Saturday Evening Announcement to Mary Ramsho
THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO MARY
Second Sunday of Announcement
Ramsho
INTRODUCTION
DOXOLOGY
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as we begin and until we conclude.
May mercy and compassion be poured forth upon us
in this world and the next.
O Lord, our God, to you be glory for ever.
Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
O Lord God,
may we praise you with the angel who announced your
coming to the Virgin,
and marvel with Joseph the just one at the mystery
of your conception.
May we exalt you, O Marvelous One,
and worship you with the Father of glory, who begot you
and your living Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
Amen.
GREETING
Peace be with the Church and her children.
PRAISE OF THE ANGELS
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on earth and good will to all.
Praise the Lord all you nations,
glorify him all you peoples,
for steadfast is his mercy toward us,
and the truth of the Lord endures for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
and peace on earth and good will to all.
FIRST PRAYER
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
O Virgin,
you received the announcement of the angel
and brought forth the Lord of the saints;
by your prayers, obtain sanctity for us.
Then we shall praise you with the One who sanctified you
and glorify him, the Father and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
PSALM OF THE DAY
Antiphon:
Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name
for ever and ever.
Psalm 145
I will extol you, O my God and King,
and I will bless your name forever and ever.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds
and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The Lord is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of you kingdom
and speak of your might,
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,
and you dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The Lord lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
and you give them their food in due season;
You open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The Lord is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him,
he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord keeps all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
May my mouth speak the praise of the Lord,
and may all flesh bless his holy name
for ever and ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
Antiphon: Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name
for ever and ever.
SECOND PRAYER
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
O Mary,
you are the Tower of David where marvelously appeared
the Light who proceeds from the Light.
Petition the eternal Light within you
to drive from our souls the darkness of sin
and fill them with the light of justice.
With enlightened and pure hearts,
we shall then celebrate your glorious feast
and give glory to the One who is within you,
to his Father, and Holy Spirit, for ever.
Amen.
EVENING PSALMS
Psalm 141:1-4
O Lord, to you I call; hasten to me;
harken to my voice when I call upon you.
Let my prayer come like incense before you;
the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice.
O Lord, set a watch before my mouth,
a guard at the door of my lips.
Let not my heart incline to the evil
of engaging in deeds of wickedness
With men who are evildoers;
and let me not partake of their dainties.
Psalm 142
With a loud voice I cry out to the Lord;
with a loud voice I beseech the Lord.
My complaint I pour out before him;
before him I lay bare my distress.
When my spirit is faint within me,
you know my path.
In the way along which I walk
they have hid a trap for me.
I look to the right to see,
but there is no one who pays me heed.
I have lost all means of escape;
there is no one who cares for my life.
I cry out to you, O Lord:
I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land
of the living.”
Attend to my cry,
for I am brought low indeed.
Rescue me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me.
Lead me forth from prison,
that I may give thanks to your name.
The just shall gather around me
when you have been good to me.
Psalm 119: 105-112
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
I resolve and swear
to keep your just ordinances.
I am very much afflicted;
O Lord, give me life according to your word.
Accept, O Lord, the free homage of my mouth,
and teach me your decrees.
Though constantly I take my life in my hands,
yet I forget not your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but from your precepts I have not strayed.
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
I intend in my heart to fulfill you statutes
always to the letter.
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
For steadfast is his mercy toward us,
and the truth of the Lord endures for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
[HYMN]
The Hymn, “The Resurrection of Christ” (page 165) may
be sung following the Evening Psalms.
HOOSOYO
PROEMION
Praise, glory and honor to the true God,
unity in Trinity who has taken the world out of its
corruption and renewed it by his grace.
To the Good One is due glory and honor this evening,
and all the days of our lives,
now and for ever. Amen.
SEDRO
Glory to you,
who descended from the heavenly and wonderful dwelling
places of your Father
and were placed within the womb of the holy
Virgin Mary.
When you willed to live on earth among us,
you sent the archangel Gabriel to Mary to announce her
conception.
You are the good news which Gabriel brought to the Virgin Mary; You are the mighty One who was placed in the dwelling which
was kept pure and from which came forth God and man.
Accept the prayers which we raise before your eternal throne.
