August 29
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
Liturgical colour : Red
3rd classBeheading of St John the Baptist
Saturday of the 13th Week after Pentecost
Today, according to the traditional 1962 Roman calendar, is the feast of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, known in Latin as 'In Decollatione S. Joannis Baptistæ'. This solemn commemoration honors the martyrdom of St. John, the Forerunner of Christ, whose steadfast witness to truth and virtue led to his execution by beheading at the order of Herod Antipas, as recounted in the Gospels. John’s unwavering fidelity in rebuking Herod for his unlawful marriage to Herodias marked him as both prophet and martyr in the eyes of the Church. Although the historical details are drawn from the New Testament and have been venerated from the earliest centuries of Christianity, the feast itself became widely celebrated in both the Eastern and Western Churches from late antiquity onwards.
Marked as a III class feast by the 1962 rubrics, this day invites the faithful to contemplate the cost of discipleship, recalling John’s humility, ascetical life, and fearless proclamation of God's law. The observance of this feast—distinct from his Nativity in June—emphasizes the end of his earthly mission and his definitive witness to Christ, the Lamb of God, for whose coming he prepared Israel. The traditional calendar keeps this day to preserve the memory of St. John’s ultimate testimony, encouraging Christians to imitate his courage and faithfulness even unto death.
Permanent link
Ask a question about today’s feast
Questions about Beheading of St John the Baptist (Vetus Ordo Missae)
Local variations
- Luxembourg — Feast (in the cathedral church: Solemnity)
The liturgical day
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
IntroitPs 118:46-47
Latin
Ps 118:46-47
Loquébar de testimóniis tuis in conspéctu regum, et non confundébar: et meditábar in mandátis tuis, quæ diléxi nimis.
Ps 91:2
Bonum est confitéri Dómino: et psállere nómini tuo, Altíssime.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Loquébar de testimóniis tuis in conspéctu regum, et non confundébar: et meditábar in mandátis tuis, quæ diléxi nimis.
English
Ps 118:46-47
I will speak of Your decrees before kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.
Ps 91:2
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing to Your name, Most High.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
I will speak of Your decrees before kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.
Collect
Latin
Orémus.
Sancti Ioánnis Baptístæ Præcursóris et Martyris tui, quǽsumus, Dómine, veneránda festívitas: salutáris auxílii nobis præstet efféctum:
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Sabinæ Martyris
Deus, qui inter cétera poténtiæ tuæ mirácula étiam in sexu frágili victóriam martýrii contulísti: concéde propítius; ut, qui beátæ Sabínæ Mártyris tuæ natalícia cólimus, per eius ad te exémpla gradiámur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Sancti Ioánnis Baptístæ Præcursóris et Martyris tui, quǽsumus, Dómine, veneránda festívitas: salutáris auxílii nobis præstet efféctum:
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Sabinæ Martyris
Deus, qui inter cétera poténtiæ tuæ mirácula étiam in sexu frágili victóriam martýrii contulísti: concéde propítius; ut, qui beátæ Sabínæ Mártyris tuæ natalícia cólimus, per eius ad te exémpla gradiámur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
May the great festival of St. John the Baptist, Your Precursor and Martyr, we beseech You, O Lord, assure for us the results of Your saving help.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Sabina, Martyr
O God, Who, amidst the wondrous work of thy divine power, dost make even weak women to be more than conquerors in the uplifting of their testimony, mercifully grant unto all us which do keep the birthday of thy blessed witness Sabina, grace to follow her steps toward thee.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
May the great festival of St. John the Baptist, Your Precursor and Martyr, we beseech You, O Lord, assure for us the results of Your saving help.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Sabina, Martyr
O God, Who, amidst the wondrous work of thy divine power, dost make even weak women to be more than conquerors in the uplifting of their testimony, mercifully grant unto all us which do keep the birthday of thy blessed witness Sabina, grace to follow her steps toward thee.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
LessonIer 1:17-19
Latin
Léctio Ieremíæ Prophétæ
Ier 1:17-19
In diébus illis: Factum est verbum Dómini ad me, dicens: Accínge lumbos tuos, et surge, et lóquere ad Iuda ómnia, quæ ego præcípio tibi. Ne formides a fácie eórum: nec enim timére te fáciam vultum eórum. Ego quippe dedi te hódie in civitátem munítam, et in colúmnam férream, et in murum æreum, super omnem terram, régibus Iuda, princípibus eius, et sacerdótibus, et pópulo terræ. Et bellábunt advérsum te, et non prævalebunt: quia ego tecum sum, ait Dóminus, ut líberem te.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the book of Jeremias
Jer 1:17-19
In those days, the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Gird your loins; stand up and tell Juda all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; for it is I this day Who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land; against Juda’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 91:3
Latin
Ps 91:13; 91:14
Iustus ut palma florébit: sicut cedrus Líbani multiplicábitur in domo Dómini.
