Liturgical Information
The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist [Mass during the Day]

Themes & Motives: light, preparation, joy, repentence, Lamb of God

Introit:
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came to bear witness to the light, to prepare an upright people for the Lord. (Jn 1:6-7; Lk 1:17)

Opening Prayer:
God our Father,
you raised up John the Baptist
to prepare a perfect people for Christ the Lord.
Give your Church joy in spirit
and guide those who believe in you
into the way of salvation and peace.
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.

• Isaiah 49:1-6 [I will make you a light of the nations. /v.6]
• Psalm 139:1-3 / 13-14 / 14-15 [R. I praise you for I am wonderfully made. v.14a]
• Acts of the Apostles 13:22-26 [John had proclaimed before His coming a baptism of repentence. /v.24]
• Gospel Verse: see Luke 1:76 [You, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.]
• Luke 1:57-66,80 [He shall be called John. /v.60]

Prayer over the Gifts:
Father,
accept the gifts we bring to your altar
to celebrate the birth of John the Baptist,
who foretold the coming of our Savior
and made him known when he came.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface of John the Baptist: [The Mission of John the Baptist]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We praise your greatness
as we honor the prophet
who prepared the way before your Son.

You set John the Baptist apart form other men,
marking him out with special favor.
His birth brought great rejoicing:
even in the womb he leapt for joy,
so near was man's salvation.

You chose John the Baptist from all the prophets
to show the world its redeemer,
the lamb of sacrifice.

He baptized Christ, the giver of baptism,
in waters made holy by the one who was baptized.
You found John worthy of a martyr's death,
his last and greatest act of witness to your Son.

In our unending joy we echo on earth
the song of the angels in heaven
as they praise your glory for ever:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
Through the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us. (Luke 1:78)

Prayer after Communion:
Lord,
you have renewed us with this eucharist,
as we celebrate the feast of John the Baptist,
who foretold the coming of the Lamb of God.
May we welcome your Son as our Savior,
for he gives us new life,
and is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon and Prayer after Communion 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.