Double Feast of Saint Agnes Virgin and Martyr

RED Vestments

Missa "Me exspectaverunt peccatores"

       Martyred for her faith at the early age of twelve, Saint Agnes was one of the youngest-known named martyrs in the Communion of Saints. She was born into a wealthy Roman aristocratic family and was remarkable for her beauty as a child. But the true beauty was interior and as a youth she vowed to live a life of purity and chastity, consecrating herself as a virgin.

       Even though she was not yet a teen, Roman suitors courted her trying to seduce her but she refused all advances. Word reached the Roman Emperor Diocletian who was relentless in his persecution of Christians. Rather than killing her right away, Diocletian's men sought to discredit her by making her a prostitute and that would further discredit Christianity and dissuade others from becoming Christians. Naturally Agnes rejected all advances and refused to give in to the sins of the flesh. This further infuriated Diocletian and his cohorts who dragged her before the governor. He ordered that she be thrown into the fire. God preserved her beauty inside and out by allowing her to emerge unscathed. The governor then ordered that she be beheaded in a public display but even this the executioner botched, stabbing her in the throat where she died professing her undying loyalty to her One, True God in 304.

       She was buried on the Via Nomentana where a cemetary stands in her name. Over the centuries Agnes, which means "chaste" in Greek, has become the standard for chastity, purity and virginal innocence and she is always depicted with a lamb - the Lamb of God - Agnus Dei. She (Agnete) is forever commemorated in the Nobis quoque peccatoribus - the Invocation of Saints in the Canon of the Holy Mass.

      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

      Missa "Me exspectaverunt peccatores"

      Go to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
      INTROIT:   Psalm 118. 95, 96
      Me exspectaverunt peccatores, ut perderent me: testimonia tua, Domine, intellexi: omnis consummationis vidi finem: latum mandatum tuum nimis (Ps. 118: 1 ) Beati immaculate in via: qui ambulantin lege Domini. V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
      RepeatMe exspectaverunt peccatores...
      The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood Thy testimonies, O Lord: I have seen an end of all perfection: Thy commandment is exceeding broad (Ps. 118: 1) Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord. 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.
      RepeatThe wicked have waited for me...
      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
      COLLECT
      Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

      Oremus. Omnipotens sempiterna Deus, qui infirma mundi eligis, ut fortia quaeque confundas: concede propitious: ut qui beatae Agnetis Virginis et Martyris tuae solemnia colimus ejus apud te patrocinio sentiamus. 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. O Almighty God and everlasting God, Who choosest the weak things of the world to confound the strong: mercifully grant that we who keep the solemn feast of blessed Agnes, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may experience the benefit of her pleading with 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.

      EPISTLE:   Ecclesiasticus 2: 1-8, 12 (Wisdom 51: 1-8, 12)
      Lectio libri Sapientiae. Confitebor tivi, Domine rex, et collaudabo te Deum salvatorem meum. Confitebor nomini tuo: quoniam adjutor et protector factus es mihi, et liberasti corpus meum a perditione, a laqueo linguae iniquae, et a labiis operantium mendacium, et in conspectus adstantium factus es mihi adjutor. Et liberasti me secundum multitudinem misericordiae nomis tui a rugientibus, praeparatis ad escam de minibus quaerentium animam meam, et de portis tribulationun, quae circumdederunt me: a pressura flammae, quae circumdedit me, et in medio ignis non sum aestuata: de altitudine ventris inferi, et a lingua coinquinata, et a verbo mendacii, a rege iniquo, et a lingua injusta: laudabit usque ad mortem anima mea Dominum: quonia eruis sustinentes te, liberas eos de minibus gentium, Domine Deus noster.
      Deo Gratias.
      Lesson from the Book of Wisdom. I will give glory to Thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise Thee, O God my Savior. I will give glory to Thy name: for Thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies: and in the sight of them that stood by Thou hast been my helper. And Thou has delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of Thy name, from them that did roar prepared to devour; out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions which compassed me about: from the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt: from the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue. My soul shall praise the Lord even to death: because Thou, O Lord our God, deliverest them that wait for Thee, and savest the out of the hands of the nations.
      Thanks be to God.
      TRACT:  Psalm 75: 5, 6
      Qui semina in lacrimis, in gaudio metent. V. Euntes ibant et flebant, mittentes semina sua. V. Venientes autem venient cum exsultatione, portantes manipulos suos.
      They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. V. Going, they went and wept, casting their seed. V. But coming, they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.
      GOSPEL:   Matthew 25: 1-13
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum.
      R.Gloria tibi, Domine

      In illo temmpore: Dixit Jesus discipulis suis parabolam hanc: Simile erit regnum caelorum decem virginibus: quaeaccipentes lampades suas exierunt obviam sponso et sponsae. Quinque autem ex eis erant fatuae, et quinque prudentes: sed qinque fatuae, acceptis lampadibus, non sumpserunt oleum secum: prudentes vero acceperunt oleum in vasis suis cum lampadibus. Moram autem facientes sponso, dormitaverunt omnes et dormierunt. Media autem nocte clamor factus est: Ecce sponsus venit, exite obviam ei. Tunc surrexerunt omnes virgins illae, et ornaverunt lampades suas. Fatuae autem sapientibus dixerunt. Date nobis de oleo vestro: quia lampades nostrae exstinguuntur. Responderunt prudentes, dicentes: Ne fortenon sufficiat nobis, et vobis, ite potius ad vendentes et emite bovis. Dum autem irent emere, venit sponsus: et quae paratae erant, intraverunt cum eo ad nuptias, et clausa est janua. Novissime vero venient et reliquae virgins, dicentes: Domine, Domine, aperi nobis. At ille respondens, ait: Amen dico vobis, nescio vos. Vigilate itaque quia nescio vos. Vigilare itaque, quia nescitis diem, neque horam.'
      Laus tibi Christe.

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

      At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: 'The kingdom of Heaven shall be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise; but the five foolish having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made; Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now, whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.'
      Praise be to Christ

      OFFERTORY:    Psalm 44: 15, 16
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Afferentur Regi virgins post eam: proximae ejus afferentur tibi in laetitia, et exsultatione: adducentur in templum Regi Domino.
      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      After her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbors shall be brought to Thee with gladness and rejoicing: they shall be brought into the temple of the King, the Lord.
      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
      SECRET
      Hostias, Domine, quas tibi offerimus, propitious suscipe: et intercedente beata Agnete Virgine et Martyre tua, vincula peccatorum nostrorum absole. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Mercifully receive, O Lord, the sacrifice which we offer to Thee; and by the intercession of blessed Agnes, Thy virgin and martyr, loose the bonds of our sins. We offer to Thee, O Lord, the gifts of our devotion, that they may be pleasing to Thee in honour of Thy saints, and be made salutary to us through Thy Mercy. 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.

      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:   Matthew 25: 4, 6
      Quinque prudentes virgins acceperunt oleum in vasis suis cumlampadibus: media autem nocte clamor factus est: Ecce sponsus venit: exite obviam Christo Domino.
      The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps; and at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the Bridegroom cometh: go ye forth to meet Christ the Lord.
      POSTCOMMUNION
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Oremus.       Refecti cibo potuque Caelesti, Deus noster, Te supplices exoramus: ut in cujus haec commemoratione percepimus, ejus 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.

      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      Let us pray.       Refreshed with Heavenly food and drink, we humbly beseech Thee, our God, that we may be defended by her prayers, I whose memory we have partaken in these Mysteries. 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 CONCLUSION OF THE HOLY MASS



      Feast of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr