Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary 10 (Lent I): Holy Mary, Disciple of the Lord

Holy Mary, Disciple of the Lord

Sancta Maria, discipula Domini

 Lent is a "journey" for the faithful, during which they "more diligently listen to the word of God and devote themselves to prayer with greater earnestness" (Sacrosanctum Concilium, art. 109), and during which they are ready to bear the Cross with greater zeal, so that with minds and hearts renewed they may reach a more worthy celebration of the Easter festival. In this way they show themselves true disciples of Christ, hearing his words and seeking to make them their own (cf. Luke 8, 15), following in his footsteps in self-denial (cf. Matthew 16, 24), and striving to stand by his Cross in faithful witness (cf. John 19, 26).

Hence, if during Lent for a reasonable cause Mass is celebrated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the present formulary is suitable. In it the Mother of the Lord is presented as one who shows us "the  example of a disciple, who is faithful to the words of life" (Collect). Our Lady is the one who by a unique gift of God was the Mother of Christ, and above all was his "first and most perfect . . . disciple" (Marialis Cultus, no. 35).

This Mass underlines the importance of "the word of God" or "the word of salvation" in the life of Christ's disciples (cf. Collect, Prayer after Communion). It begs divine wisdom for them (cf. Prayer over the Offerings), extols the most holy Law of the Lord and the just judgements of the Lord (Responsorial Psalm, cf. Psalm 19, 8-11), and sets before the eyes of the faithful our Lady keeping the words of the Lord in her heart (cf. Entrance Antiphon, Gospel, Luke 2, 41-52), so that they may imitate her example (cf. Prayer after Communion).

Among the texts of the Mass pride of place must go to the Preface ("His Mother, the Virgin Mary in her glory, is rightly called blessed . . ."), for in it we hear the voice of Christ echoing the praise of the woman in the crowd ("Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed!") in his reply: "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it!" (Luke 11, 27-28). It recalls the explanation by St. Augustine of the Gospel passage "Who is my mother?" (Mark 3, 33): "Holy Mary clearly carried out the will of the Father, and therefore it is a greater thing for her to be a disciple of Christ than to be his mother. she is more blessed in being a disciple of Christ than in being the Mother of Christ" (Sermo 25, 7: Patrologiae cursus completus: Series latina 38, 937).

----------

Entrance Antiphon 
How favored are you, Mary!
You received the angel's message
and became the Mother of God's Word.
How favored are you, for you kept in your heart
those words from heaven and became the disciple of God's Word.

Beata es, Maria, quæ nuntium Angeli suscipiens,

facta es mater divini Verbi;

beata tu, quæ cælestia verba tacita conferens,

facta es divini Verbi discipula.

COLLECT
Lord our God, through the Blessed Virgin Mary
you have shown us the example of a disciple,
who is faithful to the words of life;
open our hearts to receive your saving word,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit
it may speak to us in our daily lives
and bring forth a rich harvest of holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Domine Deus noster,

qui in beata Virgine Maria exemplar nobis dedisti

discipuli verba vitæ fideliter custodientis,

aperi, quresumus, corda nostra

ad suscipiendum verbum salutis,

quod, Spiritus Sancti virtute,

in nobis cotidie resonet et uberrimos germinet fructus.

Per Dominum.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading

Sirach 51, 13-18. 20-22

My heart delighted in wisdom

A reading from the book of Sirach

When I was young and innocent,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer
I prayed for her before the temple,
and I will seek her until the end,
and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.
My heart delighted in her,
My feet kept to the level path
because from earliest youth I was familiar with her.
In the short time I paid heed,
I met with great instruction.
Since in this way I have profited,
I will give my teacher grateful praise.
I became resolutely devoted to her—
the good I persistently strove for.
At first acquaintance with her, I gained understanding
such that I will never forsake her.
My whole being was stirred to seek her;
therefore I have made her my prize possession.
The LORD has rewarded me with lips,
with a tongue for praising him.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 19,  8-9. 10-11, 15

R. (see John 6, 63c) Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye. R. 

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb. R. 

Let the words of my mouth be acceptable,
the thoughts of my heart before you,
LORD, my rock and my redeemer. R. 

