Double Feast of Saint Ambrose , Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Also Vigil of the Immaculate Conception

Day of Fast and Abstinence

WHITE Vestments

    Saint Ambrose, a doctor or teacher of the Church, was Archbishop of Milan from A.D. 374 to his death in 397. By his steadfastness he deserved well of God's people. Gentleness, meekness, humility, and obedience made him yield to every one in indifferent matters, but in those of duty he was inflexible. His writings have contributed many hymns and lections to the Roman Breviary. St. Ambrose died April 1, 397; but the fourth of April falling as a rule in Lent, the seventh of December, anniversary of his consecration as bishop, was assigned for his festival which is also the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To add to the solemnity of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Blessed Lady, Pope Leo XIII in 1879 extended this vigil to the Universal Church.

For more on this Doctor of the Church, see Converter of Saints

    Resources: We are grateful to Friends of Our Lady of Fatima for providing the Propers for the faithful. Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945

    Missa "In medio Ecclesiae"

    Go to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
    INTROIT: Ecclesiasticus 15: 5
    In medio Ecclesiae aperuit os ejus: et implevit eum Dominus epiritu sapientiae, et intellectus: stolam gloriae induit eum. (Ps. 91: 2) Bonum est confiteri Domino: et psallere nomini tuo, Altissime. v. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancti sicut erat in principio et nunc, et semper, et saecula saeculorum. Amen.
    Repeat In medio Ecclesiae...
    In the midst of the Church the Lord opened his mouth: and filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory.. (Ps. 91: 2) It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy Name, O Most High. v. 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. Repeat In the midst of the Church...
    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
    COLLECT
    Deus qui pópulo tuo ætérnum salútis beátum Ambrosium minístrum tribuísti: præsta, quæsumus; ut, quem Doctórem vitæ habúimus in terris, intercessórem habére mereámur in Cælis. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum: Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration of First Sunday of Advent
    Orémus. Excita, quæsumus, Domine, potentiam tuam et veni; ut ab imminentibus peccatorum nostrorum periculis, te mereamur protegente eripi, te liberante salvari. Qui vivis vivit et regnas in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration of the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
    Orémus. Deus, qui Unigéniti tui Matrem ab origináli culpa in sua Conceptióne mirábiliter præservásti: da, quæsumus; et sua nos intercessióne munítos, corde mundos fácias suæ interésse festivitáti. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Let us pray. O God, Who didst give blessed Ambrose to Thy people to be a minister of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be worthy to have him as our intercessor in Heaven whom we have had as a teacher of life on earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Commemoration of the First Sunday of Advent
    Let us pray. Stir up Thy power, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and come: that from the threatening dangers of our sins we may deserve to be rescued by Thy protection, and to be saved by Thy deliverance. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Commemoration of the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
    Let us pray. O God, Who didst wondrously preserve the mother of Thine only-begotten Son from original sin in her own conception, grant, we beseech Thee, that Thou mayest make us, strengthened by her intercession, to keep her festival with clean hearts. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    EPISTLE: 2 Timothy 4: 1-8
    Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Timótheum. Caríssime: Testíficor coram Deo et Jesu Christo, qui judicatúrus est vivos et mórtuos, per advéntum ipsíus, et regnum ejus: prædica verbum, insta opportúne, importúne: árgue, óbsecra, increpa in omni patiéntia, et doctrína. Erit enim tempus, cum sanam doctrínam non sustinébunt, sed ad sua desidéria coacervábunt sibi magístros pruriéntes áuribus, et a veritáte quidem audítum avértent, ad fábulas autem converténtur. Tu vero vígila, in ómnibus labóra, opus fac evangelístæ, ministérium tuum imple. Sóbrius esto. Ego enim jam delíbor, et tempus resolutiónis meæ instat. Bonum certámen certávi cursum consumávi fidem servávi. In réliquo reposita est mihi corona justítiæ quam reddet mihi Dóminus in illa die, justus judex: non solum autem mihi, sed et iis, qui dilígunt advéntum ejus. Deo Gratias.
    Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to Timothy. Dearly beloved, I charge thee before God and Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the living and the dead, by His coming, and His Kingdom. Preach the word: be instant in season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience, and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labor in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed; and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just Judge, will render to me in that day; and not only to me, but to them also that love His coming. Thanks be to God.
    GRADUAL: Eccles. 44: 16
    Ecce sacérdos magnus, qui in diébus suis plácuìt Deo. V. (Ecclus. 44: 20) Non est invéntus similis illi, qui conserváret legem. Excélsi. Allelúja, allelúja. V. (Ps. 109: 4) Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum, secúndum órdinem Melchísedech. Allelúja.
    Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God. V. (Ecclus. 44: 20) There was not any found like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Ps. 109: 4) Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech. Alleluia.
    GOSPEL:   Matthew 5: 13-19
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum
    R.Gloria tibi, Domine

