Saturday Mass - August 29, 2026

>> This mass is being offered for the >> This mass is being offered for the repose of the souls of Rosalina Zebrano, repose of the souls of Rosalina Zebrano, repose of the souls of Rosalina Zebrano, Paracima Aquino, Paracima Aquino, Paracima Aquino, Florentina Palma, Florentina Palma, Florentina Palma, Jin Yan Wang, Jin Yan Wang, Jin Yan Wang, Percy Fernandez, Percy Fernandez, Percy Fernandez, and for the intentions of J.J. Stone. and for the intentions of J.J. Stone. and for the intentions of J.J. Stone. The entrance antiphon, The entrance antiphon, The entrance antiphon, I spoke, oh Lord, of your decrees before I spoke, oh Lord, of your decrees before I spoke, oh Lord, of your decrees before kings and was not confounded. kings and was not confounded. kings and was not confounded. I ponder your commands and love them I ponder your commands and love them I ponder your commands and love them greatly. greatly. greatly. In the name of the Father and of the Son In the name of the Father and of the Son In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. and of the Holy Spirit. and of the Holy Spirit. The Lord be with you. The Lord be with you. The Lord be with you. Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to our sins and so prepare ourselves to our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. You were sent to heal the contrite of You were sent to heal the contrite of heart, Lord have mercy. heart, Lord have mercy. heart, Lord have mercy. You came to call sinners, Christ have You came to call sinners, Christ have You came to call sinners, Christ have mercy.

mercy. mercy. You are seated at the right hand of the You are seated at the right hand of the You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us, Father to intercede for us, Father to intercede for us, Lord have mercy. May almighty God have mercy on us, May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to forgive us our sins, and bring us to forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. everlasting life. everlasting life. Let us pray. Oh God, who willed that St. John the Oh God, who willed that St. John the Baptist should go ahead of your Son both Baptist should go ahead of your Son both Baptist should go ahead of your Son both in his birth and in his death, in his birth and in his death, in his birth and in his death, grant that as he died a martyr for truth grant that as he died a martyr for truth grant that as he died a martyr for truth and justice, and justice, and justice, we too may fight fight hard for the we too may fight fight hard for the we too may fight fight hard for the confession of what you teach confession of what you teach confession of what you teach through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the who lives and reigns with you in the who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, unity of the Holy Spirit, unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. >> A reading from the book of the prophet >> A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah. Jeremiah. The word of the Lord was addressed to The word of the Lord was addressed to The word of the Lord was addressed to me, saying, "Gird up your loins, stand me, saying, "Gird up your loins, stand me, saying, "Gird up your loins, stand up and tell the people everything that I up and tell the people everything that I up and tell the people everything that I command you. command you. command you. Do not break down before them, or I will Do not break down before them, or I will Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them. break you before them. break you before them. And I, for my part, have made you today And I, for my part, have made you today And I, for my part, have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall against the whole land, bronze wall against the whole land, bronze wall against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its princes, against the kings of Judah, its princes, against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. its priests, and the people of the land. its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they They will fight against you, but they They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am shall not prevail against you, for I am shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver with you, says the Lord, to deliver with you, says the Lord, to deliver you." you." you." The word of the Lord. >> I will sing your salvation. I will sing >> I will sing your salvation. I will sing your salvation. your salvation. your salvation. In you, oh Lord, I take refuge. Let me In you, oh Lord, I take refuge. Let me In you, oh Lord, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. never be put to shame. never be put to shame. In your righteousness, deliver me and In your righteousness, deliver me and In your righteousness, deliver me and rescue me. Incline your ear to me and rescue me. Incline your ear to me and rescue me. Incline your ear to me and save me. save me. save me. I will sing your salvation. I will sing your salvation. I will sing your salvation. Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

fortress to save me. fortress to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress. For you are my rock and my fortress. For you are my rock and my fortress. Rescue me, oh God, from the hand of the Rescue me, oh God, from the hand of the Rescue me, oh God, from the hand of the wicked. wicked. wicked. I will sing your salvation. I will sing your salvation. I will sing your salvation. For you, oh Lord, are my hope, my trust, For you, oh Lord, are my hope, my trust, For you, oh Lord, are my hope, my trust, oh Lord, from my youth. oh Lord, from my youth. oh Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth. Upon you I have leaned from my birth. It was you who took me from my mother's It was you who took me from my mother's It was you who took me from my mother's womb. womb. womb. I will sing your salvation. I will sing your salvation. I will sing your salvation. My mouth will tell of your righteous My mouth will tell of your righteous My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all day acts, of your deeds of salvation all day acts, of your deeds of salvation all day long. Oh God, from your my youth, you long. Oh God, from your my youth, you long. Oh God, from your my youth, you have taught me, have taught me, have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous and I still proclaim your wondrous and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. deeds. deeds. I will sing your salvation.

