S. Luciæ Virginis et Martyris ~ Duplex

Commemoratio: Sabbato infra Hebdomadam II Adventus

Sat, 12/13/25:

Today is the feast of St. Lucy, V & M, under the 1954 (double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: Proper Mass. Red. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo (1954 only; for the octave of the Immaculate Conception). Preface of Our Lady (et te in Conceptione immacluata) (1954)/Common Preface (1962) (optional Preface of Advent). Ite. Under 1954, commemoration of the octave of the Immaculate Conception. Under both sets of rubrics, commemoration of the Advent feria.

Office: Ordinary office. Red. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (1962; II = II & III of occurring Scripture combined, III = short hagiography). Te Deum. At Matins, psalms and antiphons of the feria. At Lauds, psalms of Sunday (schema I) with proper antiphons. All else from the common of virgins (for virgin martyrs). Proper Benedictus antiphon. Proper collect. Under 1954 only, commemoration of the octave of the Immaculate Conception at Lauds. Under both rubrics, commemoration of the Advent feria at Lauds. Omit suffrage (1954). At Prime and the hours, psalms and antiphons of the feria. All else from the proper. Under 1954, lectio brevis Domine Deus at Prime. (Source: LB236.)

Introitus
Ps 44:8
Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ præ consórtibus tuis.
Ps 44:2
Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego ópera mea Regi.
℣. Glória Patri, …

Collect
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation; that as we rejoice in the festivity of blessed Lucy, thy Virgin and Martyr, we may be instructed in the affections of a loving devotion.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Sabbato infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Commemoration De VI die Infra Octavam Immaculatæ Concept. Beatæ Mariæ Virgini
O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Your Son, and Who, by Your Son’s death, foreseen by You, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech You, through her intercession, that we too may come to You unstained by sin.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 13:44
At that time Jesus spake unto His disciples this parable The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field. And so on.

Homily by Pope St Gregory the Great
11th on the Gospels
Dearly beloved brethren, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto the things of earth, to the end that by the mean of things which we know, our mind may rise to the contemplation of the things which we know not by the example of things which are seen, may fix her gaze on things which are not seen by the touch of things which she useth, may be warmed towards the things which she useth not; by things which she knoweth and loveth, to love also the things which she knoweth not. For, behold, “the kingdom of heaven is likened unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and, for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field.”

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Thou hast fed thy servants, O Lord, with the holy gifts; comfort us ever we pray, by her intercession whose festival we celebrate.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Sabbato infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Commemoration De VI die Infra Octavam Immaculatæ Concept. Beatæ Mariæ Virgini
May the sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that sin from which by a singular privilege, You kept immaculate the conception of blessed Mary.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

De V die infra Octavam Concept. Immac. Beatæ Mariæ Virginis ~ Semiduplex

Commemoratio: Feria VI infra Hebdomadam II Adventus

Fri, 12/12/25:

Today is the 5th day in the octave of the Immaculate Conception under the 1954 (semi-double) rubrics. Mass: As on the feast. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of Our Lady (et te in Conceptione immaculata). Ite. Commemoration of the Advent feria. 3rd prayer Deus qui corda of the Holy Ghost. Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons. Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria (Lauds = schema I). All else from the proper. Collect of the feast. Commemoration of the Advent feria at Lauds. Omit suffrage. (Source: LB236 on Twitter/X.)

Introitus
Is 61:10
Gaudens gaudébo in Dómino, et exsultábit ánima mea in Deo meo: quia índuit me vestiméntis salútis: et induménto justítiæ circúmdedit me, quasi sponsam ornátam monílibus suis.
Ps 29:2
Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me: nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.
V. Glória Patri, ,,,

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Your Son, and Who, by Your Son’s death, foreseen by You, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech You, through her intercession, that we too may come to You unstained by sin.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria VI infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
R. Amen

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 1:26-28
At that time the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And so on.

