INTROIT

Vultum tuum.  Psalm 45.

The rich among the people shall make their supplications before thee:
The Virgins that be her fellows shall be her company:
And shall be brought unto thee with joy and gladness.
Alleluia, alleluia.  §

My heart is inditing of a good matter:
I speak of the things which I have made unto the King.
Glory be ...
As it was ...

(Repeat to §.)

Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation: that, like as we do rejoice in the festival of blessed N. thy holy Virgin; so we may learn to follow her in all godly and devout affections.  Through.
 
 

THE LESSON

I Corinthians 7.25 – 34

Brethren: Concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.  Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:  But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: in Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
 

GRADUAL

(Psalm 45) The King shall have pleasure in thy beauty, for he is the Lord thy God.
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear.
Alleluia,
Alleluia.
This is a wise virgin,
And one of the number of the prudent.
All:        Alleluia.

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

TRACT

(Psalm 45) So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty.
The rich among the people shall make their supplication before thee:
King's daughters are among thy honorable women.
The Virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company: They shall be brought unto thee.
With joy and gladness will they be brought:
And shall enter into the King's palace.
 

In Eastertide, instead of the Gradual, is said:
 

ALLELUIA

Alleluia,
Alleluia.
This is a wise virgin,
And one of the number of the prudent.  Alleluia.
(Wisdom 4) Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue.
Alleluia.
 
 
 

THE GOSPEL

Either: St. Matthew 13.44 – 52  or  St. Matthew 25.1 – 13
 
 

St. Matthew 13.44 – 52

At that time: Jesus spake this parable unto his disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath,
and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So
shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus saith unto
them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder,
which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. .
 

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

Grant, O Lord, we pray thee, that like as we thy faithful people do acknowledge that in time of our tribulation we have been succoured by the merits of thy Saints: so this oblation, which we here do offer and present unto thee in their honor, may be acceptable in thy sight.  Through.
 
 

COMMUNION  St. Matthew 13

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it  (alleluia).
 
 

POSTCOMMUNION

O Lord, who hast vouchsafed to feed us thy household with thy heavenly gifts: mercifully grant that we, who celebrate the feast of blessed N., thy Virgin, may at all times be comforted by her intercession.  Through.
 
 

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