Feast of the Impression of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

 

Feast of the Impression of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

While Saint Francis of Assisi, in September 1224, was rapt in meditation on Mount Alvernia, Almighty God as a mark of His special favor deigned to impress on his hands, feet, and side the likeness of the sacred wounds of Christ. Until the day of the saint’s death blood flowed from these wounds at intervals. Pope Sixtus V ordered this feast to be observed by the whole Church. Clement VIII suppressed it, because the Church only dedicates special solemnities to the mysteries of our redemption; particular favors granted to the saints by God directly concern their individual sanctification and are commemorated when the life of each saint is read in the Breviary on the day of his feast. The feast was restored, however, by Pope Paul V, and raised to a rank of a double by Pope Clement XIV. Its observance is a privilege overstepping the ordinary rules of the Liturgy, extended in honor of St. Francis and not only rare, but also unique. Christ was pleased to imprint upon his new apostle, the herald of the Great King, this stigmata as His final seal changing him to His own image and likeness and uniting him to Himself on the rood of the Cross.

INTROIT: Galatians 6:14  

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.

Psalm 141:1

With my voice I cried unto the Lord:  yea, even unto the Lord did I make my supplication.

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.

But God forbid that I should glory…

Mihi autem absit gloriari, nisi in cruce Domini nostri Jesu Christi: per quem mihi mundus crucifixus est, et ego mundo.

Psalm 141: 1

Voce mea ad Dóminum clamávi:  voce mea ad Dóminum deprecátus sum.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

Mihi autem absit gloriári…

COLLECT

Lord Jesus Christ, Who, when the world was growing cold, didst renew the sacred marks of Thy passion in the flesh of the most blessed Francis, to inflame our hearts with the fire of Thy love, graciously grant that by his merits and prayers we may continually bear the cross and bring forth fruits worthy of penance. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

EPISTLE: Galatians 6: 14-18

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Galatians

Brethren, But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ: by Whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature: and whosoever shall follow this rule, peace on them, and mercy, and upon the Isræl of God. From henceforth let no man be troublesome to me; for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in my body. The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

GRADUAL:  Psalm 36: 30, 31

The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment.

V. The law of his God is in his heart: and his steps shall not be supplanted.

 ALLELUIA

Alleluia, alleluia. V. The poor and lowly Francis entereth Heaven abounding in riches; he is acclaimed with celestial hymns. Alleluia.

        

GOSPEL:    Matthew 16: 24-27

The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew

At that time: Jesus said to His disciples, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for My sake, shall find it. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels: and then will He render to every man according to his works.”

OFFERTORY 

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

SECRET

Sanctify, O Lord, the gifts we offer Thee; and by the intercession of blessed Francis cleanse us from every stain of sin. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.

PREFACE   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, 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:

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: Luke 12: 42

A faithful and wise steward, whom the Lord set over His family: to give them their measure of wheat in due season.

POSTCOMMUNION

O God, Who didst in many ways demonstrate in blessed Francis, Thy confessor, the mysteries of the cross, grant us, we beseech Thee, ever to follow the examples of his devotion and to be fortified by constant meditation upon the same cross. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God.