Homily by St. Tarasius, Patriarch of Constantinople.
On the Presentation of the Mother of God.
O Mary, where shall I find words to praise thee? Maiden undefiled, virgin unstained, exaltation of women, glory of daughters! Holy Maiden Mother, blessed art thou among women, thy glory is in thy guilelessness, and thy name is a name of purity. In thee the curse of Adam is done away, and the debt of Eve paid. Thou art the clean offering of Abel, chosen out of the firstlings profession thereof to be made at of the flock, a pure sacrifice. Thou art the hope of Enoch, that firm hope that he had in God, and was not ashamed. Thou art the grace that was in Enoch in this life, and his transit to a better. Thou art the Holy Ark of Noah, and the bond of reconciliation with God in a new regeneration. Thou art the exceeding glory of the kingdom and Priesthood of Melchisedech. Thou art the unshaken trust of Abraham, and his faith in the promise of children that were to-be. Thou art the renewed oblation and the reasonable burntoffering of Isaac. Thou art the ladder that Jacob saw going up to heaven, and the most noble of all his children throughout the twelve tribes of Israel. According to the flesh thou art the daughter of Judah. Thou art the modesty of Joseph, and the overthrow of the old Egypt, yea, and of the Synagogue of the Jews. O purest! Thou art the book of Moses the Lawgiver, whereon the new covenant is written with the finger of God, for the new Israel, fleeing from the spiritual Egypt, even as the old law was written upon Sinai, for the old Israel, that Israel which was fed in the wilderness upon manna and water from the rock, whereof both were types of Christ, which was yet to come from thy womb, as a bridegroom from his chamber. Thou art Aaron's rod that budded. Thou art David's daughter, all glorious within, clothed in a vesture of gold, wrought about with diverse colours.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that sin from which by a singular privilege, You kept immaculate the conception of blessed Mary.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria VI infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

S. Damasi Papæ et Confessoris ~ Semiduplex

Commemoratio: Feria IV infra Hebdomadam II Adventus

Thurs, 12/11/25:

Today is the feast of St. Damasus I, P & C, under the 1954 (semi-double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: Si diligis me of a supreme pontiff. White. Gloria. Collect Gregem tuum. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo (1954 only; for the octave of the Immaculate Conception). Preface of the Apostles (1954)/Common Preface (optional Preface of Advent) (1962). Ite. Under 1954, commemoration of the octave of the Immaculate Conception and of the Advent feria. Under 1962, commemoration of the Advent feria only.

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (1962; II = II & III of occurring Scripture combined, III = short hagiography). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria (Lauds = schema I). All else from the common of a confessor bishop. Collect Gregem tuum of a supreme pontiff. At Lauds, commemoration of the octave of the Immaculate Conception (1954 only) and of the Advent feria. Omit suffrage (1954). (LB236 on Twitter/X.)

Introitus
Eccli 45:30
Státuit ei Dóminus testaméntum pacis, et príncipem fecit eum: ut sit illi sacerdótii dígnitas in ætérnum.
Ps 131:1.
Meménto, Dómine, David: et omnis mansuetúdinis ejus.
V. Glória Patri, ...

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Damasus thy blessed Confessor and Bishop may increase our devotion and promote our salvation.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria V infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Commemoration De IV die Infra Octavam Immaculatæ Concept. Beatæ Mariæ Virgini
O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Your Son, and Who, by Your Son’s death, foreseen by You, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech You, through her intercession, that we too may come to You unstained by sin.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 16:13-19
At that time: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And so on.

A Homily by St. Leo the Pope
Sermo 2 in anniversario assumpt. suæ ante medium
When the Lord, as we read in the Gospel, asked his disciples who did men, amid their diverse speculations, believe him the Son of Man to be, blessed Peter answered and said: Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And the Lord answered and said unto him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father, which is in heaven: and I say also unto thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. But the dispensation of truth perdures, and blessed Peter, persevering in the strength of the rock which he hath received, hath not relinquished the position he assumed at the helm of the Church.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that as we thank You for the favors we have received, we may, by the intercession of blessed Damasus, Your Confessor and Bishop, obtain still greater blessings.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria V infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Commemoration De IV die Infra Octavam Immaculatæ Concept. Beatæ Mariæ Virgini
May the sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that sin from which by a singular privilege, You kept immaculate the conception of blessed Mary.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

De III die Infra Octavam Immaculatæ Concept. Beatæ Mariæ Virgini ~ Semiduplex

Commemoratio: Feria IV infra Hebdomadam II Adventus

Wed, 12/10/25: Today is the 3rd day in the octave of the Immaculate Conception under the 1954 (semi-double) rubrics. Mass: As on the feast. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of Our Lady (et te in Conceptione immaculata). Ite. Commemoration of the Advent feria and of St. Melchiades, P & M (collect Gregem tuum). Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons. Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria (Lauds = schema I). All else from the proper. Collect of the feast. Commemoration of the Advent feria and of St. Melchiades (collect Gregem tuum) at Lauds. Omit suffrage. (Source: LB236 on Twitter/X.)

