Double of the Second Class Feast of the FINDING OF THE HOLY CROSS


Red Vestments

   The Cross on which Our Blessed Lord suffered for us was, following Jewish usage, buried on Mount Calvary after the Crucifixion. The precise spot was revealed in a vision to the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, the first Christian Emperor. This date commemorates the recovery of the True Cross in the reign of the Emperor Heraclius and its delivery by him about the year 629 into the hands of the Patriarch Zacharias of Jerusalem, from which city it had been carried away some years previously by the Persians with the object of transporting it to their own country. God has been pleased to give so much power to the Cross that at its sign alone the demons fly; by it the priest blesses the faithful, the devout receive abundant graces. The early Christians had so much devotion to it that, according to the ancient Fathers, they never began any action without first making the sign of the cross upon themselves. In the Middle Ages no public deed, inscription, law etc., was begun to be written without first tracing upon it the sign of the cross. This sign was accepted as the signature of the uneducated; it often preceded that of ecclesiastics, and in many country districts even the dough and the bread were marked with a cross before they were baked.

   In the Epistle the triumph of the Redeemer of the world, Our Lord Jesus Christ, must be preceded by "His humiliation unto death, even the death of the Cross." In the Gospel Christ reveals His mission in His discourse with Nicodemus: "The Son of Man must be lifted up" on the Cross for the salvation of mankind.

   It is also the feast of Pope St. Alexander I, Sts. Eventius, Theodulus, and St. Juvenal, Martyrs. Pope St. Alexander was martyred in 119, the tenth year of his pontificate. With him suffered Sts. Eventius and Theodulus. St. Juvenal was a holy bishop from Central Italy who died for the faith in 367.

    Resources: We are grateful to Friends of Our Lady of Fatima for providing the Propers for the faithful. Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945


Missa "Nos autem"

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INTROIT:   Galatians 6: 14
      Nos autem gloriári opórtet in cruce Dómini nostri Jesu Christi in quo est salus, vita, et resurréctio nostra per quem salváti, et liberáti sumus, allelúja, allelúja. (Ps. 66: 2) Deus misereátur nostri, et benedícat nobis: illúminet vultum suum super nos, et misereátur nostri. V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
      RepeatNos autem...
      It behooves us to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: in Whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection: by Whom we are saved and delivered, alleluia, alleluia. (Ps. 66, 2) May God have mercy on us and bless us: May He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us. 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.
      RepeatIt behooves us...
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      COLLECT
      Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

      Oremus. Deus, qui in præclára salutíferæ Crucis Inventione, passiónis tunc mirá cula suscitásti: concéde; ut vitális ligni prétio, ætérnæ vita; suffrágia consequémur: Qui vivis et regnas, cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritu Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Commemoration of Pope St. Alexander I and Companions
      Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut, qui sancorum Tuorum Alexandri, Eventii, Theoduli, atque Juvenalis natalitia colimus; a cunctis malis imminentibus, eorum intercessionibus liberemur. 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, in the glorious finding of the cross of our salvation, didst renew the miracles of Thy passion, grant that, by the price of that lifegiving wood, we may obtain the privilege of eternal life. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
      Forever and ever.
      R.Amen.

      Commemoration of Pope St. Alexander I and Companions
      Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that, venerating the natal feast of Thy saints, Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal, we may, by their intercessions, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. 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.
      EPISTLE:   Philippians 2: 5-11
      Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Philippénses. Fratres: Hoc enim sentíte in vobis, quod et in Christo Jesu: qui cum in forma Dei esset, non rapínam arbitrátus est esse se æquálem Deo: sed semetípsum exinanívit formam servi accípiens, in similitúdinem hóminum factus, et hábitu invéntus ut homo. Humiliávit semetípsum, factus obédiens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis. Propter quod et Deus exaltávit illum: et donávit illi nomen, quod est super omne nomen: (hic genuflectitur) ut in nómine Jesu omne genu flectátur coeléstium, terréstrium, et infernórum: et omnis lingua confiteátur, quia Dóminus Jesus Christus in glória est Dei Patris.
      Deo Gratias.
      Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. Brethren, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made Himself as nothing, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a name which is above all names: (Here all kneel down) that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
      Thanks be to God.
      ALLELUIA
      Alleluja, alleluja. v. (Ps. 95: 10) Dícite in géntibus, quia Dóminus regnávit a ligno. Allelúja. V. Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, dúlcia ferens póndera: qum sola fúísti digna sustinére Regem coelórum, et Dóminum. Allelúja.
      Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Ps. 95: 10) Say ye among the gentiles, that the Lord hath reigned from the wood. Alleluia. V. Sweet the wood, Sweet the nails, sweet the load that hangs thereon, to bear up the King and Lord of Heaven, no tree was worthy, save thou, O holy cross. Alleluia.
      GOSPEL:    John 3: 1-15
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.
      R.Gloria tibi, Domine