Alleluia 

see Luke 2, 19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God
and pondered it in her heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Luke 2, 41-52

Do whatever he tells you

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast
of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them;
and his mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor
before God and man.

The gospel of the Lord.

Or:
Matthew 12, 46-50

Extending his hands toward the disciples, he said: Here are my mother and my brothers

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,

his mother and his brothers appeared outside,

wishing to speak with him.

Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,

asking to speak with you.”

But he said in reply to the one who told him,

“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,

“Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father

is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

The gospel of the Lord.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
look with favor on the gifts
we offer with grateful hearts
on this memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
mother and disciple of your Son;
grant that through these gifts we may receive
grace and wisdom in abundance,
for these are beyond our human strength.
Through Christ our Lord.

Propitius intuere, Domine, munera tibi gratanter oblata

in memoria beatæ Virginis, Filii tui matris et discipulæ;

et concede ut gratiam et sapientiam,

quas nostris viribus obtinere non præsumimus,

per ea abundanter consequamur.

Per Christum.

PREFACE

How Blessed is Mary, Disciple of the Incarnate Word

(Beata Virgo, incarnati Verbi discipula, felix prædicatur)

The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

R. We lift them up to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

R. It is right and just.

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,
through Christ our Lord.

His Mother, the Virgin Mary in her glory,
is rightly called blessed,
for she received your Son in her virginal womb,
but she is even more blessed
because, as a disciple of the incarnate Word,
she eagerly sought to know your will
and faithfully carried it out.

With the whole company of Angels of heaven
we praise you with one voice:

Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salutare,

nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere:

Domine, sancte Pater, omnipotens æterne Deus,

per Christum Dominum nostrum.

Cuius mater, gloriosa Virgo Maria,

iure proclamatur beata,

quia Filium tuum castis meruit generare visceribus;

sed merito felicior prredicatur,

quia, incarnati Verbi facta discipula,

voluntatem tuam sedula quæsivit

et adimplevit fidelis.

Et ideo, cum innumeris Angelis,

una te magnificamus voce, dicentes:

Holy, Holy, Holy....

Communion Antiphon 

Luke 11, 28

Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it!

Beati qui audiunt verbum Dei et custodiunt!

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Lord God,
filled with the joy that comes from this Sacrament,
we ask that by imitating the Blessed Virgin Mary
we may be true disciples of Christ,
eagerly hearing his words
and putting them into practice.
Through Christ our Lord.

Repleti, Domine, sacramentis et gaudiis,

te suppliciter imploramus,

ut, beatæ Virginis exempla sectantes,

veri inveniamur Christi discipuli,

qui eius verba seduli audiant et cust6diant fideles.

Qui vivit.

Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9 (Christmas VI): Our Lady of Cana

Our Lady of Cana

Beata Maria Virgo de Cana

In the Gospel narrative (John 2, 1-12) the "sign of Cana" belongs to the Mystery of the manifestation of the Lord. The Roman Liturgy celebrates it accordingly every year on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: "Three mysteries mark this holy day: today the star leads the magi to the Infant Christ; today water is changed into wine for the wedding feast; today Christ wills to be baptised by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation" (Liturgia Horarum, 6 January, Antiphon for the Canticle of Mary, evening prayer II). Again, the second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, specifically celebrates this "beginning of signs". In this manifestation of the Lord our Lady played an active part, and so the liturgy remembers her along with her Son in the text: "Blessed are you, Virgin Mary: through you your Son gave the first of his signs; the Bridegroom prepared the new wine for his Bride; through you the disciples learned to believe in their Master" (Communion Antiphon).

This Mass, therefore, celebrates together the Lord Jesus, the Church as it develops out of the sign of Cana, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

First of all, it celebrates Christ the Lord, who manifested his glory in this marvellous sign and revealed himself: as the Messiah promised by God (cf. Preface), as the Master to whom the disciples give their obedience in faith (cf. Entrance Antiphon, Gospel, Communion Antiphon), as the Lord, whose commands are carried out by the servants (cf. Preface), as the new Moses (cf. 1 Reading, Exodus 19, 3-8a) and the author of the new and everlasting Covenant, and as the Bridegroom who for the Church, his Bride, at an hour here foreshadowed will "shed his Blood on the Cross" (Preface), when blood and water, the symbols of redemption, will flow from his pierced side.

