*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.

 

WEDNESDAY

Morning Prayer

God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

HYMN

O Mary of all women,you are the chosen one,Who, ancient prophets promised,would bear God’s only Son;All Hebrew generationsprepared the way to thee,That in your womb the God-manmight come to set man free.

O Mary, you embodyall God taught to our race,For you are first and foremostin fullness of his grace;We praise this wondrous honorthat you gave birth to HimWho from you took his manhoodand saved us from our sin.

Melody: Au fort de ma detresse 76.76.DMusic: 17th Century Flemish MelodyText: Michael Gannon

 

Or:

I bow before you, Virgin of virgins,resting-place of the divine Bridegroom,temple of eternal Wisdom,sanctuary of the Holy Spirit,palace of the Blessed Trinity,Mother full of love and tenderness,fountain of beauty,wellspring of wonders,golden key of God’s kingdom,you are the admiration of angels,the joy of the human family.Who can ever do justice to your glory,to your Queenship of grace?

Eugenio Cantera (1880-1955)

 

PSALMODYAnt.1 Mary arose and went in haste into the hill country, to a town of Judah.

or: Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, for you carried the Creator of the world in your womb.

Psalm 108Praise of God and a plea for helpSince the Son of God has been exalted above the heavens, his glory is proclaimed through all the earth (Arnobius)

 

My heart is ready, O God;I will sing, sing your praise.Awake, my soul;awake, lyre and harp,I will awake the dawn.

I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,among the nations I will praise you,for your love reaches to the heavensand your truth to the skies.O God, arise above the heavens;may your glory shine on earth!

O come and deliver your friends;help with your right hand and reply.From his holy place God has made this promise;I will triumph and divide the land of Shechem,

But who will lead me to conquer the fortress?Who will bring me face to face with Edom?Will you utterly reject us, O God,and no longer march with our armies?

Give us help against the foe,for the help of man is vain.With God we shall do bravelyand he will trample down our foes.

Morning by morning I will silenceall the wicked in the land,uprooting from the city of the Lordall who do evil.

Ant. 2 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant in her womb leaped for joy, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.

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

 

Canticle                                                      Isaiah 61:10-62:5The prophet's joy in the vision of a new Jerusalem.I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, with the beauty of a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2).

 

I rejoice heartily in the LORD,in my God is the joy of my soul;for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation,and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

As the earth brings forth its plants,and a garden makes its growth spring up,so will the Lord GOD make justice and praisespring up before all the nations.

For Zion's sake I will not be silent,for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet,until her vindication shines forth like the dawnand her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication,and all kings your glory;you shall be called by a new namepronounced by the mouth of the Lord.You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord,a royal diadem held by your God.

No more shall men call you "Forsaken,"or your land "Desolate,"but you shall be called "My delight,"and your land "Espoused."For the Lord delights in you,and makes your land his spouse.

As a young man marries a virgin,your Builder shall marry you;and as a bridegroom rejoices in his brideso shall your God rejoice in you.

Ant. 3: Blessed are you, Mary, because you believed that the Lord's words to you would be fulfilled.

Or: We share the fruit of life through you, O daughter blessed by the Lord.

Psalm 144:1-10Prayer for victory and peaceI can do all things in him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

 

Blessed be the Lord, my rock,who trains my arms for battle,who prepares my hands for war.

He is my love, my fortress;he is my stronghold, my saviormy shield, my place of refuge.He brings peoples under my rule.

Lord, what is man that you care for him,mortal man, that your keep him in mind;man, who is merely a breathwhose life fades like a passing shadow?

Lower your heavens and come down;touch the mountains; wreathe them in smoke.Flash your lightnings; rout the foe,shoot your arrows and put them to flight.

Reach down from heaven and save me;draw me out from the mighty waters,from the hands of alien foeswhose mouths are filled with lies,whose hands are raised in perjury.

To you, O God, will I sing a new song;I will play on the ten-stringed harpto you who give kings their victory,who set David your servant free.

FIRST READING                                                      Joel 2:27-3:1a

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel;  I am the Lord, your God, and there is no other;  my people shall nevermore be put to shame.Then afterward I will pour out  my spirit upon all mankind.Your sons and daughters shall prophesy.

Or                                                       Song of Songs 2:8-14

Hark! my lover - here he comes  springing across the mountains,  leaping across the hills.

My lover is like a gazelle  or a young stag.Here he stands behind our wall,  gazing through the windows,  peering through the lattices.My lover speaks; he says to me,  "Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,  and come!

"For see, the winter is past,  the rains are over and gone.The flowers appear on the earth,  the time of pruning the vines has come,  and the song of the dove is heard in our land.The fig tree puts forth its figs,  and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance.Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one,  and come!

"O my dove in the clefts of the rock,  in the secret recesses of the cliff,Let me see you,  let me hear your voice,For your voice is sweet,  and you are lovely."

SECOND READING

From a Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Mater of Pope John Paul II(Number 36, 25 March 1987)

The whole salvific economy is concentrated in the Mother of Christ.

 

When Elizabeth greeted her young kinswoman coming from Nazareth, Mary replied with the Magnificat. In her greeting, Elizabeth first called Mary "blessed" because of "the fruit of her womb," and then she called her "blessed" because of her faith. These two blessings referred directly to the Annunciation. Now at the Visitation, when Elizabeth's greeting bears witness to that culminating moment, Mary's faith acquires a new consciousness and a new expression. That which remained hidden in the depths of the "obedience of faith" at the Annunciation can now be said to spring froth like a clear and life-giving flame of the spirit.

The words used by Mary on the threshold of Elizabeth's house are an inspired profession of her faith, in which her response to the revealed word is expressed with the religious and poetical exultation of her whole being towards God. In these sublime words, which are simultaneously very simple and wholly inspired by the sacred texts of the people of Israel, Mary's personal experience, the ecstasy of her heart, shines forth. In them shines a ray of the mystery of God, the glory of his ineffable holiness, the eternal love which, as an irrevocable gift, enters into human history.

Mary is the first to share in this new revelation of God and within the same, in this new "self-giving" of God. Therefore she proclaims" "For he who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name." Her words reflect a joy of spirit which is difficult to express: "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Indeed, "the deepest truth about God and the salvation of man is made clear to us in Christ, who is at the same time the mediator and the fullness of all revelation."  

In her exultation Mary confesses that she finds herself in the very heart of this fullness of Christ. She is conscious that the promise made to the fathers, first of all "to Abraham and to his posterity for ever," is being fulfilled in herself. She is thus aware that concentrated within herself as the Mother of Christ is the whole salvific economy, in which "from age to age" is manifested he who, as the God of the Covenant, "remembers his mercy."

RESPONSORYThe Lord has chosen her, his loved one from the beginning. - The Lord has chosen her, his loved one from the beginning.He has taken her to live with him, - his loved one from the beginning.Glory to the Father... - The Lord has chosen her, his loved one from the beginning.

Or:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. - The Lord is with you.Glory to the Father... - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

 

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH                                                       Luke 1:68-79Ant. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she cried out and said: Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

 

The Messiah and his forerunner

 

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior,born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old,  that he would save us from our enemies,  from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,to set us free from the hands of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvationby the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our Godthe dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us glorify our Savior, who chose the Virgin Mary for his mother. Let us ask him:

May your mother intercede for us, Lord.

 

Son of Justice, the immaculate Virgin was the white dawn announcing your rising. – grant that we may always live in the light of your coming.

Lord, help us imitate Mary, your mother, who chose the best part, - may we seek the food that will sustain us for ever.

Savior of the world, by your redeeming might you preserved your mother before-hand from all stain of sin, - keep watch over us, lest we sin.

You are our redeemer, who made the immaculate Virgin Mary your purest home and the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, - make us temples of your Spirit for ever.

