Ambrosian /Carthusian: Little Office BVM at Matins

Mysterium Ecclesiæ

Hymnum Christo referimus,

Quem genuit Puerpera

Verbum Patris in Fílium.

Sola in sexu femina

Electa es in saeculo,

Et meruísti Dominum

Sancto portáre in utero.

Vates antíqui temporis

Prædíxerat quod factum est:

Quia Virgo conciperet,

Et páreret Emmanuel.

Mysterium hoc magnum est,

Mariæ quod concessum est,

Ut Deum per quem omnia

Ex se videret progredi.

*Pastores qui audierant

Cantari Deo gloriam

Cucurrerunt in Bethlehem

Natum videre Dominum.

*Sic Magi ab ortu solis

Per sideris indicium

Portantes typum Gentium

Primi obtulerunt munera.

Rogemus ergo, Populi

Dei Matrem et Virginem

Ut ipsa nobis impetret

Pacem et indulgentiam.

Jesu, Tibi sit gloria

Qui natus es de Virgine, etc.

The mystery of the Church, we offer a hymn to Christ, the Word of the Father in the Son, to whom the Mother gave birth. Alone among womankind, you were chosen in eternity, who was worthy to bear the holy Lord in your womb. The prophets of ancient times foretold that this would happen that a virgin would conceive and give birth to Emmanuel. This is a great mystery, which was granted to Mary, that she should bring to us from her very self  peace and pardon. The shepherds, when they heard glory being sung to God, ran to Bethlehem to see the new born Lord. So the Magi at rising of the sun, through the sign of the star, the type of the nations, first brought and offered gifts.  Therefore, we ask, O Mother of God and of the people, that you pray for us the gifts of peace and pardon.

*These Christmas verses are often omitted.