In those places where this Feast is observed as a Solemnity, please use the texts found in the Common of the Blessesd Virgin Mary with the proper texts below.
INTRODUCTION
God, + come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.
HYMN
O Mother blest of God most high
and glory of the human race,
through you, though we were slaves to sin,
we are the children of the light,
O Mary, Virgin Mother, Queen,
and tender shoot from David’s stock,
though noble in your royal birth,
yet more exalted in your Son,
Cut back the dry and ancient wood
and graft us on to newer stock;
through you the faithful will become
a royal priesthood serving God.
Unravel by your holy prayers
the knots our guilt and sins have tied;
bring us to heaven’s great reward,
who praise your merits with our hymn.
All praise to God, the Three in One,
who from the treasure of their gifts
have given you the greatest pearl,
most noble Virgin, heav’nly Queen. Amen.
Tune: EISENACH, 8 8 8 8
Music: Johann Hermann Schein, 1586-1630
or Mode II, melody 30; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Beata Dei genetrix, Saint Peter Damian, O.S.B. Camald., ca. 1007-1072, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 The Virgin Mary came forth from the root of Jesse, and the Spirit of the Most High came to dwell in her heart.
Psalm 122
Holy city Jerusalem
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22).
I rejoiced when I heard them say: *
“Let us go to God’s house.”
And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city *
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, *
the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel’s law it is, *
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgment *
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray: *
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls, *
in your palaces, peace!”
For love of my brethren and friends *
I say: “Peace upon you.”
For love of the house of the Lord *
I will ask for your good.
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
When you rose from the dead, Lord Jesus, you formed the Church into your new body, and made of it the new Jerusalem, united in your Spirit. Give us peace in our day. Make all nations come to your Church to share in your gifts in fellowship, that they may render you thanks without end and come to your eternal city.
Ant. The Virgin Mary came forth from the root of Jesse, and the Spirit of the Most High came to dwell in her heart.
Ant. 2 Today we commemorate the birth of the Virgin Mary. God saw her beauty and visited her in her lowliness.
Psalm 127
Apart from God our labors are worthless
You are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9).
If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat, *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
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
You command the seed to rise, Lord God, though the farmer is unaware. Grant that those who labor for you may trust not in their own work but in your help. Remembering that the land is brought to flower not with human tears but with those of your Son, may the Church rely only upon your gifts.
Ant. Today we commemorate the birth of the Virgin Mary. God saw her beauty and visited her in her lowliness.
Ant. 3 Blessed and worthy of our praise is the holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. We celebrate her birth, that she might intercede for us before the Lord.
Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10
God our Savior
Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ
who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him *
before the world began
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us †
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out in Christ, *
in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and on earth.
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. Blessed and worthy of our praise is the holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. We celebrate her birth, that she might intercede for us before the Lord.
READING
Romans 9:4-5
To the Israelites belonged the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law-giving, the worship, and the promises; theirs were the patriarchs, and from them came the Messiah (I speak of his human origins). Blessed forever be God who is over all! Amen.
RESPONSORY
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
— Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
— The Lord is with you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Let us commemorate the illustrious birth of the glorious Virgin Mary, for the Lord has looked with favor on his lowly servant. He sent his angel to announce to her that she would conceive the Savior of the world.
Canticle of Mary
Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord
My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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. Let us commemorate the illustrious birth of the glorious Virgin Mary, for the Lord has looked with favor on his lowly servant. He sent his angel to announce to her that she would conceive the Savior of the world.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us praise God our Almighty Father, who wished that Mary, his Son’s mother, be celebrated by each generation. Now in need we ask:
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
O God, worker of miracles, you made the Immaculate Virgin Mary share body and soul in your Son’s glory in heaven,
— direct the hearts of your children to that same glory.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
You made Mary our mother. Through her intercession grant strength to the weak, comfort to the sorrowing, pardon to sinners,
— salvation and peace to all.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
You made Mary full of grace,
— grant to all men the joyful abundance of your grace.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
Make your Church of one mind and one heart in love,
— and help all those who believe to be one in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
You crowned Mary queen of heaven,
— may all the dead rejoice in your kingdom with the saints for ever.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
Or:
Let us praise God our almighty Father, who wished that Mary, his Son’s mother, be celebrated by each generation. Now in need, we ask:
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
You made Mary the mother of mercy,
— may all who are faced with trials feel her motherly love.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
You wished Mary to be the mother of the family in the home of Jesus and Joseph,
— may all mothers of families foster love and holiness through her intercession.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
You gave Mary strength at the foot of the cross and filled her with joy at the resurrection of your Son,
— lighten the hardships of those who are burdened and deepen their sense of hope.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
You made Mary open to your word and faithful as your servant,
— through her intercession make us servants and true followers of your Son.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
You crowned Mary queen of heaven,
— may all the dead rejoice in your kingdom with the saints for ever.
Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Remember us, Lord, when you come to your kingdom and teach us how to pray:)
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 from evil.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Father of mercy,
give your people help and strength from heaven.
The birth of the Virgin Mary’s Son
was the dawn of our salvation.
May this celebration of her birthday
bring us closer to lasting peace.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Or:
Impart to your servants, we pray, O Lord,
the gift of heavenly grace,
that the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
may bring deeper peace
for those for whom the birth of her Son
was the dawning of salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
DISMISSAL
If a priest or deacon presides, he dismisses the people:
The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.
Another form of the blessing may be used, as at Mass.
Then he adds:
Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.
In the absence of a priest or deacon and in individual recitation, Evening Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
— Amen.
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