2011_SDB_Salesian_Proper_Offices


2011_SDB_Salesian_Proper_Offices

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PROPER OFFICES
CALENDAR AND LITURGICAL TEXTS
Society of Saint Francis de Sales
Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
Secular Institute of the "Don Bosco Volunteers"
ROME
20tl

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O Copyright 2010 e distribuzione:
DIREZIONE GENERALE OPERE DON BOSCO
Via della Pisana, 1111 - C.P. 18333
00163 ROMA

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THE RECTOR MAJOR
In these last few years the Church has recognised a
number of new Blesseds and Saints belonging to various
groups of the Salesian Family. This has necessitated an
updating of the Salesian Liturgical Calendar and also the
preparation of the proper liluryical texts for the Liturgt of
the Hours. Contributing to this work of revision and updat-
ing has been a Liturgical Commission which I set up and
which I sincerely thank Among the na,t) Blesseds and Saints
introduced into the Salesian Calendar have also been con-
sidered somefigures of note who have had close links with
Salesian history such asfor example Blessed Pope Pius N.
The Salesian Family represents within it a variety of
vocations which reflect the wonderful creativity of the Holy
Spirit in raising up charisms in the Church snd who all
have Don Bosco asfather. We are grateful to God, because
we recognise that indeed the Salesian Family is a "Family
of Saints". The dffirent examples of holiness offer us a
multiplicity of forms of Salesian spirituality, which have
their origins in the same source and offer us the possibility
of choosing among so many models of holiness. We there-
fore have shining examples to imitate and a great variety of
intercessors to invoke.
The Proper Calendar and Liturgt of the Hours have
received on the part ofthe Congregationfor Divine Worship
and the Discipline of the Sacraments a spectfic approval
for each of the three groups of the Salesian Family which
have requested it: the Salesian Society ofSaint Francis de

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Sales, the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Chris-
tians and the Institute of the Volunteers of Don Bosco. The
resp ective decrees of approv al are reproduced.
These texts can be ofhelp to all the groups and the
members of the Salesian Family in living to the full the
Gospel according to the stylewhich is proper to the charism
received, to celebrate the wonders of God in his saints, to
continue the commitment to holiness in the liturgt of life.
All, therefore, can drow strength and gracefrom these over-
Jlowing riches of the liturgt.
"In thevarious types and duties of life, one and the same
holiness is cultivated by all who are moved by the Spirit of
God and who obey the voice of the Fatheri worshipping God
the Father in spirtt and in truth. These souls follow the poor
Christ, the humble and cross-bearing Christ in order to be
made worthy of being partakers in his glory. Every person
should walk unhesitatingly according to his own personal
gifts and duties in the path of a living faith which rouses
hopes and works through charity" (Lumen gentium, 4l).
We are all therefore called to holiness. May this liturgy
inspire in us resolutions of holiness.
May Mary Help of Christians, Don Bosco and the
Saints and Blesseds of the Salesian Family support us in
our ffirts.
f.-...-r 44r?'
Fr Pascual Chàvez Villfnueva
Rector Major
Rome, 8 September 2010.
Feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Wrgin Mary

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CONGREGATIO DE CULTU DIVINO
ET DISCPLINA SACRAMENTORUM
Prot, l443l93lL
SOCIETATIS SANCTI FRANCISCI SALESII
INSTITUTI FILIARUM MARIAE AUXILIATzuCIS
INSTITUTI SAECULAzuS WLGO DICTI
..VOLONTARIE DI D. BOSCO"
Instante Reverendissimo Domino ,iEgidio Vigano, S.D.B.,
Moderatore Generali Societatis Sancti Francisci Salesii, nomine
etiam Instituti Filiarum Marie Auxiliatricis necnon Instituti secu-
laris rulgo dicti "Volontarie di Don Bosco", litteris die 20 iulii 1993
datis, vigore facultatum huic Congregationi a Summo Pontifice
IOANNE PAULO II hibutarum, Calendarium proprium atque Pro-
prium Liturgia Horarum, exclusis vero hynnis et aliis lectionibus
que peculiari signo typographico indicantur, lingua italica exara-
tum, ad usum eiusdem Societatis necnon tnstituti Sororum Marie
Auxiliatricis et Instituti secularis lulgo dicti "Volontarie di Don
Bosco" prout exstant in adiecto exemplari, libenter probamus.
In textu imprimendo inseratur ex integro hoc Decretum, quo ab
Apostolica Sede petita approbatio conceditur. Eiusdem vero textus
impressi duo exemplaria ad hanc Congregationem transmittantur.
Contrariis quibuslibet minime obstantibus.
Ex edibus Congregationis de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacra-
mentorum, die 23 decembris 1994.
x Gerardus M. Agnelo
Archiepiscopus a Secretis
Antonius M. Card. Javierre
Prrefectus

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CONGREGATIO DE CUIJTU DIVINO
ET DISCIPLINA SACRAMENTORUM
Prot, 280/08/L
SOCIETAIIS SANCTI FRANCISCI SALESII
Instante Reverendo Patre Francisco Maraccani, Societatis
Sancti Francisci Salesii Procuratore generali, litteris die 22 mensis
februarii datis, vigore facultatum huic Congregationi a Summo
Pontifice BENEDICTO XVI tributarum, textum latinum et italicam
orationum collectarum atqne italicum lectionum alterarum Litur-
giae Horarum in honorem Beatorum nuper in Calendario Proprio
inscriptorum, prout in adiecto exstat exemplari, perlibenter pro-
bamus seu confirmamus.
In textu imprimendo mentio fiat de approbatione seu confirma-
tione ab Apostolica Sede concessa.
Eiusdem insuper textus impressi duo exemplaria ad hanc
Congregationem transmittantur.
Contrariis quibuslibet minime obstantibus.
Ex edibus Congregationis de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacra-
mentorum, die 12 mensis iunii 2009.
(R. P. Antonius Ward)
Subsecretarius
(x Albertus Malcolmus Ranjith)
Archiepiscopus a Secretis

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CONGREGATIO DE CULTU DIVINO
ET DISCPLINA SACRAMENTORUM
Prot,529l09tL
INSTITUTI FILIARUM MARIAE AUXILIATRICIS
Instante Reverenda Madre Ivona Reungoat, Instituti Filiarum
Mariae Auxiliatricis Superiorissa Generali, litteris 7 aprilis 2009
datis, vigore facultatum huic Congregationi a Summo Pontifice
BENEDICTO XVI tributarum, textum latinum et italicum ora-
tionum collectarum alque italicum lectionum alterarum Liturgiae
Horarum in honorem Beatorum nuper in Calendario Proprio in-
scriptorum, prout in adiecto exstat exemplari, perlibenter probamus
seu confirmamus.
In textu imprimendo mentio fiat de approbatione seu conftrma-
tione ab Apostolica Sede concessa.
Eiusdem insuper textus impressi duo exemplaria ad hanc
Congregationem transmittantur.
Contrariis quibuslibet minime obstantibus.
Ex adibus Congregationis de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacra-
mentorum, die 12 mensis iunii 2009.
(R. P. Antonius Ward)
Subsecretarius
(x Albertus Malcolmus Ranjith)
Archiepiscopus a Secretis

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CONGREGATIO DE CULru DIVINO
ET DISCPLTNA SACRAMENTORUM
Prot,530l09lL
INSTITUTI SAECULARIS
v.d. «VOLONTAzuE DI DON BOSCO»
Instante Reverendo Patre Francisco Maraccani, Societatis
Sancti Francisci Salesii Procuratore generali, litteris die 22 mensis
februarii datis, vigore facultatum huic Congregationi a Summo
Pontifice BENEDICTO XVI tributarum, textum latinum et italicum
orationum collectarum atqte italicum lectionum alterarum Lifur-
giae Horanrm in honorem Beatorum nuper in Calendario Proprio
inscriptorum, prout in adiecto exstat exemplari, perlibenter pro-
bamus seu confirmamus.
In textu imprimendo mentio fiat de approbatione seu confirma-
tione ab Apostolica Sede concessa.
Eiusdem insuper textus impressi duo exemplaria ad hanc
Congregationem transmittanfu r.
Contrariis quibuslibet minime obstantibus.
Ex adibus Congregationis de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacra-
mentorum, die 12 mensis iunii 2009.
(R. P. Antonius Ward)
Subsecretarius
(x Albertus Malcolmus Ranjith)
Archiepiscopus a Secretis

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CALENDAR
When the liturgical rank of a celebration is not indicated,
it is to be considered an optional memorial.
JANUARY
Memorial 15 Blessed Lours VARIARA, priest.
For FMA and VDB: OPtional memorial,
22 Blessed Leune VICLJNA, adolescent.
For the FMA'. Memorial.
Feast
24 Saint Fr.aNcts de SALES,
bishop and doctor ofthe Church
Titular and Patron
ofthe Society ofSaint Francis de Sales.
30 Blessed Bnousr.as MARKIEWICZ, piest.
Solemnity 3l Saint Jorw BOSCO, priest.
Founder ofthe Society ofSaint Francis de Sales,
of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help
of Chrisians of the Association of the Salesian
Cooperators and of the Association of Mary
Help of Christians.
FEBRUARY
I Commemoration of all deceased Confreres.
7 Blessed PIUS IX, Pope.

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12 CALENDAR
9 Blessed EussstA PALOMINO YENES, virgin.
Forthe FMA: Memorial.
Feast
25 Saints Lous VERSIGLIA, bishop,
and Car,lrsro CARAVARIO, priest.
Salesian Protomartyrs.
MAY
Feast
Feast
6 Saint Dounuc SAVIO, adolescent.
l3 Saint Menv Dor'rsluce MAZZARELLO, virgin.
Co-founder of the Institute of the Daughters of
Mary Help of Christians.
For the FMA: Solemnity.
l5 Blrsseo Vncx Meny or Farnaa.
16 Saint Lorrs ORIONE, priest.
Founder of the Little Work of Divine Providence.
18 Saint Lponeno MURIALDO, priest.
Solemnity 24 BLESSED VIRGIN MARX
}MLPOF CRISTIANS.
Principal Patron of the SDB, the FMA and the
VDB.
Memorial 29 Blessed JosspH KOWALSKI, priest and martyr.
For FMA and YDB: Optional memorial.
JTJNE
I 2 Blessed FneNcs K§SYandcompaniong martyn.

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CALENDAR 13
Memorial 23 Saint Josnpu CAFASSO, priest.
JULY
7 Blessed MARIA ROMERO MENESES, virgin.
Forthe FMA: Memorial.
AUGUST
2 Blessed Aucusrus CZARTORYSKI, priest.
26 Blessed ZEpHyRTNUs NAMLTNCURA.
SEPTEMBER
Memorial 22 Blessed JosrpH CALASANZ
and HENRy SÀIZAPARICIO, priests
and companions, marqns.
OCTOBER
5 Blessed ALSERT MARVELLI.
I 3 Blessed ArpxaNoRnn Many oe COSTA, virgin.
24 Saint LouIs GUANELLA, priest.
Founder of the Servants of Charity.
Solemnity 25 Anniversary
of the Dedication of a Particular Church
(when the date is not known).

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14 CALENDAR
Memorial 29 Blessed Mlcsepl RUA, priest.
NOVEMBER
Memorial 13 BlessedAnrruIoss ZNTI, religious.
For FMA and VDB: Optional memorial.
l5 Blessed Marel-Enrs MORANO, virgin.
DECEMBER
Memorial
5 Blessed Prmp RINALDI, priest.
Founderof the Secular Institute ofthe Don Bosco
Volunteers.
For the Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers:
Feast.
NOTA: The texts (HwrNs and/or alternative SBcoNo RreorNcs)
* marked with which are not specifically approved by the
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments, have been inserted as permitted by the Decree
of the same Pontifical Congregation dated 23 December
1994, Prot. l44l93lL(cf.page 7 of the present pubblication).

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l5 January
Blessed LOUIS VARIARA,
priest
Memorial
(For the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and
the Volunteers ol Don Bosco: Optional nemoria[)
Louis Variara was bom at Viarigi (Asti, Italy) in 15 January
I 875. At twelve years of age he entered the Oratory at Valdocco,
four months before the death of Don Bosco. The memory of Don
Bosco had such an influence on the boy as to direct him towards
Salesian life. He began the Novitiate in l89l and he completed it
with religious profession in the hands of Blessed Michael Rua.
Inl894 he met Fr Michael Unia, the missionary of the lepers
in Agua de Dios, in Colombia, who invited him to follow him.
Just over a year after his anival in Agua de Dios, Fr Unia died and
the cleric Variara took up his inheritance. In 1898 he was ordained
priest. With the model of the Oratory at Valdocco in his thoughts
he transformed that place of suffering into a small city of joy,
where it was possible to live a deep spiritual life. As their spiritu-
al director, he perceived in some young leper girls the dispositions
for the religious life; and since no Congregation accepted a leper
or even the daughter ofa leper, the first idea came to him ofyoung
consecrated women, even though lepers. In this way he began a
new religious Institute, which he named and placed under the pro-
tection of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
In the meantime, there began for Fr Louis a period of suffer-
ing and misunderstandings so that the Superior transferred him
to different places. But his health was deteriorating. On medical
advice taken to Cùcuta, in Colombia, he died on I February 1923,
at 48 years of age. Buried in Cùcuta, his remains were taken in
1932 to Agua de Dios, where they now are.
John Paul II beatified him in Saint Peter's Square on l4April
2002,the third Sunday of Easter.
From the Common of Saints: Saints noted ftrr works of
mercy; or from the Common of Pastors . Psalms oJ the
da1,, from the psalter.

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l6 PRoPER oFFrcES
Ollice of readings
SrcoN» READTNG
From the "Letter" 34 of Blessed Louis Variara, priest
(Bananquilla, 29 November I 9 19; Generalate, Central Archives)
Doing everything with Jesus, for Jesus ond in Jesus.
My beloved daughters in the Heart of Jesus, [...] see
to it that whatever you do, is done ln ipso, cum ipso et in
ipso,l mean that you ought to see to it that you do every-
thing with Jesus, for Jesus and in Jesus; if I might,
I would say to you that Jesus ought to be like the condi-
ment which gives taste to all your work. Remember that
the various practices of piety prescribed by the Holy Rule
and also the devotions which each one practises person-
ally are only like small fountains from which each one
has drawn in order to nourish the spirit of piety which
ought to sanctiff all the other moments of your life.
Ifyou were to think of spending a considerable length
of time without in any way exteriorising this spirit, or if
by some serious misforhrne you were to suffocate it in
your heart, how would it be possible to sustain that inti-
mate relationship, that ineffable family connection which
Jesus himself has decided to establish between Himself
and our souls by means of Holy Baptism?
There would not exist any communication between
that God, whom we call with the sweet name of Father,
and we who have the good fortune to be called his chil-
dren. In that sad situation that spirit of living faith by
which we are deeply convinced of the truth of our Holy
religion would begin to grow weak; in this way in
whatever situation we may find ourselves, we feel the
influence of this faith. Without this spirit of piety, we
would not obey the Holy Spirit who very often visits us,

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BLESSED LOUIS VARIARA 17
instructs us, consoles us and supports us in our weak-
NESS.
On the contrary, if this spirit is well cultivated, then,
thanks to its influence, our union with God is never in-
temrpted, but is communicated to all our actions even
the most ordinary, giving them an intimately religious
character and raising them to a supernatural merit mak-
ing them participate like a sweet smelling incense in that
never-ending worship which we ought to offer to God.
In doing this, as Saint Gregory the Great says, our life
becomes the foundation of that happiness which the
blessed enjoy in heaven.
However, if this relationship exists between God and
the Christian soul, what might not happen between God
and the religious soul from the moment that ttre ties which
bind them by religious profession are so solemn and inti-
mate? At the moment the Holy Vows are pronounced the
soul is wedded to Jesus Christ, to him one is consecrated
without reserve, to him one offers all one's faculties, one's
feelings, one's life. The soul therefore belongs entirely to
God. For these reasons there is nothing more important
that the religious ought to cultivate than the spirit ofpiety;
she ought to possess it to such a high degree as to be able
to communicate it to those at her side.
Respousonv
1 Pt 3,8-9; Rm 12,10-11
R. You should all agree among yourselves and be sym-
pathetic; love the brothers, have compassion and be self-
effacing; * that is what you are called to do, so that you
inherit a blessing.
Y. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have
a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord
with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit;

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l8 PRoPER oFFrcES
R. that is what you iÌre called to do, so that you inherit
a blessing.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
ScnrprunE READTNG
Rm l2.l -2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you
whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.
Suonl REspoNsonr"
R. The law ofGod guides him, * his mind is fixed on God.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Y. His steps will never falter
* his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. If there is love among you, then all
will know that you are my disciples.
IxrcRcrssroNs
United in the liturgy of praise, let us invoke Christ the
Lord, so that following the example of Blessed Louis
Yanara,we may serve him in holiness and justice all
the days of our life:
Sanctify your people O Lord.

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BLESSED LOUIS VARIARA 19
You were tempted in every way that we are, but you did
not sin,
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us.
You came to serve and not to be served,
Lord Jesus, teach us to serve you in our brothers and
sisters
You call everyone to perfect love,
Lord Jesus, sanctifu your people.
You have told us to be the salt of the earth and the light
of the world,
Lord Jesus, enlighten your people.
In Blessed Louis Variara you have given us a model of
total self-giving to our brothers and sisters weighed
down in body and in soul,
- Lord Jesus grant to the "Daughters of the Sacred
Hearts of Jesus and Mary" and all the members of
the Salesian Family love for those most in need.
Our Father.
PItrrYI,R
O God of infinite goodness, who through the death
and resurrection ofyour Son has saved the world, gra-
ciously grant, through the intercession of the priest
Blessed Louis, that we too, called to share in the mystery
of suffering, may be fervent witnesses to your Father's
love. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Evening Prayer
ScRrpruRE READTNG
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has

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20 PRoPER oFFrcES
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.
SHonr nEspoNsony
R. The Lord is good; * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Y* .hHe ilsovfaecsegiosotdumdeeeddst.owards the upright man.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Ant. At the Magn. Anything you did for the least of
these who are mine, you did for me.
Come you blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
INTERcsssroNs
Blessed Louis Variara looked to Christ the good Samar-
itan, who came to the assistance of every one weighed
down in body and in soul; trusting in his intercession,
we make our prayer with confidence:
Listen O Lord and have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus, you healed the leper, with him we pray:
If you want to you can heal us.
Lord Jesus, you healed the servant of the Roman centu-
rion;with him we pray:
Say but a word and we shall be saved.

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BLESSED LOUIS VARIARA 21
Lord Jesus, you walked on the water; with Peter we
pray:
You are the Son of God: come to us sinners.
Lord Jesus, you listened to the Canaanite woman; with
her we pray:
Come to our help and give us the bread of children.
Lord Jesus, you pardoned the thief who was dying on
the cross with you;with him we pray:
Remember us when you come into your kingdom.
Admit our deceased brothers and sisters to the con-
templation of your face.
Our Father.
PRaveR
O God of infinite goodness, who through the death
and resurrection of your Son has saved the world, gp-
ciously grant, through the intercession of the priest
Blessed Louis, that we too, called to share in the mystery
of suffering, may be fervent witnesses to your Father's
love. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

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22 January
Blessed LAURA VICUNA
adolescent
Optional memorial
.
(For the Institute of the Daughters
of Mary Help of Christians: Memoria[)
Laura Vicufla was born at Santiago, Chile, on 5 April 1891,
and was educated according to the preventive system of St John
Bosco at the "Mary Help of Christians" College in the Argen-
tineanAndes. As a happy and joyful adolescent she soon became
a model of friendship with Jesus, of apostolic charity among her
companions, and of fidelity to her daily duties.
In complete trust she endured with heroic fortitude physical
and moral sufferings well beyond her age. Faithful to the inspi-
ration of the Holy Spirit, she did not hesitate to offer herself as a
victim to bring her mother back to the way of salvation. She died
on22 January 1904 at Junin de los Andes, Argentina.
John Paul II beatified her on 3 September 1988 at Castel-
nuovo Don Bosco, Asti, on the Hill of the youthful beatitudes.
From the Common of Women Saints. Psalms of the day,
from the psalter.
Office of readings
SrcoNo READTNG
From the "Life of Latra Vicufla" written by Augusto
Crestanello, priest
(Sacra pro causis sanctorum Congregatio, Beatificationis et Canonizationis
Servae Dei Laurae Mcunia, Summarium, Rome 1969, 227ss, passim)
The will of God is the best prayer
From her enhance to the College, says the Sister Su-
perior, there was evident in Laura a degree of common

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BLESSEDLAURAVICT]NA 23
sense above her age and a true inclination to piety. Her
innocent heart found no peace or rest except in the things
of God. Even though still a young child, her devotion
was profound without any affectation or exaggeration.
In everything she was simple and natural. While pray-
ing it was clear that her mind was fixed on what she was
doing. Rarely was she aware of what might be going on
around her, and it was frequently necessary to tell her
that someone was calling her or that it was time to leave
the chapel.
The same attention she showed in fulfilling all her
other duties. She had well understood and she applied to
herself the saying: 'Age quod agis" ("Do well whatever
you are doing"), and with a holy freedom of spirit she
moved joyfully and willingly from church to classroom,
and from there to workshop or any other activity, or to
recreation.
"For me", she used to say, "praying or working is the
same thing; it is all the same to me whether I am praying
or playing, praying or sleeping. By doing as I am told
I am doing what God wants me to do, and that is what
I too want to do; this is my best way of praying".
'oAfter she had got to know what piety really means",
wrote her Sister Superior, "she loved it and attained so
high and constant a gift of prayer that even in recreation
she was evidently absorbed in God".
"It seems to me", she used to say, "that it is God him-
self who keeps alive in me the awareness of his divine
Presence. Wherever I am, in class or in the playground,
this knowledge is with me, and it helps me and strength-
ens me".
"But", objected her confessor, 'kill it not happen that
if you have such thoughts always in your mind it will
lead you to neglect your duties?"

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24 PRoPER oFFrcES
"Ah no, Father", she replied. "I know that this
thought helps me to do everything better and does not
disturb me at all, because it is not that I am always think-
ing of it but that without thinking of it directly at all, the
memory makes me happy".
RpspoNsony
Cf. Ps 70,17; 74,2; 88,1; ls 49,2
R. O God, you have taught me from my youth: * I pro-
claim your wonders still.
Y. He held me safe in the shelter of his hand:
P. I proclaim your wonders still.
The concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
ScRrprunE READTNG
Rm 12, l-2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattem of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you
whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.
SHonr nEspoNsoR.y
R. God is her support * with the light of his face.
God is her support with the light of his face.
Y. She can never waver: God is with her,
* with the light of his face.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
God is her support with the light of his face.

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BLESSED LAURAVICUNA 25
Ant. At the Ben. God has revealed to little ones the
mysteries of the Kingdom.
INrnRc't ssloNs
Let us make our prayer in filial exultation to God our
Fatheq the source of all holiness, and let us say:
You are our life, O Lord
Father, in every age you enrich the Church with ever
new models of youthful holiness:
grant that we may be faithful to our baptismal prom-
ises, and so experience the joy of following Christ.
You inspire the making of courageous decisions in imi-
tation of your Son:
accept the offering of our life that we may grow in
communion with you and with our neighbour.
You willed that the Christian family should be an image
ofyour love:
grant that parents may live their self-donation with
faithful generosity.
By the gift of your Spirit you rendered the young Laura
strong in faith, pure in heart, and heroic in love:
stir up in adolescents and young people the will to
serve you through joyful dedication to their com-
panions.
You who nourish and renew us with your word and
sacraments:
make us a sign of your loving kindness for those we
meet today on our path through life.
Our Father.

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26 PRoPER oFFICES
PnevrR
Father, in your infinite tenderness, you united strength
of spirit and purity of innocence in the young girl Laura
Vicufla; through her intercession give us courage to over-
come the trials of life and to show the world the happi-
ness ofthe pure ofheart. Through Our Lord.
Evening Prayer
Scnlpruns READTNG
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.
Suonr RrspoNsoRv
R. God has chosen her * He chose her before she was
bom.
God has chosen her. He chose her before she was born.
Y. He brought her to live in his own dwelling place,
* He chose her before she was born.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
God has chosen her. He chose her before she was born.
Ant. At the Magn. Greater love has no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends.

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BLESSEDLAURAVICUNA 27
INt Llt«'ssstoNS
Let us give thanks with joy to God our Father for the
wonders he has worked in his saints, and let us say:
Father hear our prayer.
Raise up in your Church wise and enlightened leaders:
that they may help young people to know and coura-
geously embrace your plan of life.
Protect the young who live amidst the diffrculties and
temptations of the present day:
that they may not be overcome by selfishness, lone-
liness and confusion.
Give to those who are suffering in body and spirit the
wisdom of the cross:
that following the example of Blessed Laura they
may come to know the puriffing and redeeming val-
ue of affliction.
Strengthen and sustain the missionaries of the Gospel:
- that they may foster authentic human and Christian
values for the progress ofpeoples.
Remember those who have today closed their eyes to
this earthly life:
admit them to your heavenly dwelling with the an-
gels and saints.
Our Father.
Pr,t'En
Father, in your infinite tenderness, you united strength
of spirit and purity of innocence in the young girl Laura
Vicufla; through her intercession give us courage to over-
come the trials of life and to show the world the happi-
ness ofthe pure ofheart. Through Our Lord.

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24 lanuary
Saint FRANCIS DE SALES,
bishop and doctor of the Church
Titular and Patron of the SocietY
of Saint Francis de Sales
Feast
When celebrated with the rank of Solemnitv, the First Vespers
are.from the Common of Pastors or of Doclors o.f the Church''
the texts (all or in part) can be takenfrom Vespers ofthefeast.
Francis was born in Savoy, France, on 2l August 1567. Or-
dained Bishop of Geneva in 1602, he dedicated all his apostolic
activity to bringing back to the Catholic faith the people of the
Chablàis who had accepted the Protestant Reform. Through his
many-sided activities he educated the Christian people-and
showed them that spirituality was attainable in every walk of life.
He dedicated himsèlf completely to his mission as a pastor, mak-
ing himself simple with the simple, discussing theology with the
Pr6testants, intioducing to the "devout life" souls wanting to
serve Christ, opening to them the secrets of the love of God, care-
ful to put the spiritual life within the reach of the laity and rya-k-
ing devotion pleasant and desirable. He made good use of the
printed word and promoted work and culture, treating everyone
with loving kindness and unpretentious wisdom.
He died at Lyons on 28 December 1622 and was canonised
in 1665. Pius IX proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1877.
Inspired by his "apostolic charity" and by his "evangelical
kindneis and patience;', St John Bosco chose him as the model
and protector-of his own mission among the yoylg.At the con-
clusion of the IV centenary of his birth, Paul VI gave him the
title of Doctor of divine love.

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 29
INvrrarony
Ant. Come let us adore the supreme shepherd,
Christ the Lord.
Or:
Ant. On the feast of St Francis de Sales,
let us praise Christ the Lord, the source of all wisdom.
Invitatory psalm as in the Ordinary - cfAppendix p. 355.
Office of readings
* Hyrrrl Iste Confessor
He, whose confession God of old accepted,
Whom through the ages all now hold in honour,
- Gaining his glory this day came to enter
Heaven's high portal.
God-fearing, watchful, pure of mind and body,
Holy and humble, thus did all men find him;
While, through his members, to the life immortal
Mortal life called him.
Thus to the weary, from the life enshrined,
Potent in virtue, flowed humane compassion;
Sick and sore laden, howsoever burdened,
There they found healing.
So now in chorus, giving God the glory
Raise we our anthem gladly to his honour,
That in fair kinship ìwe may all be sharers
Here and hereafter.

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30 PRoPER oFFICES
Honour and glory power and salvation,
Be in the highest unto him who reigneth
Changeless in heaven over earthly changes,
Triune, eternal.
Amen.
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Psalmody
Ant. 1 If anyone wishes to be first,
he must make himself last of all and servant of all.
Psalm 20 (21):2-8,14
O Lord, your strength gives joy to the king;*
how your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart's desire;*
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessings of success,*
you have set on his head a crown ofpure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given,*
days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory.*
You have laid upon him majesty and splendour,
you have granted your blessings to him for ever.*
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord:*
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength,*
we shall sing and praise your power.

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 3I
Ant. If anyone wishes to be first,
he must make himself last of all and servant of all.
Ant.2 When the chief shepherd appears,
you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
Psalm 9I (92)
I
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,*
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the moming*
and your truth in the watches of the night,
on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute,*
with the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad;*
for the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works!*
How deep are your designs!
The foolish man cannot know this*
and the fool cannot understand.
Though the wicked spring up like grass*
and all who do evil thrive:
they are doomed to be eternally destroyed.*
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
Ant. When the chief shepherd appears,
you will be given the crown of unfading glory
Ant.3 Well done, good and faithful servant;
come and join in your Master's joy.

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32 PRoPER oFFICES
II
See how your enemies perish;*
all doers ofevil are scattered.
To me you give the wild-ox's sfrength;*
you anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes;*
my ears heard gladly of their fall.
The just will flourish like the palm-tree*
and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord*
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old,*
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just;*
in him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Ant. Well done, good and faithful servant;
come and join in your Master's joy.
Y. You will hear the word from my mouth.
P. You will speak to them in my name.
Frnsr nsRolNG
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians
4,1-7 ,ll-18a,20-24
Maintain the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to
lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have
been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 33
patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to
maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were
called to the one hope that belongs to your call; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of us
all, who is above all and through all and in all. But
grace was given to each of us according to the measure
of Christ's gift.
And his gifts were that some should be apostles,
some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and
teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain
to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ. So that we may
no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of
men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather,
speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every
way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom
the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint
with which it is supplied, when each part is working
properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in
love.
Now this I affrrm and testiff in the Lord, that you
must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of
their minds, alienated from the life of God. You did not
so learn Christ! - assuming that you have heard about
him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus.
Put off your old nature which belongs to your former
manner of life and is comrpt through deceitful lusts,
and be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and put on
the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true
righteousness and holiness.

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34 PRoPER oFFrcES
RrspoNsonv
Col 3.12.15.14
R. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and pa-
tience. x And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in the one body.
Y. And above all these put on love, which binds every-
thing together in perfect harmony.
R. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to
which indeed you were called in the one body.
Sec'oxo READTNG
From the "Treatise of the love of God" by St Francis de
Sales, Bishop
(Ed. R. Balboni, Milan t989, V 1, passim)
Love of'God
Love, as we have said is no other thing than the
movement and outflowing of the heart towards good by
means of the complacency which we take in it; so that
complacency is the great motive of love, as love is the
great movement of complacency.
Now when we have brought our understanding to be
very attentive to the greatness of the goods that are in
this Divine object, it is impossible that our will should
not be touched with complacency in this good, and then
\\rye use the liberty and power which we have over our-
selves, provoking our own heart to redouble and
strengthen.its first complacency by acts of approbation
and rejoicing.
He is the God of our heart by this complacency, since
by it our heart embraces him and makes him its own:
he is our inheritance, because by this act we enjoy the
goods which are in God, and, as from an inheritance,

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 35
we draw from it all pleasure and content; by means
of this complacency we spiritually drink and eat the
perfections of the Divinity, for we make them our own
and draw them into our hearts.
O God! what joy shall we have in heaven, Theo-
timus, when we shall see the well-beloved of our hearts
as an infinite sea, whose waters are perfection and good-
ness! Then as stags, long and sorely chased, putting their
mouths to a clear and cool stream draw into themselves
the coolness of its fair waters, so our hearts, after so
many languors and desires meeting with the mighty and
living spring of the Divinity, shall draw by their com-
placency all the perfections of the well-beloved, and
shall have the perfect fruition of them by the joy which
they shall take in them, replenishing themselves with
his immortal delights; and in this way the dear spouse
will enter into us as into his nuptial bed, to communicate
his eternal joy unto our souls, according as he himself
says, that if we keep the holy law of his love he will
come and dwell within us. The love which the great
Apostle St Paul bore to the life, death and passion of our
divine Saviour was so great that it drew the very life,
death, and passion of this divine Saviour into his loving
seryant's heart; whose will was filled with it by delec-
tation, his memory by meditation, and his understanding
by contemplation.
REspoNsonY
Eph 4.32-5,I; Mt I I ,29
R. And be kind
one another, as
to one another,
God in Christ
tender hearted,
forgave you. *
forgiving
Be imita-
tors of God, as beloved children.
V. Take my yoke upon you, and leam from me; for I am
gentle and lowly in heart.
R. Be imitators of God, as beloved children.

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36 PRoPER oFFrcEs
* Or:
SpcoNo READTNG
From the "lntroduction to the Devout Life" by St Francis
de Sales, Bishop
(Ed. R. Balboni, Mitan 1989, l, 3)
Devotion must be prac:tised
in di/ferenl u,a1ts
In the creation God commanded the plants to bring
forth their fruits, each one after its kind. So does He
command all Christians, who are the living plants of
His Church, to bring forth the fruits of devotion, each
according to his character and vocation.
Devotion must be exercised in different ways by the
gentleman, the workman, the servant, the prince, the
widow, the maid, and the married woman. Not only this,
but the practice of devotion must be also adapted to the
strength, the employment, and the duties of each one in
particular.
I ask you, Philothea, is it fit that a bishop should
lead the solitary life of a Carthusian? Or that married
people should lay up no greater store of goods than
the Capuchin? If a tradesman were to remain the whole
day in church, like a member of a religious order, or
were a religious continually exposed to encounter
difficulties in the service of his neighbour as a bishop
is, would not such devotion be ridiculous, unorganized,
and insupportable? Nevertheless, this fault is very
common.
No, Philothea, true devotion does no harm whateveq
but rather gives perfection to all things. But when it goes

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 37
contrary to our lawful vocation, then without doubt it is
false.
The bee exhacts honey from flowers without injur-
ing them, and leaves them as whole and fresh as she
found them. True devotion does still better. It not only
does no injury to any vocation or employment, but on
the contrary it adorns and beautifies it. So also every
vocation becomes more agreeable when united with
devotion. The care of the family is rendered more peace-
able, the love of the husband and wife more sincere, the
service of the prince more faithful, and every type of
employment more pleasant and agreeable.
It is an error, or rather a heresy, to try to banish the
devout life from the regiment of soldiers, the shop ofthe
mechanic, the court of princes, or the home of married
folk. It is true, Philothea, that a purely contemplative,
monastic, and religious devotion cannot be exercised in
such ways of life. But besides these three kinds of devo-
tion, there are several others adapted to bring to perfec-
tion those who live in the secular state.
Wheresoever we are, we can and should aspire to a
perfect life.
RaspoNsoRy
Rm 12,2;Eph 4,23-24
R. Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, * that
you may prove what is the will of God, what js good
and acceptable and perfect.
Y. Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on
the new nature,
R. that you may prove what is the will of God, what is
good and acceptable and perfect.

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38 PRoPER oFFrcES
Te Deum
Concluding prayer as at Moming Prayer.
* Hvtrttt
Morning Prayer
For gentle Francis, Lord,
Who strove for you to live,
Who fought for you, proclaimed your word,
Our grateful hymn receive.
For our dear Patron Saint,
Whose name we proudly bear,
We thank you, Lord, as you have deigned
To place us in his care.
He gazed upon your face,
your love his soul renewed;
He then proclaimed your saving grace
In words with power endued.
For this your name we bless,
And humbly pray that we
May follow him in holiness,
and so your face may see.
Amen.
(A.J. Lenti)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority
Ant. I The Lord filled him
with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
Psalms qnd canticlefrom Sunday, Week I - cfAppendix
p. 359.

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 39
Ant.2 Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord!
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord!
Ant. 3 The Lord bestowed on him
thewisdom of the saints.
Scri.rprut<r, rì.r,At)rN(i
I Cor2.1.4-6a.7.9-10a
When I came to you, brethren, I did not come pro-
claiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or
wisdom. My speech and my message were not in plau-
sible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the
Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the
wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although
it is not a wisdom of this age; but we impart a secret and
hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the
ages for our glorification. It is written, "W'hat no eye has
seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart ofman conceived,
what God has preparedfor those who lovehim" (Is 6,43;
Jer 3,16). But God has revealed it to us through the Spirit.
Sttott t tÙ,spclNsclt<v
R. Your Church, O God, * hymns the wisdom of the
saints.
Your Church, O God, hymns the wisdom of the saints.
V. The assembly proclaims their praises,
* hymns the wisdom of the saints.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Your Church, O God, hymns the wisdom of the saints.
Ant. At tlie Ben. Those who are wise shall shine like
the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn
many to righteousness, like the stars in heaven.

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40 PRoPER oFFICES
INrrncrssroNs
Let us give thanks to God our Father, the origin and
model of all holiness, and with filial hearts let us say:
Increase in us your love, O Lord.
In St Francis de Sales you have given us a living image
of Christ your Son, who is meek and humble of
heart:
grant that we too may be signs and bearers of your
loving kindness.
You made St Francis a model of tireless apostolic work
in the service of the Gospel:
grant that we may receive with faith and proclaim
with courage your words of life.
'
You enahled
goodness
the holy Doctor
ofyour creation:
to
eqioy
the
beauty
and
lead us to discern the good things in the many cir-
cumstances of life.
You gave to our Patron an efficacious skill in discussions;
grant that we too may be able to understand and wel-
come others.
You made him an outstanding exponent of the art of
spiritual direction:
help all of us to guide young people in the ways of
holiness.
Our Father.
PRaven
Great and merciful God, you have raised up in the
Church Saint Francis de Sales as a zealous shepherd and
gracious tutor: grant that we too may work diligently in
our mission to the young with the same apostolic spirit.

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 4I
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever.
Prayer during the day
An appropriate hymn. Antiphons and psalms from the
occurring weekday.
Before Noon
ScnlprunE RTADING
Col 3,16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and
admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your
hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him.
Y. The Lord made with him an everlasting covenant:
R. and established him as a priest in the midst of his
people.
Midday
ScRrprunr READING
EPh 5,1-2
Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk
in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Y. In the generosity of his love:
R. God filled him with wisdom.

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42 PRoPER oFFrcES
Afternoon
SczupruRl READTNG
I Ts 5,14-16
And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers,
encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient
with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil,
but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
Rejoice always.
V. The Lord chose his servant:
R. as the guide and teacher of his people.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Evening Prayer II
Second Vespers.
* HytvrN
As at the offrce of Readings or Morning Prayer or another
suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Psalmody
Ant. I I shall be the shepherd of my flock:
I shall seek out the lost, and bring back the strayed.
Psalm 14 (15)
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent*
and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault;*
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart;*
he who does not slander with his tongue;

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 43
he who does no wrong to his brother,*
who casts no slur on his neighbour,
who holds the godless in disdain,*
but honours those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may;t
who takes no interest on a loan*
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm for ever.
Ant. I shall be the shepherd of my flock:
I shall seek out the lost, and bring back the strayed.
Ant.2 Like a radiant sun,
Francis shines in the house of the Lord,
alleluia.
Psalm 111 (112)
Happy the man who fears the Lord,*
who takes delight in his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;*
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house;*
hisjustice stands firm for ever
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:*
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends,*
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:*
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news;*
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;*
he will see the downfall of his foes.

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44 PRoPER oFFrcES
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;t
his justice stands firm for ever.*
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angryt
grinds his teeth and fades away;*
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Ant. Like a radiant sun,
Francis shines in the house of the Lord,
alleluia.
Ant.3 To me this grace was given:
to preach to the Gentiles
the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Great and wonderful are your deeds,*
O Lord God theAlmighry!
Just and true are your ways*
O King of the ages!
Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord?*
For you alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship you,*
for your judgments have been revealed.
Ant. To me this grace was given:
to preach to the Gentiles
the unsearchable riches of Christ.
ScRIpruRr READTNG
I Thess 2,6-8.11-12
We did not seek glory from men, whether from you
or from others, though we might have made demands

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SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES 45
as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you,
like a nurse taking care of her children. So, being affec-
tionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with
you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves,
because you had become very dear to us.
For you know how, like a father with his children,
we exhorted each one ofyou and encouraged you and
charged you to lead a life worthy of God, who calls you
into his own kingdom and glory.
SHonr nespoNsonv
R. As a true friend of your brethren, * pray for your
people.
As a true friend of your brethren, pray for your people.
V. You dedicated your life to others,
* pray for your people.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
As a true friend of your brethren, pray for your people.
Ant. At the Magn. O bishop Francis, afire with charity,
God made you the father of many people;
lead us too to the pastures of eternal life, alleluia.
INrpncnsstoNs
Let us pray with tranquil confidence to God our Faiher,
who has constituted in Christ the people of the new
covenant, and let us say:
Sanctifu your Church, O Lord.
In St Francis de Sales you have raised up a shepherd full
of zeal and prudence:
assist all bishops, priests and deacons in their pas-
toral ministry.

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46 PRoPER oFFrcES
You kindled in the heart of St Francis, a buming zeal
for the unity of the Church:
grant that Christian communities may follow the
path of ecumenical dialogue.
You gave to St Francis a mind open to humanistic ideals:
help writers and publicists to be valid educators in
people's culture.
You raised up our holy Patron as a founder and a mas-
ter of the spiritual life replete with wisdom:
bless the Visitation Sisters and all the members of
the Salesian Family.
You received the holy bishop Francis into your glory:
through his intercession be merciful to all the faith-
ful departed.
Our Father.
PR,{yen
Great and merciful God, you have raised up in the
Church Saint Francis de Sales as a zealous shepherd and
gracious tutor: grant that we too may work diligently in
our mission to the young with the same apostolic spirit.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever.
Night Prayer
As in the psalterfor the day. Wen it is a solemnity Night
Prayer ofSunday is said.

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30 January
Blessed BRONISLAS MARKIEWICZ,
priest
Optional memorial
Bronislas Markiewicz was born on 13 July 1842 at Pruchnik,
Poland, in the present day archdiocese of Przemy6l, in which he
was ordained priest on 15 September 1867. After eighteen years
of zealous and fruitful service in the Archdiocese, feeling himself
called to religious life, in 1885 he left for Italy and entered among
the Salesians, having the joy of meeting Saint John Bosco, into
whose hands, on 27 March 1887, he made his religious profession.
As a Salesian he undertook various tasks. Having retumed
to Poland he took up the role of parish priest at Miejsce Pias-
towe, in his diocese of PrzemySl. In addition to the ordinary
parish activities he devoted himself to the formation of poor and
òrphaned youth. Along these lines he began two new religious
Congregations, one male and one female which he placed under
the protection of Saint Michael the Archangel, with a spirituality
inspired by that of Saint John Bosco. Full of love for God and
foihis neighbour and acting in the spirit of the motto'kork and
temperance", he dedicated his whole life to the forgotten and re-
jectèd orphans, to poor children and to youth abandoned and
morally neglected.
Worn out by work, on 29 January l9l2he ended his earthly
pilgrimage. Both before and after his death he was considered a
iaintly man. On 2 July 1994, in the presence of John Paul II, the
decree on the heroicity of his virtues was promulgated. His
beatification tookplace on 19 June 2005.
From the Common of Saints: for religious; or from the
Common of pastors. Psalms of the dav, from the psaher'.

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48 PRoPER oFFrcES
Oflice of readings
SecoNn READTNG
From the "Writings" of Blessed Bronislas Markiewicz,
priest
(Pow§ciqgtiwo§é i praca [Temperance and work], 1904, pp.l3-74)
Two pillars of social life
The world is collapsing because men have de-
stroyed the two pillars of social life. In education and
in life they have prevalently placed the emphasis on
intellectual instruction and on knowledge, neglecting
"work and temperance". On the other hand, our Creator
who knows better than us what we need, recommends,
at the risk of the loss of bread and of salvation, that
wé woik wìth the sweat of our brow ànil that we be
temperate. He says expressly to our first parents in
paradise: "With sweat on your brow shall you eat your
bread; until you return to the soil as you were taken
from it" (Gen 3,19). Jesus Christ in his Gospel adds:
"If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him
renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me"
(Mt 16,24). This means: "Not only I your Saviour have
to suffer and labour but also all of you my disciples,
if you want to be with me in paradise, have to suffer
and labour, submitting your intellect, your will and
your actions to the prescriptions of the commandments
ofGod".
You have to engage your body with all its senses and
inclinations in continuous divine service, fighting and
working day and night for your whole life until death
for his glory. "For the desires of the flesh are against the
Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh"
(Gal5,l7).

