St. Francis and St. George with Madonna - Giorgio Barbarelli da
Castelfranco
APRIL 23
ST. GEORGE
St. George was born in Cappadocia, at
the close of the third century, of Christian parents. In early youth he chose a
soldier’s life, and soon obtained the favor of Diocletian, who advanced him to
the grade of tribune. When, however, the emperor began to persecute the
Christians, George rebuked him at once sternly and openly for his cruelty, and
threw up his commission. He was in consequence subjected to a lengthened series
of torments, and finally beheaded. There was something so inspiriting in the
defiant cheerfulness of the young soldier, that every Christian felt a personal
share in this triumph of Christian fortitude; and as years rolled on St. George
became a type of successful combat against evil, the slayer of the dragon, the
darling theme of camp song and story, until “so thick a shade his very glory
round him made” that his real lineaments became hard to trace. Even beyond the
circle of Christendom he was held in honor, and invading Saracens taught
themselves to except from desecration the image of him they hailed as the
“White-horsed Knight.” The devotion to St. George is one of the most ancient
and widely spread in the Church. In the East, a church of St. George is
ascribed to Constantine, and his name is invoked in the most ancient liturgies;
whilst in the West, Malta, Barcelona, Valencia, Arragon, Genoa, and England
have chosen him as their patron.
St. George Victorious
over the Dragon - Mattia Preti
Clad in his bright coat of mail,
mounted on his war steed, and spearing the dragon with his lance, George, the
intrepid champion of our Risen Jesus, comes gladdening us today with his
Feast. From the East, where he is known as The great Martyr, devotion to St.
George soon spread in the Western Church, and our Christian Armies have always
loved and honoured him as one of their dearest Patrons. His martyrdom took
place in Paschal Time; and thus, he stands before us as the Guardian of the
glorious Sepulchre, just as Stephen, the Protomartyr, watches near the Crib of
the Infant God. The Roman Liturgy gives no Lessons on the life of St. George;
but, instead, reads to us a passage from St. Cyprian, on the sufferings of the
Martyrs. This derogation from the general rule dates from the 5th century. At a
celebrated Council held in Rome, in the year 496, Pope St. Gelasius drew up,
for the guidance of the Faithful, a list of books, which might or might not be
read without danger. Among the number of those that were to be avoided, he
mentioned the “Acts of St. George,” as having been compiled by one, who besides
being an ignorant man, was also a heretic. In the East, however, there were
other “Acts” of the holy Martyr, totally different from those current in Rome;
but they were not known in that City. The cultus of St. George lost nothing, in
the Holy City, by this absence of a true Legend. From a very early period, a
church was built in his honor; it was one of those that were selected as
Stations, and gave a Title to a Cardinal; it exists to this day, and is called
Saint George in Velabro (the Veil of Gold). Still the Liturgy of today’s
Feast, by the exclusion of the Saint’s Life from the Office, perpetuates the
remembrance of the severe Canon of Gelasius. The Bollandists were in possession
of several copies of the forbidden “Acts;” they found them replete with absurd
stories, and, of course, they rejected them. Father Papebroke has given us
other and genuine “Acts,” written in Greek, and quoted by St. Andrew of Crete.
They bring out the admirable character of our Martyr, who held an important
post in the Roman army, during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian. He was one
of the first victims of the great Persecution, and suffered death at Nicomedia.
Alexandra, the Emperor’s wife, was so impressed at witnessing the Saint’s
courage, that she professed herself a Christian, and shared the crown of
martyrdom with the brave soldier of Christ. As we have already said, devotion
to St. George dates from a very early period. St. Gregory of Tours gives us
several proofs of its having taken root in Gaul. St. Clotilde had a singular
confidence to the holy Martyr, and dedicated to him the Church of her dear
Abbey of Chelles. But this devotion became more general and more fervent during
the Crusades, when the Christian armies witnessed the veneration in which St.
George was held by the Eastern Church, and heard the wonderful things that were
told of his protection on the field of battle. The Byzantine historians have
recorded several remarkable instances of the kind; and the Crusaders returned
to their respective countries publishing their own experience of the victories
gained through the Saint’s intercession. The Republic of Genoa chose him for
its Patron; and Venice honoured him as its special Protector, after St. Mark.
