December 10
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
Liturgical colour : Purple
3rd classThursday after the 2nd Sunday of Advent
Thursday after the Second Sunday of Advent
Commemoration of Saint Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
Today is observed as the Thursday after the Second Sunday of Advent—a feria within the great season of preparation for the coming of Christ. Advent is a privileged time marked by longing, repentance, and hope, as the Church draws near to both the commemoration of Christ’s first coming in humility at Bethlehem and anticipates His glorious return at the end of time. This weekday has no proper saint or feast but is sanctified by its placement within the Advent cycle, which gradually intensifies the faithful’s readiness for the Incarnation of the Lord. The liturgical color is violet, signifying penance and expectation, and the day’s prayers and readings (assigned for this Thursday) focus on prophecies and exhortations that foster spiritual vigilance and conversion of heart. Ferias like today’s retain their own appointed texts, giving the clergy and faithful time for a spirit of silence and conversion, as well as for meditating on the scriptural themes of the coming Messiah. The discipline of these ferial days preserves the penitential and anticipatory character of Advent, ensuring that the faithful not only celebrate the approaching feast of Christmas but also renew their interior preparation.
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Questions about Thursday after the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Vetus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
IntroitIs 30:30
Latin
Is 30:30
Pópulus Sion, ecce, Dóminus véniet ad salvándas gentes: et audítam fáciet Dóminus glóriam vocis suæ in lætítia cordis vestri.
Ps 79:2
Qui regis Israël, inténde: qui dedúcis, velut ovem, Ioseph.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Pópulus Sion, ecce, Dóminus véniet ad salvándas gentes: et audítam fáciet Dóminus glóriam vocis suæ in lætítia cordis vestri.
English
Isa 30:30
People of Sion, behold the Lord shall come to save the nations; and the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard, in the joy of your heart.
Ps 79:2
O Shepherd of Israel, hearken, O Guide of the flock of Joseph!
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
People of Sion, behold the Lord shall come to save the nations; and the Lord shall make the glory of His voice to be heard, in the joy of your heart.
Collect
Latin
Orémus.
Excita, Dómine, corda nostra ad præparándas Unigéniti tui vias: ut, per eius advéntum, purificátis tibi méntibus servíre mereámur:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Melchiadis Papæ et Martyris
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde: et, per beátum Melchíadem Mártyrem tuum atque Summum Pontíficem, perpétua protectióne custódi; quem totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastórem.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Excita, Dómine, corda nostra ad præparándas Unigéniti tui vias: ut, per eius advéntum, purificátis tibi méntibus servíre mereámur:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Melchiadis Papæ et Martyris
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde: et, per beátum Melchíadem Mártyrem tuum atque Summum Pontíficem, perpétua protectióne custódi; quem totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastórem.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Melchiades thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Your only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve You with purified minds.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
Look forgivingly on thy flock, Eternal Shepherd, and keep it in thy constant protection, by the intercession of blessed Melchiades thy Martyr and Sovereign Pontiff, whom thou didst constitute Shepherd of the whole Church.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
LessonRom 15:4-13
Latin
Lectio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apostoli ad Romános
Rom 15:4-13.
