December 29
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 : White
2nd class5th Day in the Octave of the Nativity
Commemoration of Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr
The Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity continues the joyful celebration that began on Christmas, focusing entirely on the mystery of Our Lord's birth. During the Octave, each day prolongs and deepens the meditation on the profound reality of the Incarnation: God made man for the salvation of humanity. While some days of the Octave commemorate saints associated closely with the mystery of Christ’s coming—such as St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, and the Holy Innocents—this day does not honor a particular saint, but rather continues the contemplation of Christ, truly God and truly man, lying in the humble manger of Bethlehem.
The liturgical texts and ceremonies on this day direct the faithful to the simplicity and poverty of the Christ Child, inviting adoration of His divinity hidden under the appearance of an infant. Reflection continues on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, whose faith and obedience surrounded the Savior in His earliest moments on earth. The liturgical color is white, signifying joy, light, and purity—themes appropriate to the celebration of the Word made flesh. The octave structure allows the Church to dwell for an extended period on the central mystery of the Incarnation, which is a foundation of Christian faith and a source of hope and peace. This day, like the entire octave, is an invitation to draw near to the manger and to be renewed in gratitude and awe before the infinite condescension of God.
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Questions about 5th Day in the Octave of the Nativity (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 9:6
Latin
Isa 9:6
Puer natus est nobis, et fílius datus est nobis: cuius impérium super húmerum eius: et vocábitur nomen eius magni consílii Angelus.
Ps 97:1
Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum, quia mirabília fecit.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Puer natus est nobis, et fílius datus est nobis: cuius impérium super húmerum eius: et vocábitur nomen eius magni consílii Angelus.
English
Isa 9:6
A Child is born to us, a Son is given to us; upon His shoulder dominion rests; and His name shall be called the Angel of great counsel.
Ps 97:1
Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wondrous deeds.
℣. 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.
A Child is born to us, a Son is given to us; upon His shoulder dominion rests; and His name shall be called the Angel of great counsel.
Collect
Latin
Orémus.
Concéde, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti iugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Thomæ Cantuariensis Episcopi et Martyris
Deus, pro cuius Ecclésia gloriósus Póntifex Thomas gládiis impiórum occúbuit: præsta, quǽsumus; ut omnes, qui eius implórant auxílium, petitiónis suæ salutárem consequántur efféctum.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Concéde, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti iugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Thomæ Cantuariensis Episcopi et Martyris
Deus, pro cuius Ecclésia gloriósus Póntifex Thomas gládiis impiórum occúbuit: præsta, quǽsumus; ut omnes, qui eius implórant auxílium, petitiónis suæ salutárem consequántur efféctum.
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.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of Your only-begotten Son may deliver us whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin.
Through the same 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. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr
O God, for whose Church Bishop Thomas, now in glory, fell by the swords of wicked men, grant, we beseech You, that the prayers of all who implore his assistance may be effective and may lead to 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.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of Your only-begotten Son may deliver us whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin.
Through the same 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. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr
O God, for whose Church Bishop Thomas, now in glory, fell by the swords of wicked men, grant, we beseech You, that the prayers of all who implore his assistance may be effective and may lead to 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.
LessonTit 3:4-7
Latin
Léctio Epístolæ beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Titum
Tit 3:4-7
Caríssime: Appáruit benígnitas et humánitas Salvatóris nostri Dei: non ex opéribus iustítiæ, quæ fécimus nos, sed secúndum suam misericórdiam salvos nos fecit, per lavácrum regeneratiónis et renovatiónis Spíritus Sancti, quem effúdit in nos abúnde per Iesum Christum, Salvatórem nostrum: ut, iustificáti grátia ipsíus, herédes simus secúndum spem vitæ ætérnæ: in Christo Iesu, Dómino nostro.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to Titus
Titus 3:4-7
Dearly beloved: When the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared, then not by reason of good works that we did ourselves, but according to His mercy, He saved us through the bath of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit; Whom He has abundantly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour, in order that, justified by His grace, we may be heirs in the hope of life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 97:3
Latin
Ps 97:3; 97:2
Vidérunt omnes fines terræ salutare Dei nostri: iubiláte Deo, omnis terra.
℣. Notum fecit Dominus salutare suum: ante conspéctum géntium revelávit iustitiam suam. Allelúia, allelúia.
℣. Dies sanctificátus illúxit nobis: veníte, gentes, et adoráte Dóminum: quia hódie descéndit lux magna super terram. Allelúia.
English
Ps 97: 3, 4, 2
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to God, all you lands.
℣. The Lord has made His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice. Alleluia, alleluia.
℣. A sanctified day has shone upon us; come, you nations, and adore the Lord: for this day a great light has descended upon the earth. Alleluia.
