The Third Sunday of Advent [Gaudete Sunday] (A)
Liturgical Color: Rose
Themes & Motives: rejoice, joy, preparation, coming, glory, splendor, John the Baptist
Introit:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:4-5)
Opening Prayer:
Lord God,
may we, your people,
who look forward to the birthday of Christ
experience the joy of salvation
and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Lectionary Readings:
- Isaiah 35:1-6,10 [They will see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. /v.2]
- Psalm 146:6-7 / 8-9 / 9-10 [R. Lord, come and save us. /based on Isaiah 35:4]
- James 5:7-10 [You too be patient; for the coming of the Lord is at hand. /v.8]
- Gospel Verse: Isaiah 61:1 [The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor]
- Matthew 11:2-11 ["Are you the Coming One?"/v.3]
Offertory Antiphon: **
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not! Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense he comes to save you.
Verses of Psalm 25 can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.
Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
may the gift we offer in faith and love
be a continual sacrifice in your honor
and truly become our eucharist and our salvation.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Preface for Advent I: [The Two Comings of Christ]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When he humbled himself to come among us as a man,
he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago
and opened for us the way to salvation.
Now we watch for the day,
hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours
when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory.
And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord...
Communion Antiphon:
Say to the anxious: be strong and fear not, our God will come to save us. (based on Isaiah 35:4)
Prayer after Communion:
God of mercy,
may this eucharist bring us your divine help,
free us from our sins,
and prepare us for the birthday of our Savior,
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
Solemn Blessing:
You believe that the Son of God once came to us;
you look for him to come again.
May his coming bring you the light of his holiness
and his blessing bring you freedom. Amen.
May God make you steadfast in faith,
joyful in hope, and untiring in love
all the days of your life. Amen.
You rejoice that our Redeemer came to live with us as man.
When he comes again in glory,
may he reward you with endless life. Amen
** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published.
The offertory antiphon used here is cited in Latin in the Graduale Romanum.
The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.
The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Solemn Blessing from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
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