In Nativitate S. Joannis BaptistæOn the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

℣ 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. The King of the Forerunner, the Lord, * Come, let us adore.

Ant. The King of the Forerunner, the Lord, * 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. The King of the Forerunner, the Lord, * 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. The King of the Forerunner, the Lord, * 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. The King of the Forerunner, the Lord, * 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. The King of the Forerunner, the Lord, * Come, let us adore.

Thou, in thy childhood, to the desert caverns

Fleddest for refuge from the cities' turmoil,

Where the world's slander might not dim thy lustre,

Lonely abiding.

Camel's hair raiment clothed thy saintly members;

Leathern the girdle which thy loins encircled;

Locusts and honey, with the fountain-water,

Daily sustained thee.

Oft in past ages, seers with hearts expectant

Sang the far-distant advent of the day-star;

thine was the glory, as the world's Redeemer

First to proclaim him.

Far as the wide world reacheth, born of woman,

Holier was there none than John the Baptist;

Meetly in water laving him who cleanseth

Man from pollution.

Praise to the Father, to the Son begotten,

And to the Spirit, equal power possessing,

One God whose glory, through the lapse of ages,

Ever resoundeth.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. Before I formed you * in the womb, I knew you; and before you came forth, I sanctified you.

Psalm 1 [1]

1:1 Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of the impious, † and has not remained in the way of sinners, * and has not sat in the chair of pestilence.

1:2 But his will is with the law of the Lord, * and he will meditate on his law, day and night.

1:3a And he will be like a tree that has been planted beside running waters, * which will provide its fruit in its time,

1:3b and its leaf will not fall away, * and all things whatsoever that he does will prosper.

1:4 Not so the impious, not so. * For they are like the dust that the wind casts along the face of the earth.

1:5 Therefore, the impious will not prevail again in judgment, * nor sinners in the council of the just.

1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the just. * And the path of the impious will pass away.

℣ 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. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; and before you came forth, I sanctified you.

Ant. To all to whom I shall send you, * says the Lord, you shall go: fear not, and whatsoever I shall command you, speak to them.

Psalm 2 [2]

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 precepts.

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 way of the just.

2:13 Though his wrath can flare up in a short time, * 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. To all to whom I shall send you, says the Lord, you shall go: fear not, and whatsoever I shall command you, speak to them.

Ant. Fear not * their faces, for I am with you, says the Lord.

Psalm 3 [3]

3:2 Lord, why have those who trouble me been multiplied? * Many rise up against me.

3:3 Many say to my soul, * “There is no salvation for him in his God.”

3:4 But you, Lord, are my supporter, * my glory, and the one who raises up my head.

3:5 I have cried out to the Lord with my voice, * and he has heard me from his holy mountain.

3:6 I have slept, and I have been stupefied. * But I awakened because the Lord has taken me up.

3:7 I will not fear the thousands of people surrounding me. * Rise up, Lord. Save me, my God.

3:8 For you have struck all those who oppose me without cause. * You have broken the teeth of sinners.

3:9 Salvation is of the Lord, * and your blessing is upon your people.

℣ 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. Fear not their faces, for I am with you, says the Lord.

℣ There was a man sent from God.

℟ Whose name was John.

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

Here begins the book of Jeremiah the Prophet

Ier 1:1-5

1 The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.

2 The word of the Lord, which came to him in the days of Josiah, the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign,

3 And which came to him in the days of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, even until the completion of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, even until the transmigration of Jerusalem in the fifth month.

4 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. And before you went forth from the womb, I sanctified you. And I made you a prophet to the nations.”

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ There was a man sent by God, whose name was John.

* He came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, and to prepare for the Lord a perfect people.

℣ John was in the desert, preaching a baptism of repentance.

℟ He came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, and to prepare for the Lord a perfect people.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Ier 1:6-10

6 And I said: “Alas, alas, alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am a boy.”

7 And the Lord said to me: “Do not choose to say, ‘I am a boy.’ For you shall go forth to everyone to whom I will send you. And you shall speak all that I will command you.

8 You should not be afraid before their face. For I am with you, so that I may deliver you,” says the Lord.

9 And the Lord put forth his hand, and he touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have placed my words in your mouth.

10 Behold, today I have appointed you over nations and over kingdoms, so that you may root up, and pull down, and destroy, and scatter, and so that you may build and plant.”

