The Epiphany of the Lord

We Three Kings

John Henry Hopkins, Jr.

We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain,
moor and mountain,
following yonder star.

O star of wonder,
star of night, star with
royal beauty bright,
Westward leading,
still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign.

O star of wonder,
star of night, star with
royal beauty bright,
Westward leading,
still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising,
all men raising,
worship Him,
God on high.

O star of wonder,
star of night, star with
royal beauty bright,
Westward leading,
still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
breaths a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing,
bleeding dying, sealed
in the stone-cold tomb.

O star of wonder,
star of night, star with
royal beauty bright,
Westward leading,
still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, alleluia!
Earth to the heav’ns replies.

O star of wonder,
star of night, star with
royal beauty bright,
Westward leading,
still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.

Psalmody

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The wise men opened their treasures and offered to the Lord gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.

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 wise men opened their treasures and offered to the Lord gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, alleluia.

Ant. 2 Mighty seas and rivers, bless the Lord; springs of water, sing his praises, 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. Mighty seas and rivers, bless the Lord; springs of water, sing his praises, alleluia.

Ant. 3 Jerusalem, your light has come; the glory of the Lord dawns upon you. Men of every race shall walk in the splendor of your sunrise, 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. Jerusalem, your light has come; the glory of the Lord dawns upon you. Men of every race shall walk in the splendor of your sunrise, alleluia.

1st Reading

Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

The word of the Lord.

Or:

Isaiah 55:1-11
Come to the waters: listen, that you may have life.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, receive grain and eat;
come, without paying and without cost,
drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread;
your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully,
listen, that you may have life.
I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,
the benefits assured to David.
As I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of nations,
so shall you summon a nation you knew not,
and nations that knew you not shall run to you,
because of the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked man his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to him who sows
and bread to him who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

The word of the Lord.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

℟. (11b) The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
adore the LORD in holy attire.

℟. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
the voice of the LORD is majestic.

℟. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.

℟. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

Or: [For the Reading from Isaiah 55]

RESPONSORIAL CANTICLE

Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

℟. (3) You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation.

℟. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.

℟. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Sing praise to the LORD for his achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exaltation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!

℟. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

2nd Reading

Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jb 5:1-9

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites
as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.”

The word of the Lord.

Or:

1 Jn 5:1-9
The Spirit and the water and the blood.

A reading from the first Letter of Saint John

Beloved:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
and everyone who loves the Father
loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and blood.
The Spirit is the one that testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the blood,
and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
that he has testified on behalf of his Son.

The word of the Lord.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

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.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

The heavens were opened and the Father’s voice was heard:
This is my beloved Son, hear him. John saw Jesus approaching him, and said:
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 1:7-11

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

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 Gospel of the Lord.
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

Franz Gurber

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

Crispin N. Cadiang

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.

What Child Is This?

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!

The First Noel

The first noel, the angels
did say was to certain
poor shepherds in fields
as they lay;
in fields where they lay
keeping their sheep
on a cold winter’s night
that was so deep.