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BLESSED BRONIST,AS MARKIEWICZ 49
Work and temperance are not easily acquired. So as
not to concede in the fight, it is necessary to firmly con-
trol our body and all our natural inclinations, just as a
coachman firmly controls an untamed horse to prevent
both going over the precipice.
The Son of Man in human flesh walks before us with
his example to lighten the burden which the Creator has
placed on us and to exhort us to voluntarily deny our-
selves. Jesus works willingly and with sweat on his
brow in St Joseph's workshop, supports patiently the
sufferings and the deprivations of daily life, and finally
dies on the cross with atrocious pains. He does not spare
himself, nor make any concessions in order to teach us
in everything how we ought to live. Following him
closely is his Mother, the Mother of Sorrows who works
and suffers all her life. Following her come the thou-
sands of Saints who "have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires" (Ga|5,24).
Nowadays, on the other hand, throughout the world
and unfortunately also in our Christian countries one
seems to hear the order of the day: "We are trying
to enjoy to the full life on this earth, and to work as
little as possible". Money, power, rest, entertainment,
pleasure and honours nowadays constitute the ideal of
the whole human race, while working with the sweat
of one's brow and Christian temperance are totally
despised. Only those who are forced to, work and suffer.
Only very few men work freely and are temperate in the
spirit of Jesus Christ. The majority of people nowadays
do not know that work and Christian temperance already
obtain on this earth a hundredfold. Putting aside tem-
perance, on the other hand, produces, in addition to
the risk of the eternal punishment of hell, also earthly
misfortunes [...].

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50 PRoPER oFFICES
Work and temperance are therefore the most impor-
tant pillars of social life. Only where they are sound is
it possible to have well-being, health, strength, peace,
freedom, independence.
It is necessary not only to teach the young about
these two pillars of social life but also make them put
them actively into practice, encouraging them with one's
own example. It is necessary to pray, and several times
a day, in order to understand and to realise these two
conditions for happiness. It is necessary to place our
school system and the whole of education soundly on
these two pillars. Then abundant means will be found
for the social improvement of our people and also those
near by. In this way throughout the earth brotherhood
among the nations will spread and there will arise a
more glorious period in the h-story ofmankinf
RsspoNsonv
Eph 5,8-9; Mt 5.14.16
R. You are light in the Lord; be like children of light.
* for the effects of the light are seen in complete good-
ness and right living and truth.
Y. You are the light of the world:Your light must shine
in the sight of men.
R. For the effects of the light are seen in complete good-
ness and right living and truth.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
ScnrpruR.p READING
Rm 12,1-2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and

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BLESSED BRONISI-AS MARKIEWICZ 5I
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattem of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you
whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.
SsoRr nEspotvsony
R. The law ofGod guides him, * his mind is fixed on God.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Y. His steps will never falter
* his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. Whoever does the will of my Father,
says the Lord, is my brother, and sister and mother.
INrpnc'Essroxs
United in the liturgy of praise, let us invoke Christ
Our Lord that, following the example of Blessed
Bronislas Markiewicz, we may serve him in holiness
and justice all the days of out life:
Sanctifu your people, O Lord.
You were tempted in every way that we are, but you did
not sin,
Lord Jesus have mercy on your people.
You came to serve and not to be served,
Lord Jesus teach us to serve you in our brothers and
sisters.
You call everyone to perfect love,
Lord Jesus make your people holy.

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52 PRoPER oFFICES
You wanted your disciples to be salt of the earth and
light of the world,
Lord Jesus, enlighten your people.
In Blessed Bronislas Markiewicz you have given us a
model of dedication to orphans, to poor children and
to youth abandoned and morally neglected:
Lord Jesus, grant that we and all the members of the
Salesian Family may show in our lives the same love
for those most in need.
Our Father.
PnavEn
Almighty and merciful God, who chose the priest
BlessedBronislas, to be the-father and proteelor of aban-
doned youth, grant that we, encouraged by his example
of untiring work and temperance, may faithfully carry
out your will and be assiduous in your service. Through
Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for
ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
ScRrprunn READING
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. A1l those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.

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BLESSED BRONISI.A,S MARKIEWICZ 53
Suont x.rspoNsony
R. The Lord is good; * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Y* .hHe ilsovfeascegiosotdumdeeeddst.owards the upright man.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Ant. At the Magn. You have left all things and have
followed me; you will be repaid a hundred times
over, and gain eternal life.
INtsncrssroNs
Let us ask the Father the source of all holiness, that
through the example and the help of the saints we
may live according to our baptism.
Lord make us holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, it was your will that we be called your chil-
dren and that is what we are,
may you Church all over the world gloriff you with
the light of its holiness.
Holy Father you have called us to walk in your light in
a way worthy of our vocation and to do always the
things that please you,
may our lives be rich in every kind of good work.
Holy Father, you call some to follow more closely
Christ poor and humble,
grant that they may reach the perfection of love.
Holy Father, Blessed Bronislas Markiewicz personified
in his life the spirit of "work and temperance"
leamed at the school of Don Bosco;

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54 PRoPER oFFICES
grant to the members of the religious Institutes he
founded, under the protection of Saint Michael the
Archangel, and all of us to live in the same spirit.
Holy Father, bring our deceased brothers and sisters to
the contemplation of your face,
make us too worthy of your glory.
Our Father.
Pzuqvpn
Almighty and merciful God, who chose the priest
Blessed Bronislas, to be the father and protector of aban-
doned youth, grant that we, encouraged by his example
of untiring work and temperance, may faithfully carry
out yourwill and be assiduous in your service. Through
Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for
ever and ever.

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31 January
Saint JOHN BOSCO,
priest
Founder of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales,
of the Institute of the Daughters
of Mary Help of Christians,
of the Association of the Salesian Cooperators,
and of theAssociation of Mary Help of Christians
Solemniry
The life of Saint John Bosco is marked in particular by
interventions of divine Providence and by the presence of the
Virgin Mary. He was bom at Castelnuovo d'Asti on 16 August
1815 into a poor peasant family, and from his childhood felt a call
to devote his life to the young. He was ordained priest at Turin
in l84l after years of sacrifice, and spent all his rich natural
talents and tireless zeal in setting up works for the education of
abandoned youth, in defending the faith of the common people
from danger, and in contributing to the evangelization ofdistant
lands.
He entrusted the continuation of his immense work to the
three branches of his Family: the Society of St Francis de Sales
(1859), the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
(1872), and the Association of Salesian Cooperators ( I 876), pass-
ing on to them as the key to success the treasure ofthe preven-
tive system: reason, religion, loving kindness: a system totally
inspired by a charity rooted in a living encounter with Jesus
Christ, especially in the Eucharist, in boundless trust in the Virgin
Mary and in fidelity to the Church and its teaching.
He died at Turin on 3l January 1888. He was canonized by
Pius XI at Easter 1934, ard on the centenary of his death was
proclaimed by John Paul II as the Father and teacher of youth
(24 January 1989).

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56 PRoPER oFFrcES
Evening Prayer I
* Hrrrry Iste Confessor
He, whose confession God of old accepted,
Whom through the ages all now hold in honour,
Gaining his glory this day came to enter
Heaven's high portal.
God-fearing, watchful, pure of mind and body,
Holy and humble, thus did all men find him;
While, through his members, to the life immortal
Mortal life called him.
Thus to the weary, from the life enshrined,
Potent in virtue, flowed humane compassion;
Sick and sore laden, howsoever burdened.
There they found healing.
So now in chorus, giving God the glory
Raise we our anthem gladly to his honour,
That in fair kinship we may all be sharers
Here and hereafter.
Honour and glory power and salvation,
Be in the highest unto him who reigneth
Changeless in heaven over earthly changes,
Triune, eternal.
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 57
Psalmody
Ant. I God has raised you from the dust,
and given you a place
among the great ones of his people.
Psalm 112 (113)
Praise, O servants of the Lord,*
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed*
both now and for evermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting*
praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord,*
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the Lord, our God,*
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down,*
to look down upon heaven and earth?
From the dust he lifts up the lowly,*
from his misery he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes,*
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife he gives a home*
and gladdens her heart with children.
Ant. God has raised you from the dust,
and given you a place
among the great ones of his people.
Ant.2 Through you the Lord
has given bread to the hungry
a father to orphans, a friend to the young.

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58 PRoPER oFFrcES
Psalm 145 (146)
My soul, give praise to the Lord;t
I will praise the Lord all my days,*
make music to my God while I live.
Put no trust in princes,*
in mortal men in whom there is no help.
Take their breath, they return to clay*
and their plans that day come to nothing.
He is happy who is helped by Jacob's God,*
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who alone made heaven and earth,*
the seas and all they contain.
It is he who keeps faith for ever,*
who is jusueJhese who are eppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry,*
the Lord, who sets prisoners free,
the Lord who gives sight to the blind,*
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger*
and upholds the widow and orphan.
It is the Lord who loves the just*
but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever,*
Sion's God, from age to age.
Ant. Through you the Lord
has given bread to the hungry,
a father to orphans, a friend to the young.
Ant.3 God has raised you up in the Church
to the praise and glory of his grace
to reveal his love to young people.

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 59
Canticle - Ephesians 1 :3- 10
Blessed be the God and Father*
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ*
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
He chose us in him*
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy*
and blameless before him.
He destined us in love*
to be his sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,t
to the praise of his glorious grace*
which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood,*
the forgiveness ofour trespasses,
according to the riches ofhis grace*
which he lavished upon us.
He has made known to ust
in all wisdom and insight*
the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose*
which he set forth in Christ.
His purpose he set forth in Christ,*
as a plan for the fulness of time,
to unite all things in him,*
things in heaven and things on earth.
Ant. God has raised you up in the Church
to the praise and glory ofhis grace
to reveal his love to young people.

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60 PRoPER oFFrcES
Scruprunr READTNG
2 Thess 2,13-17
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you,
brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you
from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification
by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you
through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the tradi-
tions which you were taught by us, either by word of
mouth or by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ
himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us
eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort
your hearts and establish them in every good work and
word.
Suonr n-espoNsony
R. The Lord loved him, * and bestowed on him all
honour.
The Lord loved him, and bestowed on him all honour.
Y. He invested him with glory * and bestowed on him
all honour.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord loved him, and bestowed on him all honour.
Ant. At the Magn. My every breath and all my strength
will be at the service of the young.
Or: My son, keep your father's commandment,
and forsake not your mother's teaching;
Bind them always upon your heart.

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 6I
INrEncESsloNs
Our faith receives encouragement from the witness
of the Saints; they are signs of the presence of the
Spirit in the Church. United with them in prayer let
us invoke God our Father, the source of all holiness:
Increase in us ourfaith, hope and charity.
You raised up St John Bosco in your Church as the
father and teacher ofyouth:
grant that all of us may love young people and
joyfully dedicate our lives to their good.
You enabled the Saint of youth to unite tireless activity
with an intense life of prayer:
help us with the power of your Spirit that in our
apostolic work we may always remain united to you.
It is your wish that parents be the first and principal
educators of their children:
may they find in you the strength and joy to be
always aware of the grandeur of their task
To our Founder you gave the Virgin Mary as Mother
and Guide:
grant that the members of the Salesian Family may
trust in her help and always experience her
motherly presence.
On those who have died after spending their best
energies for the education ofthe young according to
the Salesian charism:
bestow the fullness of happiness and eternal light.
Our Father.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.

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62 PRoPER oFFrcES
Compline
Compline of Sunday after Evening Prayer I. It can
conclude with the antiphon: "Sub tuum praesidium
confugimus", or.'
"O Maria, Virgo potens
Tu magnum et praeclarum in Ecclesia praesidium;
Tu singulare Auxilium Christianorum:
Tu terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata.
Tu cunctas haereses sola interemisti in universo mundo.
Tu in angustiis,
Tu in bello,
Tu in necessitatibus nos ab hoste protege,
atque in aeterna gaudia in mortis hora suscipe".
INvrrarony
Ant. Let us give praise to the Lord our God
on the Feast ofSt John Bosco.
Invitatory psalm as in the Ordinary - cfAppendix p. 355.
Office of readings
* HwrN
Praise the Lord of all things living,
Praise the God who gives us life.
Praise to Him who brought His people
Out of darkness into light.
Unto us His Son was given
To redeem unbroken sin;
His command of love He left us
Till the day He comes again.

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 63
Out of love He raised a shepherd,
Father, teacher ofthe young.
Gave to him a hopeful vision
of the Kingdom Jesus won.
Leading youthful hearts to heaven,
Modelling a life of grace,
Showing how a joyful spirit
Earns our heav'nly dwelling place.
Sign of all that God has given,
Bearer of the Father's love,
Pray that we proclaim the Promise
Of our heav'nly home above.
Show us how to praise the Father,
How to praise His only Son,
Living, reigning with the Spirit,
E'er eternal, ever one!
(C.J. LiebY)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority,
Psalmody
Ant. I God gave him wisdom and understanding
and a heart as vast as the sand on the seashore.
Psalm 20 (21):2-8,14
O Lord, your strength gives joy to the king;*
how your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart's desire;*
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessings of success,*
you have set on his head a crown ofpure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given,*

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64 PRopER oFFrcES
days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory.*
You have laid upon him majesty and splendour,
you have granted your blessings to him for ever.*
You have made him rejoice with thejoy ofyourpresence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord:*
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength,x
we shall sing and praise your power.
Ant. God gave him wisdom and understanding
and a heart as vast as the sand on the seashore
Ant.2 He believed against all hope
and became the father of many peoples.
Psalm 9l (92)
I
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,*
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning*
and your truth in the watches of the night,
on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute,*
with the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad;*
for the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works!*
How deep are your designs!
The foolish man cannot know this*
and the fool cannot understand.

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 65
Though the wicked spring up like grass*
and all who do evil thrive:
they are doomed to be eternally desftoyed.*
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
Ant. He believed against all hope
and became the father of many peoples.
Ant.3 He trusted in the Lord and did good works;
in him he placed all his joy.
II
See how your enemies perish;*
all doers ofevil are scattered.
To me you give the wild-ox's strength;*
you anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes;*
my ears heard gladly of their fall.
The just will flourish like the palm-tree*
and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord*
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old,*
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just;*
in him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Ant. He trusted in the Lord and did good works;
in him he placed all his joy.
R. You will hear the word from my mouth,
Y. and pass it on to your brethren.

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66 PRoPER oFFrcES
Ftnsr REeorNc
From the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians
1,2-6;2,7 -9a.10-12
Our behaviour was holv,
righteous and blameless
We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly
mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our
God and Father your work of faith and labour of love
and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For
we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen
you; for our gospel came to you not only in word, but
also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full
conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be
among youfor your sake And you became imitators of
us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much
affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit.
But we were gentle among you, like a nurse taking
care of her children. So, being affectionately desirous
of you, we were ready to share with you not only the
gospel ofGod but also our own selves, because you had
become very dear to us. For you remember our labour
and toil, brethren.
You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righr
eous and blameless was our behaviour to you believers;
for you know how, like a father with his children, we
exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and
charged you to lead a life worthy of God, who calls you
into his own kingdom and glory.

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 67
RpspoNsoRv
I Thess 3,12-l3a:'4.2
R May the Lord make you increase
to one another and to all men, as we
and abound
do to you, *
in love
so that
he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness
before our God and Father.
{. For you know what instructions we gave you through
t*hesoLothradt
Jesus.
he may
establish
your
hearts
unblamable
in
holiness before our God and Father.
SgcoNo READING
From the "Regulations for the Oratory of St Francis de
Sales" (1854) written by St John Bosco, priest
(Pedagogical and spiritual writings, Rome 1987,41-44, passim)
A new, way.for evangelizing lhe voung
"[...] to gather into one the children of God who are
scattered abroad" (Jn I1,52). These words of the holy
Gospel show us that the Divine Saviour came down
from heaven to earth to gather together all God's chil-
dren scattered over the face of the earth, and I think we
can apply them literally to the young people of our time.
This portion of human society, the most precious and at
the same time most delicate on which rest the hopes for
a happy future, is not of itself of a perverse disposition.
Were it not for the neglect of parents, idleness, meeting
with bad companions, to which they are prone especial-
ly on Sundays and Feastdays, it would be quite easy to
insert into their tender hearts principles of good order
and behaviour, ofrespect and ofreligion, because it
sometimes happens that those who are already lost at
that age have become so through thoughtlessness rather
than through ingrained wickedness.

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68 PRopER oFFrcES
These youngsters really need a kindly helper who
will take care of them, encourage them and lead them to
virtue, and to keep them away from vice. The difficulty
lies in finding a way to gather them together, to talk to
them and teach them good morals.
This was the mission of the Son of God, and only his
holy religion can bring it about. But this religion which
in itself is eternal and unchangeable, which has been
and will always be the mentor of mankind, contains a
law so perfect as to be adaptable to changing times and
to the different characteristics ofall persons.
Among the means best suited to disseminate the
spirit of religion in the hearts of the uneducated and
abandoned the Oratories stand high. They are places
which provide youngsters with pleasing and honest
recreatioR after they have bCèn present at sacrerffunc-
tions in church.
The encouragement I have received from civil and
ecclesiastical authorities, the zeal shown by many peo-
ple who have helped me by temporal means and by their
own hard work, are without any doubt signs of the bless-
ings of God and of public satisfaction.
I do not intend to give either laws or precepts. My
only purpose is to describe what is done in the Boys'
Oratory of St Francis de Sales at Valdocco, and the
manner in which it is done.
Some may think from what I say that I am looking
for honour and glory. Don't you believe it! It is just that
I have a duty to describe things that have really hap-
pened and continue to happen still.
When I gave myself to this part of the sacred min-
istry, my intention was to consecrate all my energies to
the greater glory of God and the good of souls; I in-
tended to work to produce good citizens in this world

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 69
so that in due time they would be worthy citizens of
heaven above. May God continue to help me to continue
in this work till my last breath.
RrspoNsonv
Cf. Col 3,17; I Cor 16,14
R. Whatever you do,
the name of the Lord
in word
Jesus *
or deed, do everything in
giving thanks to God the
Father through him.
Y. Let all that you do be done in love,
R. giving thanks to God the Father through him.
* Or.
SpcoNo READING
From the letter "Iuvenum Patris" ofJohn Paul II, pope
(AAS 80 u9881 969-987)
St John Bosco
"Father and Teacher ofYouth"
St John Bosco felt within himself that he had re-
ceived a special vocation and that in the carrying out of
his mission he was assisted and almost led by the hand
by the Lord and the motherly intervention of the Virgin
Mary. His response was such that the Church has offi-
cially proposed him to the faithful as a model of holi-
ness.
His stature as a Saint gives him a unique place among
the great Founders of religious Institutes in the Church.
He is outstanding from many points of view: he initiat-
ed a true school ofa new and attractive apostolic spiri-
tuality; he promoted a special devotion to Mary, Help of
Christians and Mother of the Church; he displayed a loy-

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70 PRopER oFFrcES
al and courageous ecclesial sense manifested in the del-
icate mediation work he carried out between Church and
State at a time when the relations between the two were
diffrcult; as an apostle he was both realistic and practical,
always open to the implications of new discoveries; he
was a zealous organizer of foreign missions with truly
Catholic sensitivity; he was an eminent example of a
preferential love for the young, and especially for the
most needy among them, for the good of the Church and
society; he was the exponent of an effrcacious and at-
tractive pedagogical method which he has left as a pre-
cious legacy to be safeguarded and developed.
An interchange between "education" and "holiness"
is indeed the characteristic aspect of his personality: he
was a "holy educator", he drew his inspiration from a
"holy model" - Francis de Sales, he was the disciple of
a "holy spiritual director" - Joseph Cafasso, and he was
able to form from among his boys a "holy pupil" - Do-
minic Savio.
For St John Bosco, founder of a great spiritual Fam-
ily, one may say that the peculiar trait of his brilliance is
linked with the educational method which he himself
called the "preventive system". In a certain sense this
represents the quintessence of his pedagogical wisdom
and constitutes the prophetic message which he has left
to his followers and to the Church, and which has re-
ceived attention and recognition from numerous educa-
tors and students ofpedagogy.
The substance of his teaching remains intact; the
unique nature of his spirit, his intuitions, his style, his
charisma are unchanged, because they draw their inspi-
ration from the transcendent pedagogy of God.
In the Church and in the world the integral educa-
tive vision that we see incarnated in John Bosco is a re-

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 7I
alistic pedagogy of holiness. We need to get back to the
true concept of "holiness" as a component of the life of
every believer. The originality and boldness of the plan
for a "youthful holiness" is intrinsic to the educational
art of this great Saint, who can be rightly called the
"master of youth spirituality". His secret lay in the fact
that he did not disappoint the deep aspirations of the
young (the need for life, love, expansiveness, joy, free-
dom, future prospects) but at the same time led them
gradually and realistically to discover for themselves
that only in the "life of grace", i.e. in friendship with
Christ, does one fully attain the most authentic ideals.
RpspoNsonv Phil3,l7;4,9'.cf.l Cor l,l0; l0'31
R. What you have learned and received and heard and
seen in me, do * and the God of peace will be with you.
V. I appeal to you by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
to do all to the glory of God.
R. and the God of peace will be with you.
Te Deum
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Vigil celebration
Those who desire to extend the celebration of the Wgil
shouldfirst celebrate the Office of Readings; after the
two Readings and before the Te Deum they should add
the canticles and Gospel as indicated below.
Ant. Whatever you do, in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord.

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72 PRopER oFFrcEs
Cemclp I Jer 17,7-8
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.
CeN"ncre II Sir 14,20-21;15,3-6
Happiness of the wise man.
Cevrrcrr III Wis 9,1-6.9-ll
Lord, give me the wisdom that is pleasing to you.
Gospsl
An extract from the Gospel is read, taken from those
proposed in the Lectionary for the Mass of St John
Bosco:
1. Mt 5,13-19: You are the light of the world.
2. Mt 18,1-6.10: Whoever receives one such child in
my name receives me.
3. Mt 22,34-40: You shall love the Lord your God
and yotr neighbour.
4. Mk 9,34-37: Whoever receives one such child in
my name receives me.
5. Mk 10,13-16: Let the children come to me.
6. Lk 22,24-30: I assign to you, as my Father assi-
gned to me, a kingdom.
7. Jn 10,1-11: TheGoodShepherd.
8. Jn 15,9-17: You are my friends if you do what
I command you.
If convenient a homily moy be given.
Te Deum
Concluding prayer as at Moming Prayer

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 73
* HyvrN
Morning Prayer
Living source of all creation,
Grateful songs to you we raise.
In our joyful celebration
Of your love poured out always.
For our Father, Lord, we thank you,
For our unity in love,
For the brothers, for the sisters
rusted to us from above.
Take our hearts, our love's devotion,
On our Father's festal day;
And in mercy give your blessing,
As with reverence we pray:
May we all, your life possessing,
Steadfast be in work and word;
By Christ's charity enamoured
May we be to service spurred.
May we, true to our vocation,
For our Father's sake now grow,
Showing forth Christ's healing kindness,
As Don Bosco's heart might show.
May we burn with zeal and ardour
For the work which Christ has blest.
Guided by our storied banner:
"Give me souls and take the rest".
Living source of all creation,
Guide and friend of all the weak,
Let us know Christ's true salvation
And the Spirit's grace unique.
By the Virgin's intercession,
By Don Bosco's prayers so kind,

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74 PRoPER oFFICES
May your children know your healing,
May we peace and mercy find. (A.J. Lenti)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Ant. I Glory and praise to you, O God of my fathers,
for you have given me wisdom,
humility and strength.
Psalms and canticlefrom Sunday, Week I - cf Appendix
p. 359.
Ant.2 Praise our God with dancing;
praise him with lute and harp, alleluia.
Ant.3 You have filled him with joy before your face:
and to the young he proclaims your blessings.
Scr.rpruRr READING
Heb 13,17.20-21
Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are
keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to
give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly,
for that would be of no advantage to you.
May the God of peace who brought again from the
dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd ofthe sheep, by
the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with every-
thing good that you may do his will, working in you that
which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to
whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
SHorr RBspoNsonv
R. The Lord is my shepherd, * there is nothing I shall
want.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 75
Y. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me
repose,
* there is nothing I shall want.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Ant. At the Ben. Blessed are the meek, for they shall
inherit the earth. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they
shall see God.
INrrncEssroNs
Let us bless God our Father who called St John Bosco
to proclaim the gospel ofjoy. In his memory let us
pray:
Lord, bless your people
In St John Bosco you have manifested your love for the
young and the poor:
help us to recognize in them the countenance of
Christ your Son and to serve them with true pastoral
charity.
You made him the apostle of the sacraments of the
Eucharist and Reconciliation;
grant that we may be able to lead young people to
these sure founts oflife and grace.
You opened the mind and heart of St John Bosco to the
great horizons ofthe Church:
bestow on us a missionary spirit and apostolic cre-
ativity for the building of your Kingdom.
In your providence you gave him serenity and trust in
the trials of life:
impart also to us a complete confidence in your
assistance and faithful perseverance in your service.

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76 PRoPER oFFICES
In St John Bosco you have given to your Church a liv-
ing image of Jesus the good shepherd:
grant that not one may be lost of those you have
entrusted to our mission as educators.
Our Father.
Pnevnn
Lord our God, in your providence you have given us
Saint John Bosco, the father and teacher of youth, who
under the guidance of the Virgin Mary worked with
untiring zealfor the good of the Church; inspire us with
that same apostolic charity, to seek the salvation of our
neighbour and so serve you, the one and only good. We
ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son...
Prayer during the daY
A suitable hymn and complementary psalmody; Ps l2l
may be replaced by Ps 128, and Ps 126 by Ps 130. Wen
the solemnityfalls on Sunday the Sunday psalms are used.
Before noon
Ant. Serve the Lord with joy, alleluia.
Scntp'runE READING
1 Thess 5.16-22.28
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise proph-
esying, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Ab-
stain from every form of evil. May the God of peace
himself sanctiff you wholly; and may the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Y. Praise the Lord and call upon his name,
R. proclaim his works among the peoples.

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 77
Midday
Ant. Adore the Lord at all times: in joy and in sorrow.
Sc'RrpruRe rìrrADrNCì
Phil 2,1-4
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any
incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any
affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of
the same mind, having the same love, being in full
accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness
or conceit, but in humility count others better than your-
selves. Let each of you look not only to his own inter-
ests, but also to the interests ofothers.
Y. Celebrate the Lord with me,
R. together let us magnifu his name.
Afternoon
Ant. May God be our help
and our companion on the way of heaven.
ScRrpruRr, READTNG
Rm 12,9- 13
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to
what is good; love one another with brotherly affection;
outdo one another in showing honour. Never flag in
zeal,be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in
your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in
prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practise
hospitality.
V. Lord, you are good and the source ofall goodness:
R. everlasting is your mercy.
Prayer as at Morning Prayer.

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78 PRoPER oFFrcES
* HvuN
Evening Prayer II
Thou who didst befriend the friendless
Toiling here with heart so brave.
By thy love and labour endless
Fondly striving souls to save.
Refroin:
Saint John Bosco, guard and guide us. .
We our hearts now pledge to thee.
Grant that we, whate'er betide us,
True to God shall ever be.
Unto youth you were a father,
Loving teacher, loyal friend.
Grant that we may round you gather
At our earthly joumey's end. Refrain.
Grant that we may, sin deffing,
With the strength that faith can bring,
Bravely living, bravely dying,
Win the fight for Christ our King. Refrain
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Psalmody
Ant.l My glory is in the Lord:
let the humble listen and rejoice.
Psalm l4 (15)
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent*
and dwell on your holy mountain?

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 79
He who walks without fault;*
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart;*
he who does not slander with his tongue;
he who does no wrong to his brother,*
who casts no slur on his neighbour,
who holds the godless in disdain,*
but honours those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may;t
who takes no interest on a loan*
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm for ever.
Ant. My glory is in the Lord
let the humble listen and rejoice.
Ant.2 The source of wisdom is the fear of the Lord;
wise is the man who is faithful to him.
Psalm 111 (112)
Happy the man who fears the Lord,x
who takes delight in his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;*
the children ofthe upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house;*
his justice stands firm for ever
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:*
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends,*
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:*
he will be remembered for ever.

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80 PRoPER oFFICES
He has no fear of evil news;*
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;*
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;t
his justice stands firm for ever.*
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry,t
grinds his teeth and fades away;*
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Ant. The source of wisdom is the fear of the Lord;
wise is the man who is faithful to him.
Ant.3 Great and wonderful are you, Lord,
in all your saints.
Canticle - Revelation 15:3-4
Great and wonderful are your deeds,*
O Lord God theAlmighty!
Just and true are your ways*
O King of the ages!
Who shall not fear and gloriff your name, O Lord?*
For you alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship you,*
for your judgments have been revealed.
Ant. Great and wonderful are you, Lord,
in all your saints.

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SAINT JOHN BOSCO 8I
Sc'RrprunE READTNG
I Cor 13.4-8a. 13
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boast-
ful; It is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on
its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not
rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things. Love never ends. Faith, hope, love abide,
these three; but the greatest ofthese is love.
Snonr RrspoNsoRv
R. The just man speaks * words of wisdom.
The just man speaks words of wisdom.
Y. The law of God is in his heart;
* words of wisdom.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The just man speaks words of wisdom.
Ant. At the Magn. To save your souls I will gladly
spend all my life.
IN'rnncnssroNS
United in the love of Christ at the close of this festive
day, let us present to God our Father our hopes and
expectations. Let us say:
Protect this yourfamily, O Lord.
Through St John Bosco you have raised up new religious
families in your Church:
grant that in them may flourish evangelical life and
prophetic witness.
You inspired our holy Founder to involve many others
in work for the salvation of the young:

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82 PRoPER oFFrcES
increase the number of new vocations and keep our
Salesian Family united.
It is your will that all peoples should attain to a knowl-
edge of the truth:
through the intercession of the Virgin Mary bless the
work of missionaries of the Gospel and render it pro-
ductive.
You made St John Bosco outstanding in the formation
and education ofthe young, and especially ofthose
who are poor and abandoned:
in the way you have marked out for each one of us
help us to imitate his pedagogical wisdom.
You have called to yourself many brothers and sisters
who have dedicated their own lives to the spreading
of your Kingdom:
bestow on them the reward promised to good and
faithful servants.
Our Father.
PRevEn
Lord our God, in your providence you have given us
Saint John Bosco, the father and teacher of youth, who
under the guidance of the Virgin Mary worked with
untiring zealfor the good of the Church; inspire us with
that same apostolic charity, to seek the salvation of our
neighbour and so serve you, the one and only good. We
ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son...
Compline
Of Sunday. The concluding antiphon con Ae "Sub
tuum praesidium" as in the Ordinary or the antiphon
"O Maria, Virgo potens".

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I February
Commemoration
of all deceased Confreres
Il' t Februarl, is a Sunda), the commemoration is omitted,'
it ('onnot be transferred to another day.
Prayer for our deceased confreres is a duty of gratitude and
fellowship. The memory of those we have known and with
whom we may have perhaps shared for years in the same voca-
tion and mission can provide an eloquent and efficacious stim-
ulus for preserving in the Salesian Family the commitment to
holiness.
In the commemoration of the deceased confreres the Con-
gregation celebrates the love the Lord has manifested in the lives
òf liis chitdren, and sees the realization of the promise of conti-
nuity made to St John Bosco.
INvrrATonv
Ant. The Lord is the light of all the living:
come let us adore him.
Invitatory psalm as in the Ordinary - cf Appendix p. 355
Office of readings
* HwtN
As at Moming Prayer or from the Common, or another suitable
hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.

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84 PRoPER oFFrcES
Psalmody
Ant. I Blessed are they who hope in the Lord
Psalm 39 (40):2-14, I 7- 1 8
I
I waited, I waited for the Lordt
and he stooped down to me;*
he heard my cry.
He drew me from the deadly pit,*
from the miry clay.
He set my feet upon a rock*
and made my footsteps firm.
He put a new song into my mouth,*
praise of our God.
Many shall see and fear*
and shall trust in the Lord.
Happy the man who has placed*
his trust in the Lord
and has not gone over to the rebels*
who follow false gods.
How many, O Lord my God,t
are the wonders and designs
that you have worked for us;*
you have no equal.
Should I proclaim and speak of them,*
they are more than I can tell!
You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,*
but an open ear.

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DECEASED CONFRERES 85
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.*
Instead, here am I.
In the scroll of the book it stands written*
that I should do your will.
My God, I delight in your law*
in the depth of my heart.
Ant. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Ant.2 Lord, guide me with your justice,
make your way level before me.
II
Your justice I have proclaimed*
in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed;*
you know it, O Lord.
I have not hidden your justice in my heart*
but declared your faithful help.
I have not hidden your love and your truth*
from the great assembly.
O Lord, you will not withhold*
your compassion from me.
Your merciful love and your truth*
will always guard me.
For I am beset with evils*
too many to be counted.
My sins have fallen upon me*
and my sight fails me.
They are more than the hairs of my head*
and my heart sinks.

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86 PRoPER oFFrcES
O Lord, come to my rescue;*
Lord, come to my aid.
O let there be rejoicing and gladness*
for all who seek you.
Let them ever say: "The Lord is great",*
who love your saving help.
As for me, wretched and poor,*
the Lord thinks of me.
You are my rescuer, my help,*
O God, do not delay.
Ant. Lord, guide me with your justice,
make your way level before me.
Ant.3 My soul is thirsting for the living God:
when shall I see him face to face?
Psalm 4l (42)
Like the deer that yeams*
for running streams,
so my soul is yearning*
for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for God,*
the God of my life;
when can I enter and see*
the face of God?
My tears have become my bread,*
by night, by day,
as I hear it said all the day long:*
"Where is your God?"

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DECEASED CONFRERES 87
These things will I remember*
as I pour out my soul:
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd*
into the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving,*
the throng wild with joy.
Why are you cast down, my soul,*
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still,*
my savior and my God.
My soul is cast down within me*
as I think of you,
from the country of Jordan and Mount Hermon,*
from the Hill of Mizar.
Deep is calling on deep,*
in the roar of waters;
your torrents and all your waves*
swept over me.
By day the Lord will send*
his loving kindness;
by night I will sing to him,*
praise the God of my life.
I will say to God, my rock:*
"Why have your forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning*
oppressed by the foe?"
With cries that pierce me to the heart,*
my enemies revile me,
saying to me all day long:*
"Where is your God?"

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88 PRoPER oFFrcES
Why are you cast down, my soul,*
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still,*
my saviour and my God.
Ant. My soul is thirsting for the living God:
when shall I see him face to face?
R. Great is your mercy, O Lord;
Y. make me live in accordance with your word.
Frnsr nEaotNc
From the second letter of St Paul to the Corinthians
4,16-5,1-10
A/ier death we shall receive.fi"om God
an eternctl dv,elling-place in heaven
Brothers, we do not lose heart. Though our outer
nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being re-
newed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is
preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all
comparison, because we look not to the things that are
seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that
are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are
eternal.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is de-
stroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens. Here indeed we
groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling, so that
by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while
we are still in this tent, we sigh with anxiety; not that we
would be unclothed, but that we would be further
clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by
life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God,

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DECEASED CONFRERES 89
who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always of good courage; we know that
while we are at home in the body we are away from the
Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good
courage, and we would rather be away from the body
and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home
or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must
all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that
each one may receive good or evil, according to what he
has done in the body.
RgspoNsonv
Cf-. Psalrn 50.4
R. Do not judge me, O God, according to my actions:
for in your sight I have done nothing good. I beg your
majesty: * in your love cleanse me from my sin.
V. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, blot out my
*transgressions.
in your love cleanse me from my sin.
SecoNo READING
From the "spiritual Testament" of St John Bosco, priest
(Constitutions ofthe Society ofsaint Francis de Sales, 1984, 255-256)
In elernity the rewardfor trials
borne.for the love of Christ
My dear and beloved Sons in Jesus Christ, before
leaving this world for eternity I wish to fulfil a duty
towards you and so satisff an ardent desire of my heart.
First of all, I thankyou with the most ardent affection
of my soul for the obedience you have given me, and for
all you have done to sustain and propagate our Congre-
gation.

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90 PRoPER oFFrcES
I leave you here on earth, but only for a short time.
I hope the infinite mercy of God will enable us all to
meet one day in heaven; there I await you.
Do not grieve over my death. This is a debt we must
all pay; but afterwards, every fatigue sustained for
the love of our Master, the good Jesus, will be greatly
rewarded. Instead ofweeping, make firm and efficacious
resolutions to remain staunch in your vocation until death.
Watch, so that neither the love of the world, nor the
affection of parents, nor the desire of a more agreeable
life induce you to make the great mistake of profaning
the sacred vows, and so transgressing the religious
profession by which you are consecrated to God. Let
none of us take back that which we have given to God.
If you have loved me in the past, continue to love me
in the future by the exact observance of our Constitutions.
Your first Rector is dead. But our true Superior, Jesus
Christ, will never die. He will always be our Master, our
guide, our model; but remember that he, in his own time,
will also be our judge and the rewarder of our faithful-
ness in his service.
Your Rector is dead, but there will be another elected,
who will have care of you and of your eternal salvation.
Listen to him, love him, obey him, pray for him as you
have done for me.
Adieu, dear children, adieu. I wait for you in heaven.
There we shall speak of God, of Mary the Mother and
support of our Congregation; there we shall bless eter-
nally this our Congregation, the observance of whose
rules will have powerfully and efficaciously contributed
to our salvation.
Sit nomen Domini benedictum, ex hoc nunc et usque
in saeculum.
In te, Domine, speravi; non confundar in aeternum.

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DECEASED CONFRER-ES 9I
RespoNsoR.v
Cf. Phil 3,20.21;Col 3'4
R. Our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we
await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. x He will change
our lowly body to be like his glorious body.
Y. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also
will appear with him in glory.
R. He will change our lowly body to be like his glorious
body.
* Or:
SscoND READING
From the writings of the Venerable Fr Joseph Quadrio,
Salesian priest
(Ed. R. Bracchi. Don G Quadrio. Risposte, Rome 1992, 236-238\\
For the Christian, death is the beginning of true life
Faith sheds on death a soft and gentle light, adducing
also its positive and consoling aspects. For a Christian,
death is not the end but the beginning; it is the beginning
of the true life, the gate which opens onto eternity. It is
like hearing from behind the barbed wire of a concen-
tration camp the longed-for announcement: "You are
going home". Dying is like pushing open the half-closed
door of a house and saying: "Father, here I am, I'm
home!" It is a leap in the dark, it is true, but with the
certainty of falling into the arms of the heavenly Father.
Anyone who really believes in etemal life cannot fail
to repeat with St Paul: "For to me to die is gain. My de-
sire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better"
(cf. Phil 1,21.23). We know that while we are at home
in the body we are away from the Lord, and we would
rather be away from the body and at home with the

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92 pRopER oFFrcES
Lord" (cf. 2 Cor 5,5-6). After death our eyes that have
closed see again. The dead are not creatures that have
been annihilated; they are super-alive.
An obsessive fear of death could also be caused by
uneasiness about sins that have been committed and fear
of the divine judgement. In this case the fear must be
opposed by a most firm hope in the infinite mercy of
the heavenly Father. The one who will judge us and
decide our eternal destiny is not an enemy or a stranger;
he is our elder brother, who in order to save us endured
the agonies of Calvary and who loves us more than we
love ourselves. St Francis de Sales used to say that on
the day ofjudgement he would rather be judged by God
than by his own mother. One has only to acknowledge
one's sins and abandon oneself with trust to the im-
measurable loving kindness of God to ensure pardon
and salvation. It is a wonderful thing to feel that one is
so far from his level and in need of his mercy: to feel
that one is lost and at the same time saved by him who
"came to save the lost".
Finally the root cause ofdisturbance at the approach
ofdeath could be the thought ofthe pains and agonies
which frequently make it so bitter. There is an infallible
remedy, not for overcoming this thought but for over-
coming it and making it less unpalatable: it is that of
offering each day one's own sufferings and death, with
all the physical and moral agonies that will accompany
it, to the heavenly Father in union with the death of
Christ, and with the same love and the same intentions
which Jesus had on the cross. What great light and com-
fort stem from this anticipated loving celebration of
one's own death offered to the Father as a small victim
united to the great Victim, who is Jesus immolated on
Calvary and in every Mass! Our death then acquires the

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DECEASED CONFRERES 93
significance and value of a "co-redemption", i.e. a co-
operation with Jesus in glori$ring the Father in making
expiation for sins and in saving the world.
Death, when made in this way the object of faith,
hope and charity, may not succeed in driving away all
fear; but the fear itself will be lovingly accepted as a
precious part of the supreme sacrifice.
RrspoNsonv
Psalm 30.20; I Cor 2'9
R. How great is the goodness,Lord,that you keep for
those who fear you, * that you show to those who trust
you.
Y. What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of
man conceived, these things you have prepared, O God,
for those who love you.
R. That you show to those who trust you.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
* Hvl,rN
The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness fails me never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow,
To rest my soul he leads me,
Where fresh and fertile pastures grow,
With heav'nly food he feeds me.
Perverse and foolish I have strayed,
But he with love has sought me,
And on his shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing brought me.

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94 PRopER oFFrcES
In death's dark vale I fear no ill,
With you, dear Lord, Beside me;
Your rod and staffmy comfort still,
Your cross will ever guide me.
You spread a banquet in my sight,
My head with oil anointing,
And let me taste the sweet delight
From your pure chalice flowing.
And so through all my length of days
Your goodness fails me never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise
Within your house for ever.
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority,
Ant.l Look, O Lord, on my weakness;
pardon all my sins.
Psalm 50 (51)
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.*
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt*
and cleanse me from my sin.
My offenses truly I know them;*
my sin is always before me
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;*
what is evil in your sight I have done.
That you may be justified when you give sentence*
and be without reproach when you judge,
O see, in guilt I was born,*
a sinner was I conceived.

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DECEASED CONFRERES 95
Indeed you love truth in the heart;*
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O puriff me, then I shall be clean;*
O wash me,I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,*
that the bones you have crushed may thrill.
From my sins tum away your face*
and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God,*
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,*
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help;*
with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach hansgressors your ways*
and sinners may return to you.
O rescue me, God, my helper,*
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips*
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
For in sacrifice you take no delight,*
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit,*
a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
In your goodness, show favour to Sion:*
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,*
holocausts offered on your altar.
Ant. Look, O Lord, on my weakness;
pardon all my sins.

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96 PRoPER oFFrcES
Ant.2 I will call upon the Lord ofjoy;
from death and evil I shall be set free.
Canticle Is 38:l 0-14,11-20
I said,In the noontide time of my days I must depart;t
I am consigned to the gates of Sheol*
for the rest of my years
I said, "I shall not see the Lord*
in the land of the living;
I shall look upon man no more,*
among the inhabitants of the world.
My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me*
like a shepherd's tent;
like a weaver I have rolled up my life,*
he cuts me offfrom the loom;
From day to night you bring me to an end;*
I cry for help until morning;
like a lion he breaks all my bones;*
from day to night you bring me to an end.
Like a swallow or a crane I clamour,*
I moan like a dove.
My eyes are weary from looking upward.*
O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.
Lo it was for my welfare*
that I had great bitterness;
bur you have held back my life*
from the pit of destruction;
for you have cast all my sins*
behind your back.

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DECEASED CONFRERES 97
For Sheol cannot thank you,*
death cannot praise you;
those who go down to the pit*
cannot hope for your faithfulness.
The living, the living - he thanks you,t
as I do this day;*
the father makes known to the children
your faithfulness.
The Lord will save me,*
and we will sing to stringed instruments
all the days of our life*
at the house of the Lord.
Ant. I will call upon the Lord ofjoy;
from death and evil I shall be set free.
Ant.3 The name of the Lord I will praise in song,
in exultation I shall celebrate his glory.
Psalm 145
My soul, give praise to the Lord;t
I will praise the Lord all my days,*
make music to my God while I live.
Put no trust in princes,*
In mortal men in whom there is no help.
Take their breath, they return to clay*
and their plans that day come to nothing.
He is happy who is helped by Jacob's God,*
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who alone made heaven and earth,*
the seas and all they contain.

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98 PRoPER oFFICES
It is the Lord who keeps faith for ever,*
who is just to those who are oppressed.
It is he who gives bread to the hungry,*
the Lord, who sets prisoners free,
the Lord who gives sight to the blind,*
who raises up those who are bowed down,
the Lord, who protects the stranger*
and upholds the widow and orphan.
It is the Lord who loves the just*
but thwarts the path of the wicked.
The Lord will reign for ever,*
Sion's God, from age to age.
Alt Psalm150
Praise God in his holy place,*
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his powerful deeds,*
praise his surpassing greatness.
O praise him with sound of trumpet,*
praise him with lute and harp.
Praise him with timbrel and dance,*
praise him with strings and pipes.
O praise him with resounding cymbals,*
praise him with clashing of cymbals.
Let everything that lives and that breathes*
give praise to the Lord.
Ant. The name of the Lord I will praise in song,
in exultation I shall celebrate his glory.

