The Roman Missal: Proper of Saints, August (English) 2

1[August 2. St Alphonsus, Bishop and Confessor.—Double.]

2Introit. St Luke iv. 18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, wherefore he hath anointed me, to preach the gospel to the poor he hath sent me, to heal the contrite of heart. Ps. Attend, O my people, to my law: incline your ear to the words of my mouth. Glory be to the Father, &c.

3Prayer. Deus, qui per. O God, who by blessed Alphonsus Maria, thy confessor and bishop, inflamed with zeal for souls, didst render thy Church fruitful in a new progeny, we beseech thee, that taught by his salutary admonitions, and strengthened by his example, we may happily be enabled to arrive at thee. Through, &c.

4Epistle. 2 Timothy ii. 1—7. Dearly beloved, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and the things which thou hast heard of me before many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men, who shall be fit to teach others also. Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No man being a soldier to God, intangleth himself with worldly business: that he may please him to whom he hath engaged himself. For he also that striveth for the mastery, is not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth, must first partake of the fruits. Understand what I say; for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.

5Gradual. I remembered, O Lord, of old, and I was comforted; a fainting hath taken hold of me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.—I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. Alleluia, alleluia.—He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness: and he directed his heart towards the Lord; and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness. Alleluia.

6[If this Mass is said after Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia and Verse, the following is said:]

7Tract. But as for me when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth; I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.—Thou hast prepared a table before me, against them that afflict me; thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it.—To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak.

8[In Paschal time, instead of the Gradual, the following is said:]

9Alleluia, alleluia. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, it is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron. Alleluia.—I have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit, and your fruit should remain. Alleluia.

10[Gospel. St Luke x. 1—9. The Lord appointed also other seventy-two, &c. as on St Mark, April 25, page 569.]

11Offertory. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and give him of the first of all thy fruits. Do not withhold him from doing good who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also.

12Secret. O Lord Jesus Christ, consume our hearts with heavenly fire as a sacrifice for an odour of sweetness, who didst grant to Blessed Alphonsus Maria to celebrate these mysteries, and by the same to exhibit himself a holy sacrifice to thee. Who livest, &c.

13Communion. A great priest, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple as a bright fire, and frankincense burning in the fire.

14Postcommunion. Deus, qui Beatum. O God, who didst make blessed Alphonsus Maria thy confessor and bishop, a faithful dispenser of the divine mystery, and preacher, grant through his merits and prayers, that thy faithful may both frequently receive them, and receiving praise them without end. Through our Lord, &c.

15[St Stephen, Pope, Martyr.]

16[Mass.—Sacerdotes, for a Bishop and Martyr, page V. except—]

17Lesson. Acts xx. 17—21. In those days, Paul sending from Miletus to Ephesus, called the ancients of the church. And when they were come to him, and were together, he said to them, You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you for all the time; serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and temptations which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews: how I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house; testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

18Gradual. Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God.—There was not any found like to him; who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia.—Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.

19Communion. Lord, thou deliveredst to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.