My LORD’s BibleThe Roman Missal: Common of Saints, Confessors to the Dedication of a Church (English) 7
1[Common of Virgins.]
3Introit. Ps. cxviii. I spoke of thy testimonies before kings, and I was not ashamed: I meditated also on thy commandments, which I loved exceedingly. Ps. Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord. Glory, &c.
5Lesson. Ecclus. li. 1—12. I will give glory to thee, O Lord my king, and I will praise thee, O God my saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies; and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper; and thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions which compassed me about. From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue. My soul shall praise the Lord even to death: because thou, O Lord our God, deliverest them that wait for thee, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.
7[After Septuagesima, instead of the Alleluia and Verse, the following is said:]
8Tract. Come, O spouse of Christ, receive the crown, which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever: for the love of whom thou didst shed thy blood.—Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.—With thy comeliness and thy beauty, set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.
9[In Paschal Time, the Gradual is omitted, and the following is said:]
10Alleluia, alleluia. After her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbours shall be brought to thee with gladness. Alleluia. With thy comeliness and thy beauty, set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.
11Gospel. St Matthew xxv. 1—13. At that time, Jesus spoke to his disciples this parable: The kingdom of heaven shall be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise: but the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept: and at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps: and the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying, Lest there be not enough for us and for you, go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut; but at last came also the other virgins saying, Lord, Lord, open to us: but he answered, saying, Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye, therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
12Offertory. After her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbours shall be brought to thee with gladness and rejoicing; they shall be brought into the temple to the King our Lord.
13Secret. Receive, O Lord, the offerings we bring on the solemn festival of thy blessed virgin and martyr N. by whose intercession we hope for deliverance. Through our Lord, &c.
14Communion. Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me: but I will be employed in thy commandments, in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded.
15Postcom. Auxilientur. May we be helped, O Lord, by the mysteries we have received; and thy blessed virgin and martyr N. interceding for us, may they make us rejoice in everlasting protection. Through our Lord, &c.