of God the Father, Author of the Creation, of God the Son, Author of the Redemption, and of God the Holy Ghost, Author of our Sanctification, the Church chiefly recapitulates on this day the great mystery which calls on us to recognise and adore in God the unity of nature in the Trinity of persons (Collect).

Introit: Blessed be the Holy Trinity, and undivided unity: We will give glory to Him because He has shown His mercy toward us. O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is Thy name in all the earth! Glory be.... Blessed be....

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given to Thy servants grace in the confession of the true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Thy majesty to worship the Unity; grant that by steadfastness in the same faith we may evermore be defended from all adversities. Through our Lord....

Epistle: Romans xi: 33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments and how unsearchable His ways! For "Who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been His counsellor? Or who has first given to Him that recompense should be made him?" For from Him, and through Him, and unto Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Gradual: Blessed art Thou, O Lord, that beholdest the depths and sittest upon the Cherubim. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven, and worthy of praise forever. Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and worthy to be praised forever. Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew xxviii: 18-20 At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world."

Offertory: Blessed be God the Father, and the only begotten Son of God, and also His Holy Ghost; because He has shown His mercy to us.

Secret: Sanctify, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, by the invocation of Thy holy name, the victim of this oblation, and by its means make us an eternal oblation to Thee. Through our Lord....

Communion: We bless the God of heaven, and before all living beings we will praise Him; because He has shown His mercy to us.

Postcommunion: May the reception of this Sacrament, O Lord our God, and the confession of the holy and eternal Trinity, and of Its undivided unity, profit us unto the salvation of soul and body. Through our Lord....

Sunday Within the Octave of Corpus Christi

The Eucharist, as a sacrifice, is the continual manifestation of God's love for us, since it reminds us that Jesus gave His life to save us (Epistle). Our attendance at Mass, the living memorial of Christ's passion must dispose us to sacrifice ourselves in order to provide for our neighbour's wants. The Eucharist, as a Sacrament, also shows how much God loves us, since He invites us to His table. On a spotless table cloth and in golden dishes, He gives us His body to eat. It is the prelude of the Celestial banquet of which the Patriarchs, Prophets and Gospel often speak to us.

The Jews on account of their pride, avarice or lust have been put aside and God has chosen us in their stead (Gospel). "He has established us solidly in His love" and "never ceasing to guide us," (collect), He "continues to operate our salvation by means of the frequent reception of the eucharistic mystery" (postcommunion).

Introit: The Lord became my protector, and brought me forth into a large place. He saved me because He was well pleased with me. will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my firmament, and my refuge, and my deliverer. Glory be.... The Lord....

Collect: Grant, O Lord, that we may have a perpetual fear and love of Thy holy name; for Thou never failest to direct and govern by Thy grace, those whom Thou bringest up in the steadfastness of Thy love.

Epistle: 1 John iii: 13-18 Beloved: Do not be surprised if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. In this we have come to know His love, that He laid down His life for us; and we, likewise, ought to lay down our life for our brethren. He who has the goods of this world and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart to him -- how does the love of God abide in him? My dear children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Gradual: In my trouble, I cried to the Lord, and He heard me. O Lord, deliver my soul from the wicked lips, and a deceitful tongue. Alleluia, alleluia. O Lord, my God, in Thee have I put my trust. Save me from all that persecute me, and deliver me. Alleluia!

Gospel: Luke xiv: 16-24 At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable: "A certain man gave a great supper, and he invited many. And he sent his servant at supper time to tell those invited to `come, for everything is now ready.' And they all, with one accord, began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, `I have bought a farm, and I must go out to see it; I pray thee, hold me excused.' And another said, `I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am on my way to try them; I pray thee, hold me excused.' And another said, `I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' And the servant returned and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house was angry, and said to his servant, `Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor, and the crippled, and the blind, and the lame.' And the servant said, `Sir thine order has been carried out, and still there is room.' Then the master said to the servant, `Go out into the highways and hedges, and make them come in so that my house may be filled. For I tell you that none of those who were invited shall taste of my supper.'"

Offertory: Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul. O save me for Thy mercy's sake.

Secret: May this Sacrifice, offered in Thy name, O Lord, cleanse us from sin, that by its virtue, our daily life on earth may become likened to that of heaven.

Communion: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things. I will sing to the name of the Lord, the most high.

Postcommunion: Having received Thy sacred gifts, O Lord, vouchsafe that the more often we frequent these divine mysteries, the more surely they may avail to our salvation.

Sunday Within the Octave of the Sacred Heart

The Mass today celebrates the Divine mercy towards sinners (Collect, Postcommunion). In the same way that Jesus "had come not to call the just but sinners," the Holy Ghost,Who continues in our hearts the action of Christ, comes to establish the reign of God in sinful souls. He therefore proclaims by the mouth of Peter, the Head of the Church, our weakness before the devil, who, like roaring lion, seeks to devour us (Epistle). The human race has fallen into sin. It is represented by the lost sheep which the divine Shepherd bore on His shoulders, and by the lost drachma struck with the effigy of the King of Heaven and which the Church found again (Gospel).

"Without God, nothing is strong, nothing is holy" (Collect). He alone can give us, in the midst of temptation "an unshakable stability" (Epistle). Therefore on Him we must "throw all our thoughts and cares." (Epistle, Gradual)

Introit: Look Thou upon me, O Lord, and have mercy on me; for I am alone and poor. See my abjection and my labor; and forgive me all my sins, O my God. To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul, in Thee, my God, I put my trust; let me not be put to shame. Glory be.... Look Thou....

Collect: O God, the protector of all that trust in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, and nothing is holy, multiply Thy mercies upon us; that having Thee for our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, so that we lose not those which are eternal.

Epistle: 1 Peter v: 6-11 Beloved: Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in the time of visitation. Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Be sober, be watchful, for your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the Faith, knowing that the same suffering befalls your brethren all over the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us into His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself, after we have suffered a little while, perfect, strengthen, and establish us. To Him is the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Gradual: Cast thy care upon the Lord and He will sustain thee. When I cried to the Lord, He heard my voice, from them that draw near to me. Alleluia, alleluia. God is a just judge, strong and patient. Is He angry every day? Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke xv: 1-10 At that time, the publicans and the sinners were drawing near to Him to listen to Him. And the Pharisees and the Scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them." But, He spoke to them this parable, saying, "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and loosing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the desert, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he has found it, he lays it upon his shoulders, rejoicing. And on coming home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.' I say to you that, even so, there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine just, who have no need of repentance. Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she looses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, `Rejoice with me, because I have found the drachma that I lost.' Even so, I say to you, there will be joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Offertory: Let them trust in Thee who know Thy name, O Lord, for Thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. Sing ye to the Lord, who dwelleth in Sion, for He hath not forgotten the cry of the poor.

Secret: Favorably regard, O Lord, the offerings of Thy suppliant Church, and grant to Thy faithful receiving them that they may avail unto salvation.

Communion: I say to you: There is joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.

Postcommunion: May the Sacrament which we have received quicken us, O Lord, and atone for our sins, preparing us to share everlastingly in Thy mercies.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Confldence in God in the midst of the struggles and sufferings of the life, such is the predominating thought in to-day's Mass. The Apostle describes in the Epistle the tribulations which overwhelm us, and shows up their glorious result. The whole of nature shares the punishment Of sin. As well as man, all beings groan and suffer. But at the Pentecostal Feasts the Church has received the first-fruits of the Holy Ghost Who has sanctified our souls and Who is the pledge of the resurrection of our bodies and of our enfranchisement from the material world. Our sufferings are then, as it were, our birth into divine life, and it is at this price that we purchase heaven.

But to reach heaven we must place our confidence in the Lord Who alone is our refuge, our salvation and our defender (Introit., Gradual, AlleIuia, Communion), and in order that our enemies may not prevail against us (Offertory) let us ask of God " that the world may walk in peace according to the order established by Him, and the Church enjoy tranquilly the delights of piety " (Collect).

The visible protection of Providence which extends to the least events is shown to us in the Gospel. The Church (notice that the liturgy during the season after Pentecost is specially concerned with her) is represented by the bark of Peter. It is his that Jesus chose to preach from, it is Simon He commands to put off from the shore, and it is he who, at his Master's bidding, casts his nets which are filled to breaking point. It is Peter indeed who, struck with astonishment and fright, adores his Master. He will be henceforth with his companions a fisher of men, for they have understood the lesson of confidence which the Saviour gives them and they follow Him.

In the bark of the Church, beaten by the waves and tempests of this world let us put our trust in God.

