Common of Confessor Bishops (II)
Sacerdótes tui.

[Latin Text]

Introit: Ps. cxxxi: 9-10

Let Thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with justice, and let Thy saints rejoice: for Thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of Thine anointed. (P.T. Alleluia, alleluia.) [Ps. cxxxi] O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness. Glory be. Let Thy priests.

Collect:

Graciously hear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers which we offer unto Thee on the solemnity of blessed N., confessor and bishop: and by the merits and intercession of him who so worthily served Thee, absolve us from all our sins. Through our Lord.

Epistle: Heb 7:23-27

A reading from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews.
Brethren: And the other priests were indeed numerous, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but Jesus, because He continues forever, has an everlasting priesthood. Therefore He is able at all times to save those who come to God through Him, since He lives always to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and become higher than the heavens. He does not need to offer sacrifices daily (as the other priests did), first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people; for this latter He did once for all in offering up Himself, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gradual: Ps cxxxi: 16-17

I will clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall rejoice with exceeding great joy. There will I bring forth a horn to David. I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
Alleluia, alleluia. The Lord has sworn and He will not repent: Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.

From Septuagesima until Easter: Tract: Ps cxi.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will delight exceedingly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth. The generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Glory and wealth shall be in his house, and his justice remains forever and ever.

In Paschaltide: Alleluia: Ps. cix: 4

Alleluia, alleluia. The Lord has sworn and He will not repent: Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia. [Ecclus. xliv: 9] The Lord loved him and adorned him, He clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew xxiv: 42-47
+
The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "Watch, therefore, for you do not know at what hour the Lord is to come. But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not know, the Son of Man will come. Who, dost thou think, is the faithful and prudent servant whom his master has set over his household to give them their food in due time? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find so doing. Amen, I say to you, he will set him over all his goods."

Offertory Ps. xxcviii: 25

My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted. (P.T. Alleluia.)

Secret:

May the annual festival of blessed N., Thy confessor and bishop, we beseech Thee, O Lord, render us acceptable unto Thy loving kindness; that by means of this office of reconciliation, a blessed reward may be rendered to him, and to us the gifts of Thy grace. Through our Lord.

Communion: Matthew xxiv: 46, 47

Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find so doing. Amen, I say to you, he will set him over all his goods. Alleluia.

Postcommunion:

O God, who dost reward the faithful souls, grant that we may obtain pardon of our sins through the intercession of blessed N., Thy confessor and bishop, whose venerable feast we celebrate. Through our Lord.

Alternative readings:

Epistle as on Dec. 6th.

Gospel as on Nov. 11th.

or

+ The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Mark.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Take heed, watch, and pray, for you do not know when the time is: just as a man , when he leaves home to journey abroad, puts his servants in charge, to each his work, and gives orders to the porter to keep watch. Watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or early in the morning; lest coming suddenly he finds you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all, 'Watch.'"