FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS / PURPLE
This
First Sunday of Advent or the Fourth before Christmas, is the first day
of the Liturgical Year. The Mass prepares us this day for the double
coming (adventus) of mercy and justice. That is why St. Paul
tells us, in the Epistle, to cast off sin in order that, being ready for
the coming of Christ as our Saviour, we may also be ready for His
coming as our Judge, of which we learn in the Gospel. Let us prepare
ourselves, by pious aspirations and by the reformation of our life, for
this twofold coming. Jesus our Lord will reward those who yearn for Him
and await Him: "Those who trust in Him shall not be confounded."
INTROIT Ps. 24. 1-3
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 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.
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
Arise
in Thy strength, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: from the dangers
which threaten us because of our sins, be Thy presence our sure defense,
be Thy deliverance our safety for evermore. Who livest and reignest,
with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without
end. Amen.
Commemoration of SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER
Francis Xavier (1506-52) was born in the Basque country of Spain. While still young he was a popular lecturer at the University of Paris. There he met Ignatius Loyola,
and was professed as one of the seven pioneer Jesuits. In 1540 St.
Ignatius sent his loved disciple to the Orient, saying, "Go and set all
on fire." Francis Xavier first evangelized the Portuguese colony of Goa
in India, then Travancore, Ceylon, Malacca, and the surrounding
islands. From there he journeyed to japan, where he gave Christianity
such deep roots that it survived centuries of violent persecution. He
died on Sancian Island in 1552, while he was seeking to penetrate into
the great forbidden land of China. The immortal fire of his love for
Christ still draws missioners to high adventure for God and souls.
O God, You
brought the peoples of India into the fold of Your Church through the
preaching and miracles of blessed Francis. Grant that we who venerate
his glorious merits may also imitate his virtues. Through our Lord . . .
EPISTLE Rom 13. 11-14
Brethren,
knowing the time, that it is now the hour for us to rise from 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 Ps. 24. 3, 4
None of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. Show, O Lord, Thy ways to me, and teach me Thy paths.
Alleluia: Ps. 84. 8
Alleluia, alleluia. Show us O Lord, Thy mercy: and grant us Thy salvation. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 21. 25-33
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 ANTIPHON Ps. 24. 1-3
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 for Thee shall be confounded.
SECRET PRAYER
May, O
Lord, these Sacred Rites enable us, whom by Thy mighty power Thou hast
cleansed from sin, to come pure in heart before Thee who art their
author. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth
with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Commemoration of SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER
Accept
this offering which we humbly present in honor of Your saints, O
Almighty God, and through it purify our bodies and our souls. Through
our Lord . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Ps. 84. 13
The Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
May
we in the midst of Thy holy temple, O Lord, receive of Thy mercy, who
seek with fitting honor to welcome the coming festival of our
Redemption. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and
reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without
end. Amen.
Commemoration of SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER
Almighty
God, we pray that the reception of this Bread of Heaven may strengthen
us against all adversity through the intercession of Your blessed
confessor Francis. Through our Lord . . .
English: Advent wreath, First Advent Sunday (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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