[Here we use the gospel reading for Midnight Mass.]
Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken. This census—the first—took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn. In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing:
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to those who enjoy his favour.’
(Luke 2:1–14)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
Luke’s Gospel is sometimes referred to as the ‘gospel of joy’ because this theme of rejoicing and joy is often repeated.
Caesar Augustus ruled the Roman Empire from 27 bc to ad 14. He was the great nephew of Julius Caesar.
A Roman census was usually undertaken for purposes of taxation but also at times for other ends, such as conscription or forced labour.
A problem of timing exists within this text. Most scholars agree that Jesus was born about 6 bc in the reign of Herod the Great. However, Quirinius was not appointed as governor of Syria until about eleven years later. After his appointment, he did in fact supervise a census of the region.
Luke goes to great pains in this text to situate Jesus’ birth in the historical world of the time.
Exploring the Word
The gospel reading for the Midnight Mass is Luke’s brief but profound description of the birth of Jesus. Only the Gospels of Matthew and Luke give any information on this remarkable event, and both represent the unfolding of christological understandings over time. It is likely that Luke uses the device of the census to explain why Mary and Joseph are in Bethlehem, the predicted birthplace of the Messiah, when it is common knowledge that Jesus came from Nazareth. At the centre of Luke’s story is the proclamation of the birth to the shepherds in the fields and their reaction to it. (In Matthew, the proclamation comes to the Gentile magi or wise men.) At the time, shepherds were regarded as among the lowest of the population. They did not have a good reputation and were not to be trusted! But it is to these, not the high and mighty of the land, that God chooses to announce the birth of the saviour. In the continuation of the text, the shepherds are shown as accepting the proclamation and going ‘with haste’ to Bethlehem to ‘see the thing that has taken place.’ They are not checking the veracity of the angel’s story but believe it implicitly. Their response is immediate. They return to their fields ‘glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, as it had been told them.’ Their response to the coming of the Messiah is wholehearted!
How strong is your belief in all that has been told to you?
In what ways do you glorify and praise God?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
‘I have good news of great joy.’ What is your greatest joy at this point in your life?
What difference does the birth of this child make to you?
Share together your reminiscences of past Christmases. What have been the most important parts of celebrating this special feast? Has there been a shift in your understanding of the meaning of Christmas since you began your journey?
Give nourishment to others this week—not just food but a sense of their value to you.
Use the gospel acclamation this week: Alleluia, Alleluia! Good News and great joy to all the world: today is born our saviour, Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
The birth of Christ is celebrated on this date not because we know it to be the actual birth date of Jesus, but because, in the northern hemisphere, 25 December marks the lengthening of daylight after the winter solstice. This was celebrated as a pagan feast in honour of the ‘unconquered sun’ but came to mark the Christian festival of the birth of the ‘light of the world’.
Discuss some of the traditions associated with Christmas—for example, the crib popularised by St Francis of Assisi, or the Christmas tree.
Are there particular ethnic traditions that are celebrated by members of the group?
Are there particular traditions in your own community celebration?
Emphasise that this day is not the end of the celebration but the beginning of ‘Christmastide’, during which we continue to celebrate the birth and revelation of who Christ is.
Symbols and images
A manger was a feeding trough used by animals. Into this is laid the newborn child who is destined to become food and nourishment for all humankind. How are you nourished by knowing this child?
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
How does your community celebrate this great feast? How will catechumens celebrate the day? Can you celebrate together?
Use the candle-lighting ritual and light the last of the Advent candles on your wreath. Pray especially for those who will celebrate Christmas alone. Any of the popular Christmas carols could be sung. You could incorporate a small gift-giving ritual for catechumens. Conclude with the prayer of blessing in RCIA at §97I.
Resources
As One Voice 1, 2, and The Next Generation—AOV1, AOV2, AOVNG
Catholic Worship Book and Catholic Worship Book II—CWB, CWBII
Gather (3rd edition)—G
Gather Australia—GA
Psalms for Feasts and Seasons—PFS
Digital download—DD
Selected collection—SC
Christmas Mass settings
Some suggested settings are:
Mass of Creation(Haugen)—AOV1 196 (3rd edn), CWBII 69 a, b, c, 74, G 192–204, DD (GIA)
Both of these Mass settings are intergenerational and well known, so will cater to the range of people present at Christmas services.
