Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel
Introit
Psalm 102:20
Bless the Lord, all ye His Angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute His word, hearkening to the voice of His orders. Ps. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless His holy name. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
O God, Who in a wonderful order hast established the ministry of Angels and of men, mercifully grant, that even as Thy holy Angels ever do Thee service in heaven, so at all times they may defend our lives on earth. Through our Lord.
Epistle
Apocalypse 1:1-5
In those days: God signified the things which must shortly come to pass, sending by His angel to His servant John, who hath given testimony to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, what things soever he hath seen. Blessed is he that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy, and keepeth those things that are written in it; for the time is at hand. John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you and peace from Him that is, and that was, and that is to come; and from the seven spirits which are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, Who is the faithful Witness, the First-Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth, Who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own Blood.
Gradual
Psalm 102:20,1
Bless the Lord all ye His Angels: you that are mighty in strength, that do His will. V. O my soul, bless thou the Lord: and all that is within me praise His holy name.
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Holy Archangel Michael, defend us in battle: that we may not perish in the dreadful judgment. Alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 18:1-10
At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest Thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? and Jesus calling unto Him a little child, set him in the midst of them, and said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever there-fore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven: and he that shall receive one such little child in My name, receiveth Me; ?but he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals: for it must needs be that scandals come; but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh. And if thy hand or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if they eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee hav-ing one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. See that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
Offertory
Apocalypse 8:3-4
An Angel stood near the altar of the temple, having a golden censer in his hand: and there was given to him much incense: and the smoke of the perfumes ascended before God.
Secret
We offer up to Thee, O Lord, the sacrifice of praise: and most humbly pray that, by the suffrages of Thy holy Angels pleading for us, Thou wouldst graciously receive it and make it to avail to our salvation. Through our Lord.
Communion
Daniel 3:58
All ye Angels of the Lord bless the Lord: sing a hymn, and exalt Him above all for ever.
Postcommunion
Relying, O Lord, upon the intercession of Thy blessed Archangel Michael, we humbly beseech of Thee, that the sacrament which has passed our lips may quicken our souls. Through our Lord.