Saints Perpetua and Felicity
Introit
Psalm 118:95-96, 1
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood Thy testimonies, O Lord: I have seen an end of all perfection; Thy command is exceeding broad. Ps. Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
Give unto us, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, to reverence with unceasing devotion the glory of Thy holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas; and though it be not ours worthily to honour their triumph, to persevere in offering them the humble tribute of our duty. Through our Lord.
Epistle
Ecclesiasticus 51:1-8, 12
I will give glory to Thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise Thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to Thy Name, for Thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies; and in the sight of them that stood by Thou hast been my helper. And Thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of Thy Name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour; out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions which compassed me about: from the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt: from the depth of the body of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue. My soul shall praise the Lord even unto death: because Thou, O Lord our God, deliverest them that wait for Thee, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.
Gradual
Psalm 44:8
Thou hast loved justice and hated iniquity. Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.
Tract
Psalm 44:8, 5
Come thou, spouse of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee from everlasting: for those who love thou didst shed thy blood. Thou hast loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. With thy comeliness and thy beauty set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.
Gospel
Matthew 13:44-52
At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field. Which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls. Who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again the Kingdom of Heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering to- gether of all kind of fishes. Which, when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into ves- sels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have ye understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven is like to a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old.
Offertory
Psalm 44:3
Grace is poured abroad in thy lips: therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
Secret
Favourably look down we beseech Thee, O Lord, upon the gifts laid upon Thine altars for the feast day of Thy holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas, and as by these Sacred Mysteries, Thou didst raise Thy Saints to glory everlasting, so through them vouchsafe to us Thy forgiveness. Through our Lord.
Communion
Psalm 118:161-162
Princes have persecuted me without cause, and my heart hath been in awe of Thy words: I will rejoice at Thy works, as one that hath found great spoil.
Postcommunion
Thou hast filled us, O Lord, with mystic graces and joys: grant, we beseech Thee, that through the prayers of Thy holy Martyrs, Perpetua and Felicitas, may profit eternally from having in this our time ministered to Thee. Through our Lord.