      In illo témpore: Erat homo ex Pharisæis, Nicodémus nómine, princeps Judæórum. Hic venit ad Jesum nocte, et dixit ei: Rabbi, scimus quia a Deo venísti magister, nemo enim potest hæc signa fácere, quæ tu facis, nisi fúerit Deus cum eo. Respóndit Jesus, et dixit ei: "Amen, amen dico tibi nisi quis renátus fúerit dénuo, non potest vidére regnum Dei." Dicit ad eum Nicodémus: Quómodo potest homo nasci, cum sit senex? numquid potest in ventrem matris suæ iteráto introíre, et renásci? Respóndit Jesus: "Amen, amen dico tibi, nisi quis renátus fúerit ex aqua, et Spíritu Sancto, non potest introíre in regnum Dei. Quod natum est ex carne, caro est: et quod natum est ex spíritu, spíritus est. Non miréris quia dixi tibi: opórtet vos nasci dénuo. Spíritus ubi vult spirat, et vocem ejus audis, sed nescis unde véniat, aut quo vadat: sic est omnis, qui natus est ex spíritu. Respóndit Nicodémus, et dixit ei: Quómodo possunt hæc fíeri? Respóndit Jesus, et dixit eí: Tu es magíster in Israël, et hæc ignóras? Amen, amen dico tibi, quia quod scimus lóquimur, et quod vídimus testámur, et testimónium nostrum non accípitis. Si terréna dixi vobis, et non créditis: quómodo, si díxero vobis coeléstia, credétis? Et nemo ascéndit in Coelum nisi qui descéndit de coelo, Fílius hóminis, qui est in Coelo. Et sicut Móyses exaltávit serpéntum in desérto; ita exaltári opórtet Fílium hóminis: ut omnis qui credit in ipsum, non péreat, sed hábeat vitam ætérnam."
      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 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night; and said to Him Rabbi, we know that Thou art come, a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which Thou dost, unless God be with him. Jesus answered and said to him; "Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born again, when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born again? Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he can not enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit, is spirit. Wonder not that I said to thee, You must be born again. The Spirit breatheth where He will; and thou hearest His voice, but thou knowest not whence He cometh, nor whither He goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said to Him, How can these things be done? Jesus answered, and said to him, Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things? Amen, amen, I say to thee, that we speak what we know, and we testify what we have seen, and you receive not our testimony. If I have spoken to you earthly things, and you believe not; how will you believe if I shall speak to you heavenly things? And no man hath ascended into Heaven, but He that descended from Heaven, the Son of man Who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him may not perish but may have life everlasting."
      Praise be to Christ

      OFFERTORY:    Ps. 117: 16, 17
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Dextera Dómini fecit virtútem. déxtera Dómini exaltávit me: non móriar, sed vivam, et, narrábo ópera Dómini, allelúja.
      The Lord be with you.
      R. And with thy spirit.
      The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength, the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me: I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord, alleluia.
      Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
      SECRET
      Sacrifícium, Dómine, quod tibi immolámus placatus inténde: ut ab omni nos éruat bellórum nequítia, et per vexillum sanctæ Crucis Fílii tui, ad conteréndas potestátis advérsæ insídias, nos in tunc protectiónis securitáte constítuat. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Secret for the Commemoration of Pope St. Alexander and Companions
      Super has hóstias, quæsumus, Dómine, benedíctio copiósa descéndat: quæ et sanctifi-catiónem nobis cleménter operétur, et de Sanctórum nos solemnitáte lætíficet. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.
      Look with favor, O Lord, upon the sacrifice which we immolate to Thee, that it may preserve us from the horrors of war and, through the banner of the holy cross of Thy Son, may establish us in the security of Thy protection, to trample under foot the snares of the enemy's power. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
      Forever and ever.
      R.Amen.

      Secret for the Feast of Pope St. Alexander and Companions
      Let plenteous benediction, we beseech Thee, O Lord, descend upon these sacrifices, both to work Thy merciful sanctification in us and to bring us joy in the solemnity of Thy saints. 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 HOLY CROSS
      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 semper, et ubique gratias agere : Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Qui salutem humani generic in lingo Cruces constituisti : ut, unde mors oriebatur, inde vita resurgeret : et Qui in lingo vincebat, in lingo quoque vinceretur, per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per Quem majestatem tuam laudant angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim social exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici convessione 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 : Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross: that whence death came thence also life might arise again, and that he, Who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: 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 these we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also be admitted while we say with lowly praise:
      HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

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      COMMUNION:   
      Per signum Crucis de inimícis nostris líbera nos, Deus noster, allelúja.
      By the sign of the cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Thou our God, alleluia.
      POSTCOMMUNION
      Dominus vobiscum.
      R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
      Oremus.       Repléti alimónia coelésti, et spiritáli póculo recreáti, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut ab hoste malígno deféndas, quos per lignum sanctæ Crucis Fílii tui, arma justítiæ pro salúte mundi, triumpháre jussísti. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
      Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
      R. Amen.

      Postcommunion Prayer in Commemoration of Pope St. Alexander and Companions
      Refécti participatióne múneris sacri, quæsumus, Dómine Deus noster: ut, cujus exséquimur cultum, interce-déntibus sanctis tuis Alexándro, Evéntio, Theodúlo, et Juvenále, sentiámus efféctum. 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.       Filled with heavenly food, and refreshed with the spiritual cup, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that Thou defend us from the. malice of the enemy, as Thou hast bidden us triumph by the wood of the holy cross, the armor of justice for the salvation of the world. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, 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.

      Postcommunion Prayer in commemoration of Pope St. Alexander and Companions
      Let us pray. Refreshed by partaking of Thy sacred gift, we pray, Thee, O Lord, our God, that by the intercessions of Thy saints Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal, we may experience the effect of that to which we pay our worship. 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.
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