*Ps 20:2-3*
In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Thou hast given him his heart's desire.
*Ps 20:4*
For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.
Glory Be to the Father…
In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly. Thou hast given him his heart's desire.
O God, Who didst teach thy blessed Martyr Hermenegild to choose an heavenly rather than an earthly crown, grant, we beseech thee, that we, like him, may so pass through things temporal that we finally miss not those which are eternal.
Through our Lord…
Lesson from the book of Wisdom
*Wis 10:10-14*
She conducted the just, when he fled from his brother's wrath, through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. In the deceit of them that overreached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable. She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all. She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit. And in bands she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.
Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
*Luke 14:26-33.*
At that time, Jesus said to the crowds, If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. And he who does not carry his cross and follow Me, cannot be My disciple. For which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the outlays that are necessary, whether he has the means to complete it? Lest, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who behold begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’ Or what king setting out to engage in battle with another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet him who with twenty thousand is coming against him? Or else, whilst the other is yet at a distance, he sends a delegation and asks the terms of peace. So, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all that he possesses, cannot be My disciple.
*Ps 8:6-7*
Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: and hast set him over the works of thy hands.
As thou hast received our gifts and prayers, O Lord, cleanse us, we ask by thy heavenly mysteries, and graciously hear us.
Through our Lord…
*Easter*
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, at all times to praise Thee, O Lord, but more gloriously especially in this season (sed tempore Passionis)
on this night (sed octava Paschæ)
on this day when Christ our Pasch was sacrificed. For He is the Lamb Who hath taken away the sins of the world: Who by dying hath destroyed our death: and by rising again hath restored us to life. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:
*Matt 16:24*
He who wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
‘Pope’ Leo XIV with athletes in the Vatican on April 9, 2026>