Entrance Antiphon, Cf. Gal 2:19-20:I am crucified with Christ, yet I live; no longer I, but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself up for me.Gospel Verse, James 1:12:Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life.Communion Antiphon:I am the wheat of Christ to be ground by the teeth of beasts, that I may be found to be pure bread.St. Ignatius of Antioch (50-107) is one of the great bishops of the early Church. He was the successor of St. Peter as Bishop of Antioch. He was condemned to death by wild beasts during the Emperor Trajan’s persecution. On his way to Rome, he wrote seven magnificent letters, which we still have today, concerning the Person of Christ, his love for Christ, his desire for martyrdom and on the constitution of the Church and Christian life. His sentiments before his approaching martyrdom are summed in his word in the Communion antiphon, “I am the wheat of Christ, ground by the teeth of beasts to become pure bread.”
