Die Octavæ Nativitatis DominiOctave Day of the Nativity of the Lord

℣ 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. Christ is born for us: * Come, let us adore.

Ant. Christ is born for us: * Come, let us adore.

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. Christ is born for us: * Come, let us adore.

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. Come, let us adore.

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. Christ is born for us: * Come, let us adore.

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. Come, let us adore.

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. Christ is born for us: * Come, let us adore.

℣ 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. Come, let us adore.

Ant. Christ is born for us: * Come, let us adore.

O Jesus, Redeemer of all,

Whom before the origin of light

The supreme Father brought forth

Equal to the Father's glory.

You are the light and splendor of the Father,

You the everlasting hope of all;

Attend to the prayers

Which your little servants pour forth throughout the world.

Remember, O Creator of all things,

That once, of our body,

Born from the sacred womb of the Virgin,

You took on our form.

This present day bears witness,

As it runs through the circle of the year,

That you alone came from the bosom of the Father

As the salvation of the world.

This the stars, the earth, the seas,

This all that is under heaven,

Salute as the Author of new salvation

With a new song.

And we, whom the blessed wave

Of sacred blood has washed,

On account of your birthday

Offer the tribute of our hymn.

Jesus, to you be glory,

Who were born of the Virgin,

With the Father and the loving Spirit,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. The Lord said * to me: You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

Psalm 2 [1]

2:1 Why have the Gentiles been seething, * and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

2:2 The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, * against the Lord and against his Christ:

2:3 “Let us shatter their chains * and cast their yoke away from us.”

2:4 He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, * and the Lord will mock them.

2:5 Then will he speak to them in his anger * and trouble them with his fury.

2:6 Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, * preaching his decree.

2:7 The Lord has said to me: * You are my son, this day have I begotten you.

2:8 Ask of me and I will give to you: the Gentiles for your inheritance, * and the ends of the earth for your possession.

2:9 You will rule them with an iron rod, * and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.

2:10 And now, O kings, understand. * Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.

2:11 Serve the Lord in fear, * and exult in him with trembling.

2:12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord might become angry, * and you would perish from the right way.

2:13 When his wrath soon flares up, * blessed are all those who trust in him.

℣ 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 Lord said to me: You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.

Ant. He has set * his tabernacle in the sun: and he, like a bridegroom, comes forth from his bridal chamber.

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. He has set his tabernacle in the sun: and he, like a bridegroom, comes forth from his bridal chamber.

Ant. Be lifted up, * O eternal gates, and the King of glory shall enter.

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. Be lifted up, O eternal gates, and the King of glory shall enter.

℣ Like a bridegroom.

℟ The Lord coming forth from his bridal chamber.

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 Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans

Rom 4:1-8

1 So then, what shall we say that Abraham had achieved, who is our father according to the flesh?

2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he would have glory, but not with God.

3 For what does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'

4 But for he who works, wages are not accounted according to grace, but according to debt.

5 Yet truly, for he who does not work, but who believes in him who justifies the impious, his faith is reputed unto justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God.

6 Similarly, David also declares the blessedness of a man, to whom God brings justice without works:

7 Blessed are they whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world: behold him of whom I said to you: He who comes after me has been made before me:

* Whose sandal strap I am not worthy to unfasten.

℣ He who is from the earth speaks of the earth: he who comes from heaven is above all.

℟ Whose sandal strap I am not worthy to unfasten.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Rom 4:9-12

9 Does this blessedness, then, remain only in the circumcised, or is it even in the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was reputed to Abraham unto justice.

10 But then how was it reputed? In circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 For he received the sign of circumcision as a symbol of the justice of that faith which exists apart from circumcision, so that he might be the father of all those who believe while uncircumcised, so that it might also be reputed to them unto justice,

12 And he might be the father of circumcision, not only for those who are of circumcision, but even for those who follow the footsteps of that faith which is in the uncircumcision of our father Abraham.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ A hallowed day has shone upon us: come, O nations, and adore the Lord:

* For today a great light has descended upon the earth.

