Our Lady of Loreto

On October 7, 2019, Pope Francis ordered the inscription of Our Lady of Loreto into the General Roman Calendar. She is celebrated each year as an Optional Memorial on December 10.

The proper liturgical texts were released by the Holy See in Latin. An English translation must be prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy, approved by the USCCB, and sent to the Holy See for the requisite confirmation. Once confirmation is received, the translation will be publicly released and implemented in the United States. (A similar approval and confirmation process is required for a Spanish translation as well.)

Below are interim liturgical guidelines for the celebration of Our Lady of Loreto:

Roman Missal

The Collect prayer for the new celebration is identical to one already found in the Roman Missal, in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent. If Our Lady of Loreto is celebrated, the rest of the formulary – Prayer over the Offerings, Preface, Prayer after Communion, and Entrance and Communion Antiphons – can be drawn from the same Mass formulary as the Collect. White vestments are worn.

From the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary: II. In Advent, second option for the Collect
("O God, who, fulfilling the promise made to our Fathers…")

Lectionary for Mass

Aside from the usual Mass readings of the day, any Lectionary readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be used for Our Lady of Loreto. The following readings are also recommended by the Holy See (with citations from nos. 707-712 of the Lectionary for Mass):

689B – Our Lady of Loreto

First Reading – Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 (no. 707-7)
The virgin shall conceive and bear a son.

Responsorial Psalm – Luke 1:46-47, 48-49, 50-51, 52-53, 54-55 (no. 709-5)
R. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
or:
R. O Blessed Virgin Mary, you carried the Son of the eternal Father.

Gospel Acclamation – See Luke 1:28 (no. 711-1)
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women.

Gospel – Luke 1:26-38 (no. 712-4)
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.

Liturgy of the Hours

An English version of the proper texts for the Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto will be included in the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition, after translation by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy, approval by the USCCB, and confirmation by the Holy See.

Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, and Evening Prayer

Psalmody of the day. Other elements from the Psalter of the day or the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, except for the following:

Prayer

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.