MONTH OF THE HOLY ANGELS - TWENTY- SECOND DAY

 

Month of the Holy Angels

Twenty-Second Day

To each man an angel is appointed for his care: this we can prove from the Scriptures. Their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father Who is in heaven. St. Paul says, Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?” Fallen man needed some help, and almighty God entrusted him to the care of the angels. Even God's power, God's wisdom, and God's mercy demand it. First of all, the power of God demanded that the angels should not only serve Him, but serve His glory in His creatures. God's wisdom demanded that each human being coming into the world should receive a guardian; for the devil has great power over us, and we would not be able to battle against the devil or the flesh without help. God desires to preserve His work: hence God's mercy moves Him in favor of the fallen or those in danger of a fall, like unto a mother full of tenderness for her children. God gave His only Son for the redemption of mankind; precious, indeed, then, is this human soul, if worthy to be purchased by the blood of the Lamb; certainly precious enough, too, to be guarded with care by a superior intelligence.

Prayer

O angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide.

MONTH OF THE HOLY ANGELS - TWENTY-FIRST DAY

 

Twenty-first Day

In the book of the Apocalypse, we read of the activity of the angels. We see them coming from heaven to earth; they bring down from almighty God orders for salvation as well as for punishment; hence the angels are called ministering spirits, sent for the ministry of our salvation. Especially, may we conceive that in the service of the Church the angels are particularly active—that there are angels who intervene in the oblation and bear it to the sublime altar of Jesus Christ, angels who are called angels of prayer, and who present before God the petitions of the faithful. St. Michael is the defender of the Church. The ancient Jewish people were also protected by St. Michael. Other nations had their superior spirits, which are mentioned in the Scriptures as protectors; for the prophet Daniel speaks of the prince of the Greeks, the prince of the Persians, angels who preside spiritually and invisibly over these nations. Are we not also important as a nation, in the designs of God? Whom has God appointed over the affairs of our country? We know there is such a spirit; let us pray to him even without knowing him, for we are sure that our prayers will reach the one appointed by God to protect us.

Prayer

O angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide.

 

Novena to St. Jude - Third day

 

         Third Day

O holy St. Jude, apostle of Jesus Christ, you who have so faithfully and devotedly helped to spread his Gospel of Light, we who are gathered together today in your honor, ask and petition you to remember us and our needs. Especially do we pray for.

    (Mention your request)

May it also please our Lord to lend an ear to your supplications in our behalf. Grant that we may ever pray with fervor and devotion, resigning ourselves humbly to the divine will, seeing God’s purpose in all our trials and knowing that he will leave no sincere prayer unanswered in some way. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us. My Jesus, mercy.

Month of the Holy Angels - Twentieth Day

 

 Twentieth Day

It is a belief which we may prove from the Scriptures, which is corroborated by many facts in the history of the world and by the belief of ancient people, that God governs the world, even the natural world, through the agency of spirits; to each of whom He was pleased to depute certain offices. He made use of the good angels to maintain order in general, to watch over empires, to protect men, to carry His blessings to them, and to be the executors of His justice. Everywhere Scripture recalls this wonderful ministry of the angels; and there is not an epoch of time in which such a tradition did not exist. We read in the Gospel that Our Lord Himself was tempted by the devil, the fallen angel. Our blessed Lord teaches us that little children are dearer to Him than they are to their own mothers, and He has appointed angels to be their guardians. So great is a human soul in the eyes of God. We have to struggle not alone against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against those who have dominion in this world, and against evil spirits scattered in the air. But in this struggle, we shall be assisted by the good spirits whom God commissions to look after His beloved creatures.

Prayer

O angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide.

 

NOVENA TO ST. JUDE - SECOND DAY

 

 

Virgin and Child with SS. Simon and Jude  

Novena St. Jude

October 19 – October 27

         Second Day

O blessed apostle Jude, who has been instrumental in gathering us here together this day, grant that we may always serve Jesus Christ as he deserves to be served, giving of our best efforts in living as he wishes us to live. May we dispose our hearts and minds so that God will always be inclined to listen to our prayers and petitions, especially those petitions which we entrust to your care and for which we ask you to plead for us.

    (Mention your request)

Grant that we may be enlightened as to what is best for us, in the present and future, not forgetting the blessings we have received in the past. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us. My Jesus, mercy.

