OCD and O.Carm:  Optional Memorial

 

Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified was born of the Baouardy family, Catholics

of the Greek Melchite Rite, at Abellin in Galilee in 1846.  In 1867 she

entered the Discalced Carmelites at Pau in France and was sent with the

founding group to the Carmel of Mangalore in India where, in 1870, she made

her profession.  She returned to France in 1872.  In 1875 she went to the

Holy Land where she built a monastery in Bethlehem and began planning for

another at Nazareth.  Noted for her supernatural gifts, especially for

humility, for her devotion to the Holy Spirit, and her great love for the

Church and the Pope, she died at Bethlehem in 1878.

 

>From the Common of Virgins, or of Holy Women (Religious)

 

 

Office of Readings

 

Second Reading

>From the Catechesis of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop

 

The Holy Spirit, although He is one and of one nature and indivisible,

apportions His grace as He wills to each one.

When the dry tree is watered it brings forth shoots.  So too the soul in

sin:  when through penance it is made worthy of the grace of the Holy

Spirit, it bears the fruit of justice.

Though the Spirit is one in nature, yet by the will of God and in the name

of Christ He brings about multiple effects of virtue.

 

He uses the tongue of one man for wisdom, He illumines the soul of another

by prophecy, to another He imparts the power of driving out devils, to

another the gift of interpreting the Sacred Scriptures; He strengthens the

self-control of one man, teaches another the nature of almsgiving, another

to fast and mortify himself, another to despise the things of the body; He

prepares another man for martyrdom.  He acts differently in different men

while Himself remaining unchanged, as it is written:  'to each is given the

manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.'

 

His approach is gentle, His presence fragrant, His yoke very light; rays of

light and knowledge shine forth before Him as He comes.  He comes with the

heart of a true protector; He comes to save, to heal, to teach, to admonish,

to strengthen, to console, to enlighten the mind, first of the man who

receives Him, then through Him the minds of others also.

 

As a man previously in darkness, suddenly seeing the sun, receives his sight

and sees clearly what he did not see before, so the man deemed worthy of the

Holy Spirit is enlightened in soul and sees beyond the power of human sight

what he did not know before.  Although his body remains on the earth, his

soul already contemplates heaven as in a mirror.

 

Responsory

R/.  We contemplate your beauty, O Virgin of Christ:  * you have received

from the Lord a gleaming crown.

V/.  Nothing could bring you to surrender virginity; nothing could separate

you from the love of the Son of God. * You have received from the Lord a

gleaming crown.

 

 

Prayer

Merciful Father and God of all consolation, You guided, the humble daughter

of the Holy Land, Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified to contemplation of the

mysteries of Your Son and You made her a witness of the charity and joy of

the Holy Spirit.

Grant us, through her intercession, to participate in the sufferings of

Christ in order to exalt and rejoice in the revelation of Your glory.

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.  Amen.

 

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

for Mass

 

 

Entrance Antiphon

Come, bride of Christ, and receive the crown, which the Lord prepared for

you for ever.

 

Opening Prayer

(Same as above)

 

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord,

receive our worship in memory of Mary the virgin.

By this perfect sacrifice

make us grow in unselfish love of You

and for our brothers and sisters.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon

The wise virgin chose the better part for herself, and it shall not be taken

away from her.

 

Prayer after Communion

God of mercy,

we rejoice that on this feast of Blessed Mary You give us the bread of

heaven.

May it bring us pardon for our sins,

health of body,

Your grace in this life,

and glory in heaven.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

 

First Reading

Romans 8: 26-30

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray

as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep

for words.  And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of

the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the

will of God.  We know that in everything God works for good with those who

love him, who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he

foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in

order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.  And those whom

he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified;

and those whom he justified he also glorified.

 

Responsorial Psalm

R/.  Taste and see that the Lord is good.

 

I will bless the Lord at all times,

His praise always on my lips;

in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.

The humble shall hear and be glad. R/.

 

Glorify the Lord with me.

Together let us praise His name.

I sought the Lord and He answered me;

from all my terror He set me free. R/.

 

Look towards Him and be radiant;

let your faces not be abashed.

This poor man called; the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his

distress. R/.

 

The angel of the Lord is encamped

around those who revere Him, to rescue them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

He is happy who seeks refuge in Him. R/.

 

Revere the Lord, you His saints.

They lack nothing, those who revere Him.

Strong lions suffer want and go hungry

but those who fear the Lord lack no blessing. R/.

 

 

Gospel

Matthew 11: 25-30

At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and

earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding

and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.

All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son

except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to

whom the Son chooses to reveal him.  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy

laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."