Saint Lawrence Justinian, Bishop and Confessor: Missa “Statuit ei Dominus”
Saint Lawrence Justinian was the first Patriarch of his native city, Venice. Renouncing the prospect of a noble marriage, he entered the Canons of St. George in Alga. All his revenues were spent on the poor and the building of new monasteries. God made it known that the safety of the glorious Venetian state was due, not to the diplomatic skill of her doges, or her formidable galleys, but to the holiness and merits of her bishop. He was a true fore-runner of the ecclesiastical reform later carried out by the Council of Trent. He died on January 8, 1455, a model of humility and pastoral zeal. Pope Innocent XII fixed his feast on this day, the anniversary of his episcopal consecration.
INTROIT Ecclesiasticus 45: 30
The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince: that the dignity of priesthood should be to him for ever. (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 Simon Peter, If thou lovest Me…
COLLECT
Grant us, we beseech Thee O almighty God, to extinguish the flames of our evil dispositions, as Thou didst grant blessed Lawrence to overcome the fires of his torments. 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 Intercession of the Saints
Let us pray. Defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all dangers of mind and body: and through the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary, ever Virgin, mother of God, of St Joseph, of Thy holy apostles, Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy loving-kindness grant us safety and peace; that, all adversities and errors being overcome, Thy Church 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, Forever and ever. R.Amen
Commemoration for the Living and the Dead
Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, Who hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all of whom Thou foreknowest that they will be Thine by faith and good works, we humbly beseech Thee, that they for whom we have resolved to pour forth our prayers, whether this world still retaineth them in the flesh, or the other world hath already received them freed from the body, may by the grace of Thy loving-kindness, and through the intercession of all Thy saints, obtain the forgiveness of all their sins. 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 Wisdom (Ecclesiasticus) 50. 1-14
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom. Behold. a great confessor, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple. By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building, and the high walls of the temple. In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure. He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction. He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court. As the morning star in the midst of a cloud, he shone in his days: and as the moon at her full and as the sun when it shineth, so shone he in the temple of God. And as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer. As a bright fire, and as frankincense burning in the fire. As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone. As an olive-tree budding forth, and a cypress-tree rearing itself on high. And about him was the ring of his brethren: as the cedar planted in mount Libanus, and as branches of palm trees, so stood they round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 44:20
Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God. V. (Eccl. 44: 20) There was not any found like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Ps 109: 4 ) Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia. V. This is the priest whom the Lord hath crowned. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Matthew 25:14-23
At that time Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: “A man going into a far country called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability : and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way, and traded with the same, and gained another five. And in like manner he that had received the two gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth and hid his lord’s money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying : Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou has been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things : enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said : Lord, thou deliverest two talents to me, behold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 88:25
My truth and My mercy shall be with him; and in My name shall his horn be exalted.
SECRET
Accept, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gifts offered Thee, and, by the interceding merits of blessed Lawrence, grant that they may be to as a help unto our salvation. 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.
Secret for the Intercession of the Saints
Graciously hear us, O God our Saviour, and, by virtue of this Sacrament, defend us from all enemies of soul and body, bestowing upon us Thy grace here and Thy glory hereafter. 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.
Commemoration for the Living and the Dead
O God, to whom alone is known the number of the elect who shall attain the happiness of Heaven, grant, we beseech Thee, that by the intercession of all Thy saints, the names of those who have been commended to our prayers and of all the faithful, may be written in the book of blessed predestination. 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.
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, Lord God of Sabaoth!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 12:32
This is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family: to give them their measure of wheat in due season.
POSTCOMMUNION
Filled with Thy sacred gift, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, that what we celebrate with our homage duly given by the intercession of Thy blessed martyr Lawrence, we may also know as an increase of Thy saving grace within us. 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.
Postcommunion for the Intercession of the Saints
Let us pray. May the gift of this Divine Sacrament which we have offered, cleanse us and defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God, of St. Joseph, of Thy holy apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, free us from all iniquity and deliver us from all adversity. 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.
Commemoration for the Living and the Dead
Let us pray. Almighty and merciful God, let the sacred mysteries we have received purify us, we beseech Thee, and grant, by the intercession of all Thy saints, that this Thy sacrament may be unto us not an occasion of guilt and punishment, but a means of pardon and salvation: may it wash away our offenses; may it be our strength in weakness; may it be our defense in all dangers; and to every one of the faithful, whether living or dead, may it avail to the remission of all their sins. 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.
The Brighton Oratory 