Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Introit
Psalm 44:13, 15-16
All the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbours shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. Ps. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King. ℣. Glory be to the Father.
Collect
O God, Who didst deign to choose for Thy dwelling the virginal womb of the blessed Mary, grant, we beseech Thee, that defended by her protection we may assist with joy at her festival. Who livest and reignest.
Epistle
Ecclesiasticus 24:23-31
As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour, and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits; for my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb. My memory is unto everlasting generations. They that eat me, shall yet hunger; and they that drink me, shall yet thirst. He that harkeneth to me shall not be confounded, and they that work by me shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.
Gradual
Psalm 44:11-12, 14
Blessed and venerable art thou, O Virgin Mary: who, without spot, wast found the Mother of the Saviour. ℣. Virgin Mother of God, He Whom the whole world containeth not, being made man, shut Himself in thy womb.
Gospel
Luke 11:26-27
At that time: As Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to Him, Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that gave Thee suck. But He said: Yea, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
Offertory
Genesis 3:15
Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Creator of all things: thou didst bring forth Him Who made thee, and remainest forever a virgin.
Secret
May our offerings be commended to Thy mercy, O Lord, by the prayer of the mother of God, Whom Thou hast removed from this world that she may with confidence intercede for us with Thee. Through the same Lord.
Communion
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.
Postcommunion
Grant Thine assistance, O merciful God, to our frailty, that we, who anticipate the festival of the holy Mother of God, may, by the aid of her intercession, rise from our iniquity. Through the same Lord.