OCD: Feast

OC: Feast

 

Albert Avogadro was born about the middle of the twelfth century in Castel

Gualteri in Italy.  He became a Canon Regular of the Holy Cross at Mortara

and was elected their prior in 1180.  Named Bishop of Bobbio in 1184, and of

Vercelli in 1185, he was made Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1205.  There, in

word and example, he was the model of a good pastor and peace-maker.  While

he was Patriarch (1206-1214) he united the hermits of Mount Carmel into one

community and wrote a Rule for them.  He was murdered at Acre on September

14th, 1214.

 

Office of Readings

First Reading

Ephesians 6:5-8, 10-18, 23-24

 

Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with a

sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ.  Do this not only when

they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all

your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ.  Do your work as slaves

cheerfully, as though you served the Lord, and not merely men.  Remember

that the Lord will reward everyone whether slave or free, for the good work

he does.

 

Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of His

mighty power. Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be

able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks.  For we are not fighting

against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly

world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age.  So put

on God's armor now!  Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to

resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still

hold your ground.

 

So stand ready with truth as a belt tight round your waist, with

righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to

announce the Good News of peace.

At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put

out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.

And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the

Spirit gives you.  Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help.  Pray on

every occasion, as the Spirit leads.  For this reason keep alert and never

give up, pray always for all God's people.

 

May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christian brothers

peace and love with faith.  May God's grace be with all those who love our

Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.

 

Responsory

R/.  Walk worthily in the vocation to which you have been called, * living

in allegiance to Jesus Christ.

V/.  Meditate on His law day and night and keep watch in prayer, * living in

allegiance to Jesus Christ.

 

 

Second Reading

>From the Rule of St. Albert

But because life on earth is a time of trial, and all who seek to live

devoutly in Christ suffer persecution, and because your adversary, the

devil, as a roaring lion prowls about seeking someone to devour, every care

must be taken to put on the armor of God, that you may stand firm against

the cunning devices of the enemy.

 

Encircle your loins with the belt of chastity.  Defend your breast with holy

meditation, for Scripture says:  Holy meditation will save you.

 

Put on the breastplate of justice so that you may love the Lord your God

with your whole heart and your whole soul and your whole strength, and your

neighbors as yourselves.

 

In all things take up the shield of faith by which you can extinguish every

flaming dart from the evil one, for without faith it is impossible to please

God.

 

Then set the helmet of salvation on your head, that you place your hope of

salvation only in the Savior, who rescues His people from their sins.  Next

may you possess the sword of the spirit, which is God's word, abundantly in

your mouth and in your hearts.  Just so whatever you do, let it be done in

the Lord's word.

 

The Apostle recommends silence, for he specifies that one should work in it.

In the same way the Prophet

witnesses:  Silence fosters righteousness; and again:  In silence and hope

will lie your strength.

 

Be careful to avoid excessive talking, for as Scripture puts it, and

experience teaches nothing less, In much talking sin will not be far away,

and The one who is careless in speech will come to harm.  Also, Many words

bring the soul to grief.  Again, the Lord says in the Gospel:

For every rash word uttered you will have to render an account on the day of

judgment.

 

So let each one make a balance for his words and a careful rein for his

mouth lest he stumble and fall in speech, and the fall be incurable, even

mortal.  With the Prophet let him be careful of his ways, that his tongue

give no offense; and let him carefully and studiously cultivate silence, in

which lies the fostering of righteousness.

 

 

Responsory

OC:

R/.  Let us love God, then, for He has first loved us, and this is what love

is, that we keep His commandments, * and His commandments are not

burdensome.

V/.  If a man keeps God's commandments the love of God will be complete in

him, * and His commandments are not burdensome.

 

OCD

R/.  My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, * for it is your

way to glory.

V/.  The Lord's law is perfect and strengthens the soul; it give wisdom to

the humble, * for it is your way to glory.

 

 

Canticle of Zechariah

 

OC:

O worthy man, our lawgiver, because you kept the law of God deep in your

heart you could open wonderful treasures of wisdom to us.

 

OCD:

Let everyone who is zealous for the law follow me:

then many who were seeking righteousness and justice went out into the

desert.

 

 

Prayer

Lord God,

through St. Albert of Jerusalem

You have given us a Rule of life according to Your Gospel, to help us attain

perfect love.

Through His prayers

may we always live in allegiance to Jesus Christ and serve faithfully until

death Him Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for

ever and ever.

 

 

Canticle of Mary

 

OC:

This man of God, wonderful in his goodness and unshaken in his faith, gave

himself for the service of many.

 

OCD:

Let the word of Christ in its richness live within you; sing gratefully in

your hearts to God.

 

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

for Mass

 

 

Entrance Antiphon

The book of the law must be ever on your lips; reflect on it day and night

and take care to do all it commands.

 

Prayer

(see above)

 

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord,

You have chosen us

to bear witness in this world to Your love.

May the gifts we reverently offer You

make us faithful in doing Your will

and proclaiming Your word.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

 

Communion Antiphon

Christ is your only teacher; and all of you are brothers and sisters.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord,

by the power of this sacrament

and the prayers of St. Albert of Jerusalem keep us ever in Your presence.

Through unceasing reflection on Your law and watchfulness in prayer may we

one day enjoy the eternal possession of Your glory.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

First Reading

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the

wiles of the devil.  For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but

against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of

this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the

heavenly places.  Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be

able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand

therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the

breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment

of the gospel of peace;  besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with

which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.

  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the

word of God.  Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and

supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making

supplication for all the saints,

 

Responsorial Psalm

R/. Your word is a light for my path.

 

Lord, how I love Your law!

It is ever in my mind.  R/.

 

I turn my feet from evil paths

to obey Your word.

I have not turned from Your decrees;

You Yourself have taught me.  R/.

 

Your promise is sweeter to my taste

than honey in the mouth.

Your word is a lamp for my steps

and a light for my path.  R/.

 

Your will is my heritage for ever,

the joy of my heart.

I am Your servant, give me knowledge;

then I shall know Your will.  R/.

 

Your will is wonderful indeed;

therefore I obey it.

The unfolding of Your word gives light

and teaches the simple.  R/.

 

Gospel

Matthew 20: 25-28

But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the

Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over

them.  It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you

must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your

slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to

give his life as a ransom for many."