The Roman Missal: Advent to the Sundays after Epiphany (English) 27

1[Fifth Sunday after Epiphany.]

2[Introit, Gradual, Offertory, and Communion, as on the third Sunday, p. 97.]

3Prayer. Familiam. Preserve, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy family, by continued mercy: that relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, it may be always defended by thy protection. Through our Lord, &c.

4For the Intercession of the Saints. A cunctis. Defend us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all dangers of mind and body: and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of God, with thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and blessed N. and all the Saints, mercifully grant us safety and peace: that all adversities and errors being destroyed, thy church may serve thee with secure liberty.

5[The third Prayer at the choice of the Priest.]

6Epistle. Coloss. iii. 12—17. Brethren, put ye on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience; bearing with another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another; even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so you also. But above all these things, have charity, which is the bond of perfection: and let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another, in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, all things do ye in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

7Gospel. St Matthew, xiii. 24—30. At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to the multitudes: The kingdom of heaven is likened to a man that sowed good seed in his field. But while men were asleep, his enemy came, and oversowed cockle among the wheat, and went his way. And when the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared also the cockle. And the servants of the good man of the house coming, said to him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it cockle? And he said to them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants said to him, Wilt thou that we go and gather it up? And he said, No: lest perhaps gathering up the cockle, you root up the wheat also together with it. Suffer both to grow until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn.

8[Credo.]

9Secret. We offer to thee, O Lord, victims of propitiation: that thou mayest mercifully forgive our sins, and direct our inconstant hearts. Through our Lord, &c.

10For the Intercession of the Saints. Graciously hear us, O God our Saviour, that by virtue of this sacrament, thou mayest defend us from all enemies of mind and body; granting grace now, and glory hereafter.

11[The third Secret at the choice of the Priest.]

12Postcom. Quæsumus. We beseech thee, Almighty God, that we may receive the effect of that salvation, of which we have received a pledge by these mysteries. Through, &c.

13For the Intercession of the Saints. Mundet. May the gift of this divine sacrament which we have offered, cleanse and defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee: and by the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with thy holy apostles Peter and Paul, and blessed N. and all the saints, render us purified from all sins, and delivered from all adversities.

14[The third Postcommunion at the choice of the Priest.]