Advent 2022

O Come, Redeemer of the earth, and manifest thy virgin-birth. Let every age in wonder fall: such birth befits the God of all.   Begotten of no human will but of the Spirit, Thou art still the Word of God in flesh arrayed, the promised fruit to man displayed.   The Virgin's womb that burden gained, its virgin honor, still unstained. The banners there of virtue glow; God in his temple dwells below.   Proceeding from His chamber free that royal home of purity a giant in twofold substance one, rejoicing now His course to run.   O equal to the Father, Thou! gird on Thy fleshly mantle now; the weakness of our mortal state with deathless might invigorate.   Thy cradle here shall glitter bright, and darkness breathe a newer light where endless faith shall shine serene and twilight never intervene.   All praise, eternal Son, to Thee, whose advent sets Thy people free, whom, with the Father, we adore, and Holy Spirit, for evermore.   Amen.

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me,  and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm,  he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,  and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things,  and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy,  the promise he made to our fathers,  to Abraham and his children forever.   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.   Amen.   O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law: come to save us, Lord our God!

O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me,  and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm,  he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,  and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things,  and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy,  the promise he made to our fathers,  to Abraham and his children forever.   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.   Amen.    O King of all nations and keystone of the Church: come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me,  and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm,  he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,  and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things,  and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy,  the promise he made to our fathers,  to Abraham and his children forever.   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.    O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me,  and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm,  he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,  and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things,  and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy,  the promise he made to our fathers,  to Abraham and his children forever.   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.   Amen.    O Key of David, opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom: come and free the prisoners of darkness!

O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me,  and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm,  he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,  and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things,  and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy,  the promise he made to our fathers,  to Abraham and his children forever.   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.   Amen.    O Root of Jesse’s stem, sign of God’s love for all his people: come to save us without delay!

O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me,  and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm,  he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,  and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things,  and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy,  the promise he made to our fathers,  to Abraham and his children forever.   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.   Amen.    O Leader of the House of Israel, giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai: come to rescue us with your mighty power!

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

This chant serves as the introit (Entrance Antiphon) to the Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. (Is 45:8) Let the Just One descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop Him down. Let the earth open and a Savior bud forth. (Ps 18:2) The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Let the Just One...

Mother of Christ, hear thou thy people's cry Star of the deep and Portal of the sky! Mother of Him who thee made from nothing made. Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid: Oh, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee, Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.   V. The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:  R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.   Let us pray:   Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord.   Amen.

O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!   My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.  From this day all generations will call me blessed:  the Almighty has done great things for me,  and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm,  he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,  and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things,  and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy,  the promise he made to our fathers,  to Abraham and his children forever.   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.   Amen.    O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" Jesus said to them in reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me." As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out?  To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

This chant serves as the introit (Entrance Antiphon) to the Mass of the Third Sunday of Advent. (Phil. 4:4-6) Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men: for the Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in everything, by prayer let your petitions be made known to God. (Ps 84:2) You have favored, O Lord, Your land; You have restored the well-being of Jacob. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Rejoice in the Lord always...

A thrilling voice by Jordan rings, rebuking guilt and darksome things: vain dreams of sin and visions fly; Christ in His might shines forth on high.   Now let each torpid soul arise, that sunk in guilt and wounded lies; see! the new Star's refulgent ray shall chase disease and sin away.   The Lamb descends from heaven above to pardon sin with freest love: for such indulgent mercy shown with tearful joy our thanks we own.   That when again He shines revealed, and trembling worlds to terror yield. He give not sin its just reward, but in His love protect and guard.   To the most high Parent glory be and to the Son be victory, and to the Spirit praise is owed from age to age eternally.    Amen.

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

This chant serves as the introit (Entrance Antiphon) to the Mass of the Second Sunday of Advent.   (Is 30:30) People of Sion, behold the Lord shall come to save the nations; and the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard, in the joy of your heart. (Ps 79:2) O Shepherd of Israel, hearken, O Guide of the flock of Joseph! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. People of Sion...

Celestial Word, to this our earth sent down from God's eternal clime, to save mankind by mortal birth into a world of change and time;   Lighten our hearts, vain hopes destroy; and in Thy love's consuming fire Fill all the soul with heavenly joy, and melt the dross of low desire.   So when the Judge of quick and dead shall bid His awful summons come, to whelm the guilty soul with dread, and call the blessed to their home.   Saved from the whirling black abyss, forevermore to us be given to share the feast of saintly bliss, and see the face of God in heaven.   To God the Father and the Son our songs with one accord we raise; and to the Holy Spirit, One with Them, be ever equal praise.    Amen.

This short prayer is prayed each day from November 30, the Feast of St. Andrew, to December 25, Christmas Day. Traditionally, this prayer is recited 15 times each day. Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, (Mention your personal intentions here) through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.   Amen.

This short prayer is prayed each day from November 30, the Feast of St. Andrew, to December 25, Christmas Day. Traditionally, this prayer is recited 15 times each day. Take a few minutes to unplug from the business of daily life, and meditate in a quiet place by listening to this track. Let us pray:   Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, (Mention your personal intentions here) through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.   Amen.

Jesus said to his disciples: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."