Liturgical Mass Texts

for the Feast of St. Joan of Arc



(The original texts in French are due to the courtesy of Father Jean Mengin of the Basilica of St. Joan of Arc in Domremy. Neither the five Sacramentary texts nor their translations have been approved for use in the United States. For a Votive Mass in the States, in the Sacramentary the Common of Virgins should be used. The listed readings, psalms and Gospel may be used and are so appropriate to the holiness of St. Joan. All readings are taken from the Douay Rheims translation of The Holy Bible )


Introductory Rites:
(Exodus 15:1-2)

1 Then Moses and the children of Israel sung this canticle to the Lord: and said: Let us sing to the Lord: for he is gloriously magnified, the horse and the rider he hath thrown into the sea.

2 The Lord is my strength and my praise, and he is become salvation to me: he is my God and I will glorify him: the God of my father, and I will exalt him. I will sing to the Lord, for he has made known his glory. The Lord is my strength and my love.


(Psalm 97)

(The Refrain) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

1 A psalm for David himself. Sing ye to the Lord anew canticle: because he hath done wonderful things. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

3 He hath remembered his mercy his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

4 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

5 Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm:

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

6 with long trumpets, and sound of comet. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king:

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

7 let the sea be moved and the fulness thereof: the world end they that dwell therein.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

8 The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.

9 at the presence of the Lord: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with equity.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds.


Opening Prayer:
Let us pray: O God, you have chosen Saint Joan of Arc to defend her country against the invading enemy. Through her intercession, grant that we may work for justice and live in peace. We pray through Jesus Christ, your son, living and reigning with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.


1st Reading:

Wisdom 8:9-15

9 I purposed therefore to take her to me to live with me: knowing that she will communicate to me of her good things, and will be a comfort in my cares and grief.

10 For her sake I shall have glory among the multitude, and honour with the ancients, though I be young:

11 And I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of the mighty, and the faces of princes shall wonder at me.

12 They shall wait for me when I hold my peace, and they shall look upon me when I speak, and if I talk much they shall lay their hands on their mouths.

13 Moreover by the means of her I shall have immortality: and shall leave behind me an everlasting memory to them that come after me.

14 I shall set the people in order: and nations shall be subject to me.

15 Terrible kings hearing shall be afraid of me: among the multitude I shall be found good, and valiant in war.


or I Cor. 1:26-31

26 For see your vocation, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble:

27 But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise; and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong.

28 And the base things of the world, and the things that are contemptible, hath God chosen, and things that are not, that he might bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his sight.

30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and justice, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, as it is written: He that glorieth, may glory in the Lord.


Responsorial Psalm:
[ The communication from Domremy is not clear whether it is Psalm 16 or Psalm 27, both of which would be so appropriate. ]

Psalm 28:

(The Refrain: Psalm 27:1) The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

1 A psalm for David himself. Unto thee will I cry, O Lord: O my God, be not thou silent to me: lest thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

2 Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication, when I pray to thee; when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

3 Draw me not away together with the wicked; and with the workers of iniquity destroy me not: Who speak peace with their neighbour, but evils are in their hearts.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

4 Give them according to their works, and according to the wickedness of their inventions. According to the works of their hands give thou to them: render to them their reward.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

5 Because they have not understood the works of the Lord, and the operations of his hands: thou shalt destroy them, and shalt not build them up.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

6 Blessed be the Lord, for he hath heard the voice of my supplication.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

7 The Lord is my helper and my protector: in him hath my heart confided, and I have been helped. And my flesh hath flourished again, and with my will I will give praise to him.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

8 The Lord is the strength of his people, and the protector of the salvation of his anointed.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?

9 Save, O Lord, thy people, and bless thy inheritance: and rule them and exalt them forever.

The Lord is my light and my salvation, Of whom shall I be afraid?


Psalm 17:

(The Refrain: Psalm 16:1) Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

1 The prayer of David. Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

2 Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

3 Thou hast proved my heart, and visited it by night, thou hast tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

4 That my mouth may not speak the works of men: for the sake of the words of thy lips, I have kept hard ways.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

5 Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not moved.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

6 I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

7 Shew forth thy wonderful mercies; thou who savest them that trust in thee.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

8 From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

9 From the face of the wicked who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul:

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

10 they have shut up their fat: their mouth hath spoken proudly.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

11 They have cast me forth and now they have surrounded me: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

12 They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; and as a young lion dwelling in secret places.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

13 Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; deliver my soul from the wicked one: thy sword

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

14 from the enemies of thy hand. O Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life: their belly is filled from thy hidden, stores. They are full of children: and they have left to their little ones the rest of their substance.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.