MONTH OF THE HOLY ANGELS - NINETEENTH DAY

Nineteenth Day

The third choir of the hierarchy of the angels are the virtues, archangels, and angels. The virtues are the first of these, and represent the acts of God towards individuals. Those works of God which surpass the power of man, such as miracles, or inward movements of grace, are performed by the virtues of the Most High; they hold an intermediate station between heaven and earth. 

Archangels are the great messengers, whom God has sent to His intelligent creation. The name is given because the goodness and kindness of God have distinguished them from the myriads of other angels, and given them an office, that of bearing to men the words of God; they also carry the prayers of the faithful on earth, and lay them before God's throne in heaven; and they are sent to conduct souls to the portals of heavenly bliss. The archangels have the duty of protecting the Church; those who occupy high positions in the Church or State are said to be under the guidance of an archangel. In this manner, the higher grade of archangels represents the higher degree of providence shown by God toward individuals. Let us unite ourselves with the choir of the archangels and praise God in them—those glorious spirits who have so perfectly conveyed God's messages to men.

Prayer

O angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and guide.

St. Peter of Alcantara, Confessor - Mass Propers

 

            October 19

St. Peter of Alcantara, Confessor

Peter, while still a youth, left his home at Alcantara , in Spain, and entered a convent of Discalced Franciscans. He rose quickly to high posts in the Order, but his thirst for penance was still unappeased, and in 1539, being then forty years old, he founded the first convent of the “ Strict Observance.” The cells of the friars resembled graves rather than dwelling-places. That of St. Peter himself was four feet and a half in length, so that he could never lie down; he ate but once in three days; his sack cloth habit and a cloak were his only garments, and he never covered his head or feet. In the bitter winter he would open the door and window of his cell that, by closing them again, he might experience some sensation of warmth. Amongst those whom he trained to perfection was St. Teresa. He read her soul, approved of her spirit of prayer, and strengthened her to carry out her reforms. St. Peter died, with great joy, kneeling in prayer, October 18, 1562, at the age of sixty-three.

Monday in the Twenty-First Week 

        After Pentecost

Double/White Vestments        

Missa 'Justus Ut Palma'

 

INTROITUS - Psalm 91: 13,14,2

Justus ut palma florebit: sicut cedrus Libani multiplicabitur: plantatus in domo Domini: in atriis domus Dei nostri. Ps. Bonum est confiteri Domino: et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime. Gloria Patri.

INTROIT

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus: planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. Ps. It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy name, O Most High. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT

God, Who didst vouchsafe to make blessed Peter, Thy Confessor, glorious by the gift of a wonderful spirit of penance and most lofty contemplation: grant us, we beseech Thee, that, through his interceding merits, being mortified in the flesh, we may the more easily understand the things of heaven. Through Our Lord.

EPISTLE - Philippians 3: 7-12

Brethren, the things that were gain to me, the same I have counted loss for Christ. Furthermore, I count all things to be but loss, for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but as dung, that I may win Christ; and may be found in Him, not having my justice, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ Jesus, which is of God, justice in faith; that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings; being made conformable to His death, if by any means I may attain to the resurrection which is from the dead; not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus.

GRADUAL - Psalm 36: 30-31

The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment. The law of His God is in his heart: and his steps shall not be supplanted.

 

ALLELUIA - Psalm 111: 1

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. Alleluia.

GOSPEL - Luke 12: 32-34

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom. Sell what you possess, and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in Heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

OFFERTORY - Psalm 20: 2-3

In Thy strength, O Lord, the just man shall joy, and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly: Thou hast given him his heart’s desire.

SECRET

Grant us, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the offering we humbly bring may be pleasing to Thee in honour of Thy Saints, and purify us alike in body and soul. Through Our Lord.

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…

COMMUNION  Matthew 19:28, 29

Amen I say to you, that you, who have left all things and followed Me, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. 

POSTCOMMUNION

We beseech Thee, almighty God, that we, who have received heavenly nourishment, may thereby, at the intercession of blessed Peter, Thy Confessor, be defended against all adversity. Through our Lord.

