November 26
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 : White
3rd classSt Sylvester, Abbot
Thursday after the 24th Sunday after Pentecost
Commemoration of Saint Peter of Alexandria, Martyr
Saint Sylvester, Abbot, is honored today as one of the exemplary monastic figures of the Middle Ages, renowned particularly for founding the Sylvestrine Congregation within the Benedictine tradition. He was born in the late 12th century in Osimo, Italy, and after a period of eremitical life devoted to intense prayer and penance, he began attracting disciples seeking to share in his pursuit of holiness. Moving away from the towns and into the solitude of Montefano, he established a monastic community characterized by austerity, fervent observance of the Rule of St Benedict, and a contemplative spirit. Saint Sylvester fostered a life of liturgical prayer, silence, and asceticism, emphasizing separation from the distractions of the world for the sake of seeking God alone. His monastic family grew and received papal approval, spreading throughout Italy and neighboring countries.
The celebration of St Sylvester as a distinct feast reflects how the Church has long cherished her monastic saints whose witness to poverty, humility, and prayer brings spiritual vitality to the wider faithful. His memorial, placed on this day, serves to remind Christians—especially as the liturgical year draws toward its close—of the enduring fruitfulness of the contemplative vocation. The Sylvestrine monks, following their founder’s example, continue to be signs of the Church's desire for God above all things. Today’s liturgical commemoration invites the faithful to honor St Sylvester’s dedication and the spiritual legacy he left to the monastic world.
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Local variations
- Belgium — St John Berchmans, religious
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 36:30-31
Latin
Ps 36:30-31
Os iusti meditábitur sapiéntiam, et lingua eius loquétur iudícium: lex Dei eius in corde ipsíus.
Ps 36:1
Noli æmulári in malignántibus: neque zeláveris faciéntes iniquitátem.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Os iusti meditábitur sapiéntiam, et lingua eius loquétur iudícium: lex Dei eius in corde ipsíus.
English
Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
℣. 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 mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
Collect
Latin
Orémus.
Clementíssime Deus, qui sanctum Silvéstrum Abbátem, sǽculi huius vanitátem in apérto túmulo pie meditántem, ad erémum vocáre et præcláris vitæ méritis decoráre dignátus es: te súpplices exorámus; ut, eius exémplo terréna despiciéntes, tui consórtio perfruámur ætérno.
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. Petri Alexandrini Martyris
Infirmitátem nostram réspice, omnípotens Deus: et, quia pondus própriæ actiónis gravat, beáti Petri Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis intercéssio gloriósa nos prótegat.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Clementíssime Deus, qui sanctum Silvéstrum Abbátem, sǽculi huius vanitátem in apérto túmulo pie meditántem, ad erémum vocáre et præcláris vitæ méritis decoráre dignátus es: te súpplices exorámus; ut, eius exémplo terréna despiciéntes, tui consórtio perfruámur ætérno.
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. Petri Alexandrini Martyris
Infirmitátem nostram réspice, omnípotens Deus: et, quia pondus própriæ actiónis gravat, beáti Petri Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis intercéssio gloriósa nos prótegat.
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.
Most merciful God, Who when the holy Abbot Sylvester was devoutly meditating upon the vanity of this world beside an open grave, graciously willed to call him into the desert and enrich him with unusual merits, we humbly pray that, following his example, despising the things of earth, we may thoroughly enjoy Your everlasting presence.
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. Peter of Alexandria, Martyr
Be mindful of our weakness, almighty God, and because the burden of our sins weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of blessed Peter, Your Martyr and Bishop, sustain 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.
Most merciful God, Who when the holy Abbot Sylvester was devoutly meditating upon the vanity of this world beside an open grave, graciously willed to call him into the desert and enrich him with unusual merits, we humbly pray that, following his example, despising the things of earth, we may thoroughly enjoy Your everlasting presence.
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. Peter of Alexandria, Martyr
Be mindful of our weakness, almighty God, and because the burden of our sins weighs heavily upon us, may the glorious intercession of blessed Peter, Your Martyr and Bishop, sustain 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.
LessonEccli 45:1-6
Latin
Léctio libri Sapiéntiæ
Eccli 45:1-6
Diléctus Deo et homínibus, cuius memória in benedictióne est. Símilem illum fecit in glória sanctórum, et magnificávit eum in timóre inimicórum, et in verbis suis monstra placávit. Glorificávit illum in conspéctu regum, et iussit illi coram pópulo suo, et osténdit illi glóriam suam. In fide et lenitáte ipsíus sanctum fecit illum, et elégit eum ex omni carne. Audívit enim eum et vocem ipsíus, et indúxit illum in nubem. Et dedit illi coram præcépta, et legem vitæ et disciplínæ.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Ecclus 45:1-6
Beloved of God and men, whose memory is held in benediction. He made him like the Saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words He made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him Commandments in the sight of his people, and revealed to him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For He heard him and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And, face to face, He gave him the Commandments, the law of life and understanding.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 20:4-5
Latin
Ps 20:4-5
Dómine, prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis: posuísti in cápite eius corónam de lápide pretióso.
℣. Vitam pétiit a te, et tribuísti ei longitúdinem diérum in sǽculum sǽculi. Allelúia, allelúia.
Ps 91:13
Iustus ut palma florébit: sicut cedrus Líbani multiplicábitur. Allelúia.
English
Ps 20:4-5
O Lord, You welcomed him with goodly blessings, You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
℣. He asked life of You: You gave him length of days forever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 91:13
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow. Alleluia.
