Double Feast of Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

Also Within the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary


White Vestments

Missa "In medio Ecclesiae"

        Saint Bernard was born at the castle of Fontaines, in Burgundy near Dijon, in 1090. The grace of his person and the vigor of his intellect filled his parents with the highest hopes, and the world lay bright and smiling before him. But Bernard renounced it forever to join the monks of Citeaux, a few miles distant. Four of his brothers and a group of friends, thirty young Christians in all, went when he did to Citeaux, leaving the youngest brother, Nivard, to be the mainstay of his father in his old age. “You will now be heir to everything,” they said to him as they departed. “Yes,” said the boy; “you leave me the earth, and keep Heaven for yourselves; do you consider that fair?” And he too left the world. At length their aged father came also, exchanging wealth and honor for the poverty of a monk in the monastery of Clairvaux, which Bernard with a band of monks founded in the diocese of Langres in 1115. One sister alone remained behind; she was married, and loved the world and its pleasures. Splendidly clothed, one day she came to visit Bernard, and he refused to see her. He finally consented to do so, not as her brother but as the minister of Christ. The words he then spoke moved her so deeply that two years later she retired to a convent with her husband’s consent, dying later in the reputation of sanctity.

        Bernard’s holy example attracted so many novices that many other monasteries had to be built. Unsparing for himself, he at first expected too much of his monks, who were disheartened by his severity. Soon perceiving his error, he led them forward to wonderful perfection by the sweetness of his correction and the mildness of his government.

        In spite of his desire to remain secluded, the fame of his sanctity spread far and wide, and many dioceses asked for him as their bishop. Through the help of Pope Eugenius III, his former subject, he escaped this dignity. Nonetheless, his retirement was continually invaded. The poor and the weak sought his protection; bishops, kings, and popes applied to him for advice; and at length Pope Eugenius himself ordered him to preach the crusade. By his fervor, eloquence, and miracles Bernard kindled the enthusiasm of Christendom, and two large armies were organized. Their defeat was only due, said the Saint, to their sins, but many had saved their souls by their dedication to the glory of God. Bernard died in 1153. His very precious writings have earned for him the title of the last Father of the Holy Church and one of its most famous Doctors.

    For more on St. Bernard, see Crusading Hammer of Heretics

        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; Butler's Lives of the Saints; 1945 Bio: Catholic Encyclopedia 1913 edition

    Missa "In medio Ecclesiae"
    Go to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
    INTROIT: Ecclesiasticus 15: 5
      In medio Ecclesiae aperuit os ejus: et implevit eum Dominus epiritu sapientiae, et intellectus: stolam gloriae induit eum. (Ps. 91: 2) Bonum est confiteri Domino: et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime. v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et saecula saeculorum. Amen.
      Repeat In medio Ecclesiae...
      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. 91: 2) It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy Name, O Most High. 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. Repeat In the midst of the Church...
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      COLLECT
      Ecclesiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, gratia caelestris amplificet: quam beati Joannis Chrysostomi Confessoris tui atque Pontificis illustrare volusti gloriosis meritis et doctrinis. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum: Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Commemoration Within the Octave of the Assumption
      Oremus. Famulorum tuorum quaesumus Domine, delictis ignosce ut, qui tibi placere de actibus nostris non valemus, Genitricis Filii tui Domini nostri intercessione salvemur. Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      We beseech Thee, O Lord, that heavenly grace may give increase to Thy Church, which Thou were pleased to make illustrious by the glorious merits and teaching of blessed Bernard Thy confessor and abbot. 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.

      Commemoration Within the Octave of the Assumption
      Let us pray. Forgive, we beseech Thhe, O Lord, the sins of Thy servants, that we, who by our own deeds are unable to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of Thy Son, our Lord, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, one God
      Forever and ever.
      R.Amen.

      EPISTLE: Ecclesiasticus 15: 1-6
      Lectio libri Sapientiae. Qui timet Deum faciet illud et qui continens est iustitiae adprehendet illam, et obviabit illi quasi mater honorificata et quasi mulier a virginitate suscipiet illum cibabit illum panem vitae et intellectus et aqua sapientiae salutaris potabit illum: et firmabitur in illo et non flectetur: et continebit illum et non confundetur et inaltabit illum apud proximos suos, et in medio ecclesiae aperiet os illius adimplebit illum spiritu sapientiae et intellectus et stolam gloriae vestiet illum. Iucunditatem et exultationem thesaurizabit super illum et nomine aeterno hereditabit illum. Dominus Deus noster. Deo Gratias.
      Lesson from the Book of Wisdom. He that feareth God will do good: and he that possesseth justice shall lay hold on her, and she will meet him as an honorable mother. With the bread of life and understanding she shall feed him and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved: and she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded: and she shall exalt him among his neighbors, and in the midst of the Church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. The Lord our God shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name. Thanks be to God.
      GRADUAL: Ecclesiasticus 44: 1, 20
      Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diebus suis placuit Deo. V. Non est inventus similes illi qui conservaret legem Excelsi.

