INTROIT

Me exspectaverunt.  Psalm 119.

The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me:
But I will consider thy testimonies, O Lord:
I see that all things come to an end:
But thy commandment is exceeding broad.  (Alleluia, alleluia).  §

Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way:
And walk in the law of the Lord.
Glory be ...
As it was ...

(Repeat to §.)

o God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom: grant, we beseech thee, that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of blessed N. thy martyr, may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee.  Through.
 
 

THE LESSON

Ecclesiasticus 51.1 – 8

I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my Saviour: I do give praise unto thy name:  For thou art my defender and helper, and has preserved my body from destruction, and from the snare of the
slanderous tongue, and from the lips that forge lies, and has been mine helper against mine adversaries:  And hast delivered me, according to the multitude of they mercies and greatness of thy name, from the teeth
of them that were ready to devour me, and out of the hands of such as sought after my life, and from the manifold afflictions which I had;  From the choking of fire on every side, and from the midst of the fire which I
kindled not;  From the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words.  By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous tongue my soul drew near even unto death, my life was near to the
hell beneath.  They compassed me on every side, and there was no man to help me: I looked for the succor of men, but there was none.  Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon thy acts of old, how thou
deliverest such as wait for thee, and savest them out of the hands of the enemies, O Lord our God.
 
 
 

GRADUAL

(Psalm 45) Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity.
Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.
Alleluia,
Alleluia.
In thy comelines and in thy beauty go forth,
Ride prosperously and reign.
All:        Alleluia.

After Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia, and verse following, is said:
 

TRACT

Come thou bride of Christ, receive the crown,
Which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever:
For whose love thou didst shed thy blood.
(Psalm 45) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity.
Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
In thy comeliness and in thy beauty go forth, ride prosperously and reign.
 

In Eastertide, instead of the Gradual, is said:
 

ALLELUIA

Alleluia,
Alleluia.
In thy comelines and in thy beauty go forth,
Ride prosperously and reign. Alleluia.
Because of the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness:
And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
All:        Alleluia.
 
 
 

THE GOSPEL

St. Matthew 13.44 – 52

At that time: Jesus spake this parable unto his disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
 
 
 

OFFERTORY  Psalm 45

Full of grace are thy lips: because God hath blessed thee for ever, and world without end.  (Alleluia.)
 

SECRET

O Lord, who seest that we do trust for our deliverance in the advocacy of blessed N., thy Martyr: grant, we beseech thee, that the gifts which we offer unto thee on this her festival may be acceptable in thy sight.  Through.
 
 

COMMUNION  Psalm 119

Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart standeth in awe of thy word: I am as glad of thy word, as one that findeth great spoils (alleluia).
 
 

POSTCOMMUNION

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, which have here received these holy mysteries: and grant, that at the intercession of blessed N., thy Martyr, we may thereby be made worthy to rejoice in thy everlasting protection.  Through.
 
 

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