This Mass celebrates the Church, the community of disciples who faithfully follow Christ (cf. Prayer after Communion) and "do what he commands" (Collect, Preface), provide for the needs of the community and in "unity of mind and heart" foreshadow the coming of the kingdom (cf. Prayer after Communion); it celebrates the beloved Bride, for whom the Bridegroom provides the wedding feast, his daily gift to his Bride (cf. Preface).

Finally, this Mass celebrates the Mother of Jesus, who in the Father's wisdom and love was chosen to "play her part in the mysteries of our salvation" (Collect). Our Lady, in the  role she fulfilled in the mystery of salvation in the days of her life on earth on behalf of the bride and bridegroom and of the disciples, continues to play her part on behalf of the whole Church as she now reigns in glory of heaven. With loving care fir the good of the human family she begs her Son to help us in our needs (cf. Preface); she tells us to do "what he commands in the Gospel he has given" (Collect). What is more, we must hold, in the light of the liturgy, that the Mother of Jesus, who was present at the wedding feast of Cana, is present at the Eucharistic wedding feast of the Church. So the community of the faithful celebrates the Eucharist each day in union above all with the glorious Virgin Mary.

----------

Entrance Antiphon 

cf. John 2, 1. 11

There was a wedding at Cana of Galilee,
and the Mother of Jesus was there:
Christ revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Nuptiæ factæ sunt in Cana Galilææ,

et erat mater Iesu ibi:

Christus manifestavit gloriam suam,

et crediderunt in eum discipuli eius.

COLLECT
All-holy Father,
in your divine wisdom and love
you chose that the Blessed Virgin Mary
should play her part
in the mysteries of our salvation;
grant that by heeding the words of Christ's Mother
we may do what he commands
in the Gospel he has given.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Domine, sancte Pater,

qui, mira dispensatione,

beatam Virginem mysteriis nostræ salutis interesse voluisti,

præsta, quæsumus,

ut, verbis eiusdem Christi Matris obsequentes,

id agamus quod Filius tuus in Evangelio docuit agendum.

Qui tecum vivit.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading

Ex 19:3-8a

Whatever the Lord has spoken, we will do.

A reading from the book of Exodus

Moses went up the mountain to God.
Then the LORD called to him and said,
"Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob;
tell the Israelites:
You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians
and how I bore you up on eagle wings
and brought you here to myself.
Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant,
you shall be my special possession,
dearer to me than all other people,
though all the earth is mine.
You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
That is what you must tell the Israelites."
So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people.
When he set before them
all that the LORD had ordered him to tell them,
the people all answered together,
"Everything the LORD has said, we will do."

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 119,  1-2. 10-11, 12 & 14, 15-16

R. (4) O Lord, you commanded that your precepts be kept with care.

Blessed those whose way is blameless,
who walk by the law of the LORD.
Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
who seek him with all their heart. R.

With all my heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commands.
In my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you. R.

Blessed are you, O LORD,
teach me your laws.
I find joy in the way of your decrees
more than in all riches. R.

I will ponder your precepts
and consider your paths.
In your statutes I take delight;
I will never forget your word. R.

Alleluia 

cf. Luke 11, 27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
Blessed is holy Mary who fully obeyed God's will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 2, 1-11

Do whatever he tells you.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John

There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee,
and the mother of Jesus was there.
Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding.
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to him,
“They have no wine.”
And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, how does your concern affect me?
My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servers,
“Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,
each holding twenty to thirty gallons.
Jesus told them,
“Fill the jars with water.”
So they filled them to the brim.
Then he told them,
“Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
So they took it.
And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine,
without knowing where it came from
— although the servers who had drawn the water knew —,
the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him,
“Everyone serves good wine first,
and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one;
but you have kept the good wine until now.”
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee
and so revealed his glory,
and his disciples began to believe in him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
with loving hearts we bring you these gifts;
change them into the Body and Blood
of Jesus Christ, your Son,
who at the request of his Mother
changed water into wine
and by this miraculous sign
foreshadowed the hour of his Death and Resurrection.
Through Christ our Lord.

