PRAYER OF THE DAY

A PRAYER OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

1. "Hail Mary, full of grace!"

Immaculate Virgin, here I am at your feet once again,

full of devotion and gratitude.

I return to this historic Piazza di Spagna

on the solemn day of your feast

to pray for the beloved city of Rome,

for the Church, for the whole world.

In you, "humble and highest of creatures",

divine grace had the full victory over evil.

You are for us, pilgrims on the paths of the world,

the bright model of evangelical fidelity

and the ever-living pledge of sure hope.

2. Virgin Mother, "Salvation of the Roman People!"

Watch over, I pray you, the beloved Diocese of Rome:

over pastors and faithful, parishes and religious communities.

Watch over families especially:

may love sealed by the Sacrament ever reign between spouses,

may children walk on the paths of goodness and true freedom,

may the elderly feel surrounded by attention and affection.

Inspire, Mary, in so many young hearts,

generous replies to the "call for the mission",

a subject on which the diocese has

been reflecting over the years.

Thanks to an intense pastoral program for vocations,

may Rome be enriched by new young forces,

dedicated with enthusiasm to proclaiming the Gospel

in the city and in the world.

3. Blessed Virgin, Queen of Apostles!

Assist those who through study

and prayer are preparing to labor

on the many frontiers of the new evangelization.

Today I entrust to you, in a special way,

the community of the Pontifical Urban College,

whose historic headquarters are located in front of this pillar.

May this wonderful institution founded 375 years ago

by Pope Urban VIII for the formation of missionaries,

be able to continue effectively its ecclesial service.

May those it gathers, seminarians and priests,

men and women religious and laity,

be ready to put their energies at the disposition

of Christ in service of the Gospel to the far corners of the globe.

4. "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!"

Pray, O Mother, for all of us.

Pray for humanity for those who suffers poverty and injustice,

violence and hatred, terror and war.

Help us to contemplate with the rosary

the mysteries of Him who "is our peace",

so that we will all feel involved

in a persevering dedication of service to peace.

Look with special attention

upon the land in which you gave birth to Jesus,

a land that you loved together with Him,

and that is still so sorely tried today.

Pray for us, Mother of hope!

"Give us days of peace, watch over our way.

Let us see your Son as we rejoice in heaven". Amen!

Prayer by Pope John Paul II 

The Second Sunday of Advent, 8 December 2002

Given at Piazza di Spagna

DAILY MASS READINGS

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Patronal Feastday of the United States of America

Reading 1

GN 3:9-15, 20

After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree,

the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?”

He answered, “I heard you in the garden;

but I was afraid, because I was naked,

so I hid myself.”

Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked?

You have eaten, then,

from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!”

The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with meC

she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.”

The LORD God then asked the woman,

“Why did you do such a thing?”

The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”

Then the LORD God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this, you shall be banned

from all the animals

and from all the wild creatures;

on your belly shall you crawl,

and dirt shall you eat

all the days of your life.

I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will strike at your head,

while you strike at his heel.”

The man called his wife Eve,

because she became the mother of all the living.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4

R. Sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous deeds.

Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done wondrous deeds;

His right hand has won victory for him,

his holy arm.

R. Sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous deeds.

The LORD has made his salvation known:

in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness

toward the house of Israel.

R. Sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous deeds.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation by our God.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

break into song; sing praise.

R. Sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous deeds.

Reading 2

EPH 1:3-6, 11-12

Brothers and sisters:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us in Christ

with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,

as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,

to be holy and without blemish before him.

In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,

in accord with the favor of his will,

for the praise of the glory of his grace

that he granted us in the beloved.

In him we were also chosen,

destined in accord with the purpose of the One

who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,

so that we might exist for the praise of his glory,

we who first hoped in Christ.

Gospel

LK 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,

“How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

SAINT OF THE DAY

December 9

St. Juan Diego (1474-1548)

Thousands of people gathered in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe July 31, 2002, for the canonization of Juan Diego, to whom the Blessed Mother appeared in the 16th century. Pope John Paul II celebrated the ceremony at which the poor Indian peasant became the Church’s first saint indigenous to the Americas.

The Holy Father called the new saint “a simple, humble Indian” who accepted Christianity without giving up his identity as an Indian. “In praising the Indian Juan Diego, I want to express to all of you the closeness of the church and the pope, embracing you with love and encouraging you to overcome with hope the difficult times you are going through,” John Paul said. Among the thousands present for the event were members of Mexico’s 64 indigenous groups.

