Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

Pope Saint Sylvester I (ca. 335)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 73 This Rule only a Beginning of Perfection
Mass: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Resp Ps 96; Jn 1:1-18

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him he gave power to become the children of God.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks
Mass: Qo 3:2-6, 12-14; Resp Ps 128 or 1 S 1:20-22, 24-28; Resp Ps 84; Col 3:12-21 or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52

Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord.

Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

Saint Thomas Becket (1118-1170)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 71 Mutual Obedience
Mass: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Resp Ps 96; Lk 2:22-35

A light to reveal you to the nations and glory for your people Israel.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 70 The Presumption of Striking Another Monk at Will
Mass: 1 Jn 1:5-2:2; Resp Ps 124; Mt 2:13-18

The innocents were slaughtered as infants for Christ; spotless, they follow the Lamb and sing for ever: Glory to you, O Lord.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 69 The Presumption of Defending Another in the Monastery
Mass: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Resp Ps 97; Jn 20:1a, 2-8

This is John, who reclined on the Lord's breast at supper, the blessed Apostle, to whom celestial secrets were revealed and who spread the words of life through all the world.

Feast of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 68 Assignment of Impossible Tasks
Mass: Ac 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Resp Ps 31; Mt 10:17-22

Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 67 Those Who Are Sent on a Journey
Mass During the Night: Is 9:1-6, Resp Ps 96; Tt 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14
Mass at Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Resp Ps 97; Tt 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20
Mass During the Day: Is 52:7-10; Resp Ps 98; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18

A holy day has dawned upon us. Come, you nations, and adore the Lord. For today a great light has come upon the earth.

December 24

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 66 The Porter of the Monastery
Mass in the Morning: 2 S 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Resp Ps 89; Lk 1:67-79
Vigil Mass: Is 62:1-5; Resp Ps 89; Ac 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25

Behold, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son into the world.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 65:11-22
Mass: Mi 5:1-4a; Resp Ps 80; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45

He shall be peace.

December 22

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 65:1-10 The Prioress of the Monastery
Mass: 1 S 1:24-28; Resp Ps (1 S 2); Lk 1:46-56

O gates, lift high your heads: grow higher ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!

December 21

Saint Peter Canisius, priest, Doctor of the Church (1521-1597)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 64:7-22
Mass: Sg 2:8-14 or Zp 3:14-18a; Resp Ps 33; Lk 1:39-45

O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret recesses of the cliff, Let me see you, let me hear your voice, For your voice is sweet, and you are lovely.

December 20

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 64:1-6 The Election of an Abbess
Mass: Is 7:10-14; Resp Ps 24; Lk 1:26-38

Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

December 19

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 63:10-19
Mass: Jg 13:2-7, 24-25a; Resp Ps 71; Lk 1:5-25

Be careful to take no wine or strong drink and eat nothing unclean.

December 18

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 63:1-9 Community Rank
Mass: Jr 23:5-8; Resp Ps 72; Mt 1:18-25

He named him Jesus.

December 17

HAPPY 82ND BIRTHDAY, POPE FRANCIS!
AD MULTOS ANNOS, FRANCISCUS!

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 62 The Priests of the Monastery
Mass: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Resp Ps 72; Mt 1:1-17

Rejoice, O heavens, and exult, O earth; for our Lord will come to show mercy to his poor.

Third Sunday of Advent: Gaudéte Sunday

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 61:6-14
Mass: Zp 3:14-18a; Resp Ps (Is 12); Ph 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

Rejoice in the Lord always, I shall say it again: rejoice!

Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 61:1-5 The Reception of Visiting Monks
Mass: Si 48:1-4, 9-11; Resp 80; Mt 17:9a, 10-13

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Saint John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church (1542-1591)

Friday of the Second Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 60 The Admission of Priests into the Monastery
Mass: Is 48:17-19; Resp Ps 1 (see Jn 8:12); Mt 11:16-19

If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity will be like a river.

Saint Lucy, early Christian martyr

Thursday of the Second Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 59 The Offering of  Children by Nobles or by the Poor
Mass: Is 41:13-20; Resp Ps 145; Mt 11:11-15

Let the clouds rains down the Just One, and the earth bring forth a Savior.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas

Wednesday of the Second Week in Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 58:17-29
Mass: Zc 2:14-17 or Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Resp Ps (Jdt 13); Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47

Our Lady of Guadalupe with Juan Diego

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

Pope St Damasus I (304-384)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 58:1-16 The Procedure for Receiving New Members
Mass: Is 40:1-11; Resp Ps 96 (Is 40:10ab); Mt 18:12-14

In the desert prepare the way of the Lord!

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

Human Rights Day

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 57 The Artisans of the Monastery
Mass: Is 35:1-10; Resp Ps 85 (Is 35:4f); Lk 5:17-26

Come, O Lord, visit us in peace, that we may rejoice before you with a blameless heart.

Second Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 56 The Abbess's Table
Mass: Ba 5:1-9; Resp Ps 126; Ph 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6

God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Patronal Feast Day of the United States of America

Beatification of 19 Religious Men and Women Martyred in Algeria between 1994 and 1996, including seven Trappist monks of Tibhirine murdered in 1996.

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 55:15-22
Mass: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Resp Ps 98; Ep 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38

Trappist Monks of Tibhirine

Saint Ambrose (337-397); First Friday of the Month

Friday of the First Week of Advent
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 55:1-14 Clothing and Footwear for the Community
Mass: Is 29:17-24; Resp Ps 27: Mt 9:27-31

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Saint Nicholas (d. middle of 4th century)

Thursday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 54 The Reception of Letters and Gifts in the Monastery
Mass: Is 26:1-6; Resp Ps 118; Mt 7:21, 24-27

The Lord is an eternal Rock.

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 53:16-24
Mass: Is 25:6-10a; Resp Ps 23; Mt 15:29-37

The hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.

Saint John Damascene, Doctor of the Church (7th-8th century)

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 53:1-15 The Reception of Guests
Mass: Is 11:1-10; Resp Ps 72; Lk 10:21-24

I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Monday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 52 The Oratory of the Monastery
Mass: Is 2:1-5; Resp Ps 122; Mt 8:5-11

Come and save us, Lord our God; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

First Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 51 Those on Local Errands or Work
Mass: Jr 33:14-16; 1 Th 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.

Blessed Virgin Mary; First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 50 Those Working at a Distance or Traveling
Mass: Rev 22:1-7; Resp Ps 95 (1 Co 16:22b; see Rev 22:20c); Lk 21:34-36

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy with carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.