Universalis
Tuesday 8 September 2026    (other days)
The Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary 
Feast

Using calendar: England - Portsmouth - Hampshire - Portsmouth. You can change this.

Office of Readings

If you have already recited the Invitatory Psalm today, you should use the alternative opening.
Dómine, lábia mea apéries.
  Et os meum annuntiábit laudem tuam.
Lord, open our lips.
  And we shall praise your name.
Ps 99:1-5

“Redemptos iubet Dominus victoriæ carmen canere” (S. Athanasius).

Nativitátem Vírginis Maríæ celebrémus: Christum eius Fílium adorémus Dóminum.
(repeat antiphon*)
2Iubiláte Dómino, omnis terra,*
  servíte Dómino in lætítia;
introíte in conspéctu eius*
  in exsultatióne.
3Scitóte quóniam Dóminus ipse est Deus;†
  ipse fecit nos, et ipsíus sumus,*
  pópulus eius et oves páscuæ eius.
  (repeat antiphon*)
4Introíte portas eius in confessióne,†
  átria eius in hymnis,*
  confitémini illi, benedícite nómini eius.
5Quóniam suávis est Dóminus;†
  in ætérnum misericórdia eius,*
  et usque in generatiónem et generatiónem véritas eius.
  (repeat antiphon*)
Glória Patri et Fílio*
  et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
  et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
(repeat antiphon*)
Invitatory PsalmPsalm 99 (100)
Let us celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary; let us adore her son, Christ the Lord.
(repeat antiphon*)
Rejoice in the Lord, all the earth,
  and serve him with joy.
Exult as you enter his presence.
  (repeat antiphon*)
Know that the Lord is God.
He made us and we are his
  – his people, the sheep of his flock.
  (repeat antiphon*)
Cry out his praises as you enter his gates,
  fill his courtyards with songs.
Proclaim him and bless his name;
  for the Lord is our delight.
His mercy lasts for ever,
  his faithfulness through all the ages.
  (repeat antiphon*)
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
  and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
(repeat antiphon*)

* If you are reciting this on your own, you can choose to say the antiphon once only at the start of the psalm and not repeat it.

Hymnus
Beáta Dei Génetrix,
nitor humáni géneris,
per quam de servis líberi
lucísque sumus fílii;
María, Virgo régia,
David stirpe progénita,
non tam patérna nóbilis
quam dignitáte súbolis,
Tu nos, avúlso véteri,
complánta novo gérmini;
per te sit genus hóminum
regále sacerdótium.
Tu nos culpárum néxibus
sacris absólve précibus;
tua proméntes mérita
ad cæli transfer prǽmia.
Sit Trinitáti glória,
o Virgo nobilíssima,
quæ te suórum múnerum
thesáurum dat magníficum. Amen.
Hymn
Hail, of paradise the portal!
  Tree of Life regained, immortal;
Whence, through thee, all sweetness floweth,
  And salvation’s fruit still groweth.
Thou our hearts aright inclinest,
  On our life’s way brightly shinest;
Us from God’s just anger savest,
  Who to man our Saviour gavest.
Hail! Blest shrine of God the Father,
  Thither sinners haste to gather;
Pardon for their guilt obtaining,
  Freedom from the foe’s enchaining;
Strength from thee the weak shall borrow,
  Comfort, thou, of all who sorrow;
From the final wrath tremendous,
  Mother of our Christ, defend us.
Star of ocean! Mother fairest!
  Who the name of Mary bearest;
In thy bright illumination
  Pales each star and constellation.
Hail, O Father! Hail, sweet Mother!
  Hail, O Son of God, our Brother!
Let the hosts of heaven adore thee,
  Every spirit bow before thee.

Ps 23:1-10
Domini in templum adventus

“Christo apertæ sunt portæ cæli propter carnalem eius assumptionem” (S. Irenæus).

