In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in the Common of One Martyr or the Common of Pastors: For a Bishop with the proper texts below.
INTRODUCTION
God, + come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN
[Martyrs]
O God your soldiers’ chosen part,
their portion, crown, and high reward,
as we sing out your Martyr’s praise,
release us from the bonds of sin.
This Martyr witnessed by his lips
the faith he treasured in his heart;
by shedding blood to follow Christ
he found in death the way to him.
Discerning rightly, judging well
that worldly joys and lures of sin
are fleeting pleasures swift to fall,
he came at last to heaven’s joy.
He ran with courage to the test
and valiantly endured the pain;
he shed his blood for love of you
and now enjoys eternal gifts.
And so, all gracious, loving Lord,
we beg you, hear our humble prayer:
Grant pardon for your servants’ sin
on this triumphant Martyr’s feast.
That we may follow and attain
a glorious share in his reward
and find our joy for evermore
in heav’nly dwellings with the saints.
Eternal praise and glory be
to you, O Father, with the Son
and with the Holy Paraclete,
from age to age, for evermore. Amen.
Tune: DEUS TUORUM MILITUM, 8 8 8 8
Music: from the Grenoble Antiphoner, 1753
or Mode VIII, melody 95; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Deus, tuorum militum, 5-7th c., © 2023 ICEL
[Pastors]
Receive this hymn, O noble Priest,
bright pattern of a virtuous life;
as with due praise we sing your name,
we laud the wondrous works of God.
Christ came as Lord and great High Priest
to bind the human race to God,
restoring us to peace once more
through his eternal covenant.
In loving providence he willed
to make you steward of his gifts,
that God the Father might be praised
and all his people find new life.
Abounding in the Spirit’s gifts
and consecrated by his pow’r,
as Bishop you have handed down
the richest fare that brings us life.
As you reside in heaven’s peace,
be mindful of the holy Church,
that all the sheep may seek and find
rich pasture in the joy of Christ.
All glory to the Triune God,
who crowns you with a worthy joy,
his true and zealous minister,
for service by your holy state. Amen.
Tune: MELCOMBE, 8 8 8 8
Music: Samel Webbe the elder, 1740-1816
or Mode IV, melody 84; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Vir celse, forma fulgida, Anselmo Lentini, O.S.B., 1901-1989, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Lord, lay your healing hand upon me, for I have sinned.
Psalm 41
Prayer of a sick person
One of you will betray me, yes, one who eats with me (Mark 14:18).
Happy the man who considers the poor and the weak. *
The Lord will save him in the day of evil,
will guard him, give him life, make him happy in the land *
and will not give him up to the will of his foes.
The Lord will help him on his bed of pain, *
he will bring him back from sickness to health.
As for me, I said: “Lord, have mercy on me, *
heal my soul for I have sinned against you.”
My foes are speaking evil against me. *
“How long before he dies and his name be forgotten?”
They come to visit me and speak empty words, *
their hearts full of malice, they spread it abroad.
My enemies whisper together against me. *
They all weigh up the evil which is on me:
“Some deadly thing has fastened upon him, *
he will not rise again from where he lies.”
Thus even my friend, in whom I trusted, *
who ate my bread, has turned against me.
But you, O Lord, have mercy on me. *
Let me rise once more and I will repay them.
By this I shall know that you are my friend, *
if my foes do not shout in triumph over me.
If you uphold me I shall be unharmed *
and set in your presence for evermore.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel *
from age to age. Amen. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord Jesus, healer of soul and body, you said: Blessed are the merciful, they will obtain mercy. Teach us to come to the aid of the needy in a spirit of brotherly love, that we in turn may be received and strengthened by you.
Ant. Lord, lay your healing hand upon me, for I have sinned.
Ant. 2 The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 46
God our refuge and strength
He shall be called Emmanuel, which means: God-with-us (Matthew 1:23).
God is for us a refuge and strength, *
a helper close at hand, in time of distress:
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, *
though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea,
even though its waters rage and foam, *
even though the mountains be shaken by its waves.
The Lord of hosts is with us: *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, *
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within, it cannot be shaken; *
God will help it at the dawning of the day.
Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken: *
he lifts his voice, the earth shrinks away.
The Lord of hosts is with us: *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Come, consider the works of the Lord, *
the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.
He puts an end to wars over all the earth; †
the bow he breaks, the spear he snaps. *
He burns the shields with fire.
“Be still and know that I am God, *
supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us: *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
All-powerful Father, the refuge and strength of your people, you protect in adversity and defend in prosperity those who put their trust in you. May they persevere in seeking your will and find their way to you through obedience.
Ant. The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Ant. 3 All nations will come and worship before you, O Lord.
Canticle: Revelation 15:3-4
Hymn of adoration
Mighty and wonderful are your works, *
Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways, *
O King of the nations!
Who would dare refuse you honor, *
or the glory due your name, O Lord?
Since you alone are holy, *
all nations shall come
and worship in your presence. *
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. All nations will come and worship before you, O Lord.
Common of Martyrs During the Easter Season
READING
Revelation 7:14b-17
These are the ones who have survived the great period of trial; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
It was this that brought them before God’s throne:
day and night they minister to him in the temple;
he who sits on the throne will give them shelter.
Never again shall they know hunger or thirst,
nor shall the sun or its heat beat down on them,
for the Lamb on the throne will shepherd them.
He will lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.