Suggested psalm collections
Catholic Worship Book 1
Gather Australia
Gather (3rd Edition)
Marist Music Free Digital Download—DD (Marist Music)
Praise the Lord My Soul (Connolly)—DD (Willow Publishing, Australia)
Psallite: Sacred Song for Liturgy and Life—DD (Liturgical Press, Collegeville)
Psalms for All Time (Paul Mason)—DD (Liturgical Song, Australia)
Psalms for Feasts and Seasons (Willcock)—SC (Collins Dove)
Psalms for the Church’s Year (Heagney)—SC (Liturgical Song, Australia)
Psalms for the Sundays of Year A (O’Brien)—SC (self-published in Brighton, SA)
Responsorial Psalms: Year A (Smith)—SC (Willow Publishing, Australia)
Sing the Responsorial Psalms (McKenna)—SC (Willow Publishing, Australia)
The Lyric Psalter: Year A (Alonso/Haugen)—SC (GIA Publishing, Chicago)
Suggested Gospel acclamations
Advent Alleluia—CWBII 42
Celtic Alleluia—AOV1 13, CWBII 48, GA 141
Hallel Alleluia—CWBII 49
Mass of Light Alleluia—CWBII 50
Mawby Alleluia—CWBII 51
Taizé Alleluia—CWBII 53
Use the verse appropriate to the day. It is useful to use one Gospel acclamation consistently throughout the season.
Resources
As One Voice 1, 2, and The Next Generation—AOV1, AOV2, AOVNG
Catholic Worship Book and Catholic Worship Book II—CWB, CWBII
Gather (3rd edition)—G
Gather Australia—GA
Psalms for Feasts and Seasons—PFS
Digital download—DD
Selected collection—SC
Advent Mass settings
In the season of Advent, it is appropriate to use a Mass setting that is well known to the singing assembly but different from the one used in Ordinary Time. Advent is a season of quiet but joyful hope, expectation and penitence: the music is not as exuberant as the music used in the Christmas season. The Mass setting chosen should be used throughout the Advent season. It is preferable to have carol services and nativity plays after 16 December, if possible, to preserve the character of Advent.
In Advent the use of the organ and other musical instruments should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this time of year, without expressing in anticipation the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §313
Please note that there is no Gloria sung in Advent.
Some suggested settings are:
Mass of Our Lady, Help of Christians (Connolly)—CWBII 23a, c, d, e
Mass of St Francis (Taylor)—CWBII 22a, c, e, g, h
Missa Emmanuel (Proulx)—DD (GIA)
Missa Emmanuel helps parishes to find the ‘sound’ of Advent through the familiar Advent hymn ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’, which also underpins this Mass setting.
Suggested psalm collections
Catholic Worship Book 1
Gather Australia
Gather (3rd Edition)
Marist Music Free Digital Download—DD (Marist Music)
Praise the Lord My Soul (Connolly)—DD (Willow Publishing, Australia)
Psallite: Sacred Song for Liturgy and Life—DD (Liturgical Press, Collegeville)
Psalms for All Time (Paul Mason)—DD (Liturgical Song, Australia)
Psalms for Feasts and Seasons (Willcock)—SC (Collins Dove)
Psalms for the Church’s Year (Heagney)—SC (Liturgical Song, Australia)
Psalms for the Sundays of Year A (O’Brien)—SC (self-published in Brighton, SA)
Responsorial Psalms: Year A (Smith)—SC (Willow Publishing, Australia)
Sing the Responsorial Psalms (McKenna)—SC (Willow Publishing, Australia)
The Lyric Psalter: Year A (Alonso/Haugen)—SC (GIA Publishing, Chicago)
Suggested Gospel acclamations
Advent Alleluia—CWBII 42
Celtic Alleluia—AOV1 13, CWBII 48, GA 141
Hallel Alleluia—CWBII 49
Mass of Light Alleluia—CWBII 50
Mawby Alleluia—CWBII 51
Taizé Alleluia—CWBII 53
Use the verse appropriate to the day. It is useful to use one Gospel acclamation consistently throughout the season.
