Introit • Ps. 44, 13, 15, 16
All the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance; after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbors shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. (p. T. alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 44, 2. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
Graciously hear us, O God, our Saviour, that, as we rejoice in the festival of blessed Angela Merici, Thy virgin, so we may be taught by the spirit of pious devotion. Through our Lord.
Epistle • 1 Cor. 7, 25-34
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Brethren, concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord; but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful.
I think therefore that this is good for the present necessity, that it is good for a man so to be. Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of the flesh. But I spare you. This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
And they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
Gradual • Ps. 44, 12
The King hath greatly desired thy beauty, for He is the Lord the God. (Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 44, 11. Harken, O daughter, and see and incline thine ear.
Lesser Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. This is a wise virgin, and one of the number of the prudent . Alleluia.
Gospel • Matt. 13, 44-52
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew.
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable in His disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls.
Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes. Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.
Offertory • Ps. 44, 15, 16
After her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbors shall be brought to Thee with gladness and rejoicing: they shall be brought into the temple, to the King our Lord. (P.T. Alleluia.)
Secret
May the offering of Thy consecrated people be accepted by Thee, O Lord, in honor of Thy saints, by whose merits it knoweth that it hath received aid in time of trouble. Through our Lord.
Communion • Matt. 13, 45, 46
The kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, gave all that he had, and brought it (P.T. Alleluia.)
Postcommunion
Thou hast filled Thy household, O Lord, with sacred gifts; ever comfort us, we beseech Thee, through her intercession whose festival we celebrate. Through our Lord.