*Ps 44:13; 44:15-16.*
All the rich among the people seek your favor. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King. They are borne in to you with gladness and joy.
*Ps 44:2*
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King.
Glory Be to the Father…
All the rich among the people seek your favor. Behind her the virgins of her train are brought to the King. They are borne in to you with gladness and joy.
O God, Who chose for Your dwelling the virginal womb of the blessed Mary, grant, we beseech You, that, with the help of her protection, we may with joy take part in her festival.
Who livest…
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
*Sir 24:23-31*
I bud forth delights like the vine, my blossoms become fruit fair and rich. 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 to me, all you that yearn for me, and be filled with my fruits; for my spirit is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance better to have than honey and the honeycomb. My memory is to everlasting generations. They who eat of me will hunger still, and they who drink of me will thirst for more. He who obeys me will not be put to shame, they who serve me will never fail. They who explain me shall have life everlasting.
℣. Blessed and venerable are you, O Virgin Mary, who, without spot were made the Mother of the Saviour.
℣. O Virgin, Mother of God, He Whom the whole world cannot contain, shut Himself in your womb, becoming Man.
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.
Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Creator of all things, thou didst bring forth who made thee, and remainest a virgin forever. (Alleluia.)
O Lord, may the prayer of the Mother of God, recommend our offerings to Your mercy, that she, whom You transported from this world, may trustingly intercede for our sins in Your presence.
Through the same Christ our Lord…
*Common*
It is truly meet and just, and profitable unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ, our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominions adore it, the Powers are in awe. Which the heavens and the hosts of heaven together with the blessed Seraphim joyfully do magnify. And do Thou command that it be permitted us to join with them in confessing Thee, while we say with lowly praise:
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father. (Alleluja.)