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DECEASED CONFRERES 99
Srronr neaorNc
Wis 2,23-3,1.5-6.9b
God created man for incomrption, and made him in
the image of his own eternity. but through the devil's
envy death entered the world, and those who belong to
his party experience it.
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them. Having been
disciplined a little, they will receive great good, be-
cause God tested them and found them worthy of
himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like
a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. Those
who kust in him will abide with him in love, because
grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over
his holy ones.
Ssonr nrspoNsony
R. I will praise you, Lord, * for you have rescued me.
I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Y. You turned my sorrow into joy,
* for you have rescued me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Ant. At the Ben. I am the resurrection and the life;
he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and whoever lives and believes in me
shall never die.
Or: Otur true home is in heaven;
from there we await the coming of our Saviour,
the Lord Jesus Christ.

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100 PRoPER oFFICES
INvoca,rroNs
God, the Father almighty, raised Jesus from the dead,
and he will give life to our own mortal bodies through
the Holy Spirit; sustained by this hope, we pray:
Lord of the living and the dead, hear our prayer
Father, through baptism we have been buried with your
Son and have risen with him in his resurrection:
grant that we may walk in newness of life so that
when we die, we may live with Christ for ever.
Father, in our body we carry always and everywhere the
death ofJesus your Son:
grant that his life be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Father, in the resurrection of Jesus your fidelity is pro-
claimed for evermore:
enable us to live in hope, despite the mystery of
death.
Father, let us not be discouraged as our body slowly
decays:
grant that day by day our spirit may be renewed.
Father, we know very well that neither death nor life,
neither things present nor future, can separate us
from the love you have revealed in Christ Jesus:
while we entrust to you our dead confreres, renew
in us the certainty that you are faithful to your prom-
ises.
Our Father.
PnavER
Father, whose mercy knows no limit, you have prom-
ised unending happiness to those who seek first the
kingdom of heaven. We ask you to take to yourself our

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DECEASED CONFRERES lOI
deceased confreres (all deceased Salesians), who have
spent their lives in the service of the Gospel, following
the way marked out by Saint John Bosco; grant that they
may enjoy the vision of your countenance and that we
may continue faithfully on our pilgrimage. We ask this
through our Lord Jesus Christ...
Prayer during the day
Hymn and Psalms from the Office of the Dead.
Before noon
Ant. You give great joy and happiness to those who
seek you; and your salvation, O God, to those who love
you.
Scruprun-e READTNG
Job 19,25-27a
This I know: that my Redeemer lives, and he the last.
will take his stand on earth. After my waking he will set
me close to him, and from my flesh I shall look on God.
He whom I shall see will take my part; these eyes will
gme othim and find him not aloof.
Y. Why are you cast down, my soul, and why groan
within me?
R. Hope in God; I will praise him still.
Midday
Ant. Show us, O Lord, your mercy and grant us your
salvation.

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102 PRoPER oFFrcES
Scrlprung READTNG
Wis I ,1 3- I 5
Death was not God's doing, he takes no pleasure in
the extinction of the living. To be - for this he created
all; the world's created things have health in them, in
them so fatal poison can be found and Hades holds no
power on earth; for virtue is undying.
]2. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil.
R. For you are with me, Lord.
Afternoon
Ant. For ever I will give glory to your name, O Lord,
for great has been your mercy to me.
ScRrptuns R-EADTNG
Is 25,8
God will destroy death for ever. The Lord will wipe
away the tears from every cheek;he will take away his
people's shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has
said so.
Y. O God, hear my prayer.
R. To you all flesh must come.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Evening Prayer
When 2 Februaryfalls on a Sunday, thefirst Vespers of
the Presentation of the Lord are celebrated.
* HwrN
As at Moming Prayer or from the Common, or another suitable
hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.

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DECEASED CONFRERES 103
Ant. I I will walk in the presence of the Lord,
in the land of the living.
Psalm 120 (l2l)
I lift up my eyes to the mountains;*
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord*
who made heaven and earth.
May he never allow you to stumble!*
Let him sleep not, your guard.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,*
Israel's guard.
The Lord is your guard and your shade;*
at your right side he stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you*
nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil,*
he will guard you soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming*
both now and for ever.
Ant. I will walk in the presence of the Lord,
in the land of the living.
Ant.2 Do not abandon, Lord, the work of your hands.
Psalm 129 (130)
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,*
Lord, hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive*
to the voice of my pleading.

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104 PRoPER oFFrcES
If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,*
Lord, who would survive?
But with you is found forgiveness:*
for this we revere you.
My soul is waiting for the Lord.*
I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord*
more than watchman for daybreak.
Let the watchman count on daybreak*
and Israel on the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy*
and fullness of redemption,
Israel indeed he will redeem*
from all its iniquity.
Ant. Do not abandon, Lord, the work of your hands.
Ant.3 As the Father raises up and gives life,
So also the Son gives life to those who love
Canticle Phil 2,6-l I
Though he was in the form of God,*
Jesusdidnot count equal§withGod athing tobe grasfd.
He emptied himself,t
taking the form of a servant,*
being bom in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form,*
he humbled himself and became obedient unto death,*
even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him*
andbestowedon him the namewhich is aboveeveryname,

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DECEASED CONFRERES IO5
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,*
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,*
to the glory of God the Father.
Ant. As the Father raises up and gives life,
So also the Son gives life to those who love.
ScRrprune READTNc
I Cor 15,20-24a.25-27a
Christ, in fact, has been raised from the dead, the frst
fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man
came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of
the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall
all be made alive, but each in his own order: Christ the
first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to
Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the king-
dom to God the Father. For he must reign until he
has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy
to be destroyed is death, "for God has put all things in
subjection under his feet".
Suonr ngspoNsorv
R. Lord, in your steadfast love, * give them etemal rest
Lord, in your steadfast love, give them eternal rest.
Y. You will come to judge the living and the dead:
* give them eternal rest.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Lord, in your steadfast love, give them eternal rest.
Ant. At the Magn. I go to prepare a place for you - says
the Lord; I will come again and will take you to myself,
that where I am you may be also.

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106 PRoPER oFFrcES
Or: All that the Father gives me will come to me,
and whoever comes to me I shall not turn away.
INrrncEssroNs
We know that when our body, our earthly abode, has
been dissolved, we shall receive from God an eternal
dwelling in heaven. Full of trust, we proclaim:
You are the resurrection and the life!
Christ, our Lord, giver of life, you are the light which
never fades:
may the light of your countenance shine on us, that
by our life we may bear witness to your love.
Christ, our Lord, you have conquered death and become
the first fruit of the resurrection:
give to our dead confreres [deceased Salesians] the
reward you promised to your faithful servants.
Lord Jesus, you are seated at the right hand ofthe Fa-
ther:
look on us with eyes of mercy at the time of our
judgement.
You who have made all things new:
open to the faithful departed who entrust themselves
to you, the new heavens and a new earth where dwell
justice and peace.
In our remembrance of those who have gone before us
you fill us with hope and encouragement:
grant that one day we may find ourselves in heaven
to sing with them your love and glory.
Our Father.

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DECEASED CONTRERES IO7
PnavER
Fathet whose mercy knows no limit, you have prom-
ised unending happiness to those who seek first the
kingdom of heaven. We ask you to take to yourself our
deceased confreres (all deceased Salesians), who have
spent their lives in the service of the Gospel, following
the way marked out by Saint John Bosco; grant that they
may enjoy the vision of your countenance and that we
may continue faithfully on oìlr pilgrimage. We ask this
through our Lord Jesus Christ...
Compline
As on Sunday after Evening Prayer II. A suitable clos-
ing Antiphon would be: "O Maria, Virgo potens".

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7 February
Blessed PIUS IX,
pope
Optional memorial
John Maria Mastai Ferretti (Pius IX) was born at Senigallia
on 13 May 1792. Ordained priest in 1819, between 1823 and
1825 for t'wo years he was a missionary in Chile. At just 35 years
of age he was appointed Archbishop of Spoleto, and then in I 832
of lmola. In 1840 he was created Cardinal and on 16 June 1846
was elected Supreme Pontiffat only 54 years of age.
Don Bosco had a first audience with Pius IX on 9 March
1858. Both had the impression of meeting a saint. Pius IX sup-
ported and guided Don Bosco in the foundation of the Salesian
Congregation. He suggested to him to call it a "Society" so as to
be in tune with the times, to make simple vows, he advised a sim-
ple habit and practices ofpiety intense but not too complicated.
He persuaded Don Bosco to write his memoirs to be left as a
spiritual inheritance to the Salesians. During his pontificate he
approved the Constitutions ofthe Salesian Society, the Institute
of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the Pious Union
of Salesian Cooperators of which he was the first enrolled
member.
Don Bosco loved Pius IX greatly and accepted all his advice
even when it cost him great sacrihce: "No effort should be
spared", he used to say, "when the Church and the Papacy are
at stake". The Pontifftoo had great esteem for Don Bosco and
on different occasions called him to Rome to ask his help with
various very delicate issues.
On 8 December 1854 he defined the dogma of the Immacu-
late Conception. In 1869 he called the First Vatican Council. On
8 December 1870 he declared Saint Joseph Patron of the Univer-
sal Church. On 16 June 1875 he consecrated the Church to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus. He died on 7 February 1878, after 32 years
Pontificate. John Paul II proclaimed him Blessed on 3 September
2000.
From the Common of Pastors: for a Pope.

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Ix BLESSED PIUS
109
Oflice of readings
SrcoNn READING
From the <<Letters>» of Blessed Pius IX, Pope, to his
beloved son Father John Bosco
(7 January 1860 and 23 June 1869;
Memorie Biografiche VI [1907] pp.472-473;
Ix [917] pp.667-668)
Ilith perseverance bear with tribulqtions:
our hope rests in God
Beloved Son, Our greetings andApostolic Blessing.
In the letter which you wrote to Us on 9 November,
We find further proof of your singular faith, piety and
reverence towards Us and towards Our Supreme dignity.
We can easily understand, Beloved Son, your sorrow
and that of other ecclesiastics at this great confusion in
Italy and the upsetting of public order and the rebellion
in some Provinces of our temporal domains [...].
In this fierce storm raised up by Satan, in humility of
heart We greatly thank God that with his grace he
strengthens and comforts the Bishops of Italy so that
each one with his own flock may fearlessly safeguard
the deposit of faith. Our heart is comforted by the
profound harmony of spirit with which the clergy too in
these saddest of times labour for the care of souls and
the firmness and constancy of spirit with which for the
cause of God and of the Church they bear with and
support every adversity.
We cannot put into words the consolation which that
part of your letter gives Us from which We know that
the present calamities of these days prompted your
immediate response, My Beloved Son, and that of other
ecclesiastics. Therefore by preaching the word of God,

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10 I
PRoPER oFFrcES
and by distributing good books and other good writings
united in spirit and in zeal you do all that is in your power
to oppose the machinations ofthe enemies of the Church.
There is nothing more excellent than doing this, and
there is nothing more useful for fostering and enlivening
the piety of the people. Nor was your outstanding solic-
itude without fmit, through which many young people
going to the sacred Oratories on feast days and daily to
the schools.at the appropriate time become ever more
fervent through both Christian instruction and the fre-
quentation of the Sacraments.
May the care which you have for the poor young
people you have saved day by day obtain more happy
success and increase the number of those who can then
become in time useful ministers of the Church. Contin-
ue, Beloved Son, the way of life which you have taken
up to the glory of God and the benefit of the Church.
If you should meet with any serious tribulation bear with
it, and support with firmness of spirit the tribulations
of these times. Our hope is placed in God, who through
the protection of the Queen of Heaven and Mistress
of the world, the Mother of God, Mary the Immaculate
Virgin, will free us from these great evils, and will con-
sole his afflicted Church, making her triumph over her
enemies.
We have no doubt at all that to this end, and to beg
for Our weakness the immediate assistance and the help
of God, you will continue O Beloved Son, together with
the pupils and the disciples of your hospice, to you and
to Ourselves most dear, to beseech the same God with
ever greater fervour in all kinds of prayer. We most
earnestly pray the same God that he will preserve you
and them in his peace, cover you with his right hand and
defend you with his holy arm [...].

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IX BLESSED PIUS
III
The many tokens of faith and devotion which you
have given Us have certainly acquainted us with your
firm attachment to the Apostolic See and to Ourselves.
They show too that not only do you diligently strive to
arouse in others the love you bear Peter's Chair, but
also that many feel as you do.
Another splendid token of this We have received on
the occasion of Our golden jubilee of ordination and
First Mass in the very affectionate letter you sent Us in
yoìr name and in behalf of the oratories and institutes
you direct.
We need not tell you how welcome these filial con-
gratulations are to Us. We will appreciate it if you share
Our sentiments with your priests and boys. Indeed, you
may add that, in response to their wish, We remembered
them in Our Holy Mass as We particularly recommend-
ed to Our Lord all who pray for Us.
We shall be grateful if they continue to pray, as We
hope, for the conversion ofsouls gone astray, that they
may all know and love Our Heavenly Father and Him
whom He sent, Jesus Christ. Him albeit unworthy, We
represent on earth. Meanwhile, in token of Our parti-
cular benevolence and a sign of divine grace, We most
affectionately impart OurApostolic Benediction to you
and your beloved sons.
RpspoNsonv
Mt 16,18; Sal47,9
R. Jesus said to Simon: You are Peter and it is upon this
rock that I will build my Church, * and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it.
Y. God has built it to endure for all eternity,
R. and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.

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ll2 PRoPER oFFrcEs
Morning Prayer
Scnrprunp READTNG
Heb 13,7-9a
Remember your leaders, who preached the word
of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of
their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same
today as hew was yesterday and as he will be for ever.
Do not let yourselves be led astray by all sorts of strange
doctrines.
SHonr nrspoNsony
R. I placed watchmen on your towers, * they watch over
your Church.
I placed watchmen on your towers, they watch over
your Church.
Y. They will never cease to tell of the name of the Lord,
by day and by night.,
* they watch over your Church.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
I placed watchmen on your towers, they watch over
your Church.
Ant. At the Ben. It is not you who speak;
the Spirit of your Father speaks in you.
INreRcpssIoNS
To Christ, the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for his
sheep, with confidence we pray:
O Lord, guide your people to the pastures ofeternal
life.

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BLESSEDPruSIx II3
Christ our Lord, in Blessed Pius IX you have given us a
living model of your merciful love,
- bless our Pope N.N. and increase in him the gifts of
the Spirit to show to the world the sweetness of your
love.
Through your sacred ministers you are present in our
midst as the shepherd of our souls,
- never cease to guide us through their teaching and
encouragement.
In the holy pastors who serve your people you manifest
your power of healing souls and bodies,
- remain always with us to renew our lives in holiness.
In Blessed Pius IX, you O Lord gave Don Bosco a
support and guide in the founding of the Salesian
Society,
grant that we may be always faithful to our mission
ofeducators and pastors, handed on to us by our holy
Founder.
Pius IX was ever trusting and untiring in glori$ing
Mary Immaculate;
in Her, sign of sure hope, may the Church always
find the strength to be renewed in fidelity.
Our Father.
Pnaven
O God, who gave your servant, Blessed Pius IX,
Pope, the spirit of fortitude in adversity, and enabled him
to enter more deeply into the pure faith of the Church,
grant through his intercession, that we may be filled with
the same spirit and live with the same devotion. Through
Our Lord.

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ll4 PRoPER oFFrcES
Evening Prayer II
ScnrpruRe READTNc
1Pt 5,1-4
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an
elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ,
and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be
revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is
entrusted to you; watch over it, not simply as a duty but
gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but
because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over
any group that is put in your charge, but be an example
that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shep-
herd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading
glory.
SuoRt RespoNsonv
R. This is a man who loves his brothers, x and inter-
cedes for the people.
This is a man who loves his brothers, and intercedes for
the people.
Y. He laid down his life for his brothers,
* and intercedes for the people.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
This is a man who loves his brothers, and intercedes for
the people.
Ant. At the Magn. I thank you Christ for honouring me
by leading me to this glory You are the good shepherd;
I pray that the sheep which you have placed in my
charge will share with me in your glory for ever.

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IX BLESSED PruS I I5
lNrr..ncEssloNs
Glory to Christ, the high priest who was appointed to
represent men in their relations with God. United
in evening prayer we invoke his name:
Lord save your people.
You raised up in your church wise and holy leaders,
grant that the Christians community may always be
guided by wise and generous leaders.
In the presence oftheir brothers and sisters you anoint-
ed the leaders ofyour people and poured on them
your Spirit:
fill with His gifts all those you have called to guide
the Holy Church.
In Pius IX you gave us a Pope who loved and defended
with zeal the freedom and the rights of the Church;
grant that through his intercession, she may ever-
where carry out her mandate of proclaiming and
safeguarding the faith.
To Pope Pius IX Don Bosco expressed his gratitude and
his devotion to the Successor ofPeter;
grant to us O Lord, that following the example of our
Founder, we may have a great love for the Pope and
for the Church, and educate our young people to the
same love.
Through the pastors ofyour Church you assist your
faithful so that no one can steal them from your
hands,
grant that the bishops, priests and the faithful de-
parted may all be reunited in the joy of your King-
dom.
Our Father.

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l16 PROPER OFFICES
Pnevrn
O God, who gave your servant, Blessed Pius IX,
Pope, the spirit of fortitude in adversity, and enabled him
to enter more deeply into the pure faith of the Church,
grant through his intercession, that we may be filled with
the same spirit and live with the same devotion. Through
Our Lord.

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9 February
Blessed EUSEBIA PALOMINO YENI-ES,
virgin
Optional memorial
(For the Institute of the Daughters
of Mary Help of Christians'. Memorial)
Eusebia Palomino Yenes was born at Cantalpino (Salamanca,
Spain) on l5 December 1899 in a family which was quite poor but
rich in faith and harmony. Her early life was marked by daily hard
worh as a child-minder with families in the coun§side and then
in the city. From her father she eagerly leamed the rudiments of
the catechism, which enabled her to receive tle "Bread of heav-
en " at nine years of age. At that moment Eusebia experienced
deep within her something very special: she felt drawn by a deep
love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, and from then on every holy
communion was for her a moment of "great happiness".
Overcoming numerous diffrculties she fulfilled her dream of
consecrating herself to the Lord, and in 1924 she became a
Daughter of Mary Help of Christians. In the house ofValverde in
Camino, in the diocese of Huelva, she was assigned to the kitchen
and to various other community services, which she undertook
with cheerfulness and joy. In the festive oratory she was entrust-
ed with the smallest little girls, but little by little the older ones and
the adults used to go to her captivated by her spirit offaith and of
prayer. In her letters she spread everywhere the devotion of "Mar-
ian slavery", according to the teaching of St. Louis M. Gripon de
Montfort which she herself practised. In 1931, on the eve of the
revolution, Sr Eusebia offered herself to the Lord as a victim for
the salvation of her brothers and sisters in Spain and in the world.
Her offering was accepted: for three years she lived with in-
describable suffering, which the doctors were unable to diagnose
orto cure, until she entered into etemal Life on l0 February 1935.
On 25 April 2004 the Holy Father John Paul II proclaimed her
Blessed.
From the Common of virgins. Psalms of the day as in
the Ordinary.

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18 I
PRoPER oFFrcES
Office of readings
SEcoxo READTNG
From the «Autobiography» of Blessed Eusebia Palomino
(Edited by Manuel Garrido Bonaflo OSB, Seville 1985;
tr. by Domenica Grassiano FMA, Rome 1987, p. I 0- I I )
An irresistible and great desire to become a saint
At school I remember perfectly that along the walls
there was a Bible History in pictures. On one of the first
days the teacher explained a picture which was in front
of my bench and contained the story of Isaac. I was
sitting there making little tubes of paper, but I liked the
explanation very much and I didn't miss a word.
The following day I went with my mother to the for-
est nearby looking for wood. She gathered together a
great bundle of wood and as is usual she carried it on her
back tied to her belt, with a cord round her shoulders.
She also gave me a small bundle, and I came down the
hill full ofjoy and very satisfied as I remembered the
story of the sacrifice of Isaac, and along the way I told
it to my mother.
When I felt tired I said to her: <<Now let's rest a little
like Isaac, because we still have a long way to go»; so
we rested a little, then we carried on further until we
stopped to rest a second time.
I said to my mother: <<Isaac was a victim: if he had
died he would have gone straight to heaven. I am not a
victim, but I would very much like to be one, if it were
pleasing to God, because in my heart I feel such a great
desire to become a saint that I can't stop thinking about
it».
And as my mother went on under the weight of the
bundle I saw a tear run down her face. I would never

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BLESSED EUSEBIA PALOMINO I 19
have thought that, as in the picture that made such an
impression on me in my early years, as time passed
I would have the same fate of consecrating myself as a
victim of love for the salvation of souls and for the
Kingdom of my Mother and of Jesus!
R-sspoNsonv
l Cor 7,34; Psal 72,26
R. God is the rock of my heart. God is my possession
for ever: x apart from him I want nothing on earth.
Y. Avirgin is concerned with the Lord's claim, intent on
holiness, bodily and spiritual:
R. apart from him I want nothing on earth.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Scruprunr READING
Song ofSongs 8,7
Love is a fire no waters avail to quench, no floods to
drown; for love a man will give up all that he has in the
world, and think nothing of his loss.
SHoRt rpspoNsoRv
R. My heart has said of you: * I have sought your
presence, Lord.
My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence,
Lord.
Y. It is your face I will continue to seek:
* I have sought your presence, Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence,
Lord.

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120 PRoPER oFFrcES
Ant. At the Ben. You have given your heart to Christ,
wise virgin;
now you live with him,
shining like the sun in the assembly of the saints.
INrrncsssroNs
Let us thank God Our Father for having given us in
Blessed Eusebia Palomino a living image of his love
and of his mercy.
Grant us your love O Lord.
Father you chose us from all eternity,
make us aware of your call to holiness and make our
heart taste in its fullness the joy of belonging to you
in imitation of the holy virgins.
Open, O Father, the gates ofyour kingdom to the poor, to
the little ones who place their tust in your Providence:
grant us to know how to follow the life traced out by
Blessed Eusebia in humility and pove§, so that you
may reveal the glory of your face also to us.
Increase in us hunger for the Word of life,
so that every day we may grow in love for the Truth
and we may know how to pass it on it to those most
in need.
Give us the light and strength of your Spirit,
to meet the trials of life with peace and to give the
reason for the hope we have.
In her ever-ready and calm service Sr Eusebia experi-
enced the joy of giving:
grant that we too may recognise you in every broth-
er and sister and serve with joy in all the different
circumstances of life.
Our Father.

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BLESSED EUSEBIA PALOMINO I2I
Pruq,vun
O God, who shaped the heart of the Virgin Blessed
Eusebia according to the paschal mystery of your Son
even to the giving of her life grant that shengthened
by her example of humility and joy we may grow
constantly in your love and in the service of the poor.
Through.
Evening Prayer
ScntprunE READTNG
l Cor 7.32.34
He who is unmarried is concernedwith God's claim,
asking how he is to please God; a woman who is free of
wedlock or a virgin, is concerned with the Lord's claim,
intent on holiness, bodily and spiritual.
SuoRr nrspousony
R. The virgins come before the king * They sing forjoy.
The virgins come before the king. They sing for joy.
Y. They pass within
* They sing forjoy.
the
palace
of
the
king,
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The virgins come before the king. They sing for joy.
Ant. At the Magn. Come, bride of Christ,
and receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for
you.
INlERcpsstoNS
Let us make our prayer to Christ the Lord who in
Blessed Eusebia made the love of service and of
poverty a shining example:
Renew your Spirit within us, O Lord.

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122 PRoPER oFFICES
You inspired Sister Eusebia to offer you her life for
peace,
- help us to live generously a spirit of sacrifice in all
diffrcult circumstances with the certainty of cooper-
ating in the coming of your Kingdom.
You enriched the humble Sr Eusebia with the gift ofwis-
dom and counsel:
guide and enlighten those who are called to guide
young people in the discernment of their vocation.
Remember those who in your name come to the aid of
those in need:
- may they reflect your love and discover your pres-
ence in the little ones and in the least.
Renew in us the gift of your Spirit:
- may the eucharistic zealwhich shone in the heart of
Blessed Eusebia inflame and renew our ability to
love you and to seek your will in everything.
You who consider as done to yourselfevery good and
charitable deed,
grant the joy of the eternal reward to all those who
strove to live their lives according to the beatitudes
ofthe gospel
Our Father.
Pnavpn
O God, who shaped the heart of the Virgin Blessed
Eusebia according to the paschal mystery of your Son
even to the giving of her life grant that strengthened
by her example of humility and joy we may grow
constantly in your love and in the service of the poor.
Through.

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25 February
Saints LOUIS VERSIGLIA,
bishop
And CALLISTUS CARAVAHO,
priest
Salesian Protomartyrs
Feast
Louis Versiglia, bom at Oliva Gessi, Pavia, 5 June 1873,
entered the Valdocco Oratory at the age of l2 years, and there got
to know Don Bosco. He was ordained priest in 1895 and for
some years was Master of Novices at Genzano, Rome. In 1906
he led the first Salesian missionary expedition to China, fulfill-
ing a repeated prophecy ofDon Bosco. In 1918 the Salesians re-
ceived from the Mcar Apostolic of Canton the mission of Shiu
Chow. Fr Louis Versiglia was appointed VicarApostolic, and on
9 January 1921 was consecrated Bishop. He was a true pastor, to-
tally dedicated to his flock. He gave the Vicariate a sound struc-
ture with a seminary, formation houses, planning himself various
residences and homes for the elderly and those in need. He took
particular care in the formation of catechists. He writes in his
notes: "The missionary who is not united to God is a pipe de-
tached from the fountain". "The missionary who prays a great
deal will also do a great deal". Like Don Bosco he was a model
of work and temperance.
Callistus Caravario was born at Cuorgné, Turin, 8 June
1903. He was a pupil at the Oratory of Valdocco. In 1924, while
still a cleric, he left for China as a missionary. He was sent to
Macao, and then two years later to the island of Timor, edifring
everyone with his kindness and apostolic zeal. On lSMay 1929,
having retumed to Shiu Chow, Bishop Versiglia ordained him a
priest and entrusted to him the mission of Linchow. In a short
time he visited all the families and gained the affection of the
youngsters in the schools. Meanwhile, in China the politic situ-
ation was becoming very tense and especially for the Christians
and the foreign missionaries. Persecutions began.

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124 PRoPER oFFICES
In February 1930, Bishop Versiglia and Fr Caravario trav-
elled together on a pastoral visitation of the Linchow mission.
On the joumey, on 25 February a group of communist pirates
stopped the Bishop's boat, trying to seize the three catechists
whò were on the missionaries'boat. The Bishop and Fr Caravario
opposed them with all their strength, in order to defend the safe-
ty and the virtue of the three young Christian women. They were
forcefully beaten and shot at Li Thau Tseui, near the Lin Chow
river. Paulo VI recognised their martyrdom in 1973. John Paul II
numbered them among the Blessed on l5 May 1983 and canon-
isedthem on 1 October2000.
Imareronv
Anl The Lord is the king of martYrs;
come let us adore him.
Invitatory psalm as in the Ordinary - cfAppendix p. 355
Oflice of readings
HwrN
The martyrs living now with Christ
In suffering were tried,
their anguish overcome by love,
when on his cross they died.
Across the centuries they come,
in constancy unmoved,
their loving hearts make no complaint;
in silence they are proved.
No man has ever measured love,
or weighed it in his hand,
but God who knows the inmost heart,
gives them the promised land.

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SAINTS L.VERSIGLIAAND C. CARAVARIO I25
Praise Father, Son ans Spirit blest
Who guide us through the night
In ways that reach beyond the stars
To everlasting light.
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Psalmody
Ant. I The blood of the holy martyrs was shed
for Christ on this earth,
therefore they have received
their reward in heaven.
Psalm 2
Why this tumult among nations,*
among peoples this useless murmuring?
They arise, the kings of the earth,*
princes plot against the Lord and his Anointed.
"Come, let us break their fetters,*
come, let us cast offtheir yoke".
He who sits in the heavens laughs;*
the Lord is laughing them to scorn.
Then he will speak in his anger,*
his rage will strike them with terror.
"It is I who have set up my king*
on Sion, my holy mountain".
I will announce the decree of the Lord:t
The Lord said to me: "You are my Son.*
It is I who have begotten you this day.
Ask and I will shall bequeath you the nations,*
put the ends ofthe earth in your possession.

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126 PRoPER oFFrcEs
With a rod of iron you will break them,*
shatter them like a potter's jar".
Now, O kings, understand,*
take warning, rulers of the earth;
serve the Lord with awe*
and trembling, pay him your homage
lest he be angry and you perish;*
for suddenly his anger will blaze.
Blessed are they who put their trust in God.
Ant. The blood of the holy martyrs was shed
for Christ on this earth,
therefore they have received
their reward in heaven.
Ant.2 These holy men will live for ever;
the Lord himself is their reward.
Psalm 32 (33)
I
Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;*
for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the lyre,*
with a ten-stringed harp sing him songs.
O sing him a song that is new,*
play loudly, with all your skill.
For the word of the Lord is faithful*
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right*
and fills the earth with his love.

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SAINTS L. VERSIGLIA AND C. CARAVARIO I27
By his word the heavens were made,*
by the breath of his mouth all the stars.
He collects the waves of the ocean;*
he stores up the depths of the sea.
Let all the earth fear the Lord,*
all who live in the world revere him.
He spoke; and it came to be.*
He commanded; it sprang into being.
He frustrates the designs of the nations,*
he defeats the plans of the peoples.
His own designs shall stand for ever,*
the plans of his heart from age to age.
Ant. These holy men will live for ever;
the Lord himself is their reward.
Ant.3 Come, my saints,
who fought valiantly in this world;
I will give you the reward of your labours.
II
They are happy, whose God is the Lord,*
the people he has chosen as his own.
From the heavens the Lord looks forth,*
he sees all the children of men.
From the place where he dwells he gazes*
on all the dwellers on the earth;
he who shapes the hearts of them all;*
and considers all their deeds.
A king is not saved by his army,*
nor a warrior preserved by his strength.
A vain hope for safety is the horse;*
despite its power it cannot save.

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128 PRoPER oFFrcES
The Lord looks on those who revere him,*
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death,*
to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.*
The Lord is our help and our shield.
In him do our hearts find joy.*
We trust in his holy name.
May your love be upon us, O Lord,*
as we place all our hope in you.
Ant. Come, my saints,
who fought valiantly in this world;
I will give you the reward of your labours.
Y. Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
R. The Lord is our help and our shield.
Frnst RreorNc
From the Letter of St Paul to the Romans
8,1 8-39
Nothing can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus
Brothers, I consider that our present sufferings are
not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed
in us.
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the
children of God to be revealed. For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by
the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the
creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to

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SAINTS L. \\'ERSICLIA AND C. CARAVARIO I29
decay and brought into the freedom and glory ofthe
children of God. We know that the whole creation has
been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the
present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first-
fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is
no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for
it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit
himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And
he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accor-
dance with the will of God.
Andwe know that in all things God works forthe good
of those who love him, who have been called according to
his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be
the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those
he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up
for us all - how will he not also, along with him, gra-
ciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God
has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one
who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died - more
than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of
God and is also interceding for us.

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130 PRoPER oFFrcES
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or naked-
ness or danger or sword?
As it is written: "For your sake weface death all day
long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered".
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything
else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
RespoNsoRy
Lk6,27;Mt 5,44-45;48
R. Love
and pray
your enemies,
for those who
do good to those
persecute you, *
who hate you
to be sons of
your heavenly Father.
Y. Be perfect as your Father is perfect,
R. to be sons of your heavenly Father.
Srcomo READTNG
From the "Stromati" of Clement ofAlexandria
(IY 4,13-15; PG 8,1226-1227)
The joyful sacrifice of life in martyrdom
Without any doubt the martyr bears witness in the
first place to himself that he has been sincerely faithful
to God, then to the tempter that the latter has practised
in vain his envy of those who remain faithful with love,
and finally to the Lord for having been divinely perme-
ated by the convincing shength of the true doctrine from
which he will never turn aside, not even through fear of
death. Moreover he confirms by his action the truth of

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SAINTS L. VERSIGLIA AND C. CARAVARIO I3 I
the preaching, manifesting how powerful is the God to
whom he aspires. You can truly admire the love of the
martyr which is clearly shown when with gratitude he
assimilates himself to God, living and dying for him
alone. And not only this, but with his own 'precious
blood'he makes the infidels blush red.
In virtue of the commandment ofthe Gospel the mar-
tyr refuses to let fear lead him to deny Christ, and thus he
bears witness even in the face of fear. The martyr does
not sell his faith for the illusion of receiving gifts in ex-
change, but for the love of the Lord leaves this life with
great joy. Indeed he will be grateful both to the one who
has provided the motive for his passage from this world
and to the one who has concocted the plot against him.
He will use the fact as a suitable though unsought occa-
sion to show what he truly is: to the persecutor in pa-
tience, to the Lord in love. Precisely through this love
he was already known to the Lord, who knew even from
before his birth that he would freely choose martyrdom.
The martyr therefore goes to meet his Lord with serene
trust and confidence as towards a friend for whom he
willingly gives his body and soul, as his judges expected.
And so he will hear himself addressed by our Saviour
in the words of the poet: "O my dear brother!" precisely
because he made himself similar to Him in his life.
I say at once that we call martyrdom 'perfection', not
because the marlyr has reached the close of life like all
others, but because he has accomplished a perfect work of
love. If then martyrdom is a confession of faith in God,
every soul who leads a pure life in the knowledge of God
and obedience to his commandments, is a marlyr through
his life and word, whatever may be the manner of his bod-
ily death. He pours out, in fact,like blood his faith during
his whole life and even to the moment of his death.

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132 PRopER oFFrcES
RespoNsony
Cf. Sir 45,9;2Tm4,7-8
gRlo. rTiohuesLroorbdehuaspocnroywonue.d*yTohuewHitholjyusOtincee,ohfeIshraasepl uhtasa
taken up his abode in you.
Y. You have fought the good fight, you have finished
the race; the crown ofrighteousness has been prepared
for you.
R. The Holy One of Israel has taken up his abode in you.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
* HynrN
From the Common of Martyrs, or another suitable hymn
approved by ecclesiastical authority.
The martyrs living now with Christ
In suffering were tried,
their angush overcome by love,
when on his cross they died.
Across the centuries they come,
in constancy unmoved,
their loving hearts make no complaint;
in silence they are proved.
No man has ever measured love,
or weighed it in his hand,
but God who knows the inmost heart,
gives them the prtomised land.
Praise Father, Son and Spirit blest
Who guide us through the night
In ways that reach beyond the stars
To everlasting light.

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SAINTS L.VERSIGLIAAND C.CARAVARIO I33
Ant. I When the martyrs of Christ were in torment
they fixed their minds in heavenly things, and said:
Lord, come to our help!
Psalms and canticlefrom Sunday, Week I - cf Appendix
p. 359.
Ant.2 Let the souls of the saints
sing praise to God (alleluia).
Ant.3 Choirs of martyrs,
praise the Lord in the highest.
ScRrprunr READING
2Cor 1.3-5
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom
all help comes; he helps us in all our troubles, so that we
are able to help those who have all kinds of troubles,
using the same help that we ourselves have received
from God. Just as we have a share in Christ's many
sufferings, so also through Christ we share in his great
help.
SlroRr RpspoNsony
R. These were holy men * they will live for ever.
These were holy men they will live for ever.
Y. The Lord himself is their reward:
* they will live for ever.
Glory be to the Fater and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
These were holy men they will live for ever.
Ant. At the Ben. The blood of your martyrs, O Lord,
will be the fertile seed of Christians.

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134 PRoPER oFFrcES
INrsncsssroNs
United in the liturgy ofpraise, let us invoke God the Fa-
ther, who called our martyrs to associate themselves
more closely with the Passover of Christ through
their supreme testimony of love. Let us say:
Through your martyrs Lord, hear our prayer.
Through martyrdom the first disciples followed more
closely the Christ who offered himself for the salva-
tion of the world:
grant that we may be ever more conformed to him
who shed his blood for us and for all for the remis-
sion of sins.
Louis and Callistus faced death for the safety and sal-
vation of the faithful entrusted to their care:
grant that we may all persevere in our witness of
Christian life.
The holy martyrs sealed by their death their work of
evangelization:
sustain all missionaries and catechists in their serv-
ice of the proclamation of Christ's Gospel.
The two missionaries filled with their blood the chalice
St John Bosco had foretold:
help us to celebrate the liturgy of life by offering
our body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God.
Following the example of St John Bosco, the holy mar-
tyrs record with their lives the daily exercise of char-
ity for the good of others:
help us to embrace with joy our daily crosses for the
love of Christ and of our brothers and sisters.
Our Father.

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SAINTS L. VERSIGLIA AND C. CARAVARIO 135
PRavrn
Almighty and merciful God, you gave to your holy
martyrs, Bishop Louis and Father Callistus, the strength
to fight to the death to proclaim the Gospel and defend
human digrrity; grant that we, your loyal followers, may
imitate their testimony with persevering faith and
assiduous charity. We ask this through our Lord Jesus
Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Prayer during the daY
Hymn from the Ordinory. Antiphons and psalms of the
feria.
Before noon
SczupruRE READTNG
1 Pt 5,10-11
You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God
of all grace who called you to etemal glory in Christ will
seee that all is well again; he will confirm, sffengthen and
support you. His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.
V. The saints trust in the Lord:
R. They will have courage and will not falter.
Midday
ScnrpruRr READING
Cf. Heb 1l,33
These were men who through faith conquered king-
doms, did what is right and earned the promises in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
Y. You have endured sorrow:
R. But it will be turned to joy.

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136 PROPER OFFICES
Afternoon
Scruprun-e READTNG
Wisdom 3,1-2a.3b
The souls of the just are in God's hands, and no tor-
ment, in death itself, has power to reach them. Dead?
Fools think so;but all is well with them.
Y. They will come back with songs ofjoy,
R. They will carry home their sheaves.
The concluding prayer as at Moming Prayer.
Evening Prayer
HvvN
As at morning prayer.
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Psalmody
Ant. I The bodies ofthe saints have been buried in peace,
and their name lives on for all generations.
Psalm 114 (l l6)
I love the Lord for he has heard*
the cry of my appeal;
for he turned his ear to me*
in the day when I called him.
They surrounded me, the snares of death,t
with the anguish of the tomb;*
they caught me, sorrow and distress.
I called on the Lord's name.*
O Lord, my God, deliver me!

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SAINTS L.VERSIGLIAAND C.CARAVARIO I37
How gracious is the Lord, and just;*
our God has compassion.
The Lord protects the simple hearts;*
I was helpless so he saved me.
Turn back, my soul, to your rest*
for the Lord has been good;
he has kept my soul from death,t
my eyes from tears*
and my feet from stumbling.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord*
in the land of the living.
Ant. The bodies of the saints have been buried in peace,
and their name lives on for all generations.
Ant.2 I saw the souls of all who had been killed
for having witnessed to Jesus and
for having preached God's word.
Psalm 115 (ll6)
I trusted, even when I said:*
"I am sorely afflicted,"
and when I said in my alarm:*
"No man can be trusted".
How can I repay the Lord*
for his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise;*
I will call on the Lord's name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfill*
before all his people.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord*
is the death of his faithful.

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138 PRoPER oFFrcES
Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;*
you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;*
I will call on the Lord's name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfill*
before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,*
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Ant. I saw the souls of all who had been killed
for having witnessed to Jesus and
for having preached God's word.
Ant.3 These are the saints who bore witness to God
by laying aside earthly life.
They have washed their robes clean
in the blood of the Lamb.
Canticle Rev 4: I l; 5:9,10,12
Worthy are you, our Lord and God,*
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things ,*
and by your will they existed and were created.
Worthy are you, O Lord,*
to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain,t
and by you blood you ransomed men for God*
from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
You have made us a kingdom and priests to our God,*
and we shall reign on earth.

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SAINTS L. VERSIGLIA AND C. CARAVARIO 139
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,*
to receive power and wealth,
and wisdom and might,*
and honour and glory and blessing.
Ant. These are the saints who bore witness to God
by laying aside earthly life.
They have washed their robes clean
in the blood of the Lamb.
ScRrpruRe READTNG
lPt 4,13-14
My dear people, if you can have some share in the
sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a
much greater gladness when his glory is revealed. It is
a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the
name of Christ, because it means that you have the spirit
of glory the spirit of God resting on you.
Ssonr nrspoNsonv
R. Rejoice in the Lord: * Let the just shout forjoy.
Rejoice in the Lord: Let the just shout for joy.
Y. Let the upright sing praise;
* Let thejust shout forjoy.
Glory be to the Fater and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Rejoice in the Lord: Let the just shout for joy.
Ant. At the Magn. Blessed are you Louis and Callistus
who have shed your blood for the Lord;
honouring Christ by your lives,
you have imitated him also in death:
now you shine in the glory of heaven.

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140 PRoPER oFFrcES
INrEncEssroNs
As we commemorate the evening sacrifice of Christ
who offered himself for the salvation of the world, let
us present to the Father our prayer ofthanksgiving
and supplication:
We bless you, O Lord.
The Salesian Protomartyrs bore witness to the faith by
the sacrifice of their lives:
do not allow violence and hatred to prevail against
those who perform works of charity for their neigh-
bour.
They gave their lives as a sign of their love for some-
thing greater:
grant that we may all live with joy the sftong demands
ofservice freely given to ourbrothers and sisters.
The martyrdom of Saints Louis and Callistus acclaims
the inestimable value of chastity for the kingdom of
heaven:
grant that we may willingly accept hardship and sac-
rifices to educate young people to a more balanced
personality.
By their martyrdom the two missionaries have fully em-
bodied the ideal ofthe good shepherd:
grant that the service of bishops and priests may be
inspired by the tendemess of your fatherly love.
We entrust to you, Father, all who have left this world:
admit them to live in your abode of light and peace.
Our Father.

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SAINTS L.VERSIGLIAAND C.CARAVAzuO I4I
PnRvpn
Alrnighty and merciful God, you gave to your holy
martyrs, Bishop Louis and Father Callistus, the strength
to fight to the death to proclaim the Gospel and defend
human digntty; grant that we, your loyal followers, may
imitate their testimony with persevering faith and
assiduous charity. We ask this through our Lord Jesus
Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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6 May
Saint DOMINIC SAVIO
adolescent
Feast
Where the celebration has the rank of a Solemnity, Evening
Prayer I is from the Common of Saints, with the hymn,
antiphons and intercessionsfrom Evening Prayer ofthe Feast.
In a very simple style of life, Dominic travelled the road to
holiness in the space of a few years, a masterpiece of the Spirit
and a fruit of the method of education of St John Bosco.
He was born at Riva di Chieri, Italy, on 2 April 1842, into a
family poor in this world's goods but rich in faith. His childhood
was marked by the event of his first Communion, which he made
with great devotion at the age ofseven, and by a constant endeav-
ow to fulfil his duties. At the age of twelve there occurred the de-
cisive event: he met Don Bosco who, as a father and secure guide,
accepted him at Valdocco to begin his secondary studies. There he
discovered the higher perspectives of the life of a child of God in
friendship with Christ and Mary, and embarked eagerly on the road
to holiness, understood as a complete selÈdonation to God through
love. He prayed and studied with great seriousness, and became the
friend of all his companions. Sensitive to the ideal of Don Bosco's
Da mihi animas, he wanted to save the souls of all of them, and
started up the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception, which sub-
sequently gave to Don Bosco his best collaborators.
At the age of fifteen he became seriously ill, rehrned to Mon-
donio, his native village, and died there peacefully on 9 March
1857, happy to be going to meet his Lord. He was canonized by
Pius XII on 12 June 1954.
hnarerony
Ant. Let us praise the Lord our God
on the feast of Saint Dominic Savio.
Invitatory psalm as in the Ordinary - cfAppendix p. 355

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SAINT DOMINC SAVIO I43
* HvuN
Office of readings
This is the feastday of the Lord's true witness,
Who on this day received the glory due him.
Let all creation celebrate his goodness,
Cherish his memory.
Prudent in judgement, gentle towards his brothers,
Open, unselfish in the love he offered.
All of his days the Gospel was his wisdom,
Christ his true teacher.
One, then, in songs of praise we sing his glory
Calling to mind the peace and joy God gave him,
Asking his prayers to help us in life's battle,
All through the ages.
Glory and praise be to our God forever,
Radiant in splendour, awesome in his power,
Guiding creation onward to fulfilment,
One God, Three Persons. (P. Scagnelli)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authoriry

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144 PRoPER oFFrcES
Psalmody
Ant. I The Lord poured out his blessings upon him,
and he found grace in the eyes of God, alleluia.
Psalm 20 (21):2-8,14
O Lord, your shength gives joy to the king;*
how your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart's desire;*
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessings of success,*
you have set on his head a crown ofpure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given,*
days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory.*
You have laid upon him majesty and splendour,
you have granted your blessings to him for ever.*
You have made him §oice with the joy of your presence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord:*
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength,*
we shall sing and praise your power.
Ant. The Lord poured out his blessings upon him,
and he found grace in the eyes of God, alleluia.
Ant.2 The Lord blessed his faithfulness and dociliry
and let him see his glory alleluia.

