May 3rd
Finding of the Holy Cross
Saint
Helena - Cima de Conegliano (1495)
Introit: Galatians vi:
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ut it behooves us to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection; by whom we were saved and delivered. Alleluia, alleluia [Ps. xlvi] 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.... But it....Collect:
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God, who in the glorious finding of the Cross of salvation didst renew the wonders of Thy passion; grant us by the price of the wood of life to win the palm of eternal life. Who livest.of Ss. Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal
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rant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we who keep the heavenly birthday of Thy Saints Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal, may by virtue of their prayers be delivered from all the evils which threaten us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.Epistle: Philippians ii: 5-11
A reading from the epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians:
Brethren: Have this in mind in you which was also in
Christ Jesus, who though He was by nature God, did not consider being equal to
God a thing to be clung to, but emptied Himself, taking the nature of a slave
and being made like unto men. And appearing in the form of man, he humbled
himself, becoming obedient to death, even to death on a cross. Therefore God
also has exalted Him and has bestowed upon Him the name that is above every
name, [Genuflect] so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend of those in heaven, on earth and under the earth, and
every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God
the Father.
Alleluia
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lleluia, alleluia. Say ye among the Gentiles that the Lord hath reigned from the wood. Alleluia, alleluia. Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the load that hangs thereon: for thou alone, O Holy Cross, wast worthy to bear the King and Lord of Heaven. Alleluia.Gospel: John iii: 1-15:
+
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t 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.Credo.
Offertory Ps. cxvii:
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he 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
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ook down in mercy, O Lord, upon the sacrifice we offer Thee, and may it free us from all the evils of war; and destroying the snares of our enemies, may we, under the banner of the Holy Cross of Thy Son, be established in the peace of our protection. Through the same Lord....Secret (of the Martyrs):
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ay Thine abundant blessings, O Lord, come down upon this oblation: may it both mercifully work out our salvation, and likewise gladden us unto the festival of Thy saints. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.Communion Hymn:
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y the sign of the holy Cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Thou, our God. Alleluia!Postcommunion:
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efreshed with food from heaven, and quickened with the spiritual cup, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, to save from the craft of the evil one, those whom Thou hast bidden to triumph by the wood of the holy Cross of Thy Son, that chosen instrument of justice.Postcommunion (of the Martyrs):
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ur strength being renewed from having shared in Thy sacred gift, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that by the intercession of Thy saints, Alexander, Eventius, Theodulus, and Juvenal, we may ever feel the effect of the Sacrament we celebrate. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
