Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity

Invitatory antiphon

Christus natus est nobis: * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.

LR 54

Hymn

Christe, Redémptor ómnium, Ex Patre, Patris Unice, Solus ante princípium Natus ineffabíliter,	Christ, the Father's only Son, whose death for all redemption won, before the worlds, of God most high, begotten all ineffably.
Tu lumen, tu splendor Patris, Tu spes perénnis ómnium, Inténde quas fundunt preces Tui per orbem fámuli.	The Father's Light and Splendor Thou their endless Hope to Thee that bow: accept the prayers and praise today that through the world Thy servants pay.
Meménto, salútis auctor, Quod nostri quondam córporis, Ex illibáta Vírgine Nascéndo, formam súmpseris.	Salvation's author, call to mind how, taking the form of humankind, born of a Virgin undefiled, Thou in man's flesh becamest a Child.
Sic praesens testátur dies, Currens per anni círculum, Quod a solus sede Patris Mundi salus advéneris;	Thus testifies the present day Through every year in long array, that Thou, salvation's source alone proceedest from the Father's Throne.
Hunc caelum, terra, hunc mare, Hunc omne quod in eis est, Auctórem advéntus tui Laudans exsúltat cántico.	Whence sky, and stars, and sea's abyss, and earth, and all that therein is, shall still, with laud and carol meet, the Author of thine Advent greet.
Nos quoque, qui sancto tuo Redémpti sánguine sumus, Ob diem natális tui Hymnum novum concínimus.	And we who, by Thy precious Blood from sin redeemed, are marked for God, on this, the day that saw Thy Birth, sing the new song of ransomed earth.
Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui natus es de Vírgine, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu, In sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.	Glory to you O Lord, Who wast born of the Virgin; whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.

*Trans (adapted) J. M. Neale (1818-1866).

Nocturn I

Antiphons and psalms (as for the Nativity)

Ant 1: Dóminus / dixit ad me: † Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te. Ps 2

Ant: The Lord hath said unto Me Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee

Ant 2: Tamquam / sponsus Dóminus procédens de thálamo suo. Ps 18

Ant: The Lord is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber

Ant 3: Elevámini, / portae aeternáles, † et introíbit Rex glóriae. Ps 23

Ant: Be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.

Ant 4: Diffúsa / est grátia in lábiis tuis, † proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum. Ps 44	Ant: Grace is poured into thy lips therefore God hath blessed thee for ever

Ant 5: Suscépimus, / Deus, misericórdiam tuam † in médio templi tui. Ps 47	Ant: We have drunk in thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

Ant 6: Oriétur / in diébus Dómini abundántia pacis, † et dominábitur. Ps 71

Ant: In the Lord's days shall abundance of peace arise and flourish

Versicle

V. Tamquam sponsus. R. Dóminus procédens de thálamo suo.

V. The Lord is as a bridegroom. R. Coming out of his chamber.

Readings and responsories

Reading 1: Paulus, servus Iesu Christi, vocátus Apóstolus, segregátus in Evangélium Dei, quod ante promíserat per prophétas suos in Scriptúris sanctis de Fílio suo, qui factus est ei ex sémine David secúndum carnem, qui prædestinátus est Fílius Dei in virtúte secúndum spíritum sanctificatiónis ex resurrectióne mortuórum Iesu Christi Dómini nostri:per quem accépimus grátiam, et apostolátum ad obediéndum fídei in ómnibus géntibus pro nómine eius, in quibus estis et vos vocáti Iesu Christi: ómnibus qui sunt Romæ, diléctis Dei, vocátis sanctis. Grátia vobis, et pax a Deo Patre nostro, et Dómino Iesu Christo.

Here beginneth the Letter of Blessed Paul Apostle to the Romans - Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Which he had promised before, by his prophets, in the holy scriptures, Concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David, according to the flesh, Who was predestinated the Son of God in power, according to the spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead; By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations, for his name; Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that are at Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

R. Hódie / nobis de cælo pax vera descéndit: * Hódie per totum mundum mellíflui facti sunt cæli. V. Hódie illúxit nobis dies redemptiónis novæ, † reparatiónis antíquæ, felicitátis ætérnæ. R. Hódie per totum mundum mellíflui facti sunt cæli.

