Maternitatis Beatæ Mariæ VirginisMaternity 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 Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary: * Let us adore Christ her Son, the Lord.

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

In heaven's court the choice was weighed,

And fixed upon the Blessed Maid,

Whence there was born, by God's decree,

Christ's ransoming humanity.

And so this Virgin-Mother bore

Him who to save us suffered sore,

Whose life-blood there the earth bedewed

Where he redeemed us on the Rood.

Let anxious fears from man depart,

And hope give joy to every heart,

For with her Son she e'er will plead

That he our tears and prayers may heed.

He welcometh his Mother's plea,

And listeneth right graciously;

Let his, like him, love her indeed,

And seek her help for human need.

All glory to the Trinity

Who made the Virgin's womb to be

A Shrine for Christ's humanity,

To whom be praise eternally.

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 Book of Sirach

Sir 24:5-11

5 “I went forth from the mouth of the Most High, as the first-born before all creatures.

6 I caused an unfailing light to arise in the heavens. And I covered all the earth like a cloud.

7 I lived in the highest places, and my throne is in the pillar of a cloud.

8 I alone have encompassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated to the depths of the abyss, and have walked upon the waves of the sea,

9 And have stood upon the whole earth. And among every people,

10 And in every nation, I have held primacy.

11 And by virtue, I have tread upon the hearts of all, the great and the lowly. And I have sought my rest in all of them. And I will continue, as the inheritance of the Lord.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed are you, O holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise;

* From you arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, through whom we have been saved and redeemed.

℣ Let us celebrate with joy the Motherhood of Blessed Mary the Virgin.

℟ From you arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, through whom we have been saved and redeemed.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Sir 24:12-16

12 Then the Creator of all things instructed and spoke with me. And the One who created me rested in my tabernacle.

13 And he said to me: ‘Let your dwelling place be with Jacob, and let your inheritance be in Israel, for you shall take root among my elect.’

14 From the beginning, and before the world, I was created. And even unto the future world, I will not cease to exist. For I have ministered before him in the holy habitation.

15 And in this way, I was established in Zion. And likewise, in the holy city, I found rest. And my authority was in Jerusalem.

16 And I took root among an honorable people, within the portion of my God, within his inheritance. And so my abode is in the full assembly of the saints.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ You were found to be the Mother of the Savior with your chastity untouched:

* He who rules heaven and earth enclosed himself in your womb, made man.

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

℟ He who rules heaven and earth enclosed himself in your womb, made man.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Sir 24:17-23

17 I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon and like a cypress on Mount Zion.

18 I was exalted like a palm tree in Kadesh and like a rose bush in Jericho.

19 I was exalted like a beautiful olive tree in the plains, and like a sycamore tree beside the waters along a wide road.

20 I gave off an aromatic fragrance like cinnamon or balsam. I produced a sweet odor like the best myrrh.

21 And I perfumed my dwelling place with sweet gum, and aromatic resin, and flower petals, and aloe, as well as the finest cedar from Lebanon. And my fragrance is like undiluted balsam.

22 I have extended my branches like a terebinth tree, and my branches are of honor and grace.

23 Like the vine, I have born the fruit of a sweet fragrance.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.

* You have been made beautiful and sweet in your delights, holy Mother of God.

℣ May all who celebrate your holy Motherhood experience your help.

℟ You have been made beautiful and sweet in your delights, holy Mother of God.

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

℟ You have been made beautiful and sweet in your delights, holy Mother of God.

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 Leo, Pope

Sermon 1 on the Nativity of the Lord

A royal Virgin of the lineage of David was chosen, who, destined to bear a sacred burden, was first to conceive in her mind, before her body, the offspring both divine and human; and lest, unaware of the heavenly counsel, she should be alarmed by the unaccustomed greeting, she learned through the angelic colloquy what was to be wrought in her by the Holy Spirit, and she who was soon to be the Mother of God did not believe that her purity would be harmed. For why should she despair at the novelty of the conception, when the power to accomplish it was promised to her from the Most High? The faith of the believing one is also confirmed by the testimony of a preceding miracle. Elizabeth is given an unexpected fruitfulness, so that he who had granted conception to a barren woman would undoubtedly also grant it to a Virgin. The Word therefore, the Son of God, who was in the beginning with God, through whom all things were made, and without whom nothing was made, became man for the liberation of man from eternal death.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Let us devoutly recall the most worthy Motherhood of the glorious Virgin Mary:

* Whose lowliness the Lord regarded, who at the angel's announcement conceived the Savior of the world.

℣ Let us sing glory to Christ in this holy solemnity of the wondrous Mother of God.

℟ Whose lowliness the Lord regarded, who at the angel's announcement conceived the Savior of the world.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

Sermon 2 on the Nativity of the Lord

Jesus Christ our Lord enters these lowly things, descending from his heavenly seat without departing from his Father's glory, born by a new order and a new birth. By a new order: because, invisible in his own, he was made visible in ours; incomprehensible, he willed to be comprehended; remaining before all ages, he began to exist in time. By a new birth was he begotten: conceived of a Virgin, born of a Virgin, without the concupiscence of paternal flesh, without injury to the integrity of the mother; because such a birth befitted the future Savior of men, who should have in himself the nature of human substance, and yet be ignorant of the stains of human flesh. The origin is unlike, but the nature is alike; what we believe has no precedent in human practice and custom, but it is undergirded by divine power: that a Virgin conceived, that a Virgin gave birth, that a Virgin remained.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed are you, daughter, by the Lord, for through you we have shared in the fruit of life:

* You alone without equal have found favor with our Lord Jesus Christ.

