Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Legion of Mary is a wonderful lay apostolate founded by Frank Duff, to put into practice the True Devotion to Mary, which is the spirituality of St. Louis Marie de Montford. At one time both Wendy and myself were provisional members, but for one reason or another were unable to continue with their good work. We are still well known to the local Praesidium, who offered us the statue of Our Lady of Fatima which circulates around parishioners for a constant chain of prayer. We expressed our preference to have the statue over the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What a wonderful feast to be celebrating in our initial advent preparations! From all eternity God had chosen Mary to be the mother of the Word incarnate. He therefore prepared her in holiness, as the ark of the covenant was lined with gold, preserving her from all stain of original sin which so taints humanity. This made her a truly worthy dwelling place and mother to nurture our divine saviour. She was, in this way, the first fruits of salvation - a beacon of that salvific power which God has bestowed on humanity through his only Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

For this occasion I endeavoured to say First Vespers for this feast. Since the legionaries were coming round to give us the statue I prepared a booklet so we could pray together worthily for this special occasion. Rather than copying out the standard evening prayer of the Church, I went to my old missal and prepared an abbreviated, translated version of the Vigil's Vespers from the Old Rite. This was merely because the antiphons are so wonderful, and powerful. Since I do not say evening prayer out of obligation, I thought it fitting for me to share some of the church's old prayers in a way we could all readily engage with. I attach the result here, and hope you enjoy the rich prayer of the Church for this magnificent feast. Deo Gratias!

V./ O God come to our aid
R./ O Lord make haste to help us

V./Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
R./ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Ant: Thou art all fair, O Mary, and stain of original sin is not found in thee.

(PSALM 109: DIXIT DOMINUS)

The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou at my right hand
Until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.
The Lord shall send the rod of Thy strength out of Sion: rule Thou in the midst of Thine enemies.
Thine shall be the dominion in the day of Thou power, amid the brightness of the saints: from the womb, before the daystar have I begotten Thee.
The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent: Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of melchisedech.
The Lord at Thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath
He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with dead bodies: he shall wound the heads over many countries.
He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up his head.
Glory be.....
As it was in the beginning....

Ant: Thou art all fair, O Mary, and stain of original sin is not found in thee.

Ant 2: Thy vesture is as white as snow; and thy face is as the sun

(PSALM 112: LAUDATE PUERI)

Praise the Lord, O ye His servants, praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth, and for ever more!
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, and beholdeth what is lowly in heaven and in the earth?
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dung-hill:
That He may set him with princes of His people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.
Glory be....
As it was in the beginning...

Ant 2: Thy vesture is as white as snow; and thy face is as the sun

Ant 3: Thou art the glory of Jerusalem; thou art the joy of Israel; thou art the honour of our people

(PSALM 121: LAETATUS SUM)

I was glad when they said unto me: Let us go into the house of the Lord
Our feet have been wont to stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones for judgement, the thrones for the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say: Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.
Glory be...
As it was in the beginning...

Ant 3: Thou art the glory of Jerusalem; thou art the joy of Israel; thou art the honour of our people

CHAPTER (Proverbs 8:22-24)

THE Lord possessed me in the beginning of His ways, before He made anything, from the beginning. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived.

RESPONSORY

Today is the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Who with her virginal foot crushed the head of the serpent.

MAGNIFICAT

Antiphon: All generations shall call me blessed; because He who is powerful hath done great things to me, alleluia.

My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness, henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me, Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones, and raises the lowly
He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel his servant, remembering his mercy
The mercy promised promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his sons for ever.
Glory be...
As it was in the beginning...

Antiphon: All generations shall call me blessed; because He who is powerful hath done great things to me, alleluia.

O Mary conceived without sin
Pray for us who have recourse to thee.

COLLECT

Let us pray
O God, who didst wonderously preserve the Mother of Thine only begotten Son from the taint of original sin in her conception: grant, we beseech thee, that strengthened by her prayers, we may take part with pure hearts in her holy festival. Through the same Christ out Lord.
Amen.

SALVE REGINA

May the divine assistance remain always with us
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.