Mass of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

I am especially mindful today of all who devote themselves to the service of the poor in the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tulsa, of the Lazarist Fathers, of my good friend Lisa Hoffer on her birthday, and of kind Sister Elma and the other Daughters of Charity at St. Mary’s Hostel, Knock, County Mayo.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
MR
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor,
and to heal the contrite of heart (cf. Lk 4:18).

COLLECT
O God, who for the salvation of the poor
and the instruction of the clergy
endowed the blessed priest Vincent with apostolic virtues,
grant, we pray,
that inflamed by that same spirit,
we may both loved what he loved
and carry out what he taught.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
For the Church throughout the world;
that she may be renewed in the charity that comes from God
and, in every age, inflames the hearts of His saints,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
For the leaders of nations and for public servants;
that, like Saint Vincent de Paul,
they may be moved to relieve suffering
wherever it is found,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
For those who are exploited and oppressed,
for the victims of war and of terrorism,
for prisoners, for the homeless and for those without work;
that Christians may offer them effective relief
and the comfort of a hope that does not disappoint,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
For the Vincentian Fathers, the Daughters of Charity,
and all who walk in the footsteps of Saint Vincent de Paul;
that, faithful to his charism,
they may see the Face of Christ and serve him humbly
in the poor and the sick,
in abandoned children and in all who suffer,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.
For our own conversion of heart;
that, through the intercession of Saint Vincent de Paul,
we may walk in the path of holy trust
in the unfailing providence of God,
to the Lord we pray: Christ, hear us. R. CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.

COLLECT AT THE GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
Almighty and merciful God,
who raised up Saint Vincent de Paul
to show your love to the poor,
to call priests to holiness,
and to form souls in charity,
grant us, we beseech you,
hearts of compassion for all who suffer
and zeal for the extension of your Kingdom.
Through Christ our Lord.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
GR
In your strength, O Lord,
the just man shall joy,
and in your salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly:
You have given him his heart’s desire (Ps 20:2-3).

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
O God, who gave Saint Vincent
the grace to imitate what he held in his hands
when he celebrated the divine mysteries,
grant that, by the power of this sacrifice,
we too may pass over into an offering acceptable to you.
Through Christ our Lord.

PREFACE
(Ambrosian Missal, trans. Alan Griffiths)
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.
To the poor Christ proclaimed mercy and salvation.
He desired to share completely in our human frailty,
humbling himself to be like us in all things.
Your servant Saint Vincent followed Christ
along this path of self-denial,
receiving the poor and afflicted
as his brothers and sisters
and giving witness before the world
to your boundless love for us.
And now, as we celebrate his memory
we join the hosts of angels and saints
in their exultant hymn of praise:

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
MR
Let them praise the Lord for his mercy,
for his wonderful works to the sons of men;
for he satisfies the empty soul,
and fills the hungry soul with good things (Ps 106: 8-9).

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Refreshed, O Lord, by your heavenly sacraments,
we humbly implore,
that the example of Saint Vincent
may challenge us to imitate your Son
announcing good news to the poor;
thus may we be helped by his intercession.
Through Christ our Lord.