Introit • 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 (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 36, 1. Be not emulous of evil-doers; nor envy them that work iniquity. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
Grant unto Thy Church, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, it may be worthy to have for its glorious defender in heaven blessed Stephen, Thy confessor, who it had for its champion while he reigned on earth. Through our Lord.
Epistle • Ecclus. 31, 8-11
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom.
Blessed is the man that is found without blemish, and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him? For he hath done wonderful things in his life. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting: he that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them: therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the Church of the Saints shall declare his alms.
Gradual • Ps. 91, 13-14
The just shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus in the house of the Lord. Ps. 91, 3. To show forth Thy mercy in the morning, and Thy truth in the night.
Lesser Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. James 1, 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life: Alleluia.
Gospel • Luke 19, 12-26
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke.
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them: Trade till I come. But his citizens hated him: and they sent an embassage after him, saying: We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that he returned, having received the kingdom: and he commanded his servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
And the first came, saying: Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him: Well done, thou good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a little, thou shalt have power over ten cities. And the second came, saying: Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said to him: Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying: Lord, behold here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin;
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and thou reapest that which thou didst not sow. He saith to him: Out of thy own mouth I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow: And why then didst thou not give my money into the bank, that at my coming, I might have exacted it with usury? And he said to them that stood by: Take the pound away from him, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. And they said to him: Lord, he hath ten pounds.
But I say to you, that to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: and from him that hath not, even that which he hath, shall be taken from him.
Offertory • Ps. 88, 25
My truth and My mercy shall be with Him: and My name shall his horn be exalted. (P.T. alleluia.)
Secret
Do thou regard, O almighty God, the sacrifices which we offer, and grant that we, who celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s passion, may imitate what we commemorate. Through the same.
Communion • Matt. 24, 46, 47
Blessed is the servant who when the Lord shall come, He shall find watching: Ament I say to you, He shall set him over all His goods. (P.T. Alleluia.)
Postcommunion
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God that we may follow with due devotion the faith of blessed Stephen, Thy confessor, who, by spreading abroad the same faith, merited to go from an earthly kingdom into the glory of Thy heavenly kingdom. Through our Lord.