INTROIT The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear ? The Lord is the protector of my life; of whom shall I be afraid ? Mine enemies that trouble me have themselves been weakened and have fallen. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my Heart shall not fear. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Grant, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, both that the course of this world may be peaceably ordered by Thy governance, and: that Thy Church may joyfully serve Thee in tranquil devotion. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Rom. viii. 18-23. Brethren: I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that shall be revealed in us. For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him that made it subject in hope: because the creature also itself shall be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that every creature groaneth, and travaileth in pain, even till now. And not only it, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption of the sons of God, the redemption of our body: in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL. Forgive us our sins, 0 Lord, lest the Gentiles should at any time say: where is their God ? Help us, 0 God our Savior; and for the honor of Thy name, 0 Lord, deliver us. Alleluia, alleluia. 0 God, who sittest upon the throne and judgest justice, be Thou the refuge of the poor in tribulation. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke v. 1-11. At that time: When the multitudes pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God, He stood by the lake of Genesareth. And He saw two ships standing by the lake; but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets; and going up into one of the ships that was Simons, He desired Him to draw back a little from the land: and sitting He taught the multitudes out of the ship. Now when He had ceased to speak, He said to Simon: Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon, answering, said to Him: Master, we have labored all the night, and have taken nothing, but at Thy word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed a very great multitude of fishes; and their net broke: and they beckoned to their partners that were in the other ship, that they should come and help them; and they came, and filled both the, ships, so that they were almost sinking. Which when Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: Depart from e, for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord. For he was wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of fishes which they had taken: and so were also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And Jesus saith to Simon:Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And having brought their ships to land, leaving all things, they followed him.

OFFERTORY. Enlighten my eyes, that I may never sleep in death., lest at any time my enemy say: I Have prevailed against Him.

SECRET. Be appeased, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by our offerings which Thou dost receive: and in Thy mercy compel even our rebellious wills to yield to Thee. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. The Lord is my firmament, and my refuge and my deliverer; my God is my helper.

POSTCOMMUNION. May the Mysteries which we have received purify us, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee; and defend us by the gifts which they convey. Through our Lord.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

The week of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost used to be called the week after the Feast of the Apostles, for it is among those which rather often coincide with the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The Mass as presented to us by the Church on this day contains a great lesson in Christian Charity. We must live in union. Having entered the Church - the Kingdom of the Father - we are the children of God, and we must love Him in our neighbor who participates as we do in the divine- nature. Indeed the Epistle and Gospel show us that our prayer is of value only if we are all of one heart, otherwise it is vain, and the Collect makes us ask God to grant us His love, as it is our love for God which is the motive of our love for our neighbor.

INTROIT. Hear, 0 Lord, my voice with which I have cried unto Thee: be Thou my helper, forsake me not, neither despise me, 0 God, my Savior. The lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. 0 God who has prepared for those who love Thee good things beyond the vision of man: Pour into our hearts such love toward Thee that we, loving Thee in all things and above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. I Peter iii. 8-15. Dearly beloved: Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble; not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him decline from evil, and do good; let him seek after peace, and pursue it; because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and His ears unto their prayers, but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things. And who is he that can hurt you if you be zealous of good? But if also you suffer any thing for justice sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled; but sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts.

GRADUAL. Behold, 0 God our protector, and look on Thy servants. 0 Lord God of hosts, give ear to the prayers of Thy servants. Alleluia, alleluia. In Thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Alleluia

GOSPEL. Matt. v. 20-24. At that time: Jesus said to His disciples: Unless your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill: and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you: That whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother: Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say: Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee, leave there thine offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother; and, then coming, thou shalt offer thy gift.

OFFERTORY. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: I set God always in my sight; for He is at my right hand, that I be not moved.

SECRET. Be appeased, 0 Lord, by our humble prayers: and graciously receive the gifts of Thy servants and handmaids; that what each doth offer to thee honor of Thy name may avail for the salvation of all. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

POSTCOMMUNION. Grant, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, that we whom Thou hast fed with a heavenly gift may be cleansed from our hidden sins, and delivered from the snares of our enemies. Through our Lord.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Her mind being still occupied with the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, which she has administered at Easter and at Pentecost, the Church reminds us to-day of the effects of these two great Sacraments.

Dead through sin, we have been plunged and, as it were, buried with Jesus in the baptismal water. " All we who have been baptised," says St. Paul, " it is in His death that we have been baptised" (Epistle).

By dying on the Cross He atoned for our sins, and "our evil nature was crucified with Him" (ibid.): we must therefore die to sin and no longer commit sin.

"If we have died with Christ," continued the Apostle, "we believe that we shall live with Him." "Christ having risen from the dead, we must also walk in a new life."

The Eucharist is the food of this divine life. The multiplication of loaves, related by St. Mark in to-day's Gospel, figured and announced this great Sacrament by which faithful souls are nourished.

Jesus has compassion on the multitude and gives food to four thousand men, who without this sustenance "would have fainted on the way." "He took the seven loaves, gave thanks to God, broke them, and gave them to His disciples to distribute, and they distributed them among the people" (Gospel). This miracle expressly relates to the promise of the institution of the Blessed Sacrament. Wherefore, when Jesus fulfilled it at the Last Supper, St. Paul writes that "He took bread and giving thanks He broke, it and said: "Receive and eat : this is My Body." And in adding : "Do this in memory of Me," He ordered the Apostles and their successors to consecrate in the same way the supernatural broad which is to sustain our souls and to distribute it throughout the world and to the end of time.

INTROIT. The Lord is the strength of His people, and the protector of the salvation of His anointed: save, 0 Lord, Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance, and rule them for ever. Unto Thee will I cry, 0 Lord: 0 my God, be not Thou silent to me; lest if Thou be silent to me I become like them that go down into the pit. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. 0 God of all power and might, to whom belongeth every. thing that is best: implant in our hearts the love of Thy name, and increase within us true religion; that Thou mayest nourish in us those things that are good, and by the zeal of our devotion mayest preserve what Thou hast nourished. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Rom. vi. 3-11. Brethren: All we who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in His death. For we are buried together with Him by baptism unto death; that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer. For he that is dead is justified from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall live also together with Christ. Knowing that Christ, rising again from the dead, dieth now no more, death shall no more have dominion over Him. For in that He died to sin, He died once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. So do you also reckon that you are dead indeed to sin, but alive unto God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL. Return, 0, Lord, a little; and be entreated in favor of Thy servants. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation. Alleluia, alleluia. In Thee, 0 Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded: deliver me in Thy justice, and release me; bow down Thine ear to me, make haste to deliver me, Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Mark viii. 1-9. At that time: When there was a, great multitude with Jesus, and had nothing to eat, calling His disciples together, He saith to them: I have compassion on the multitude, for behold they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat; and if I shall send them away fasting to their home they will faint in the way: for some of them came from afar off. And His disciples answered Him: From whence can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness? And He asked them: How many loaves have ye? Who said: Seven. And He commanded the people to sit down on the ground. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks, He broke, and gave to Ms disciples to set before them: and they set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes, and He blessed them, and commanded them to be set before them. And they did eat, and were filled; and they took up that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets: and they that had eaten were about four thousand: and He sent them away.

OFFERTORY. Perfect Thou my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps be not moved: incline Thine ear, and hear my words: show forth Thy wonderful mercies, Thou who savest them that trust in Thee, O Lord.

SECRET. Be appeased, 0 Lord by our humble prayers, and graciously receive the offerings of Thy people: and, that no prayer may be in vain and no petition void, grant that we may effectually obtain that for which we faithfully pray. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. I will go round, and offer up in His tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: I will sing, and recite a psalm to the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION. Having been filled, 0 Lord, with Thy gifts, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be cleansed by their virtue and defended by their help. Through our Lord.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

The Ark of the Covenant carried by the Israelites on the battlefields had given them victory; and while with cries of joy they brought it back to the Mount of Sion, they exhorted in the words of the Psalm xivi. all nations to come and praise their God (Introit). In this ascent the Fathers see a figure of the Ascension of Jesus after His victory over the devil and the world.

God, through His Christ, Who is Wisdom, thus attracts all souls, "for His Providence is unerring in the ordering of His divine plans" (Collect). Wherefore the, sacred number of seven which designates this Sunday also also designates this same wisdom given to Solomon after he had offered the sacrifice mentioned by Daniel in the Offertory. And as fear is the beginning of wisdom, David says: "I shall teach you the fear of the Lord" (Gradual).

Divine life shows itself in acts. St. Augustine, explaining the Introit, says that "the hands and the tongue must agree, the one glorifying God and the other acting." And the Gospel declares that it is not those who say: "Lord, Lord, who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but those who do the will of the Father." A tree is judged by its fruit. If good species give "grapes and figs" there are also "thorns and brambles" (Epistle), on which none are gathered. Therefore "they shall be cut down and thrown into the fire"(Gospel). What fruit, adds the Apostle, have you gathered from sin, except shame and eternal death ? Whilst "by serving God, you produce fruits of holiness and win eternal life" (Epistle).

