The Roman Missal: Common of Saints, Confessors to the Dedication of a Church (English) 3

1[Common of Doctors.]

2Introit. Ecclus. xv. In the midst of the church the Lord opened his mouth: and filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: he clothed him with a robe of glory. Ps. It is good to give praise to the Lord; and to sing to thy name, O Most High. Glory, &c.

3Prayer. Deus qui populo. O God, who didst give to thy people blessed N. as a minister of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech thee, that we may deserve to have him as an intercessor in heaven, whom we have had a doctor of life upon earth. Through our Lord, &c.

4Epistle. 2 Timothy iv. 1—8. Dearly beloved, I charge thee before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom. Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience, and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed; and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day; and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming.

5Gradual. The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment.—The law of his God is in his heart: and his steps shall not be supplanted. Alleluia, alleluia. The Lord loved him, and adorned him: he clothed him with a robe of glory. 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 said:]

9Alleluia, alleluia.—The Lord loved him, and adorned him: he clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.—The just shall spring as the lily; and shall flourish for ever before the Lord. Alleluia.

10Gospel. St Matthew v. 13—19. At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more, but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house; so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For, amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall not pass of the law till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

11Offertory. The just shall flourish like the palm-tree: he shall grow up like the cedar which is in Libanus.

12Secret. May the pious prayer of thy holy N. not be wanting to us, O Lord, which may render our offerings acceptable, and ever obtain for us thy forgiveness. Through our Lord, &c.

13Communion. A faithful and wise steward, whom the Lord set over his family; to give them their measure of wheat in due season.

14Postcom. Ut nobis. May blessed N. thy confessor and illustrious doctor approach to intercede for us, O Lord, that thy sacrifice may give us salvation. Through our Lord, &c.