Every day, across the world, many of our brothers and sisters are unjustly persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and Aid to the Church in Need are working in partnership to mark Red Wednesday throughout all parishes, schools and communities in our Archdiocese.
You are invited to join the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and participate in Red Wednesday, a day dedicated to praying for, and standing in solidarity with, Christians who face increasing violence, torture and often death for their peacefully held faith in Jesus Christ.
Red Wednesday is an initiative of the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need, dedicated to providing material and spiritual support to the persecuted Church.
Two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries where there are serious violations of religious freedom. We hear more stories of people bearing witness to their faith in horrific circumstances. Many of those families have found refuge and a new home in our city and surrounds.
By joining this international campaign, we can express something of being one Body of Christ, committing ourselves to being God’s hope-bearers and peacemakers in our world.
All are welcome to St Patrick’s Cathedral for a Prayer Vigil with Exposition:
Wednesday 23 November 2022 at 7.30pm St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Place, East Melbourne
Joining many other cathedrals and churches around the world, St Patrick's Cathedral will be floodlit in red on this night.
Parish resources
Parishes are invited to celebrate their usual Mass on this day or hold another event for the intentions of persecuted Christians. You could even invite parishioners to wear red clothing.
Further information and resources, including a prayer card and suggested intercessions for the prayer of the faithful, can be downloaded below.
The Church around the world has entered the Continental Stage for the Synod of Bishops on Synodality. Groups around the country are praying with and responding to the Document for the Continental Stage, which was published recently. You can download prayer resources, including for use in liturgies, read the document and access the submission portal here.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has also released three documents to support the parishes' ongoing participation in the Synod of Bishops journey:
prayer petitions to be used in coming weeks. The suggestion is to use one prayer from the selection each week
a bulletin notice about the Continental Stage of the Synod of Bishops, with some new details and a link to various resources
the Synod of Bishops logo with 2024 (rather than 2023) as the end date for the Synod. If you have used the old logo in various places, then this can be used to update the previous one.
2 Maccabees 7:1–2, 9–14 ‘The King of the world will raise us up to live for ever.’
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 16(17):1, 5–6, 8, 15 R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Second reading
2 Thessalonians 2:16–3:5 May the Lord strengthen you in everything good that you do or say.
Gospel acclamation
Revelation 1:5a, 6b Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the dead; glory and kingship be his for ever and ever.
Gospel
Luke 20:27–38 He is God, not of the dead, but of the living.
Images from the Word
Died childless
Children of this world
God of the living
King of the world
The Lord is faithful
Liturgical notes
It is fitting that there be a cantor or a choir director to lead and sustain the people’s singing. When in fact there is no choir, it is up to the cantor to lead the different chants, with the people taking part.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §104
Every member of the assembly is expected to have music on his or her lips. Music helps members lift their hearts to praise God and express their oneness in a unified voice. It is not the choir and cantor’s role to take over the assembly’s participation; rather, through their gifts of voice and music, their role is to foster the full participation of the faithful. The Catholic Worship Book II provides many resources to help us become a singing community.
‘The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose, near restful waters he leads me.’
Some Sadducees—those who say that there is no resurrection—approached Jesus and they put this question to him, ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man’s married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless. The second and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children. Finally the woman herself died. Now, at the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?’
Jesus replied, ‘The children of this world take wives and husbands, but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and in the resurrection from the dead do not marry because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God. And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.’
(Luke 20:27–38)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
The rule about a man marrying the childless widow of his brother is known as the ‘Levirate Law’, and it is specified in Deuteronomy 25:5–10. This law was designed to protect the woman, who, as a childless widow, had no social status and no one to provide for her needs.
The Sadducees mostly lived near the temple precinct in Jerusalem, and they came from a relatively small number of wealthy and influential families. The temple high priest and chief priests often came from Sadducee families. Furthermore, the Sadducees often controlled the necessary temple trade.
