Commemoration of St. Hermes, Martyr
Introit • Ps. 44, 8
Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: there for God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (P. T. Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 44, 2. My heart that uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
Give ear to our prayers, O almighty God, and, by the intercession of blessed Augustine, Thy confessor and bishop, graciously grant the effect of Thine accustomed mercy to those in whom Thou dost encourage a strong trust in the kindness which is their hope. Through our Lord.
Collect (Prayer)
O God, Who didst strengthen blessed Hermes, Thy martyr, with the virtue of constancy in his suffering, grant us, in imitation of him, to despise the prosperity of the world for love of Thee, and not to fear worldly adversity. Through our Lord.
Epistle • 2 Tim. 4, 1-8
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy.
Dearly beloved, I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom: Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming.
Gradual • Ps. 36, 30, 31
The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom and his tongue shall speak judgement: the law of his God is in his heart; and his steps shall not be supplanted.
Lesser Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 88, 21. I have found David my servant: with my holy oil I have anointed him. Alleluia.
Gospel • Matt. 5, 13-19
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.
So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Offertory • Ps. 91, 13
The just shall flourish like the palm-tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Secret
May the loving prayers of Augustine, Thy bishop and confessor, not be wanting to us, O Lord, to commend our gifts and ever to obtain pardon for us. Through our Lord.
Secret
We offer Thee, O Lord, the sacrifice of praise in commemoration of Thy saints; grant, we beseech Thee, that what hath conferred glory on them may profit us unto salvation. Through our Lord.
Communion • Luke 12, 42
A faithful and wise steward, whom His lord set over his family; to give them their measure of wheat in due season. (P. T. Alleluia.)
Postcommunion
That Thy sacrifices may give us health, O Lord, may blessed Augustine, Thy bishop and confessor and illustrious doctor, we beseech Thee, act as our intercessor. Through our Lord.
Postcommunion
Filled with heavenly blessings, O Lord, we beseech Thy mercy that, by the intercession of blessed Hermes, Thy martyr, we may feel the salutary effects of that which we humbly perform. Through our Lord.