 

Our Father…

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Eternal Father,you inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of your Son,to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need.Keep us open to the working of your Spirit,and with Mary may we praise you for ever.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.

*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.

 

WEDNESDAY

Evening Prayer

God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

HYMN

What joy,what happiness there is in heaven!

The shoot from the root of Jesse,sown so long agoin the time of the patriarchs,has today sprung up and begun to grow.It will bear a Flowerwhich is destined to heal the world,a Flower whose scent revives the dead,whose taste heals the sick,and whose beauty delights the angels -a white and red Flowerwhich angels long to see.

when his Son comes at the end of time to greet us.

 

Thomas of Villanova (1487-1555)

 

 

Or:

Look upon Mary, my beloved,how, when Gabriel entered in to herand she spoke with him words of enquiry:"How shall these things be?"and the minister of the Spirit gave replyto Mary and said: "It is easy for God,all things are simple for him" -how she held it true when she heard, and said:"Behold, his handmaid am I."

Therefore he came down, in a manner he knows,he stirred and came in a way that pleased him,he entered and dwelt in her without her perceiving,she received him, suffering nothing.He was in her womb like a babe,yet the whole world was full of him.Of his love he came down to renewthe image of Adam grown old.

St. Ephrem (c. 306-373)

 

Or:

Ave Maria gratia plena,Dominus tecum,benedicta tu in mulieribus,et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesu.Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,ora pro nobis peccatoribus,nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Melody: Ave Maria, Gregorian Mode IMusic: Traditional, GregorianText: Traditional

 

PSALMODYAnt 1: Mary entered the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth

Or: Blessed are you, O Mary, for the world's salvation came forth through you. Now in glory, you rejoice forever with the Lord.

Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24God sees all that isWho has known the mind of God, who has been his counselor? (Romans 11:34).

I

O Lord, you search me and you know me,you know my resting and my rising,you discern my purpose from afar.You mark when I walk or lie down,all my ways lie open to you.

Before ever a word is on my tongueyou know it, O Lord, through and through.Behind and before you besiege me,your hand ever laid upon me.Too wonderful for me this knowledge,too high, beyond my reach.

O where can I go from your spirit,or where can I flee from your face?If I climb the heavens, you are there.If I lie in the grave, you are there.

If I take the wings of the dawnand dwell at the sea's furthest end,even there your hand would lead me,your right hand would hold me fast.

If I say: Let the darkness hide meand the light around me be night,"even darkness is not dark for youand the night is as clear as the day.

Ant. 2 When your greeting sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Or: The Lord God Most High has blessed you, Virgin Mary, above all the women of the earth.

II

For it was you who created my being,knit me together in my mother's womb.I thank you for the wonder of my being,for the wonders of all your creation.

Already you knew my soulmy body held no secret from youwhen I was being fashioned in secretand molded in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw all my actions,they were all of them written in your book;every one of my days was decreedbefore one of them came into being.

To me, how mysterious your thoughts,the sum of them not to be numbered!If I count them, they are more than the sand;to finish, I must be eternal, like you.

O search me, God, and know my heart.O test me and know my thoughts.See that I follow not the wrong pathand lead me in the path of life eternal.

Ant 3: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Or: Sinless Virgin, let us follow joyfully in your footsteps; draw us after you in the fragrance of your holiness.

Canticle                                                      Colossians 1:12-20Christ the first-born of all creationand the first-born from the dead

Let us give thanks to the Fatherfor having made you worthyto share the lot of the saintsin light.

He rescued usfrom the power of darknessand brought usinto the kingdom of his beloved Son.Through him we have redemption,the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,the first-born of all creatures.In him everything in heaven and on earth was created,things visible and invisible.

All were created through him;all were created for him.He is before all else that is.In him everything continues in being.

It is he who is head of the body, the church;he who is the beginning,the first-born of the dead,so that primacy may be his in everything.

It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in himand, by means of him, to reconcile everything in his person,both on earth and in the heavens,making peace through the blood of his cross.

FIRST READING                                                       1 Peter 5:5b-7

Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:

  "God opposes the proud    but bestows favor on the humble."

So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.  Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

OR                                                      Colossians 3:12-17

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

SECOND READING

From a homily by St. Bede the Venerable, priest(Lib 1, 4: CCL 122, 23-26,30)

Mary proclaims the greatness of the Lord working in her

 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior. With these words Mary first acknowledges the special gifts she has been given. Then she recalls God's universal favors, bestowed unceasingly on the human race.When a man devotes all his thoughts to the praise and service of the Lord, he proclaims God's greatness. His observance of God's commands, moreover, shows that he has God's power and greatness always at heart. His spirit rejoices in God his savior and delights in the mere recollection of his creator who gives him hope for eternal salvation.These words are often for all God's creations, but especially for the Mother of God. She alone was chosen, and she burned with spiritual love for the son she so joyously conceived. Above all other saints, she alone could truly rejoice in Jesus, her savior, for she knew that he who was the source of eternal salvation would be born in time in her body, in one person both her own son and her Lord.For the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. Mary attributes nothing to her own merits. She refers all her greatness to the gift of the one whose essence is power and whose nature is greatness, for he fills with greatness and strength the small and the weak who believe in him.She did well to add: and holy is his name, to warn those who heard, and indeed all who would receive his words, that they must believe and call upon his name. For they too could share in everlasting holiness and true salvation according to the words of the prophet: and it will come to pass, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This is the name she spoke of earlier: and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.Therefore it is an excellent and fruitful custom of holy Church that we should sing Mary's hymn at the time of Evening Prayer. By meditating upon the incarnation, our devotion is kindled, and by remembering the example of God's Mother, we are encouraged to lead a life of virtue. Such virtues are best achieved in the evening. We are weary after the day's work and worn out by our distractions. The time for rest is near, and our minds are ready for contemplation.

RESPONSORYHail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.- Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.- The Lord is with you.Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit- Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Or:

Happy are you who have believed,because the Lord's promises will be accomplished in you.And Mary said: - My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.

Come, and listen,and I will tell what great things Godhas accomplished for me. - My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.

CANTICLE OF MARY                                                      Luke 1:46-55Ant: All generations will call me blessed; the Lord has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

My soul rejoices in the Lord.

 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear himin every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,for he has remembered his promise of mercy,The promise he made to our fathers,to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us praise God our Almighty Father, who wished that Mary, his Son's mother, be celebrated by each generation. Now in need we ask:

Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.

O God, worker of miracles, you made the Immaculate Virgin Mary share body and soul in your Son's glory in heaven,  -  direct the hearts of your children to that same glory.Lord, make your Church one in mind and heart, united in your love,  -  and keep Christians united in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus.You made Mary the mother of mercy,  -  may all who are faced with trials feel her motherly love.You wished Mary to be the mother of the family in the home of Jesus and Joseph,  -  may all mothers of families foster love and holiness through her intercession.You crowned Mary queen of heaven,  -  may all the dead rejoice in your kingdom with the saints for ever.

Our Father…

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Eternal Father,you inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of your Son,to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need.Keep us open to the working of your Spirit,and with Mary may we praise you for ever.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.

*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.

 

THURSDAY

Morning Prayer

God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

HYMN

Virgin-born, we bow before you:Blessed was the womb that bore you;Mary, Mother meek and mild,Blessed was she in her Child.Blessed was the breast that fed you;Blessed was the hand that led you;Blessed was the other's eyeWatching o'er your infancy.

Blessed she by all creation,Who brought forth the world's salvation.Blessed they who ever blest,Love you most and serve you best.Virgin-born, we bow before you;Blessed was the womb that bore you;Mary, Mother meek and mild,Blessed was she in her Child.

Melody: Mon Dieu, Prete Moi L'Orielle 88-77D (Genevan Psalm 86)Music: German Psalter, 1543Text: R. Heber, 1783-1826, alt.

