St Winefride, Virgin & Martyr; Com. Sunday XXIV Post Pentecost; Com. Octave of All Saints: Missa “Me exspectaverunt“
St Winefride, who came from Flintshire, Wales, died in the year 650 in a convent in Gwytherin, Denbighshire, and in 1398 her relics were transferred with great pomp to the Benedictine abbey in Shrewsbury where they were enshrined and venerated. It was at about that time, some 500 years after her death, that fascinating legends about her life began to be recorded.
The most amazing of these is the claim that the young Caradog, a chieftain of Hawarden, had fallen in love with Winefride but she shunned his advances. He pursued her as she fled to the church that St Beuno, her uncle, had built and in a rage he cut off her head. Robert of Shrewsbury’s life of the saint says that Caradog was swallowed up by the earth at the scene of the crime, while at the place where Winefride’s head hit the ground a fragrant spring suddenly appeared. St Beuno raised her to life again, placing her severed head back on her shoulders, before departing to found a church at Clynnog Fawr Arfon. She left home to become a nun, and then an abbess. She is said to have died naturally 15 years after her miraculous resuscitation.
It is too late to establish any of the truths of the legends but, according to historians, there is no doubt that the saint existed. The spring attached to her legend has given its name to Holywell (Tre Ffynnon), Clwyd, and down the centuries, and right up to the present day, pilgrims have travelled there in the hope of finding healing for their illnesses.
INTROIT Psalm 118. 95, 96.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood Thy testimonies, O Lord: I have seen an end of all perfection; Thy command is exceeding broad. — (Ps. 118. 1). Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord. V. Glory be to the Father…
COLLECT
O almighty eternal God, who didst bestow on blessed Winefride the reward of virginity, grant us, we beseech thee, by her intercession to reject the attractions of this world, and to obtain with her a seat in everlasting glory. Through 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.
R. Amen.
Dominica IV quae superfuit Post Epiphaniam
O God, You Who know that our human frailty cannot stand fast against the great dangers that beset us; grant us health of mind and body, that with Your help, we may overcome what we suffer on account of our sins.
Commemoratio Tertia die infra Octavam Omnium Sanctorum
Almighty, eternal God, Who granted us to honor the merits of all Your Saints in a single solemn festival, bestow on us, we beseech You, through their manifold intercession, that abundance of Your mercy for which we yearn. Through 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. R. Amen.
EPISTLE Wisd. 51. 13-17
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom. O Lord my God, Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth, and I have prayed for death to pass away. I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that He would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help. I will praise Thy Name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard. And Thou hast saved me from destruction, and hast delivered me from the evil time. Therefore I will give thanks and praise to Thee, O Lord our God.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 45. 6
God will help her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. V.: (Ps. 45. 5). The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: the Most High hath sanctified His own tabernacle. Alleluia, alleluia. V.: This is a wise virgin, and one of the number of the prudent. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Matthew 25. 1-13.
Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. 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 come 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 ANTIPHON Psalm 44. 3
Grace is poured abroad in thy lips: therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
SECRET
O Lord, graciously receive the oblations which we offer up to Thee; and by the intercession of blessed Winefride, Thy Virgin and Martyr, loose the bonds of our sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Commemoratio Dominica IV quae superfluit Post Epiphaniam
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the offering of this sacrifice may ever cleanse and strengthen the weakness of our nature.
Commemoratio Tertia die infra Octavam Omnium Sanctorum
We offer You, O Lord, the gifts of our service; may they be pleasing to You for the honor of Your just ones and, through Your mercy, bring us salvation. Through 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. R. Amen.
PREFACE of the Most Holy Trinity
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, ever-lasting God: Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, are one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out with one voice saying:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 118. 121, 122, 128
I have done judgement and justice, O Lord, give me not up to them that slander me: I was directed to all Thy commandments, I have hated all wicked ways.
POSTCOMMUNION
We beseech Thee, O merciful God, that our service may please thee: that through the reception of these holy mysteries, you may grant to us, through the intercession of blessed Winefride your virgin and martyr, the grace to rejoice with you forever. Through 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. R. Amen.
Commemoratio Dominica IV quae superfluit Post Epiphaniam
May Your gifts, O God, free us from the attraction of earthly pleasures and give us new strength through Your heavenly nourishment.
Commemoratio Tertia die infra Octavam Omnium Sanctorum
Grant Your faithful people, we beseech You, O Lord, ever to rejoice in the veneration of all the Saints, and to be protected by their unceasing prayers. Through 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. R. Amen.
PROPER LAST GOSPEL Matt 8:23-27
At that time, Jesus got into a boat, and His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was covered by the waves; but He was asleep. So they came and woke Him, saying, Lord save us! we are perishing! But He said to them, Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the sea, and there came a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?
The Brighton Oratory 
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