Mass for the Feast of Saint Miguel Febres Cordero

Entrance Antiphon: Matthew 5:19b

"Whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven," says the Lord.

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, in Saint Miguel Febres Cordero you gave your Church a distinguished educator of youth. Grant that by imitating his exemplary dedication, we learn to welcome young people with kindness and thereby guide them more surely to you. Through Christ our Lord.

First Reading: Sirach 39:6-9, 13-14
His care is to seek the LORD, his Maker, to petition the Most High, To open his lips in prayer, to ask pardon for his sins. Then, if it pleases the LORD Almighty, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; He will pour forth his words of wisdom and in prayer give thanks to the LORD, Who will direct his knowledge and his counsel, as he meditates upon his mysteries.
 
He will show the wisdom of what he has learned and glory in the law of the LORD'S covenant.
 
Many will praise his understanding; his fame can never be effaced; Unfading will be his memory, through all generations his name will live; Once more I will set forth my theme to shine like the moon in its fullness!
 
Listen, my faithful children: open up your petals, like roses planted near running waters; Send up the sweet odor of incense, break forth in blossoms like the lily. Send up the sweet odor of your hymn of praise; bless the LORD for all he has done!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34: 2-7

Response: Proclaim the word of the Lord to your brothers and sisters.

I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.
My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad.
 
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears.
 
Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.
In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.



Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, 17, 3:2-6a

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the odor of the knowledge of him in every place. For we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to the latter an odor of death that leads to death, to the former an odor of life that leads to life. For we are not like the many who trade on the word of God; but as out of sincerity, indeed as from God and in the presence of God, we speak in Christ.
 
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all, shown to be a letter of Christ administered by us, written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.

Not that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us; rather, our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.


Gospel Acclamation: cf Matthew 11:25

Alleluia. R. Alleluia.

The one who has come from God proclaims the word of God.

R. Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus said in reply,  "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.
 
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
 
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
 
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
 
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.
 
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Prayer over the Gifts:

Graciously accept, O Lord, the prayers and offerings we make to you in memory of Saint Miguel Febres Cordero, and through this sacrifice fill us with the abundance of your gifts. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: John 8:12

"Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life," says the Lord.

Prayer after Communion:

O God, you have nourished us at your table with the word and the bread of life. Fill us with the same love for this sacred banquet which animated Saint Miguel Febres Cordero, so that we live in your peace and zealously proclaim your gospel. Through Christ our Lord.