Feast of Our Lady of Victory (/of the Most Holy Rosary): Missa “Gaudeamus omnes“
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 favor 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 honor 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 marvelous 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 honors 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 honored two Roman martyrs, Marcellus and Apuleius, probably their contemporaries.
INTROIT
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a feast in honor 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
O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has merited for us the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech You, that, meditating on those mysteries in the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. 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.
For S. Sergius and Companions martyrs
May the blessed merits of Your holy Martyrs, Sergius, Bacchus, Marcellus and Apuleius, continually benefit us, O Lord, and make us ever fervent in Your love. 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.
EPISTLE Proverbs 8:22-24, 32-35.
Lesson from the book of Proverbs. The Lord begot me, the firstborn of His ways, the forerunner of His prodigies of long ago; from of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth. So now, O children, listen to me; happy those who keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Happy the man who obeys me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts; for he who finds me finds life, and wins favor from the Lord.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA
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 You, O Lord, to be properly prepared to offer these gifts, and, through the mysteries of the most holy Rosary, so to keep in mind the life, passion and glory of Your only-begotten Son, that we may be made worthy of His promises. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. R. Amen
For St. Sergius and Companions
By the worthy prayer of Your Saints, we beseech You, O Lord, may this victim, fitting for sacrifice, cause Your Majesty to be appeased in us. 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 Blessed Virgin Mary
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: and that we should praise and bless, and proclaim Thee, in the Festivitate of the Blessed Mary, ever-Virgin: Who also conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and 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 these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth!
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 the prayers of Your most holy Mother, whose Rosary we are honoring, help us, we beseech You, O Lord, that we may derive strength from the mysteries we celebrate and obtain benefit from the sacrament we have received. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
R. Amen
For St. Sergius and Companions
May we be strengthened, O Lord, by the sacrament we have received, and protected through the intercession of Your holy Martyrs, Sergius, Bacchus, Marcellus and Apuleius, by heavenly armor against all the wickedness besetting us. 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.
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