In Assumptione Beatæ Mariæ VirginisAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

℣ O Lord, ✠ open my lips.

℟ And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

℣ O God, ✠ come to my assistance.

℟ Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Alleluia.

Ant. Come, let us adore the King of kings, * whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

Ant. Come, let us adore the King of kings, * whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

Come, let us exult in the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to God, our Savior. Let us anticipate his presence with confession, and let us sing joyfully to him with psalms.

Ant. Come, let us adore the King of kings, * whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

For the Lord is a great God and a great King over all gods. For the Lord will not drive away his people. For in his hand are all the limits of the earth, and he beholds the heights of the mountains.

Ant. whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands established the dry land. (kneel) Come, let us adore and fall prostrate before God, and let us weep before the Lord who made us. For he is the Lord our God, and we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Ant. Come, let us adore the King of kings, * whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness, where your fathers tempted me; they tested and saw my works.

Ant. whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

For forty years, I was near to that generation, and I said: These have always strayed in heart. But they have not known my ways. To them I swore in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest.

Ant. Come, let us adore the King of kings, * whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

Ant. Come, let us adore the King of kings, * whose Virgin Mother today has been assumed into the heavenly realm.

Arise! the cold blasts from earth have receded,

And in the field are lovely flowers smiling,

For thee, O gracious Mother, bearer of Life,

Arise, O Mary!

Beautiful Lily blooming 'mid the brambles,

Death's haughty author thou alone didst conquer,

Plucking life-giving tree of fruits the fathers

By sin did not taste.

Ark of sweet wood not destined for ruin,

Holding the manna, whence springeth forth the power

Summoning forth the bones again arisen

From depths of the tomb.

A docile servant of the ruling mind,

Thy flesh suffers no decay;

Instead, forever sharing with the spirit,

It rises to the stars.

Leaning on thy beloved, arise, go heav'nward!

Accept the crown with stars for thee bedecked,

List to the hymn thy children sing on this day,

Calling thee blessed.

Praise to the Triune Godhead everlasting,

Who hath caused thee, O Virgin, to be crowned,

And providently willed our Queen thou shouldst be

Also our Mother.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. Exalted is * the holy Mother of God above the choirs of Angels into the heavenly kingdom.

Psalm 8 [1]

8:2a O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

8:2b For your magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.

8:3 Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have perfected praise, because of your enemies, * so that you may destroy the enemy and the revenger.

8:4 For I will behold your heavens, the works of your fingers: * the moon and the stars, which you have founded.

8:5 What is man, that you are mindful of him, * or the son of man, that you visit him?

8:6 You reduced him to a little less than the Angels; † you have crowned him with glory and honor, * (7) and you have set him over the works of your hands.

8:8 You have subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen, and in addition: the beasts of the field,

8:9 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, * which pass through the paths of the sea.

8:10 O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Exalted is the holy Mother of God above the choirs of Angels into the heavenly kingdom.

Ant. The gates of Paradise * have been opened for us through you, who today triumph gloriously with the Angels.

Psalm 18 [2]

18:2 The heavens describe the glory of God, * and the firmament announces the work of his hands.

18:3 Day proclaims the word to day, * and night to night imparts knowledge.

18:4 There are no speeches or conversations, * where their voices are not being heard.

18:5 Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, * and their words to the ends of the world.

18:6a He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, * and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom.

18:6b He has exulted like a giant running along the way; * (7a) his departure is from the summit of heaven.

18:7b And his course reaches all the way to its summit. * Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat.

18:8 The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. * The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones.

18:9 The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. * The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes.

18:10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. * The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves:

18:11 desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

18:12 For, indeed, your servant keeps them, * and in keeping them, there are many rewards.

18:13 Who can understand transgression? † From my hidden faults, cleanse me, * (14a) and from those of others, spare your servant.

18:14b If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, * and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression.

18:15a And the words of my mouth will be so as to please, * along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever,

18:15b O Lord, my helper * and my redeemer.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. The gates of Paradise have been opened for us through you, who today triumph gloriously with the Angels.

Ant. Blessed are you * among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Psalm 23 [3]

23:1 The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord: * the whole world and all that dwells in it.

23:2 For he has founded it upon the seas, * and he has prepared it upon the rivers.

23:3 Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? * And who will stand in his holy place?

23:4 The innocent of hands and the clean of heart, * who has not received his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor.

23:5 He will receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God, his Savior.

