My LORD’s BibleThe Roman Missal: Advent to the Sundays after Epiphany (English) 13
1[St John, Apostle and Evangelist.]
3Prayer. Ecclesiam tuam. Mercifully illustrate thy Church, O Lord; that, enlightened by the doctrines of thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist John, she may arrive at gifts everlasting. Through, &c.
4[Commemorations of the Nativity and St Stephen as above.]
5Lesson. Ecclus. xv. 1—6. He that feareth God, will do good; and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her, and she will meet him as an honourable mother. With the bread of life and understanding she fed him, and gave him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved; and she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded; and she shall exalt him among his neighbours, and in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. The Lord our God shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
6Gradual. A saying went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: and Jesus did not say, he should not die; but, So I will have him remain till I come: follow thou me. Alleluia, alleluia. This is that disciple who giveth testimony of these things: and we know that his testimony is true. Alleluia.
7Gospel. St John, xxi. 19—24. At that time, Jesus said to Peter, follow me. Peter turning about, saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, who is he that shall betray thee? Him therefore when Peter had seen, he saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith to him, So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? follow thou me. This saying therefore went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say to him, He should not die; but, So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to thee? This is that disciple who giveth testimony of these things, and hath written these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
8[Credo.]
9Offertory. The just man shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.
10Secret. Receive, O Lord, the gifts, which we offer thee on his festival, by whose patronage we hope to be delivered. Through, &c.
11[Secrets of the Nativity and St Stephen, as above. Preface and Communicantes of the Nativity.]
12Communion. A saying went abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: and Jesus did not say, he should not die; but, So I will have him remain till I come.
13Postcommunion. Refecti. Refreshed with heavenly food and drink, we humbly beseech thee our God: that we may be defended by his prayers, in whose commemoration we have received these things. Through, &c.
14[Postcommunions of the Nativity and St Stephen, as above.]