T he Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ 24 December Anno Domini 2016
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church and Shrine The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter + 11:00 pm Solemn Mass + Midnight Mass of the Nativity of the Lord + 24 December AD 2016 + Prelude of Carols Anthem: This Is the Truth Sent from Above Ralph Vaughn Williams (1872-1958) Hymn: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night Winchester Old Hymn 13i Anthem: O Holy Night Adolphe Charles Adam (1803-1856) Hymn: O Little Town of Bethlehem Forest Green Hymn 21i Anthem: A Sound of Angels Christopher Tye (c1505 c1572) Hymn: Once in Royal David's City Irby (the People will join in on vv 3-6) Hymn 236 All stand. The Deacon sings: The Proclamation of the Birth of Christ The twenty-fifth day of December, when ages beyond number had run their course from the creation of the world, when God in the beginning created heaven and earth, and formed man in his own likeness; when century upon century had passed since the Almighty set his bow in the clouds after the Great Flood, as a sign of covenant and peace; in the twenty-first century since Abraham, our father in faith, came out of Ur of the Chaldees; in the thirteenth century since the People of Israel were led by Moses in the Exodus from Egypt; around the thousandth year since David was anointed King; in the sixty-fifth week of the prophecy of Daniel; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad, in the year seven hundred and fifty-two since the foundation of the City of Rome; in the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus, the whole world being at peace, Jesus Christ, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to consecrate the world by his most loving presence, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and when nine months had passed since his conception, was born [genuflect] of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judah, and was made man: The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh. Processional Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful Adeste Fideles Hymn 12 : 1-3 Station Prayer at the Crèche V. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us; R. And we beheld his glory, full of grace and truth. Let us pray. O God the Son, highest and holiest, who didst humble thyself to share our birth and our death: Bring us with the shepherds and the wise men to kneel before thy lowly cradle, that we may come to sing with thine angels thy glorious praises in heaven; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit thou livest and reignest, ever one God, world without end. Amen. Continuation of Processional Hymn Hymn 12 : 4-6
Introit Dominus dixit Psalm 2:7, 1, 2, 8 The Lord hath said unto me: Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Ps.) Why do the heathen so furiously rage together and why do the people imagine a vain thing? (Bow) Glory be to the Father (Rise) As it was in the beginning The Lord hath said unto me V. In the Name of the + Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. R. Amen. Collect for Purity, Summary of the Law Missal, page 1 Kyrie (Willan) Hymn 710 Gloria (Willan) Hymn 713 Collect V. Peace be with you. R. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. O God, who hast caused this most holy night to shine with the brightness of the Light of life: grant, we beseech thee, that as we have known the revelation of his light upon earth, so may we attain unto his heavenly joys; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. The Lesson: Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. V. The Word of the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. The Psalm: Psalm 96 [Cantate Domino] Chant, Henry George Ley (1887-1962) O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth. Sing unto the Lord, and praise his Name; be telling of his sal- vation from day to day. Declare his honour unto the heathen, and his wonders unto all peoples. For the Lord is great, and cannot worthily be praised; he is more to be feared than all gods. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea make a noise, and all that there in is. Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; then shall all the trees of the wood re- joice be fore the Lord. Second part of chant: For he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth; and with righteousness to judge the world, and the peo ples with his truth.
The Epistle: Titus 2:11 14 Beloved, the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world, awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. V. The Word of the Lord. R. Thanks be to God. All stand. Gospel Acclamation Dominus dixit ad me Psalm 2:7 Alleluia. Alleluia. The Lord said unto me: Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Alleluia. Sequence Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High Gloria Hymn 42 The Holy Gospel: St. Luke 2:1-14 V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. V. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke. R. Glory be to thee, O Lord. In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased! V. The Gospel of the Lord. R. Praise be to thee, O Christ. The Homily The Nicene Creed Missal, page 4 The Prayers of the People Missal, pages 29-30 The Penitential Rite Missal, pages 5-6 Announcements Offertory Antiphon Laetentur caeli Psalm 96:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad: before the Lord, for he is come. Offertory Anthem: Sussex Carol On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear the news the angels bring. News of great joy, news of great mirth, News of our merciful King's birth. Then why should men on earth be so sad, Since our Redeemer made us glad, When from our sin he set us free, All for to gain our liberty? When sin departs before His grace, Then life and health come in its place. Angels and men with joy may sing All for to see the new-born King. All out of darkness we have light, Which made the angels sing this night: "Glory to God and peace to men, Now and for evermore, Amen!" Traditional English Carol arr. Sir David Willcocks (1919-2015)
Orate Fratres (Pray Brethren ) Missal, page 11 Prayer over the Offerings Grant, O Lord, we pray thee: that the offerings, which on this day s festival we present unto thee, may be acceptable in thy sight; that by thy bounteous goodness vouchsafed unto us in this holy exchange, we may be found in the likeness of him in whom our substance is united unto thee; who liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen. Sursum Corda (Lift up your hearts ) Missal, page 11 Sanctus & Benedictus (HOLY, HOLY, HOLY ) (Willan) Hymn 797 Pater Noster (Our Father ) [Stand] Hymn 722 The Peace [Kneel] Missal, page 19 Agnus Dei (O Lamb of God ) (Willan) Hymn 712 Prayer of Humble Access (We do not presume ) Missal, page 20 Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God ) Missal, page 21 Communion Antiphon In splendoribus Psalm 110:3 With an holy worship, the dew of thy birth: is of the womb of the morning. Communion Anthem: O Magnum Mysterium Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio. O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Jesum Christum. Alleluia! O great mystery and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the newborn Lord lying in a manger! O blessed is the Virgin, whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Alleluia! Communion Hymns: Of the Father s Love Begotten Divinum Mysterium Hymn 20 The Torchbearers will light candles from the center aisle. All kneel. Silent Night, Holy Night Holy Night Hymn 33 {Please extinguish your candle at the conclusion of the hymn, holding it upright until the wax has solidified.] Prayer of Thanksgiving (Almighty and everliving God ) Missal, page 22 Postcommunion Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord our God: that we who in this mystery have drawn near with gladness unto the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, may so walk in godliness of life, that we may be found worthy to attain unto his fellowship in heaven; who liveth and reigneth, world without end. Amen. Blessing & Dismissal Missal, pages 23-24
Pontifical Blessing In a Pontifical Mass, the celebrating Bishop receives the mitre and, extending his hands, says before imparting the Blessing: People: Bishop: People: Bishop: People: The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Now and forever. Our help is in the Name of the Lord. Who hath made heaven and earth. The Bishop then receives the Pastoral Staff and says: The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, + the Father, + the Son, and + the Holy Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you always. People: Amen. All stand. The Last Gospel: St. John 1:1-14 V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit. V. + The Beginning of the Holy Gospel according to Saint John. R. Glory be to thee, O Lord. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his Name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [Genuflect] And the Word was made flesh, [Rise] and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. R. Thanks be to God. Recessional Hymn: Joy to the World! Antioch Hymn 775 Invocation of the Saints (kneeling) Organ Voluntary: In Dulce Jubilo (BWV 729) Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Merry Christmas to All and a Special Welcome to Our Guests! We are so very happy to have you with us on this the Christ Mass. We bring you greetings from The Most Reverend Steven Lopes, Bishop of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. If you would like to know more about the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham, please call our parish office at 713-683-9407. May God bless you throughout these Holy Days. Fr. Hough IV, Rector Fr. Davids Fr. Hough III Deacon Barnett Deacon Baker Deacon Stockstill