God, come to my assistance.
 - Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
 -  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen. Alleluia.


HYMN

Portal of the world's salvation,
lo, a Virgin pure and mild,
humble-hearted, high in station,
form of beauty undefiled,
crown of earth's anticipation,
comes the Mother-maid with child.

Virgin sweet, with love o'erflowing,
to the hills in haste she fares;
on a kindred heart bestowing
blessing from the joy she bears;
waiting while with mystic showing
time the sacred birth prepares.

What fair joy o'ershone that dwelling,
called so great a guest to greet;
what her joy whose love compelling
found a rest for Mary's feet,
when, the bliss of time foretelling,
lo, the Voice and Word did meet!

Text: Latin, fifteenth century; tr. Laurence Housman, 1906; Music: Regent Square Meter: 87 87 87


PSALMODY

Antiphon 1: Mary entered the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth.

I rejoiced when I heard them say:
Let us go to God's house.
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel's law it is,
there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgment
of the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray:
Peace be to your homes!

For love of my brethren and friends
I say: Peace upon you.
For love of the house of the Lord
I will ask for your good. Glory...

Antiphon 1 Mary entered the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth.


Antiphon 2 When your greeting sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.

Psalm 127

If the Lord does not build the house,
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.

In vain is your earlier rising,
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat,
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.

Truly sons are a gift from the Lord,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

O the happiness of the man
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways. Glory...

Antiphon 2 When your greeting sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.


Antiphon 3 Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Alleluia.
Salvation, glory, and power to our God:
(Alleluia.)
his judgments are honest and true.
Alleluia (alleluia).

Alleluia.
Sing praise to our God, all you his servants,
(Alleluia.)
all who worship him reverently, great and small.
Alleluia (alleluia).

Alleluia.
The Lord our all-powerful God is King;
(Alleluia.)
Let us rejoice, sing praise, and give him glory.
Alleluia (alleluia).

Alleluia.
The wedding feast of the Lamb has begun,
(Alleluia.)
and his bride is prepared to welcome him.
Alleluia (alleluia). Glory...

Antiphon 3 Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.


READING      1 Peter 5:5b-7
In your relations with one another clothe yourselves with humility, God "is stern with the arrogant but to the humble he shows kindness." Bow humbly under God's mighty hand, so that in due time he may lift you high. Cast all your care on him because he cares for you.


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 the Holy Spirit.
 - Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.


MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: All generations will call me blessed; the Lord has looked with favor on his lowly servant.


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:

                           Mary, full of grace, intercede for us.

O God, worker of miracles, you made the Immaculate Virgin Mary share body and soul in your Son's glory in heaven,
  -  direct the hearts of your children to that same glory.

Lord, make your Church one in mind and heart, united in your love,
  -  and keep Christians united in prayer with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

You made Mary the mother of mercy,
  -  may all who are faced with trials feel her motherly love.

You wished Mary to be the mother of the family in the home of Jesus and Joseph,
  -  may all mothers of families foster love and holiness through her intercession.

You crowned Mary queen of heaven,
  -  may all the dead rejoice in your kingdom with the saints for ever.


Our Father...


PRAYER
Eternal Father,
you inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of your Son,
to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need.
Keep us open to the working of your Spirit,
and with Mary may we praise you for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.