℣ This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

℟ For today a great light has descended upon the earth.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Rom 4:13-17

13 For the Promise to Abraham, and to his posterity, that he would inherit the world, was not through the law, but through the justice of faith.

14 For if those who are of the law are the heirs, then faith becomes empty and the Promise is abolished.

15 For the law works unto wrath. And where there is no law, there is no law-breaking.

16 Therefore it is by faith, so that according to grace the promise may be secure to all the offspring, not only to those of the law but also to those of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

17 (as it is written: I have made you the father of many nations), before God whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; the Lord is God, and he has shone upon us:

* Alleluia, alleluia.

℣ This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

℟ Alleluia, alleluia.

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

℟ Alleluia, alleluia.

Nocturn II

Ant. Fairest in form * above the sons of men, grace has been poured upon your lips.

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. Fairest in form above the sons of men, grace has been poured upon your lips.

Ant. A man is born * in her, and the Most High himself has founded her.

Psalm 86 [5]

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. A man is born in her, and the Most High himself has founded her.

Ant. All the trees * of the forests shall rejoice before the face of the Lord, for he comes.

Psalm 95 [6]

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. All the trees of the forests shall rejoice before the face of the Lord, for he comes.

℣ Beautiful in form beyond the sons of men.

℟ Grace is poured out upon your lips.

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 Leo, Pope

Sermon 7 on the Nativity of the Lord

He is a true worshipper and devout celebrant of this day's feast, dearly beloved, who holds nothing false about the Incarnation of the Lord, nor anything unworthy about his Divinity. For it is an evil of equal danger if either the truth of our nature or the equality of the Father's glory is denied to him. When, therefore, we approach the understanding of the mystery of the nativity of Christ, by which he was born of a Virgin Mother, let the fog of earthly reasoning be driven far away, and let the smoke of worldly wisdom depart from the eye of enlightened faith.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Rejoice with me, all you who love the Lord:

* Because, when I was little, I pleased the Most High, and from my womb I brought forth God and man.

℣ All generations shall call me blessed, because God regarded his humble handmaid.

℟ Because, when I was little, I pleased the Most High, and from my womb I brought forth God and man.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

For the authority we believe is divine; the teaching we follow is divine. Whether we apply our inner ear to the testimony of the Law, or to the oracles of the prophets, or to the trumpet of the Gospel — what is true is what John, filled with the Holy Spirit, thundered forth: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made. And equally true is what the same herald added: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ The heart of the Virgin was confirmed, in whom, at the Angel's announcement, she conceived the divine mysteries: then with chaste womb she received him who is beautiful in form above the sons of men:

* And blessed for ever, she brought forth for us God and man.

℣ The house of a chaste heart becomes at once a temple of God; untouched, knowing no man, she conceived the Son by a word.

℟ And blessed for ever, she brought forth for us God and man.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

Thus in both natures he is the same Son of God, taking what is ours without losing what is his own: renewing humanity in man, while remaining unchanged in himself. For the Godhead which he shares with the Father suffered no loss of omnipotence, nor did the form of a servant impair the form of God. The supreme and everlasting essence, which stooped to save the human race, brought us into its glory without ceasing to be what it was. Therefore, when the Only-begotten of God declares himself less than the Father, whose equal he also declares himself to be, he shows the reality of both forms in himself: inequality proves the human, and equality reveals the divine.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who without any stain upon your purity were found to be the mother of the Savior:

* He lay in the manger, and he shone in the heavens.

℣ O Lord, I heard your message, and I was afraid: I considered your works, and I was filled with awe: in the midst of two living creatures.

℟ He lay in the manger, and he shone in the heavens.

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

℟ He lay in the manger, and he shone in the heavens.

Nocturn III

Ant. In the beginning, * before all ages, God was the Word, and he himself was born today, the Savior of the world.

Psalm 96 [7]

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. In the beginning, before all ages, God was the Word, and he himself was born today, the Savior of the world.

