In Festis Beatae Mariae Virginis

Salve Sancta Parens

While the King sitteth at his table, * my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof;;109 His left hand is under my head, * and his right hand doth embrace me.;;112 I am black but comely, * O ye daughters of Jerusalem; therefore hath the King loved me, and brought me into his chamber.;;121 Lo the winter is past, * the rain is over and gone. Rise up, my love, and come away.;;126 O Holy Mother of God, thou art become beautiful * and gentle in thy gladness.;;147

His left hand is under my head, * and his right hand doth embrace me.;;112 O Holy Mother of God, thou art become beautiful * and gentle in thy gladness.;;147

/:The first verse of the following hymn is said genuflecting.:/ v. Ave, star of ocean, Child divine who barest, Mother, ever-Virgin, Heaven's portal fairest.

Taking that sweet Ave Erst by Gabriel spoken, Eva's name reversing, Be of peace the token.

Break the sinners' fetters, Light to blind restoring, All our ills dispelling, Every boon imploring.

Show thyself a mother In thy supplication; He will hear who chose thee At his incarnation.

Maid all maids excelling, Passing meek and lowly, Win for sinners pardon, Make us chaste and holy.

As we onward journey Aid our weak endeavour, Till we gaze on Jesus And rejoice forever.

Father, Son, and Spirit, Three in One confessing, Give we equal glory Equal praise and blessing. Amen.

/:The first verse of the following hymn is said genuflecting.:/ v. Ave, star of ocean, Child divine who barest, Mother, ever-Virgin, Heaven's portal fairest.

Taking that sweet Ave Erst by Gabriel spoken, Eva's name reversing, Be of peace the token.

Break the sinners' fetters, Light to blind restoring, All our ills dispelling, Every boon imploring.

Show thyself a mother In thy supplication; He will hear who chose thee At his incarnation.

Maid all maids excelling, Passing meek and lowly, Win for sinners pardon, Make us chaste and holy.

As we onward journey Aid our weak endeavour, Till we gaze on Jesus And rejoice forever.

Father, Son, and Spirit, Three in One confessing, Give we equal glory Equal praise and blessing. Amen.

V. Holy Virgin, my praise by thee accepted be. R. Give me strength against thine enemies.

O Holy Mary, * be thou an help to the helpless, a strength to the fearful, a comfort to the sorrowful; pray for the people, plead for the clergy, make intercession for all women vowed to God: may all that are keeping this thine holy Feast-day feel the might of thine assistance.

Grant us, Your servants, O Lord God, we beseech You, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body; and by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

Holy Virgin Mary, * Mother of God, pray for us.

v. The God whom earth, and sea, and sky Adore, and laud, and magnify, Who o'er their threefold fabric reigns, The Virgin's spotless womb contains.

The God, whose will by moon and sun And all things in due course is done, Is borne upon a maiden's breast, By fullest heavenly grace possest.

How blest that mother, in whose shrine The great artificer divine, Whose hand contains the earth and sky, Vouchsafed, as in his ark, to lie.

Blest, in the message Gabriel brought; Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought; From whom the great desire of earth Took human flesh and human birth.

* All honour, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born to thee; All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

v. The God whom earth, and sea, and sky Adore, and laud, and magnify, Who o'er their threefold fabric reigns, The Virgin's spotless womb contains.

The God, whose will by moon and sun And all things in due course is done, Is borne upon a maiden's breast, By fullest heavenly grace possest.

How blest that mother, in whose shrine The great artificer divine, Whose hand contains the earth and sky, Vouchsafed, as in his ark, to lie.

Blest, in the message Gabriel brought; Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought; From whom the great desire of earth Took human flesh and human birth.

* All honour, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born to thee; All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

Blessed art thou among women, * and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.;;8 O Holy Mother of God * thou hast yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh.;;18 Sing for us again and again before this maiden's bed * the tender idylls of the play.;;23 O Holy Mother of God * all we who dwell in thee are in gladness.;;86 Joy to thee, * O Virgin Mary, thou hast trampled down all the heresies in the whole world.;;95 Holy Virgin, my praise by thee accepted be; * give me strength against thine enemies.;;96 After thy delivery thou still remainest a virgin; * undefiled Mother of God, pray for us.;;97

Blessed art thou among women, * and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.;;8 O Holy Mother of God * thou hast yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh.;;18 Sing for us again and again before this maiden's bed * the tender idylls of the play.;;23 In thy comeliness and thy beauty, * go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.;;44 God shall help * her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.;;45 O Holy Mother of God * all we who dwell in thee are in gladness.;;86 Joy to thee, * O Virgin Mary, thou hast trampled down all the heresies in the whole world.;;95 Holy Virgin, my praise by thee accepted be; * give me strength against thine enemies.;;96 After thy delivery thou still remainest a virgin; * undefiled Mother of God, pray for us.;;97

V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty. R. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.

V. God shall help her with His countenance. R. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved.

V. God hath chosen her, and fore-chosen her. R. He hath made her to dwell in His tabernacle.

Lesson from the book of Proverbs

Prov 8:12-17

12 I wisdom dwell in counsel, and am present in learned thoughts. 13 The fear of the Lord hateth evil: I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue. 14 Counsel and equity is mine, prudence is mine, strength is mine. 15 By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things, 16 By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice. 17 I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me, shall find me.

R. O how holy and how spotless is thy virginity; I am too dull to praise thee: * For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain. V. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. R. For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain.

Prov 8:18-25

18 With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice. 19 For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the paths of judgment, 21 That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill their treasures. 22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning. 23 I was set up from eternity, and of old before the earth was made. 24 The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived. neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out: 25 The mountains with their huge bulk had not as yet been established: before the hills I was brought forth:

R. Rejoice with me, all ye that love the Lord, for while I was yet a little one, I pleased the Most High. * And I have brought forth from my bowels God and man. V. All generations shall call me blessed, since the Lord hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. R. And I have brought forth from my bowels God and man.

Prov 8:34-36; 9:1-5

34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors. 35 He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord: 36 But he that shall sin against me, shall hurt his own soul. All that hate me love death. 1 Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars. 2 She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table. 3 She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city: 4 Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said: 5 Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you

R. Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who hast carried the Lord, the Maker of the world. * Thou hast borne Him Who created thee, and thou abidest a virgin for ever. V. Hail, Mary, full of grace. the Lord is with thee. R. Thou hast borne Him Who created thee, and thou abidest a virgin for ever. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. Thou hast borne Him Who created thee, and thou abidest a virgin for ever.

From the Sermons of St John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople.

Found in Metaphrastes.

That is wealth, not a woman of substance, but that blessed maiden whose soul was bright with grace. It was because Blessed Mary had preserved a superhuman chastity, that she conceived the Lord Jesus Christ in her womb. Let us then fly to the most holy maiden, who is Mother of God, that we may gain the help of her patronage. Yea, all ye that be virgins, whosoever ye be, run to the Mother of the Lord. She will keep for you by her protection your most beautiful, your most precious, and your most enduring possession.

R. I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, and as a cypress-tree upon Mount Zion. Like the best myrrh * I yielded a pleasant odour. V. Like cinnamon and sweet balsam. R. I yielded a pleasant odour.

Dearly beloved brethren, the Blessed Virgin Mary was a great wonder. What thing greater or more famous than she, hath ever at any time been found, or can be found She alone is greater than heaven and earth. What thing holier than she hath been, or can be found? Neither Prophets, nor Apostles, nor Martyrs, nor Patriarchs, nor Angels, nor Thrones, nor Lordships, nor Seraphim, nor Cherubim, nor any other creature, visible or invisible, can be found that is greater or more excellent than she. She is at once the hand-maid and the parent of God, at once virgin and mother.

R. Who is this that cometh up like the sun? This, comely as Jerusalem? * The daughters of Zion saw her, and called her blessed: the queens also, and they praised her. V. And about her it was as the flower of roses in the spring of the year, and lilies of the valleys. R. The daughters of Zion saw her, and called her blessed the queens also, and they praised her.