But nowhere was St. George so enthusiastically loved as in England. Not only
was it decreed in a Council held at Oxford, in the year 1222, that the Feast of
the Great Martyr should be observed as one of Obligation; not only was devotion
to the valiant Soldier of Christ encouraged, throughout Great Britain, by the first
Norman Kings; — but there are documents anterior to the invasion of William the
Conqueror, which prove that St. George was invoked as the special Patron of
England even so far back as the 9th century. Edward III, did but express the
sentiment of the country when he put the Order of the Garter, which he
instituted in 1330, under the patronage of the Warrior Saint. In Germany, King
Frederic III, founded the Order of St. George in the year 1468. St. George is
usually represented as killing a Dragon; and, where the representation is
complete, there is also given the figure of a Princess, whom the Saint thus
saves from being devoured by the monster. This favorite subject of both sacred
and profane Art is purely symbolical, and is of Byzantine origin. It signifies
the victory won over the devil, by the Martyr’s courageous profession of faith;
the Princess represents Alexandra, who was converted by witnessing the Saint’s
heroic patience under his sufferings. Neither the “Acts” of St. George nor the
Hymns of the Greek Liturgy, allude to the Martyr’s having slain a Dragon and
rescued a Princess. It was not till after the 14th century, that this fable was
known in the West; and it arose from the putting a material interpretation on
the emblems wherewith the Greeks honored St. George, and which were introduced
among us by the Crusaders.
In honor of our glorious Patron
let us, recite the following stanzas, taken from the Menaea of the Greek
Church.
St. George and Madonna
– Correggio
Faithful friend of Christ, Prince of
his soldiers, most brilliant luminary of earth, star of fairest light, watchful
guardian of such as honor thee! Be thou our guardian, O Martyr George. Blessed
George, we celebrate thy combat, whereby thou didst destroy the Idols, and
bring to nought the manifold errors that were spread by the demons, O most
glorious Martyr of Christ. Thou hast been made a member of the heavenly army, O
Blessed George! Thou now contemplatest, as far as may be, the Divine Nature.
Vouch safe to protect all us who venerate thee. Out of ardent love for Christ,
his King, who gave his life for the world’s salvation, the great Soldier George
longed to suffer death for his sake. He delivered himself up, for his heart was
inflamed with divine zeal. Let us, therefore, full of faith, celebrate his
praise in our hymns, as our earnest defender, as the glorious servant of
Christ, as the faithful imitator of his Lord, as he that is ever beseeching God
to grant to us the forgive ness and pardon of our sins.
The angelic host is in admiration at
thy combat, O thou Prince of Warriors! The very King of Angels, struck with
admiration, desired thy beauty, O martyr! Therefore did he deign to make thee
his companion for ever in his kingdom. Imitating thy Lord, O Martyr, thou
cheerfully and. willingly deliveredst thyself up to the battle. Thou didst gain
the victory, and didst merit to become the guardian of the Church of Christ,
which thou unceasingly defendest and protectest. As the invincible Martyr, as
the prize-bearing victor, as the unconquerable defender of the faith, be now an
impregnable tower to them that celebrate thy praise, O wise George and protect
them from all dangers by thy intercession. Decked with a brilliant crown,
beautified with a royal diadem and sceptre, and clad in a purple robe reddened
with thy blood, thou, O happy Martyr, now reignest in heaven with the King of
the angelic hosts.
Come, all ye people, let us celebrate
in festive song the bright and glorious Resurrection of the Lord; let us also
festively celebrate the bright memory of George the Martyr: let us crown him,
as the invincible soldier, with the flowers of Spring; that by his prayers, we
may deserve to be freed from tribulation and sin.
Spring is come; let us exult with
joy: the Resurrection of Christ hath shone upon us; let us rejoice in gladness:
the Feast of the prize-bearing Martyr George hath appeared, gladdening the
Faithful with its brightness; come, then, let us, who love his Feast, celebrate
it with our spiritual canticles. For, like a brave Soldier, George stood with
manly courage before the tyrants, and covered them with confusion, being an
imitator of the Passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He had no pity on the
clayey vessel of his body, but wholly transformed it by delivering it to
torments, as brass is melted by fire. Thus, then, let us cry out unto him: O
prize-bearing Martyr! Beseech God that he save our souls.
