ST. GILES - MASS PROPERS

St. Giles, Abbot – 640-720

Saint Giles, whose name has been held in great veneration for many centuries in France and England, was born in the year 640 in Athens, and was of noble extraction. Certain remarkable works of medicine and poetry are attributed to him, but his knowledge was primarily that of the Saints.

When as a young man he met a poor beggar who was sick and half-naked, he was moved with compassion and gave him his splendid tunic; the moment the beggar put it on, he found himself in perfect health. By this miracle, Giles understood how pleasing almsgiving is to God, and shortly afterwards, he distributed all his goods to the poor and entered upon a life of poverty, suffering and humility. But Jesus Christ did not let Himself be outdone in generosity, and soon miracles multiplied so greatly in his wake, that the admiration of the world surrounded him. It became impossible for him to profit in his own country from obscurity and retirement, which he desired above all else. He therefore went to France and chose for his hermitage the open spaces of the south, near the mouth of the Rhone.

Soon he was known there, too, by the miracles his kindness brought down from heaven. He moved again, and this time Providence brought him near Saint Veredemus, a hermit of Greek origin like himself; then the two rejoiced in a common life of the love of God. For two years they remained together, until the invasion of their solitude caused Giles to migrate to a deep forest of southeastern France, in the diocese of Nimes.

He passed many years in this intense solitude, living on wild herbs or roots and clear water, and conversing only with God. He was nourished there by a doe of the forest. One day, being pursued by Visigoths hunting in the forests, she fled for refuge to the Saint and lay down at his feet. Moved to tears, he prayed God to spare the life of the innocent animal. An arrow the hunters had sent in her direction came and lodged in his hand, making a wound which would never heal. When the hunters found the animal there and saw the bleeding wound of the gentle hermit, they begged his pardon on their knees, and the chase was ended. The Visigoth king, hearing of this, came to visit this holy hermit, accompanied by the bishop, who afterwards ordained Giles a priest.

The reputation of the sanctity of Saint Giles increased constantly by his many miracles, which rendered his name famous throughout France. He was highly esteemed by the pious king, but could not be prevailed upon to leave his solitude. He accepted several disciples, however, and established excellent discipline in the monastery which the king built for them. Destroyed during the invasions of the Moslems who had entered Spain, it was rebuilt during the lifetime of the founder and his disciples, when they returned after the torment. In succeeding ages, it became a flourishing abbey of the Benedictine Order, which bore his name.

Holy Twelve Brothers, Martyrs

Today is also the feast of the Holy Twelve Brothers, Martyrs, natives of Africa who suffered their martyrdom at Beneventum in Southern Italy under Emperor Valerian in 258 A.D. For the celebration of St. Giles, there is a commemoration of the Twelve Holy Brothers

                   September 1

Tuesday in the Fourteenth Week after Pentecost – Simple Feast of St. Giles, Abbot / Commemoration of the Holy Twelve Brothers, Martyrs

Simple/ White  –   Missa “Os justi” of a Holy Abbot

Introit – Psalm 36: 30-31

Os justi meditabitur sapientiam, et lingua ejus loquetur judicium: lex Dei ejus in corde ipsius. Ps. Noli æmulari in malignantibus: neque zelaveris facientes iniquitatem. Gloria Patri.

The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment: the law of his God is in his heart. Alleluia. Ps. Be not emulous of evildoers: nor envy them that work iniquity. Glory be to the Father.

Collect

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayers of thy holy Abbot, blessed Giles may commend us unto thee: that we, who have no power of ourselves to help ourselves, may by his advocacy find favour in thy sight.  Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

Second Collect  of the Twelve Holy Brethren

Grant, O Lord, that we may at all times so rejoice in the crown of glory won by the Brethren martyred for thy sake:  that we may grow more and more in the constancy of our faith in thee; and be comforted by the succour of their manifold intercession.

Third Collect for Petitioning the Assistance of All Saints

Defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all dangers both of body and soul: and at the intercession of the blessed and glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all thy Saints, grant us thy saving health and peace; that being defended from all adversities and all false doctrines, thy Church may serve thee in freedom and quietness.  Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

Epistle – Ecclesiasticus 45: 1-6

The Lesson is taken from the Book of Wisdom.

Was beloved of God, and men: whose memory is in benediction. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory. He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments.

GRADUAL – Psalm 20: 3, 4

For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.

ALLELUIA – Psalm 91: 13

Alleluia, alleluia. The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. Alleluia.

Gospel – Matthew 19: 27-29

The continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.

Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

Offertory – Ps. 20: 2 and 4

Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, O Lord, and hast not denied him the request of his lips:  thou hast set a crown of precious stones upon his head.

SECRET

May the holy Abbot Giles, we beseech thee, O Lord, obtain by his prayers, that the Sacrifice laid on thy holy altar, may avail us unto salvation.  Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.  Amen.

Second Secret Prayer of the Twelve Holy Brethren

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, so devoutly to shew forth thy holy mysteries in remembrance of thy holy Martyrs:  that the same may continually avail for our succour against all dangers, and for the increasing of the gladness in our souls.

Third Secret Prayer for Petitioning the Assistance of All Saints

Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation, and by the power of the Sacrament defend us from all dangers both of body and soul:  granting us in this world the succour of thy grace, and in the world to come life everlasting.  Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God…

Preface – COMMON PREFACE

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks unto thee,  O Lord holy Father almighty, everlasting God; through Christ our Lord.  Through whom the angels praise, the dominations adore, the powers, trembling with awe, worship thy majesty: which the heavens, and the forces of heaven, together with the blessed seraphim, joyfully do magnify.  And do thou command that it be permitted to our lowliness to join with them in confessing thee and unceasingly to say:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

Communion – Luke. 12: 42

This is the steward, faithful and wise, whom his lord setteth over his household:  to give them their measure of wheat in due season.

POSTCOMMUNION

May the pleading of blessed Giles thine Abbot for us, as well as the reception of thy sacrament, protect us, O Lord, that we may both share in the glory of thy works, and receive the help of his intercession.  Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

Second Postcommunion of the Twelve Holy Brethren

Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that, like as by the partaking of this holy Sacrament we do recall the memory of thy Saints, so we may follow after them in the advancement of our faith in thee.

Third Postcommunion for Petitioning the Assistance of All Saints

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the gifts now offered by us in these holy mysteries may evermore cleanse and defend us:  that, at the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all thy Saints; we may be absolved from all our offenses and defended against all adversities. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.