Hæc munera tibi, Domine, lætanter oblata,

in corpus et sanguinem converte Iesu Christi, Filii tui,

qui, a Matre rogatus,

mirandq signo aquam in vinum mutavit

et horam præsignavit suæ gloriosæ passionis.

Qui vivit.

PREFACE

Our Lady tells the attendants to do what her Son commands

(Beata Virgo ministros iubet Christi exsequi mandata)

The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

R. We lift them up to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

R. It is right and just.

It is truly right to give you thanks,

truly just to give you glory, Father most holy,
on this celebration of the glorious Virgin Mary.

For with loving care for the bridegroom and his bride
she turns to her Son for help
and tells the servants to do what he commands.
Water is changed into wine,
the wedding guests rejoice,
as Christ foreshadows the wedding feast
that is his daily gift to his Bride, the Church.

In this great sign
the presence of the Messiah is proclaimed,
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is foretold,
and the hour of salvation is foreshadowed
when Christ will clothe himself
with the royal robes of his Passion
to shed his Blood on the Cross
for his Bride, the Church.

Through him the Angels of heaven
offer their prayer of adoration
as they rejoice in your presence forever.
May our voices be one with theirs
in their triumphant hymn of praise:

Vere dignum est tibi gratias agere,

vere iustum est te glorificare, Pater sancte,

in hac celebrati6ne glori6sre Virginis Marire:

Quæ, de sponsis sollicita, Filium exorat

et ministros iubet illius exsequi mandata:

rubescunt hydriæ, lætantur convivæ

et illud nuptiale adumbratur convivium,

quod Christus Ecclesiæ parat cotidie.

Quo mirando signo

temporis messianici nuntiatur adventus,

Spiritus sanctitatis prædicitur effusio,

sed et mystica præsignatur hora,

qua Christus semetipsum ornabit purpura passionis

et pro Ecclesia sponsa vitam ponet in cruce.

Per quem maiestatem tuam adorat exercitus Angelorum,

ante conspectum tuum in æternitate lætantium.

Cum quibus et nostras voces ut admitti iubeas, deprecamur,

socia exsultatione dicentes:

Holy, Holy, Holy....

Communion Antiphon 

Blessed are you, Virgin Mary:
through you your Son gave the first of his signs;
the Bridegroom prepared the new wine for his Bride;
through you the disciples learned to believe in their Master.

Beata es, Virgo Maria:

per te Filius tuus initium fecit signorum;

per te Sponsus novum vinum Sponsæ paravit;

per te in Magistrum crediderunt discipuli.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Filled, Lord God, with the sacrificial meal

of the Body and Blood of Christ,

we ask that, in imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

we may follow Christ faithfully,

provide for the needs of the Church,

and together foreshadow the coming of your kingdom

by our unity of mind and heart.

Through Christ our Lord.

Corporis et sanguinis sacro repleti libamine,

quæsumus, Domine, ut, exemplum beatæ Virginis secuti,

Christo tuo fide adhærentes

atque Ecclesiæ necessitatibus communicantes,

concordia animorum Regni tui præveniamus adventum.

Per Christum.

Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8 (Christmas V): Our Lady of Nazareth

Our Lady of Nazareth

Sancta Maria de Nazareth

The hidden life of our Lord at Nazareth belongs to the mystery of salvation, and is an example of holiness: in the home at Nazareth our Savior, subject to Mary and Joseph (cf. Luke 2, 51), spent the greater part of his life on earth. The Roman Liturgy commemorates this mystery of salvation especially on the Sunday within the octave of Christmas, when it celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Many particular Churches and religious institutes also give liturgical honor to the Mother of God under the title of "Our Lady of Nazareth." This title celebrates in particular the role of Our Lady at Nazareth in the service of her Son and his work of salvation.

