Posted by 
St. Edmund Rich of Canterbury, Confessor Bishop: Missa “Gaudeamus“
Popular Archbishop of Canterbury who battled for discipline and justice, also called Edmund of Abingdon. Born in Abingdon, on November 30, 1180. he studied at Oxford, England, and in Paris, France. He taught art and mathematics at Oxford and was ordained. He spent eight years teaching theology and became Canon and treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral. An eloquent speaker, Edmund preached a crusade for Pope Gregory IX and was named Archbishop of Canterbury. He became an advisor to King Henry III and presided in 1237 at Henry’s ratification of the Great Charter. When Cardinal Olt became a papal legate with the patronage of King Henry, Edmund protested. A long-lasting feud between Edmund, the king, and his legate led him to resigning his see in 1240. He went to Pontigny, France, where he became a Cistercian. He died at Soissons, on November 16. Edmund was canonized in 1246 or 1247. A college in Oxford bears his name.
The Anthem to St Edmund
O Beate mi Edmunde,
O Beate mi Edmunde,
Sic pro me ad Filium Dei,
Cum Maria preces funde,
Cum Maria preces funde,
Ut per vos sim placens Ei
O my beloved Edmund,
in union with Mary, pour out your prayers for me
to the Son of God, so that through them,
we may always be found pleasing to Him.
INTROIT
Rejoice we in the Lord, as we keep holiday in honour of blessed Edmund; of him whose feast makes angels joyful and sets them praising the Son of God. Ps. 32:1 Triumph, just souls, in the Lord; true hearts, it is yours to praise him. v. Glory be…etc
COLLECT
O God, who in the measure of Thy overflowing bounty hast adorned Thy Church with the merits and illustrious life of Thy blessed Confessor Bishop Edmund, and hast made her joyful by his glorious miracles, grant this boon to us Thy servants, that we may reform ourselves by his example and be shielded by his protection against every onslaught. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. Amen
EPISTLE Sirach 50.1, 4-11
Lesson from the book of Wisdom. A great was he. In his life, he propped up the house, and in his days, he strengthened the temple. He cared for his nation, and he freed it from perdition. He prevailed, so as to enlarge the city. And he obtained glory by his behavior among the people. And he enlarged the entrance of the house and of the atrium. He shined in his days like the morning star through the midst of a cloud, and like the full moon. And he shined forth in the temple of God in this manner: like the sun when it shines brightly, and like a rainbow shining amid clouds of glory, and like flowering roses in the days of spring, and like lilies along the water’s edge, and like sweet smelling frankincense in the days of summer, like a fire shining brightly, and like frankincense burning within a fire, like a vessel of solid gold, adorned with every precious stone, like an olive tree producing buds, and like a cypress tree lifting itself on high, when he received the robe of glory and was vested with the consummation of virtue.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA
Lord, with abundant blessings Thou hast met him on his way, hast set a jewelled crown upon his head. v. He prayed for life, and Thou hast granted him life unfailing till the end of time. Alleluia, alleluia. v. This Edmund, poor and modest, entered heaven rich; the choirs of heaven chant his praise. Alleluia!
GOSPEL Matthew 25:14-23
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A man going abroad, called his servants and handed over his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his particular ability, and then he went on his journey. And he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more. In like manner, he who had received the two gained two more. But he who had received the one went away and dug in the earth and hid his master’s money. Then after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others in addition.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had received the two talents came, and said, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; behold, I have gained two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master.’
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalm 88: 25
My faithfulness and mercy shall go with him: as my champion shall he rise to greatness.
SECRET
We pray Thee, Lord, that the gifts we are about to offer Thee may be made pleasing by the intercession of the Confessor Bishop Edmund, and that, when offered, they may further our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. Amen
PREFACE of the Common
It is truly meet and just, and profitable unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to thee, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ, our Lord. Though whom the angels praise thy majesty, the dominions adore it, the powers are in awe. Which the heavens and the hosts of heaven together with the blessed seraphim joyfully do magnify. And do thou command that it be permitted to us join with them in confessing thee, while we say with lowly praise:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matthew 24: 46-47
Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord cometh he shall find watching: Amen I say to you, he shall place him over all his goods.
POSTCOMMUNION
Strengthen our minds, we entreat Thee, Lord, by the sacrament we have received. Thou who didst encourage us by means of fresh miracles wrought by Thy blessed Bishop Edmund, deign also to help us by his prayers and to enlighten us by his example. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. Amen