Blessed are those who suffer persecution Blessed are those who suffer persecution for justice' sake. for justice' sake. for justice' sake. The kingdom of heaven is theirs. >> The Lord be with you. >> The Lord be with you. A reading from the holy gospel according A reading from the holy gospel according A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark. Herod himself had sent men who arrested Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, John, John, bound him, and put him in prison bound him, and put him in prison bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, on account of Herodias, on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, his brother Philip's wife, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. because Herod had married her. because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, For John had been telling Herod, For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your "It is not lawful for you to have your "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." brother's wife." brother's wife." Herodias had a grudge against John and Herodias had a grudge against John and Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, wanted to kill him, wanted to kill him, but she could not, for Herod feared but she could not, for Herod feared but she could not, for Herod feared John, John, John, knowing that John was a righteous and knowing that John was a righteous and knowing that John was a righteous and holy man, holy man, holy man, and he protected him.

and he protected him. and he protected him. When Herod heard John, he was greatly When Herod heard John, he was greatly When Herod heard John, he was greatly perplexed, perplexed, perplexed, and yet he liked to listen to him. and yet he liked to listen to him. and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on But an opportunity came when Herod on But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his his birthday gave a banquet for his his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers courtiers and officers courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. and for the leaders of Galilee. and for the leaders of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in When the daughter of Herodias came in When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, and danced, and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. she pleased Herod and his guests. she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, And the king said to the girl, And the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, "Ask me for whatever you wish, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." and I will give it." and I will give it." And he solemnly swore to her, And he solemnly swore to her, And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." even half of my kingdom." even half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, She went out and said to her mother, She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" "What should I ask for?" "What should I ask for?" She replied, She replied, She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." "The head of John the Baptist." "The head of John the Baptist." Immediately, she rushed back to the king Immediately, she rushed back to the king Immediately, she rushed back to the king and requested, and requested, and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head "I want you to give me at once the head "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

of John the Baptist on a platter." of John the Baptist on a platter." The king was deeply grieved. The king was deeply grieved. The king was deeply grieved. Yet out of regard for his oaths and for Yet out of regard for his oaths and for Yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, the guests, the guests, he did not want to refuse her. he did not want to refuse her. he did not want to refuse her. Immediately, the king sent a soldier of Immediately, the king sent a soldier of Immediately, the king sent a soldier of the guard the guard the guard with orders to bring John's head. with orders to bring John's head. with orders to bring John's head. The soldier went and beheaded John in The soldier went and beheaded John in The soldier went and beheaded John in the prison, the prison, the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave brought his head on a platter, and gave brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. it to the girl. it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. Then the girl gave it to her mother. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, When his disciples heard about it, When his disciples heard about it, they came and took John's body they came and took John's body they came and took John's body and laid it in a tomb. Today, the church remember Today, the church remember and celebrate and celebrate and celebrate the passion of St. John the Baptist.

the passion of St. John the Baptist. the passion of St. John the Baptist. John's death John's death John's death is a very sad and disturbing story as we is a very sad and disturbing story as we is a very sad and disturbing story as we just heard. just heard. just heard. He was in prison because he has spoken He was in prison because he has spoken He was in prison because he has spoken the truth. the truth. the truth. He had the courage to tell King Herod He had the courage to tell King Herod He had the courage to tell King Herod that marrying his brother's wife was that marrying his brother's wife was that marrying his brother's wife was wrong. wrong. wrong. And because John spoke the truth, And because John spoke the truth, And because John spoke the truth, he paid a very high price. he paid a very high price. he paid a very high price. At a banquet, At a banquet, At a banquet, Herod made a reckless promise. Herod made a reckless promise. Herod made a reckless promise. And we we when he was asked for And we we when he was asked for And we we when he was asked for something terrible, something terrible, something terrible, the head of John the Baptist, the head of John the Baptist, the head of John the Baptist, he gave in. he gave in. he gave in. >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> Why? >> Why? >> Why? The gospel tells us that Herod didn't The gospel tells us that Herod didn't The gospel tells us that Herod didn't really want to kill John. really want to kill John. really want to kill John. In fact, he was distressed, In fact, he was distressed, In fact, he was distressed, but when he was also concerned about but when he was also concerned about but when he was also concerned about what others would think. what others would think. what others would think. He He had made a promise in front of his He He had made a promise in front of his He He had made a promise in front of his guests guests guests and he didn't want to lose face.