INTROIT. 0 clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. For the Lord is high, and terrible: a great King over all the earth. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. 0 God, the ordering of whose providence never erreth: we humbly beseech Thee to put away from us all hurtful things, and to give us all those things which are profitable for us. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Rom. vi. 19-23. Brethren: I speak a human thing because of the infirmity of your flesh; for as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity unto iniquity, so now yield your members to serve justice, unto sanctification. For when you were the servants of Sin, you were free from justice. What fruit therefore had you then in those things, of which you are now ashamed? For the end of them is death. But now, being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting. For the wages of sin is death. But the grace of God, life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL. Come, children, hearken to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Come ye to Him and be enlightened; and your faces shall not be confounded. Alleluia, alleluia. 0 clap your hands all ye nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Matt. vii. 15-21. At that time: Jesus said to His disciples: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Not every one that saith to me: Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doth the will of My Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

OFFERTORY. As in holocausts of rams and bullocks, and as in thousands of fat lambs; so let our sacrifice be made in Thy sight this day, that it may please Thee: for there is no confusion to them that trust in Thee, 0 Lord.

SECRET. 0 God, who hast ratified the divers victims of the law by one perfect sacrifice: receive the oblation of Thy devoted servants, and hallow it with a blessing like to that wherewith Thou didst hallow the gifts of Abel; so that what each has offered in honor of Thy majesty may avail for the salvation of all. Through our lord.

COMMUNION. Bow down Thine ear, make haste to deliver me.

POSTCOMMUNION. May Thy healing operation, 0 Lord, mercifully free us from our perverse inclinations, and lead us to those things which are right. Through our Lord.

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

The Epistle reminds us of our divine filiation, and the Gospel in a parable tells us of the duties thereby entailed. We are the children of God, since we may say in all truth: Our Father (Epistle). God has given us life, "wherefore we must life according to His will" (Collect).

Just as this rich landowner who, before giving his son his share of the heritage, wishes to test his administrative capability, by entrusting to him things of little value, God, before making us His heirs in heaven, has wished to test our fidelity by giving us the management on earth of both temporal and spiritual goods. But, like the steward mentioned by Jesus, we have been unfaithful, dissipating by sin the riches and talents which God entrusted to us.

Therefore, vying in zeal with the children of the world, the sons of light imitate the foresight of the steward who, by means of his father's riches, prepared friends unto himself. Turning to profitable use what God has given to us, let us do good, and especially by almsgiving let us secure the testimony which the poor will bear their benefactors at the moment when all will have to give an account of their stewardship to the divine Judge.

INTROIT. We have received Thy mercy, 0 God, in the midst of Thy temple; according to Thy name, 0 God, so also is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of justice. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised: in the city of our God, even upon His holy mountain. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Mercifully grant to us, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right; that we, who cannot exist without Thee, may by Thee be enabled to live according to Thy will, Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Rom. viii. 12-17. Brethren: We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh; for if you live according to the flesh, you shall die; but if by the spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. For, whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba (Father). For the Spirit Himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God; and if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ.

GRADUAL. Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of refuge, to save me. In Thee, 0 God, have I hoped: 0 Lord, let me never be confounded. Alleluia, alleluia. Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised; in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke xvi. 1-9. At that time: Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: There was a certain rich man who had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods; and he called him, and said to him: How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship, for now thou canst be steward no longer. And the steward said within himself: What shall I do, because my lord taketh away from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able: to beg I am ashamed. I know what I will do, that when I shall be removed from the stewardship they may receive me into their houses. Therefore calling together every one of his lord's debtors, he said to the first: How much dost thou owe my lord? But he said: A hundred barrels of oil. And he said to him: Take thy bill, and sit down quicklv. and write fifty. Then he said to another: And how much dost thou owes ? Who said: A hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take thy bill, and write eighty. And the lord commended the unjust steward, for as much as he had done wisely; for the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity, that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings..

OFFERTORY. Thou wilt save the humble people, 0 Lord, and wilt bring down the eyes of the proud; for who is God, but Thou, 0 Lord ?

SECRET. Receive 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, the gifts which of Thine own bounty we offer unto Thee: that, through Thy grace, these most holy mysteries may sanctify the conduct of our present life and bring us to eternal joys. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. Taste and see that the lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in Him.

POSTCOMMUNION. May this heavenly Mystery be to us, 0 Lord a reparation of mind and body; that we may experience the effect of that which we celebrate. Through our Lord.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

This day's liturgy puts before us in the Epistle and Gospel, the terrible punishments incurred by the Israelites on account of their immorality and irreligion. Twenty-three thousand Hebrews perished in one day on account of their lust; several were killed by serpents for having tempted God by complaining that they had no other food but manna ; many were killed by the destroying angel on account of their murmuring (Epistle), and over a million Jews perished when Jerusalem was destroyed for having rejected the Messiah. They were thrown out of the Kingdom of God as the sellers were driven from the temple which is its figure, for having transformed the house of prayer into a den of thieves (Gospel). The Gentiles, called in their stead, must therefore be faithful to their vocation and take care not to fall in their turn (Epistle). Let them obey therefore with holy joy the commandments of the Lord (Offertory), let them worthily attend in the temple the Eucharistic mysteries in which the work of our redemption is daily enacted (Secret) and eat the flesh of Jesus which is the true manna of our souls (Communion).

Then will God always come to their help (Introit), He will open the ears of His Mercy to their prayers (Collect), and will not allow them to be tempted beyond their strength (Epistle).

INTROIT. Behold, God is my helper, and the Lord is the protector of my soul: turn back evil upon mine enemies, and destroy Thou them in Thy Truth, 0 Lord my protector. Save me, 0 God, by Thy name, and deliver me in Thy strength. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Let Thy merciful ears, 0 lord, be open to the prayers of Thy suppliant people; and that Thou mayest grant them their desires, make them to ask such things as please Thee. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. I Cor. X. 6-13. Brethren: Let us not covet evil things as they also coveted. Neither become ye idolaters, as some of them: as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and there fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them tempted, and perished by the serpents. Neither do you murmur, as some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them in figure, and they are written for our correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall. Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human: and God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will make also with temptation issue that you may be able to bear it.

GRADUAL. 0 Lord, our Lord, how admirable is Thy name in the whole earth! For Thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens. Alleluia, alleluia. Deliver me from mine enemies, 0 my God: and defend me from them that rise up against me. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke xix. 41-47. At that time: When Jesus drew near. to Jerusalem, seeing the city, He wept over it, saying: If thou also hadst known, and that in this thy day, the things that are to thy peace; but now they are hidden from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, and thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and straiten thee on every side, and beat thee flat to the ground, and thy children who are in thee: and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone, because thou hast not known the time of thy visitation. And entering into the temple, He began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought, saying to them: It is written: My house is the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves. And He was teaching daily in the temple.

OFFERTORY. The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts, and His judgments are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb: for Thy servant keepeth them.

SECRET. Grant us 0 lord, we beseech Thee, worthily to approach these mysteries: for as often as this memorial-sacrifice is celebrated, the work of our redemption is wrought.

COMMUNION. He that eateth my Flesh. and drinketh my Blood, abideth in me and I in him, saith the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION. We beseech Thee, 0 Lord, that the communion of Thy Sacrament may bestow upon us both purification and unity.Through our Lord.

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Our sanctification is an impossible work if we undertake it alone, since our acts are only supernatural if they proceed from the Holy Ghost. That is what the Church impresses on us to-day in giving us a true notion of Christian humility.

Left to ourselves, we are powerless and given to sin, it is to God that we owe its avoidance or its pardon, and that we are even able to pronounce the name of Jesus affirming His divinity (Epistle).

Wherefore, in the Gospel of the Pharisee and the Publican, the Master stigmatises the pride which makes us put our trust in ourselves and always shows itself in our contempt for others. This pride is the enemy of God, for it attributes to itself the gifts which the Holy Ghost confers on each according to His pleasure (Epistle), and it therefore hinders His divine power from manifesting itself in us (Collect), since it makes us imagine that we need no help. The humble soul, on the contrary, is pleased to recognize its nothingness, knowing that it is only on this condition that the virtue of Christ will dwell in it.

