St. John Eudes - August 19

              St. John Eudes

John was born in the year 1601, of pious and respectable parents, at a village commonly known as Ri, in the diocese of Seez. While still a boy, when he was fed with the bread of Angels, he cheerfully made a vow of perpetual chastity. Having been received at the College of Caen, directed by the Fathers of the Society of Jesus, he was conspicuous for a remarkable piety; and, committing himself to the protection of the Virgin Mary, when still a youth he signed with his own blood, the special covenant he had entered into with her. Having completed his courses of letters and of philosophy with great distinction, and having spurned opportunities of marriage which had been arranged for him, he enrolled himself with the Congregation of the Oratory de Bérulle, and was ordained priest at Paris. He was on fire with a marvellous love towards his neighbour: for he took the most constant pains in caring for both the souls and bodies of those smitten with the Asiatic plague, in many different places. He was made Rector of the Oratorian house at Caen, but since he had been thinking for a long time of educating suitable young men for the ministry of the Church, earnestly asking for the divine assistance, with a brave spirit he most regretfully departed from the associates with whom he had lived for twenty years.

     Accordingly, associating five priests with himself, in the year 1643, on the feastday of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, he founded a Congregation of Priests, to whom he gave the most holy names of Jesus and Mary, and opened the first seminary at Caen; and a great many others followed immediately in Normandy and Brittany, also founded by him. For the recalling of sinful women to a Christian life, he founded the Order of Our Lady of Charity; of which most noble tree, the Congregation of the Good Shepherd of Angers is a branch. Furthermore, he founded the Society of the Admirable Heart of the Mother of God, and other charitable institutions. He was the author of many excellent treatises, and laboured as an Apostolic Missionary to the very end of his life, preaching the Gospel in very many villages, towns, and cities, and even in the royal court.

     His matchless zeal was very conspicuous in promoting the salutary devotion towards the most sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, whose liturgical worship he was the first of all to devise, although not without some divine inspiration. He is therefore held to be the father, the teacher, and the apostle of that worship. Courageously withstanding the doctrines of the Jansenists, he preserved unalterable obedience towards the Chair of Peter, and he constantly prayed to God, both for his enemies as well as for his brethren. Broken by so many labours, rather than by years, desiring to be freed and to be with Christ, on the 19th day of August, 1680, frequently repeating the sweet names of Jesus and Mary, he died in peace. As he became illustrious by many miracles, Pope Pius X added him to the list of the Blessed, and as he still shone forth with new signs and wonders, Pope Pius XI, in the holy year and on the day of Pentecost, placed him among the Saints, and extended his Office and Mass to the universal Church.

AUGUST 14 - Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

                            AUGUST 14  

Vigil of the Assumption of Our Lady Into Heaven

Blessed Mary lived, cared for by St. John, for twelve years after Our Lord‘s Resurrection. Her life was spent in helping the Apostles and in praying for the conversion of the world. On the third day after Mary’s death, when the Apostles gathered around her tomb, they found it empty. The sacred body had been carried up to the celestial paradise. Jesus Himself came to conduct her thither the whole court of heaven came to welcome with songs of triumph the Mother of the Divine Word. Why was Mary’s body received into heaven instead of remaining in the earth, like the rest of mankind? The grave had no power over one who was immaculate. Her flesh could not see corruption. Her body had been over shadowed by the Holy Ghost. It had been the sacred temple in which had dwelt God Incarnate, and so it had a claim to ascend whither the Body of her Son had already gone before. But the chief reason was that as she had shared in each detail in the sorrows and agony of her Son, so it was right that she should take part in His triumph. Let us ask of God, through Mary’s intercession, the grace of a happy death.

St Eusebius, Confessor

Eusebius of Vercelli (c. March 2, 283 – August 1, 371) was a bishop and saint in Italy. Along with Athanasius, he affirmed the divinity of Jesus against Arianism. Born in Sardinia, he was a lector in Rome before he became the first bishop in Vercelli (in northern Italy), probably sometime in the early- to mid-340s. According to a letter of Ambrose to the congregation in Vercelli two decades after Eusebius’ death, the local leaders recognized his piety and thus elected him rather than local candidates (Epistola lxiii, Ad Vercellenses). At some point he led his clergy to form a monastic community modelled on that of the Eastern cenobites (Ambrose, Ep. lxxxi and Serm. lxxxix). For this reason the Canons Regular of St. Augustine honor him along with Augustine as their founder (Proprium Canon. Reg., 16 December).

