From the Sermons of St Thomas of Aquino

The immeasurable benefits, which the goodness of God hath bestowed on Christian people, have conferred on them also a dignity beyond all price." For what nation is there so great, who hath gods so nigh unto them, as the Lord, our God, is" unto us? Deut. iv. 7. The Only-begotten Son of God, being pleased to make us "partakers of the Divine nature," 2 Pet. i. 4, took our nature upon Him, being Himself made Man that He might make men gods. And all, as much of ours as He took, He applied to our salvation. On the Altar of the Cross He offered up His Body to God the Father as a sacrifice for our reconciliation He shed His Blood as the price whereby He redeemeth us from wretchedness and bondage, and the washing whereby He cleanseth us from all sin. And for a noble and abiding memorial of that so great work of His goodness, He hath left unto His faithful ones the Same His very Body for Meat, and the Same His very Blood for Drink, to be fed upon under the appearance of bread and wine.

How precious a thing then, how marvelous, how health-giving, how furnished with all dainties, is the Supper [of the Lord!] Than His Supper can anything be more precious? Therein there is put before us for meat, not, as of old time, the flesh of bulls and of goats, but Christ Himself, our very God. Than this Sacrament can anything be more marvelous? Therein it cometh to pass that bread and wine are bread and wine no more, but in the stead thereof there is the Body and there is the Blood of Christ; that is to say, Christ Himself, Perfect God and Perfect Man, Christ Himself is there, under the appearance of a little bread and wine. His faithful ones eat Him, but He is not mangled; nay, when [the veil which shroudeth Him in] this Sacrament is broken, in each broken piece thereof remaineth whole Christ Himself, Perfect God and Perfect Man. All that the senses can reach in this Sacrament, [look, taste, feel, smell, and the like, all these] abide of bread and wine, but the Thing is not bread and wine. And thus room is left for faith; Christ Who hath a Form That can be seen, is here taken and received not only unseen, but seeming to be bread and wine, and the senses, which judge by the wonted look, are warranted against error.

Than this Sacrament can anything be more health-giving? Thereby are sins purged away, strength renewed, and the soul fed upon the fatness of spiritual gifts. This Supper is offered up in the Church both for the quick and dead it was ordained to the health of all, all get the good of it. Than this Sacrament can anything be more furnished with dainties The glorious sweetness thereof is of a truth such that no man can fully tell it. Therein ghostly comfort is sucked from its very well - head. Therein a memorial is made of that exceeding great love which Christ showed in time of His sufferings. It was in order that the boundless goodness of that His great love might be driven home into the hearts of His faithful ones, that when He had celebrated the Passover with His disciples, and the last Supper was ended, the Lord " Jesus, knowing that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end," John xiii. 1, and instituted this Sacrament, this Sacrament, the everlasting "forth-showing of His death until He come again," 1 Cor. xi. 26, this Sacrament, the embodied fulfilment of all the ancient types and figures, this Sacrament, the greatest miracle which He ever wrought, and the one mighty joy of them that now have sorrow, till He shall come again, and their heart shall rejoice, and their joy no man take from
 them.

The Nativity of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

A happy and holy Christmas to you all

INTROIT

 Isaias 9: 6

Puer natus est nobis; et fílius datus est nobis: cujus impérium super humerum ejus: et vocábitur nomen ejus magni consílii Angelus. (Ps. 97: 1) Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum, quia mirabília fecit. v. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

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. (Ps. 97: 1) Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: for He hath done wonderful things. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

COLLECT

Oremus. DayDeus, qui hanc sacratíssimam noctem veri lúminis fecísti illustratióne claréscere: da, quæsumus, ut cujus lucis mystéria in terra cognóvimus, ejus quoque gáudis in coelo perfruámur. Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Let us pray. O God, who hast made this most holy night to shine forth with the splendor of the true Light: grant, we beseech Thee, that we, who have known the mysteries of His life on earth, may enjoy also His happiness in Heaven. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,

