CATHOLIC 4 LIFE
This blog is dedicated to St. Alphonsus Liguori. Moral Theologian, Bishop and Doctor of the Catholic Church.
Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus
St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, ora pro nobis!
Feast of the North American Martyrs - September 26
Novena to St. Francis of Assisi - September 25
Novena to St. Francis of Assisi
September 25 – October 3
Glorious Saint Francis, who voluntarily renounced all the comforts and riches of your home to follow more perfectly the life of poverty of Jesus Christ: Obtain for us, we pray, a generous contempt of all things in this world, that we may secure the true and eternal things of heaven.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious Saint Francis, who during the whole course of your life continually wept over the passion of the Redeemer, and labored most zealously for the salvation of souls: Obtain for us, we pray, the grace of weeping continually over those sins by which we have crucified afresh Our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may attain to be of the number of those who shall eternally bless His supreme mercy.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious Saint Francis, who, loving above all things suffering and the Cross, merited to bear in your body the miraculous stigmata, by which you became a living image of Jesus Christ crucified: Obtain for us, we pray, the grace to bear in our bodies the mortifications of Christ, that we may merit one day to receive the consolations which are infallibly promised to all those who now weep.
“If we be dead with Christ Jesus, we shall live also with Him,” says the Apostle; “if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him.”
Pray for us, Saint Francis, that we may obtain the graces and favors we ask for in this novena; pray for us, especially, that we may obtain the grace of perseverance; of a holy death and a happy eternity.
Our Father (5x)
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary (5x)
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.
Glory be (5x)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Our Lady of Ransom - Mass Propers
September 24
Feast of Our Lady of Ransom
Double Major / White Vestments
Missa “Salve, sancta parens”
The Order of Our Lady of Ransom was founded in the Thirteenth Century by St. Peter Nolasco (Jan. 31) and St. Raymond of Pennafort (Jan. 23), aided by King James of Aragon. The object of the Order was to redeem Christians held in slavery by the Mohammedans. Pope Gregory IX instituted the feast of Our Lady of Ransom, and afterwards it was extended by Pope Innocent XII to the Universal Church.
INTROITUS
Salve, sancta parens, enixa puerperal Regem: qui caelum, terramque regit in saecula saeculorum.
Ps. 44: 2 –
Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum : dico ego opera mea Regi.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Salve, sancta parens…
INTROIT
Hail, holy Mother, thou who didst bring forth the King who rules heaven and earth for ever and ever.
Ps. 44: 2 – My heart hath uttered a good word : I speak my works to the King.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Hail, holy Mother…
COLLECT
God, Who for the ransoming from slavery of the Christians held captive by pagans wast pleased, through the most glorious mother of Thy Son to enrich Thy Church by a new order: grant, we beseech Thee, that she, whom we piously venerate as the founder of so great a work, may, through her merits and prayers, deliver us from all our sins and from the captivity of the devil. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
EPISTLE: Eccles. 24. 14-16
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom
From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. And so I was established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of y God his inheritance, ad my abode is in the full assembly of saints.
GRADUAL:
Thou art blessed and venerable, O Virgin Mary, who with purity unstained was found to be the Mother of our Savior.
Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world was unable to contain enclosed Himself in thy womb, being made man.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia, alleluia. V. After childbirth thou didst remain a virgin: O Mother of God, intercede for us. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 11: 27-28
At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him: ‘Blessed is the womb that bore Thee and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said :’Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the world of God and keep it.’
OFFERTORY: Luke 1: 28, 42
Let us pray. Hail, Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
SECRET
By Thy mercy, O Lord, and the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, may this oblation profit us unto eternal and present prosperity and peace. Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God.
PREFACE Preface of th
e Blessed Virgin Mary
It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God. That on the Festival of the blessed Virgin Mary, we should praise, bless and proclaim Thee. For she conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost; and losing not the glory of her virginity, gave forth to the world the everlasting light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the Dominions worship it, and the powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly Hosts, and the blessed Seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With these we pray Thee join our voices also, while we say with lowly praise:
SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria Tua. Hosanna in excelsis. + Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
COMMUNION: Hebrews 9: 28
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father.
POSTCOMMUNION
Lord, grant, we beseech Thee, that, having received the aids of our salvation, we may always and everywhere be protected by the patronage of Blessed Mary ever virgin, in veneration of whom we have made this offering to Thy majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever.
