The Roman Missal: Common of Saints, Confessors to the Dedication of a Church (English) 2

1[Another Mass for a Confessor and Bishop.]

2Introit. Ps. cxxxi. Let thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with justice, and let thy saints rejoice: for thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of thy anointed. Ps. O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness. Glory, &c.

3Prayer. Exaudi quæsumus. Graciously hear our prayers, O Lord, we beseech thee, which we offer in solemn commemoration of blessed N. thy confessor and bishop; and absolve us from all sins by the merits of him who served thee worthily, interceding for us. Through our Lord, &c.

4Epistle. Hebrews vii. 23—27. Brethren, there were made many priests, because by reason of death they were not suffered to continue: but Jesus, for that he continueth for ever, hath an everlasting priesthood. Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifice first for his own sins, and then for the people's; for this Jesus Christ our Lord did once, in offering himself.

5Gradual. I will clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall rejoice with exceeding great joy.—There will I bring forth a horn to David; I have prepared a lamp for my Anointed. Alleluia, alleluia.—The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: 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. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he delights exceedingly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

8[In Paschal Time, the Gradual is omitted, and the following is said:]

9Alleluia, alleluia.—The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.—The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.

10Gospel. St Matthew xxiv. 42—47. At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, Watch ye, because ye know not at what hour your Lord will come. But this know ye, that if the good man of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open: wherefore be you always ready, because at what hour you know not, the Son of man will come. Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath appointed over his family to give them meat in season? Blessed is that servant, whom when his Lord shall come, he shall find so doing. Amen I say to you, he shall place him over all his goods.

11Offertory. My truth and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

12Secret. We beseech thee, O Lord, that the annual solemnity of Saint N. thy confessor and bishop, may render us acceptable to thy mercy: that by these offices of pious expiation, while a blessed reward attends him, he may procure for us the gifts of thy grace. Through our Lord, &c.

13Communion. Blessed is that servant whom, when the Lord shall come he shall find watching: Amen I say to you, he shall set him over all his goods.

14Postcom. Deus fidelium. O God, the rewarder of faithful souls, grant that we may obtain pardon by the prayers of blessed N. thy confessor and bishop, whose venerable festival we celebrate. Through our Lord, &c.