GospelLuc 2:15-20
Latin
Sequéntia + sancti Evangélii secúndum Lucam
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Luc 2:15-20
In illo témpore: Pastóres loquebántur ad ínvicem: Transeámus usque Béthlehem, et videámus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dóminus osténdit nobis. Et venérunt festinántes, et invenérunt Maríam, et Ioseph, et Infántem pósitum in præsépio. Vidéntes autem cognovérunt de verbo, quod dictum erat illis de Púero hoc. Et omnes, qui audiérunt, miráti sunt: et de his, quæ dicta erant a pastóribus ad ipsos. María autem conservábat ómnia verba hæc, cónferens in corde suo. Et revérsi sunt pastores, glorificántes et laudántes Deum in ómnibus, quæ audíerant et víderant, sicut dictum est ad illos.
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Luc 2:15-20
In illo témpore: Pastóres loquebántur ad ínvicem: Transeámus usque Béthlehem, et videámus hoc verbum, quod factum est, quod Dóminus osténdit nobis. Et venérunt festinántes, et invenérunt Maríam, et Ioseph, et Infántem pósitum in præsépio. Vidéntes autem cognovérunt de verbo, quod dictum erat illis de Púero hoc. Et omnes, qui audiérunt, miráti sunt: et de his, quæ dicta erant a pastóribus ad ipsos. María autem conservábat ómnia verba hæc, cónferens in corde suo. Et revérsi sunt pastores, glorificántes et laudántes Deum in ómnibus, quæ audíerant et víderant, sicut dictum est ad illos.
English
Continuation + of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 2:15-20
At that time, the shepherds were saying to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they understood what had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard marveled at the things told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept in mind all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken to them.
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 2:15-20
At that time, the shepherds were saying to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste, and they found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger. And when they had seen, they understood what had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard marveled at the things told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept in mind all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken to them.
OffertoryPs 88:12
Latin
Orémus.
Ps 88:12; 88:15
Tui sunt cœli et tua est terra: orbem terrárum et plenitúdinem eius tu fundásti: iustítia et iudícium præparátio sedis tuæ.
Ps 88:12; 88:15
Tui sunt cœli et tua est terra: orbem terrárum et plenitúdinem eius tu fundásti: iustítia et iudícium præparátio sedis tuæ.
English
Let us pray.
Ps 88:12, 15
Yours are the heavens, and Yours is the earth; the world and its fullness You have founded. Justice and judgment are the foundation of Your throne.
Ps 88:12, 15
Yours are the heavens, and Yours is the earth; the world and its fullness You have founded. Justice and judgment are the foundation of Your throne.
Secret
Latin
Obláta, Dómine, múnera, nova Unigéniti tui Nativitáte sanctífica: nosque a peccatórum nostrórum máculis emúnda.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Thomæ Cantuariensis Episcopi et Martyris
Múnera tibi, Dómine, dicáta sanctífica: et, intercedénte beáto Thoma Mártyre tuo atque Pontífice, per éadem nos placátus inténde.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Thomæ Cantuariensis Episcopi et Martyris
Múnera tibi, Dómine, dicáta sanctífica: et, intercedénte beáto Thoma Mártyre tuo atque Pontífice, per éadem nos placátus inténde.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Make holy the sacrificial gifts we offer, O Lord, and by the new birth of Your only-begotten Son cleanse us from the stains of our sins.
Through the same 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. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr
Sanctify the offerings dedicated to You, O Lord, and through the intercession of blessed Thomas, Your Martyr and Bishop, look upon us with mercy because of them.
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 the same 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. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr
Sanctify the offerings dedicated to You, O Lord, and through the intercession of blessed Thomas, Your Martyr and Bishop, look upon us with mercy because of them.
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.
CommunionPs 97:3
Latin
Ps 97:3
Vidérunt omnes fines terræ salutáre Dei nostri.
English
Ps 97:3
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.
Post Communion
Latin
Orémus.
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut natus hódie Salvátor mundi, sicut divínæ nobis generatiónis est auctor; ita et immortalitátis sit ipse largítor:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Thomæ Cantuariensis Episcopi et Martyris
Hæc nos commúnio, Dómine, purget a crímine: et, intercedénte beáto Thoma Mártyre tuo atque Pontífice, coeléstis remédii fáciat esse consórtes.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut natus hódie Salvátor mundi, sicut divínæ nobis generatiónis est auctor; ita et immortalitátis sit ipse largítor:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Thomæ Cantuariensis Episcopi et Martyris
Hæc nos commúnio, Dómine, purget a crímine: et, intercedénte beáto Thoma Mártyre tuo atque Pontífice, coeléstis remédii fáciat esse consórtes.
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.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the Saviour of the world, born this day, Who is the author of our birth in godliness, may bestow on us immortal life.
Who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us of sin, and through the intercession of blessed Thomas, Your Martyr and Bishop, may it make us sharers of heavenly healing.
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.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the Saviour of the world, born this day, Who is the author of our birth in godliness, may bestow on us immortal life.
Who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
Commemoration St. Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr
May this Communion, O Lord, cleanse us of sin, and through the intercession of blessed Thomas, Your Martyr and Bishop, may it make us sharers of heavenly healing.
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