Ant. Begotten before the daystar, * and before all ages, our Lord and Savior has this day deigned to be born.

Psalm 97 [8]

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. Begotten before the daystar, and before all ages, our Lord and Savior has this day deigned to be born.

Ant. When the Lord was born, * the chorus of Angels sang, saying: Salvation to our God, who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb.

Psalm 98 [9]

98:1 The Lord has reigned: let the peoples be angry. * He sits upon the cherubim: let the earth be moved.

98:2 The Lord is great in Zion, * and he is high above all peoples.

98:3 May they confess to your great name, for it is terrible and holy. * And the honor of the king loves judgment.

98:4 You have prepared guidance. * You have accomplished judgment and justice in Jacob.

98:5 Exalt the Lord our God, and adore the footstool of his feet, * for it is holy.

98:6 Moses and Aaron are among his priests, * and Samuel is among those who call upon his name.

98:6 They called upon the Lord, and he heeded them. * He spoke to them in the pillar of the cloud.

98:7 They kept his testimonies * and the precept that he gave them.

98:8 You heeded them, O Lord our God. * You were a forgiving God to them, though taking vengeance on all their inventions.

98:9 Exalt the Lord our God, and adore on his holy mountain. * For the Lord our God is holy.

℣ 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. When the Lord was born, the chorus of Angels sang, saying: Salvation to our God, who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb.

℣ The Lord has made known, alleluia.

℟ His salvation, alleluia.

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 2:21

At that time: After eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, his name was called Jesus. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Ambrose the Bishop

Book 2 on Luke, chapter 2, around the middle

The Child is therefore circumcised. Who is this child, if not he of whom it was said: A child is born to us, a Son is given to us? For he was made under the law, that he might gain those who were under the law. That they might present him to the Lord. What it means to be presented to the Lord in Jerusalem, I would explain, had I not already done so in my commentary on Isaiah. For one who is circumcised from vices is judged worthy of the Lord's gaze; for, The eyes of the Lord are upon the just. You see that the whole series of the old law was a type of what was to come: for circumcision too signifies the purification of offenses.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Holy and undefiled virginity, with what praises I may extol you, I know not:

* For him whom the heavens could not contain, you bore in your womb.

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

℟ For him whom the heavens could not contain, you bore in your womb.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

But since the fragility of human flesh and mind is entangled in inextricable vices through a certain headlong desire of sinning, the future purification of all guilt in the age of the Resurrection was prefigured by that eighth day of circumcision. For it is this that is meant: Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. For by the words of the law the Virgin’s giving birth was promised. And truly holy, because without stain. Moreover, that it is he who is signified by the law, the words of the Angel, repeated in the same manner, declare: What shall be born, he says, shall be called Holy, the Son of God.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ The Virgin Mother, knowing not man, gave birth without pain:

* The Savior of the ages, the very King of Angels, the Virgin alone nursed with her breast filled from heaven.

℣ The house of a chaste heart becomes at once a temple of God; untouched, knowing no man, she conceived the Son by a word.

℟ The Savior of the ages, the very King of Angels, the Virgin alone nursed with her breast filled from heaven.

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

℟ The Savior of the ages, the very King of Angels, the Virgin alone nursed with her breast filled from heaven.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

For the holy Lord Jesus alone is holy in every respect among those born of woman: he who, by the newness of an immaculate birth, did not experience the contagion of earthly corruption, and repelled it by his heavenly majesty. For if we follow the letter: how is every male holy, when it is well known that many have been most wicked? Was Ahab holy? Were the false prophets holy, whom the avenging fire of heaven consumed at the prayer of Elijah? But he is holy whom the pious ordinances of the divine law signified in the figure of a coming mystery; inasmuch as he alone would open the generative sanctuary of the immaculate fruitfulness of the holy Church, the virgin, for the begetting of the peoples of God.

℣ 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.

O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary have bestowed upon the human race the rewards of eternal salvation: grant, we pray, that we may experience her intercession for us, through whom we merited to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ 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.