The Roman Missal: Advent to the Sundays after Epiphany (English) 18

1[St Sylvester, Pope and Confessor.]

2Introit. Psalm, cxxxi. Let thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with justice, and let thy saints rejoice: for thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thy Anointed.—Ps. O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness. Glory, &c.

3Prayer. Da quæsumus. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the venerable solemnity of blessed Sylvester, thy confessor and bishop, may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through, &c.

4[Commemorations of the Nativity, St Thomas, St Stephen, St John, and Holy Innocents.]

5Epistle. 2 Timothy, iv. 1—8. Dearly beloved, I charge thee before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom: preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, intreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own desires they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed; and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day; and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming.

6Gradual. Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia. I have found David my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him. Alleluia.

7Gospel. St Luke, xii. 35—40. At that time, Jesus said to his disciples, Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands, and you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Be you then also ready; for at what hour ye think not, the Son of man will come.

8[Credo.]

9Offertory. I have found David my servant: with my holy oil I have anointed him: for my hand shall help him, and my arm shall strengthen him.

10Secret. We beseech thee, O Lord, may thy saints ever cause us to rejoice; that while we call to mind their merits, we may experience their intercession. Through, &c.

11[Commemorations of the Octaves, as above.]

12Communion. Blessed is that servant, whom, when his Lord shall come, he shall find watching: Amen I say to you, he shall set him over all his goods.

13Postcom. Præsta. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that returning thanks for the gifts we have received, by the intercession of blessed Sylvester, thy confessor and bishop, we may receive still greater benefits. Through our Lord, &c.

14[Commemorations of the Octaves, as above.]