In matters that affect us personally, let us acquiesce in God's will.

For example, in hunger, thirst, poverty, desolation, loss of reputation, let us always say: "Do thou build up or tear down, O Lord, as seems good in thy sight. I am content. I wish only what thou dost wish." Thus too, says Rodriguez, should we act when the devil proposes certain hypothetical cases to us in order to wrest a sinful consent from us, or at least to cause us to be interiorly disturbed. For example: "What would you say or what would you do if someone were to say or do such and such a thing to you?" Let us dismiss the temptation by saying: "By God's grace, I would say or do what God would want me to say or do." Thus we shall free ourselves from imperfection and harassment. -St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori

St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori

Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of the Church
With Commemoration of

St. Stephen I
Pope and Martyr
Introit
Luke 4:18

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me; to bring good news to the poor He has sent me, to heal the contrite of heart.
Ps 77:1

Hearken, my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me; to bring good news to the poor He has sent me, to heal the contrite of heart. Collect Let us pray. O God, Who through blessed Alphonsus Mary, Your Confessor and Bishop, fired with love for souls, enriched Your Church with a new family; we beseech You that, taught by his saving counsels and strengthened by his example, we may be enabled happily to come to You. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
For St. Stephen I, Pope and martyr.

The St. Mother Theodore Guerin Traditional Latin Mass Community St. Patrick Catholic Church 309 South Taylor Street South Bend, IN 46601

Let us pray. Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Stephan thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Lesson from the secons letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timotheus

2 Tim. 2:1-7

Dearly beloved: Be strengthened in the grace which is in Christ Jesus; and the things that you have heard from me through many witnesses, commend to trustworthy men who shall be competent in turn to teach others. Conduct yourself in work as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as Gods soldier entangles himself in worldly affairs, that he may please him whose approval he has secured. And again, one who enters a contest is not crowned unless he has competed according to the rules. The farmer who toils must be the first to partake of the fruits. Take in what I tell you, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things. Gradual
Ps 118:52 - 53.

For St. Stephen I, Pope and martyr.

By the offered gifts we beseech thee, O Lord, that thou kindly enlighten thy Church, so that thy flock may everywhere progress and prosper, and thy shepherds, under thy guidance may be pleasing to thy name. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Preface
Common

I remember your ordinances of old, O Lord, and I am comforted. Indignation seizes me because of the wicked who forsake Your law.
Ps 39:11

V. Your justice I kept not hid within my heart; Your faithfulness and Your salvation I have spoken of. Alleluia, alleluia. Ecclus. 49:3-4 V, He was directed by God to the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness. He turned to God with his whole heart, and though times were evil, he practiced virtue. Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 10:1-9

It is truly meet and just, and profitable unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to thee, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ, our Lord. Though whom the angels praise thy majesty, the dominions adore it, the powers are in awe. Which the heavens and the hosts of heaven together with the blessed seraphim joyfully do magnify. And do thou command that it be permitted to us join with them in confessing thee, while we say with lowly praise: Holy, Holy, Holy Communion
Ecclus 50:1, 9.

A great priest, who in his time renovated the house, and in his days reinforced the temple, as a bright fire, and frankincense burning in the fire. Post Communion Let us pray. O God, Who made St. Alphonsus Mary, Your Confessor and Bishop, a faithful dispenser of this divine sacrament, grant by his merits and prayers, that Your faithful may frequently receive it, and, receiving it, praise it forever. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

At that time, the Lord appointed seventy-two others, and sent them forth two by two before Him into every town and place where He Himself was about to come. And He said to them, The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest. Go. Behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry neither purse, nor wallet, nor sandals, and greet no one on the way. Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace to this house! And if a son of peace be there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they have; for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. And whatever town you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you, and cure the sick who are there, and say to them, The kingdom of God is at hand for you. Offertory
Pr 3:9, 27.

For St. Stephen I, Pope and martyr.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, and give Him the first fruits of all your produce. Do not withhold him from doing good who is able; if you are able, do good yourself also. Secret O Lord, Jesus Christ, Who granted to St. Aphonsus Mary to celebrate this rite and thereby offer himself as a holy victim to You, consume our hearts by the heavenly fire of this sacrifice so that it may ascend as a sweet fragrance unto You. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray. Being appeased, O Lord, guide thy Church, which has been nourished by holy refreshment, that under thy direction and powerful rule it may receive increase of liberty and may continue in religious integrity. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.