INTROIT. When I cried to the Lord, He heard by voice, from them that draw near against me; and He humbled them, who is before all ages, and remains forever: cast thy care upon the Lord, and. He shall nourish thee. Hear my prayer, 0 God, and despise not my supplication; be attentive unto me, and hear me. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. O God, who dost manifest Thine Almighty power chiefly in showing pardon and pity: increase and multiply upon us Thy mercy; that we, running the way towards the attainment of Thy promises, may be made partakers of Thy heavenly treasures. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. I Cor. xii. 2-11. Brethren: You know that, when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols, according as you were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man, speaking by the Spirit of God, saith anathema to Jesus; and no man can say: The Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; and there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who worketh all in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom; and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another, faith in the same spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirit; to another, divers kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches. But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to very one according as He will.

GRADUAL. Keep me, 0 Lord, as the apple of Thine eye: protect me under the shadow of Thy wings. Let my judgment come forth from Thy countenance: let Thine eyes behold the things that are equitable. Alleluia, alleluia. A hymn, 0 God, becometh Thee in Sion: and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke xviii. 9-14. At that time: Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a, Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: 0 God, I give Thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers; as also is this Publican. I fast twice in the week; I give, tithes of all that I possess. And the Publican, standing a far off, would not so much as lift up his eyes toward heaven, but struck his breast, saying: 0 God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

OFFERTORY. To Thee, 0 Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee 0 my God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed: neither let mine enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded.

SECRET. Let the appointed sacrifices be offered to Thee, 0 Lord, which Thou hast granted us so to present for the honor of Thy name, that they may also be for the healing of our ills. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. Thou wilt accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and holocausts, upon Thine altar, 0 Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION. We beseech Thee, 0 Lord our God, that in Thy mercy Thou wouldst not leave destitute of Thine aids those whom Thou ceasest not to refresh with Thy divine Sacraments. Through our Lord.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

The Church on this day makes us celebrate the omnipotence of God and His infinite mercy in dealing with sinners. St. Paul repeats to the Corinthians the miraculous transformation which has taken place in him through the grace of God (Epistle).

The healing of the deaf and dumb, related by St. Mark, is the story of divine mercy towards each one of us (Gospel).

Deaf to the teachings of the Master, we had become dumb by sin and incapable of praising God. But repeating, according to His command, what Christ did, the Church in baptism has opened our ears and loosed our tongue, so that henceforth we may hear the divine word and freely proclaim our faith.

Having put our hope in God, we have received succour (Gradual). The Lord has healed our wounds (Offertory) and has given us strength and courage (Introit).

INTROIT. God in His holy place; God who maketh men of one manner to dwell in a house: He will give power and strength unto His people. Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Him flee from before his face. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Almighty, Everlasting God, who, in the abundance of Thy loving-kindness, dost exceed both the merits and the desires of those who pray unto Thee: pour down upon us Thy mercy; forgiving us those things which our conscience is afraid, and granting us those good things which our prayer does not presume to ask. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. I Cor. xv. 1-10. Brethren: I make known unto you the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; by which also you are saved, if you hold fast after what manner I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures; and that He was seen by Cephas, and after that by the eleven. Then was He seen by more than five hundred brethren at once, of whom many remain until this present, and some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen by James, then by all the Apostles. And last of all He was seen also by me, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the Apostles, who am not worthy to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God; but by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace in me hath not been void.

GRADUAL. In God hath my heart confided, and I have been helped; and my flesh hath flourished again; and with my will I will give praise to Him. Unto Thee have I cried, 0 Lord: 0 my God, be Thou not silent; depart not from me. Alleluia, alleluia. Rejoice to God our helper; sing aloud to the God of Jacob: take a joyful psalm with the harp. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Mark vii. 31-37. At that time: Jesus going out of the coast of Tyre, came by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coast of Decapolis. And they bring to Him one deaf and dumb, and they besought Him that He would lay His hand upon him. And taking him from the multitude apart, He put His fingers into his ears, and spitting, He touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, He groaned, and said to him: Ephpheta, which is: Be thou opened; and immediately his cars were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke right. And He charged them that they should tell no man; but the more He charged them, so much the more a great deal did they publish it; and so much the more did they wonder, saying: He hath done all things well; He hath made both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

OFFERTORY. I will extol Thee, 0 Lord, for Thou hast upheld me; and hast not made mine enemies to rejoice over me: 0 Lord, I have cried to Thee, and Thou hast healed me.

SECRET. Look graciously upon our service, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, that the gift we offer may be acceptable to Thee, and be to us the support of our weakness.

COMMUNION. Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first of all thy fruits: and thy barns shall be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall run over with wine.

POSTCOMMUNION. We beseech Thee, 0 Lord, that by the reception of Thy Sacrament we may feel support of mind and body; that, saved in both, we may glory in the fulness of the heavenly remedy. Through our Lord.

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Having been initiated into supernatural life by Baptism, strengthened and perfected in this life by Confirmation, whose efficacy the feast of Pentecost has celebrated, the Church reminds us of the duty of Christian charity which derives therefrom.

She speaks to us of the law of Moses which was not wanting in a certain splendor and of the law of Christ which is its perfect development

If already the greatest of the commandments of the ancient Alliance is the love of God and that of one's neighbor, it is necessarily the same divine and perfected love which the New Alliance demands of us (Gospel). Let us beware of the pharisaical interpretation of the law which would reduce our religious duties to a few outward practices The letter kills," says St. Paul, " but the spirit quickens" (Epistle).

Neither the Mosaic law nor the Gospel separate the love of God from that we owe to our neighbor: in its origin it is a supernatural love, for it proceeds from the Holy Ghost, and in its object which is God in the person of our brethren.

Made divine by grace, we must imitate our heavenly Father Who appeased by the prayer of Moses, a figure of the Savior, only over-whelmed with benefits the people that had offended Him (Offertory, Communion).

INTROIT. Come unto my help, 0 God: 0 Lord, make haste to help me: let my enemies be ashamed and put to confusion who seek after my soul. let them be turned backward and blush for shame that wish me evil. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Almighty and merciful God, of whose gift it cometh that Thy faithful people do Thee worthy and laudable service: grant, we beseech Thee, that we run without stumbling to the attainment of Thy promises. Through our lord.

EPISTLE. II Cor. iii. 4-9. Brethren: Such confidence we have through Christ towards God. Not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves, as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God. Who also hath made us fit ministers of the New Testament, not in the letter, but in the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit quickeneth. Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which is made void: how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather in glory? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.

GRADUAL. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall be ever in my mouth. In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear, and rejoice. Alleluia, alleluia, 0 lord the God of my salvation, I have cried in the day and in the night before Thee. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke x. 22-37. At that time: Jesus said to His disciples: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them. And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting Him, and saying: Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? But He said to him: What is written in the Law? how readest thou? He answering, said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And He said to him: Thou hast answered rightly: this, do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbor? Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him, went away leaving him half dead; and it chanced that a certain priest went down the same way, and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. But a certain Samaritan, being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion; and going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine; and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took, care of him; and the next clay he took - out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him, and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee. Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbor to him that fell among robbers? But he said: He that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.

OFFERTORY. Moses prayed in the sight of the Lord his God, and said: Why, 0 Lord, is Thine indignation enkindled against Thy peoples ? Let the anger of Thy mind cease; remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to whom Thou didst swear to give a land flowing with milk and honey: and the Lord was appeased from doing the evil, which He had spoken of doing against His people.

SECRET. Graciously regard, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, the sacrifices we present at Thy holy altar: that while they win pardon for us they may also give honor to Thy name. Through our Lord,

COMMUNION. The earth shall be filled with the fruit of Thy works, 0 Lord, that Thou mayest bring bread out of the earth, and that wine may cheer the heart of man; that he may make the face cheerful with oil; and that bread may strengthen man's heart.

POSTCOMMUNION. May the holy participation of this Mystery give life to us, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee; and procure for us both expiation and protection. Through our Lord.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

The Collect which prays for an increase of faith, hope and charity, re-echoes the teaching of the Apostle in the Epistle and that of the..Master in the Gospel. The Jews wanted to impose the Mosaic law on Christians; St Paul shows that it is not this law which gives holiness to souls, since, before the law, Abraham, father of the Jewish people, was sanctified by his .faith in Jesus. All those, therefore, Jews or pagans, who enter into the Church and put their faith in the merits of the Passion of Christ will be saved. Our Divine Savior indeed heals all the lepers, Jews or Samaritans, who have recourse to Him. " Arise," said Jesus to the latter, " thy faith hath made thee whole." It is He Who, through His Church, gives back health to the souls of those, whether Jews or Gentiles, who come to Him, By faith we put in Jesus all our hope (Offertory) for He is our refuge (Alleluia) and we ask for the virtue of charity which makes us love the divine law (Collect) and makes us practice it (Postcommunion).