In your love, grant us the gifts of the Spirit and the forgiveness of sins.
Deliver us from temptations and from that rebelliousness which brings death.
Grant peace to the churches, tranquility to the monasteries,
dignity to priests, purity to deacons,
respect for the elders, chastity to the adolescents, and sound education for children.
Grant to travellers, shelter; to those who assist the poor, joy and consolation;
to those who receive strangers, abundant blessings;
to those who offer gifts and incense in your Church,
a good reward;
and to those who have died in the faith, rest in your
eternal kingdom.
With them we shall give glory to you,
to your Father and to your Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
QOLO
Blessed are you, Lord. The angel announced your conception
to Mary, the daughter of David, at Nazareth.
The hope of salvation has been raised up for us and you have
reconciled heaven and earth.
Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Hail, for the son is made flesh in your womb!
Hail, throne of the cherubim, chariot from the heights! Hail, most exalted creature, you are blessed among women!
Hail, gateway seen by Ezekiel, by which God entered the world.
The choirs of angels praise you and the children of the Church implore you.
O Savior, through the intercession of your Mother, pardon
our sins.
ETRO
O Mary,
you are the cloud which scattered dew upon the universe and
poured perfume on the children of men.
O pure one, you have scented the world with the fragrance of
Christ.
O blessed one, from your womb flowed the living springs which
give water to creatures and cleanse the impure.
Pour upon us, in memory of the blessed announcement, a
generous stream and a beautiful dew.
On this, your feast, may the faithful departed obtain eternal rest, now and for ever.
Amen.
READINGS
MAZMOORO
Gabriel descended from heaven bringing to earth the message of peace.
He found the Virgin praying to God. He bowed respectfully and said to her: “I greet you, Mary, for the Son of God, the
Savior of the world, will be born of you.”
Glory to the hidden One who willed to be born of the flesh from the womb of the blessed Mary.
SYNAXARION
The second Sunday of the Season of Announcement commemorates the announcement to Mary that she is to be the Mother of God. The feast actually recalls two aspects of the same salvific mystery: the incarnation of the divine Word and the motherhood of Mary. For this reason, the feast was given different names according to the aspect which was being emphasized. With time, the incarnation of the Son of God was stressed on the feast of the Birth of our Lord and today’s feast became a Marian feast.
In addition to this second Sunday of the Season of Announcement, the Maronite Church celebrates the Annunciation on March 25th. The feast of the Annunciation appeared in the West, in Italy, during the fifth century, and was eventually adopted by the Maronite Church.
This great announcement to Mary, the fulfillment of the promises of the prophets, took place in the humble home of Mary in Nazareth. At the time, Mary was probably between fourteen and sixteen. Again it was Gabriel, the messenger of the end times, who brought the wonderful message to the young girl.
In many ways, the announcement to Mary can be compared to the announcement to Zechariah.
Both apparitions took place during the day and both Zechariah and mary were to be found at prayer. Mary, the Queen, is speaking with her Lord in her own home. It was necessary for Zechariah to go to the Temple and encounter the Lord in the holy of holies. When the angel appeared to Zechariah, he was described as “standing.” During the announcement to Mary, the angel greets her with signs of respect, gives her the good news and departs. He is not described as “standing.” The angel himself praises Mary, “You have found favor with God.”
In the name of all humanity, Mary consented to be the instrument through which salvation was to be brought into the world. One recalls Eve, who consented to bring darkness and sin into the world. With Mary, the New Eve, salvation history is at a turning point. She is to be the “Mother of the Light.”
SCRIPTURE READINGS
A Reading from the Book of Exodus
Exodus 3: 1-6
Meanwhile Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There an angel of the LORD appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed. So Moses decided, “I must go over to look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses! Moses!” He answered, “Here I am.” God said, “Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I am the God of your father,” he continued, “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah
Isaiah 7: 10-16
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” Then he said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall be living on curds and honey by the time he learns to reject the bad and choose the good. For before the child learns to reject the bad and choose the good, the land of those two kings whom you dread shall be deserted.
SUPPLICATION
O Son, by your resurrection you saved your Church from error;
hear our supplication and have mercy on us.
You reconciled heaven and earth, grant peace to your Church
and keep her children in the light of the cross.
