On the Wednesday of Ember Week in Advent, the Mystery of the Annunciation is commemorated by many Churches. The Mass is sung early in the morning. That Mass is sometimes called the Golden Mass, Roráte Mass or Messias Mass. On that occasion the Church is illuminated as a token that the world was still in darkness when the Light of the world appeared. The Mass is called the Golden Mass possibly because in the Middle Ages the whole of the Mass or at least the initial letters were written in gold, or on account of the golden magnificence of the solemnity or more probably on account of the special, great, "golden" grace which, at that time, is obtained by the numerous prayers. It is called Roráte Mass after the first words of the Introit of the Mass: Roráte Cæli, and Messias Mass because the Church, like Our Lady, expresses on that day her longing for the arrival of the Messias. The Votive Mass of Our Lady in Advent is sung.

Gaudens gaudebo

The solemn fast of the three days in Ember Week originally peculiar to the Roman Church, was afterwards borrowed by the other Latin dioceses. Pope St. Leo I explains the Ember Days saying that especially at the end of the year it is fitting that we dedicate the first fruits to the Divine Providence.

An ancient tradition reserved the ordinations of priests and deacons to the month of December, and the faithful - following a custom introduced by the Apostles themselves- felt constrained to unite with the bishop in prayer and fasting, in order to call down from God an abundance of priestly gifts upon the heads of those newly chosen to minister at the altar.

Formerly, after assembling, the procession of clergy and people, chanting the Litany, went from St. Peter in Vinculis to St. Mary Major by way of the Suburra, the Viminal and the Esquiline, Today's station- following the custom for Ember Wednesdays - is at St. Mary Major, in order that the new Levites may be placed under the heavenly patronage of her whom the Fathers of the Church sometimes call the "virgin-priest," in whose temple the Incarnate Word Himself was anointed priest by the divine Paraclete.

We want to thank the Friends of Our Lady of Fatima for expediting these resources of the Propers. Sources: Saint Andrew Daily Missal and the Marian Missal , 1945

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INTROIT:

Roráte, Cœlí, désuper et nubes pluant justum: aperiátur terra, et gérminet Salvatórem. (Ps. 18: 2) Cæli enárrant glóriam Dei: et ópera mánuum ejus annúntiat firmaméntum. v. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
Repeat Roráte, Cœlí...

Drop down dew, ye Heavens, from above and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened, and bud forth a Saviour. (Ps. 18: 2) The Heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of His hands. 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 Drop down dew, ye Heavens...

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COLLECT

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus. Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut redemptiónis nostræ ventúra solémnitas, et præséntis nobis vitæ subsídia cónferat, et ætérnæ beatitúdinis præmia largiátur. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.
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 Lord, that the coming solemnity of our redemption may both bring us help for our present life and bestow on us the rewards of everlasting blessedness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
world without end.
R.Amen.

LESSON: Isaias 2: 2-5

Description of the Holy Catholic Church by the prophet Isaias

Léctio Isaíæ Prophétæ. In diébus iilis: Dixit Isaías prophéta: Erit In novíssimis diébus præparátus mons domus Dómini in vértice móntium, et elevábitur super colles, et fluent ad eum omnes gentes. Et ibunt pópuli multi, et dicent: Veníte et ascendámus ad montem Dómini, et ad domum Dei Jacob, et docébit nos vias suas, et ambulábimus in sémitis ejus: quia de Sion exíbit lex, et verbum Dómini de Jerúsalem. Et judicábit gentes, et árguet pópulos multos: et conflábunt gládios suos in vómeres, et lánceas suas in falces. Non levábit gens contra gentem gládium: nec exercebúntur ultra ad prælium. Domus Jacob venite, et ambulémus in lúmine Dómini Dei nostri.
Deo Gratias.

Lesson from Isaias the Prophet. In those days, the prophet Isaias said: In the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say: Come and let us go up to the, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall come forth from Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge the Gentiles, and rebuke many people; and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares and their spears into sickles: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more to war. O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord our God.
Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL: Psalm 23: 7, 3, 4

Tollite portas, príncipes, vestras: et elevámini portæ æternáles: et introíbit Rex glóriæ. V. Quis ascéndet in montem Dómini? aut quis stabit in loco sancto ejus? Innocens mánibus et mundo corde.

Lift up your gates. O ye princes: and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates, and the King of glory shall enter in. V. Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord, or who shall stand in His holy place? the innocent in hands, and clean of heart.

PRAYER

Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo.

Oremus. Festina, quæsumus, Dómine, ne tardáveris, et auxílium nobis supérnæ virtútis impénde: ut advéntus tui consolatiónibus sublevéntur, qui in tua pietáte confídunt: Qui vivis et regnas, cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritu Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.