℣ Do not despise our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O holy Mother of God.

℟ You alone without equal have found favor with our Lord Jesus Christ.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

From the Acts of Pope Pius XI

In 1931, to the acclaim of the whole Catholic world, solemn celebrations marked the completion of fifteen centuries since the Fathers at the Council of Ephesus, led by Pope Celestine, had proclaimed the blessed Virgin Mary, of whom Jesus was born, Mother of God against the heresy of Nestorius. Pope Pius XI wished to perpetuate the memory of this most joyful event with a lasting testimony of his devotion. Accordingly, through his generosity he arranged for the successful restoration, together with the transept of the basilica, of the noble monument to the proclamation of Ephesus already standing in Rome: the triumphal arch in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on the Esquiline, adorned with marvelous mosaic work by his predecessor Sixtus III and falling into decay through the ravages of time. In an encyclical letter, after describing the authentic features of the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus, he devoutly and amply explained the ineffable privilege of the divine motherhood of the blessed Virgin Mary, so that the teaching of so sublime a mystery might take deeper root in the hearts of the faithful. At the same time he presented Mary, Mother of God, blessed among all women, and the Family of Nazareth as the noblest model, above all others, for imitation both in the dignity and holiness of chaste marriage and in the holy education of the young. Finally, so that a liturgical memorial should also be provided, he ordered that the feast of the divine motherhood of the blessed Virgin Mary, with its proper Mass and Office, be celebrated annually by the universal Church on October 11 as a double of the second class.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

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

* How does this come to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?

℣ He has looked upon the lowliness of his handmaid, and he who is mighty has done great things for me.

℟ How does this come to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?

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

℟ How does this come to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?

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 2:43-51

In that time: when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this. Et cetera.

A Homily of Saint Bernard the Abbot.

Homily 1 in Praise of the Virgin Mother

Mary calls God and the Lord of Angels her Son, saying: Son, why have you done this to us? Which of the Angels would dare this? It suffices them, and they count it a great thing, that whereas they are spirits by nature, they have been made and called Angels by grace, as David attests: Who makes his angels spirits. But Mary, recognizing herself as his mother, names with confidence as her Son that Majesty whom they serve with reverence; nor does God disdain to be called what he deigned to be. For shortly afterward the Evangelist adds: And he was subject to them. Who? To whom? God to human beings? God, I say, to whom the Angels are subject, whom Principalities and Powers obey — was subject to Mary.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

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

* Therefore God has blessed you for ever.

℣ Grace has been poured upon your lips: intercede for us to the Lord our God.

℟ Therefore God has blessed you for ever.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

Admire whichever you will, and choose what you admire the more — whether the most gracious condescension of the Son, or the most excellent dignity of the Mother. In both there is wonder, in both there is miracle. And that God should obey a woman is a humility without example; and that a woman should rule over God is an exaltedness without equal. In praise of virgins it is sung in a singular way that they follow the Lamb wherever he goes. With what praises, then, do you judge her worthy who even goes before him? Learn, O man, to obey; learn, O earth, to be subject; learn, O dust, to comply. When speaking of your Creator, the Evangelist says: And he was subject to them. Be ashamed, O proud one who is but ashes! God humbles himself, and you exalt yourself? God submits himself to men, and you, eagerly desiring to rule over men, set yourself above your Creator?

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

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

* And from my 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.

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

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

Happy Mary, in whom neither humility was wanting, nor virginity! A singular virginity indeed, which fruitfulness did not violate but rather honored. And likewise a special humility, which fecund virginity did not take away but rather exalted: and an altogether incomparable fruitfulness, which virginity and humility accompany together. Which of these is not admirable? Which is not incomparable? Which is not singular? It is truly wonderful, if you do not hesitate, when weighing these things, as to which you judge more worthy of admiration—whether, that is, fruitfulness in the Virgin is more to be marveled at, or integrity in the Mother; majesty in the offspring, or humility together with such majesty—unless it be that all of these together are undoubtedly to be preferred to each one singly, and it is incomparably more excellent and more blessed to have received all than any one. And why wonder, if God, who is seen and declared wonderful in his Saints, showed himself more wonderful in his Mother? Let married persons therefore reverence, in corruptible flesh, the integrity of the flesh; let you, consecrated virgins, reverence fruitfulness in the Virgin. Let all people imitate the humility of the Mother of God.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

Te Deum

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

Eternal Father, * all the earth reveres you.

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

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

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

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

The glorious choir of Apostles * sings to you,

the noble company of Prophets * praises you,

the white-robed army of Martyrs * glorifies you.

Holy Church throughout the earth * proclaims you,

the Father * of boundless majesty;

your true and only Son, * worthy of adoration;

and the Holy Spirit, * the Paraclete.

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

You are * the Father's everlasting Son.

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

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

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

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

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

Number them * among your Saints in eternal glory.

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

Shepherd them * and raise them to eternal life.

Day by day * we bless you,

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

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

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

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

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

The rest is omitted unless Lauds is said separately.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

Let us pray.

O God, who willed that your Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the announcement of the Angel: grant to your suppliants that we, who truly believe her to be the Mother of God, may be aided by her intercession before you.

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

℟ Amen.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

℣ Let us bless the Lord.

℟ Thanks be to God.

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

℟ Amen.