R. This day is the true peace come down unto us from heaven.* This day throughout the whole world the skies drop down sweetness. V. This day is the daybreak of our new redemption, of the restoring of the old, of everlasting joy. R. This day throughout the whole world the skies drop down sweetness.

LR 57-8/NR 163-4/LU 376-7/LH 490

Reading 2: Primum quidem grátias ago Deo meo per Iesum Christum pro ómnibus vobis: quia fides vestra annuntiátur in univérso mundo. Testis enim mihi est Deus, cui sérvio in spíritu meo in Evangélio Fílii eius, quod sine intermissióne memóriam vestri fácio semper in oratiónibus meis: óbsecrans, si quómodo tandem aliquándo prósperum iter hábeam in voluntáte Dei veniéndi ad vos.	First I give thanks to my God, through Jesus Christ, for you all, because your faith is spoken of in the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make a commemoration of you; Always in my prayers making request, if by any means now at length I may have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you.
R. Quem / vidistis, pastóres? † dícite, annuntiáte nobis, in terris quis appáruit? * Natum vídimus, et choros Angelórum collaudántes Dóminum. V. Dícite, quidnam vidistis? † et annuntiáte Christi nativitátem. R. Natum vídimus, et choros Angelórum collaudántes Dóminum.	R. O ye shepherds, speak, and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth? * We saw the new-born Child, and Angels singing praise to the Lord. V. Speak; what have ye seen? And tell us of the Birth of Christ. R. We saw the new-born Child, and Angels singing praise to the Lord.

LR 58/NR 164/LU 377

Reading 3: Desídero enim vidére vos, ut áliquid impértiar vobis grátiæ spirituális ad confirmándos vos: id est, simul consolári in vobis per eam quæ ínvicem est, fidem vestram atque meam. Nolo autem vos ignoráre fratres: quia sæpe propósui veníre ad vos (et prohíbitus sum usque adhuc) ut áliquem fructum hábeam et in vobis, sicut et in céteris géntibus.

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual grace, to strengthen you: That is to say, that I may be comforted together in you, by that which is common to us both, your faith and mine. And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that I have often purposed to come unto you, (and have been hindered hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

R. Descéndit de caelis Deus verus a Patre génitus, † introívit in úterum Vírginis, nobis ut apparéret visíbilis, indútus carne humána protoparénte édita: * Et exívit per portem clausam † Deus et homo, Lux et vita, cónditor mundi. V. Tamquam sponsus † Dóminus procédens de thálamo suo. R. Et exívit per portem clausam † Deus et homo, Lux et vita, cónditor mundi.

R. He came down from heaven: true God, begotten of the Father: he entered the Virgin's womb, that he might be made clearly manifest to us, clothed in human flesh put forth by the Creator, * He went out through the closed door, God and man, Light and Life, Author of the world. V. Like a bridegroom, the Lord coming forth from his chamber. R. He went out through the closed door, God and man, Light and Life, Author of the world.

LR 59/PM27; trans Lawrence Lew OP

Reading 4: Græcis ac bárbaris, sapiéntibus, et insipiéntibus débitor sum: ita (quod in me) promptum est et vobis, qui Romæ estis, evangelizáre. Non enim erubésco Evangélium. Virtus enim Dei est in salútem omni credénti, Iudǽo primum, et Græco. Iustítia enim Dei in eo revelátur ex fide in fidem: sicut scriptum est: Iustus autem ex fide vivit. Revelátur enim ira Dei de cælo super omnem impietátem, et iniustítiam hóminum eórum, qui veritátem Dei in iniustítia détinent: quia quod notum est Dei, maniféstum est in illis. Deus enim illis manifestávit.