and he didn't want to lose face. and he didn't want to lose face. So, trapped by fear and pride, So, trapped by fear and pride, So, trapped by fear and pride, he chose what he knew was wrong. he chose what he knew was wrong. he chose what he knew was wrong. And that's the great contrast in today's And that's the great contrast in today's And that's the great contrast in today's gospel. gospel. gospel. John the Baptist was willing to betray John the Baptist was willing to betray John the Baptist was willing to betray the truth. Well, John the truth. Well, John the truth. Well, John John the Baptist was willing to lose his John the Baptist was willing to lose his John the Baptist was willing to lose his life rather than betray the truth. life rather than betray the truth. life rather than betray the truth. But on the other hand, But on the other hand, But on the other hand, Herod was willing to betray the truth Herod was willing to betray the truth Herod was willing to betray the truth in order to save face. in order to save face. in order to save face. And that's where today's gospel speaks And that's where today's gospel speaks And that's where today's gospel speaks to us. to us. to us. Most of us won't be asked to give our Most of us won't be asked to give our Most of us won't be asked to give our lives for the truth as John the Baptist lives for the truth as John the Baptist lives for the truth as John the Baptist did. did. did. But every day in much smaller ways, But every day in much smaller ways, But every day in much smaller ways, we are given opportunities we are given opportunities we are given opportunities to choose between truth to choose between truth to choose between truth and convenience, and convenience, and convenience, between courage between courage between courage and fear. and fear. and fear. Maybe we are in a conversation where Maybe we are in a conversation where Maybe we are in a conversation where someone begins gossiping about another someone begins gossiping about another someone begins gossiping about another person.

person. person. It's easy It's easy It's easy It's easier just to stay quiet and go It's easier just to stay quiet and go It's easier just to stay quiet and go along with it. along with it. along with it. But perhaps we can gently say something But perhaps we can gently say something But perhaps we can gently say something to change the conversation. to change the conversation. to change the conversation. Maybe someone has treated us badly Maybe someone has treated us badly Maybe someone has treated us badly and everything in us wants to respond and everything in us wants to respond and everything in us wants to respond with anger. with anger. with anger. But instead, we choose to speak kindly. But instead, we choose to speak kindly. But instead, we choose to speak kindly. Maybe at work, at school, Maybe at work, at school, Maybe at work, at school, even in our parish communities, at home, even in our parish communities, at home, even in our parish communities, at home, we find ourselves tempted to water down we find ourselves tempted to water down we find ourselves tempted to water down what we believe because we don't want to what we believe because we don't want to what we believe because we don't want to stand out or make others uncomfortable. stand out or make others uncomfortable. stand out or make others uncomfortable. Sometimes it takes courage simply to be Sometimes it takes courage simply to be Sometimes it takes courage simply to be a Christian, a Christian, a Christian, to make the sign of the cross and say to make the sign of the cross and say to make the sign of the cross and say grace before a meal in public. grace before a meal in public. grace before a meal in public. It takes courage to sometimes say, It takes courage to sometimes say, It takes courage to sometimes say, "I'm going to mass on Sunday." "I'm going to mass on Sunday." "I'm going to mass on Sunday." when we are in a college for the weekend when we are in a college for the weekend when we are in a college for the weekend with a group of friends with a group of friends with a group of friends who are not practicing Catholics.

