PROPERS FOR THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL (July 16, 2012)

INTROIT
Let us all rejoice in the Lord celebrating a festival day in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary on whose solemnity the angles rejoice and give praise to the Son of God. My heart has uttered a good word. I speak my works to the King.

COLLECT
O God who hast honoured the Order of Carmel with the special title of Thy most Blessed Mother Mary ever Virgin, mercifully grant that we who celebrate her memory this day with solemn office may be shielded by her protection and deserve to come to everlasting joys. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

LESSON (Sirach 24:23-31)
As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.
I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.
In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue.
Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits.
For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb.
My memory is unto everlasting generations.
They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst.
He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin.
They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

GRADUAL
O Virgin Mary, blessed and venerable art thou who without blemish to thy maidenhood did become the Mother of the Saviour. O Virgin Mother of God, He whom the whole world cannot contain, enclosed Himself within thy womb and became man.
Alleluia. Through thee, O Mother of God, has the live we had lst been restored. From heaven didst thou beget thy Child to the world brought forth a Saviour.

GOSPEL (Luke 11:27-28)
And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.

SECRET
Sanctify O, Lord The Sacrifice we bring and by the most salutary intercession of Blessed Mary Mother of God, grant that it may avail us unto salvation. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

PREFACE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
It it 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: and that we should praise and bless, and proclaim Thee, the Blessed Virgin Mary, ever-Virgin: Who also conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and 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 these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:

COMMUNION
Most noble Queen of the world, Mary ever Virgin, intercede for our peace and salvation who didst bring forth Christ our Lord, the Saviour of all mankind.

POSTCOMMUNION
May the holy intercession of Thy glorious Mother Mary, ever Virgin help us, we beseech thee, O Lord, that those on whom she has lavished unceasing favors may be freed from all dangers and by her loving kindness become of one mind. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.