Marc Antonio Durando was born in Mondovì in 1801. In 1818, he joined the Congregation of the Mission. He was known for his relentless zeal, particularly in preaching missions to the people, and for his wisdom and experience in spiritually guiding clergy and laypeople. He promoted the growth of the Daughters of Charity in Italy and, in 1865, founded the “Daughters of the Passion of Jesus of Nazareth,” also known as the “Nazarene Sisters.” He instilled in them a devotion to the Passion of Jesus and a mission to care for the sick and abandoned youth.  He passed away in Turin on the 10^th of December 1880 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II on the 20^th of October 2002.

Invitatory Antiphon: Christ is the chief Shepherd, the leader of His flock; come let us adore Him.

Hymn

The saints who toiled from place to place,

Spreading the Gospel of God's grace,

Now in their heavenly homeland dwell

With Christ, whom here they served so well.

Alert at thy command to go,

And everywhere thy word to sow,

They went, O Master, far and wide,

Eager, but yet unsatisfied.

Thine was the task they took in hand,

Thine their good news for every land,

Thine was their power, and thine again

Their passion for the souls of men.

That task of thine, by them begun,

Must now by our weak hands be done:

Strengthen, O Lord, to work for thee

These hands, at home and over sea.

Antiphon 1: Those who do not love to stay on Calvary or dwell in those wounds will never be true lovers of Jesus.

Antiphon 2: Not to have loved the most loving father, the most sincere friend, the most tender brother, and the most beautiful and attractive spouse! What greater indignity than ours?

Antiphon 3: They love him on Tabor, but not on Calvary; they love him when they feel some tenderness and sensitivity, but not in adversity and humiliations. 

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. Make us truly love Jesus crucified with all our heart.

R. Make us truly love Jesus crucified with all our heart.

V. May God grant us the grace to be in this number of few.

R. Make us truly love Jesus crucified with all our heart.

V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

R. Make us truly love Jesus crucified with all our heart.

Benedictus Antiphon: It is on Calvary that the Teresas, the Catherines, the Agneses, and all the saints in heaven were formed to love.

Intercessions

In memory of Blessed Marco Antonio Durando, we direct our prayer to Christ the Redeemer, so that, united with the mystery of His passion, we live and bring the gift of salvation to our brothers:

R. Bless Your family, 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.

May we always and everywhere carry Your passion in our bodies, manifesting Your immortal life within us. R.

Redeemer of all, on this day, You call us to cooperate in Your work of salvation; make us a sign of Your grace toward our neighbors. R.

Turn Your gaze of goodness to the sick and suffering, whom You have associated with Your cross; may they feel the comfort of Your presence. R.

Our Father

Concluding Prayer

O God, Who through the contemplation of the Passion of the Lord

sanctified blessed Marc Antonio Durando,

and made him shine for his gift of counsel

and care for the poor and the sick,

grant us, through his example and his intercession,

to follow the teachings of the Gospel,

and to love You with a filial love.

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

Who are these like stars appearing,

these before God's throne who stand?

Each a golden crown is wearing;

who are all this glorious band?

Alleluia! Hark, they sing,

praising loud their heav'nly King.

Who are these of dazzling brightness,

these in God's own truth arrayed,

clad in robes of purest whiteness,

robes whose luster ne'er shall fade,

ne'er be touched by time's rude hand?

Whence come all this glorious band?

These are they who have contended

for their Savior's honor long,

wrestling on 'til life was ended,

following not the sinful throng;

these, who well the fight sustained,

triumph thro' the Lamb have gained.

These are they whose hearts were riven,

sore with woe and anguish tried,

who in prayer full oft have striven

with the God they glorified;

now, their painful conflict o'er,

God has bid them weep no more.

These, like priests, have watched and waited,

offering up to Christ their will;

soul and body consecrated,

day and night to serve him still:

now in God's most holy place

blest they stand before his face.

Antiphon 1: Those who do not love to stay on Calvary or dwell in those wounds will never be true lovers of Jesus.

Antiphon 2: Not to have loved the most loving father, the most sincere friend, the most tender brother, and the most beautiful and attractive spouse! What greater indignity than ours?

Antiphon 3: They love him on Tabor, but not on Calvary; they love him when they feel some tenderness and sensitivity, but not in adversity and humiliations. 

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. Make us truly love Jesus crucified with all our heart.

R. Make us truly love Jesus crucified with all our heart.

V. May God grant us the grace to be in this number of few.

R. Make us truly love Jesus crucified with all our heart.

V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

R. Make us truly love Jesus crucified with all our heart.

Magnificat Antiphon: It is on Calvary that the Teresas, the Catherines, the Agneses, and all the saints in heaven were formed to love.

Intercessions

May the joy of celebrating Blessed Marc Antonio Durando and the memory of his life of dedication obtain from the heavenly Father the light and strength for our commitment to our vocation of mission and charity:

R. Support us, Lord, our mission and charity.

We thank You, Father, for giving us Your Son, may we be filled with the riches of Your word and knowledge. R.

May we participate in the passion of Jesus amid life’s struggles and trials, may we experience the depth of redemption within us. R.

Inspire us with brotherly love toward the sick and suffering, may we recognize and serve Christ Your Son in them. R.

Confirm the vocation of those who have abandoned everything to follow Christ, grant them to be living gospels and authentic witnesses to the holiness of the Church. R.

Grant the joy of contemplating You in eternal happiness to our departed brothers and sisters who have recognized Your face in the poor and suffering. R.

Our Father

Concluding Prayer

O God, Who through the contemplation of the Passion of the Lord

sanctified blessed Marc Antonio Durando,

and made him shine for his gift of counsel

and care for the poor and the sick,

grant us, through his example and his intercession,

to follow the teachings of the Gospel,

and to love You with a filial love.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.