Forms of the Masses in honour of the Virgin Mary of Kibeho
1. Mass for the feast of Mary Mother of the Word (November 28th)
Prayer
Lord our God, by the Blessed Virgin Mary you have given us your eternal Word so that he renews our human nature diverted from you. We implore you: grant us your grace so that through the example of the mother of the Word, we can receive the author and protector of life, Jesus Christ your Son and our Lord, God who lives and reigns with you in unity of the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
R. Amen
First reading: (Is 7: 10-14)
This prophecy of Isaiah is a distant announcement of the choice of the Virgin Mary as mother of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Instead of blocking the project of love that God has for humanity, the refusal of King Ahaz to ask for a sign instead formed a favourable opportunity to reveal it.
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, "Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test." Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.
Psalm: (Ps 34: 2-9)
R. I will bless the Lord always and everywhere
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Second reading: (Gal 4: 3-7)
God sent his only begotten Son and was born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus humbled himself, he took human nature and he became similar to us, except sin. However Jesus is God, he is of the same nature as God the father and the Holy Spirit. Learn to call God: "father." It was him that Jesus specially made us know. This is the message of the second reading.
Reading of the letter of the Apostle St. Paul to the Galatians
So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba- Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
This is the word of the Lord.
Gospel: (Jn 1: 1-5 9-14) or (Lk 1: 26-38)
Protective author of life and the light of the world is Jesus, the word of God conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The mother of Jesus and our mother participated in the redemption of the world when she agreed to receive in her heart and her body, our unique Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John apostle.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Universal prayer
Celebrant:
Brothers and Sisters, we are gathered here at Kibeho to implore the mother of God and our mother, the Virgin Mary, mother of the Word. Let us turn our eyes to the God of mercy who associated her with his divine plan for the salvation of mankind. Pray for the Church and all the families of the earth.
R. God of mercy, hear us!
1. Pray for the Church which proclaims that God saved us by his word made flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, Pray also for its pastors: the Pope, bishops and priests and deacons, so that God grants them his graces, love and force to guide well his flock. Pray also for all the consecrated and all the lay faithful, so that they may completely offer their lives to God and that they may imitate the example of the Virgin Mary chaste, poor and obedient. Let us pray to the Lord!
R / God of mercy, hear us!
2. Pray for our head of State, his collaborators and other leaders around the world, so that enlightened by the Holy Spirit, they can work for peace and true development based on genuine justice. Let us pray to the Lord!
R. God of mercy, hear us!
3. Pray for non-believers, for those who have lost faith or who are sceptical, so that they may discover faith in God and found the right path. You, the mother of the word asked to convert us and pray without hypocrisy, strengthen the footsteps of those who entrust themselves to your protection. Let us pray to the Lord!
R. God of mercy, hear us!
4. Pray for the sick, the despaired and vulnerable, so that God incites around them men and women, witnesses to the merciful love of the father and they accept that only God is their strength. Let us pray to the Lord!
R. God of mercy, hear us!
5. Pray for our benefactors, so that God who is love fills them with the graces they need and that they continue to give him witness through acts of charity. Let us pray to the Lord!
R. God of mercy, hear us!
6. Pray for our brothers and sisters, parents and deceased friends. That through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, our Mother, God may receive them in his eternal Kingdom. Let us pray to the Lord.
R. God of mercy, hear us!
7. Pray for ourselves gathered here and who have made this pilgrimage in order to be true witnesses of the Incarnate Word. This feast of Our Lady of Kibeho is for us a new opportunity for reconciliation with God and our neighbour. Pray the Lord!
R. God of mercy, hear us!
Prayers on offerings
Lord our God, receive these offerings that your people offers you with joy in honour of the Virgin Mary, mother of the Word. We beseech you, do that, by this sacrifice, we become the perfect offering for you, as the Blessed Virgin was your perfect handmaid. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R. Amen
Eucharistic prayer
V. Lord be with you R. And also with you.
V. Lift up your hearts R. We lift them to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God R. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Father all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through your Jesus Christ our Lord.
In this day as we honour the Blessed Virgin Mary.
the mother of the Word, we want to praise you, to bless you and to glorify you.
Mary manifested her obedience by accepting the call to be the mother of your Son, the unique Redeemer of mankind, when the Holy Spirit covered her with his shadow, upholding for ever the glory of her virginity.
Thus, she showed her love and tenderness by educating her Son and by presenting him in the temple, and especially when she shared with him his sufferings on the cross.
Supported by this mother who found favour before you, that you have given to us so that her example may encourage us,
Let us join our voices to those of the angels and saints who sing your praise and proclaim:
Prayer after communion
Lord our God, by the body and blood of your Son made flesh that we have just shared at your holy table, you have renewed in us your divine life. We implore you: help us to imitate the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to welcome with joy your incarnated Word, and to make him known among those who do not yet know him. Through Christ our Lord.
R/Amen
The final blessing
V. Lord be with you R. and also with you.
The Lord God Almighty, who enlightened the hearts of all nations through Jesus Christ the Word made man, and who today gives us this special occasion to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary his mother and mother of the Church, may he increases in you joy, peace and brotherly love.
R. Amen
You who have received from God the gift of repentance and conversion, may you feel forever that the Virgin Mary, from whom the Saviour was born, still intercedes for you.
R. Amen
As you came with a heart full of love, to celebrate this joyous celebration in honour of the mother of the Word and our mother of us all, may she let you go back with new resolutions and hope to share, one day with her, the riches of Heaven.
R. Amen
May Almighty God bless you, The † Father and † the Son and † the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen
Deacon: Go in the peace of Christ.
R. Thanks be to God.
2. Mass for the feast of Mary Mother of the Word (November 28th)
Opening antiphon (Lk 2: 34-35)
The old man Simeon said to the Blessed Virgin Mary:
"See this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
Prayer
You wanted, Lord, that the mother of your son, standing nearby the cross, was associated to his suffering, give to your church to unite her also with the passion of Christ, in order to have share in his resurrection. Him who…
First reading
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews (5: 7-9)
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Psalm: Ps 30 (31)
Save me, my God, in your love.
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
Turn your ear to me, be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, Lord, my faithful God.
But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you,
which you bestow in the sight of all on those who take refuger in you.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Blessed Virgin Mary!
Near the cross of the Lord;
Without experiencing death
She deserved the glory of martyrdom. Alleluia.
We have the choice between the following two texts:
Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John (Jn 19: 25-27)
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Or:
Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke (Lk 2: 33-35)
The child’s father and mother wondered at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Prayer on the offerings
For the glory of your name, God of mercy, accept the prayers and offerings that we present you in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that you wanted to become our mother when she was standing near the cross of Jesus. Him who…
Communion antiphon (1P 4:13)
But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Prayer after communion
After having received the sacrament of the eternal redemption, humbly we implore you Lord: by reminding us of the compassion of the Virgin Mary, may we bear the hardships of Christ. Him who…