This Mass, with its two series of readings, celebrates:

- the mystery of the incarnation of the Word (cf. Preface, Collect) and his self-emptying: "when the fullness of time had come, God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law" (1st Reading, Galatians 4, 4-7; cf. Collect); at Nazareth, as a real child, he "advanced in wisdom and age and favor" (Gospel, A, Luke 2, 41-52), and "was subject" to his parents (Communion Antiphon, Luke 2, 51);

- the life shared by the Mother with her Son: in the home at Nazareth, "as the first disciple of her Son," our Lady "receives the message of the Gospel, treasures it in her heart, and reflects on it in her mind" (Preface);

- the virginal relationship between Mary and Joseph, united "in an unbreakable bond of chaste love" (Preface), sharing a humble life of Prayer, silence, and work (cf. Preface), and partners in joy (cf. Entrance Antiphon), in sorrow (cf. Gospel, B, Luke 2, 41-52), and in the upbringing of Christ (cf. Communion Antiphon, Luke 2, 51);

- the kingdom of God, which is already present and active in the Holy Family of Nazareth, and which is built up on earth "silently" (Prayer after Communion) and among the disciples, whose life is hidden in Christ (cf. Collect, Colossians 3, 3).

----------

Entrance Antiphon
Proverbs 23, 24a. 25

Great joy fills a father's heart when his son is righteous.
Let your father and mother be glad,
let the one who gave you birth rejoice.

Exsultat gaudio pater iusti,

gaudeat pater tuus et mater tua,

et exsultet, quæ genuit te.

COLLECT
All-holy Father, in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you decreed that your Son should be born of a woman,
and be subject to her guidance;
grant that we may enter more and more
into the mystery of your incarnate Word
and with him lead a hidden life on earth
until, escorted by his Virgin Mother,
we may joyously enter your home in heaven.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Domine, sancte Pater,

qui mira dispensatione voluisti

Filium tuum ex muliere nasci eique esse subiectum,

concede nos incarnati Verbi mysterium altius penetrare

et cum ipso absconditam in terris ducere vitam

donec, a Virgine Matre comitati,

domum tuam læti ingredi mereamur.

Per Dominum.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

I

First Reading

Gal 4, 4-7

God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.

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 proof that you are children,

   God sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts,

   crying out, “Abba, Father!”

So you are no longer a slave but a child,

   and if a child then also an heir, through God.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 131,  1. 2. 3

R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

LORD, my heart is not proud;

   nor are my eyes haughty;

I do not busy myself with great matters,

   with things too sublime for me. R.

Rather, I have stilled my soul,

   hushed it like a weaned child.

Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap,

   so is my soul within me. R.

Israel, hope in the LORD,

   now and forever. R.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Virgin Mother of God,
he whom the whole world cannot contain
enclosed himself as a child within your womb.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 2, 22. 39-40

They returned to their own home of Nazareth. 

The child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

When the days were completed for their purification

   according to the law of Moses,

   Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem

   to present him to the Lord.

When Mary and Joseph had fulfilled all the prescriptions

   of the law of the Lord,

   they returned to Galilee,

   to their own town of Nazareth.

The child, Jesus, grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

   and the favor of God was upon him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Or:

Lk 2:41-52

Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, where he was subject to them.

Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,

   and when Jesus was twelve years old,

   they went up according to festival custom.

After they had completed its days, as they were returning,

   the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,

   but his parents did not know it.

Thinking that Jesus was in the caravan,

   they journeyed for a day

   and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

   but not finding him,

   they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days they found Jesus in the temple,

   sitting in the midst of the teachers,

   listening to them and asking them questions,

   and all who heard him were astounded

   at his understanding and his answers.

When Jesus’ parents saw him,

   they were astonished,

   and his mother said to him,

   “Son, why have you done this to us?

Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

And Jesus said to them,

   “Why were you looking for me?

Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

But his parents did not understand what he said to them.

Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth,

   and was obedient to them;

   and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor

   before God and people.

II

First Reading

Col 3, 12-17

May the fullness of Christ’s message live within you.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,

   heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

   bearing with one another and forgiving one another,

   if one has a grievance against another;

   as the Lord has forgiven you,

   so must you also do.

And over all these put on love,

   that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,

   the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,

   as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,

   singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

   with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed,

   do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

   giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 84, 2-3. 5-6. 9-10

R. (see 5a) Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

How lovely your dwelling,

   O LORD of hosts!

My soul yearns and pines

   for the courts of the LORD.

My heart and flesh cry

   out for the living God. R.

Happy are those who dwell in your house!

   They never cease to praise you.

