(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Wednesday, 25 December 2024 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : White

Gospel (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 2 : 1-14

In illo tempore : Exiit edictum a Caesare Augusto, ut describeretur universus orbis. Haec descripto prima facta est a praeside Syriae Cyrino : et ibant omnes ut profiterentur singuli in suam civitatem. Ascendit autem et Joseph a Galilaea de civitate Nazareth, in Judaeam in civitatem David, quae vocatur Bethlehem : eo quod esset de domo et familia David, ut profiteretur cum Maria desponsata sibi uxore praegnante.

Factum est autem, cum essent ibi, impleti sunt dies, ut pareret. Et peperit Filium suum primogenitum, et pannis eum involvit, et reclinavit eum in praesepio : quia non erat eis locus in diversorio. Et pastores erant in regione eadem vigilantes, et custodientes vigilias noctis super gregem suum.

Et ecce, Angelus Domini stetit juxta illos, et claritas Dei circumfulsit illos, et timuerunt timore magno. Et dixit illis Angelus : Nolite timere : ecce enim, evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum, quod erit omni populo : quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator, qui est Christus Dominus, in civitate David.

Et hoc vobis signum : Invenientis infantem pannis involutum, et positum in praesepio. Et subito facta est cum Angelo multitudo militiae caelestis, laudantium Deum et dicentium : Gloria in Altissimis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

English translation

At that time, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Quirinus, the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and the family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his espoused wife, who was with Child.

And it came to pass that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flock.

And behold an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the Angel said to them, “Do not fear, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people, for on this day is born to you a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.”

“And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.”

Gospel (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Luke 2 : 15-20

In illo tempore : Pastores loquebantur ad invicem : Transeamus usque Bethlehem, et videamus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dominus ostendit nobis. Et venerunt festinantes : et invenerunt Mariam et Joseph, et Infantem positum in praesepio.

Videntes autem cognoverunt de verbo, quod dictum erat illis de Puero hoc. Et omnes, qui audierunt, mirati sunt : et de his, quae dicta erant a pastoribus ad ipsos. Maria autem conservabat omnia verba haec, conferens in corde suo. Et reversi sunt pastores, glorificantes et laudantes Deum in omnibus, quae audierant et viderant, sicut dictum est ad illos.

English translation

At that time, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord had shown to us.” And they came with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger.

And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this Child. And all who heard wondered, and at those things that were told to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Gospel (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Initium Sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem – The beginning of the Holy Gospel according to St. John

John 1 : 1-14

In principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt : et sine ipso factum est nihil, quod factum est : in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominum : et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt.

Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. Hic venit in testimonium, ut testimonium, perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium, perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera, quae illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum. In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est, et mundus Eum non cognovit.

In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt. Quotquot autem receperunt eum, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his, qui credunt in Nomine Ejus : qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt.

(Genuflect)

ET VERBO CARO FACTUM EST, et habitavit in nobis : et vidimus gloriam Ejus, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis.

English translation

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. All things were made by Him, and without Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shone in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness to give testimony of the Light, that all men might believe through him. He was not the Light, but was to give testimony of the Light. That was the true Light which enlightened every men that came into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world did not know Him.

He came unto His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as those who received Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God, to those who believe in His Name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the Flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

(Genuflect)

AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, and dwelt among us. And we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Wednesday, 25 December 2024 : Gradual and Alleluia

Liturgical Colour : White

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 109 : 3, 1 and Psalm 2 : 7

Tecum principium in die virtutis Tuae : in splendoribus Sanctorum, ex utero ante luciferum genui Te.

Response : Dixit Dominus Domino meo : Sede a dextris Meis : donec ponam inimicos Tuos, scabellum pedum Tuorum.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dominus dixit ad Me : Filius Meus es Tu, Ergo hodie genui Te. Alleluja.

English translation

With You is the principality in the day of Your strength in the brightness of the saints, from the womb before the day-star I have begotten You.

Response : The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : The Lord had said to Me, You are My Son, this day I have begotten You. Alleluia.

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Psalm 117 : 26-27, 23 and Psalm 92 : 1

Benedictus, qui venit in Nomine Domini : Deus Dominus, et illuxit nobis.