Martyrdom of St
George – Paolo Veronese
Thou, O George, art the glorious type
of a Christian Soldier. Whilst serving under an earthly Monarch, thou didst not
forget thy duty to the King of heaven. Thou didst shed thy blood for the faith
of Christ; and he, in return, appointed thee Protector of Christian Armies. Be
their defender in battle, and bless with victory them that fight in a just
cause. Protect them under the shadow of thy standard; cover them with thy
shield; make them the terror of their enemies. Our Lord is the God of Hosts;
and he frequently uses War as the instrument of his designs, both of justice
and mercy. They alone win true victory, who have heaven on their side; and
these, when on the battle-field, seem to the world to be doing the work of man,
whereas it is the work of God they are furthering. Hence are they more
generous, because more religious, than other men. The sacrifices they have to
make, and the dangers they have to face, teach them unselfishness. What won
der, then, that Soldiers have given so many Martyrs to the Church! But there is
another warfare, in which we Chris tians are all enlisted, and of which St.
Paul speaks, when he says: Labor as a good Soldier of Christ; for no man is
crowned save he that striveth law fully. That we have thus to strive and fight
during our life, the same Apostle assures us of it in these words: Take unto
you the Armor of God, that ye 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 Breast plate of justice, and your feet shod with
the preparation of the Gospel of peace. In all things taking the Shield of
Faith, wherewith ye may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most
wicked one. And take unto you the Helmet of the hope of salvation, and the
Sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. We, then, are Soldiers, as thou
wast, O holy Martyr!
Before ascending into heaven, our
divine Leader wishes to review his troops; do thou present us to him. He has
loaded us with honors, notwithstanding our past disloyalties; we must,
henceforth, prove ourselves worthy of our position. In the Paschal Communion
which we have received, we have a pledge of victory; how can we ever be so
base, as to permit ourselves to be conquered. Watch over us, O sainted Warrior!
Let thy prayers and example encourage us to fight against the dragon of hell.
He dreads the Armor we wear; for it is Jesus himself that prepared it for us,
and tempered it in his own precious Blood: oh! That, like thee, we may present
it to him whole and entire, when he calls us to our eternal rest.
There was a time, when the whole
Christian world loved and honored thy memory with enthusiastic joy: but now,
alas! This devotion has grown cold, and thy Feast passes by unnoticed by
thousands. O holy Martyr! Avenge this ingratitude, by imitating thy divine
King, who maketh his sun to rise upon both good and bad; take pity on this
world, perverted as it is by false doctrines, and tormented at this very time
by the most terrible scourges. Have compassion on thy dear England, which has
been seduced by the Dragon of hell, and by him made the instrument for
effecting his plots against the Lord and his Christ. Take up thy Spear, as of
old; give the Monster battle, and emancipate the Isle of Saints from his
slavish yoke. Heaven and earth join in this great prayer; in the name of our
Risen Jesus, aid thine own, and once devoted people, to a glorious
resurrection!
Abbot Dom Prosper Gueranger – The Liturgical Year
Saturday - Third Week After
The Octave of Easter
St. George, MARTYR
Semi-Double - Red Vestments
Missa ‘Protexisti’
INTROITUS – Psalm 63: 3
Protexisti me, Deus, a convéntu
malignántium, allelúia: a multitúdine operántium iniquitátem, allelúia,
allelúia. Ps. Exáudi,
Deus, oratiónem meam cum déprecor: a timóre inimíci éripe ánimam meam. Gloria
Patri.
INTROIT
Thou hast protected me, O God, from
the assembly of the malignant, alleluia: from the multitude of the workers of
iniquity, alleluia, alleluia. Ps.
Hear, O God, my prayers, when I make supplication to Thee: deliver my soul from
the fear of the enemy Glory be to the Father.
