August 25: Blessed Methodius Dominic Trcka, Martyr

Memorial

Blessed Methodius was born in Frydlant (Czech Republic) in 1886. After ordination in 1910, he spent the early years of his ministry as a parish missioner. He was nominated first Vice-Provincial of the Greek Catholic vice-province of Michalovce in 1946. On the night of 13-14 April, 1950,  all religious communities were suppressed by the Czech government. Fr. Methodius was arrested, tortured and condemned to twelve years imprisonment. He was put in solitary confinement for singing a Christmas carol, and in those harsh conditions, he contracted tuberculosis. He  died 23 March, 1959 and was beatified in 2001.

Entrance Antiphon   The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.                    He is their helper in time of trial.                         (Ps 36:39)

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,

you gave to Blessed Methodius your priest and martyr

outstanding bravery in the face of trials and torture.

With the help of his prayers,

may we remain faithful to the Gospel of truth

and come with him to contemplate your face for all eternity.

We make this prayer through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God for ever and ever.

FIRST READING                                                             (1Pet:12-19)

Rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings.

A Reading from the  First Letter of Peter

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings,

so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.

If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed,

because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal,

or even as a mischief maker.

Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace,

but glorify God because you bear this name.

For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God;

if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

And "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?"

Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will

entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM                                          (Ps 125)                  

R.   Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.

When the Lord delivered Sion from bondage,

it seemed like a dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

on our lips there were songs.   R.

The heathens themselves said,

What marvels the Lord worked for them!'.

What marvels the Lord worked for us!

Indeed we were glad.   R.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage

as streams in dry land.

Those who are sowing in tears

will sing when they reap.   R.

They go out, they go out full of tears,

carrying seed for the sowing:

They come back, they come back, full of song,

carrying their sheaves.   R.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION                                                                         (Mt 10:32)

Alleluia, alleluia.

Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others,  says the Lord,

I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven;

Alleluia. Allelulia.

GOSPEL.                                                                                                        (Mt 10:28-33)

Do not fear those who kill the body

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Matthew.

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples:" Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.  "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven."

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS.

Receive our sacrifice, Lord,

in memory of your blessed martyr Methodius Dominic

whom no trial could separate from the Body of your Church.

We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord.

PREFACE

Priest:     The Lord be with you.

People:   And also with you.

Priest:     Lift up your hearts.

People:   We lift them up to the Lord

Priest:     Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

People:   It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Father, all powerful and ever-living God,

we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

Your holy martyr, Methodius Dominic,

followed the example of Christ,

and gave his life for the glory of your name.

His death reveals your power

shining through our human weakness.

You choose the weak to make them strong

in bearing witness to you

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In our unending joy we echo on earth

the song of the angels in heaven

as they praise your glory for ever:

Communion Antiphon        If any want to become my follow me, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me, says the Lord.                                                  (Mt 16:24)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

God our Father, you renew your church through  these holy mysteries.

May we be enabled to imitate the wonderful fortitude

of  Blessed Methodius Dominic

and so obtain the prize promised to those

who suffer for the sake of your name.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.