Introit • Ps. 118, 46, 47
I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed: I meditated also on Thy commandments, which I loved exceedingly. Ps. 116, 1, 2. Praise the Lord, all ye nations, and praise Him, all ye people: because His mercy is confirmed upon us, and the truth of the Lord remaineth forever. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, Who, among other miracles of Thy power, hast conferred the victory of martyrdom even on the weaker sex, mercifully grant that we, who celebrate the natal feast of blessed Maria, Thy virgin and martyr, may advance toward Thee through her example. Through our Lord.
Epistle • Ecclus. 51, 1-12
Lesson from the book of Wisdom.
I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me. And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper. And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about:
From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue: My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. And my life was drawing near to hell beneath. They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none. I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works, which are from the beginning of the world. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.
Gradual • Ps. 44, 8
Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity. Therefore, God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness. Alleluia.
Lesser Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 44, 15, 16. After her shall virgins be brought to the King, her neighbors shall be brought to thee with gladness. Alleluia.
Gospel • Matt. 25, 1-13
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew.
At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
Offertory • Ps. 44, 15, 16
After her shall virgins be brought to the King, her neighbors shall be brought to thee with gladness and rejoicing; they shall be brought into the temple to the King our Lord. (P.T. alleluia.)
Secret
Graciously receive, O Lord, the gifts which we offer on the solemnity of Thy virgin and martyr, Maria by whose patronage we trust to be delivered from all evil. Through our Lord.
Communion • Ps. 118, 78-80
Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly toward me: but I will be employed in Thy commandments, in Thy justifications, that I may not be confounded. (P.T. Alleluia.)
Postcommunion
May the mysteries we have received, help us, O Lord, and, by the intercession of blessed Maria Thy virgin and martyr, may they cause us to rejoice in everlasting protection. Through our Lord.