†
THIRTY-FIRST OF MAY
FEAST OF THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
†
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed is the Virgin Mary,
who believed that the promises
made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.
Alleluia!
†
GOSPEL READING
LUKE 1:39-56
†
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE
(WHY SHOULD I BE HONOURED WITH A VISIT FROM THE MOTHER OF MY LORD.)
Mary set out and went as quickly as she could
to a town in the hill country of Judah.
She went into Zechariah’s house
and greeted Elizabeth.
Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the child leapt in her womb
and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
She gave a loud cry and said,
“Of all women you are the most blessed,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Why should I be honoured with a visit
from the mother of my Lord?
For the moment your greeting reached my ears,
the child in my womb leapt for joy.
Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise
made her by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”
And Mary said:“
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit exults in God my saviour;
because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid.
Yes, from this day forward
all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his mercy reaches from age to age
for those who fear him.
He has shown the power of his arm,
he has routed the proud of heart.
He has pulled down princes from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things,
the rich sent empty away.
He has come to the help of Israel his servant,
mindful of his mercy
– according to the promise he made to our ancestors –
of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months
and then went back home.
The Gospel of the Lord.
R.) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
†
†
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
May our offering of this saving sacrifice
be acceptable to your majesty, O Lord,
as you were pleased to accept the charity
of the Blessed Mother
of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
R.) Amen.
†
†
PREFACE II OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY:
THE CHURCH PRAISES GOD WITH THE WORDS OF MARY
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
to praise your mighty deeds
in the exaltation of all the Saints,
and especially, as we celebrate
the memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
to proclaim your kindness as we echo her
thankful hymn of praise.
For truly even to earth’s ends
you have done great things
and extended your abundant mercy
from age to age:
when you looked on the lowliness
of your handmaid,
you gave us through her
the author of our salvation,
your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Through him the host of Angels
adores your majesty
and rejoices in your presence for ever.
May our voices, we pray,
join with theirs
in one chorus of exultant praise,
as we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
†
†
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
All generations will call me blessed,
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name,
alleluia.
†
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
May your Church proclaim your greatness,
O God,
for you have done great things for your faithful,
and, as Saint John the Baptist leapt with joy
when he first sensed the hidden presence of Christ,
so may your Church rejoice to receive
in this Sacrament
the same ever-living Lord.
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
R.) Amen.
†
SOLEMN BLESSING
(OPTIONAL)
†
May God, who through the childbearing of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
willed in his great kindness to redeem the human race,
be pleased to enrich you with his blessing.
R.) Amen.
May you know always and everywhere the protection of her,
through whom you have been found
worthy to receive the author of life.
R.) Amen.
May you,
who have devoutly gathered on this day,
carry away with you the gifts of spiritual joys
and heavenly rewards.
R.) Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God,
† the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever.
R.) Amen.
†
responsorialpsalmcatholic 