GospelMatt 19:27-29
Latin
Sequéntia + sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Matt 19:27-29
In illo témpore: Dixit Petrus ad Iesum: Ecce, nos relíquimus ómnia, et secúti sumus te: quid ergo erit nobis? Iesus autem dixit illis: Amen, dico vobis, quod vos, qui secúti estis me, in regeneratióne, cum séderit Fílius hóminis in sede maiestátis suæ, sedébitis et vos super sedes duódecim, iudicántes duódecim tribus Israël. Et omnis, qui relíquerit domum, vel fratres, aut soróres, aut patrem, aut matrem, aut uxórem, aut fílios, aut agros, propter nomen meum, céntuplum accípiet, et vitam ætérnam possidébit.
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Matt 19:27-29
In illo témpore: Dixit Petrus ad Iesum: Ecce, nos relíquimus ómnia, et secúti sumus te: quid ergo erit nobis? Iesus autem dixit illis: Amen, dico vobis, quod vos, qui secúti estis me, in regeneratióne, cum séderit Fílius hóminis in sede maiestátis suæ, sedébitis et vos super sedes duódecim, iudicántes duódecim tribus Israël. Et omnis, qui relíquerit domum, vel fratres, aut soróres, aut patrem, aut matrem, aut uxórem, aut fílios, aut agros, propter nomen meum, céntuplum accípiet, et vitam ætérnam possidébit.
English
Continuation + of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 19:27-29.
At that time, Peter said to Jesus, Behold, we have left all and followed You; what then shall we have? And Jesus said to them, Amen I say to you that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of His glory, shall also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 19:27-29.
At that time, Peter said to Jesus, Behold, we have left all and followed You; what then shall we have? And Jesus said to them, Amen I say to you that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of His glory, shall also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.
OffertoryPs 20:3-4
Latin
Orémus.
Ps 20:3-4
Desidérium ánimæ eius tribuísti ei, Dómine, et voluntáte labiórum eius non fraudásti eum: posuísti in cápite eius corónam de lápide pretióso.
Ps 20:3-4
Desidérium ánimæ eius tribuísti ei, Dómine, et voluntáte labiórum eius non fraudásti eum: posuísti in cápite eius corónam de lápide pretióso.
English
Let us pray.
Ps 20:3-4.
You have granted him his heart’s desire, O Lord; You refused not the wish of his lips. You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
Ps 20:3-4.
You have granted him his heart’s desire, O Lord; You refused not the wish of his lips. You placed on his head a crown of pure gold.
Secret
Latin
Quǽsumus, Dómine: ut, dum hæc múnera divínæ maiestáti tuæ reverénter offérimus; pia mentis præparatióne et cordis puritáte, beáti Silvéstri Abbátis imitatóres effécti, Corpus et Sánguinem Fílii tui sancte percípere mereámur:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Petri Alexandrini Martyris
Hóstias tibi, Dómine, beáti Petri Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis 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.
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Petri Alexandrini Martyris
Hóstias tibi, Dómine, beáti Petri Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis 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 beseech You, O Lord, that while offering these sacrificial gifts to Your Divine Majesty, we may become like the blessed Abbot Sylvester by devout preparation of mind and purity of heart, and so be found worthy to receive in a holy manner the Body and Blood of Your Son.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Commemoration St. Peter of Alexandria, Martyr
O Lord, graciously accept, through the merits of Your blessed Martyr and Bishop Peter, the sacrificial gifts dedicated to You, and grant they may prove to be for us a lasting help.
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.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Commemoration St. Peter of Alexandria, Martyr
O Lord, graciously accept, through the merits of Your blessed Martyr and Bishop Peter, the sacrificial gifts dedicated to You, and grant they may prove to be for us a lasting help.
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.
CommunionLuc 12:42
Latin
Luc 12:42
Fidélis servus et prudens, quem constítuit dóminus super famíliam suam: ut det illis in témpore trítici mensúram.
English
Luke 12:42
The faithful and prudent servant whom the master will set over his household to give them their ration of grain in due time.
Post Communion
Latin
Orémus.
Divína dape reféctis tríbue, quǽsumus, Dómine: sancti Silvéstri Abbátis vestígiis ita inhærére; ut copiósam mercédem in regno glóriæ tuæ cum Sanctis habeámus.
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. Petri Alexandrini Martyris
Refécti participatióne múneris sacri, quǽsumus, Dómine, Deus noster: ut, cuius exséquimur cultum, intercedénte beáto Petro Mártyre tuo atque Pontífice, sentiámus efféctum.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Divína dape reféctis tríbue, quǽsumus, Dómine: sancti Silvéstri Abbátis vestígiis ita inhærére; ut copiósam mercédem in regno glóriæ tuæ cum Sanctis habeámus.
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. Petri Alexandrini Martyris
Refécti participatióne múneris sacri, quǽsumus, Dómine, Deus noster: ut, cuius exséquimur cultum, intercedénte beáto Petro Mártyre tuo atque Pontífice, sentiámus efféctum.
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.
We pray You, O Lord, grant that we who have renewed our strength at the heavenly banquet may closely follow in the footsteps of the holy Abbot Sylvester, that we may have an abundant reward with the Saints in the Kingdom of Your glory.
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. Peter of Alexandria, Martyr
Refreshed by partaking of the sacred gift, we beseech You, O Lord our God, that we may enjoy the benefits of the rite we perform through the intercession of blessed Peter, Your Martyr and Bishop.
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.
We pray You, O Lord, grant that we who have renewed our strength at the heavenly banquet may closely follow in the footsteps of the holy Abbot Sylvester, that we may have an abundant reward with the Saints in the Kingdom of Your glory.
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. Peter of Alexandria, Martyr
Refreshed by partaking of the sacred gift, we beseech You, O Lord our God, that we may enjoy the benefits of the rite we perform through the intercession of blessed Peter, Your Martyr and Bishop.
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