The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist

Almighty God, You gave Your servant John the Baptist to be the forerunner of Your Son Jesus Christ, in both his preaching of repentance and his innocent death. Grant that we, who have died to sin and risen with Christ in Holy Baptism, may daily repent of our sins, patiently suffer for the sake of truth and fearlessly bear witness of His victory over death; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

St John the Apostle

O God, who through the blessed Apostle John have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word, grant, we pray, that we may grasp with proper understanding what he has so marvelously brought to our ears. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.