ZEPHYRINUS.: Saint Thomas. Apostle. Red Vestments. Feast Day 21 December.

Saturday, 21 December 2024

Saint Thomas. Apostle. Red Vestments. Feast Day 21 December.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Thomas.
Apostle.
Feast Day 21 December.

Double of The Second-Class.

Red Vestments.

Saint Thomas.
Apostle.
Illustration: UNA VOCE OF ORANGE COUNTY
Artist: René de Cramer.
“Copyright Brunelmar/Ghent/Belgium”.
Used with Permission.

In the Mass of Saint Thomas, the Liturgy reminds us that the Apostles were the Foundation of The Church, of which Christ is the Chief Corner-Stone (Epistle); that is why their Feasts were formerly kept like Sundays.

The Gospel relates the famous scene which occurred in the Upper Room after the Lord’s Resurrection. Saint Thomas doubted; and it was only when Jesus made him put his finger into His wounds that, passing suddenly from incredulity to ardent Faith, he exclaimed: “My Lord and my God.”

That finger, says a Father of The Church, has become the master of the World because it showed him the reality of the flesh of Jesus Christ. Let us therefore believe in the great Mystery of an Incarnate Word, which will soon be manifested to the World. The name of Saint Thomas figures in the Canon of The Mass (First List).

The Elevation having been instituted as a reply to the Heresy of Berengarius, who denied The Real Presence, let us contemplate in a Spirit of Faith the Sacred Elements when they are raised, and say, with Saint Thomas: “My Lord and my God,” a practice enriched by Pope Saint Pius X with an Indulgence of Seven Years and Seven Quarantines, and a Plenary Indulgence once a week on the ordinary conditions.

The Double Elevation recalls the real separation of Our Lord’s Body and Blood on The Cross.

Every Parish Priest Celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.

Mass: Mihi autem.

Commemoration: Of the Feria.
Creed: Is Said or Sung.

Preface: Of the Apostles.

Last Gospel of the Feria: On Ember Days.