Accépit María benedictiónem a Dómino et misericórdiam a Deo salutári suo.
1Dómini est terra et plenitúdo eius,*
  orbis terrárum et qui hábitant in eo.
2Quia ipse super mária fundávit eum*
  et super flúmina firmávit eum.
3Quis ascéndet in montem Dómini,*
  aut quis stabit in loco sancto eius?
4Innocens mánibus et mundo corde,†
  qui non levávit ad vana ánimam suam,*
  nec iurávit in dolum.
5Hic accípiet benedictiónem a Dómino*
  et iustificatiónem a Deo salutári suo.
6Hæc est generátio quæréntium eum,*
  quæréntium fáciem Dei Iacob.
7Attóllite, portæ, cápita vestra,†
  et elevámini, portæ æternáles,*
  et introíbit rex glóriæ.
8Quis est iste rex glóriæ?*
  Dóminus fortis et potens, Dóminus potens in prœ́lio.
9Attóllite, portæ, cápita vestra,†
  et elevámini, portæ æternáles,*
  et introíbit rex glóriæ.
10Quis est iste rex glóriæ?*
  Dóminus virtútum ipse est rex glóriæ.
Glória Patri et Fílio*
  et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
  et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
Accépit María benedictiónem a Dómino et misericórdiam a Deo salutári suo.

Psalm 23 (24)
The Lord comes to his temple

The Virgin Mary received blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saved her.
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
  the world and all who live in it.
He himself founded it upon the seas
  and set it firm over the waters.
Who will climb the mountain of the Lord?
  Who will stand in his holy place?
The one who is innocent of wrongdoing and pure of heart,
  who has not given himself to vanities or sworn falsely.
He will receive the blessing of the Lord
  and be justified by God his saviour.
This is the way of those who seek him,
  seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors,
  and let the king of glory enter.
Who is the king of glory?
The Lord of might and power.
  The Lord, strong in battle.
Gates, raise your heads. Stand up, eternal doors,
  and let the king of glory enter.
Who is the king of glory?
The Lord of hosts
  – he is the king of glory.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
  and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
The Virgin Mary received blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saved her.

How to listen

Ps 45:2-12
Deus refugium et virtus

“Vocabunt nomen eius Emmanuel, quod est interpretatum Nobiscum Deus” (Mt 1, 23).

Sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.
2Deus est nobis refúgium et virtus,*
  adiutórium in tribulatiónibus invéntus est nimis.
3Proptérea non timébimus, dum turbábitur terra,*
  et transferéntur montes in cor maris.
4Fremant et intuméscant aquæ eius,*
  conturbéntur montes in elatióne eius.
5Flúminis rivi lætíficant civitátem Dei,*
  sancta tabernácula Altíssimi.
6Deus in médio eius, non commovébitur;*
  adiuvábit eam Deus mane dilúculo.
7Fremuérunt gentes, commóta sunt regna;*
  dedit vocem suam, liquefácta est terra.
8Dóminus virtútum nobíscum,*
  refúgium nobis Deus Iacob.
9Veníte et vidéte ópera Dómini,*
  quæ pósuit prodígia super terram.
Auferet bella usque ad finem terræ,†
  10arcum cónteret et confrínget arma*
  et scuta combúret igne.
11Vacáte et vidéte quóniam ego sum Deus:*
  exaltábor in géntibus et exaltábor in terra.
12Dóminus virtútum nobíscum,*
  refúgium nobis Deus Iacob.
Glória Patri et Fílio*
  et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
  et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
Sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.

Psalm 45 (46)
God, our refuge and our strength

The Most High has made holy the place where he dwells.
The Lord is our refuge and our strength,
  a true help in our troubles.
Therefore we do not fear,
  even when the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the depths of the sea,
the waves roar and foam
  and rise up to shake the mountains.
The streams of the river give joy to the city of God,
  the holy dwelling-place of the Most High.
God is within it, it will not be shaken;
  God will give help as the day dawns.
The nations are in turmoil and kingdoms totter:
  at the sound of his voice, the earth flows like water.
The Lord of strength is with us,
  the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come and see the works of the Lord,
  who has done wonders on the earth.
He puts an end to wars over all the world:
  he tramples the bow, shatters weapons, and burns the shields with fire.
Stop and see that I am God:
  I will be exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.
The Lord of strength is with us,
  the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
  and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
The Most High has made holy the place where he dwells.

Ps 86:1-7
Ierusalem omnium gentium mater

“Illa quæ sursum est Ierusalem, libera est, quæ est mater nostra” (Gal 4, 26).