First called Cuauhtlatohuac (“The eagle who speaks”), Juan Diego’s name is forever linked with Our Lady of Guadalupe because it was to him that she first appeared at Tepeyac hill on December 9, 1531. The most famous part of his story is told in connection with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12). After the roses gathered in his tilma were transformed into the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, however, little more is said about Juan Diego.

In time he lived near the shrine constructed at Tepeyac, revered as a holy, 

unselfish and compassionate catechist who taught by word and especially by example.

During his 1990 pastoral visit to Mexico, 

Blessed John Paul II confirmed the long-standing liturgical cult in honor of Juan Diego, beatifying him. 

Twelve years later he was proclaimed a saint.

OFFICE OF READINGS

O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will proclaim Your Praise!

Invitatory Psalm

Psalm 99 (100)

Let us celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Let us adore her Son, who is Christ the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord, all the earth,

and serve him with joy.

Exult as you enter his presence.

Let us celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Let us adore her Son, who is Christ the Lord.

Know that the Lord is God.

He made us and we are his

– his people, the sheep of his flock.

Let us celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Let us adore her Son, who is Christ the Lord.

Cry out his praises as you enter his gates,

fill his courtyards with songs.

Proclaim him and bless his name;

for the Lord is our delight.

His mercy lasts for ever,

his faithfulness through all the ages.

Let us celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Let us adore her Son, who is Christ the Lord.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Let us celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Let us adore her Son, who is Christ the Lord.

Hymn

Hail, of paradise the portal!

Tree of Life regained, immortal;

Whence, through thee, all sweetness floweth,

And salvation’s fruit still groweth.

Thou our hearts aright inclinest,

On our life’s way brightly shinest;

Us from God’s just anger savest,

Who to man our Savior gavest.

Hail! Blest shrine of God the Father,

Thither sinners haste to gather;

Pardon for their guilt obtaining,

Freedom from the foe’s enchaining;

Strength from thee the weak shall borrow,

Comfort, thou, of all who sorrow;

From the final wrath tremendous,

Mother of our Christ, defend us.

Star of ocean! Mother fairest!

Who the name of Mary bearest;

In thy bright illumination

Pales each star and constellation.

Hail, O Father! Hail, sweet Mother!

Hail, O Son of God, our Brother!

Let the hosts of heaven adore thee,

Every spirit bow before thee.

Psalm 23 (24)

The Lord comes to his temple

At the time of her conception Mary received a blessing from the Lord

and loving mercy from God her savior.

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,

the world and all who live in it.

He himself founded it upon the seas

and set it firm over the waters.

Who will climb the mountain of the Lord?

Who will stand in his holy place?

The one who is innocent of wrongdoing and pure of heart,

who has not given himself to vanities or sworn falsely.

He will receive the blessing of the Lord

and be justified by God his savior.

This is the way of those who seek him,

seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors,

and let the king of glory enter.

Who is the king of glory?

The Lord of might and power.

The Lord, strong in battle.

Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors,

and let the king of glory enter.

Who is the king of glory?

The Lord of hosts

– he is the king of glory.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

At the time of her conception Mary received a blessing from the Lord

and loving mercy from God her savior.

Psalm 45 (46)

God, our refuge and our strength

God was her help at the dawning of the day;

the Most High has made her his dwelling-place.

The Lord is our refuge and our strength,

a true help in our troubles.

Therefore we do not fear,

even when the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the depths of the sea,

the waves roar and foam

and rise up to shake the mountains.

The streams of the river give joy to the city of God,

the holy dwelling-place of the Most High.

God is within it, it will not be shaken;

God will give help as the day dawns.

The nations are in turmoil and kingdoms totter:

at the sound of his voice, the earth flows like water.

The Lord of strength is with us,

the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Come and see the works of the Lord,

who has done wonders on the earth.

He puts an end to wars over all the world:

he tramples the bow, shatters weapons, and burns the shields with fire.

Stop and see that I am God:

I will be exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.

The Lord of strength is with us,

the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

God was her help at the dawning of the day;

the Most High has made her his dwelling-place.

Psalm 86 (87)

Jerusalem, mother of all nations

Glorious things are told of you, O city of God!

The Lord founded you on the holy mountain.

Its foundations are set on the sacred mountains –

the Lord loves the gates of Zion

more than all the tents of Jacob.

