Day IV in the Octave of The Assumption; Commemoration S. Agapitus Martyr: Missa “Gaudeámus omnes“
The Fourth Day within the Octave of the Assumption prolongs the Church’s contemplation of the mystery celebrated on 15 August. The traditional Roman liturgy does not hurry away from so great a feast, but permits the faithful to remain beneath its light and to consider what the Assumption reveals about the destiny of redeemed humanity. In Mary, body and soul glorified in heaven, we see not an isolated privilege but the first perfect fruit, after Christ Himself, of the resurrection promised to the faithful. Hence the joy of the Introit and Alleluia: “Mary is taken up into Heaven: the host of angels rejoice.” The Epistle’s imagery of the cedar, palm, rose and olive evokes the beauty and fecundity of grace brought to perfection in her, while the Gospel of Martha and Mary gives the spiritual key to the feast: “Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.” What Our Lady possessed on earth by faith, charity and contemplation she now possesses eternally in the beatific vision.
The old Office for this octave day also preserves the Damascene tradition concerning the empty tomb of the Blessed Virgin at Gethsemani and the request of the Emperor Marcian and Empress Pulcheria for her relics. Whatever distinction must be made between ancient tradition and dogmatic definition, the liturgical memory witnesses to the antiquity of the Church’s belief in Mary’s bodily glorification. The Mass itself makes the same point with striking sobriety: she has “passed out of this life,” yet now exercises her intercession “in heavenly glory.” The Assumption therefore does not remove Mary from the Church but manifests more perfectly her maternal nearness to Christ and to His members.
The commemoration of St Agapitus, Martyr, supplies a fitting counterpoint. Mary shows us the crown; Agapitus shows us the cost of fidelity. Tradition remembers him as a youthful martyr who preferred death to apostasy, and his presence within the octave reminds us that heaven is not a poetic consolation but the true end for which Christians must be prepared to sacrifice everything. The lesson of Day IV is therefore simple and severe: one thing is necessary. The body is destined for glory, fidelity has eternal consequences, and the life of grace begun here is meant to end where Mary already reigns — with Christ in heaven.
INTROIT Psalm 44: 13, 15-16
Let all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival day in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for whose Assumption the Angels rejoice and give praise to the Son of God (Ps. 44: 2) My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. v. Glory be…etc
COLLECT
O God who dost manifest Thine power almighty most chiefly in sparing and showing mercy: multiply upon us Thy mercy: that as we hasten towards Thy promises, Thou mayest make us partakers of the heavenly treasures. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, Forever and ever. R. Amen.
Commemoration St. Agapitus, Martyr
May Your Church rejoice, O God, trusting in the support of St. Agapitus, Your Martyr, and, by his glorious prayers, may she remain holy and fearlessly stand her ground.
To the Holy Spirit
O God, unto Whom each heart is open, to Whom each desire speaks and from Whom no secret lies hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the infusion of the Holy Spirit, that we may be found worthy to perfectly love and fittingly praise You. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
EPISTLE Eccles. 24: 11-13, 15-20
In all things, I sought rest and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. Then the Creator of all things commanded, and said to me; and He that made me rested in my tabernacle. And He said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob and thine inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem: and I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God His inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of Saints. I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on Mount Sion: I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho, as a fair olive tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatic balm: I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA Psalm 44: 5, 11, 12
Because of truth, and meekness, and justice, and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully. V. Hearken, O daughter, and see and incline thy ear: for the King hath greatly desired thy beauty. Alleluia, alleluia. V. Mary is taken up into Heaven: the host of angels rejoice. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 10: 38-42
At that time, Jesus entered into a certain town; and a certain woman named Martha, received Him into her house: and she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard His word. But Martha was busy about much serving: who stood and said, Lord, hast Thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? Speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things: but one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON
Mary is taken up into heaven: the Angels rejoice: and blessing God, with one voice offer high praise to Him, alleluia.
SECRET
May the prayer of the Mother of God aid Thy people, O Lord: and although wé know, her, to have passed out of this life, fulfilling the lot of the flesh, may we experience her intercession for us with Thee in Heavenly glory. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever. R. Amen.
Commemoration St. Agapitus, Martyr
Accept, O Lord, the gifts we bring on his festival by whose spiritual protection we hope to be saved.
To the Holy Spirit
Sanctify the gifts offered unto You, O Lord, and cleanse our hearts by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
PREFACE of the Blessed Virgin Mary
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God and that we should praise and bless, and proclaim Thee, on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin: Who also conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the everlasting light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and the Powers stand in awe. The heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say with lowly praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
Oh my Jesus,
I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love Thee above all things, and I desire Thee in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though Thou were already there,
I embrace Thee and unite myself wholly to Thee.
Permit not that I should ever be separated from Thee. Amen.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Luke 10: 42
Mary hath chosen for herself the better part: which shall not be taken from her forever.
POSTCOMMUNION
We who have been made partakers of Thy heavenly table, implore Thy mercy, O Lord our God, that as we celebrate the Assumption of the Mother of God, we may through her inyercesion, be delivered from all evils that beset us. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God For ever and ever. R. Amen.
Commemoration St. Agapitus, Martyr
Thou hast fed thy servants, O Lord, with the holy gifts; comfort us ever we pray, by his intercession whose festival we celebrate.
To the Holy Spirit
May the infusion of the Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts, O Lord, and may He render them fruitful by sprinkling His dew deep within us. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.
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