Gloriósa dicta sunt de te, Virgo María.
1Fundaménta eius in móntibus sanctis;†
  2díligit Dóminus portas Sion*
  super ómnia tabernácula Iacob.
3Gloriósa dicta sunt de te,*
  cívitas Dei!
4Memor ero Rahab et Babylónis inter sciéntes me;†
  ecce Philistǽa et Tyrus cum Æthiópia:*
  hi nati sunt illic.
5Et de Sion dicétur: «Hic et ille natus est in ea;*
  et ipse firmávit eam Altíssimus».
6Dóminus réferet in librum populórum:*
  «Hi nati sunt illic».
7Et cantant sicut choros ducéntes:*
  «Omnes fontes mei in te».
Glória Patri et Fílio*
  et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
  et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
Gloriósa dicta sunt de te, Virgo María.

Psalm 86 (87)
Jerusalem, mother of all nations

Of you are told glorious things, O Virgin Mary!
Its foundations are set on the sacred mountains –
  the Lord loves the gates of Zion
  more than all the tents of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you, city of God!
I shall count Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me.
  The Philistines, Tyrians, Ethiopians –
  all have their birthplace here.
Of Zion it will be said “Here is the birthplace of all people:
  the Most High himself has set it firm.”
The Lord shall write in the book of the nations:
  “Here is their birthplace.”
They will sing as in joyful processions:
  “All my being springs from you.”
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
  and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
Of you are told glorious things, O Virgin Mary!
℣. María conservábat ómnia verba hæc.
℟. Cónferens in corde suo.
℣. Mary remembered all these things.
℟. She treasured them all in her heart.
Lectio prior
De libro Génesis 3, 9-20

Sententia in peccatorem et promissio salutis

In diébus illis: 9Vocávit Dóminus Deus Adam et dixit ei: «Ubi es?». 10Qui ait: «Vocem tuam audívi in paradíso et tímui eo quod nudus essem et abscóndi me». 11Cui dixit: «Quis enim indicávit tibi quod nudus esses, nisi quod ex ligno, de quo tibi præcéperam, ne coméderes, comedísti?». 12Dixítque Adam: «Múlier, quam dedísti sóciam mihi, ipsa dedit mihi de ligno, et comédi». 13Et dixit Dóminus Deus ad mulíerem: «Quid hoc fecísti?». Quæ respóndit: «Serpens decépit me et comédi».
  14Et ait Dóminus Deus ad serpéntem:
«Quia fecísti hoc, maledíctus es
inter ómnia pécora
et omnes béstias agri!
Super pectus tuum gradiéris
et púlverem cómedes cunctis diébus vitæ tuæ.
15Inimicítias ponam inter te et mulíerem
et semen tuum et semen illíus;
ipsum cónteret caput tuum,
et tu cónteres calcáneum eius».
16Mulíeri dixit:
«Multiplicábo ærúmnas tuas
et concéptus tuos:
in dolóre páries fílios
et ad virum tuum erit appetítus tuus,
ipse autem dominábitur tui».
17Hómini vero dixit:
  «Quia audísti vocem uxóris tuæ et comedísti de ligno, ex quo præcéperam tibi, ne coméderes,
  maledícta humus propter te!
  In labóribus cómedes ex ea
  cunctis diébus vitæ tuæ.
  18Spinas et tríbulos germinábit tibi
  et cómedes herbas terræ;
  19in sudóre vultus tui vescéris pane,
  donec revertáris ad humum,
  de qua sumptus es,
  quia pulvis es et in púlverem revertéris».
20Et vocávit Adam nomen uxóris suæ Eva, eo quod mater esset cunctórum vivéntium.
First ReadingGenesis 3:9-20

The sentence for sin and the promise of salvation

The Lord God called to the man. ‘Where are you?’ he asked.
  ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied. ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’
  ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked. ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’
  The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me. She gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’
  Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’
  The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’
  Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this,
‘Be accursed beyond all cattle,
all wild beasts.
You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust
every day of your life.
I will make you enemies of each other:
you and the woman,
your offspring and her offspring.
It will crush your head
and you will strike its heel.’
To the woman he said:
‘I will multiply your pains in childbearing,
you shall give birth to your children in pain.
Your yearning shall be for your husband,
yet he will lord it over you.’
To the man he said, ‘Because you listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat,
‘Accursed be the soil because of you.
With suffering shall you get your food from it
every day of your life.
It shall yield you brambles and thistles,
and you shall eat wild plants.
With sweat on your brow
shall you eat your bread,
until you return to the soil,
as you were taken from it.
For dust you are
and to dust you shall return.’
The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.
Responsorium
℟. Hódie nata est Beáta Virgo María ex progénie David, *Per quam salus mundi credéntibus appáruit, cuius vita gloriósa lucem dedit sǽculo.
℣. Beatíssimæ Vírginis Maríæ Nativitátem devotíssime celebrémus.* Per quam.
Responsory
℟. Today the Virgin Mary was born of the race of David: through her the salvation of the world was made manifest to all who believe.* The light of her life shines out upon the world.
℣. Let us celebrate the birth of the blessed Virgin Mary with the greatest devotion.* The light of her life shines out upon the world.
Lectio altera
Ex Oratiónibus sancti Andréæ Creténsis epíscopi (Oratio 1: PG 97, 806-810)