Ps 91:3
Ad annuntiándum mane misericórdiam tuam, et veritátem tuam per noctem.
Allelúia, allelúia.
Osee 14:6
Iustus germinábit sicut lílium: et florébit in ætérnum ante Dóminum. Allelúia.
English
Ps 91:13-14
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
Ps 91:3
℣. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
Osee 14:6
℣. The just shall blossom like the lily; and flourish forever before the Lord. Alleluia.
GospelMarc 6:17-29
Latin
Sequéntia + sancti Evangélii secúndum Marcum
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Marc 6:17-29
In illo témpore: Misit Heródes, ac ténuit Ioánnem, et vinxit eum in cárcere propter Herodíadem, uxorem Philíppi fratris sui, quia dúxerat eam. Dicebat enim Ioánnes Heródi: Non licet tibi habére uxórem fratris tui. Heródias autem insidiabátur illi, et volébat occídere eum, nec póterat. Heródes enim metuébat Ioánnem, sciens eum virum iustum et sanctum: et custodiébat eum, et audíto eo multa faciébat, et libénter eum audiébat. Et cum dies opportúnus accidísset, Heródes natális sui cœnam fecit princípibus et tribúnis et primis Galilææ. Cumque introísset fília ipsíus Herodíadis, et saltásset, et placuísset Heródi simúlque recumbéntibus; rex ait puéllæ: Pete a me, quod vis, et dabo tibi. Et iurávit illi: Quia quidquid petiéris dabo tibi, licet dimídium regni mei. Quæ cum exiísset, dixit matri suæ: Quid petam? At illa dixit: Caput Ioánnis Baptístæ. Cumque introísset statim cum festinatióne ad regem, petívit dicens: Volo, ut protínus des mihi in disco caput Ioánnis Baptístæ. Et contristátus est rex: propter iusiurándum et propter simul discumbéntes nóluit eam contristáre: sed misso spiculatóre, præcépit afférri caput eius in disco. Et decollávit eum in cárcere. Et áttulit caput eius in disco: et dedit illud puéllæ, et puella dedit matri suæ. Quo audíto, discípuli eius venérunt et tulérunt corpus eius: et posuérunt illud in monuménto.
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Marc 6:17-29
In illo témpore: Misit Heródes, ac ténuit Ioánnem, et vinxit eum in cárcere propter Herodíadem, uxorem Philíppi fratris sui, quia dúxerat eam. Dicebat enim Ioánnes Heródi: Non licet tibi habére uxórem fratris tui. Heródias autem insidiabátur illi, et volébat occídere eum, nec póterat. Heródes enim metuébat Ioánnem, sciens eum virum iustum et sanctum: et custodiébat eum, et audíto eo multa faciébat, et libénter eum audiébat. Et cum dies opportúnus accidísset, Heródes natális sui cœnam fecit princípibus et tribúnis et primis Galilææ. Cumque introísset fília ipsíus Herodíadis, et saltásset, et placuísset Heródi simúlque recumbéntibus; rex ait puéllæ: Pete a me, quod vis, et dabo tibi. Et iurávit illi: Quia quidquid petiéris dabo tibi, licet dimídium regni mei. Quæ cum exiísset, dixit matri suæ: Quid petam? At illa dixit: Caput Ioánnis Baptístæ. Cumque introísset statim cum festinatióne ad regem, petívit dicens: Volo, ut protínus des mihi in disco caput Ioánnis Baptístæ. Et contristátus est rex: propter iusiurándum et propter simul discumbéntes nóluit eam contristáre: sed misso spiculatóre, præcépit afférri caput eius in disco. Et decollávit eum in cárcere. Et áttulit caput eius in disco: et dedit illud puéllæ, et puella dedit matri suæ. Quo audíto, discípuli eius venérunt et tulérunt corpus eius: et posuérunt illud in monuménto.
English
Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Mark
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Mark 6:17-29
At that time, Herod had sent and taken John, and bound him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife. But Herodias laid snares for him, and would have liked to put him to death, but she could not. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and protected him; and when he heard him talk, he did many things, and he liked to hear him. And a favorable day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet to the officials, tribunes and chief men of Galilee. And Herodias’ own daughter having come in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, Ask of me what you will, and I will give it to you. And he swore to her, Whatever you ask, I will give you, even though it be the half of my kingdom. Then she went out and said to her mother, What am I to ask for? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in at once with haste to the king, and asked, saying, I want you right away to give me on a dish the head of John the Baptist. And grieved as he was, the king because of his oath and his guests, was unwilling to displease her. But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head be brought on a dish. Then he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a dish, and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. His disciples, hearing of it, came and took away his body, and laid it in a tomb.
