8th NOVEMBER THE FEAST OF BLESSED ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY
Elizabeth Catez of the Trinity was born in 1880 in the diocese of Bourges. In 1901 she entered the Discalced Carmelite monastery of Dijon. There she made her profession of vows in 1903 and from there she was called "to light, to love, and to life" by the Divine Spouse in 1906. A faithful adorer in spirit and in truth, her life was a "praise of glory" of the Most Blessed Trinity present in her soul and loved amidst interior darkness and excruciating illness. In the mystery of divine inhabitation she found her "heaven on earth," her special charism and her mission of the Church.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Let virgins praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is supreme; its majesty outshines both earth and heaven.
OPENING PRAYER Lord, increase in us your gifts of mercy and forgiveness. May we who rejoice at this celebration in honour of the virgin Elizabeth receive the joy of sharing eternal life with them. Grant this through ... Amen.
FIRST READING (Ephesians 1:3-10, 13-14) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. He destined us in love to be His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His Will, to the praise of His glorious grace which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us. For He has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of His Will, according to His purpose which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory. This is the word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 62 RESPONSE:For you my soul is thirsting, O God, my God. 1. O God, You are my God, for You I long; for You my soul is thirsting. My body pines for You like a dry, weary land without water. So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. (R.)
2. For Your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. So I will bless You all my life, in Your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise You with joy. (R.)
3. On my bed I remember You. On You I muse through the night for You have been my help; in the shadow of Your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; Your right hand holds me fast. (R.)
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 John 4:7) Alleluia, alleluia! Everyone who loves is begotten by God, and knows God. Alleluia!
GOSPEL (John 14:23-27) Jesus answered him: "If a man loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. "These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." This is the Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS Lord, we bring You gifts and prayers. We praise Your glory on this feast of the virgin Elizabeth whose witness to Christ was pleasing to You. Be pleased also with the Eucharist we now offer. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PREFACE OF VIRGINS AND RELIGIOUS Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. Today we honour your saints who consecrated their lives to Christ for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. What love you show us as you recall mankind to its first innocence, and invite us to taste on earth the gifts of the world to come! Now, with the saints and all the angels we praise you for ever: Holy, Holy, Holy...
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Whoever loves me will be loved by My Father. We shall come to him and make our home with him.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Lord, may the mysteries we receive on this feast of the virgin Elizabeth keep us alert and ready to welcome your Son at His return, that He may welcome us to the feast of eternal life. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.