Carissimi: Today’s Mass; Votive of the Holy Cross

Votive of the Holy Cross: Missa “Nos autem”

The call of Christ invites us to take up the Cross, and to follow in the way of the Cross, in faithfulness and obedience to Christ, and in union with Him, even unto death, in the fulness of resurrection life. On Fridays throughout the year, a Votive Mass of the Holy Cross may be offered when permitted by the rubrics.

INTROIT Galatians 6: 14

But it behooves us to glory in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ: in Whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection; by Whom we are saved and delivered, alleluia, alleluia. (Ps. 66: 2) May God have mercy on us, and bless us; may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us. v. 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.

COLLECT

O God, who didst vouchsafe to sanctify the standard of the life-giving cross by the precious blood of thy only-begotten Son; grant, we beseech thee, that those who rejoice in the honour of the same holy cross may also rejoice everywhere in thy protection. 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 Philippians 2: 5-11

Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians. Brethren let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a Name which is above all names: (here all kneel) that in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow,of those that are in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Philippians 2: 8, 9

Christ became cbedient for us unto death: even the death of the cross. V. For which cause also God hath exalted Him and hath given Him a name which is above all names. Alleluia, alleluia. V. Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the load that hangs thereon: to bear up the King and Lord of Heaven nought was worthy save thou, O holy cross. Alleluia.

GOSPEL Matthew 20:17-19

Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St Matthew. At that time: Jesus took the twelve disciples apart and said to them: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death. And shall deliver him to the gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and the third day he shall rise again.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON 

Through the sign of the holy cross, protect Thy people, O Lord, from the snares of all enemies, that we may pay Thee a pleasing service, and our sacrifice be acceptable.

SECRET

May this oblation, we beseech thee, O Lord, cleanse us from all sins : even as on the altar of the cross it took away the sins of the whole world. 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.

PREFACE of the Holy Cross

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 Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross that whence death came, thence also life might rise again, and that he, who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy majesty, the Dóminations 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 these we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:

COMMUNION ANTIPHON 

Through the sign of the cross deliver us from our enemies, O our God.

POSTCOMMUNION

Be Thou with us, O Lord. our God, and as Thou dost make us rejoice in honor of the holy cross, defend us also by its perpetual assistance. 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.