Sunday XVIII Post Pentecost; Commemoration of SS. Cyprian and Justina, Martyrs: Missa “Da pacem, Dómine“
At the Introit of the Mass the Church prays for the peace which God has promised by His prophets. St. Paul shows in the epistle that he possesses true love for his neighbour, because he rejoices and thanks God that he enriched the Corinthians with different graces and gifts, thus confirming the testimony of Christ in them, so that they could without fear expect His arrival for judgment. Do thou also rejoice, with St. Paul, for the graces given to thy neighbour, for this is a mark of true charity. Those who brought the sick man to Christ in the Gospel, give us a touching example of how we should take care of the sick and help them according to our ability. Christ was so well pleased with their faith and charity, that He cured the man sick of the palsy, and forgave him his sins. Hence we learn how we might assist many who are diseased in their soul, if we would lead them to God by confiding prayer, by urgent admonitions, or by good example.
St. Cyprian was born to parents who worshiped idols. They taught him all kinds of wicked beliefs and superstitions. They even offered him to the Devil! What a terrible thing to do! Cyprian, having learned these wicked practices, did terrible crimes, blasphemed Christ, and committed secret murders!
There lived at Antioch a young Christian lady named Justina. She was of noble birth and very beautiful. A pagan nobleman named Agladius, fell in love with her. But Justina wished to remain a Virgin and did not want to marry. So he asked Cyprian for help.
Cyprian, who was also in love with Justina, tried every way possible to make her change her mind. Justina saw that these men were evil! So she watched and prayed, and did penance. She did this so that she would not sin. She wanted to always be faithful to Jesus and Mary.
Cyprian, saw that he was being overcome by a more Superior Power! So he began to consider and question the weakness of the Devils, and resolved to quit serving them. St. Cyprian converted to the Catholic Faith and was baptized. Agladius the pagan nobleman, also converted to the Catholic Faith.
The persecution of Diocletian broke out at that time, and Cyprian and Justina were seized and presented to Diocletian himself, who judged them. Justina was scourged and Cyprian was torn with iron hooks. After this they were both sent back to Diocletian in chains. He commanded that their heads be cut off, and they died; martyrs for the Faith!
To look back on St. Cyprian’s early life, we see how his human nature, filled with sin and evil habits, was turned around by the grace of God. Through St. Justina’s prayers and penances and sacrifices, Cyprian realized what he was doing wrong and converted to the Catholic Church. Let us beg of God to send us grace to resist temptation, and to do His most Holy Will at all times!
INTROIT Eccles. 38: 18
Give peace, O Lord, to them that patiently wait for Thee, that Thy prophets may be found faithful: hear the prayers of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel. (Ps. 121: 1) I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: we shall go into the house of the Lord. 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
COLLECT
Let the exercise of Thy compassion, we beseech Thee, O Lord, direct out hearts: for without Thee we are not able to please Thee. 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.
Commemoration of SS Cyprian & Justina
May the continual protection of the blessed Martyrs Cyprian and Justina comfort us, O Lord, for You do not cease to behold with favour those whom You have granted the grace of such assistance. 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.
Collect of the Souls
From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and by the intercession of blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, thy Church may serve thee in security and freedom. 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.
EPISTLE Corinthians 1: 4-8
Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. Brethren, I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Jesus Christ, that in all things you are made rich in Him in all utterance and in all knowledge, as the testimony of Christ was confirmed to you so that nothing is wanting to you in my grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will also confirm you into the end without crime, in the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 122: 1,7
Happy the nation whose God is the Lord, the people the Lord has chosen for His own inheritance. V. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made; by the breath of His mouth all their host. Alleluia, alleluia. Ps 101:2 V. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to You. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Matthew 9: 1-8
At that time, Jesus entering into a boat, passed over the water and came into His own city. And behold they brought Him one sick of the palsy lying on a bed and Jesus seeing their faith, said to the sick man of the palsy: “Be of good heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee.” And behold some of the Scribes said within themselves: He blasphemeth. And Jesus seeing their thoughts, said: “Why do you think evil in your hearts? whether is it easier to say: Thy sins are forgiven thee or to say: Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins” (then said He to the man sick of the palsy): “Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.” And he rose, and went into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Exodus 24: 4,5
Moses consecrated an altar to the Lord, offering upon it holocausts, and sacrificing victims: he made an evening sacrifice to the Lord God for an odour of sweetness, in the sight of the children of Israel.
SECRET
O God, Who, by Thy venerable intercourse with us in this Sacrifice, dost make us partakers of the one Supreme Godhead: grant, we beseech Thee, that as we know Thy truth, so we may follow it by worthy lives. 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.
Commemoration of SS Cyprian & Justina
We offer You, O Lord, the gifts of our devotion; may they by Your mercy, be rendered both pleasing to You in honour of Your just ones and profitable for our salvation. 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.
Of the souls
Hear us, O God, our salvation that through the power of this Sacrament thou mayest defend us from all enemies of soul and body and bestow upon us grace here and glory hereafter. 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.
PREFACE of the Holy Trinity
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; Who, together with Thine only-begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost, art one God, one Lord: not in the oneness of a single Person, but in the Trinity of one substance. For what we believe by Thy revelation of Thy glory, the same do we believe of Thy Son, the same of the Holy Ghost, without difference or separation. So that in confessing the true and everlasting Godhead, distinction in persons, unity in essence, and equality in majesty may be adored. Which the Angels and Archangels, the Cherubim also and Seraphim do praise: who cease not daily to cry out, with one voice saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Psalm 95: 8,9
Bring up sacrifices, and come into His courts: adore ye the Lord in His holy court.
POSTCOMMUNION
We who are fed with Thy holy Gift, O Lord, do offer our thanks unto Thee: beseeching Thy mercy that Thou mayest make us worthy to share in it. 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.
Commemoration of SS Cyprian & Justina, Martyrs
Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord, through the intercession of Your holy Martyrs, Cyprian and Justina, that what we taste with our lips, we may consume with pure heart. 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.
Of the souls
May the offering of this divine Sacrament cleanse and protect us, O Lord we beseech thee, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, may it purify us from all sin, and free us from all adversity. 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.
The Brighton Oratory 
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