Response : A Domino factum est istud : et est mirabile in oculis nostris.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dominus regnavit, decorem induit : induit Dominus fortitudinem, et praecinxit se virtute. Alleluja.

English translation

Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord, the Lord is God, and He had shone upon us.

Response : This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : The Lord had reigned, He is clothed with beauty, the Lord is clothed with strength, and had girded Himself with power. Alleluia.

Gradual and Alleluia (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Psalm 97 : 3, 2 and Tradition of the Faith

Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri : jubilate Deo, omnis terra.

Response : Notum fecit Dominus salutare suum : ante conspectum gentium revelavit justitiam suam.

Alleluja, Alleluja.

Response : Dies sanctificatus illuxit nobis : venite, gentes, et adorate Dominum : quia hodie descendit lux magna super terram. Alleluja.

English translation

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Sing joyfully to God all the earth.

Response : The Lord had made known His salvation, He had revealed His justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Response : A hallowed day had dawned for us, come all of you, Gentiles, and adore the Lord, for this day a great light had descended upon the earth. Alleluia.

(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Wednesday, 25 December 2024 : Epistle

Liturgical Colour : White

Epistle (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Titum – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to Titus

Titus 2 : 11-15

Carissime : Apparuit gratia Dei Salvatoris nostri omnibus hominibus, erudiens nos, ut, abnegantes impietatem et saecularia desideria, sobrie et juste et pie vivamus in hoc saeculo, exspectantes beatam spem et adventum gloriae magni Dei et Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi : qui dedit semetipsum pro nobis : ut nos redimeret ab omni iniquitate, et mundaret sibi populum acceptabilem, sectatorem bonorum operum. Haec loquere et exhortare : in Christo Jesu, Domino nostro.

English translation

Dearly beloved, the grace of God our Saviour had appeared to all men, instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and the coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. He Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. These things speak, and exhort, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Epistle (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Titum – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to Titus

Titus 3 : 4-7

Carissime : Apparuit benignitas et humanitas Salvatoris nostri Dei : non ex operibus justitiae, quae fecimus nos, sed secundum suam misericordiam salvos nos fecit per lavacrum regenerationis et renovationis Spiritus Sancti, quem effudit in nos abunde per Jesum Christum, Salvatorem nostrum : ut, justificati gratia ipsius, heredes simus secundum spem vitae aeternae : in Christo Jesu, Domino nostro.

English translation

Dearly beloved, the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour had appeared, not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Spirit, Whom He had poured forth upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that, being justified by His grace, we may be heirs according to hope of life everlasting in Christ Jesus, our Lord

Epistle (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Lectio Epistolae Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Hebraeos – Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews

Hebrews 1 : 1-12

Multifariam, multisque modis olim Deus loquens patribus in Prophetis : novissime diebus istis locutus est nobis in Filio, quem constituit heredem universorum, per quem fecit et saecula : qui cum sit splendor gloriae, et figura substantiae Ejus, portansque omnia verbo virtutis suae, purgationem peccatorum faciens, sedet ad dexteram majestatis in excelsis : tanto melior Angelis effectus, quanto differentius prae illis Nomen hereditavit.

Cui enim dixit aliquando Angelorum : Filius Meus es Tu, Ego hodie genui Te? Et rursum : Ego ero illi in patrem, et ipse erit mihi in filium? Et cum iterum introducit Primogenitum in orbem terrae, dicit : Et adorent eum omnes Angeli Dei. Et ad Angelos quidem dicit : Qui facit Angelos suos spiritus, et ministros suos flammam ignis.

Ad Filium autem : Thronus Tuus, Deus, in saeculum saeculi : virga aequitatis, virga regni Tui. Dilexisti justitiam et odisti iniquitatem : propterea unxit Te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo exsultationis prae participibus tuis. Et : Tu in principio, Domine, terram fundasti : et opera manuum Tuarum sunt caeli.

Ipsi peribunt, Tu autem permanebis; et omnes ut vestimentum veterascent : et velut amictum mutabis eos, et mutabuntur : Tu autem idem ipse es, et anni Tui non deficient.