INTROIT. Have regard, 0 Lord, unto Thy covenant, and forsake not for ever the souls of Thy poor: arise, 0 Lord, and judge Thy cause, and forget not the voices of them that seek Thee, 0 God, why hast Thou cast us off for ever? why is Thy wrath en-kindled against the sheep of Thy pasture? Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Almighty and Everlasting God, give unto us an increase of Faith, Hope, and Charity; and, that we may worthily obtain that which Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Gal. iii. 16-22. Brethren: To Abraham were the promises made, and unto his seed. He saith not: And to his seed, as of many; but as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say: That the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years, doth not annul, so as to make void the promise. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise. Why, then, was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come, to whom He made the promise: being ordained by Angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not of one; but God is one. Was the law, then, against the promises of God? God forbid. For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

GRADUAL. Have regard, 0 Lord, to Thy covenant, and forsake not to the end the souls of Thy poor. Arise, 0 Lord, and Judge Thy cause; remember the reproach of Thy servants. Alleluia, alleluia. lord, Thou hast been our refuge, from generation to generation. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke xvii. 11-19. At that time: As Jesus was going to Jerusalem, He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee: and as He entered into a certain town, there met Him ten men that were lepers, who stood afar off, and lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, master, have mercy on us. Whom when He saw, He said: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God: and he fell on his face before His feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering, said: Were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? There is no one found to return, and give glory to God, but this stranger. And He said to him: Arise, go thy way: for thy faith hath made thee whole.

OFFERTORY. In Thee, 0 lord, have I hoped, I said: Thou art my God, my times are in Thy hands.

SECRET. Look graciously, 0 Lord, upon Thy people. look graciously upon our gifts: that being appeased by this offering, Thou mayest both grant us pardon and give us what we seek. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. Thou hast given us, 0 Lord, bread from heaven, having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.

POSTCOMMUNION. Having received Thy heavenly Sacraments, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee that we may profit to the increase of eternal redemption. Through our Lord.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Epistle and Gospel of to-day teach us that we cannot at the same time serve two masters, namely the flesh and the spirit. The spirit, or grace, given to us by the Holy Ghost, inclines us to supernatural and holy things. The flesh, or man with his bad and carnal instincts, make us commit all manner of sins.

Let us attend to our temporal interests without exaggerated preoccupation, for such anxiety offends our Father in heaven.

INTROIT. Behold, O God our protector, and look upon the face of Thy Christ; for one day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. How lovely are Thy tabernacles, 0 Lord of hosts: my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Keep, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, Thy Church with Thy perpetual favor; and; because the frailty of men without Thee cannot but fall, keep it ever by Thy help from all things hurtful and lead it to all things profitable to salvation. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Gal. v. 16-24. Brethren: Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh: for the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: for these are contrary one to another: so that you do not the things that you would. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest; which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects, envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of the which I foretell you as, I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscences.

GRADUAL. It is good to confide in the Lord, rather than to have confidence in man. It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in princes. Alleluia, alleluia. Come, let us praise the Lord with joy; let us joyfully sing to God our Saviour. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Matt. vi. 24-33. At that time: Jesus said to His disciples: No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will sustain the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you: Be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat, and the body more than the raiment? Behold the birds of the air: for they neither sow nor do they reap, nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? And which of you, by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit? And for raiment, why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they labor not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. Now, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which is today, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more you, O ye of little faith! Be ot solicitous, therefore, saying: What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and His justice; and all these things shall be added unto you.

OFFERTORY. The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear Him, and shall deliver them: 0 taste and see that the Lord is sweet.

SECRET. Grant us, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, that this saving victim may be at once the cleansing of our sins and the appeasing of Thy might. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. Seek first the kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto you, saith the Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION. May Thy Sacraments, 0 God ever purify and defend us; and lead us to the end of eternal salvation. Through our Lord.

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Mass reminds us that having received the Holy Ghost at the Feast of Pentecost and Jesus in Holy Communion, our souls and bodies should be moved by the Spirit and entirely obedient to the operation of the divine gift of the Eucharist, so that it be no longer our own nature but the effect of this sacrament that dominates in us (Postcommunion).

Christ has snatched us from the death of sin as He once snatched the young man of Naim from natural death, and in this He responds to the compassion He feels for our mother the Church who laments over sinners, just as He was moved by the poor widow who lamented over her son.

This supernatural life, which is that of the Church, must always dwell in us and bear fruit, making us not only avoid the works of the flesh, as St. Paul told us last Sunday, but also practice the works of the Spirit which are the love of our neighbor and mistrust in ourselves, since we are nothing without Jesus Christ (Epistle).

INTROIT. Incline Thine ear, 0 Lord, unto me, and hear me: save Thy servant, 0 my God, that trusteth in Thee: have mercy upon me, 0 Lord, for unto Thee have I cried all the day. Give joy to the soul of Thy servant; for unto Thee, 0 Lord, have I lifted up my soul. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. 0 Lord, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thee, govern it evermore by Thy help. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Gal. v. 25 to vi. 1-10. Brethren: If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Let us not be made desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so you shall fulfill the law of Christ. For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every one prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in himself only, and not in another. For every one shall bear his own burden. And let him that is instructed in the word, communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption; but he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting. And in doing good, let us not fail; for in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

GRADUAL. It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to Thy name, 0 most High. To show forth Thy mercy in the morning, and Thy truth in the night. Alleluia, alleluia. For the Lord is a great God, and a great king over all the earth. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Luke vii. 11-16. At that time: Jesus went into a city that is called Naim; and there went with Him His disciples, and a great multitude. And when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a great multitude of the city was with her. Whom when the Lord had seen, being moved with mercy towards her, He said to her: Weep not. And He came near and touched the bier. And they that carried it, stood still. And He said: Young man, I say to thee, arise. And he that was dead, sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on them all, and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet is risen up amongst us, and God hath visited His people.

OFFERTORY. With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and He had regard to me; and He heard my prayer, and He put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God.

SECRET. May Thy sacraments, 0 Lord, be our safeguard, and ever defend us against the assaults of the devil. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. The bread that I will give is My Flesh for the life of the world.

POSTCOMMUNION. We beseech Thee, 0 Lord, that the operation of Thy heavenly gift may possess both our minds and bodies; that its effect, and not our own senses, may ever have dominion within us. Through our Lord.

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

The supernatural life of our souls requires that the grace of God should always go before us and accompany us (Collect). To Him therefore be glory (Epistle).

It is He who heals our infirmities (Gospel), and Who is our support. Wherefore He teaches us in the Gospel tho virtue of humility. In a short parable He shows that God raises whoever humiliates himself.

Introit: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to Thee all the day. For Thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon Thee. Bow down Thine ear to me, O Lord and hear me, for I am needy and poor. Glory be.... Have mercy....

Collect: O Lord, we pray Thee that Thy grace may always precede and follow us, and make us continually intent upon all good works.

Epistle: Ephesians iii: 13-21 Brethren: I pray you not to faint at my tribulations for you, which are for your glory. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name, that He may grant you from His glorious riches to be strengthened with power through His Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts; so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ's love, which surpasses all knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do all things more abundantly than we desire or understand, according to the power that works in us: to Him be glory in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, unto all generations, world without end. Amen.

Gradual: The Gentiles shall fear Thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. For the Lord hath built up Sion, and He shall be seen in His majesty. Alleluia, alleluia. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle, because the Lord has done wonderful things. Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke xiv: 1-11 At that time, when Jesus went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath day to eat bread, they watched Him. And behold, there was a certain man before Him that had dropsy. And Jesus answering, spoke to the lawyers and the Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?" And they held their peace. But He, taking him, healed him, and sent him away. And addressing them, He said, "Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into a pit, and will not immediately draw him out on the Sabbath day?" And they could not answer Him these things. And He spoke a parable also to them that were invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them, "When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down at the first place, lest perhaps one more honorable than thyself be invited by him; and he that invited thee and him, come and say to thee, 'Give this man thy place'; and then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art invited, go, sit down in the lowest place; that when he who invited thee comes, he may say to thee, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then shalt thou have glory before them that sit at table with thee: because every one that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted."

Offertory: Look down, O Lord, to help me; let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul to take it away. Look down, O Lord, to help me. Secret: Cleanse our hearts, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the effects of this sacrifice, and in Thy mercy make us worthy to partake thereof.

Communion: O Lord, I will be mindful of Thy justice alone. Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth, and unto old age and grey hairs, O God, forsake me not.

Postcommunion: In Thy loving kindness, O Lord, purify our souls, we beseech Thee; and quicken us to a new life by Thy sacrament, that in both the present and future, even our bodies therein may find relief.