23:6 This is the generation that seeks him, * that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

23:7 Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. * And the King of Glory shall enter.

23:8 Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle.

23:9 Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. * And the King of Glory shall enter.

23:10 Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord of hosts. He himself is the King of Glory.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

℣ The holy Mother of God has been exalted

℟ Above the choirs of Angels to the heavenly kingdom.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. Hear the prayers of your servants, Lord Jesus Christ, and have mercy on us: You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the eternal Father bless us with his everlasting blessing.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 1

From the Book of Genesis

Gen 3:9-15

9 And the Lord God called Adam and said to him: "Where are you?"

10 And he said, "I heard your voice in Paradise, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and so I hid myself."

11 He said to him, "Then who told you that you were naked, if you have not eaten of the tree from which I instructed you that you should not eat?"

12 And Adam said, "The woman, whom you gave to me as a companion, gave to me from the tree, and I ate."

13 And the Lord God said to the woman, "Why have you done this?" And she responded, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

14 And the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed among all living things, even the wild beasts of the earth. Upon your breast shall you travel, and the ground shall you eat, all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmities between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring. She will crush your head, and you will lie in wait for her heel."

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ I saw a beautiful one like a dove, ascending above the streams of waters, whose fragrance in her garments was beyond all measure;

* And as on spring days, flowers of roses and lilies of the valleys surrounded her.

℣ Who is this that ascends through the desert like a column of smoke from the fragrances of myrrh and frankincense?

℟ And as on spring days, flowers of roses and lilies of the valleys surrounded her.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the Only Begotten Son of God be pleased to bless and assist us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

From the First Letter of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

1 Cor 15:20-26

20 Christ has risen again from the dead, as the first-fruits of those who sleep.

21 For certainly, death came through a man. And so, the resurrection of the dead came through a man.

22 And just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be brought to life.

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ, who have believed in his coming.

24 Then comes the end, when he has handed over the kingdom to God and the Father, when he has brought to nothing every principality, authority and power.

25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

26 Death, the last enemy, will be destroyed.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, and like a cypress on Mount Sion: like choice myrrh,

* I gave forth a sweet fragrance.

℣ And like cinnamon and aromatic balm.

℟ I gave forth a sweet fragrance.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

1 Cor 15:53-57

53 Thus, it is necessary for this corruptibility to be clothed with incorruptibility, and for this mortality to be clothed with immortality.

54 And when this mortality has been clothed with immortality, then the word that was written shall occur: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'

55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

56 Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Who is she that comes forth like the sun, and fair as Jerusalem?

* The daughters of Sion saw her, and called her blessed, and queens praised her.

℣ And as on spring days, flowers of roses and lilies of the valleys surrounded her.

℟ The daughters of Sion saw her, and called her blessed, and queens praised her.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ The daughters of Sion saw her, and called her blessed, and queens praised her.

Nocturn II

Ant. In your beauty * and your comeliness, set out, proceed with success, and reign.

Psalm 44 [4]

44:2a My heart has uttered a good word. * I speak of my works to the king.

44:2b My tongue is like the pen of a scribe * who writes quickly.

44:3 You are more beautiful in form than the sons of men. † Grace has been poured freely into your lips. * Because of this, God has blessed you in eternity.

44:4 Fasten your sword to your thigh, * O most powerful one.

44:5a With your splendor and your excellence * extended, proceed prosperously, and reign

44:5b for the sake of truth and meekness and justice, * and so will your right hand lead you wondrously.

44:6 Your arrows are sharp; the people will fall under you, * into the hearts of the enemies of the king.

44:7 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. * The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of true aim.

44:8 You have loved justice and hated iniquity. * Because of this, God, your God, has anointed you, before your co-heirs, with the oil of gladness.

44:9 Myrrh and balsam and cinnamon perfume your garments, from the houses of ivory. * From these, they have delighted you: (10a) the daughters of kings in your honor.

44:10b The queen stood at your right hand, in clothing of gold, * encircled with diversity.

44:11 Listen, daughter, and see, and incline your ear. * And forget your people and your father’s house.

44:12 And the king will desire your beauty. * For he is the Lord your God, and they will adore him.

44:13 And the daughters of Tyre * will entreat your countenance with gifts: all the rich men of the people.

44:14 All the glory of the daughter of its king is inside, * in golden fringes, (15a) clothed all around with diversities.

44:15b After her, virgins will be led to the king. * Her neighbors will be brought to you.

44:16 They will be brought with gladness and exultation. * They will be led into the temple of the king.

