St. Peter’s Chains - Mass Propers

                                    St. Peter’s Chains

After King Herod Agrippa had put to death St. James the Greater ten years after Christ’s crucifixion, he decided to placate the Jews still more by arresting Peter, Prince of the Apostles. The Acts tell us that while Peter was in prison, “prayer was being made to god for him by the Church without ceasing.” Finally, one night, an angel awakened the prisoner. The chains fell from his hands, he followed the angel safely past the sentries, and the iron gate of the jail opened of its own accord. This miracle confirmed the divine promise: “If two of you shall agree on earth about anything at all for which they ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19). It is these chains, now preserved in Rome, that are venerated today.

AUGUST 1 –  St. Peter’s Chains

Greater Double / White Vestments 

Commemoration of St. Paul Apostle   

and the Holy Macchabees, Martyrs

 Woman with seven sons

The woman with seven sons was a Jewish martyr described in 2 Maccabees 7 and other sources. Although unnamed in 2 Maccabees, she is known variously as Hannah, Miriam and Solomonia.

INTROIT:  Acts 12: 11

Now I know in very deed, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. (Ps. 138: 1, 2) Lord, Thou hast proved me, and known me: Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

COLLECT

O God, Who didst cause blessed Peter, the apostle, to depart, loosed from his chains and unhurt, loose, we beseech Thee, the chains of our sins, and graciously keep all evils far from us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost…

Commemoration Collect for St. Paul the Apostle

God, Who didst teach the multitude of the gentiles by the preaching of blessed Paul the apostle, grant us, we beseech Thee, that we, who observe his commemoration, may experience the fruits of his patronal influence with Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God…

Commemoration Collect for the Holy Machabees

May the fruits of the fraternal crown of Thy martyrs, O Lord, make us joyful, both to afford our faith increase of virtues and to console us with their manifold prayers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

EPISTLE: Acts 12: 1-11

In those days, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict some of the Church: and he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword; and seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes: and when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison, delivering him to four files of soldiers to be kept, intending after the pasch to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing by the Church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison: and behold an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the room and he striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying, Arise quickly; and the chains fell off from his hands: and the angel said to him, Gird, thyself and put on thy sandals; and he did so: and he said to him, Cast thy garment about thee and follow me: and going out he followed him: and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but he thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which of itself opened to them; and going out, they passed on through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know in very deed that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

GRADUAL: Ps. 44: 17, 18

Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall remember Thy name, O Lord. Instead of Thy fathers, sons are born to Thee; therefore shall people praise Thee. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Matt 16:18.) Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church. Alleluia.

        

GOSPEL: Matthew 16: 13-19

At that time, Jesus came into the quarters of Cæsarea Philippi, and He asked His disciples, saying, ” “Whom do men say that the Son of man is?” But they said, Some, John the Baptist, and other some, Elias, and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them, “But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him, “Blessed art thou, Simon BarJona, because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in Heaven: and I say to thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.”

OFFERTORY:Psalm 44: 17, 18

Thou shalt make them princes over all the earth: they shall remember Thy name, O Lord, throughout all generations.

SECRET

May the sacrifice offered to Thee, O Lord, the intercession of blessed Peter ever vivify and strengthen us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

Secret Commemoration for St. Paul the Apostle

Sanctify the gifts of Thy people, 0 Lord, through the prayers of Paul, Thine apostle, that what is pleasing to Thee by Thine own ordinance may become the more pleasing by the patronal influence of his supplication. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

Secret Commemoration for the Holy Machabees

May we devoutly deal with Thy mysteries, O Lord, for the honor of Thy holy martyrs, and by them may both protection and joy be increased unto us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

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 Dóminations 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 cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.

COMMUNION: Matthew 16: 18

Thou art Peter: and upon this rock I will build My Church.

POSTCOMMUNION

Filled with the sacrificial food of Thy sacred body and precious blood, we beseech Thee. 0 Lord, our God, that what we perform in pious devotion we may effectually obtain in assured redernption. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.

Postcommunion Commemoration for St. Paul the Apostle

Having received Thy sacraments, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by the intercession of blessed Paul, Thine apostle, that what has been celebrated for his glory may profit unto our healing. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God…

Postcommunion Commemoration for the Holy Machabees

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we may more and more closely follow the faith of those whose memory we venerate in partaking of Thy sacrament. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God…

Month of the Precious Blood of Jesus - Thirtieth Day

There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…

      BRANCHES OF THE VINE

No one likes to be burdened with debts. He who does not care to pay his bills is considered an undesirable member of the community. After meeting all his just obligations squarely, every man is desirous of bettering his condition in life, is bent on acquiring a home and laying aside a competency for the future. This is the rule of every-day life. The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. Coming from the confessional, where the guilt of sin has been taken from you and the eternal punishment forgiven, and feeling that peace and happiness which the world cannot give, has it ever occurred to you that you are still in debt? Unless the penitent elicits an act of contrition sincere and intense enough to equal the malice of his sin, the obligation of satisfying divine justice by some temporal punishment, to be under gone in this life or in the next, generally remains. The small penance imposed and faithfully performed is usually not sufficient to discharge this debt, which goes on increasing from confession to confession, from year to year.

Adam obtained forgiveness for his sin, but what punishment did it not entail upon him and his posterity, even after he had confessed to God and expiated it by tears of real contrition! Moses, who received the Ten Commandments from God and was so zealous in inculcating their observance, whose holiness shone from his countenance and struck terror into the hearts of the Israelites, was refused entrance into the promised land because of his mistrust in God. We all are on our way to the Promised Land of heaven; are we not concerned about the mountains of temporal punishments which our sins are heaping in our way?
 At the very time David was assured of pardon for his sin, he was also reminded that he would yet have to endure a heavy punishment for that sin. 

PENANCE PENANCE PENANCE...

The penitential discipline, or the ancient practice of canonical penance in the Church, imitating the example of St. Paul, is ample proof of the truth which St. Augustine expresses in these words:  Thou leavest not unchastised, O Lord, the sins of even those whom Thou hast pardoned. The very admission to canonical penance in the early Church was considered already a great benefit. Sin, wrote St. Ambrose to the Emperor Theodosius the Great, after the massacre of Thessalonica, is effaced only by tears; no angel, no archangel can remit it on any other condition. The Lord Himself forgives only those who do penance. I advise, entreat, warn thee to submit to it. St. Cyprian, speaking of the lapsed who had come to their last moments without having ended their penance, expresses full confidence that, owing to the martyr s intercession, after having received the imposition of hands unto penance, they will go immediately to God in peace. That peace, he adds, which the martyrs, by their letters, told us that they desired to have granted to them. how shall I pay this enormous debt, how shall I atone for these numberless offenses? Expiate them I must, either in this world or in the next. 

Purgatory - Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

How many, on entering Purgatory, be hold their sins yet to be expiated like a huge mountain which must be consumed by a slow fire. It is indeed terrible to fall into the hands of the living God. And yet there is none that doth penance for his sin, saying: What have I done?(Jer. VIII, 6). 
The Church teaches us an expiatory and indulgenced prayer which we should say every day: 
Eternal Father ! I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, in satisfaction for my sins and for the wants of Holy Church.
For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Jesus, whom God hath proposed to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to the showing of his justice, for the remission of former sins(Rom. Ill, 23-25).

St Ignatius of Loyola, Confessor – Mass Propers

ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

St. Ignatius was born at Loyola in Spain, in the year 1491. He served his king as a courtier and a soldier till his thirtieth year. At that age, being laid low by a wound, he received the call of divine grace to leave the world. He embraced poverty and humiliation, that he might become more like to Christ, and won others to join him in the service of God. Prompted by their love for Jesus Christ, Ignatius and his companions made a vow to go to the Holy Land, but war broke out, and prevented the execution of their project. Then they turned to the Vicar of Jesus Christ, and placed themselves under his obedience. This was the beginning of the Society of Jesus. Our Lord promised St. Ignatius that the precious heritage of His Passion should never fail his Society, a heritage of contradictions and persecutions. St. Ignatius was cast into prison at Salamanca, on a suspicion of heresy. To a friend who expressed sympathy with him on account of his imprisonment, he replied, “It is a sign that you have but little love of Christ in your heart, or you would not deem it so hard a fate to be in chains for His sake. I declare to you that all Salamanca does not contain as many fetters, manacles, and chains as I long to wear for the love of Jesus Christ.” St. Ignatius went to his crown on the 31st July, 1556. 