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Today's Epistle and Gospel remind us of the great duty of charity towards God and our neighbours. The unity of our faith, of our baptism and of our hopes, like unto the unity of the Holy Ghost, of Christ and of the Father, imposes on us all the duty, as St. Paul says, of being united in the bonds of charity, mutually bearing with one another (Epistle).

The commandment to love our neighbour, as Jesus also says, is akin to that which makes us love God, as it is for His sake that we love our neighbour. "Double is the commandment," declares St. Augustine, "but one is charity."

And to make evident His teaching to the Pharisees, Christ gives them in a text from David a proof of His divinity.

INTROIT. Thou art just, 0 Lord, and Thy judgment is right; deal with Thy servant according to Thy mercy. Blessed are the undefiled in the way; who walk in the law of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Grant to Thy people, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, to avoid the defilements of the devil; and with a pure mind to follow Thee, the only God. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Ephes. iv. 1-6. Brethren: I, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called. With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity, careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. One body and one spirit, as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all, who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen

GRADUAL. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom He hath chosen for His inheritance. By the word of the Lord the heavens were established, and all the power of them by the spirit of His mouth. Alleluia, alleluia. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto Thee. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxii. 35-46. At that time: The Pharisees came to Jesus, and one,of them, a doctor of the law, asked Him, tempting Him: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to Him: Thou shalt love the Lord Thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole Law and the Prophets. And the Pharisees being gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying: What think you of Christ? Whose son is He? They say to Him: David's. He saith to them: How then doth David, in spirit, call Him Lord, saying: The Lord saith to my Lord: Sit on my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is he His son? And no man was able to answer Him a word; neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions.

0FFERTORY. I, Daniel, prayed to my God, saying: Hear, 0 Lord, the prayers of Thy servant: show Thy face upon Thy sanctuary, and favorably look down upon this people upon whom Thy name is invoked, 0 God.

SECRET. We humbly beseech Thy majesty, 0 Lord, that these holy mysteries which we celebrate may deliver us both from past and future sins. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God, all you that round about Him bring presents: to Him that is terrible, even to Him who taketh away the spirit of princes; to the terrible with all the kings of the earth.

POSTCOMMUNION. By Thy sacred Mysteries, 0 Almighty God, may our vices be cured, and may we receive everlasting remedies. Through our Lord.

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

This Sunday used to be called vacant, because it is inscribed in the Missal after the Saturday in Ember week. As the liturgy of Saturday lasted until the Sunday morning, this day had no proper Mass. When later on they no longer waited until evening in order to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice on the Saturday in Ember Week, they borrowed, for the eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the Mass composed in the sixth Century for the Dedication of the Church of St. Michael, at Rome, which was celebrated on September 29. That is why all the chants relate to the consecration of a church. "I rejoiced when I was told that: We shall go into the house of the Lord" (Verse of Introit and Gradual). "Moses consecrated au altar to God," says the Offertory. "Enter the courts of the Lord and adore Him in His holy temple," adds the Communion.

This Mass, following Ordination Saturday, also alludes to the priesthood. The new priests have just been "blessed in Christ with all manner of riches both of utterance and knowledge" (Epistle). Like the Saviour, Who proved in healing the body of the palsied that He had also healed his soul, the priests have received power to pardon sinners. Palsy is indeed an image of sin, for just as it deprives the body of motion, sin destroys life in the soul (Gospel).

INTROIT. Give peace, 0 Lord, unto them that patiently wait for Thee, that Thy prophets may be found faithful: hear the prayers of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel. I was glad at the things that were said of me: we shall go into the house of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Direct our hearts, we beseech Thee, 0 Lord, by the working of Thy mercy; because without Thee we are not able to please Thee. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. I Cor. i. 4-8. Brethren: I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus, that in all things you are made rich in Him, in all utterance and in all knowledge, as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ. We also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord. Let peace be in thy strength, and abundance in thy towers. Alleluia, alleluia.The nations shall fear Thy name, O Lord: and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Matt. ix. 1-8. At that time: Jesus entering into a boat, passed over the water, and came into His own city. And behold, they brought to Him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy: Be of good heart, son, Thy sins are forgiven thee. And behold, some of the Scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth. And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say: Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say: Arise, and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (then said He to the man sick of the palsy): Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house. And he arose, and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared and glorified God, that gave such power to men.

OFFERTORY. Moses consecrated an altar to the Lord, offering upon it holocausts, and sacrificing victims: he made an evening sacrifice to the Lord God for a savour of sweetness, in the sight of the children of Israel.

SECRET. 0 God, who by Thy venerable intercourse with us in this sacrifice makest us partakers of the one supreme Godhead, grant, we beseech Thee, that as we know Thy truth, so we may follow it up by a worthy life. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. Bring up sacrifices, and come into His courts: adore ye the Lord in His holy court.

POSTCOMMUNION. Nourished by Thy sacred gifts, we render thanks unto Thee, 0 Lord; humbly imploring Thy mercy, that Thou wouldst render us worthy of thus partaking thereof. Through our Lord.

Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

This Sunday, called on account of its Gospel, Sunday of the marriage guests reminds us that all men are called to heavenly bliss. The Jews have refused to take part in the feast.Therefore the Apostles and the Church, filled with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost, have turned towards the Gentiles. But the beatific union is announced, prepared for, and in a certain manner begun, by sacramental communion.

To take part in a marriage feast among the Jews, it was necessary to wear a ceremonial garment called a wedding garment. Similarly, to receive the body of Jesus at the holy table and to be in communion with His Divinity in heaven, one must wear the nuptial robe of baptism and of the state of grace. Therefore the Apostle exhorts us to put on the new man.

Introit: I am the salvation of the people, saith the Lord: In whatever tribulation they shall cry to Me, I will hear them; and I will be their Lord forever. [Ps.] Attend, O My people to My law; incline your ears to the words of My mouth. I am.... Glory be....

Collect: O almighty and merciful God, in Thy goodness keep us, we beseech Thee, from all things hurtful; that we, being ready both in body and soul may accomplish those things which belong to Thy service.

Epistle: Ephesians iv: 23-28 Be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth. Wherefore, put away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger. Give not place to the devil. He that stole, let him steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.

Gradual: Let my prayer be directed as incense in Thy sight, O Lord. The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Alleluia, alleluia. Give glory to the Lord, and call upon His name: declare His deeds among the nations. Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew xxii: 1-14 At that time, Jesus spoke to the chief priests and the Pharisees in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, whomade a marriage for his son; and he sent his servants to call them that were invited to the marriage, and they would not come. Again, he sent other servants, saying 'Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come ye to the marriage.' But they neglected, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise; and the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them shamefully, put them to death. But when the king heard of it, he was angry; and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The marriage indeed is ready, but they that were invited were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.' And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good; and the marriage was filled with guests. And the king went in to see the guests; and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment; and he said to him, 'Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment?' but he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."

Offertory: If I shall walk in the midst of tribulation, thou shalt quicken me, O Lord; and Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies; and Thy right hand shall save me.

Secret: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that the gifts which we offer up in the sight of Thy majesty, may avail us to salvation.

Communion: Thou hast commanded Thy commandments to be kept most diligently: O that my ways may be directed to keep Thy justifications.

Postcommunion: May the healing power of Thy grace, O Lord, mercifully rid us of all perverseness of heart, and make us ever cleave to Thy commandments.

Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost

To-day's Mass makes us own that our misfortunes are caused by our unfaithfulness in conforming to the divine will (Introit, Epistle). Therefore, in the same way as the people of Israel when in exile lamented their sins and prayed that God's mercy should be manifested in their favour (Introit, Offertory), so the Christian people ask the Lord, through the prayers of His Spouse, the Church, to pardon their sins so that they may serve Him with a tranquil heart (Collect),by always obeying His commandments (Postcommunion).

All, filled with the Holy Ghost Who must fix our attention during the season following Pentecost, are gathered together in the temple and take a part in the ceremonies of worship (Epistle). They raise to the Lord their eyes full of hope and sing canticles to His glory (Gradual; Alleluia), for in Him alone do they put their trust (Communion).

Introit: All that Thou hast done to us, O Lord, Thou hast done in true judgment; because we have sinned against Thee, and have not obeyed Thy commandments. But give glory to Thy name, and deal with us according to Thy mercy. [Ps.] Blessed are the undefiled in the way; who walk in the law of the Lord. Glory be.... All that....

Collect: Grant unto Thy faithful people pardon and peace, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord, that they may be both cleansed from all their sins and serve Thee with a quiet mind.

Epistle: Ephesians v: 15-21 Brethren: See how you walk circumspectly, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury: but be ye filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord: giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father; being subject one to another in the fear of Christ.

