SANTO NIÑO SUNDAY MASS
PRAYERS AND READINGS (A, B, C)
The Santo Niño was given by Magellan to the chieftain of Cebu, Rajah Humabon (Carlos), and Hara Amihan (Juana) in 1521 to become the first Christian couple in the Philippines. The roots of Christianity in the Philippines are traced to this devotion. For centuries the original image of the Santo Niño has been venerated at the Minor Basilica of the Santo Niño in Cebu City and brought out in procession during the feast.
LINKS
SECOND READING: Eph 1:3-6,15-18
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON:
Let the children come to me and do not hinder them.
PENITENTIAL RITE:
Coming together as God’s family on this Feast of the Sto. Niño, let us ask the Lord’s forgiveness, that we may offer this Eucharist with a purified heart.
Lord Jesus, your kingdom is universal and for ever peaceful. Lord, have mercy!
Lord Jesus, you came to share the frailty of our human nature. Christ, have mercy!
Lord Jesus, you want the children and youth to come close to you. Lord, have mercy!
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen!
COLLECT (OPENING PRAYER)
Almighty God, your only Son, begotten from all ages, humbled himself as a child in Nazareth and became subject to Mary and Joseph. Grant that we may learn from his example to embrace your will in all things and, holding fast to the dignity of all, serve our lowly brothers and sisters with open hands and gentle heart. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Jn 1:14.12
Alleluia! Alleluia! The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. Any who did accept him, he empowered to become children of God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
FIRST READING: Is 9:1-6
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!
The Word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM:
R. ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH HAVE SEEN THE SAVING POWER OF GOD.
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. R.
The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. R.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. R.
Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. R.
SECOND READING: Eph 1:3-6,15-18
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians
Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens! God chose us in him before the world began to be holy and blameless in his sight, to be full of love; he likewise predestined us through Christ Jesus to be his adopted sons—such was his will and pleasure—that all might praise the divine favor he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
For my part, from the time I first heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the members of the church, I have never stopped thanking God for you and recommending you in my prayers. May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know him clearly. May he enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which he has called you, the wealth of his glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the church.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia! May the peace of Christ rule in your hearts; and the fullness of his message live within you. Alleluia!
GOSPEL [Year A] 2026
Mt 18:1–5, 10, 12–14
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
GOSPEL [Year B] 2024
Mk 10:13–16
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
GOSPEL [Year C] 2025
Lk 2:41–52
Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
REFLECTION HOMILY FOR SANTO NIÑO SUNDAY, CLICK HERE, HERE, HERE, AND HERE.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
God, our Creator, we offer the gifts of bread and wine to recall the childhood of your only Son. Let our offering become the sacrifice of him who brought forgiveness and peace to the world. Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE OF NATIVITY II
The Lord be with you!
And with your spirit!
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God!
It is right and just!
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 on the feast of this awe-filled mystery, though invisible in his own divine nature, he has appeared visibly in ours; and begotten before all ages, he has begun to exist in time; so that, raising up in himself all that was cast down, he might restore unity to all creation and call straying humanity back to the heavenly Kingdom. And so, with all the Angels, we praise you, as in joyful celebration, we acclaim:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts…
COMMUNION ANTIPHON
“Whoever welcomes one such child for my sake,” says the Lord, “welcomes me.”
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Loving Father, you have nourished us at the banquet in honor of the Child born of the Virgin. We pray that we may advance in wisdom and grow daily in faith and works of love, so that we may find favor in your sight. Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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