| DIES | 21 Sun | 22 Mon | 23 Tue | 24 Wed | 25 Thu | 26 Fri | 27Sat | 28 Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officium | S. Aloisii Gonzagæ Confessoris | S. Paulini Episcopi et Confessoris | In Vigilia S. Joannis Baptistæ | In Nativitate S. Joannis Baptistæ | S. Gulielmi Abbatis | Ss. Joannis et Pauli Martyrum | Festum Beatæ Mariæ Virginis de Perpetuo Succursu | S. Irenæi Episcopi et Martyris |
| Classis | Duplex | Simplex | Simplex | Duplex I | Duplex | Duplex | Duplex II | Duplex |
| Color | Albus | Albus | Purpura | Albus | Albus | Rubeum | Albus | Rubeum |
| Missa | Minuísti | Sacerdótes tui | Ne tímeas | De ventre | Os justi | Multæ | Gaudeámus | Lex veritas |
| Orationes | 2a. Dominica IV Post Pentecosten | 2a. Ad poscenda suffragia Sanctorum 3a. Contra persecutores Ecclesiæ (vel ad libitum) | 2a. de S. Maria 3a. Contra persecutores Ecclesiæ | NA | 2a. Die II infra Octavam Nativitatis S. Joannis Baptistæ | 2a. Die III infra Octavam Nativitatis S. Joannis Baptistæ | 2a. In Vigilia Ss. Petri et Pauli Apostolorum 3a. Die IV infra Octavam Nativitatis S. Joannis Baptistæ | 2a. Dominica V Post Pentecosten |
| Notae | Gl. Cr. Pref. de sanctissima Trinitate | Gl. Pref. de Communis | no Gl, Pref. de Communis | Gl. non Cr. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de BMV | Gl. Cr. Pref. de sanctissima Trinitate |
| Votiva | Votiva non permittuntur | UK: S. Albanus Protomartyris (R) Missa “In virtúte“ | UK: S. Etheldredae, Regina Com. In Vigilia Nat. SJB (A) Missa “Dilexisti” | Votiva non permittuntur | Votiva non permittuntur | Votiva non permittuntur | Votiva non permittuntur | Votiva non permittuntur |
| Nota Bene | ||||||||
* Color: Albus = White; Rubeum = Red; Viridis = Green; Purpura = Purple; Niger = Black
Nota Bene The feast of St Barnabas, Apostle & Martyr, is transferred to Monday, June 15th
Sunday 21 June — St Aloysius Gonzaga, Confessor
The week opens with the feast of Aloysius Gonzaga, one of the Church’s great models of youthful purity and heroic charity. Born into an Italian noble family in 1568, Aloysius renounced wealth and inheritance to enter the Society of Jesus. He died while nursing plague victims in Rome at only twenty-three years of age. The Mass Minuísti eum paulo minus ab Angelis celebrates the glory bestowed upon those who conquer earthly ambitions for the sake of Christ.
Although the feast is observed as a Double, the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost is commemorated in the orations. White vestments signify the purity of the saint, while the Preface of the Holy Trinity reminds the faithful that sanctity is participation in the life of the Triune God. The day presents Aloysius as an exemplar for young Catholics living amidst the temptations of the world.
Monday 22 June — St Paulinus, Bishop and Confessor
This Simple feast commemorates Paulinus of Nola, the distinguished Roman nobleman who abandoned wealth and public honours to embrace an ascetical life. As Bishop of Nola he became renowned for charity, learning, and devotion to the saints.
The Mass Sacerdótes tui honours the sanctity of bishops and pastors who faithfully shepherd Christ’s flock. Additional collects invoke the intercession of all the saints and pray against the enemies of the Church. The use of white vestments reflects the confessor-bishop’s holiness and peaceful witness. Though a Simple feast, the day directs attention to the pastoral office as a means of sanctification.
Tuesday 23 June — Vigil of the Nativity of St John the Baptist
The Vigil of the Nativity of St John the Baptist introduces one of the most ancient and important celebrations of the liturgical year. Purple vestments signal preparation and expectation. The Mass Ne tímeas, Zacharía recalls the angel’s announcement to Zachary that a son would be born who would prepare the way of the Lord.