To the Greeks and to the barbarians, to the wise and to the unwise, I am a debtor; So (as much as is in me) I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are at Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and to the Greek.  For the justice of God is revealed therein, from faith unto faith, as it is written: The just man liveth by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in injustice: Because that which is known of God is manifest in them. For God hath manifested it unto them.

R. O magnum / mystérium, et admirábile sacraméntum, † ut animália vidérent Dóminum natum, iacéntem in præsépio:* Beáta Virgo, cuius víscera meruérunt portáre Dóminum Christum. V. Ave, Maria, grátia plena: Dóminus tecum. R. Beáta Virgo, cuius víscera meruérunt portáre Dóminum Christum. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Beáta Virgo, cuius víscera meruérunt portáre Dóminum Christum.

R. How great is this mystery, how wonderful is the teaching of the faith! The beasts saw the new-born Lord lying in a manger * Blessed is that Virgin whose womb was made meet to bear our Lord Christ. V. Hail, Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee. R. Blessed is that Virgin whose womb was made meet to bear our Lord Christ. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. Blessed is that Virgin whose womb was made meet to bear our Lord Christ.

LR 61/NR 168/LU 382

Nocturn II

Psalms and antiphons

Ant 1: Véritas / de terra orta est, † et iustítia de cælo prospéxit. Ps 84

Ant: Truth is sprung out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

Ant 2: Ipse / invocábit me, allelúia: Pater meus es tu, allelúia. Ps 88

Ant: He shall cry unto Me, alleluia Thou art My Father, alleluia.

Ant 3: Læténtur / cæli, et exsúltet terra ante fáciem Dómini, † quóniam venit. Ps 95

Ant: Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the Lord, for He cometh.

Ant 4: In princípio / et ante sǽcula Deus erat Verbum: † ipse natus est nobis Salvátor mundi. Ps 96

Ant: In the beginning, and before the worlds, the Word was God, and this day is He born the Saviour of the world.

Ant 5: Notum / fecit Dóminus, allelúia, † salutáre suum, allelúia. Ps 97

Ant: The Lord hath made known, alleluia, His salvation, alleluia.

Ant 6: Nato / Dómino Angelórum chorus canébat, dicens: Salus Deo nostro, allelúia. Ps 98

Ant: When the Lord was born the Angels sang together, saying Salvation to our God, Which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Alleluia.

Versicle

V. Speciósus forma præ fíliis hóminum. R. Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.

V. Thou art fairer than the children of men. R. Grace is poured into thy lips.

Readings and responsories

Reading 5: Sermo sancti Leónis Papæ - Excédit quidem, dilectíssimi, multúmque superéminet humáni elóquii facultátem divini operis magnitúdo: et inde óritur difficultas fándi, unde adest rátio non tacendi. Quia in Christo Iesu Fílio Dei non solum ad divinam esséntiam, sed étiam ad humanam spectat natúram quod dictum est per prophétam: Generatiónem eius quis enárrabit?	From the Sermons of Pope St Leo - Dearly beloved brethren, the greatness of God's work, in its breadth and height, passeth the power of man's utterance; and, therefore, when we must needs not keep silence, we find it hard to know what to say. The words of the Prophet: Who shall declare His generation?
R. Beáta / Dei Génetrix María, cuius víscera intácta pérmanent: * Hódie génuit Salvatórem sǽculi. V. Beata, quæ credidit: † quóniam perfécta sunt ómnia, quæ dicta sunt ei a Dómino. R. Hódie génuit Salvatórem sǽculi.	R. Blessed is God's holy Mother, Mary, maiden undefiled. * This day hath she brought forth the Saviour of the world. V. Blessed is she that believed; for there is a performance of all those things which were told her from the Lord. R. This day hath she brought forth the Saviour of the world.

LR 62/NR 169/LU 383

Reading 6: Utrámque enim substántiam in unam convenísse persónam, nisi fides credat, sermo non explicat. Et ideo numquam materia déficit laudis, quia numquam sufficit copia laudatóris. Gaudeámus ígitur, quod ad eloquéndum tantæ misericórdiæ sacraméntum ímpares sumus; et cum salútis nostræ altitúdinem prómere non valeamus, sentiámus nobis bonum esse, quod vincimur.

