Nativity of John the Baptist Solemnity/ Vigil
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 71: 1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17
Second Reading: First Peter 1: 8-12
Alleluia: John 1: 7; Luke 1: 17
Gospel: Luke 1: 5-17
Vigil Mass Readings
First Reading: Jeremiah 1: 4-10
4 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 Before I formed thee in the bowels of thy mother, I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and made thee a prophet unto the nations.
6 And I said: Ah, ah, ah, Lord God: behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child.
7 And the Lord said to me: Say not: I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee: and whatsoever I shall command thee, thou shalt speak.
8 Be not afraid at their presence: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.
9 And the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth: and the Lord said to me: Behold I have given my words in thy mouth:
10 Lo, I have set thee this day over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root up, and pull down, and to waste, and to destroy, and to build, and to plant.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 71: 1-2, 3-4a, 5-6ab, 15ab and 17
R. (6) Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
1 A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:
2 Deliver me in thy justice, and rescue me. Incline thy ear unto me, and save me.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
3 Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of strength: that thou mayst make me safe. For thou art my firmament and my refuge.
4a Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the sinner.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
5 For thou art my patience, O Lord: my hope, O Lord, from my youth;
6ab By thee have I been confirmed from the womb: from my mother’s womb thou art my protector.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
15ab My mouth shall shew forth thy justice; thy salvation all the day long.
17 Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth: and till now I will declare thy wonderful works.
R. Since my mother’s womb, you have been my strength.
Second Reading: First Peter 1: 8-12
8 Whom having not seen, you love: in whom also now, though you see him not, you believe: and believing shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified;
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and diligently searched, who prophesied of the grace to come in you.
11 Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in them did signify: when it foretold those sufferings that are in Christ, and the glories that should follow:
12 To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you they ministered those things which are now declared to you by them that have preached the gospel to you, the Holy Ghost being sent down from heaven, on whom the angels desire to look.
Alleluia: John 1: 7; Luke 1: 17
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jn 1:7; Lk 1:17 He came to testify to the light, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 1: 5-17
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachary, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elizabeth.
6 And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame.
7 And they had no son, for that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
8 And it came to pass, when he executed the priestly function in the order of his course before God,
9 According to the custom of the priestly office, it was his lot to offer incense, going into the temple of the Lord.
10 And all the multitude of the people was praying without, at the hour of incense.
11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the alter of incense.
12 And Zachary seeing him, was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him: Fear not, Zachary, for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John:
14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice in his nativity.
15 For he shall be great before the Lord; and shall drink no wine nor strong drink: and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
16 And he shall convert many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.
17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias; that he may turn the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the incredulous to the wisdom of the just, to prepare unto the Lord a perfect people.