    In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus discípulis suis: "Vos estis sal terræ. Quod si sal evanúerit, in quo saliétur? Ad níhilum valet ultra, nisi ut mittátur foras, et conculcétur ab homínibus. Vos estis lux mundi. Non potest cívitas abscóndi supra montem pósita. Neque accéndunt lucérnam, et ponent eam sub módio, sed super candelábrum, ut lúceat ómnibus qui in domo sunt. Sic lúceat lux vestra coram homínibus ut videant ópera vestra bona, et gloríficent Patrem vestrum, qui in Coelis est. Nolite putáre, quóniam veni sólvere legem, aut prophétas: non veni sólvere sed adimplére. Amen quippe dico vobis, donec tránseat coelum et terra, ióta unum, aut unus apex non præteríbit a lege, donec ómnia fiant. Qui ergo sólverit unum do mandátis istis mínimis et dócuerit sic homines minimus vocábitur in regno Coelórum: qui autem fécerit et docúerit, hic magnus vocábitur in regno Coelórum.
    Laus tibi Christe.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    The continuation of the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
    R. Glory to Thee, O Lord

    At that time, Jesus said to His disciples,"You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt lose its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain can not be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house; so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For, amen I say unto you, till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall not pass of the law till all be fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven: but he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven."
    Praise be to Christ

    OFFERTORY:    Psalm 88: 25
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Oremus. Véritas mea, et misericórdia mea cum ipso: et in nómine meo exaltábitur cornu ejus.
    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Let us pray. My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My name shall his horn be exalted.
    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE OFFERTORY
    SECRET
    Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, múnera tuæ majestáti obláta, per intercessiónem beáti Ambrósii Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis, ad perpétuam nobis fac proveníre salútem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration of the First Sunday of Advent
    Hæc sacra nos, Dómine, potenti virtúte mundátos, ad suum fáciant purióres veníre princípium. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration of the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
    Múnera nostra, Dómine, apud tuam cleméntiam Immaculátæ Dei Genetrícís comméndet orátio: quam ab omni originali labe præservásti; ut dignum Fílii tui habitáculum éffici mererétur. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Almighty, everlasting God, do Thou cause the gifts that are offered to Thy majesty, by the intercession of blessed Ambrose Thy confessor and bishop, to benefit us unto everlasting salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever..
    R.Amen.

    Commemoration of First Sunday of Advent
    May these holy mysteries, O Lord, cleanse us by Thy powerful virtue and make us to come with greater purity to Him who is their source. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Commemoration of the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
    May our gifts be commended in the sight of Thy mercy, O Lord, by the prayer of the immaculate mother of God, whom Thou didst preserve from original sin that she might be worthy to become the dwelling of Thy Son. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    PREFACE   Common Preface
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Sursum corda.
    R.Habemus ad Dominum.
    Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
    R. Dignum et justum est.
    Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos Tibi simper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: per Christum Dominum nostrum. Per quem majestatem Tuam laudant Angeli, adorant Dominationes, tremunt Potestates, Coeli, Coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata Seraphim socia exultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admitti, jubeas, supplici confessione dicentes:
    SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS...
    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Lift up your hearts.
    R.We have lifted them up to the Lord.
    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
    R. It is meet and just.
    It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with them we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted, while we say in lowly praise:
    HOLY, HOLY, HOLY...

    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS THE CANON OF THE MASS
    COMMUNION:   Psalm 88: 35, 38
    Semel jurávi in sancto meo: semen ejus in ætérnum manébit, et sedes ejus sicut sol in conspéctu meo, et sicut luna perfécta in ætérnum, et testis in Coelo fìdélis.
    Once have I sworn by My holiness, his seed shall endure forever: and his throne as the sun before Me, and as the moon perfect forever; and a faithful witness in Heaven.
    POSTCOMMUNION
    Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    Oremus.     Sacraménta salútis nostræ suscipiéntes, concéde, quæ-sumus, omnípotens Deus: ut beáti Ambrósii Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis, nos ubíque orátio àdjuvet; in cujus veneratióne hæc tuæ obtúlimus majestàti. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration of the First Sunday of Advent
    Oremus. Suscipiámus, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam in médio templi tui: ut reparatiónis nostræ ventúra solémnia cóngruis honoribus praecedamus. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration of the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
    Oremus. Concéde, miséricors Deus, a fragilitáti nostræ præsídium: ut, qui Immaculátæ Conceptiónis Genitrícis unigéniti Fílii tui festivitátem. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
    Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
    R. Amen.

