Feast days of the week 3-9 August, A.D. 2008 (1962 liturgical calendar).

Friday, 8 August 2008
ST. JOHN MARY VIANNEY, Confessor (III)
“The Cure d’Ars was born at Dardilly, near Lyons, in 1786. The sanctity of St. John Vianney gives to the obscure village Ars a universal fame. As parish priest he converted sinners and directed souls, not only those of his own flock, but people of all nations and conditions who came to consult this Spiritual Director. He died on August 4, A.D. 1859, and was canonized A.D. 1925.”

Collect: Almighty and merciful God, who didst make St. John Mary wonderful in his pastoral zeal and constant prayer and penance: grant, we beseech Thee, that by his example and intercession we may be able to win the souls of our brethren for Christ, and together with them attain to everlasting glory. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who livest and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Lesson: From the Book of Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11.
[The just man that hath not gone after earthly things is praised on earth and shall have glory everlasting.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke 12:35-40.
[Christ admonishes all to watch and be ready for His coming.]

SS. CYRIACUS, LARGUS AND SMARAGDUS, Martyrs (Comm.)
“St. Cyriacus, Deacon, and his two companions, Largus and Smaragdus, were put to death in the persecution of Diocletian A.D. 303.”

Collect: O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly festival of Thy holy Martyrs Cyriacus, Largus and Smaragdus: mercifully grant, that we, who celebrate their heavenly birthday, may also follow the example of fortitude they showed in their martyrdom. 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 First Letter of Bl. Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians, 2:13-16.
[St. Paul was gladdened by the fortitude of the Christians.]
Gospel: Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Mark, 16:15-18.
[“Preach the Gospel of peace throughout the whole world.”]

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