INTROIT

Loquebar.  Psalm 119.

I will speak of thy testimonies also even before kings,
And will not be ashamed:
And my delight shall be in thy commandments,
Which I have loved exceedingly.  (Alleluia, alleluia).  §

Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way:
And walk in the law of the Lord.
Glory be ...
As it was ...

(Repeat to §.)

O God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom: grant, we beseech thee, that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of blessed N. thy Virgin and Martyr; may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee.  Through.
 
 

THE LESSON

Ecclesiasticus 51.1 – 8

I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my Saviour: I do give praise unto thy name:  For thou art my defender and helper, and has preserved my body from destruction, and from the snare of the slanderous tongue, and from the lips that forge lies, and has been mine helper against mine adversaries:  And hast delivered me, according to the multitude of they mercies and greatness of thy name, from the teeth of them that were ready to devour me, and out of the hands of such as sought after my life, and from the manifold afflictions which I had;  From the choking of fire on every side, and from the midst of the fire which I kindled not;  From the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words.  By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous tongue my soul drew near even unto death, my life was near to the hell beneath.  They compassed me on every side, and there was no man to help me: I looked for the succor of men, but there was none.  Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon thy acts of old, how thou deliverest such as wait for thee, and savest them out of the hands of the enemies, O Lord our God.
 
 
 
 
 

GRADUAL

(Psalm 45) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity.
Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.
Alleluia,
Alleluia.
The virgins that be her fellows shall be brought unto thee:
With joy and gladness shall they be brought.  Alleluia.

After Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia, and verse following, is said:
 

TRACT

Come thou bride of Christ, receive the crown,
Which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever:
For whose love thou didst shed thy blood.
(Psalm 45) Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity.
Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
In thy comeliness and in thy beauty go forth, ride prosperously and reign.
 

In Eastertide, instead of the Gradual, is said:
 

ALLELUIA

Alleluia,
Alleluia.
(Psalm 45) The virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company:
They shall be brought unto thee with joy and gladness.  Alleluia.
In thy comeliness and in thy beauty go forth,
Ride prosperously and reign.  Alleluia.
 
 
 

THE GOSPEL

St. Matthew 25.1 – 13

At that time: Jesus spake this parable unto his disciples: The kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour
 
 
 
 
 

OFFERTORY  Psalm 45

The virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company: they shall be brought unto thee with joy and gladness: and shall enter into the king's palace.  (Alleluia.)
 

SECRET

O Lord, who seest that we do trust for our deliverance in the advocacy of thy holy Virgin and Martyr blessed N.: grant, we beseech thee, that the gifts which we offer unto thee on her festival may be acceptable in thy sight.  Through.
 
 

COMMUNION  Psalm 119

Let the proud be confounded, for they go wickedly about to destroy me: but I will be occupied in thy commandments, and in thy statutes that I be not ashamed (alleluia).
 
 

POSTCOMMUNION

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, which have here received these holy mysteries: and grant, that at the intercession of blessed N., thy Virgin and Martyr; we may thereby be made worthy to rejoice in thy everlasting protection.  Through.
 
 

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