1 I was glad when they said to me, *
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
2 And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem;
3 Jerusalem, built as a city *
that is at unity in itself.
4 Thither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, *
as is decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 For there are set the thrones of judgement, *
the thrones of the house of David.
6 O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *
‘May they prosper who love you.
7 ‘Peace be within your walls *
and tranquillity within your palaces.’
8 For my kindred and companions’ sake, *
I will pray that peace be with you.
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, *
I will seek to do you good.
Ant. 2: Today we commemorate the birth of the Virgin Mary. God saw her beauty and visited her in her lowliness.
Ant. 3: Blessed and worthy of our praise is the holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. We celebrate her birth, that she might intercede for us before the Lord.
Psalm 127
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, *
those who build it labour in vain.
2 Unless the Lord keeps the city, *
the guard keeps watch in vain.
3 It is in vain that you hasten to rise up early
and go so late to rest, eating the bread of toil, *
for he gives his beloved sleep.
4 Children are a heritage from the Lord *
and the fruit of the womb is his gift.
5 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, *
so are the children of one’s youth.
6 Happy are those who have their quiver full of them: *
they shall not be put to shame
when they dispute with their enemies in the gate.
Ant. 3: Blessed and worthy of our praise is the holy Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. We celebrate her birth, that she might intercede for us before the Lord.
First Reading
The word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying:
Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath.
Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts shall be called the holy mountain.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age.
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the LORD of hosts?
Thus says the LORD of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country;
and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. They shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.
Canticle
Benedictus es, Domine
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of you holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths; *
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
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.
Second Reading
Luke 2:41-52
Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover.
And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival.
When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends.
When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’
He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’
But they did not understand what he said to them.
Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
Second Canticle
Magnificat
Antiphon:Let us commemorate the illustrious birth of the glorious Virgin Mary, for the Lord has looked with favor on his lowly servant. He sent his angel to announce to her that she would conceive the Savior of the world.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.
Antiphon:Let us commemorate the illustrious birth of the glorious Virgin Mary, for the Lord has looked with favor on his lowly servant. He sent his angel to announce to her that she would conceive the Savior of the world.
Responsory
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
The Lord is with you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to he Holy Spirit
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Collect
We pray you, Lord, to bestow on us your servants the gift of your heavenly grace, that as our salvation began by the childbearing of the blessed Virgin, so this devout solemnity of her nativity may afford us an increase of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Intercessions
Let us praise God our almighty Father, who wished that Mary, his Son's mother, be celebrated by each generation. Now in need, we ask:
(R.)Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.
O God, worker of miracles, you made the immaculate Virgin Mary share in your Son's glory in heaven,
- direct the hearts of your children to that same glory.(R.)
You made Mary our mother. Through her intercession grant strength to the weak, comfort to the sorrowing, pardon to sinners,
- salvation and peace to all.(R.)
You made Mary full of grace,
- grant all people the joyful abundance of your grace.(R.)
Make your church of one mind and one heart in love,
- and help all who believe to be one in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus.(R.)
You called Mary to glory in your kingdom,
- may all the dead rejoice in your kingdon with the saints for ever.(R.)
Our Father…
Closing Prayer:
Father of Mercy,
give your people help and strength from heaven.
The birth of the Virgin Mary's Son
was the dawn of our salvation.
May this celebration of her birthday
bring us closer to lasting peace.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who live and reigns with you and Holy Spirit
One God, forever and ever, Amen.
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