                               

          St. Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, was born at Loyola in Spain, in the year 1491. He served his king as a soldier till his thirtieth year. Convalescing from a severe wound received at the siege of Pampeluna, he was given, in the absence of other books, the Lives of Jesus Christ and of the Saints. It dawned on his chivalric nature that the Church has need of her army to defend under the sovereign Pontiff the interest of God against heresy and all evil. On his recovery he ascended Montserrat and in the Benedictine Abbey there he laid down his sword at the feet of the Blessed Virgin.

He learned here to love the Psalms and canticles of the Divine Office which he was later to recommend to the faithful; he desired that those who were to make his Spiritual Exercises should choose a dwelling whence they could easily go to the Offices of Matins and Vespers as well as to Mass. Among the Benedictines of St. Paul’s in Rome, Ignatius pronounced his vows and was regularly elected the first general of his new Society. The name of Loyola and the Society founded by him were at one time synonymous with the highest degree of Catholic life and activity, so that the enemies of the Church, whilst they may show toleration for other religious Orders, keep up an undying hatred for that of St. Ignatius, in which they justly recognize the most efficient and invincible army which Providence has placed under the immediate command of the Vicar of Christ.He wrote his “Spiritual Exercises” as a guideline for himself and his fellow priests who he helped recruit. Ignatius and his companions, by means of the “Spiritual Exercises” tried to raise the clergy to a higher realization of their own dignity and mission. Their zeal for the Liturgy led them to restore the churches to their former cleanliness, dignity, and magnificence. Drawn by these exterior attractions, the faithful were the more easily induced to frequent the Sacraments and the Offices of the Church. From the very beginning they undertook works of education and missionary labors.

With the sweet name of Jesus on his lips and in his heart, St. Ignatius gave his soul to God on July 31, 1556. His body is preserved in Rome in the magnificent church built by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese and dedicated to his memory.

                   

 July 31 - Mass Propers

Missa “In nómine Jesus”

INTROIT: Philippians 2: 10-11

In the name of Jesus let every knee bow, of things in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth: and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. (Ps. 5: 12, 13) All they that love Thy name shall glory in Thee: for Thou wilt bless the just. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

COLLECT

God, Who, to spread abroad the greater glory of Thy name, didst, through blessed Ignatius, strengthen the Church militant with a new reinforcement,grant that we, who are fighting on earth by his help and after his example, may deserve to be crowned with him in Heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God

EPISTLE:   2 Timothy 2: 8-10; 3: 10-12

Dearly beloved, be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel. Wherein I labor even unto bands, as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect that they may also obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with Heavenly glory. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love patience persecutions, afflictions, such as came upon me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all that will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution.

GRADUAL:  Psalm 91: 13-14

The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus in the house of the Lord. V. To show forth Thy mercy in the morning and Thy truth in the night.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. (James 1: 12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life. 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 laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send laborers 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 laborer 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 88: 26

My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted.

SECRET

May the kind intercessions of St. Ignatius be with our offerings, O Lord God, that the most holy mysteries, ín which Thou hast established the fountain of all sanctity, may in very truth sanctify us likewise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.

PREFACE - 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, everlasting God: through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the 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:

St. Ignatius offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

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: Luke 12: 49

I am come to send fire upon the earth, and what will I but that it be enkindled?

POSTCOMMUNION

May the sacrifice of praise, O Lord, which with thanksgiving we have offered Thee, in honor of St. Ignatius, bring us, by his intercession, to the everlasting praise of Thy majesty. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever.

MONTH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS - TWENTY NINTH DAY

 AN APOSTLE OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD 

The illustrious Apostle of the Precious Blood, Blessed Caspar del Bufalo,

beatified by Pope Pius X, December 18, 1904, was born at Rome on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 1786.

