In Visitatione Beatæ Mariæ VirginisVisitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

℣ O Lord, ✠ open my lips.

℟ And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

℣ O God, ✠ come to my assistance.

℟ Lord, make haste to help me.

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

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

Alleluia.

Ant. Let us celebrate the Visitation of the Virgin Mary: * Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

Ant. Let us celebrate the Visitation of the Virgin Mary: * Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

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. Let us celebrate the Visitation of the Virgin Mary: * Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

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. Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

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. Let us celebrate the Visitation of the Virgin Mary: * Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

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. Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

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. Let us celebrate the Visitation of the Virgin Mary: * Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

℣ 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. Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

Ant. Let us celebrate the Visitation of the Virgin Mary: * Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

The God whom earth, and sea, and sky

Adore, and laud, and magnify,

Who o'er their threefold fabric reigns,

The Virgin's spotless womb contains.

The God, whose will by moon and sun

And all things in due course is done,

Is borne upon a maiden's breast,

By fullest heavenly grace possest.

How blest that mother, in whose shrine

The great artificer divine,

Whose hand contains the earth and sky,

Vouchsafed, as in his ark, to lie.

Blest, in the message Gabriel brought;

Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought;

From whom the great desire of earth

Took human flesh and human birth.

All honour, laud, and glory be,

O Jesu, Virgin-born to thee;

All glory, as is ever meet,

To Father and to Paraclete.

Amen.

Nocturn I

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

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

Ant. Like choice myrrh, * you have given forth a fragrance of sweetness, O holy Mother of God.

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, O Lord, * (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 eloquence 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. Like choice myrrh, you have given forth a fragrance of sweetness, O holy Mother of God.

Ant. Before the couch * of this Virgin, strike up sweet songs of praise for us.

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 virtue. 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. Before the couch of this Virgin, strike up sweet songs of praise for us.

℣ In your beauty and your comeliness

℟ Press forward, prosper, and reign.

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 Song of Songs

Song of Songs 2:1-7

1 I am a flower of the open field and a lily of the steep valleys.

2 Like a lily among the thorns, so is my loved one among the daughters.

3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat beneath the shadow of the one whom I desired, and his fruit was sweet to my palate.

4 He brought me into the storeroom of wine. He set charity in order within me.

5 Prop me up with flowers. Close me in with apples. For I languish through love.

6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me.

7 I bind you by oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the does and the stags of the open field, not to disturb or awaken the beloved, even for as long as she wills.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Rise up, make haste, my love, my beautiful one, and come: for winter has now passed; the rain has departed and gone away:

* The voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

℣ Mary entered into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.

℟ The voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Song 2:8-13

8 The voice of my beloved! Behold, he arrives leaping along the mountains, jumping across the hills.

9 My beloved is like a doe and like a young stag. Lo, he stands beyond our wall, gazing through the windows, watching through the lattices.

10 Lo, my beloved speaks to me: Rise up, quickly, my love, my dove, my shapely one, and advance.

11 For winter has now past; the rain has decreased and gone away.

12 The flowers have appeared in our land; the time for pruning has arrived. The voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

13 The fig tree has brought forth its green figs; the flowering vines bestow their odor.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

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

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

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

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Song 2:13-17

13 Rise up, my love, my brilliant one, and advance.

14 My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hollows of the wall, reveal to me your face. Let your voice sound in my ears. For your voice is sweet, and your face is graceful.

15 Capture for us the little foxes, which are tearing down the vines; for our vineyard has flourished.

16 My beloved is for me, and I am for him. He pastures among the lilies.

17 Until the day rises and the shadows decline. Return, O my beloved. Be like a doe and like a young stag upon the mountains of Bether.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb:

* And how is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

℣ For behold, as the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

℟ And how does this concern me, so that the mother of my Lord would come to me?

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

℟ And how does this concern me, so that the mother of my Lord would come to me?

Nocturn II

Ant. In your beauty * and your comeliness, press forward, advance prosperously, and reign.

Psalm 44 [4]

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

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

44:3 You are a brilliant form before 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, * with 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 assisted at your right hand, in clothing of gold, * encircled with diversity.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ant. In your beauty and your comeliness, press forward, advance prosperously, and reign.

Ant. God will help her * with his countenance: God is in her midst, she shall not be moved.

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 frenzy 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 empty, 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. God will help her with his countenance: God is in her midst, she shall not be moved.

Ant. For so the dwelling place * of all of us rejoicing is within you, O holy Mother of God.

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 For so the dwelling place within you * is with all rejoicing.

℣ 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. For so the dwelling place of all of us rejoicing is within you, O holy Mother of God.

℣ God will assist it with his countenance.

℟ God is in its midst; it will not be shaken.

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

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

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

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

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 4

Sermon of Saint John Chrysostom

In Metaphrastes, for the month of July

When the Redeemer of our race had come to us, he went at once to his friend John, while John was still in the womb of his mother. When John beheld him from womb to womb, breaking the bounds of nature, he cried out: I see the Lord, who has set bounds to nature, and I will not await the time of birth. The nine months' span is not necessary for me here; for within me is he who is eternal. I will go forth from this dark tabernacle and proclaim in brief the knowledge of wondrous things. I am a sign: I will signify the coming of Christ. I am a trumpet: I will set forth the dispensation of the Son of God in the flesh. I will sound as a trumpet; by that very act I will bless my father's tongue and draw it to speak. I will sound as a trumpet, and I will quicken the womb of my mother.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Behold, he comes leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills:

* My beloved is like a roe and like a young stag.