Look not only to the Divine, but also to the human birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Faith believeth, but words cannot explain, how the two natures were joined in one Person, and therein we find that we shall never lack matter of praise in Him, Whose abundance ever outrunneth the power of our expression.Therefore let us rejoice, that this mystery of mercy is greater than we can ever speak; and let us feel that it is good for us to fail if we try to express the height and depth of redeeming love.

R. Sancta / et immaculáta virgínitas, † quibus te láudibus éfferam néscio: * Quia quem caeli cápere non póterant, tuo grémio contulísti. V. Benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui. R. Quia quem caeli cápere non póterant, tuo grémio contulísti.

R. O Mary, how holy and how spotless is thy virginity! I am too dull to praise thee! * For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain. V. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. R. For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain.

AM 1184; LR 62-3; NR 169; LH 491

Reading 7: Nemo enim ad cognitiónem veritátis magis propinquat, quam qui intélligit in rebus divinis, étiam si multum profíciat, semper sibi superesse quod quærat. Nam qui se ad id, in quod tendit, pervenísse præsúmit, non quæsíta réperit, sed in inquisitióne déficit. Ne autem infirmitátis nostræ perturbemur angústiis, evangélicæ nos et prophéticæ ádiuvant voces; quibus ita accendimur, et docemur, ut nos nativitátem Dómini, qua Verbum caro factum est, non tam prætéritam recólere, quam præséntem videámur inspícere.

He cometh nearest to the knowledge of the truth, who, the farther he advanceth, seeth all the more clearly that he can never overtake that whereafter he searcheth. For he that imagineth therein that he hath ever attained unto the goal, hath not found that which he seeketh, but hath altogether missed. But lest we should be confounded at the weakness of our mortality, we have help in the words of the Prophets and Evangelists; and they are able so to inflame and teach us that we may see the Birth of the Lord, wherein the Word was made Flesh, not so much as a thing past, as a thing present.

R. Angelus / ad pastóres ait: Annúntio vobis gáudium magnum, quod erit omni pópulo: † quia natus est vobis Salvator * Qui est Christus Dóminus in civitáte David. V. Inveniétis infántem pannis involútum et pósitum in praesépio. R. Qui est Christus Dóminus in civitáte David.

R. The angel said to the shepherds: I bring you tidings of great joy, which will be for all peoples: for the Saviour of the world has been born to you today.' * in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord. V. You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. R. In the city of David, who is Christ the Lord.

LR 63

Reading 8: Quod enim pastóribus pro gregum suórum custódia vigilántibus nuntiávit Angelus, étiam nostrum implévit audítum: et ideo Dominicis ovibus præsumus, quia verba divínitus édita cordis aure servámus: tamquam et in hodiérna festivitáte dicátur: Evangelizo vobis gáudium magnum, quod erit omni pópulo, quia natus est vobis hódie Salvator, qui est Christus Dóminus, in civitáte David.

The proclamation of the angel to the shepherds who watched their flocks by night, ringeth in our ears also; and for this end are we appointed to rule the Lord's flock, that we may ever keep in our heart the word revealed from heaven, and say unto you, as we do this day Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, Which is Christ the Lord!

R. Ecce / Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccáta mundi: † ecce de quo dicébam vobis: Qui post me venit, ante me factus est: * Cuius non sum dignus corrígiam calceaménti sólvere. V. Qui de terra est, de terra lóquitur: † qui de cælo venit, super omnes est. R. Cuius non sum dignus corrígiam calceaménti sólvere. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Cuius non sum dignus corrígiam calceaménti sólvere.

R. Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Which taketh away the sins of the world; behold Him of Whom I said unto you: He That cometh after me is preferred before me * Whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. V. He that is of the earth speaketh of the earth; He That cometh from heaven is above all. R. Whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. Whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

LR 64-4/NR 203-4

Nocturn III

Ant 1: Parvulus filius * hodie natus est nobis: et vocabitur Deus, Fortis. Alleluia, alleluia. Canticles: Is 9:2-7; 26:1-12; 66:10-16	Ant 1: Unto us this day a little Child is born, * and His name shall be called the Mighty God. Alleluia, alleluia.
V. Notum fecit Dóminus, alleluia R. Salutáre suum, Alleluia	V. He hath remembered, alleluia R. His mercy, alleluia

Reading 9: Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Lucam - In illo témpore: Erat Ioseph, et María mater Iesu, mirántes super his, quæ dicebántur de illo. Et réliqua. Homilía sancti Ambrósii Epíscopi - Vides úberem in omnes grátiam, Dómini generatióne diffúsam, et prophetíam incrédulis negátam esse, non iustis. Ecce et Símeon prophétat, in ruínam et resurrectiónem plurimórum venísse Dóminum Iesum Christum, ut iustórum, iniquorúmque merita discérnat; et pro nostrórum qualitáte factórum, iudex verus et iustus aut supplícia decérnat, aut prǽmia.

From the holy Gospel according to Luke - In that time his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And so on. Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop - We see that God's abounding grace is poured forth on all by the birth of the Lord, and that the gift of prophecy is not denied to the righteous, but to the unbelieving. Simeon prophesieth that our Lord Jesus Christ is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, setting forth that the just and the unjust reap different fruits from the coming of the Saviour; so will it be with us; according to our individual works will the True and Just Judge apportion to us punishment or reward.

R. Beáta / víscera Maríæ Vírginis, quæ portavérunt ætérni Patris Fílium: † et beáta úbera, quæ lactavérunt Christum Dóminum: * Qui hódie pro salúte mundi de Vírgine nasci dignátus est. V. Dies sanctificátus illuxit nobis: † veníte, gentes, et adoráte Dóminum. R. Qui hódie pro salúte mundi de Vírgine nasci dignátus est.

R. Blessed be the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father, and blessed be the paps which give suck to Christ our Lord. * This day hath He been pleased for the salvation of the world to be born of a Virgin. V. This day which is breaking is holy; O come, ye Gentiles, and worship the Lord. R. This day hath He been pleased for the salvation of the world to be born of a Virgin.

LR 65-66/NR 175/LU389-90

Reading 10: Et tuam ipsíus ánimam pertransíbit gládius. Nec littera, nec historia docet, ex hac vita Mariam corporalis necis passióne migrasse. Non enim anima, sed corpus materiali gládio transverberátur. Et ideo prudéntiam Maríæ haud ignaram mysterii cæléstis osténdit.	See, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also. We have no record or tradition that Mary left this world by suffering a violent death, and the material sword can pierce the body only, and not the soul. Wherefore here we see the wisdom of Mary in that she was not ignorant of the heavenly mysteries.
R. In princípio / erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, † et Deus erat Verbum.* Hoc erat in princípio apud Deum. V. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, et sine ipso factum est nihil. R. Hoc erat in princípio apud Deum.	R. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. * The same was in the beginning with God. V. All things were made by him: and without him nothing was made R. The same was in the beginning with God.

LR 66

Reading 11: Vivum enim verbum Dei, et válidum, et acutius omni gládio acutíssimo, pénetrans usque ad divisiónem ánimæ et spíritus, artuum quoque et medullárum, cogitatiónes cordis et secreta scrutátur animórum, quia nuda et apérta sunt ómnia Dei Fílio, quem consciéntiæ secreta non fallunt.

For, the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart for all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of the Son of God, from Whom also the secret things of our conscience are not hidden.

R. Verbum / caro factum est, et habitávit in nobis: * Et vídimus glóriam eius, glóriam quasi Unigéniti a Patre, † plenum gratiæ et veritátis. V. In princípio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum et Deus erat Verbum. R. Et vídimus glóriam eius, glóriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, † plenum grátiæ et veritátis.

R. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. * And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. V. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. R. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

LR 67; trans ke

Reading 12: Prophetávit itaque Simeon, prophetáverat virgo, prophetáverat copuláta conjugio; prophétare debuit étiam vidua, ne qua aut proféssio deésset, aut sexus. Et ideo Anna et stipendiis viduitátis, et móribus talis inducitur, ut digna plane fuísse credátur, quæ Redemptórem ómnium venisse nuntiáret. Cuius merita cum álibi descripsérimus, cum viduas hortarémur, hoc loco, quóniam ad alia properamus, non putámus iteránda.

There had been a triple prophecy; the prophecy of Simeon had followed the prophecy of the virgin, and the prophecy of the wife; those, namely, of Mary and Elizabeth. And now ought the widow also to prophesy, that no sex nor state might be wanting. And Anna is brought before us with such a title from her widowhood and her life, that we may well believe that she received the grace to announce the Advent of the Redeemer. In our exhortation addressed to widows we have already treated of her gifts at length, and, as we have much matter before us, we will not now again enter on the subject.

R. O Regem / cæli, cui talia famulántur obséquia: † stábulo pónitur, qui cóntinet mundum: * Iacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat. V. Natus est nobis hódie Salvator, qui est Christus Dóminus, † in civitáte David. R. Iacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Iacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat.

R. How is the King of heaven attended? He that containeth the world is laid in a stable * Lying in a manger, reigning in heaven. V. Unto us is born, this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, Which is Christ the Lord. R. Lying in a manger, reigning in heaven. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. Lying in a manger, reigning in heaven.

LR 397/NR 199

Gospel (St Luke 2:33-40)

Sequéntia sancti Evangélii secúndum Lucam. R. Gloria tibi, Domine In illo témpore: Erat Ioseph et María Mater Iesu, mirántes super his quæ dicebántur de illo. Et benedíxit illis Símeon, et dixit ad Maríam Matrem eius: Ecce, pósitus est hic in ruínam et in resurrectiónem multórum in Israël: et in signum, cui contradicétur: et tuam ipsíus ánimam pertransíbit gládius, ut reveléntur ex multis córdibus cogitatiónes. Et erat Anna prophetíssa, fília Phánuel, de tribu Aser: hæc procésserat in diébus multis, et víxerat cum viro suo annis septem a virginitáte sua. Et hæc vídua usque ad annos octogínta quátuor: quæ non discedébat de templo, ieiúniis et obsecratiónibus sérviens nocte ac die. Et hæc, ipsa hora supervéniens, confitebátur Dómino, et loquebátur de illo ómnibus, qui exspectábant redemptiónem Israël. Et ut perfecérunt ómnia secúndum legem Dómini, revérsi sunt in Galilǽam in civitátem suam Názareth. Puer autem crescébat, et confortabátur, plenus sapiéntia: et grátia Dei erat in illo. R. Amen.

Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke. R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord. In those times: The father and mother of the child were still wondering over all that was said of him, when Simeon blessed them, and said to his mother Mary, Behold, this child is destined to bring about the fall of many and the rise of many in Israel; to be a sign which men will refuse to acknowledge; and so the thoughts of many hearts shall be made manifest; as for thy own soul, it shall have a sword to pierce it. There was besides a prophetess named Anna, daughter to one Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser (a woman greatly advanced in age, since she had lived with a husband for seven years after her maidenhood, and had now been eighty-four years a widow) who abode continually in the temple night and day, serving God with fasting and prayer. She too, at that very hour, came near to give God thanks, and spoke of the child to all that patiently waited for the deliverance of Israel.  And now, when all had been done that the law of the Lord required, they returned to Galilee, and to their own town of Nazareth. And so the child grew and came to his strength, full of wisdom; and the grace of God rested upon him. R. Amen.

Collect

Orémus: Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, dírige actus nostros in beneplácito tuo: † ut in nómine dilécti Fílii tui * mereámur bonis opéribus abundáre: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. R. Amen.

Let us pray: O Almighty and eternal God, direct our actions in conformity with Your will, that in the name of Your beloved Son we may be worthy to do good works in abundance. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. R. Amen.