Martha Wiecka was born on the 12th of January 1874, in Nowy Wiec in Pomerania, on the border with Poland. She was the third child among thirteen. From her childhood, she showed a predisposition for prayer and service to others. At the age of 18, she joined the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in Krakow. For twelve years of her consecrated life, she served the poor in various hospitals, caring not only for their physical health but also for their souls. In her efforts to assist a young family man, she contracted a severe illness. After a few days, she joyfully surrendered her spirit to God on the 30th of May 1930, in Sniatyn. She was beatified on the 24th of May 2004.
Invitatory Antiphon: Come let us praise the Lord our God, in memory of Blessed Martha.
Hymn
God's blessed Spirit moved his virgin saint
To wield strong weapons in a lifelong fight,
To make a lonely journey from the flesh,
That she might live unfettered in his sight.
She turned her face towards the cross of Christ,
And he himself prepared her as his bride;
She bore the Holy Spirit's timeless fruits
By which God's pledge of love is ratified.
Her life showed forth the kingdom of the Lord,
When humbly for his sake she dwelt apart,
To wait on him in silence with the poor,
The chaste of body and the clean of heart.
O Blessed Trinity, the virgins' crown,
They sing your praises with unending song,
Rejoicing in the hope you have fulfilled,
Lord God, unfailing strength of all the strong
Antiphon 1: In all circumstances that are painful for our nature, we must look to God’s paternal goodness.
Antiphon 2: God sends us occasions of suffering so that we take recourse to the merits of His Son.
Antiphon 3: Our inner dialogue with God should consist of remembering His holy presence as often as possible, adoring Him at all hours, and performing acts of love for His goodness.
Scripture Reading
Romans 12:1-2.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Short Responsory
V. My heart has said of you, I have sought your presence, Lord. (Alleluia, alleluia).
R. My heart has said of you, I have sought your presence, Lord. (Alleluia, alleluia).
V. Do not hide your face from me, Lord.
R. My heart has said of you, I have sought your presence, Lord. (Alleluia, alleluia).
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. My heart has said of you, I have sought your presence, Lord. (Alleluia, alleluia).
Benedictus Antiphon: You have given your heart to Christ, wise virgin: now live with Him, shining like a star in the assembly of saints (Alleluia).
Intercessions
With joy, we express our faith to Christ - the spouse and crown of virgins:
R. Jesus, Spouse and Crown of virgins, listen to our prayer.
Bless this day, which we begin in memory of Your resurrection; may it be filled with holy works in service of Your love. R.
Turn Your gaze of goodness to the sick and suffering, who share in the comfort of Your cross. R.
You promised to remain with Your disciples until the end of the world; stay with us today and always. R.
Protect those who rely on our prayers; fill them with blessings in body and spirit. R.
Our Father
Concluding Prayer
O God, Who bestowed upon blessed Marta Wiecka,
the grace to imitate Christ’s love and concern for the sick,
grant us the grace to follow her example,
to bring relief to our brothers and sisters,
and to direct their hearts towards You, the source of salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Hymn
O Jesus, thou the virgins' crown,
Thy gracious ear to us bow down,
Born of that Virgin whom alone
The Mother and the maid we own.
In thee, their Bridegroom and their Lord,
The virgins find their bright reward,
And wheresoe'r they footsteps wend
With hymns and praises thee attend.
O gracious Lord, we thee implore
Thy grace into our minds to pour;
From all defilement keep us free,
And make us pure in heart for thee.
All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to thee,
With whom the Spirit we adore,
Forever and for evermore.
Antiphon 1: In all circumstances that are painful for our nature, we must look to God’s paternal goodness.
Antiphon 2: God sends us occasions of suffering so that we take recourse to the merits of His Son.
Antiphon 3: Our inner dialogue with God should consist of remembering His holy presence as often as possible, adoring Him at all hours, and performing acts of love for His goodness.
Scripture Reading
Romans 8:28-30.
We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Short Responsory
V. The Lord has chosen you and favored you. (Alleluia, alleluia).
R. The Lord has chosen you and favored you. (Alleluia, alleluia).
V. He made you live in His tent.
R. The Lord has chosen you and favored you. (Alleluia, alleluia).
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. The Lord has chosen you and favored you. (Alleluia, alleluia).
Magnificat Antiphon: Come, bride of Christ, receive the crown that the Lord has prepared for you (Alleluia).
Intercessions
As we joyfully celebrate the Lord Jesus, who exalted virginity for the kingdom of heaven, we offer our supplications:
R. Christ, spouse of virgins, hear our prayer.
May we always rejoice in the intercession of blessed Martha, the virgin. R.
May our suffering brothers and sisters share in the grace and consolation of Your passion. R.
As the Doctor of souls and bodies, provide relief to the sick, comfort the dying, and renew all humanity with Your mercy. R.
Confirm those who have abandoned everything for Your kingdom, make them living gospels and authentic witnesses to the holiness of the Church. R.
Welcome the faithful departed to the eternal banquet, just as You welcomed the holy virgins. R.
Our Father.
Concluding Prayer
O God, Who bestowed upon blessed Marta Wiecka,
the grace to imitate Christ’s love and concern for the sick,
grant us the grace to follow her example,
to bring relief to our brothers and sisters,
and to direct their hearts towards You, the source of salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
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