The Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Commemoration of Pope St. Mark & St. Sergius and Companion Martyrs: Missa “Gaudeamus“
October 7th is the anniversary of the glorious victory won in 1571 by the Christian forces over the Turkish fleet at Lepanto. This triumph of the Cross over the Crescent was universally attributed to the powerful intercession of the Mother of God, whom Pope St. Pius V fervently invoked with her Rosary in his hand, and to whom the prayers of all Christendom were addressed. Two years after this great favour had been obtained, Pope Gregory XIII instituted an annual feast of thanksgiving to be celebrated on the First Sunday of October in all churches where an altar in honour of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary had been erected. From being a local festival this celebration gradually spread and became general, until Pope Leo XIII raised it to the rank of a double of the second class for the whole Church.
The devotion of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary dates at least from the Twelfth Century. The glory of having read this form of prayer with such extraordinary success is certainly due to the Dominican Order, and, owing to their zeal, the Rosary soon became the most popular devotion throughout the Christian world.
The Holy Rosary as it is now recited, and enriched with great indulgences, represents, after the Divine Office, what may be described as a popular Breviary of the Gospel. By meditating on the appropriate mysteries it may be adapted to the Liturgical Cycle, and because it unites vocal with mental prayer the Rosary is regarded as the most beautiful and approved devotion of the Latin Church. In its present form the Rosary was revealed by St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Friars Preachers, in order to stem the flood of the Albigensian heresy, then spreading far and wide throughout Europe. He propagated this form of prayer in obedience to a revelation received from the Blessed Virgin, to whom he had recourse for this purpose, about the year 1206, and to him was due the spread of a devotion which for many centuries has produced the most marvellous results in the Christian world.
The decisive defeat of the Turks at the famous battle of Lepanto (A. D. 1571) and at Belgrade (A. D. 1716) gave occasion both to the institution of this Feast and to its extension to the Universal Church.
Today is the feast of Pope Saint Mark, a Roman priest who was the right hand of Pope St. Sylvester, during the latter’s pontificate, and finally succeeded him. St. Mark’s term as Pope lasted only eight months, for he was called to his eternal reward in the year 336. Pope Damasus records of him that his life was blameless and full of love of God. He cared little for honours and despised earthly things, for his inmost heart was attached to virtue alone. He was the champion of justice and a perfect lover of Christ.
Today is also the feast with a commemoration of the holy martyrs Saints Sergius, Bacchus, Marcellus, and Apuleius. Sergius and Bacchus were at one time officers in the imperial army. After many tortures they were put to death for being Christians. The date of their martyrdom, which took place in the Third Century, is uncertain. Together with them are honoured two Roman martyrs, Marcellus and Apuleius, probably their contemporaries.
INTROIT
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a feast in honour of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary: at whose solemnity the angels rejoice and join in praising the Son of God . (Ps. 44: 2) My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak my works to the King. 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 Let us all rejoice…
COLLECT
God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection hath purchased for us the rewards of eternal life: grant, we beseech Thee, that, meditating on the mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen.
Commemoration of Pope St. Mark
Let us pray. Eternal Shepherd, do Thou look favourably upon Thy flock, which we beseech Thee to guard and keep for evermore through the blessed Mark, Supreme Pontiff, whom Thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church.
Commemoration of St. Sergius and Companion Martyrs
Let us pray. May the blessed merits of Thy holy martyrs, Sergius, Bacchus, Marcellus, and Apuleius, bide with us, O Lord, and make us ever fervent in Thy love. 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 Ecclesiasticus 8: 22, 24, 32, 35
Lesson from the book of Wisdom. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything, from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates; and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA
Psalm 44: 10 Because of truth, and meekness, and justice: and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully. V. Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear; for the King hath desired thy beauty.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. The solemnity of the glorious Virgin Mary, of the seed of Abraham, sprung from the tribe of Juda, of the noble line of David. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 1: 26-38
At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to virgin espoused to man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father: and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren; because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
Ecclus. 24: 25, 39, 17 In me is all grace of the way and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Like a rose planted on the rivers I have borne fruit.
SECRET
Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to be fittingly prepared for the offering of these gifts, and, through the mysteries of the most holy Rosary, so to meditate upon the life, passion, and glory of Thine only-begotten Son that we may become worthy of His promises. Who with Thee livest and reignest, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. R.Amen.
Commemoration of Pope St. Mark
Eternal Shepherd, do Thou look favourably upon Thy flock, which we beseech Thee to guard and keep for evermore through the blessed Mark, Supreme Pontiff, whom Thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church.
Commemoration of St. Sergius and Companion Martyrs
May the blessed merits of Thy holy martyrs, Sergius, Bacchus, Marcellus, and Apuleius, bide with us, O Lord, and make us ever fervent in Thy love. 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 BVM
It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God. That on the Festival of the blessed Virgin Mary, we should praise, bless and proclaim Thee. For she conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost; and losing not the glory of her virginity, gave forth to the world the everlasting light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the angels praise Thy majesty, the Dominions worship it, and the powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly Hosts, and the blessed Seraphim join together in celebrating their joy. With these we pray Thee join our voices also, while we say with lowly praise:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Ecclus. 39: 19 Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in His works.
POSTCOMMUNION
May we be assisted, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the prayers of Thy most holy Mother, whose Rosary we celebrate, that the virtue of the mysteries we adore may be shared and the effect of the sacraments we have received may be obtained. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. R. Amen.
Commemoration of Pope St. Mark
Let us pray. Since Thy Church has been nourished by the sacred repast, govern her in Thy clemency, we beseech Thee, O Lord, so that under the guidance of Thy mighty rule she may enjoy greater freedom and abiding integrity of religion.
Commemoration of St. Maurice and Companion Martyrs
Let us pray. May we be fortified, O Lord, by the reception of Thy sacraments, and protected, through the intercession of Thy holy martyrs, Sergius, Bacchus, Marcellus, and Apuleius, by heavenly armour against all the malice that assaileth 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.
The Brighton Oratory 