FEAST OF ST NICHOLAS - MASS PROPERS

 ST NICHOLAS, Bishop and Confessor

ST. NICHOLAS, the patron Saint of Russia, was born toward the end of the third century. His uncle, the Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, ordained him priest, and appointed him abbot of a monastery; and on the death of the archbishop he was elected to the vacant see. Throughout his life he retained the bright and guileless manners of his early years, and showed himself the special protector of the innocent and the wronged. Nicholas once heard that a person who had fallen into poverty intended to abandon his three daughters to a life of sin. Determined, if possible, to save their innocence, the Saint went out by night, and, taking with him a bag of gold, flung it into the window of the sleeping father and hurried off. He, on awaking, deemed the gift a godsend, and with it dowered his eldest child. The Saint, overjoyed at his success, made like venture for the second daughter; but the third time as he stole away, the father, who was watching, overtook him and kissed his feet, saying: "Nicholas, why dost thou conceal thyself from me? Thou art my helper, and he who has delivered my soul and my daughters' from hell." St. Nicholas is usually represented by the side of a vessel, wherein a certain man had concealed the bodies of his three children whom he had killed, but who were restored to life by the Saint. He died in 342. His relics were translated in 1807, to Bari, Italy, and there, after fifteen centuries, "the manna of St. Nicholas" still flows from his bones and heals all kinds of sick.

Traditional Latin Mass Propers 

Saturday in the first week of Advent

St Nicholas, Bishop, Confessor

Anticipated Vigil of Immaculate Conception

Double / White

Missa - Statuit ei Dominu

INTROIT

Ecclesiasticus 45: 30 

Statuit ei Dominus testamentum pacis, et principem fecit eum: ut sit illi sacerdotii dignitas in æternum.

Psalm131: 1 Memento Domine, David: et omnis mansuetudinus ejus.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince: that the dignity of priesthood should be to him for ever.

Psalm O Lord, remember David: and all his meekness.

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.

COLLECT

O God, who didst adorn the blessed Bishop Nicholas with countless miracles: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his merits and prayers we may be delivered from the flames of hell. Through our Lord.

Second Collect for the Feria in Advent

Stir up thy power, O Lord, we beseech thee, and come: that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance.

Third Collect for the Anticipated Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

O God, who didst wondrously preserve the Mother of thine only-begotten Son from original sin in her Conception:  grant, we beseech thee, that strengthened by her intercession we may be ready with clean hearts to take part in her holy-day.  Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

EPISTLE

Hebrews 13: 7-17

Brethren: Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today; and the same for ever. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats; which have not profited those that walk in them. We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Holies by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people by His own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore to Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to His Name. And do not forget to do good, and to impart; for by such sacrifices God's favor is obtained. Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls.

GRADUAL

Psalm 88: 21-23

I have found David, my servant: with My holy oil I have anointed him; for My Name shall help him, and My arm shall strengthen him. The enemy shall have no advantage over him; nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him. 

ALLELUIA

Psalm 111: 13

Alleluia, alleluia. The just man shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. Alleluia. 

GOSPEL

Matthew 25: 14-23

At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A man going into a far country called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way, and traded with the same, and gained another five. And in like manner he that had received the two gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth and hid his lord's money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou has been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliverest two talents to me, behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

OFFERTORY

Psalm 88: 25

My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My Name shall his horn be exalted.

SECRET

O Lord God, sanctify, we beseech Thee, these gifts which we offer up on the festival of Thy holy Bishop Nicholas: that by means of them our life may ever be directed both in adversity and in prosperity. Through our Lord.

Second Secret for the Feria in Advent

 May these holy Mysteries, O Lord, cleanse us by their powerful strength, and enable us to come with greater purity to him who is their foundation.

Third Secret for the Anticipated Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

May our gifts, O Lord, he commended to thy clemency by the prayer of the Immaculate Mother of God:  whom thou didst preserve from all taint of original sin, that she might deserve to become a worthy dwelling place for thy Son.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God

COMMON PREFACE

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: through Christ our Lord. through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say in lowly praise:

The Sanctus

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.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

COMMUNION

Psalm 88: 36-38

Once I have sworn by My holiness: his seed shall endure for ever; and his throne as the sun before Me, and as the moon perfect for ever; and a faithful witness in heaven. 

POSTCOMMUNION 

May the Sacrifice which we have received, O Lord, on the festival of Thy holy Bishop Nicholas, preserve and protect us for ever- more. Through our Lord

Second Postcommunion for the Feria in Advent

May we receive of thy mercy, O Lord, in the midst of Thy temple; that we may with becoming honour prepare for the approaching solemnities of our redemption.

Third Postcommunion for the Anticipated Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

O merciful God, grant protection unto our weakness; that we, who forestall the festival of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of thine only-begotten Son, may by the help of her intercession rise again from our iniquities.  Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.