who are not practicing Catholics. who are not practicing Catholics. It takes courage to defend someone It takes courage to defend someone It takes courage to defend someone who's being treated unfairly. who's being treated unfairly. who's being treated unfairly. It takes courage to say, It takes courage to say, It takes courage to say, "I don't agree with that." "I don't agree with that." "I don't agree with that." while still respecting the other person. while still respecting the other person. while still respecting the other person. And perhaps that's the important lesson And perhaps that's the important lesson And perhaps that's the important lesson from St. John the Baptist today. from St. John the Baptist today. from St. John the Baptist today. We are called to speak the truth, We are called to speak the truth, We are called to speak the truth, but always with love. but always with love. but always with love. John wasn't looking for an argument. John wasn't looking for an argument. John wasn't looking for an argument. He wasn't trying to draw attention to He wasn't trying to draw attention to He wasn't trying to draw attention to himself. himself. himself. He simply remained faithful to the truth He simply remained faithful to the truth He simply remained faithful to the truth that God had entrusted to him. that God had entrusted to him. that God had entrusted to him. And that's what we are called to do. And that's what we are called to do. And that's what we are called to do. We don't have to be loud or win every We don't have to be loud or win every We don't have to be loud or win every argument. argument. argument. We don't have to force our beliefs on We don't have to force our beliefs on We don't have to force our beliefs on anyone. anyone. anyone. But neither should we be ashamed of who But neither should we be ashamed of who But neither should we be ashamed of who we are we are we are or what we believe.

or what we believe. or what we believe. We can be gentle and still be We can be gentle and still be We can be gentle and still be courageous. courageous. courageous. We can be respectful We can be respectful We can be respectful and still stand for the truth. and still stand for the truth. and still stand for the truth. We can speak with love We can speak with love We can speak with love without watering down our faith. So perhaps we can bring one question So perhaps we can bring one question into our into our prayer today. into our into our prayer today. into our into our prayer today. When I when when When I when when When I when when when when am I tempted to save face when when am I tempted to save face when when am I tempted to save face rather than do what I know is right? So let's ask St. John the Baptist to So let's ask St. John the Baptist to intercede for us intercede for us intercede for us to give us that courage to give us that courage to give us that courage to help us not to be controlled by what to help us not to be controlled by what to help us not to be controlled by what others think of us others think of us others think of us to help us to stand for what is right to help us to stand for what is right to help us to stand for what is right to speak the truth with love to speak the truth with love to speak the truth with love and to remain faithful to Christ and to remain faithful to Christ and to remain faithful to Christ even when it's difficult. even when it's difficult. even when it's difficult. Because in the end, John the Baptist Because in the end, John the Baptist Because in the end, John the Baptist lost his life.

lost his life. lost his life. But he never lost what mattered most. But he never lost what mattered most. But he never lost what mattered most. He remained faithful to the Lord. He remained faithful to the Lord. He remained faithful to the Lord. And that's what And that's what And that's what matters most in our spiritual journeys. matters most in our spiritual journeys. matters most in our spiritual journeys. St. John the Baptist pray for us. St. John the Baptist pray for us. St. John the Baptist pray for us. Amen.

>> Blessed are you, Lord God of all >> Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation. For through your goodness, we creation. For through your goodness, we creation. For through your goodness, we have received the bread we offer you. have received the bread we offer you. have received the bread we offer you. Fruit of the earth and work of human Fruit of the earth and work of human Fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread hands, it will become for us the bread hands, it will become for us the bread of life. Blessed are you, Lord God of all Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we creation, for through your goodness we creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you. have received the wine we offer you. have received the wine we offer you. Fruit of the vine and work of human Fruit of the vine and work of human Fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual hands, it will become our spiritual hands, it will become our spiritual drink.

Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the yours may be acceptable to God the yours may be acceptable to God the almighty Father. Through these offerings which we bring Through these offerings which we bring you, oh Lord, grant that we may make you, oh Lord, grant that we may make you, oh Lord, grant that we may make straight your paths as taught by that straight your paths as taught by that straight your paths as taught by that voice crying in the desert, St. John the voice crying in the desert, St. John the voice crying in the desert, St. John the Baptist, who powerfully sealed his Baptist, who powerfully sealed his Baptist, who powerfully sealed his teaching by the shedding of his blood. teaching by the shedding of his blood. teaching by the shedding of his blood. Through Christ our Lord. Through Christ our Lord. Through Christ our Lord. The Lord be with you. The Lord be with you. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts. Lift up your hearts. Lift up your hearts. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is truly right and just, our duty and It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to our salvation, always and everywhere to our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ almighty and eternal God, through Christ almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. our Lord. our Lord. In his precursor, St. John the Baptist, In his precursor, St. John the Baptist, In his precursor, St. John the Baptist, we praise your great glory, we praise your great glory, we praise your great glory, for you consecrated him for a singular for you consecrated him for a singular for you consecrated him for a singular honor among those born of women.

