The Station was at St. Laurence outside the walls. The Church put before her new-born children as a model the illustrious Roman deacon to whom this basilica is dedicated.
Like St. Paul, yesterday, St. Peter tells us that the Prophets foretold the death of Jesus and that the Apostles were witnesses of His Resurrection (Epistle). The Alleluia further reminds us that "the Lord hath appeared to Peter" while the Gospel shows us St. Peter directing the fishing operations of his companions, in expectation of the hour now fast approaching when he will direct their labours as fishers of men. More devoted to Jesus than the others, he cast himself into the sea to rejoin Him, and it was he who drew to land the net full of one hundred and fifty three big fishes.
According to the Fathers, these fishes brought by Peter to the feet of the risen Christ represented the neophytes, for the catechumens were born to supernatural life in the font of Baptism. Called by God to receive His kingdom (Introit), they eat the bread of angels, the bread of heaven (Offertory, Secret), which transforms them into new creatures (Postcommunion), the "Agni novelli" or new-born lambs.
Let us celebrate these festivities of the Resurrection of our Lord in a spirit of holy rejoicing, a foretaste of the joy we shall experience at the eternal Pasch (Collect).
Come, ye blessed of My Father, receive the Kingdom alleluia, which was prepared for you from the foundation of the world, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. * Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord through the whole earth.
(Matthew 25:34 and Psalm 95:1 from the Introit of Mass)
Deus, qui nos resurrectionis Dominicae annua solemnitate laetificas: concede propitius; ut per temporalia festa quae agimus, pervenire ad gaudia aeterna mereamur.
O God, who dost give us joy by the yearly solemnity of our Lord's resurrection, mercifully grant that we who celebrate this temporal feast may deserve to attain everlasting happiness. Through the same our Lord.
(Collect)
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