As a child During the first and second years of his child hood, the little boy, of frail constitution, was twice threatened with serious ailments. But God, Who disposes all things for the good of the elect, made use of the child s weakness to bestow upon him special favors. At this early age he was confirmed and thus received the fullness of the divine Spirit. It is attested, that he never lost his baptismal innocence nor grieved the Holy Spirit by one grievous sin. A severe attack of the measles affected his eyes to such an extent that it was feared he would remain blind for life. In her dire distress, his pious mother Annunziata had recourse to St. Francis Xavier, who seemed to have taken the little boy under his special protection, and obtained from him an almost instant cure. Later on, when Caspar could realize the favor received from his benefactor, he chose the saint as his special patron and his whole life was inspired by the deeds of the Apostle of India.

As a boy Already before his twelfth year, Caspar astonished his parents, Antonio and Annunziata del Bufalo, by his deep and fervent piety; so that his good mother often complained, that this child puts her to shame. He trembled at the mere shadow of sin and was then heard to exclaim: My love, my love, no more sins, help, help! He was frequently found on his knees before his little altar spending the night in prayer. Every Thursday night, and also during the novenas to the Holy Ghost and to the Blessed Virgin, he slept on the bare floor. He even fasted and wore a belt made of little pieces of tin, which he fastened around his tender body by a wire so tightly as to draw blood. When he was told that it was unlawful to do this without the

permission of his confessor, he at once ceased wearing it. But he did not neglect to practice interior mortification, which is a surer test of sanctity. When assailed by his fiery temperament that sent the blood rushing to his head, he would try to conquer his anger, by doing such violence to himself that he changed color and held his breath, or he would cover his face with his hands and exclaim: O Mary, my dear mother! He was usually called the little Aloysius. Three years he prepared himself constantly for Holy Communion. His ardent desire for the food of angels became in him a veritable fever. Often he would ask a companion returning from church, What did our Lord tell you today in Holy Communion?

Caspar del Bufalo was ordained priest July 31, 1808, and was at once made one of the canons of San Marco, Rome. But he was engaged also in many other charitable works. Napoleon was just then in the zenith of his glory, and in 1809 sent Gen. Miollis to invade Rome and annex the papal states. Excommunicated by Pius VII, he ordered the Pontiff taken into exile along with the most notable of the clergy. Called upon to swear allegiance to the invaders, del Bufalo resolutely replied; I cannot, I dare not, I will not. He was 24 years old when led into exile.

Four Years, from 1810 till 1814, Caspar del Bufalo suffered in prison. Napoleon had spilt enough human blood; his world-empire had not been realized, his tyrannical sway came to a sudden end. Another army of the Precious Blood with del Bufalo as their leader, was now to take the field and conquer all things for Christ, and to help extend the empire of the Precious Blood over the universe.

Our Lord once told Blessed Angela of Foligno that the word of the Gospel went with power to the soul only when it passed over the lips stained with His Precious Blood. Evidently, Caspars singular eloquence received its impetus and its efficacy from the Blood of Jesus flowing from the Cross; that same Blood, which, from its pulpit on Calvary, caused the rocks to split, the earth to quake, and the dead to rise. He was in truth the Trumpet of the Precious Blood, as a saintly nun had prophesied. He bound himself by a vow to spread the devotion to the Precious Blood, and everywhere on his missions he established the Archconfraternity of the Precious Blood. 

Ss. Abdon and Sennen - Mass Propers

July 30 - Ss. Abdon and Sennen

Sts. Abdon and Sennen were Persians who, coming to Rome in the Third Century, courageously confessed the faith of Christ and were put to death in the persecution of Decius in 250. The emperor Decius, enemy of Christians, had defeated the king of Persia and become master of several countries over which he reigned. He had already condemned to torture and death Saint Polychrome, with five members of his clergy. Saint Abdon and Saint Sennen, illustrious Persian dignitaries of the third century whom the king of Persia had highly honored, were secretly Christian; it was they who had taken up the body of the martyred bishop, which had been cast contemptuously before a temple of Saturn, to bury it at night, with honor. The two royal officials, now fallen under the domination of Rome, were grieved to witness the emperor’s cruelty towards the faithful, and believed it their duty to make known their love for Jesus Christ; thus, without fear of their new sovereign, they undertook by all possible means to spread and fortify the faith, to encourage the confessors and bury the martyrs.