44:17 For your fathers, sons have been born to you. * You will establish them as leaders over all the earth.

44:18a They will remember your name always, * for generation after generation.

44:18b Because of this, people will confess to you in eternity, * even forever and ever.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. In your beauty and your comeliness, set out, proceed with success, and reign.

Ant. The Most High has sanctified * his tabernacle.

Psalm 45 [5]

45:2 Our God is our refuge and strength, * a helper in the tribulations that have greatly overwhelmed us.

45:3 Because of this, we will not be afraid when the earth will be turbulent * and the mountains will be transferred into the heart of the sea.

45:4 They thundered, and the waters were stirred up among them; * the mountains have been disturbed by his strength.

45:5 The rushing of the river rejoices the city of God. * The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.

45:6 God is in its midst; it will not be shaken. * God will assist it in the early morning.

45:7 The peoples have been disturbed, and the kingdoms have been bowed down. * He uttered his voice: the earth has been moved.

45:8 The Lord of hosts is with us. * The God of Jacob is our supporter.

45:9 Draw near and behold the works of the Lord: what portents he has set upon the earth, * carrying away wars even to the end of the earth.

45:10 He will crush the bow and break the weapons, * and he will burn the shield with fire.

45:11 Be still, and see that I am God. * I will be exalted among the peoples, and I will be exalted upon the earth.

45:12 The Lord of hosts is with us. * The God of Jacob is our supporter.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.

Ant. Glorious * things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mary.

Psalm 86 [6]

86:1 Its foundations are in the holy mountains: * the Lord loves the gates of Zion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.

86:3 Glorious things are being said of you, * O City of God.

86:4 I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon * knowing me.

86:4 Behold, the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians: * these have been there.

86:5 Will not Zion say that this man and that man were born in her? * And the Most High himself has founded her.

86:6 The Lord will explain, in the writings of peoples and of leaders, * about those who have been in her.

86:7 The dwelling of all who rejoice * is in you.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Glorious things are spoken of you, O Virgin Mary.

℣ Mary has been taken up into heaven: the Angels rejoice,

℟ Praising, they bless the Lord.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. May his loving kindness and mercy assist us, he who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God the almighty Father be gracious and merciful to us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 4

Sermon of Saint John Damascene

Discourse 2 on the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, after the beginning

Today the sacred and living ark of the living God, who conceived her Creator in her womb, rests in the temple of the Lord, which was built by no human hands. And David her parent exults, and with him the Angels lead the choirs, the Archangels celebrate, the Virtues give glory, the Principalities exult, the Powers rejoice together, the Dominations are filled with gladness, the Thrones keep the feast day, the Cherubim praise, the Seraphim proclaim her glory. Today the Eden of the new Adam receives the living garden, in whom the condemnation was loosed, in whom the tree of life was planted, in whom our nakedness was covered.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ The Lord desired the daughter of Jerusalem adorned with jewels:

* And the daughters of Sion, seeing her, proclaimed her most blessed, saying: Your name is as ointment poured out.

℣ The queen stood at your right hand in golden vesture, clothed in many colors.

℟ And the daughters of Sion, seeing her, proclaimed her most blessed, saying: Your name is as ointment poured out.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

Today the immaculate Virgin, who was defiled by no earthly affections but was formed in heavenly thoughts, has not returned to earth; but, since she was a living heaven, she is placed in the heavenly tabernacles. For from whom true life flowed to all — how could she taste death? But she submits to the law laid down by him whom she bore; and as a daughter of the old Adam, she underwent the ancient sentence (for her Son also, who is life itself, did not refuse it); yet as the Mother of the living God, she is worthily assumed to him.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ All generations shall call me blessed,

* Because the Lord who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

℣ And his mercy is from generation to generation upon those who fear him.

℟ Because the Lord who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God kindle the fire of his love in our hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

From the Acts of Pope Pius XII

Since the Universal Church has manifested throughout the course of the centuries its faith in the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Bishops of the whole world have petitioned with nearly unanimous consent that this truth, which is grounded in Sacred Scripture, deeply implanted in the souls of Christ's faithful, and plainly consonant with all other revealed truths, should be defined as a dogma of divine and Catholic faith, Pope Pius XII, the Supreme Pontiff, acceding to the wishes of the whole Church, resolved to solemnly proclaim this privilege of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And so, on the first day of November of the great Jubilee year of nineteen hundred and fifty, at Rome, in the square open before the Basilica of Saint Peter, with a great assembly of the Cardinals and Bishops of the Holy Roman Church standing round, come even from distant regions, before a vast multitude of Christ's faithful, the whole Catholic world applauding, he proclaimed the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven by infallible oracle in these words: After we have again and again raised suppliant prayers to God and invoked the light of the Spirit of Truth, to the glory of Almighty God who has lavished his special benevolence upon the Virgin Mary, for the honor of his Son, the immortal King of the ages and the Victor over sin and death, for the increase of the glory of that same august Mother and for the joy and exultation of the whole Church, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of our own, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who bore the Lord, the Creator of the world:

* You gave birth to him who made you, and you remain a Virgin for ever.