English translation

God, Who diversely and in many ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days had spoken to us, by His Son, Whom He had appointed Heir of all things, by Whom He had also made the world. He Who being the brightness of His glory, and the figure of His substance, and upholding all things by the word of His power, making purgation of sins, sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high, being made so much better than the Angels, as He had inherited a more excellent Name than theirs.

For to which of the Angels had He said at any time, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You?” And again, “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?” And again, when He brings in the first begotten into the world, He said, “And let all the Angels of God adore Him.” And to the Angels indeed He said, He Who made His Angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

But to the Son, “Your throne, o God, is forever and ever, a sceptre of justice is the sceptre of Your kingdom. You have loved justice, and hated iniquity, therefore God, Your God, had anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows.” And, “You in the beginning, o Lord, had founded the earth. And the works of Your hands are the heavens.”

“They shall perish, but You shall continue, and they shall all grow old as a garment, and as a vesture shall You change them, and they shall be changed, and You are the self same, and Your years shall not fail.”

(Usus Antiquior) Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Double I Classis) – Wednesday, 25 December 2024 : Introit and Collect

Liturgical Colour : White

Introit

Introit (Christmas Midnight Mass)

Psalm 2 : 7 and 1

Dominus dixit ad me : Filius Meus es Tu, ego hodie genui Te.

Quare fremuerunt gentes : et populi meditati sunt inania?

Response : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

The Lord had said to Me, “You are My Son, and this day I have begotten You.”

Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?

Response : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Introit (Christmas Mass at Dawn)

Isaiah 9 : 2, 6 and Psalm 92 : 1

Lux fulgebit hodie super nos quia natus est nobis Dominus : et vocabitur Admirabilis, Deus, Princeps pacis, Pater futuri saeculi : cujus regni non erit finis.

Dominus regnavit, decorem indutus est : indutus est Dominus fortitudinem, et praecinxit se.

Response : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

A light shall shine upon us this day, for the Lord is born to us and He shall be called wonderful, God, the Prince of Peace, the Father of the world to come, of Whose reign there shall be no end.

The Lord had reigned, He is clothed with beauty, the Lord is clothed with strength, and had girded Himself.

Response : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Introit (Christmas Daytime Mass)

Isaiah 9 : 6 and Psalm 97 : 1

Puer natus est nobis, et Filius datus est nobis cujus imperium super humerum Ejus : et vocabitur Nomen Ejus magni consilii Angelus.

Cantate Domino canticum novum, quia mirabilia fecit.

Response : Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper : et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

A Child is born to us, and a Son is given to us, Whose government is upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called, the Angel of great counsel.

Sing all of you to the Lord a new canticle, because He had done wonderful things.

Response : Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Collect

Collect (Christmas Midnight Mass)
Deus, qui hanc sacratissimam noctem veri luminis fecisti illustratione clarescere : da, quaesumus; ut, cujus lucis mysteria in terra cognovimus, ejus quoque gaudiis in caelo perfruamur : Qui Tecum vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

O God, Who has brightened this most holy night with the shining of the true light, grant, we beseech You, that we may enjoy in heaven the delights of Him Whose mystical light we have known on earth. Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Collect (Christmas Mass at Dawn)
Da nobis, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut, qui nova incarnati Verbi Tui luce perfundimur; hoc in nostro resplendeat opere, quod per fidem fulget in mente. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Grant, we beseech You, o Almighty God, that we who are filled with the new light of Your incarnate Word, may show forth in our deeds that which by faith shone in our minds. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Collect (Christmas Daytime Mass)
Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut nos Unigeniti Tui nova per carnem Nativitas liberet; quos sub peccati jugo vetusta servitus tenet. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation
Grant, we beseech You, Almighty God, that the new birth in the flesh of Your only begotten Son may set us free, whom the old bondage had hold under the yoke of sin. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Sunday, 22 December 2024 : Fourth Sunday of Advent (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this Sunday is the fourth and last of the Sundays of Advent, on which occasion we focus ourselves on the aspect and theme of Love, the last one among the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that we reflect upon each Sundays in this time and season of Advent. On this Sunday we focus on the Love of God which has been manifested to us in His Son, incarnate in the flesh, to become the perfect manifestation of His love in our midst. Yes, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Whose coming into this world we celebrate this Christmas, is the One Who showed us all what God’s love is all about, love that is always ever enduring, love that never ceases, ever generous and which He has always lavished on each and every one of us, His precious and beloved ones.

