Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

Propers for the Optional Memorial of St. Blaise, Entrance Antiphon:This holy man fought to the death for the law of his God and did not fear the words of the godless, for he was built on solid rock. Alleluia Verse, Mt 28:19a, 20b:Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world. Communion Antiphon, Cf. Mt 16:24:O chosen people, proclaim the mighty works of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Propers for the Optional Memorial of St. Ansgar, Entrance Antiphon:This holy man fought to the death for the law of his God and did not fear the words of the godless, for he was built on solid rock. Alleluia Verse, 1 Pt 4:14:If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you. Communion Antiphon, Mt 10:27::What I say to you in the darkness speak in the light, says the Lord; what you hear whispered proclaim on the housetops.The Universal Calendar offers two saints for Optional Memorial, Blaise and Ansgar. St. Blaise (or Blase) (d. 320) enjoyed widespread veneration in the Eastern and Western Churches due to many cures attributed to him. According to tradition, he was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and was martyred under Licinius. On this day the Church gives a "Blessing of the Throats" in honor of St. Blaise. From the eighth century he has been invoked on behalf of the sick, especially those afflicted with illnesses of the throat. St. Blaise is included in the list of Fourteen Holy Helpers.

Entrance Antiphon, Cf. Ps 48 (47): 10-11:Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice. Alleluia Verse, Lk 2:32:A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.Preface: the Mystery of the Presentation of the Lord:It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Entrance Antiphon, Ps 106 (105):47:Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you. Alleluia Verse for Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Jn 10:27:My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Communion Antiphon, Cf. Ps 31 (30):17-18:Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love, O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you. St. Brigid of Ireland (453-523) is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology today. Today is celebrated as a Feast in Ireland and an Optional Memorial in New Zealand. Surnamed "the Mary of the Gael," St. Brigid was born at Faughart, near Dundalk. She took the veil in her youth and eventually founded the nunnery of Kildare, the first to be erected on Irish soil, thus becoming the spiritual mother of all Irish nuns. Around her name there have been formed hundreds of legends, which could be fittingly described as "the Little Flowers of St. Brigid," the keynote being mercy and pity for the poor.