 

Or:

Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God,I come before you, unworthy as I am,to renew our total dedication to you.Be now and for ever our Mother,our advocate and our protector;rule over us as our sovereign Lady,keep us from falling,but if we do fallhelp us to rise again without delay.Show yourself as Mother of God,to whom all sinners have been entrusted:be our patroness and theirswith your loving Son.

Jean Joseph du Vieux Chatel (1724-1797)

 

PSALMODYAnt.1 Tell us, shepherds, what have you seen? Who has appeared on earth? We have seen a newborn infant and a choir of angels praising the Lord.

or: O Mother, how pure you are, you are untouched by sin; yours was the privilege to carry God within you.

 

Psalm 143:1-11Prayer in distressA man is not justified by observance of the law but only through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16)

Lord, listen to my prayer:turn your ear to my appeal.You are faithful, you are just; give answer.Do not call your servant to judgmentfor no one is just in your sight.

The enemy pursues my soul;he has crushed my life to the ground;he has made me dwell in darknesslike the dead, long forgotten.Therefore my spirit fails;my heart is numb within me.

I remember the days that are past:I ponder all your works.I muse on what your hand has wroughtand to you I stretch out my hands.Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.

Lord, make haste and answer;for my spirit fails within me.Do not hide your facelest I become like those in the grave.

In the morning let me know your lovefor I put my trust in you.Make me know the way I should walk:to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies;I have fled to you for refuge.Teach me to do your willfor you, O Lord, are my God.Let your good spirit guide mein ways that are level and smooth.

For your name's sake, Lord, save my life;in your justice save my soul from distress.

Ant. 2 The angel said to the shepherds: I proclaim to you a great joy: today the Savior of the world is born for you.

Or: You are the glory of Jerusalem, the joy of Israel; you are the fairest honor of our race.

 

Canticle                                                      Isaiah 66:10-14aJoys of heavenThe heavenly Jerusalem is a free woman and our mother (Galatians 4:26)

 

Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,all you who love her;Exult, exult with her,all you who were mourning over her!

Oh, that you may suck fullyof the milk of her comfort,That you may nurse with delightat her abundant breasts!

For thus says the LORD:Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river,and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.

As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,and fondled in her lap;As a mother comforts her son,so will I comfort you;in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

When you see this, your heart shall rejoice,and your bodies flourish like the grass.

Ant. 3: A little child is born for us today; little and yet called the mighty God.

Or: O Virgin Mary, how great your cause for joy; God found you worthy to bear Christ our Savior.

Psalm 147:1-11The loving kindness of God who can do all he willsYou are God: we praise you; you are the Lord: we acclaim you.

 

Praise the Lord for he is good;sing to our God for he is loving:to him our praise is due.

The Lord builds up Jerusalemand brings back Israel's exiles,he heals the broken-hearted,he binds up all their wounds.He fixes the number of the stars;he calls each one by its name.

Our Lord is great and almighty;his wisdom can never be measured.The Lord raises the lowly;he humbles the wicked to the dust.O sing to the Lord giving thanks;sing psalms to our God with the harp.

He covers the heavens with clouds;he prepares the rain for the earth,making mountains sprout with grassand with plants to serve man's needs.He provides the beasts with their foodand young ravens that call upon him.

His delight is not in horsesnor his pleasure in warriors' strength.The Lord delights in those who revere him,in those who wait for his love.

FIRST READING                                                      Hebrews 1:1-2

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe,

Or                                                       Titus 2:11-12

For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.

Or                                                       Song of Songs 6:9-10

One alone is my dove, my perfect one,  her mother's chosen,  the dear one of her parent.The daughters saw her and declared her fortunate,  the queens and concubines, and they sang her praises;

Who is this that comes forth like the dawn,  as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun,  as awe-inspiring as bannered troops?

SECOND READING

From a sermon by St. Thomas of Villanova, bishop(Sermon on the birth of Mary II,7-9)

Mother of her own Creator!

 

What a marvelous woman, to be the mother of her own Creator! What an amazing distinction for a woman, to have a Son in common with God. The Father loves his Son; the Mother rejoices in her Son. The Father tells his Son: from the womb, before the morning star, I begot you; the Mother says to her same Son: From the womb, I, a virgin, brought you into the world.

She is amazed at her own glory, nor can she herself understand her elevation, for by the very fact of being made mother of the Creator she became with the best right mistress and queen of all creation. Truly, Mary he that is mighty, has done great things for you; truly because he made you his own mother, all generations of the ages will call you blessed.

RESPONSORYHow blessed are you, Virgin Mary,for you carried within you the Lord, the Creator of the world. - Mother of your Maker, you remain a virgin for ever.Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. - Mother of your Maker, you remain a virgin for ever.

Or:

For our sake, the King of heaven chose to be born of his virgin mother,to reclaim lost men for the heavenly kingdom - All the angels cry aloud with joy,for God has come himself to save mankind.Glory to God in the highest,and peace to his people on earth. - All the angels cry aloud with joy,for God has come himself to save mankind.

 

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH                                                       Luke 1:68-79Ant. Blessed are you, Mary, because you believed that the Lord's words to you would be fulfilled.

 

The Messiah and his forerunner

 

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior,born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old,  that he would save us from our enemies,  from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,to set us free from the hands of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvationby the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our Godthe dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen.

INTERCESSIONS

The Word of God existed before the creation of the universe yet was born among us in time. We praise and worship him as we cry out in joy.  

Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come!

 

You are the eternal Word of God who flooded the world with joy at your birth,- fill us with joy by the continuous gift of your life.

You saved us and by your birth revealed to us the covenant faithfulness of the Lord,- help us to be faithful to the promises of our baptism.

You are the King of heaven and earth who sent messengers to announce peace to all,- let our lives be filled with your peace.

You are the true vine that brings forth the fruit of life,- make us branches of the vine bearing much fruit.

Our Father…

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Father,we are filled with the new lightby the coming of your Word among us.May the light of faithshine in our words and actions.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

 

Alternative Prayer

 

Almighty God and Father of light,a child is born for us and a son is given to us.Your eternal Word leaped down from heavenin the silent watches of the night,and now your church is filled with wonderat the nearness of her God.Open our hearts to receive his lifeand increase our vision with the rising of dawn,that our lives may be filled with his glory and his peace,who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.

*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.

 

THURSDAY

Evening Prayer

God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

HYMN

What Child is this who, laid to restOn Mary’s lap is sleeping?Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,While shepherds watch are keeping?This, this is Christ the King,Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,Where ox and ass are feeding?Good Christians, fear, for sinners hereThe silent Word is pleading.Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,The cross be borne for me, for you.Hail, hail the Word made flesh,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,Come peasant, king to own Him;The King of kings salvation brings,Let loving hearts enthrone Him.Raise, raise a song on high,The virgin sings her lullaby.Joy, joy for Christ is born,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Melody: Greensleeves 87.87.58.67Music: 16th Century English MelodyText: William Chatterton Dix, 1837-1898

 

 

Or:

Rejoice, mother and heaven,maiden and cloud, virgin and throne,the boast and foundation of our Church.Plead earnestly for usthat through youwe may obtain mercy on the Day of Judgmentand attain the good things reservedfor those who love God,through the grace and love our Lord Jesus Christ,to whom with the Father and the Holy Spiritbe glory, power, and honornow and for ever and for all eternity. Amen.

Saint John Chrysostom (344/354-407)

 

PSALMODYAnt 1: You have been endowed from your birth with princely gifts; in eternal splendor, before the dawn of light on earth, I have begotten you.

Or: Mary received a blessing from the Lord and loving kindness from God her savior.

Psalm 144Prayer for victory and peaceChrist learned the art of warfare when he overcame the world, as he said: "I have overcome the world" (Saint Hilary)

I

Blessed be the Lord, my rock,who trains my arms for battle,who prepares my hands for war.

He is my love, my fortress;he is my stronghold, my saviormy shield, my place of refuge.He brings peoples under my rule.

