Memorial

Januarius Sarnelli was born in Naples on September 12, 1702.  Son of the Baron of Ciorani (SA), he had a solid cultured and spiritual formation.  Dedicating himself to the study of jurisprudence, he gained a doctorate in civil and canon law at the age of 20. Caring for the sick in the Hospital for the Incurables, he felt the call to the priesthood. During this time he also came to know Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, who was his first biographer. Ordained priest in 1732, he dedicated himself specially to the catechesis of young boys and to the rehabilitation and prevention of girls at risk of becoming prostitutes.  In June of the following year he entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, founded by Alphonsus Maria de Liguori on the 9^th of November, 1732.  He dedicated himself to the preaching of the Word of God in the countryside most destitute of spiritual help.

For reasons of health , in 1736, he returned to Naples, where, while continuing the missionary activity in the Redemptorist Congregation, he took up again he previous pastoral and charitable activities, especially among the sick, the old, those in prison and the young boys forced to work as dock-labourers.  He also initiated a fervent movement against the spread of prostitution.

A prodigious writer, he published more than 30 books, on a wide range of subjects: socio-juridical studies, moral issues, mysticism, pedagogy, pastoral practice, mariology and ascetical theology.

In 1741 he organized and took part in great mission among the spiritually abandoned areas, in the outskirts of  Naples. Spent by his burning zeal, he died at Naples on June 30 , aged 42.  John Paul II beatified him on May 12^th, 1996.

Entrance Antiphon:         How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation.              (Isaiah 52:7)

OPENING PRAYER

O God, you have chosen your priest,  blessed Januarius Maria,

to show forth your love for the suffering

through preaching and good works.

Grant that, animated by your love,

we may follow his example in giving ourselves generously,

taking to heart those in need.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who is God,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

forever and ever.  Amen.

FIRST READING                                                                  ( Isaiah 52:7-10)

All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:                       How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger

who announces peace, who brings good news,

who announces salvation, who says to Zion,"Your God reigns."Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,

together they sing for joy;

for in plain sight they see the return of the LORD to Zion.Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem;

for the LORD has comforted his people,

he has redeemed Jerusalem.The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations;

and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

The Word of the Lord.Responsorial Psalm:                                                              Psalm 95

R.   Come, let us sing to the Lord;   it is he who saves us.O sing to the Lord a new songs;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

tell of his salvation from day to day.   R.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvellous works among all the peoples

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

he is to be revered above all gods.    R.

Say among the nations, "The Lord is king!

The world is firmly established;

it shall never be moved,

He will judge the peoples with equity."  R.

Gospel Acclamation:       (John 15:4-5) R.   Alleluia, alleluia.

Abide in me as I abide in you, says the Lord;  Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.

R.   Alleluia. Alleluia.

GOSPELAbide in me as I abide in you.

A Reading from the Gospel According to John:   ( John 15:1-8)

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit.

Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.Abide in me as I abide in you.

Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself

unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.I am the vine, you are the branches.

Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit,

because apart from me you can do nothing.Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,

ask for whatever you wish,  and it will be done for you.My Father is glorified by this,

that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS

O Lord, sanctify these gifts which we offer you in memory of

 Blessed Januarius Maria Sarnelli.

Transform them for us into the sacrament of salvation,

so that, as we draw near to your altar,

we may be freed from every sin,

and may share in the banquet of eternal life.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

PREFACE

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People:        And also with you.

Priest: Lift up your heats.

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

through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Through the witness of faith of Blessed Januarius Maria Sarnelli

you renew your Church

with the creative power of your Spirit,

and you give us a sure sign of your love.

His example and his intercession sustain us in the pilgrimage of life

so that the mystery of your salvation may be fulfilled in us.

United with the angels and saints,

we sing with joy the hymn of your glory.

Communion Antiphon:  "Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing," says the Lord.                                                                   (Jn 15:5)

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Lord, Our God, this sharing in your sacraments,

nurtures in us the faith,

which has been passed on to us by the Apostles,

and which Blessed Januarius Maria Sarnelli served

with loving dedication.

We make our prayer through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.