MONTH OF HOLY ANGELS -EIGHTEENTH DAY

      Eighteenth Day

Let us consider today the angels of the second choir. They are the dominations, principalities, and powers. Again, their names are given to them for the virtues they represent, and not from their angelic nature. The three choirs of the first hierarchy were typical of the essential acts of God. The three of the second represent the external acts of God. The dominations represent the power of God. He is the absolute Lord of the universe; He is the Creator, the Maker, and therefore the possessor of all that is. The principalities govern the world, under God, and according to His divine providence. “By Me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things.” Hence the duty of this choir of angels is to praise God for the wisdom displayed in His ruling and legislating of the external creation. The angels of power put the laws of God into execution. They reward and punish; they are the representatives of executive power. They praise God in the power manifested in the carrying out of the laws impressed on the material and spiritual world. Should we not learn from these angels to praise the Almighty in all He has done?

Prayer

O angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and guide.

 

Novena in preparation for the Feast of Ss. Simon and Jude

  

           Novena to St. Jude

   October 19 – October 27

                  First Day

O blessed apostle St. Jude, who labored zealously among the Gentiles in many lands and performed numerous miracles in needy and despairing cases, we invoke you to take special interest in us and our needs. We feel that you understand us in a particular way. Hear our prayers and our petitions and plead for us in all our necessities, especially…

     (Mention your request)

May we be patient in learning God’s holy will and courageous in carrying it out. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us. My Jesus, mercy.

St. Luke, Evangelist - Mass Propers

 

ST. LUKE EVANGELIST

Commemoration for 21st Sunday after Pentecost

Double of the Second Class

Red Vestments

Missa – ‘Mihi autem nimis’

 

INTROITUS – Psalm 138:17

Mihi autem nimis honoráti sunt amíci tui, Deus: nimis confortátus est principátus eórum. Ps. Dómine, probásti me, et cognovísti me: tu cognovísti sessiónem meam, et resurrectiónem meam. Gloria Patri.

INTROIT

Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honourable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened. Ps. Lord, Thou hast proved me, and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up. Glory be to the Father.

COLLECT

May Luke, Thy holy Evangelist, O Lord, we beseech Thee, intercede in our behalf, who for the honour of Thy name bore continually in his body the mortification of the cross. Through our Lord.

 

COLLECT

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Lord, we beseech Thee, to keep Thy household in continual godliness that through Thy protection, it may be free From all adversities, and devotedly given to serve Thee in good works to the glory of Thy Name. Through our Lord.

EPISTLE  – II  Corinthians 8: 16-24

Brethren, I give thanks to God, Who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus; for indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you. We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches; and not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels for this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord and our determined will: avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us; for we forecast what may be good, not only before God, but also before men. And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have proved diligent in many things; but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you, either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow-labourer toward you, or our brethren the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ. Wherefore show ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.

GRADUAL – Psalm 18: 5, 2

Their sound went forth into all the earth; and their words to the ends of the world. The heavens show forth the glory of God; and the firmament declareth the work of His hands.

ALLELUIA -John 15: 16

Alleluia, alleluia. I have chosen you out of the world, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit, and your fruit should remain. Alleluia.

GOSPEL – Luke 10: 1-9

At that time, the Lord appointed also other seventy-two; and He sent them two and two before His face into every city and place whither He Himself was to come. And He said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send labourers into His harvest. Go, behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house: and if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you; and heal the sick that are therein; and say to them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

OFFERTORY – Psalm 138: 17

To me Thy friends, O God, are exceedingly honourable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened.

SECRET

By Thy celestial gifts grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to serve Thee with willing hearts, that the offerings we bring may, through the intercession of blessed Luke, Thine Evangelist, procure for us both our healing and our glory. Through our Lord.

SECRET

21st Sunday after Pentecost

Mercifully receive, O Lord, these offerings, by which Thou art pleased to be appeased and in Thy powerful goodness to restore our salvation. Through our Lord.

                                             St. Luke drawing a portrait of Blessed Virgin Mary 

PREFACE OF THE APOSTLES

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou wouldst not desert Thy flock. O everlasting Shepherd; but through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of The glory, evermore saying…

SANCTUS

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 – Matthew 19: 28

You that have followed me shall sit upon seats, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

POSTCOMMUNION

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that what we have received from Thy holy altar may, by the prayers of Thy blessed Evangelist, Luke, sanctify our souls, whereby we may be made secure. Through our Lord.

POSTCOMMUNION

21st Sunday after Pentecost

We who have received the Food of immortality, beseech Thee, O Lord: that what we have taken with our mouth, we may follow after with a pure mind. Through our Lord.