INTROIT
Ps. 21:15; 68:10
My heart has become like wax melting away within my bosom, because zeal for Your house consumes me.
Ps 72:1
How good God is to Israel, to those who are clean of heart!
Glory Be to the Father…
My heart has become like wax melting away within my bosom, because zeal for Your house consumes me.
COLLECT
O God, Who endowed blessed Francis, the founder of a new Order, with zeal for prayer and love of penance, grant that Your servants may make such progress in imitating him, that, praying constantly and bringing their bodies under control, they may be found worthy to attain heavenly glory.
Through our Lord…
EPISTLE
Lesson from the book of Wisdom
Wis. 4:7-14.
The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported – snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; for the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to God, therefore He sped him out of the midst of wickedness.
GRADUAL
Ps. 41:2-3.
As the deer longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for You, O God.
℣. Athirst is my soul for the strong living God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 72:26
My flesh and my heart waste away; God is the God of my heart and my portion forever. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 12:35-40.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straightway open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming.
OFFERTORY
Ps. 91:13.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.
SECRET
Grant, most merciful Jesus, that, as we commemorate the renowned merits of blessed Francis, and aflame with the same fire of love as burned within him, we may be able to stand worthily around Your holy table.
Who livest…
PREFACE
Common
It is truly meet and just, and profitable unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ, our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominions adore it, the Powers are in awe. Which the heavens and the hosts of heaven together with the blessed Seraphim joyfully do magnify. And do Thou command that it be permitted us to join with them in confessing Thee, while we say with lowly praise:
COMMUNION
Ps. 30:20.
How great is the goodness, O Lord, which You have in store for those who fear You.
POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may the most holy sacrifice, which we have today offered unto Your majesty on the feast of blessed Francis leave in our minds an enduring memory and lasting results.
Through our Lord…