CAPELLA PAPALE
NATIVITY OF THE LORD
SOLEMNITY
OPENING OF THE HOLY DOOR
AND HOLY MASS OF THE NIGHT
PRESIDED BY THE HOLY FATHER
FRANCIS
SAINT PETER'S BASILICA, 24 DECEMBER 2024
__________
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The euchological and biblical texts of the Holy Mass correspond to the propers of the Midnight Mass on the Solemnity of the Nativity. The Eucharistic prayer is the III with the preface I of the Nativity in the Roman Missal being used.
The format of the rite of the opening of the Holy Door has the same format as the rite used for the Great Jubilee 2000 in Christmas 1999 (see); however, the rite is simplified, such as the greeting is now reduced to one, the Gospel reading is taken from St. John and no decorating of the Holy Door is done and is replaced by the ringing of the bells.
Some significant texts are reported here: the Rite of the Opening of the Holy Door, the proclamation of the Kalenda, and the Prayers of the Faithful.
__________
RITUS
IANUÆ SANCTÆ APERIENDÆ
RITE OF OPENING OF THE HOLY DOOR
Antiphona
The schola: cf. Ps 121, 1
R. In domum Domini lætantes ibimus.
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the LORD.
The assembly repeats: In domum Domini lætantes ibimus.
The schola: Ps 121
1. Lætatus sum in eo, quod dixerunt mihi:
“In domum Domini ibimus.” R.
I rejoiced when they said to me, / ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.'
2. Stantes iam sunt pedes nostri
in portis tuis, Ierusalem. R.
And now our feet are standing / within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3. Ierusalem, quæ ædificata est ut civitas,
sibi compacta in idipsum. R.
Jerusalem is built as a city / bonded as one together.
4. Illuc enim ascenderunt tribus,
tribus Domini, testimonium Israel,
ad confitendum nomini Domini. R.
It is there that the tribes go up, / the tribes of the LORD, as it is decreed for Israel, / to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5. Quia illic sederunt sedes ad iudicium,
sedes domus David. R.
There were set the thrones for judgement, / the thrones of the house of David.
6. Rogate, quæ ad pacem sunt Ierusalem:
Securi sint diligentes te! R.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray, / ‘May they prosper, those who love you.'
7. Fiat pax in muris tuis,
et securitas in turribus tuis! R.
May peace abide in your walls, / and security be in your towers.
8. Propter fratres meos et proximos meos
loquar: “Pax in te!”. R.
For the sake of my family and friends, / let me say, ‘Peace upon you.’
9. Propter domum Domini Dei nostri
exquiram bona tibi. R.
For the sake of the house of the LORD, our God, / I will seek good things for you.
The Holy Father:
In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.
R. Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Deus spei,
qui omni gaudio et pace in credendo replet nos,
in virtute Spiritus Sancti, sit cum omnibus vobis.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
May the God of hope,
who fills us with all joy and peace in believing
through the power of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
And with your Spirit.
The Holy Father:
Brothers and sisters,
on this feast of the Nativity of the Lord,
light from light, our unfading hope,
we prepare in faith to pass through the Holy Door.
The steps we now take are the steps of the whole Church,
a pilgrim in this world and a witness of peace.
Holding fast to Christ, the rock of our salvation,
enlightened by his word and renewed by his grace,
may we cross the threshold of this holy temple
and so enter into a season of mercy and forgiveness,
in which every man and woman may encounter and embrace
the path of hope which does not disappoint.
Oratio
The Holy Father:
Oremus.
Christe, stella splendida matutina,
incarnatio infinitæ caritatis,
invocata semper et exspectata salus,
spes unica mundi,
corda nostra lumine tuæ claritatis illustra.
Hoc tempore gratiæ et reconciliationis
nobis, ad solam misericordiam tuam animum convertentibus,
viam quæ ad Patrem ducit reperire concede.
Præsta, quæsumus, ut, tua operante virtute,
affianti Spiritui obsequamur,
qui cordium ita flectit duritiam,
ut inimici in colloquia veniant,
adversarii manu coniungant, populi in concordia conveniant.
Da Ecclesiæ ut amorem tuum fideli mente retineat
et spei beatæ Regni effulgeat sacramentum.
Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculorum.
R. Amen.
Let us pray.
O Christ, bright star of the morning,
incarnation of infinite love,
long-awaited salvation,
sole hope of the world,
illumine our hearts with your radiant splendor.
In this season of grace and reconciliation,
grant that we may put our trust in your mercy alone
and discover once more the way that leads to the Father.