ORATIO
Deus, qui nos beáti Geórgii Mártyris
tui méritis et intercessióne lætíficas: concéde propítius: ut, qui tua per eum
benefícia póscimus dono tuæ grátiæ consequámur. Per Dóminum.
COLLECT
O God, Who dost gladden us by the
merits and intercession of blessed George, Thy Martyr, mercifully grant that
we, who ask Thy favours through him, may obtain them by the gift of Thy grace.
Through our Lord.
FOR THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Deus, qui de beátæ Maríæ Vírginis
útero Verbum tuum, Angelo nuntiánte, carnem suscípere voluísti: præsta
supplícibus tuis; utqui vere eam Genitricem Dei crédimus, ejus apud to
intercessiónibus adjuvémur, per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum fílium
tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus.
God, Who didst will that at the
message of an angel Thy word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed
Virgin Mary: grant that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the
mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee, through the same
Jesus Christ.
FOR GOD’S HOLY CHURCH
Ecclésiæ tuæ, quæ-sumus, Dómine,
preces placátus admítte: ut, destrúctis adversitátibus et erróribus univérsis,
secura tibi sérviat libertáte. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum.
We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to receive the
prayers of Thy Church: that, all adversity and error being destroyed, she may
serve Thee in security and freedom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
EPISTOLA
Stabunt justi in magna constantia
adversus eos, qui se angustiaverunt, et qui abstulerunt labores eorum. Videntes
turbabuntur timore horribili, et mirabuntur in subitatione insperatæ salutis,
dicentes intra se, pœnitentiam agentes, et præ angustia spiritus gementes: Hi
sunt, quos habuimus aliquando in derisum, et in similitudinem improperii. Nos
insensati vitam illorum æstimabamus insaniam, et finem illorum sine honore:
ecce quomodo computati sunt inter filios Dei, et inter Sanctos sors illorum
est.
EPISTLE – Wisdom 5: 1-5
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom
Then shall the just stand with great
constancy against those that have afflicted them and taken away their labours.
These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at
the suddenness of their unexpected salvation, saying within themselves,
repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they whom we had some
time in derision and for a parable of reproach. We fools esteemed their life
madness and their end without honor; behold how they are numbered among the
children of God, and their lot is among the Saints.
PASCAL ALLELUIA -Psalm 88: 6
Alleluia, allelúia. V. Confitebúntur cœli mirabília tua,
Dómine: étenim veritátem tuam in ecclésia sanctórum.
ALLELUIA - Psalm 20: 4
Alleluia. Posuísti, Dómine, super caput ejus corónam de lápide pretióso. Alleluia.
Alleluia. Posuísti, Dómine, super caput ejus corónam de lápide pretióso. Alleluia.
PASCAL ALLELUIA - Psalm 88: 6
Alleluia, alleluia. V. The heavens shall confess Thy
wonders, O Lord; and Thy truth in the Church of the saints.
ALLELUIA - Psalm 20: 4
Alleluia. O Lord, Thou halt set on
his head a crown of precious stones. Alleluia.
EVANGELIUM - John 15: 1-7
In illo témpore: Dixit Jesus
discipulis suis: Ego sum Vitis vera: et Pater Meus agriocola et. Omnem palmitem
in Me non ferentem fructum, tollet eum: et omnem, qui fert fructum, purgabit
eum, ut fructum plus afferat. Jam vos mundi estis propter sermonem, quem
locutus sum vobis. Manete in Me: et Ego in vobis. Sicut palmes non potest ferre
fructum a semitipso nisi manserit in vite: sic nec vos, nisi in Me manseritis.
Ego sum Vitis, vos palmites: qui manet in Me, et Ego in eo, hic fert fructum
multum: quia sine Me nihil postestis facere. Si quia in Me non manserit,
mittetur foras sicut palmes, et arescet et colligent eum, et in ignem mittent,
et ardet. Si manseritis in Me, et verba Mea in vobis manserint: quodcumque
volueritis, peretis, et fiat vobis.
GOSPEL – John 15: 1-7
Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John
At that time, The Lord said to His
disciples: I am the true Vine; and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in
Me, that beareth not fruit, He will take away: and every one that beareth
fruit, He will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean
by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so
neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine: you the branches: he
that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without Me
you can do nothing. If any one abide not in Me, he shall be cast forth as a
branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and case him into the
fire, and be burneth. If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you shall
ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you.