And this emphasis on the theme of Love at the very last Sunday of Advent also has its significance as Love is also the most important one amongst the all the Christian virtues and values, the most important of all the fruits of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of all that is good from God. Without Love then there can be neither Hope, nor Peace, nor Joy. True Hope, Peace and Joy have been shown and given to us most generously by the Lord Himself through His Beloved Son, Whom He sent into our midst, because God so loved the world that He gave us His only Begotten Son, so that all those who believe in Him may not perish but has eternal life, and that was what St. John wrote in his Gospel in the famous quote from the third chapter of the Gospel of St. John, verse sixteen. It is thanks to God’s Love, that all of us have Hope, the Hope for eternal Peace and true Joy.

In our first reading this Sunday, we heard from the Book of the prophet Micah in which God spoke to His people, the Israelites of the coming of His salvation from the land of Judah, at Bethlehem Ephrata, a small town where David once hailed from before he became the King of all Israel. It was from that city that the Saviour would also be born at, and everything indeed came true several centuries after the Lord had promised it to the people through the prophet Micah. The Lord would send His Son to this world to manifest His love, not through great and loud rejoicing, acclamation or proclamations, but rather through a small, little and vulnerable Child, born in a stable at Bethlehem over two millennia ago, the Holy Child that would be the Saviour of all mankind.

By making Himself small and vulnerable, He has shown us just how much He desire to love all of us. He wants to embrace us so much that He willingly took up our human nature and existence, being incarnate in the flesh, Love Himself manifested in the Christ-Child, being shown to all of us, that God truly cared for all of us, and He has never abandoned us to the darkness and sin. And we heard of His purpose of coming into this world through the second reading passage from the Epistle to the Hebrews in which the author of this Epistle spoke of the sacrifice and offering which Christ Our Lord and Saviour has offered on our behalf, as the one perfect sacrificial offering that is the only one worthy enough for the atonement of all of our many sins, faults and wickedness, to redeem us from all of those.

And even more importantly, Christ obeyed His Father’s will perfectly, that He as the new Man, the new Adam, as contrasted to the old and first Adam, rejected the temptations of disobedience and sin, of any worldly comforts and pleasures which we have often fallen to and embraced, instead of God’s love, truth and mercy. The author also spoke of the obedience of Christ and His sacrifice which has overridden the original interpretation of the commandments and Law of God as practiced by the Jewish people and their ancestors, which required them to offer sin offerings and sacrifices regularly at the Temple, for the one ultimate Sacrifice of Our Lord on His Cross is all that is sufficient to redeem all of us, all mankind past, present and future from our innumerable sins, something that no animal offerings or blood can offer us.

That is because Christ, out of His Love for His heavenly Father and for each and every one of us, being the manifestation of God’s Love in our midst have offered His own Most Precious Blood, the Blood of the Lamb of God, and at the same time acting as our One and Eternal High Priest, offering all these, His broken Precious Body and outpoured Precious Blood for the salvation of all. Through this perfect act of selfless and ultimate love, obedience and faith, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, the incarnate Son of God has opened for us the path to eternal life and to full reconciliation with God, our loving Father and Creator. None of this would have been possible without the Love of God, the love that He has always had for us, ever enduring even despite our frequent disobedience and rebellions against Him.

In our Gospel passage this Sunday, we then heard of the moment when Mary visited Elizabeth when both of them were pregnant, Mary with the Holy Child and Saviour in her womb, while Elizabeth was bearing St. John the Baptist, the Herald of the Saviour in her. Through their interaction and exchanges, we can see the great joy and happiness that they had shown, representing all the joy and happiness that all of us should have in God as well because of everything that He had done for us, His beloved ones. God has never stopped loving us, and He has always fulfilled His promises, and He watched over every one of us and listened to the plight of the needy. The miraculous occasions of the pregnancy of both Mary and Elizabeth were the confirmation of this great love that God has for all of us.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we have heard and discussed from our Scripture passages this Sunday, therefore we are all reminded that Christmas is truly all about Love, the Love that God has never ceased to show us all, and which He has manifested to us through His Son, and reaffirmed fully at the moment of the Passion of the Lord, the time when He offered His life in exchange for ours, laying down His life for us all sinners, showing the greatest and most generous love. That is why as we all prepare ourselves for the celebrations and joyful occasion of Christmas season and time, let us all remind ourselves constantly that everything that we are rejoicing for, all of these are only possible thanks to the most generous and selfless love from God.