Fratres: Quæcúmque scripta sunt, ad nostram doctrínam scripta sunt: ut per patiéntiam et consolatiónem Scripturárum spem habeámus. Deus autem patiéntiæ et solácii det vobis idípsum sápere in altérutrum secúndum Iesum Christum: ut unánimes, uno ore honorificétis Deum et Patrem Dómini nostri Iesu Christi. Propter quod suscípite ínvicem, sicut et Christus suscépit vos in honórem Dei. Dico enim Christum Iesum minístrum fuísse circumcisiónis propter veritátem Dei, ad confirmándas promissiónes patrum: gentes autem super misericórdia honoráre Deum, sicut scriptum est: Proptérea confitébor tibi in géntibus, Dómine, et nómini tuo cantábo. Et íterum dicit: Lætámini, gentes, cum plebe eius. Et iterum: Laudáte, omnes gentes, Dóminum: et magnificáte eum, omnes pópuli. Et rursus Isaías ait: Erit radix Iesse, et qui exsúrget régere gentes, in eum gentes sperábunt. Deus autem spei répleat vos omni gáudio et pace in credéndo: ut abundétis in spe et virtúte Spíritus Sancti.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans
Rom 15:4-13
Brethren: Whatever things have been written have been written for our instruction, that through the patience and the consolation afforded by the Scriptures we may have hope. May then the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind towards one another according to Jesus Christ; that, one in spirit, you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive one another, even as Christ has received you to the honor of God. For I say that Christ Jesus has been a minister of the circumcision in order to show God’s fidelity in confirming the promises made to our fathers, but that the Gentiles glorify God because of His mercy, as it is written, Therefore will I praise You among the Gentiles, and will sing to Your name. And again He says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people. And again, Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and sing His praises, all you peoples. And again Isaias says, There shall be the root of Jesse, and He Who shall arise to rule the Gentiles... in Him the Gentiles shall hope. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 49:2-3
Latin
Ps 49:2-3; 49:5
Ex Sion species decóris eius: Deus maniféste véniet,
℣. Congregáte illi sanctos eius, qui ordinavérunt testaméntum eius super sacrifícia.
English
Ps 49:2-3, 5
From Sion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.
℣. Gather His faithful ones before Him, those who have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice.
GospelMatt 11:2-10
Latin
Sequéntia + sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Matt 11:2-10
In illo tempore: Cum audísset Ioánnes in vínculis ópera Christi, mittens duos de discípulis suis, ait illi: Tu es, qui ventúrus es, an alium exspectámus? Et respóndens Iesus, ait illis: Eúntes renuntiáte Ioánni, quæ audístis et vidístis. Cæci vident, claudi ámbulant, leprósi mundántur, surdi áudiunt, mórtui resúrgunt, páuperes evangelizántur: et beátus est, qui non fúerit scandalizátus in me. Illis autem abeúntibus, cœpit Iesus dícere ad turbas de Ioánne: Quid exístis in desértum vidére? arúndinem vento agitátam? Sed quid exístis vidére? hóminem móllibus vestitum? Ecce, qui móllibus vestiúntur, in dómibus regum sunt. Sed quid exístis vidére? Prophétam? Etiam dico vobis, et plus quam Prophétam. Hic est enim, de quo scriptum est: Ecce, ego mitto Angelum meum ante fáciem tuam, qui præparábit viam tuam ante te.
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Matt 11:2-10
In illo tempore: Cum audísset Ioánnes in vínculis ópera Christi, mittens duos de discípulis suis, ait illi: Tu es, qui ventúrus es, an alium exspectámus? Et respóndens Iesus, ait illis: Eúntes renuntiáte Ioánni, quæ audístis et vidístis. Cæci vident, claudi ámbulant, leprósi mundántur, surdi áudiunt, mórtui resúrgunt, páuperes evangelizántur: et beátus est, qui non fúerit scandalizátus in me. Illis autem abeúntibus, cœpit Iesus dícere ad turbas de Ioánne: Quid exístis in desértum vidére? arúndinem vento agitátam? Sed quid exístis vidére? hóminem móllibus vestitum? Ecce, qui móllibus vestiúntur, in dómibus regum sunt. Sed quid exístis vidére? Prophétam? Etiam dico vobis, et plus quam Prophétam. Hic est enim, de quo scriptum est: Ecce, ego mitto Angelum meum ante fáciem tuam, qui præparábit viam tuam ante te.
English
Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 11:2-10
At that time, when John had heard in prison of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to say to Him, Are You He Who is to come, or shall we look for another? And Jesus answering said to them, Go and report to John what you have heard and seen: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not scandalized in Me. Then, as they went away, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft garments are in the houses of kings. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before Your face, who shall make ready Your way before You.’