EPISTLE

Hebrews 1: 1-12

Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Hebræos. Multifáriam multísque modis olim Deus loquens pátribus in Prophétis novíssime diébus istis locútus est nobis in Fílio, quem constítuit hærédem universórum, per quem fecit et sæcula. Qui cum sit splendor glóriæ, et figúra substántiæ ejus, portáns-que ómnia verbo virtútis suæ, purgatiónem peccatórum fáciens, sedet ad déxteram Majestátis in excélsis: tanto mélior Angelus efféctus, quanto differéntius præ illis nomen hæreditávit. Cui enim dixit aliquándo Angelórum: Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te? Et rursum: Ego ero illi in Patrem, et ipse erit mihi in fílium. Et cum íterum introdúcit primogénitum in orbem terræ, dicit: Et adórent eum omnes Angeli Dei. Et ad Angelos quidem dicit: Qui facit Angelos suos spíritus, et minístros suos flammam ignis. Ad Fílium autem: Thronus tuus, Deus, in sæculum sæculi: virga æquitátis, virga regni tui. Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo exsultatiónis præ particípibus tuis. Et: Tu in princípio, Domine, terram fundásti; et ópera mánuum tuarum sunt cæli. Ipsi períbunt, tu autem permanébis; et omnes ut vestiméntum veteráscent, et velut amíctum mutábis eos, et mutabúntur: tu autem idem ipse es, et anni tui non defícient. 

Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul, the Apostle to the Hebrews. God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days hath spoken to us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the world: 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, sitteth on the right hand of the Majesty on high: being made so much better than the angels, as He hath inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of he angels hath He said at any time: I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son? And again, when He bringeth in the first begotten into the world, He saith: And let all the angels of God adore Him. And to the angels indeed He saith: He that maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire. But to the Son: Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of justice is the scepter of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. And: Thou in the beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth: and the works of Thy hands are the heavens. They shall perish, but Thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment: and as a vesture shalt Thou change them and they shall be changed: but Thou art the self-same, and Thy years shall not fail.

GRADUAL

Psalm 97: 3, 4, 2

Viderunt omnes fines terræ salutáre Dei nostri: jubiláte Deo omnes terra.V. Notum fecit Dóminus salutáre suum: ante conspéctum géntium revelávit justítiam suam. Allelúja, allelúja. V. Dies sanctificátus illúxit nobis: Veníte, gentes, et adoráte Dóminum quia hódie descéndit lux magna super terram. Allelúja.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God: sing joyfully to God, all the earth. V. The Lord hath made known His salvation: He hath revealed His justice in the sight of the Gentiles. Alleluia, alleluia. V. A sanctified day hath shown upon us: come ye Gentiles and adore the Lord: for this day a great light hath descended upon the earth. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

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 hominem: et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt. Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Ioannes. 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 eius: qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt.
Here all kneel 
ET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam eius, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis.R.Gloria tibi, Domine 

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 shineth 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 testify concerning the Light, that all might believe through Him. He was not the Light, be he was to testify concerning the Light. That was the true Light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him to them He gave power to become sons of God, to them that 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.

Here all kneel  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.

OFFERTORY

Psalm 88: 12-15

Tui sunt cæli, et tua est terra, orbem terrárum et plentitúdinem ejus tu fundásti: justítia et judícium præparátio sedis tuæ.

Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth, the world and the fullness thereof Thou hast founded: justice and judgment are the preparation of Thy Throne.

SECRET 

Obláta, Dómine, múnera nova Unigéniti tui nativitáte sanctífica: nosque a peccatorum nostrórum máculis emúnda. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, 
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Sanctify, O Lord, the gifts offered to Thee, by the new birth of Thine Only-begotten Son: and cleanse us from the stains of our sins. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God 
Forever and ever.

COMMUNION

 Psalm 97: 3

Vidérunt omnes fines terræ salutáre Dei nostri.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

POSTCOMMUNION

Oremus. Præsta, quæsumus, omnipotens Deus: ut natus hódie Salvátor mundi, sicut divínæ nobis generatiónis est auctor ita et immortalitátis sit ipse largitor. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, 
Per omnia saecula saeculorum. 

Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that as the Savior of the world, born on this day, is the Author of our heavenly birth, so He may also be to us the Giver of immortality. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, 
For ever and ever

Last GOSPEL

Cum natus esset Jesus in Bethlehem Juda, in diebus Herodis regis, ecce Magi ab Oriente venerunt Jerosolymam dicentes: Ubi est qui natus est Rex Judæorum? vidimus enim stellam ejus in Oriente, et venimus adorare eum. Audiens autem Herodes rex, turbatus est, et omnis Jerosolyma cum illo. Et congregans omnes principes sacerdotum, et scribas populi, sciscitabatur ab eis ubi Christus nasceretur. At illi dixerunt ei: In Bethlehem Judæ: sic enim scriptum est per Prophetam: Et tu, Bethlehem, terra Juda, nequaquam minima es in principibus Juda: ex te enim exiet dux quæ regat populum meum Israël. Tunc Herodes, clam vocatis Magis, diligenter didicit ab eis tempus stellæ, quæ apparuit eis: et mittens illos in Bethlehem, dixit: Ite, et interrogate diligenter de puero: et cum inveneritis, renuntiate mihi, ut et ego veniens adorum eum. Qui cum audissent regem, abierunt. Et ecce stella quam viderant in Oriente antecedebat eos, usque dum veniens staret supra ubi erat puer. Videntes autem stellam, gavisi sunt gaudio magno valde. Et intrantes in domum, invenerunt puer cum Maria matre ejus,

Here all kneel
et procidentes adoraverunt eum. Et apertis thesauris suis, obtulerunt ei munera, aurum, thus et myrrham. Et responso accepto in somnis ne redirent ad Herodem, per aliam viam reversi sunt in regionem suam.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juda in the days of King Herod, behold there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and are come to adore Him. And King Herod hearing this was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the Prophet. And thou Bethlehem, the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the Captain that shall rule My people Israel. Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them: and sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the Child, and when you have found Him, bring me word again, that I may also come and adore Him. Who having heard the king went their way. And behold the star, which they had seen in the East, went before them until it came and stood over where the Child was. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the Child with Mary His Mother,

Here all kneel
and falling down they adored Him. And opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.  

  

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

INTROIT

Isaias 61: 10

Gaudens gaudébo in Dómino, et exsultábit ánima mea in Deo meo: quia induit me vestiméntis salútis; et induménto justitiæ circúmdedit me, quasi sponsam ornátam monílibus suis. (Ps. 29: 2) Exaltábo te, Dómine, quoniam suscepísti me: nec delectásti inimícos meos super me. v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et saecula saeculorum. Amen.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God: for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, and with the robe of justice He hath covered me, as a bride adorned with her jewels. (Ps. 29: 2) I will extol Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast upheld me: and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

COLLECT

Oremus. Deus, qui per immaculátam Vírginis Conceptiónem dignum Fílio tuo habitáculum præparásti; quæsumus, ut qui, ex morte ejúsdem Fílii tui prævísa, eam ab omni labe præservásti, nos quoque mundos ejus intercessióne ad te pervenire concédas. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum: Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum. 

Let us pray. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin didst prepare a worthy dwelling place for Thy Son: we beseech Thee, that as by the foreseen death of the same Thy Son, Thou didst preserve her from all stain, so Thou wouldst grant to us also, through her intercession, to come unto Thee with clean hearts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God 
Forever and ever.

EPISTLE

Proverbs 8. 23-35

Lectio libri Sapientiæ: Dóminus possédit me in inítio viáarum, suárum, ántequam quidquam fáceret a princípio. Ab ætérno ordináta sum, et ex antíquis, áantequam terra fíeret. Nondum erant abyssi, et ego jam concépta eram: necdum fontes aquárum erúperant: necdum montes gravi mole constíterant: ante colles ego parturiébar. Adhuc terram non fécerat, et flúmina et cárdines orbis terræ. Quando præparábat coelos, áaderam: quando certa lege, et gyro vallábat abyssos: quando æthera firmábat sursum, et librábat fontes aquárum: quando circúmdabat mari términum suum, et legem ponébat aquis ne transírent fines suos: quando appendébat fundaménta terræ. Cumeo eramcuncta compón-ens: et dilectábar per síngulos dies, ludens coram eo omni témpore, ludens in orbe terrárum: et delíciæ meæ esse cum fíliis hóminum. Nunc ergo, fílii, audíte me: Beáti qui custódiunt vias meas. Audíte discipliniam, et estóte sapiéntes, et nolite abjícere eam. Beátus homo qui audit me, et qui vígilat ad fores meas quotídie, et obsérvat ad postes óstii mei.Qui me invéniet vitam, et háuriet salútem a Dómino