Vetera transierunt, ecce facta sunt omnia nova

Finis legis Christus, qui non minus abdúcat a lege quam ad spíritum próvehat. In eo enim consummátio pósita est, iuxta quod legislátor ipse conféctis ómnibus ac terminátis, in spíritum lítteram tránstulit; in seípso recapítulans ómnia, ac lege grátia vivens, atque illa quidem subiugáta, hæc autem concínne coaptáta et iuncta, non permíxtis confusísque quæ alteríus própria erant cum alteríus própriis, sed divíne ádmodum commutáto, si quid grave erat et servum et captívum, in id quod est leve et líberum, ut non simus iam sub eleméntis mundi in servitútem adácti, quemádmodum ait Apóstolus, nec iugo servitútis lítteræ legis simus obnóxii.
  Hæc enim Christi in nos beneficiórum summa est; hæc sacraménti manifestátio, hæc natúræ exinanítio, Deus et homo, assumptíque hóminis deificátio. Enimvéro ita et spléndidi et quam máxime conspícui Dei ad hómines advéntus, omníno étiam gáudii introductórium áliquid, quo magnum in nos salútis donum procéderet, esse opórtuit. Id porro præsens est celébritas, cui exórdium Deíparæ natívitas est; conclúsio autem et términus, Verbi cum carne destináta compáctio. Modo enim Virgo náscitur et lactátur et fíngitur ac ómnium sæculórum regi Deo mater aptátur.
  Quando étiam duplex nobis ex eo lucrum accésserit: ea quidem próvehens ad veritátem, ea autem a legáli in líttera servitúte ac conversatióne abdúcens. Quo id modo, quave ratióne? Nimírum cedénte umbra advéntui lucis, gratiáque libertátem inferénte pro líttera: quorum sollémnitas hæc confínium est, figurálibus sýmbolis veritátem succedáneam iungens, nováque vetéribus substítuens.
  Omnia ergo creáta decántent tripudiéntque ac áliquid diéi lætítiæ cóngruum cónferant. Una hódie cæléstium terrestriúmque sit commúnis celébritas simúlque agat festum quidquid in mundo et supra mundum coalitiónis est. Hódie enim ómnium Creatóris creátum delúbrum exstrúctum est ac creatúra, nova decentíque ratióne, novum Auctóri parátur hospítium.
Second Reading
From a discourse by Saint Andrew of Crete

