Collect · Dec 23, 2011 · ADVENT, WDTPRS
WDTPRS: Last Days of Advent: 23 December – discerning
Novus OrdoDecember 23 — Dec 23, 2026, Dec 23, 2027, Dec 23, 2028
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, nativitatem Filii tui secundum carnem propinquare cernentes, quaesumus, ut nobis indignis famulis tuis misericordiam praestet Verbum, quod ex Virgine Maria dignatum est caro fieri, et habitare in nobis.Fr. Z’s literal rendering
Almighty everlasting God, as we are discerning that the Nativity of Your Son according to the flesh approaches, we beseech You, that the Word grant mercy to us Your unworthy servants for it deigned to be made flesh from the Virgin Mary and dwell amongst us.
Here is the first prayer for the Mass of 23 December, the last full day of Advent before the Vigil of Christmas. This is an ancient prayer from Rotulus 24 published with the Veronese Sacramentary. If in the other prayers from the Rotulus there are images of light and splendor, this prayer has the counterpart of “sight”, in cerno. Cerno…