Decius, learning of their dedication, was extremely irritated. He sent for the two brothers to appear before his tribunal, and attempted to win them over to sacrifice to the gods, by appealing to his recent victory as a sign of their favor. The Saints replied, however, that this victory was not at all a proof of such power, since the unique true God, Creator of Heaven and earth with His Son, Jesus Christ, gives victory to some and defeat to others, for reasons hidden in the designs of His providence. They said they could never adore any but Him, and Decius imprisoned them. Soon afterwards, when he learned of the death of the viceroy he had left to govern in his place at Rome, he returned to Rome and took his two captives with him to serve as splendid trophies of his Persian victory. In effect, these magistrates were wearing jewels and rich fabrics under their chains. He arraigned them before the Senate, in whose presence they again testified to the divinity of Christ, saying they could adore no other. The next day they were flogged in the amphitheater; then two lions and four bears were released to devour them. But the beasts lay down at their feet and became their guardians, and no one dared approach for a time. Finally the prefect sent out gladiators to slay them with the sword, which with the permission of God was done. Their bodies remained three days without burial, but a subdeacon, who afterwards wrote their history, took them up and buried them on his own terrain. Under Constantine the Great, their tombs were discovered by divine revelation and their relics reburied in the Pontian cemetery, which afterwards was called by their names. We see them in a picture of the catacombs, crowned by Our Lord Himself. Their glorious martyrdom occurred in the year 254.

MASS PROPERS

INTROIT

The groaning of the captives penetrates to you, O Lord: and for those around us do fall within them sevenfold contempt they did fall upon you: Avenge the blood of your saints, which was shed. O God, the nations have come into your inheritance, they have defiled your holy temple: they have made Jerusalem a hut to keep fruit.

COLLECT

God, Who didst bestow upon Thy saints, Abdon and Sennen, an abundance of grace to bring them to this glory, grant to Thy servants the pardon of their sins, that, by the interceding merits of Thy saints, they may deserve to be delivered from all adversities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God...

EPISTLE

Brethren: We realize commendable of all things, as ministers of God, great consistency, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in prisons, through riots, in labors , vigils, fasts; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God through offensive and defensive weapons of justice; from honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; treated as impostors, and yet are true; unknown, and yet well known; regarded as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and we are not put to death; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, which we enrich many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

GRADUAL

God is glorified in His Saints: admirable in his majesty, he wonders. Your right, Lord, is indicated by its strength: the right hand broke his enemies. Alleluia, alleluia The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

In that time Jesus saw the multitudes, went up into the mountain, and when he had sat down, his disciples came to him. So speaking, he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted Blessed are the meek, for! they shall inherit the earth Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall called children of God Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.

OFFERTORY

God is wonderful in his saints. The God of Israel give himself to his people the power and strength. God be praised. Alleluia.

SECRET

This sacrifice, we beseech Thee, O Lord, we offer you honoring the birth of your new heaven holy Martyrs breaks the bonds of our evil and draws us gifts of your mercy.

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, everlasting God: through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the 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:  

 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

They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, and the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth according to the greatness of your arm, take possession of the children of them that have been put to death.

POSTCOMMUNION

Let us pray. By the operation of this mystery, O Lord, may our lives be purified, and, through the intercession of Thy martyrs, Abdon and Sennen, our just desires have fulfillment. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God…

MONTH OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS - TWENTY EIGHTH DAY

