April 24, 2024 - Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Martyr (R)

Advocate of the poor. Member of the Order of Friar Minors. Died in 1622.

Introit

Thou hast protected me, O God, from the assembly of the malignant, alleluia: from the multitude of the workers of iniquity, alleluia, alleluia.

Psalm: Hear, O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to Thee: deliver my soul from the fear of the enemy.

Glory be to the Father. Thou hast protected me, O God, from the assembly of the malignant, alleluia: from the multitude of the workers of iniquity, alleluia, alleluia.

Collect

O God, Who didst vouchsafe to inflame the heart of blessed Fidelis with seraphic ardor and to adorn him with the palm of martyrdom and with glorious miracles in spreading the true Faith: we beseech Thee, by his merits and intercession, so to strengthen us in faith and ind charity by the might of Thy grace, that we may deserve to be found faithful in Thy service even unto death. Through our Lord.

Epistle - Wisdom 1:1-5

Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labors. These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation. Saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they, whom we had some time in derision, and for a parable of reproach. We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honor. Behold how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.

Paschal Alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia. The heavens shall confess Thy wonders. O Lord: and Thy truth in the Church of the Saints.

Alleluia. Thou hast set on his head, O Lord, a crown of precious stones. Alleluia.

Gospel - John 15:1-7

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: I am the true vine; and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me, that beareth not fruit, He will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, He will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean by reason of the word, which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine: you the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.

If any one abide not in Me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you.

Offertory

The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord, and Thy truth in the Church of the Saints, alleluia, alleluia.

Secret

Receive our gifts and our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord; cleanse us by the heavenly mysteries and mercifully hear us. Through our Lord.

Communion

The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in Him: and all the upright in heart shall be praised, alleluia, alleluia.

Post Communion

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God: that as we rejoice on earth in keeping the memory of Thy saints, so also we may enjoy their company for evermore. Through our Lord.