The Roman Missal: Proper of Saints, November 29 to January 31 (English) 30

1[January 26. St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr.—Semidouble.]

2Introit. Dan. iii. O Ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, praise God. Ps. All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all for ever. Glory, &c.

3Prayer. Deus qui nos. O God, who givest us joy by the annual solemnity of blessed Polycarp, thy martyr and bishop, mercifully grant, that we may rejoice in the protection of him whose festival we celebrate. Through our Lord, &c.

4[Second and Third Prayers as on the Third Sunday after Epiphany, page 97.]

5Epistle. 1 St John iii. 10—16. Most dearly beloved, Whoever is not just, is not of God, nor he that loveth not his brother. For this is the declaration, which you have heard from the beginning, that you should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one, and killed his brother. And wherefore did he kill him? Because his own works were wicked, and his brother's just. Wonder not, brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

6Gradual. Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour.—And hast set him over the works of thy hands, O Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.—This is the priest whom the Lord hath crowned. Alleluia.

7[If it be after Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia and Verse, the following is said:]

8Tract. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; he delighteth 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.

9Gospel. St Matthew x. 26—32. At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, Nothing is covered that shall not be revealed; nor hid, that shall not be known. That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light; and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the house-tops. And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father; but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; better are you than many sparrows. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

10Offertory. 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.

11Secret. Sanctify, O Lord, the offerings devoted to thee; and by the intercession of blessed Polycarp, thy martyr and bishop, be appeased by the same, and look down upon us. Through our Lord, &c.

12[Second and Third Secrets, as directed above.]

13Communion. Thou hast set on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones.

14Postcom. Refecti. Being refreshed with the participation of the holy gift, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, that by the intercession of blessed Polycarp, thy martyr and bishop, we may experience the effect of what we celebrate. Through our Lord, &c.

15[Second and Third Postcommunions, as above.]