℣ Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you.

℟ You gave birth to him who made you, and you remain a Virgin for ever.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ You gave birth to him who made you, and you remain a Virgin for ever.

Nocturn III

Ant. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary: * you alone have destroyed all heresies throughout the whole world.

Psalm 95 [7]

95:1 Sing to the Lord a new song. * Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

95:2 Sing to the Lord and bless his name. * Announce his salvation from day to day.

95:3 Announce his glory among the Gentiles, * his miracles among all peoples.

95:4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. * He is terrible, beyond all gods.

95:5 For all the gods of the Gentiles are demons, * but the Lord made the heavens.

95:6 Confession and beauty are in his sight. * Sanctity and magnificence are in his sanctuary.

95:7 Bring to the Lord, you families of the nations, bring to the Lord glory and honor. * Bring to the Lord glory for his name.

95:8 Lift up sacrifices, and enter into his courts. * Adore the Lord in his holy court.

95:9 Let the entire earth be shaken before his face. * Say among the Gentiles: The Lord has reigned.

95:10 For he has even corrected the whole world, which will not be shaken. * He will judge the peoples with fairness.

95:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult; let the sea and all its fullness be moved. * The fields and all the things that are in them will be glad.

95:12 Then all the trees of the forest will rejoice before the face of the Lord: for he arrives. * For he arrives to judge the earth.

95:13 He will judge the whole world with fairness * and the peoples with his truth.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary: you alone have destroyed all heresies throughout the whole world.

Ant. The heavens * proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.

Psalm 96 [8]

96:1 The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. * Let the many islands rejoice.

96:2 Clouds and mist are all around him. * Justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

96:3 A fire will precede him, * and it will enflame his enemies all around.

96:4 His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. * The earth saw, and it was shaken.

96:5 The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, * before the face of the Lord of all the earth.

96:6 The heavens announced his justice, * and all peoples saw his glory.

96:7 May all those who adore graven images be confounded, * along with those who glory in their false images.

96:7 All you his Angels: Adore him. * Zion heard, and was glad.

96:8 And the daughters of Judah exulted * because of your judgments, O Lord.

96:9 For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. * You are greatly exalted above all gods.

96:10 You who love the Lord: hate evil. * The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner.

96:11 The light has risen for the just, * and joy for the upright of heart.

96:12 Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, * and confess to the remembrance of his holiness.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.

Ant. Sing to the Lord * a new canticle, for he has done wondrous things in you, O Mary.

Psalm 97 [9]

97:1 Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has performed wonders.

97:1 His right hand has accomplished salvation for him, * with his holy arm.

97:2 The Lord has made known his salvation. * He has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.

97:3 He has remembered his mercy * and his truth toward the house of Israel.

97:3 All the ends of the earth have seen * the salvation of our God.

97:4 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth. * Sing and exult, and sing psalms.

97:5 Sing psalms to the Lord with stringed instruments, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, * with hammered trumpets and the sound of the horn.

97:6 Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king. * Let the sea be moved and all its fullness, the whole world and all who dwell in it.

97:8 The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will exult together, before the presence of the Lord. * For he comes to judge the earth.

97:9 He will judge the whole world with justice, * and the peoples with fairness.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Sing to the Lord a new canticle, for he has done wondrous things in you, O Mary.

℣ The Virgin Mary has been taken up to the heavenly bridal chamber.