Open our souls to the working of the Holy Spirit,
that he may soften the hardness of our hearts,
that enemies may speak to each other again,
adversaries may join hands, and peoples seek to meet together.
Grant that the Church may bear faithful witness to your love
and may shine forth as a vivid sign of the blessed hope of your Kingdom.
You live and reign forever and ever.
Versus ante Evangelium
The Deacon solemnly carries the Book of the Gospels to the ambo.
The schola:
Al - le - lu - ia, al - le - lu - ia, al - le - lu - ia.
The assembly repeats: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The schola: Jn 10, 9
Ego sum ostium, dicit Dominus;
per me, si quis introierit, salvabitur.
I am the door, says the Lord. / If anyone enters by me, he will be saved
The assembly: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Evangelium
Ego sum ostium ovium.
‘I am the door of the sheep.’
The Deacon:
Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit
Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Ioannem
R. Gloria tibi, Domine.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
Glory to you, O Lord.
In illo tempore: Dixit Iesus:
«Amen, amen dico vobis: Ego sum ostium ovium. Omnes, quotquot venerunt ante me, fures sunt et latrones, sed non audierunt eos oves. Ego sum ostium: per me, si quis introierit, salvabitur et ingredietur et egredietur et pascua inveniet.
Fur non venit, nisi ut furetur et mactet et perdat; ego veni, ut vitam habeant et abundantius habeant».
At that time: Jesus said,
‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If any- one enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’
Verbum Domini.
R. Laus tibi, Christe.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Ianua Sancta aperitur
The Holy Father approaches the Holy Door.
The schola:
Hæc porta Domini.
R. Iusti intrabunt in eam.
This is the LORD’s own gate.
Where the upright enter.
Introibo, in domum tuam, Domine.
R. Adorabo ad templum sanctum tuum.
I enter your house, O LORD.
I bow down before your holy Temple..
Aperite mihi portas iustitiæ.
R. Ingressus in eas, confitebor Domino.
Open to me the gates of righteousness.
I will enter and thank the LORD..
The Holy Father opens the door in silence and pauses in prayer; the bells of the Basilica ring.
The Holy Father enters the Basilica. After him, the ministers, some representatives of the people of God, coming from the five continents, and some concelebrants, pass through the Holy Door and proceed towards the Altar of Confession.
Hymnus Iubilæi A. D. MMXXV
PELLEGRINI DI SPERANZA
The schola and the assembly:
R. Fiamma viva della mia speranza
questo canto giunga fino a Te!
Grembo eterno d’infinita vita
nel cammino io confido in Te.
Like a flame my hope is burning,
may my song arise to you:
Source of life that has no ending,
on life’s path I trust in you.
Ogni lingua, popolo e nazione
trova luce nella tua Parola.
Figli e figlie fragili e dispersi
sono accolti nel tuo Figlio amato. R.
Ev’ry nation, tongue, and people
find a light within your Word.
Scattered fragile sons and daughters
find a home in your dear Son.
Dio ci guarda, tenero e paziente:
nasce l’alba di un futuro nuovo.
Nuovi Cieli Terra fatta nuova:
passa i muri Spirito di vita. R.
God, so tender and so patient,
dawn of hope, you care for all.
Heav’n and earth are recreated
by the Spirit of Life set free.
Alza gli occhi, muoviti col vento,
serra il passo: viene Dio, nel tempo.
Guarda il Figlio che s’è fatto Uomo:
mille e mille trovano la via. R.
Raise your eyes, the wind is blowing,
for our God is born in time.
Son made man for you and many
who will find the way in him.
Kalenda
The cantor:
Octavo Kalendas ianuarii. Luna quarta et vicesima.
Innumeris transactis sæculis a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit cælum et terram et hominem formavit ad imaginem suam;
permultis etiam sæculis, ex quo post diluvium Altissimus in nubibus arcum posuerat, signum fœderis et pacis;
a migratione Abrahæ, patris nostri in fide, de Ur Chaldæorum sæculo vigesimo primo;
ab egressu populi Israel de Ægypto, Moyse duce, sæculo decimo tertio;
ab unctione David in regem, anno circiter millesimo; hebdomada sexagesima quinta, iuxta Danielis prophetiam; Olympiade centesima nonagesima quarta;
ab Urbe condita anno septingentesimo quinquagesimo secundo; anno imperii Cæsaris Octaviani Augusti quadragesimo secundo;
toto Orbe in pace composito, Iesus Christus, æternus Deus æternique Patris Filius, mundum volens adventu suo piissimo consecrare, de Spiritu Sancto conceptus, novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus, in Bethlehem Iudæ nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus homo:
Nativitas Domini nostri Iesu Christi secundum carnem.