15 But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.

Preserve me, God. I take refuge in you.


Gospel:

Matthew 16:24 - 27

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.

26 For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works.


Prayer over the gifts:
O Lord, on this feast of Saint Joan of Arc, accept this pure offering of the victim who is our salvation. Grant that we may love you in all things and more than all things so that we may live for the praise of your glory. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.


 Preface for the Feast of St. Joan of Arc:

It is truly just and good to render glory to you, to offer you our thanksgiving always and everywhere, all holy Father, eternal and all powerful God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
On this day on which we celebrate St. Joan of Arc, we wish to sing to you, to bless and glorify you.
For in a time of violence and of war, you have granted to a very young girl to witness to your providence and to battle bravely for peace.
In the freedom of your Spirit she has manifested your benevolence for our country, she has imitated the patience of Christ before his judges and on the stake, his abandonment/surrender into your hands.
That is why, with the angels and the archangels, with the powers on high and all the blessed spirits, we sing the hymn of your glory and proclaim without end. Amen.


Communion Rite:
(Psalm 24)

(The Refrain: Psalm 23:4) Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

1 On the first day of the week, a psalm for David. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

2 For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

3 Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place?

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

4 The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

7 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

8 Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

9 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.

10 Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, O Lord, my God.


Prayer after Communion:
You have strengthened us, O Lord, with bread from heaven from which Saint Joan of Arc so frequently found light and comfort. May this heavenly nourishment sustain us in the service of our brothers and sisters. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.



LE 30 MAI
Ps = Psalms 
Exodi = Exodus 
Sagesse = Wisdom 
I-res = premieres 
II-es = secondes 
Par N.S.J.-C = shorthand for Par Notre Saveur Jesus-Christ, 
which is shorthand for "Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever, Amen."