      Alleluia, alleluia. V. Beatus vir, qui suffert tentrationem: quoniam cum probates fuerit, accipiet coronam vitae. Alleluia.

      Behold a great priest who in his days pleased God. V. There was not any found like to him, who kept the law of the Most High.

      Alleluia, alleluia. V. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life. Alleluia.

      GOSPEL:   John 21: 19-24
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem
      R.Gloria tibi, Domine

      In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus Petro: 'Sequere Me.' conversus Petrus vidit illum discipulum quem diligebat Iesus sequentem qui et recubuit in cena super pectus eius et dixit 'Domine quis est qui tradit te?' Hunc ergo cum vidisset Petrus dicit Iesu Domine hic autem quid? Dicit ei Iesus 'Si sic eum volo manere donec veniam quid ad te tu Me sequere.' Exivit ergo sermo iste in fratres quia discipulus ille non moritur et non dixit ei Iesus non moritur sed: 'Sic eum volo manere donec veniam: quid ad te?' Hic est discipulus qui testimonium perhibet de his et scripsit haec et scimus quia verum est testimonium eius.
      Laus tibi Christe.

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

      At that time Jesus said to Peter: ' Follow Me.' Peter turning about saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on His breast at supper and said: 'Lord, who is he that shall betray Thee?' Him therefore when Peter had seen, he saith to Jesus: 'Lord, and what shall this man do?' Jesus saith to him: 'So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? Follow thou Me.' This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say to him: He should not die; but: 'So I will have him to remain till I come: what is it to thee?' This is that disciple who giveth testimony of these things, and hath written these things: and we know that the testimony is true.
      Praise be to Christ

      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
      OFFERTORY:    Psalm 92: 15
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Justus ut palma florebit: sicut cedrus, quae in Libano est, multiplicabitur.
      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall be multiplied like the cedar that is in Libanus.
      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
      SECRET
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Suscipe, Domine, munera quae in eius tibi solemnitate deferimus, cujus nos confidimus patrocinio liberari. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Commemoration Secret Within the Octave of the Assumption
      Subvéniat, Dómine, plebi tuæ Dei Genitrícis oratio: quam etsi pro conditióne carnis migrásse cognóscimus, in coelésti glória apud te pro nobis intercédere sentiámus. Per eúmdem 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.
      Receive, O Lord, the gifts we bring to Thee on the feast of him, by whose pleading we hope to be delivered. 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.

      Commemoration Secret Within the Octave of the Assumption
      Let us pray. May the prayer of the Mother of God aid Thy people, O Lord: and although we know her to have passed out of this life, fulfilling the lot of the flesh, may we experience her intercession for us with Thee in Heavenly glory. 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   Common Preface
      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, nos Tibi simper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem Tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates, Coeli, Coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim socia exultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti, jubeas, supplici confessione 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 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:
      HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CANON OF THE MASS
      COMMUNION:   John 21: 23
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Exiit sermo inter fratres, quod discipulus ille non moritur. Et non dixit Jesus: No moritur; sed: Sic eum volo manere, donec veniam.
      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say: He should not die; but: So I will have him to remain until I come.
      POSTCOMMUNION
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Oremus.       Refecti cibo potuque Caelesti, Deus noster, Te supplices deprecamur: ut, in cuius haec commemoratione percepimus, eius muniamur et precibus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Commemoration Postcommunion Within the Octave of the Assumption
      Oremus. Sumptis, Dómine, salutáribus sacraméntis, da, quæsumus, ut, meritis et intercessióne beátæ Vírginis Maríæ in cælum assúmptæ ad resurrrectiónis glóriam perducámur. 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.       We who have been refreshed by heavenly food and drink, humbly entreat Thee, O our God, that we may be strengthened also by the prayers of him, in whose commemoration we have received them. 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.

      Commemoration Postcommunion Within the Octave of the Assumption
      Let us pray. Now that we have received, O Lord, the Sacrament of salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that through the merits and the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, who was taken up into heaven, we may be brought to the glory of the resurrection. 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



      Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux