My LORD’s BibleThe Roman Missal: Common of Saints, Apostles to Many Martyrs (English) 2
3Prayer. Infirmitatem. Have regard to our weakness, O Almighty God: and since the weight of our own deeds is grievous to us, may the glorious intercession of blessed N. thy martyr and bishop, protect us. Through our Lord, &c.
4Epistle. St James i. 12—18. Dearly beloved, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him. Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man. But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death. Do not err therefore, my dearest brethren. Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above; coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration. For of his own will hath he begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be some beginning of his creature.
5Gradual. I have found David my servant, with my holy oil I have anointed him: for my hand shall help him, and my arm shall strengthen him.—The enemy shall have no advantage over him, nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him. Alleluia, alleluia.—Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.
6[After Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia and Verse, the following is said:]
7Tract. Thou hast given him his heart's desire; and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips. For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness. Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.
8Gospel. St Luke xiv. 26—33. At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not carry his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it; lest after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king about to go and make war against another king, doth not first sit down and think whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that with twenty thousand cometh against him. Or else, whilst the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace. So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth, cannot be my disciple.
10Secret. Graciously accept, O Lord, the offerings devoted to thee, through the merits of blessed N. thy martyr and bishop; and grant that they may become a perpetual support to us. Through our Lord, &c.
12Postcom. Refecti. Being refreshed with the participation of the holy gift, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, that by the intercession of blessed N. thy martyr and bishop, we may experience the effect of what we celebrate. Through our Lord, &c.