While the Virgin was absorbed in her prayer, the angel from
heaven came to her and said: “I greet you, Mary. The
Lord is with you and blessed are you among the women.
Behold, you will conceive and bring forth a son.
The one who is full of grace heard these words and trembling said to herself: “What does this greeting mean? You announced
to me the birth of a son, but I do not know man.”
The angel responded:
“Do not be afraid, you who are full of grace, the Lord has
chosen you as the Mother of his only Son. He will reign
and his rule will be without end.”
Hail, O sweet dove who brought forth the great eagle.
Hail, O pure bridal chamber of the Son of God. Hail, abode
of heavenly gifts, new vessel, the port of salvation.
Glory to the Father, who sent his Son to the Daughter of David; adoration to the Son, who came forth from her; thanksgiving
to the Holy Spirit, who placed the Son within her;
glory to the Holy Trinity.
Through the prayers of the Virgin may we be granted
mercy.
Let us remember the prophets, apostles and martyrs, all those
who have labored and suffered in the vineyard of the Lord:
Saint James, Saint Maron and his companions, and Saint
Ephrem, the harp of the Holy Spirit.
O God, through their prayers strengthen the weak, comfort
the sick, grant pardon to the deceased, and forgive the
faults of us poor sinners.
Exalt, O Lord, the memory of your Mother and your saints;
through their prayers grant pardon to us and our deceased.
Through the prayers of your Mother, the prophets, apostles
and martyrs, watch over the living, and in your mercy,
forgive those who have died.
HOOTOMO
Let us thank, adore, and praise the holy and glorious Trinity: Father, Son, ✛Holy Spirit. Amen.
TRISAGION
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Holy are you, O God;
Holy are you, O Strong One;
Holy are you, O Immortal One;
have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, forgive us and have mercy on us.
Lord, hear us and have mercy on us.
Lord, accept our worship and our prayers.
Lord, come to our assistance and have mercy on us.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who are in heaven;
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.
O Lord, the night and the day are yours;
you uphold the light and the sun.
Through your power you direct the sequence of the seasons.
O Lord,
you have brought the day to its close and called forth the night; be for us that great Day that never ends.
In the evening let your light shine in our hearts,
and in the darkness of the night
enlighten us with the knowledge of your truth.
And so, through all the days of our lives,
we shall praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
To you be glory and may your mercy rest upon us,
now and for ever.
Amen.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Let us thank God for all the graces he has bestowed on us
this day which has passed in calm and peace.
Let us recall our failings against the commandments of God
and the Church in thought, word, deed and omission
We ask for God’s pardon as we pray:
“Forgive us, Jesus!”
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Glory be to you, O Lord.
Glory be to you, O Lord.
Glory be to you, O Lord.
God,
Father in heaven,
by your living and holy name,
keep us from evil and lead us not into temptation;
for we call upon you, O Lord, our God, our constant hope,
glory to you for ever.
O Lord, our Lord,
may our humble worship be pleasing to you;
may our prayers come before you and our actions give
you honor.
Let you mercy, kindness, help, graces and divine love
be poured abundantly upon us poor sinners,
both in heaven and on the earth
which you have created in your goodness.
O Lord, our God, to you be glory for ever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
O God,
through the prayers of your Mother and the saints who have
believed in you;
through the prayers of the prophets, apostles, martyrs and
confessors;
through the prayers of the just, the priests, the holy fathers, pastors and teachers of the truth faith;
and through the prayers of N., Pope of Rome, N., our Patriarch, and N., our Bishop,
forgive your people and have mercy on your flock.
May God bless, forgive, sanctify, purify, and keep each of the faithful united with us in this spiritual office.
May mercy and compassion be upon us and all the faithful who
dwell here.
May peaceful rest be granted to those who have died in the faith.
May the faithful who live here experience the protection of
Christ’s victorious cross.
May we and all his servants, who adore him with bowed heads,
receive the mercy of the holy and glorious Trinity
Father, Son, ✛ Holy Spirit, to whom be glory now and for ever.
Amen.
May God forgive your sins,
pardon your failings,
and deliver you from the power of the enemy.
May he grant you the remission of your offenses.
Go in peace, and pray to Christ for me.