S. Bruno, Confessor: Missa “Os justi”
Born in Cologne, Germany in 1030, he studied theology in Rheims before returning home to be ordained in 1055. He became head of the school at Reims, leading the school until becoming chancellor of the diocese in 1075. He had a dream, however, of living in solitude and prayer, and persuaded some others to join him in a hermitage in the Chartreuse Mountains.
After living as a hermit for several years, Bruno was forced to leave to help a former pupil, now Pope Urban II, remaining in Italy until he was released to return. During this time he befriended a Count who granted Bruno and the monks some land “in the Chartreuse”, where the climate, terrain and inaccessibility guaranteed silence, poverty and small numbers.
Here he established the Carthusian Order, based on ascetism, poverty and prayer, combining the solitary life of hermits with the collective life of conventional monks. They built an oratory with small cells at a distance from each other. Monks met for Matins and Vespers each day, eating alone except for the great feasts and spending the rest of the time in solitude. Their main work was copying manuscripts.
Bruno died on October 6, 1101.
INTROIT Ecclesiasticus 45: 30
The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak judgment: the law of his God is in his heart.. (Ps. 36: 30-31) Be not emulous of evildoers: nor envy them that work iniquity. 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 The mouth of the just…
COLLECT
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be assisted by the prayers of St. Bruno, Thy confessor, that we, who have grievously offended Thy majesty by sin, may obtain the forgiveness of our offenses through his merits and prayers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
EPISTLE Ecclesiasticus Sir 31:8-11
Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall recount his alms.
GRADUAL Ps 91:12, 14.
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord. Ps 91:3 V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia. James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straight-way open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third, and fins them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 20: 3-4
Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, O Lord, and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips: Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.
SECRET
We offer You sacrifices of praise, O Lord, in memory of Your Saints; trusting that by them we may be delivered from both present and future evils. 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 Common
It is truly meet and just, and profitable unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ, our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominions adore it, the Powers are in awe. Which the heavens and the hosts of heaven together with the blessed Seraphim joyfully do magnify. And do Thou command that it be permitted us to join with them in confessing Thee, while we say with lowly praise:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt 24:46-47
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.
POSTCOMMUNION
We pray You, almighty God, that we who have received heavenly nourishment, may thereby, through the intercession of blessed Bruno, Your Confessor, be sustained against all harm and danger. 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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