God the Father with
Sts. Catherine of Siena and Mary Magdalen by Fra Bartolomeo
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April
30
ST.
CATHERINE OF SIENA
Catherine,
the daughter of a humble tradesman, was raised up to be the guide and guardian
of the Church in one of the darkest periods of its history, the fourteenth
century. As a child, prayer was her delight. She would say the “Hail Mary” on
each step as she mounted the stairs, and was granted in reward a vision of
Christ in glory. When but seven years old, she made a vow of virginity, and
afterwards endured bitter persecution for re fusing to marry. Our Lord gave her
His Heart in exchange for her own, communicated her with His own hands, and
stamped on her body the print of His wounds. At the age of fifteen she entered
the Third Order of St. Dominic, but continued to reside in her father’s shop,
where she united a life of active charity with the prayer of a contemplative
Saint. From this obscure home the seraphic virgin was summoned to defend the
Church’s cause. Armed with Papal authority, and accompanied by three
confessors, she travelled through Italy, reducing rebellious cities to the
obedience of the Holy See, and winning hardened souls to God. In the face
well-nigh of the whole world she sought out Gregory XI. at Avignon, brought him
back to Rome, and by her letters to the kings and queens of Europe made good
the Papal cause. She was the counsellor of Urban VI., and sternly rebuked the
disloyal cardinals who had part in electing an anti-pope. Long had the holy
virgin foretold the terrible schism which began before she died. Day and night
she wept and prayed for unity and peace. But the devil excited the Roman people
against the Pope, so that some sought the life of Christ’s Vicar. With intense
earnestness did St. Catherine beg Our Lord to prevent this enormous crime. In
spirit she saw the whole city full of demons tempting the people to resist and
even slay the Pope. The seditious temper was subdued by Catherine’s prayers;
but the devils vented their malice by scourging the Saint herself, who gladly
endured all for God and His Church. She died at Rome at the age of
thirty-three, A.D. 1380.
Mass
ST.
CATHERINE OF SIENA, VIRGIN
Double – White vestments
Missa
‘Dilexisti’
INTROITUS
- Psalm 44: 8
Dilexisti
justitiam, et odisti iniquitatem: propterea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo
lætitiæ præ consortibus tuis. Ps. 44: 2. Eructavit
cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego opera mea Regi. Gloria Patri.
INTROIT
Thou
hast loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Ps.
My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. Glory be to
the Father.
COLLECT
Grant,
we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who venerate the natal feast of
blessed Catherine, Thy virgin, may be both gladdened by her annual solemnity
and helped by the example of so great virtue. Through the same Lord.
EPISTLE
- II Corinthians 10: 17-18
Brethren,
he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commandeth himself
is approved: but he whom God commandeth. Would to God you could bear with some
little of my folly, but do bear with me: for I am jealous of you with the
jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you
as a chaste virgin to Christ.
The Mystic Marriage
of Saint Catherine of Siena by Giovanni di Paolo
|
ALLELUIA
- Psalm 44: 15
Alleluia,
alleluia. V. After her shall virgins be brought
to the king: her neighbours shall be brought to thee with gladness. Alleluia.
ALLELUIA
- Psalm 44: 16
Alleluia.
With thy comeliness and thy beauty set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
- Matthew 25: 1-13
At
that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: The kingdom of Heaven
shall be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the
bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise: but the
five foolish having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: but the wise
took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all
slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the
bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and
trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for
our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not
enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for
yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that
were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last
came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering,
said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know
not the day nor the hour.
OFFERTORY
- Psalm 44: 10
The
daughters of kings are in thine honour, the queen stood on thy right hand in
gilded clothing, surrounded with variety. Alleluia.
SECRET
Let
the prayers we offer on the feast-day of blessed Catherine rise up unto Thee, O
Lord, and the sacrifice of salvation fragrant with the odour of virgin purity.
Through our Lord.
PREFACE
OF EASTER
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,
everlasting God: through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy
Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the 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:
St Catherine of
Siena by Rutilio Manetti
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COMMUNION
- Matthew 25: 4, 6
The
five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps: and at midnight
there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh: go ye forth to meet Christ
the Lord.
POSTCOMMUNION
May the Heavenly table, from
which we have been fed, give us eternal life, O Lord, as it sustained even the
temporal life of Catherine, the blessed virgin. Through our Lord.
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