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SAINT DOMINC SAVIO I45
Psalrn 9l (92)
I
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,*
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning*
and your truth in the watches of the night,
on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute,*
with the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad;*
for the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works!*
How deep are your designs!
The foolish man cannot know this*
and the fool cannot understand.
Though the wicked spring up like grass*
and all who do evil thrive:
they are doomed to be eternally destroyed.*
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
Ant. The Lord blessed his faithfulness and docility,
and let him see his glory alleluia.
Ant.3 The just one will grow like the lily:
he will flourish for ever before the Lord, alleluia.
II
See how your enemies perish;*
all doers ofevil are scattered.
To me you give the wild-ox's strength;*
you anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes;*
my ears heard gladly of their fall.

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146 PRoPER oFFrcES
The just will flourish like the palm-tree*
and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord*
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old,*
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just;*
in him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Ant. The just one will grow like the lily:
he will flourish for ever before the Lord, alleluia.
Y. The Lord loved him and bestowed on him all honour,
alleluia.
R. He clothed him in glory alleluia.
Frnsr nraorNc
From the Book of Revelation of St John the Apostle
14,l-3.4b-5; 19,5-9
Blessed are they who are invited
to lhe **edding-hanquet of the Lamb
Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the
Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand
who had his name and his Father's name written on their
foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the
sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thun-
der; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpists
playing on their harps. And they sing a new song before
the throne and before the four living creatures and
before the elders. No one could leam that song except
the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been
redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled
themselves, for they are chaste; it is these who follow

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SAINT DOMINC SA\\|IO I47
the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed
from mankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, and
in their mouth no lie was found, for they are spotless.
And from the throne came a voice crying, o'Praise
our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small
and great".
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great
multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the
sound of mighty thunder peals, crying, "Hallelujah! For
the Lord our God theAlmighty reigns. Let us rejoice and
exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the
Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it
was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and
pure" - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the
saints.
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those
who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb". And
he said to me, "These are true words of God".
REspoNsony
Rev 14,2; 12,10; 19,5-6
R. I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of loud
thunder; our God has taken possession of his Kingdom;
* now is fulfilled the salvation, strength and power of
Christ, his anointed one, alleluia.
Y. From the throne there came a voice: Praise our God
all you his servants, you who fear him, great and small!
R. Now is fulfilled the salvation, strength and power of
Christ, his anointed one, alleluia.
SEcoNo READING
From the "Life of Saint Dominic Savio" written by
St John Bosco, priest
(Opere edite, XI, Rome 1976, l87ss, passim)

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148 PRoPER oFFICES
Dectth rather thon sin
Boys are naturally changeable in carrying out what
they propose to do. But it was not ttrus with Dominic. As
he grew older the virtues that we saw begin and devel-
op in him grew apace and in such harmony that one did
not weaken the other.
As soon as he came to the Oratory his gaze fell upon
a poster containing in bold letters these words: "Give
me souls, take away the rest". He paused for a moment
and then exclaimed, "Oh, I see! Here you do not deal in
money, but in souls. I hope that you will deal with my
soul too". From then on he began to reveal that exem-
plary life, steady advance in virtue, and precision in his
duties that would be hard to rival.
On the evening of December 8, 1854, day of the
definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception,
Dominic, with the advice of his confessor, went before
our Lady's altar and renewed the promises he had made
on his first communion day. Then he repeated over and
over again: "O Mary,I give you my heart. Jesus, Mary,
be always my friends! I beg you, please let me die rather
than commit a single sin!"
Dominic had been at the Oratory about six months
when he heard a sennon on the way ofbecoming a saint.
This sermon was like a spark which kindled Dominic's
heart with an intense love of God. "I feel", he said,
"a great yearning, a strong need of becoming a saint.
Now that I see that one can be happy and holy too, I ab-
solutely want to become a saint! I must! God wants me
to become a saint, and I must become one! I want to be-
come a saint, and I will not be happy till I become one!"
Dominic had such a calm, equable disposition that
one might think God created him with it. But his teach-

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SAINT DOMINC SAVIO I49
ers and those who knew him intimately assure us that
this was the result of great effort helped by God's grace.
Dominic chose a confessor, to whom he went regu-
larly. His preparation for communion was thorough and
devout; his thanksgiving knew no bounds. Among the
gpces with which God enriched his soul was that of fer-
vent prayer. Several times he appeared to be wrapt in
ecstasy. When asked about it, he replied, "I seem to see
such wonderful things! Paradise seems to open above
me!" The first suggestion Dominic was given to become
§ a saint was to to win souls to God. This thought be-
came the constant desire of his life. He preferred to read
the lives of those saints who had spent their days work-
ing to save souls. He often spoke of the missionaries.
Often he was heard to say, "If I could only win over all
my schoolmates to God, how happy I would be! How
many souls need our help!" The desire to win souls to
God never left him.
Dominic died with the smile of heaven on his lips.
Rr,spoNsonv
Psalm l4,l-2; cf Mt7/l
R. O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall
dwell on your holy mountain? * He who walks without
blame and does justice, who thinks the truth in his heart,
alleluia.
Y. He who does the will of my Father shall enter the
kingdom ofheaven.
R. He who walks without blame and does justice, who
thinks the truth in his heart, alleluia.

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150 PRoPER oFFrcES
* Or:
SecoNo READTNG
From the "Life of Saint Dominic Savio" written by
St John Bosco, priest
(Opere edite, XI, Rome 1976, 200ss)
I want to belong entirely to Our Lord
Savio had been at the Oratory for about six months
when he heard a serrnon on how to become a saint. The
preacher dwelt on three thoughts which made a pro-
found impression on Dominic's spirit: "It is God's will
that we act like saints. It is not at all diffrcult to become
a saint. There is a great reward in heaven for those who
become saints on earth". For Dominic, that sernon was
the spark that set his heart aflame with the love of God.
He said nothing for several days, but he was more se-
rious than usual so that his companions and I noticed a
change. Assuming that it might be some physical in-
disposition, I asked him whether he did not feel well.
"Oh no", he said, "what is troubling me is really good
for me". "What do you mean?" "I mean I am troubled
with a yearning, a great need to become a saint. I had
not known that it was so easy, but now I understand that
you can be cheerful and still be a saint. I absolutely
want, I have to become a saint. Tell me how I should go
about achieving my goal".
I praised his resolve, but I urged him not to worry,
since it is hard to discem the Lord's will when the spir-
it is troubled. First of all, I wanted him to achieve a
natural and lasting cheerfulness. I also encouraged him
to persevere in fulfilling his scholastic and religious

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SAINT DOMINC SAVIO I51
duties, but I recommended that he join his companions
in all the recreational activities.
One day I told him that I would like to give him a
present that would please him, but I wanted the choice
to be his.
He answered promptly, o'I want you to make a saint
of me. I want to give myself entirely and forever to the
Lord. I know that I must become a saint. If I do not,
I shall accomplish nothing. God wants me to be a saint,
and therefore I must do his bidding".
On another occasion, the director wanted to give the
students of the house a token of special affection and
asked them to write him a note about their wishes. One
can easily imagine the many foolish and extravagant re-
quests he received. Savio wrote a few words on a slip of
paper: "Please save my soul and make a saint of me".
Once, when the roots of words were discussed, he
asked, "And what does Dominic mean?"
"Dominic means 'of the Lord"', I said.
"See", he replied, "am I not right in asking that you
make a saint of me? Even my name says that I belong to
the Lord. I do want to belong entirely to him. Therefore
I must become a saint and I will not be happy until I be-
come one".
RpspoNsonv
Cf. Prov 23,26;5,1
R. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes
observe my ways: * you will become a perfect man,
alleluia.
Y. Be attentive to my wisdom, incline your ear to my
advice:
R. you will become a perfect man, alleluia.

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152 PRoPER oFFrcES
Te Deum
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
* HwrN
The Voice of God is raised once more
To guide us through the night and din:
"'Whoe'er would rest in timeless joy
Must follow him that, still a boy,
Death's self would choose eer sin".
Thy life was like the Spring's first rose,
An hour in bloom, then light§ falls;
In death it wins more fragrant sway,
As still thy little hour of day
The world from death recalls.
The Church of Christ thy crown proclaims
The prize of life that pure heart won:
The dew that on thy heart was shed
Fell fromAngelic Wheat whose Bread
Enfolds the Virgin's Son.
Pray, Dominic, for all who wend
The way of Sales thine own steps bless'd;
And pray that God his clear light end
The souls thy fondest dreams caress'd.
(PJ. Ryan)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Ant.l You remained faithful unto death
and so the Lord has crowned you with glory
alleluia.
Psalms and canticlefrom Sunday, Week I - cfAppendix
p. 359.

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SAINT DOMINC SAVIO I53
Ant.2 Sing hymns to the Lord, you his faithful,
give thanks to his holy name. alleluia.
Ant.3 My song and my sfrength is the Lord:
he has been my salvation, alleluia.
Scruprune READTNG
I Jn 3,1-2
See what love the Father has given us, that we should
be called children of God; and so we are. The reason
why the world does not know us is that it did not know
him. Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not
yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when
he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as
he is.
Ssonr npspoNsonv
R. The law of God is in the heart of his holy ones,
* Alleluia, alleluia.
The law of God is inthe heart of his holy ones,Alleluia,
alleluia.
Y. Their path is shaight and sure.
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God is in the heart of his holy ones, alleluia,
alleluia.
lNrencgssroNs
Let us give praise to God our Father who deigned to
reveal to little ones the mysteries of his Kingdom,
and let us say:
Glory and honour to you, O Lord.

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154 PRoPER oFFrcES
Father, you brought Dominic Savio to birth in a family
rich in Christian virtues:
bless our families, and help parents in their duties as
educators.
You inspired Dominic with the burning desire to become
a saint:
grant that we too may offer our lives completely to
you with joy.
From his childhood you drew Dominic towards the
eucharistic mystery of your Son:
help us to celebrate the Eucharist with living faith
and share with joy in the gift of your love.
You led Dominic to discover that to love you is the
source of immense elation:
help us to find happiness in communion with you
and in the generous service ofour neighbour.
As they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit, the dis-
ciples were assiduous in common prayer with Mary,
the Mother of Jesus:
may she extend her protection to all who strive to
live in your friendship.
Our Father.
PnevEn
O God, the source of everything that is good, in Saint
Dominic Savio you have given to young people a won-
derful example of charity and purity; grant that we too
may grow as your children in joy and love, till we attain
the full stature of Christ. He is God, and lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and
ever.

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SAINT DOMINC SAVIO I55
Prayer during the day
Hymn appropriate to the time of celebration. Antiphons
and psalms of theferia.
Before noon
ScnrprunE READING
Rm 8,9-11
But you are not in the flesh, you are in the Spirit, if
in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does
not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But
if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead
because of sin, your spirits are alive because ofrighr
eousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the
dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the
dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through
his Spirit which dwells in you.
Y. The Lord leads the just man along straight paths,
alleluia.
R. And shows him the Kingdom of God, alleluia.
Midday
ScRtprunE READING
I Jn 5,2.4
By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God and obey his comrrandments. For
this is the love of God, thatwe keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome. Whatev-
er is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the
victory that overcomes the world, our faith.
Y. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, alleluia.
R. And finds joy in his commandments, alleluia.

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156 PRoPER oFFrcES
Afternoon
Scnrptuns READTNG
Phil 4,8.9b
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is hon-
ourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence,
if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
things. And the God of peace will be with you!
Y. May those who hope in you rejoice, alleluia.
R. You will abide with them and they will be happy for
ever, alleluia.
The concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
* HylrN
Evening Prayer
Blest are the pure in heart,
For they shall see our God;
The secret of the Lord is theirs,
Their soul is Christ's abode.
The Lord who left the heavens
Our life and peace to bring,
To dwell in lowliness with men,
Their pattern and their King:
Still to the lowly soul
He doth himself impart,
And for his dwelling and his throne
Chooseth the poor in heart.
Lord, we thy presence seek;
may ours this blessing be;
Give us a pure and lowly heart,
A temple fit for thee.
(J. Keble)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.

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SAINT DOMINC SAVIO I57
Psalmody
Ant. I I keep your words in my heart,
in your will lies all my joy, alleluia.
Psalm l4 (15)
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent*
and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault;*
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart;*
he who does not slander with his tongue;
he who does no wrong to his brother,*
who casts no slur on his neighbour,
who holds the godless in disdain,*
but honours those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may;t
who takes no interest on a loan*
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm for ever.
Ant. I keep your words in my heart,
in your will lies all my joy, alleluia.
Ant. I The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord,
discerning is the man who remains faithful to hir4
alleluia.
Psalm lll (112)
Happy the man who fears the Lord,*
who takes delight in his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;*
the children ofthe upright are blessed.

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158 PRoPER oFFrcES
Riches and wealth are in his house;*
his justice stands firm for ever
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:*
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends,*
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:*
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news;*
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;*
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;t
his justice stands firm for ever.*
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angryl
grinds his teeth and fades away;*
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Ant. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord,
discerning is the man who remains faithful to hinr,
alleluia.
Ant.3 I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth:
all these things you have revealed to little ones,
alleluia.
ScRrpruRr READTNG
I Cor 1.27-30
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame
the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame
the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the
world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things

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SAINT DOMINC SAVIO I59
that are, so that no human being might boast in the
presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ
Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness
and sanctification and redemption.
SuoRr «EspoNsonv
R. The Lord loved him and bestowed on him all honour,
* Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord loved him and bestowed on him all honour,
Alleluia, alleluia.
Y. He has clothed him in glory
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord loved him and bestowed on him all honour,
alleluia, alleluia.
Ant. At the Magn. Before the throne ofGod and the Lamb,
together with the choir of the chosen ones,
Dominic sings a new song, alleluia.
INtERct-ssroxs
Let us exult and call upon God, our Father, who bids us
be holy as he is holy:
Be you our guide, O Lord.
Father, you inspired Saint Dominic Savio to choose
Jesus as his friend before all others:
draw young people to your Son that they may find in
him the meaning of their lives.
In Don Bosco you gave to Saint Dominic Savio a strong
and prudent spiritual guide:
grant that children and adolescents may find open
and sincere hearts in their educators to the faith.

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160 PRopER oFFrcEs
You bestowed on Dominic, an apostle among his com-
panions, a generous heart for meeting the needs of
all:
instil in young people the desire to direct their lives
to the service of their neighbour.
From his childhood, Dominic entrusted himself com-
pletely to the Virgin Mary:
foster in the hearts of the young a sffong and tender
love for their heavenly Mother.
Dominic died in the firm hope of attaining paradise:
grant to the faithful departed to be welcomed by you,
who are happiness without end.
Our Father.
Pnnyen
O God, the source of everything that is good, in Saint
Dominic Savio you have given to young people a won-
derful example of charity and purity; grant that we too
may grow as your children in joy and love, till we attain
the full stature of Christ. He is God, and lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and
ever.
Compline
Of the occurring day of the week.

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13 May
Saint MARY
DOMENr.t.HSZARELLo,
yrrgrn
Co-founder of the Institute
of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
Feast
(For the Institute of the Daughters
of Mary Help of Christians: Solemnity)
Mary Domenica was born at Mornese, Alessandria (Italy)
on 9 May 1837, the eldest of seven children of a hard-working
peasant family of sincere Christian life. At the age of I 5 years she
offered herself to God with a vow of virginity. Soon afterwards
she joined the association of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate,
committing herself more deeply in apostolic services and works
ofcharity.
A meeting with Don Bosco in 1864 marked a decisive point
in her life. The Saint was already working on an apostolic project
for girls, and with the collaboration of Mary Domenica gave rise
to the community of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
ln 1872 Mary Domenica made her religious vows and was elected
superior, a role in which she displayed unexpected talents as a
mother and animator.
On 14 May 1881, when only 44 years of age, she died at the
new Mother House of Nizza Monferrato, Asti. She was canonized
by Pius XII on 24 June 1951, and was rightly recognized as
Co-foundress of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of
Christians.
ll'here the celebration has the rank of solemnity:

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162 PRoPER oFFrcES
* HyuN
Evening Prayer I
Christ is Lord and Light of Nations
We his people all proclaim.
Through St Mary Mazzarello,
May we glorify his name.
In the beauty of his teaching
She found joy in God above.
"Let us learn to speak with Jesus
In his Eucharistip Love".
Throughout life she walked with Mary
Learning from Don Bosco's way.
Guided by the Holy Spirit,
Cheerful, humble, prompt to pray.
Christ her model in all virtue,
God her choice from dawn of youth.
By a life of prayer and service
She led countless souls in truth.
Loving Father, Christ our brother,
Let your Spirit on us shine;
Teaching us to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
(R. McShane FMA)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.

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SAINT M. DOMENICA MAZZARELLO 163
Psalmody
Ant. I Let us give praise to the Lord;
he exalts the humble, alleluia.
Psalm I 12 (l l3)
Praise, O servants of the Lord,*
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed*
both now and for evermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting*
praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord,*
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the Lord, our God,*
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down,*
to look down upon heaven and earth?
From the dust he lifts up the lowly,*
from his misery he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes,*
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife he gives a home*
and gladdens her heart with children.
Ant. Let us give praise to the Lord;
he exalts the humble, alleluia.
Ant.2 Great is the Lord.
Tell of his glory among the peoples, alleluia.

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164 PRoPER oFFrcES
Psalm 147
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!*
Sion praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates,*
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders,*
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth*
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool,*
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
He hurls down hailstones like crumbs.*
The waters are frozen at his touch;
he sends forth his word and it melts them:*
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.
He makes his word known to Jacob,*
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;*
he has not taught them his decrees.
Ant. Great is the Lord.
Tell of his glory among the peoples, alleluia.
Ant.3 Blessed be the Lord for ever.
The God of salvation has us in his care, alleluia.
Canticle - Ephesians l:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father*
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ*
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

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SAINT M. DOMENICA MAZZARELLO 165
He chose us in him*
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy*
and blameless before him.
He destined us in love*
to be his sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,t
to the praise of his glorious grace*
which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood,*
the forgiveness ofour trespasses,
according to the riches ofhis grace*
which he lavished upon us.
He has made known to ust
in all wisdom and insight*
the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose*
which he set forth in Christ.
His purpose he set forth in Christ,*
as a plan for the fulness of time,
to unite all things in him,*
things in heaven and things on earth.
Ant. Blessed be the Lord for ever.
The God of salvation has us in his care, alleluia.
ScRrprunE READING
Phil 1,8-l I
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with
the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that
your love may abound more and more, with knowledge
and all discernment, so that you may approve what is ex-

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166 PRoPER oFFrcES
cellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of
Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come
through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Ssont nrspoNsony
R. God has given us a Spirit of love and wisdom,
x alleluia, alleluia.
God has given us a Spirit of love and wisdom, alleluia,
alleluia.
V. He has sent us the Spirit of truth.
x Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
God has given us a Spirit of love and wisdom, alleluia,
alleluia.
Ant. At the Magn. We have pondered, O God,
on the wonders of your love, alleluia.
INrpRcEssroNs
Let us invoke with confidence God our Fatheq who raises
up in his Church holy and wise women and calls them
to collaborate in the saving work of his Son:
God ofkindness, hear our prayer.
You enriched Mary Domenica Mazzarello with a simple
and active faith and led her along the road that leads
to holiness:
grant that we may dedicate ourselves with generosity
to our mission as educators.
You rendered Saint Mary Domenica open and docile to
the action of your Spirit:
guide the young people of today in the choice of the
vocation to which you are calling them for the life of
the Church and the world.

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SAINT M. DOMENICA MAZZARELLO 161
Industrious and burning with love, Mary Domenica
lived evangelical poverty in joy of heart:
help us to be faithful to St John Bosco's charism, and
be consistent in our witness to Christian values.
The Blessed Virgin was for Mary Domenica a guide and
model of life:
grant that she may continue to be the Mother and
Mistress for each one of us, for our communities and
for every Christian family.
You accepted the offering of the youthful life of Mary
Domenica for the good of the Church:
in your mercy welcome all who have believed and
hoped in you.
Our Father.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Compline
Compline of Sunday (after Evening Prayet I)
INvrrnronv
Ant. Let us adore Christ the Lord
who reveals his mysteries to the humble, alleluia.
Invitatory psalm as in the Ordinary - cf Appendix p. 355
Office of readings
* HvvN
God's blessed Spirit moved his virgin saint
To wield strong weapons in a lifelong fight,
To make a lonely journey from the flesh,
That she might live unfettered in his sight.

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168 PRoPER oFFrcES
She turned her face towards the cross of Christ,
And he himself prepared her as his bride;
She bore the Holy Spirit's timeless fruits
By which God's pledge of love is ratified.
Her life showed forth the kingdom of the Lord,
When humbly for his sake she dwelt apart,
To wait on him in silence with the poor,
The chaste ofbody and the clean ofheart.
O Blessed Trinity, the virgins'crown,
They sing your praises with unending song,
Rejoicing in the hope you have fulfilled,
Lord God, unfailing strength of all the sfrong.
(@ I 974, Stanbrook Abbey)
Or another suitable hyrnn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Psalmody
Ant.l I leap for joy:
God has done great things, alleluia.
Psalm l8 (19)
The heavens proclaim the glory of God,*
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story*
and night unto night makes known the message.
No speech, no word, no voice is heardt
yet their span extends through all the earth,*
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
There he has placed a tent for the sun;t
it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent,*
rejoices like a champion to run its course.

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SAINT M.DOMENICAMAZZARELLO 169
At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun;t
to the furthest end of the s§ is its course.*
There is nothing concealed from its burning heat.
Ant. I leap for joy:
God has done great things, alleluia.
Ant.2 With burning heart I have sought you;
I have preferred nothing to your love, alleluia.
Psalm M (45)
I
My heart overflows with noble words.f
To the king I must speak the song I have made,*
my tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe.
You are the fairest of the children of ment
and graciousness is poured upon your lips:*
because God has blessed you for everrnore.
O mighty one, gird your sword upon your thigh;f
in splendour and state, ride on in triumph*
for the cause of truth and goodness and right.
Take aim with your bow in your dread right hand.t
Your arrows are sharp, peoples fall beneath you.*
The foes of the king fall down and lose heart.
Your throne, O God, shall endure for ever.t
A sceptre ofjustice is the scepfre of your kingdom.*
Your love is for justice; your hatred for evil.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed yout
with the oil of gladness above other kings:*
your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh.

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170 PRoPER oFFrcES
From the ivory palace you are greeted with music.t
The daughters of kings are among your loved ones,*
On your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
Ant. With burning heart I have sought you;
I have preferred nothing to your love, alleluia.
Ant.3 Christ's love dwelling in me
has made me fertile as a mother, alleluia.
il
Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words:*
forget your own people and your father's house.
So will the king desire your beauty:*
He is your lord, pay homage to him.
And the people of Tyre shall come with gifts,*
the richest ofthe people shall seek your favour.
The daughter of the king is clothed with splendour,*
her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.
She is led to the king with her maiden companions.t
They are escorted amid gladness and joy;*
they pass within the palace of the king.
Sons shall be yours in place ofyour fathers:*
you will make them rulers over all the earth.
May this song make your name for ever remembered.*
May the peoples praise you from age to age.
Ant. Christ's love dwelling in me
has made me fertile as a motheq alleluia.
Y. You will lead me along the path of life, alleluia.
R. You will fill me with joy at your side, alleluia.

18 Pages 171-180

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SAINT M. DOMENICA MAZZARELLO I7I
FrRSr REnorNc
From the letter of St Paul to the Romans
12,l 6a
The Christian life, spiritual worship
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy
and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world but be hansformed
by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what
is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and per-
fect. For by the grace given to me I bid every one among
you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think with sober judgment, each according
to the measure of faith which God has assigned him. For
as in one body we have many members, and all the
members do not have the same function, So we, though
many, are one body in Christ, and individually members
one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the
grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in pro-
portion to our faith; If service, in our serving; he who
teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhorta-
tion; he who contributes, in liberality;he who gives aid,
with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to
what is good; love one another with brotherly affection;
outdo one another in showing honom Never flag inzeal,
be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your
hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Con-
tribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse
them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those
who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be
haughty, but associate with the lowly.

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172 PRoPER oFFICES
RespoNsonv
Phll 2.2.3-4; 1 Ts 5,15
R. Be
better
tohfatnheyoounresemlvineds:in*
love; in humility count others
let each one look not only to
personal interests, but also to the interests of others,
alleluia.
V. Always seek to do good to one another and to all.
R. Let each one look not only to personal interests, but
also to the interests of others, alleluia.
SecoNn READTNG
From the "Letters" of St Mary Domenica Mazzarello,
virgin
(Ed. M.E. Posada, Rome 1980: Letters 20. 23. 39;
104. I I l-l 12. 149. passim)
Clothe yourselves with the love of the Lord Jesus
My dear Sisters, know how to love one another.
What great consolation I feel when I receive news from
the houses and know that there is charity among the Sis-
ters, that they obey willingly, that they love the Holy
Rule. My heart feels great consolation and continually
implores blessings on all of you, that you may truly put
on the Spirit of the good Jesus and so do so much good
to yourselves and to the poor neighbour in such great
need of help. But what was the Spirit of the Lord like?
It was a humble Spirit, patient and full of charity - the
kind of charity shown by Jesus himself who never wea-
ried ofsuffering for us, even to the extent you know of.
Courage therefore! Let is imitate our dear Jesus in
everything, but especially in humility and love.
Yes, my dear daughters in Jesus, take courage: Jesus
loves you. [t is true that there are times when you have
pains and distress to suffer, but the Lord wants you to

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SAINT M. DOMENICA MAZZARELLO I73
help him to carry his cross in this world. He was the first
to give us the good example in suffering; and so let us
follow him with courage and resignation in suffering.
You can be certain that those whom Jesus asks to suffer
more grievously are those who are closest to him. But
we must do everything with a pure intention, to please
him alone.
Courage then, my dear daughters; remember that
everything in this world is passing away; so let nothing
disturb you, for everything is a means to enable us to
find tnre happiness. Be joyful. Be always joyful, never
give or take offence, but as soon as you are aware that
some other Sister needs support or encouragement be
quick to assist her; give each other help and consolation.
Have great charity; love one another. Do your utmost to
preserve the spirit of union with God, living always in his
presence. Be always joyful and humble.
RpspoNsonv
Col 3,17
R. Whatever you do, in word or deed, * do everything
in the name of the Lord Jesus, alleluia.
Y. Give thanks to God the Father through him:
R. do everything in the name ofthe Lord Jesus, alleluia.
* Or:
From an address of Pope Pius XI,3 May 1936
(3 May 1936; ed. D. Bertetto, III, Turin 1961,480-484, passim)
From her ardent charity she drew powerfull strength
St Mary Domenica Mazzarello, as a most devout
Daughter of Mary, taught by her example the great val-

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174 PRoPER oFFrcES
ue attaching to a life which unfolds and expands under
the gaze and protection of so great a Mother. In fact her
life displays all the characteristics of the most humble
simplicity. She was a simple, a very simple, figure but
rich in many outstanding prerogatives, qualities and gifts.
Her humility was so great as to make us wonder what
it is that God sees in a truly and deeply humble soul,
which because of its humility attracts him so much, we
may say, as to induce him to work the greatest marvels.
This poor, simple and lowly peasant girl soon gave
signs of what is called a talent, one of the greatest tal-
ents, that of the ability to govern. A great thing is this,
and she showed that she had it to such an extent that a
man like St John Bosco detected it immediately and put
it to good effect. The opportune and effrcacious nature
of his choice was shown not only in the sure and stable
foundation of the new Family of the Daughters of Mary
Help of Christians but also in the rapid and wonderful
growth of the flourishing Institute.
In the humble soul God sees a light, form and char-
acteristics which he cannot resist because in their ex-
quisite beauty and their fundamental and constructive
features they reflect the physiognomy of his only Son,
who said: 'ol-earn of me, for I am meek and humble of
heart" (Mt 11,29). As though to say that if we had
learned this we would have grasped all that is needed to
save souls and bring the world to Christ.
The former and exemplary Daughter of Mary recalls
also and puts to us the greatest lesson in humility of the
Blessed Virgin Mary. The Mother of God, in fact, in the
Magnificat openly attributes her glory and election on
the part of God to her humility: "for he has looked with
favour on his lowly servant". The Mother of God pro-
claims herself to be the "handmaid of the Lord" (Lk

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SAINT M. DOMENICA MAZZARELLO 175
1,48). It is lovely to consider Saint Mary Domenica in
this light, in the light of Mary herself. She too can re-
peat: The Lord has looked with great good will on my
humility and simplicity, and so "all generations will call
me blessed".
REspoNsoRy
Sir 3,20; I Tim 6,1 I
Ryo.uTrsheelfg; r*eastoeryoyuouwailrlef,inthdefamvooruer
you must humble
in the sight of the
Lord, alleluia.
Y. Aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, stead-
fastness, gentleness;
R. so you will find favour in the sight of the Lord, al-
leluia.
Te Deum
Concluding prayer as at Moming Prayer.
Morning Prayer
* HwrN
As at Evening Prayer or from the Common, or another suitable
hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Ant. I From before the dawn I have sought you:
your love is my life, alleluia.
Psalms from Sunday, Week I - cfAppendix p. 359.
Ant.2 Bless the Lord in his works:
he reveals himself to the pure of heart, alleluia.
Ant.3 Let us rejoice together and be glad:
the joy of God is our strength, alleluia.

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176 PRoPER oFFrcES
ScnrpruRe READTNG
Col 3,12-15
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,
forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against
another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven
you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on
love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful!
SsoRt RespoNsonv
R. Great is the Lord's power; he is glorified by the
humble. * Alleluia, alleluia.
Great is the Lord's power; he is glorified by the humble.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Y. He brings down the mighty from their thrones
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Great is the Lord's power; he is glorified by the humble
Alleluia, alleluia.
Ant. At the Ben. Bless the Lord for all his works;
like incense, radiate a sweet odour, alleluia.
Or: O wise woman,
the Spirit of God has made you a teacher of life, alleluia.
INtencEssroNs
Let us give thanks in Christ Jesus to the Father who, by
raising up holy men and women in the Church, gives
us authentic models of evangelical fidelity, and let
us say:
God, our Father, hear our prayer.

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SAINT M. DOMENICA MAZZARELLO I77
Father, you have enriched the Church with a marvellous
variety of gifts and charisms:
grant that in creative fidelity we may embody the
Salesian spirit in ourselves.
You have given the Pope and the Bishops as guides for
your holy people:
- help us to adhere fully to their teaching and manifest
it consistently in all our actions.
You reveal the mysteries of your Kingdom to the simple
and the lowly:
help us to discern your presence in every circum-
stance of life so as to accomplish your plan of love.
Call everyone to accept the Gospel of Christ your Son:
grant that we may share his saving mission in the
spirit of the beatitudes.
In St Mary Domenica you offer us a model for living
the commandment of brotherly love:
help us to work always in communion of life and ac-
tion for the extension of your Kingdom.
Our Father.
PravsR
Father, source of all that is good, you give us in
Mary Domenica Mazzarello a shining example of
Christian and religious life through her deep humility
and ardent charity; grant that we, in simplicity of spir-
it, may bear daily witness to your Fatherly love. We ask
this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever.
Or, in communities of the Daughters of Mary Help of
Christians:

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178 PRoPER oFFrcES
God, our Father, you have a special love for the
humble and imbue with your spirit of holiness hearts
that are simple and sincere; hear our prayer on this
solemnity of Saint Mary DomenicaMazzarello, who
shared with Saint John Bosco his love for the young
and with him founded a new religious family. Grant that
we may be docile to her teachings and faithful to her
example of educational activity. We ask this through
our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever.
Prayer during the day
Hymn corresponding to the hour of day, antiphons and
psalms of the day as in the Psalter.
(For the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, proper
antiphon with complementary psalms).
Ant. Glorious is the woman
who has given birth in the spirit, alleluia.
Before Noon
SczuprunsREADrNG
2Thess 1,ll-12
We always pray for you, that our God may make you
worthy of his call, and may fulfil every good resolve
and work of faith by his power, so that the name of our
Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Y. Here is a wise virgin, alleluia.
R. The Lord found her watching, alleluia.

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SAINT M. DOMEMCA MAZZARELLO 179
Midday
ScRrpruRe READING
Eph 1 ,17 -20a
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory give you a spirit ofwisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of him,having the eyes of your hearts enlight-
ened, that you may know what is the hope to which he
has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheri-
tance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness
of his power in us who believe, according to the working
of his great might which he accomplished in Christ'
Y. The Lord is good to all, alleluia.
R. His tenderness extends to every creature, alleluia.
Afternoon
SczuprunB READING
I Thess 4,1b-3a
As you learned from us how you ought to live and to
please God, just as you are doing, do so more and more.
You know what instructions we gave you through the
Lord Jesus. For this is the will of Go{ your sanctification.
Y. It is good for me to stay with God, alleluia.
R. The Lord is my strength and my hope, alleluia.
Concluding prayer as at Moming Prayer.
Evening PraYer II
For the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Evening
Prayer II.
* HvuN
O Jesus, thou the virgins'crown,
Thy gracious ear to us bow down,
Born of that Virgin whom alone
The Mother and the maid we own.

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180 PRopERoFFrcEs
In thee, their Bridegroom and their Lord,
The virgins find their bright reward,
And wheresoe'r they footsteps wend
With hymns and praises thee attend.
O gracious Lord, we thee implore
Thy grace into our minds to pour;
From all defilement keep us free,
And make us pure in heart for thee.
All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
With whom the Spirit we adore,
For ever and for evernore.
(St. Ambrose)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authoriry
Psalmody
Ant. I Unceasingly have I sought you, O Lord:
you have been the source of my joy, alleluia.
Psalm 121 (122)
I rejoiced when I heard them say:*
"Let us go to God's house".
And now our feet are standing*
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city*
strongly compact.
lt is there that the tribes go up,*
the tribes of the Lord.

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SAINT M. DOMENICA MAZZARELLO I8I
For Israel's law it is,*
there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones ofjudgment*
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray:*
"Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls,*
in your palaces, peace!"
For love of my brethren and friends*
I say: "Peace upon you".
For love of the house of the Lord*
I will ask for your good.
Ant. Unceasingly have I sought you, O Lord:
you have been the source of my joy, alleluia.
Ant.2 The Lord has made of my life
the dwelling place of his love, alleluia.
Psalm 126 (127)
If the Lord does not build the house,*
in vain do its builders labour;
if the Lord does not watch over the city,*
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising,*
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat,*
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord,*
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons ofyouth*
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

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182 PRoPER oFFICES
O the happiness of the man*
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame*
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
Ant. The Lord has made of my life
the dwelling place of his love, alleluia.
Ant.3 God has overwhelmed me with his blessings,
he made me the praise of his glory alleluia.
Canticle - Ephesians l:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father*
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ*
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
He chose us in him*
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy*
and blameless before him.
He destined us in love*
to be his sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,t
to the praise ofhis glorious grace*
which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood,*
the forgiveness ofour trespasses,
according to the riches ofhis grace*
which he lavished upon us.
He has made known to ust
in all wisdom and insight *
the mystery of his will,

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SAINT M. DOMENICAMAZZARELLO I83
according to his purpose*
which he set forth in Christ.
His purpose he set forth in Christ,*
as a plan for the fulness of time,
to unite all things in him,*
things in heaven and things on earth.
Ant. God has overwhelmed me with his blessings,
he made me the praise of his glory alleluia.
ScRIptuRr READTNG
Phil 2.1-4
Dearly beloved, if there is any encouragement in
Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the
Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by
being of the same mind, having the same love, being in
full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish-
ness or conceit, but in humility count others better than
yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests ofothers.
REspoNsonv
Jn I 3,34: l: I Pt 22a
R. Love one another. * Alleluia, alleluia.
Love one another. Alleluia, alleluia.
Y. Love each other earnestly from the heart.
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Love one another. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ant. At the Magn. Poor and humble as I was,
the Lord loved me
and did great things for me, alleluia.

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184 PRoPER oFFrcES
INrencrssroNs
God our Father has manifested in St Mary Mazzarello
the wonders of his love: in the certainty that he will
hear us, we pray:
Father all holy, hear our prayer.
You inspired in St Mary DomenicaMazzarello a deep
eucharistic spirituality :
- grant that for all Christians a vital participation in the
Easter mystery may be at the centre of their lives.
You chose Mary Domenica to be the comerstone of a
living monument of gratitude to Mary Help of Chris-
tians:
- bestow on all members of the Salesian Family a filial
love for the Virgin Mother, to make her powerful
help known to others.
You gave to Mother Mazzarello a heart full of solici-
tude for your Kingdom:
- inspire young people to disseminate everywhere
your message of love and salvation.
You willed that a new religious family should arise for
the Christian education of the young:
guide children and young people in their search for
the authentic sense of life.
You withdrew yorr Son from the power of death:
- grant eternal light to our brothers and sisters who
have died believing and hoping in your mercy.
Our Father.

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SAINT M. DOMEMCA MAZZARELLO I85
Pn,q.vE,R
Father, source of all that is good, you give us in Mary
Domenica Mazzarello a shining example of Christian
and religious life through her deep humility and ardent
charity; grant that we, in simplicity of spirit, may bear
daily witness to your Fatherly love. We ask this through
our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Or, in communities of the Daughters of Mary Help of
Christians:
God, our Father, you have a special love for the hum-
ble and imbue with your spirit of holiness hearts that are
simple and sincere; hear our prayer on this solemnity of
Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello, who shared with
Saint John Bosco his love for the young and with him
founded a new religious family. Grant that we may be
docile to her teachings and faithful to her example of
educational activity. We ask this through our Lord Jesus
Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Compline
As in the Psalterfor the day. (For the Daughters of Mary
Help of Christians, Compline of Sunday)
(after Evening Prayer II).

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l5 May
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
OF FATIMA
Optional memorial
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of
the Sqcraments has placed in the Proper Salesian Calendar
the (optional) Memorial of the Blessed hryin Mary of Fatima
on l5 May, transferringitfrom l3 May.
From the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Psalms
of the day as in the Ordinary.
PnavsR
O God it was your will that Mary the mother of your
son should be our Mother too, grant that by persevering
in penance and in prayer for the salvation of the world
we may strive with all our strength to build Christ's
Kingdom. He is God and lives and reigns with you...

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16 May
Saint LOUIS ORIONE,
priest
Optional memorial
Louis Orione was born at Pontecurone, Italy, on 23 June
1872.He became a disciple of St John Bosco, whom he admired
and imitated as a model of apostolic holiness. While still a stu-
dent at the seminary of Tortona he began his apostolate among
youth, and after his priestly ordination he continued to dedicate
his energies to the reliefofevery kind ofphysical and moral dis-
tress, so as to spread among people the love for Christ and lead
them to perceive his presence in the Church, the Pope and the
bishops.
He devoted his life to works of charity in many countries, es-
pecially Italy and Latin America, and founded several Congre-
gations. After a life of hard work and suffering, he died at San-
remo, Italy, on l2 March 1940. He was beatified by John Paul II
on 26 October 1980 and canonised by him on l8 May 2004.
From the Common of Saints: Saints of charity or from
the Common of Pastors . with psalms from the day as in
the Psalter.
Office of readings
SpcoNo READTNG
From "Notes" of St Louis Orione, priest
(25 February 1939)
Place me, O Lord, at the mouth of hell,
that by your mercy I may close it.
To be able to see and love in the world only the souls
ofour brothers and sisters. Souls oflittle ones, souls of

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188 PRoPER oFFrcES
the poor, souls of sinners, souls that have been led
astray, repentant souls, souls rebelling against God's
will, souls rebelling against Christ's Church, souls of
depraved children, souls of wretched and disloyal
priests, souls overwhelmed by grief, souls white as
doves, pure and simple virginal souls, souls that have
fallen into the darkness of the senses and the bestiality
of the flesh, souls proud of their evil state, souls greedy
for money and power, souls full of themselves, wander-
ing souls looking for the right road, sorrowing souls
looking for refuge or a kind word, condemned souls
crying out in desperation or souls intoxicated with the
elation of living the truth: all these are souls loved by
Christ; for all of them Christ died; all of them he wants
safe in his arms and pressed to his transfixed Heart.
Our life and our whole Congregation must be a joint
canticle and holocaust of brotherhood in Christ, so as to
see and feel Christ in mankind. In us must be the deep-
est and most lofty music of charity. For us the central
point of the universe is the Church of Christ and the soul
the comer-stone of the Christian drama. All I hear is an
infinite divine symphony of spirits palpitating around
the Cross, and from the Cross exudes through the cen-
turies, drop by drop, the divine blood shed for each
human soul.
From the Cross Christ cries out: "I thirst!" - a terri-
ble cry of yearning which stems not from the flesh but
from the craving for souls, and it is for this thirst for our
souls that Christ dies.
All I see is a heaven; but a heaven truly divine,
because it is the paradise ofsalvation and oftrue peace:
I see only a kingdom of God, the kingdom of love and
forgiveness, where the whole multitude ofpeoples is the
heritage of Christ and his kingdom.

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SAINT LOUIS ORIONE I89
RrspoNsorv
R. Christ wants everyone to be safe in his arms and
close to his pierced heart. From the cross he cries out:
"I thirst" * for the salvation of souls.
Y. t shall write my life with blood and tears,
R. for the salvation of souls.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
ScRrpruRp READTNG
Rm 12,1-2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you
whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.
Suonr REspoNsonv
Eastertide:
R. The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on
God. x Alleluia, alleluia.
The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on God.
Alleluia, alleluia.
V. His steps will never falter.
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on God.
Alleluia, alleluia.

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190 PRoPER oFFrcES
Outside Eastertide:
R. The law of God guides him, * his mind is fixed on
God.
The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on God.
Y. His steps will never falter
* his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. Whatever you do
for the least of my brethren,
that you do unto me, says the Lord. (T.P. alleluia).
INtpRcessroNs
United in the liturgy of praise, let us invoke Christ the
Lord, so that following the example of Saint Louis
Orione, we may serve him in holiness and justice all
the days of our life:
Sanctify you people O Lord.
You were tempted in every way that we are, but you did
not sin,
- Lord Jesus, have mercy on us.
You came to serve and not to be served,
- Lord Jesus, teach us to serve you in our brothers and
sisters.
You call everyone to perfect love,
- Lord Jesus, sanctifu your people.
You have told us to be the salt of the earth and the light
of the world,
- Lord Jesus, enlighten your people.

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SAINT LOUIS OzuONE I9I
ln Saint Louis Orione you have given us a model of tnrst
in Providence and oftotal dedication to our brothers
and sisters most in need,
Lord Jesus, grant that the religious Institutes he
founded "The Little Work of Divine Providence" and
the "Congregation of the Little Missionary Sisters of
Charity" may be faithful to their charism in the serv-
ice of the Church.
Our Father.
Pna.vEn
God of boundless mercy, you empowered your
priest, Saint Louis Orione, to love Christ your Son in
the young and the poor; grant that we too may practise
works of mercy, and daily experience the tenderness of
your Fatherly love. We ask this through our Lord...
Evening Prayer
ScruprunE READTNG
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.

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192 pRopsn orrrces
Suonr nespoNsoRv
Eostertide:
R. The Lord is good, he loves good deeds. * Alleluia,
alleluia.
The Lord is good, he loves good deeds.Alleluia, alleluia.
Y. His face is turned towards the upright man.
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good, he loves good deeds.Alleluia, alleluia.
Outside Eastertide:
R. The Lord is good * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good, he loves good deeds.
Y. His face is tumed towards the upright man,
* he loves good deeds.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good, he loves good deeds.
Ant. At the Magn. Let us never tire in doing good;
let us work for the good of all.
In due time we shall reap the reward. (T.P. alleluia).
INrEncEssroNs
Let us ask the Father source of all holiness that through
the example and the intercession of the Saints we
may live according to our baptism.
Make us holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, it was your will that we be called your
children and that is what we are,
may your Church all over the world bear witness to
your goodness.

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SAINT LOUIS ozuoNE 193
Holy Father, you have called us to walk in a way wor-
thy of our vocation to please you in everything,
may our lives be rich in every kind of good work.
Holy Father, you call some to follow Christ poor and
humble more closely,
may they reach the perfection of love.
Holy Father, Saint Louis Orione, a disciple of Don
Bosco, imitated him in his apostolic zeal and holi-
ness of life:
grant to us and to all the members of the Salesian
Family to be apostles of Christ and bearers of his
love, especially to young people most in need.
Holy Father, admit our deceased brothers and sisters to
the contemplation of your face,
make us too worthy of your glory.
Our Father.
Pnayen
God of boundless mercy, you empowered your
priest, Saint Louis Orione, to love Christ your Son in
the young and the poor; grant that we too may practise
works of mercy, and daily experience the tenderness of
your Fatherly love. We ask this through our Lord...

