Sanctæ Familiæ Jesu Mariæ JosephThe Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

℣ 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 the Son of God, subject to Mary and Joseph: * Come, let us adore.

Ant. Christ the Son of God, subject to Mary and Joseph: * 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 the Son of God, subject to Mary and Joseph: * 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 the Son of God, subject to Mary and Joseph: * 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 the Son of God, subject to Mary and Joseph: * 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 the Son of God, subject to Mary and Joseph: * Come, let us adore.

A thousand lights their glory shed

On shrines and altars garlanded;

While swinging censers dusk the air

With perfumed prayer.

And shall we sing the ancestry

Of Jesus, Son of God most High?

Or the heroic names retrace

Of David’s race?

Sweeter is lowly Nazareth,

Where Jesus drew His childish breath—

Sweeter the singing that endears

His hidden years.

An Angel leads the pilgrim band

From Egypt to their native land,

Where Jesus clings to Joseph’s arm,

Secure from harm.

In hidden years the growing Jesus

Learned the humble craft of Joseph,

And freely joined him

In the carpenter’s labor.

Let sweat bathe my limbs, he said,

Before they are soaked with outpoured blood:

Let this toil too be paid

For the atonement of mankind.

At Joseph’s bench, at Jesus’ side,

The Mother sits, the Virgin-Bride;

Happy, if she may cheer their hearts

With loving arts.

O Blessed Three! who felt the sting

Of want and toil and suffering,

Pity the needy and obscure

Lot of the poor.

Banish the “pride of life” from all

Whom ampler wealth and joys befall:

Be every heart with love repaid

That seeks your aid.

Glory to Thee, Jesu dear,

Model of holy living here!

Who reign’st, with Sire and Holy Ghost,

O’er heaven’s host.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. When his parents * brought the child Jesus in, Simeon received him into his arms and blessed God.

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. When his parents brought the child Jesus in, Simeon received him into his arms and blessed God.

Ant. When they had performed * all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

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. When they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

Ant. And the child * grew and was strengthened, full of wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

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. And the child grew and was strengthened, full of wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

℣ For our sake he became poor, though he was rich.

℟ That through his poverty we might be made rich.

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 Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Colossians

Col 3:12-16

12 Therefore, clothe yourselves like the elect of God: holy and beloved, with hearts of mercy, kindness, humility, modesty, and patience.

13 Support one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive one another. For just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you do.

14 And above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, in which you were also called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ live in you in abundance, with all wisdom, teaching and correcting one another, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing to God with the grace in your hearts.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Our God was seen upon the earth,

* And he conversed with human beings.

℣ He found out all the way of knowledge, and gave it to Jacob his servant.

℟ And he conversed with human beings.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Col 3:17-21

17 Let everything whatsoever that you do, whether in word or in deed, be done all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

18 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter toward them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things. For this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children to indignation, lest they lose heart.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed are they who dwell

* In your house, O Lord.

℣ They shall praise you for ever and ever.

℟ In your house, O Lord.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Col 3:22-25; 4:1-2

22 Servants, obey, in all things, your lords according to the flesh, not serving only when seen, as if to please men, but serving in simplicity of heart, fearing God.

23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as for the Lord, and not for men.

24 For you know that you will receive from the Lord the repayment of an inheritance. Serve Christ the Lord.

25 For whoever causes injury shall be repaid for what he has wrongfully done. And there is no favoritism with God.

1 You masters, supply your servants with what is just and equitable, knowing that you, too, have a Master in heaven.

2 Pursue prayer. Be watchful in prayer with acts of thanksgiving.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ He was bound to be made like his brethren in all things,

* That he might become merciful.

℣ Though he was the Son of God, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

℟ That he might become merciful.

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

℟ That he might become merciful.

Nocturn II

Ant. Joseph rising up * took the child and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt.

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. Joseph rising up took the child and his mother by night, and withdrew into Egypt.

Ant. The Angel of the Lord * appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel.

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 Angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel.

Ant. And coming * he dwelt in Nazareth, that what was said through the Prophets might be fulfilled: that he shall be called a Nazarene.

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. And coming he dwelt in Nazareth, that what was said through the Prophets might be fulfilled: that he shall be called a Nazarene.

℣ The Lord will teach us his ways,

℟ And we shall walk in his paths.

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

From the Apostolic Letters of Pope Leo XIII

Brief “Neminem fugit”, 14 June 1892

When the merciful God had decreed to accomplish the work of human reparation, which the ages had long awaited, he so ordered the plan and arrangement of that same work, that its very first beginnings should present to the world the august image of a Family divinely constituted, in which all men might behold the most perfect example of domestic society and of every virtue and holiness. Such indeed was that family of Nazareth, in which, before the Sun of Justice had shone forth in full light upon all peoples, he was hidden: namely Christ our God and Savior, with the Virgin Mother and Joseph, a most holy man, who fulfilled toward Jesus a father's office. It is beyond all doubt that from those praises which arise in domestic society and familiar intercourse from the mutual offices of charity, from holiness of conduct, from the exercise of piety, all the greatest things shone forth in that holy Family, which was indeed destined to be an example of these things to all others. And therefore by the kindly design of Providence it was so constituted, that individual Christians, of whatever condition or place, if they turn their minds to it, may easily find cause and incentive for the exercise of any virtue whatsoever.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ But I am a beggar and poor:

* The Lord is mindful of me.

℣ For you shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; blessed are you, and it shall be well with you.

