The Station for the Third Sunday in Lent is at St. Laurence-without-the-Walls in Rome which was built by Constantine on the Tiburtine Way. It contains the tomb of the celebrated deacon, the great martyr of Rome. Enlarged and enriched in the course of the ages, it has always been much visited by the faithful. The high Altar is reserved for the sole use of the Pope; it is one of the five patriarchal basilicas of Rome and St. Lawrence asks us to remember always our need to sacrifice.

    Today we see The Christ in open conflict with satan. He throws him to the ground, disarms him and expels him from the body of one possessed. As He Himself explains in a parable (Gospel), satan or "Beelzebub" believed himself secure in his empire, like the strong and well-armed man who defends the entrance of his house, but the Son of God, stronger than the fallen angel, came and took from him his unjust conquest, and we become His. Also we should during Lent, which is a time when the struggle against the old man is more intense, "live as children of the light, performing actions good, just and true" (Epistle).

   The venerated Abbot Dom Prosper Gueranger shares his reflections which we excerpt below from The Liturgical Year (pages 247-259 of Volume 5) for the Third Sunday of Lent:

    Assuredly we should be the blindest and most unhappy of men if, surrounded as we are by enemies who unceasingly seek to destroy us, and are so superior to us both in power and knowledge, we were seldom or never to think of the existence of these wicked spirits. And yet, such is really the case with innumerable Christians nowadays; for, truths are decayed from among the children of men. (1)-{Ps. xi. 2} So common, indeed, is this heedlessness and forgetfulness of truth, which the holy Scriptures put before us in almost every page, that it is no rare thing to meet with persons who ridicule the idea of devils being permitted to be on this earth of ours! They call it a prejudice, a popular superstition of the middle ages! Of course they deny that it is a dogma of faith. When they read the history of the Church or the lives of the saints, they have their own way of explaining whatever is there related on this subject. To hear them talk, one would suppose that they look upon satan as a mere abstract idea to be taken as the personification of evil.(page 247-8)

    One would scarcely have expected that this species of incredulity could have found its way into an age like this, when sacrilegious consultations of the devil have been, we might almost say, fashionable. Means which were used in the days of paganism have been resorted to for such consultations; and those who employed them seemed to forget, or ignore, that they were committing what God in the old Law punished with death, and what, for many centuries, was considered by all Christian nations as a capital crime. (page 248-9)

    …It is our duty to consider what have been the causes of our past sins, what are the spiritual dangers we have to fear for the future, and what means we should have recourse to for preventing a relapse. …Being possessed by the devil is not only a fact which testifies to God's impenetrable justice; it is one which may produce physical effects upon them that are thus tried or punished. The casting out of the devil restores the use of speech to him that had been possessed. ...We would not merely show that the wicked spirits are sometimes permitted to have power over the body, and would refute, by this passage from the Gospel, the rationalism of certain Christians. Let these learn, then, that the power of our spiritual enemies is an awful reality; and let them take heed not to lay themselves open to their worst attacks, by persisting I the disdainful haughtiness of their reason. (p. 249)

    And here we have the origin of all those diabolical practices, which, under certain scientific names, are attempted first in secret, and then are countenanced by being assisted at by well-meaning Christians. Were it not that God and His Church intervene, such practices as these would subvert society. Christians! Remember your baptismal vow; you have renounces satan: take care, then, that by a culpable ignorance you are not dragged into apostasy. It is not a phantom that you renounced at the font; he is a real and formidable being, who, as our Lord tells us, was a murderer from the beginning. (1)- {St. John viii. 44} (p. 250)

    ...During this holy season, the Church is putting within your reach those grand means of victory-fasting, prayer, and almsdeeds. The sweets of peace will soon be yours, and once more you will become God's temple, for both soul and body will have regained their purity. But be not deceived; your enemy is not slain. He is irritated; penance has driven him from you; but he has sworn to return. Therefore, fear a relapse into mortal sin; and in order to nourish within you this wholesome fear, meditate upon the concluding part of our Gospel. (p. 250)

    [For the Epistle:] We were sanctified almost as soon as we came into the world; have we been faithful to our Baptism? We, heretofore, were light; how comes it that we are now darkness? The beautiful likeness to our heavenly Father, which was once upon us, is perhaps quite gone! But, thanks to divine mercy, we may recover it. Let us do so by again renouncing satan and his idols. Let our repentance and penance restore within us that light, whose frit consists in all goodness, justice, and truth. (p. 256)

