The following are the English propers (“the readings”) for this Mass. The English of the fixed, ordinary parts of the Mass are available for a Low Mass, High Mass and Solemn Mass.
Introitus
Ps 118:95-96.
Sinners wait to destroy me, but I pay heed to Your decrees, O Lord. I see that all fulfillment has its limits; broad indeed is Your command.
Ps 118:1
Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Sinners wait to destroy me, but I pay heed to Your decrees, O Lord. I see that all fulfillment has its limits; broad indeed is Your command.
Collect
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech You, O Lord our God, that we may venerate with unceasing devotion Your holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas; and although we cannot pay them the honor that is their due, may we at least present to them our humble homage.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen
Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 51:13-17.
O Lord, my God, You have exalted my dwelling place upon the earth, and I have prayed for death to pass away. I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that He would not abandon me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help. I will ever praise Your name, and will praise it with thanksgiving; and my prayer was heard. And You saved me from destruction, and delivered me from the evil time. For this reason I thank You and I praise You, O Lord, our God.
R. Thanks be to God.
Gradual
Ps 45:6, 5
God will help her with His countenance. God is in her midst; she shall not be disturbed.
V. There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God; the Most High has sanctified His dwelling.
Come spouse of Christ, receive the crown, which the Lord has prepared for you forever: for the love of Whom you shed your blood. Ps 44:8; 44:5 You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
V. In your splendor and your beauty ride on triumphant, and reign.
Gospel
Continuation +︎ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 13:44-52.
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; he who finds it hides it, and in his joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he finds a single pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea that gathered in fish of every kind. When it was filled, they hauled it out, and sitting down on the beach, they gathered the good fish into vessels, but threw away the bad. So will it be at the end of the world. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from among the just, and will cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things? They said to Him, Yes. And He said to them, So then, every Scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth from his storeroom things new and old.
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.
Offertorium
Ps 44:3
Grace is poured out upon your lips; thus God has blessed you forever, and for ages of ages.
Secreta
Look with favor, we beseech You, O Lord, upon the gifts placed on Your altar for the feast-day of Your holy Virgin-Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas, and as You glorified them, lavish upon us Your forgiveness by these sacred rites.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Prefatio
Common
It is truly meet and just, and profitable unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ, our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominions adore it, the Powers are in awe. Which the heavens and the hosts of heaven together with the blessed Seraphim joyfully do magnify. And do Thou command that it be permitted us to join with them in confessing Thee, while we say with lowly praise:
Communio
Ps 118:121-122; 118:128
I have fulfilled just ordinances, O Lord; let not the proud oppress me. For in all Your precepts I go forward; every false way I hate.
Postcommunio
Let us pray.
You have filled us with spiritual joy and delight; grant, we beseech You, O Lord, that by the intercession of Your holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas, we may spiritually attain what now we ritually perform.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.