Catherine Labouré was born in Fains-les-Moutiers on the 2nd of May 1806, and joined the Daughters of Charity on the 21st of April 1830. She was privileged to experience several apparitions of the Immaculate Virgin and received other supernatural graces. She devoted her life to serving the poor with humility and discretion. She passed away on the 31st of December 1876. She was beatified on the 28th of May 1933, and was canonized on 27th of July 1947.
Invitatory Antiphon: The Lord is the King of virgins: Come Let us adore Him.
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: It must be admitted that we are weak when we do not put all our trust in God, who knows the very depths of our hearts.
Antiphon 2: I am placing everything in the hands of the good Lord and the blessed Virgin. May she take you under her protection.
Antiphon 3: Let us take the opportunity of giving ourselves utterly and completely, holding nothing back.
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 1:27-31.
God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Short Responsory
V. Let us give ourselves completely to God, holding nothing back.
R. Let us give ourselves completely to God, holding nothing back.
V. l am placing everything in the hands of the good Lord and the Blessed Virgin.
R. Let us give ourselves completely to God, holding nothing back.
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Let us give ourselves completely to God, holding nothing back.
Benedictus Antiphon: I resolve to bring together the roles of Martha and Mary. O Mary, make me understand what it is to be a good daughter of charity.
Intercessions
Let us address our prayer to Lord Jesus, following the example of Saint Catherine, to carry out humble and hidden yet generous service to the poor, whom He entrusts to us as part of His inheritance:
R. Lord, Father of the poor, hear us.
Lord Jesus, may we receive this day from Your hands and return it to You rich in works of fraternal charity. R.
Guide us today with Your Spirit, that we may always live as children of God. R.
Be our source and model of humble and generous service; let us serve the poor - our lords and masters - with faith and charity. R.
Guard the chastity of our hearts and bodies, for we are living temples of the Holy Spirit. R.
Our Father
Concluding Prayer
O God, Who granted Saint Catherine Labouré
the privilege of seeing and conversing intimately with the Mother of Your Son,
and guided her to joyfully dedicate her life, hidden in Christ, in serving the poor.
As we celebrate her memory,
grant us the grace to recognize You in the poor,
serve them with a simple heart,
and present ourselves to the world as true witnesses of Your charity.
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 wheresoever 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: Mary loved the poor, and a daughter of charity who loves the poor will have no fear of death.
Antiphon 2: I offer myself to God without reserve, accepting every little irritation in a spirit of humility and a spirit of penitence. In humbling myself may his holy name be blessed.
Antiphon 3: If we truly observe the little things, we will do the same for the big things, in order to imitate our Lord we must take him as our example.
Scripture Reading
Colossians 3:1-4.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Short Responsory
R. Seek the things that are above, for your life is hidden in Christ.
R. Seek the things that are above, for your life is hidden in Christ.
V. Let us give ourselves completely to God.
R. Seek the things that are above, for your life is hidden in Christ.
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Seek the things that are above, for your life is hidden in Christ.
Magnificat Antiphon: The Lord has done great things for me, holy is His name.
Intercessions
Lord Jesus, compassionate and great in love, alleviated all human suffering. Let us ask Him that we too, consecrated to serve Him in our poorest brothers and sisters, may participate in His tenderness and give everyone the testimony of His love:
R. Lord Jesus, compassionate and great in love, hear us.
We pray to the Father, in communion with You and the Spirit, as You promised to be present among Your faithful gathered in Your name and love. R.
Console those who suffer, grant them the gift of solidarity for their brothers and sisters near to them. R.
Grant us the grace to contemplate You in the hearts and lives of the poor, may we serve them with compassion, sweetness, cordiality, respect, and devotion. R.
May the Blessed Immaculate Virgin intercede for our community consecrated to You in the holy Church, that we may live with joy and peace. R.
May Your Immaculate Mother intercede for the souls of those who died in the faith of the resurrection, grant them to contemplate the glory of Your face forever. R.
Our Father
Concluding Prayer
O God, Who granted Saint Catherine Labouré
the privilege of seeing and conversing intimately with the Mother of Your Son,
and guided her to joyfully dedicate her life, hidden in Christ, in serving the poor.
As we celebrate her memory,
grant us the grace to recognize You in the poor,
serve them with a simple heart,
and present ourselves to the world as true witnesses of Your charity.
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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