Introit
Hail holy Mother, who in childbirth didst bring forth the King Who ruleth heaven and earth world without end. (P. T. Alleluia, alleluia.) Ps. 44, 2. My heart hath uttered a good word; I speak my works to the King. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, who hast willed that, under the special patronage of the blessed Virgin Mary, we be laden with perpetual favors, grant to Thy suppliants that, as we this day rejoice in her commemoration on earth, we may enjoy the vision of her in heaven. Through our Lord.
Epistle • Wis. 24, 23-31
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom.
[He warneth them against false teachers. He counts all other things loss, that he may gain Christ.]
As the vine, I have brought forth a pleasant odor, and my flowers are the fruit of honor and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.
Gradual • Cant. 6, 9
Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the Sun? Ecclus. 50, 8. As the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of spring.
Alleluia, alleluia. Cant. 2, 12. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come. Alleluia.
Gospel • Luke 1, 39-47
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke.
[The conception of John the Baptist, and of Christ. The visitation and canticle of the Blessed Virgin. The birth of the Baptist and the canticle of Zachary.]
At that time, Mary rising up, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth.
And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that hast believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to thee by the Lord. And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Offertory • 2 Par. 7, 16
I have chosen, and have sanctified this place, that My name may be there, and My eyes and My heart may remain there forevermore.
Secret
Through thine indulgent mercy, O Lord, and through the prayers of blessed Mary ever a virgin, may this oblation avail to the enduring to us of prosperity and peace, now and forevermore. Through our Lord.
Communion • Ps. 147, 20
He hath not done in like manner to every nation: and His judgments He hath no made manifest to them.
Postcommunion
Having received the aids of our everlasting salvation, O Lord, we beseech Thee, grant us to be everywhere protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever a virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Thy majesty. Through our Lord.