Lesson from the Book of Wisdom: Proverbs. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything, from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out; the mountains with their huge bulk had not yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, not the poles of the world. When He prepared the Heavens, I was there when with a certain law and compass He enclosed the depths; when He established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters; when He compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits; when He balanced the foundations of the earth; I was with Him, forming all things, and was delighted every day, playing before Him at all times, playing in the world: and my delight is to be with the children of men. Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.

GRADUAL

Judith 13: 23

Benedícta es tu, Virgo María, a Dómino Deo excélso, præ omni-bus muliéribus super terram. V. (Judith 15: 10) Tu Glória, Jerúsalem, tu lætítia Isræl, tu honorificéntia pópuli nostri. Alleluja, alleluja. V. (Canticles 4: 7) Tota pulchra es, María, et mácula originális non est in te. Alleluja.

Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, by the Lord the most high God, above all women upon the earth. V. (Judith 15: 10) Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou art the joy of Israel thou art the honor of our people. Alleluia, alleluia.V. (Canticles 4: 7) Thou art all fair O Mary, and there is in thee no stain of original sin. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Luke 1: 26-28

In illo témpore: Missus est Angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitátem Galilææ, cui nomen Názareth, ad Vírginem desponsátam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de Dómo David et nomen Vírginis, María. Et ingréssus Angelus ad eam, dixit: "Ave, grátia plena Dóminus tecum benédicta tu in muliéribus." 

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 the Angel being come in, said unto her: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."

OFFERTORY

Luke 1: 28

Oremus. Ave, María, gratia plena: Dóminus tecum, benedícta tu in muliéribus, allelúja.

Let us pray. Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women. Alleluia.

SECRET 

Salutárem hóstiam, quam in solemnitáte immáculatæ Conceptionis beátæ Vírginis Maríæ tibi, Dómine, offérimus, súscipe, et præsta: ut sicut illam, tua grátia præveniénte, ab omni labe immúnem profitémur; ita ejus intercessióne a culpis omnibus liberémur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Receive the saving Victim we offer to Thee, O Lord, on the solemn feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: and grant that, as we confess that by Thy preventing grace she was kept free from every stain of sin; so, by her intercession, we may be delivered from all our offenses. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.

COMMUNION

Gloriósa dicta sunt de te, María, quia fecit tibi magna qui potens est.

Glorious things are told of thee, O Mary, for He who is mighty hath done great things unto thee.

POSTCOMMUNION

Oremus. Sacraménta quæ súmpsimus, Dómine Deus noster, illíus in nobis culpæ vúlnera réparent; a qua immaculátam beátæ Maríæ Conceptionem singuláriter præservásti. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, 
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Let us pray. May the Sacraments which we have received, O Lord, our God, heal in us the wounds of that sin, from which Thou didst alone preserve the Immaculate Conception of Blessed Mary. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God 
Forever and ever. 

50 Year Anniversary of Vatican II

But there is nothing to Celebrate



http://www.cfnews.org/page10/page71/interview_jv_vatican_ii.html

St. Francis Xavier, C

INTROIT

Psalm 118: 46-47

Loquébar de testimóniis tuis in conspéctu regum, et non confundébar: et meditábar in mandátis tuis, quæ diléxi nimìs. (Ps. 118, 1) Beáti immaculáti in via: qui ámbulant in lege Dómine. v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et saecula saeculorum. Amen. 

I spoke of Thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed: I meditated also on Thy commandments, which I loved exceedingly. (Ps. 118, 1) Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen 

COLLECT

Oremus. Deus, qui Indiárum gentes beáti Francísci prædicatióne et miráculis Ecclésiæ tuæ aggregáre voluísti: concéde propítius; ut, cujus gloriósa mérita venerámur, virtútum quoque imitémur exémpla. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui vivis et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Let us pray. O God, Who wast pleased to gather into Thy Church the nations of the Indies by the preaching and miracles of blessed Francis, mercifully grant that we, who venerate his glorious merits, may also imitate the example of his virtues. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
Forever and ever.

