SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

January 1

Themes

Mary’s role in the plan of salvation, Jesus as devout Jew, peace, gentleness

Entrance Antiphon

Hail, Holy Mother, who gave birth to the King,
who rules heaven and earth for ever.

Or:

Today a light will shine upon us, for the Lord is born for us;
and he will be called Wondrous God,
Prince of peace, Father of future ages:
and his reign will be without end.

Communion Antiphon

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.

Readings

Click to view the readings for this liturgy.

  Years A, B, C

First Reading Numbers 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

℟. May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation. ℟.

May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide. ℟.

VMay the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him! ℟.

Second Reading Galatians 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:
When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law,
to ransom those under the law,
so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As proof that you are sons,
God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying out, “Abba, Father!”
So you are no longer a slave but a son,
and if a son then also an heir, through God.

Gospel Acclamation Hebrews 1:1-2

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son. ℟.

Gospel Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.

When eight days were completed for his circumcision,
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb.

✠   ✠   ✠

Music Selections

  Years A, B, C

2024 \(\bullet\) 2025 \(\bullet\) 2026 \(\bullet\) 2027 \(\bullet\) 2028…2046 \(\bullet\) 2047 \(\bullet\) 2048 \(\bullet\) 2049 \(\bullet\) 2050

Processional BB Sing of Mary
Psalm RA May God bless us in his mercy.
Offertory BB Away in a Manger (mueller)
Communion BB Child of the Poor / What Child Is This
BB What Child Is This
Meditation BB Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Recessional BB Song of Mary (verses 1-3)

Choral Anthems

Choral anthems could be sung before Mass, in place of an offertory hymn, in place of a Communion hymn (if appropriate), or after Communion for meditation.
Year A For Unto Us
Year B Birthday of a King
Year C Christ Lives Among Us
Cry Out With Joy and Gladness

Notes