Antiphon: Hail, Mother of the Church, Teacher and Queen of the Apostles, alleluia, alleluia.
1. I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head.
Antiphon.
2. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy offspring to be born will be called the Son of God.
Antiphon.
3. She gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.
Antiphon.
4. This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed, and you yourself shall be pierced by a sword.
Antiphon.
5. Seeing his Mother there with the disciple whom he loved, Jesus said to his Mother, “Woman, there is your son.” In turn, he said to the disciple, “There is your Mother.”
Antiphon.
6. Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer. There were some women in their company, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and his brethren.
Antiphon.
7. Mary Immaculate, ever-Virgin Mother of God, having finished the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.
Antiphon.
Reading and reflection: Acts 1:12–14; 2:1–4.
Hymn
Apostles twelve, Christ’s chosen band,
Expectantly in prayer did meet,
Awaiting by the Lord’s command
His seven-gifted Paraclete.
The Mother of the risen Lord—Though
mentioned after all the rest—More
ardently than they, implored;
More richly with God’s gifts was blessed.
The Spirit makes her overflow
With favors of the Love divine;
Abundantly she can bestow
Her riches upon all mankind.
To Mary, full of grace draw near,
O priest, and beg her to bestow
Those streams of graces, crystal clear,
That from so vast a river flow.
The grace more holily to live
Will she grant lavishly to you.
Her hand in friendship she will give,
That you may help your brothers, too.
All glory, Jesus Lord, to you.
Our Savior, whom the Virgin bore.
All glory, praise and honor, too,
To Sire and Spirit evermore. Amen.
For other hymns see pp. 362–380.
℣. Queen of the Apostles, alleluia.
℟. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
Antiphon for the Magnificat:
Receive our prayer, O Mary, our Mother, Queen, and Teacher. Beseech your divine Son, the Lord of the harvest, to send forth laborers into his vineyard. Alleluia.
Magnificat, p. 303.
Antiphon: Receive our prayer . . .
Let us pray.
God our Father, you gave the Holy Spirit to your Apostles as they joined in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. By the help of her prayers, keep us faithful in your service and let our words and actions be so inspired as to bring glory to your name. Grant this through Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.