Introit • Ps. 21, 1, 5; 68, 10
My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels: for the zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 72, 1. How good is God to Israel: to them are of a right hear. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, Who didst adorn blessed Francis, as the founder of a new order, with the spirit of prayer and the love of penance, grant Thy servants to make such progress in imitating him that, by payer without ceasing, and by bringing the body into subjection, thy may deserve to attain heavenly glory. Through our Lord.
Epistle • Wis. 4, 7-14
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom.
The just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest. For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs. And a spotless life is old age. He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated.
He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind. Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time: For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities.
Gradual • Ps. 41, 2
As the hart panteth after the fountains of after, so my soul panteth after Thee, O God. Ps. 41, 3. My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God.
Gospel • Luke 12, 35-40
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands, and you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding: that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.
Blessed are those servants whom the lord, when he cometh, shall find watching: amen I say to you that he will gird himself and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be you then also ready, for at what hour you think not the Son of Man will come.
Offertory • Ps. 91, 13
The just man shall flourish like the palm-tree, he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. (P.T. Alleluia.)
Secret
Grant us, O most merciful Jesus, that, while celebration the noble virtues of blessed Franics, we, being enkindled with the same fire of charity that burned within him, may be able to stand worthily about Thy sacred table. Who livest.
Communion • Ps. 30, 20
O how great is the multitude of Thy sweetness, O Lord, which Thou hast hidden from them that fear Thee! (P.T. Alleluia.)
Postcommunion
Let the happy memory of the most holy sacrifice, which we have this day offered to Thy majesty on the solemn feast of blessed Francis, ever endure in our minds together with its fruits. Through our Lord.