Glorious things are said of you, city of God!

I shall count Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me.

The Philistines, Tyrians, Ethiopians –

all have their birthplace here.

Of Zion it will be said “Here is the birthplace of all people:

the Most High himself has set it firm.”

The Lord shall write in the book of the nations:

“Here is their birthplace.”

They will sing as in joyful processions:

“All my being springs from you.”

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Glorious things are told of you, O city of God!

The Lord founded you on the holy mountain.

Almighty God has girded me with strength

– and led me along a path without stain.

First Reading

Romans 5:12-21

Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned. Sin existed in the world long before the Law was given. There was no law and so no one could be accused of the sin of ‘law-breaking’, yet death reigned over all from Adam to Moses, even though their sin, unlike that of Adam, was not a matter of breaking a law.

Adam prefigured the One to come, but the gift itself considerably outweighed the fall. If it is certain that through one man’s fall so many died, it is even more certain that divine grace, coming through the one man, Jesus Christ, came to so many as an abundant free gift. The results of the gift also outweigh the results of one man’s sin: for after one single fall came judgement with a verdict of condemnation, now after many falls comes grace with its verdict of acquittal. If it is certain that death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man’s fall, it is even more certain that one man, Jesus Christ, will cause everyone to reign in life who receives the free gift that he does not deserve, of being made righteous. Again, as one man’s fall brought condemnation on everyone, so the good act of one man brings everyone life and makes them justified. As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous. When law came, it was to multiply the opportunities of failing, but however great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater; and so, just as sin reigned wherever there was death, 

so grace will reign to bring eternal life thanks to the righteousness that comes through 

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsory

Sin came into the world through one man in whom all sinned;

do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

The Lord has rescued you from death; the Lord was your strength in the face of your foe.

Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Second Reading

A sermon

by St Anselm

O Virgin, by whose blessing all nature is blessed!

Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night – everything that is subject to the power or use of man – rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. All creatures were dead, as it were, useless for men or for the praise of God, who made them. The world, contrary to its true destiny, was corrupted and tainted by the acts of men who served idols. Now all creation has been restored to life and rejoices that it is controlled and given splendor by men who believe in God.

The universe rejoices with new and indefinable loveliness. Not only does it feel the unseen presence of God himself, 

its Creator, it sees him openly, working and making it holy. 

These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb.

Through the fullness of the grace that was given you, dead things rejoice in their freedom, and those in heaven are glad to be made new. Through the Son who was the glorious fruit of your virgin womb, just souls who died before his life-giving death rejoice as they are freed from captivity, and the angels are glad at the restoration of their shattered domain.

Lady, full and overflowing with grace, all creation receives new life from your abundance. Virgin, blessed above all creatures, through your blessing all creation is blessed, not only creation from its Creator, 

but the Creator himself has been blessed by creation.

To Mary God gave his only-begotten Son, whom he loved as himself. Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God, 

and God was born of Mary. God created all things, and Mary gave birth to God. 

The God who made all things gave himself form through Mary, and thus he made his own creation. 

He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary.

God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Savior of the world. 

Without God’s Son, nothing could exist; without Mary’s Son, nothing could be redeemed.

Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself.

Responsory

Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;

his love for me is great.

From this day forward all generations will call me blessed;

his love for me is great.

Canticle

Te Deum

God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you!

You, the Father, the eternal –

all the earth venerates you.

All the angels, all the heavens, every power –

The cherubim, the seraphim –

unceasingly, they cry:

“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts:

heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!”

The glorious choir of Apostles –

The noble ranks of prophets –

The shining army of martyrs –

all praise you.

Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you.

– Father of immeasurable majesty,

– True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship,

– Holy Spirit, our Advocate.

You, Christ:

– You are the king of glory.

– You are the Father’s eternal Son.

– You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb.

– You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you.

– You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father.

– You will come, so we believe, as our Judge.

And so we ask of you: give help to your servants,

whom you set free at the price of your precious blood.

Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory.

Bring your people to safety, Lord,

and bless those who are your inheritance.

Rule them and lift them high for ever.

Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever.

Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.

Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you.

In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame.

Let us pray.

Father,

we rejoice in the privilege of our Lady’s Immaculate Conception,

which preserved her from the stain of sin by the power of Christ’s redeeming death,

and prepared her to be the Mother of God.

Grant that through her prayers

we ourselves may come to you, cleansed from all sin.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.