December 23
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
2nd classWednesday after the 4th Sunday of Advent
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Today is celebrated as the Wednesday within the Fourth Week of Advent, a day marked by its close proximity to the great feast of the Nativity. In these final days before Christmas, the Church intensifies her sense of expectation and longing for the coming of the Savior. The liturgical rank given to this day highlights its importance: the prayers and readings chosen for this Mass focus keenly on the prophecies concerning the Lord’s coming and on the figures who prepared the way for Christ, particularly highlighting the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The liturgical color is violet, reflecting the penitential and preparatory character of the season, yet there is also a note of hope and imminent joy.
This weekday Advent Mass is marked by sobriety and anticipation, inviting the faithful to purify their hearts and to deepen their longing for the Redeemer. The texts and prayers traditionally recall the figures of the Old Testament who foretold Christ’s coming, as well as the humble virtues of Our Lady, who awaits the moment of the Incarnation. This liturgical day is a time for the Church to meditate on the fulfillment of God’s promises, preparing herself through prayer, repentance, and vigilant expectation for the arrival of the Lord. The tradition of observing Ember Days frequently falls near this time, underscoring the themes of fasting and spiritual preparation as Advent draws to its glorious close.
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Questions about Wednesday after the 4th 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 →
IntroitIsa 45:8
Latin
Isa 45:8
Roráte, cœli, désuper, et nubes pluant iustum: aperiátur terra, et gérminet Salvatórem
Ps 18:2
Cœli enárrant glóriam Dei: et ópera mánuum eius annúntiat firmaméntum.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Roráte, cœli, désuper, et nubes pluant iustum: aperiátur terra, et gérminet Salvatórem
English
Isa 45:8
Let the Just One descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop Him down. Let the earth open and a Saviour bud forth.
Ps 18:2
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.
℣. 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.
Let the Just One descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop Him down. Let the earth open and a Saviour bud forth.
Collect
Latin
Orémus.
Excita, quǽsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam, et veni: et magna nobis virtúte succúrre; ut per auxílium grátiæ tuæ, quod nostra peccáta præpédiunt, indulgéntia tuæ propitiatiónis accéleret:
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Excita, quǽsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam, et veni: et magna nobis virtúte succúrre; ut per auxílium grátiæ tuæ, quod nostra peccáta præpédiunt, indulgéntia tuæ propitiatiónis accéleret:
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
Put forth Your power, O Lord, we beseech You, and delay not: and with Your great might come to our aid, so that what is hindered by our sins may be hastened by Your merciful goodness.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Put forth Your power, O Lord, we beseech You, and delay not: and with Your great might come to our aid, so that what is hindered by our sins may be hastened by Your merciful goodness.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Lesson1 Cor 4:1-5
Latin
Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Corínthios
1 Cor 4:1-5
Fratres: Sic nos exístimet homo ut minístros Christi, et dispensatóres mysteriórum Dei. Hic iam quǽritur inter dispensatóres, ut fidélis quis inveniátur. Mihi autem pro mínimo est, ut a vobis iúdicer aut ab humáno die: sed neque meípsum iúdico. Nihil enim mihi cónscius sum: sed non in hoc iustificátus sum: qui autem iúdicat me, Dóminus est. Ítaque nolíte ante tempus iudicáre, quoadúsque véniat Dóminus: qui et illuminábit abscóndita tenebrárum, et manifestábit consília córdium: et tunc laus erit unicúique a Deo.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the first letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
1 Cor. 4:1-5
Brethren: Let a man so account us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now here it is required in stewards that a man be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small matter to be judged by you or by man’s tribunal. Nay I do not even judge my own self. For I have nothing on my conscience, yet I am not thereby justified; but he who judges me is the Lord. Therefore, pass no judgment before the time, until the Lord comes, Who will both bring to light the things hidden in darkness and make manifest the counsels of hearts; and then everyone will have his praise from God.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 144:18
Latin
Ps 144:18; 144:21
Prope est Dóminus ómnibus invocántibus eum: ómnibus, qui ínvocant eum in veritáte.