honor among those born of women. honor among those born of women. His birth brought great rejoicing. even His birth brought great rejoicing. even His birth brought great rejoicing. even in the womb he left for joy in the womb he left for joy in the womb he left for joy at the coming of human salvation. at the coming of human salvation. at the coming of human salvation. He alone of all the prophets pointed out He alone of all the prophets pointed out He alone of all the prophets pointed out the lamb of redemption the lamb of redemption the lamb of redemption and to make holy the flowing waters he and to make holy the flowing waters he and to make holy the flowing waters he baptized the very author of baptism baptized the very author of baptism baptized the very author of baptism and was privileged to bear him supreme and was privileged to bear him supreme and was privileged to bear him supreme witness by the shedding of his blood. witness by the shedding of his blood. witness by the shedding of his blood. And so with the powers of heaven we And so with the powers of heaven we And so with the powers of heaven we worship you constantly on earth and worship you constantly on earth and worship you constantly on earth and before your majesty without end we before your majesty without end we before your majesty without end we acclaim. acclaim. acclaim. Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts heaven and earth are full of your glory heaven and earth are full of your glory heaven and earth are full of your glory Hosanna in the highest blessed is he who Hosanna in the highest blessed is he who Hosanna in the highest blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in comes in the name of the Lord Hosanna in the highest. You are indeed holy oh Lord the fount of You are indeed holy oh Lord the fount of all holiness all holiness all holiness make holy therefore these gifts we pray make holy therefore these gifts we pray make holy therefore these gifts we pray by sending down your spirit upon them by sending down your spirit upon them by sending down your spirit upon them like the dewfall so that they may become like the dewfall so that they may become like the dewfall so that they may become for us for us for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus the body and blood of our Lord Jesus the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ. Christ. At the time he was betrayed and entered At the time he was betrayed and entered At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his passion. willingly into his passion. willingly into his passion. He took bread He took bread He took bread and giving thanks and giving thanks and giving thanks broke it and gave it to his disciples broke it and gave it to his disciples broke it and gave it to his disciples saying. saying. saying. Take this Take this Take this all of you all of you all of you and eat of it and eat of it and eat of it for this is my body for this is my body for this is my body which will be given up for you. which will be given up for you. which will be given up for you. >> [bell] >> In a similar way, when supper was ended, >> In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice, he took the chalice, he took the chalice, and once more giving thanks, he gave it and once more giving thanks, he gave it and once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying, to his disciples, saying, to his disciples, saying, "Take this, "Take this, "Take this, all of you, and drink from it.

all of you, and drink from it. all of you, and drink from it. For this is the chalice of my blood, For this is the chalice of my blood, For this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal the blood of the new and eternal the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for covenant, which will be poured out for covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many you and for many you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. for the forgiveness of sins. for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me." >> The mystery of faith. >> The mystery of faith. When we eat this bread and drink this When we eat this bread and drink this When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again. until you come again. until you come again. Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his death and resurrection, we offer of his death and resurrection, we offer of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the bread of life and the you, Lord, the bread of life and the you, Lord, the bread of life and the chalice of salvation, chalice of salvation, chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us giving thanks that you have held us giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and worthy to be in your presence and worthy to be in your presence and minister to you.

minister to you. minister to you. Humbly we pray that partaking of the Humbly we pray that partaking of the Humbly we pray that partaking of the body and blood of Christ, we may be body and blood of Christ, we may be body and blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, your church, spread Remember, Lord, your church, spread Remember, Lord, your church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to throughout the world, and bring her to throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, the fullness of charity, the fullness of charity, together with Leo, our Pope, and together with Leo, our Pope, and together with Leo, our Pope, and Francis, our Bishop, and all the clergy. Francis, our Bishop, and all the clergy. Francis, our Bishop, and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers and sisters Remember also our brothers and sisters Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of who have fallen asleep in the hope of who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection and all who have died the resurrection and all who have died the resurrection and all who have died in your mercy. Welcome them into the light of your Welcome them into the light of your face. face. face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with Blessed Joseph her spouse, with the with Blessed Joseph her spouse, with the with Blessed Joseph her spouse, with the Blessed Apostles and all the saints who Blessed Apostles and all the saints who Blessed Apostles and all the saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we have pleased you throughout the ages, we have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life and may praise and glorify you and may praise and glorify you and may praise and glorify you through your Son through your Son through your Son Jesus Christ.

