Heb 5:7-9; John 19

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows – Year II
Readings and Antiphons on p. 1750 of the Daily Missal.

 

Entrance Antiphon.

Simeon said to Mary: Behold, this child is destined for the ruin and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign of contradiction; and your own soul a sword will pierce.

 

First Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.

In the days of his flesh,
Jesus offered up prayers and supplications,
with loud cries and tears,
to him who was able to save him from death,
and he was heard for his godly fear.
Although he was a Son,
he learned obedience through what he suffered;
and being made perfect
he became the source of eternal salvation
to all who obey him.

The Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:1-5.14-15.19 (R. 16b)

Let us now pray the Responsorial Psalm:

R/. Save me, O Lord, in your merciful love.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free;
incline your ear to me, and speedily rescue me.

Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mighty stronghold to save me.
For you are my rock, my stronghold!
Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.

Release me from the snare they have hidden,
for you indeed are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.

But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.
My lot is in your hands, deliver me
from the hands of my enemies
and those who pursue me.

How great is the goodness, Lord,
that you keep for those who fear you,
that you show to those who trust you
in the sight of the children of men.

R/. Save me, O Lord, in your merciful love.

 

SEQUENCE (Poetic Text):

At the cross her station keeping,
Stood the mournful mother weeping
Close to Jesus to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
All His bitter anguish bearing,
Now at length the sword had passed. 

Oh, how sad and sore distressed
Was that Mother highly blest,
Of the sole begotten One! 

Christ above in torment hangs.
She beneath beholds the pangs
Of her dying glorious Son. 

Is there one who would not weep,
Whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold? 

Can the human heart refrain
From partaking in her pain,
In that Mother’s pain untold? 

Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled,
She beheld her tender Child,
All with bloody scourges rent. 

For the sins of His own nation,
Saw Him hang in desolation
Till His spirit forth He sent. 

O sweet Mother! font of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with thine accord. 

Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ my Lord.

Holy Mother, pierce me through;
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified. 

Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torment died. 

Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him who mourned for me,
All the days that I may live. 

By the Cross with thee to stay;
There with thee to weep and pray,
Is all I ask of thee to give. 

Virgin of all virgins blest,
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share thy grief divine.

Let me to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of thine. 

Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very blood away.

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awful Judgment day. 

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
Be Thy Mother my defence,
Be Thy Cross my victory.

While my body here decays,
May my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in heaven eternally. Amen.

Please stand for the Gospel.

Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the Virgin Mary;
for, without dying, she merited the palm of martyrdom
at the foot of the Lord’s cross.
Alleluia.

 

 

Gospel: John 19:25b-27

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother,
and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus saw his mother,
and the disciple whom he loved standing near,
he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!”
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”
And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The Gospel of the Lord

Communion Antiphon
Rejoice when you share in the sufferings of Christ, that you may also rejoice exultantly when his glory is revealed.