℣. Laudem Dómini loquétur os meum: et benedícat omnis caro nomen sanctum eius.
English
Ps 144:18, 20
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
℣. May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord, and may all flesh bless His holy name.
GospelLuc 3:1-6
Latin
Sequéntia + sancti Evangélii secundum Lucam
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Luc 3:1-6
Anno quintodécimo impérii Tibérii Cǽsaris, procuránte Póntio Piláto Iudǽam, tetrárcha autem Galilǽæ Heróde, Philíppo autem fratre eius tetrárcha Iturǽæ et Trachonítidis regionis, et Lysánia Abilínæ tetrárcha, sub princípibus sacerdotum Anna et Cáipha: factum est verbum Domini super Ioannem, Zacharíæ filium, in deserto. Et venit in omnem regiónem Iordánis, prǽdicans baptísmum pæniténtiæ in remissiónem peccatórum, sicut scriptum est in libro sermónum Isaíæ Prophétæ: Vox clamántis in desérto: Paráte viam Dómini: rectas fácite sémitas eius: omnis vallis implébitur: et omnis mons et collis humiliábitur: et erunt prava in dirécta, et áspera in vias planas: et vidébit omnis caro salutáre Dei.
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Luc 3:1-6
Anno quintodécimo impérii Tibérii Cǽsaris, procuránte Póntio Piláto Iudǽam, tetrárcha autem Galilǽæ Heróde, Philíppo autem fratre eius tetrárcha Iturǽæ et Trachonítidis regionis, et Lysánia Abilínæ tetrárcha, sub princípibus sacerdotum Anna et Cáipha: factum est verbum Domini super Ioannem, Zacharíæ filium, in deserto. Et venit in omnem regiónem Iordánis, prǽdicans baptísmum pæniténtiæ in remissiónem peccatórum, sicut scriptum est in libro sermónum Isaíæ Prophétæ: Vox clamántis in desérto: Paráte viam Dómini: rectas fácite sémitas eius: omnis vallis implébitur: et omnis mons et collis humiliábitur: et erunt prava in dirécta, et áspera in vias planas: et vidébit omnis caro salutáre Dei.
English
Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 3:1-6
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of the district of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zachary, in the desert. And he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the desert, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth; and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.’
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 3:1-6
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea, and Herod tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of the district of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zachary, in the desert. And he went into all the region about the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the desert, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth; and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.’
OffertoryLuc 1:28
Latin
Orémus.
Luc 1:28
Ave, María, gratia plena; Dóminus tecum: benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui.
Luc 1:28
Ave, María, gratia plena; Dóminus tecum: benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui.
English
Let us pray.
Luke 1:28
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Luke 1:28
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
Secret
Latin
Sacrifíciis præséntibus, quǽsumus, Dómine, placátus inténde: ut et devotióni nostræ profíciant et salúti.
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.
English
Look with favor, O Lord, we beseech You, upon the offerings here present, that they may be profitable for our devotion and for our salvation.
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.
CommunionIs 7:14
Latin
Is 7:14
Ecce, Virgo concípiet et páriet fílium: et vocábitur nomen eius Emmánuel.
English
Isa 7:14
Behold, a virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and shall name Him Emmanuel.
Post Communion
Latin
Orémus.
Sumptis munéribus, quǽsumus, Dómine: ut, cum frequentatióne mystérii, crescat nostræ salútis efféctus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Sumptis munéribus, quǽsumus, Dómine: ut, cum frequentatióne mystérii, crescat nostræ salútis efféctus.
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.
Having received Your gifts, we beseech You, O Lord, that each partaking of this sacrament may increase within us its saving effect.
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.
Having received Your gifts, we beseech You, O Lord, that each partaking of this sacrament may increase within us its saving effect.
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