Mass of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, Martyrs
Today’s memorial of the Filipino Saint Lorenzo Ruiz illustrates the marvelous universalization of the Church’s calendar that took place during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. Saint Lorenzo’s descendants still live today in the same district outside Manila where he and his family lived in the 1600s. Saint Lorenzo was a husband and father, a professional calligrapher by trade, a saint who spoke Tagalog, Chinese, and Spanish, a martyr who gave his life for Christ in Japan, far from family and home. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II, together with other Filipino martyrs, in 1987.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
MR
The blood of the holy martyrs
was poured out upon the earth for Christ;
therefore they have won rewards everlasting.
COLLECT
Grant us, O Lord God,
the patience of your martyrs Saint Lorenzo and his companions
in your service and in that of our neighbour,
because they who endure persecution for the sake of justice
are blessed in your kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
COLLECT AT THE GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Almighty and ever-living God,
who save us from every tribulation,
and heal us of every affliction
by the power that ever flows
from the sacrifice of your only-begotten Son,
increase in us, we pray,
that indefectible hope in the Cross
that was the strength of your martyrs in ages past,
and that remains, today and always,
the joy and gladness of your Church.
Through Christ our Lord.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
GR
The saints shall rejoice in their glory,
they shall be joyful in their repose:
the high praises of God
shall be in their mouth, alleluia (Ps 149:5–6).
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
That, helped by the intercession of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
and his companions,
the Church in the Philippines
may rejoice today in the harvest of holiness
sown by the by shedding of their blood for Christ,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
That our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI,
may be comforted by the Holy Spirit,
and preserved from the hands of his enemies,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
That husbands and fathers of families
may find in Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
a model of piety and fortitude,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
That all may recognize the vanity of passing things
and lift their eyes to the things that are above
where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
That we may persevere in seeking the Face of Christ,
not out of vain curiosity like Herod,
but out of the desire that comes from the Holy Spirit
and out of love,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Look graciously, Almighty God,
upon the offerings of your people
and, through the intercession of your blessed martyrs,
let us become a sacrifice pleasing to you
for the salvation of the whole world
Through Christ our Lord.
PREFACE
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
As we celebrate the feast of your martyr
Lorenzo and his companions;
we praise Christ, who kindles the fire of love
in the heart of his faithful servants,
so that they renounce the honours of this world
and by martyrdom take their place amid the citizens of heaven.
By their sufferings your Church is made holy and glorious
and placed with Christ at your right hand.
Her joy and radiance is the prayer of her martyrs,
persecuted in this world,
whom she presents to you
as the firstfruits of the world to come.
And so, through the heavens and the earth
all things adore you and sing a new song;
and we with all the angels give you glory
in this, their ever-joyful hymn of praise:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
MR
Everyone who confesses me before men,
I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven,
says the Lord (Mt 10:32).
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Nourished, O Lord,
with the bread of the strong,
in celebration of your blessed martyrs,
we humbly implore you,
that by cleaving faithfully to Christ,
we may serve in your Church
for the salvation of all.
Through Christ our Lord.