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Elizabeth bore to Zechariah a great man, John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Lord:

* who prepared the way of the Lord in the wilderness.

℣ There was a man sent by God, whose name was John.

℟ who prepared the way of the Lord in the wilderness.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Ier 1:17-19

17 Therefore, you should gird your waist, and rise up, and speak to them everything that I instruct you. You should not have dread before their face. For I will cause you to be unafraid of their countenance.

18 For certainly, this day, I have made you like a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and a brass wall, over all the land, to the kings of Judah, to its leaders, and to the priests, and to the people of the land.

19 And they will make war against you, but they will not prevail. For I am with you, says the Lord, so that I may free you.”

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; and before you went forth from the womb, I sanctified you,

* and I made you a prophet to the nations.

℣ He was beloved by God and honored by men.

℟ and I made you a prophet to the nations.

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

℟ and I made you a prophet to the nations.

Nocturn II

Ant. The Lord sent forth * his hand, and touched my mouth, and the Lord gave me as a prophet to the nations.

Psalm 4 [4]

4:2a When I called upon him, the God of my justice heeded me. * In tribulation, you have enlarged me.

4:2b Have mercy on me, * and heed my prayer.

4:3 Sons of men, how long will you be dull in heart, * so that whatever you love is in vain, and whatever you seek is false?

4:4 And know this: the Lord has made wondrous his holy one. * The Lord will heed me when I cry out to him.

4:5 Be angry, and do not be willing to sin. † The things that you say in your hearts: * be sorry for them on your beds.

4:6 Offer the sacrifice of justice, † and hope in the Lord. * Many say, “Who reveals to us what is good?”

4:7 The light of your countenance, Lord, has been sealed upon us. * You have given joy to my heart.

4:8 By the fruit of their grain, wine, and oil, * they have been multiplied.

4:9 In peace itself, * I will sleep and I will rest.

4:10 For you, O Lord, * have established me singularly in hope.

℣ 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 sent forth his hand, and touched my mouth, and the Lord gave me as a prophet to the nations.

Ant. Behold, I have put my words * in your mouth: behold, I have set you over nations and kingdoms.

Psalm 5 [5]

5:2 O Lord, listen closely to my words. * Understand my outcry.

5:3 Attend to the voice of my prayer, * my King and my God.

5:4 For to you, I will pray. * In the morning, Lord, you will hear my voice.

5:5 In the morning, I will stand before you, and I will see. * For you are not a God who wills iniquity.

5:6 And the malicious will not dwell close to you, * nor will the unjust endure before your eyes.

5:7a You hate all who work iniquity. * You will destroy all who speak a lie.

5:7b The bloody and deceitful man, the Lord will abominate. * (8a) But I am in the multitude of your mercy.

5:8b I will enter your house. * I will show adoration toward your holy temple, in your fear.

5:9 Lord, lead me in your justice. * Because of my enemies, direct my way in your sight.

5:10 For there is no truth in their mouth: * their heart is vain.

5:11a Their throat is an open sepulcher. † They have acted deceitfully with their tongues. * Judge them, O God.

5:11b Let them fall by their own intentions: † according to the multitude of their impiety, expel them. * For they have provoked you, O Lord.

5:12a But let all those who hope in you rejoice. * They will exult in eternity, and you will dwell in them.

5:12b And all those who love your name will glory in you. * (13a) For you will bless the just.

5:13b You have crowned us, O Lord, * as if with a shield of your good will.

℣ 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. Behold, I have put my words in your mouth: behold, I have set you over nations and kingdoms.

Ant. The Lord * called me from the womb, from the womb of my mother he was mindful of my name.

Psalm 8 [6]

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. The Lord called me from the womb, from the womb of my mother he was mindful of my name.

℣ Among those born of women there has not arisen one greater.

℟ Than John the Baptist.

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 Augustine, Bishop

Sermon 20 on the Saints

After that most sacred day of the Lord's nativity, we read that no human birth is celebrated, save that of blessed John the Baptist alone. In the other Saints and elect of God, we know that day to be honored on which, after the completion of their labors and the vanquishing and triumph over the world, this present life brought them forth into perpetual eternity. In the others, the completed merits of the last day are celebrated: in this man, even the first day, and the very beginnings of the man, are consecrated; for this reason, beyond doubt, because through him the Lord willed his coming to be attested, lest men should fail to recognize it when it suddenly arrived unlooked for. For John was a figure of the Old Testament, and bore in himself the form of the law; and therefore John foretold the Savior, just as the law ran before grace.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ The Angel of the Lord came down to Zechariah, saying: Receive a son in your old age:

* And his name shall be John the Baptist.