In 354, Pope Liberius asked Eusebius to join Bishop Lucifer of Cagliari in carrying a request to the Emperor Constantius II at Milan, pleading for the emperor to convoke a council to end the dissentions over the status of Athanasius of Alexandria and the matter of Arianism. The synod was held in Milan in 355. Eusebius attended part of the council, but refused to condemn Athanasius and so was exiled, first to Scythopolis in Syria, under the watchful eye of the Arian bishop Patrophilus, whom Eusebius calls his jailer, then to Cappadocia, and lastly to the Thebaid, in Upper Egypt. Several letters surrounding the council written to or by Eusebius still survive, as do two letters written by him during his exile.

On the accession of Julian, the exiled bishops were free to return to their sees, in 362. Eusebius passed through Alexandria and there attended Athanasius’ synod of 362 which confirmed the divinity of the Holy Ghost and the orthodox doctrine concerning the Incarnation. The synod also agreed both to deal mildly with the repentant bishops who had signed Arianizing creeds under pressure and to impose severe penalties upon the leaders of several of the Arianizing factions. While still on his way home, Eusebius took the synod’s decisions to Antioch and hoped to reconcile the schism there. The church was divided between adherents of Eustathius of Antioch, who had been deposed and exiled by the Arians in 331, and those of the Meletians. Since Meletius’ election in 361 was brought about chiefly by the Arians, the Eustathians would not recognize him, although he solemnly proclaimed his orthodox faith after his episcopal consecration. The Alexandrian synod had desired that Eusebius should reconcile the Eustathians with Bishop Meletius, by purging his election of whatever might have been irregular in it, but Eusebius found that Lucifer of Cagliari had also passed that way, and had unilaterally consecrated Paulinus, the leader of the Eustathians, as Bishop of Antioch.

Unable to reconcile the factions, he continued towards home, visiting other churches along the way in the interest of promulgating and enforcing the orthodox faith. Once back in Vercelli in 363, he continued to be a leader with Hilary of Poitiers in defeating Arianism in the Western Church, and was one of the chief opponents of the Arian bishop Auxentius of Milan. He died in 370 or 371. Later legends of his martyrdom have no historical basis. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates his feast on August 2. His former feast day of December 16 roughly coincided with his elevation as bishop. His current feast day roughly coincides with the anniversary of his death. Vercelli Cathedral is dedicated to him.

Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary/with a Commemoration of St Eusebius, Confessor

Friday in the Eleventh week after Octave of Pentecost within the Octave of St. Lawrence

Violet Vestments – Missa ‘Vultum Tuum’ 

INTROIT – Psalm 44: 13, 15-16

Vultum tuum deprecabúntur omnes dívites plebis: adducéntur regi vírgines post eam: próximæ ejus adducéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne. Ps. 44. 2. Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego ópera mea regi. V. Gloria Patri.

All the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbours shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. Ps. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. V. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT

O God, Who didst deign to choose for Thy dwelling the virginal womb of the blessed Mary, grant, we beseech Thee, that defended by her protection we may assist with joy at her festival. Who livest and reignest.

COMMEMORATION of St Eusebius, Confessor

O God, Who dost gladden us by the annual feast of blessed Eusebius, Thy confessor, mercifully grant on this day of his heavenly birth, that we may grow like him in deed. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE – Wisdom 24: 23-31

As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odor, and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits; for my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger; and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that harkeneth to me shall not be confounded, and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL – Psalm 44: 11-12, 14

Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary: who, without spot, wast found the Mother of the Saviour. V. Virgin Mother of God, He Whom the whole world containeth not, being made man, shut Himself in thy womb.

GOSPEL – Luke 11: 26-27

At that time: As Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him, Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that gave Thee suck. But He said: Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.

OFFERTORY – Genesis 3:15

Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Creator of all things: thou didst bring forth Him Who made thee, and remainest forever a virgin.

SECRET

May our offerings be commended to Thy mercy, O Lord, by the prayer of the mother of God, Whom Thou hast removed from this world that she may with confidence intercede for us with Thee. Through the same Lord.

COMMEMORATION of St Eusebius, Confessor

We offer these sacrifices of praise, O Lord, in memory of Your Saints, trusting that by them we may be delivered from both present and future evils.

COMMON PREFACE

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: through Christ our Lord. through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say in lowly praise:

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.

COMMUNION

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.