Lord, what is man that you care for him,mortal man, that your keep him in mind;man, who is merely a breathwhose life fades like a passing shadow?

Lower your heavens and come down;touch the mountains; wreathe them in smoke.Flash your lightnings; rout the foe,shoot your arrows and put them to flight.

Reach down from heaven and save me;draw me out from the mighty waters,from the hands of alien foeswhose mouths are filled with lies,whose hands are raised in perjury.

Ant. 2 With the Lord is unfailing love; great is his power to save.

Or: The Most High has made his dwelling place a holy temple.

II

To you, O God, will I sing a new song;I will play on the ten-stringed harpto you who give kings their victory,who set David your servant free.

You set him free from the evil sword;you rescued him from alien foeswhose mouths were filled with lies,whose hands were raised in perjury.

Let our sons then flourish like saplingsgrown tall and strong from their youth,our daughters graceful as columns,adorned as though for a palace.

 

Let our barns be filled to overflowingwith crops of every kind;our sheep increasing by thousands,myriads of sheep in our fields,our cattle heavy with young,

no ruined wall, no exile,no sound of weeping in our streets.Happy the people with such blessings;happy the people whose God is the Lord.

Ant 3: In the beginning, before time began, the Word was God; today he is born, the Savior of the world.

Or: Glorious things are said of you, O Virgin Mary.

Canticle                                                      Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12aThe judgment of God

We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,Who is and who was.You have assumed your great power,You have begun your reign.

The nations have raged in anger,But then came your day of wrathAnd the moment to judge the dead:The time to reward your servants the prophetsAnd the holy ones who revere you,The great and the small alike.

Now have salvation and power come,The reign of our God and the authorityOf his Anointed One,For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,Who night and day accused them before God.

They defeated him by the blood of the LambAnd by the word of their testimony;Love for life did not deter them from death.So rejoice, you heavens,And you that dwell therein!

FIRST READING                                                       Galatians 4:4-5

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption.

OR                                                      1 John 3:1-8

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.  

Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.  You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.  No one who remains in him sins; no one who sins has seen him or known him.  Children, let no one deceive you. The person who acts in righteousness is righteous, just as he is righteous.  Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning. Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil.

SECOND READING

From a homily by St. John Chrysostom , bishop(Orientalia Christiana, vol. 32 [1966])

The birth of Mary's Son

 

Believe what we say about the Virgin, and do not hesitate to confess her to be both servant and Mother of God, both virgin and mother. She is a servant as the creature of him who was born of her; she is the Mother of God inasmuch as of her God was born in human flesh. She is a virgin because she did not conceive from the seed of man; she is a mother because she gave birth and became the mother of him who before all eternity was begotten of the Father.

She is therefore the mother of the Lord of angels and our mother; from her the Son of God received the human body in which he consented to be crucified. Do you desire to know how far the Virgin surpasses the power of heaven? Give me your attention then. They veil their faces as they hover in fear and trembling, but she offers the human race to God, and through her we receive the forgiveness of our sins. She bore him whom the angels glorified when they came with reverence to be present at his birth. Glory to God in the highest, they sang, and peace to his people on earth.

RESPONSORYAfter the birth of your Son, you remained a virgin.- After the birth of your Son, you remained a virgin.Mother of God, intercede for us;- you remained a virgin.Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit- After the birth of your Son, you remained a virgin.

Or:

I shall glorify you, Lord, for you have rescued me.- I shall glorify you, Lord, for you have rescued me.You have not let my enemies rejoice over me- for you have rescued me.Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit- I shall glorify you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

 

CANTICLE OF MARY                                                      Luke 1:46-55Ant: Christ the Lord is born today; today the Savior has appeared. Earth echoes songs of angel choirs, archangels' joyful praise. Today on earth his friends exult: Glory to God in the highest.

My soul rejoices in the Lord.

 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear himin every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,for he has remembered his promise of mercy,The promise he made to our fathers,to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

INTERCESSIONS

At the birth of Jesus, angels proclaimed peace to the world.We worship him now with joy, and we pray with hearts full of faith:

May your birth bring peace to all.

 

Lord, fill your holy people with whatever good they need,- let the mystery of your birth be the source of our peace.

You came as chief shepherd and guardian of our lives,- let the pope and bishops be faithful channels of your many gifts of grace.

King from all eternity, you desired to be born within timeand to experience the day-to-day life of men and women,- share your gift of unending life with us, weak people doomed to death.

Awaited from the beginning of the world, you came only in the fullness of time,-now reveal your presence to those who are expecting you.

You became one of us and gave new life to our human condition in the grip of death,-now give the fullness of life to all who have died.

Our Father…

 

CONCLUDING PRAYERLord God,we praise you for creating us,and still more for restoring us in Christ.Your Son shared our weakness;may we share his glory,for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Alternative Prayer

 

God of love, Father of all,the darkness that covered the earthhas given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh.Make us a people of this light.Make us faithful to your Word,that we may bring your life to the waiting world.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.

*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.

 

FRIDAY

Morning Prayer

God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

HYMN

The God whom earth and sea and skyAdore and praise and magnify,Whose might they own, whose praise they tell,In Mary's body deigned to dwell.

O Mother blest! the chosen shrineWhere in the Architect divine,Whose hand contains the earth and sky,Vouchsafed in hidden guise to lie.

Blest in the message Gabriel brought;Blest in the work the Spirit wrought;More blest, to bring to human birthThe long desired of all the earth.

O Lord, the Virgin born, to theeEternal praise and glory be,Whom with the Father we adoreAnd Holy Ghost for evermore.

Melody: Eisenach L.M.Music: Johan H. Schein, 1586-1630Text: Venantius Fortunatus 530-609Translator: J.M. Neale, 1818-1866

 

Or:

Virgin of virgins,I choose you todayas my sovereign, my queen, my empress,and I declare myself, as I am in fact,your servant and your slave.

I invoke your royal name of Mary,that is, sovereign Lady,and beg of you with all my heartto admit me into the privileged circleof your familyas one of your servants,to do your willas a humble slave and a loving child.

As a sign of your acceptanceengrave on my heartwith the fire of your love,not the brand of an unwilling slave,but those two gracious words of the angel:Ave Maria.

As long as I draw breathmay your burning love ensurethat I bear these wordsin my heart and in my memory,and that until my dying breathmy will may be always on firewith my great desire to serve you,my sovereign and my queen,glorious in your majesty.

Though I am in every way unworthyof so honorable a title,I resolve sincerely to be your slave,to serve you wholeheartedly,to protect your name,and that of your Son,against every insult,as far as it may rest with me,and never to allow anyone in my chargeto offend your Son in any way.

By your tender love for your Son,by the glories you have receivedfrom the Most Holy Trinity,do not reject me from your servicebut as my sovereign and my queenpreside over all my actions,command whatever you will,direct all my work,remedy all its defects.

During my whole liferule over meas your servant and slave.At the hour of my death,as I hope forat the end of my loving servitudeamong the privileged members of your family,receive my soul and escort itinto the presence of God.

St Bartolome de Los Rios(1580-1652)

 

PSALMODYAnt.1 My soul clings to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

or: Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Christ.

Psalm 51O God, have mercy on meYour inmost being must be renewed, and you must put on the new man. (Eph 4:23-24)

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.In your compassion blot out my offense.O wash me more and more from my guiltand cleanse me from my sin.

My offenses truly I know them;my sin is always before meAgainst you, you alone, have I sinned;what is evil in your sight I have done.

That you may be justified when you give sentenceand be without reproach when you judge,O see, in guilt I was born,a sinner was I conceived.

Indeed you love truth in the heart;then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.O purify me, then I shall be clean;O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,that the bones you have crushed may thrill.From my sins turn away your faceand blot out all my guilt.

