On February 11, 2018, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments inscribed a new obligatory Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, into the General Roman Calendar. This memorial will be celebrated every year on the Monday after Pentecost.
The proper liturgical texts for the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, are as follows:
ROMAN MISSAL
The full Mass formulary for this memorial – including Collect, Prayer over the Offerings, Preface, Prayer after Communion, and Entrance and Communion Antiphons – is taken from the Votive Mass for “Our Lady, Mother of the Church” as given in the Roman Missal. White vestments are worn.
LECTIONARY FOR MASS
A set of proper (i.e., mandatory) readings has been assigned for this new memorial:
- First Reading – Genesis 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7
- Gospel Acclamation – O happy Virgin, you gave birth to the Lord; O blessed mother of the Church, you warm our hearts with the Spirit of your Son Jesus Christ.
- Gospel – John 19:25-34
It should be noted that these prescribed verses and acclamation are not found in any one place in the Lectionary for Mass. The readings may be downloaded together from the USCCB’s website: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052118.cfm
LITURGY OF THE HOURS
In the Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, and Evening Prayer, the psalmody of the day is used. Other elements may be taken either from the psalter of the day or the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The final prayer is the collect from the Votive Mass for “Our Lady, Mother of the Church.”