SS. Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla & Pancras, Martyrs: Missa “Ecce oculi”
Sts. Nereus and Achilleus were servants of St. Flavia Domitilla. She was the wife of the consul Flavius Clemens. cousin of the Emperor Domitian. She died in exile on the island of Pandataria. Her granddaughter, likewise Domitilla, also died in exile on the island of Pontia. The virgin whose feast is celebrated to-day is the second Domitilla. The fourteen-year-old Pancras suffered martyrdom probably in the reign of Diocletian, and was buried by the matron Ottavilla on a property belonging to her on the Via Aurelia, where the basilica dedicated to him still stands. There the station is celebrated on Low Sunday, when the neophytes, newly born in the Spirit, used to put off their white baptismal garments. In the Middle Ages it was the custom that the most solemn oaths should be taken at the tomb of the martyr Pancras, as though the simple innocence of a childhood consecrated by the blood of martyrdom would ensure a safer guarantee of their genuineness. The Romans venerated him with great fervour.
INTROIT Psalm 32: 18-20
Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear Him, hoping in His mercy, alleluia: to deliver their souls from death; for He is our helper and protector, alleluia, alleluia. (Ps. 32: 1) Rejoice in the Lord, ye just: praise becometh the upright. 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 Simon Peter, If thou lovest Me…
COLLECT
Let the blessed solemnity of Thy martyrs, Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancras, ever comfort us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and render us worthy of Thy service. 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.
Prayer in honour of our Blessed Lady
Let us pray. Grant us, Thy servants, O Lord God, we beseech Thee, to enjoy continual health of mind and body, and, by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever a virgin, to be delivered from present sorrow and partake of the fullness of eternal joy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R.Amen.
Prayer for God’s Holy Church
Let us pray. Graciously hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy Church that, having overcome all adversity and every error, she may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R.Amen.
EPISTLE Wisdom 5 (Ecclesiasticus) 1-5
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom. The just shall stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labors. These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation saying, within themselves, repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit, These are they whom we had some time in derision, and for a parable of reproach. We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honor. Behold, how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA
Alleluia, alleluia. V. This is a true brotherhood, which hath overcome the sins of the world: it hath followed Christ, laying hold upon the heavenly kingdom. Alleluia. V. The white-robed army of martyrs praiseth Thee, O Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL John 4: 46-53
At that time, there was a certain ruler Whose son was sick at Capharnaum. He having heard that Jesus was come from Judæa into Galilee, went to Him, and prayed Him to come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him: “Unless you see signs and wonders, you believe not:” The ruler saith to Him: Lord, come down before my son die. Jesus saith to him: “Go thy way, thy son liveth.” The man believed the word which Jesus said to him, and went his way. And as he was going down, his servants met him; and they brought word, saying that his son lived. He asked therefore of them the hour wherein he grew better. And they said to him: Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him: The father therefore knew that it was at the same hour that Jesus said to him: Thy son liveth; and himself believed, and his whole house.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 88: 6
The Heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and Thy truth in the church of the saints, alleluia, alleluia
SECRET
Let the confession of Thy holy martyrs, Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancras, be pleasing unto Thee, we beseech, O Lord, both to commend our offerings and ever to implore Thy pardon for us. 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. R.Amen.
Prayer in honour of our Blessed Lady
By Thy clemency, O Lord, and the intercession of blessed Mary, ever a virgin, may this oblation profit us unto eternal and also present well being and peace. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R.Amen.
Prayer for God’s Holy Church
Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries, that, cleaving to things divine, we may serve Thee both in body and in mind. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, 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:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Psalm 32: 1
Rejoice, ye just in the Lord, alleluia: praise becometh the upright, alleluia.
POSTCOMMUNION
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that by the supplications of Thy blessed martyrs, Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancras, the holy sacraments which we have received may profit us for the increase of Thy favor. 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. R.Amen.
Prayer in honour of our Blessed Lady
Let us pray. Having received the aids of our everlasting salvation, O Lord, we beseech Thee, grant us to be everywhere protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever a virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Thy majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R.Amen.
Prayer for God’s Holy Church
Let us pray. O Lord our God, we pray Thee that Thou suffer not to succumb to human hazards those whom Thou hast been pleased to make sharers of divine mysteries. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R.Amen.
The Brighton Oratory 
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