℟ The Lord is mindful of me.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

Indeed, heads of households have in Joseph a most illustrious model of watchful and fatherly providence; mothers have in the most holy Virgin Mother of God a distinguished example of love, modesty, and submission of soul and perfect faith; and sons of families have in Jesus, who was subject to them, a divine model of obedience to admire, honor, and imitate. Those who are of noble birth will learn from a Family of royal blood how to conduct themselves with restraint in prosperity and to retain dignity in adversity; the wealthy will learn from it how much riches ought to yield to virtue. But laborers and all those who are so sharply provoked by the hardships of straitened family circumstances and a lower station in life — if they look to those most holy members of that domestic fellowship, they will find reason to take delight rather than to grieve at the lot that has fallen to them. For they share common labors with the Holy Family; common cares for daily life; Joseph too had to provide for life's necessities from his wages; indeed, the very divine hands were exercised in the labors of a craftsman. Nor is it surprising that most wise men, abounding in wealth, have wished to cast it aside and to choose for themselves poverty in company with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Foxes have dens, and the birds of the air have nests,

* But the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.

℣ I am poor, and in labors from my youth.

℟ But the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

These things being so, the cult of the Holy Family has rightly and deservedly been introduced among Catholics in due time and gains ever greater increase day by day. This is proved both by the Christian confraternities established under the invocation of the Holy Family, and by the singular honors paid to it, and especially by the privileges and graces imparted by our predecessors to arouse devotion toward it. This kind of veneration has been held in great honor since the seventeenth century, and spreading widely through Italy, France, and Belgium, it has pervaded almost all of Europe; then, crossing the vast expanses of the Ocean, it extended itself in America through the Canadian region and flourished under most auspicious signs. Indeed, nothing more salutary or efficacious than the example of the Holy Family can be conceived for Christian families, since it encompasses the perfection and completion of all domestic virtues. May Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, thus invoked within the household walls, be present with favor, nourish charity, govern conduct, invite to virtue through imitation of them, and by alleviating them make the mortal hardships that press in from every side more bearable.

To augment the cult of the Holy Family, Pope Leo XIII prescribed that Christian families be consecrated to the same Holy Family; and Benedict XV extended the Office and Mass to the universal Church.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Though he was in the form of God, he emptied himself,

* Taking the form of a servant.

℣ He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death.

℟ Taking the form of a servant.

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

℟ Taking the form of a servant.

Nocturn III

Ant. The parents of Jesus * went every year to Jerusalem on the solemn day of the Passover.

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. The parents of Jesus went every year to Jerusalem on the solemn day of the Passover.

Ant. As they returned, * the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it.

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. As they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and his parents did not know it.

Ant. Not finding Jesus, * they returned to Jerusalem in search of him.

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. Not finding Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem in search of him.

℣ I am poor, and in labors from my youth.

℟ But when I was exalted, I was humbled and confounded.

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 2:42-52

And when Jesus had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day. And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Bernard the Abbot

Homily 1 on Missus est, sections 7–8

‘And he was subject to them.’ Who to whom? God to human beings; God, I say, to whom Angels are subject, to whom Principalities and Powers obey, was subject to Mary, and not only to Mary but also to Joseph on account of Mary. Marvel then at either, and choose which you marvel at more: either the most gracious condescension of the Son, or the most excellent dignity of the Mother. On both sides astonishment, on both sides wonder. That God should obey a woman is humility without precedent; and that a woman should command God is exaltation without equal. Among the praises of virgins it is singularly sung that they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. What praises, then, do you judge worthy of her who even goes before him?

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Truly you are a hidden King,

* The God of Israel, the Savior.

℣ You teach knowledge to man.

℟ The God of Israel, the Savior.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

Learn, O man, to obey; learn, O earth, to submit; learn, O dust, to comply. Speaking of your Creator, the Evangelist says: "And he was," he says, "subject to them" — namely, to Mary and Joseph, without doubt. Blush, O proud one made of ashes! God humbles himself, and you exalt yourself? God submits to human beings, and you, eager to dominate human beings, place yourself before your Creator? Would that God might deign to answer me when I sometimes think such a thing, as he answered his Apostle in rebuke: "Get behind me, Satan; for you do not set your mind on the things of God." For as often as I desire to be set above human beings, so often do I contend to go before God; and then truly I do not savor the things of God. For of him it is said: "And he was subject to them." If you, O man, disdain to imitate the example of a man, surely it will not be unworthy of you to follow your Creator. If perhaps you cannot follow him wherever he goes, deign at least to follow him where he has condescended to you.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ As by the disobedience of one man many were made sinners:

* So also by the obedience of one shall many be made just.

℣ He came to Nazareth and was subject to them.

℟ So also by the obedience of one shall many be made just.

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

℟ So also by the obedience of one shall many be made just.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

If you cannot walk the lofty path of virginity, follow at least God along the very safe way of humility; from whose rightness if any, even among virgins, shall have strayed, they do not, if I am to speak the truth, follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. The unclean man who is humble follows the Lamb; the virgin who is proud also follows him, but neither follows him whithersoever he goes: for neither can the one ascend to the purity of the Lamb, who is without blemish; nor does the other deign to descend to the same meekness, by which he was silent not before his shearer, but before his slayer. Yet the sinner has chosen the more wholesome part of following in humility than the proud man in virginity; for the one's humble satisfaction cleanses even his impurity, while the pride of the other defiles his chastity.

℣ 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.

Lord Jesus Christ, who, subject to Mary and Joseph, consecrated the life of the home with inexpressible virtues: grant us, by the help of both, to be instructed in the examples of your holy Family, and to attain their everlasting fellowship.

Who live and reign with God the Father, 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.