The Roman Missal: Common of Saints, Apostles to Many Martyrs (English) 1

The Common of Saints, from the Vigil of an Apostle to the Common of many Martyrs (printed pages I to XXVI), in English, as printed in the Rev. F. C. Husenbeth's Missal for the use of the Laity (London, 1853), in the form used from the Council of Trent until the liturgical reform of the 1950s. These are the Masses said on a saint's day when the Missal gives that saint no Mass of his own; where the Missal prints variants for a martyr and bishop, a martyr only, or many martyrs, each is marked. The Common of Confessors, Doctors, Abbots, Virgins and Holy Women follows in the next book. This is the English only; the Latin of the chants and psalms is to be added. The words in square brackets are the Missal's own headings and directions. A liturgy of the Catholic Church, not scripture.

1[On the Vigil of an Apostle.]

2Introit. Ps. li. But I, as a faithful olive-tree in the house of the Lord, have hoped in the mercy of my God: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good in the sight of thy saints. Ps. Why dost thou glory in mischief, thou who art mighty in iniquity? Glory, &c.

3Prayer. Da quæsumus. Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that the venerable solemnity of thy blessed apostle N. which we anticipate, may contribute to the increase of our devotion, and promote our salvation. Through our Lord, &c.

4Lesson. Ecclus. xliv. 25—xlv. 29. The blessing of the Lord was upon the head of the just man. Therefore the Lord gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes: and he found grace in the eyes of all flesh. He magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction: and he exalted him. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and girded him about with a girdle of justice: and the Lord crowned him with a crown of glory.

5Gradual. The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus in the house of the Lord.—To shew forth thy mercy in the morning, and thy truth in the night.

6Gospel. St John xv. 12—16. At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. I will not now call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth. But I have called you friends; because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you; and have appointed you that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

7Offertory. Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of thy hands, O Lord.

8Secret. While we offer to thee these sacred mysteries with reverence for the apostolic dignity, we beseech thee, O Lord, that through the intercession of thy blessed apostle N. whose festival we anticipate, thy people may ever display their wants and obtain what they desire. Through our Lord, &c.

9Communion. His glory is great in thy salvation; glory and great beauty shalt thou lay upon him, O Lord.

10Postcom. Sancti Apostoli. We beseech thee, O Lord, that being appeased by the supplication of thy holy apostle N. thou wouldst grant us pardon, and bestow upon us everlasting remedies. Through our Lord, &c.