    [For the Gospel:] As soon as Jesus had cast out the devil, the man recovered his speech, for the possession had made him dumb. It is an image of what happens to a sinner, who will not, or dare not, confess his sin. If he confessed it, and asked pardon, he would be delivered from the tyranny which now oppresses him. Alas! How many there are who are kept back, by a dumb devil, from making the confession that would save them! The holy season of Lent is advancing; the days of grace are passing away; let us profit by them; and if we ourselves be in the state of grace, let us offer up our earnest prayers for sinners, that they may speak, that is, may accuse themselves in confession and obtain pardon. (p. 258)

    Let us also listen, with holy fear, to what our Savior tells us with regard to our invisible enemies. They are so powerful and crafty, that our resistance would be useless, unless we had God on our side, and His holy angels, who watch over us and join us in the great combat. It is to these unclean and hateful spirits of hell that we delivered ourselves when we sinned: we preferred their tyrannical sway to the sweet and light yoke of our compassionate Redeemer. Now we are set free, or are hoping to be so; let us thank our divine Liberator; but let us take care not to readmit our enemies. Our Savior warns us of our danger. They will return to the attack; they will endeavor to force their entrance into our soul, after it has been sanctified by the Lamb of the Passover. If we be watchful and faithful, they will e confounded, and leave us: but If we be tepid and careless if we lose our appreciation of the grace we have received and forget our obligations to Him who has thus saved us, our defeat is inevitable; and as our Lord says, our last state will be worse than the first. (p. 259)

    Therefore, let us be boldly and unmistakably with Christ. He that is a soldier of Jesus, should be proud of his title! (p. 259)

For the Comprehensive Catholic Commentary by Fr. George Leo Haydock on today's Epistle and Gospel provided to The DailyCatholic by John Gregory, please see Third Sunday of Lent Commentary
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

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COLLECT

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, vota humilium respice : atrque ad defensionem nostram, dexteram tuae majestatis extende. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Second Collect for intercession of the Saints A cunctis nos, quaesumus, Domine, mentis et corporis defende periculis: et intercedente beata et gloriosa semper Virgine Dei Genitrice Maria, cum beato Joseph, beatis Apostolis Tuis Petro et Paulo, atque beato N. (Here mention the titular saint of the church), et omnibus Sanctis, salutem nobis tribue benignus et pacem, ut destructis adversitatibus et erroribus universis, Ecclesia Tua secura Tibi serviat liberare. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Third Collect for the Living and the Dead Omnipotens sempiterna Deus, qui vivorum dominaris simul et mortuorum, omniumque misereris quos tuos fide et opera futuros esse praenoscis : te supplices exoramus ; ut, pro quibus effundere preces decrevimus, quosque vel praesens saeculum adhuc in carne retinet, vel futurum jam exutos corpore suscepit, intercedentibus omnibus Sanctis tuis, pietatis tuae clementia omnium delictorum suorum veniam consequantur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, 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. Humbling ourselves before Thee, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, favorably to regard the desires of our heart: and in our defense to stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen. Second Collect for the Intercession of Thy Saints Defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all dangers of mind and body; that through the intercession of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, together with blessed Joseph, Thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and blessed N. (Here mention the titular saint of the church), and all the saints, mercifully grant us safety and peace; that all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen. Third Collect for the Living and the Dead O almighty and eternal God, who hast dominion over both the living and the dead, and hast mercy on all whom Thou forekowest shall be Thine by faith and good works : we humbly beseech Thee that all for whom we have resolved to make supplication whether the present world still holds them in the flesh or the world to come has already received them out of the body, may, through the intercession of all Thy saints, obtain of Thy goodness and clemency pardon for all their sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.