Prayer of our Blessed Lady Orémus. Deus, qui de beátæ Maríæ Vírginis útero Verbum tuum, Angelo nuntiánte, carnem suscípere voluísti: præsta supplícibus tuis; ut, qui vere eam Genitrícem Dei crédimus, ejus apud te intercessiónibus adjuvémur. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritu Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.

The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. Hasten, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and delay not; and bestow upon us the help of Thy heavenly power, that they who trust in Thy goodness may be helped by the consolations of Thy coming. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
world without end.
R.Amen.

Prayer of our Blessed Lady Let us pray. O God, Who didst will that at the message of an angel Thy word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary: grant. that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
world without end.
R.Amen.

LESSON: Isaias 7: 10-15

A Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and His Name shall be called Emmanuel

Léctio Isaíæ Prophétæ. In diébus illis: Locútus est Dóminus ad Achaz, dicens: Pete tibi signum a Dómino Deo tuo in profúndum inférni, sive in excélsum supra. Et dixit Achaz: Non petam, et non tentábo Dóminum. Et dixit: Audíte ergo domus David: Numquid parum vobis est, moléstos esse homínibus, quia molésti estis et Deo me? Propter hoc dabit Dóminus ipse vobis signum. Ecce virgo concípiet, et páriet fílium, et vocábitur nomen ejus Emmánuel. Butyrum et mel cómedet, ut sciat reprobáre malum, et elígere bonum.
Deo Gratias.

Lesson from Isaias the Prophet. In those days: the Lord spoke to Achaz, saying: Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above. And Achaz said, I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said, Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that He may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.
Thanks be to God.

GRADUAL: Psalm 144: 18, 21

Prope est Dóminus ómnibus invocántibus eum: ómnibus qui ínvocant eum in veritáte. V. Laudem Dómini loquétur os meum: et benedícat omnis, caro nomen sanctum ejus.

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him to all that call upon Him in truth. V. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless His holy name.

GOSPEL: Luke 1: 26-38

Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam.
R.Gloria tibi, Domine

In illo témpore: Missus est Angelus Gábriël Deo in civitátem Galilææ, cui nomen Názareth, ad Vírginem desponsátam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de domo David, et nomen Vírginis María. Et ingréssus Angelus ad eam, dixit: Ave, grátia plena: Dóminus tecum: benedícta tu in muliéribus. Quæ cum audisset, turbáta est in sermóne ejus: et cogitábat qualis esset ista salutátio. Et ait Angelus ei: Ne tímeas Maria, invenístif enim grátiam apud Deum: ecce concípies in útero, et paries fflium, et vocabis nomen ejus Jesum. Hie erit magnus, et Fílius Altíssimi vocábitur, et dabit ilis Dóminus Deus sedem David patris ejus: et regnábit in domo Jacob in ætérnum, et regni ejus non erit fìnis. Dixit autem Maria ad Angelum: Quómodo fiet istud, quóniam virum non cognósco? Et respóndens Angelus, dixit ei: Spíritus Sanctus supervéniet in te, et virtus Altíssimi obumbrábit tibi. Ideóque et quod nascétur ex te Sanctum, vocábitur Fílius Dei. Et ecce Elisabeth cognáta tua, et ipsa concépit ílium in senectúte sua: et hic mensis sextus est illi, quæ vocátur stérilis: quia non erit impossíbile apud Deum omne verbum. Dixit autem María: Ecce ancéflla Dóminf, fiat mihi secúndum verbum tuum.
Laus tibi Christe.

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

At that time, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel, being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women. Who, having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of His kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel, answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.
Praise be to Christ

OFFERTORY: Isaias 35: 4

Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Orémus. Confortámini, et jam nolite timére: ecce enim Deus poster retribuet judícium: ipse véniet, et salvos nos fáciet.

The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. Take courage, and fear not: for behold our God will bring the revenge of recompense: He Himself will come and will save us.

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SECRET

Accépta tibi sint, quæsumus, Dómine, nostra jejúnia: quæ et expiándo nos tua grátia dignos effíciant, et ad sempitérna promíssa perdúcant. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium Tuum, Qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus,
Per omnia saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.

May our fasting, we beseech Thee, O Lord be acceptable to Thee, so that by expiation they may make us worthy of Thy grace and bring us to eternal joys according to Thy Promises. 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...

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COMMUNION: Isaias 7: 14

Ecce Virgo concípiet, ét páriet fílium: et vocábitur nomen ejus Emmánuel.

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a son: and His name shall be called Emmanuel.

POSTCOMMUNION

Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
Oremus. Salutáris tui, Dómine, múnere satiáti, súpplices deprecámur: ut, cujus lætámur gustu, renovémur efféctu. 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. Filled with the bounty of Thy salvation, O Lord, we humbly beseech Thee, that we may be renewed by the effect of that of which we rejoice to partake. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God,
For ever and ever.
R. Amen.

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EMBER WEDNESDAY in Advent