Introitus
Is 61:10
Gaudens gaudébo in Dómino, et exsultábit ánima mea in Deo meo: quia índuit me vestiméntis salútis: et induménto justítiæ circúmdedit me, quasi sponsam ornátam monílibus suis.
Ps 29:2
Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me: nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.
V. Glória Patri, ...

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Your Son, and Who, by Your Son’s death, foreseen by You, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech You, through her intercession, that we too may come to You unstained by sin.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria IV infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Commemoration St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Melchiades thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 1:26-28
In that time the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And so on.

Homily by St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux.
2nd on this text.
Rejoice, father Adam, and yet more thou mother Eve, ye that are the source of all, and the ruin of all, and the unhappy cause of their ruin before ye gave them birth. Be comforted both in your daughter, and such a daughter; but chiefly thou, O woman, of whom the first evil came, and who hast cast thy slur upon all women. The time is come for the slur to be taken away, and for the man to have nothing to say against the woman. At the first, when he unwisely began to make excuse, he scrupled not to throw the blame upon her, saying, The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. Wherefore, O Eve, betake thyself to Mary Mother, betake thyself to thy daughter let the daughter answer for the mother let her take away her mother's reproach; let her make up to her father for her mother's fault for if man be fallen by means of woman, it is by means of woman that he is raised up again.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that sin from which by a singular privilege, You kept immaculate the conception of blessed Mary.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria IV infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Commemoration St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
Being appeased, O Lord, guide thy Church, which has been nourished by holy refreshment, that under thy direction and powerful rule it may receive increase of liberty and may continue in religious integrity.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Madonna di Loreto

 

De II die infra Octavam Concept. Immac. Beatæ Mariæ Virginis ~ Semiduplex

Tempora: Feria III infra Hebdomadam II Adventus

Tues, 12/9/25: Today is the 2nd day in the octave of the Immaculate Conception under the 1954 (semi-double) rubrics. Mass: As on the feast. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of Our Lady (et te in Conceptione immaculata). Ite. Commemoration of the Advent feria. 3rd prayer Deus qui corda of the Holy Ghost. Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons. Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria (Lauds = schema I). All else from the proper. Collect of the feast. Commemoration of the Advent feria at Lauds. Omit suffrage. (LB236.)

Introitus

Is 61:10

Gaudens gaudébo in Dómino, et exsultábit ánima mea in Deo meo: quia índuit me vestiméntis salútis: et induménto justítiæ circúmdedit me, quasi sponsam ornátam monílibus suis.

Ps 29:2

Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me: nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.

V. Glória Patri, ...

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Your Son, and Who, by Your Son’s death, foreseen by You, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech You, through her intercession, that we too may come to You unstained by sin.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria III infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
R. Amen

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 1:26-28
In that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And so on.

Homily by St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem.
On the Annunciation.
When this blessed Angel was sent to the most pure virgin what did he say? In what words did he break the happy news of Redemption? Hail, thou that art full of grace, the Lord is with thee. (Now this word Hail is in the original Chaire, which being interpreted signifieth Rejoice.) The messenger of joy in his first word biddeth her rejoice. He knew well that his message was a message of good tidings of great joy to men, Luke ii. 10, yea, to all creatures, a message of healing to all sicknesses. He knew well that his message was a message of God's light to a dark world. He knew well that it proclaimed the end of error. He knew well that it blunted the sting of death. He knew well that it broke the power of corruption. He knew well that it brought victory over hell. He knew well that it told of salvation to all the fallen children of Adam, groaning under that yoke of malediction which fell on them when they were thrust out of Eden, and banished from that happy home. Therefore, when he began to speak, he spoke in tones of rejoicing, and opened his message with sounds of gladness. Therefore made he the name of joy to herald the tidings of good, which were to be for a joy unto all people, whosoever should believe.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that sin from which by a singular privilege, You kept immaculate the conception of blessed Mary.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria III infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

In Conceptione Immaculata Beatæ Mariæ Virginis ~ Duplex I. classis

Tempora: Dominica II Adventus

“Ave, gratia plena!"

