24 April

THE CONVERSION OF OUR FATHER SAINT AUGUSTINE

Memorial

 

 

Entrance Antiphon                 Si 15:5

In the midst of the assembly the Lord opened his mouth.

He filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.

He clothed him in a robe of glory. Alleluia.

 

Opening Prayer

Father,

in your providence you led Saint Augustine

from the darkness of error into the light of the Gospel truth.

May we, who honor his conversion today,

be enabled, with the help of his prayers,

to change our lives for the better.

We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

 

First Reading                Rom 13:11-14

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

 

You know the time has come; the moment is here for you to stop sleeping and wake up, because by now our salvation is nearer than when we first began to believe. The night is nearly over, daylight is on the way; so let us throw off everything that belongs to the darkness and equip ourselves for the light. Let us live decently, as in the light of day; with no orgies or drunkenness, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy. Let you armor be the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop worrying about how your disordered natural inclinations may be fulfilled.

 

The word of the Lord.

 

Responsorial Psalm                Ps 130:1-3

 

R/. Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord

 

O Lord, my heart is not proud

nor haughty my eyes.

 

I have not gone after things too great

nor marvels beyond me. R/.

 

Truly I have set my soul

in silence and peace.

 

A weaned child on its mother’s breast,

even so is my soul. R/.

 

O Israel, hope in the Lord

both now and for ever. R/.

 

Gospel Acclamation               Jn 8:12b

Alleluia, Alleluia.

 

I am the Light of the World, says the Lord;

anyone who follows me will have the light of life.

 

Alleluia.

 

Gospel                 Lk 7:11-17

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.

 

Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. Now, when he was near the gate of the town there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople was with her. When the Lord saw her he felt sorry for her and said to her, “Do not cry”. Then he went up and touched the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Everyone was filled with awe and glorified God saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us; God has visited his people.” And this view of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord of mercy, as we celebrate this memorial of our salvation,

we humbly pray that this sacrament of your love

may be for us a sign of unity and a bond of charity.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

Preface

V/. The Lord be with you.

R/. And also with you.

 

V/. Lift up your hearts.

R/. We lift them up to the Lord.

 

V/. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

R/. It is right to give him thanks and praise.

 

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,

we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So perfectly did Christ turn the heart of Augustine to you, Father,

that he became an outstanding witness

to the power of your grace,

and filled your Church with the radiant light of his teaching.

You pierced his heart with the sweet wound of your love

and filled him with such zeal for your glory,

that he never tired of feeding his flock

with the food of sound doctrine.

You answered his yearning for perfection

by inspiring him to gather his clergy into community,

thus enhancing the sacred ministry

by the profession of the religious life.

And so, with angels and archangels, and with all the heavenly host,

we proclaim your glory

and join in their unending hymn of praise:

 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

 

Communion Antiphon            Lk 12:42

This is the faithful and wise servant, whom the Lord has put in charge of his household, to give them their share of food at the appointed time. Alleluia.

 

Prayer after Communion

Lord, may our sharing at the table of Christ make us holy.

May we be transformed into what we have received

and become members of his body.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.