SS. Cyprian and Justina, Martyrs: Missa “Salus autem iustorum“
St. Cyprian was born to parents who worshiped idols. They taught him all kinds of wicked beliefs and superstitions. They even offered him to the Devil! What a terrible thing to do! Cyprian, having learned these wicked practices, did terrible crimes, blasphemed Christ, and committed secret murders!
There lived at Antioch a young Christian lady named Justina. She was of noble birth and very beautiful. A pagan nobleman named Agladius, fell in love with her. But Justina wished to remain a Virgin and did not want to marry. So he asked Cyprian for help.
Cyprian, who was also in love with Justina, tried every way possible to make her change her mind. Justina saw that these men were evil! So she watched and prayed, and did penance. She did this so that she would not sin. She wanted to always be faithful to Jesus and Mary.
Cyprian, saw that he was being overcome by a more Superior Power! So he began to consider and question the weakness of the Devils, and resolved to quit serving them. St. Cyprian converted to the Catholic Faith and was baptized. Agladius the pagan nobleman, also converted to the Catholic Faith.
The persecution of Diocletian broke out at that time, and Cyprian and Justina were seized and presented to Diocletian himself, who judged them. Justina was scourged and Cyprian was torn with iron hooks. After this they were both sent back to Diocletian in chains. He commanded that their heads be cut off, and they died; martyrs for the Faith!
To look back on St. Cyprian’s early life, we see how his human nature, filled with sin and evil habits, was turned around by the grace of God. Through St. Justina’s prayers and penances and sacrifices, Cyprian realized what he was doing wrong and converted to the Catholic Church. Let us beg of God to send us grace to resist temptation, and to do His most Holy Will at all times!
INTROIT Psalm 36:39,1
But the salvation of the just is from the Lord: and He is their protection in the time of trouble. Be not emulous of evildoers; nor envy them that work iniquity. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
COLLECT
May the continual protection of the blessed Martyrs Cyprian and Justina comfort us, O Lord, for You do not cease to behold with favor those whom You have granted the grace of such assistance. 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. R. Amen.
Collect of the Souls
From all perils of soul and body defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and by the intercession of blessed and gloriosus ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, graciously grant us safety and peace that all adversities and errors being overcome, thy Church may serve thee in security and freedom
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, unto all thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness both of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness, and enter into the joy of thine eternal gladness. 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. R. Amen.
EPISTLE Heb. 10:32-38
Brethren, call to mind the former days, wherein, being illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions. And on the one hand indeed, by reproaches and tribulations, were made a gazingstock; and on the other, became companions of them that were used in such sort. For you both had compassion on them that were in bands, and took with joy the being stripped of your own goods, knowing that you have a better and a lasting substance. Do not therefore lose your confidence, which hath a great reward. For patience is necessary for you; that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise. For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come, will come, and will not delay. But my just man liveth by faith; but if he withdraw himself, he shall not please my soul.
GRADUAL/ALLELUIA
The just cried, and the Lord heard them; and delivered them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and He will save the humble of spirit. Alleluia, alleluia. Let the just fest, and rejoice before God; and be delighted with gladness. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 12:1-8
At that time, Jesus to his disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: nor hidden, that shall not be known. For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness, shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers, shall be preached on the housetops. And I say to you, my friends: Be not afraid of them who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will shew you whom you shall fear: fear ye him, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. Yea, I say to you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows. And I say to you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Wis. 3:1,2,3
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of malice shall not touch them: in the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are in peace, alleluia.
SECRET
We offer You, O Lord, the gifts of our devotion; may they by Your mercy, be rendered both pleasing to You in honor of Your just ones and profitable for our salvation. 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. R. Amen.
Of the souls
Hear us, O God, our salvation that through the power of this Sacrament thou mayest defend us from all enemies of soul and body and bestow upon us grace here and glory hereafter.
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Through thy mercy, O Lord, and the intercession of blessed Mary ever Virgin, may this oblation obtain for us prosperity and peace both now and 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. R. Amen.
PREFACE of the Common
It it truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, through Christ our Lord: through Whom Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe: the Heavens and the host of heaven with blessed Seraphim unite, exult and celebrate and we entreat that Thou wouldst bid our voices also to be heard with theirs, singing with lowly praise:
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Mk. 10:27
That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light, saith the Lord: and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops.
POSTCOMMUNION
Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord, through the intercession of Your holy Martyrs, Cyprian and Justina, that what we taste with our lips, we may consume with pure heart. 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. R. Amen.
Of the souls
May the offering of this divine Sacrament cleanse and protect us, O Lord we beseech thee, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of blessed N. and all the Saints, may it purify us from all sin, and free us from all adversity.
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Grant, O Lord, that we, who had partaken of the aids of salvation, may be everywhere protected by the patronage of blessed Mary ever Virgin, in whose honor we have offered these gifts of thy majesty. 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. R. Amen.
The Brighton Oratory 
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