Therese of Lisieux, Monastic, 1897

The Collect:

Rite I:
O Gracious Father, who didst call thy servant Therese to a life of fervent prayer; Give unto us the spirit of prayer and zeal for the ministry of the Gospel, that the love of Christ may be known throughout all the world; through the same, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rite II:
Gracious Father, who called your servant Therese to a life of fervent prayer, give to us the spirit of prayer and zeal for the ministry of the Gospel, that the love of Christ may be known throughout all the world; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

First Lesson: Judith 8:1–8

¹ Now in those days Judith heard about these things: she was the daughter of Merari son of Ox son of Joseph son of Oziel son of Elkiah son of Ananias son of Gideon son of Raphain son of Ahitub son of Elijah son of Hilkiah son of Eliab son of Nathanael son of Salamiel son of Sarasadai son of Israel. ² Her husband Manasseh, who belonged to her tribe and family, had died during the barley harvest. ³ For as he stood overseeing those who were binding sheaves in the field, he was overcome by the burning heat, and took to his bed and died in his town Bethulia. So they buried him with his ancestors in the field between Dothan and Balamon. ⁴ Judith remained as a widow for three years and four months ⁵ at home where she set up a tent for herself on the roof of her house. She put sackcloth around her waist and dressed in widow’s clothing. ⁶ She fasted all the days of her widowhood, except the day before the sabbath and the sabbath itself, the day before the new moon and the day of the new moon, and the festivals and days of rejoicing of the house of Israel. ⁷ She was beautiful in appearance, and was very lovely to behold. Her husband Manasseh had left her gold and silver, men and women slaves, livestock, and fields; and she maintained this estate. ⁸ No one spoke ill of her, for she feared God with great devotion.

Psalm: Psalm 119:1–8

¹ Happy are they whose way is blameless, *
       who walk in the law of the Lord!
² Happy are they who observe his decrees *
       and seek him with all their hearts!
³ Who never do any wrong, *
       but always walk in his ways.
⁴ You laid down your commandments, *
       that we should fully keep them.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were made so direct *
       that I might keep your statutes!
⁶ Then I should not be put to shame, *
       when I regard all your commandments.
⁷ I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, *
       when I have learned your righteous judgments.
⁸ I will keep your statutes; *
       do not utterly forsake me.

Gospel: Luke 21:1–4

¹ He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; ² he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. ³ He said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; ⁴ for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.’

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