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Mark 6:17-29
At that time, Herod had sent and taken John, and bound him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife. But Herodias laid snares for him, and would have liked to put him to death, but she could not. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and protected him; and when he heard him talk, he did many things, and he liked to hear him. And a favorable day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet to the officials, tribunes and chief men of Galilee. And Herodias’ own daughter having come in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, Ask of me what you will, and I will give it to you. And he swore to her, Whatever you ask, I will give you, even though it be the half of my kingdom. Then she went out and said to her mother, What am I to ask for? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in at once with haste to the king, and asked, saying, I want you right away to give me on a dish the head of John the Baptist. And grieved as he was, the king because of his oath and his guests, was unwilling to displease her. But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head be brought on a dish. Then he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a dish, and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. His disciples, hearing of it, came and took away his body, and laid it in a tomb.
OffertoryPs 20:2-3
Latin
Orémus.
Ps 20:2-3
In virtúte tua, Dómine, lætábitur iustus, et super salutáre tuum exsultábit veheménter: desidérium ánimæ eius tribuísti ei.
Ps 20:2-3
In virtúte tua, Dómine, lætábitur iustus, et super salutáre tuum exsultábit veheménter: desidérium ánimæ eius tribuísti ei.
English
Let us pray.
Ps 20:2-3
O Lord, in Your strength the just man is glad; in Your victory how greatly he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire.
Ps 20:2-3
O Lord, in Your strength the just man is glad; in Your victory how greatly he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire.
Secret
Latin
Múnera, quæ tibi, Dómine, pro sancti Martyris tui Ioánnis Baptístæ passióne deférimus: quǽsumus; ut eius obténtu nobis profíciant ad salútem.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Sabinæ Martyris
Hóstias tibi, Dómine, beátæ Sabínæ Mártyris tuæ dicátas méritis, benígnus assúme: et ad perpétuum nobis tríbue proveníre subsídium.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Sabinæ Martyris
Hóstias tibi, Dómine, beátæ Sabínæ Mártyris tuæ dicátas méritis, benígnus assúme: et ad perpétuum nobis tríbue proveníre subsídium.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
We pray, O Lord, that the offerings we bring You in memory of the agonizing death of Your holy Martyr, John the Baptist, may, by his help, be of profit for our salvation.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Commemoration St. Sabina, Martyr
Graciously accept the sacrificial gifts offered You, O Lord, through the merits of blessed Sabina, Your Martyr, and grant they may prove an unfailing aid for us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Commemoration St. Sabina, Martyr
Graciously accept the sacrificial gifts offered You, O Lord, through the merits of blessed Sabina, Your Martyr, and grant they may prove an unfailing aid for us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
CommunionPs 20:4
Latin
Ps 20:4
Posuísti, Dómine, in cápite eius corónam de lápide pretióso.
English
Ps 20:4
You placed on his head, O Lord, a crown of pure gold.
Post Communion
Latin
Orémus.
Cónferat nobis, Dómine, sancti Ioánnis Baptístæ sollémnitas: ut et magnífica sacraménta, quæ súmpsimus, significáta venerémur, et in nobis pótius édita gaudeámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Sabinæ Martyris
Divíni múneris largitáte satiáti, quǽsumus, Dómine, Deus noster: ut, intercedénte beáta Sabína Vírgine et Mártyre tua, in eius semper participatióne vivámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Cónferat nobis, Dómine, sancti Ioánnis Baptístæ sollémnitas: ut et magnífica sacraménta, quæ súmpsimus, significáta venerémur, et in nobis pótius édita gaudeámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Sabinæ Martyris
Divíni múneris largitáte satiáti, quǽsumus, Dómine, Deus noster: ut, intercedénte beáta Sabína Vírgine et Mártyre tua, in eius semper participatióne vivámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
May the solemn festival of St. John the Baptist bring us the grace, O Lord, both to venerate the foreshadowing of the wondrous sacrament we have received and to rejoice because it has been fulfilled in us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Sabina, Martyr
We who have been refreshed by the richness of Your divine sacrament beseech You, O Lord our God, that through the intercession of blessed Sabina, Your Martyr, we may forevermore abide in its participation.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
May the solemn festival of St. John the Baptist bring us the grace, O Lord, both to venerate the foreshadowing of the wondrous sacrament we have received and to rejoice because it has been fulfilled in us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Sabina, Martyr
We who have been refreshed by the richness of Your divine sacrament beseech You, O Lord our God, that through the intercession of blessed Sabina, Your Martyr, we may forevermore abide in its participation.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Vetus Ordo texts: Divinum Officium