         REDEEMED IN THY BLOOD

The transfiguring of all glorified bodies into the likeness of the Body of Jesus is due to the merits of the Precious Blood. Oh! what honor, what glory, what ecstasy of joy to belong to that interminable array, that countless phalanx of patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, virgins and confessors, of holy souls and glorified bodies, after the final judgment leaving this earth for ever, the place of their trials and struggles, singing paeans of praise, and following our Lord and His Blessed Mother and the angels into everlasting happiness! St. John saw this final triumph of the Precious Blood when he wrote: Thou hast redeemed us, Lord God, in thy blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation; and thou hast made us to become a kingdom unto our God (Apoc. V, 9). This is the burden of the song of triumph of the elect in Heaven: Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord God, in thy blood. They have become kings, because they have conquered the world and hell, or the kingdom of Satan, and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb (Apoc. XII, 1); and they refer all the glory of heaven to the merits of the Blood of the Lamb. The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction. Devotion to the Precious Blood will burst forth in all its glory in Heaven from harp and golden vials and in new canticles and with loud voices and the number of them was thousands of thousands (Apoc. V, 8, 9, 11). Glory be to the Blood of Jesus now and forever and throughout all ages, for it was not shed in vain! I saw great multitudes which no man could number. These are the fruits of the Precious Blood, these bear witness to its infinite mercies. Of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne, and in the sight of the Lamb, but now they shall all speak one language, because as priests they all sing the praises of the Lamb in the Church of the New Jerusalem. Clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. White is the emblem of purity and holiness; palms are the signs of victory. But all the palms that the Blessed carry in their hands grew along the stream of the Precious Blood; all the crowns that adorn their heads were made from the Cross saturated with the Precious Blood; all the glory in which the elect shine in Heaven and all the happiness in which they live, is a reflection of the Precious Blood. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Apoc. VII, 14). St. John here bears testimony that no one enters Heaven unless he has come out of great tribulation here on earth; in other words, without cross, no crown. We often hear persons re mark: No one knows how much I suffer. Ah, your sufferings are not only known and under stood in Heaven, but they are openly proclaimed as the cause of your joy. These are they who are come out of great tribulation. But we must also observe what follows: And have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb. This they have done by the laver of holy Baptism, then by the Sacrament of Penance, and the garments thus made white they have beautified still more by frequent Holy Communion and the reception of the other sacraments. Therefore, continues the ancient speaking to St. John in Heaven, they are before the throne of God. The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Here on earth they sat and wept when they remembered Sion. Near the stream flowing from the Seven Bloodsheddings they wept over their sins when they recalled the love of their Redeemer in His Sacred Passion. Now they shall drink from the torrent of delights flowing from the fountains of salvation.

And the city hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God hath enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof (Apoc. XXI, 23). 

Having seen the bride of the Lamb which is the throng of the elect, St. John then describes the holy city and the Lamb that rules it. There must be a particular significance attached to the word Lamb in this passage, writes Mgr. Adalbert Huhn, that St. John did not simply mention Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as forming the centre of light of the heavenly Jerusalem.  The Lamb that was slain, that died and rose again as the lion of the tribe of Juda with the marks of death in His Five Wounds radiant with glory, the Lamb as the symbol of life and death, as the emblem of the Precious Blood standing- for victim and victory, this is the deep meaning underlying the word Lamb in Scripture. Isaias speaks of the Saviour not only as a lamb that shall be dumb before his shearer , but also as a conqueror, send forth, O Lord, the Lamb, the ruler of the earth. St. John the Baptist points out our Saviour by the name of Lamb; Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. 

But how does the Lamb take away the sins of the world? By His Blood. This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ (I John V, 6). Our holy mother, the Church, always in closest touch with the Scriptures, has taken this name from the lips of the great prophet Isaias and from the two Johns, so near and dear to our Lord, and with this endearing name addresses her divine Spouse at Mass before Communion: Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, give us peace, or grant them eternal rest. It is also the appellation we give our Lord in all the litanies. The Lamb of God, of His own free will shedding His Blood for us, is the greatest proof of God's love and mercy for us; the Lamb of God enthroned upon our altars with the holy and ever memorable Wounds characteristic of His death will forever occupy the throne of the Most High in Heaven as the greatest living memorial of the Holy Trinity for mankind redeemed. 
The Five Wounds are our Lord’s greatest ornaments in Heaven and like five brilliant suns they illuminate the eternal mansions. 
Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. There they shall find the Holy Grail, the living Chalice of the Precious Blood that fills the earth with grace, hearts with peace and consolation, the graves with hope, and heaven with glory.