7 December 2014 - Second Sunday in Advent (Commemoration of St. Ambrose, B.C.D.)

Sunday of the II Class, Semidouble - 

Purple 

Saint Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church, was born around 340. He was made Bishop of Milan by popular acclamation in 374. At the time of his selection, he was not a cleric and not yet baptized. In the span of one week, he received baptism, confirmation, and Holy Orders through the level of the episcopate. His consecration to the episcopate took place on 7 December, and it is for this reason that his feast is kept on that day. Ambrose opposed the Arian heresy, which he is said to have successfully halted in Milan. He warned against intermarriage and excessive interaction with Jews, pagans, and heretics. Ambrose died on 4 April 397. He is one of the Latin Doctors of the Church. 

N.b. At Vespers begins the Office of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

INTROIT Isa. 30.30

People of Sion, behold, the Lord shall come to save the nations; and the Lord shall make heard the glory of his voice in the joy of your heart. Ps. 79.2. Take heed, you who rule Israel, you who shepherd over Joseph. V. Glory be.

The Gloria is not said. 

COLLECT

O LORD, stir up our hearts to accept the message of thine only-begotten Son, so that, through his coming on earth, we may serve him always with a pure intention; who liveth and reigneth.

Commemoration: Saint Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, & Doctor of the Church

O God, who didst give blessed Ambrose as a minister of eternal salvation to thy people: grant, we beseech thee, that we, who have had him for our teacher on earth, may deserve to have him for our advocation in heaven. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECT
Of the Holy Spirit

EPISTLE Rom. 15.4-13

Brethren: For what things soever were written were written for our learning: that, through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind, one towards another, according to Jesus Christ: That with one mind and with one mouth you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, receive one another, as Christ also hath received you, unto the honour of God. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles and will sing to thy name. And again he saith: Rejoice ye Gentiles, with his people. And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles: and magnify him, all ye people. And again, Isaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse; and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles shall hope. Now 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 Ghost.

GRADUAL Ps. 49.2-3, 5

Out of Sion, perfect in beauty, God shall come revealed.
V. Gather before him his saints, who have ratified his covenant with sacrifice.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ps. 121.1 I rejoiced at the tidings which were told me, We shall go into the house of the Lord. Alleluia.

+ The Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (11.2-10)

AT that time, when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him: Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another? And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went you out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings. But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea I tell you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before my face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.

The Creed is said.

OFFERTORY Ps. 84.7-8

Thou shalt turn again, O God, and bring us life, and thy people shall rejoice in thee. Show us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

SECRET

O Lord, let our humble offering of these prayers and sacrifices appease thee for our sins. We have no merits of our own to depend on; so assist us with thine aid. Through.

Commemoration: Saint Ambrose

Almighty and everlasting God, through the inter-cession of blessed Ambrose, thy Confessor and Bishop, make thou the gifts offered to thy Majesty profitable unto our eternal salvation. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECT
Of the Holy Spirit

COMMUNION Bar. 5.5; 4.36

Arise O Jerusalem, and stand on high, and behold the joy that cometh to you from your God.

POSTCOMMUNION

We have just been nourished with thy Body and Blood, O Lord. Teach us through this Sacramental rite to despise the things of earth and to yearn for the things of heaven. Through.

Commemoration: Saint Ambrose

Grant, we beseech thee, O almighty God, that we, who have received the Sacraments of our salvation, may ever be helped by the prayers of blessed Am-brose, thy Confessor and Bishop, in whose honor we have offered these gifts to thy Majesty. Through.

SEASONAL COLLECT
Of the Holy Spirit