Saturday, March 25, 2023

The Feast of the Annunciation 2023

Truly it is fitting and just, right and profitable to salvation that we give Thee thanks always and everywhere, Lord, Holy Father, almighty and eternal God: Who through the child-bearing of the Blessed Virgin Mary didst grant to Thy church to celebrate a wondrous mystery, and a sacrament beyond telling; in Whom chastity abideth intact, honor undiminished, and constancy steadfast; Who rejoiceth that as a virgin She conceived, that in Her chaste womb she bore the Lord of heaven, that as a virgin she brought forth a Child. O the wondrous working of the divine economy! She that knew not man is both a mother, and after her Son, a virgin. For in two gifts did she delight: she wonders that as a Virgin She gave birth, and rejoices that She brought forth the redeemer of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. Through whom the Angels praise Thy majesty... (A preface for the feast of the Annunciation, found in many ancient Roman sacramentaries.)

From the Hitda Codex, ca. 1000 (Public domain image from Wikimedia Commons)
Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutáre, nos tibi semper et ubíque gratias ágere, Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens aeterne Deus: Qui per beatae Mariae Virginis partum Ecclesiae tuae tribuisti celebrare mirabile mysterium, et inenarrabile sacramentum; in qua manet intacta castitas, pudor integer, firma constantia; quae laetatur, quod virgo concepit, quod caeli Dominum castis portavit visceribus, quod virgo edidit partum. O admirandam divinae dispensationis operationem! quae virum non cognovit, et mater est, et post filium virgo est. Duobus enim gavisa est muneribus: miratur quod virgo peperit, laetatur quod redemptorem mundi edidit Jesum Christum dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli...

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