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18 May
Saint LEONARD MURIALDO,
priest
Optional memorial
He was born at Turin on 26 October 1828 into a well-to-do
family. A friend and collaborator of Don Bo§co, he dedicated
himséf to the Christian formation of poor youngsters, orphans
and the abandoned, starting up with great faith and courage many
initiatives at a social, spiritual, cultural and legal level.
He also had a handin the foundation and running of organi-
zations for Catholic workers. He founded a Congregation which
he dedicated to Saint Joseph (Josephites of Murialdo) to continue
the apostolate among the young and the poor-Ln the sp-irit.ofthe
hum6le artisan of Nìzareth, the educator of Jesus. He died at
Turin on 30 March 1900, and was canonised by Paul VI on 3
May 1970.
From the Common of Saints: religious; or the Common
of Pastors with psalms from the day as in the Psalter.
OIIice of readings
SBcoNo READING
From the "Writings" of St Leonard Murialdo, priest
(Conference of I 869; Mss., III, 397 ,7 -10)
Predilectionfor poor and abandoned youth
We have special motives for rejoicing in our mission,
motives arising from the nature of the young people to
whom we give our special attention. Who are they? The
poor and the abandoned: there you have two requisites
that make a youngster one ofours; and the poorer and
more abandoned he is, so much the more is he ours.

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SAINT LEONARD MURIALDO 195
Poor and abandoned! How wonderful is the mission
of caring for the education of the poor! And more won-
derful still is that of seeking out, of succouring, of edu-
cating, of saving for time and eternity, the poor who are
abandoned, abandoned from a moral aspect if not mate-
rially. How good it is to be able to say in truth: ..Thou
wilt incline thine ear, defending the fatherless and the
oppressed" (Ps 1 0,1 8). The poor, the children and final-
ly sinners, were the pupil of Christ's eye, a valuable
gem, a most precious treasure. And our own youngsters
are poor, they are children, and we have also to add that
sometimes they are anything but innocent. But should
this last characteristic, even though in itself it is cer-
tainly not desirable, make our youngsters less dear to us
or of less interest to us, if we put it in those terms?
We may sometimes forget this condition of the young
to whom we want to consecrate our lives. No soonei
does a youngster show signs ofan unfortunate or even
perverse disposition, of indiscipline, of unwillingness to
learn, proud, stubborn in doing wrong, or even going
from bad to worse, and immediately we becomè dis--
gusted and disheartened, and want the problem removed
from us by sending the youngster packing and all his
vices with him. But nevertheless we must not tire too
easily, become too easily depressed and give up hope.
Let us not forget that when we take in abandoned young-
sters we must expect to find them ignorant, wild and
unruly, with all the defects that normally accompany
abandonment.
We must not be surprised either to find defects and
even vices in children belonging to good class and
Christian families. If they were already perfect, what
need would they have of education? But what else can
we expect who take in children off the streets or who

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196 PRoPER oFFICES
come to us at times from the hands of coarse and scan-
dalous parents? Their moral wretchedness should move
us much more than their material want; instead of mak-
ing us lose too soon all compassion and hope, it should
prompt us to work courageously and sympathetically
ior these unhappy souls; often they are more to be pitied
than blamed, and we ourselves might well have been
like them if we too had been abandoned.
The very condition therefore ofour poor youngsters
should prompt us to do violence to ourselves the better
to fu1fil the duties imposed on each of us with respect
to their education, and to pray to God "to give the
increase" (cf. I Cor 3,6).
RrspoNsonv
Psalm 8l'3-4; cf Jas 2,5
R.
the
Give justice
right of the
taofftlhicetewdeaakndanthdethdeefsattithuetrele; s*s;remscauinetathine
weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the
wicked, alleluia.
Y. God has chosen those who are poor in the world to
be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom:
R. rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from
the hand of the wicked, alleluia.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning PraYer
Scnrprunp READING
Rm l2'l-2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
ht for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you

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SAINT LEONARD MURIALDO 197
whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.
SHonr nsspoNsony
Eastertide:
R. The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on
God. * Alleluia, alleluia.
The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on God.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Y. His steps will never falter.
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on God.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Outside Eastertide:
R. The law of God guides him, * his mind is fixed on
God.
The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on God.
V. His steps will never falter
* his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him; his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. The love of Christ impels me
to give my life for the brethren. (T.P. alleluia).

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198 PRoPER oFFICES
INrencesstoNs
Let us celebrate with joy the kindness shown us by God
our Father, and through the intercession of St
Leonard Murialdo let us pray with faith:
Lord, make us perfect in love.
You guide us and love us as your children:
make us witnesses to your goodness every day of our
lives.
You inspire us with a simple and lively faith in your
Providence:
enable us to discern your loving presence in the
events of daily life.
You arouse the intelligence and heart of your children:
grant that we may generously fulfil your will in free-
dom of spirit.
You invite us to recognize your countenance in the
young who are poor:
help us to serve you in each of them with humility
and charity.
You have given us the Immaculate Virgin as a model:
through her protection guide us on the path to holi-
NESS.
Our Father.
Pnaven
O God, the source of all good things, in Saint
Leonard Murialdo you have given to orphans a father
and to young workers a guide: through his intercession
grant that we may follow the precepts of your love in the
service we give to our neighbour. We ask this through
our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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SAINT LEONARD M1JRIALDO I99
Evening Prayer
ScnrprunE READTNG
Rm tì.28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.
Sgonr nrspoNsoty
Eastertide:
R. The Lord is good, he loves good deeds. * Alleluia,
alleluia.
The Lord is good, he loves good deeds.Alleluia, alleluia.
Y. His face is turned towards the upright man.
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good, he loves good deeds.Alleluia, alleluia.
Outside Eostertide:
R. The Lord is good * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good, he loves good deeds.
Y. His face is tumed towards the upright man,
* he loves good deeds.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good, he loves good deeds.

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200 PRoPER
Ant. At the Magn. Saint Leonard Murialdo,
brother and friend of the poor,
father of those who are all alone,
reveal to us the heart of God, alleluia.
(T.P. alleluia).
INrBRcessIotts
As we commemorate Saint Leonard Murialdo, let us ask
with faith of God our Father that he will grant his
salvation to us and to all.
God our Father hear our prayer.
Remember young people who are poor, the orphans and
abandoned:
support the Institute founded by Saint Leonardo
Murialdo which carries out its mission for these
young people who are most in need.
Your Son worked with St Joseph in the house of
Nazareth:
- bless those who make their living by the sweat of
their brow.
Protect all Christians who are engaged in the apostolate
and in social activities:
- help them to be courageous witnesses to your truth.
Grant that generous young people may follow the poor,
chaste and obedient Christ:
- that the message of the Gospel may reach all
mankind.
Open the arms of your mercy to the dead who have done
good to us:
- admit them to the peace of your kingdom.
Our Father.

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SAINT LEONARD MURTALDO 2OI
Pnavrr.
O God, the source of all good things, in Saint
Leonard Murialdo you have given to orphans a father
and to young workers a guide: through his intercession
grant that we may follow the precepts ofyour love in the
service we give to our neighbour. We ask this through
our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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24}uf.ay
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY,
HELP OF CHRISTIANS
Principal Patroness
of the Society of Saint Francis de Sales,
of the Institute of the Daughters
of Mary Help of Christians
and of the Secular Institute
of the Don Bosco Volunteers
Solemnity
On many occasions throughout the course of history Chris-
tian people have experienced the protection of the Virgin Mary.
The title of Help of Christians, which Don Bosco associated with
thatofMary Mother of the Church, is an indication ofthe special
intervention of Mary in the most diffrcult trials of personal hu-
man life, of the Church and of the whole human family.
The liturgical celebration was instituted by Pope Pius VII in
gratitude for Mary's intervention in a critical period in the history
of the Church. Driven out by violence from the See of Rome and
held as a prisoner for five years, the Pontiff had implored the
help of Mary and had invited all Christians to do the same. Con-
trary to all expectations he was freed and returned to his See on
24May 1814.
Devotion to Mary Help of Christians was spread far and wide
through the work ofSt John Bosco, and continues to be propa-
gated in the world by the Salesian Family, which recognizes and
invokes Mary, Help of Christians as its principal patroness.

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B.V.M HELP OF CHRISTTANS 203
Evening Prayer I
* HyvN
Whene'er Christ's people sore beset has been,
and ringed with menace of a raging foe,
they've glimps'd her gliding from the s§ serene,
Mary their Queen with succour for their woe.
'Tis this the annals of our fathers tell,
and this the trophies of her shrines proclaim;
the wondrous feasts that yearly hymn as well
the glories won invoking her sweet name.
Let all to praises new in song give tongue,
to win fresh favours from her royal hands;
no strain, no melody be left unsung
in Peter's See, in all Creation's lands.
O truly blessed day of history
relating for all time what then befell,
when exiled Pope returned in jubilee
from banishment and prison's lowly cell.
O souls unstained of youth, of maid and boy,
your tender hearts in gratitude o'erflow;
share now your people's and your pastor's joy,
meet honour on those queenly gifts bestow.
O Maid of maids, O Jesu's Mother blest.
let not these tokens ofyour love decrease;
so may our shepherd lead his flock to rest
in heaven's fields, in bliss that knows no cease.
O grant us You to ever venerate,
our praise of You, O Triune God prolong,
that we may see what now we celebrate,
our minds in faith, our tongues in vibrant song.
(A. Keogh)
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority.

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204 PRoPER oFFrcES
Psalmody
Ant.l Joyful Mother of the Son of God,
raised to the glory of the kingdom,
with you we praise the name of the Lord.
(T.P. alleluia).
Psalm ll2 (ll3)
Praise, O servants of the Lord,*
praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed*
both now and for evermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting*
praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord,*
above the heavens his glory.
Who is like the Lord, our God,*
who has risen on high to his throne
yet stoops from the heights to look down,*
to look down upon heaven and earth?
From the dust he lifts up the lowly,*
from his misery he raises the poor
to set him in the company of princes,*
yes, with the princes of his people.
To the childless wife he gives a home*
and gladdens her heart with children.
Ant. Joyful Mother of the Son of God,
raised to the glory of the kingdom,
with you we praise the name of the Lord.
(T.P. alleluia).

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B.V.M, HELP OF CHRISTIANS 205
Ant.2 Mary through you has come Peace,
in you the Word was made flesh;
with you we gloriff the Lord.
(T.P. alleluia).
Psalm 147
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!*
Sion praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates,*
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders,*
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth*
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool,*
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
He hurls down hailstones like crumbs.*
The waters are frozen at his touch;
he sends forth his word and it melts them:*
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.
He makes his word known to Jacob,*
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;*
he has not taught them his decrees.
Ant. Mary through you has come Peace,
in you the Word was made flesh;
with you we glorify the Lord.
(T.P. alleluia).

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206 PRoPER oFFrcES
Ant.3 Mary through you has come the salvation,
shength and kingdom of our God:
with you we sing the power of the Lord.
(T.P. alleluia).
Canticle - Ephesians l:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father*
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ*
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
He chose us in him*
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy*
and blameless before him.
He destined us in love*
to be his sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,t
to the praise of his glorious grace*
which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood,*
the forgiveness ofour trespasses,
according to the riches ofhis grace*
which he lavished upon us.
He has made known to ust
in all wisdom and insight*
the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose*
which he set forth in Christ.
His purpose he set forth in Christ,*
as a plan for the fulness of time,

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B.V.M. HELP OF CHRISTIANS 207
to unite all things in him,*
things in heaven and things on earth.
Ant. Mary through you has come the salvation,
strength and kingdom of our God:
with you we sing the power of the Lord.
(T.P. alleluia;.
Scnrp'r'ur<r. rìEAnrN(i
1 Pt 5.6-l I
Dearly beloved, humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt
you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about
you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the
same experience of suffering is required of your broth-
erhood throughout the world. And after you have suf-
fered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called
you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore,
establish, and strengthen you. To him be the dominion
for ever and ever. Amen.
Snonl npspoNsoRv
In the Easter season:
R. Hail, O Virgin, Mother of the Church. * Alleluia,
alleluia.
Hail, O Virgin, Mother of the Church. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. Come to the aid of your children, who praise the
Lord.
* Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Hail, O Virgin, Mother of the Church. Alleluia, alleluia.

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208 PRoPER oFFrcES
Outside the Easter season:
R. Mother of hope, * the whole world implores your help.
Mother of hope, the whole world implores your help.
Y. Come to the aid of your children, O blessed Mother.
* the whole world implores your help.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Mother of hope, the whole world implores your help.
Or: In dangers, diffrculties and doubt,
we invoke you as Help of Christians:
with your support we cannot fall;
with you as guide, we shall not tire on the way;
with your assistance we shall attain the goal of heaven,
alleluia.
INrpncsssroNs
Mary, Mother of Christ the Lord, is a shining light on the
path of the people of God as a sign of sure hope and
consolation. Let us bless God whose will it was that
she should collaborate in the work of salvation, and let
us pray:
Mary, help of Christians, intercedefor us.
God our Father, you made of Mary the new Eve, the
\\ryoman clothed with the sun, conqueror of the serpent:
give us courage and hope in our struggle against evil.
You made of Mary the new Judith, the liberator of her
people, blessed among all women:
help Christian people to preserve the faith in the
midst of life's trials.
You made of Mary the new Esther, the pious and
beautiful queen,readyto intercede for the salvation of
her people:

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B.V.M., HELP OF CHRISTIANS 209
guide the Church in overcoming every peril met with
on her pilgrimage.
You made of Mary the defence of Christian people in
perilous moments of her history:
enlighten Peter's successor and the Bishops in
communion with him in surmounting every danger
to Christian values.
You made of Mary the mystical spouse of the Holy
Spirit, mother of your pilgrim people:
sustain and render fruitful the educative work of the
members of the Salesian Family.
You made of Mary assumed into heaven, the Queen of
angels and saints:
- may she intercede that our deceased borthers and sis-
ters may enjoy the fullness of everlasting happiness.
Our Father.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Compline
Night Prayer of Sunday. Outside the Easter Season it is
appropriate to use as the final antiphon "Sub tuum
praesidium", or;
"O Maria, Virgo potens
Tu magnum et praeclarum in Ecclesia praesidium;
Tu singulare Auxilium Christianorum:
Tu terribilis ut casEorum acies ordinata.
Tu cunctas haereses sola interemisti in universo mundo.
Tu in angustiis,
Tu in bello,
Tu in necessitatibus nos ab hoste protege,
atque in aeterna gaudia in mortis hora suscipe".

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210 PRoPER oFFrcES
INvrrerony
Ant. On the feast of Mary Help of Christians,
let us sing to the Lord, alleluia.
Invitatory psalm as in the Ordinary - cf Appendix p. 355
* HvvN
Office of readings
Most glorious your light does shine,
O Princess ofyour race,
And highest is your only shrine
Midst heaven's populace.
Of David's line to you we sing,
O Mary with your Son, the King.
Maternity, virginity -
Most wondrously are met;
An arbour for your progeny
Within your womb is set.
And he whom in that womb you bore
'Tis He whom creatures shall adore.
Give ear to all who search and plead
Like beggars in the dark;
For you alone are light indeed
By which their eyes might mark
The scatt'ring of the shade of night
Which shrouds your Son, your sole delight.

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B.V.M.. HELP OF CHRISTIANS 2II
'Tis He to whom it is but just
That ev'ry knee should bend;
To him alone this prayer we thrust
But beg your sway commend:
That be dispelled the gloom of night
And be infused the joys of light.
This do you grant, O God of light,
Both through your only Son
And with your Holy Spirit bright -
The Third of Three in One,
Who live with you in realms resplendent
And reign with you all time transcendent.
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority,
Psalmody
Ant. I Maryyouhave received a blessing from thelord,
and mercy from the God of salvation.
(T.P. alleluia).
Psalm 23 (24)
The Lord's is the earth and its fullness,*
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;*
on the waters he made it firm.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?*
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,t
who desires not worthless things,*
who have not swom so as to deceive their neighbour.

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212 PRoPER oFFrcES
He shall receive blessings from the Lord*
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,*
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
O gates, lift high your heads;t
grow higher, ancient doors.*
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is the king of glory?t
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant,*
the Lord, the valiant in war.
O gates, lift high your heads;t
grow higher, ancient doors.*
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is he, the king of glory?t
He, the Lord of armies,*
he is the king of glory.
Ant. Mary you have received a blessing from the Lord,
and mercy from the God of salvation.
(T.P. alleluia).
Ant.2 God, our refuge and our strength,
you have given us in Mary a helper in our trials.
(T.P. alleluia).
Psalm 45 (46)
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.

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B.V.M., HELP OF CHRISTIANS 213
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;t
the bow he breaks, the spear he snaps.*
(He bums 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 shonghold.
Ant. God, our refuge and our strength,
you have given us in Mary a helper in our trials.
(T.P. alleluia).
Ant.3 Wonderful things are said of you,
0 Mother of all peoples. (T.P. alleluia).
Psalm 86 (87)
On the holy mountain is his citYr
cherished by the Lord.
The Lord prefers the gates of Sion*
to all Jacob's dwellings.

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214 PRopER oFFrcEs
Of you are told glorious things,*
O city of God!
Babylon and Egypt I will count *
among those who know me;
Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia, *
these will be her children
and Sion shall be called "Mother"*
for all shall be her children".
It is he, the Lord Most High,*
who gives each his place.
In his register of peoples he writes:*
"These are her children,"
and while they dance they will sing:*
"In you all find their home".
Ant. Wonderful things are said of you,
O Mother of all peoples. (T.p. alleluia).
In the Easter season:
Y. TheAlmighty has done great things for me, alleluia.
R. He has mercy on those who fear him, alleluia.
Frnsr Rsn»mc
From the Book of Revelation of St John, the apostle
ll,l9a-12,17
The majestic sign of the woman
in the heavens
Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the
ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. And a
great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with

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B.V.M HELP OF CHRISTIANS 2I5
the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head
a crown of twelve stars; she was with child and she cried
out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery. And
another portent appeared in heaven; behold, a great red
dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven
diadems upon his heads. His tail swept down a third of
the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the
dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear
a child, that he might devour her child when she brought
it forth. She brought forth a male child, one who is to
rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was
caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled
into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by
God, in which to be nourished for one thousand t'wo
hundred and sixty days.
Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels
fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his
angels fought, but they were defeated and there was
no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great
dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is
called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole
world - he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels
were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice
in heaven, saying:
"Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom
of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for
the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who
accuses them day and night before our God. And they
have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by
the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives
even unto death. Rejoice then, O heaven and you that
dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the
devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he
knows that his time is short!"

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216 PRoPER OFFICES
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown
down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had borne
the male child. But the woman was given the two wings
of the great eagle that she might fly from the serpent
into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nour-
ished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent
poured water like a river out of his mouth after the
woman, to sweep her away with the flood. But the earth
came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its
mouth and swallowed the river which the dragon had
poured from his mouth. Then the dragon was angry with
the woman, and went offto make war on the rest of her
offspring, on those who keep the commandments of
God and bear testimony to Jesus.
RespoNsony
CfRev. 12,5.1
R. The woman brought forth a male child, who is to rule
all the nations; and the child was caught up to God and
to his throne. * Thanks be to God, who gives us the vic-
tory through our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia.
Y. A great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed
with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her
head a crown of twelve stars.
R. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia.
Outside the Easter season:
Y. Mary pondered in her heart
R. the wonderful events of her Son.

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B.V.M. }TELP OF CHRISTIANS 217
FtRst nreorNc
From the Book of Judith
I 3, I I -14. I 6a-20; I 5,8-1 0,1 2- l4 (Vg.)
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are yolt anlong women!
Judith called out from afar to the watchmen at the
gates, "Open, open the gate! God, our God, is still with
us, to show his power in Israel, and his strength against
our enemies, even as he has done this day!" When the
men of her city heard her voice, they hurried down to the
city gate and called together the elders of the city. They
all ran together, both small and great, for it was unbe-
lievable that she had returned; they opened the gate and
admitted them, and they kindled a fire for light, and
gathered around them. Then she said to them with a loud
voice, "Praise God, O praise him! Praise God, who has
not withdrawn his mercy from the house of Israel, but
has destroyed our enemies by my hand this very night!"
All the people were greatly astonished, and bowed
down and worshipped God, and said with one accord,
"Blessed art thou, our God, who hast brought into con-
tempt this day the enemies of thy people". AndlJzziah
said to her, "O daughter, you are blessed by the Most
High God above all women on earth; and blessed be the
Lord God, who created the heavens and the earth, who
has guided you to strike the head of the leader of our
enemies. Your hope will never depart from the hearts of
men, as they remember the power of God. May God
grant this to be a perpetual honour to you, and may he
visit you with blessings, because you did not spare your
own life when our nation was brought low, but have
avenged our ruin, walking in the straight path before our
God". And all the people said, "So be it, so be it!"

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218 PRoPER oFFICES
Then Joakim the high priest, and the senate of the
people of Israel who lived at Jerusalem, came to wit-
ness the good things which the Lord had done for Is-
rael, and to see Judith and to greet her. And when they
met her they all blessed her with one accord and said to
her, "You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the
great glory oflsrael, you are the great pride ofour na-
tion! You have done all this singlehanded; you have
done great good to Israel, and God is well pleased with
it. May the Almighty Lord bless you for ever!" And all
the people said, "So be it!"
Then all the women of Israel gathered to see her, and
blessed her, and some of them performed a dance for
her; and she took branches in her hands and gave them
to the women who were with her;And they crowned
themselves with olive wreaths, she and those who were
with her; and she went before all the people in the dance,
leading all the women, while all the men of Israel fol-
l6wed, bearing their arms bnd wearing garlands and
with songs on their lips.
Then Judith began this thanksgiving before all Israel,
and all the people loudly sang this song of praise:
RespoNsonv
R. Sing to my God with tambourines,
sing to my Lord with cymbals;
raise to him a new psalm;
* exalt him, and call upon his name.
Y. I will sing to my God a new song::
O Lord, thou art great and glorious
wonderful in strength, invincible.
* exalt him, and call upon his name.
Jud l6,l.l3-14

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B.V.M., HELP OF CHRISTIANS 2I9
Y. Let all thy creatures serve thee,
for thou didst speak, and they were made;
thou didst send forth thy Spirit, and it formed them;
there is none that can resist thy voice.
* exalt him, and call upon his name.
SEcoNo READTNG
From the "Regulations" of the Association of the Clients
of Mary Help of Christians, written by St John Bosco,
priest
(Opere edite, XXI, Rome 1976,343-347)
Mary Help of Christians
The title of Help of Christians, attributed to the
august Mother of the Saviour, is not something new. In
the holy books themselves Mary is spoken of as the
Queen who stands at the right hand of her Divine Son,
clothed in gold and surrounded with variety. This gold-
en vesture and radiant surroundings, according to the
spirit of the Church, are so many gems and diamonds, or
titles, we are accustomed to use in addressing Mary. And
so when we call the holy Virgin "Help of Christians",
we are only using a special title which befits her, as one
of the diamonds on her golden garment. In this sense
Mary has been greeted as the Help of the human race
from the earliest ages of the world when Adam, after
falling into sin, was promised a liberator, to be born of
a woman, who would crush the head of the insidious
serpent by her sinless foot.
This great Woman, indeed, is symbolized in the tree
of life which existed in the earthly paradise; in the ark of
Noah which saved the adorers of the true God from the
universal deluge; in Jacob's ladder which reached up to

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220 PRoPER oFFrcEs
heaven; in Moses'bush which burned but was not con-
sumed, and which is an allusion to Mary who remained
a virgin after childbirth; in the ark of the covenant; in the
tower of David which resisted all assaults; in the rose of
Jericho; in the sealed fountain; in the garden, well cul-
tivated and guarded by Solomon, she is symbolized in
an outpouring of blessings; in Gideon's fleece. Else-
where she is called the star of Jacob, splendid as the
moon, noble as the sun, rainbow of peace, pupil of
God's eye, rising dawn of consolations, Virgin and
Mother of her Lord. These symbols and expressions
which the Church applies to Mary manifest the provi-
dential designs of God, which he willed to make known
even before her birth, as the firstbom of all creatures,
the most excellent protectress, help and support and
even redresser of the evils to which the human race is
subject.
In the New Testament it is not only with symbols and
prophecies that she is referred to as the helper of
mankind in general, but she is also called the help, the
support and defence of Christians; and this no longer in
figures, no longer in symbolic expressions; in the
Gospel everything is reality and fulfilment of the past.
Mary is greeted by the archangel Gabriel who calls her
'full of grace'. God gazes upon the surpassing humility
of Mary and raises her to the dignity of Mother of
the Eternal Word. Jesus, the immense unfathomed God,
becomes the Son of Mary. Of her he is born; by her he
is educated and fostered, the Etemal Word made flesh
obedient in all things to his noble Mother. At her request
he works his first miracle at Cana in Galilee; on Cal-
vary she was constituted the Mother of all Christians.
The Apostles took her as their guide and teacher of
virtue. With her they gathered in the Cenacle to pray;

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B.V.M. HELP OF CHRISTIANS 22I
with her they awaited in recollection the coming of the
Holy Spirit. To the Apostles she addressed her last
words before her glorious flight to heaven.
And from the height of her throne of glory she turns
her motherly gaze on mankind, saying: Form this high-
est and glorious throne I enrich with blessings those who
love me and enhance with heavenly favours their treas-
uries of grace. And hence there began from the time of
her Assumption into heaven the constant and uninter-
rupted convergence of Christians on Mary nor has it
ever been said - as St Bernard tells us - that anyone ever
had trusting recourse to this loving Mother and was left
forsaken. This is why every century, every year, every
day, and we may say every moment in history has been
marked by some great favour granted to those who have
invoked her with faith. This too is the reason why every
kingdom, every city and town, every family has a
church, a chapel, an altar, a statue, a picture or some
other sign which calls to mind the universal veneration
for Mary and at the same time recalls some of the many
graces granted to those who have had recourse to her in
life's necessities.
RsspoNsoRv
Psal34,4; Lk I ,48; Psal 63,16
R. O magnifu the Lord with me, and let us exalt his
name together!: * For he has regarded the low estate of
his handmaiden. Behold, henceforth all generations will
call me blessed
Y. Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell
what he has done for me.
R. For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaid-
en. Behold, henceforth all generations will call me
blessed.

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222 PRoPER oFFrcES
* Or:
Spcot'o READTNG
From the "Writings" of Saint John Bosco, priest
("Marvels of the Mother of God [...]",
Opere edite, XX, Rome 1916,217-220;197-200)
Mary has been constituted by God
as the Help of Christians
When the Blessed Virgin Mary came to visit her,
Saint Elizabeth was so filled with the Holy Spirit, that
she was inspired to prophesy: "Blessed are you among
women and blessed is thefruit of your womb".
With these words the Holy Spirit through the lips of
Elizabeth extolled Mary as blessed and favoured by God
and chosen by him to bring to men the blessing which
was lost in Eve and for which mankind has been yearn-
ing for so many centuries.
To the congratulations of her kinswoman Mary, also
inspired by God, replied: "My soul proclaims the great-
ness of the Lord... For he has looked withfavour on his
lowly servant. From this day all generations will call
me blessed".
Now, in order that Mary's glory might be extended to
all generations, so that all might call her blessed, it was
necessary that Mary should bestow upon every genera-
tion an extraordinary and lasting benefit, so that the rea-
son for gratitude and praise might be ever present. This
continuous and marvellous benefit is none other than
the help that Mary gives to men - a help that is extend-
ed to all ages, places, and people.
The title of "Help of Christians", attributed to the au-
gust Mother of the Redeemer is not new in the Church

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B.V.M. HELP OF CHRISTIANS 223
of Christ, but in these latter times it has been proclaimed
of the Blessed Virgin Mary for a special reason. Not on-
ly for private favours is Mary being invoked, but espe-
cially because of the serious and imminent dangers that
threaten the faithful. Today the Catholic Church itself is
attacked in its mission, in its institutions, in its head, in
its doctrine, in its discipline. It is attacked as the
Catholic Church, the pillar of truth and the teacher of
all the faithful.
And it is precisely to obtain the special protection of
heaven that we have recourse to Mary as the Mother of
us all, the special helper of Catholics throughout the
world and of their leaders.
Hence we can truly say that Mary has been constitut-
ed by God as the Help of Christians and that in times of
crisis she has shown herself to be the helper especially
of those who suffer and fight for the faith.
May the Blessed Virgin help us to be faithful to the
teachings and the faith, of which the Roman Pontiff,
the Vicar of Jesus Christ, is the head, and obtain for
us the grace of persevering in serving God on this earth,
so as to join her one day in the kingdom of heavenly
glory.
RrspoNsotv
Lk 1,48-49; cf Psal 17,33
R. All generations shall call me blessed because he who
is mighty has done great things for me. * And holy is his
name. (T.P. alleluia).
Y. God girded me with strength and set me on the
heights.
R. And holy is his name. (T.P. alleluia).

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224 PRoPER oFFrcES
Te Deum
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer,
Vigil Celebration
Those who desire a prolonged vigil liturgy, after the
recital of the Ofice of Readings and before theTe Deum
may add the canticles and Gospel readings indicated
below.
Ant. Bless the Lord in all his works:
he has clothed Mary with the garments of salvation
and wrapped her in the mantle ofjustice. (T.P. alleluia).
CaNucr"B I Is 61,10-62,3
The prophet rejoices over the new Jerusalem.
Cevncrp IlIs 62,4-7
The glory of the new Jerusalem.
CeNrrcr-B III Sir 39,13-l6a
How great are your works, O Lord!
Gosps,l
One of thefollowing Gospel extracts is readfrom the
Lectionary of the Massfor the Blessed Wrgin Mary help
of Christians:
l. Mt 12,46-50: Herearemymotherandmybrothers!
2. Lkl,26-38: Youwillconceiveinyourwomband
bear a son.
3. Lk 1,3947: Blessed is she who believed.
4. Lk 11,27-28: Blessed is the womb that bore you.
5. Jn2,1-ll: His mother said: Do whatever he
tells you.

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B.V.M., HELP OF CHzuSTIANS 225
6. Jnl9,25-27: Behold your son! Behold your
mother!
If it be thought opportune a homily may be given.
Te Deum
Concluding prayer as at Moming Prayer,
* Hwttr
Morning Prayer
Mary immaculate, star of the morning,
Chosen before the creation began,
Chosen to bring for thy bridal adoming,
Woe to the serpent and rescue to man.
Here, in an orbit of shadow and sadness,
t§ Veiling thy splendour, course thou hast run;
Now thou are throned in all glory and gladness,
Crowned by the hand of thy saviour and Son.
Sinners, we worship thy sinless perfection;
Fallen and weak, for thy pity we plead;
Grant us the shield of thy sovereign protection,
Measure thine aid by the depth of our need.
Bend from the throne at the voice of our crying,
Bend to this earth which thy footsteps have trod;
Stretch out thins arms to us, living and dying,
Mary immaculate, Mother of God.
Or:
O quam glorifica luce coruscas,
stirpis davidicae regia proles,
sublimis residens, Virgo Maria,
supra caeligenas aetheris omnes

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226 PRoPER oFFrcES
Tu cum virgineo Mater honore,
angelorum Domino pectoris aulam
sacris visceribus casta parasti;
natus hinc Deus est corpore Christus.
Cunctis auxilium praebe, tuorum
audi vota, graves solve catenas;
nostras, tu nova lux, discute noctes,
da, quo tu frueris, cernere Natum.
Quem cunctus venerans orbis adorat,
cui nunc rite genu flectitur omne;
a quo, te, petimus, subveniente,
abiectis tenebris, gaudia lucis.
Hoc largire, Pater luminis omnis,
Natum per proprium, Flamine sacro;
qui tecum nitida vivit in aethra,
regnans ac moderans saecula cuncta.
Amen.
Or another suitable hymn approved by ecclesiastical authority
Ant.l My song and my strength is the Lord:
for me he is both health and salvation, alleluia.
Psalms and canticlefrom Sunday, Week I - cfAppendix
p. 359.
Ant.2 Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary
Among all the women of the earth, alleluia.
Ant.3 We praise you, Lord, for your wonderful works;
we praise you for Mary's help, alleluia.

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B.V.M., HELP OF CHRISTIANS 227
In the Easter season:
Scntprune READING
Rev 12,10-12a.17
I John heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'l'{ow the
salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and
the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of
our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them
day and night before our God. And they have conquered
him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their
testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein!
Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and
went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on
those who keep the commandments of God andbeartes-
timony to Jesus.
SnoRt REspoNsoRv
R. Virgin Mary you have given birth to the light of the
world, * Alleluia, alleluia!
Virgin Mary you have given birth to the light of the
world, Alleluia, alleluia!
Y. Helped by your prayer, we praise the Lord.
* Alleluia, alleluia!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Virgin Mary you have given birth to the light of the
world, Alleluia, alleluia!
Outside the Easter season:
ScrupruRt READING
Jud l3,l8b-20a
Blessed be the Lord God, who created the heavens
and the earth, who has guided you to strike the head of

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228 PRopER oFFrcES
the leader of our enemies. Your hope will never depart
from the hearts of men, as they remember the power of
God. May God grant this to be a perpetual honour to
you, and may he visit you with blessings, because you
did not spare your own life when our nation was brought
low, but have avenged our ruin, walking in the straight
path before our God.
SHoRr RESpoNSoRy
R. O loving Mother of Christ, * 0 worker of wonders.
O loving Mother of Christ, O worker of wonders.
V. You are our hope; to you we fly for help.
* O worker of wonders.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
O loving Mother of Christ, O worker of wonders.
Ant. At the Ben. O Mary
you rise like the dawn, alleluia;
and bear the new sun, alleluia.
IurpncsssroNs
At the beginning of this new day let us give thanks with
Mary Help of Christians to our God and Saviour, and
let us say:
We hope in you, O Son of Mary.
Jesus, sun ofjustice, you were bom of Mary star of the
morning:
- grant that we may walk today in your light, so that
evening may find us worthy of your benevolent
gaze.
Christ our Saviour, in your Immaculate Mother you
have symbolized the beginning of the Church:

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B.V.M., HELP OF CHRISTIANS 229
grant that we may tend with all our strength to justice
and holiness.
Christ Jesus, consolation of those who entrust them-
selves to you:
- help us through the example of your Mother to carry
the crosses we encounter on life's pilgrimage.
Christ our Lord, through the mystery of your death and
resurrection you free mankind from evil:
- grant that young people may overcome the many
forms of slavery that exist in our times.
Lord Jesus you gave Don Bosco a powerful help and a
sure guide in Mary Help of Christians:
- that that the whole Salesian Family may always feel
her motherly presence in the work of the education
and evangelisation of youth.
Our Father.
PnavEr
Lord our God, you chose the Virgin Mary to be the
mother and help of Christians; by her prayers give to
the Church the strength of your Spirit so that with
patience and love its members may overcome every trial
and share even now in the victory of Christ, your Son.
He lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Prayer during the Day
Hymnfrom the Ordinary; complementary psalms. If the
Solemnityfalls on a Sunday in Ordinary Tìme, the psalms
are as on Sunday ofWeek 1.

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230 PRoPER oFFICES
Before Noon
Ant. He who isAlmighty has done great things in me
Holy is his name. (T.P. alleluia).
Sczupruns READING
Rev l2,l
A great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed
with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her
head a crown of twelve stars.
V. You are the Mother of our Lord and Saviour. (T.P.
alleluia).
p. The honour of the Church and help in difficulties.
(T.P. alleluia).
Midday
Ant. With the power of your arm
you have put the proud to flight,
you have exalted the humble. (T.P. alleluia)
Sczuprune READING
Rev 21,3b
Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will
dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God
himself will be with them
Y. Hail, holy Mother; hail, glory of the world. (T.P. alle-
luia).
P. Intercede for us with your Son. (T.P. alleluia).
Afternoon
Ant. The Lord comes to the aid of his faithful ones,
remembering his mercy. (T.P. alleluia).

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B.V.M. HELP OF CHRISTIANS 23I
SczupruRs READTNG
Rev 12,17
The dragon was angry with the woman, and went off
to make \\ryar on the rest of her offspring, on those who
keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to
Jesus.
{. Mary, fountain of grace and mother of forgiveness.
(T.P. alleluia).
R. Protect us from the evil one and receive us at the
hour of our death. (T.P. alleluia).
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Evening Prayer II
* HvrraN
Attentive Virgin Mother, it never has been known
that anyone who loved you was ever left alone.
Inspired by your goodness we ask for help and pray
to know your Son incarnate, the only perfect way.
Attentive Virgin Mother, protect the Church of God,
provide her with apostles to spread the faith abroad.
Obtain foryouth the wisdom to build on Christ the Lord,
with freedom of the spirit to seek the will of God.
Attentive Virgin Mother, our Model and our Sign,
your faith and love at Cana proved Jesus'power divine.
True Mother of the living, receive this humble pray'r:
Make Life the choice and glory of fam'lies everywhere.
(R. McShane FMA)
Or:
O sanctissima, O piissima,
Dulcis virgo Maria!
Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis.

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232 PRoPER oFFrcES
Tu solacium et refugium,
Virgo, mater Maria!
Quidquid optamus, per te speramus;
Ora, ora pro nobis.
Ecce debiles, perquam flebiles,
Salva nos, O Maria!
Tolle languores, sana dolores,
Ora, ora pro nobis.
Virgo respice, Mater, adspice,
Audi nos, O Maria.
Tu medicinam portas divinam,
Ora, ora pro nobis.
Tua gaudia et suspiria
Iuvent nos, O Maria!
In te speramus, ad te clamamus,
Ora, ora pro nobis.
Or the hymn Ave maris stella or another suitable hymn
approved by ecclesiastical authority.
Psalmody
Ant. I The joy of the Lord is with you, Mary:
obtain for us benevolence and peace.
(T.P. Alleluia).
Psalm l2l (122)
I rejoiced when I heard them say:*
"Let us go to God's house".
And now our feet are standing*
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city*
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up,*
the tribes of the Lord.

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B.V.M HELP OF CHRISTIANS 233
For Israel's law it is,*
there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones ofjudgment*
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray:t
"Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls,*
in your palaces, peace!"
For love of my brethren and friends*
I say: "Peace upon you".
For love of the house of the Lord*
I will ask for your good.
Ant. The joy of the Lord is with you, Mary:
obtain for us benevolence and peace.
(T.P. Alleluia).
Ant.2 Mary, Mother of the Church,
Keep us with the love you have for your people.
(T.P. Alleluia).
Psalm 126 (127)
If the Lord does not build the house,*
in vain do its builders labour;
if the Lord does not watch over the city,*
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising,*
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat,*
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber,
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord,*
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons ofyouth*
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

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234 PRoPER oFFrcES
O the happiness of the man*
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame*
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways
Ant. Mary Mother of the Church,
Keep us with the love you have for your people
(T.P. Alleluia).
Ant.3 blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
(T.P. Alleluia).
Canticle - Ephesians l:3-10
Blessed be the God and Father*
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ*
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
He chose us in him*
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy*
and blameless before him.
He destined us in love*
to be his sons through Jesus Christ,
according to the purpose of his will,t
to the praise of his glorious grace*
which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
In him we have redemption through his blood,*
the forgiveness ofour trespasses,
according to the riches ofhis grace*
which he lavished upon us.

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B.V.M. HELP OF CHRISTIANS 235
He has made known to ust
in all wisdom and insight *
the mystery of his will,
according to his purpose*
which he set forth in Christ.
His purpose he set forth in Christ,*
as a plan for the fulness of time,
to unite all things in him,*
things in heaven and things on earth.
Ant. Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb
(T.P. Alleluia).
ScnlpruRr READTNG
Rm 8,28-32.37
Brothers, we know that in everything God works for
good with those who love him, who are called according
to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also pre-
destined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in or-
der that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
And those whom he predestined he also called; and those
whom he called he also justified; and those whom he jus-
If tified he also glorified. What then shall we say to this?
God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare
his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also
give us all things with him? In all these things we are
more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Ssonr npspoNsonv
In the Easter season:
R. You are blessed, O Mary. * Alleluia, alleluia.
You are blessed, O Mary. Alleluia, alleluia.

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236 PRoPER oFFrcES
Y. Through you the world has received salvation.
x Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
You are blessed, O Mary. Alleluia, alleluia!
Fuori del Tempo di Pasqua:
R. Queen of the world, * Sovereign of the heavens.
Queen of the world, Sovereign of the heavens.
Y. Pray for the salvation of Christian people:
* Sovereign ofthe heavens.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Queen of the world, Sovereign of the heavens.
Ant. At the Magn. To you we have recourse in our trials,
O Mother of God:
throughyou we receive help from thelord. (T.P. alleluia).
INIEncEssroNs
Let us give thanks to God our Father who in the Virgin
Mary has given us the image and beginning of the
Church, and let us pray:
Lord, renew us in your Spirit.
Father, you willed that Mary should be present in the
Cenacle in the midst of the apostles:
assist with your Holy Spirit, the Pope, bishops and
priests, that they may be sure guides for the Church
along the world's highways.
You willed that Mary be present in the first steps of the
Church's work of evangelization:
bless the missionaries and all those who work for the
extension of your Kingdom.

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You willed that Mary should be at the side of Elizabeth,
and with the young married couple at Cana:
make us solicitous and attentive to those who are in
need, or lonely or suffering.
You willed that Mary should be, with Joseph, the edu-
cator ofyour Son:
sustain the entire Salesian Family in its work of the
human and Christian advancement of the young, and
especially of those who are poor and abandoned.
You made Mary resplendent as a sign of consolation and
sure hope for your Church:
receive into the glory of your Kingdom the dead who
have believed and hoped in you.
Our Father.
PRavr,R
Lord our God, you chose the Virgin Mary to be the
mother and help of Christians; by her prayers give to
the Church the strength of your Spirit so that with
patience and love its members may overcome every trial
and share even now in the victory of Christ, your Son.
He lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Compline
Night Prayer of Sunday. Outside the Easter Season it is
appropriate to use as the final antiphon "Sub tuum
praesidium", or.'
"O Maria, Virgo potens
Tu magnum et praeclarum in Ecclesia praesidium;
Tu singulare Auxilium Christianorum:
Tu terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata.

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238 PRoPER oFFrcES
Tu cunctas haereses sola interemisti in universo mundo
Tu in angustiis,
Tu in bello,
Tu in necessitatibus nos ab hoste protege,
atque in aeterna gaudia in mortis hora suscipe".

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29 May
Blessed JOSEPH KOWALSK,
priest and martyr
Memorial
(For the Daughters of Mary of Christians and
the Volunteers of Don Bosco: Optional memoria[)
Joseph Kowalski was bom on 19 March l91l at Siedliska
(Poland). From an early age he showed signs ofa vocation to
dedicating himself to God in a special way. In 1927,afterhaving
finished at the Salesian secondary school in Oswigcim, he was
accepted in the Novitiate of the Salesian Congregation. Even as
a cleric he had a spiritual desire, which he recorded in his note-
book 'to suffer and to be despised for you, Lord.'After having
completed the various stages of formation, he was ordained priest
in 1938 and immediately he was engaged in educative pastoral
work in the Salesian house at Krakow.
On 23 May 1941, with other Salesians he was arrested by
the Nazi and taken to the concentration camp at Oswigcim
(Auschwitz). Also in this place he lived his life as a priest:
through his ministry and personal witness he brought hope to
his companions in suffering. He was martyred on 4 July 1942, a
victim of hatred for religion and for the faith. The immediate
cause for his martyrdom was his refusal to trample on his rosary
beads.
Pope John Paul II beatified him on 13 June 1999 in Warsaw,
with a group of 108 Polish martyrs, victims of the Nazi persecu-
tion during the second world war.
From the Common of martyrs: for one martyr; or from
the Common of pastors . Psalms o-f the day as in the
Ordinary.

