Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Introit
Luke 4:18; Psalm 77:1
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, wherefore He hath anointed me: to preach the gospel to the poor, He hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart. Ps. Attend, O My people, to My law: incline your ear to the words of My mouth. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
God, Who through blessed Alphonsus Mary, Thy Confessor and Bishop, fired with zeal for souls, didst cause Thy Church to bring forth a new progeny, we beseech Thee that, being taught by his wholesome precepts, and strengthened by his example, we may be enabled happily to come unto Thee. Through our Lord.
Epistle
2 Timothy 2:1-7
Dearly beloved, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus, and the things which thou hast heard of me before many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men, who shall be fit to teach others also. Labour as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No man being a soldier to God, entangleth himself with worldly business: that he may please Him to Whom he hath engaged himself. For he also that striveth for the mastery, is not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth, must first partake of the fruits. Under stand what I say: for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.
Gradual
Psalm 118:52-53; 39:11
I remembered, O Lord, Thy judgments of old, and I was comforted; a fainting hath taken hold of me because of the wicked that forsake Thy law. I have not hid Thy justice within my heart. I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation.
Alleluia
Ecclesiasticus 49:3,4
Alleluia, alleluia. He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness: and he directed his heart toward the Lord; and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness. Alleluia
Gospel
Luke 10:1-9
At that time, the Lord appointed also other seventy-two; and He sent them two and two before His face into every city and place whither He Himself was to come. And He said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send labourers into His harvest. Go, behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house: and if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall return to you. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you; and heal the sick that are therein; and say to them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Offertory
Proverbs 3:9,27
Honour the Lord with thy substance, and give Him of the first of all thy fruits. Do not withhold him from doing good who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also.
Secret
O Lord Jesus Christ, burn our hearts thoroughly with the heavenly fire of this sacrifice for an odour of sweetness, Thou Who didst grant to blessed Alphonsus Mary both to celebrate these mysteries and, through them, to offer himself to Thee a holy victim. Who livest and reignest.
Communion
Ecclesiasticus 50:1, 9
A great priest, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple as a bright fire, and frankincense burning in the fire.
Postcommunion
God, Who didst cause blessed Alphonsus Mary, Thy Confessor and Bishop, faithfully to dispense and preach this divine mystery: grant, by his merits and prayers, that Thy faithful may both frequently receive it, and, receiving it, praise it forever. Through our Lord.