THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT - MASS PROPERS

The Apse of the Church of SS. Cosmas and Damian, Rome, 7th century -  Paul and Peter present the martyrs to Christ.

THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

STATION AT HOLY MARTYRS COSMAS AND DAMIAN

INTROIT

Psalm 77:1

Salus pópuli ego sum, dicit Dóminus: de quacúmque tribulatióne clamáverint ad me, exáudiam eos: et ero illórum Dóminus in perpétuum. Ps. Atténdite, pópule meus legem meam: inclináte aurem vestram in verba oris mei. Gloria Patri.

I am the salvation of the people, saith the Lord: from 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 ear to the words of My mouth. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT

May the blessed feast of Thy Saints, Cosmas and Damian, magnify Thee, O Lord, for on this day Thou didst, in Thine ineffable providence, confer on them everlasting glory, and on us the resource of their help. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE

Jeremias 7:1-7

In those days, the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Stand in the gate of the house of the Lord; and proclaim there this word, and say: Hear ye the word of the Lord, all ye men of Juda, that enter in at these gates, to adore the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Make your ways and your doings good; and I will dwell with you in this place. Trust not in lying words, saying: The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, it is the temple of the Lord. For if you will order well your ways and your doings; if you will execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; if you oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, and walk not after strange gods to your own hurt; I will dwell with you in this place; in the land which I gave to your fathers from the beginning, and forevermore: saith the Lord almighty.

GRADUAL

Psalm 144:15, 16

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 blessing.

GOSPEL

Luke 4:38-44

At that time, Jesus, rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon's house: and Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever, and they besought Him for her. And standing over her, He commanded the fever, and it left her: and immediately rising, she ministered to them. And when the sun was down, all they that had any sick with divers diseases, brought them to Him: but He laying His hands on every one of them, healed them. And devils went out from many, crying out, and saying: Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, He suffered them not to speak, for they knew that He was Christ. And when it was day, going out He went into a desert place; and the multitudes sought Him, and came unto Him; and they stayed Him that He should not depart from them. To whom He said: To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God, for therefore am I sent. And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

OFFERTORY

Psalm 137:7

If I shall walk in the midst of tribulation, Thou wilt 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

We offer Thee, O Lord, in the meritorious death of Thy Saints, this sacrifice, from which alone martyrdom hath sprung. Through our Lord.

PREFACE FOR LENT

It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God. Who by the fasting of the body dost curb our vices, elevate our minds and bestow virtue and reward; through Christ our Lord. Through whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominions worship it, and the powers stand in awe. The heavens and the heavenly hosts, with the blessed seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With these we pray Thee join our voices also, while we say with lowly praise:

COMMUNION

Psalm 118:4-5

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

POSTCOMMUNION

May we be allotted, O Lord, the salvation pledged by Thy sacrament, which we implore by the merits of Thy blessed Martyrs Cosmas and Damian. Through our Lord.

PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE

May heavenly favour increase the people that is subject to Thee, O Lord, and ever make it to serve Thy bidding. Through our Lord.