Novena to Our Guardian Angel - September 23
Novena to Our Guardian Angel
In preparation for Feast of
The Holy Guardian Angels
September 23 – October 1
O Holy Angel, whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my spiritual welfare, has charged with the care of my conduct, and who assists me in all my wants and comforts me in all my afflictions, who supports me when I am discouraged and continually obtains for me new favors, I return thee profound thanks, and I earnestly beseech thee, O most amiable Protector, to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against the malignant attacks of all my enemies. Keep me away from all occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully putting them into practice. In particular, I implore thee to obtain for me the petition which I humbly ask for by this novena.
(Mention intentions here)
Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life, but more especially at the hour of my death, and do not leave me until thou hast conducted me into the Divine Presence of my Creator in the Mansions of everlasting happiness. Amen.
O most faithful companion, appointed by God to be my Guardian, and who never leaves my side, how shall I thank you for your faithfulness and love and for the benefits which you have obtained for me!
You watch over me when I sleep; you comfort me when I am sad; you avert the dangers that threaten me and warn me of those to come; you withdraw me from sin and inspire me to good; you exhort me to penance when I fall and reconcile me to God. I beg you not to leave me.
Comfort me in adversity, restrain me in prosperity, defend me in danger, and assist me in temptations, lest at any time I fall beneath them. Offer up in the sight of the Divine Majesty my prayers and petitions, and all my works of piety, and help me to persevere in grace until I come to everlasting life. Amen.
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL NOVENA - SECOND DAY
St. Michael slaying the dragon
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL NOVENA
SECOND DAY
Prayer
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Novena Prayer
St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His People. I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear our prayer. You know the value of our souls in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help us to conquer the evil spirit who tempts us. We desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother and your great love for God and people. And since you are God’s messenger for the care of His people, I entrust to you my special intentions:
Here, mention the request.
Lord, hear and grant our special intentions for this Novena. In the name of our blessed Lord and redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - MASS PROPERS
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Semi-Double / Green vestments
Missa “Justus es, Dómine”
INTROIUS - Psalm 118:137,124
Justus es, Dómine, et rectum judícium tuum: fac cum servo tuo secúndum misericórdiam tuam. Ps:118. 1. Beáti immaculáti in via: qui ámbulant in lege Dómini. V. Gloria Patri.
INTROIT
Thou art just, O Lord, and Thy judgment is right; deal with Thy servant according to Thy mercy. Ps. Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord. V. Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT
Grant, O Lord, unto Thy people grace to avoid all contact with the devil, and with pure minds to follow Thee, the only God. Through our Lord.
EPISTLE - Ephesians 4:1–6
Brethren: I, a prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called. With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity, careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. One body and one spirit, as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all, who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen.
GRADUAL - Psalm 32:12, 6
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom He hath chosen for His inheritance. V. By the word of the Lord the heavens were established; and all the power of them by the spirit of His mouth.
ALLELUIA - Psalm 101: 2
Alleluia, alleluia. V. O Lord, hear my prayer; and let my cry come to Thee. Alleluia.
GOSPEL - Matthew 22:34–46
At that time the Pharisees came to Jesus, and one of them, a doctor of the law, asked Him, tempting Him: Master, which is the great commandment of the law?Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. And the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying: What think you of Christ? Whose son is He?” They say to Him: David’s. He saith to them: How then doth David, in spirit, call Him Lord, saying: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit on my right hand until I make Thy enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a word; neither durst any man, from that day forth, ask Him any more questions.
OFFERTORY - Daniel 9:4, 17, 18, 1
I, Daniel, prayed to my God, saying: Hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy servant; show Thy face upon Thy sanctuary, and favourably look down upon this people upon whom Thy name is invoked, O God.
PREFACE OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the Oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what by Thy revelation we believe of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation; so that in confessing the true and eternal Godhead, in It we should adore distinction in persons unity in Essence, and equality in Majesty: in praise of which Angels and Archangels, Cherubim also and Seraphim day and night exclaim, without end and with one voice Saying.
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis. Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.
COMMUNION - Psalm 75:12, 13
Vow ye, and pray to the Lord your God, all you that round about Him, bring presents: to Him that is terrible, even to Him who taketh away the spirit of princes; to the terrible with all the kings of the earth.
POSTCOMMUNION
By the grace of Thy sacraments, almighty God, may our passions be subdued and our eternal salvation assured. Through Our Lord.









