St Apollinaris, Bishop & Martyr; Commemoration St Liborious, Bishop & Confessor: Missa “Sacerdótes Dei“
St. Apollinaris was the disciple of St. Peter, who preached the Gospel at Ravenna. He was one of the first great martyrs of the church. He was made Bishop of Ravenna by the Apostle himself. The miracles he wrought there soon attracted official attention, for they and his preaching won many converts to the Faith, while at the same time bringing upon him the fury of the idolaters, who beat him cruelly and drove him from the city. He was found half dead on the seashore, and kept in concealment by the Christians, but was captured again and compelled to walk on burning coals and a second time expelled. But he remained in the vicinity, and continued his work of evangelization.
We find him then journeying in the province of Aemilia. A third time he returned to Ravenna. Again he was captured, hacked with knives, had scalding water poured over his wounds, was beaten in the mouth with stones because he persisted in preaching, and then, loaded with chains, was flung into a horrible dungeon to starve to death; but after four days he was put on board ship and sent to Greece. There the same course of preachings, and miracles, and sufferings continued; and when his very presence caused the oracles to be silent, he was, after a cruel beating, sent back to Italy.
All this continued for three years, and a fourth time he returned to Ravenna. By this time Vespasian was Emperor, and he, in answer to the complaints of the pagans, issued a decree of banishment against the Christians. Apollinaris was kept concealed for some time, but as he was passing out of the gates of the city, was set upon and savagely beaten, probably at Classis, a suburb, but he lived for seven days, foretelling meantime that the persecutions would increase, but that the Church would ultimately triumph.
It is not certain what was his native place, though it was probably Antioch. Nor is it sure that he was one of the seventy-two disciples of Christ, as has been suggested. The precise date of his consecration cannot be ascertained, but he was Bishop of Ravenna for twenty-six years and was consecrated by St. Peter.
There is also a Commemoration of St. Liborius, bishop and Confessor. He was the fourth bishop of Le Mans, France. He was renowned for the miracles which he wrought on behalf of those suffering from stone; his name was added to the Calendar by Pope Clement XI, who suffered with this dangerous malady and was cured by the intercession of the saint. He died about the year 397.
INTROIT Daniel 3: 84, 87
O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, praise God. (Dan. 3: 57) All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all for ever. v. Glory be…etc
COLLECT
O God, the rewarder of faithfui souls, Who hast consecrated this day to the martyrdom of blessed Apollinaris, Thy priest, grant us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, that, as we observe his venerable feast, we may obtain forgiveness through his prayers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.
Commemoration of St. Liborius
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that the august solemnity of Thy blessed confessor and pontiff, Liborius, may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. 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.
EPISTLE 1 Peter 5: 1-11
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Peter the Apostle. Dearly beloved, The ancients that are among you I beseech, who am myself also an ancient and a witness of the sufferings of Christ; as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come; feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it not by constraint, but willingly according to God; not for filthy lucre’s sake, but voluntarily; neither as lording it over the clergy but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart: and when the Prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. In like manner, ye young men, be subject to the ancients: and do ye all insinuate humility one to another; for God resisteth the proud, but to the humble He giveth grace. Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in the time of visitation; casting all your care upon Him, for He hath care of you. Be sober and watch, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith, knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world. But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will Himself perfect you, and confirm vou. and establish You. To Him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 88: 21-23
I have found David My servant, with My holy oil I have anointed him: for My hand shall help him, and My arm shall strengthen him. V. The enemy shall have no advantage over him; nor the son of Iniquity have power to hurt him. Alleluia, alleuia. V. (Ps. 109: 4) The Lord hath sworn, and He will not repent: thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 22: 24-30
At that time, There was a strife among the disciples, which of them should seem to be greater. And Jesus said to them. “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them; and they that have power over them, are called beneficent. But you not so; but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that serveth? Is not he thatsitteth at table? but I am in the midst of you, as he that serveth. And you are they who have continued with Me in My temptations: and I dispose to you, as My Father hath disposed to Me, a kingdom: that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 88: 25
My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted
SECRET
Graciously look down upon these gifts, O Lord, which We bring in remembrance of Thy blessed priest and martyr, Apollinaris, and offer up for our offenses. 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.
Commemoration of St. Liborius
May Thy saints, we beseech Thee, O Lord, everywhere make us joyful, that, while we venerate their merits, we may experience their Patronage. 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.
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 Matthew 25: 20-21
Lord, Thou deliverest to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. Well done, good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord..
POSTCOMMUNION
Receiving Thy holy mysteries, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that the continued protection of blessed Apollinaris may comfort us; for Thou dost not cease to regard mercifully those to whom Thou hast granted such aids for their assistance. 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.
Commemoration of St. Liborius
Let us pray. May Thy saints, we beseech Thee, O Lord, everywhere make us joyful, that, while we venerate their merits, we may experience their Patronage. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever.
The Brighton Oratory 