Happy are those who find refuge in you,

   whose hearts are set on pilgrim roads. R.

LORD of hosts, hear my prayer;

   listen, God of Jacob.

O God, look kindly on our shield;

   look upon the face of your anointed. R.

Alleluia 

Colossians 3, 15a. 16a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts
and the fullness of his message live within you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 2, 13-15. 19-23

He went and lived in a town called Nazareth.

He went and lived in a town called Nazareth.

When the magi had departed,

   behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,

   “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt,

   and stay there until I tell you.

Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.”

Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night

   and departed for Egypt.

He stayed there until the death of Herod,

   that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled,

   “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

When Herod had died, behold,

   the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream

   to Joseph in Egypt and said,

   “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel,

   for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”

Joseph rose, took the child and his mother,

   and went to the land of Israel.

But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea

   in place of his father Herod,

   Joseph was afraid to go back there.

And because he had been warned in a dream,

   he departed for the region of Galilee.

Joseph went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth,

   so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled,

   “He shall be called a Nazorean.”

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
We offer you, O Lord,
these offerings of conciliation and praise,
humbly asking that,
following the example of the Virgin of Nazareth
we may present our very selves
as a holy sacrifice pleasing to you.
Through Christ our Lord.

Munera tibi placationis et laudis offerimus, Domine,

humiliter deprecantes,

ut, Virginis Nazarethanæ sequentes exempla,

nosmetipsos exhibeamus hostiam sanctam, tibi placentem.

Per Christum.

PREFACE

The daily life of Our Lady in the home at Nazareth

(De beatæ Virginis conversatione in domo Nazarethana)

The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

R. We lift them up to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

R. It is right and just.

It is truly right to give you thanks,

truly just to give you glory, Father most holy,
on this celebration of the glorious Virgin Mary.

For at Nazareth she receives with faith
the message of Gabriel
and becomes the Mother of your Son,
begotten by you before the ages,
now born into this world of time
as our Savior and our brother.

At Nazareth too,
in loving communion with her Son,
she watches over the growing Church
in the person of her child
and hands on to us
 the shining example of her life.

In the holy house of Nazareth,
as the first disciple of her Son,
she receives the message of the Gospel,
treasures it in her heart,
and reflects on it in her mind.

At Nazareth also this purest of virgins,
united with Joseph, the just man,
in an unbreakable bond of chaste love,
praises you in song,
worships you in silence,
honors you by her daily life,
and gives you glory as she cares for her family.

Now, with all the Saints and Angels,
we praise you for ever:

Vere dignum est tibi gratias agere,

vere iustum est te glorificare, Pater sancte,

in hac celebratione gloriosæ Virginis Mariæ.

Quæ Nazareth nuntium Gabrielis fide suscipiens,

Filium tuum, quem ab æterno genuisti,

in tempore nobis generat salvatorem et fratrem.

Ibi, intime cum Filio conversata,

Ecclesiæ fovet primordia

et nobis tradit præclara vitæ documenta.

Ibi beata Mater, facta discipula Filii,

primitias Evangelii suscipit,

in corde servat et mente revolvit.

Ibi purissima Virgo, Ioseph viro iusto

arctissimo virginalique amoris vinculo iuncta,

te celebrat canticis, adorat silentio,

te laudat vita, labore glorificat.

Et ideo cum Sanctis et Angelis universis

te collaudamus, sine fine dicentes:

Holy, Holy, Holy....

Communion Antiphon 

Luke 2, 51

Jesus went down with them 

and came to Nazareth,
where he was subject to them.

Descendit Iesus cum eis

et venit Nazareth

et erat subditus illis.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

All-holy Father,
look with kindness on those you have strengthened
with the Sacrament from heaven,
so that, through the example
of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
we may work silently
at building up your kingdom on earth
and so enjoy its fulfilment in heaven,
in the company of your Son.
Who lives and reins for ever and ever.

Quos cælestibus, Pater sancte, reficis sacramentis,

propitius intuere,

ut, beatæ Virginis Mariæ exemplis roborati,

Regnum tuum silenti opere ædificantes in terris,

eo cum Filio tuo indesinenter fruamur in cælis.

Qui vivit.