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240 PRoPER oFFrcES
Office of readings
SEcoNn READTNG
From the «Private Notes» (1930-1940) and from the
«Letter to his parents»» (1941) of Blessed Joseph
Kowalski, priest
(Positio super martyrio, vol.lll-2, Summarium, pp. 1679-1681, passim)
To suffer and to be despised for love of the Lord
I have to be a holy Salesian, holy as was my father
Don Bosco. O my good Jesus, give me a will that is
persevering, firm and strong so that I may persevere in
my holy resolutions and I may reach the highest ideal,
holiness, that I have set myself. I can and I have to be
holy. «In Te Domine speravi, non confundar in aeter-
num)). O my Jesus, help me with Thy holy grace, be-
cause without Thee I can do nothing, but with Thee
sfrengthening me I can do everything [...].
Jesus, I thank Thee that in my proud heart Thou hast
placed an ardent desire for suffering and contempt, so
that I may be despised. From now on my watchword
will be: "to live and suffer for Thee Jesus and to suffer
and be despised". Jesus, here then is my voice which
rises from the depth of my heart: "to suffer and to be
despised for Thee, Lord" - may this voice reach Thine
ears. Listen O Lord and open Thine ears to the voice of
my prayer and of my cry. Hear me O Lord, and grant me
the strength necessary.
Jesus, to Thee I dedicate myself totally, to Thee
I give my poor heart which desires ardently to love
Thee, to give itself to Thee and consecrate itself to Thee.
Jesus, grant that I may never separate myself from Thee
and that even unto death I may be faithful to Thee and
that I may faithfully keep the oath I have made: "Rather

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BLESSED JOSEPH KOWALSKI 24I
death than to offend Thee by the smallest sin". O God
have mercy on me. Give me your love, and with that
Thou wilt give me everything. O Lord let me be de-
spised, forgotten, considered nothing, scorned. This
goes against my inclination, but I see that it is neces-
sary for me. O Lord, grant me this grace, to become mad
for Thy love (at this point in the diary there is a cross
in the blood of the Blessed and beneath the cross the
inscription: "To suffer and to be despised").
With full awareness and totally determined and ready
to accept all the consequences I embrace the sweet cross
of Christ's call and I desire to carry it until the very end,
until death. It will be my consolation, all my glory and
my delight. "<<Absit mihi gloriari nisi in cruce Domini
nostri Jesu Christi, per quem mihi mundus crucifixus
est et ego mundo»». Without the cross, without suffering
I gain nothing, without the cross I will not become a
saint. In this world everything comes and is born in suf-
fering.
In the present political and war-threatening events
when it seems that everything is conspiring against us
and aimed at our total extinction and the last ray of hope
has gone out, "God watches over everything, and noth-
ing happens without his will". This important thought
ought to fill me with peace even when it will be neces-
sary to give one's life for something worth while. This
would really be true happiness and a great gain.
Be at peace, I am in the hands of God [...]. I want to
assure you that at every step I feel God's strength. In
spite of the present situation, I am happy and totally at
peace; I am convinced that wherever I may find myself
and whatever may happen, everything comes from the
fatherly Providence of God who in the best way possible
conffols the fate of all nations and of all men.

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242 PRoPER oFFICES
RsspoNsonv
2Tm4,7-8:, Phil3,8-10
R. I have run the great race, I have finished the course,
I have kept the faith, * and now the prize the garland of
righteousness awaits me.
Y. I have been glad to lose everything, that I may learn
to know Christ and what it means to share his sufferings,
to be moulded in the pattern of his death:
R. and now the prize the garland of righteousness
awaits me.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Scnrprune READiNG
2Cor 1,3-5
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom
all help comes; he helps us in all our troubles, so that we
are able to help those who have all kinds of troubles,
using the same help that we ourselves have received
from God. Just as we have a share in Christ's many suf-
ferings, so also through Christ we share in his great help.
Suonr R-ssponsonv
R. The Lord is my strength, * I will sing praise to him.
The Lord is my strength, I will sing praise to him
Y. He is my salvation:
* I will sing praise to him.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is my strength, I will sing praise to him.
Ant. At the Ben. Anyone who hates his soul in the
world will save it for the eternal life.

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BLESSED JOSEPH KOWALSKI 243
INrEncEssroNs
United in praise and thanksgiving to God the Father for
the witness even unto marlyrdom of Blessed Joseph
Kowalski, we pray to our Saviour:
You redeemed us with your precious blood O Lord.
Through their martyrdom the first disciples followed
Christ more closely as he offered himself for the sal-
vation of the world:
grant that we may conform ourselves more closely to
him who poured out his blood for us and for all, for
the remission of sins.
Christ Our Lord, in Blessed Joseph Kowalski you
aroused a great desire to suffer and to be despised
for love of you:
grant that we may accept and carry the crosses of
everyday with perseverance and joy.
Christ Our Lord, you gave the masr the strength to
confess the faith to the shedding of his blood:
grant to the young the courage and the perseverance
to grow in faith amidst the seductions of the world.
Christ Our Lord, in spite of tribulations, with fidelity to
his priestly ministry Blessed Joseph Kowalski
brought hope to his companions in suffering:
grant that all of us may persevere in bearing witness
to Christian life.
At the school of Saint John Bosco the Blessed martyr
learned a great love for the Mother of God:
grant us the grace to live as her children.
Our Father.

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244 PRoPER oFFICES
Pnavrn
O God, who raised up in the priest Blessed Joseph the
desire for holiness and the readiness to offer his life for
the love ofChrist, grant to us, through his intercession,
the grace to be faithful to our vocation and to love the
cross, which is the way of salvation. Through Our Lord
Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Evening PraYer
ScnrprunE READINc
I Pt 4'13-14
My dear people, if you can have some share in the
sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a
much greater gladness when his glory is revealed. It is
a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the
name of Christ, because it means that you have the Spirit
of glory the Spirit of God resting on you.
SsoRr nEspoNsoRv
R. You have tested us God, * and you have brought us
out into freedom again.
You have tested us God, and you have brought us out in-
to freedom again.
Y. You have refined us like silver,
* and you have brought us out into freedom again.'
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Yòu have tested us God, and you have brought us out in-
to freedom again.
Ant. At the Magn. The saints will dwell in the kingdom
of heaven; their peace will last for ever.

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BLESSED JOSEPH KOWALSKI 245
INrERcEssroNs
The Lord Jesus Christ lifted up on the cross draws all
men and women to himself. We raise to him our
praise and petitions:
Moy the whole world love and adore you Lord.
Blessed Joseph Kowalski in his martyrdom bore wit-
ness to the one Shepherd who gave his life for his
sheep:
grant that the service of bishops and priests may be
inspired by the tenderness of your Father's love.
May the legacy of the Cross lived in the light of Easter
left us by the Blessed martyr:
bear abundant fruit in our living the Gospel authen-
tically, and in proclaiming to the men and women of
today that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of
mankind.
With the shedding of his blood the martyr became the
imitator of the passion of Christ:
through his intercession unite us with your passion,
which continues in the oppressed, in the margin-
alised in all who suffer.
On the cross Lord you asked pardon for those who cru-
cified you, and in the Blessed martyr you found
someone who imitated you in praying for his execu-
tioners,
help us too to love our enemies and to pray for those
who persecute us.
Lord, the giver of life, remember our brothers and sisters
whose lives were cut short by violence and war,
grant them eternal life in your Kingdom.
Our Father.

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246 PRoPER oFFrcES
PnavpR
O God, who raised up in the priest Blessed Joseph the
desire for holiness and the readiness to offer his life for
the love of Christ, grant to us, through his intercession,
the grace to be faithful to our vocation and to love the
cross, which is the way of salvation. Through Our Lord
Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

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l2 June
Blessed FRANCIS K{SY
and companions, martyrs
Optronal memorial
The young martyrs are: Czeslaw J62wiak, bom in Laryna
(Poland) in l9l9; Edward Kazmierski, born in Poznari (Poland)
in 1919; Franciszek Kgsy, bom in Berlin (Germany) in 1920;
Edward Klinik, born in Bochum (Poland) in l9l9 and Jarogniew
Wojciechowski, born in Poznari (Poland) in 1922. They have a
number of features in common: the five attended the Oratory
were involved in leading their companions, consciously engaged
in their own human and Christian development, linked together by
their personal and shared interests and plans. They were arrested
by the Gestapo almost simultaneously in 1940 and put in prison.
They were in prison together and suffered martyrdom on the
same day 24 August 1942 at Dresden, and in the same way (be-
ing beheaded by axe). Their friendship from Oratory days sus-
tained them to the end. Of each one of them it could be said: "He
was among the group leaders of the Oratory closely connected
by friendship and high Christian ideals with the other four". As-
sociated together in prison and in death, each ofthem, however,
has his own particular life story which intertwines with that of the
others because oftheir Salesian background. The five young men
came from good Christian families. On that foundation, life in the
Oratory and its programmes stimulated generosity towards God,
human mafurity, prayer and apostolic commitment; open to life,
yet always ready to enter Eternal Life.
This paradoxical statement was written by one of them an
hour before their death: "What joy it is: to leave this world united
with Christ"; and another: "How can I not be happy to be going
to the Lord and to his most holy Mother fortified by the Body of
Christ?"
On 13 June 1999 they were beatified by John Paul II in
Warsaw with 108 Polish martyrs.
From the Common of martyrs: of several martyrs.
Psalms of'lhe datt as in the Ordinory,.

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248 PRoPER oFFrcES
Office of Reading
SecoNo READING
From the <<Letters>> written by the five young men to
their families, as the time for the carrying out of the
death penalty approached.
(Positio super martyrio, vol. III-2,
Summarium, pp.1707. 1728-29. 1747. 1768. 1789)
With fearless faiih and at peace I go to eternal life
The time has come to say goodbye to you, and pre-
cisely today, 24 August, on the day of Mary Help of
Christians. Oh, what joy I feel to be leaving this world;
everyone ought to die this way. A short time ago I went
to confession, and in a little while I shall be stengthened
with the Blessed Sacrament. May the good God take me
to himself. I have no regrets that so young I am leaving
this world. Now I am in a state of grace, faithful to the
promises made to God. My dear parents and brothers,
once again with all my heart I ask pardon for the evil
I have done. Forgive me. I am going to heaven. We shall
meet again there! In heaven I shall pray for you. Just
now I received the Blessed Sacrament. Pray now and
again for me. Stay with the Lord! I am going now. For-
give me for everything (Blessed Franciszek Kgsy).
My very dear parents, just today, 24 August, on the
day of Mary Help of Christians, I received your letters.
I have to leave this world. I can say to you, my dear
ones, that it is with joy that I am going to the next world,
more than I would feel the joy of being eventually freed.
I know that Our Lady the Help of Christians, who
throughout my life I have honoured will obtain forgive-
ness for me from Jesus. A short time ago I made my con-
fession and shortly I shall receive Communion in my

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BLESSEDFRANCTS KESYAND COMPS. 249
heart. The priest will bless me during the execution. We
have this great joy of being together before death. All
five of us are in the one cell. It is 19.45. At 20.30 I shall
leave this world. I beg you, do not cry don't despair,
don't worryr. God wanted it this way. In a special way
I turn to you my dearest mummy, that you may offer
your sorrow to Our Lady of Sorrows. She will heal your
sorrowing heart. I beg you with all my heart to forgive
me if I have done anything to displease anyone. I shall
pray for you and ask the blessing of God so that one day
we may all meet together in heaven. Till we see each
other again in heaven! (Blessed Czeslaw Jòiwiak).
God's plans are strange but we have to resign our-
selves to them, because this is good for the soul. My
dears, inscrutable is the will of Jesus which takes me
from this world in my youth. But how huppy will that
moment be for me when I have to leave this earth. How
can I not be happy to be going to the Lord and to his
most holy Mother fortified by the Body of Christ? Right
to the end Mary was always for me a Mother. And now
you mummy, when you won't have me any longer on
the earth take Jesus. «Mother, this is your son». [...]
Until we meet again in heaven with the Madonna, with
Jesus and with Saint John Bosco. I have come to under-
stand my life perfectly; I have understood my vocation
and I rejoice that in heaven I shall repay you. (Blessed
Edward Klinik).
I have received your last letter and greetings. Thank
you for that. It made me very happy when I read about
your calmness and resignation to the will of God. Give
thanks to the most merciful Saviour, so that he may not
take us unprepared from this world but after a time for
repentance and nourished by the Body of Christ, on the
day of Mary Help of Christians. Thank God for his in-

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250 PRoPER oFFrcEs
finite mercy. It has brought me peace. Accepting his
most holy will I am leaving this world. He is so good
that he will forgive us. I thank you mummy for your
blessing. God has asked this sacrifice from you. Offer it
for my sinful soul. Please forgive me in your heart for all
my failings. I ask your forgiveness. I ask forgiveness
ofall those I have offended or to whom I have caused
displeasure. Pray for me. Till we see each other again
in heaven! [...] May the good Lord take care of all of
you through the intercession of our Mother most holy,
St Joseph, St John Bosco. Stay with the Lord! (Blessed
Edward Kazmierski).
I thank you with all my heart; all those who have not
forgotten me in life. I have known and seen clearly the
life of mummy, of father, yours and mine. And so I am
sure that you will rather rejoice with me than give way
to despair. I have received an extraordinary grace from
God, and I am leaving after having understood my past
life; I do so without the least regret. I have known the
world, life and men and so now my dear Lidus, be as-
sured that you will not be left alone in this world. I and
mummy are always close to you. I only ask you one
thing: entrust what you are feeling to Jesus and Mary at
every moment of your life since only in them will you
find comfort. [...] Think about true happiness. I am leav-
ing united with Jesus Christ through Holy Communion.
In this last Communion I am thinking of you and I of-
fer it for you and me, in the hope that all our family
without exception will be very happy above. Please,
ask our father for forgiveness for all the wrong I have
done and assure him that I have always loved him. [...]
Pray for me everyone, and I shall do the same for you
up there. Jesus, Mury, Joseph! (Blessed Jarogniew
Wojciechowski).

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BLESSED FRANCIS KESYAND COMPS. 251
RrspoNsoRv
R. God looks on, his angels
as we struggle and strive in
look on, Christ too looks on
the contest of faith: * What
great dignity and glory are ours, what happiness to join
battle in the presence of God, and to be crowned by
Christ, the judge!
V. Let us be armed with a great determination and be
prepared to face the combat, pure in heart, sound in
faith, and fulI of courage:
R. What great dignity and glory are ours, what happi-
ness to join battle in the presence of God, and to be
crowned by Christ, the judge!
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Scnrprune READTNG
2 Cor I,3-5
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom
all help comes; he helps us in all our troubles, so that we
are able to help those who have all kinds of troubles,
using the same help that we ourselves have received
from God. Just as we have a share in Christ's many suf-
ferings, so also through Christ we share in his great help.
Ssonr nr,spoNsoRv
R. These were holy men * they will live for ever.
These were holy men, they will live for ever.
Y. The Lord himself is their reward:
* they will live for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
These were holy men, they will live for ever.

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252 PRoPER oFFrcES
Ant. At the Ben. Blessed are those who are persecuted
in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
IN-rpncEsst«lNS
In union with the Blessed martyrs Francis Kgsy and
companions, who gave their lives for love of Christ,
we celebrate and call upon our Saviour:
You have redeemed us with your blood, O Lord.
For your martyrs who embraced death in witness to the
faith,
grant us a faith which is pure and constant in the tri-
als of life.
In the Blessed martyrs Francis Kgsy and companions,
who grew up in the Salesian Oratory you have giv-
en us a model of courageous young men ready for
sacrifice:
grant to all young people the courage and the perse-
verance to live according to the genuine values of
the Gospel in the gift of themselves.
Lord you gave yow martyrs the strength to follow you
on the way of the cross,
grant that we may face up to the sufferings and the
crosses in out lives, uniting ourselves to your re-
deeming passion.
Lord, the young men Francis Kgsy and companions
faced martyrdom strengthened by the Eucharist and
gazing at Mary at the foot of the cross:
grant that we too following the teaching of Don
Bosco, may be sustained by love for you present in
the Sacrament and for your Mother, the Mother of
Sorrows.
Our Father.

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BLESSED FRANCIS KTSY AND COMPS. 253
Pn,lvnn
O God, who granted to the martyrs Blessed Francis
[Kgsy] and his companions the grace ofholiness in their
youth; renew the wonders of your Spirit so that for love
of you, we too may face up to every adversity, and with
enthusiasm may walk to meet you who are the true life.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God
for ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
ScRtptuRn READING
I Pt 4,13-14
My dear people, if you can have some share in the
sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a
much greater gladness when his glory is revealed. It is
a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the
name of Christ, because it means that you have the Spirit
of glory the Spirit of God resting on you.
Suclnl nEspoNsony
R. Rejoice in the Lord. Let the just shout for joy: x Let
thejust shout forjoy
Rejoice in the Lord. Let the just shout for joy:
Y. Let the upright sing praise;
* Let thejust shout forjoy
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Rejoice in the Lord. Let the just shout for joy:
Ant. At the Magn. The saints who in followed the foot-
steps of Christ rejoice in heaven. They gave their life for
love of Christ therefore they will reign with him for ever.

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254 PRoPER oFFrcES
INrencEssroNs
Let us give thanks to the king of martyrs for this is
the hour when he offered himself at the last supper
and laid down his life on the cross:
We praise you Christ the Lord.
We praise you, Christ our Saviour, example and strength
of the martyrs, because you have loved us to the
end:
grant that we may live in fidelity to our Christian
vocation, responding to your love with the gift of
ourselves.
With the shedding of their blood, the martyrs became
imitators of the passion of Christ,
through their intercession unite us with your passion,
which is prolonged in the oppressed, in the margin-
alised and in all who suffer.
The young ma§rs Francis Kgsy and companions bore
witness to what they had lived each day in the school
of the oratory:
grant that educators may transmit to the young the
values of the faith through word and example.
The young martyrs expressed their joy at going to
Christ and to his Mother nourished by the Body of
Christ:
grant Lord that in the trials and diffrculties of life
we may be strengthened by the Eucharist and the
motherly presence of Mary.
We entrust to you O Lord, our brothers and sisters who
have left this world:
admit them into your kingdom of light and peace to
enjoy the company of the saints.
Our Father.

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BLESSED FRANCIS KESYAND COMPS. 255
PRa.vEn
O God, who granted to the martyrs Blessed Francis
[KEsy] and his companions the grace of holiness in their
youth; renew the wonders of your Spirit so that for love
of you, we too may face up to every adversity, and with
enthusiasm may walk to meet you who are the true life.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and
reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God
for ever and ever.

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23 June
Saint JOSEPH CAFASSO,
priest
Memorial
Joseph Cafasso, a fellow citizen of Don Bosco, was bom at
Castelnuovo d'Asti on 15 January l8l I . After his priestly ordi-
nation in 1833, he entered the Ecclesiastical College ofTurin
where he remained for the rest of his life. He combined the work
of the teaching of moral theology and the formation of priests
with the minis§ of the confessional and the service of pastoral
charity to the poor, and particularly to prisoners and those con-
demned to death.
He was of great material and spiritual help to Don Bosco at
the beginning of the latter's priestly work, and was his spiritual
guide from l84l to 1860, supporting and defending him by his
moral authority. He died on 23 June 1860 at the age of 49. At his
funeral Don Bosco described him as a model of priestly life,
teacher ofthe clergy, outstanding counsellor, consoler ofthe sick,
comforter of the dying and friend of everyone. Pius XII declared
him a saint on23 June 1947.
From the Common of Pastors; or from the Common of
Saints: for a saint noted for works of mercy. Psalms of
the day as in the Ordinaryt.
Office of readings
SecoNo READTNG
From "Meditations for Clergy Retreats" by St Joseph
Cafasso, priest
(Turin I 925, 240-257, passim)

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SAINT JOSEPH CAFASSO 257
The virtues of the priest
A spirit of patience, poverty, humility, love of recol-
lection, of work, of religious practices - these are the
necessary virtues and indispensable qualities for the
priest. But more is needed in spirit, virtues and other
works for a true minister of God who, as the light of the
world and the salt of the earth, is destined to enlighten
and sanctifu souls.
If he wants to be like the divine Redeemer, if he
wants to do good in the evangelical field, the priest must
be a man of prayer. He has no need to look for other
teachers: the good workers who became outstanding in
this science were all pupils at the same school, all of
them copied from this divine Teacher.
The apostolic man needs to have fixed times for
prayer. If we do not follow this teaching we shall no
longer be copies of this model but only mere human ma-
terial lacking soul and spirit, apostles in no more than
name, clanging cymbals ((cf. I Cor 13,1) and nothing
more. Furthennore, we must keep our heart directed to-
wards God during the day, before starting any work in
the exercise of our minis§, before and after doing any-
thing. Our heart should move frequently towards God,
keeping the road open for the preservation ofa contin-
ual relationship with him; so that when we have some
need, or find ourselves in some danger and in need of
light, we can go to him at once, talk to him and seek ex-
planation. This is what prayer means, and anyone who
does it can be called a man of prayer.
By gentleness we shall make ourselves dear to others
and win hearts on earth. The divine Redeemer made him-
self a model, the most perfect model, even to the extent
of saying: "Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of
heart" (Mt 11,29). Of him it is written that "he went

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258 PRoPER oFFrcES
about doing good and healing all that were oppressed"
(Acts 10,38). Be gentle therefore with everyone; be par-
ticularly so with those who least deserve it or who be-
have badly towards you: this is the very best thing for
you to do. If the divine Redeemer showed any prefer-
ences in this matter it was always towards sinners, to
such an extent that his enemies called him a sinner and
friend of sinners (cf. Lk ll,2; Jn9,24).We are not to be
the friend of their disorders, but show them friendship
so as to convert them and win them over. Let us gain for
ourselves the consolation of having treated others with
kindness and charity, of implanting in them the seeds of
hope and salvation as they recall the memory of a person
who treated them with sympathy and understanding.
The apostolic man has no aim in life but the glory of
God and the salvation of souls. This is the teaching left
us by the divine Master: "I do not seek my own glory...
I have come down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of him who sent me" (Jn 8,50; 6,38). This
integrity and purity of intention has always been the
mark of apostolic men. Working with such purity of in-
tention, the priest almost never notices the burden of his
labours, because working for God is rather a joy than a
hardship. God alone and nothing else.
RrspoNsonv
Cf Phil4,8.9;l Cor 16,13
R. Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever
is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
gracious, think about these things: * and the God of
peace will be with you!
Y. Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous,
be strong:
R. and the God of peace will be with you!
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.

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SAINT JOSEPH CATASSO 259
Morning Prayer
Scnrprunr READTNG
Heb 13.7-9a
Remember your leaders, who preached the word of
God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their
lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same today
as he was yesterday and as he will be for ever. Do not let
yourselves be led astray by all sorts ofstrange doctrines.
SHoRr xEspoNsoRv
R. I placed watchmen on your towers, * they watch over
your Church.
I placed watchmen on your towers, they watch over
your Church.
Y. They will never cease to tell of the name of the Lord,
by day and by night,
* they watch over your Church.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
I placed watchmen on your towers, they watch over
your Church.
INrsncesstoNs
United in the prayer of praise with St Joseph Cafasso
and all the saints, let us say:
God our Father be mindful of your Church.
Father, you call us to be holy as you are holy:
pour out your Spirit upon the Church, so that it may
gloriff you by its holiness.
You have reconciled us through the death and resurrec-
tion ofyour Son:
enlighten all spiritual guides and those you have con-
stituted ministers of reconciliation.

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260 PRoPER oFFrcES
Father, you want us to share the banquet of the new
covenant:
grant that we may grow in love around the table of
your word and the bread of life.
You promised the Kingdom of heaven to those who rec-
ognize your Son in the poor, the suffering, and the
outcasts:
help us to build a more fratemal world by welcom-
ing those sorely hied in body and spirit.
You gave to St John Bosco a friend and sure guide in the
person of St Joseph Cafasso:
help every educator to guide others to Christ through
the pedagogy of kindness.
Our Father.
Pne.vpn
O God, Father of infinite goodness, you endowed
your priest, Saint Joseph Cafasso, with outstanding gifts
of charity and wisdom to frain according to Gospel prin-
ciples ministers of the word and reconciliation; grant to
us, through his intercession, a sense of brotherly com-
passion, so that we may walk in holiness and justice all
the days of our life. We make our prayer through our
Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who is God, and lives and
reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever
and ever.
In the evening, Evening Prayer of the Solemnity of St
John the Baptist.

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7 July
Blessed MARIA
ROMERO MENESES,
virgin
Optional memorial
(For the Institute of the Daughters
of Mary Help of Chrislians Memorial)
Maria Romero Meneses was born at Granada di Nicaragua
(Central America) on I 3 January 1902 into a middle-class family,
in which from being a little child she leamed a caring sensitivi-
ty towards the poor, and in general to otherpeople's sufferings.
At twenty one years of age she made her religious profession
in the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
In the name of this her Mother and "her Queen"- as she loved to
call the Madonna - she led a tireless apostolic life, creating large-
scale social works in Costa Rica, where she was sent after her
religious profession.
Her main concems were for the Christian development and
education of girls, women and especially mothers, taking mate-
rial help and evangelisation to poor families on the outskirts of
towns and in the villages, afflicted by economic hardship and
moral decadence; she provided literacy programmes and cate-
chism for the poorest ones and a broad religious instruction for
everyone. Her ceaseless activities did not prevent her from living
prayer moments of deep intimacy and intense adoration and true
mystical experience as is clear from her many occasional writ-
ings, which are a real "diary of the 'soul'.
When Sister Maria finally decided to take a period of rest, she
unexpectedly died and so passed to the rest without end in the
"etemal embrace" of her Lord. It was 7 July 1977.
The Holy Father John Paul II beatified her on 14 April2002.
From the Common of virgins; or from the Common of
women saints (noted for works of mercy). Psalms of the
da1, as in the Ordinary.

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262 PRoPER oFFrcES
Office of readings
SpcoNo READING
From the «Spiritual writings» of Blessed Maria Romero
Meneses, virgin
(Translation and editing by Lina Dalcerri FMA;
vol. II, Rome 1990, pp.1l6-117)
Bringing a ray o.f light
Grant to me O God, that while I ascend the steep
slope of my life I may without pause dry all the tears of
those I meet, sweeten every bitterness and dryness,
smooth out the roughness and pour a little balm on every
wound.
Grant that I may bring a smile to the face of all those
who are sad or anxious, bring peace to those who are
troubled, reunite those separated and bring peace where
there is anger or violence. Grant that I may offer at least
a mouthful of bread to the hungry who ask for it, a glass
of water to those who are thirsty, a piece of cloth to the
one who has no clothes and a roof at least in my heart
for all pilgrims.
Grant that I may know how to bring a ray of light to
those walking in darkness; to direct towards what is
good those who are going towards evil; stretch out a
hand to those in danger of falling and gently lift up
someone who has fallen.
Grant that I may know how to draw out the thorns
from all oppressed hearts, restore peace to those who
have lost it; cover with the mantle of charity all poor
sinners; and spread everywhere comfort, relief, well-
being and peace.
Yes, O my God, grant me the grace to be able to con-
sole all those sufferers I meet on the way to Calvary;

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BLESSED MARIA ROMERO 263
and to be an instrument of your merciful kindness. Fill
my heart with meekness, with humility, kindness and
sweetness; with understanding and mercy; carve in my
soul your blessed, holy, beloved image, so that whoever
sees me sees only Thee my sweet Love!
May there be not even one soul who passes me by
without my taking them immediately to Thy love; and
from that moment being only concerned to flee from sin
and to please Thee. I have a hunger and thirst forjustice:
to make Thee known, loved and served. Therefore, as
with Isaiah, touch my lips, not however, with a burning
coal but with a drop of Thy most precious Blood: so that
they may open and proclaim Thy Name and tell to the
winds Thy marvels, Thy greatness and above all the
tenderness of Thy divine and adorable Heart!
O Mary Mother mine, with Jesus, in Jesus and for
Jesus, for his glory I give and abandon myself blindly
and completely into thy motherly arms, so as to pass,
at the hour of death, directly from thine to those of the
infinite mercy of the Lord. Amen.
RESPoNSoRY
Jer 31,3; Os2,16-21
R. God loved her with an everlasting love: so he drew
her to himself from her childhood, he led her into the
wilderness * and spoke to her heart.
Y. He betrothed her for ever in faithfulness and love,
R. and spoke to her heart.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.

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264 PRoPER oFFrcEs
Morning Prayer
Scp.rprunr READING
Song of Songs 8,7
Love is a fire no waters avail to quench, no floods to
drown; for love a man will give up all that he has in the
world, and think nothing of his loss.
SHonr nespoNsony
R. My heart has said of you: * I have sought your
presence, Lord.
My heart has said of you: I have sought yoìr presence,
Lord.
V. It is your face I will continue to seek:
* I have sought your presence.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence,
Lord.
Ant. At the Ben. If there is love among you, then all
will know that you are my disciples.
INreRcrssroNs
Let us give glory to God for having given to the Church
and to the Salesian Family, in Blessed Maria
Romero, a shining witness of his selfless love for all.
Remember your Church O Father
You gave Blessed Maria Romero an ardent faith and a
great love for the Church:
grant that our lives of prayer and the apostolate
may unite us ever more intimately to you, in faithful
fulfilment of the teaching of the Church.

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BLESSED MARIA ROMERO 265
You gave Sister Maria wise intuitions and a courageous
spirit of enterprise in charitable work:
multiply in the Church of today initiatives of soli-
darity and witnesses to your love as a Father.
In Sister Maria Romero you have given us a shining
example of Eucharistic ardour and evangelising
passion:
help us to draw from the table of the Eucharist the
shength to proclaim with credibility the Gospel of
Christ, especially to the young.
In Blessed Maria Romero you "did great things" be-
cause of her unconditional trust in the intercession
of Mary Most Holy:
make us too capable of recognising the presence of
Mary our mother who loves and cares for all her
children.
You who have care for all your children and are close as
a Father to those who suffer on account of poverty,
marginalisation and sickness :
grant that we may imitate Sister Maria in the service
of the poor and those who suffer.
Our Father.
Pnnyt,n
O God, Father of all consolation, who show your
people the signs of your goodness and mercy, grant to
us, that through the intecession of the virgin Blessed
Maria [Romero], we too may console those in any kind
of trial and on the day ofjudgement be numbered among
the blessed. Through Our Lord.

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266 pRoPER oFFICES
Evening Prayer
Scruprunr READINc
Rm 8,28'30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.
SHonr nBspoNsonv
R. God has chosen her * He chose her before she was
bom.
God has chosen her. He chose her before she was born.
Y. He brought her to live in his own dwelling place,
* He chose her before she was born.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
God has chosen her. He chose her before she was born.
Ant. At the Magn. Anything you did for the least of
these who are mine you did for me.
Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
INmncessroNs
We pray to God the Father, author of every plan of ho-
liness, that he may point out to us the path to holiness
he has chosen for us.
Guide us O Lord in your ways.
In Blessed Sister Maria Romero you have given us a
model of holiness inspired by the apostolic charity of

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BLESSEDMARIAROMERO 267
Saint John Bosco and of Saint Mary DomenicaMaz-
zarello'.
grant that following her example we may be faithful
to our Salesian vocation with a holy life full of love.
Give to your Church the strength of your Spirit,
so that through the guidance of holy pastors and the
witness of consecrated persons it may continue to
give birth to saints in every part of the world.
Give to missionaries the ardour of charity you gave to
Sister Maria,
to respond to the demands of evangelisation and to
build your Kingdom.
Give to educators humility and patient dedication,
to recognise the signs with which you continue to
show your love and your call to the young.
To those who are poor and to those aftlicted by any kind
of suffering
grant that they may experience in Christian solidar-
ity a reflection of your fatherly love.
You who have welcomed Blessed Maria Romero to your
wedding feast, with all the holy virgins,
admit the faithful departed to the wedding feast of
eternal life.
Our Father.
Pnnygn
O God, Father of all consolation, who show your
people the signs of your goodness and mercy, grant to
us, that through the intecession of the virgin Blessed
Maria [Romero], we too may console those in any kind
of trial and on the day ofjudgement be numbered among
the blessed. Through Our Lord.

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2 August
Blessed AUGUSTUS CZARTORYSKI,
priest
Optional memorial
Augustus Czartoryski was born in Paris in exile on 2 August
1858. For about 30 years his family with historical and dynastic
ties to Poland had been emigrants in France.
When he was six his mother died from tuberculosis: a sad
legacy his mother left her son. When the first symptoms appeared,
a long forced pilgrimage began forAugustus to different countries
in search ofthe good heath which he never recovered. But health
was not the main concern of his search; in his youthful heart there
was also a more important search tlat for his vocation.
Great influence was exercised on the young prince by his tutor
Joseph Kalinowski, a Carmelite, canonised by John Paul II in
I 991 . He was Czartoryski's tutor for only three yean ( I 87zt- l 877),
but he left a great impression on him.
The decisive even! however, was a meeting with Don Bosco.
August was already 25 years of age when he met him for the first
time. That was in Paris, in the Hotel Lambert, where he was liv-
ing with his family. After this meeting, Augustus not only felt
strengthened in his vocation to religious life but he had the firm
conviction that he was called to become a Salesian. In 1887 he
entered the novitiate, under the guidance of the Master of Novices
Fr Giulio Barberis. On 24 November that same year he was
clothed in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians by Don Bosco.
The saint died two months later, and on his tomb at Valsalice
Prince Czartoryski became a Salesian making his religious pro-
fession. Prepared by his sufferings, on 2 April 1892 he was or-
dained priest at Sanremo by Blessed Bishop Tommaso Reggio
bishop of Ventimiglia.
Fr Augustus's life as a priest lasted scarcely a year, which he
passed inAlassio, in a room overlooking the boys'playground' He
died there on the evening of 8 April 1893, sitting in the armchair
Don Bosco had used. He body was taken to Poland and buried in
the parish crypt at Sieniawa, beside his family's tombs. Later his

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BLESSED AUGUSTUS CZARTORYSKI 269
remains were moved to the Salesian church in PrzemySl, where
they are still to be found today. Pope John Paul II beatified him in
Rome in St Peter's Square on 24 April 2004.
From the Common of saints: for religious. or from
the Common of pastors; psalms o.f the day as in the
Ordinan.
OIfice of readings
SpcoNo READTNC
From the "Biographies of Salesians" by Fr.Giovanni
Battista Francesia
(Salesian Press and Bookshop, San Benigno Canavese 1896;
Positio, Sumnarium documentorum udditum, pp.204-205)
Here I havefound angels
As soon as he arrived at San Benigno, like a poor
shipwrecked mariner escaped from the perils of the sea
he introduced himself to the Rector and confided every-
thing to him. Then almost afraid that they would show
too much respect in his regard which he wished to avoid
he told his Superior that he should give him orders with-
out any difliculty in anything. "Certainly I need al-
lowances to be made for me since when one has lived in
the world one brings certain defects with one which on-
ly with time can be eradicated. You, however, can help
me, and I hope that I shall be able to succeed". [t was not
only on his first arrival that he spoke in this way with fa-
miliarity and confidence with his new spiritual director,
but whenever he felt it appropriate or when he felt the
need. And then wishing really to die to the world to give
himself totally to the Lord, he could say in all truth the
words of St Bemard: "Here I have found angels, while
everywhere else I only came across mell".

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270 PRoPER oFFICES
For him everything was the subject for study and im-
itation. Determined to free his heart from everything that
was not God and for his greater glory he placed all his
trust in his spiritual director. Fully aware that the secu-
rity of a building depends on good foundations, and that
a fervent novitiate is a sure sign of a religious and holy
life, he determined with great resolve to do everything
immediately and well. He worried slightly in remem-
bering the comforts he had left behind, and experienc-
ing the austerities of religious life for real. Often he
heard a voice saying to him: "You poor thing, what have
you done? Will you be able to put up with this kind of
life? You are no longer young, you have never been ac-
customed to this noise which is part of Salesian life! You
will manage for a few days, but then this common life
will ruin you. Wouldn't it have been better for you to
stay at home with father, aunt, and your brothers? Who
could have stopped you doing good, and in the best way
you could? And now here, among people you don't
know, who in a short time will forget how much they
owe to you...".
In this and other ways, the devil tempter tried to
make BrAugustus regret what he had done. But he, con-
vinced that the path to heaven is strewn with many tribu-
lations and thorns tried to forget completely what he had
been in the world in order to begin to be what he in-
tended to become. First of all he asked that he be called
by his simple surname. Since his Superiors had agreed
that he should rather be called BrAugustus, he thanked
them, because in this way he would have another reason
almost not to remember his family. And this total self-
sacrifice was so resolute and all-embracing, that even
those who were more advanced on the path of virtue
were amazed. His attitude was indeed admirable from

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BLESSED AUGUSTUS CZARTORYSKI 27I
the first day he entered. He requested that no exceptions
be made on his account, and he followed the common
rule saying that it would cause him some distress if
some day it were possible to say of him that he had ben-
efited from exceptions being made for him. It was Don
Bosco who expressed the wish that on account of his
poor health he should be at the Superiors'table. But for
good Br Augustus this preference proved a real school
of perfection. "Nothing better could have happened, he
used to say, than to have these models of every virtue
constantly before my eyes. May the good Lord help me
to draw profit from it".
RrspoNsonv Cf. Psalm 70,17;74,2;88,1; Is 49,2
R. God has taught me from my youth: * I shall recount
his wonderful deeds
Y. He hid me in the shadow of his hand
R. I shall recount his wonderful deeds.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Scnrprunr REaorNc
Rm l2,l-2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you
whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.

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272 PRoPER oFFrcES
SuoRr RpspoNsonv
R. The law ofGod guides him, * his mind is fixed on God.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
V. His steps will never falter
x his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. My good is the Lord,
generous to the one who hopes in him.
Iutr, nc'n,ssroNS
At the beginning of this new day, on the memorial of
BlessedAugustus Czartoryski, let us raise to God our
Father our praise and our petitions:
Strengthen O Father thefidelity ofyour children.
With the grace which comes from you O Father, you
call the ministers of the Church to work with pa-
tience in love:
grant courage and perseverance to those you have
called to work for the Kingdom.
You call men and women to follow you more closely
through the profession ofthe evangelical counsels:
grant that in fidelity to the Gospel and to the charism
of the Founders they may make their communities a
living sign of the love of Christ.
In Blessed Augustus Czartoryski you have given us a
model of total obedience to your call:
grant that imitating his example, we may love and
serve Christ in the young we meet on our journey.

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BLESSED AUGUSTUS CZARTORYSKI 273
In Blessed Augustus you have given us an example of
poverty and detachment from the things of the world:
help consecrated persons to live and bear witness to
the evangelical counsels.
You made him a model for the young in the search for
their vocation:
make us capable of helping in their discernment
those who come to seek our advice.
Our Father.
Pnavnn
Almighty and merciful God, who called the priest
Blessed Augustus to follow you Son, who being rich
made himself poor, grant that encouraged by his exam-
ple and docile to the action of the Holy Spirit we may
humbly serve you in needy young people. Through Our
Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with
you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and
ever.
Evening Prayer
ScnrpruRr READING
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.

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274 PRoPER oFFrcES
SgoRt tgspoNsoRv
R. The Lord is good; * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Y* .hHe ilsovfaecsegiosotdurdneeeddst.owards the upright man.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Ant. At the Magn. You have left all things and followed
me; you will be repaid a hundred times over, and gain
eternal life.
INrBncEssroNs
At the close of this day with humble confidence we
address our prayer to God our Father who calls all his
children to holiness:
Santify yourfamily O Lord.
You have established the Church as your holy and sin-
less people:
grant that with a faith which is pure and spotless, we
make recognise and bear witness to your love in the
practical circumstances of life and of history.
You accompany the whole human race on its journey:
grant that by corresponding to the plan of creation, it
may collaborate in the human development of every
culture, and release the potential enclosed within na-
ture for the holistic development of every individual.
You led Blessed Augustus to give himself to you, at the
school of Saint John Bosco:
grant that we too may be faithful to the charism of
our Founder.

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BLESSED AUGUSTUS CZARTORYSKI 275
You gave Blessed Augustus a deep interior life:
grant that we make of our lives a pleasing sacrifice
acceptable to you.
The life of Blessed Augustus is resplendent with the
practice ofpoverly and the courageous acceptance
of his illness:
through his intercession, grant that we may accept
with faith the trials of every day.
To the faithful departed who worked with total dedica-
tion in the service oftheir brothers and sisters:
grant the reward promised by your Son to the good
and faithful servant.
Our Father.
PRavrR
Almighty and merciful God, who called the priest
Blessed Augustus to follow you Son, who being rich
made himself poor, grant that encouraged by his exam-
ple and docile to the action of the Holy Spirit we may
humbly serve you in needy young people. Through Our
Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with
you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and
ever.

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26 August
Blessed ZEPHYRINUS NAMUNCURA
Optional memorial
Zephyrinus Namuncur6 was bom on 26August 1886 at Chim-
pay, on the banks of the Rio Negro, in Patagonia (Argentina). He
was baptised on 24 December 1888 by the Salesian missionary Fr.
Domenico Milanesio. His father Manuel, the last of the great
'chiefs' ofthe Araucano Indian tribe, had had to surrender three
years before to the forces ofthe Argentine Republic.
A good-natured child, obedient to his parents, Zephyrinus
spent his childhood in a peaceful rural setting. At eleven years of
age his father Manuel sent Zephyrinus to study in BuenosAires,
at the Pius IX Salesian College, so than one day he could defend
his people.
The family atmosphere in the Salesian College made him fall
in love with Don Bosco. The spiritual dimension grew in him
and he began to want to become a Salesian to bring the gospel to
his people. He chose Dominic Savio as his model, and in the
course offive years, through the extraordinary efforts he made to
fit into a totally new culture, he himself became another Dominic
Savio. He was exemplary in his piety, charity, daily duties, prac-
tice of mortification.
In 1903 (he was sixteen and a halfand his father had been
baptised at eighty years ofage) Bishop Cagliero accepted him
among the group of aspirants at Viedma, the capital of the Mc-
ariateApostolic, in this way beginning his path to the priesthood.
Because ofhis poor health, the Salesian Bishop decided to
take Zephyrinus to Italy so that he could pursue his studies more
seriously and in a climate which seemed more suitable. In Italy
he met Don Michael Rua and Pope Pius X, who blessed him with
emotion. He went to school in Turin and afterwards in the Sale-
sian College of Villa Sora, in Frascati. He studied with such
commitment that he was second in class.
But an illness not diagnosed in time, since he never com-
plained, undermined him: tuberculosis. On 28 March 1905 he
was taken to the Hospital of the John of God Brothers on the
Tiber Island in Rome. Too late. He died there peacefully on

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BLESSED ZEPTTYRINUS NAMI.JNCURA 277
ll May. Since 1924 his mortal remains have rested in his own
country, at Fortin Mercedes, where crowds of pilgrims gather to
venerate him.
He was beatified on I I November 2(X)7 at Chimpay, his birth
place in the pontificate of Benedict XVI.
From the Common of saints. Psalms of the day as in the
Ordinarv.
Oflice of readings
SEc'oNo READINC
From the letter ofZephyrinus to the Pro-VicarApostolic
of Patagonia, after his audience with Pope Pius X on
27 September 1904
(Vicente Maftinez Torrens, "Ceferino Namuncurà.
Vida. escritos e imàgenes". Ed. AHSP. pp.124-127)
The precious and holy memot), o./ the Vicar of Christ,
w'ho represenls Jesus himsel/'on earth
<<On 27 September His Excellency Mons. Giovanni
Cagliero was granted an audience with H.H. Pius X with
thirty other Superiors from the Salesian Houses inAmer-
ica and among them 'the son of the King of the Patag-
onian lands'(as the Roman newspapers are saying).
At half past ten in the moming we had the greatest
joy ofkneeling at the feet of Christ'sVicar on earth.I had
the good fortune to be the first, after Monsignore and
Don Marengo, to kiss the sacred ring of His Holiness.
Ah, my most beloved father, if you had been present at
that moment you would have been able to understand
the goodness of the Holy Father! He did not allow
anyone to kiss his foot. To everyone, one by one, the
venerable hand. He continued to pat me on the cheek.
Oh, how loving the holy old man of the Vatican!

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278 PRoPER oFFrcES
After we had all saluted the Holy Man, the Holy Fa-
ther himself signed to me to begin my little speech, since
Mons. Cagliero had already informed him before that
I would say a few words in ltalian. When I began I be-
came numb, but halfway through my address I began to
shake all over, my legs and my hands started to tremble,
my voice stuck in my throat. When I knelt down to ask
H.H. a blessing for myself, for my family and for all the
Indians of Patagonia, my shaking increased and tears fell
from my eyes; in the end I managed to finish well.
How attentively the Holy Father listened to me! He
didn't even want to sit on the throne. Monsignore said
this to him and he replied: 'I'm fine standing up. Let me
be.'Don't you see how good he is? When I had finished,
he himself lifted me up and spoke to me replying to
what I had said; and here I shall tell you exactly what
he said to me in Italian. I shall translate it into Spanish
because I am still not able to do it in Italian. But I can
speak it well enough.
Here then the words of the Holy Father: 'Well done
my son, I thank you because you speak so well of the
Vicar of Christ. God grant that you can achieve what
you say: to convert to Jesus all your brothers and sisters
in Patagonia. And I on my part with all my heart give
you my apostolic blessing. Tell your papà that the Holy
Father blesses him and his family and all the people of
his tribe. May God bless you my son.'
While he was saying these affectionate words I could
not hold back my tears. Oh how kind is the Holy Fa-
ther!
After he had said these words to me he spoke to
everyone in general, thanking them for the filial en-
counter and he gave his holy and apostolic blessing. (...)
After H.H. had given his blessing, Monsignore gave him

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BLESSED ZEPHYRINUSNAMIJNCURA 279
the plans of the new church of Saint Charles (Bs. As.)
and asked him to write on the plans in his own hand the
holy blessing. Full of kindness the old man, with the
smile of a saint, of a kind father to his children, replied
with all the love of his heart: 'Yes, certainly. And in the
meantime all of you come forward.'
And we immediately went into another room, his
study, and we gathered around him in a circle. Mons
Cagliero sat on his left, and all the rest were standing.
While H.H. was writing, Monsignore said to him: 'How
good you are Holy Father!'and H.H. replied: 'For these
my children ...'. As well as being the affectionate Holy
Father he was also very cheerful.
Then came the best and the most precious thing. AÈ
ter he had put his signature on the plans, Mons. Cagliero
gave him a letter from the novices and aspirants from
Patagones, saying to him: 'Holiness, here is a letter from
the novices and aspirants from Patagonia, and they are
asking Your Holiness to send them your holy blessing.'
His Holiness immediately took the letter and without
reading it immediately wrote his precious autograph,
imparting his holy blessing on all the Superiors and
young men in the novitiate in Patagones. (...)
Continuing: we all went forward to kiss the Sacred
Ring of the Fisherman, to bid farewell. (...)
Then we were all leaving. All the priests had already
gone out and I was left behind: the Bishop who was with
H.H. called to me and said: 'His Holiness is calling
you.'I turned and he took me to the writing table of the
Holy Father who was sitting and looking for something.
I knelt down in front of H.H. and joined my hands. At
last H.H. took a fine box containing a silver medal: on
one side it had a bust of H.H. Pius X and on the other,
himself pointing out to the faithful the Immaculate

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280 PRopER oFFrcES
Virgin Mary. In other words the commemoration of his
pontificate and the Immaculate.
I kissed his hand again and he again patted me on
the cheek.I thanked him and he gave me a sweet smile.
I left the room happier than I can say for the beautiful
gift; more than beautiful, the precious and holy memory
of the Vicar of Christ who represents Jesus himself on
earth».
Rsspousony Cf. Psalm 70.17' 14,2;88, I ; Is 49,2
R. God has taught me from my youth: * I shall recount
his wonderful deeds.
Y. He hid me in the shadow of his hand:
R. I shall recount his wonderful deeds.
Concluding prayer as at Moming Prayer.
Morning Prayer
ScnrpruRE ReeorNc
Rm 12, l-2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
yoìr very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattem of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you
whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.
Suonr RpspoNsony
R. The law ofGod guides him, *his mind is fixed on God.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.

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BLESSED ZEPHYRINUS NAMUNCURA 28 I
Y. His steps will never falter
x his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. The man who lives by the futh comes
out into the light: so that it may be plainly seen that what
he does is done in God.
INrt,nt'usstoNS
Let us raise our prayer to God the Father, who in his
merciful love has chosen to reveal the mysteries of
his Kingdom to the little ones and the poor, and let us
say:
O Father hear our prayer.
You entrusted to the Church the mission of bringing the
light of the Gospel to all the peoples on the earth:
grant that she may be ever more missionary, clearly
showing that you hear the cry of your children espe-
cially those who suffer on account of injustice.
Through your Spirit, you placed in the heart of Zephyri-
nus the desire: "I want to study to be useful to my
people":
grant that we may place our talents at the service of
others, loving our family, the young and our people,
becoming like Zephyrinus, models of faith even in
difficulties and with our crosses.
Blessed Zephyrinus greatly loved his family and his
people:
we pray forall families, so that they may become real
schools of communion,living in truth and forgiving
each other.

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282 PRoPER oFFrcES
You gave the young Zephyrinus who wanted to love
everyone as Jesus did, a large heart;
- help us today to be disciples of your Son, evangelis-
ers of the young, working in fraternal communion
and giving his Word of salvation to everyone.
Through your Spirit you raised up in the Salesian Fam-
ily the wonderful gift of youthful holiness:
- grant that many young people may meet Jesus who
is calling them and follow him with a joyful and
chaste life at the service oftheir brothers and sisters.
Our Father.
Pnnyrn
O God, who in Blessed Zephyrinus has given to
young people a model of holiness, grant through his
intercession, that we too may collaborate in the coming
of your kingdom by carrying out with patience and love
the tasks of each day. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ
your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
ScnrprunE READTNG
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.

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BLESSED ZEPHYRINUS NAMIJNCURA 283
Sgonr nrspoNsoRv
R. The Lord is good; * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Y* .hHe ilsovfaecsegiosotdurdneeeddst.owards the upright man.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Ant. At the Magn. Let the children come to me; for
the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
INIEncEssroNs
We pray to God our Father the source of all holiness that
through the example and the intercession of the
Saints, we may walk in the path of holiness:
Make us holy as you are holy, Lord.
Father, you showed us in Jesus that there is no greater
love than to lay down one's life:
help us, so that like Blessed Zephyrinus, we may live
the commandment of love, doing well whatever is
our duty at every moment of the day.
God our Father who call us to live our faith in commu-
nity, and give us Mary as our model in responding to
your Word:
grant that feeling her motherly presence we may
joyfully do whatever Jesus tells us as did Blessed
Zephyrinus.
You cheer us with the triumph of the fusen Jesus over
sin and death:
help us to bear witness with joy to our faith and our
hope in the new life his Resurrection gives us.

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284 PRoPER oFFrcES
You who want all of us to be brothers and sisters and to
take care ofeach other:
help us, so that following the example of Blessed
Zephyrinus, we may see in all our neighbours broth-
ers and sisters and we may work together for recon-
ciliation, for universal brotherhood.
We pray, Father, for all missionaries who have given
their lives and have died for love of their people:
freed from their labours and life's sufferings, may
they find rest in your house, and in your Son Jesus
reach the fulness ofjoy.
Our Father.
PRavrn
O God, who in Blessed Zephyrinus has given to
young people a model of holiness, grant through his
intercession, that we too may collaborate in the coming
of your kingdom by carrying out with patience and love
the tasks ofeach day. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ
your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

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22 September
Blessed JOSEPH .
CALASAN4 MARQUES
and HENRY SAIZ APARICIO,
priests and companions, martyrs
Memorial
On numerous occasions the Roman Martyrology refers to
bishops, priests, religious men and women and lay faithful,
women and men who during the Spanish persecution of the
Church were crowned «by a glorious martyrdom», <«who deserve
to carry the palm of victory before almighty God» and to «take
part in the etemal wedding feast with Christ their Spouse», ob-
taining <<the crown of glory for having borne witness to Christ».
The expressions which are read on 22 September also introduce
the memorial of the Salesian martyrs.
On 18 July 1936 the civil war broke out in Spain, accompa-
nied at times by religious persecution. Lairy religious and priests
were imprisoned and killed for their religious faith; among these
95 members of the Salesian Family: 39 priests, 22 clei,cs,24
brothers, 2 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, 4 Salesians-
Cooperators, 3 Salesian aspirants and one lay helper. All ofthem
gave their lives for their faith in Christ between July 1936 and
April 1938.
There were two Causes which led to the recognition of their
martyrdom: that of the group from Valencia - 32 martyrs - led
by Fr Joseph Calasanz Marqués (t 29 July 1936), beatified on
I I March 2001 in Rome; and the group from Seville and Madrid
- 63 martyrs - led by Fr Henry S6iz Aparicio, who offered his
life in exchange for those ofthe young people who had been
entrusted to him by Divine Providence, beatihed in St Peter's
Square on Sunday 28 October 2007 among a group of498 mar-
tyrs from the persecution in Spain.
They died giving an example of fidelity to their Christian
faith and their Salesian vocation, trusting in God and forgiving
their killers.

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286 PRopER oFFrcES
From the Common of martyrs: for several martyrs
Psalms of the day as in the Ordinary.
Office of readings
SpcoNo READTNG
From the <<Letters»> of Blessed José Calasanz, Jaime
Ortiz and, Julio Junyer
(Posilio super martyrio servorum Dei Josephi Calasanz et sociorum,
i* e
r nformatiopp. r ol r #3Tio1
or,r^, pp. 204-205)
We have put our trast in God,
in the protection of Mary Help of Christians
and of Don Bosco
From his confinement in the Valencia prison the
Provincial Fr José Calasanz, wrote to Fr Peter Rical-
done, Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation,
briefly informing him of the situation in which he found
himself: «<Just a few lines to give you news about some
and myself, since about the others it is not possible. We
were in our house in Valencia for the retreat and we
intended to finish today. Although a general strike had
been called on Monday we spent the whole day and part
of the night peacefully, but starting at one in the morn-
ing shots could be heard outside our house, and they
became more intense and started to break our windows.
Afterwards we learned that from nightfall they had
surrounded the house.
You can imagine the deep shock and even the fear
with which we all hastily got up especially since we did-
n't have a single weapon in the house with which to de-
fend ourselves, even if we had tried to do so; but without
any kind of weapon what could we do? To give shength

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BLESSED JOSEPH CALASANZ AND COMPS. 287
to our souls and to prevent any profanation, some went
into church to get the Blessed Sacrament and we received
communion, consuming all the consecrated hosts.
About five in the morning and fully convinced that
we would not be able to defend ourselves not having
any arrns, they attacked our house, destroying whatev-
er they found, and arrived where we were all gathered
together. According to our calculations there must have
been more than two hundred attackers carrying all kinds
of arms and even poles: they searched us and locked us
in a room. Afterwards they gave us to understand that
they intended to kill us. Shortly afterwards the police
force arrived who we had been calling for urgently all
night, from the time we heard the first shots.
We thought that these forces, that we had asked for,
had come to our help, but what in fact happened was
that they took all of us (37 of our own and 5 employees)
to this prison in Valencia, from where I am writing, and
I don't know in what capacity: someone told me as
government prisoners, even being accused, I believe of
having fired shots, which is quite false since, as I have
already said, we didn't even have a simple weapon in
the house.
I don't know how long they will keep us here: God
knows whether it will be for days or for weeks; even
less do I know what sort of death may be awaiting us.
However, our trust is placed in God and in the protection
of Mary Help of Christians and of our Father Saint John
Bosco: nor do we doubt your blessing and your prayers
and those ofthe other superiors and confreres. You can
imagine how painful it is not being able to send news
about a single house: we cannot communicate among
ourselves, and items of news about this uprising are con-
tradictory. In the hope that this letter can be sent soon,

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288 PROPER OFFICES
I conclude, recommending us to your prayers and asking
your blessing».
Also the Salesian Brother Jaime Ortiz, weeks before
his death wrote two letters to his mother from which we
draw the following sentiments: «Perhaps God Our Lord
has allowed this state of affairs so that we don't fall
asleep, so that we might work with fresh energy, so that
we might seek only His greater glory and not our well-
being... not everything happens as we would like or as
seems best to us. Certainly God Our Lord will draw the
greatest good in this way, more than in any other and
for this reason he has allowed this apparent failure [...].
You will certainly be worried about what might hap-
pen to us if the atrocities of the last few days continue...
We are continuing to work normally, the Salesians and
the boys, calmly, withoutworrying too much aboutwhat
might happen to us. I mean without letting ourselves be
overcome by pessimism... and we shall see how much
the Lord wants to test us... Pray that we may love our
vocation a bit more and that we may contribute, as far as
possible, to the greater glory of Christ the King».
On his part the priest Julio Junier wrote to his cousin
a few hours before his death: «My Dear Paco: the last
day of my life has come and to you and to all the fami-
ly I address my final greetings, which should be an em-
brace. I shall wait for you in heaven, where I hope to
arrive through the mercy of God. I am dying innocent;
and I offer my life to the Lord for the good of the Church
and of Spain. As far as my parents are concerned, your
good sense will tell you what to do. With all my heart
I forgive the judges who are condemning me and I par-
don them. Nothing else, Paco. I ask aunt Salvadora just
to be resigned and to be conformed to the will of God.
Pray for me and until we meet again in heaven».

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BLESSED JOSEPH CALASANZ AND COMPS. 289
RespoNsony
Wisdom 3,9;4,15
R. God looks on, his angels look on, Christ, too, looks
on as we struggle and strive in the contest of faith: *
What great dignity and glory are ours what happiness to
join battle in the presence of God, and to be crowned
by Christ, the Judge!
V. Let us be armed with great determination and be pre-
pared to face the combat, pure in heart, sound in faith,
and full of courage:
R. What great dignity and glory are ours what happi-
ness to join battle in the presence of God, and to be
crowned by Christ, the Judge!
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
ScRtpruRE READTNC
2 Cor 1,3-5
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom
all help comes; he helps us in all our troubles, so that we
are able to help those who have all kinds of troubles,
using the same help that we ourselves have received
from God. Just as we have a share in Christ's many suf-
ferings, so also through Christ we share in his great help.
SHonr nEspoNsony
R. These were holy men * they will live for ever.
These were holy men. They will live for ever.
Y. The Lord himself is their reward:
* they will live for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
These were holy men they will live for ever.

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290 PRoPER oFFrcES
Ant. At the Ben. Blessed are those who are persecuted
in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
INrrncrssroNs
ln union with the Blessed mar§rs Joseph Calasanz, Hen-
ry Silizand companions, who gave their lives for love
of Christ, let us celebrate and invoke our Saviour:
You redeemed us by your precious blood, O Lord.
Through your martyrs O Lord, who embraced death in
witness to their faith,
grant us in the trials of life a faith that is pure and
coherent.
Christ our Lord you gave your martyrs the strength to
follow you on the way of the cross,
grant a that we may face up to the sufferings and
crosses in our lives uniting ourselves to your re-
deeming passion.
During the violent persecution of the Church the Sale-
sian Spanish martyrs, crowned with the glories of
martyrdom were found worthy to carry the palm of
victory before God Almighty:
- grant O Lord that all Christians may be always
courageous witnesses to you and to your Church
before the world, even in persecution.
Our Blessed martyrs faced death putting their trust in
God, in Mary Help of Christians and in their father
Don Bosco:
grant that we too O Lord, may always place our trust
in you, in all the circumstances of life sustained by
the intercession of Mary Help of Christians and of
St John Bosco.
Our Father.

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BLESSED JOSEPH CALASANZ AND COMPS 291
Pnaygn
Almighty and eternal God, who gave to the priests
and martyrs Blessed Joseph [Calasanz] and Henry
[Sàiz], and their companions martyrs the grace to share
in the passion of Christ, come to the aid of our weak-
ness; and as they did not hesitate to die for you, grant
also to us that we may live courageously in confessing
your name. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
ScRtpruns READING
lpt 4,13-14
My dear people, if you can have some share in the
sufferings of Christ, be glad, because you will enjoy a
much greater gladness when his glory is revealed. It is
a blessing for you when they insult you for bearing the
name of Christ, because it means that you have the spirit
of glory the spirit of God resting on you.
SHonr np,spotvsony
R. Rejoice in the Lord: * Let the just shout for joy.
Rejoice in the Lord:: Let the just shout for joy
Y. Let the upright sing praise;
* Let thejust shout forjoy
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Rejoice in the Lord: Let the just shout for joy
Ant. At the Magn. The saints who followed in the foot-
steps of Christ, rejoice in heaven. They gave their life
for love of Christ; therefore, they will reign with him
for ever.

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292 PRoPER oFFICES
INrpRcessroNs
Let us give thanks to the king of marlyrs for this is the
hour when he offered himself in the last supper and
laid down his life on the cross.
We praise you Christ the Lord.
We praise you Christ our saviour example and strength
of the martyrs because you have loved us to the end:
grant that we may live our Christian vocation with
fidelity and respond to your love by giving ourselves.
With the shedding of their blood the martyrs imitated
the passion of Christ,
through their intercession unite us with your passion,
which continues in the oppressed, the marginalised
and all who suffer.
Our Blessed Spanish martyrs - Salesians, Daughters of
Mary Help of Christians, Cooperators - gave their
lives in fidelity to Christ and to the Church:
grant O Lord that all the members of the Salesian
Family, may in every circumstance of life show their
love for Christ and the Church, faithful to the teach-
ing of Don Bosco.
O Lord you associated the blessed marlyrs with your re-
deeming death:
grant that we may make our own the prayer of one of
these your martyrs: «Perhaps God Our Lord has al-
lowed this state of affairs so that we don't fall asleep,
so that we might work with fresh energy, so that we
might seek only His greater glory».
We entrust to you O Lord our brothers and sisters who
have left this world:
may they enjoy your kingdom of light and peace, in
the company of the saints.
Our Father.

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BLESSED JOSEPH CALASANZ AND COMPS. 293
Pnavrn
Almighty and eternal God, who gave to the priests
and martyrs Blessed Joseph [Calasanz] and Henry
[Sàiz], and their companions martyrs the grace to share
in the passion of Christ, come to the aid of our weak-
ness; and as they did not hesitate to die for you, grant
also to us that we may live courageously in confessing
your name. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

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5 October
Blessed ALBERT MARVELLI
Optional memorial
Albert Marvelli was bom at Ferrara on 2l March 1918, into
a family which was a true domestic church; he lived and grew up
in Rimini, where his family had moved to. He made a constant
effort to lead his life according to Christian values. In this he was
greatly helped by the Salesian Oratory especially after his father
died and the heavy responsibility of caring for his family fell
on his shoulders, as he became almost a second father for his
brothers and sister.
His Diary written between 1933 and 1946 shows us the deep-
est motivations for his work of evangeliSation especially since we
can directly enter into his most intimate relationship with God.
In fact the diary begins with a profound encounter with the Lord,
the result of an unexpected illumination which was to colour
hi short life: "The way of perfection is difficult, I know, but with
the help of Jesus nothing is impossible" (Diary 1935).
Albert was a strong and active man who meditated on how to
become holy in the practical circumstances of everyday life. In
1941 he writes: "I want my life to be a continuous act of love
(...). Love which is faith, love which is charity, apostolate, sense
of duty, the desire to become a saint". It was the Eucharist that
nourished this energy. "My whole being", he writes in his notes,
"is filled with the love of God, in so far as He comes to me with
his body, with his soul and makes divine all my body, my
thoughts, my actions, my words".
This intimacy with God, reached precisely through the Eu-
charist, makes Albert open up to others, recognising the deep in-
justices, the sins, the miseries of his own times. His commitment
is extraordinary and never ceases. The fervour ofhis charity is
apparent and is seen in the careful attention he gives to peoples'
problems. During the second world war Marvelli was always the
first to help the troops, those in need, the refugees.
He was an active force in the ecclesiastical, social and polit-
ical life of the city. He served Christ in the poor with fervent
love. In his apostolate he was active on many fronts.

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BLESSED ALBERT MARVELLI 295
Knocked down by a military vehicle he died on October 1956.
He was beatified by John Paul II on 5 September 2004, at
Loreto, on the occasion ofa great Congress ofltalian Catholic
Action.
From the Common of saints: for a saint noted for works
of mercy. Psolms of the day as in the Ordinary.
Office of readings
SscoNo READTNG
From the "Diary" of BlessedAlbert Marvelli
(Diory and Letters. The spirituolity oJ a Cotholic lay mon,
ed. F. Lanfranchi. San Paolo. Cinisello B. (MI) 2005, possim)
Becoming saints being truly sensitive to the spiritual,
political, social, religious circnmstances
I have set myself a goal today to be reached at all
costs with the help of God. Ahigh, sublime, radiant, pre-
cious, long desired goal, but so far never reached. To be
a saint, an apostle, charitable, studious, pure, strong.
Never a moment's idleness. It this presumptuous per-
haps? Perhaps I believe I am strong enough to succeed?
You know O Lord,I can do nothing by myself.
Whenever I go to Holy Communion, whenever Jesus
in his Divinity and Humanity enters into me, comes
in contact with my soul, there is a kindling of holy
resolutions, it is like a fire that burns, which enters into
my heart, a flame that burns and consumes but which
makes me so happy. Then I give myself up totally to
an intimate conversation with Jesus; my human nature
disappears I might say, there close to him. Jesus lives
in me, Jesus is in my heart; Jesus leaves heaven to enter
my most unworthy body. Jesus, give me your will, your
firmness of resolution, your immense love for men and

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296 PRoPER oFFICES
their miseries, your total and supematural sense of the
apostolate. Jesus has wrapped me in his light, he has
surrounded me, I see only Him, I think only of Him; the
whole surrounding world disappears, one is alone with
Him, one asks Him to make those moments last longer,
that we may never lose sight of Him, that He may al-
ways be present to us to remind us of our duty.
It's useless pretending to want to be saints, to want to
be apostles, to appearto be active workers if one does not
meditate, if one chases after every thought, even frivo-
lous ones, if one is not capable of being more truly
recollected, with a good critical sense of observation, a
capacity for personal reflection in examining problems,
being really sensitive to all the spiritual, political, social,
religious phenomena taking place round about us.
How have these years passed by for me? What
progress have I made in the spiritual life? Have the
events, the sorrows, the sufferings, the sacrifices, the
joys been able to teach me anything, enabled my faith,
hope and charity to grow? In other words have I made
progress or have I stayed were I was, or worse, have
I become worse? I want to examine to the depths my
life in these years, its current spiritual state, I want to
make a careful and meticulous examination of con-
science, so necessary after all this time. I want to get
used again to reflecting, thinking, meditating, since
unfortunately I feel that the intense activity of these last
years has been at the expense of my interior life.
All the ideas come from others, it would appear that
I am doing everything, and I'm doing nothing, I give
the impression ofbeing active, worthy of imitation, and
I go about pointlessly, going around here and there like
a wind-mill without getting anywhere. I don't give qual-
ity to my activities, I seem detached from them, even

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BLESSEDALBERTMARVELLI 297
though I want to live for them. Perhaps I have too much
professional work, material worries for the present and
the future? I have to get used to looking carefully at
everything, to studying, meditating, rethinking. The
Lord has given me an intelligence, a will, a reason: well
then, I have to use them, exercise them, make them
function. If they are not used they get rusty and they end
up being ofno use.
RsspoNsonv
Prov 23,26;1,9;5,1
R. My son give me yoìr heart, and let your heart de-
light in my ways: * you will become a perfect man.
Y. Pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my
words of insight
R. you will become a perfect man.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
ScnrpruRr Rneonc
Rm 12,1-2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you
whole nature thus hansformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.
Snonr nrspoNsor.v
R. The law ofGod guides him, * his mind is fxed on God.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.

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298 PRoPER oFFrcES
Y. His steps will never falter
* his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. If there is love among you, then all
will know that you are my disciples.
INtpRC essroNS
The liturgy of moming prayer invites us to offer to God,
the source of all blessings, that song which rises to
the Trinity through our life. Supported by the inter-
cession of Blessed Albert Marvelli, we present our
invocations:
You are holy Lord God of life.
In every age you give to the Church men and women
who are capable of living heroic lives:
support us on our daily path among the difficulties of
every day.
Society needs people who, like Blessed Albert, devote
themselves to the common good:
enlighten those who work in the political, social and
humanitarian fields.
Being concerned for the poor, the excluded, the sick,
the marginalised of every kind needs openness of
heart:
bless all those to devote themselves to alleviating the
trials of our brothers and sisters most in need.
The vitality of the Church is also shown in the different
kinds of associations and movements:
make the good actions of those who form part of
them with a spirit of service truly effective

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BLESSED ALBERT MARVELLI 299
Lay spirituality needs holy educators who know how to
lead people to an evangelical life and to the reception
in the sacraments:
give to your Church and to society conscientious
educators and pastors who know how to celebrate
the divine mysteries.
Our Father.
PRavsn
O God, source of life and holiness, who gave to
Blessed Albert an ardent love for the poor and enabled
him to fulfil his social responsibilities with an evangel-
ical spirit, through his intercession, grant that, while ap-
preciating wisely the good things of this world, we may
cultivate with generosity the service of all our brothers
and sisters. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
ScnrpruR.E READING
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.

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300 PRopER oFFrcES
Suonr nrspoNsony
R. The Lord is good; * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
V* .hHe ilsovfaecsegiosotdurdneeeddst.owards the upright man.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Ant. At the Magn. Anything you did for the least of
these who are mine, you did for me. Come you blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.
INrpRcsssroNs
At the close of this day we raise our prayers to God the
Father of mercy and source of holiness so that He
may grant us to live every day of our lives following
the example of BlessedAlbert Marvelli.
Hear us O Father source of all holiness.
Holy Father, in every age you give the Church men and
women generous in living their daily lives:
grant that the Christian community may know how
to profit from their example.
Holy Father, with the gift of your word and the sacra-
ments you invite us to follow our vocation with co-
herence:
may our response be active and fruitful.
Holy Father, each day you support our wavering steps
with signs of your providence:
may our mission always be placed at the service of
the poor and those suffering in body and in spirit.

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BLESSED ALBERT MARVELLI 3OI
Holy Father, it is with the gift of your word that you in-
vite us to follow with courage the path of holiness:
grant that by following the example of Blessed
Albert, listening to and meditating on the Gospel
may be our support.
Holy Fatheq welcome to the contemplation ofyour face
all the dead especially those who have sought you in
the needy face oftheir brothers and sisters:
may they experience the smiling embrace of your
infinite mercy.
Our Father.
PnavEn
O God, source of life and holiness, who gave to
Blessed Albert an ardent love for the poor and enabled
him to fulfil his social responsibilities with an evangel-
ical spirit, through his intercession, grant that, while ap-
preciating wisely the good things of this world, we may
cultivate with generosity the service of all our brothers
and sisters. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy
Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

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13 October
Blessed ALEXANDRINA
MARY DA COSTA
virgin
Optional memorial
Born on 30 March 1904 at Balasar, a small place in Portugal,
Alexandrina Maria da Costa was brought up in a Christian man-
ner by her Mamma. At seven years of age she attended elemen-
tary school for a year and a half. Lively, cheerful and physically
strong she began to work in the fields.
At 14 years of age something happened which would leave its
mark for the rest of her life: to escape from the attack of some evil
minded men she threw herself from the window. The conse-
quences were terrible, even though not immediate. Until she was
l9 she went to church, but the paralysis continued to advance and
the pain became unbearable. ln 1925 she took to her bed never to
get up again. Refusing to ask for a miraculous cure she believed
that it was her mission "to suffer, to love, to make reparation".
A great mystical union began with Jesus "prisoner" in all the
tabernacles of the world. In 1935 for the first time she heard Jesus
express his wish that the world be consecrated to the Immaculate
Heart of Mary. In 1938, every Friday Alexandrina relived with
visible signs and movements the various stages of the passion of
Jesus, while her sufferings increased as did the persecutions of
the devil. At this time Fr Mariano Pinho, a Jesuit, her spiritual
director, approached Pius XI directly to request the consecration
of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. When the request
for the consecration was accepted by Pius Xll in 1942, the Fri-
day visible passion stopped and another "sign" took its place:
during the last thirteen years of her life, Alexandrina did not take
any more food, living solely on the Eucharist.
ln 1944, at the invitation of the Salesian Fr Umberto
Pasquale, her new spiritual director, she became a Salesian
Cooperator. Thousands of visitors from all parts came to ask her
advice and prayers. Alexandrina died on 13 October 1955. She
was beatified by John Paul II on 25 Apil2004.

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BLESSED ALEXANDRINA MARY DA COSTA 303
From the Common ofvirgins. Psalms of the day as in the
Ordinary.
Office of readings
SEcoNo READTNG
From the "Diary" of Blessed Alexandrina Mary da
Costa, virgin
(cf . C. Auonrn, Behind a smile. Alexandrina Muria da Costu,
Cinisello Balsamo. Paoline Publications 1992. 112-115).
For a long time
in a profound act of thankgiving
While I was praying I did so with the intention of
being before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in all the
tabernacles of the world, remembering also to adore the
Most Holy Trinity present in my soul.
O my Jesus what happy moments! How well I felt!
I got up blind with pain and I went to the window:
I couldn't find the right position. The night was beauti-
ful. Everything slep! the house was silent. My whole be-
ing was dead. I looked at the heavens scintillating with
stars; the moon was aglow. I meditated on the beauty and
greatness of my Creator. Everything I gazed at was a
greater reason to wound my poor heart.
For a long time I remained in a profound act of
thanksgiving to heaven. I said to Jesus: <<I don't see you,
I don't hear you, but I know you are my Creator, and
when you created me you already knew that today
I would be standing here contemplating your greatness,
you already knew the lack of air I am feeling today (we
are in a sultry August) would need the wind that you
give me. An eternal thank you, my Jesus!»

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304 PRoPER OFFICES
The wind was strong: it seemed to shake everything.
It made me meditate on the horrors of hell, on the life
and on the torments of the damned.
Again I gazed at the heavens and the stars. I asked
Jesus to multiply millions and millions of times more
than the number of stars my acts of love for the taber-
nacles: I did not want him to be alone and I wanted him
to have there only love.
My soul continues to demand solitude. It is in the
shining ofthe stars and by the light of the moon that I all
alone set myself to meditate. I ask all the stars to love
Jesus for me.
In contemplating the heavens I say to him many
times: «<Jesus, I don't see you, but I know that you see
me. I don't feel that I love you, but I trust that you love
me. May you take delight in my suffering, may you be
consoled in my consolation. Heal the wound of your
divine heart with the pain that the expressions of your
greatness cause in mine».
In my great pain, in the most silent hours of the
night I go to contemplate the heavens. Everything is as
nothing, everything is dead for me. Only the greatness
of my Creator, his infinite power raised up my spirits,
but leaving me always in my littleness, in my profound
poverty.
Jesus, your homeland raises me up to you. I come out
of my own nothingness into the things that are yours:
I am great in what you have created. Thank you my Je-
sus, who have done everything for love of me! Jesus,
when will you take me to your homeland? You created
the heavens for love of me and to open the gates you
shed your blood. Thank you, my Jesus. Accept my
sufferings; they are all for love of you, I suffer every-
thing to give you souls.

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BLESSED ALEXANDRINA MARY DA COSTA 305
And I did not tire in making all my pains rise to heav-
en to console my Jesus, so that he could do with them
whatever pleased him. Everything was silent; you could
just about hear the barking of a little dog. I said: «You
are praising your Creator, and I who ought to praise and
love him,I am doing nothing».
O Jesus, forgive me: I am an ungrateful person, I am
worse than the beasts before you, forgive me!
The sea sang and even praised God and obeyed him
keeping within its limits. My God everything obeys you;
only I rebel against you, offend you and cause you dis-
pleasure. In meditating on the greatness of the Lord, on
his infinite power, on the love he has for me, I could not
hold back my tears.
Seeing my ingratitude and the ingratitude of the
world I said: <<O Jesus,I don't know why you have not
already abandoned the tabernacles and flown to heaven
leaving us alone on the earth. The sun obeyed you and
hid itself; the night obeyed you and appears with the
clear light of the moon and the stars. How beautiful all
this is! And for love of me. Everything praises you;
allow me to unite myself to all creafures which are now
praising you: I too want to praise you. How sad: only
mankind offends you! At least I might be able to make
reparation for everything».
REspoxsonv
R. The
himself
king
has
has desired that beauty of yours which he
made. * your king is himself your bride-
gloom.
Y. He has endowed and adomed you, redeemed you and
made you holy.
R. your king is himself your bridegroom.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.

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306 PRoPER oFFrcES
Morning Prayer
Scruprunr READTNG
Song of Songs 8,7
Love is a fire no waters avail to quench, no floods to
drown; for love a man will give up all that he has in the
world, and think nothing of his loss.
SHoRr'nespoNsory
R. Of you my heart has said: * it is your facethatl seek.
Of you my heart has said: it is your face that I seek.
V. Do not hide from me O Lord:
* it is your face that I seek.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
Of you my heart has said: it is your face that I seek
Ant. At the Ben. You have given your heart to Christ,
wise virgin;
now you live with him,
shining like the sun in the assembly of the saints.
INrencrssroNs
To Christ, the bridegroom and crown of virgins, with
joy and gratitude we express our faith and make our
requests in prayer:
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
Christ Our Lord, you united the Church your spouse to
yourself to proclaim the gospel of truth and of joy
through credible witness and generous dedication:
- grant that also at the moment of trial and of suffering
it may never fail in its mission.
With her resolution to "love, suffer, make reparation"
Blessed Alexandrina gave expression to a profound
journey of faith and holiness:

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BLESSED ALEXANDRINA MARY DA COSTA 307
grant to all Christians the encouragement and the
motivation to ennoble every solrow and sadness that
life brings with the greatest proof of love: sacrificing
one's life for the person one loves.
BlessedAlexandrina re-lived your Passion in a mystical
manner and offered herself as a victim for sinners,
receiving strength from the Eucharist:
re-new in us faith and love for the table of your Body
and Blood.
Eucharistic victim, small sanctuary lamp and sentinel
of the tabernacle, Alexandrina cooperated in the
sanctification of priests, in the conversion of sinners
and peace in the world:
grant that, experiencing the power of merciful love,
with a more decisive will, we may correspond to
your love and to your call.
You crowned your mother Mary as Queen of all Virgins:
grant that by entrusting ourselves to her, following
the example of Blessed Alexandrina, we may serve
you with fidelity and purity of life.
Our Father.
PnRvER
Merciful God, who made the example of Blessed
Alexandrina Mary, so intimately united to the Passion of
your Son, shine forth in the Church so that in every part
of the world adoration of the Eucharistic and devotion
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary may be enkindled,
grant through her intercession that we may become the
dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and authentic wit-
nesses to your love. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ your
Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

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308 PRoPER oFFrcES
Evening Prayer
ScrupruRr READTNG
1Cor7,32.34
He who is unmarried is concerned with God's claim,
asking how he is to please God; a woman who is free of
wedlock or a virgin, is concerned with the Lord's claim,
intent on holiness, bodily and spiritual.
Ssorr nEspoNsony
R. The virgins come before the king * They sing forjoy.
The virgins come before the king. They sing for joy.
Y. They enter the temple of the king.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit..
The virgins come before the king. They sing for joy.
Ant. At the Magn. Come, bride of Christ,
and receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for
you.
INrpncEssloNs
At the close of this day, on the memorial of Blessed
Alexandrina, with joy, we praise the Lord who has
shown in her the wonders of his love and with faith
we pray:
Show us your love O Lord.
Lord Jesus, you bring joy to the Salesian Family on the
memorial of Blessed Alexandrina:
grant that the Salesian Cooperators and all the Fam-
ily of Don Bosco may always enjoy her intercession,
and following her example may follow the path of
holiness.

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BLESSED ALEXANDRINA MARY DA COSTA 309
You madeAlexandrina grow up in the "Salesian garden"
as a pure and transparent young woman who de-
fended her body the temple of the Most Holy Trinity:
protect young people from false charms, so that they
may know the blessedness of the pure in heart prom-
ised in the Gospel.
You sustained Blessed Alexandrina in the trials of
illness, associating her with you in your redemptive
Passover:
help us to live with generosity a spirit of sacrifice in
all diffrcult situations, with the certainty of cooper-
ating in the coming of your Kingdom.
Renew in us the gift of your Spirit:
may the ardour of the Eucharist which burned in
the heart of BlessedAlexandrina enflame and renew
our abilty to love you and to seek your will in every-
thing.
Blessed Alexandrina did everything in her power to
make devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
grow in the Church and in the world:
grant O Lord that through the intercession of Mary
Mother of mercy, we may experience and witness to
the world your merciful love.
Lord Jesus, you welcomed the holy virgins to the wed-
ding feast of your kingdom,
invite all the dead of the Salesian Family to the feast
of eternal life.
Our Father.

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310 PRoPER OFFICES
PnavER
Merciful God, who made the example of Blessed
Alexandrina Mary so intimately united to the Passion of
your Son, shine forth in the Church so that in every part
of the world adoration of the Eucharistic and devotion
to the Immaculate Heart of Mary may be enkindled,
grant through her intercession that we may become the
dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and authentic wit-
nesses to your love. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ your
Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

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24 October
Saint LOUIS GUANELLA,
priest
Optional memorial
Louis Guanella was born at Campodolcino, Italy, on l9 De-
cember 1842, the ninth of thirteen children. He was ordained
priest in 1866, and worked for some years as a parish priest,
showing a particular love for the poor and solicitude for foster-
ing among the faithful a profoundly Christian life and promoting
numerous social initiatives.
From 1875 he spent three years with Don Bosco helping him
in his work, and then returned to his native diocese of Como in
obedience to his Bishop. Various events, trials and diffrculties
led him towards the poorest of the poor, for whom he opened
refuges and schools. He founded the Servants of Charity and the
Daughters of Our Lady of Providence. He died at Como on 24
October 1915. He was beatihed by Paul VI on 25 October 1964
and on 23 October 20ll Benedict XVI enrolled him among the
saints.
From the Common of Men Saints: those who worked
for the underprivileged. Psalms of the day as in the
Ordinary.
Office of readings
SrcoN» READTNG
From the "Regulations of the Servants of Charity" of
Saint Louis Guanella, priest.
(Opere edite e inedite, IV Rome 1988: I, 1.8; lil,5, passim)
Exhortations to charity and to trust in Providence
No Christian can be satisfied with thinking of and
providing for himself alone, but must think and provide

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312 PRoPER oFFrcES
for the good of others, and among the latter those most
in need of corporal and spiritual help.
It follows that the Servants of Charity must always
keep well in mind the common desire and duty of
coming to the help in body and spirit of those who
are, in fact, close relatives, their own brothers and sis-
ters, all of them children in the family of the heavenly
Father.
We must "bring everything together under Christ"
(Eph l,l0). In order to do this for both persons and
works, we must fulfiIthe desire of the divine Heart of
Jesus who appears in the form of burning flames and
cries out to us: "I came to cast the fire of charity upon
the earth; and my only wish is that such a fire be kindled
in the hearts of men!" (cf. Lk 12,49).
Oh, may the fire of divine Charity come like a holy
flame! May the Lord send the spirit of his divine love,
and the world will be renewed!
Furthermore to live in real poverty and trust oneself
to divine Providence is a virtue of lofty perfection. Di-
vine Providence is the natural and dearest mother of her
children.
Our work was begun and has grown with the visible
help of a Providence which will never fail, provided it
be not diverted by the spirit we bring to our efforts.
The same God who clothes the lilies of the field in a
vesture more splendid than that of Solomon, will never
allow anything to be wanting to those who work solely
for him and for the greater glory of his Name.
We must therefore revive our faith and be convinced
that no good can be done except by climbing the labo-
rious road to Calvary, with the firm confidence that the
Lord has never failed those who trust in him, that the
bread that comes from the hand of the provident Lord is

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SAINT LOUIS GUANELLA 3I3
always pleasant, especially when it has cost the sweat of
hard work.
The good Servants of Charity, who throughout the
years and many times every day have come in faith to
the help of the poor, these same good men who during
their lives never say 'enough ' in works of charity and
sacrifice, will ascend on high with Jesus and possess the
kingdom which the Lord in his infinite goodness has
prepared for them from the beginning of creation. What
a reward! What a triumph!
RespoNsony
Mt 2.5,35.40; prv 19,17
R. I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty
and you gave me drink, I was a
comed me. * Truly,I say to you,
stranger and
as you did it
you wel-
to one of
the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.
V. He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.
R. Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of
these my bretlren, you did it to me.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Scnrprulr.p ReeorNc
Rm I 2.1 -2
My brothers,I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you
whole nature thus ffansformed. Then you will be able to
discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.

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314 PRoPER oFFICES
SHoRr RpspoNsonv
R. The law ofGod guides him,*his mind is fixedonGod.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Y. His steps will never falter
* his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. By this will all men know that you are
my disciples: if you have love one for another.
INruncsssloNs
Let us give thanks to God our Father, who in his love
has chosen us in Christ to live in holiness and justice
every day of our lives; and let us say with faith:
God our Father hear our PraYer
Merciful Father, in Louis Guanella you have given us a
model of complete dedication to your divine plan:
guide and strengthen us by his example and inter-
cession.
In Saint Louis we see assiduous prayer combined with
a deep interior life:
help us to make of our own lives a spiritual sacrifice
pleasing in your sight.
At the school of St John Bosco he brought to perfection
his ideal ofdedication to poor and abandoned youth:
grant that we may carry out our own mission to the
young with generous charitY.
Father, in every time and season you give new energy to
your Church:
strengthen our fidelity and raise up many workers
for the spreading of your Kingdom.

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SAINT LOUIS GUANELLA 3I5
You who clothe the lilies of the field and feed the birds
of the air:
remember those who have placed all their trust in
your Providence.
Our Father.
Pneyen
O God, good and provident Father, you have made
your priest, Saint Louis Guanella, resplendent in your
Church through his outstanding love for the poor and
abandoned; grant that we too may live in intense love
every day of our lives. We ask this through our Lord
Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Eveni4g Prayer
Scnrpruns READTNG
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.
SHort nrsporqsony
R. The Lord is good; * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.

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316 PRoPER oFFICES
Y. His face is turned towards the upright man.
* he loves good deeds.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Ant.At the Magn. Let us not grow weary in doing good;
let us do good to all, and in due time
we shall reap the harvest.
INrsRcEsstoNs
To God our Father, the inexhaustible source of holiness
and grace, let us present our supplications with filial
hearts.
God ofall goodness, hear our prayer.
Father, in Saint Louis Guanella we contemplate a sign
of your loving kindness to the suffering, the emar-
ginated and the abandoned:
grant that we may approach with the same dedication
every individual who is suffering in body and spirit.
Saint Louis took upon himself the needs and problems
of his time:
grant that we may imitate his generosity and spirit
of sacrifice in welcoming our exiled brethren who
lack both work and habitation.
His life was resplendent for the practice of poverty, mor-
tifi cation and humility:
- through his intercession, help us to accept with faith
our daily trials.
You raised up Saint Louis as a good Samaritan to bind
up many wounds:
bless the Family he founded, grant increase to his
works, multiply the number of his followers.

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SAINT LOUIS GUANELLA 3I7
To the faithful departed who dedicated all their work to
the service of their neighbour:
grant the reward promised by your Son to the good
and faithful servant.
Our Father.
Pnavsn
O God, good and provident Father, you have made
your priest, Saint Louis Guanella, resplendent in your
Church through his outstanding love for the poor and
abandoned; grant that we too may live in intense love
every day of our lives. We ask this through our Lord
Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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25 October
Anniversary of the Dedication
of a Particular Church
Solemnity
The anniversary is celebrated on this day in those churches of
which the actual date of dedication is not lorcwn; in other
churches it is celebrated on the day itself.
From the Common of the Dedication of a Church.

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29 October
Blessed MICHAEL RUA,
priest
Memorial
Michael Rua was bom at Turin on 9 June 1837. While still a
child he met Don Bosco who with a symbolic gesture foretold
that they would 'go halves' together in their future life. In 1855
he made his first vows; while still a subdeacon he was chosen as
spiritual director ofthe recently founded Congregation.
When he became Don Bosco's successor in 1888 it seemed
that he had indeed 'gone halves'with him in everything. He dis-
played a creative fidelity to the apostolic aspirations and initia-
tives ofthe Founder; he reflected the same attractive fatherli-
ness; he developed the Founder's works and continued his apos-
tolic ardour in favour ofthe young, adapting the works to chang-
ing social situations. During the 2Zyears he was Rector Major he
made numerous joumeys to support and consolidate the work of
the confreres, whom he frequently encouraged by both circular
and personal letters which constitute an authoritative interpreta-
tion of the spirit of the Founder. He died at Turin on 6 April 1910,
and was beatified by Paul VI on 29 October 1972.\\n his homily
Paul VI described the Blessed indicating his mission and his ho-
liness, as the successor ofthe Founder: <<his successor, that is,
continuer: son, disciple, imitator. He made the example of the
Saint a school, and his personal work an institution extended, it
may be said, all over the earth. He made his life a history his
rule a spirit, his holiness a type, a model. He made the spring a
stream, a riven».
From the Common of pastors; or from the Common
of saints: for religious. Psalms of the day as in the
Ordinary.

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320 PRoPER oFFrcES
Oflice of readings
SEcoNo READING
From the "Letters" of Blessed Michael Rua, priest
(29 November 1 899; "Circular Letters", Turin 1 965, 236-239, passim)
The practice of obedience and sacrifice
Among all the virtues the one most difficult for
human nature is obedience. To have to renounce one's
own will and judgement, to have to depend on others
not only as regards action but also in thinking and
judging - in things great and small and even in what
concerns the salvation of the soul - are things much
harder to bear than the practice of the most severe
penances.
Obedience strikes at man in his most intimate being,
i.e. in his free will. But obedience cannot be disjoined
from the spirit of sacrifice, which is that virtue by which
when circumstances are most diffrcult a religious does
not give way to imagination or feelings or first reactions
but, in the light of reason strengthened by faith, comes
to realize that whatever unpleasant things may happen to
him will redound to his spiritual advantage. One who
has the good fortune to possess the spirit of sacrifice,
far from being downcast and complaining, even amid
the most painful suffering, suppresses in his heart any
natural repugnance and looks up to heaven with gener-
ous resignation saying: Lord, if this is how you want it,
your will be done.
On this virhre is founded the beatitude of suffering
which Jesus Christ made known to the world; and
this was the path our Founder trod. His life could be
described as a continual sacrifice, to such an extent
that without a spirit of self-abnegation we could not call

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BLESSED MICTIAEL RUA 32I
ourselves his sons. Furthermore, without sacrifice one
could not hope to do good to the young, because at
every step one would become impatient, angry or dis-
couraged. It would be impossible to tolerate the defects
of confreres or to obey Superiors. Without a spirit of
sacrifice one would not have the strength to practise
poverty, would run the risk of shipwreck as regards
chastity, and would render perseverance in vocation
very doubtful.
Every morning in our prayer of consecration to Mary
most Holy we ask that, as far as possible, by our words
and conduct and good example we may be living repre-
sentations of Jesus. But when is it, my dear sons, that we
are most similar to the Divine Saviour, when it is it that
we represent him most closely in the eyes of those
whose souls we have to save? It is especially when
through our status as religious, through our priestly min-
istry, we have something to suffer. When we come to
die, it will not be the pleasures we enjoyed, the honours
we received, the riches we acquired that will be our con-
solation, but rather what we did through the sacrifices
we suffered for Jesus.
REspoNsonv
Cf. Eph 4,1.3.4; Rm 15,5.6
R. Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have
been called, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the
bond ofpeace. * There is one hope that belongs to your
call.
Y. May God grant you to live in such harmony with one
another, that together you may with one voice gloriff
God.
R. There is one hope that belongs to your call.