Gradual: The eyes of all hope in Thee, O Lord; and Thou givest them meat in due season. Thou openest Thy hand, and fillest every living creature with Thy blessing. Alleluia, alleluia. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready. I will sing, and I will give praise to Thee, my glory. Alleluia.

Gospel: John iv: 46-53 At that time, there was a certain ruler whose son was sick at Capharnaum. He, having heard that Jesus was come from Judea into Galilee, went to Him, and prayed Him to come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not." The ruler said to Him, "Lord, come down before my son dies." Jesus said to him, "Go thy way, thy son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus said to him, and went his way. And as he was going down, his servants met him, and they brought word, saying that his son lived. He asked them, therefore, the hour in which he grew better. And they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him." The father, therefore, knew that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him, "Thy son liveth." And he himself believed, and his whole household.

Offertory: Upon the rivers of Babylon there we sat and wept when we remembered Thee, O Sion.

Secret: May these mysteries, we beseech Thee, O Lord, bring us a heavenly remedy and root out all vice from our hearts.

Communion: Be Thou mindful of Thy word to Thy servant, O Lord, in which Thou hast given me hope. This has comforted me in my humiliation.

Postcommunion: That we may become worthy, O Lord, to receive Thy holy gifts, make us ever obedient to our commandments.

Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

The Apostle describes for the Christian the armour he must put on to enable him to withstand in those woeful times the powers of hell (Epistle). He gives him a girdle, a cuirass, a shield, a helmet and a sword, so that, strengthened in the Lord, Whose will nothing can resist (Introit), he may be protected against those who persecute him (Communion ).

Thus preserved from all adversity by the effect of the unceasing goodness of the Lord, the family of God, which is the Church, will be enabled to glorify His name by good works (Collect). Therefore the Gospel speaks to us of the charity towards our neighbour which is the abridgment of the whole morality of Christianity.

If God bas been good towards us, we must be the same towards our brethren, or how shall we escape the proceedings of the powerful creditor whose debtor the whole world is, and to whom all will have to render account. If we pardon our neighbour from the bottom of our hearts, the Master will remit our debts, otherwise He would deliver us to the executors of His justice until we have paid all we owe Him.

Let us ask God to deliver us in His goodness from the assaults of the devil and to help us to imitate the divine mercy by the practice of charity (Collect).

INTROIT. All things are in Thy will, O Lord: and there is none that can resist Thy will: for Thou hast made all things, heavens and earth, and all things which are under the vault of heaven: Thou art Lord of all. Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. Keep, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy family by Thy continued goodness; that, through Thy protection, it may be free from all adversities, and devoted in good works to the glory of Thy name. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Ephes. vi. 10-17. Brethren: Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of His power. Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore, take unto you the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.

GRADUAL. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge, from generation to generation. Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed; from eternity and to eternity Thou art God. Alleluia, alleluia. When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous people. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxvii. 23-35. At that time: Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants. And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him that owed him ten thousand talents: and as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, let him go, and forgave, him the debt. But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow-servants that owed him a hundred pence; and laying hold of him, he throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest: And his fellow-servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not; but went and cast him into prison till he paid the debt. Now his fellow-servants, seeing what was done, were very much grieved; and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him, and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me; shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow-servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt. So also shall My heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.

OFFERTORY. There was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, simple, and upright, and fearing God: whom satan besought that he might tempt: and power was given him from the Lord over his possessions and his flesh; and he destroyed all his substance and his children; and wounded his flesh also with a grievous ulcer.

SECRET. Receive, O Lord, in Thy mercy these victims, by which Thou wouldst that atonement be made to Thee, and, in the might of Thy loving-kindness, salvation be restored to us. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. My soul is in Thy salvation, and in Thy word have I hoped: when wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me. the wicked have persecuted me: help me O Lord my God.

POSTCOMMUNION. Having received the food of immortality, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that what we have received with our mouth we may follow with a pure mind. Through our Lord.

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

On this Sunday, one of the last of the ecclesiastical year, the Church is full of thought "of the day of Christ" (Epistle) or of the approaching end of the world. "If the Lord considers our iniquities, who will stand before Him ?" (Introit). Wherefore the liturgy speaks to us of divine mercy (Introit, Secret). But, to obtain it we must be full of mercy ourselves. "It is good and pleasant indeed for brothers to be united" (Gradual). In the hour of danger, let us use the prayers of the Church which have an eminently social and fraternal character, and which will by heard by God, the author of all charity (Collect) as King Assuerus heard the prayers of Queen Esther (Offertory).

Remembering in these days that the love of God and of our neighbour gives to the mind a greater understanding of divine things, "let then our charity increase more and more in light and in intelligence" that we may resist the more terrible assaults of the enemy.

The Gospel recalls to us a scene which took place on one of the last days of Jesus' life when He confounded, by a reply full of wisdom from above, His enemies who more than ever were compassing His ruin. The Jews, subject to the Romans, had to pay tribute to Caesar, an obligation all the more odious to them that it went counter to the spirit of universal domination promised to Israel as they imagined. What would the Master reply to the question of the Pharisees ? He would excite the Jewish people against Him if He told them to pay tribute or the Roman authorities and the Herodians, if He told them not to do so. The enemies of Jesus already thought they had sufficient cause to have Him arrested.

The Saviour ingeniously avoids the trap. "Whose image and superscription is this ?" "Caesar's," they reply. The law required that to pay the tribute they should first change the national coin into coin bearing the effigy of the Roman Emperor. Jesus convicts them of having themselves answered the question by this very change. If you have procured coins with the effigy of Caesar, you must have had the intention of paying the tribute. "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's." And the Master completes His lesson by saying "and render to God, the things that are God's" for the human soul, made to the image of its Creator, owes Him the tribute of its adoration and obedience.

INTROIT. If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall abide it ? for with Thee there is merciful forgiveness, 0 God of Israel. Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, 0 Lord: Lord hear my voice. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT. O God, our refuge and strength, who art the Author of all goodness: hear, we beseech Thee, the devout prayers of Thy Church; and grant that what we faithfully ask we may effectually obtain. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Philip. i. 6-11. Brethren: We are confident in the Lord Jesus, that He who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart, and in my bands, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of my joy. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding; that you may approve the better things; that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ; filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

GRADUAL. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron. Alleluia. Alleluia. They that fear the Lord, let them hope in Him: He is their helper and protector. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Matt, xxii. 15-21. At that time: The Pharisees went and consulted among themselves how to ensnare Jesus in His speech. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that Thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man, for Thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what dost Thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt Me, ye hypocrites? Show Me the coin of the tribute. And they offered Him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and superscription is this? They say to Him: Caesar's. Then He saith to them: Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.

OFFERTORY. Remember me, O Lord, Thou who rulest above all power; and give a well ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing in the sight of the prince.

SECRET. Grant, O merciful God, that this saving oblation may unceasingly purify us from our own guilt and keep us from all harm. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. I have cried, for thou, 0 God, hast heard me: O incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my words.

POSTCOMMUNION. We have received, O Lord, the gifts of Thy sacred Mysteries; humbly beseeching Thee that what Thou hast commanded us to do in remembrance of Thee may profit us as a help to our infirmity. Through our Lord.

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

The season after Pentecost is the symbol of the long pilgrimage of the Church towards heaven; that is why the last Sundays describe to us prophetically its last stages, At the end of the world, the Lord foretold on one occasion, there will be such a recrudescence of evil that the charity of many will grow cold. Crushing trials will then afflict Christians as they once afflicted Israel when they turned away from the Cross (Epistle). From the depths of the abyss the nations will cry to God (Gradual, Offertory) and God, Whose thoughts are of peace and not of anger (Introit), and Who always hears prayers made with faith (Communion), will pardon nations for their offences (Collect), and will deliver both the Gentiles and the Synagogue from their captivity (Introit, Gradual). Both indeed are figured, as St. Jerome explains in his Homily on the Gospel, by the two women healed by Jesus. The one with an issue of blood is first restored to health, and the daughter of the prince of the Synagogue afterwards, for the Apostle has said. When the fullness of the Gentiles shall entered, then will all Israel be saved." This return to truth of the daughter of Sion, temporarily dead to the life of grace, will be the signal of the last day, "for it will put the last seal to the accomplishment of prophecies." "From the heavens will then come the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our bodies making them similar to His glorious body" (Epistle). The corporal resurrections effected by the Savior are indeed only the figure of our future resurrection.

INTROIT. The Lord saith, I think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction: you shall call upon Me, and I will hear you; and I will bring back your captivity from all places. Thou hast blessed Thy land. 0 Lord: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob, Glory, etc.