The old has passed away: all things are made new

‘The fulfilment of the law is Christ himself, who does not so much lead us away from the letter as lift us up to its spirit. For the law’s consummation was this, that the very lawgiver accomplished his work and changed letter into spirit, summing everything up in himself and, though subject to the law, living by grace. He subordinated the law, yet harmoniously united grace with it, not confusing the distinctive characteristics of the one with the other, but effecting the transition in a way most fitting for God. He changed whatever was burdensome, servile and oppressive not what is light and liberating, so that we should be enslaved no longer under the elemental spirits of the world, as the Apostle says, nor held fast as bondservants under the letter of the law.
  This is the highest, all-embracing benefit that Christ has bestowed on us. This is the revelation of the mystery, this is the emptying out of the divine nature, the union of God and man, and the deification of the manhood that was assumed. This radiant and manifest coming of God to men most certainly needed a joyful prelude to introduce the great gift of salvation to us. The present festival, the birth of the Mother of God, is the prelude, while the final act is the fore-ordained union of the Word with flesh. Today the Virgin is born, tended and formed and prepared for her role as Mother of God, who is the universal King of the ages.
  Justly, then, do we celebrate this mystery since it signifies for us a double grace. We are led towards the truth, and we are led away from our condition of slavery to the letter of the law. How can this be? Darkness yields before the coming of the light, and grace exchanges legalism for freedom. But midway between the two stands today’s mystery, at the frontier where types and symbols give way to reality, and the old is replaced by the new. Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make worthy contribution to the celebration of this day. Let there be one common festival for saints in heaven and men on earth. Let everything, mundane things and those above, join in festive celebration. Today this created world is raised to the dignity of a holy place for him who made all things. The creature is newly prepared to be a divine dwelling place for the Creator.
Responsorium
℟. Nativitátem hodiérnam perpétuæ Vírginis Genetrícis Dei Maríæ devotíssime celebrémus,* Cuius vita ínclita cunctas illústrat Ecclésias.
℣. Corde et ánimo Christo canámus glóriam in hac sacra festivitáte præcélsæ Genetrícis Dei Maríæ.* Cuius vita.
Responsory
℟. Let us celebrate today, with great devotion, the birth of Mary, the ever-virgin Mother of God,* whose virtues shed light upon the Church throughout the world.
℣. Let us glorify Christ with heart and soul on this feast of Mary, the noble Mother of God,* whose virtues shed light upon the Church throughout the world.
Canticum
Te Deum laudámus:* te Dóminum confitémur.
Te ætérnum Patrem,* omnis terra venerátur.
Tibi omnes ángeli,*
  tibi cæli et univérsæ potestátes:
tibi chérubim et séraphim*
  incessábili voce proclámant:
Sanctus,* Sanctus,* Sanctus*
  Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
Pleni sunt cæli et terra* maiestátis glóriæ tuæ.
Te gloriósus* Apostolórum chorus,
te prophetárum* laudábilis númerus,
te mártyrum candidátus* laudat exércitus.
Te per orbem terrárum*
  sancta confitétur Ecclésia,
Patrem* imménsæ maiestátis;
venerándum tuum verum* et únicum Fílium;
Sanctum quoque* Paráclitum Spíritum.
Tu rex glóriæ,* Christe.
Tu Patris* sempitérnus es Fílius.
Tu, ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem,*
  non horruísti Vírginis úterum.
Tu, devícto mortis acúleo,*
  aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.
Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes,* in glória Patris.
Iudex créderis* esse ventúrus.
Te ergo quæsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni,*
  quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.
Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis* in glória numerári.
Haec ultima pars hymni ad libitum omitti potest:
Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine,*
  et bénedic hereditáti tuæ.
Et rege eos,* et extólle illos usque in ætérnum.
Per síngulos dies* benedícimus te;
et laudámus nomen tuum in sæculum,*
  et in sæculum sæculi.
Dignáre, Dómine, die isto*
  sine peccáto nos custodíre.
Miserére nostri, Dómine,* miserére nostri.
Fiat misericórdia tua, Dómine, super nos,*
  quemádmodum sperávimus in te.
In te, Dómine, sperávi:*
  non confúndar in ætérnum.
CanticleTe Deum
God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you!
You, the Father, the eternal –
all the earth venerates you.
All the angels, all the heavens, every power –
The cherubim, the seraphim –
unceasingly, they cry:
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts:
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!”
The glorious choir of Apostles –
The noble ranks of prophets –
The shining army of martyrs –
all praise you.
Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you.
– Father of immeasurable majesty,
– True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship,
– Holy Spirit, our Advocate.
You, Christ:
– You are the king of glory.
– You are the Father’s eternal Son.
– You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb.
– You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you.
– You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father.
– You will come, so we believe, as our Judge.
And so we ask of you: give help to your servants, whom you set free at the price of your precious blood.
Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory.
The final part of the hymn may be omitted:
Bring your people to safety, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance.
Rule them and lift them high for ever.
Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever.
Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you.
In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame.
Oremus.
  Fámulis tuis, quǽsumus, Dómine, cæléstis grátiæ munus impertíre, ut, quibus Beátæ Vírginis partus éxstitit salútis exórdium, Nativitátis eius festívitas pacis tríbuat increméntum.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum,
qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Lord God,
  the day of our salvation dawned when the Blessed Virgin gave birth to your Son.
As we celebrate her own nativity,
  grant us your grace and your peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Benedicámus Dómino.
– Deo grátias.
Let us praise the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.

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Copyright © 1996-2026 Universalis Publishing Limited: see universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Hodder & Stoughton and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
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