Frances was born in 1427, probably in Thouars in France.  She was the wife

of Peter II, Duke of Brittanny.  After his death, and under the direction of

Blessed John Soreth, the prior general, she took the habit of the Order in

the monastery she had previously founded in Bondon.  Afterwards she

transferred to another foundation in Nantes, also erected by her, where she

held the office of prioress and nourished the sisters with wise teaching.

She is considered the foundress of the Carmelite nuns in France.  She died

in 1485.

 

From the Common of Women Saints (Religious)

 

 

Office of Readings

 

Second Reading

From the Exhortations of Bl. Frances to her nuns

 

Whatever the troubles and difficulties that weigh you down, bear them all

patiently and keep in mind that these are the things which constitute your

cross.  Offer your help to the Lord and carry the cross with Him in gladness

of heart.  There is always something to be endured, and if you refuse one

cross, be sure that you will meet with another, and maybe a heavier one.  If

we trust in God and rely on His help, we shall overcome the allurements of

vice.  We must never let our efforts flag nor our steps grow weary, but must

keep our hearts under steady discipline.

 

Consider the afflictions and great trials which the holy Fathers endured in

the desert.  And yet the interior trials they suffered were far more intense

than the physical penances they inflicted on their own bodies.  One who is

never tried acquires little virtue.  Accept then whatever God wills to send,

for any suffering He permits is entirely for our good.  Christ assures us in

the Gospel, "Who wishes to follow me must deny himself.  He must be

forgetful of self; he must regard himself as nothing; he must despise

himself and desire to be despised by others."

 

The attitude derives from Our Lord's command that we are to take up his

cross and follow Him.  We are to accept sufferings of mind and body for love

of Him, just as He bore His sufferings for love of us.  It is true that the

Jews lifted the cross from our Savior's shoulders, but this was out of

concern lest He die from blows and exhaustion before reaching the place

where He was to be crucified.

And when they laid the weight on Simon's shoulders he submitted most

unwillingly, even though aware that he was not destined to die on the cross

he carried.  Christ, by contrast, willingly and gladly carried His cross and

died upon it, breathing forth His soul at last into His Father's hands.  Let

us follow Him and imitate all He did.

 

You have various afflictions which constitute your cross.  Bear them

willingly to the very end, when you will finally yield your soul to God.

Give Him praise and thanks for calling you to His service.  Scorn no-one,

for it is God's will that you love each one of your neighbors as you do

those of your own community.  Strive to curb all unruly instincts within

you.  To this end try one remedy today and another tomorrow, so that

gradually you will subdue your unruly impulses, and when the Lord sees your

good will and your perseverance, He will give you the support of His grace,

enabling you to sustain to the end the burdens of religious life.  Through

His love nothing will be too difficult for you to bear.

 

Responsory

R/.  If our Lord allows us to suffer, this is a sign that He loves us and

wishes to draw us to Himself.  *  This is a great honor for us.

V/.  The straight path which leads to heaven is the cross; it is the main

door.  *  This is a great honor for us.

 

Prayer

God our Father,

You called Blessed Frances d'Amboise

to seek Your kingdom in this world

by serving Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother.

With her prayers to give us courage,

help us to go forward with joyful hearts in the way of love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns

with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

*****************

For Mass

 

Entrance Antiphon

Those things I once considered profitable, I now count as loss in the light

of Christ.  Indeed, I have come to regard all as loss, because of the

surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord.

 

Prayer

(see above)

 

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord,

may the gifts we bring to Your altar

in memory of Blessed Frances d'Amboise

be acceptable to You.

May we become one true family in You

through our loved for one another.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon

Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:

Your salvation will be in conversion and tranquility; your strength will lie

in silence and hope.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord,

by the power of this sacrament

and the example of Blessed Frances d'Amboise, the humble handmaid of Your

Son, guide us always in Your love.

May the good work You have begun in us

reach perfection in the day of Christ Jesus Who is Lord for ever and ever.

 

First Reading

Galatians 6: 1-10

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual

should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too

be tempted.  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

  For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives

himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast

will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each man will have to

bear his own load.  Let him who is taught the word share all good things

with him who teaches.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will

also reap.  For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap

corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal

life.  And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall

reap, if we do not lose heart. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do

good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

Responsorial Psalm

R/. The love of Christ has gathered us together.

 

How good and how pleasant it is,

when brothers live in unity!

It is like precious oil upon the head

running down upon the beard,

running down upon Aaron's beard

upon the collar of his robes.  R/.

 

It is like the dew of Hermon which falls on the heights of Sion.

For there the Lord gives His blessing,

life for ever.  R/.

 

 

Gospel

Luke 12: 32-34

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you

the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with

purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not

fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.  For where your

treasure is, there will your heart be also.