St Simon Stock, Confessor; Comm. St Ubaldus Baldassini, : Missa “Os justi“
Although little is known about Simon Stock’s early life, legend has it that the name Stock, meaning “tree trunk,” derives from the fact that, beginning at age twelve, he lived as a hermit in a hollow tree trunk of an oak tree. It is also believed that, as a young man, he went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where he joined a group of Carmelites with whom he later returned to Europe. Simon Stock founded many Carmelite Communities, especially in University towns such as Cambridge, Oxford, Paris, and Bologna, and he helped to change the Carmelites from a hermit Order to one of mendicant friars. In 1254 he was elected Superior-General of his Order at London. Simon Stock’s lasting fame came from an apparition he had in Cambridge, England, on July 16, 1251, at a time when the Carmelite Order was being oppressed. In it the Virgin Mary appeared to him holding the brown scapular in one hand. Her words were: “Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and for thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.” The scapular (from the Latin, scapula, meaning “shoulder blade”) consists of two pieces of cloth, one worn on the chest, and the other on the back, which were connected by straps or strings passing over the shoulders. In certain Orders, monks and nuns wear scapulars that reach from the shoulders almost to the ground as outer garments. Lay persons usually wear scapulars underneath their clothing; these consist of two pieces of material only a few inches square. There are elaborate rules governing the wearing of the scapular: although it may be worn by any Catholic, even an infant, the investiture must be done by a priest. And the scapular must be worn in the proper manner; if an individual neglects to wear it for a time, the benefits are forfeited. The Catholic Church has approved eighteen different kinds of scapulars of which the best known is the woolen brown scapular, or the Scapular of Mount Carmel, that the Virgin Mary bestowed on Simon Stock. His feast day is May 16th.
St Ubaldus Baldassini Born to the nobility. Related to Saint Sperandia. Ubaldo’s father, Rovaldo Baldassini, died when the boy was very young; his mother was an invalid, afflicted with what we now consider a neurological disease. Raised by his uncle. Educated by the prior of the cathedral in Gubbio, Italy. Canon regular. Monk at the Monastery of Saint Secondo in Gubbio for several years. Dean of the cathedral in Gubio. Ordained in 1115. Around 1120 he convinced the canons of his chapter to live a common life together under the rule given by Peter degli Onesti; this communal life was designed to keep them out of worldly ways. Ubaldo wanted to be a hermit, but was advised against it, and in 1128 he accepted the bishopric of Gubbio. Known as a patient, gentle, and brave pastor to his people. Convinced Emperor Frederick Barbarossa not to sack Gubbio as he had done other cities. The tomb and shrine of Ubaldus is still a place of pilgrimage.
INTROIT Psalm 36: 30, 31
The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgment: the law of his God is in his heart. (Ps. 36: 1). Be not emulous of evil-doers; nor envy them that work iniquity. v. Glory be…etc
COLLECT
May this people that is dedicated to thee, Lord, and the virgin Mother, rejoice in the festival of blessed Simon. Through him they have gained a token of special protection; may the gift of predestination to eternal life be theirs also. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. Amen
Pro S. Ubaldi Episcopi Confessoris
Mercifully give us Your help, we beseech You, O Lord, and by the intercession of blessed Ubaldus, Your Confessor and Bishop, stretch over us the right hand of Your mercy against all wickedness of the devil. 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 Ecclus. 45: 1-6
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom. He was beloved of God and men, whose memory is in benediction; He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies; and with his words he made prodigies to cease; He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him his glory; He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh; for He heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud; and He gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 91: 13, 14
The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus in the house of the Lord. V. (Ps. 91, 3). To show forth Thy mercy in the morning, and Thy truth in the night. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (James 1: 12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 12: 35-40
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: ” Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands, and you yourselves like to men, who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh, shall find watching. Amen, I say to you, that He will gird Himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if He shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be ye then also ready; for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.”
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 88: 25
My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted.
SECRET
We offer Thee, O Lord, sacrifices of praise in commemoration of Thy saints,by whom we trust to be delivered from evils both present and future. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.
Pro S. Ubaldi Episcopi Confessoris
May Your Saints, we beseech You, O Lord, everywhere make us joyful: so that, while we reflect upon their merits, we may enjoy their help. 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 Common
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: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matthew 24: 46-47
Blessed is the servant, whom when the Lord shall come, He shall find watching: Amen I say to you, He shall set him over all his goods.
POSTCOMMUNION
We, Thy suppliants, who are refreshed with heavenly food and drink, beseech Thee, O our God, that we may be fortified by the prayers of him in whose commemoration we have partaken of these gifts. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever.
Pro S. Ubaldi Episcopi Confessoris
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that as we thank You for the favors we have received, we may, by the intercession of blessed Ubaldus, Your Confessor and Bishop, obtain still greater blessings. 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.
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