St. Andrew Avellino: Commemoration of St. Theodore, Martyr

 

St. Andrew Avellino: Commemoration of St. Theodore, Martyr

Andrew Avellino, previously called Lancelot, was born at Castro Nuovo, a village in Lucania. He learned jurisprudence at Naples, was ordained priest, and began to practice law, though only in ecclesiastical courts. But once, when he was presenting a case, he let slip a small lie, and then happened upon the words of Scripture: "A lying mouth slays the soul". He was seized with remorse and sorrow, abandoned the practice of law, and begged to be admitted among the Clerks Regular. Successful in this petition, he also obtained by prayer, on account of the great love of Cross, with which he burned, the favor of being given the name Andrew. He was outstanding for his abstinence, patience, humility and contempt of self. He caused the Order of Clerks to spread in wonderful way. He honored the Virgin Mother of God, with a singular love and reverence. After giving heroic examples of virtue, worn with old age and broken by his labors, as he was beginning the celebration of Mass, after the third repetition of the words, "I will go into the altar of God", he suffered a stroke and apoplexy and died peacefully soon afterwards fortified by the sacraments.

Deus, qui in corde beáti Andréæ Confessóris tui, per árduum cotídie in virtútibus proficiéndi votum, admirábiles ad te ascensiónes disposuísti: concéde nobis, ipsíus méritis et intercessióne, ita eiúsdem grátiæ partícipes fíeri; ut, perfectióra semper exsequéntes, ad glóriæ tuæ fastígium felíciter perducámur.
Per Dóminum

Commemoratio Ss. Tryphonis et Sociorum Mártyrum
Ant. Vestri capílli cápitis omnes numeráti sunt: nolíte timére: multis passéribus melióres estis vos.

V. Exsultábunt Sancti in glória.
R. Lætabúntur in cubílibus suis.

Orémus.
Fac nos, quǽsumus, Dómine, sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Tryphónis, Respícii et Nymphæ semper festa sectári: quorum suffrágiis, protectiónis tuæ dona sentiámus.
Per Dóminum

O God, who dost every year bring round unto us again the day whereon this thine holy temple was hallowed, and bringest us again in soundness of body and mind to be present at thine holy worship, graciously hear the supplications of thy people, and grant that whosoever shall come into this thine house to ask good at thine hand, may be rejoiced in the obtaining of all his request.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Commemoration of St. Theodore, Martyr
Ant. He that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.

V. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree.
R. He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Let us pray.
O God, who surround and protect us with the glorious profession of blessed Theodore, Your Martyr, grant us to profit by imitating him and to rejoice in his intercession.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.