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St Thomas, Apostle; Com. Feria of Advent IV: Missa “Mihi autem nimis”
Saint Thomas, called Didymus, that is “the twin,” was probably a Galilean of lowly condition and a fisherman. He was chosen to be one of the apostles in the year 31, as can be determined from the mention of his name in the catalogue of the apostles in St. Matthew. He is reputed to have been slow of understanding and little acquainted with secular learning. When Jesus was about to go to the neighborhood of Jerusalem in order to raise Lazarus from the dead the other apostles tried to dissuade Him, lest the Jews stone Him. But in his enthusiastic love St. Thomas exclaimed, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him!” Again, it was at the Last Supper that the Savior said: “And whither I go you know, and the way you know.” To this St. Thomas, burning with an ardent desire to follow the Master said, “Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?” To which Our Lord replied with the beautiful words, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by Me.”
In the Gospel for today the response of Jesus to the doubt which Thomas had expressed concerning His resurrection is related, with the answer of Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” St. Thomas is said to have planted the standard of the cross among the Medes, Persians, and neighboring nations. He is called the Apostle of India. He is said to have been slain for the faith at Calamina in India; and there is a legend to the effect that he was executed by the sword or by a lance.
INTROIT Psalm 138: 7
To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable : their principality is exceedingly strengthened. (Psalm 138: 1-2). Lord, Thou hast proved me, and known me; Thou hast known my sitting down and y rising up. v. Glory be…etc
COLLECT
Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to glory in the solemn festival of blessed Thomas, Thine apostle, that we may both be helped continually by his patronage and imitate his faith with befitting devotion. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever.
Commemoration of Sunday Advent IV
Lord, we beseech Thee, stir up Thy power, and come, and with great might succor us: that by the help of Thy grace that which is hindered by our sins may be hastened by Thy merciful forgiveness. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God., Forever and ever. R. Amen.
EPISTLE Ephesians 2: 19-22
Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians. Brethren, You are no more strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and domestics of God: built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone. In Whom all the building, being framed together, groweth up into a holy temple in the Lord: In Whom you also are built together into an habitation of God in the Spirit.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 138: 17,18
Thy friends, O God, are exceedingly honorable; their principality is exceedingly strengthened. V. I will number them, and they shall be multiplied above the sand. Alleluia, alleuia. V. (Ps. 32: 1) Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright. Alleluia.
GOSPEL John 20: 24-29
At that time, Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe. And after eight days, again His disciples were within, and Thomas wth them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be to you. Then He saith to Thomas, “Put in thy finger hither, and see My hands, and bring hither thy hand, and put it into My side; and be not faithless but believing.” Thomas answered, and said to Him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith to him, ” Because Thou hast seen Me, Thomas, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.”
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 18: 5
Their sound went forth into all the earth; and their words to the ends of the world.
SECRET
We render to Thee, O Lord, the homage due Thee, earnestly entreating that by the prayers of Thy blessed apostle Thomas, on whose feast we offer these sacrifices of praise, that Thou guard Thy gifts to us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R.Amen.
Commemoration of Sunday Advent IV
O Lord, we beseech Thee, look down favorably upon these present Sacrifices: that they may profit us both unto devotion and salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R. Amen.
PREFACE of the Apostles
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, to entreat Thee humbly, O Lord, that Thou woulds not desert Thy flock. O everlasting Shepherd; but through Thy blessed Apostles, wouldst keep it under Thy constant protection; that it may be governed by those same rulers, whom as vicars of Thy work, Thou didst set over it to be its pastors. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of The glory, evermore saying:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON John 20: 27
Put thy hand and know the place of the nails, and be not incredulous, but believing.
POSTCOMMUNION
O merciful God, do Thou abide with us, and, with the blessed apostle Thomas interceding for us, mercifully watch over Thy gifts made for our welfare. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.
Commemoration of Sunday Advent IV
Having received Thy gifts, we beseech Thee, O Lord: that as we frequent this Mystery, so the work of our salvation may advance. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.
