Sunday, 27 January, 2008
SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY (II)
"The three Sundays preceding Ash Wednesday are called Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, which mean, respectively, the seventieth, sixtieth, and fiftieth day, that is, before Easter. They are mere names to correspond with the name of Lent (Quadragesima in Latin: fortieth); obviously they do not actually correspond with the period they indicate.

Jesus is our Redeemer, and by His saving doctrine gives life to souls.

On these Sundays the Gloria in excelsis and Alleluia are omitted, except when the Mass of a feast is said, and the purple vestments are used in preparation for Lent."

Collect: O God, Who seest that we put not our trust in any thing that we do: mercifully grant that by the protection of the Doctor of the Gentiles we may be defended against all adversities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: From the Second Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, 11:19-33; 12:1-9.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke, 8: 4-15.

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church
“The holy Patriarch of Constantinople received his surname 'Chrysostom (golden-mouth)' because he was the most eloquent preacher and the most prolific writer of the Greek Church. He was persecuted by the empress Eudoxia and her courtiers. He died in exile A.D. 407”

Collect: We beseech Thee, O Lord, let Thy heavenly grace give increase to Thy Church, which Thou wast pleased to adorn with the glorious merits and teaching of Blessed John Chrysostom Thy Confessor and Thy Bishop. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Epistle: From the Second Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to Timothy, 4:1-8.
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 5:13-19.

Remarks are abstracted from The Daily Missal and Liturgical Manual, from Editio Typica of the Roman Missal and Breviary, 1962
(Baronius Press Limited, London, 2004, in conjunction with the Fraternal Society of St. Peter, www.baroniuspress.com)