Unlike most saints, St John the Baptist is honoured not only on the day of his death but also on the day of his birth, because Scripture itself records that he was sanctified in his mother’s womb. The Vigil invites the faithful to imitate Israel’s expectancy before the coming of the Messiah. Votive Masses are permitted, reflecting the lower rank of the day.
Wednesday 24 June — Nativity of St John the Baptist
This is one of the great feasts of the sanctoral cycle, celebrated as a Double of the First Class. The Church rejoices in the birth of the Forerunner, John the Baptist, whose mission was foretold by the prophets and confirmed by Christ Himself.
The Mass De ventre matris meæ vocávit me highlights John’s divine election from the womb. White vestments express joy and festivity. The proper Preface of St John the Baptist recalls his unique privilege of recognising the Redeemer before birth and preparing His paths before men.
The feast stands alongside Christmas itself as one of the oldest and most universal celebrations of the Roman Rite. John’s birth marks the beginning of the visible preparation for the coming of Christ, while his life embodies humility, penance, and fidelity to truth.
Thursday 25 June — St William, Abbot
The Church commemorates William of Vercelli, founder of the Congregation of Monte Vergine. His life was marked by rigorous asceticism, solitude, prayer, and spiritual leadership.
The Mass Os justi praises the wisdom and holiness of the righteous servant of God. Because the Octave of St John the Baptist is underway, the second collect commemorates the second day within the octave. White vestments reflect the saint’s status as a confessor and abbot.
The feast highlights the monastic vocation as a witness against worldliness and as a school of prayer and sanctity.
Friday 26 June — Saints John and Paul, Martyrs
This ancient Roman feast honours the martyrs John and Paul, who suffered during the fourth century and whose basilica on the Caelian Hill became one of the most revered churches of Christian Rome.
Red vestments signify their martyrdom. The Mass Multæ tribulatiónes justórum reflects the trials endured by the saints and the divine deliverance granted to those who remain faithful. The third day within the Octave of St John the Baptist is commemorated.
The feast reminds the faithful that the Church was built upon the witness of those who preferred death to compromise with paganism or deny Christ.
Saturday 27 June – Our Lady of Perpetual Succour
The Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour honours the Blessed Virgin under the title made famous through the miraculous icon entrusted to the Redemptorists and propagated throughout the Catholic world by Pope Pius IX. The Mass Gaudeámus omnes celebrates Mary’s maternal protection and her continual intercession for the faithful.
Because the feast is observed as a Double of the Second Class, it takes precedence over the Fourth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, which is commemorated in the second collect. The Vigil of Saints Peter and Paul, immediately preceding the great feast of the Princes of the Apostles, is commemorated in the third collect.
White vestments are worn, the Gloria and Credo are sung, and the Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary is used. The liturgy beautifully unites three themes: devotion to Our Lady’s perpetual aid, the continuing joy of St John the Baptist’s Nativity Octave, and preparation for the triumph of Saints Peter and Paul. The day thus forms a Marian bridge between the Forerunner and the Apostles, directing the faithful to Christ through the intercession of His Mother.
Sunday 28 June — St Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
The week concludes with the feast of Irenaeus of Lyons, one of the most important Fathers of the second century. A disciple of Polycarp, who himself had known John the Apostle, Irenaeus stands as a vital witness to Apostolic Tradition.
His Mass, Lex veritátis fuit in ore ejus, celebrates the bishop who defended the Catholic Faith against Gnostic heresies in his monumental work Adversus Hæreses. Red vestments signify his martyrdom, while the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost is commemorated in the collects.
The feast is particularly fitting on the eve of Saints Peter and Paul. Irenaeus represents the transmission of apostolic doctrine from the Apostles to the Fathers and onward through the centuries. His witness reminds the faithful that authentic Catholicity is preserved through fidelity to the Apostolic Tradition handed down in the Church.
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