A pure heart create for me, O God,put a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me away from your presence,nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

Give me again the joy of your help;with a spirit of fervor sustain me,that I may teach transgressors your waysand sinners may return to you.

O rescue me, God, my helper,and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.O Lord, open my lipsand my mouth shall declare your praise.

For in sacrifice you take no delight,burnt offering from me you would refuse,my sacrifice, a contrite spirit,a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

In your goodness, show favor to Zion:rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,(burnt offerings wholly consumed),then you will be offered young bulls on your altar.

Ant. 2 Let us rejoice that we have been made sharers in Christ's passion.

Or: Holy Mother, on the cross Christ entrusted us to you as your children. Today we join with you in praising him.

 

Canticle                                                      Tobit 13:8-11,13-15Thanksgiving for the people's deliveranceHe showed me the holy city Jerusalem which shone with the glory of God (Revelation 21:10-11)

 

Let all men speak of the Lord’s majestyand sing his praises in Jerusalem

O Jerusalem, holy city,he scourged you for the works of your hands,but will again pity the children of the righteous.

Praise the Lord for his goodness,and bless the King of the ages,so that his tent may be rebuilt in you with joy.

May he gladden within you all who were captives;all who were ravaged may he cherish within youfor all generations to come.

A bright light will shine to all parts of the earth;many nations shall come to you from afar,and the inhabitants of all the limits of the earthdrawn to you by the name of the Lord God,bearing in their hands their gifts for the King ofheaven.

Every generation shall give joyful praise in you,and shall call you the chosen one,through all ages forever.

Go, then, rejoice over the children of the righteous,who shall be gathered togetherand shall bless the Lord of the ages.

Happy are those who love you,and happy those who rejoice in your prosperity.

Happy all the men who shall grieve over you,over all your chastisements.

for they shall rejoice in youas they behold all your joy forever.

My spirit blesses the Lord, the great King.

Ant. 3: It pleased the Father to reconcile all creation in himself through the blood of Christ.

Or: The Virgin Mary, crowned with a diadem of twelve stars, is exalted above the choirs of angels.

Psalm 147:12-20The restoration of JerusalemCome, I will show you the bride of the Lamb (Revelation 21:9)

 

O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!Zion praise your God!

He has strengthened the bars of your gateshe has blessed the children within you.He established peace on your borders,he feeds you with finest wheat.

He sends out his word to the earthand swiftly runs his command.He showers down snow white as wool,he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.

He hurls down hailstones like crumbs.The waters are frozen at his touch;he sends forth his word and it melts them:at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.

He makes his word known to Jacob,to Israel his laws and decrees.He has not dealt thus with other nations;he has not taught them his decrees.

FIRST READING                                                      Colossians 1:24-25

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God.

Or                                                       Proverbs 8:32-36;9:1-6,10-12

"So now, O children, listen to me;  instruction and wisdom do not reject!Happy the man who obeys me,  and happy those who keep my ways,Happy the man watching daily at my gates,  waiting at my doorposts;For he who finds me finds life,  and wins favor from the Lord;But he who misses me harms himself;  all who hate me love death."

Wisdom has built her house,  she has set up her seven columns;She has dressed her meat, mixed her wine,  yes, she has spread her table.She has sent out her maidens; she calls  from the heights out over the city:

"Let whoever is simple turn in here;  to him who lacks understanding, I say,Come, eat of my food,  and drink of the wine I have mixed!Forsake foolishness that you may live;  advance in the way of understanding.For by me your days will be multiplied  and the years of your life increased."

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord,  and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.If you are wise, it is to your own advantage;  and if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it.

SECOND READING

From a sermon by St. Laurence Justinian, bishop(Sermo 8, in festo Purificationis B.M.V.: Opera, 2, Venetiis 1751, 38-39)

Mary stored up all these things in her heart.

 

While Mary contemplated all she had come to know through reading, listening and observing, she grew in faith, increased in merits, and was more illuminated by wisdom and more consumed by the fire of charity. The heavenly mysteries were opened to her, and she was filled with joy; she became fruitful by the Spirit, was being directed toward God, and watched over protectively while on earth.

So remarkable are the divine graces that they elevate one from the lowest depths to the highest summit, and transform one to a greater holiness. How entirely blessed was the mind of the Virgin which, through the indwelling and guidance of the Spirit, was always and in every way open to the power of the Word of God. She was not led by her own senses, nor by her own will; thus she accomplished outwardly through her body what wisdom from within gave to her faith.

It was fitting for divine Wisdom, which created itself a home in the Church, to use the intervention of the most blessed Mary in guarding the law, purifying the mind, giving an example of humility and providing a spiritual sacrifice.

Imitate her, O faithful soul. Enter into the deep recesses of your heart so that you may be purified spiritually and cleansed from your sins. God places more value on good will in all we do than on the works themselves.

Therefore, whether we give ourselves to God in the work of contemplation or whether we serve the needs of our neighbor by good works, we accomplish these things because the love of Christ urges us on. The acceptable offering of the spiritual purification is accomplished not in a man-made temple but in the recesses of the heart where the Lord Jesus freely enters.

RESPONSORYThrough you we drink from the wellsprings of salvation, O Blessed Virgin Mary - Through you we drink from the wellsprings of salvation, O Blessed Virgin MaryFrom the sacred wounds of Christ, - O Blessed Virgin Mary.Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, - Through you we drink from the wellsprings of salvation, O Blessed Virgin Mary.

Or:

O Virgin Mary, no other daughter of Jerusalem is your equal,for you are the mother of the King of kings,you are the Queen of heaven and of angels. - Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the fruit of you womb.Hail, full of grace; the Lord is with you. - Blessed are you among women,and blessed is the fruit of you womb.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH                                                       Luke 1:68-79Ant. Rejoice, O sorrowful Mother; after your great sufferings, you shine forth as Queen, enthroned beside your son.

 

The Messiah and his forerunner

 

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior,born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old,  that he would save us from our enemies,  from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,to set us free from the hands of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvationby the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our Godthe dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us glorify our Savior, who chose the Virgin Mary for his mother. Let us ask him:

May your mother intercede for us, Lord.

Sun of Justice, the immaculate Virgin was the white dawn announcing your rising,- grant that we may always live in the light of your coming.Eternal Word, you chose Mary as the uncorrupted ark of your dwelling place,- free us from the corruption of sin.Savior of mankind, your mother stood at the foot of your cross,- grant, through her intercession, that we may rejoice to share in your passion.With ultimate generosity and love, you gave Mary as a mother to your beloved disciple,-help us to live as worthy sons of so noble a mother.

 

Our Father…

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Father,as your Son was raised on the cross,his mother Mary stood by him, sharing his sufferings.May your Church be united with Christin his suffering and deathand so come to share in his rising to new life,where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.

*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.

 

FRIDAY

Evening Prayer

God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

HYMN

Ye who own the faith of Jesus,sing the wonders that were donewhen the love of God the Fatherover sin the victory won,when he made the Virgin Marymother of his only Son.Hail Mary, full of grace.

Blessed were the chosen peopleout of whom the Lord did come;blessed was the land of promisefashioned for his earthly home;but more blessed far the mother,she who bare him in her womb.Hail Mary, full of grace.

Wherefore let all faithful peopletell the honor of her name;let the Church, in her foreshadowed,part in her thanksgiving claim;what Christ's mother sang in gladnesslet Christ's people sing the same.Hail Mary, full of grace.

Praise, O Mary, praise the Father,praise thy Savior and thy Son,praise the everlasting Spirit,who hath made thee ark and throneo'er all creatures high exalted,lowly praise the Three in One.Hail Mary, full of grace.

