Carissimi: Today’s Mass; St Ignatius of Antioch

S. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr: Missa “Mihi autem absit”

Today is the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr. This Bishop of Antioch, like St. Polycarp, was a disciple of St. John the Apostle. St. Ignatius was the third successor of St. Peter at Antioch; a tradition says that he was held on the knee of Our Lord when the Savior spoke the words “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” During the persecution of Trajan he was condemned to death and sent in chains to Rome. While on the way he wrote letters to various churches which are precious documents for our Faith. He rejoiced when he heard the roaring of the lions set loose to devour him, exclaiming: “I am the wheat of Christ: may I be ground by the fangs of wild beasts and become bread agreeable to my Lord!” He died a noble martyr in Rome on October 17 around 107 A.D. He is commemorated every day in the prayer which precedes the Pater Noster, known as the “Great Intercession” – the Nobis quoque peccatoribus.

INTROIT Galatians 6: 18

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. (Ps. 131: 1) O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness. 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. Repeat God forbid that I should glory…

COLLECT

Have regard to our weakness, O almighty God, and since the burden of our deeds id grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Ignatius Thy martyr and bishop may protect us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. R. Amen

Of the Blessed Virgin Mary
O God, it was through the motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary that Thou didst bestow the gift of eternal life upon mankind. Grant that we may feel the powerful intercession of Mary, through whom we were privileged to receive the giver of life, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord…

For the Church
Graciously accept the prayers of Thy Church, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that, overcoming all hostility and error, She may serve Thee in safety and freedom. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R. Amen

EPISTLE Romans 8: 35-39

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Romans. Brethren, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation? or distress? or famine? or nakedness? or danger? or persecution or the sword? (As it is written, for Thy sake we are put to death all the day long: we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.) But in all these things we overcome because of Him that hath loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GRADUAL  Ecclus 44: 16

Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God. V. There was not any found like to him, who kept the law of the Most High.

GOSPEL John 12: 24-26

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: “Amen, amen I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground, die, itself remaineth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life, shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, keepeth it unto life eternal. If any man minister to Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also shall My minister be. If any man minister to Me, him will My Father honor.”

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 8: 6-7

Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor: and hast set him over the works of Thy hands, O Lord

SECRET

Have regard to our weakness, O almighty God, and since the burden of our deeds id grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Ignatius Thy martyr and bishop may protect us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen.

Of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Through Thy clemency, O Lord, and by the intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, may this offering avail unto our prosperity and peace, now and for evermore…

For the Church
Protect us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries, that holding fast to things divine, we may serve Thee both in body and soul. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. 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  Acts of St. Ignatius

I am Christ’s corn; let me be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may be made into pure bread.

POSTCOMMUNION

Refreshed by the participation in the holy gift, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that by the intercession of blessed Ignatius Thy martyr and bishop, we may experience the effect of that which we celebrate. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.

Of the Blessed Virgin Mary
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from sin and bestow on us spiritual health from heaven through the intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, the Mother of God…

For the Church
We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst not allow to be exposed to human perils, those whom Thou hast been pleased to make sharers of these divine mysteries. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R. Amen