August 26

Commemoration Pope Saint Zephyrinus, Martyr


        Pope Saint Zephyrinus, a native of Rome, succeeded Pope St. Victor I in the pontificate in the year 198. In 202 Septimus Severus, a military despot, raised the fifth and most bloody persecution against the Church, which continued for nine years until the death of the emperor in 211. Until this furious storm ended, the holy pastor remained concealed for the sake of his flock, supporting and comforting the distressed disciples of Christ. He suffered by charity and compassion what every confessor underwent. The triumphs of the martyrs were indeed his joy, but his heart received many deep wounds from the fall of apostates and heretics. Nor did this latter affliction cease when peace was restored to the Church. The holy Pope had the affliction of witnessing the fall of Tertullian. He saw to his joy, however, the conversion of Natalis, who had become a heretical bishop when he lapsed into the Theodotian heresy. God, wishing to bring him back to the Church, sent him a solid correction which opened his eyes, and he came to kneel at the feet of the Vicar of Christ, wearing a hair shirt and humbly asking pardon for his revolt.

       Eusebius tells us that this holy Pope exerted his zeal so strenuously against the blasphemies of the heretics, that they treated him with the utmost contempt. To his glory, however, they also called him the principal defender of Christ’s divinity. Saint Zephyrinus governed the Church for nineteen years, dying in 217 as a martyr under Antoninus Caracalla. He was buried in his own cemetery on the 26th of August.

      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

    COLLECT
    Commemoration of Pope Saint Zephyrinus
    Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut beati Zephyrini Martyris Tui atque Pontificis, cujus gaudemus meritis instruamur exemplis. Per Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.
    Commemoration of Pope Saint Zephyrinus
    Let us pray. O Almighty God, grant, we beseech Thee, to us who rejoice in the merits of blessed Zephyrinus, Thy martyr and bishop, that we may profit by the example of his life. 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.
    SECRET
    Commemoration of Pope St. Zephyrinus
    Oblátis munéribus, quaesumus Dómine Ecclésiam tuam benígnus ililúmina: ut, et gregis tui profíciat ubíque succéssus, et grati fiant nómini tuo, te gubernánte, pastóres. 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. Zephyrinus
    In Thy loving kindness, we beseech Thee, O 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 our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.
    POSTCOMMUNION
    Commemoration of Pope St. Zephryinus
    Oremus. Refectióne sancta enutrítam gubérna,quaesumus Dómine, tuam placátus Ecclésiam: ut poténti moderatióne directa, et increménta libertátis accípiat et in religiónis integritáte persístat. 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. Zephyrinus
    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 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.
    R. Amen.
    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS FOR THE FINAL BLESSING



    Commemoration of the holy martyr Pope St. Zephyrinus