Melody: Den das Vaters Sinn geboren 87.87.876Music: J.A. Freilinghausen, 1670-1739Text: V.S.S. Coles, 1845-1929

 

 

Or:

The Spirit spread his wings over the Virgin's womb.She conceived and gave birth.And she became a virginal mother by great mercy.She conceived and gave birth to a son without pain,and there was a purpose for this.She did not ask for a midwife to aid her,because God saw to her delivery.Like a human being, she gave birth according to the will of God.Manifestly she gave birth.With great power she acquired him.With thanksgiving she loved him.With kindness she guarded him.With grandeur she manifested him.Alleluia!

(Odes of Solomon, 2nd Century, 19, 6-11)

 

PSALMODYAnt 1: Through his cross, Christ our peace has reconciled us to God.

Or: The Angel Gabriel brought tidings to Mary, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 145Praise of God's majestyLord, you are the just one, who was and who is (Revelation 16:5)

I

I will give you glory, O God my king,I will bless your name for ever.

I will bless you day after dayand praise your name for ever.The Lord is great, highly to be praised,his greatness cannot be measured.

Age to age shall proclaim your works,shall declare your mighty deeds,shall speak of your splendor and glory,tell the tale of your wonderful works.They will speak of your terrible deeds,recount your greatness and might.They will recall your abundant goodness;age to age shall ring out your justice.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion,slow to anger, abounding in love.How good is the Lord to all,compassionate to all his creatures.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,and your friends shall repeat their blessing.They shall speak of the glory of your reignand declare your might, O God,

to make known to all your mighty deedsand the glorious splendor of your reign.Yours is an everlasting kingdom;your rule lasts from age to age.

Ant. 2 We have come to the city of the living God, and to Jesus, mediator of the new Covenant.

Or: His mother stood beside the cross.

II

The Lord is faithful in all his wordsand loving in all his deeds.The Lord supports all who falland raise up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all creatures look to youand you give them their food in due time.You open wide your hand,grant the desires of all who live.

The Lord is just in all his waysand loving in all his deeds.He is close to all who call him,who call on him from their hearts.

He grants the desires of those who fear him,he hears their cry and he saves them.The Lord protects all who love him ;the wicked he will utterly destroy.

Let me speak the praise of the Lord,let all peoples bless his holy namefor ever, for ages unending.

Ant 3: In Christ we have redemption through his blood.

Or: Rejoice, O Virgin Mother; Christ has risen from the dead.

Canticle                                                      Revelation 15:3-4Hymn of adoration

Mighty and wonderful are your works,Lord God Almighty!Righteous and true are your ways,O King of the nations!

Who would dare refuse you honor,or the glory due your name, O Lord?

Since you alone are holy,all nations shall comeand worship in your presence.Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.

FIRST READING                                                       2 Tim 2:10-12a

I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:

If we have died with him  we shall also live with him;if we persevere  we shall also reign with him.

OR                                                      2 John 4-13

I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth just as we were commanded by the Father. But now, Lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing a new commandment but the one we have had from the beginning: let us love one another.  For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments;  this is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, in which you should walk.  

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist.  Look to yourselves that you  do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense.  Anyone who is so "progressive"  as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him in your house or even greet him; for whoever greets him shares in his evil works.

Although I have much to write to you, I do not intend to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and to speak face to face so that our joy may be complete. The children of your chosen sister send you greetings.

SECOND READING

From a sermon by St. Bernard, Abbott(Sermo in dom. infra oct. Assumptionis, 14-15: Opera omnia, Edit. Cisterc. 5 [1968}, 273-274)

His mother stood by the cross

 

The martyrdom of the Virgin is set forth both in the prophecy of Simeon and in the actual story of our Lord's passion. The holy man said of the infant Jesus: He has been established as a sign which will be contradicted. He went on to say to Mary: And your own heart will be pierced by a sword."

Truly, O blessed Mother, a sword has pierced your heart. For only by passing through your heart could the sword enter the flesh of your Son. Indeed, after your Jesus--who belongs to everyone, but is especially yours--gave up his life, the cruel spear, which was not withheld from his lifeless body, tore upon his side. Clearly it did not touch his soul and could not harm him, but it did pierce your heart. For surely his soul was no longer there, but yours could not be torn away. Thus the violence of sorrow has cut through your heart, and we rightly call you more than martyr, since the effect of compassion in you has gone beyond the endurance of physical suffering.

Or were those words:"Woman, behold your son, not more than a sword to you, truly piercing your heart, cutting through to the division between soul and spirit? What an exchange! John is given to you in place of Jesus, the servant in place of the Lord, the Son of Zebedee replaces the Son of God, a mere man replaces God himself. How could these words not pierce your most loving heart, when the mere remembrance of them breaks ours, hearts of stone and iron though they are!

Or:

 

From a sermon by St. Bernard, Abbott(Sermo in dom. infra oct. Assumptionis, 14-15: Opera omnia, Edit. Cisterc. 5 [1968}, 273-274)

A martyr in spirit

 

Do not be surprised, brothers, that Mary is said to be a martyr in spirit. Let him be surprised who does not remember the words of Paul, that one of the greatest crimes of the Gentiles was that they were without love. That was far from the heart of Mary; let it be far from her servants.

Perhaps someone will say: "Had she not known before that he would not die?" Undoubtedly. "Did she not expect him to rise again at once?" Surely. "And still she grieved over her crucified Son?" Intensely. Who are you and what is the source of your wisdom that you are more surprised at the compassion of Mary than at the passion of Mary's Son? For if he could die in body, could she not die with him in spirit? He died in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his.

Who are you and what is the source of your wisdom that you are more surprised at the compassion of Mary than at the passion of Mary's Son? For if he could die in body, could she not die with him in spirit? He dies in body through a love greater than anyone had known. She died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his.

RESPONSORYHoly Mary, heaven's Queen and our Lady you stood by the cross of the Lord.- Holy Mary, heaven's Queen and our Lady you stood by the cross of the Lord.Happy is she, who without dying has won the martyr's crown.- you stood by the cross of the Lord.Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit- Holy Mary, heaven's Queen and our Lady you stood by the cross of the Lord.

Or:

The Lord has chosen her,his loved one from the beginning - The Lord has chosen her,his loved one from the beginningHe has taken her to live with him, - his loved one from the beginning.Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit - The Lord has chosen her, his loved one from the beginning.

 

CANTICLE OF MARY                                                      Luke 1:46-55Ant: When Jesus saw his mother standing beside the cross with the disciple whom he loved, he said to her: Woman, behold your son. Then he said to the disciple: Behold your mother.

My soul rejoices in the Lord.

 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear himin every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,for he has remembered his promise of mercy,The promise he made to our fathers,to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us praise God, our almighty Father, who wished that Mary, his Son's mother, be celebrated by each generation.  Now in need we ask:

Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.

 

O God, worker of miracles, you made the immaculate Virgin Mary share, body and soul, in your Son's glory in heaven,- direct the hearts of your children to that same glory.

You made Mary our mother.  Through her intercession grant strength to the weak, comfort to the sorrowing, pardon to sinners,- Salvation and peace to all.

You made Mary full of grace,- grant all men the joyful abundance of your grace.

Make your Church of one mind and one heart in love,- and help all those who believe to be one in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

You crowned Mary queen of heaven,- may all the dead rejoice in your kingdom with the saints for ever.

Our Father…

 

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Father,as your Son was raised on the cross,his mother Mary stood by him, sharing his sufferings.May your Church be united with Christin his suffering and deathand so come to share in his rising to new life,where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.

*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.

 

SATURDAY

Morning Prayer

God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

HYMN

Hail, holy Queen of the Heavens.Hail, holy Queen of the Angels.Hail, Root of Jesse.Hail, Gate of Heaven.By you the Light has entered the world.Rejoice, glorious Virgin,Beautiful among all women.Hail, radiant Splendor,Intercede with Christ for us.

Melody: Hail Holy Queen.Music: Lucien Deiss, C.S. Sp. 1965Text: Lucien Deiss, C.S. Sp. 1965

 

Or:

Holy Mary,my Queen and sovereign Lady,I give you myself,trusting in your fidelity and your protection.

