June 18
ST. EPHREM
DEACON, CONFESSOR AND DOCTOR
Missa 'In Medio'
Sts. Mark and Marcellianus, Martyrs
St. Ephrem was born at Nisibis in
Mesopotamia and was one of the lights of the Church (Gospel). His father, a
pagan priest, cast him out of his home. He then went as a hermit in the desert
and was ordained deacon of Edessa (Communion). Led by the Holy Ghost to
Caesarea in Cappadocia, he there met St. Basil. In order to refute the numerous
errors which were being spread by the prayers and canticles of the heretics, he
wrote poems and Christian hymns, celebrating the mysteries of the lives of
Christ, the Blessed Virgin and the saints. That is why he is called "the
harp of the holy Ghost". He always had a great devotion to our Lady. He
died at Edessa in 375 under the Emperor Valens. Benedict XV proclaimed him a
Doctor of the universal Church. Let us ask God, through the intercession of St.
Ephrem, to defend His Church against the snares of error and wickedness
(Collect).
INTROITUS - Ecclesiasticus 15: 5
In medio ecclesiæ aperuit os ejus: et
implevit eum Dominus spiritu sapientiæ, et intellectus: stolam gloriæ induit
eum. Ps. 91: 2. Bonum est confiteri Domino: et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime.
Gloria Patri.
INTROIT
In the midst of the Church the Lord
opened his mouth: and filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding:
He clothed him with a robe of glory. 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
O God, Who on Thy Church didst bestow
a new glory in the wondrous learning and in the meritorious life of blessed
Ephrem, Thy Confessor and Doctor: humbly we beseech Thee that, through his
prayers, she may be shielded by Thine unfailing might against every snare of
false teaching and wickedness. Through our Lord.
COMMEMORATION of St. Mark and St. Marcellian
O God, Who dost gladden us by the
annual feast of Thy holy Martyrs St. Mark and St. Marcellian, mercifully grant
that we who rejoice in their merits may be inspired by their example. Through
our Lord.
EPISTLE II - Timothy 4: 1-8
Dearly beloved, I charge thee, before
God and Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the living and the dead, by His coming
and His kingdom: preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove,
entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time when
they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires they
will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and will indeed turn
away from the truth, but will be turned into fables. But be thou vigilant,
labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be
sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed and the time of my dissolution
is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice,
which the Lord, the just Judge, will render to me in that day: and not only to
me, but to them also that love His coming.
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 - Ecclus. 45: 1, 9
Alleluia, alleluia. The Lord loved
him and adorned him: He clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.
GOSPEL - Matthew 5: 13-19
At that time, Jesus said to His
disciples: You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast
out, and be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on
a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a
bushel but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are before men
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, Who is in heaven.
Do not think that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come
to destroy, but to fulfil. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He
therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and so shall teach
men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but he that shall do
and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
OFFERTORY - Psalm 91: 13
The just shall flourish like the palm
tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.
SECRET
May the loving prayers of St. Ephrem,
Thy Confessor and Doctor, not be wanting to us, O Lord, to commend our gifts
and ever to obtain pardon for us. Through our Lord.
St. Mark and St. Marcellian, Martyrs
Be appeased, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
by the gifts now offered, and by the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs, St. Mark and St. Marcellian, defend us from all dangers. 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 - Luke 12: 42
The faithful and wise servant, whom
his lord setteth over his family: to give them their measure of wheat in due
season.
POSTCOMMUNION
That Thy sacrifices may give us
health, O Lord, may blessed Ephrem, Confessor and illustrious Doctor, we
beseech Thee, act as our intercessor. Through our Lord.
St. Mark and St. Marcellian
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse
us from guilt; and through the intercession of Thy holy Martyrs St. Mark and
St. Marcellian, make us share in the heavenly healing. Through our Lord.
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