PM: Special Edition--Solemnity Of The Immaculate Conception

During the liturgical year some Feast Days and Solemnities will fall during the week. When that happens, the Propers for that Mass will be done in one post.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; and with the robe of righteousness he has covered me, as a bridegroom decked with a crown, and as a bride adorned with her jewels. 

V. I will extol you, O Lord, for you have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 

Isaiah 61:10; Ps. 29

Don't you just love the image of a wedding in this Introit? In a very real sense, there is a marriage. There is also an echo of the Magnificat as well.

Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, by the Lord, the most high God, beyond all women upon the earth. 

V. You are the glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you are the honor of our people. 

Judith 13:18; V. 15:9

These verses actually speak of the deeds of Judith after she delivered the Israelites from their enemy at the time. This Gradual takes this as an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her assistance in delivering Israel. Read the two chapters to get a fuller sense.

You are most fair, O Mary, and the taint of original sin dwells not within you. 

Song 4:7

The Song of Songs is a love song about and between two lovers. This Alleluia echoes it in a condensed fashion, highlighting the total purity of the Mother of God.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, alleluia. 

Luke 1:28

Gabriel's greeting to the Virgin before she received the Body of Christ. So does this archangel say the same to us in this Offertory. Finish the prayer as Elizabeth did, at your leisure (Latin optional).

Glorious things have been proclaimed concerning you, O Mary; for the Almighty has done marvelous things on your behalf. 

Ps. 86:3; Luke 1:49

This Communion holds a promise to us as well as it did to Mary. As frequent, worthy reception of Holy Communion makes us more like Christ, the example of its effects par excellence is Mary. Another example of the Mother pointing us to her Son.