Gospels, and Postcommunions FOR THE SUNDAYS AND PRINCIPAL FEASTS OF THE YEAR. NOTE. When a Feast of greater rank falls upon a Sunday, the Mass is of the Feast; the Collect of the Sunday is said after the Collect of the day, and the Gospel of the Sunday is read at the end of Mass, in place of the usual Gospel of St. John. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. INTROIT. To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul in Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed: neither let mine enemies laugh at me: for none that wait on Thee shall be confounded. Show me Thy ways, O Lord, and teach me Thy paths. To Thee, O Lord, etc. (Thus the Introit is always repeated.) COLLECT I. O Lord, we pray Thee, raise up Thy power, and come; that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins, and to be saved by Thy deliverance. Who livest and reignest, etc. Amen. II. O God, who wast pleased that Thy Word, at the message of an Angel, should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary grant unto us, Thy suppliants, that we who believe her to be truly the Mother of God may be assisted by her intercessions with Thee. III. Mercifully hear, O Lord (p. 166), or, O God, the Pastor (p. 122). EPISTLE. Rom. xiii. 11-14. Brethren :-Knowing the time that it is now the hour for us to awake from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light. As in the day let us walk becomingly; not in banquetings and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in contention and jealousy. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provisions for the flesh in its lusts. GOSPEL. Luke xxi. 25-33. At that time :-Jesus said to His disciples: There will be signs in the sun, and moon, and stars; and on the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the sound of the sea and of the waves, men withering away, for fear and expectation of the things which are coming upon the world: For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming on 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 spake to them a similitude: See the fig-tree, and all the trees: when they now shoot forth their fruit, ye know that summer is nigh. So also, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Truly, I say this generation will not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. to you, POSTCOMMUNION I. May we receive Thy mercy in the midst of Thy temple, O Lord; that we may anticipate with due honor the coming solemnities of our renewal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen. II. Pour forth, we beseech Thee (p. 68). III. We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst not permit to be exposed to human dangers those whom Thou givest to rejoice in this divine participation. Or: May the partaking of this divine Sacrament protect us, we beseech Thee, O Lord; and ever save and defend Thy servant N., whom Thou hast been pleased to appoint as the Pastor over Thy Church, together with the flock committed to his care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT. INTROIT. People of Sion, behold the Lord shall come to save the nations; and the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard in the joy of your heart. Give ear, O Thou that rulest Israel: Thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Glory be to the Father, etc. be COLLECT. Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the ways of Thine Only-begotten Son, that by His coming we may worthy to serve Thee with purified minds. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, etc. Amen. Others as on p. 665. EPISTLE. Rom. xv. 4-13. Brethren :-Whatever things were written, were written for our instruction; that through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures, we may have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: that unanimously with one mouth ye may honor God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; wherefore receive one another, as Christ also received you to the glory of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises of the fathers. But that the Gentiles glorify God for mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I praise Thee among the Gentiles, O Lord, and will sing to Thy name. And again He saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people. And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles, and glorify Him, all ye people. And again Isaiah said: There shall be a root of Jesse, and He who shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing: that ye may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit. GOSPEL. Matt. xi. 2-10. At that time :-When John in the prison had heard of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said to Him: Art Thou He who should come, or must we look for another? And Jesus answered and said to them: Go and relate to John what ye hear and see. The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the Gospel preached to them. And happy is he who shall not be scandalized in Me. And as they departed, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken by the wind? But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold, they who are clothed in soft garments are in the palaces of kings. But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I tell you, and more than a prophet; for this is he of whom it is writ |