SAINTE JEANNE D'ARC, VIERGE INTROIT - Exodi, 15, 1 et 2 Chantons les louanges du Seigneur, car il a fait eclater sa gloire. Le Seigneur est ma force et l'objet de ma louange; c'est lui qui m'a sauvee. (T.P. Alleluia, alleluia.) Psaume: Chantez au Seigneur un cantique nouveau, car il a fait des merveilles. V. Gloire au Pere. Cantemus Domino: gloriose enim magnificatus est. Fortitudo mea at laus mea Dominus, et factus est mihi in salutem. (T.P. Alleluja, alleluja.) Ps. 97, 1. Cantate Dominuo canticum novum, quia mirabilia fecit. V. Gloria Patri. COLLECTE Dieu, d'une maniere admirable, vous avez suscite la bienheureuse Vierge Jeanne pour proteger la foi et la patrie : par son intercession, accordez-nous, nous vous en prions, que votre Eglise, surmount les embuches de ses ennemis, jouisse d'une paix constante. Par N. S. J.-C. EPITRE - LIVRE DE LA SAGESSE, 8, 9-15 J'ai resolu de prendre la sagesse comme compagne de ma vie, sachant qu'elle me ferait part de ses bienfaits et qu'elle serait ma consolation dans mes soucis et dans mes peines. Par elle j'obtiendrai de la gloire devant le peuple et, malgre mon jeune age, de l'honneur aupres des veillards. Dans mes jugements on reconnaitra ma penetration d'esprit; je paraitrai admirable en presence des puissants; et les princes temoigneront leur etonnement sur leurs visages. Quand je me tairai, ils attendront que je reprenne la parole; quand je parlerai, ils m'observeront attentivement; et si je prolonge mes discours, ils mettront la main sur leur bouche. C'est par elle aussi que j'aurai l'immortalite, et que je laisserai a la posterite un souvenir eternel. Je gouvernerai les peuples et les nations me seront soumises. Les rois redoutables me craindront lorsqu'ils entendront parler de moi. Je me montrerai bon pour mon peuple et vaillant a la guerre. ALLELUIA, alleluia. V. Vous avez agi virilement at votre coeur a ete affermi. La main du Seigneur vous a fortifiee, et pour cela vous serez benie eternellement. Alleluia. V. Maintenant donc priez pour nous, car vous etes une femme sainte et craignant Dieu. Alleluia. ALLELUJA, alleluja. V. Fecisti viriliter, et confortatum est cor tuum: manus Domini confortavit te, et ideo eris benedicta in aeternum. Alleluja. V. Nunc ergo ora pro nobis, quoniam mulier sancta es, et timens Deum. Alleluja. -- Hors du temps Pascal -- GRADUEL Le Seigneur a fait choix dans la guerre de moyens nouveaux et il a detruit les portes ennemies. V. Au lieu ou les chars se sont rencontres et ou l'armee des ennemis fut aneantie, c'est la qu'on chante la justice du Seigneur et sa misericorde envers les braves d'Israel. GRADUALE Nova bella elegit Dominus, et portas hostium ipse subvertit. V. Ubi collisi sunt currus, et hostium suffocatus est exercitus, ibi narrentur justitiae Domini, et clementia ejus in fortes Israel. ALLELUIA, alleluia. V. Louez le Seigneur notre Dieu: il n'a point abandonne ceux qui esperent en lui et, par moi, sa servante, il a realise sa misericorde envers la maison d'Israel, selon qu'il l'avait promis. Alleluia. ALLELUJA, alleluja. V. Laudate Dominum Deum nostrum, qui non deseruit sperantes in se, et in me ancilla sua adimplevit misericordiam suam, quam promisit domui Israel. Alleluja. OFFERTOIRE Tous la benirent unanimement, disant: Vous etes la gloire de Jerusalem, la joie d'Israel, l'honneur de notre peuple. (T.P. Alleluia.) OFFERTORIUM Benedixerunt eam omnes una voce, dicentes: Tu gloria Jerusalem, tu laetitia Israel, tu honorificentia populi nostri. (T.P. Alleluja.) SECRETE Que le sacrifice sauveur, Seigneur, nous procure dans les difficultes ce courage dont la bienheureuse Jeanne donna de si brillants examples au milieu de si nimbreuses contrarietes, au point que, pour chasser les ennemis, elle n'hesita pas a s'exposer aux dangers de la guerre. Par N.S. J.-C. COMMUNION Quand meme je marcherais a l'ombre de la mort, je ne craindrais aucun mal, car vous etes avec moi, Seigneur Jesus. (T.P. Alleluia.) COMMUNIO Si ambulavero in medio umbrae mortis, non timebo mala, quoniam tu mecum es, Domine Jesu. (T.P. Alleluja.) POSTCOMMUNION Nous voici reconfortes par ce pain celeste qui nourrit tant de fois la bienheureuse Jeanne pour la victoire: nous vous prions, Dieu tout-puissant, faites que cet aliment sauveur nous rende victorieux de nos ennemis. Par N.S. J.-C. A VEPRES ANT. 1. Voici Jeanne, la vierge simple et tres pieuse, qui craignait Dieu profondement, et il n'y avait personne qui put dire du mal d'elle. (T. P. Alleluia.) 2 - C'est le Siegneur qui la suscita et la jeune fille revetit donc l'armure de Dieu, afin de pouvoir s'opposer aux embuches des ennemis. (T. P. Alleluia.) 3 - Debout, les reins ceints de la verite, et revetue de la cuirasse de la justice, elle porta le bouclier et le casque du salut. (T. P. Alleluia.) 4 - Voici qu'elle leva la main contre les etrangers et dressa l'etendard du Seigneur en face de la foule, afin de mettre ses adversaires en fuite. (T. P. Alleluia.) 