Introitus
Is 61:10
Gaudens gaudébo in Dómino, et exsultábit ánima mea in Deo meo: quia índuit me vestiméntis salútis: et induménto justítiæ circúmdedit me, quasi sponsam ornátam monílibus suis.
Ps 29:2
Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me: nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.
V. Glória Patri, ...

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, prepared a worthy dwelling for Your Son, and Who, by Your Son’s death, foreseen by You, preserved her from all taint, grant, we beseech You, through her intercession, that we too may come to You unstained by sin.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria II infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
R. Amen

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 1:26-28
In that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And so on.

Homily by St. Germain, Patriarch of Constantinople.
On the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin
Hail, Mary, full of grace, holier than the Saints, higher than the heavens, more glorious than the Cherubim, more honourable than the Seraphim, and the most worshipful thing that the hands of God have made. Hail, O dove, bearing in thy beak the olive-branch of peace that telleth us of salvation from the spiritual flood, Gen. viii. 10, n, dove, blessed omen of a safe harbour, whose wings are of silver, and thy feathers of gold, shining in the bright beams of the Most Holy and Light-giving Spirit. Ps. lxvii. 14. Hail, thou living garden of Eden, planted towards the East by the right hand of the Most Merciful and Mighty God, wherein do grow to His glory rich lilies and unfading roses, for the healing of them that have drunk in death from the blighting and pestilential breezes of the bitter West, Gen. ii. 8, 9; Eden, wherein hath sprung that Tree of life, Whereof if any man eat he shall live for ever. Gen. ii. 9; iii. 22. John vi. 52. Hail, stately Palace of the King, most holy, stainless, purest, House of the Most High God, adorned with His Royal splendour, open to all, filled with Kingly dainties; Palace wherein is that spiritual bridal chamber, not made with hands, nor hung with diverse colours, in the which the Eternal Word, when He would raise up fallen man, wedded flesh unto Himself, that He might reconcile unto the Father them who had cast themselves away.

The Church celebrates the birth of our Lady on September 8 and today, nine months prior, her Immaculate Conception.

"To become the mother of the Savior, Mary 'was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.' (Second Vatican Council, Lumen gentium 56.) The angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation saluted her as 'full of grace.' (Lk 1:28) In fact, in order for Mary to be able to give the free assent of her faith to the announcement of her vocation, it was necessary that she be wholly borne by God's grace." (CCC 490)

"Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, 'full of grace' through God, (Lk 1:28) was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: 

"The most blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin. (Pius XI, Ineffabilis Deus, 1854: DS 2803)"

(CCC 491)
 
"The 'splendor of an entirely unique holiness' by which Mary is 'enriched from the first instant of her conception' comes wholly from Christ: she is 'redeemed, in a more exalted fashion, more than any other created person' in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places' and chose her 'in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him in love.' (Cf. Eph 1:3-4)" (CCC 492)
 
"The Fathers of the Eastern tradition call the Mother of God 'the All-Holy' (Panagia) and celebrate her as 'free from any stain of sin, as though fashioned by the Holy Spirit and formed as a new creature.' (Second Vatican Council, Lumen gentium56.) By the grace of God Mary remained free of every personal sin her whole life long." (CCC 493)

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the sacrament we have received, O Lord our God, heal in us the wounds of that sin from which by a singular privilege, You kept immaculate the conception of blessed Mary.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Feria II infra Hebdomadam II Adventus
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

(Art: Inmaculada Concepción o/l. 147x94 cm. Firmada A. Cortina, 1876.)

Dominica II Adventus: "Art thou he that art to come?"

Sun, 12/7/25: Today is the 2nd Sunday of Advent under the 1954 (semi-double Sunday of the II class) and 1962 (I class Sunday) rubrics. Mass: Proper Mass. Violet. Omit Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Credo. Preface of the Most Holy Trinity (1962: optional neo-Gallican Preface of Advent). Benedicamus (1954)/Ite (1962). Under 1954, commemoration of St. Ambrose, B, C & D. No additional prayers under 1962. Office: Sunday office. Violet. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (1962; II = lessons II & III of the old Breviary combined, III = lesson VII of the old Breviary). Omit Te Deum. Psalms of Sunday (Lauds = schema I) with proper antiphons of the 1st Sunday of Advent. All else from the proper. Proper Benedictus antiphon. Collect of the Sunday. No commemorations at Lauds. Omit suffrage (1954). At Prime, V = Qui venturus es in mundum (used throughout Advent). Omit preces (1954). (LB236.)

