Saint Agatha
Introit
Psalm 44:3
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival in honour of blessed Agatha, Virgin and Martyr; at whose passion the Angels rejoice, and give praise to the Son of God. Ps. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak my words to the King. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
O God, who among other miracles of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom, grant, we beseech Thee, that we who celebrate the festival of blessed Agatha, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may draw nearer to Thee by her example. Through our Lord.
Epistle
I Corinthians 1:26-31
Brethren: See your vocation, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble: but the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that He may confound the wise, and the weak things of the world hath God chosen that He may confound the strong; and the base things of the world, and the things that are contemptible hath God chosen, and things that are not, that He might bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His sight. But of Him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and justice, and sanctification, and redemption; that as it is written: He that glorieth may glory in the Lord.
Gradual
Psalm 45:6, 5
God will help her with His countenance; God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. The stream of the river makes the city of God joyful; the most High hath sanctified His own tabernacle.
Alleluia
Psalm 45:6, 5
Alleluia, alleluia. I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed. Alleluia.
Tract
Psalm 125:5-6
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Going they went, and wept, casting their seeds. But coming, they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.
Gospel
Matthew 19:3-12
At that time, the Pharisees came to Jesus tempting Him, and saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that He Who made man from the beginning, made them male and female? And He said: For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. They say to Him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away? He saith to them: Because Moses, by reason of the hardness of your heart, permitted you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery. His disciples say unto Him: If the case of a man with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry. Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given; for there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made so by man; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take it, let him take it.
Offertory
Psalm 44:15
After her shall virgins be brought to the King; her neighbours shall be brought to Thee.
Secret
Receive, O Lord, the offerings we bring Thee on the solemn festival of Thy blessed Virgin and Martyr, Agatha; by whose intercession we hope for deliverance. Through our Lord.
Communion
I invoke Him the living God, who vouchsafed to cure me of every wound, and to restore my breast to my body.
Postcommunion
May we be helped, O Lord, by the mysteries we have received; and blessed Agatha, Thy Virgin and Martyr, interceding for us, may they strengthen us with everlasting protection. Through the Lord.