Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
October 11
Introit • Is. 7, 14
Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel. Ps. 97, 1. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because He hath done wonderful things. Glory be …
Collect (Prayer)
O God, Who wast pleased that at the angel’s message Thy Word should be flesh in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, grant to Thy suppliants that, believing her to be truly the mother of God, we may be assisted by her intercessions with Thee. Through the same.
Epistle • Ecclus. 24, 23-31
Lesson from the Book of Wisdom.
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 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 harkeneth to me shall not be confounded, and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.
Gradual • Is. 11, 1, 2
There shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.
Alleluia, alleluia. O Virgin Mother of God, He who the whole world cannot contain, being made man, imprisons Himself in thy womb. Alleluia.
Gospel • Luke 2, 43-51
Continuation of the Holy Gospel According to St. Luke.
At that time, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not. And thinking that He was in the company, they came a day’s journey, and sought Him amongst their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking Him. And it came to pass that after three days thy found Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His answers. And seeing Him, they wondered. And His mother said to Him: Son, why hast Though done so to us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Three sorrowing. And He said to them: How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? And they understood not the word that He spoke unto them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth: and was subject to them.
Offertory • Matt. 1, 18
When His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Secret
Through Thy mercy, O Lord, and the intercession of blessed Mary, ever a virgin, the Mother of Thine only-begotten Son, may our oblation profit us for eternal and for present prosperity and peace. Through the same.
Communion
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary that bore the Son of the eternal Father.
Postcommunion
May this communion, O Lord, purge away our guilt and, by the intercession of blessed Mary the Mother of God, make us companions of Him, Who is our heavenly healing. Through the same.