The First and Second Day of Christmas: Video Presentation
Padre Nuno Rocha answers the question, “How can I be happy
with someone?” Read his answer presented in this animated book chapter.
Fr. Elias Mary Mills, FI, explains the process of Consecration, what it is, and provides the steps which we’ll explore in the next days.
PRAY THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
See Padre Nuno’s Youth Group in Portugal, and read a sample of their Joyful Mysteries meditations recited in Portugal during their 1st Sunday of the Month Rosary before the Children’s Mass
BEGINNER: PRAY ONE DECADE, “The Nativity”, authored by Tomé
NEW TO THE ROSARY? LEARN WITH CHILDREN IN THE NEXT 8 DAYS USING THIS VIDEO by AMELIA & FR. ANTHONY HERE:
CONFIDENT BEGINNER: PRAY TWO DECADES — Add, “The Presentation”
VIDEO BY THE RHP SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS HERE:
MIDWAY: PRAY THREE DECADES, Add — “The Visitation” (video coming soon)
GETTING ADVANCED: FOUR & FIVE DECADES, USE THIS CARD TO READ SCRIPTURE.
Hodie Christus Natus Est | MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR
FR. ELIAS MARY MILLS: Well, when you say, “what are you supposed to do on your consecration day?”, well, the main thing is you'll be making the Act of Consecration.
You'll be saying the prayer, and in this case, the Act of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe.
Solemn Act of Consecration - According to St. Maximilian Kolbe
O Immaculate, Queen of heaven and earth, Refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to You, I __________________________, an unworthy sinner, cast myself at Your feet, humbly imploring You to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to Yourself as Your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death, and eternity, whatever pleases You. If it pleases You, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what has been said of You: “She will crush your head”, and “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world.” Let me be a fit instrument in Your immaculate and most merciful hands for introducing and increasing Your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For, wherever You enter, You obtain the grace of conversion and sanctification, since it is through Your hands that all graces come to us from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
V.Allow me to praise You, O most holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength against Your enemies.
Official Act of Consecration to Mary in Latin
Actus Consecrationis BMV Immaculatae (cf. KW 37)
O IMMACULATA, coeli et terrae Regina, refugium peccatorum et Mater nostra amorosissima, Tu cui Deus totum ordinem misericordiae committi voluit, ego N.N. indignus peccator, ad pedes Tuos me provolvo suppliciter petens, ut me totum et totaliter tamquam rem et proprietatem Tuam assumere et de me, de omnibus potentiis animae et corporis, de tota vita, morte et aeternitate mea, quidquid Tibi magis placet facere digneris. Utaris etiam, si hoc Tibi placet, me toto et totaliter ad hoc quod de Te dictum est: “Ipsa conteret caput tuum [Gen 3,15] et “Cunctas haereses sola interemisti in universo mundo” [officium BVM] exequendum, ut in Tua immaculata et misericordiosissima manu aptum sim instrumentum ad gloriam Tuam in tot deviatis ac tepidis animis introducendam et quam maxime augmentandam et ita dulcissimum Regnum S[acratissi]mi Cordis Iesu quam maxime extendendum, ubi enim Tu intras ibi et gratiam conversionis et sanctificationis impetras, per Tuas enim manus omnes ad nos gratiae ex Corde Sacratissimo Iesu perveniunt.
V. Dignare me laudare Te, Virgo Sacrata.
R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes Tuos.
OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS NIGHT PRAYER WITH JOYFUL MYSTERIES
Night Prayer
INTRODUCTION
O God, + come to my assistance.
— O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Examination of Conscience
A brief examination of conscience may be made. In the communal celebration of the Office, a Penitential Rite using the formulas of the Mass may be inserted here.
HYMN
O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
the Father’s Sole-begotten Son,
in myst’ry born alone from him,
so wondrously before all time,
The Father’s splendor and true Light,
O everlasting hope for all,
bend low to hear your servants’ prayers
poured forth to you throughout the earth.
O author of all saving grace,
recall that once you took our flesh
and from the Virgin pure and chaste
assumed by birth our human form.
This feast today now testifies,
within the cycle of the year,
that you as Savior of the world
alone came from the Father’s throne.
The sky above, the earth, the sea,
and all creation held therein
extol with joyous hymns of praise
the Author of your advent here.
We also, whom you came to save
and by your holy blood redeem,
all sing a new and joyful hymn
to celebrate your day of birth.
To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
the Virgin Mother’s newborn Son,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and Loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.
Tune: PUER NOBIS NASCETUR, 8 8 8 8
Music: Adapted from Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621, in Musae Sionae, VI, 1809
or Mode I, melody 7; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Christe, redemptor omnium, ex Patre, Patris Unice, 6th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
[Sunday I]
Ant. 1 Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4
Thanksgiving
The resurrection of Christ was God’s supreme and wholly marvelous work (Saint Augustine).