Introitus
Is 30:30
Pópulus Sion, ecce, Dóminus véniet ad salvándas gentes: et audítam fáciet Dóminus glóriam vocis suæ in lætítia cordis vestri.
Ps 79:2
Qui regis Israël, inténde: qui dedúcis, velut ovem, Joseph.
V. Glória Patri, ...

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
R. Amen

Let us pray.
For the Vigil of Immaculata Conception
O God, who in her conception, didst wonderfully preserve the mother of thy only begotten Son from the stain of the original Sin, grant we pray, that thou make us so to be strengthened by her intercession as with pure hearts to take in her festival.
Commemoration St. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
O God, who didst give blessed Ambrose to be thy people’s minister in eternal salvation; grant, we pray, that we who have him for teacher of life here on earth, may also deserve now that he is in heaven, to have him for an advocate.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 11:2-10
In that time, when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him: Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another? And so on.

Homily by Pope St. Gregory the Great.
6th Homily on the Gospels
The sight of so many signs and so many mighty works should have been a source of wonder, and not a stumbling-block. And yet the unfaithful Jer. xxxi. 5. found these very works a rock of offence, when they afterwards saw Him Who had worked so many miracles dying on the Cross. Hence Paul saith: "We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Gentiles foolishness." 1 Cor. i. 23. It is indeed folly in the eyes of men to say that the Author of life died for men and thus men put as a stumbling-block to hinder them from coming to Jesus, the very thing that doth oblige them the most unto Him. For the more humbling God hath undergone for man's sake, the more worthy is He that man should worship Him.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
For the Vigil of Immaculata Conception
Grant protection to our weakness, O merciful God: that we, who are preparing for the festival of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of thy only-begotten Son, may by the help of her prayers rise up from our iniquities.
Commemoration St. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
Almighty God, we who receive the sacrament of our salvation, beseech You that the prayer of blessed Ambrose, Your Bishop and Confessor, in whose honor we have offered this sacrifice to Your majesty, may everywhere help us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

R. Amen.

S. Nicolai Episcopi et Confessoris ~ Duplex

Commemoratio: Sabbato infra Hebdomadam I Adventus

Saturday, 12/6/25:

Today is the feast of St. Nicholas, B & C, under the 1954 (double) and 1962 (III class) rubrics.

Mass: Proper Mass. White. Gloria. Gradual/Alleluia. Omit Credo. Common Preface (1962: optional Preface of Advent). Ite. Commemoration of the Advent feria.

Office: Ordinary office. White. Matins of 3 nocturns of 9 lessons (1954)/1 nocturn of 3 lessons (1962; II = II & III of occurring Scripture combined, III = short hagiography). Te Deum. Psalms and antiphons of the feria (Lauds = schema I). All else from the common of a confessor bishop. Proper collect. Commemoration of the Advent feria at Lauds. Omit suffrage (1954). (LB236 on Twitter/X.)

Collect
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, You who made the holy Bishop Nicholas renowned for countless miracles, grant, we beseech You, that by his merits and prayers we may be saved from the fires of hell.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Sabbato infra Hebdomadam I Adventus
Put forth Your power, O Lord, we beseech You, and come, that with You as our protector we may be rescued from the impending danger of our sins; and with You as our deliverer, may we obtain our salvation.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
R. Amen

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 25:14-23
At that time Jesus spake unto His disciples this parable A man, travelling into a far country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And so on.

Homily by Pope St Gregory the Great.
9th on the Gospels.
Dearly beloved brethren, this Lesson from the Holy Gospel moveth us to take good heed lest we, who are seen in this world to have received more than others, should thereby bring ourselves into greater condemnation from the Maker of this world. To whom much is given, of the same is much required. Therefore, let him that receiveth much, strive to be all the more lowly, and all the more ready to do God service, for his very gifts’ sake, knowing that he will be obliged to give account thereof. Behold, a man, travelling into a far country, calleth his own servants, and delivereth unto them talents, to the end that they may trade therewith. After a long time, the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them, and to them that have done well He rendereth a reward of their labours, but that servant which was careless of his master’s work He condemneth.

Post Communion
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
May the sacrifice in which we have shared on the feast of Your holy Bishop Nicholas guard us with its lasting protection.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.

Let us pray.
Commemoration Sabbato infra Hebdomadam I Adventus
May we receive Your mercy, O Lord, in the midst of Your temple, and thus prepare with due observance for the coming festal season of our redemption.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen