PRAYER FOR THIS MORNING (TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8)

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Patronal Feastday of the United States of America

Prayer for the Morning

As we rejoice in the Immaculate Conception

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us give God

thanks and praise!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,

is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia!

HYMN

Holy light on earth’s horizon,

Star of hope to those who fall,

Light amid a world of shadows,

Dawn of God’s design for all,

Chosen from eternal ages,

You alone of all our race,

By your Son’s atoning merits

Were conceived in perfect grace.

Hail, beloved of the Father,

Mother of his only Son,

Mystic bride of Love eternal,

Hail, O fair and spotless one!

CANTICLE OF ISAIAH 61:10; 62:2-3, 4b-5

You are all-beautiful, my beloved,/ and there is no blemish in you. (Sg 4:7)

The Virgin Mary, chosen Mother of the Redeemer, is robed in the splendor of her stainless innocence, clothed with the beauty of Christ, and prepared to receive him in her womb.

I rejoice heartily in the Lord,

in my God is the joy of my soul;

for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation,

and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,

like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,

like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

Nations shall behold your vindication,

and all kings your glory;

you shall be called by a new name

pronounced by the mouth of the Lord.

You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord,

a royal diadem held by your God.

You shall be called “My Delight,”

and your land “Espoused.”

For the Lord delights in you,

and makes your land his spouse.

As a young man marries a virgin,

your Builder shall marry you;

and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride

so shall your God rejoice in you.

Glory to the Father….

Word of God (Judith 13:17-18)

“Blessed are you, our God, who today have brought to nought the enemies of your people.”… “Blessed are you, daughter, by the Most High God, above all the women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, the creator of heaven and earth.”

O Virgin Mary, you are all-beautiful!

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH 

This day a shoot came forth from the root of Jesse; this day Mary was conceived without any stain of sin; this day she crushed the head of the serpent. (Traditional Antiphon)

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet

of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness

and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father…

INTERCESSIONS

With joy in our hearts, let us pray through the intercession of the chosen Mother of God:

R/Lord, hear your Mother’s prayer!

Mary, conceived without sin, pray for all sinners,

– that we may be made holy by the Birth, Death, and ­Resurrection of your Son. R/

Mother most pure, pray for all those in need of purity of heart,

– that we may will always what God wills. R/

Mother of divine grace, pray for all those who seek God,

– that we may find him in the approaching celebration of Christmas. R/

(Personal intentions)

Our Father….

O God, you preserved the Virgin from all stain of sin through the redemptive death of your Son, and thus you made of her a worthy dwelling place for him. Through her intercession, free us from all sin, that we may celebrate with hearts made pure the mystery of his birth, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.