℟ Where the King of kings sits upon a starry throne.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. May the almighty and merciful Lord absolve us from the bonds of our sins.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the evangelical reading be our salvation and protection.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 7

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Luc 1:41-50

At that time: Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed are you among women. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Peter Canisius, Priest

On Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, book 5, chapter 6

The Church celebrates the sacred feasts of the Mother of God as frequently as reverently, knowing with certainty that it is both pleasing to God and worthy of the faithful of Christ — this duty by which the most blessed Mother of our Lord and God, among all the blessed of either sex, is celebrated at certain times of the year and with public ceremonies. Among these feasts, which have been religiously observed for so many centuries, the feast of the Assumption is reckoned the greatest and holds the preeminent place. Nor did any day turn out more joyful or more blessed for Mary, if we rightly contemplate the new happiness of soul and body bestowed upon her on that day: and therefore if ever at any time, then especially and above all did her spirit and soul and body wondrously exult in the living God, and she herself could most rightly say: He has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed. For he who is mighty has done great things for me.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Grace is poured forth upon your lips:

* Therefore God has blessed you for ever.

℣ Myrrh and aloe and cassia from your garments, from ivory palaces, whence the daughters of kings have delighted you in your honor.

℟ Therefore God has blessed you for ever.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May she whose feast we celebrate, the Virgin of virgins, intercede for us to the Lord.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

Therefore we also, who love you and your Son, O thrice-blessed and truly august Mother, cannot but wholeheartedly rejoice in this your glorious and incomparable blessedness, since all that the Lord has spoken to you and concerning you are brought to so fair a conclusion and at last perfected in every respect. Blessed are you who not only believed, but today have obtained the fruit and end of faith and of every virtue, and have at last merited to enjoy the most joyful sight of him whom you so greatly loved and longed for. When Emmanuel was entering, as a guest, into the citadel of this world, you as hostess received him; today you in turn are received by him into his royal palace, and as a mother worthy of such a Solomon, you are magnificently honored above all.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed are you, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, who believed the Lord: all things spoken to you have been fulfilled in you: behold, you have been exalted above the choirs of Angels:

* Intercede for us to the Lord our God.

℣ Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

℟ Intercede for us to the Lord our God.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ Intercede for us to the Lord our God.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the King of Angels lead us to the company of the citizens on high.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

Blessed indeed the day that conveyed so precious a gift from the desert of this world and led her to the holy and eternal city, so that a joy common and beyond belief, no less than wonder, was created for all the heavenly ones. Blessed the day that satisfied the languishing Bride's desires — both so ardent and so long endured — so that she found what she had sought, received what she had asked, and securely possessed what she had awaited, resting in deepest peace in that perfect vision and fruition of the supreme and eternal Good. Blessed the day that advanced and exalted the most humble handmaid of the Lord to such heights that she became the most excellent Queen of heaven and Lady of the world, and could ascend no higher, since, raised to the throne of the Kingdom, she sits in glory after Christ. Blessed and truly venerable is this day, which established and confirmed for us in the Kingdom of God a Queen and Mother both powerful and clement, so that we might have her, who continually remains Mother of the Judge, as a mother of mercy favorable to us, interceding for us before Christ, and faithfully managing the business of our salvation.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

Te Deum

O God, we praise you; * O Lord, we acclaim you.

Eternal Father, * all the earth reveres you.

To you all the Angels, * the heavens and all the Powers of heaven:

To you the Cherubim and Seraphim * cry out in endless praise:

(A bow is made) Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of hosts;

Heaven and earth are filled * with the majesty of your glory.

The glorious choir of Apostles * sings to you,

the noble company of Prophets * praises you,

the white-robed army of Martyrs * glorifies you.

Holy Church throughout the earth * proclaims you,

the Father * of boundless majesty;

your true and only Son, * worthy of adoration;

and the Holy Spirit, * the Paraclete.

You, O Christ, * are the King of glory.

You are * the Father's everlasting Son.

(A bow is made) When you resolved to save the human race, * you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death * and opened the Kingdom of Heaven to those who put their faith in you.

You are seated at the right hand of God * in the glory of the Father.

We believe you are the Judge * who is to come.

(The following verse is said kneeling) And so we beg you, help your servants, * redeemed by your most precious blood.

Number them * among your Saints in eternal glory.

Save your people, Lord, * and bless your inheritance.

Shepherd them * and raise them to eternal life.

Day by day * we bless you,

(A bow is made, according to custom) and we praise your name * for endless ages evermore.

Be gracious, Lord, on this day, * and keep us from all sin.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, * have mercy.

May your mercy be upon us, Lord, * as we place our trust in you.

In you, O Lord, I rest my hope: * let me never be put to shame.

The rest is omitted unless Lauds is said separately.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory: grant, we pray, that, always intent on the things above, we may merit to be sharers in her glory.

Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

℣ Let us bless the Lord.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℣ May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟ Amen.