October 09

Saint Denis, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs

Entrance Antiphon

Martyrs
A. Martyrs
  1. The souls of the Saints are rejoicing in heaven, the Saints who followed the footsteps of Christ, and since for love of him they shed their blood, they now exult with Christ for ever.
          Or
    Holy men shed their glorious blood for the Lord; they loved Christ in their life, they imitated him in their death, and therefore were crowned in triumph.
  2. Cf. Ps 33:20-21
    Many are the trials of the just, but from them all the LORD will rescue them. The Lord will keep guard over all their bones; not one of their bones shall be broken.
          Or
    Cf. Rev 7:14; Dan 3:95
    These are they who come out of the great ordeal and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. For God's sake they handed their bodies over for punishment, and they have earned unfading crowns.
  3. Cf. Ps 36:39
    From the LORD comes the salvation of the just; he is their stronghold in time of distress.
          Or
    Cf. Wis 3:6-7, 9
    As gold in the furnace the Lord put his chosen to the test; as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself; and grace and peace will be with the elect of God.
  4. Cf.Ps33:18
    When the just cried out, the LORD heard them, and rescued them in all their distress.
          Or
    Because of the Lord's covenant and the ancestral laws the Saints of God persevered in loving brotherhood, for there was always one spirit in them, and one faith.
  5. The blood of the holy Martyrs was poured out for Christ upon the earth; therefore they have gained everlasting rewards.
          Or
    Cf. Wis 3:1-2,3
    The souls of the just are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; But they are in peace.
Opening Rite

Greeting

All together make the sign of the cross.

Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

[A. The grace of our Lord...]   [B. Grace to you...]   [C. The Lord be with you....]    [hide all]

Penitential Rite

The Penitential Rite

The Priest invites the faithful, saying (or similar words):

Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

[A. I confess...]   [B. Have mercy on us...]   [C. You were sent...]    [hide all]

Collect

O God, who sent Saint Denis and his companions to preach your glory to the nations and strengthened them for their mission with the virtue of constancy in suffering, grant, we pray, that we may imitate them in disdaining prosperity in this world and in being undaunted by any trial. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Readings

First Reading

Galatians 3:6-14

Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” so you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you.” For this reason, those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed.

For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law; for “The one who is righteous will live by faith.” But the law does not rest on faith; on the contrary, “Whoever does the works of the law will live by them.”

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us – for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or Alleluia! Alleluia!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

R: The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or Alleluia! Alleluia!

Full of honour and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

R: The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or Alleluia! Alleluia!

He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

R: The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
or Alleluia! Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation

Cantor: Alleluia, Alleluia.
All: Alleluia.

John 12:31b-32

The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.

All: Alleluia.

Gospel

Luke 11:15-26

After Jesus had cast out a demon, some of the people said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? – for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

Sprinkling of Water

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.

People: Blessed be God forever.

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.

People: Blessed be God forever.

Priest: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

Prayer over the Offerings

Martyrs
A. Martyrs
  1. Receive, holy Father, the offerings we bring in commemoration of the holy Martyrs, and grant that we, your servants, may be found steadfast in confessing your name. Through Christ our Lord.
  2. May the sacrifice soon to be consecrated be acceptable to you, O Lord, we pray, in commemoration of this precious martyrdom, so that it may cleanse our sins and commend to you the prayers of your servants. Through Christ our Lord.
  3. Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offerings of your people, dedicated in honour of the passion of your holy Martyrs, and may the gifts that gave blessed N. and N. courage under persecution make us, too, steadfast in all trials. Through Christ our Lord.
  4. We bring you sacrificial offerings, O Lord, to commemorate blessed N. and N., humbly entreating that, as you gave them the bright light of holy faith, so you may grant us pardon and peace. Through Christ our Lord.
  5. Look with favour, we pray, O Lord, upon these sacrificial gifts offered here that, celebrating your Son's Passion in mystery, we may, by following the example of blessed N. and N., devotedly experience its effects. Through Christ our Lord.
  6. May this sacrifice, O Lord, which we bring for the triumph of blessed N. and N., constantly kindle in our hearts the fire of your love and prepare them for the rewards you have promised to those who persevere. Through Christ our Lord.

The Preface

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right and just.
 

An alternate preface follows.
I. The sign and example of martyrdom.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For the blood of your blessed Martyr N., poured out like Christ’s to glorify your name, shows forth your marvellous works, by which in our weakness you perfect your power and on the feeble bestow strength to bear you witness, through Christ our Lord. And so, with the Powers of heaven, we worship you constantly on earth, and before your majesty without end we acclaim:

Or
II. The wonders of God in the victory of the Martyrs.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For you are glorified when your Saints are praised; their very sufferings are but wonders of your might: in your mercy you give ardour to their faith, to their endurance you grant firm resolve, and in their struggle the victory is yours, through Christ our Lord. Therefore, all creatures of heaven and earth sing a new song in adoration, and we, with all the host of Angels, cry out, and without end we acclaim:

Or
Common Prefaces for use with saints celebration
The Common Prefaces, Prefaces for Reconciliation, Various Needs, and Proper Prefaces for Eucharistic Prayers II and IV may also be used.
Select proper link to see selected preface.

It is truly right
     EP4: to give you thanks,
and just,
       EPR1: that we should always
       EPR2: that we should give you
       N1: to give you thanks and raise to you
our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks,
       EP2(CP6): Father most holy,
       N2: Lord, holy Father, creator of the world
       N3: holy Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
       N4: Father of mercies and faithful God.
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
       CP2: For in goodness you created man…
       CP3: For just as through your beloved Son…
       CP4: For, although you have no need of our praise…
through Christ our Lord.
       CP1: In him you have been pleased to renew…
       CP5: His Death we celebrate in love…
[hide all]

All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Eucharistic Prayers

The Eucharistic Prayer

The priest selects from several options including the following.

[1. To you, therefore, most merciful Father...]
[2. You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount...]
[3. You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and all you have...]
[4. We give you praise...]
[R1. You are indeed Holy, O Lord, and from the world’s beginning...]
[R2. You, therefore, almighty Father...]
[N. You are indeed Holy and to be glorified,...]
[hide all]

Opening Rite

Communion Rite

Lord’s Prayer

Priest: At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

All: 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.

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Sign of Peace

Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.
All: Amen.

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
All: And with your spirit.

Deacon or Priest: Let us offer each other a sign of peace.

Breaking of the Bread

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

Communion

Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Communion Antiphon

Martyrs
A. Martyrs
  1. Lk 22:28-30
    It is you who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer a kingdom on you, says the Lord, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.
          Or
    See how rich is the Saints' reward from God; they died for Christ and will live for ever.
  2. Cf. Jn 15:13
    Greater love has no one than to lay down his life for his friends, says the Lord.
          Or
    Lk 12:4
    I say to you, my friends: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.
  3. Cf. Mk 8:35
    Whoever loses their life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel will save it, says the Lord.
          Or
    Cf. Wis 3:4
    Even if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality.
  4. 2 Cor 4:11
    For the sake of Jesus we are given up to death, that the life of Jesus also may be revealed in our mortal flesh.
          Or
    Mt 10:28
    Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, says the Lord.
  5. Cf. Rom 8:38-39
    Neither death nor life nor any created thing will be able to separate us from the love of Christ.
          Or
    Mt 10:30, 31
    The hairs on your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Prayer after Communion

Martyrs
A. Martyrs
  1. O God, who in your holy Martyrs have wonderfully made known the mystery of the Cross, graciously grant that, drawing strength from this sacrifice, we may cling faithfully to Christ and labour in the Church for the salvation of all. Through Christ our Lord.
  2. Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that being nourished by the Bread of heaven and made one Body in Christ, we may never be separated from his love and, after the example of your holy Martyrs N. and N., may bravely overcome all things for the sake of him who loved us. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
  3. Preserve in us your gift, O Lord, and may what we have received at your hands for the feast day of the blessed Martyrs N. and N., bring us salvation and peace. Through Christ our Lord.
  4. Through this heavenly Sacrament, O Lord, grant us manifold grace on the celebration of the blessed Martyrs N. and N., that from so great a struggle we may learn to be united in unwavering patience and to exult in the victory they won for love of you. Through Christ our Lord.
  5. Having been fed, O Lord, on the commemoration of your blessed Martyrs N. and N., with the precious Body and Blood of your Only Begotten Son, we humbly pray: grant that by steadfast charity we may abide in you, draw life from you, and to you be drawn. Through Christ our Lord.

The Concluding Rites

If they are necessary, any brief announcements to the people follow here.
On certain days or occasions, this formula of blessing is preceded, in accordance with the rubrics, by another more solemn formula of blessing or by a prayer over the people.

Then the dismissal takes place.
1. The Priest, facing the people and extending his hands, says:

Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.

OR
2. In a Pontifical Mass, the celebrant receives the mitre and, extending his hands, says:

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Celebrant: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
People: Now and for ever.
Celebrant: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
People: Who made heaven and earth.
Celebrant: May almighty God bless you, the Father, + and the Son, + and the Holy + Spirit.
People: Amen.


Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, with hands joined and facing the people, says (or similar words):

Deacon: Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Or: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
Or: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
Or: Go in peace.

People: Thanks be to God.

If any liturgical action follows immediately, the rites of dismissal are omitted.