5 - L'Ange du Seigneur l'a gardee a son depart, durant son sejour au milieu des ennemis, et a son retour, au milieu des flammes memes, il ne l'a pas abandonnee. (T. P. Alleluia.) ANT. 1. Ecce Joanna, virgo simplex et piissima, quoniam timebat Dominum valde, nec erat qui loqueretur de illa verbum malum. (T. P. Alleluja.) 2 - Suscitavit eam Dominus, et ideo puella induit armaturam Dei, ut posset stare adversus insidias inimicorum. (T. P. Alleluja.) 3 - Stetit succincta lumbos suos in veritate, et induta loricam justitiae, assumpsit scutum et galeam salutis. (T. P. Alleluja.) 4 - Ecce levavit ad gentes manum suam, et ad populos exaltavit signum Domini, ut fugerent partes adversae. (T. P. Alleluja.) 5 - Custodivit eam Angelus ejus, et hinc euntem, et ibi commorantem, et inde revertentem, atque in medio ignis non dereliquit eam. (T. P. Alleluja.) CAPITULE J'ai resolu de prendre la sagesse comme compagne de ma vie, sachant qu'elle me ferait part de ses bienfaits et qu'elle serait ma consolation dans mes soucis et dans mes peines. Par elle j'obtiendrai de la gloire devant le peuple et, malagre mon jeune age, de l'honneur aupres des vieillards. Aux I res Vepres: HYMNE Voici celle qui cultive avec soin son pauvre jardin, enfant de treize ans, ignorante, instruite seulement des premieres prieres, mais plus pieuse, plus simple, plus douce, plus innocente que ses compagnes. L'Ange Michel l'instruit tandis qu'elle prie, et des vierges rayonnantes d'une clarte semblable a la sienne, et distinguees a la fois par les merites de leurs vertus, s'entretiennent avec elle. En entendant les voix d'en haut, elle est saisie de frayeur, mais, confiante en Dieu, plus forte chaque jour, obeissant a leurs ordres, elle s'offre avec grand coeur en victime sans tache pour la patrie. Bientot elle recoit l'ordre de quitter ses proches et sa maison paternelle, et son pere et sa mere; devenue soldat de Dieu, elle se porte en intrepide cavaliere partout ou l'Ange l'appelle. Gloire soit au Pere, qui a cree la terre ferme, et au Fils, qui a rachete les peuples; et au Saint-Esprit qui rend les ames pieuses et courageuses. Ainsi soit-il. v. Par les merites et les prieres de sainte Jeanne. (Alleluia.) r. Soyez propice, Seigneur, a votre peuple. (Alleluia.) Stat cultrix vigilans pauperis hortuli, Annorum tredecim parvula, nil sciens, Primas docta preces, prae sociis pia, Simplex, mitis et innocens. Orantem Michael Angelus edocet, Quam clarae parili lumine virgines, Virtutum meritis conspicuae simul, Crebis alloquiis fovent. Dum voces superas excipit, expavet: Sed, fidens Domino, fortior in dies, Parens imperiis, pro patria libens Castam se vovet hostiam. Mox dulces socias et patriam domum, Et cum matre patrem jussa relinquere, Miles facta Dei, quo vocat Angelus, Fertur nil trepidans eques. Qui terras statuit, gloria sit Patri: Qui gentes redimit, gloria Filio: Sancto Spiritui gloria, qui pias Et fortes animas facit. Amen. v. Meritis et precibus beatae Joannae. (Alleluja.) r. Propitius esto, Domine, populo tuo. (Alleluja.) A MAGNIFICAT ANT. - Voici Jeanne, la vierge d'Orleans; voici celle qui prie beaucoup pour son peuple et pour toute la nation francaise. (T. P. Alleluia.) ANT. - Haec est Joanna, Puella Aurelianensis: haec est, quae multum orat pro populo, et pro universa Gallorum gente. (T. P. Alleluja.) Aux II es Vepres: HYMNE Salut, Vierge au coeur viril, patronne de la France: en supportant de cruels supplices, vous reproduisez l'image du Christ. Docile aux voix d'en haut, remplie de la lumiere de Jesus, les juges se taisent et tremblent tandis que vous devoilez l'avenir de la patrie. Entouree de flammes, vous implorez Jesus, et embrassant courageusement la croix, vous vous envolez vers lui, a l'instar d'une colombe. Placee au milieu du choeur des vierges saintes, aidez vos concitoyens, et, qu'a votre priere, chacun d'eux obtienne la couronne de gloire. Louange soit au Pere, et au Fils, et honneur au saint Consolateur, qui blesse les coeurs de son amour et augmente les forces de ceux qui languissent. Ainsi soit-il. v. Par les merites et par les prieres de la bienheureuse Jeanne, alleluia. r. Seigneur, soyez propice a votre peuple, alleluia. Salve, virilis pectoris Virgo, Patrona Galliae! Tormenta dirasustinens, Christi refers imaginem. Voces supernas audiens, Jesu repleta lumine, Dum fata pandis patriae, Silent paventque judices. Oppressa flammis, clamitas Jesum, crucemque fortiter Amplexa, ad Ipsum, simplicis Instar columbae, pervolas. Choris beatis Virginum Adscripta, cives adjuva: Te deprecante, singulis Detur corona gloriae. Sit laus Patri, sit Filio: Sancto decus Paraclito, Qui corda amore sauciat, Vires et auget languidis. Amen. v. Meritis et precibus beatae Joannae, alleluja. r. Propitius esto, Domine, populo tuo, alleluja. A MAGNIFICAT ANT. - Jeanne, epouse du Christ, patronne et gardienne de la patrie, par vos instantes prieres, soyez pour vos serviteurs un mur imprenable. (T. P. Alleluia.) ANT. - Joanna, sponsa Christi, tutrix et custos patriae, esto tuis famulis murus inexpugnabilis assiduis suffragiis. (T. P. Alleluja.)


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Virginia Frohlick-Saint Joan of Arc Center
stjoan@stjoan-center.com