OFFERTORIUM
Confitebuntur Cœli mirabília tua,
Dómine, et veritátem tuam in ecclésia sanctórum, allelúia, allelúia.
OFFERTORY – Psalm 88: 6
The Heavens shall confess Thy wonders,
O Lord, and Thy truth in the church of the saints, alleluia, alleluia.
SECRETA
Munera, Dómine, obláta sanctífica, et
intercedénte beáto Geórgio Mártyre tuo, nos per hæc a peccatórum nostrórum
máculis emúnda. Per Dominum.
SECRET
Sanctify the gifts we offer Thee, O
Lord, and through the intercession of blessed George, Thy martyr, cleanse us by
them from the stains of our sins. Through our Lord.
FOR THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
In méntibus nóstris, quæsumus, Dómine, veræ fídei
sacraménta confírma: ut, qui concéptum de Vírgine Deum verum et hóminem
confitémur; per ejus salutíferæ resurrectiónis poténtiam, ad ætérnam mereámur
perveníre lætítiam. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum.
Strengthen in our minds, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the
mysteries of the true faith, that, confessing Him Who was conceived of the
Virgin to be true God and true man, we may deserve, through the power of His
saving resurrection, to attain everlasting joy, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
FOR GOD’S HOLY CHURCH
Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy
mysteries; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and
mind. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity
of the Holy Ghost, one God.
We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that
Thou wouldst not suffer to be exposed to human dangers those to whom Thou
givest to rejoice in this divine banquet. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who
liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever
and ever.
PREFACE OF EASTER
Vere dignum et justum est, æqum et
salutáre, te quidem Dómine omni témpore, sed in hac potíssimum die, gloriósius
prædicáre, cum Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus. Ipse enim verus est Agnus
qui ábstulit peccáta mundi. Qui mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit, et vitam
resurgéndo reparávit. Et ídeo cum Angelis et Archángelis, cum Thronis et
Dóminatiónibus, cumque omni milítia cæléstis exércitus, hymnum glóriæ tuæ
cánimus sine fine dicentes:
It is truly meet and just, right and
for our salvation, at all times to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously
especially at this time above others when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For
He is the true Lamb Who hath taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying
hath destroyed our death: and by rising again hath restored us to life. And
therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with
all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore
saying:
THE SANCTUS
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus,
Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis.
Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.
COMMUNIO
Laetabitur justus in Dómino, et
sperábit in eo: et laudabúntur omnes recti corde, allelúia, allelúia
COMMUNION – Psalm 63: 11
The just shall rejoice in the Lord,
and shall hope in Him: and all the upright in heart shall be praised, alleluia,
alleluia.
POSTCOMMUNIO
Supplices te rogámus, omnípotens
Deus: ut, quos tuis réficis sacraméntis, intercedénte beáto Geórgio
Mártyre tuo, tibi étiam plácitis móribus
dignánter tríbuas deservíre. Per Dominum.
POSTCOMMUNION
We beseech Thee, O almighty God, that
those whom Thou dost refresh with Thy sacrament, Thou also grant them, by the
intercession of blessed George, Thy martyr, to serve Thee, as befits them, with
behaviour pleasing unto Thee. Through our Lord.
FOR THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Grátiam tuam quæsumus, Dómine,
méntibus nostris infúnde: ut qui, Angelo nuntiánte, Christi Fílii tui
incarnatiónem cognóvimus: per passiónem ejus et crucem, ad resurrectiónis
glóriam perducámur, per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum.
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ Thy Son
was made known by the message of an angel, may, by His passion and cross, be
brought to the glory of His resurrection.
FOR GOD’S HOLY CHURCH
Quæsumus, Dómine Deus noster, ut quos
divína tribuis participatióne gaudére, humánis non sinas subjacére perículis,
per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum .
O Lord our God, we pray Thee that
Thou suffer not to succumb to human hazards those whom Thou hast been pleased
to make sharers of divine mysteries, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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