July 3
St Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
Friday of the 5th Week after Pentecost
Today, according to the traditional 1962 Roman calendar, is the feast of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr. Born in the early 2nd century, likely in Asia Minor, St. Irenaeus became bishop of Lyons (modern-day Lyon, France), playing a crucial role in the early Church’s defense of the Catholic faith. His era was a time of persecution and doctrinal confusion, especially in the face of Gnostic heresies. Irenaeus is renowned for his extensive theological writings, most notably 'Against Heresies,' which systematically refuted Gnostic doctrines and articulated the apostolic tradition handed down from the Apostles through the bishops. This makes him a seminal witness to the continuity and universality of Christian doctrine.
St. Irenaeus’s life was marked by pastoral care, missionary work, and a profound concern for the unity and fidelity of the Church, emphasizing the importance of the episcopal succession from the apostles. His martyrdom is attested by tradition, though the exact details and date are uncertain. Though he died probably around the year 202, his memory continued to be venerated in both East and West. The traditional calendar commemorates him on July 3rd, marking his enduring legacy as a defender of the faith and a bridge between Eastern and Western Christianity. As a Bishop and Martyr, he is celebrated for both his witness in doctrine and his readiness to shed his blood for Christ. His feast on this day within the traditional calendar encourages the faithful to cherish the unity and apostolicity of the Church, virtues exemplified by his life and writings.
Permanent link
Ask a question about today’s feast
Questions about St Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (Vetus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
IntroitPs 77:1
Latin
Malach 2:6
Lex veritátis fuit in ore eius, et iníquitas non est invénta in lábiis eius: in pace et in æquitáte ambulávit mecum, et multos avértit ab iniquitáte.
Ps 77:1
Atténdite, pópule meus, legem meam: inclináte aurem vestram in verba oris mei.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Lex veritátis fuit in ore eius, et iníquitas non est invénta in lábiis eius: in pace et in æquitáte ambulávit mecum, et multos avértit ab iniquitáte.
English
Mal 2:6
The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with Me in peace, and in equity, and turned many away from iniquity.
Ps 77:1
Hearken, My people, to My teaching; incline your ears to the words of My mouth.
℣. 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.
The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with Me in peace, and in equity, and turned many away from iniquity.
Collect
Latin
Deus, qui beáto Irenǽo Mártyri tuo atque Pontífici tribuísti, ut et veritáte doctrínæ expugnáret hǽreses, et pacem Ecclésiæ felíciter confirmáret: da, quǽsumus, plebi tuæ in sancta religióne constántiam; et pacem tuam nostris concéde tempóribus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
O God, Who enabled blessed Irenaeus, Your Martyr and Bishop, to overcome heresy with true doctrine and to establish peace happily in the Church, grant, we beseech You, that Your people may be steadfast in holy religion, and give us Your peace in our times.
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.
Lesson2 Tim 3:14-17
Latin
Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Timótheum
2 Tim 3:14-17; 4:1-5
Caríssime: Pérmane in iis, quæ didicísti et crédita sunt tibi: sciens, a quo didíceris; et quia ab infántia sacras; lítteras nosti, quæ te possunt instrúere ad salútem, per fidem, quæ est in Christo Iesu. Omnis Scriptúra divínitus inspiráta útilis est ad docéndum, ad arguéndum, ad corripiéndum, ad erudiéndum in iustítia: ut perféctus sit homo Dei, ad omne opus bonum instrúctus. Testíficor coram Deo, et Iesu Christo, qui iudicatúrus est vivos et mórtuos, per advéntum ipsíus et regnum eius: prǽdica verbum, insta opportúne, importúne: árgue, óbsecra, íncrepa in omni patiéntia et doctrína. Erit enim tempus, cum sanam doctrínam non sustinébunt, sed ad sua desidéria coacervábunt sibi magístros, pruriéntes áuribus, et a veritáte quidem audítum avértent, ad fábulas autem converténtur. Tu vero vígila, in ómnibus labóra, opus fac Evangelístæ, ministérium tuum imple.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the second letter of St. Paul the Apostle to Timothy
2 Tim. 3:14-17; 4:1-5
Beloved: Continue in the things that you have learned and that have been entrusted to you, knowing of whom you have learned them. For from your infancy you have known the Sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you unto salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproving, for correcting, for instructing in justice; that the man of God may be perfect, equipped for every good work. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus, Who will judge the living and the dead by His coming and by His kingdom, preach the word, be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, entreat, rebuke with all patience and teaching. For there will come a time when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap up to themselves teachers according to their own lusts, and they will turn away their hearing from the truth and turn aside rather to fables. But be watchful in all things, bear with tribulation patiently, work as a preacher of the Gospel, fulfill your ministry.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 121:8
Latin
Ps 121:8
Propter fratres meos et próximos meos loquébar pacem de te.
Ps 36:37
Custódi innocéntiam et vide æquitátem: quóniam sunt relíquiæ hómini pacífico.
Allelúia, allelúia.
Eccli. 6:35
In multitúdine presbyterórum prudéntium sta, et sapiéntiæ illórum ex corde coniúngere, ut omnem narratiónem Dei possis audíre. Allelúia.
English
Ps 121:8
Because of my relatives and friends I will say, Peace be within you!
Ps 36:37
℣. Keep innocence, and behold equity; for there is a future for the man of peace. Alleluia, alleluia.
Eccli 6:35
℣. Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him. Be eager to hear every godly discourse. Alleluia.
GospelMatt 10:28-33
Latin
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Matt 10:28-33
In illo témpore: Dixit Iesus discípulis suis: Nolíte timére eos, qui occídunt corpus, ánimam autem non possunt occídere; sed pótius timéte eum, qui potest et ánimam et corpus pérdere in gehénnam. Nonne duo pásseres asse véneunt: et unus ex illis non cadet super terram sine Patre vestro? Vestri autem capílli cápitis omnes numeráti sunt. Nolíte ergo timére: multis passéribus melióres estis vos. Omnis ergo, qui confitébitur me coram homínibus, confitébor et ego eum coram Patre meo, qui in cœlis est. Qui autem negáverit me coram homínibus, negábo et ego eum coram Patre meo, qui in cœlis est.
English
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 10:28-33
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather be afraid of Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave. But as for you, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I in turn will disown him before My Father in heaven.
OffertoryEccli 24:44
Latin
Eccli 24:44
Doctrínam quasi ante lucánum illúmino ómnibus, et enarrábo illam usque ad longínquum.
English
Eccli 24:44
I send my teachings forth to all shining like the dawn, and I will make them known afar off.
Secret
Latin
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
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.
CommunionEccli 24:47
Latin
Eccli 24:47
Vidéte, quóniam non soli mihi laborávi, sed ómnibus exquiréntibus veritátem.
English
Ecclus 24:47
See that I have not labored for myself only, but for all who seek out the truth.
Post Communion
Latin
Deus, auctor pacis et amátor, quem nosse vívere, cui servíre regnáre est: prótege ab ómnibus impugnatiónibus súpplices tuos; ut, qui in defensióne tua confídimus, beáti Irenæi Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis intercessióne, nullius hostilitátis arma timeámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
O God, author and lover of peace, to know You is to live, and to serve You is to rule; protect from all assaults those who humbly implore You, that, trusting in Your protection, by the intercession of St. Irenaeus, Your Martyr and Bishop, we may not fear the power of any foe.
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