I surrender myself entirelyto your motherly tenderness,my body, my soul,all that I am,all that I possess,for the whole of this day,for every moment of my life,and especially at the hour of my death.

I entrust to you once moreall my hopes, all my consolations,all my anxieties, all my troubles,my life, my dying breath,so that by your prayers and merits,I may have, in all I do, one only goal,your good pleasure and the holy will of your Son.

St Pere Raphael (17th century)

 

PSALMODYAnt.1 Blessed are you, O Mary, for the world's salvation came forth through you; now in glory, you rejoice for ever with the Lord.

or: Arise, O Virgin Queen, you are for ever worthy of our praise; take your place in the glorious dwelling place of our eternal King.

 

Psalm 92Praise of God the CreatorSing in praise of Christ's redeeming work. (St. Athanasius)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,to make music to your name, O Most High,to proclaim your love in the morningand your truth in the watches of the night,on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute,with the murmuring sound of the harp.

Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad;for the work of your hands I shout with joy.O Lord, how great are your works!How deep are your designs!The foolish man cannot know thisand the fool cannot understand.

Though the wicked spring up like grassand all who do evil thrive,they are doomed to be eternally destroyed.But you, Lord, are eternally on high.See how your enemies perish;all doers of evil are scattered.

To me you give the wild ox's strength;you anoint me with the purest oil.My eyes looked in triumph on my foes;my ears heard gladly of their fall.The just will flourish like the palm treeand grow like a Lebanon cedar.

Planted in the house of the Lordthey will flourish in the courts of our God,still bearing fruit when they are old,still full of sap, still green,to proclaim that the Lord is just.In him, my rock, there is no wrong.

Ant. 2 The Virgin Mary is exalted above the choirs of angels; let all believers rejoice and bless the Lord.

Or: The Lord has chosen her, his loved one from the beginning. He has taken her to live with him.

 

Canticle                                  Ezekiel 36:24-28The Lord will renew his peopleThey will be his own people, and God himself will be with them, their own God. (Revelation 21:3)

 

I will take you away from among the nations,gather you from all the foreign lands,and bring you back to your own land.

I will sprinkle clean water upon youto cleanse you from all your impurities,and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

I will give you a new heartand place a new spirit within you,taking from your bodies your stony heartsand giving you natural hearts.

I will put my spirit within youand make you live by my statutes,careful to observe my decrees.You shall live in the land I gave your fathers;you shall be my people,and I will be your God.

Ant. 3: The Lord has made you so glorious that your praise will never cease to resound among men.

Or: Glorious things are said of you, O Virgin Mary.

Psalm 8The majesty of the Lord and man's dignityThe Father gave Christ lordship of creation (Ephesians 1:22)

 

How great is your name, O Lord our God,through all the earth!

Your majesty is praised above the heavens;on the lips of children and of babesyou have found praise to foil your enemy,to silence the foe and the rebel.

When I see the heavens, the work of your hands,the moon and the stars which you arranged,what is man that you should keep him in mind,mortal man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him little less than a god;with glory and honor you crowned him,gave him power over the works of your hands,put all things under his feet.

All of them, sheep and cattle,yes, even the savage beasts,birds of the air, and fishthat make their way through the waters.

How great is your name, O Lord our Godthrough all the earth!

FIRST READING                                                      See Isaiah 61:10

I rejoice heartily in the Lord,  in my God is the joy of my soul;For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation,  and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,  like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

Or                                                       Revelation 12:1

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Or                                                       Judith 13:17-20

All the people were greatly astonished. They bowed down and worshiped God, saying with one accord, "Blessed are you, our God, who today have brought to nought the enemies of your people."

Then Uzziah said to her: "Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth, who guided your blow at the head of the chief of our enemies. Your deed of hope will never be forgotten by those who tell of the might of God.

"May God make this redound to your everlasting honor, rewarding you with blessings, because you risked your life when your people were being oppressed, and you averted our disaster, walking uprightly before our God." And all the people answered, "Amen! Amen!"

SECOND READING

From a letter by Paschasius Radbert, abbot(Letter Cogito me 20-23,26,28: PL 30, 122,42)

Mary is taken from earth

 

Today the glorious, ever-virgin Mary ascends to heaven. I urge you to rejoice, for, if I may so put it, she has been raised up in an ineffable way to be with Christ who reigns for ever. The Queen of the world is today taken from the earth and from this present evil time. I say again: rejoice, because she who is sure of her imperishable glory has reached the palace of heaven.

Exalt, I say, and rejoice, and let the whole world rejoice, because this day Salvation has drawn nearer for us all...

"Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women." It was fitting that the Virgin should be given such gifts and be full of grace, since she has bestowed glory on heaven and has brought God and peace to the earth, faith to pagans, an end to vice, order to life, and discipline to morals.

And it was right that an angel be sent to the Virgin, because virginity always means kinship with the angels...

"Rejoice," the angel says, "for you are full of grace." Yes, full! for while a share of grace was given to others, the undiminished fullness of grace was poured into Mary.

RESPONSORYThe Virgin Mary was taken up to heaven. - The Virgin Mary was taken up to heaven.For all eternity she shares the victory of Christ. - The Virgin Mary was taken up to heaven.Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, - The Virgin Mary was taken up to heaven.

Or:

After the birth of your son, you remained a virgin. - After the birth of your son, you remained a virgin.Mother of God, intercede for us; - you remained a virgin.Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, - After the birth of your son, you remained a virgin.

 

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH                                                       Luke 1:68-79Ant. This daughter of Jerusalem is lovely and beautiful as she ascends to heaven like the rising sun at daybreak.

 

The Messiah and his forerunner

 

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior,born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old,  that he would save us from our enemies,  from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathersand to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,to set us free from the hands of our enemies,free to worship him without fear,holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvationby the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our Godthe dawn from on high shall break upon us,to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.  Amen.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us glorify our Savior, who chose the Virgin Mary for his mother. Let us ask him:

May your mother intercede for us, Lord.

Eternal Word, you chose Mary as the uncorrupted ark of your dwelling place,-free us from the corruption of sin.You are our redeemer, who made the immaculate Virgin Mary your purest home and the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit,- make us temples of your Spirit for ever.King of kings, you lifted up your mother, body and soul, into heaven,- help us to fix our thoughts on things above.Lord of heaven and earth, you crowned Mary and set her at your right hand as queen,- make us worthy to share this glory.

 

Our Father…

CONCLUDING PRAYER

All-powerful and ever-living God,you raised the sinless Virgin Mary,mother of your Son,body and soul to the glory of heaven.May we see heaven as our final goaland come to share her glory.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.

*Hymns may not match audio.  All material is used for Spiritual/Educational Purposes.

 

SATURDAY

Evening Prayer

God, come to my assistance.- Lord, make haste to help meGlory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spiritas it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

HYMN

Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate,Guiding Star of Christians' way,Mother of our Lord and King,Light and hope to souls astray.

When you heard the call of GodChoosing to fulfill his plan,By your perfect act of loveHope was born in fallen man.

Help us to amend our ways,Halt the devil's strong attack,Walk with us the narrow path,Beg for us the grace we lack.

Mary, show your motherhood,Bring your children's prayers to Christ,Christ, your son, who ransomed man,Who, for us, was sacrificed.

Virgin chosen, singly blest,Ever faithful to God's call,Guide us in this earthy life,Guard us lest, deceived, we fall.

Mary, help us live our faithSo that we may see your son;Join our humble prayers to yours,Till life's ceaseless war is won.

Praise the Father, praise the Son,Praise the holy Paraclete;Offer all through Mary's hands,Let her make our prayers complete.

