August 2, 2008
Saturday
vol 19, no. 215

Double Feast of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Also commemoration of Pope St. Stephen I, Martyr

White Vestments

Missa "Spíritus Dómini"

        St. Alphonsus was born of noble parents near Naples, Italy, in 1696, and died in 1787. In the midst of many evils he appeared with a three-fold mission as Doctor, Bishop, and founder of a new religious Order. As Doctor he became the great teacher of Moral Theology; he found the middle way between the two extremes of the lax and the over rigorous, and by his ascetic writings he spread amongst the people Catholic piety, devotion to Our Lady, to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, to the Passion, and defended the supreme rights of the Church and of the Pope.

        As apostle and bishop St. Alphonsus sought to imitate Our Divine Redeemer in His evangelizing journeys through the villages of Galilee and Judea. Hence he founded his own society of missionaries whom he destined to labor among the poor peasants and mountaineers rather than the inhabitants of the towns. As founder of a new Order, the saint has the merit of having adapted the scope of his work to the needs of the time, and of having brought it to completion in spite of innumerable difficulties. Although approved by the Pope, the King of Naples refused to permit the new Order to establish itself. St. Alphonsus himself was excluded from the houses of his own Order in the Kingdom of Naples. This schism existed until his death. After his death the whole scene changes; the rejected founder is raised to the altars, and his Congregation extends its boundaries beyond the confines of Italy and of Europe.

        He was devoted in a special manner to the Holy Eucharist, and left a beautiful little book entitled Visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

        There is also a commemoration of Pope Saint Stephen I, Martyr who by birth was a Roman. He was made Pope on May 3, 253, and governed the Church for three years. He decided the question of the validity of Baptism when administered by heretics, ordering that the tradition should be preserved according to which it was sufficient that they receive confirmation. He was murdered by the Emperor's soldiers while seated in his episcopal chair in the catacombs, during the celebration of Mass, August 2, 257.

        We want to thank the Friends of Our Lady of Fatima for expediting these resources of the Propers. Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945 Bio: Catholic Encyclopedia 1913 edition

    Missa "Spíritus Dómini"
    Go to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
    INTROIT: Psalm 118: 95-96
    Spíritus Dómini super me propter quod unxit me: evangelizáre paupéribus misit me, sanáre contrítos corde. (Ps. 77: 1) Atténdite, pópule meus, legem meam: inclináte aurem vestram in verba oris mei. v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et saecula saeculorum. Amen.
    Repeat Spíritus Dómini...
    The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, wherefore He hath anointed me, to preach the gospel to the poor, He hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart. (Ps. 77: 1) Attend, O My people, to My law: incline your ear to the words of My mouth. 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. Repeat The Spirit of the Lord...
    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
    COLLECT
    Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

    Oremus. Deus, qui per beátum Alphónsum Maríam, Confessórem tuum atque Pontíficem, animárum zelo succénsum, Ecclésiam tuam nova prole fecundásti: quæsumus; ut ejus salutáribus mónitis edócti, et exémplis roboráti, ad te pervenire felíciter valeámus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration of Pope St. Stephen I
    Oremus. Stepháno Martyre tuo atque Summo Pontífice,Orémus. Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérnæ inténde: et per beátum Stepháno Martyre tuo atque Summo Pontífice, perpétua protectióne custódi; quem totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastórem. Per Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

    Let us pray. God, Who through blessed Alphonsus Mary, Thy confessor and bishop, fired with zeal for souls, didst cause Thy Church to bring forth a new progeny, we beseech Thee that, being taught by his wholesome precepts, and strengthened by his example, we may be enabled happily to come unto Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Commemoration of Pope St. Stephen I
    Let us pray. O Eternal Shepherd, do Thou look favorably upon Thy flock,which we beseech Thee to guard and keep for evermore through the Blessed Stephen Thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, whom Thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    EPISTLE: 2 Timothy 2: 1-7
    Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Timótheum. Carissime: Confortáre in grátia quæ est in Christo Jesu: et quæ audísti a me per multos testes, hæc coménda fidélibus homínibus, qui idónei erunt et álios docére. Labóra sicut bonus miles Christi Jesu. Nemo mílitans Deo ímplicat se negótibus sæculáribus: ut ei pláceat, cui se probávit. Nam et qui certat in agóne, non coronátur, nisi legítime certaverit. Laborántem agrícolam opórtet primum de frúctibus percípere. Intéllige quæ dico: dabit enim tibi Dóminus in ómnibus intelléctum. Deo Gratias.
    Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy. Dearly beloved, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and the things which thou hast heard of me before many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men, who shall be fit to teach others also. Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No man being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with worldly business: that he may please Him to Whom he hath engaged himself. For he also that striveth for the mastery, is not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboreth, must first partake of the fruits. Under stand what I say: for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things. Thanks be to God.
    GRADUAL: Psalm 118: 52, 53, 5
    Memor fui judiciórum tuórum a sæculo, Dómine, et consolátus sum: deféctio ténuit me pro peccatóribus derelinquéntibus legem tuam. V. (Ps. 39: 11) Justítiam tuam non abscondi in corde meo: veritátem tuam et salutáre tuum dixi. Allelúja, allelúja. V. (Eccl. 49: 3, 4) Ipse est diréctus divínitus in poeniténtiam gentis, et tulit abominatiónes impietátis: et gubernávit ad Dóminum cor ipsíus: et in diébus peccatórum corroborávit pietátem. Allelúja.
    I remembered, O Lord, Thy judgments of old, and I was comforted; a fainting hath taken hold of me because of the wicked that forsake Thy law. V. (Ps. 39: 11) I have not hid Thy justice within my heart. I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Eccl. 49: 3, 4) He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness: and he directed his heart toward the Lord; and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness. Alleluia.
    GOSPEL:   Luke 10: 1-9
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam
    R.Gloria tibi, Domine

