| White | First Class |
We can pay no greater honor to the Saints than by offering up to God in their name the Blood of Jesus. The efficacy of their past merits and present prayers is greatly increased when offered to God in close association with the merits and prayers of Our Lord. Therefore the Church commemorates on this day all the Saints in heaven without exception, and thus honors also those who are unknown and hwo have no public recognition in the liturgy.
INTROIT
| Gaudeamus omnes in Domino, diem festum celebrantes sub honore Sanctorum omnium: de quorum solemnitate gaudent Angeli, et collaudant Filium Dei. -- Exsultate justi in Domino: rectos decet collaudatio. V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- Gaudeamus omnes | Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival day in honor of all the Saints: at whose solemnity the Angels rejoice, and give praise to the Son of God. -- (Ps. 32.1). Rejoice in the Lord, ye just: praise becometh the upright. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Let us all . . . |
| COLLECT.--Almighty and everlasting God, who hast granted us to honor in one solemn Feast the merits of all Thy Saints: we beseech Thee, that, since so many are praying for us, Thou wouldst pour forth upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, for which we long. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth . . . |
EPISTLE ¤ Apoc. 7. 2-12
Lesson from the Book of the Apocalypse of Blessed John the Apostle.
[The number of them that were marked with the seal of the living God, and clothed in white robes..]
| In those days, behold, I, John, saw another Angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four Angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth nor the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed: a hundred and forty-four thousand were signed out of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Ruben twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Aser twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Nephthali twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Manasses twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Zabulon twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand signed: of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand signed. After this, I saw a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb. And all the Angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying, Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, strength to our God for ever and ever.1 Amen. |
GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 33. 10, 11
| Timete Dominum omnes Sancti ejus: quoniam nihil
deest timentibus eum. V.: Inquirentes autem Dominum, non deficient omni
bono. Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis et onerati estis: et ego reficiam vos. Alleluia. |
Fear the Lord, all ye His Saints: for there is
no want to them that fear Him. V.: But they that seek the Lord shall not be
deprived of any good. Alleluia, alleluia. V.(Matth. 11. 28). Come to Me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Alleluia. |
GOSPEL ¤ Matth. 5. 1-12
† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
[The eight beatitudes.]
| At that time Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain: and when He was sat down, His disciples came unto Him. And opening His mouth, He taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the clean of heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake: be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven. |
OFFERTORY ¤ Sap. 3. 1, 2, 3
| Justorum animae in manu Dei sunt, et non taget illos tormentum malitiae: visi sunt oculis insipientium mori: illi autem sunt in pace, alleluia. | The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of malice shall not touch them: in the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are in peace. Alleluia. |
| SECRET.--We offer to Thee, O Lord, the Gifts of our devotion: may they be well-pleasing to Thee in honor of all the just, and likewise through Thy mercy, avail us unto salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . |
PREFACE
The Common Preface
| Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti jubeas, deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes: | It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them, we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say in lowly praise: |
COMMUNION ¤ Matth. 5. 8-10
| Beati mundo corde, quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt: beati pacifici, quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur: beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam, quoniam ipsorm est regnum coelorum. | Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God: blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God; blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. |
| POSTCOMMUNION.--Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy faithful people may ever rejoice in honoring all Thy Saints, and may be defended by their unceasing prayers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity . . . |
1 Indulgence of 500 days, each time this invocation is recited. -- Plenary, under the usual conditions, for daily reciting the same invocation. -- P.P.O. n. 17.