Aug. 15: ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY (Solemnity). VIGIL MASS PRAYERS AND READINGS.

Aug. 15:
ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY (Solemnity).

This Mass is used on the evening of 14 August, either before or after First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) of the Solemnity.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Glorious things have been spoken of you, O Mary, who today were exalted above the choirs of Angels into eternal triumph with Christ. 

The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said.

COLLECT
O God, who looking on the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary, raised her to such grace, that your Only Begotten Son was born of her according to the flesh, and that she was crowned this day with surpassing glory; grant through her prayers, that saved by the mystery of your redemption, we may merit to be exalted by you on high. Through our Lord.

 Proper Readings

READING I
1 Chr 15:3–4, 15–16; 16:1–2

David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the Lord to the place which he had prepared for it. David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites.
The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with poles, as Moses had ordained according to the word of the Lord.
David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their kinsmen as chanters, to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals, to make a loud sound of rejoicing.
They brought in the ark of God and set it within the tent which David had pitched for it. Then they offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. When David had finished offering up the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. Lord, go up to the place of your rest, you and the ark of your holiness.

Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
Let us enter his dwelling,
let us worship at his footstool.
R.
May your priests be clothed with justice;
let your faithful ones shout merrily for joy.
For the sake of David your servant,
reject not the plea of your anointed.
R.
For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he prefers her for her dwelling.
“Zion is my resting place forever;
in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.”
R.

READING II
1 Cor 15:54b–57

Brothers and sisters: When that which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:
Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

ALLELUIA
Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.
 
GOSPEL
Lk 11:27–28

While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

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The Creed is said.

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
Receive, we pray, O Lord, the sacrifice of conciliation and praise which we celebrate on the Assumption of the holy Mother of God, that it may lead us to your pardon and confirm us in perpetual thanksgiving. Through Christ our Lord. 

 Preface of the Assumption
Mary assumed into glory

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

For today the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven, as the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people; rightly you would not allow her to see the corruption of the tomb since from her own body she marvelously brought forth your incarnate Son, the Author of all life. And so, in company with the choirs of Angels, we praise you, and with joy we proclaim:
[–» Holy, holy, holy…]

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the eternal Father.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Having partaken of this heavenly table, we beseech your mercy, Lord our God, that we who honor the Assumption of the Mother of God may be freed from every threat of harm. Through Christ our Lord. 

The Solemn Blessing formula may be used.