Introit • Gal. 6,14
But it behooves us to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: in Whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection: by Whom we are saved and delivered, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 66, 2. May God have mercy on us and bless us: May He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, Who, in the glorious finding of the cross of our salvation, didst renew the miracles of Thy passion, grant that, by the price of that life-giving wood, we may obtain the privilege of eternal life. Who livest.
Commemoration of Sts. Alexander and Companions, in low Masses only.
Collect (Prayer)
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that, venerating the natal feast of Thy saints, Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal, we may by their intercession, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through our Lord.
Epistle • Philipp. 2, 5-11
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Peter the Apostle to the Philippians.
[He recommends them to unity and humility, and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.]
Brethren, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 95, 10. Say ye among the gentiles, that the Lord hath reigned from the wood. Alleluia. Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the load that hangs thereon, to bear up the King of Lod of heaven, no tree was worthy, save thou, O holy cross. Alleluia.
Gospel • John 3, 1-15
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. John.
[Christ’s discourse with Nicodemus. John’s testimony.]
At that time, there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him. Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born again? Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. Wonder not, that I said to thee, you must be born again. The Spirit breatheth where he will; and thou hearest his voice, but thou knowest not whence he cometh, and whither he goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered, and said to him: How can these things be done? Jesus answered, and said to him: Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest not these things?
Amen, amen I say to thee, that we speak what we know, and we testify what we have seen, and you receive not our testimony. If I have spoken to you earthly things, and you believe not; how will you believe, if I shall speak to you heavenly things? And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him, may not perish; but may have life everlasting.
Offertory • Ps. 117, 16, 17
The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength, the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me: I shall not die, but live and shall declare the works of the Lord, alleluia.
Secret
Look with favor, O Lord, upon the sacrifice which we immolate the Thee, that it may preserve us from the horrors of war and, through the banner of the holy cross of Thy Son, may establish us in the security of Thy protections, to trample under foot the snares of the enemy’s power. Through our Lord.
Commemoration of Sts. Alexander and Companions, in low Masses only.
Secret
Let plenteous benediction, we beseech Thee, O Lord, descend upon these sacrifices, both to work Thy merciful sanctification in us and to bring us joy in the solemnity of Thy saints. Through our Lord.
Communion
By the sign of the cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Thou our God, Alleluia.
Postcommunion
Filled with heavenly food, and refreshed with the spiritual cup, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that Thou defend us from the malice of the enemy, as Thou hast bidden us triumph by the wood of the holy cross, the armor of justice for the salvation of the world. Through the same.
Commemoration of Sts. Alexander and Companions, in low Masses only.
Postcommunion
Refreshed by partaking of Thy sacred gift, we pray Thee, O Lord, our God, that by the intercessions of Thy saints Alexander, Eventuis, Theodulus, and Juvenal, we may experience the effect of that to which we pay our worship. Through our Lord.