Born in Montgesty on the 5th of January 1802, John Gabriel Perboyre was ordained a priest on the 23rd of September 1826. He was responsible for directing the Internal Seminary of the Congregation. However, ardently wanting to devote himself to foreign missions, he desired to go to China and landed in Macao on the 29th of August 1835. He carried out the apostolate among Christians despite the dangers of persecution. Betrayed by a disciple, he was tortured for a long time and suffered martyrdom in Outchanfou on the 11th of September 1840. He was beatified on the 10th of November 1889 and was canonized on the 2nd of June 1996.
Invitatory Antiphon: The Lord is the King of martyrs; come let us adore Him.
Hymn
The martyrs living now with Christ
In suffering were tried,
Their anguish overcome by love
When on his cross he died.
Across the centuries they come,
In constancy unmoved,
Their loving hearts make no complaint,
In silence they are proved.
No man has ever measured love,
Or weighed it in his hand,
But God who knows the inmost heart
Gives them the promised land.
Praise Father, Son and Spirit blest,
Who guides us through the night
In ways that reach beyond the stars
To everlasting light.
Antiphon 1: In the Crucifix, in the Gospel and in the Eucharist, we find everything we can possibly desire.
Antiphon 2: It is Jesus who will be our strength.
Antiphon 3: If we want to attain to heavenly bliss and glory, we must walk in the way of humility, charity and obedience.
Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 4:5, 8-10.
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
Short Responsory
V. We walk the way of humility and charity to proclaim the life of Jesus.
R. We walk the way of humility and charity to proclaim the life of Jesus.
V. We accept our sufferings with patience.
R. We walk the way of humility and charity to proclaim the life of Jesus.
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. We walk the way of humility and charity to proclaim the life of Jesus.
Benedictus Antiphon: Let us start again, let us continue every day without ever getting tired.
Intercessions
Saint John Gabriel Perboyre reminds us of the need for our participation in the mystery of the cross of the Lord to share His glorious resurrection. We acclaim with faith:
R. In Your cross is our hope, O Lord.
Blessed are You, O Jesus, Savior of the world, who did not refuse to undergo the passion and the cross for us, redeeming us with Your precious blood. R.
Teach us to live the experience of Your passion intimately within us, sharing in Your glorious resurrection. R.
Send workers into Your harvest, that Your name may be glorified among all people. R.
Kindle in our hearts a burning thirst for You, uniting us all in communion of faith and charity through Your Spirit. R.
Our Father
Concluding Prayer
O God, Who have led the holy martyr John Gabriel Perboyre,
to imitate Christ in apostolic zeal
and in his participation in the Cross,
may we who follow his example,
become witnesses to the Passion of Christ
to contribute joyfully to the salvation of our brothers.
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
Our Lord the path of suffering trod
And since His blood for man hath flowed,
’Tis meet that man should yield to God
The life he owed. Alleluia, Alleluia.
No shame to own the Crucified -
Nay, ’tis our immortality
That we confess our God who died,
And for Him die. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Filled with this thought, with patient smile
All threats the martyr doth withstand,
Fights, Lord, Thy cause, and leans the while
Upon Thine hand. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Beholding his predestined crown,
Into death’s arms he willing goes;
Dying, he conquers death; overthrown,
Overthrows his foes. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Lord, make us Thine own soldiers true
Grant us brave faith, a spirit pure
That for Thy name, Thy cross in view,
We may endure. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Eternal Father of the Word,
Eternal Word, we Thee adore,
Eternal Spirit, God and Lord,
For evermore. Alleluia, Alleluia
Antiphon 1: There is no other way, no other truth, no other life: to Christ alone we must attach ourselves.
Antiphon 2: After our death, we will be asked if we have busied ourselves with the imitation of Christ.
Antiphon 3: There is but one thing necessary and that is Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reading
2 Timothy 2:1, 8-10.
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory..
Short Responsory
V. There is but one thing necessary and that is Jesus Christ.
R. There is but one thing necessary and that is Jesus Christ.
V. In the gospel we find everything we desire.
R. There is but one thing necessary and that is Jesus Christ.
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. There is but one thing necessary and that is Jesus Christ.
Magnificat Antiphon: Let us enter into the sentiments of Christ; let us acquire all His virtues.
Intercessions
Let us direct our prayer to God the Father, that the light of cross and resurrection of Christ may reach all people still immersed in the darkness of error:
R. Manifest, O Lord, Your salvation.
Remember Your holy Church, spread throughout the world, made glorious by the blood of Christ and martyrs; bless those who invoke Your name in the Church. R.
May we always and everywhere carry the passion of Your Son in our bodies, that His immortal life may be manifested in us. R.
Let us participate in the passion of Christ amid the struggles and trials of life, may we experience the strength of His redemption within us. R.
Open the hearts of all people to the hope of salvation, grant them to share in the banquet of eternal life. R.
From the humiliation of the cross, You raised Christ to Your right; welcome the departed into the glory of Your kingdom. R.
Our Father
Concluding Prayer
O God, Who have led the holy martyr John Gabriel Perboyre,
to imitate Christ in apostolic zeal
and in his participation in the Cross,
may we who follow his example,
become witnesses to the Passion of Christ
to contribute joyfully to the salvation of our brothers.
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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