Collects, Epistles and Gospels
for the Proper of Saints
Nativity
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
[Common II of the B.V.M.]
INTROIT. Salve, sancta parens. Sedulius HAIL, O Mother most holy, who didst give birth to the monarch,
reigning o'er heaven and earth, world without end (alleluia,
alleluia). Pa. 45. My heart is inditing of a good matter:
I speak of the things which I have made unto the king. V. Glory
be.
The Collect.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, pour into our hearts the abundance of
thy heavenly grace: that like as the child-bearing of the Blessed
Virgin Mary was unto us thy servants the beginning of salvation,,
so the devout observance of her nativity may avail for the increasing
of our peace. Through.
For the Epistle. Proverb 8:22-35
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before
his works of old.
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever
the earth was.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there
were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I
brought forth:
26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor
the highest part of the dust of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass
upon the face of the depth:
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened
the fountains of the deep:
29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should
not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of
the earth:
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily
his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights
were with the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed
are they that keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates,
waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour
of the LORD.
GRADUAL. Blessed
and worshipful art thou, O Virgin Mary: who a maiden undefil'd
hast our Saviour for thy child. V. Virgin Mother of God, the
whole world cannot contain him: yet, made man for our sake, hidden
he lies in thy womb.
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Blessed art thou, O holy Virgin Mary,
and most worthy of all praise: for out of thee arose the Sun
of Righteousness, Christ our God. Alleluia.
After Septuagesima, instead of the
Alleluia, and verse following, is said:
TRACT.
Rejoice, O Mary, thou alone all heresy dost slay. V. Thou the
Archangel Gabriel's message didst obey. V. He who is God and
man was born thy son: yet art thou still a maid, O spotless One.
V. Mother of God, intercede for us.
In Eastertide, instead of the Gradual,
is said:
Alleluia, alleluia. V. Num 17.
Now hath blossomed Jesse's rod: a Virgin bears both Man and God:P
God restoreth peace to men, high and low are one again. Alleluia.
V. St. Luke Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with
thee: blessed art thou among women. Alleluia.
The Gospel. St Matthew 1:1-16 1 The book of the generation of Jesus
Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat
Judas and his brethren;
3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat
Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson
begat Salmon;
5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth;
and Obed begat Jesse;
6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon
of her that had been the wife of Urias;
7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat
Asa;
8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram
begat Ozias;
9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz
begat Ezekias;
10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon
begat Josias;
11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time
they were carried away to Babylon:
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel;
and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim
begat Azor;
14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat
Eliud;
15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan
begat Jacob;
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born
Jesus, who is called Christ.
OFFERTORY. Blessed art thou, O Virgin
Mary, who didst bear the Creator of all things: thou didst give
birth to thy Maker, and for ever remainest a Virgin. (alleluia).
SECRET.
We beseech thee, O Lord, that the manhood of thine only-begotten
Son may in such wise avail for our succour: that even as he,
being born of a Virgin, destroyed not but hallowed the innocence
of his Mother; so on this feast of her nativity, he may deliver
us from all our offenses, and render us an oblation acceptable
unto thee. Through the same.
PREFACE of our Lady, And that
on the N.
COMMUNION. Blessed is the womb of the
Virgin Mary that bore the Son of the everlasting Father. (alleluia).
POSTCOMMUNION.
GRANT, we beseech thee, O Lord: that the Sacrament which we have
received in thy mysteries on this yearly festival, may both in
this life and in that which is to come be profitable unto us
for the healing of our souls. Through.