1st April - St Nuno Alvares Pereira - Religious

OC: Memory
OCD: Optional Memory

Nuno was born in 1360, and for many years pursued a military career, becoming the champion of Portuguese independence. After the death of his wife, he joined the Order as a brother in 1423 at the monastery of Lisbon, which he had founded himself, and took the name Nuno of Saint Mary. There he lived until his death in 1431. He was noted for his prayer, his practice of penance, and his filial devotion to the Mother of God.  
He was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1918 and was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.  The portuguese celebrate his memorial on the 6th November.

Entrance Antiphon - 2 Cor 10:4a,5b
The weapons we use are not those of this world, but they have Gods power. We bring every thought into captivity and into Christs allegiance. (Alleluia).

Opening Prayer
Lord God, you called Blessed Nuno Alvares Pereira to put aside his sword and follow Christ under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Through his prayers may we too deny ourselves, and devote ourselves to you with all our hearts. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Ephesians - 6:10-18b
Put on the armour of God.

Grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. Put Gods armour on so as to be able to resist the devils tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavens. That is why you must rely on Gods armour, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground.
So stand your groun with truth buckled round your waist, and integrity for a breastplate, wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil one. And then you must accept salvation from God to be your helmet and receive the word of God from the Spirit to use as a sword. Pray all the time, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion.

Responsorial Psalm- Ps. 111:1-2,3-4,5-7a,7b-8,9.(R 1a)
R/. Happy the man who fears the Lord.

Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed. R/.

Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright;
he is generous, merciful and just. R/.

The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
Tejust man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news. R/.

With a firm heart he trusts in the Lord;
with a steadfast heart he will not fear;
He will see the downfall of his foes. R/.

Open-handed he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory. R/.

Gospel Acclamation - Mt 5:3
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Happy are the poor in spirit;
the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Alleluia!

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke - 14:25-33
None of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.

Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. And indeed, which of you here, intending to bulda tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, "Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish". Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.

Prayer over the Gifts
God of all mercy, you transformed Blessed Nuno Alvares Pereira and made him a new creature in your image. Renew us in the same way by making our gifts of peace acceptable to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon - Mt 19:27-29
I solemnly tellyou those who have left everything and followed me will be repaid a hundredfold and will gain eternal life. (Alleluia).

Prayer after Communion
Almighty God, may we who are strengthened by the power of this sacrament learn from the example of Blessed Nuno Alvares Pereira to seek you above all things and to live in this world as your new creation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.