COLLECT. 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, absolve Thy people from their offences; that through Thy bountiful goodness we may be delivered from the bonds of those sins which by our frailty we have taken upon ourselves. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Philip iii. 17-21 and iv. 1-3. Brethren: Be followers of me, and observe them who walk so as you have our model. For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping), that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will reform the body of our lowness, made like to the body of His glory, according to the operation whereby also He is able to subdue all things unto Himself. Therefore, my dearly beloved brethren, and most desired, my joy and my crown: so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beg of Evodia, and I beseech Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord; and I entreat thee also, my sincere companion, help those women who have labored with me in the gospel with Clement and the rest of my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.

GRADUAL. Thou hast delivered us, 0 Lord, from them that afflict us: and hast put them to shame that hate us. In God we will glory all the day: and in Thy name we will give praise for ever. Alleluia, alleluia, From the depths I have cried to Thee, 0 Lord, Lord hear my prayer. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Matt. ix. 18-26. At that time: As Jesus Was speaking to the multitudes, behold a certain ruler came up, and adored Him, saying: Lord, my daughter is even now dead; but come, lay Thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus, rising up, followed him, with His disciples. And behold a woman, who was troubled: with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment. For she said within herself: If I shall touch only His garment, I shall be healed. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said; Be of good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the minstrels and the multitude making a tumult, He said: Give place; for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed Him to scorn. And when the multitude was put forth, He went in, and took her by the hand. And the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that country.

OFFERTORY. From the depths I have cried out to Thee, 0 Lord; Lord, hear my prayer: from the depths I have cried out to Thee, O Lord.

SECRET. For an increase of our service, 0 Lord, we offer unto Thee this sacrifice of praise, that in Thy mercy Thou mayest accomplish what Thou hast bestowed on Thine unworthy servants. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. Amen I say to you: Whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive, and it shall be done to you.

POSTCOMMUNION. We beseech Thee, Almighty God, that Thou wouldst not permit us to be subject to human dangers, to whom Thou givest to rejoice in this divine participation. Through our Lord.

Twenty-Fourth and Last Sunday after Pentecost

The liturgical Cycle ends with this last week of the ecclesiastical year and with it the history of the world which it has recalled to our minds from its origins at the time of Advent to its final term on this twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost.

This Mass has indeed a prophetic character. It makes us spectators of the convulsions which will shake the earth at the appearance of the Judge Who will render to each one according to his works. The preparation for the first advent of mercy engrossed the Church's care during the Season of Advent, the preparation for the Second advent of justice has not ceased to preoccupy her since the coming of Jesus Who is the sole object of all her thoughts (Gospel). Wherefore she exhorts us with the apostle to bear ourselves in a manner worthy of the Saviour and to bring forth all manner of good works, in order that, strengthened by His glorious power, we may bear all trials with patience and joy, thanking God the Father for having made us capable of sharing the inheritance of the Saints at present in the Spirit, and on the last day in the body and soul through the redeeming blood of His well-beloved Son (Epistle).

In the midst of the anguish which will mark the end of the world at the last judgment and the anguish of death for each one of ns, souls will cry to the Lord from the depths of the abyss, in order to receive from His mercy more powerful remedies (Collect). And God Who has said that He nourished thoughts of peace and not of anger (Introit), and Who has premised to hearken to prayers made with faith (Communion), will hear us favourably by ending our captivity (Introit) and opening heaven to us for evermore.

INTROIT. The Lord saith, I think thoughts of peace, and not of affliction: you shall call upon Me, and I will hear you; and I will bring back your captivity from all places. Thou hast blessed Thy land. 0 Lord: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob, Glory, etc.

COLLECT. Quicken, 0 Lord, we beseech Thee, the wills of Thy faithful people; that they, more earnestly seeking after the fruit of divine grace, may more abundantly receive the healing gifts of Thy mercy. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE. Col. i. 9-14. Brethren: We cease not to pray for you, and to beg that you may be filled with the knowledge of the will of God, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might according to the power of His glory, in all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to God the Father, who hath made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His Blood, the remission of sins.

GRADUAL. Thou hast delivered us, 0 Lord, from them that afflict us: and hast put them to shame that hate us. In God we will glory all the day: and in Thy name we Will give praise for ever. Alleluia, alleluia, From the depths I have cried to Thee, 0 Lord, Lord hear my prayer. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxiv. 15-35. At that time: Jesus said to His disciples: When you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (he that readeth, let him understand), then they that are in Judea, let them flee to the mountains; and he that is on the housetop, let him not come down to take any thing out of his house; and he that is in the field, let him not go back to take his coat. And woe to them that are with child, and that give suck in those days. But pray that your flight be not in the winter, or on the sabbath; for there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be: and unless those days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved; but for the sake of the elect, those days shall be shortened. Then, if any man shall say to you: Lo, here is Christ, or there; do not believe him; for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold, I have told it to you beforehand: if, therefore, they shall say to you: Behold, He is in the desert, go ye not out; Behold, He is in the closets, believe it not. For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth even into the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be moved; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty: and He shall send His angels with a trumpet and a great voice, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. And from the fig-tree learn a parable: when the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors. Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall not pass away.

OFFERTORY. From the depths I have cried out to Thee, 0 Lord; Lord, hear my prayer: from the depths I have cried out to Thee, O Lord.

SECRET. Be favorable, 0 Lord, to our supplications, and receiving the prayers and offerings of Thy people, turn the hearts of all to Thee: that, being delivered from the greed of earthly treasures, we may pass on to heavenly desires. Through our Lord.

COMMUNION. Amen I say to you: Whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive, and it shall be done to you.

POSTCOMMUNION. Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that, by this Sacrament which we have received, whatsoever is corrupt in our souls may be restored by its healing power. Through our Lord.

Feast of Christ the King

A special liturgical feast in honour of the Kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be celebrated throughout the world on the last Sunday in October, was instituted at the end of the Holy Year Of Jubilee by His Holiness Pius XI. The Pontiff points out in his encyclical letter on this noccasion that people are instructed in the truths of faith, and brought to appreciate the inner joys of religion far more effectually by the annual celebration of our sacred mysteries than by any pronouncement, however weighty, of the teaching of the Church...

The Church's teaching affects the mind primarily; her feasts affect both mind and heart, and have a salutary effect upon the whole of man's nature...

Moreover, the annual and universal celebration of the Feast of the Kingship of Christ will draw attention to the evils which anti-clericalism has brought upon society, in drawing men away from Christ, and will also do much to remedy them. While nations insult the beloved name of our Redeemer by suppressing all mention of it in their conferences and parliaments, we must all the more loudly proclaim His kingly dignity and power, all the more universally affirm His rights... This Feast sets the crowning glory upon the mysteries of the life of Christ already commemorated during the year; thus too, before celebrating the triumph of all the Saints, we proclaim and extol the glory of Him who triumphs in all the Saints...

He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to Him alone...

When once we recognize both in private and public life that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.

INTROIT: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power and divinit and wisdom and strength and honor; to Him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Give to the King, O God, Thy justice, and to the King's Son Thy judgment. Glory be

COLLECT: Almighty and everlasting God, who in Thy beloved Son, King of the whole world, hast willed to restore all things anew; grant in Thy mercy that all the families of nations, rent asunder by the wound of sin, may be subjected to His most gentle rule. Epistle: Colossians 1: 12-20 Brethren: Giving thanks to God the Father, who has made us worthy to be partakers of the lot of the saints in light: who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the remission of sins; who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature: for in Him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and in Him. And He is the head of the body of the Church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things, He may hold the primacy: because in Him, it has well pleased the Father that all fullness would dwell; and through Him to reconcile all things unto Himself, making peace through the blood of His cross, both as to the things on earth, and the things that are in heaven, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

GRADUAL: He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. And all things shall adore Him, all nations shall serve Him. Alleluia, alleluia. His power shall be an everlasting power, which shall not be taken away; and His kingdom a kingdom that shall not decay. Alleluia.

GOSPEL: John xviii: 33-37 At that time, Pilate said to Jesus, "Art Thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Dost thou sayest this of thyself, or have others told it to thee of Me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee up to me. What hast Thou done?" Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. My servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered up to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from hence." Pilate therefore said to Him, "Art Thou then a King?" Jesus answered, "Thou sayest that I am a King. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, that I should give testimony to the truth. And everyone who is of the truth hears my voice."

OFFERTORY: Ask of Me and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession.

SECRET: We offer Thee, O Lord, the victim of man's reconciliation; grant, we beseech Thee, that He whom we immolate in our present sacrifices may Himself bestow on all nations the gifts of unity and peace.

COMMUNION: The Lord shall sit a King for ever: the Lord shall bless His people in peace.

POSTCOMMUNION: Having received the food of immortality, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we who glory in our service under the standard of Christ the King, may be able to reign with Him forever in His heavenly abode.