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 11:2-10
At that time, when John had heard in prison of the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples to say to Him, Are You He Who is to come, or shall we look for another? And Jesus answering said to them, Go and report to John what you have heard and seen: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not scandalized in Me. Then, as they went away, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who wear soft garments are in the houses of kings. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before Your face, who shall make ready Your way before You.’
OffertoryPs 84:7-8
Latin
Orémus.
Ps 84:7-8
Deus, tu convérsus vivificábis nos, et plebs tua lætábitur in te: osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam, et salutáre tuum da nobis.
Ps 84:7-8
Deus, tu convérsus vivificábis nos, et plebs tua lætábitur in te: osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam, et salutáre tuum da nobis.
English
Let us pray.
Ps 84:7-8
Will You not, O God, give us life; and shall not Your people rejoice in You? Show us, O Lord, Your kindness, and grant us Your salvation.
Ps 84:7-8
Will You not, O God, give us life; and shall not Your people rejoice in You? Show us, O Lord, Your kindness, and grant us Your salvation.
Secret
Latin
Placáre, quǽsumus, Dómine, humilitátis nostræ précibus et hóstiis: et, ubi nulla suppétunt suffrágia meritórum, tuis nobis succúrre præsídiis.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Melchiadis Papæ et Martyris
Oblátis munéribus, quǽsumus, Dómine, Ecclésiam tuam benígnus illúmina: ut, et gregis tui profíciat ubíque succéssus, et grati fiant nómini tuo, te gubernánte, pastóres.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Melchiadis Papæ et Martyris
Oblátis munéribus, quǽsumus, Dómine, Ecclésiam tuam benígnus illúmina: ut, et gregis tui profíciat ubíque succéssus, et grati fiant nómini tuo, te gubernánte, pastóres.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Be appeased, we beseech You, O Lord, by the prayers and offerings of our human frailty, and where the support of our own merits is lacking, come to our assistance with Your protection.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Commemoration St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
By the offered gifts we beseech thee, O Lord, that thou kindly enlighten thy Church, so that thy flock may everywhere progress and prosper, and thy shepherds, under thy guidance may be pleasing to thy name.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Commemoration St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
By the offered gifts we beseech thee, O Lord, that thou kindly enlighten thy Church, so that thy flock may everywhere progress and prosper, and thy shepherds, under thy guidance may be pleasing to thy name.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
CommunionBar 5:5
Latin
Bar 5:5; 4:36
Ierúsalem, surge et sta in excélso, et vide iucunditátem, quæ véniet tibi a Deo tuo.
English
Bar 5:5; 4:36
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; and behold the joy that comes to you from your God.
Post Communion
Latin
Orémus.
Repléti cibo spirituális alimóniæ, súpplices te, Dómine, deprecámur: ut, huius participatióne mystérii, dóceas nos terréna despícere et amáre cœléstia.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Melchiadis Papæ et Martyris
Refectióne sancta enutrítam gubérna, quǽsumus, Dómine, tuam placátus Ecclésiam: ut, poténti moderatióne dirécta, et increménta libertátis accípiat et in religiónis integritáte persístat.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Repléti cibo spirituális alimóniæ, súpplices te, Dómine, deprecámur: ut, huius participatióne mystérii, dóceas nos terréna despícere et amáre cœléstia.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Melchiadis Papæ et Martyris
Refectióne sancta enutrítam gubérna, quǽsumus, Dómine, tuam placátus Ecclésiam: ut, poténti moderatióne dirécta, et increménta libertátis accípiat et in religiónis integritáte persístat.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
Being appeased, O Lord, guide thy Church, which has been nourished by holy refreshment, that under thy direction and powerful rule it may receive increase of liberty and may continue in religious integrity.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
We who have been refreshed by the food of spiritual nourishment, humbly beseech You, O Lord, that through partaking of this sacrament You will teach us to disdain the things of earth and love those of heaven.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Melchiades, Pope and Martyr
Being appeased, O Lord, guide thy Church, which has been nourished by holy refreshment, that under thy direction and powerful rule it may receive increase of liberty and may continue in religious integrity.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Vetus Ordo texts: Divinum Officium