It means that we should also show this love in our Christmas celebrations and festivities, remembering to share the joy we have to one another, to everyone around us especially to those who are suffering and enduring challenges and difficulties, and also all those who may not be so fortunate and blessed, and may not be able to rejoice much this coming Christmas season. We must remember everyone around us, all those who are in need of our love and attention, our help and care so that we may indeed be able to share the joy and blessings that God has given us most generously. May all of us grow ever stronger in our love for both God and for one another just as God Himself has loved us all and shown us how we can love everyone around us, now and always. Amen.

Sunday, 22 December 2024 : Fourth Sunday of Advent (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Luke 1 : 39-45

Mary then set out for a town in the hill country of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leapt in her womb.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and, giving a loud cry, said, “You are most blessed among women; and blessed is the Fruit of your womb! How is it, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you, who believed that the Lord’s word would come true!”

Sunday, 22 December 2024 : Fourth Sunday of Advent (Second Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Hebrews 10 : 5-10

This is why, on entering the world, Christ says : You did not desire sacrifice and offering; You were not pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. Then I said : “Here I am. It was written of me in the scroll. I will do Your will, o God.”

First he says : Sacrifice, offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire nor were You pleased with them – although they were required by the Law. Then he says : Here I am to do Your will. This is enough to nullify the first will and establish the new. Now, by this will of God, we are sanctified, once, and for all, by the sacrifice of the Body of Christ Jesus.

Sunday, 22 December 2024 : Fourth Sunday of Advent (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Psalm 79 : 2ac and 3bc, 15-16, 18-19

Listen, o Shepherd of Israel, You, Who sit enthroned between the Cherubim. Stir up Your might and come to save us.

Turn again, o YHVH of hosts, look down from heaven and see; care for this vine, and protect the stock Your hand has planted.

But lay Your hand on Your instrument, on the Son of Man Whom You make strong for Yourself. Then we will never turn away from You; give us life, and we will call on Your Name.

Sunday, 22 December 2024 : Fourth Sunday of Advent (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : Purple/Violet

Micah 5 : 1-4a

But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, so small that you are hardly named among the clans of Judah; from you shall I raise the One Who is to rule over Israel. For He comes forth from of old, from the ancient times.

YHVH, therefore, will abandon Israel until such time as she, who is to give birth, has given birth. Then the rest of His deported brothers will return to the people of Israel. He will stand, and shepherd His flock with the strength of YHVH, in the glorious Name of YHVH, His God.

They will live safely, while He wins renown to the ends of the earth. He shall be peace.

(Usus Antiquior) Fourth Sunday of Advent (I Classis) – Sunday, 22 December 2024 : Offertory, Secret Prayer of the Priest, Communion and Post-Communion Prayer

Liturgical Colour : Violet

Offertory

Luke 1 : 28

Ave, Maria, gratia plena; Dominus tecum : benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus Fructus ventris tui.

English translation

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb.

Secret Prayer of the Priest

Sacrificiis praesentibus, quaesumus, Domine, placatus intende : ut et devotioni nostrae proficiant et saluti. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Look with favour, we beseech You, o Lord upon these offerings here before You, that they may profit both for our devotion and for our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Communion

Isaiah 7 : 14

Ecce, Virgo concipiet et pariet Filium : et vocabitur Nomen Ejus Emmanuel.

English translation

Behold a Virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a Son, and His Name shall be called Emmanuel.

Post-Communion Prayer

Sumptis muneribus, quaesumus, Domine : ut, cum frequentatione mysterii, crescat nostrae salutis effectus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

English translation

Having received Your gifts, o Lord, we pray that the saving effect of the mystery may increase as we frequent it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.