RESPONSORY
The splendor of the just will shine before God, alleluia, alleluia.
— The splendor of the just will shine before God, alleluia, alleluia.
The upright of heart will rejoice,
— alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The splendor of the just will shine before God, alleluia, alleluia.
Common of Martyrs Outside the Easter Season
READING
1 Peter 4:13-14
Rejoice, beloved, in the measure that you share Christ’s sufferings. When his glory is revealed, you will rejoice exultantly. Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ, for then God’s Spirit in its glory has come to rest on you.
RESPONSORY
You have tried us by fire, O God
then led us to a place of refreshment.
— You have tried us by fire, O God
then led us to a place of refreshment
You refined us as silver in the furnace,
— then led us to a place of refreshment.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— You have tried us by fire, O God
then led us to a place of refreshment.
Common of Pastors
READING
1 Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I, a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and sharer in the glory that is to be revealed, make this appeal. God’s flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd’s care. Watch over it willingly, as God would have you do, not under constraint, and not for shameful profit, either, but generously. Be examples to the flock, not lording it over those assigned to you, so that when the chief Shepherd appears, you will win for yourselves the unfading crown of glory.
RESPONSORY
During the Easter Season
This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them, alleluia, alleluia.
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them, alleluia, alleluia.
He spent himself in their service.
— Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them, alleluia, alleluia.
During the Easter Season
This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
He spent himself in their service.
— And ever prayed for them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
The antiphon for the Gospel Canticle and the Intercessions may be taken from the Daily Office.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. [Martyrs During Easter] Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains just a single grain of wheat; but if it dies, it will bear much fruit, alleluia.
[Martyrs Outside Easter] The saints find their home in the kingdom of heaven; their life is eternal peace.
[Pastors] This is a faithful and wise steward: the Lord entrusted the care of his household to him, so that he might give them their portion of food at the proper season (E.T. alleluia).
Or: O Christ, Good Shepherd, I thank you for leading me to glory; I pray that the flock you have entrusted to my care will share with me in your glory for ever (E.T. alleluia).
Canticle of Mary
Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord
My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,†
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. [Martyrs During Easter] Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains just a single grain of wheat; but if it dies, it will bear much fruit, alleluia.
[Martyrs Outside Easter] The saints find their home in the kingdom of heaven; their life is eternal peace.
[Pastors] This is a faithful and wise steward: the Lord entrusted the care of his household to him, so that he might give them their portion of food at the proper season (E.T. alleluia).
Or: O Christ, Good Shepherd, I thank you for leading me to glory; I pray that the flock you have entrusted to my care will share with me in your glory for ever (E.T. alleluia).
INTERCESSIONS
[Martyrs]
This is the hour when the King of martyrs offered his life in the upper room and laid it down on the cross. Let us thank him and say:
We praise you, O Lord.
We praise you, O Lord, our Savior, inspiration and example for every martyr, for loving us to the end:
We praise you, O Lord.
For calling all repentant sinners to the rewards of life:
We praise you, O Lord.
For entrusting to your Church the blood of the new and everlasting covenant poured out for the remission of sin:
We praise you, O Lord.
For our perseverance in your grace today:
We praise you, O Lord.
For incorporating our dead brothers and sisters into your own death today:
We praise you, O Lord.
Or: [Pastors]
Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise, for he was appointed high priest among men and their representative before God. We honor him and in our frailty we pray:
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You marvelously illuminated your Church through distinguished leaders and holy men and women,
— let Christians rejoice always in such splendor.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You forgave the sins of your people when their holy leaders like Moses sought your compassion,
— through their intercession continue to purify and sanctify your holy people.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
In the midst of their brothers and sisters you anointed your holy ones and filled them with the Holy Spirit,
— fill all the leaders of your people with the same Spirit.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You yourself are the only visible possession of our holy pastors,
— let none of them, won at the price of your blood, remain far from you.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
The shepherds of your Church keep your flock from being snatched out of your hand. Through them you give your flock eternal life,
— save those who have died, those for whom you gave up your life.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Lord,
your martyr Boniface
spread the faith by his teaching
and witnessed to it with his blood.
By the help of his prayers
keep us loyal to our faith
and give us courage to profess it in our lives.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Or:
May the Martyr Saint Boniface be our advocate, O Lord,
that we may firmly hold the faith
he taught with his lips and sealed in his blood
and confidently profess it by our deeds.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
DISMISSAL
If a priest or deacon presides, he dismisses the people:
The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.
Another form of the blessing may be used, as at Mass.
Then he adds:
Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.
In the absence of a priest or deacon and in individual recitation, Evening Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
— Amen.
*****
Shepherd of souls, in love come, feed us,
Life-giving Bread for hungry hearts!
To those refreshing waters lead us
Where dwells the peace your grace imparts.
May we, the wayward in your fold,
By your forgiveness rest consoled.
Life-giving vine, come feed and nourish,
Strengthen each branch with life divine;
Ever in you O may we flourish
Fruitful the branches on the vine.
Lord, may our souls be purified
So that in Christ may we abide.
Sinful is man who kneels before you,
Worthy of you are you alone;
Yet in your name do we implore you,
Rich are the mercies you have shown.
Say but the word, O Lord divine,
Then are our hearts made pure like thine.
Tune: Aus Heilige Seelenlust 98.98.88
Music: George Joseph, 1657
Text: Omar Westendorf © World Library Publications. Used with permission.