January 1
THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD
OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS DAY
Double
of the Second Class
Privileged
Octave Day
White
Vestments – Missa ‘Puer natus’
STATION AT ST. MARY’S
BEYOND THE TIBER
Our new-born King and Savior is
eight days old today; the Star, that guides the Magi, is advancing towards
Bethlehem, and, five days hence, will be standing over the Stable where our
Jesus is being nursed by his Mother. Today, the Son of Man is to be
circumcised; this first sacrifice of his innocent Flesh must honor the eighth
day of his mortal life. Today, also, a Name is to be given him the Name will be
Jesus, and it means Savior. So that, Mysteries abound on this day: let us not
pass one of them over, but honor them with all possible devotion and love. But
this Day is not exclusively devoted to the Circumcision of Jesus. The mystery
of this Circumcision forms part of that other great mystery, the Incarnation
and Infancy of our Savior a mystery on which the Church fixes her heart, not
only during this Octave, but during the whole forty days of Christmas-Tide. Then,
as regards our Lord's receiving the Name of Jesus, a special Feast, which we
shall soon be keeping, is set apart in honor of it. There is another object
that shares the love and devotion of the Faithful, on this great Solemnity.
This object is Mary, the Mother of God. The Church celebrates, today, the
august prerogative of this divine Maternity, which was conferred on a mere creature,
and which made her the co-operatrix with Jesus in the great work of man's
salvation.
THE CIRCUMCISION OF
OUR LORD
Circumcision was a sacrament of
the Old Law, and the first legal observance required by Almighty God of the
descendants of Abraham. It was a sacrament of initiation in the service of God,
and a promise and engagement to believe and act as He had revealed and
directed. The law of circumcision continued in force until the death of Christ,
and Our Saviour being born under the law, it became Him, Who came to teach
mankind obedience to the law of God, to fulfill all justice, and to submit to
it. Therefore He was circumcised that He might redeem them that were under the
law, by freeing them from the servitude of it; and that those who were in the condition
of servants before might be set at liberty, and receive the adoption of sons in
Baptism, which, by Christ’s institution, succeeded to circumcision. On the day
that the divine Infant was circumcised, He received the name of Jesus, which
signifies Savior, which had been given Him by the angel before He was
conceived. That name, so beautiful, so glorious, the divine Child does not wish
to bear for one moment without fulfilling its meaning; even at the moment of
His circumcision He showed Himself a Savior by shedding for us that blood a
single drop of which is more than sufficient for the ransom and salvation of
the whole world.
THE CIRCUMCISION OF
OUR LORD AND SOLEMNITY OF MARY,
THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD/ OCTAVE OF THE NATIVITY
Mass Propers
INTROIT - Isaiah 9: 6
Puer natus est nobis: et fílius
datus est nobis, cujus impérium super húmerum ejus: et vocábitur nomen ejus
magni consílii Angelus. Ps. Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: quia mirabília
fecit. V. Glória Patri.
Unto us a Child is born; unto
us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders: and His Name
shall be called Angel of mighty counsel. Ps. Sing ye to the Lord a new
canticle: because He hath done wonderful things. V. Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT
O God, who through the fruitful
virginity of blessed Mary didst secure for mankind the reward of eternal
salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession for
us, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the Author of life, our
Lord Jesus Christ. Who with thee.
EPISTLE - Titus 2:
11-15
Dearly beloved: The grace of
God our Savior hath appeared to all men, instructing us, that, denying
ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly and justly and godly in
this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great
God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem
us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a
pursuer of good works. These things speak and exhort: in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GRADUAL - Psalm 97:
3-4, 2
All the ends of the earth have
seen the salvation of our God: sing joyfully to God, all the earth. V. The Lord
hath made known His salvation: He hath revealed His justice in the sight of the
nations.
ALLELUIA - Hebrews 1:
1-2
Alleluia, alleluia. V. God, who
in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of
all in these days hath spoken to us by His Son. Alleluia.
GOSPEL - Luke 2: 21
At that time, after eight days
were accomplished, that the Child should be circumcised: His Name was called
Jesus, which was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
OFFERTORY - Psalm 97: 12,
15
Thine are the heavens, and
Thine is the earth, the world and the fullness thereof Thou hast founded:
justice and judgment are the preparation of Thy throne.
SECRET
Receive, we beseech Thee, O
Lord, our offerings and prayers, cleansing us by these heavenly mysteries, and
mercifully hearing us. Through our Lord.
CHRISTMAS PREFACE
It is truly meet and just,
right and availing unto salvation that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God.
Because by the mystery of the Word made flesh the light of Thy glory hath shone
anew upon the eyes of our mind: that while we acknowledge Him to be God seen by
men, we may be drawn by Him to the love of things unseen. And therefore with
angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions, and with all the heavenly
hosts, we sing a hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing:
THE SANCTUS
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
Dóminus Deus Sábaoth. Pleni sunt cæli et terra glória tua. Hosánna in excélsis.
Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini. Hosánna in excélsis.
COMMUNION – Psalm 97:3
All the ends of the earth have
seen the salvation of our God.
POSTCOMMUNION
May this communion, O Lord,
cleanse us from all sin, and by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of God, make us partakers of the heavenly remedy. Through the same our
Lord.
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