Feast of St. Philip Benizi, Confessor; commemoration of the Vigil of St Bartholomew, Apostle: Missa “Justus ut palma florebit“
St. Philip Benizi was born in Florence on the feast of the Assumption in 1233. He was one of the first to profess the religious life as a Servite, and became general of the Order. With his brethren he preached in many countries of Europe, and journeyed even into western Asia to spread the Christian faith. In his humility he refused honors and even the Papacy, which was offered by the cardinals assembled in conclave. He entered into the glory of Heaven in the year 1285. It is said that when he was dying he repeatedly asked for his book, and when the infirmarian did not understand his meaning the saint made signs that he wanted his crucifix, which was the book in which he was accustomed to meditate.
VIGIL The feasts of the Apostles are spread throughout the liturgical Cycle as if to show that the Apostles are the foundation on which the whole Church rests. St. Bartholomew is the sixth in the list of twelve, as given by the Evangelists. Like the other Apostles he learned the secrets of the divine law and made them known to the world, confirming them by his martyrdom (Gospel). On this day the liturgy prepares us for his feast of to-morrow (Collect).
INTROIT Psalm 91: 13, 14
The just shall flourish the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of God. Glory be to the Father and the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Repeat In the Midst of the Church …
COLLECT
O God, Who, through blessed Bartholomew, Thy confessor, hast afforded us a distinguished example of humility, grant unto Thy servants to despise, after his example, the prosperity of the world and ever to seek after Heavenly things. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. R.Amen.
Collect for the Vigil of St. Bartholomew
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that the august solemnity of blessed Bartholomew, Thine apostle to which we look forward, may increase both our devotion and our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, For ever and ever. R. Amen.
EPISTLE 1 Corinthians 4: 4, 19
Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. Brethren, we are made a spectacle to the world and to angels and men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ: we are weak, but you are strong: you are honorable, but we without honor. Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no fixed abode, and we labor working with our own hands. We are reviled, and we bless: we are persecuted, and we suffer it: we are blasphemed, and we entreat: we are made as the refuse of this world, the offscouring of all, even until now. I write not these things to confound you, but I admonish you as my dearest children in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 20:4, 5
With thy comeliness and thy beauty set out, proceed prosperously, and reign. V. Because of truth, and meekness and justice: and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Ps. 111: 1) Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, he delights exceedingly in His commandments. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 12: 32-34
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: “Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom. Sell what you possess, and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in Heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth – for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 20: 2, 3
In Thy strength, O Lord, the just shall joy, and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly: Thou hast given him his heart’s desire.
SECRET
Grant us, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that the offering of our lowliness may be pleasing to Thee in honor of Thy saints, and purify us in both body and mind. 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.
Secret for the Vigil of St. Bartholomew
Offering to Thee, O Lord, these sacred mysteries in reverence for the supreme apostolic dignity, we beseech Thee, that Thy people may, by the protection of blessed Bartholomew, Thine apostle to whose Heavenly birthday we look forward, at all times utter their prayers to Thee and obtain that for which they ask. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. R.Amen.
PREFACE of the Common
It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should in all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God, through Christ our Lord. Through whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the dominations adore, the powers are in awe, the virtues of highest heaven and the blessed seraphim unite in blissful exultation. With them we praise Thee; grant that our voices too may blend, saying in adoring praise:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matthew 19: 28-29
Amen I say to you, that you, who have left all things and followed Me, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.
POSTCOMMUNION
O God, Who, through blessed Philip, Thy confessor, hast afforded us a distinguished example of humility, grant unto Thy servants to despise, after his example, the prosperity of the world and ever to seek after Heavenly things. 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.
Postcommunion for the Vigil of St. Bartholomew
Let us pray. Being appeased by the supplication of Thy holy apostle, Bartholomew, O Lord, grant us, we beseech Thee, both pardon and everlasting salvation. Through the 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.
PROPER LAST GOSPEL John 15:12-16
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
The Brighton Oratory 