POSTCOMMUNION

Grant Thine assistance, O merciful God, to our frailty, that we, who anticipate the festival of the holy Mother of God, may, by the aid of her intercession, rise from our iniquity. Through the same Lord.

COMMEMORATION of St Eusebius, Confessor

Refreshed by meat and drink from heaven, O God, we humbly entreat Thee, that we may be protected by the prayers of him in whose memory we have partaken. Through our Lord.

AUGUST 10 - FEAST OF ST LAURENCE, MARTYR

 

                   St. Laurence interceding for souls in purgatory

                    St. Laurence 

             Deacon and Martyr

             Abbot Dom Guéranger 
From the Liturgical Year, Volume XIII

“Once the mother of false gods, but now the Bride of Christ, O Rome, it is through Laurence thou art victorious! Thou hast conquered haughty monarchs and subjected nations to thine empire; but though thou hadst overcome barbarism, thy glory was incomplete till thou hadst vanquished the unclean idols. This was Laurence's victory a combat bloody yet not tumultuous like those of Camillus or of Caesar; it was the contest of faith, wherein self is immolated and death is overcome by death. What words, what praises suffice to celebrate such a death? How can I worthily sing so great a martyrdom? Thus opens the sublime poem of Prudentius, composed little more than a century after the saint's martyrdom In this work the poet has preserved to us the traditions existing in his own day, whereby the name of the Roman deacon was rendered so illustrious. About the same time St. Ambrose, with his irresistible eloquence described the meeting of Sixtus and his deacon on the way to martyrdom.' But, before both Ambrose and Prudentius, Pope St. Damasus chronicled the victory of Laurence's faith. In his majestic monumental inscriptions, which have such a ring of the days of triumph! Rome was lavish in her demonstrations of honor towards the champion who had prayed for her deliverance upon his red hot gridiron. 

            Gridiron used to grill St. Lawrence to death.

She inserted his name in the Canon of the Mass, and moreover celebrated the anniversary of his birth to heaven with as much solemnity as those of the glorious apostles her founders, and with the same privileges of a Vigil and an Octave. She has been dyed with the blood of many other witnesses of Christ, yet as though Laurence had a special claim upon her gratitude, every spot connected with him has been honoured with a church. Amongst all these sanctuaries dedicated to him, the one which contains the martyr's body ranks next after the churches of St. John Lateran, St. Mary's on the Esquiline, St. Peter's on the Vatican, and St. Paul's on the Ostian Way. St. Laurence outside the Walls completes the number of the five great basilicas that form the appanage and exclusive possession of the Roman Pontiff. They represent the patriarchates of Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, Constantinople, and Jerusalem, which divide the world between them, and express the universal and immediate jurisdiction of the Bishops of Rome over all the churches. Thus through Lawrence the Eternal City is completed, and is shown to be the centre of the world and the source of every grace. Just as Peter and Paul are the riches, not of Rome alone, but of the whole world, so Lawrence is called the honor of the world, for he, as it were, personified the courage of martyrdom. At the beginning of this month we saw Stephen himself come to blend his dignity of Protomartyr with the glory of Sixtus II's deacon, by sharing his tomb. 

In Laurence, it seemed that both the struggle and the victory of martyrdom reached their highest point; persecution, it is true, was renewed during the next half-century, and made many victims, yet his triumph was considered as the death-blow to paganism. 'The devil,' says Prudentius, 'struggled fiercely with God's witness, but he was himself wounded and prostrated for ever. The death of Christ's martyr gave the death-blow to the worship of idols, and from that day Vesta was powerless to prevent her temple from being deserted. All these Roman citizens, brought up in the superstitions taught by Numa, hasten, O Christ, to Thy courts, singing hymns to Thy martyr. Illustrious senators, flamens and priests of Lupercus, venerate the tombs of apostles and saints. We see patricians and matrons of the noblest families vowing to God the children in whom their hopes are centred. The pontiff of the idols, whose brow but yesterday was bound with the sacred fillet, now signs himself with the Cross, and the vestal virgin Claudia visits thy sanctuary, O Laurence. It need not surprise us that this day's solemnity carries its triumphant joy from the city of the seven hills to the entire universe. As it is impossible for Rome to be concealed, says St. Augustine, so it is equally impossible to hide Laurence's crown. Everywhere, in both East and West, churches were built in his honor; and in return, as the Bishop of Hippo testifies, the favors he conferred were innumerable, and prove the greatness of his power with God; who has ever prayed to him and has not been graciously heard?' Let us, then, conclude with St. Maximus of Turin that in the devotion wherewith the triumph of St. Laurence is being celebrated throughout the entire world, we must recognize that it is both holy and pleasing to God to honor, with all the fervour of our souls, the birth to heaven of the martyr who by his radiant flames has spread the glory of his victory over the whole Church. Because of the spotless purity of soul which made him a true Levite, and because of that fullness of faith which earned him the martyr's palm, it is fitting that we should honor him almost equally with the apostles.

TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - FIRST VESPERS

      Transfiguration of our

           Lord Jesus Christ   

                   (August 5)    

                   

               FIRST VESPERS     

Ant. Jesus took Peter, * and James, and John his brother, and brought them up into an high mountain apart and was transfigured before them.

Psalm 109 

109:1 The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand: Until I make thy enemies thy footstool.

109:2 The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.

109:3 With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: from the womb before the day star I begot thee.

109:4 The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

109:5 The Lord at thy right hand hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.

109:6 He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: he shall crush the heads in the land of many.

109:7 He shall drink of the torrent in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. Jesus took Peter, * and James, and John his brother, and brought them up into an high mountain apart and was transfigured before them.

Ant. His Face did shine as the sun, * and His raiment exceeding white as snow. Alleluia.

Psalm 110 

110:1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just, and in the congregation.

110:2 Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills.

110:3 His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever.

110:4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: He hath given food to them that fear him.

110:5 He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: He will shew forth to his people the power of his works.

110:6 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment.

110:7 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity.

110:8 He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever.

110:9 (bow head) Holy and terrible is his name: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

110:10 A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. His Face did shine as the sun, * and His raiment exceeding white as snow. Alleluia.

Ant. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias, * talking with Jesus.

Psalm 111 

111:1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.

111:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.

111:3 Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

111:4 To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: he is merciful, and compassionate and just.

111:5 Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment: Because he shall not be moved for ever.

111:6 The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing.

111:7 His heart is ready to hope in the Lord: His heart is strengthened, he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies.

111:8 He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory.

111:9 The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias, * talking with Jesus.

Ant. Then answered Peter, * and said unto Jesus Lord, it is good for us to be here.

Psalm 112

112:1 Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.

112:2 (bow head) Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.

112:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.

112:4 The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens.

112:5 Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?

112:6 Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:

112:7 That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people.

112:8 Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, the joyful mother of children.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. Then answered Peter, * and said unto Jesus Lord, it is good for us to be here.

Ant. While he yet spake, * behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them.

Psalm 116 

116:1 O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

116:2 For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. While he yet spake, * behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them.

Chapter 

Phil 3:20-21

We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious Body.

R. Thanks be to God.

Hymn

All ye who would the Christ descry,

Lift up your eyes to him on high:

There mortal gaze hath strength to see

The token of his majesty.

A wondrous sign we there behold,

That knows not death nor groweth old,

Sublime, most high, that cannot fade,

That was ere earth and heaven were made.

Here is the King the gentiles fear,

The Jews' most mighty King is here

Promised to Abraham of yore,

And to his seed forevermore.

'Tis he the prophets' words foretold,

And by their signs shown forth of old;

The Father's witness hath ordained

That we should hear with faith unfeigned.

Jesu, to thee our praise we pay,

To little ones revealed today,

With Father and blest Spirit One

Until the ages' course is done.

Amen.

V. Thou wast manifested in thy glory in the Presence of the Lord.

R. Therefore the Lord hath clothed thee with majesty.

Magnificat Antiphon

Ant. Christ Jesus, being the Brightness * of the Father's glory, and the express Image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He was about purging our sins, was pleased, as on this day, to manifest forth His glory upon an high mountain.

Our Lady’s Canticle

1:46. My soul doth magnify the Lord.

1:47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

1:48. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

1:49. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name.

1:50. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.

1:51. He hath shewed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

1:52. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble.

1:53. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.

1:54. He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy.

1:55. As he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Ant. Christ Jesus, being the Brightness * of the Father's glory, and the express Image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He was about purging our sins, was pleased, as on this day, to manifest forth His glory upon an high mountain.

Let us pray

O God, Who, in the glorious Transfiguration of thine Only Begotten Son didst attest the mysteries of the Faith by the witness of the Fathers, and didst wonderfully signify by a voice out of a bright cloud, the adoption of sons, mercifully grant unto us to be made co-heirs with the very King of glory, and bestow upon us a partaking of His glory.

Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.