She is the Mother of him who was begotten of the Father before all ages, and who is acknowledged by Angels and men to be Lord of all. Wouldst thou know how much nobler is this virgin than any of the heavenly powers. They stand before Him with fear and trembling, veiling their faces with their wings, but she offereth humanity to Him to Whom she gave birth. Through her we obtain the remission of sins. Hail, then, O Mother! heaven! damsel! maiden! throne! adornment, and glory, and foundation, of our Church! cease not to pray for us to thy Son and our Lord Jesus Christ that through thee we may find mercy in the day of judgment, and may be able to obtain those good things which God hath prepared for them that love Him, by the grace and goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ to Whom, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed all glory, and honour, and power, now, and for ever and ever. Amen.

R. When the Lord beheld the daughter of Jerusalem adorned with her jewels, He greatly desired her beauty * And when the daughters of Zion saw her, they cried out that she was most blessed, saying thy name is as ointment poured forth. V. Upon thy right hand did stand the Queen in a vesture of gold wrought about with diverse colours. R. And when the daughters of Zion saw her, they cried out that she was most blessed, saying: V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. Thy name is as ointment poured forth.

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Luke 11:27-28

At that time, as Jesus spoke unto the multitudes, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice and said unto Him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee. And so on.

Homily by the Venerable Bede

Lib 4 Cap 49 in Luke 11

It is plain that this was a woman of great earnestness and faith. The Scribes and Pharisees were at once tempting and blaspheming the Lord, but this woman so clearly grasped His Incarnation, and so bravely confessed the same, that she confounded both the lies of the great men who were present, and the faithlessness of the heretics who were yet to come. Even as the Jews then, blaspheming the works of the Holy Ghost, denied the very Son of God Who is of one substance with the Father, so afterwards did the heretics, by denying that Mary always a Virgin did, under the operation of the Holy Ghost, supply flesh to the Only begotten One of God, when He was about being born in an human Body, even so, I say, did the heretics deny that the Son of Man should be called a true Son, Who is of one substance with His Mother.

R. O Holy Virgin Mary, happy indeed art thou, and right worthy of all praise * For out of thee rose the Sun of righteousness, even Christ our God. V. Pray for the people, plead for the clergy, make intercession for all women vowed to God. May all that are keeping this thine holy Feast day feel the might of thine assistance. R. For out of thee rose the Sun of righteousness, even Christ our God.

If we shall say that the Flesh, Wherewith the Son of God was born in the flesh, was something outside of the flesh of the Virgin His Mother, without reason should we bless the womb that bore Him, and the paps which He hath sucked. But the Apostle saith: “God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law”, (Gal. iv. 4,) and they are not to be listened to who read this passage: “Born of a woman, made under the law.” He was made of a woman, for He was conceived in a virgin's womb, and took His Flesh, not from nothing, not from elsewhere, but from the flesh of His Mother. Otherwise, and if He had not been sprung of a woman, He could not with truth be called the Son of man. Let us therefore, denying the doctrine of Eutyches, lift up our voice, along with the Universal Church, whereof that woman was a figure, let us lift up our heart as well as our voice from the company, and say unto the Saviour: Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. Blessed Mother, of whom one hath said thou art His Mother, Who reigns over earth and over heaven for ever.

R. All generations shall call me blessed. * For He that is mighty, even the Lord, hath done to me great things; and Holy is His Name. V. And his mercy is on them that fear Him, from generation to generation. R. He that is mighty, even the Lord, hath done to me great things; and Holy is His Name. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. He that is mighty, even the Lord, hath done to me great things; and Holy is His Name.

Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it. How nobly doth the Saviour say “Yea” to the woman's blessing, declaring also that not only is she blessed who was meet to give bodily birth to the Word of God, but that all they who spiritually conceive the same Word by the hearing of faith, and, by keeping it through good works, bring it forth and, as it were, carefully nurse it, in their own hearts, and in the hearts of their neighbours, are also blessed. Yea, and that the very Mother of God herself was blessed in being for a while the handmaid of the Word of God made Flesh, but that she was much more blessed in this, that through her love she keepeth Him for ever. v. We praise thee, O God we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.

Kneel for the following verse

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting. O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee; And we worship thy Name ever world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted let me never be confounded.

V. Pray for us, holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

While the King sitteth at his table, * my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof His left hand is under my head, * and his right hand doth embrace me. I am black but comely, * O ye daughters of Jerusalem; therefore hath the King loved me, and brought me into his chamber. Lo the winter is past, * the rain is over and gone. Rise up, my love, and come away. O Holy Mother of God, thou art become beautiful * and gentle in thy gladness.