25 December. The twenty-fourth day of the lunar month.
Innumerable ages having passed since the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created Heaven and earth and formed man in his own image;
many more centuries after the flood, when the Most High placed his rainbow in the heavens as a sign of the covenant and of peace;
from the migration of Abraham, our father in faith, from Ur of the Chaldeans, twenty-one centuries;
from the exodus of the people of Israel out of Egypt, led by Moses, thirteen centuries;
from the anointing of David as King, about one thousand years;
in the sixty-fifth week according to Daniel’s prophecy;
in the year of the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
from the founding of the city of Rome, seven hundred and fifty-two years;
in the rule of Caesar Octavian Augustus, the forty-second year;
the whole world being at peace: Jesus Christ, eternal God, the eternal Father’s Son, being pleased by His coming to consecrate the world, by the Holy Spirit conceived, nine months having passed since His conception, in Bethlehem of Judah was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
The image of Baby Jesus is revealed. A floral tribute is presented to him by some children and he is incensed.
***
Prayers of the faithful
The Holy Father:
Brothers and sisters,
in union with every man and woman in search of hope,
let us raise our common prayer
to the One who wished to assume our poverty,
in order to clothe us in his riches.
The cantor: Dominum deprecemur.
The assembly: Te rogamus, audi nos.
The Deacon:
1. Oremus pro Ecclesia sancta Dei.
Let us pray for God’s Holy Church.
Prayer in silence.
Chinese
光荣的圣言,取了我们肉身的主,
求祢支持我们的教宗方济各和整个教会,使我们成为慈悲的标记,
也使所有信众成为人类希望的携带者。
Word of glory, who took on our flesh: sustain Francis, our Pope, and the entire Church; make them signs of your mercy, and grant that all believers may be bearers of hope for humanity.
The cantor: Dominum deprecemur.
The assembly: Te rogamus, audi nos.
The Deacon:
2. Oremus pro peregrinatoribus.
Let us pray for pilgrims.
Prayer in silence.
French
Emmanuel, Dieu avec nous,
toi qui as déchiré les cieux et qui es venu à la rencontre des hommes :
accompagne les pèlerins de ce Jubilé,
nourris leurs bonnes intentions,
pardonne leurs fragilités et leurs infidélités.
Emmanuel, God-with-us, who burst open the heavens and came to meet mankind: accompany the pilgrims of this Jubilee, strengthen their good intentions, and forgive their frailty and infidelity.
The cantor: Dominum deprecemur.
The assembly: Te rogamus, audi nos.
The Deacon:
3. Oremus pro omnibus terrarum populis.
Let us pray for all the peoples of the Earth.
Prayer in silence.
Arabic
Mystery of love, who comes to reconcile heaven and earth: extend your peace to the whole world, convert sinners, and console the sorrows of the weak.
The cantor: Dominum deprecemur.
The assembly: Te rogamus, audi nos.
The Deacon:
4. Oremus pro ægrotantibus.
Let us pray for those who suffer.
Prayer in silence.
Portuguese
Filho amado do Pai,
que viestes sanar os corações arrependidos:
concedei saúde aos doentes,
acalmai os que vivem na inquietude,
sustentai os que lutam contra o mal.
Beloved Son of the Father, who comes to heal our broken hearts: give health to the sick, soothe the restless, and support those who struggle against evil.
The cantor: Dominum deprecemur.
The assembly: Te rogamus, audi nos.
The Deacon:
5. Oremus pro omnibus communitatibus christianis.
Let us pray for the whole Christian community.
Prayer in silence.
Vietnamese
Sự viên mãn của mọi mong chờ,
Đấng đem lại ý nghĩa cho thời gian và lịch sử: xin làm cho các cộng đoàn Kitô hữu chúng con trở thành những chứng nhân cho tình yêu Chúa,
xin giữ ánh mắt của các tín hữu luôn hướng về Ngài, và chuẩn bị cho những người thiện chí
sẵn sàng đón nhận Chúa mỗi ngày
Fulfillment of all our hopes, who gives meaning to time and history: make our Christian communities witnesses of your love, keep the gaze of the faithful always turned to you, and dispose people of good will to welcome you every day.
The cantor: Dominum deprecemur.
The assembly: Te rogamus, audi nos.
The Holy Father:
Lord Jesus,
the only true hope which surpasses every human desire,
hear our supplications
and brighten with your light the darkness that surrounds us.
You who live and reign forever and ever.
R. Amen.