When I call, answer me, O God of justice; *
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
O men, how long will your hearts be closed, *
will you love what is futile and seek what is false?
It is the Lord who grants favors to those whom he loves; *
the Lord hears me whenever I call him.
Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still *
Make justice your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.
“What can bring us happiness?” many say. *
Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.
You have put into my heart a greater joy *
than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.
I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once *
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
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.
Ant. Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.
Ant. 2 In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.
Psalm 134
Evening prayer in the temple
Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great (Revelation 19:5).
O come, bless the Lord, *
all you who serve the Lord,
who stand in the house of the Lord, *
in the courts of the house of our God.
Lift up your hands to the holy place *
and bless the Lord through the night.
May the Lord bless you from Zion, *
he who made both heaven and earth.
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.
Ant. In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.
Continue with the Reading
[Sunday II]
Ant. Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings.
Psalm 91
Safe in God’s sheltering care
I have given you the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions (Luke 10:19).
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High *
and abides in the shade of the Almighty
says to the Lord: “My refuge, *
my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”
It is he who will free you from the snare *
of the fowler who seeks to destroy you;
he will conceal you with his pinions *
and under his wings you will find refuge.
You will not fear the terror of the night *
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the plague that prowls in the darkness *
nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side, *
ten thousand fall at your right,
you, it will never approach; *
his faithfulness is buckler and shield.
Your eyes have only to look *
to see how the wicked are repaid,
you who have said: “Lord, my refuge!” *
and have made the Most High your dwelling.
Upon you no evil shall fall, *
no plague approach where you dwell.
For you has he commanded his angels, *
to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you upon their hands *
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
On the lion and the viper you will tread *
and trample the young lion and the dragon.
Since he clings to me in love, I will free him; *
protect him for he knows my name.
When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you,” *
I will save him in distress and give him glory.
With length of life I will content him; *
I shall let him see my saving power.
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.
Ant. Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings.
READING
[Sunday I]
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.
[Sunday II]
Revelation 22:4-5
They shall see the Lord face to face and bear his name on their foreheads. The night shall be no more. They will need no light from lamps or the sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever.
RESPONSORY
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
— Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
— I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.
Canticle of Simeon
Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel
Lord, + now you let your servant go in peace; *
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation *
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations *
and the glory of your people Israel.
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.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Lord,
we beg you to visit this house
and banish from it
all the deadly power of the enemy.
May your holy angels dwell here
to keep us in peace,
and may your blessing be upon us always.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
— Amen.
BLESSING
May the all-powerful Lord
grant us a restful night
and a peaceful death.
— Amen.
Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.
Or:
Alma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæli
porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti,
súrgere qui curat, pópulo: tu quæ genuísti,
natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem,
Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore
sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.
Or:
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.
Or:
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you!
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Or:
Salve, Regína, mater misericórdiæ;
vita, dulcédo et spes nostra, salve,
Ad te clamámus, éxsules fílii Evæ.
Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et flentes
in hac lacrimárum valle.
Eia ergo, advocáta nostra,
illos tuos misericórdes ócculos
ad nos convérte.
Et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exsílium osténde.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María.
******
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[Sunday I]
All praise to you, O God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep us, we pray, O king of kings,
Beneath your own almighty wings.
Forgive us, Lord, through Christ your Son
Whatever wrong this day we’ve done;
Your peace give to the world, O Lord,
That all might live in one accord.
Enlighten us, O Blessed Light,
And give us rest throughout this night.
O strengthen us, that for your sake,
We all may serve you when we wake.
Tune: Tallis’ Canon L.M.
Music: Thomas Tallis, 1515-1585
Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711, alt.
[Sunday II]
God who made the earth and heaven,
Darkness and light;
You the day for work have giv’n
For rest the night.
May your angel guards defend us,
Slumber sweet your mercy send us,
Holy dreams and hope attend us,
All through the night.
And when morn again shall call us
To run life’s way,
May we still whate’er befall us,
Your will obey.
From the pow’r of evil hide us,
In the narrow pathway guide us,
Never be your smile denied us
All through the day.
Guard us waking, guard us sleeping,
And, when we die,
May we in your mighty keeping
All peaceful lie.
When the last dread call shall wake us,
Then O Lord, do not forsake us,
But to reign in glory take us
With you on high.
Tune: Ar Hyd Y Nos 84.84.88.84
Music: Welsh Carol
Text: Stanza 1 Reginald Heber, 1783-1826; stanza 2 William Mercer, 1811-1876; stanza 3 Richard Whately, 1787-1863
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