>> Through him and with him and in >> Through him and with him and in [singing] [singing] [singing] him, him, him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of O God, almighty Father, in the unity of O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours forever all glory and honor is yours forever all glory and honor is yours forever and ever. [singing] and ever. [singing] and ever. [singing] >> Amen. >> At the Savior's command and formed by >> At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say, divine teaching, we dare to say, divine teaching, we dare to say, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. be done on earth as it is in heaven. be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and Give us this day our daily bread and Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses forgive us our trespasses forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against as we forgive those who trespass against as we forgive those who trespass against us us us and lead us not into temptation, but and lead us not into temptation, but and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

deliver us from evil. deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil. Graciously grant peace in our days evil. Graciously grant peace in our days evil. Graciously grant peace in our days that by the help of your mercy we may be that by the help of your mercy we may be that by the help of your mercy we may be always free from sin and save from all always free from sin and save from all always free from sin and save from all distress distress distress as we await the blessed hope and the as we await the blessed hope and the as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our savior Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus Christ who said to your Lord Jesus Christ who said to your apostles apostles apostles peace I leave you, my peace I give you. peace I leave you, my peace I give you. peace I leave you, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins but on the faith of Look not on our sins but on the faith of Look not on our sins but on the faith of your church and graciously grant her your church and graciously grant her your church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your peace and unity in accordance with your peace and unity in accordance with your will will will who live and reign forever and ever. who live and reign forever and ever. who live and reign forever and ever. The peace of the Lord be with you The peace of the Lord be with you The peace of the Lord be with you always. always. always. Let us offer each other the sign of Let us offer each other the sign of Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Lamb of God you take away the sins of Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us. the world have mercy on us. the world have mercy on us. Lamb of God you take away the sins of Lamb of God you take away the sins of Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us. Behold the lamb of God. Behold the lamb of God. Behold him who takes away the sins of Behold him who takes away the sins of Behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the world. Blessed are those called to the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb. the supper of the lamb. the supper of the lamb. Lord I am not worthy that you should Lord I am not worthy that you should Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the enter under my roof but only say the enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

The communion antiphon. The communion antiphon. John answered and said, John answered and said, John answered and said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." >> Act of spiritual communion. >> Act of spiritual communion. My Jesus, I believe that you are present My Jesus, I believe that you are present My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most holy sacrament. in the most holy sacrament. in the most holy sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire I love you above all things and I desire I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. to receive you into my soul. to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive Since I cannot at this moment receive Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, you sacramentally, you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. come at least spiritually into my heart. come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you are already I embrace you as if you are already I embrace you as if you are already there and unite myself wholly to you. there and unite myself wholly to you. there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from Never permit me to be separated from Never permit me to be separated from you. you. you. Amen.

Grant, oh Lord, as we celebrate the Grant, oh Lord, as we celebrate the heavenly birth of St. John the Baptist, heavenly birth of St. John the Baptist, heavenly birth of St. John the Baptist, that we may revere for what it that we may revere for what it that we may revere for what it signifies, the saving sacrament we have signifies, the saving sacrament we have signifies, the saving sacrament we have received, and even more may rejoice at received, and even more may rejoice at received, and even more may rejoice at its clear effects in us, its clear effects in us, its clear effects in us, through Christ our Lord. through Christ our Lord. through Christ our Lord. The Lord be with you. The Lord be with you. The Lord be with you. May almighty God bless you, the Father, May almighty God bless you, the Father, May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. in battle. in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness Be our protection against the wickedness Be our protection against the wickedness and the snares of the devil. May God and the snares of the devil. May God and the snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, oh prince of the heavenly host, by the oh prince of the heavenly host, by the oh prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and power of God, thrust into hell Satan and power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the all the evil spirits who prowl about the all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. Have a wonderful day and a blessed Have a wonderful day and a blessed Have a wonderful day and a blessed weekend.

weekend. weekend. Thank you.