Introit • Ps. 78, 11-13, 10
Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before Thee, O Lord; render to our neighbors sevenfold in their bosoms; revenge the blood of Thy saints which hath been shed. Ps. 78, 1. O God, the heathens are come into Thy inheritance; they have defiled Thy holy temple; they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, Who didst bestow upon Thy saints, Abdon and Sennen, an abundance of grace to bring them to this glory, grant to Thy servants the pardon of their sins, that, by the interceding merits of Thy saints, they may deserve to be delivered from all adversities. Through our Lord.
Epistle • 2 Cor. 6, 4-11
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.
[He exhorts them to a correspondence with God’s grace and not to associate with unbelievers.]
BRETHREN, in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, In the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left; By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet known; As dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as needy, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.
Gradual • Ex. 15, 14
God is glorious in His saints: wonderful in majesty, doing wonders. Ex. 15, 6. Thy right hand, O Lord, is gloried in strength: They right hand hath broken the enemies.
Alleluia, alleluia. Wis. 3, 1. The souls of just men are in the hands of God, nor shall the tortures of the wicked touch them. Alleluia.
Gospel • Matt. 5, 1-12
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew.
[Christ’s sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes.]
At that time, Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain; and when He was sat down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.
Offertory • Ps. 67, 36
God is wonderful in His saints: the God of Israel is He Who will give power and strength to His people: blessed be God. Alleluia.
Secret
May this offering, which we present , O Lord, in commemoration the natal feast of Thy martyrs, both loose, we beseech Thee, the bonds of our base desires and win for us the gifts of Thy mercy. Through our Lord.
Communion • Ps 78, 2, 11
They have given the dead bodies of Thy servants, O Lord, to be meat for the fowls of the air, the flesh of Thy saints to the beasts of the earth: according to the greatness of Thy arm take possession of the children of those who have been punished with death.
Postcommunion
By the operation of this mystery, O Lord, may our lives be purified, and, through the intercession of Thy martyrs, Abdon and Sennen, our just desires have fulfillment, Through our Lord.