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S O L E M N I T Y

Entrance Antiphon

Ecclesiasticus 39:8b, 10a.

The Lord filled him with the spirit of understanding will grow upright in purpose and in learning.

Grant, Lord,

that in the service of our brothers and sisters

we may always reflect your own gentleness and love,

and so imitate St. Francis de Sales,

whom you made all to all

for the saving of souls.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.  

Amen

Father,

by this offering

may the divine flame of your Holy Spirit,

which burned in the gentle heart of Francis de Sales,

inspire us with compassion and love.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. 

Amen

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,

we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks

through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

For in St. Francis de Sales you gave the Church

a Pastor after your own heart,

to lead your people in holiness

by his writings, his preaching and his example

and so prepare a way for the Lord.

You filled the soul of St. Francis

with such outstanding sweetness

that he called sinners to repentance

and sought the unity of all believers

through the bond of peace.

In his company, with all the angels

we praise your glory

as we sing with one voice:

Holy, holy, holy Lord…

Communion Antiphon

Ps 24:8a, 9-10

The Lord is good and upright. He guides the humble in the right path; he teaches his way to the poor.

Merciful Father,

may the sacrament we have celebrated

help us to imitate Francis de Sales in love and service;

bring us to share with him the glory of heaven.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen

God Our Father,

in Francis de Sales you have given us a friend in heaven.

Through his prayers we are confident

that you will watch over us always

and fill our hearts with your love.

Grant this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen

FIRST READING

A reading from the Book of Proverbs    

(16:16-23, 32)

Gentleness and humility are the well-spring of a blessed eloquence.

How much better is wisdom than gold;

understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;

he who guards his way preserves his life.

Pride goes before destruction

and a haughty spirit before a fall.

It is better to be of lowly spirit with the poor

than to divide the spoil with the proud.

He who gives heed to the word will prosper,

and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.

The wise of heart is called a man of discernment,

and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it,

but folly is the chastisement of fools.

The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious,

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

This is the Word of the Lord.

R/. Happy the Man who fears the Lord.

Happy the man who fears the Lord,

who takes delight in all his commands.

His sons will be powerful on earth;

the children of the upright are blessed.   R/.

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.   R/.

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.   R/.

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.   R/.

Open-handed he gives to the poor;

his justice stands firm for ever.

His head will be raised in glory.   R/.

"Love and do what you will"   (St. Augustine)

My dear people,

let us love one another

since love comes from God

and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.

Anyone who fails to love can never have known God,

because God is love.

God's love for us was revealed

when God sent into the world his only Son

so that we could have life through him:

this is the love I mean:

not our love for God,

but God's love for us when he sent his Son

to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.

My dear people,

since God has loved us so much,

we too should love one another.

Not one has ever seen God;

but as long as we love one another.

God will live in us

and his love will be complete in us.

We can know that we are living in him

and he is living in us

because he lets us share his Spirit.

We ourselves saw and we testify

that the Father sent his Son

as saviour of the world.

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,

God lives in him, and he in God.

We ourselves have known

and put our faith in God's love towards ourselves.

God is love

and anyone who lives in love lives in God,

and God lives in him.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation (Mt 5:16)

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Your light must shine in the sight of others,

so that, seeing your good works,

they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.

Alleluia!

Keep them and teach them.

Jesus said to his disciples:  

"You  are the salt of the earth.

But if salt becomes tasteless

what can make it salty again?

It is good for nothing

and can only be thrown out

to be trampled underfoot by men.

"You are the light of the world.

A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub;

they put it on the lamp-stand

where it shines for everyone in the house.

In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men,

so that, seeing your good works,

they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.

"Do not imagine

that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.

I have come not to abolish but to complete them.

I tell you solemnly,

till heaven and earth disappear,

not one dot, not one little stroke,

shall disappear from the Law

until its purpose is achieved.

Therefore, the man who infringes

even one of the least of these commandments

and teaches others to do the same

will be considered the least

in the kingdom of heaven;

but the man who keeps them

and teaches them

will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven".

This is the Gospel of the Lord.