EPISTLE

Romans 10: 10-18

Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Romános- Fratres: Corde enim créditur ad justítiam: ore autem conféssio fit ad salútem. Dicit enim Scriptúra: Omnis, qui credit in illum, non confundétur. Non enim est distínctio Judæi, et Græci: nam idem Dóminus ómnium, dives in omnes, qui invocant Illum. Omnis enim, quicúmque invocáverit nomen Dómini, salvus erit. Quómodo ergo invocábunt, in quem. non credidérunt? Aut quómodo credent ei, quem non audiérunt? Quómodo autem ádient sine prædicánte? Quómodo vero prædicábunt, nisi mittántur? sicut scriptum est: Quam speciósi pedes evangelizántium pacem, evangelizántium bona! Sed non omnes obédiunt Evangélio. Isaías enim. dicit: Dómine, quis crédidit audítui nostro? Ergo fides ex audítu, audítus autem per verbum Christi. Sed dico: Numquid non audiérunt? Et quidem in omnem terram exívit sonus eórum, et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Romans. Brethren, With the heart we believe unto justice, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth in Him shall not be confounded. For there is no distinction of the Jew and the Greek; for the same is Lord over all, rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? or how shall they believe Him of Whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear, without a preacher? and how shall they preach, unless they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things! But all do not obey the gospel. For Isaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Faith, then, cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say, Have they not heard? Yea, verily, their sound hath gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the whole world.

GRADUAL

Psalm 91: 13,14

Justus ut palma florébit: sicut cedrus Líbani multiplicábítur in domo Dómíni.V. (91: 3) Ad annuntiándum mane miseri-córdiam tuam, et veritátem tuam per noctem. Allelúja, allelúja. V.(James 1: 12) Beátus vir, qui suffert tentatiónem: quóniam cum probátus fúerit, accípiet corónam vita. Allelúja.

The just man shall flourish like the palm-tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus. V. (91: 3) To show forth Thy mercy in the morning, and Thy truth in the night. Alleluia, alleluia.V. (James 1: 12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for, when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life. Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mark 16: 15-17

In illo témpore: Dixìt Jesus discípulis Suis: "Eúntes in mundum univérsum, prædicáte Evangélium omni creatúræ. Qui credíderit, et baptizátus fuerit, saivus erit: qui vero non credíderit, condemnábitur. Signa autem eos, qui credíderint, hæc sequéntur: In nómine meo dæmónia ejícient: linguis loquéntur novis: serpéntes tollent: et si mortíferum quid bíberint, non eis nocébit: super ægros manus impónent, et bene habébunt."

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover." 

OFFERTORY

Psalm 88: 25

Véritas mea, et misericórdia mea cum ipso: et in nómine meo exaltábitur cornu ejus.

My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted.

SECRET 

Præsta nobis, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nostræ humilitátis oblátio, et pro tuórum tibi grata sit honóre Sanctórum, et nos córpore páriter et mente purfícet. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, 
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that the offering of our lowliness may be both pleasing to Thee for the honor of Thy saints and may likewise purify us in body and soul. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God 
Forever and ever.

COMMUNION

Matthew 24: 46, 47

Beátus servus, quem, cum vénerit dóminus, invénerit vigilántem: amen dico vobis, super ómnia bona sua constítuet eum.

Blessed ís that servant, whom when the Lord shall come, He shall find watching: Amen I say to you, He shall set him over all His goods.

POSTCOMMUNION

Oremus. Quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui cæléstia aliménta percépimus, intercedénte beáto Francísco Confessóre tuo, per hæc contra ómnia advérsa muniámur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Let us pray. We beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who have partaken of Heavenly nourishment, may, by the intercession of blessed Francis, Thy confessor, be fortified by the same against all adverse influences. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God 
For ever and ever. 

