May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever, alleluia.
With joy thanks to God the Father who made us worthy to share the lot of the saints in light, alleluia.
Lord God, You adorned Saint Paschal with wondrous love for the sacred mysteries of the body and blood of Your Son. Grant that we may derive the same spiritual riches from this divine banquet that he received.
Has God forgotten pity? Does he in his anger withold his compassion? This is my sorrow that the right hand of the Most High is changed, alleluia.
Heavenly Father, You take no pleasure in the death of the sinner but rather in the sinner's conversion that he may live. As You mercifully drew Your servant Margaret from the path of damnation to the path of salvation, grant that we may serve You with pure hearts.
Read the story of this 13th century Third Order Franciscan penitent, Saint Margaret of Cortona, who sought to live in communion with Jesus, her Lord.
The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to free the downtrodden, and to proclaim the Lord's year of favor.
O God, perfect unity and highest good, You filled Saint Leopold, Your priest, with kindness and mercy for sinners, and an ardent desire for unity among all Christians; through his intercession, may we be renewed in spirit and heart and confidently work for the unity of all Christians in the bond of peace.
Read a brief biography of Saint Leopold Mandic
I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you. And in you men shall find a blessing, Alleluia.
Lord God, You led Saint Ignatius along the way of humility, innocence, and fraternal charity to the heights of sanctity. Help us to imitate his virtues and to practice charity on earth in word and deed.
Read a brief biography on Saint Ignatius of Laconi
He who serves me, follows me, says the Lord; and where I am, my servant will also be.
O God, You who chose Saint Ivo, Your priest, as a distinguished servant for the welfare of souls and as an advocate for the needs of the poor. Grant that we may imitate his charity and be protected in answer to his prayers.
Saint Ivo (Ives; 1253-1303) studied civil and canon law, Scripture and was known for his prudence, rectitude and the practice of charity. He joined the Franciscan Tertiaries (today known as the Secular Franciscan Order). In time he was ordained to the minor orders and then to the priesthood. Ivo's good and holy preaching was well known among the people of Brittany leading others to change their lives to adhere to Christ more closely. In the service of the bishop he worked to prevent the state's encroachment on the Church and he made sure the poor's needs were met. Tradition has Saint Ivo as a patron of lawyers but not their model as exemplied in a translation of a Latin phrase: Saint Ivo was a Breton, a lawyer and not a thief, a marvelous thing for the people.
Here is a wise and faithful virgin, one who went with lighted lamp to meet her Lord, Alleluia.
Lord God, You endowed the virgin Catherine with gifts from heaven. By imitating her goodness here on earth may we come to share her joy in eternal life.
The Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Merciful God, You gave Brother Jeremiah of Wallachia the grace of imitating Your Son in serving his brothers and giving himself unconditionally in service for them. Help us to follow the evangelical way of humility and love, so that we may cooperate more fully in Your universal plan of salvation.