℣ He exulted like a giant to run his course; his going forth is from the summit of heaven.

℟ My beloved is like a doe and like a young stag.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

You see, O beloved, how new and wonderful is this mystery. He is not yet born, and he speaks by leaps; he has not yet appeared, and he threatens menaces; he is not yet permitted to cry out, and he is heard through deeds; he does not yet live his life, and he proclaims God; he does not yet behold the light, and he points to the Sun; he is not yet brought forth, and he hastens to run ahead. For he does not bear, with the Lord present, to be contained; he cannot sustain waiting for nature's appointed term; but he strives to burst the prison of the womb, and labors to foretell the coming Savior. He who looses bonds has drawn near, he says; why do I sit bound and am held back to remain? The Word comes to establish all things; and do I still remain detained? I will go forth, I will run ahead, and I will proclaim to all: Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Rejoice with me, all you who love the Lord: for when I was little, I pleased the Most High,

* And from my own womb I brought forth God and man.

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

℟ And from my own womb I brought forth God and man.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

But tell us, John, since you are still held within the dark womb of your mother, how do you behold and hear? How do you contemplate divine things? How do you leap and exult? "The mystery that is being accomplished," he says, "is great, and an act removed from human comprehension. Rightly do I renew nature for the sake of him who is about to renew what is above nature. I see, even though I am still in the womb, because I see in the womb the Sun of justice. With my ears I perceive, because I am born the voice of the great Word. I cry out, because I behold the only-begotten Son of the Father clothed in flesh. I exult, because I see the Maker of all things taking upon himself the form of man. I leap, because I consider the Redeemer of the world incarnate. I go before his coming, and in some manner I go ahead of you by my confession."

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed are you who believed, for the things spoken to you by the Lord shall be fulfilled in you. And Mary said:

* My soul magnifies the Lord.

℣ Come and hear, and I will tell how great are the things God has done for my soul.

℟ My soul magnifies the Lord.

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

℟ My soul magnifies the Lord.

Nocturn III

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

Psalm 95 [7]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ant. Grant me to be worthy * to praise you, O holy Virgin: give me strength against your enemies.

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 corrections from 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 memory of his sanctuary.

℣ 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. Grant me to be worthy to praise you, O holy Virgin: give me strength against your enemies.

Ant. After childbirth, * O Virgin, you remained inviolate: O Mother of God, intercede for us.

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 strings and the voice of a psalmist, * with subtle wind instruments and the voice of woodwinds.

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. After childbirth, O Virgin, you remained inviolate: O Mother of God, intercede for us.

℣ God has chosen her and has chosen her before all others.

℟ He makes her dwell in his tabernacle.

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 1:39-47

In that time: Mary, rising up, traveled quickly into the hill country, to a city of Judah. And she entered into the house of Zechariah, and she greeted Elizabeth. Et cetera.

A Homily of Saint Ambrose the Bishop.

Book 2 of the Commentary on Luke, chapter 1, after the beginning

We must observe that the greater comes to the lesser, so that the lesser may be helped: Mary to Elizabeth, Christ to John. Indeed, afterward as well, the Lord came to baptism in order to sanctify the baptism of John. Swiftly too are the benefits of Mary's coming and of the divine presence made manifest. Mark the distinction and the propriety of each word. Elizabeth heard the voice first, but John felt the grace first. She heard in the order of nature; he exulted by the reason of mystery. She perceived the coming of Mary; he the coming of the Lord. These mothers speak of grace; those within work it inwardly; and through the mothers’ progress they undertake the mystery of devotion, and by a twofold miracle the mothers prophesy by the spirit of their little ones. The infant exulted; the mother was filled. Not the mother first, then the son; but when the son was filled with the Holy Spirit, he filled the mother as well.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ All generations shall call me blessed,

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

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

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

And how has this happened to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? That is: How has so great a good come to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? I perceive the miracle, I acknowledge the mystery: the Mother of the Lord, pregnant with the Word, is full of God. Now Mary stayed with her for three months, and returned to her own house. It is well said that the holy Mary both performed the office of kindness and observed the mystical number.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ For you are blessed, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise:

* For from you arose the Sun of justice, * Christ, our God.

℣ Pray for the people, intercede for the clergy, make intercession for the devout female sex: may all feel your help, all who celebrate your holy Visitation.

℟ For from you arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God.

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

℟ Christ our God.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

For the cause of her long stay was not only the bond of friendship, but also the advance of so great a prophet. For if at the first entry so great an advance was made that the infant in the womb leapt for joy at the greeting of Mary, and the mother of the infant was filled with the Holy Spirit, how great an advance do we think the presence of holy Mary added over so long a time? The Prophet was being anointed, therefore, and trained as a good athlete in his mother's womb; for his power was being prepared for a most ample contest.

℣ 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.

Bestow, we pray, O Lord, the gift of heavenly grace upon your servants: that, as the Blessed Virgin’s giving birth was the beginning of salvation for them, the votive solemnity of her Visitation may grant them an increase of peace.

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.