1st Sunday of Advent, St. Bibiana, VM

INTROIT

 Jeremias 29: 11, 12,14

Ad te levávi, ánimam meam: Deus meus, in te confído, non erubéscam; neque irrídeant me inimíci mei, étenim univérsi, qui te exspéctant non confundéntur. (Ps. 24: 4) Vias tuas, Dómine, demónstra mihi: et sémitas tuas édoce me. V. v. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum

To Thee have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me; for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. (Ps. 24: 4) Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me: and teach me Thy paths. v. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end

COLLECT

Oremus. Excita, quæsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam et veni; ut ab imminéntibus peccatórum nostrórum perículis, te mereámur protegénte éripi, te liberánte salvári. Qui vivis et regnas, cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritu Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Let us pray. O Lord, our God, multiply Thy graces upon us, and grant that joy may follow in the holy praise of those whose glorious festival we anticipate Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God. 

EPISTLE
   Romans 13: 11-14

Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Romános. Fratres: Sciéntes qula hors est jam nos de somno súrgere. Nunc enim pro pior est nostra salus, quam cum credidimus. Nox prascéssit, dies autem appropinquàvit. Abjiciamus ergo opera tenebrarum, et induamur arma lucis. Sicut in die honéste ambulémus: non in comessationibus et ebrietétibus, non in cubilibus, et impudicítiis, non in contentions et kemutatione: sed induímini Dominum Jesum Christum. 

Lesson from the Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Romans. Brethren, knowing that it is now the hour for us to rise from our sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is past and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy:but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

GRADUAL
 Psalm 24: 3, 4

Univérsi qui te exspéctant, non confundéntur, Dómíne. V. Vias Tuas, Dómine, notas fac mihi: et sémitas Tuas édoce me. Alleluia, allelúia. V.(Ps. 84: 8) Osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam Tuam: et salutare Tuum da nobis. Alleluia.

All they that wait on Thee shall not be confounded, O Lord. V. Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me: and teach me Thy paths. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Ps. 84: 8) Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy and grant us Thy salvation. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
Luke 21: 25-33

In illo tempore: Dixit Jeus discipulis Suis: "Erunt signa in sole, et luna, et stellis; et in terris pressúra géntium præ confusióne sónitus maris et fiúctuum: arescéntibus homínibus præ timóre et exspectatióne, quæ super vénient univérso orbi: nam vírtútes coelórum movebúntur; et tunc vidébunt Fílium hóminis veniéntem in nube cum potestáte magna et majestáte. His autem fíeri incipiéntibus, respícite et leváte cápita vestra; quóniam appropínquat redémptio vestra." Et dixit illis similitúdinem: "Vidéte ficúlneam, et omnes árbores: cum prodúcunt jam ex se fructum, scitis quóniam prope est æastas. Ita et vos cum vidéritis hæc fíeri, scitóte quóniam prope est regnum Dei, Amen, dico vobis: quia non præteríbit generátio hæc, donec ómnia fiant. Coelum et terra transibunt: verba autem Mea non transíbunt." 

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves: men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of Heaven shall be moved. And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand." And He spoke to them a similitude: "See the fig tree and all the trees: when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.

OFFERTORY
Ps. 24: 1-3

Ad te levávi ánimam meam: Deus meus, in te confído, non erubéscam; neque irrídeant me inimíci mei: étenim univérsi, qui te exspéctant, non confundéntur.

To Thee have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O Lord, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait for Thee shall be confounded. 

SECRET 


Hæc sacra nos, Dómine, potenti virtúte mundátos, ad suum fáciant purióres veníre princípium. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

May these holy mysteries, O Lord, cleanse us by Thy powerful virtue and make us to come with greater purity to Him who is their source. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
Forever and ever.

COMMUNION
Psalm 84: 13

Dóminus dab et terrà nostra dabít fructum suum.

The Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.

POSTCOMMUNION

Oremus. Suscipiámus, Dómine, miseri-córdiam tuam in médio templi tui: ut reparatiónis nostræ ventúra solémnia cóngruis honóribus præcedémus. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, 
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Let us pray. May we receive, O Lord, Thy mercy in the midst of Thy temple, that we may prepare with due honor for the approaching feast of our redemption. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, 

Pray for those who are in mortal sin