Introit • Ps. 47, 10, 11
We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple: according to Thy name, O God, so also is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of justice. Ps. 47, 2. Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised: in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
Almighty, eternal God, we humbly beseech Thy majesty that, as Thine only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our flesh, so thou mayest cause us to be presented to Thee with minds purified. Through our Lord.
Epistle • Mal. 3, 1-4
Lesson from Malachy the Prophet.
[Christ shall come to his temple, and purify the priesthood. They that continue in their evil ways shall be punished: but true penitents shall receive a blessing.]
Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I send my angel, and he shall prepare the way before my face. And presently the Lord, whom you seek, and the angel of the testament, whom you desire, shall come to his temple. Behold he cometh, saith the Lord of hosts. And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’ s herb: And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice. And the sacrifice of Juda and of Jerusalem shall please the Lord, as in the days of old, and in the ancient years; saith the Lord almighty.
Gradual • Ps. 47, 10, 11
We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple: according to Thy name, O God, so also is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth. As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of our God, and His holy mountain.
Lesser Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia. The old man carried the child: but the child ruled the old man. Alleluia.
Gospel • Luke 2, 22-32
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke.
[The birth of Christ. His presentation in the temple. Simeon’s prophecy. Christ at twelve years of age, is found amongst the doctors.]
At that time, after the day of Mary’s purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried Jesus to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord; as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Offertory • Ps. 44, 3
Grace is poured abroad in thy lips: therefore hath God blessed thee for ever, and for ages of ages.
Secret
Hear our prayers, O Lord, and, in Thy loving-kindness, help us, so that the gifts we offer may be found worthy in the eyes of Thy majesty. Through our Lord.
Communion • Luke 2, 26
Simeon received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death until he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
Postcommunion
O Lord our God, we beseech Thee, by the intercession of blessed Mary ever virgin, make the sacred mysteries, which Thou hast given for the preservation of our spiritual life, a healing remedy for us, both for the present and for the future. Through our Lord.