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EPISTLE:   Ephesians 5: 1-9

Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Ephesios. Fratres : Estote imitators Dei, sicut fili Carissimi : et ambulate in dilectione, sicut et Christus dilexit nos, et radidit semetipsum pro nobis oblationem, et hostiam Deo catio autem, et omnis immunditiam, aut avaritia, nec nominetur in vobis, sicut decet stultiloquim, aut scurrilitas, quae ad rem non pertinet sed magis gratiarum action. Hoc enim scitote intelligentes, quod omnis fornicator, aut est idolorum servitus, non habet hereditatem in regno Christi, et Dei. Nemo vos seducat inanibus verbis : propeter haec enim venit ira Dei ergo effici participles eorum. Eratis enim aliquando tenegrae : nunc autem lux in Domino. Ut fili lucis ambulate : fructus enim lucis est in omni bonitate et justitia et veritate. Deo Gratias.		Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians. Brethren : Be ye followers of God, as most dear children : and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered Himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness. But fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints: or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility, which is to no purpose : but rather giving of thanks. For know you this, and understand, that no fornicator, or unclean or covetous person, which is a serving of idols, hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words : for because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For you were heretofore darkness: but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light : for the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and justice, and truth. Thanks be to God.

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GRADUAL    Psalm 9: 20, 4

Exsurge, Domine, non praevaleatr home: judicentur gentes in conspectu tuo V. In convertendo inimicum meum retorsum, infirmabuntur, et peribunt a facie tua.		Arise, O Lord, let no man be strengthened : let the nations be judged in Thy sight. V. When my enemy shall be turned back, they shall be weakened and perish before Thy face.

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TRACT   : Psalm 122: 1-3

Ad te leavi oculos meos, qui habitas in coelis. V. Ecce sicut oculi servorumnin minibus dominorum suorum. V. Et sicut oculi ancillae in minibus dominae suae : ita oculi nostri ad Dominum Deum nostrum, donec miseratur nostri : V. Miserere nobis, Domine, Miserere nobis.		To Thee have I lifted up my eyes, Who dwellest in Heaven. V. Behold as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. V. And as the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress : so are our eyes unto the Lord our God, until He have mercy on us. V. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.

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GOSPEL:   Luke 11: 14-28

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam. R.Gloria tibi, Domine In illo tempore: Erat Jesus ejiciens daemonium, et illud erat mutum. Et cum ejecisset daemonium, locutus est mutus et admiraitae sunt turbae. Quidiam autem ex eis diserunt : "In Beelzebub principe daemoniorum ejicit daemonia." Et alli tentantes, signum de caelo quaerebant ab eo. Ipse autem ut vidit cogitations eorum, dixit eis : "Omne regnum in siepsum divisum desolabitur et domus supra domum cadet. Si autem et satanas in siepsum divisus est, quomodo stabit regnum ejus ? qui dicitis in Beelzebub me ejicere daemonia. Si autem ego in Beelezub ejicio daemonia, filii vestri in quo ejiciunt? Ideo ipsi judices vestri erunt. Porro si in digito Dei ejicio daemonia : profecto pervenit in vos regnum Dei. Cum fortis armatus custodit atrium suum, in pace sunt ea, quae possidet. Si autem fortior eo superveniens vicerit eum, universa arma ejus auferet, in qibus confidebat, et spolia ejus distribute. Qui non est mecum, contra me est : et qui non colligit meccumk dispersit. Cum immundus spiritus exierit de homine, ambulat per loca inaquosa, quaerens requiem : et non inveniens, dicit : Revertar in domum meam, unde exivi. Et cum venerit, invenit eam scopes mundatam, et ornatam. Tunc vadit, et assumit septem allios spiritus secum nequiores se, et ingressi habitant ibi. Et fiunt novissima hominis illius pejora prioribus." Factum est autem, cum haec diceret: "ex tollens vocem quaedam mulier de turba, dixit illi : Beatus venter, qui te portavit, et ubera, quae suxisti." At ille dixit : "Quinimo beati, qui audiunt verbum Dei, et custodiunt illud." Laus Tibi Christ		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 Jesus was casting out a devil, and the same was dumb. And when He had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke, and the multitudes were in admiration at it. But some of them said : "He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils." And others, tempting, asked of Him a sign from Heaven. But He, seeing their thoughts, said to them : "Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house shall fall. And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall this kingdom stand? Because you say that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now If I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils : doubtless of the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth. But if a stronger than he come upon him and overcome him, he will take away all his armor wherein he trusted, and will distribute his spoils. He that is not with Me is against Me : and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest : and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked then himself, and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." And it came to pass, as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him: "Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck." But He said: "Yes, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it." Praise be to Christ

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OFFERTORY:    Psalm 18: 9-12 48

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Justiae Domini rectae, laetificantes corda, et judicia ejus dulciora super mel et favum : nam et servus tuus custodit ea.		The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts, and His judgments are sweeter than honey and the honey-comb; for Thy servant keepeth them.

