Wednesday, 7 October 2015 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of our Lady of the Rosary (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 1 : 12-14

Then the disciples of Jesus returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olives, which is a fifteen minute walk away. On entering the city they went to the room upstairs where they were staying.

Present there were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James, son of Alpheus; Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. All of these together gave themselves to constant prayer. With them were some women and also Mary, the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

(Usus Antiquior) Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Double II Classis) – Wednesday, 7 October 2015 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Preface, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : White

Offertory

Ecclesiastes 24 : 25 and 39 : 17

In me gratia omnis viae et veritatis, in me omnis spes vitae et virtutis : ego quasi rosa plantata super rivos aquarum fructificavi.

English translation

In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Like a rose planted on the rivers I have borne fruit.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Fac nos, quaesumus, Domine, his muneribus offerendis convenienter aptari : et per sacratissimi Rosarii mysteria sic vitam, passionem et gloriam Unigeniti Tui recolere; ut Ejus digni promissionibus efficiamur : Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Grant us, we beseech You, o Lord, to be fittingly prepared for the offering of these gifts, and through the mysteries of the most holy Rosary, so to meditate upon the life, passion, and glory of Your only begotten Son, that we may be made worthy of His promises. He Who is with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Secret Prayer of the Priest (For Commemoration of Pope St. Mark)

Oblatis muneribus, quaesumus, Domine, Ecclesiam Tuam benignus illumina : ut et gregis Tui proficiat ubique successus, et grati fiant Nomini Tuo, Te gubernante, pastores. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

In Your loving kindness we beseech You, o Lord, be moved by the offering of our gifts and enlighten Your Church, that Your flock may prosper everywhere and the shepherds, under Your guidance, may be rendered acceptable to You. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Preface of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi semper et ubique gratias agere : Domine, Sancte Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus : Et Te in sollemnitate sacratissimi Rosarii de Beatae Mariae semper Virginis collaudare, benedicere et praedicare. Quae et Unigenitum Tuum Sancti Spiritus obumbratione concepit : et, virginitatis gloria permanente, lumen aeternum mundo effudit, Jesum Christum, Dominum nostrum.

Per quem majestatem Tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Caeli caelorumque Virtutes ac beata Seraphim socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes :

English translation

It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, o Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God, and on the solemnity of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, should praise and bless and proclaim You. For she conceived Your only begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, and not losing the glory of her virginity, gave to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ our Lord.

He through Whom the angels praise Your majesty, the Dominations worship it, and the Powers are in awe. The heavens and the heavenly hosts, and the blessed Seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With these we pray to You joining also our voices, while we say with lowly praise :

Communion

Ecclesiastes 39 : 19

Florete, flores, quasi lilium, et date odorem, et frondete in gratiam, collaudate canticum, et benedicite Dominum in operibus Suis.

English translation

Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in His works.

Post-Communion Prayer

Sacratissimae Genetricis Tuae, cujus Rosarium celebramus, quaesumus, Domine, precibus adjuvemur : ut et mysteriorum, quae colimus, virtus percipiatur; et sacramentorum, quae sumpsimus, obtineatur effectus : Qui vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

May we be assisted, we beseech You, o Lord, by the prayers of Your most holy Mother, whose Rosary we celebrate, that the virtue of the mysteries we adore may be shared and the effect of the sacraments we have received may be obtained. He who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Post-Communion Prayer (For Commemoration of Pope St. Mark)

Refectione sancta enutritam guberna, quaesumus, Domine, Tuam placatus Ecclesiam : ut, potenti moderatione directa, et incrementa libertatis accipiat et in religionis integritate persistat. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Since Your Church has been nourished by the sacred repast, govern her in Your clemency, we beseech You, o Lord, so that under the guidance of Your mighty rule she may enjoy greater freedom and abiding integrity of religion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

(Usus Antiquior) Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Double II Classis) – Wednesday, 7 October 2015 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : White

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 1 : 26-38

In illo tempore : Missus est Angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilaeae, cui nomen Nazareth, ad Virginem desponsatam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de domo David, et nomen Virginis Maria.

Et ingressus Angelus ad eam, dixit : Ave, gratia plena; Dominus tecum : benedicta tu in mulieribus. Quae cum audisset, turbata est in sermone ejus : et cogitabat, qualis esset ista salutatio.

Et ait Angelus ei : Ne timeas, Maria, invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum : ecce, concipies in utero et paries filium, et vocabis Nomen Ejus Jesum. Hic erit magnus, et Filius Altissimi vocabitur, et dabit illi Dominus Deus sedem David, patris Ejus : et regnabit in domo Jacob in aeternum, et regni Ejus non erit finis.

Dixit autem Maria ad Angelum : Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco? Et respondens Angelus, dixit ei : Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi. Ideoque et quod nascetur ex te Sanctum, vocabitur Filius Dei.

