Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

Pope Saint Sylvester I (-335)

Readings of the Day
RB 73 This Rule Only a Beginning of Perfection
Mass: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Resp Ps 96; Jn 1:1-8

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice.

Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 72 The Good Zeal of Monks 
Mass: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Resp Ps 96; Lk 2:36-40

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

In other years: Saint Thomas Becket (1118-1170)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 71 Mutual Obedience
Mass: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Resp Ps 128; Col 3:12-21; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

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

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

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

Light dawns for the just; and gladness for the upright of heart.

Feast of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

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

I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.

The Nativity of the Lord

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 67 Those Who Are Sent on a Journey

Vigil Mass: Is 62:1-5; Resp Ps 89; Acts 1:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25
Mass During the Night: Is 9:1-6; Resp Ps 96; Titus 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14
Mass at Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Resp Ps 97; Titus 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 child is born for us, and a son is given to us; his scepter of power rests upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Messenger of great counsel.

December 24

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 66 The Porter of the Monastery
Mass in the Morning: 2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Resp Ps 89; Lk 1:67-79

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

December 23

O Emmanuel!
Saint John of Kanty (1390-1473)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 65:11-22
Mass: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Resp Ps 25; Lk 1:57-66

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

O Rex gentium!

Readings of the Day
RB: 65:1-10 The Prior or Prioress of the Monastery
Mass: Is 7:10-14; Resp Ps 24; Rm 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

December 21

O Oriens!
Saint Peter Canisius, Priest, Doctor (1521-1597)

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

Exult, you just, in the Lord! Sing to him a new song.

December 20

O clavis David!

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

Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? or who may stand in his holy place?

December 19

O radix Iesse!

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

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

December 18

O Adonai!

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

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

December 17

O Sapientia!
Pope Francis celebrates his 83rd birthday. Buon compleanno Papa Francesco!

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

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Monday of the Third Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 61:6-14 
Mass: Nb 24:2-7, 15-17a; Resp Ps 25; Mt 21:23-27

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Third Sunday of Advent

"Gaudete rejoice!" Sunday

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 61:1-5 The Reception of Visiting Monks
Mass: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Resp Ps 146; Jam 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

Lord, come and save us.

Saturday of the Second Week of Advent

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

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 60 The Admission of Priests into the Monastery
Mass: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Resp Ps 80; Mt 17:9a, 10-13

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Friday of the Second Week of Advent

Saint Lucy, early Christian martyr
50th anniversary of Pope Francis' ordination to the priesthood. Auguri Papa Francesco!

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 59 The Offering of Children by Nobles or the Poor
Mass: Is 48:17-19; Resp Ps 1; Mt 11:16-19

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.

Thursday of the Second Week of Advent

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas

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

You are the highest honor of our race.

Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

Pope Saint Damasus I (304-384)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 58:1-16 Reception of New Members
Mass: Is 40:25-31; Resp Ps 103; Mt 11:28-30

Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness.

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

Human Rights Day

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 57 The Artisans of the Monastery
Mass: Is 40:1-11; Resp Ps 96; Mt 18:12-14

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice … Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Patronal Feastday of the United States of America

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 56 The Abbot's or Abbess's Table
Mass: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Resp Ps 98; Ep 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38

May it be done to me according to your word.

Second Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 55:15-22
Mass: Is 11:1-10; Resp Ps 72; Rm 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12

Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.

Saturday of the First Week of Advent

Saint Ambrose of Milan (340?-397)
First Saturday of the Month
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7, 1941)

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 55:1-13 Clothing and Footwear
Mass: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Resp Ps 147; Mt 9:35-10:1; 5a, 6-8

Great is the Lord and mighty in power: to his wisdom there is no limit.

Friday of the First Week of Advent

Saint Nicholas (d. middle of 4th century)
First Friday of the Month

Readings of the Day
RB: 54 The Reception of Letters or Gifts
Mass: Is 29:17-24; Resp Ps 27; Mt 9:27-31

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Thursday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 53:16-24
Mass: Is 26:1-6; Resp Ps 118; Mt 7:21, 24-27

This gate is the Lord's; the just shall enter it.

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Saint John Damascene (676-749)

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

The Lord guides me in right paths for His name's sake.

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 52 The Oratory of the Monastery
Mass: Is 11:1-10; Resp Ps 72; Lk 10:21-24

Justice shall flourish in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.

Monday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 50 Those Working at a Distance or Traveling
Mass: Is 4:2-6; Resp Ps 122; Mt 8:5-11

Because of the house of the Lord, our God, I will pray for your good.

First Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 50 Those Working at a Distance or Traveling
Mass: Is 2:1-5; Resp Ps 122; Rm 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.