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SECRET

Haec hostia, Domine, quaesumus, emundet nostra delicta : et ad sacrificum celebrandum, subditorum tibi corpora, mentesque sanctificet. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filius tuus Dominus noster, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Second Secret to implore the Intercession of the Saints Exaudi nos, Deus salutaris noster : ut per hujus sacramenti virtutem, a cunctis nos mentis et corporis hostibus tuearis; gratiam tribunes in praesenti, et gloriam in futuro. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Third Secret for the Living and the Dead Deus, Cui soli cogniuts est numerus electorum in superna felicitate locandus: tribue quaesumus; ut, intercedentibus omnibus Sanctis Tuis, universorum, quos in oratione commendatos suscepimus , et omnium fidelium nomina, beatae praedestinationis liber adscripta retineat. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen.		May this victim, we beseech Thee, O Lord, cleanse away our sins, sanctifying Thy servants in both soul and body for the celebration of this sacrifice. 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. Second Secret to implore the Intercession of the Saints Graciously hear us, O God our Savior, and by the virtue of this sacrament protect us from all enemies of soul and body, bestowing on us both grace in this life and glory hereafter. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen. Third Secret for the Living and the Dead O God, Who alone knowest the number of the elect to be admitted to the happiness of Heaven, grant, we beseech Thee, tht through the intercession of all Thy saints, the names of all who have been recommended to our prayers and of all the faithful, may be inscribed in the book of blessed predestination. Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.

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PREFACE   FOR LENT

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 corporali jejunio vitia comprimis, mentem elevas, virtutem largiris et praemia : per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, caelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas deprecamur, 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: Who by this bodily fast, dost curb our vices, dost lift up our minds and bestow on us strength and rewards; 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 to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

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COMMUNION:   Psalm 83: 4-5

Passer invenit sibi domum, et turtur nidum, ubi reponat pullos suos : altaria tua, Domine virtutum, Rex meus, et Deus meus: beati qui habitant in domo tua, in saeculum saeculi laudabunt te.		The sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest, where she may lay her young ones : Thy altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King, and My God : blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, they shall praise Thee for ever and ever.

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POSTCOMMUNION

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. A cunctis nos, quaesumus, Domine, reatribus et periculis propitiatus absolve : quos tanti mysterii tribus esse participles. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum. Qui vivis et regnas in cum Deo Patri in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, unum Deum. Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Second Postcommunion to implore the Intercession of the Saints Oremus. Mundet et muniat nos, quaesumus, Domine, divini Sacramenti munus oblatum : et, intercedente beata Virgine Dei. Genitrice Maria, cum beato Joseph, beatis Apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo, atque beato N. (here mention the titular saint of the church), et omnibus Sanctis; a cunctis nos reddat et perversitatibus expiatos, et adversitatibus expeditos. Per eumdum Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. R. Amen. Third Postcommunion for the Living and the Dead Purificent nos, quaesumus, Omnipotens et misericors Deus, sacramenta quae sumpsimus : et, intercedentibus omnibus Sanctis tuis, praesta; ut hoc tuum sacramentum non sit nois reatus ad poenam, sed intercession salutaris ad veniam : sit ablution scelerum, sit fortitude fragilium sit contra omnia mundi pericula firmamentum ; sit vivorum atque mortuorum fidelium remissio omnium delictorum. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, 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. Mercifully absolve us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all guilt and deliver us from all danger whom Thou doest grant to partake of so great a mystery. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen. Second Postcommunion to implore the Intercession of the Saints May the oblation of this divine sacrament cleanse and defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, Thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, blessed N. (here mention the titular saint of the church), and all the saints, purify us from all our sins and deliver us from all adversity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen. Third Postcommunion for the Living and the Dead May the sacraments which we have received purify us, we beseech Thee, O almighty and merciful Lord; and through the intercession of all Thy saints, grant that this Thy sacrament may not be unto us a condemnation, but a salutary intercession for pardon; may it be the washing away of sin, the strength of the weak, a protection against all dangers of the world, and a remission of all the sins of the faithful, whether living or dead. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.

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