Et ecce, Elisabeth, cognata tua, et ipsa concepit filiumin senectute sua : et hic mensis sextus est illi, quae vocatur sterilis : quia non erit impossibile apud Deum omne verbum. Dixit autem Maria : Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.

English translation

At that time, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And the Angel being come in, said unto her, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women.” Having heard this, she was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.

And the Angel said to her, “Do not fear, Mary, for you have found grace with God. Behold you shall conceive in your womb and shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High, the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”

And Mary said to the Angel, “How shall this be done, because I do not know any man?” And the Angel answering said to her, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you. And therefore also the Holy One which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.”

“And behold your cousin Elizabeth, she also had conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren, because no word shall be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.”

(Usus Antiquior) Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Double II Classis) – Wednesday, 7 October 2015 : Gradual and Alleluia

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 44 : 5, 11, 12 and Tradition of the Faith

Propter veritatem et mansuetudinem et justitiam, et deducet te mirabiliter dextera tua.

Priest : Audi, filia, et vide, et inclina aurem tuam : quia concupivit Rex speciem tuam.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Priest : Sollemnitas gloriosae Virginis Mariae ex semine Abrahae, ortae de tribu Juda, clara ex stirpe David. Alleluja.

English translation

Because of truth, and meekness, and justice, and Your right hand shall conduct you wonderfully.

Priest : Hear, o daughter, and see, and incline your ear, for the King had desired your beauty.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Priest : The solemnity of the glorious Virgin Mary, of the seed of Abraham, sprung from the tribe of Judah, of the noble line of David. Alleluia.

(Usus Antiquior) Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Double II Classis) – Wednesday, 7 October 2015 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : White

Lectio Libri Sapientiae – Lesson from the Book of Wisdom

Proverbs 8 : 22-24, 32-35

Dominus possedit me in initio viarum suarum, antequam quidquam faceret a principio. Ab aeterno ordinata sum et ex antiquis, antequam terra fieret. Nondum erant abyssi, et ego jam concepta eram.

Nunc ergo, filii, audite me : Beati, qui custodiunt vias meas. Audite disciplinam, et estote sapientes, et nolite abjicere eam. Beatus homo, qui audit me et qui vigilat ad fores meas cotidie et observat ad postes ostii mei. Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam et hauriet salutem a Domino.

English translation

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything, from the beginning, I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived.

Now therefore, you children, hear me, “Blessed are they who keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it. Blessed is the man who heard me, and who watched daily at my gates, and waited at the posts of my doors. He who shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.”

(Usus Antiquior) Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary (Double II Classis) – Wednesday, 7 October 2015 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : White

Introit

Tradition of the Faith and Psalm 44 : 2

Gaudeamus omnes in Domino, diem festum celebrantes sub honore Beatae Mariae Virginis : de cujus sollemnitate gaudent Angeli et collaudant Filium Dei.

Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum : dico ego opera mea Regi.

Priest : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Let us rejoice in the Lord, keeping a feast day in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for whose celebration the angels rejoice and unite in praising the Son of God.

My heart had uttered a good word. I speak my works to the King.

Priest : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect

Deus, cujus Unigenitus per vitam, mortem et resurrectionem suam nobis salutis aeternae praemia comparavit : concede, quaesumus; ut, haec mysteria sacratissimo Beatae Mariae Virginis Rosario recolentes, et imitemur, quod continent, et quod promittunt, assequamur. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

O God, Whose only begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection had purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech You, that, meditating on the mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Collect (For Commemoration of Pope St. Mark)

Gregem Tuum, Pastor Aeterne, placatus intende : et per Beatum Marcum Summum Pontificem perpetua protectione custodi, quem totius Ecclesiae praestitisti esse pastorem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

O Eternal Shepherd, may You look favourably upon Your flock, which we beseech You to guard and keep forevermore through the Blessed Mark, Supreme Pontiff, whom You had chosen to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Tuesday, 6 October 2015 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bruno, Priest (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Priests)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day we heard about God and His merciful love for us, especially if we are willing to stop and spend some time for the Lord, instead of being busied and occupied with our many preoccupations, concerns and desires. This is a clear reminder that we should put God as a priority for us all, regardless of other things and concerns we may have.

In the Gospel today, we heard about how Martha, a close friend of Jesus was so busy with her chores and work, that the Lord reminded her, that even though her intention of doing so many work to prepare for the Lord and to make His stay comfortable is a good one, but at the same time, she should not forget about the most important thing of all, that is to listen to the Lord and His words.

That was what Mary, Martha’s sister had done. Martha thought that she was being lazy and not doing her part to help her, but she was in fact clinging to the one thing that she will not lose, and she has the assurance of listening to the word of life, and the Lord will not disappoint her. The case of Mary and Martha highlighted to us the importance of getting our priorities right, as it is often that we lose sight of the main goal because we are being preoccupied and distracted by other things along the way.

In the first reading, which was taken from the book of the prophet Jonah, we heard about how Jonah preached to the people of Nineveh about the upcoming punishment and ruin that God would bring about to the whole city of Nineveh and all its people for all the sins and wicked things that they had committed. But what is important for us to take note here is that, these people listened to the words of God spoken through Jonah, and they repented.

We witnessed the transformation and the effort in which they did in order to seek the mercy and forgiveness of the Lord, humbling and lowering themselves before the Lord, being penitent, whole people and the entire city, even to the animals and beasts, and even the nobles and the king. All of them showed sincere repentance for their sins and they begged the Lord for forgiveness.

In this, yet again we see how God rewards the faithful and those who have shown sincerity and ability to listen to His words and turn themselves to the path of righteousness. Had the people of Nineveh went on their usual and daily business, ignoring the Lord’s message through Jonah, they would have met their end in condemnation and destruction just as the Lord had said.

It is the same with all of us mankind. After our ancestors first sinned against the Lord, because of our disobedience, they have been cast out from the grace of God and a judgment and punishment had been declared on them. And these judgments should have been ours forevermore to, that is to roam the earth in suffering and to perish and death reclaim us just as what had happened to our ancestors.

But God showed His mercy and sent His prophets and messengers, to proclaim the coming of the salvation through which He would liberate all of His beloved ones from the tyranny of sin and death, only if they all would listen to Him, to the words spoken by the Saviour He had given us, and act on them, changing our ways from sinful ones to the acts pleasing to the Lord, and listened to what Jesus said just as how Mary did it, then all of us would achieve salvation with no issue.

Today we also celebrate the feast of St. Bruno, a holy German priest who lived during the time of the high Medieval era about a thousand years ago, also known as St. Bruno of Cologne. He is a truly devoted and dedicated servant of the Lord, who was devoted to the education of the faithful and to prayerful life in service to the Lord and to the faithful, inspiring many others to follow in his footsteps.

St. Bruno dedicated his whole life to the Lord and refused to be entangled in worldly matters. He even refused the offer and persuasion to make him the bishop of the diocese he was working in, as he wanted to devote more of his time to prayer and to serve the Lord’s people without being distracted with the many concerns of the world and with many other obligations that might have disrupted his focus away.

He wrote extensively and many of these writings, the verses and the works remained a source of inspiration for many of those who read them and study them, and his examples and lifestyle continued to become an example for many people to follow as they went on to live their lives in faith. And certainly, we too can do the same and follow in his footsteps.

Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us all devote ourselves all the more to the Lord our God, and commit everything in our heart, mind and body to attune ourselves to the Lord and follow His will. Let us learn to keep our minds and hearts away from distraction just as Jesus our Lord reminded Martha, and let us follow the example of Mary, as well as the example of St. Bruno. May Almighty God bless us and keep us faithful and strong on our way to Him. Amen.

Tuesday, 6 October 2015 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bruno, Priest (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Priests)

Luke 10 : 38-42

At that time, as Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He entered a village, and a woman called Martha welcomed Him to her house. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet to listen to His words. Martha, meanwhile, was busy with all the serving, and finally she said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the work? Tell her to help me!”

But the Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you worry and are troubled about many things, whereas only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Tuesday, 6 October 2015 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bruno, Priest (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Priests)

Psalm 129 : 1-2, 3-4, 7bc-8

Out of the depths I cry to You, o Lord, o Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears pay attention to the voice of my supplication.

If You should mark our evil, o Lord, who could stand? But with You is forgiveness, and for that You are revered.

For with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him full deliverance. He will deliver Israel from all its sins.

Tuesday, 6 October 2015 : 27th Week of Ordinary Time, Memorial of St. Bruno, Priest (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Green or White (Priests)

Jonah 3 : 1-10

The word of YHVH came to Jonah a second time : “Go to Nineveh, the great city, and announce to them the message I give you.”

In obedience to the word of YHVH, Jonah went to Nineveh. It was a very large city, and it took three days just to cross it. So Jonah walked a single day’s journey and began proclaiming, “Forty days more and Nineveh will be destroyed.”

The people of the city believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. Upon hearing the news, the king of Nineveh got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes.

He issued a proclamation throughout Nineveh : “By the decree of the king and his nobles, no people or beasts, herd or flock, will taste anything; neither will they eat nor drink. But let people and beasts be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call aloud to God, turn from his evil ways and violence. Who knows? God may yet relent, turn from His fierce anger and spare us.”

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not carry out the destruction He had threatened upon them.