Liturgical Information
Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God (ABC)
Liturgical Color: White [Note: "On solemn occasions more precious vestments may be used, even if not the color of the day" GIRM #346]
Themes: Mary's role in the plan of salvation, Jesus as devout Jew, peace, gentleness
Entrance Antiphon [Introit]:
Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King, who rules heaven and earth for ever. Sedulius
— or —
Today a light will shine upon us, for the Lord is born for us; and he will be called Wondrous God, Prince of peace, Father of future ages: and his reign will be without end. Is 9:1, 5; Lk 1:33 [Roman Missal]
Salve sancta Parens, enixa puerpera Regem, qui cælum terramque regit in sæcula sæculorum.
Ps. Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego opera mea regi. [Graduale Romanum, p.403]
— or —
Lux fulgebit hodie super nos: quia natus est nobis Dominus: et vocabitur Admirabilis, Deus, Principes pacis, Pater futuri sæculi: cuius regni non erit finis.
Ps. Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est: indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et præcinxit se. [Graduale Romanum, p.44]
Salve sancta Parens, enixa puerpera Regem, qui cælum terramque regit in sæcula sæculorum.
Ps. Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego opera mea regi. [Gregorian Missal, p.207/226]
— or —
Lux fulgebit hodie super nos: quia natus est nobis Dominus: et vocabitur Admirabilis, Deus, Principes pacis, Pater futuri sæculi: cuius regni non erit finis.
Ps. Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est: indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et præcinxit se. [Gregorian Missal, p.193/210]
from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Beata Mater et intacta Virgo, gloriosa Regina mundi, intercede pro nobis ad Dominum.
Verses of Psalm 45 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon. [Graduale simplex, p.336]
Collect:
O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary
bestowed on the human race
the grace of eternal salva-tion,
grant, we pray,
that we may experience the intercession of her,
through whom we were found worthy
to receive the author of life,
our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Ho-ly Spirit,
God, for ev-er and ev-er.
A-men.
Lectionary Readings:
- Numbers 6:22-27 [So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them. /v.27]
- Psalm 67:2-3 / 5 / 6,8 [R. May God bless us in his mercy /v.2]
- Galatians 4:4-7 [When the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman. /v.4]
- Gospel Verse: Heb 1:1-2 [In the past God spoke to our fathers through the prophets; now he speaks to us through his Son.]
See CNP's Alleluia Noel - Luke 2:16-21 [His name was then called Jesus. /v.21]
See CNP's Book of Sung Gospels – Fourth Edition
Offertory Antiphon:
Blessed are you, O holy Virgin Mary, and worthy of all praise; for from you has come forth the sun of justice, Christ our God.
Verses of Psalm 85 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.
Felix namque es, sacra Virgo Maria, et omni laude dignissima: quia ex te ortus est sol iustitiæ, Christus Deus noster. [Graduale Romanum, p.422]
Felix namque es, sacra Virgo Maria, et omni laude dignissima: quia ex te ortus est sol iustitiæ, Christus Deus noster. [Gregorian Missal, p.211/230]
from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus.
Verses of Psalm 85 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon. [Graduale simplex, p.272]
Prayer over the Offerings:
O God, who in your kindness begin all good things
and bring them to fulfill-ment,
grant to us, who find joy in the Solemnity of the holy Mother of God,
that, just as we glory in the beginnings of your grace,
so one day we may rejoice in its com-pletion.
Through Christ our Lord. A-men.
Preface I of the Blessed Virgin Mary: [The Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary]
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
and to praise, bless, and glorify your name
on the Solemnity of the Motherhood
of the Blessed ever-Virgin Mary.
For by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit
she conceived your Only Begotten Son,
and without losing the glory of virginity,
brought forth into the world the eternal Light,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him the Angels praise your majesty,
Dominions adore and Powers tremble before you.
Heaven and the Virtues of heaven and the blessed Seraphim
worship together with exultation.
May our voices, we pray, join with theirs
in humble praise, as we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…
Communion Antiphon:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. Heb 13:8 [Roman Missal]
Exsulta filia Sion, lauda filia Ierusalem: ecce Rex tuus venit sanctus, et Salvator mundi see Zech 9:9 [Graduale Romanum, p.47]
Psalm 45:2ab,9,10,11,12,13,14 -or- Luke 1:46-47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55 can also be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.
Exsulta filia Sion, lauda filia Ierusalem: ecce Rex tuus venit sanctus, et Salvator mundi see Zech 9:9 [Gregorian Missal, p.197/214]
from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Beata es Virgo Maria, quæ omnium portasti creatorem. [Graduale simplex, p.303]
— or —
Sanctum nomen Domini magnificat anima mea. [Graduale simplex, p.337]
Verses of The Magnificat can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.
Prayer after Communion:
We have received this heavenly Sacrament with joy, O Lord:
grant, we pray,
that it may lead us to eternal life,
for we rejoice to proclaim the blessed ever-Virgin Mary
Mother of your Son and Mother of the Church.
Through Christ our Lord. A-men.
Solemn Blessing: [3. The Beginning of the Year]
May God, the source and origin of all blessing,
grant you grace,
pour out his blessing in abundance,
and keep you safe from harm throughout the year.
Amen.
May he give you integrity in the faith,
endurance in hope,
and perseverance in charity
with holy patience to the end.
Amen.
May he order your days and your deeds in his peace,
grant your prayers in this and in every place,
and lead you happily to eternal life.
Amen.
** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.
The English translation of the Entrance Antiphon [Introit], Collect, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Offerings, Preface, Communion Antiphon, and Prayer after Communion from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corp. All rights reserved.
Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Back to Christmas (Year C)