Daily Reading for August 16 • St. Mary the Virgin (transferred)
Whom earth, and sea, and eke the skies,
Adore, and worship, and declare,
As ruler of the triple frame,
The closure of Maria bare.
Whom both the Moon, the Sun and all,
Do serve in their due time and space,
A maiden’s inward parts doth bear,
Bedewed with celestial grace.
Blest is the mother by this gift,
Whose womb as in a coffer held,
The maker that surmounteth all,
Who in his hand the world doth weld.
She blessed is by heavenly news,
And fruitful by the holy Ghost,
From out whose womb was yielded forth,
Whom nations had desired most.
Glory be unto thee O Lord,
That born was of the virgin pure,
With the Father and Holy Ghost,
All ages ever to endure, Amen. . . .
R: O holy and immaculate virginity, I know not, by what praises I may extol thee: for thou hast born in thy womb, whom the heavens could not contain.
V: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Because whom the heavens could not contain, thou hast born in thy womb.
V: Bid me O Lord to bless.
Blessing: The virgin herself of virgins, make intercession for us unto our Lord.
R: Amen.
From the medieval Office of Our Blessed Lady at Matins; found at http://www.medievalist.net/hourstxt/bvm1mata.htm