Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Hark! The herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth,
and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
offspring of the favored one.
Veiled in flesh the
Godhead see!
Hail th’incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man
with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hark! The herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth,
and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
offspring of the favored one.
Veiled in flesh the
Godhead see!
Hail th’incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man
with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing:
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Psalmody
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 The Virgin has given birth to the Savior; a flower has sprung from Jesse’s stock and a star has risen from Jacob. O God, we praise you.
Psalm 63:2-9
A soul thirsting for God
O God, you are my God, for you I long; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you *
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life, *
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, *
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
On my bed I remember you. *
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; *
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you. May our lips praise you; our lives proclaim your goodness; our work give you honor, and our voices celebrate you for ever.
Ant. The Virgin has given birth to the Savior; a flower has sprung from Jesse’s stock and a star has risen from Jacob. O God, we praise you.
Ant. 2 Mary has given birth to our Savior. John the Baptist saw him and cried out: This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, alleluia.
Canticle: Daniel 3:57-88, 56
Let all creatures praise the Lord
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. *
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord. *
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord. *
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord. *
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. *
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord. *
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. *
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. *
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. *
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *
Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. *
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.
Ant. Mary has given birth to our Savior. John the Baptist saw him and cried out: This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, alleluia.
Ant. 3 Mary has given birth to a King whose name is everlasting; hers the joy of motherhood, hers the virgin’s glory. Never was the like seen before, never shall it be seen again, alleluia.
Psalm 149
The joy of God’s holy people
Sing a new song to the Lord, *
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing *
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people. *
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips *
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
to deal out vengeance to the nations *
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *
this honor is for all his faithful.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Let Israel rejoice in you, Lord, and acknowledge you as creator and redeemer. We put our trust in your faithfulness and proclaim the wonderful truths of salvation. May your loving kindness embrace us now and for ever.
Ant. Mary has given birth to a King whose name is everlasting; hers the joy of motherhood, hers the virgin’s glory. Never was the like seen before, never shall it be seen again, alleluia.
1st Reading
Nm 6:22-27
A reading from the Book of Numbers
The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”
Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
℟. (2a) May God bless us in his mercy.
℟. May God bless us in his mercy.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
℟. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
℟. May God bless us in his mercy.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
℟. May God bless us in his mercy.
2nd Reading
Gal 4:4-7
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians
Brothers and sisters:
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 as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.
Thanks be to God.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Gospel
Lk 2:16-21
✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.
At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:
The Gospel of the Lord.
All reply:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:
Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.
The Creed is said.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of
the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right
hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the
Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son
is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in One, Holy,
Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism
for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to
the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
‘Round yon virgin mother
and child,
Holy infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven
a far.
Heavenly host sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from
Thy holy face,
with the dawn of
redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.
Sanctus, sanctus,
sanctus Dominus
Deus sabbaoth,
Deus sabbaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra
gloria tua.
Hosanna, hosanna
in excelsis.
Sanctus, sanctus,
sanctus Dominus
Deus sabbaoth,
Deus sabbaoth.
Benedictus qui venit
in nomine Domini.
Hosanna, hosanna
in excelsis.
Sanctus, sanctus,
sanctus Dominus
Deus sabbaoth,
Deus sabbaoth.
M.V. Francisco, SJ
When we eat this Bread
and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death,
O Lord,
until you come again,
until you come again,
we proclaim your Death,
O Lord.
M.V. Francisco, SJ
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread, and
forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who
trespass against us;
and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us,
deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
What child is this who
laid to rest on 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 here the
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 the song on high,
the Virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
0 Virgin Mary, most powerful Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and earth, in accordance with your wish made known at Fatima, I consecrate myself today to your Immaculate Heart. To you I entrust all that I have, all that I am. Reign over me, dearest Mother, that I may be yours in prosperity, in adversity, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in life and in death.Most compassionate Heart of Mary, Queen of Virgins, watch over my mind and heart and preserve me from the deluge of impurity which you lamented so sorrowfully at Fatima. I want to be pure like you. I want to atone for the many crimes committed against Jesus and you. I want to call down upon this country and the whole world the peace of God in justice and charity.
Mindful of this consecration, I now promise to strive to imitate you by the practice of the Christian virtues without regard for human respect. I resolve to receive Holy Communion on the first Saturday of every month when possible, and to offer daily five decades of the Rosary, with all my sacrifices in the spirit of penance and reparation. Amen.
I, ________ a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in thy Heart, O Immaculate Mother, the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, in the presence of all the heavenly court, I choose thee this day for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to thee, and to thy Immaculate Heart, as thy child and slave of love, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity. Amen.
Gospel Canticle
Ant. Marvelous is the mystery proclaimed today: man’s nature is made new as God becomes man; he remains what he was and becomes what he was not. Yet each nature stays distinct and for ever undivided.
Canticle of Zechariah
Luke 1:68-79
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 fathers *
and 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 salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the 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.
Ant. Marvelous is the mystery proclaimed today: man’s nature is made new as God becomes man; he remains what he was and becomes what he was not. Yet each nature stays distinct and for ever undivided.
Angels we have heard
on high sweetly singing
o’re the plains,
and the mountain in reply
echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Shepherd why this jubilee?
Why our joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be
which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
come adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
See Him in a manger laid,
whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while our hearts in love we raise.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!