St. Mary in Passiontide

THE COLLECT.

O GOD Most High, in whose passion the sword of sorrow did pierce the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, thy Mother, that so might be fulfilled the prophecy of Simeon: Mercifully grant that we, who here do call to mind her sorrows and suffering may, by the glorious merits and prayers of all the Saints who have faithfully stood beneath the Cross, be fulfilled with the blessed fruits of thy passion: Who livest and reignest, with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,world without end. Amen.

THE LESSON. Judith 13: 17-20

The Lord hath blessed thee in his power, because through thee he hath brought our enemies to nought. O daughter, blessed art thou of the most high God, above all the women upon the earth. And blessed be the Lord God who hath created the heavens and the earth: because he hath so magnified thy name this day, that this thy praise shall not depart from the heart of men, that remember the power of God for ever, for whom thou hath not spared thy life for the affliction of our nation, but has revenged our ruin, walking a straight way before our God.

THE GOSPEL. St Luke 1. 39.

At that time: THere sood by the cross of Jesus his Mother, and his Mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his Mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his Mother, 'Woman, behold thy son!' Then saith he to the disciple, 'Behold thy mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.