*Sir 45:30*
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever. (Alléluia, alléluia.)
*Ps. 131:1*
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness.
Glory Be to the Father…
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever. (Alléluia, alléluia.)
O God, Who see that we cannot survive by any power of our own, mercifully grant that, by the intercession of blessed Martin, Your Confessor and Bishop, we may be made safe from all harm.
Through our Lord…
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
*Sir 44:16-27; 45:3-20*
Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God, and was found just; and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Therefore, by an oath, the Lord made him to increase among his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in His blessings; He preserved for him His mercy; and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him a great priesthood; and made him blessed in glory. To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him a worthy incense for an odor of sweetness.
*Sir 44:16, 20*
Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God.
℣. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia.
℣. The blessed man, St. Martin, Bishop of the city of Tours, has gone to rest; and the Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominations and Powers have received him. Alleluia.
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
*Luke 11:33-36*
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or even under the measure, but upon the lamp-stand, that they who enter in may see the light. The lamp of your body is your eye. If your eye be sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if it be evil, your body also will be full of darkness. Take care, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness. If, then, your whole body is full of light, having no part in darkness, it will all be illumined, as when a bright lamp illumines you.
*Ps 88:25*
My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his horn be exalted. (Alleluia.)
Sanctify, we beseech You, O Lord God, the gifts we offer on the feast of Your holy Bishop, Martin, that through them our life, whether in fortune or misfortune, may always be directed aright.
Through our Lord…
*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. Through 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 us to join with them in confessing Thee, while we say with lowly praise:
*Matt 24:46-47*
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods. (Alleluia.)
(image source: Twitter/X) We’ve seen a lot in terms of desecration and profanation of Catholic churches over the years, but this may be a first.