September 28
ST. WENCESLAUS
Martyr
Wenceslaus was the son of a Christian Duke of Bohemia, but his mother
was a hard and cruel pagan. Through the care of his holy grandmother, Ludmilla,
herself a martyr, Wenceslaus was educated in the true faith, and imbibed a
special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. On the death of his father, his
mother, Drahomira, usurped the government and passed a series of persecuting
laws. In the interests of the Faith Wenceslaus claimed and obtained, through the
support of the people, a large portion of the country as his own kingdom. His
mother secured the apostasy and alliance of her second son, Boleslas, who
became henceforth her ally against the Christians.
Wenceslaus meanwhile ruled as
a brave and pious king, provided for all the needs of his people, and when his
kingdom was attacked, overcame in single combat, by the sign of the cross, the
leader of an invading army. In the service of God he was most constant, and
planted with his own hands the wheat and grapes for the Holy Mass, at which he
never failed daily to assist. His piety was the occasion of his death. Once,
after a banquet at his brother’s palace, to which he had been treacherously
invited, he went, as was his wont at night, to pray before the tabernacle.
There, at midnight on the feast of the Angels, A.D. 938, he received his crown
of martyrdom, his brother dealing him the death-blow.
Reflection
St. Wenceslaus teaches us that the safest place to meet the trials of
life, or to prepare for the stroke of death, is before Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament.
MASS PROPERS
ST WENCESLAUS
DUKE AND MARTYR
Semi-Double
Red vestments
Missa ‘In virtute’
INTROITUS - Psalm
20: 2-3
In virtúte tua, Dómine, lætábitur justus: et super salutáre tuum
exsultábit veheménter: desidérium ánimæ ejus tribuísti ei. Ps. Quóniam
prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis: posuísti in cápite ejus corónam
de lápide pretióso. Gloria Patri.
INTROIT
In Thy strength, O Lord, the just man shall joy: and in Thy salvation
he shall rejoice exceedingly: Thou hast given him his heart's desire. Ps. For
Thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness; Thou hast set on his head
a crown of precious stones. Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT
O God, Who, through the palm of martyrdom, didst transfer blessed
Wenceslaus from an earthly principality to Heavenly glory: keep us, by his
prayers, from all adversity, and grant us to rejoice in his fellowship. Through
our Lord.
EPISTLE - Wisdom 10: 10-14
The Lord conducted the just through the right ways, and showed him the
kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things; made him
honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. In the deceit of them
that overreached him, He stood by him, and made him honourable. He kept him
safe from his enemies, and defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong
conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all.
She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she
went down with him into the pit, and in bands she left him not, till she
brought him the sceptre of the kingdom and power against those that oppressed
him; and showed them to be liars that had accused him: and the Lord our God
gave him everlasting glory.
GRADUAL - Psalm
111: 1-2
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.
ALLELUIA -
Psalm 20: 4
Alleluia, alleluia. O Lord, Thou hast set on his head a crown of
precious stones. Alleluia.
St. Wenceslas
and his grandmother St. Ludmilla
GOSPEL - Matthew
10: 34-42
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Do not think that I came to
send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to
set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother,
and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: and a man's enemies shall be
they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than Me, is not
worthy of Me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of
Me; and he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me.
He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for
Me, shall find it. He that receiveth you, receiveth Me; and he that receiveth
Me, receiveth Him that sent Me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a
prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet; and he that receiveth a just
man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man. And
whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water
in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his
reward.
OFFERTORY - Psalm
8: 6-7
Thou hast crowned him with glory, and honor; and hast set him over the
works of Thy hands, O Lord.
SECRET
Accept, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our offerings and prayers; both
cleanse us by these Heavenly mysteries and graciously hear us. Through our Lord.
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:
COMMUNION -
Matthew 16: 24
If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, and follow Me.
POSTCOMMUNION
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that we, who in this life
joyfully assist in the commemoration of Thy Saints, may hereafter rejoice in
beholding them forever in Heaven. Through our Lord.
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