℣ This child shall be great before the Lord; for his hand is with him.

℟ And his name shall be John the Baptist.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

That he prophesied before his birth from the secret of his mother's womb, and, though not yet having experienced the light, is already a witness of the truth—this is to be understood as meaning that, lying hidden under the veil and flesh of the letter, he proclaimed the Redeemer to the world in spirit, and proclaimed our Lord to us from a certain womb of the law. Therefore, because the Jews went astray from the womb—that is, from the law which was pregnant with Christ—they went astray from the womb and spoke falsehoods; and for this reason he came to bear witness, that he might give testimony to the light.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ This is the beloved forerunner and the lamp burning before the Lord:

* For he is John, who prepared the way of the Lord in the desert; and also pointed out the Lamb of God, and enlightened the minds of men.

℣ He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah.

℟ For he is John, who prepared the way of the Lord in the desert; and also pointed out the Lamb of God, and enlightened the minds of men.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

That John, placed in prison, sends his disciples to Christ, means that the law transmits them to the Gospel. For the law, according to the type of John, as though shut in the prison of ignorance, lay in obscurity and hiddenness, and its sense was enclosed within the letter by Jewish blindness. Of him the blessed Evangelist says: He was a burning lamp, that is, kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit, to show the light of salvation to a world possessed by the night of ignorance, and, as it were, among the densest darkness of sins to point out with the ray of his light the most brilliant sun of justice, saying of himself: I am the voice of one crying in the desert.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him to be called. And requesting a writing tablet, he wrote, saying:

* His name is John.

℣ And the mouth of Zechariah was opened, and he prophesied, saying.

℟ His name is John.

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

℟ His name is John.

Nocturn III

Ant. The Lord has made my mouth * like a sharp sword: under the shadow of his hand he has protected me.

Psalm 14 [7]

14:1 O Lord, who will dwell in your tabernacle? * Or who will rest on your holy mountain?

14:2 He who walks without blemish * and who works justice.

14:3a He who speaks the truth in his heart, * who has not acted deceitfully with his tongue,

14:3b and has not done evil to his neighbor, * and has not taken up a reproach against his neighbors.

14:4a In his sight, the malicious one has been reduced to nothing, * but he glorifies those who fear the Lord.

14:4b He who swears to his neighbor and does not deceive. * (5a) He who has not given his money in usury, nor accepted bribes against the innocent.

14:5b He who does these things * will be undisturbed for eternity.

℣ 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 has made my mouth like a sharp sword: under the shadow of his hand he has protected me.

Ant. Forming me * from the womb to be his servant, the Lord says: I have given you as a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 20 [8]

20:2 In your virtue, Lord, the king will rejoice, * and over your salvation, he will exult exceedingly.

20:3 You have granted him the desire of his heart, * and you have not cheated him of the wish of his lips.

20:4 For you have gone ahead of him with blessings of sweetness. * You have placed a crown of precious stones on his head.

20:5 He petitioned you for life, * and you have granted him length of days, in the present time, and forever and ever.

20:6 Great is his glory in your salvation. * Glory and great adornment, you will lay upon him.

20:7 For you will give him as a blessing forever and ever. * You will make him rejoice with gladness in your presence.

20:8 Because the king hopes in the Lord, * and in the mercy of the Most High, he will not be disturbed.

20:9 May your hand be found by all your enemies. * May your right hand discover all those who hate you.

20:10 You will make them like an oven of fire, in the time of your presence. * The Lord will stir them up with his wrath, and fire will devour them.

20:11 You will destroy their fruit from the earth * and their offspring from the sons of men.

20:12 For they have turned evils upon you; * they have devised plans, which they have not been able to accomplish.

20:13 For you will make them turn their back; * with your remnants, you will prepare their countenance.

20:14 Be exalted, Lord, by your own power. * We will play music and sing psalms to your virtues.

℣ 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. Forming me from the womb to be his servant, the Lord says: I have given you as a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the ends of the earth.

Ant. Kings shall see, * and princes shall rise up and adore the Lord your God, who has chosen you.

Psalm 33 [9]

33:2 I will bless the Lord at all times. * His praise will be ever in my mouth.

