March 7
Saint Thomas Aquinas,
Confessor and Doctor of the Church
Introit: Ecclesiasticus: xv: 5
In the midst of the Church the Lord opened his mouth, and He filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding. He clothed him with a robe of glory. [Ps. xci] It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy name, O Most High. Glory be.
Prayer:
O God, Thou dost give glory to Thy Church through the wonderful learning of Blessed Thomas, Thy Confessor; and Thou dost render it fruitful by his holy deeds: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may understand what he taught, and follow his example in what he did. Through our Lord.
Epistle: Wisdom vii: 7-14
A reading from the Book of Wisdom.
I wished, and understanding was given me:
and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me: And I
preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in
comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for
all gold, in comparison of her, is as a little sand; and silver, in respect to
her, shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and beauty,
and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.
Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through
her hands, And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me,
and I knew not that she was the mother of them all. Which I have learned
without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends
of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline.
Gradual Ps. xxxvi: 30, 31:
The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, and his tongue shall speak
judgment. The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be
supplanted.
Alleluia, alleluia. [Ecclus. vl]
The Lord loved him and adorned him. He
clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.
Tract: Septuagesima to Easter
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; he will delight exceedingly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth. The generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Glory and wealth shall be in his house, and his justice remains forever and ever.
Gospel: Matthew v: 13-19
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The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, what shall it be salted with? It is no longer of any use but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket, but, rather, upon the lamp stand, so as to give light to all in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, in order that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall be lost from the Law till all things have been accomplished. Therefore whoever does away with one of these least commandments, and so teaches men, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven."
Credo.
Offertory: Ps. cxi: 13
The just shall flourish like the palm tree. He shall increase like the cedars of Lebanon.
Secret
May the holy prayer of Blessed Thomas, Thy Confessor and Doctor, fail us not, O Lord; may it render our gifts acceptable, and ever obtain for us Thy pardon.
Communion: Luke xii: 42:
The faithful and prudent steward whom the master will set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due season.
Postcommunion:
We beseech The, O Lord, that Blessed Thomas, Thy Confessor and illustrious Doctor may approach to pray for us, that these Thy sacrifices may further our salvation.