Melody: Gott sei dank 77.77Music: Freylinghausen's , 1670-1739Text: V.S.S. Coles, 1845-1929

 

 

Or:

My Lady, my refuge,life and help,my armor and my boast,my hope and my strength,grant that I may enjoythe ineffable, inconceivable gifts of your Son,your God and our God,in the heavenly kingdom.For I know surelythat you have power to do as you will,since you are Mother of the Most High.Therefore, Lady Most Pure,I beg youthat I may not be disappointed in my expectationsbut may obtain them, O spouse of God,who bore him who is the expectation of all:Our Lord Jesus Christ,true God and Master of all things,visible and invisible,to whom belongs all glory, honor, and respect,now and always and through endless ages. Amen.

Saint Germanius of Constantinople (c. 634-730)

 

PSALMODYAnt 1: Mary has been taken up to heaven; the angels rejoice. They bless the Lord and sing his praises.

 

Or: Christ ascended into heaven and prepared an everlasting place for his immaculate Mother.

Psalm 122Holy city JerusalemYou have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22)

I rejoiced when I heard them say:Let us go to God's house.And now our feet are standingwithin your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a citystrongly compact.It is there that the tribes go up,the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel's law it is,there to praise the Lord's name.There were set the thrones of judgmentof the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray:Peace be to your homes!

For love of my brethren and friendsI say: Peace upon you.For love of the house of the LordI will ask for your good.

Ant. 2 The Virgin Mary was taken up to the heavenly bridal chamber where the King of kings is seated on a heavenly throne.

Or: Through Eve the gates of heaven were closed to all mankind: through the Virgin Mother they were opened wide again.

Psalm 130A cry from the depthsHe himself will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,Lord, hear my voice!O let your ears be attentiveto the voice of my pleading.

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,Lord, who would survive?But with you is found forgiveness:for this we revere you.

My soul is waiting for the Lord.I count on his word.My soul is longing for the Lordmore than watchman for daybreak.(Let the watchman count on daybreakand Israel on the Lord.)

Because with the Lord there is mercyand fullness of redemption,Israel indeed he will redeemfrom all its iniquity.

Ant 3: We share the fruit of life through you, O daughter blessed by the Lord.

Or: The Virgin Mary has been exalted above all the heavens; come, let all men glorify Christ the King, whose kingdom will endure for ever.

Canticle                                                      Philippians 2:6-11Christ, God's holy servant

Though he was in the form of God,Jesus did not deem equality with Godsomething to be grasped at.

Rather, he emptied himselfand took the form of a slave,being born in the likeness of men.

He was known to be of human estateand it was thus that he humbled himself,obediently accepting even death,death on a cross!

Because of this,God highly exalted himand bestowed on him the nameabove every other name,  

So that at Jesus' nameevery knee must bendin the heavens, on the earth,and under the earth,and every tongue proclaimto the glory of God the Father:  JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!  

FIRST READING                                                       1 Cor 15:22-23

Just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.

OR                                                      Judith 13:17b, 18a

Blessed are you, our God, who today have brought to nought the enemies of your people. Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth.

OR                                                      Revelation 12:1

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

OR                                                      Romans 5:12-21

Just as through one person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all, inasmuch as all sinned - for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world, though sin is not accounted when there is no law. But death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin after the pattern of the trespass of Adam, who is the type of the one who was to come.

But the gift is not like the transgression. For if by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one person Jesus Christ overflow for the many. And the gift is not like the result of the one person's sinning. For after one sin there was the judgment that brought condemnation; but the gift, after many transgressions, brought acquittal. For if, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ.  In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all.  For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous.  The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SECOND READING

From a homily on the falling asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Saint Germanus of Constantinople, bishop(In Dormitionem B. Mariae I: PG 98, 345-348)

The Assumption of Mary

 

Truly, yes truly, and again I shall say in thanksgiving: even though you have left us, you have not deserted the Christian race. You who are like incorruptible life have not abandoned our mortal world, but on the contrary you draw near to those who call upon your name. You are found by those who faithfully seek you. And these visions indicate a living and continually active spirit and an everlasting body. For how could dissolution of the body return you to dust and ashes, you who delivered the human race from the destruction of death through the incarnation of your Son?

Indeed you left our earth to prove that the mystery of the awe-inspiring incarnation was really fulfilled. The fact that you waited for the natural end of human life would convince the world that the God who was born of you came into being also as perfect man, the Son of a true Mother, who was subject to the laws and constraints of nature, by divine decree and the requirement of an earthly lifetime. As one who possessed a human body you could not escape death, the common fate of humanity.

Thus even your Son, though God of all things, even he, through sharing, so to speak, the mortality of all our race, "tasted" a similar bodily "death." It was clearly in the same way as he made his own life-giving tomb that he made your sepulcher wonderful also, as the tomb of your falling asleep, a tomb which received life; therefore both tombs really received your bodies, but could in no way affect them with corruption. For nor could you, as the vessel which contained God, waste away to dust in the destruction of death.

For since he who humbled himself in you was God from beginning and eternal life, so the Mother of Life was to share the dwelling of Life, to accept her death like a sleep and consent to her translation like a waking, as the Mother of Life. For just as a child seeks and longs for its own mother, and the mother loves to spend her time with her child, so it was right that you, with your maternal love for your Son and God, should return to him. And it was right too that God, preserving a Son's love for you, should make his companionship with you into a perpetual association.

In this way, then, you suffered the death of finite beings and the translation to the immortal way of life of eternal beings where God dwells; and because you are his companion, Mother of God, you do not abandon your life with him.

OR

From the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus by Pope Pius XII(AAS 42 [1950], 760-762,767-769)

Your body is holy and excelling in splendor

 

The august Mother of God was mysteriously united from all eternity with Jesus Christ in one and the same decree of predestination, immaculate in her conception, a virgin inviolate in her divine motherhood, the whole hearted companion of the divine Redeemer who won complete victory over sin and its consequences.

Thus, she gained at last the supreme crown of her privileges--to be preserved immune from the corruption of the tomb, and like her Son, when death had been conquered, to be carried up body and soul to the exalted glory of heaven, there to sit in splendor at the right hand of her Son, the immortal King of the ages.

RESPONSORYThe Virgin Mary is exalted above the choirs of angels.- The Virgin Mary is exalted above the choirs of angels.Blessed is the Lord who has raised her up.- Above the choirs of the angels.Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit- The Virgin Mary is exalted above the choirs of angels.

Or:

As Mary is taken up to heaven,the angels of God rejoice. - As Mary is taken up to heaven,the angels of God rejoice.They worship the Lord and sing his praises; - The angels of God rejoice.Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - As Mary is taken up to heaven,the angels of God rejoice.

 

CANTICLE OF MARY                                                      Luke 1:46-55Ant: Today the Virgin Mary was taken up to heaven; rejoice, for she reigns with Christ for ever.

Or: All generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me.

 

My soul rejoices in the Lord.

 

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear himin every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,for he has remembered his promise of mercy,The promise he made to our fathers,to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us praise God, our almighty Father, who wished that Mary, his Son's mother, be celebrated by each generation.  Now in need we ask:

Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.

O God, worker of miracles, you made the immaculate Virgin Mary share, body and soul, in your Son's glory in heaven,- direct the hearts of your children to that same glory.

You made Mary our mother.  Through her intercession grant strength to the weak, comfort to the sorrowing, pardon to sinners,- Salvation and peace to all.

You made Mary full of grace,- grant all men the joyful abundance of your grace.

Make your Church of one mind and one heart in love,- and help all those who believe to be one in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

You crowned Mary queen of heaven,- may all the dead rejoice in your kingdom with the saints for ever.

Our Father…

 

CONCLUDING PRAYER

All-powerful and everliving God,you raised the sinless Virgin Mary,mother of your Son,body and soul to the glory of heaven.May we see heaven as our final goaland come to share her glory.

May the Lord bless us,protect us from eviland bring us to everlasting life. -  Amen.