O God, through the loving obedience of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you sent your only Son into the world to light the way to life. Illumine those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death so that they may rejoice in the approaching celebration of his coming, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Mass Collect, Saturday, December 11, 2021.

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O God, who, fulfilling the promise made to our Fathers, chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the Mother of the Savior, grant that we may follow her example, for her humility was pleasing to you and her obedience profitable to us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Mass Collect, Friday, December 10, 2021.

Fra Angelico, Madonna of Humility, ca. 1440 (detail)

Lord our God, you sent your prophets to call all people to abandon their unfaithful pursuits and to return to you with all their hearts in preparation for the day of your coming. As we prepare to celebrate the coming of Christ the Lord, recall us to the Gospel and grant us true conversion, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Morning Prayer, Wednesday, December 9, 2021.

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O God, you preserved the Virgin from all stain of sin through the redemptive death of your Son, and thus you made of her a worthy dwelling place for him. Through her intercession, free us from all sin, that we may celebrate with hearts made pure the mystery of his birth, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Morning Prayer, Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Image: Mary’s holy and immaculate conception, by Francisco Rizi, Museo del Prado, 17th-century, Oil on canvas.

God of all grace, you poured out your Holy Spirit into Saint Ambrose, that he might preach and teach and sing your praises with wisdom and eloquence. Through the message he proclaimed, make each generation holy through fidelity to Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Morning Prayer, Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

O God of glory, you have sent your only Son into our midst to bear us in joy into your presence. Waken those whose faith slumbers; stir up those whose love has waned into indifference; rouse to fullness of life those who have abandoned their journey toward you amid the hardships they have met along the way. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Morning Prayer, Sunday, December 5, 2021.

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God all-merciful, you sent your Son into the world through the obedient love of the Virgin to preach the Good News of your kingdom to the sick and the sorrowful, to the sinful and the outcast. By her example and her intercession, increase in your Church the life and works of your kingdom as we await his return in glory, through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Morning Prayer, Saturday, December 4, 2021.

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O Lord, you sent Saint Francis Xavier to the lands of the Rising Sun to preach there the end of the world’s long night of sin and death. Enlighten all who do not yet believe, and strengthen those who do, that your kingdom may dawn on all people through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Morning Prayer, Friday, December 3, 2021.

Lord Jesus Christ, in you we have a strong city, built upon rock and surrounded with the fire of the divine presence. Grant that we may always dwell in you, who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Morning Prayer, Thursday, December 2, 2021.

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Lamb of God and Shepherd of God’s people, Lord Jesus Christ, you come to gather into the kingdom all your straying flock. Heal us, feed us, call us to follow in your footsteps and to encourage one another in your ways, who live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen

Prayer from Magnificat—U.S. Edition, Morning Prayer, Wednesday, December 1, 2021.

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