    In illo témpore: Designávit Dóminus et álios septuagínta duos: et misit illos binos ante fáciem suam in omnem civitátem et locum, quo erat ipse ventúrus. Et dicébat illis: "Messis quidem multa, operárii autem pauci. Rogáte ergo Dóminum messis ut mittat operários in messem suam. Ite: ecce ego mitto vos sicut agnos inter lupos. Nolíte portáre sácculum, neque peram, neque calceaménta, et néminem per viam salutavéritis. In quamcúmque domum intravéritis, primum dícite: Pax huic dómui; et si ibi fúerit fílius pacis, requiéscet super illum pax vestra: sin autem, ad vos revertétur. In eádem autem domo manéte edéntes, et bibéntes quæ apud illos sunt: dignus est enim operárius mercéde sua. Nolíte transíre de domo in domum. Et in quamcúmque civitátem intravéritis, et suscéperint vos, manducáte quæ apponúntur vobis: et curáte infírmos, qui in illa sunt, et dícite ilis: Appropinquávit in vos regnum Dei."
    Laus tibi Christe.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Luke.
    R. Glory to Thee, O Lord

    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."
    Praise be to Christ

    OFFERTORY:    Proverbs 3: 9, 2
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Honóra Dóminum de tua substántia, et de primítiis ómnium frugum tuárum da ei. Noli prohibére benefácere eum, qui potest: si vales, et ipse bénefac.
    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Honor the Lord with thy substance, and give Him of the first of all thy fruits. Do not withhold him from doing good who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also.
    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
    SECRET
    Coelésti, Dómine Jesu Christe, sacrifícii igne corda nostra in odórem suavitatis exúre: qui beato Alphónso Maria tribuísti et hæc mystéria celebráre, et per éadem hóstiam tibi sanctam seipsum exhibére: Qui vivis et regnas, cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritu Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration Secret of Pope St. Stephen
    Oremus. Oblátis munéribus, quæsumus Dómine, Ecclésiam tuam benígnus illúmina: ut, et gregis tui profíciat ubíque succéssus, et grati fiant nómíni tuo, te gubenánte, pastóres. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, burn our hearts thoroughly with the heavenly fire of this sacrifice for an odor of sweetness, Thou Who didst grant to blessed Alphonsus Mary both to celebrate these mysteries and, through them, to offer himself to Thee a holy victim. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Commemoration Secret of Pope St. Stephen I
    Let us pray. In Thy loving kindness, we beseech Thee, Lord, be moved by the offering of our gifts and enlighten Thy Church: that Thy flock may prosper everywhere and the shepherds, under Thy guidance, may be rendered acceptable to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    PREFACE   of the Apostles
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Sursum corda.
    R.Habemus ad Dominum.
    Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
    R. Dignum et justum est.
    Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare. Te Domine supplicitur exorare, ut gregem tuum pastor aeterne, non deseras: sed per beatos Apostolos tuos continua protectione custodias. Ut iisdem rectoribus gubernetur, quos operis tui vicarious eidem contulisti praesse pastores. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes:
    SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...
    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Lift up your hearts.
    R.We have lifted them up to the Lord.
    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
    R. It is meet and just.
    It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou woulds 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 Archangesl, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of The glory, evermore saying:
    HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CANON OF THE MASS
    COMMUNION:   Ecclus. 50: 1, 9
    Sacérdos magnus, qui in vita sua, suffúlsit domum, et in diébus suis corroboravit templúm quasi ignis effúlgens, et thus ardens in igne.
    A great priest, who ín his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple as a bright fire, and frankincense burning in the fire.
    POSTCOMMUNION
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Oremus.     Deus, qui beátum Alphonsum Maríam Confessorem tuum atque Pontíficem, fidélem divíni mystérii dispensatórem et præcónem effecísti: ejus méritis, precibúsque concéde; ut fidéles tui et frequénter percípiant et percipiéndo sine fine colláudent. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration Postcommunion of Pope St. Stephen I
    Oremus. Refectióne sancta enutrítam gubérna, quæsumus, Dómine, tuam placátus Ecclésiam: ut poténti moderatióne dirécta, et increménta libertátis accípiat et in religiónis integritáte persístat. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Let us pray.     God, Who didst cause blessed Alphonsus Mary, Thy confessor and bishop, faithfully to dispense and preach this divine mystery, grant, by his merits and prayers, that Thy faithful may both frequently receive it, and, receiving it, praise it forever. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    For ever and ever.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration Postcommunion of Pope St. Stephen I
    Let us pray. Since Thy Church has been nourished by the sacred repast, govern her in Thy clemency, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that under the guidance of Thy mighty rule she may enjoy greater freedom and abiding integrity of religion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS CONCLUSION OF THE HOLY MASS


Daily Proper of the Mass for the Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori on August 2