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322 PRoPER oFFrcES
* Or:
SecoNo READING
From the "Homilies" of Paul VI, pope
(29 October l972;Teaching ofPaul VI, 10,
Vatican Cily 1973, I 100-1 I 06, passiz)
Son, disciple, imitator
Let us meditate for a moment on the characteristic
aspect of Don Rua, the aspect which defines him, and
which with one look tells us everything and makes us
understand.
Who is Don Rua? He is the first successor of Don
Bosco, the holy Founder of the Salesians. And why is
Don Rua now beatified, that is, glorified? He is beatified
and glorified precisely because he is his successor, that is,
continuer: son, disciple, imitator. He made the example of
the Saint a school, and his personal work an institution
extended, it may be said, all over the earth. He made his
life a history his rule a spirit, his holiness a type, a mod-
el. He made the spring a stream, a river. The marvellous
fruitfulness of the Salesian family, one ofthe greatest and
most significant phenomena of the perennial vitality of
the Church in the last century and in ours, had in Don
Bosco its origin, in Don Rua its continuation. It was this
follower of his that from the humble beginnings at Val-
docco served the Salesian work in its expansion,realized
the felicity of the formula, developed it according to the
letter, but with ever inspired newness. Don Rua was the
most faithful, therefore the most humble and at the same
time the most valiant of the sons of Don Bosco.
What does Don Rua teach us? How was he able to
rise to the glory of paradise and to the exaltation that

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BLESSED MICHAIL RUA 323
the Church gives to him today? Just by teaching us to be
continuers; that is, followers, pupils, teachers, if you
like, provided we are disciples of a higher Teacher. Let
us amplify the lesson that we receive from him: he
teaches the Salesians to remain Salesians, ever faithful
sons of their Founder; and then he teaches everyone
reverence for the magisterium, which presides over the
thought and economy of Christian life.
The dignity of the disciple depends on the wisdom
of the Master. Imitation in the disciple is no longer pas-
siveness, or servility; it is leaven, it is perfection (cf.
1 Cor 4,1 6). The capacity of the pupil to develop his own
personality is derived, in fact, from that art of drawing
out, the teacher's art, which is called education, an art
that guides the logical but free and original expansion of
the pupil's virtual qualities. We mean that the virtues of
which Don Rua is a model and which the Church made
the reason for his beatification, are still the evangelical
virtues of the humble who adhere to the prophetic
school of holiness; of the humble to whom the highest
mysteries of divinity and of mankind are revealed (cf.
Mt 11,25).
If Don Rua is really qualified as the first continuer of
the example and work of Don Bosco, we will always
like to think of him again and venerate him in this
ascetical aspect of humility and dependence. But we will
never be able to forget the operative aspect of this small
but great man, all the more so in that we, in the mental-
ity of our times which is inclined to measure the stature
of a man by his capacity for action, are aware we have
before us an athlete of apostolic activity which, still in
the mould of Don Bosco but with growing dimensions
of its own, confers on Don Rua the spiritual and human
proportions of greatness.

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324 PRoPER oFFrcES
RrspoNsoRy
I Cor 11,1-2; Phil 4,1
R. Maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them
to you. * Stand firm in the Lord.
V. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
R. Stand firm in the Lord.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Scnrprune READTNG
Heb 13,7-9a
Remember your leaders, who preached the word of
God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their
lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same today as
hew was yesterday and as he will be for ever. Do not let
yourselves be led asftay by all sorts of strange doctrines.
SrroRr ngspoNsoRy
R. I placed watchmen on your towers, * they watch over
your Church.
I placed watchmen on your towers, they watch over
your Church
V. Day and night they proclaim your name
* they watch over your Church.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
I placed watchmen on your towers, they watch over
your Church.
Ant. At the Ben. The Spirit of the Lord
has consecrated me
to proclaim a joyful message to the poor.

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BLESSED MICHAEL RUA 325
INIERcEssloNs
At the beginning of this new day, the memorial of
Blessed Michael Rua, let us raise our prayers and
supplications to God our Father
God our Fatheri strengthen our fidelity.
Through the grace that comes from you, Father, you en-
able the ministers of your Church to work with pa-
tience in charity:
grant courage and perseverance to those you have
called to work for the Kingdom.
In Blessed Michael Rua you have given us a model of
total availability to your call:
grant that by imitating his example we may love and
serve Christ in the young with whom we come in
contact
In Blessed Michael you have given us an example of
work and temperance:
help us to bear witness to the values of evangelical
poverfy by our way of life.
You made of Blessed Michael the faithful collaborator
of St John Bosco and the continuer of his work:
grant also to us a filial spirit so that we may progress
along the way of holiness.
You constituted Blessed Michael Rua as the responsible
leader of a religious Family in rapid expansion:
- enlighten with your Spirit of wisdom those whom
you call to guide the Salesian Congregation.
Our Father.

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326 PRoPER oFFrcES
PRavsn
God our Father, you have given to your priest,
Blessed Michael Rua, the spiritual heir of Saint John
Bosco, the ability to form in the young your divine
image; grant also that we, who are called to educate
young people, may make known the true countenance of
Christ, your Son. He is God, and lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
ScRrprunr READING
I Pt 5,1-4
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an eld-
er myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and
with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed.
Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to
you; watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, be-
cause God wants it; not for sordid money, but because
you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group
that is put in your charge, but be an example that the
whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd ap-
pears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
Suort nrspoNsoRv
R. This is a man who loves his brothers, * and inter-
cedes for the people.
This is a man who loves his brothers, and intercedes for
the people.
Y. He laid down his life for his brothers,
* and intercedes for the people.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
This is a man who loves his brothers, and intercedes for
the people.

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BLESSED MICHAEL RUA 327
Ant. At the Magn. With the help of the Holy Spirit
guard the legacy you have received:
be vigilant, endure pain and suffering,
proclaim the Gospel, fulfil your ministry.
INrpncpsstotts
As evening falls we make our humble prayer to God our
Father, who calls all his children to holiness, and let
us say:
Lord, s anc tify your faithful people.
You led Michael Rua, while still a boy, to give himself
entirely to you at the school of St John Bosco:
grant that we too may be always faithful to the
charism ofour Founder.
You gave to Blessed Michael Rua the heart of a good
and gentle shepherd:
inspire all the members of the Salesian Family to
serve you in their brothers and sisters with a spirit of
initiative.
You enlightened him in the guidance of the work of
missionary expansion of the Salesian Family:
increase our zeal for your Kingdom, and prosper the
labours of our missionaries.
In every age you call men and women to follow the
obedient, poor and chaste Christ through complete
self-donation:
- raise up generous vocations for the Church and the
Salesian Family.
Through the merits and intercession of the Virgin Mary
and of all the saints:
grant that the faithful departed may live for ever with
you in the blessedness of your Kingdom.
Our Father.

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328 PRoPER oFFrcES
PRavEn
God our Father, you have given to your priest,
Blessed Michael Rua, the spiritual heir of Saint John
Bosco, the ability to form in the young your divine
image; grant also that we, who are called to educate
young people, may make known the true countenance of
Christ, your Son. He is God, and lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.

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l3 November
Blessed ARTEMIDES ZtrTl,
religious
Mernorial
(For the Daughters of Mary of Christians and
the Volunteers of Don Bosco: Optional memorial)
Artemides Zatti was born in Boretto (Reggio Emilia, Italy) on
l2 October 1880. He very soon experienced a hard life ofsacri-
fice, so that at nine years of age he was earning his living as a
farm labourer. Under the constraints ofpoverty at the beginning
of 1897 his family emigrated to Argentina and settled in Bahia
Blanca. Here Artemides began to attend the parish in the care of
the Salesians.
Advised to become a Salesian, he was accepted as an aspirant
by Bishop John Cagliero and, now a twenty year old entered the
house of Bemal where among other things he was given the task
of looking after a young priest suffering from tuberculosis.
Artemides himself contracted the disease. He was therefore sent
to the hospital of San José in Viedma. Here he was looked after
in a special way by the priest and qualified doctor Fr Evaristo
Garrone. With him, he asked and obtained from Mary Help of
Christians the grace ofa cure, as on his part he promised to ded-
icate his whole life to caring for the sick.
He was cured and he kept his promise. In 1908 he made his
perpetual profession. At first he began to be responsible for the
pharmacy attached to the hospital. Later he had full responsibil-
ity for the hospital, which became the training ground for his ho-
liness. This was in absolute dedication to his sick.
In l9l3 he was the driving force behind the building of the
new hospital which was then demolished in 1941 to make room
for the residence ofthe bishop ofthe newly created diocese of
Viedma. Without being discouraged he set up another. Like Don
Bosco, he made Providence the first and safest source of income
for his works. Suffering from cancer, he died on l5 March 1951 .
John Paul II beatified him on 14 April 2002. His mortal remains
are in the chapel of the Salesians in Viedma.

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330 PRoPER oFFrcES
From the Common of saints: for religious. Psalms of the
day as in the Ordinary.
Office of readings
SrcoNo READTNG
From the "Letters" of BlessedArtemides Zatti
(Positio super virtutibus, Rome 1990, pp.375-377, pas.sim.
Cfr. Archivo Historico de las Misiones de la Patagonia)
Peace and perfect tranquillity
the prelude of that which God has prepared in heaven
for all his chosen ones
As far as my not being able to go ahead with my
vocation is concerned on account ofhaving begun to
study late in life, I will give you the answer which
St Paul gave to the Philippians that <<he who began a
good work in me will bring it to completion at the day
of Jesus Chrish>, that is to say, that God who called me
to the religious state will give me all that is necessary to
follow him; where on the contrary he threatens me, if
I do not persevere, with exclusion from the kingdom of
heaven saying in the holy Gospel that"whoever puts his
hand to the plough and lool<s back is notfitfor the king-
dom of God'; and if I am sick I always give thanks to
God for my illness since I am certain it is for my bene-
fit both spiritual and material that he has permitted it.
In any case, my dear parents and brothers and sisters,
be at peace, and don't think about me since as far as I am
concerned I don't want to refurn; and as far as God is
concemed I am sure; because if I am in the Salesian Con-
gregation I owe it to Mary the Most Holy Help of Chris-
tians who brought me here as she promised Don Bosco,

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BLESSED ARTEMIDES ZATTI 33I
telling him in a vision in which Don Bosco himself saw
that in the future his colleges would be filled with so
many people and he did not know where they would all
come from and that he couldn't deal with all of them
himself, Mary told him that it was she who would bring
all these people to free them from the many evils and
dangers there are in the world [...].
I am very huppy to know that thanks to God you are
enjoying good health, and I never forget in my poor
unworthy prayers to ask our Good God to keep you in
health of body, but even more in that of the spirit, espe-
cially when I think that in the world there are so many
dangers and occasions to offend him! and to be cor-
rupted!...
Ah! Truly I tell you, this thought torments me; but at
the same time it doesn't stop being a salutary one, since
in this way I can find reasons to thank God for having
taken me from the accursed world and brought me into
this Holy Congregation, where I enjoy a peace and
perfect tranquillity the prelude of that which God has
prepared in heaven for all his chosen ones [...].
I hope that the Good God will grant you all the
graces you desire; and to this end all the prayers in-
cluding Holy Communion, on the day of SaintAloysius
and the days before will be according to your intentions.
So please don't have any fear or shame in asking for
graces. Ask and you shall receive, and the more you ask
the more you will obtain; because whoever asks much,
receives much; whoever little, receives little; and who
asks nothing, receives nothing.
Our Good Jesus has said this.
These graces which you will receive if you ask, don't
think that you obtain them through your merits. Cer-
tainly not! It would be a heresy to believe so; but you

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332 PRoPER oFFrcES
will obtain them through the merits of Jesus Christ and
through the intercession of Mary Most Holy and her
great servant Saint Aloysius.
Here I won't go into the graces you ought to ask for,
you know them well yourselves. I will only put one be-
fore you and it is that all of us can love and serve God
in this world and then enjoy him for ever in the next.
Oh! What happiness then, to be able to be all together,
without any fear of ever being separated again!... oh,
yes, this gmce you really do have to ask for. And if some
times we have to suffer something, be patient!... in par-
adise we shall have our reward, if we have suffered for
the love of our Dear Jesus and we remember that the
sufferings are temporary and the joy is eternal!
REspoNsony
Eph 5,8-9;Mt 5,14.16
R. You are the light of the Lord: behave like sons of the
light. * The fruit of light is found in all that is good and
right and true.
Y. You are the light of the world: let your light shine in
the sight of men.
R. The fruit of light is found in all that is good and right
and true.
Concluding prayer as at Moming Prayer.
Morning Prayer
ScnrpruRE REeorNc
Rm 12, l -2
My brothers, I implore you by God's mercy to offer
your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and
fit for his acceptance; the worship offered by mind and
heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattem of this
present world, but let your minds be remade, and you

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BLESSED ARTEMIDES ZATTI 333
whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to
discem the will of God, what is good, acceptable and
perfect.
SHonr Rrspr,rNsonv
R. The law ofGod guides him, * his mind is fixed on God.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Y. His steps will never falter
* his mind is fixed on God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The law of God guides him, his mind is fixed on God.
Ant. At the Ben. Whoever does the will of my Father,
says the Lord, is my brother, and sister, and mother.
INrEncsssroNs
At the beginning of this new day we raise our prayers to
God our Father the source of all goodness so that all
our plans and efforts may be in the service of that
Kingdom for the spreading of which Blessed
Artemides gave his whole life.
Guide our steps O Lord, along the right path.
God of life, you call everyone to the service of your
kingdom so that all may feel themselves united by
the bond of love:
grant that our hearts may always be open to welcome
your Word with courage.
God of hope, you have shown in the life of everyone the
secret that evil can be conquered or accepted with
love:
renew our gaze of faith so that we may recognise you
present in every situation.

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334 PRoPER oFFrcES
God of expectations, you give everyone precious occa-
sions in which to discover the true meaning of time
and of human activity:
grant that we may live the time given us with active
faith and buming love.
God of joy, you can make the face of even those who
suffer shine when they accept the mystery of the
cross ofyour Son:
grant to us, following the example of Blessed
Artemides, eyes to see Christ transfigured in those
who suffer in mind and body.
God of peace, you alone can satis§z every expectation in
the hearts of men always searching:
grant that our gaze may reach beyond the limited
horizon of daily life to be absorbed in you alone.
Our Father.
PnaypR
O God, who in the humble and the little ones mani-
fest in a wonderful manner the great works of your grace,
we humbly pray that through the intercession of Blessed
Artemides, in our brothers and sisters who are suffering
in body and in spirit we may each day perceive more
clearly the face of Christ, for he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
ScnrpruRr READTNG
Rm 8,28-30
We are well assured that everything helps to secure
the good of those who love God, those whom he has
called in fulfilment of his design. All those who from
the first were known to him, he has destined from the

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BLESSED ARTEMIDES ZATTI 335
first to be moulded into the image of his Son, who is
thus to become the eldest-born among many brethren.
So predestined, he called them; so called, he justified
them; so justified, he glorified them.
Suont nespoNsonv
R. The Lord is good; * he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Y* .hHe ilsovfaecsegiosotdumdeeeddst.owards the upright man.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Ant. At the Magn. You have left all things and followed
me; you will be repaid a hundred times oveq and gain
etemal life.
INrnncsssloNs
To Christ the Lord who proclaimed yourself the Way,
the Truth and the Life and raised up in the Church
BlessedArtemides, we make our common prayer:
Guide us Lord on the path of holiness.
You have presented yourself as the way to be followed
in order to achieve total fulfilment as people in the
service of your kingdom:
guide our steps on the right paths especially in the
service ofpoor and abandoned young people.
You have made yourself known as the only truth which
can give meaning to the many forms of emptiness in
every age:
support our efforts so that our desire to seek you even
after we have found you may not be in vain.

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336 PRoPER oFFrcES
You offered yourself as life for the world sacrificing
your life until the total and supreme gift of the cross:
grant that following the example of Blessed
Artemides we may draw from your mystery of pas-
sion and glory the strength to imitate you in giving
ourselves to those most in need.
You called BlessedArtemides to follow you on the path
traced out by Saint John Bosco, as a missionary of
the Gospel:
bless those who are engaged in spreading your king-
dom by proclaiming the Gospel, and give holy mis-
sionary vocations to the Salesian Family.
You promised your joy to the 'good and faithful servant'
who worked in your service and that of his brothers
and sisters:
welcome all those who have worked in the Salesian
Family and have fallen asleep in the hope of the res-
urrection.
Our Father.
PnavrR
O God, who in the humble and the little ones mani-
fest in a wonderful manner the great works of your grace,
we humbly pray thatthrough the intercession of Blessed
Artemides, in our brothers and sisters who are suffering
in body and in spirit we may each day perceive more
clearly the face of Christ, for he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

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15 November
Blessed MADELEINE MORANO
virgin
Optional memorial
Born at Chieri, Turin, on l5 November 1847, Madeleine
patherile Morano began from her youth a teaching career among
local children, which was to last for the rest of hei life, especial-
ly after obtaining her teacher's qualification. In 1879 with a
wealth ofeducational and catechetical experience, she became a
Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, and asked from God..to re-
main alive until she had attained sanctity". In l88l she was sent
to Sicily, and there she began a flourishing work ofeducation
amgng lhe girls and young women of the poor and working class-
es. With "one eye on earth but ten constantly on heaven,,, she
opened schools, oratories, hostels and workshops in every part of
the island. Her many-sided apostolate was highly esteemèd and
encouraged by the Bishops, who entrusted to her evangelical en-
l"Ipry. the organization of the teaching of catechism throughout
Sicily.
Sister Morano died at Catani a on 26 March 1908, thus clos-
ing a completely coherent life, having fully understood that the
"preventive system" was not only a method of education but a
spirituality which develops and directs every good intention to
the service of the Lord and on one's brothers and sisters. In the
same city of Catania John Paul II proclaimed her Blessed on 5
November 1994.
From the Common of virgins. Psalms of the day as in the
Ordinary.
Oflice of readings
SrcoNo READTNG
From the «Addresses»» of John Paul II, pope
(Catania, 5 November 1994, passim)

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338 PRoPER oFFICES
Tireless activitY
in doing good to others
"I am the true vine" (Jn 15,1). Through this allegory
proposed on the eve of the paschal events, Jesus fully re-
veals the mystery of the life that is within him. The same
mystery is revealed as a source of immortal life for the
Servant of God Madeleine Morano.
Today she bears witness also to you, who are called
by circumstances to serve this city's rebirth, mobilizing
the energies which the Lord constantly renews in you,
through tireless activity at the service of good.
Sr Madeleine Morano worked with precisely this in
mind! She, the "born teacher", had come from Turin,
the city of Don Bosco, with her outstanding pedagogi-
cal talent and her love for God and neighbour. In Sicily,
Sr Madeleine carried out an intense and fruitful spiritu-
al and educational activity for the benefit ofyour people.
For long years she made herself one of you, becoming
the model of faithful service to God and to her brothers
and sisters. Look to her, beloved faithful, the better to
carry out that apostolic and missionary project which all
the members of the Church in Catania are striving to
promote, as they listen to the voice of the Spirit and con-
centrate their efforts on a diligent discernment of the
"signs of the times".
Discouragement and bitterness due to disturbing and
overwhelming events are understandable human feel-
ings but they should not quell Christian courage in do-
ing good, "cost what it may", as Mother and now
Blessed Madeleine Morano used to say.
In our era characterized by a tragic crisis of human
values and a painful anxiety for the Absolute, you are
asked to carry out a serious and demanding programme

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BLESSED MADELEINE MORANO 339
of doctrinal study, of consistent life- style and persever-
ance in the exercise ofcharity.
May Mother Morano be an inspiration to you. Moti-
vated by a deep yearning for love and holiness, for many
years she trod the streets ofyour city and region, serene
and fearless. The teaching and examples of St John
Bosco and St Mary DomenicaMazzarello sustained her
in her task. Looking at the sea she would say: "Do you
see how vast, how immense the sea is? God's bounty is
greater by far!". And with a simple but incisive example
she would illustrate the way to holiness: "You climb the
high mountain of perfection with constant mortification.
Even the tallest houses are made of small stones, piled
one upon the other".
Her exhortations enlighten, comfort and encourage:
"Think as Jesus would have thought. Pray as Jesus
would have prayed. Act as Jesus would have acted".
This is what Mother Maddalena used to say and this is
how she lived, repeating to herself: "Ask for the grace
to bear your cross peacefully every day".
Our sister, Blessed Madeleine Morano, dwells in
God and God dwells in her forever. "With age-old love
I have loved you", the Lord declared through the mouth
of the prophet Jeremiah (31,3). The new Blessed expe-
rienced in herself the truth of these divine words, and
after the trials of her life now witnesses the fulfilment of
God's promise to his people: "They departed in tears,
but I will console them and guide them, I will lead them
to streams of water on a level road, so that none shall
stumble. For I am a father to Israel" (31:9).
Blessed Madeleine Morano, through her great love
has thus become a constant witness of fidelity to God
who is Love. She is resplendent before us today as a
shining example of active solidarity. And now she

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340 PRoPER oFFrcES
intercedes for us, she intercedes for the Church. Great
is the power of the saints'intercession! Madeleine did
God's will and bequeathed to us the witness of works
pleasing to God.
RrspoNsoRy
Eph 8-9;Mt 5,14.16
R. You are light in the Lord; walk as children of light
* for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and
right and true.
V. You are the light of the world: let your light so shine
before men.
R. for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and
right and true.
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Sczuprune READTNG
Song of Songs 8,7
Love is a fire no waters avail to quench, no floods to
drown; for love a man will give up all that he has in the
world, and think nothing of his loss.
SHoRr nrspoNsony
R. My heart has spoken: * I seek your face.
My heart has spoken: I seek your face.
Y. Hide not your face from me O Lord:
* I seek your face.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
My heart has spoken: I seek your face.

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BLESSED MADELEINE MORANO 34I
Ant. At the Ben. You have given your heart to Christ,
wise virgin;
now you live with him,
shining like the sun in the assembly of the saints.
INrpRcpssroNs
Let us invoke God our Father, the source and model of
all holiness, and let us say with confidence:
Make us holy as you are holy.
You solidly established Blessed Madeleine Morano on
the living rock of your word:
- grant that we may accept with faith and courageously
proclaim the gospel of salvation..
You endowed her with wonderful gifts of faith and pas-
toral charity:
- enable us too to be among young people as ffue edu-
cators and attentive servants ofyour plan ofsalvation.
You gave to Blessed Madeleine the grace to follow
Christ on the way ofpoverty, chastity and obedience:
- help us to respond to your call to be always at the
service ofothers.
You granted her to combine tireless activity wittr a buming
love for your Son present in the eucharistic mystery:
- give your support to evangelisers and catechists that
they may bear wifiress by their lives to what they pro-
claim by their words.
You enriched her with incomparable talents for govern-
ment and practical concern for the problems of the
time:
- grant that the Salesian Family, under the guidance of
Mary Help of Christians, may continue to embody
the educative charism ofthe Founders.
Our Father.

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342 PRoPER oFFrcES
PnevBR
Father, you planted in the heart of the virgin, Blessed
Madeleine Morano, your word of truth which prompted
her to dedicate herself with constancy and wisdom to
the education ofthe young: grant that through her inter-
cession and following her example we may be docile to
the action of the Spirit in fulfilling with joy your loving
design. We make our prayer through your Son Jesus
Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Evening Prayer
ScRrprunr READING
l Cor 7,32.34
He who is unmarried is concerned with God's claim,
asking how he is to please God; a woman who is free of
wedlock or a virgin, is concerned with the Lord's claim,
intent on holiness, bodily and spiritual.
Suonr RespoNsonv
R. The virgins come before the king * They sing forjoy.
The virgins come before the king. They sing for joy.
Y. They enter the temple of the king.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
The virgins come before the king. They sing for joy.
Ant. At the Magn. Come bride of Christ,
receive the crown which the Father has prepared for
you.

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BLESSED MADELEINE MORANO 343
INre ncrssloNs
United in our evening prayer, let us make our thanks-
giving and supplications to God our Father, and let us
say:
God ofall goodness hear ourprayer
In Blessed Madeleine Morano you have given us a
model of life and educative wisdom:
grant that in our mission we too may be always
docile to the action of your Spirit.
You enabled her to bear witness to the joy of serving
you, in the strong and willing acceptance of the
cross:
give to us the Christian optimism that springs from
faith in your resurrection.
Mother Morano placed the love of your Son before any
other thought or project:
- may our whole life be lived out under the gaze of the
divine Master.
You looked upon her to enable her to fulfil your work:
frll us with the strength of your Spirit that we may
bear fruit that will remain.
She was a wise and faithful administrator who was
found watching when the bridegroom came:
grant that the faithful departed may enjoy the splen-
dour of your countenance.
Our Father.

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344 PRoPER oFFrcES
PRaven
Father, you planted in the heart of the virgin, Blessed
Madeleine Morano, your word of truth which prompted
her to dedicate herself with constancy and wisdom to
the education ofthe young: grant that through her inter-
cession and following her example we may be docile to
the action of the Spirit in fulfilling with joy your loving
design. We make our prayer through your Son Jesus
Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

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5 December
Blessed PHILIP RINALDI,
priest
Founder of the Secular Institute
of the Don Bosco Volunteers
Memorial
(For the Secular Institute
of the Volunteers of Don Bosco: Feast)
_18^ 5_6!h.r_F!irpomRinhaisldbiowyahsoobdorhneaht aLdu
Monferrato,
known Don
Italy,
Bosèo
on 28
but it
May
wai
only at the age of 21 that he accepted the Saint's invitation to
become a Salesian.
After his ordination to the priesthood in 1882 he was
entrusted with the formation of adult aspirants to the priesthood.
From 1889 he worked for twelve years in Spain and portugal
until in 1901 he was called by Don Rua to be Vicar General a--nd
Economer. Intense work did not prevent him from further qual-
ification- in the priestly ministry as an eminent spiritual guide.
He developed the Salesian Family in all its aspects, and enriched
it with the institute, something new for its time, now known as
the Don Bosco Volunteers.
He was elected Rector Major in 1922 and dedicated himself
elpecially to the formation of the confreres and to development
of devotion to Don Bosco, insisting always on the interior life,
union with God, the mission, and unlimited trust in Mary Help of
Christians. As an authentic interpreter of the Founder he was àble
to read the "signs of the times" with prophetic intuition and adapt
to them, sometimes in a courageous and daring manner.
He died at Turin on
lg$ f1u! II.on 29-April
5 December
1990. during
193
the
I , and
XXIII
was beatified by
General Chapter
of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
From the Common of pastors; or from the Common
of saints: for religious. Psalms of the day as in the
Ordinary.

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346 PRoPER oFFICES
Office of readings
SrcoNne LETTURA
From the "Circular Letters" of Blessed Philip Rinaldi,
priest
(24 lanuary 1924; Acts ofthe Superior Chapter,
5123 11924) 174-179, Passim)
(Jnderstand, love and practise the Constitutions
The Constitutions are the soul of our Society, and are
central to the whole life of Don Bosco; their story is that
of his own life. We can say, indeed, that in the Constitu-
tions we have the whole of Don Bosco; in them is his
single objective of the salvation of souls; in them is his
perfection through the holy vows, in them is his spirit
òf gentleness, amiabiliry tolerance, piety, charity, and
sacrifice.
Our Constitutions are not merely the fruit of Don
Bosco's intelligence and burning charity but, just as it
can be said that in Don Bosco's life the supernatural
emerges at every hlrn, so also the Constitutions in their
origin and progressive development are illuminated by
a visible supernatural intervention.
Don Bosco wrote the articles of his Constitutions
first in the minds and life of those he had chosen as his
first followers, and only when it seemed to him that they
corresponded to the objective he had in mind, did he
finalize them and commit them to paper.
When one reads those early Constitutions presented
by Don Bosco to Pius IX in 1858, one seems to hear
the voice of the good Father himself, explaining to his
sons in great simplicity and clarity the norms to which
they should adhere: not by compulsion but by the bond
offraternal chariry so as to form a single heart for the

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BLESSED PHILIP RINALDI 347
acquiring of perfection in the practice of every work of
spiritual and corporal charity towards the young, espe-
cially the poorest of them, and in the fostering of ecCle-
siastical vocations. They should not be concerned about
material things but each one, without prejudice to his
personal rights, should live as though he possessed noth-
ing. They should not be attached to their own will, but
show such filial obedience to the Superior that the latter
had no need to command. They should not have many
practices of piety in common, but should practise union
with God in the midst of the active life which was to be
the mark and glory of his sons. Rather than a Society,
Don Bosco intended to form a family based almost
entirely on the gentle, amiable and watchful fatherliness
of the Superior and on the filial and fraternal affection
of the subjects; indeed, while maintaining the principle
of authority between Superior and subjects, he did not
want distinctions but equality among all in everything.
In this way Don Bosco in practice lived his Consti-
futions with his first sons for thirty years, correcting,
modiffing, improving and even removing certain arti-
cles which he has marked on his manuscript and which
had seemed to him in practice not suitable or of little
utility. Let us not forget that in this work he was en-
lightened from above, and in consequence those modi-
fications did not affect the fundamental points on which
his Congregation was to be based.
RsspolsoRy
Cf. Heb 13,21;2 Mac 1,4
R. May God equip you with everything good that you
may do his will * working in you that which is pleasing
in his sight, through Jesus Christ.
Y. May he open your heart to his law and his com-
mandments,

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348 PROPER OFFICES
p. working in you that which is pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ.
* Orfor the Secular Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers:
SecoNo READING
From the Conferences to the "Don Bosco Volunteers" of
Blessed Philip Rinaldi, priest
("Documents and Texts", Y Rome 1980,42-47, passim)
Prayer and aPostolic activitY
Piety is born of a pious heart; a soul formed to the pres-
ence of God prays and has its strength renewed through
meditation, examination of conscience, spiritual reading,
and recollection; vocal manifestation comes only after we
have entered into ourselves, in concentration, in recollec-
tion. Recollection is necessary because it predisposes us
for reflection. Reflection is an efftcacious prayer, and is
necessary for a knowledge ofour weaknesses and needs;
it enables us to study ourselves, it awakens our love of
God, increases our desire for holy Communion and a
greater knowledge of the Lord. Reflection nourishes our
souls and spirit by a substantial kind of devotion.
Piety is not an end in itself but is useful for every-
thing, especially because it prompts our good works.
What work should this Institute of yours be doing? In
what way? There are many religious institutes, each of
them with a particular purpose, or a specific mission to
carry out. The works of mercy are seven in number, and
every one of them is pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.
In your own case, what should you do in order to
have life? First ofall, pray every day for the courage to
carry the cross the Lord has laid on you - this is the first

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BLESSED PHILIP RINALDI 349
thing you must do. And then let each one do well her
own work in your particular state of life and conditions
as God would have you do, and this according to the
spirit of the Lord and of Don Bosco. But even this is not
sufficient; you must have another particular objective in
view. No matter how busy a person may be, there is al-
ways a little more energy available, and this you must
use for some special purpose compatible with your state.
The works of Don Bosco are such that you can always
perform some of them in whatever circumstances you
are placed: his programme is to do good in some way,
particularly to poor and abandoned youth.
Above all, let your activity begin in your own fami-
lies, doing well whatever duties God has given you,
working unequivocally with the spirit of the Lord; the
extra energy or enthusiasm you have you should spend
for the benefit of poor youth; pay less attention to those
who are rich, and concentrate your care on young work-
ers. Convince yourselves of this: if we are able to treat
the poor with the true spirit of the Lord, they will listen
to us more willingly, they will love us and follow us;
unfortunately our shortcomings sometimes render us in-
capable of appearing as we should be.
RrspoNsonv
Eph 5,8-9; Mt 5,14.16
R. You are light in the
* for the fruit of light
Lord; walk
is found in
as
all
children of light,
that is good and
right and true.
Y. You are the light of the world: let your light shine
before men;
R. for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and
right and true.

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350 PRoPER
Concluding prayer as at Morning Prayer
Morning PraYer
Sczuprun-e READING
Heb 13,7-9a
Remember your leaders, who preached the word of
God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their
lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same today
as hew was yesterday and as he will be for ever. Do not
let yourselves be led astray by all sorts ofstrange doc-
trines.
Ssonr nrspoNsonv
p. I placed watchmen on yoìr towers, * they watch over
your Church.
I placed watchmen on your towers, they watch over
your Church
Y. Day and night they proclaim your name
* they watch over your Church.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
I placed watchmen on your towers, they watch over
your Church.
Ant. At the Ben. What you have learned, received,
heard and seen in me, do!
And the God of peace will be with you.
INrrRcesstoNs
At the beginning of a new day, let us praise and invoke
God our Father who always calls generous workers
to labour for the spreading of his Kingdom, and let us
say with faith:
Father ofall goodness, hear our prayer.

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BLESSED PHILIP RINALDI 35I
Father, in Blessed Philip Rinaldi you have given us a
sure interpreter of the Salesian spirit:
increase in all the members of our Family fidelity to
the Founder's charism.
You made of him a model and teacher of the interior
life:
- help us in the variety of our commitments to realize
a deep communion with you.
You led him to fulfil a multiple service of great respon-
sibility in the Salesian Congregation:
inspire those whom you have given us as guides a
wise spirit of enterprise.
You made of him a mirror reflecting the fatherliness of
St John Bosco:
- pour out your Spirit into our hearts that we may be
loving with all.
You gave him wisdom and prudence in his ministry as
a spiritual guide:
enlighten and support our commitment to travel with
the young along the road to holiness.
Our Father.
PRavEn
Father, in your infinite goodness you have made
Blessed Philip Rinaldi a shining gospel example ofjoy-
ful self-giving; may we follow the inspiration of his
apostolic initiative, and by daily fidelity to our work,
bring to its fullness your project of love. We ask this
through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever.

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352 PRoPER oFFICES
Evening PraYer
Scnrprunr READING
I Pt 5,1-4
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an
elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ,
and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be
revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is
entrusted to you; watch over it, not simply as a duty but
gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but
because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over
any group that is put in your charge, but be an example
that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shep-
herd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading
glory.
Suonr RespoNsonv
R. This is a man who loves his brothers, * and inter-
cedes for the people.
This is a man who loves his brothers, and intercedes for
the people.
V. He laid down his life for his brothers,
* and intercedes for the people.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit.
This is a man who loves his brothers, and intercedes for
the people.
Ant. At the Magn. God is my witness
to the deep affection I have
for all of you in the love of Christ Jesus

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BLESSED PHILIP RINALDI 353
IxrBncEssroNs
With a sense of humble gratitude, let us thank God our
Father for the abundance of his gifts and let us say:
God our Father hear our prayer
Father, may the table of your Word and the Bread of life
which comes to us through the apostles:
be always for us the living source of our apostolic
activity
Father, may the Mrgin Mary Mother of Jesus, whom he
gave to the beloved disciple to be his Mother also:
be our helper in educating the young whom you en-
trust to our care.
Father, source of unending love, you will be all things to
everyone in eternal life:
grant that we may love our brothers and sisters with
the heart of St John Bosco.
Father, who through your servant Philip, established a
new group of apostles in the world with the Salesian
spirit:
bless the Volunteers of Don Bosco so that they may
spread your kingdom with the witness of their evan-
gelical lives.
Merciful Father, you give to your faithful servants the
infinite joy of paradise:
through the intercession of Blessed Philip, have mer-
cy on the deceased members of the Salesian Family.
Our Father.

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354 PRoPER oFFrcES
PRavpR
Father, in your infinite goodness you have made
Blessed Philip Rinaldi a shining gospel example ofjoy-
ful self-giving; may we follow the inspiration of his
apostolic initiative, and by daily fidelity to our work,
bring to its fullness your project of love. We ask this
through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever.

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APPENDIX
The Invitatory Psalm at the Office of Readings:
Psalm 94
A call to praise God
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the God who saves us.t
Let us come before him giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.
A mighty God is the Lord,
a great king above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his.
To him belongs the sea, for he made it,
and the dry land shaped by his hands.
Come in; let us bow and bend low;
let us kneel before the God who made us
for he is our God and we
the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand.
O that today you would listen to his voice!
'Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert
when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.
For forty years I was wearied of these people
and I said: Their hearts are astray
these people do not know my ways".
Then I took an oath in my anger:
"Never shall they enter my rest"'.

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356 PRoPER oFFrcES
The Benedictus
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel!*
He has visited his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour*
in the house of David his servant,
as he promised by the lips of holy men,*
those who were his prophets from of old.
A saviour who would free us from our foes,*
from the hands of all who hate us.
So his love for our fathers is fulfilled*
and his holy covenant remembered.
He swore to Abraham our father to grant us,*
that free from fear, and saved from the hands ofour foes,
we might serve him in holiness and justice*
all the days of our life in his presence.
As for you little child,*
you shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High.
You shall go ahead of the Lord*
to prepare his ways before him,
To make known to his people their salvation *
through forgiveness of all their sins,
the loving-kindness of the heart of our God*
who visits us like the dawn from on high.
He will give light to those in darkness,t
those who dwell in the shadow of death,*
and guide us into the way of peace.

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APPENDX 357
The Te Deum
We praise you, O God:*
we acclaim you as the Lord.
Everlasting Father,*
all the world bows down before you.
All the angels sing your praise,*
the hosts of heaven and all the angelic powers,
all the cherubim and seraphim*
call out to you in unending song:
Holy, Holy, Holy,*
is the Lord God of angel hosts!
The heavens and the earth are filled*
with your majesty and glory.
The glorious band of apostles,*
the noble company of prophets.
the white-robed army who shed their blood for Christ,*
all sing your praise.
And to the ends of the earth*
your holy Church proclaims her faith in you:
Father, whose majesty is boundless,t
your true and only Son, who is to be adored,*
the Holy Spirit sent to be our Advocate.
You Christ, are the king of glory*
Son ofthe eternal Father.
When you took our nature to save mankindx
you did not shrink from birth in the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the power of death*
opening the Father's kingdom to all who believe in you.

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358 PRoPER oFFICES
Enthroned atGod's right hand in the glory of the Father,*
you will come in judgment according to your promise.
You redeemed your people by your precious blood,*
Come, we implore you, to our aid.
Grant us with the saints *
a place of eternal glory.
§ Lord, save yourpeople*
and bless your inheritance.
Rule them and uphold them*
for ever and ever.
Day by day we praise you:*
we acclaim you now and to all eternity.
In your goodness, Lord, keep us free from sin.*
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
May your mercy always be with us, Lord,*
for we have hoped in you.
In you, Lord, we put our trust:*
we shall not be put to shame.
The Magnificat
My soul glorifies the Lord,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;*
henceforth all nations will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.*
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age,*
on those who fear him.

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APPENDIX 359
He puts forth his arm in strength *
And scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones*
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,*
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,*
remembering his mercy,
The mercy promised to our fathers,x
to Abraham and his sons for ever.
Psalms for Morning Prayer Sunday week I
Psalm 62
A soul thirsting for God
O God, you are my God, for you I long;*
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you*
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary*
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life,*
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life,x
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,*
my mouth shall praise you with joy.

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360 PRoPER oFFrcES
On my bed I remember you.*
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help;*
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;*
your right hand holds me fast.
The Canticle of David
O all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you, angels of the Lord, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you, the heavens of the Lord, O bless the Lord.*
And you, clouds of the s§ O bless the Lord.
And you, all armies of the Lord, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you, sun and moon, O bless the Lord.*
And you, the stars of the heav'ns, O bless the Lord.
And you, showers and rain, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you, all you breezes and winds, O bless the Lord.*
And you, fire and heat, O bless the Lord.
And you cold and heat, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you showers and dew, O bless the Lord.*
And you, frosts and cold, O bless the Lord.
And you, frost and snow, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

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APPENDIX 36I
And you, night-time and day, O bless the Lord.*
And you, darkness and light, O bless the Lord.
And you, lightning and clouds, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
O let the earth bless the Lord,*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you, mountains and hills, O bless the Lord.*
And you, all plants of the earth, O bless the Lord.
And you, fountains and springs, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you, rivers and seas, O bless the Lord.*
And you, creatures of the sea, O bless the Lord.
And you, every bird in the s§, O bless the Lord.t
And you, wild beasts and tame, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you, children of men. O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise form ever.
O Israel, bless the Lord, O bless the Lord.*
And you, priests of the Lord, O bless the Lord.
And you, servants of the Lord, O bless the Lord.*
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
And you, spirits and souls of the just, O bless the Lord.*
And you, holy and humble of heart, O bless the Lord
Ananias, Azaias,Mizael, O bless the Lord.x
To him be highest glory and praise for ever.
Let us praise the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.*
To you be highest glory and praise for ever.
May you be blessed, O Lord, in the heavens,*
To you be highest glory and praise for ever.

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362 PRoPER oFFrcES
Psalm 149
The song ofjoy ofthe saints
Sing a new song to the Lord,*
His praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its Maker,*
let Sion's sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing*
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people.*
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory*
shout forjoy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips*
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
to deal out vengeance to the nations*
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains*
and their nobles in fetters of iron:
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained:*
this honour is for all his faithful.

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APPENDIX 363
The concluding prayer
The concluding prayer is prefixed with Let us praywhen
said at the Office of Readings, Prayer during the Day and
Night Prayer.
At Morning and Evening Prayer it is said after the Lord's
Prayer, without this infroduction.
Conclusion of this prayer at Moming and Evening Prayer,
and the Offrce of Readings:
(We make our prayer)
through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
R.Amen.
The lead words only are usually given in the text.
If a different conclusion is to be used it is set out in full
in the text.
At Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer the follow-
ing short conclusions are said:
1. When the prayer is addressed to the Father:
Through Christ Our Lord.
2. When the prayer is addressed to the Father, but ends
with a mention of the Son:
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
3. When the prayer is addressed to the Son.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.

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INDEX
. The Rector Major
page 5
. »» Congregation for Divine Worship
Decree forSDB-FMA-VDB,23.12.1994 . . . . .
7
12.06.2009 Congregation for Divine Worship
Decree for SDB,
»8
Congregation for Divine Worship
Decree for FMA, 12.06.2009
»9
Congregation for Divine Worship
Decree forVDB, 12.06.2009
Calendar
» l0
» 1l
15 January
Blessed Louis Variara
22 lantary
Blessed Laura Vicufla
24 Janwry
Saint Francis de Sales
30 January
BlessedBronislasMarkiewic ........
. 3l January
Saint John Bosco
I February
Commemoration of all
deceased Salesian Confreres
7 February
IX Blessed Pius
9 February
BlessedEusebiaPalominoYenes ............
25 February
. Saints Louis Varsiglia and Callistus Caravario .
» 15
»» 22
>» 28
» 47
» 55
» 83
» 108
»' ll7
>> 123

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366 INDEx
6 May
Saint Dominic Savio .
13 May
Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello
15 May
Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima
16 May
Saint Louis Orione
18 May
Saint Leonard Murialdo
24 May
Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians . . . .
29 May
Blessed Joseph Kowalski
12 June
Blessed Francis Kgsy and companions . . . . .
23 June
Saint Joseph Cafasso
7 July
Blessed Maria Romero Meneses
2 August
BlessedAugustus Czartoryski . . . .
26 August
Blessed Zephyrinus Namumncurà
22 September
Blessed Joseph Calasanz, Henry Saiz Aparicio
andcompanions ...
5 October
Blessed Albert Marvelli
13 October
BlessedAlexandrina Mary da Costa
» 142
» 16l
» 186
» 187
» 194
» 202
» 239
» 247
» 256
» 261
» 268
» 276
» 285
» 294
» 302

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24 October
Saintlouis Guanella ......
25 October
Anniversary of the Dedication
ofa ParticularChurch . . . . . .
29 October
BlessedMichaelRua ......
13 November
BlessedArtemidesZatti . . ..
15 November
Blessed Madeleine Morano
5 December
BlessedPhilip Rinaldi . . . . .
Appendix
INDEX 367
» 311
» 318
)) 319
» 329
)) 337
» 345
» 35s

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