| DIES | 21 Sun | 22 Mon | 23 Tue | 24 Wed | 25 Thu | 26 Fri | 27 Sat | 28 Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officium | S. Matthæi Apostoli et Evangelistæ | S. Thomæ de Villanova Episcopi et Confessoris | S. Lini Papæ et Martyris | Beatæ Mariæ Virginis de Mercede | Feria Quinta infra Hebdomadam XV post Octavam Pentecostes | Ss. Cypriani et Justinæ Virginis, Martyrum | Ss. Cosmæ et Damiani Martyrum | Dominica XVI Post Pentecosten |
| Classis | Duplex II | Duplex | Semiduplex | Duplex majus | Feria | Semiduplex | Semiduplex | Dominica minor |
| Color* | Rubeum | Albus | Rubeum | Albus | Viridis | Rubeum | Rubeum | Viridis |
| Missa | Os justi | Státuit ei | Sacerdótes Dei | Salve, sancta | Inclína, Dómine | Salus autem | Sapiéntiam | Miserére mihi |
| Orationes | 2a. Dominica XV Post Pentecosten | 2a. Ss. Mauritii et Sociorum Martyrum | 2a. S. Theclæ Virginis et Martyris 3a. A cunctis | NA | 2a. A cunctis 3a. Contra persecutores | 2a. A cunctis 3a. Contra persecutores | 2a. A cunctis 3a. Contra persecutores | 2a. S. Wenceslai Ducis et Martyris 3a. A cunctis |
| Notae | Gl. Cr. Pref. de Apostolis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Cr. Pref. de Communis |
| Nota Bene/Vel/Votiva | Ev. Propr. ad fin.Missae | Missae votivae vel Requiem permittuntur | UK: Beatæ Mariæ Virginis de Walsingaha ~ Missa “Terribilis est” | Missae votivae vel Requiem permittuntur | Missae votivae vel Requiem permittuntur | Missae votivae vel Requiem permittuntur |
SUNDAY
21 September — St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
St Matthew, once a tax collector at Capharnaum, is remembered as the publican whom Christ called from the customs table: “Follow me. And he arose up and followed him” (Matt. 9:9). Tradition holds that after the Resurrection he first preached in Judea before bringing the Gospel to foreign lands, with differing accounts placing him in Ethiopia, Persia, or Parthia. His Gospel, written originally in Hebrew or Aramaic according to ancient testimony (cf. St Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1), presents Christ as the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. In him we see the transformation of worldly occupation into apostolic zeal. To emulate Matthew is to hear Christ’s call with readiness, leaving behind worldly securities to bear witness to the kingdom of heaven.
22 September — St Thomas of Villanova, Bishop and Confessor
Born in Spain (1488–1555), Thomas joined the Augustinian friars and became Archbishop of Valencia. Known as the “Father of the Poor,” he distributed alms so generously that he often lacked even his own necessities. His episcopal ministry was marked by reform of clergy, founding of colleges, and zeal for preaching. He died in poverty, giving away his bed to a sick man before his own death. His testimony lies in evangelical charity lived without compromise. We imitate him by seeing Christ in the poor, remembering the Lord’s words: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me” (Matt. 25:40).
23 September — St Linus, Pope and Martyr
Linus is named by St Irenaeus (Against Heresies 3.3.3) as the immediate successor of St Peter in Rome. His pontificate is placed roughly from AD 67 to 76. While historical details are scant, he is remembered for ordaining the first bishops and priests in Italy. Tradition holds that he died a martyr and was buried beside St Peter in the Vatican. His life reminds us that fidelity to apostolic succession and unity with Peter’s See is at the heart of Christian witness. To emulate Linus is to hold fast to the faith “once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3), even unto death.
24 September — The Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (Our Lady of Ransom) and Our Lady of Walsingham
On this day the Church honours the Blessed Virgin in two distinct but complementary titles.
The feast of Our Lady of Ransom recalls the apparition of Mary to St Peter Nolasco in 1218, leading to the foundation of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (the Mercedarians). Their mission was the redemption of Christians enslaved by Muslims, with members even pledging their own freedom in exchange for captives. This devotion emphasises Mary’s maternal protection of the faithful and the imitation of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
In England, Our Lady of Walsingham is venerated on the same date. Tradition holds that in 1061, the Lady Richeldis of Norfolk received a vision of the Blessed Virgin, who showed her the house of the Holy Family at Nazareth and asked her to build a replica at Walsingham. This “Holy House” became a major pilgrimage site, drawing pilgrims from across Christendom until its destruction under Henry VIII. Today, Walsingham remains a centre of Marian devotion and a sign of England’s ancient title as “Our Lady’s Dowry.”
Both feasts direct us to Mary as the Mother who draws her children to Christ, whether by her intercession in the redemption of captives or by leading a nation back to the simplicity of Nazareth. To emulate this witness is to entrust ourselves to her maternal care and to live with fidelity the Gospel she embodies: humility, obedience, and the centrality of Christ in daily life.
25 September — Thursday in the Fifteenth Week after Pentecost (IV of September)
This feria belongs to the cycle of post-Pentecost ferial days, marked by continuity in prayer and vigilance. The September Ember Days often fall near this period, reminding the faithful of fasting, prayer, and ordination. Though not dedicated to a saint, such ferias bear witness to the Church’s sanctification of time itself, echoing St Paul’s exhortation: “Redeem the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). We emulate this by offering the ordinary days of our lives as sacrifice, keeping watch in prayer and faithfulness to the rhythm of the liturgy.
26 September — Ss Cyprian and Justina, Virgin and Martyrs
St Cyprian of Antioch, once a pagan magician, converted to Christ through the steadfast example of the virgin Justina, who resisted his incantations by the power of the Cross. Both suffered martyrdom under Diocletian, likely in the early 4th century. Their story reflects the triumph of divine grace over the powers of darkness, and the strength of purity and fidelity in Christ. To emulate them is to renounce the allure of sin and worldly power, standing firm in faith even against hostility, knowing that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
27 September — Ss Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
Twin brothers from Arabia, physicians by trade, Cosmas and Damian offered their medical skills freely out of love for Christ. Known as the “anargyroi” (without silver), they healed bodies as a sign of God’s love for souls. Their martyrdom came under Diocletian (early 4th century), after various tortures failed to break their faith. Venerated in both East and West, their names appear in the Roman Canon. Their testimony is one of charity, professional integrity, and constancy in trial. We emulate them when we place our gifts and skills at the service of Christ and neighbour, remembering St Paul’s words: “Glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:20).life.
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