33:3 In the Lord, my soul will be praised. * May the meek listen and rejoice.

33:4 Magnify the Lord with me, * and let us extol his name in itself.

33:5 I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, * and he carried me away from all my tribulations.

33:6 Approach him and be enlightened, * and your faces will not be confounded.

33:7 This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, * and he saved him from all his tribulations.

33:8 The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, * and he will rescue them.

33:9 Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. * Blessed is the man who hopes in him.

33:10 Fear the Lord, all you his saints. * For there is no destitution for those who fear him.

33:11 The rich have been needy and hungry, * but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good thing.

33:12 Come forward, sons. Listen to me. * I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

33:13 Which is the man who wills life, * who chooses to see good days?

33:14 Prohibit your tongue from evil * and your lips from speaking deceit.

33:15 Turn away from evil, and do good. * Inquire about peace, and pursue it.

33:16 The eyes of the Lord are on the just, * and his ears are with their prayers.

33:17 But the countenance of the Lord is upon those who do evil, * to perish the remembrance of them from the earth.

33:18 The just cried out, and the Lord heard them, * and he freed them from all their tribulations.

33:19 The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, * and he will save the humble in spirit.

33:20 Many are the afflictions of the just, * but from them all the Lord will free them.

33:21 The Lord preserves all of their bones, * not one of them shall be broken.

33:22 The death of a sinner is very harmful, * and those who hate the just will fare badly.

33:23 The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, * and none of those who hope in him will fare badly.

℣ 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. Kings shall see, and princes shall rise up and adore the Lord your God, who has chosen you.

℣ Elizabeth bore to Zechariah a great man.

℟ John the Baptist, the forerunner of 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 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 1:57-69

the time for Elizabeth to give birth arrived, and she brought forth a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy with her, and so they congratulated her. Et cetera.

A Homily of Saint Ambrose the Bishop.

Book 2 of the Commentary on Luke, chapter 1, before the end

Elizabeth bore a son, and the neighbors rejoiced with her. The birth of the Saints brings gladness to many, because their birth is a common good; for justice is a virtue that belongs to all. And therefore at the birth of the just man a sign of the life to come is set before us, and the grace of the virtue that is to follow is marked by the exultation of the neighbors as a prefiguring. It is well also that the time the Prophet spent in the womb is described, lest the presence of Mary be passed over in silence; but the time of his infancy is left unrecorded, because he did not know the hindrances of infancy. And therefore in the Gospel we read nothing of him except his birth, the oracle, his exultation in the womb, and his voice in the desert.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ The forerunner of the Lord has come, of whom he himself testifies:

* No one among those born of women is greater than John the Baptist.

℣ For he is a prophet, and more than a prophet, of whom the Savior says.

℟ No one among those born of women is greater than John the Baptist.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May he whose feast we celebrate intercede for us to the Lord.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

For he did not experience any of the age of infancy, who, placed beyond nature and beyond age in his mother's womb, began from the measure of the fullness of the age of Christ. Wonderfully did the holy Evangelist think it well to note beforehand that many people supposed the infant was to be called Zechariah after his father's name; so that you might observe that it was not the name of some degenerate person that displeased the mother, but that the name had been infused by the Holy Spirit, having been foretold to Zechariah by the Angel beforehand. And indeed he, being mute, was unable to make known to his wife the name of his son; but Elizabeth, through prophecy, learned what she had not learned from her husband.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ The Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, saying: A son shall be born to you, and his name shall be called John:

* And many will rejoice at his birth.

℣ For he will be great before the Lord, and will drink neither wine nor strong drink.

℟ And many will rejoice at his birth.

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

℟ And many will rejoice at his birth.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

His name is John, he says — meaning: it is not we who give him his name, for he has already received his name from God. He has his own designation, which we have acknowledged, not chosen. The merits of the Saints win them this privilege, to receive their name from God. Thus Jacob is called Israel, because he saw God. Thus our Lord Jesus was named before he was born; to whom not an Angel but the Father gave the name. You see that Angels announce what they have heard, not what they have presumed. Nor should you wonder that a woman affirmed a name which she had not heard; for the Holy Spirit, who had given the charge to the Angel, revealed it to her.

℣ 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 made this present day honorable for us in the birth of blessed John: grant your peoples the grace of spiritual joys, and direct the minds of all the faithful into the way of eternal salvation.

Through 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.