Commemoration of St. Liborius – Bishop, Confessor
Introit • Dan 3, 84, 87
O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye holy and humble of heart, praise God. Dan. 3, 57 All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, the rewarder of faithful souls, Who hast consecrated this day to the martyrdom of blessed Apollinaris, Thy priest, grant us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, that, as we observe his venerable feast, we may obtain forgiveness through his prayers. Through our Lord.
Collect (Prayer)
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that the august solemnity of Thy blessed confessor and pontiff, Liborius, may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord.
Epistle • 1 Peter 5, 1-11
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Peter the Apostle.
Dearly beloved, The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre’s sake, but voluntarily: Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart. And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory. In like manner, ye young men, be subject to the ancients. And do you all insinuate humility one to another, for God resisteth the proud, but to the humble he giveth grace.
Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation: Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you. Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
Gradual • Ps. 88, 21-23
I have found David My servant, with My holy oil I have anointed him: for My hand shall help him, and My arm shall strengthen him. The enemy shall have no advantage over him; nor the son of the iniquity have power to hurt him.
Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 109, 4. The Lord hath sworn, and He will not repent: thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.
Gospel • Luke 22, 24-30
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke
At that time, there was also a strife amongst them, which of them should seem to be the greater. And he said to them: The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that have power over them, are called beneficent.
But you not so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that serveth? Is it not he that sitteth at table? But I am in the midst of you, as he that serveth: And you are they who have continued with me in my temptations: And I dispose to you, as my Father hath disposed to me, a kingdom; That you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom: and may sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Offertory • Ps. 88, 25
My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted.
Secret
Graciously look down upon these gifts, O Lord, which we bring in remembrance of Thy blessed priest and martyr, Apollinaris, and offer up for our offenses. Through our Lord.
Secret
May Thy saints, we beseech Thee, O Lord, everywhere make us joyful, that, while we venerate their merits, we may experience their patronage. Through our Lord.
Communion • Matt. 25, 20-21
Lord Thou deliveredst to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. Well done, good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over my things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.
Postcommunion
Receiving Thy holy mysteries, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that the continued protection of blessed Apollinaris may comfort us; for Thou dost not ceased to regard mercifully those to whom Thou hast grated such aids for their assistance. Through our Lord.
Postcommunion
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that, giving thanks for the favors we have received, we may, by the intercession of blessed Liborius, Thy confessor and bishop, obtain blessing still greater. Through our Lord.