*Ps 44:8*
Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Alleluja, alleluja.)
*Ps 44:2*
My heart hath uttered a good word I speak my works to the king.
Glory Be to the Father…
Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Alleluja, alleluja.)
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we which do keep the birthday of thy blessed Virgin Catherine, and do year by year renew her memorial with solemn gladness in thy presence, may likewise be conformed to the pattern of her saintly walk with thee.
Through our Lord…
Lesson from the second letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
*2 Cor 10:17-18; 11:1-2*
Brothers: He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he who commendeth himself, is approved, but he, whom God commendeth. Would to God you could bear with some little of my folly: but do bear with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
*Matt 25:1-13.*
At that time Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: “Then will the kingdom of heaven be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom and the bride. Five of them were foolish and five wise. But the five foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, while the wise did take oil in their vessels with the lamps. Then as the bridegroom was long in coming, they all became drowsy and slept. And at midnight a cry arose, 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go forth to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' The wise answered, saying, 'Lest there may not be enough for us and for you, go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.' Now while they were gone to buy it, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Finally there came also the other virgins, who said, 'Sir, sir, open the door for us!' But he answered and said, 'Amen I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
*Ps 44:10*
The daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory. The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety. (Allelúja.)
May there rise up before thee, O Lord, the prayers we offer on the feast of blessed Catherine, and the saving victim, fragrant with virgin sweetness.
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 25:4; 25:6*
The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet Christ the Lord. (Alleluja.)