    The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    Let us pray.     Grant us, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, as we receive the sacrament of our salvation, that the prayer of blessed Ambrose, Thy confessor and bishop, in veneration of whom we have offered this sacrifice to Thy majesty, may everywhere assist us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R. Amen.

    Commemoration of the First Sunday of Advent
    Let us pray. May we receive, O Lord, Thy mercy in the midst of Thy temple, that we may prepare with due honor for the approaching feast of our redemption. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Commemoration of the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
    Let us pray. Grant, O merciful God, Thy protection to our frailty, that we, who prepare for the festival of the immaculate Conception of the Mother of Thine only-begotten Son, may, by the aid of her intercession, rise from our iniquities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God
    Forever and ever.
    R.Amen.

    Return to the ORDINARY OF THE HOLY MASS CONCLUSION OF THE HOLY MASS
    THE LAST GOSPEL

    For the Vigil of the Immaculate Conception there is a special Last Gospel taken from Matthew 1: 1-16 on the geneology of Christ Who was conceived and born of a Virgin.
    V. Dominus vobiscum.
    R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
    V. Initium † sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum.
    R. Gloria tibi, Domine

    Liber generatiónis Jesu Christi fílii David, fílii Abraham. Abraham génuit Isaac. Isaac autem génuit Jacob. Jacob autem génuit Judam, et fratres ejus. Judas autem génuit Phares, et Zaram de Thamar. Phares autem génuit Esron. Esron autem génuit Aram. Aram autem génuit Amínadab. Amínadab autem génuit Naásson. Naásson autem génuit Salmon. Salmon autem génuit Booz de Rahab. Booz autem génuit Obed ex Ruth. Obed autem génuit Jesse. Jesse autem génuit David regem. David autem rex génuit Salomónem ex ea, quæ fuit Uriæ. Sálomon autem génuit Róboam. Róboam autem génuit Abíam. Abías autem génuit Asa. Asa autem génuit Jósaphat. Jósaphat autem génuit Joram. Joram autem génuit Ozíam. Ozías autem génuit Jóatham. Jóatham autem génuit Achaz. Achaz autem génuit Ezechíam. Ezechías autem génuit Manássen. Manásses autem génuit Amon. Amon autem génuit Josíam. Josías autem génuit Jechoníam, et fratres ejus in transmigratióne Babylónis. Et post transmigratiónem Babylónis: Jechonías génuit Saláthiel. Saláthiel autem génuit Zoróbabel. Zoróbabel autem génuit Abiud. Abiud autem génuit Elíacim. Elíacim autem génuit Azor. Azor autem génuit Sadoc. Sadoc alltem génuit Achim. Achim autem génuit Eliud. Eliud autem génuit Eleázar. Eleázar autem génuit Mathan. Mathan autem génuit Jacob; Jacob autem génuit Joseph virum Mariæ, de qua natus est Jesus, qui vocátur Christus.

    R. Deo gratias.

    V. The Lord be with you.
    R. And with thy spirit.
    V. The beginning † of the holy Gospel according to Matthew. R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

    The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begot Isaac; and Isaac begot Jacob; and Jacob begot Judas, and his brethren; and Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begot Esron; and Esron begot Aram; and Aram begot Aminadab; and Aminadab begot Naasson; and Naasson begot Salmon; and Salmon begot Booz of Rahab; and Booz begot Obed of Ruth; and Obed begot Jesse; and Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her who had been the wife of Urias; and Solomon begot Roboam; and Roboam begot Abia; and Abia begot Asa; and Asa begot Josaphat; and Josaphat begot Joram; and Joram begot Ozias; and Ozfas begot Joatham; and Joatham begot Achaz; and Achaz begot Ezechias; and Ezechias begot Manasses; and Manasses begot Amon; and Amon begot Josias; and Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel; and Salathiel begot Zorobabel; and Zorobabel begot Abiud; and Abiud begot Eliacim; and Eliacim begot Azor; and Azor begot Sadoc; and Sadoc begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud; and Eliud begot Eleazar; and Eleazar begot Mathan; and Mathan begot Jacob; and Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called Christ.

    R. Thanks be to God.



Feast of St. Ambrose and Vigil of the Immaculate Conception