MOTHERHOOD OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

DOUBLE / SECOND CLASS

The dogma of the Divine Motherhood was defined by the Council of Ephesus in 431. In his encyclical proclaiming the present feast, which commemorated the 15th centenary of the council, Pope Pius XI especially requested that we pray to Mary for the return of the separated Churches of the East. For these Churches had united with the Pope and the whole Church at Ephesus in proclaiming her to be Mother of God, and to this day they retain a deep devotion to her. Mary is their Mother, also, for in becoming Mother of our Redeemer she became the spiritual mother of all men.

INTROIT Isa. 7:14

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and shall bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.

Ps. 97:1. Sing to the Lord a new canticle, for He has done wondrous deeds.

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O God, You willed that Your Word should become incarnate in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the time of the angel's announcement. We firmly believe that Mary is truly the Mother of God. We pray that her powerful intercession with You may help us. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

LESSON Eccli. 24:23-31 [Sirach]

As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL Isa. 11:1-2

There shall come forth a young branch from the root of Jesse and a flower shall rise up out of his root.

V. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.

Alleluia, alleluia! V.

O Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world cannot contain enclosed Himself in your womb and was made man. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Luke 2:43-51

At that time, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents knew it not. And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: "Son, why hast thou done so to us? Behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." And he said to them: "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?" And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject to them.

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Matt. 1:18

When Mary His Mother had been betrothed to Joseph, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

SECRET

O Lord, through Your mercy and the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of Your only-begotten Son, let this offering bring us prosperity and peace now and forever. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal God.

POSTCOMMUNION

May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us from sin, and bestow on us spiritual health from heaven through the intercession of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord .