St Francis Caracciolo Confessor; Comm. Feria in the Octave of the Ascension: Missa “Factum est”
A medical crisis that proved to be a false alarm changed the life of this 16th-century saint. At age 22, Francis developed a troublesome skin disease resembling leprosy—one of the most dreaded diseases of the day.
He vowed that if he recovered he would devote his life to God. The skin condition cleared up completely. Convinced his recovery was miraculous, Francis kept his promise to God.
He studied for the priesthood in Naples. There he befriended a man who wanted to establish a new religious community that would focus on both the active and the contemplative life. Francis helped draw up Rules for the new Order of the Minor Clerks Regular. Members of the Order agreed among themselves never to seek leadership within the group, though Francis was elected many times to serve in such positions.
Even in his capacity as superior of the Order, he insisted on sharing simple tasks: sweeping rooms, making beds, washing dishes. As a priest, Francis spent many hours in the confessional. He also begged in the streets for the poor and gave away most of his possessions to the needy.
Francis died in 1608.
INTROIT Ps. 21:15; 68:10
My heart has become like wax melting away within my bosom, because zeal for Your house consumes me. Ps 72:1 How good God is to Israel, to those who are clean of heart! V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. My heart has become like wax melting away within my bosom, because zeal for Your house consumes me.
COLLECT
O God, Who endowed blessed Francis, the founder of a new Order, with zeal for prayer and love of penance, grant that Your servants may make such progress in imitating him, that, praying constantly and bringing their bodies under control, they may be found worthy to attain heavenly 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.
Commemoratio Feria III infra Octavam Ascensionis
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thine Only-Begotten Son our Saviour to have this day ascended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with Him continually dwell.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
LESSON Wis. 4:7-14
The Lesson from the book of Wisdom. The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported – snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul; for the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind. Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to God, therefore He sped him out of the midst of wickedness.
ALLELUIA
Allelúja, allelúja. Ps 64:5 Beátus, quem elegísti et assumpsísti: inhabitábit in átriis tuis. Allelúja Ps 111:9 Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus: justítia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi. Allelúja.
GOSPEL Luke 12:35-40.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straightway open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming.
OFFERTORY Ps. 91:13.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow.
SECRET
Grant, most merciful Jesus, that, as we commemorate the renowned merits of blessed Francis, and aflame with the same fire of love as burned within him, we may be able to stand worthily around Your holy table. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
R. Amen
Commemoratio Feria III infra Octavam Ascensionis
Receive, O Lord, the gifts which we offer for the glorious Ascension of thy Son, and mercifully grant that we may be delivered from present dangers and attain eternal life. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
PREFACE of Ascension
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. Who, after His Resurrection, appeared openly to all His disciples, and, while they looked on, was taken up into heaven, that He might grant unto us to be sharers in His own divinity. And therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth!
POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord, may the most holy sacrifice, which we have today offered unto Your majesty on the feast of blessed Francis leave in our minds an enduring memory and lasting results. 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 Feria III infra Octavam Ascensionis
Grant us, we beseech thee, almighty and merciful God, that what we have taken and received in visible mysteries, may profit us by its invisible effects. 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.
The Brighton Oratory 