Sir 24:14

v. From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. R. Thanks be to God.

v. O glorious lady! throned on high Above the star-illumined sky; Thereto ordained, thy bosom lent To thy Creator nourishment.

Through thy sweet offspring we receive The bliss once lost through hapless Eve; And heaven to mortals open lies Now thou art portal of the skies.

Thou art the door of heaven's high King, Light's gateway fair and glistering; Life through a Virgin is restored; Ye ransomed nations, praise the Lord!

All honour, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee; All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

v. O gloriósa Dómina, Excélsa super sídera: Qui te creávit, próvide Lactásti sacro úbere.

Quod Heva tristis ábstulit, Tu reddis almo gérmine: Intrent ut astra flébiles, Cæli fenéstra facta es.

Tu Regis alti jánua, Et porta lucis fúlgida: Vitam datam per Vírginem, Gentes redémptæ, pláudite.

Glória tibi Dómine, Qui natus es de Vírgine, Cum Patr[e] et Sancto Spíritu, In sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.

V. Grace is poured into thy lips. R. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

O Mary * blessed art thou that didst believe! for there shall be a performance of those things which were told thee from the Lord. Alleluia.

Sir 24:19-20

v. As a plane tree by the water in the streets, I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon. and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh.

R.br. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty. R. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty. V. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign. R. In thy beauty. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty.

Sir 24:15-16

v. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints. R. Thanks be to God.

R.br. God shall help her * with His countenance. R. God shall help her * with His countenance. V. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. R. With His countenance. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. God shall help her * with His countenance.

Sir 24:19-20

v. As a plane tree by the water in the streets, I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon. and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh. R. Thanks be to God.

R.br. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her. R. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her. V. He hath made her to dwell in His tabernacle. R. And fore-chosen her. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her.

V. Grace is poured into thy lips. R. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

V. Holy Virgin, my praise by thee accepted be. R. Give me strength against thine enemies.

All generations shall call me blessed, * for God hath regarded the lowliness of His hand-maiden.

Sedulius

v. Hail, holy Mother, who in childbirth brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth world without end.

Ps 44:2

My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. v. Hail, holy Mother, who in childbirth brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth world without end.

Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus

Ecclus 24:14-16

Before all ages, in the beginning, He created me, and through all ages I shall not cease to be. In the holy Tent I ministered before Him, and in Sion I fixed my abode. Thus in the chosen city He has given me rest, in Jerusalem is my domain. I have struck root among the glorious people, in the portion of my God, His heritage, and my abode is in the full assembly of Saints.

Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who, with unsullied virginity, were found to be the Mother of the Saviour. V. O Virgin, Mother of God, He Whom the whole world does not contain, becoming man, shut Himself in your womb. Alleluia, alleluia. V. After childbirth you remained a pure virgin, O Mother of God, intercede for us. Alleluia.

Allelúja, allelúja.

Num 17:8

v. The rod of Jesse had blossomed, virgin hath brought forth God and man: God hath restored peace, reconciling in himself the lowest with the highest, alleluia.

Luke 1:28

v. Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Allelúja.

Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who, with unsullied virginity, were found to be the Mother of the Saviour. V. O Virgin, Mother of God, He Whom the whole world does not contain, becoming man, shut Himself in your womb.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary; alone you have put an end to all heresies. V. You who believed the words of the Archangel Gabriel. V. Still a virgin, you brought forth God and man; and after childbirth you remained an inviolate virgin. V. O Mother of God, intercede for us.

Continuation + of the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Luke 11:27-28

At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd lifted up her voice and said to Him, Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts that nursed You. But He said, Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.

Lk 1:28; 1:42

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. (Alleluja.)

Through Your mercy, O Lord, and by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the Mother of Your only-begotten Son, may this offering profit us for prosperity and peace, now and forevermore. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father. (Alleluja.)

Having received the aids conducive to our salvation, O Lord, we beseech You, grant that we may everywhere be protected by the patronage of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, in veneration of whom we have made these offerings to Your Majesty. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.