The Sadducees were a priestly group of conservative Jews who followed the written law of the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Bible. Resurrection of the dead is not mentioned in these books, so they rejected this belief. Their stance contradicts that of the Pharisees, who also adhered to the oral law and writings, but who did believe in resurrection of the dead.
November is the month in which the Church specially remembers those who have died.
Exploring the Word
Now that Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem and his ministry is centred at the temple, he encounters the Sadducees, who dominate temple worship. In this text, the Sadducees ask a question not to elicit Jesus’ teaching on the topic but rather to ridicule Jesus and disconcert him. However, Jesus turns the tide and provides two answers to their question. First, he highlights that they have completely misunderstood the meaning of resurrection. The transformation of life brought by death is incomprehensible to the Sadducees because they are not open to the power of God. Second, he highlights that even though Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have died, Moses is conscious that they have remained alive in a sense because Yahweh continues to be their God—a God of the living. Death is not the end of the story, and Christian faith is marked by a joy and hope that ultimately resting in God will bring. This is the destiny of all humankind.
Explore the continuity between life as we know it now and life after death.
How do the catechumens understand ‘life after death’?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
How do you understand the concept of resurrection of the dead at this point in your journey?
What emotions do you feel when you consider your own death?
Although death is not an easy subject to discuss, you might like to share some memories of the death of a loved one. Celebrate the good memories of such people and the positive side of their lives. What gave you solace during such times of loss?
If catechumens come from different cultures, you could ask them to discuss some of the rituals and beliefs associated with death or funerals in their cultures.
Visit the graves of your loved ones during the month of November, and pray for friends and relatives who have passed away.
Memorise and pray this prayer for the dead often this week, as you remember your own loved ones: Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord. May perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
The Creed that is recited at Mass each week affirms that ‘we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come'. Believing in the resurrection of the dead has been an essential element of the Christian faith since its beginnings (CCC, §991)—and it has always engendered some degree of incomprehension and opposition (§996). Although many people generally accept that life continues after death in a spiritual sense, the most difficult part of the concept to understand is the resurrection of the body. Catholics believe that ‘in death, the separation of the soul from the body, the human body decays and the soul goes to meet God’; however, through his divine power, God ‘will definitively grant incorruptible life to our bodies by reuniting them with our souls’ (§997) at the end times.
Explore the relevant section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that focuses on our understanding of Christian death and resurrection (§§988–1014).
You could study the funeral rite and note the signs of hope and celebration in the ritual. How does this help us understand death?
Symbols and images
Traditionally, black has been the colour associated with mourning; however, since the Second Vatican Council, white vestments are worn at the celebration of a funeral. This colour change emphasises the connection between the joy that all believers feel for Jesus’ resurrection and their hope that they, too, will share this resurrection.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
If possible, you could invite the catechumens to attend a funeral in your own community, or to one in a neighbouring parish. Discuss how the life of the person is celebrated and how Christian hope is emphasised.
You could invite members of the group to light a candle or taper in memory of their loved ones. These could be placed around a cross. Pray for those who are suffering or facing death. Pray for each other as you journey towards eternal life. A suitable song could be Lord, to Whom Shall We Go (GA 189). Conclude with the simple prayer of blessing in the RCIA at §97A.
Presider
The Lord is faithful and will guard us from the evil one. We ask God to receive our prayers and answer them with justice and mercy.
Reader
We pray for Pope Francis and all the bishops and priests of our Church who proclaim the Gospel of life. May their positive affirmation of the dignity of each person reassure us that we are all welcome in God’s house.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray in support of all people who are being persecuted or rejected because of their faith. May they be strengthened in their resolve and stand firm in their beliefs, comforted by the words Jesus has given them.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We remember the women and men who have given their lives for our freedom. We pray for the members of our armed forces, that their efforts at this time will contribute to world peace.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community. May we all grow in appreciation of the hope of eternal life and of life to the full, as Jesus promised.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who are ill in our parish and for all who have asked for our prayers. We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries we recall. May they be uplifted to a full life with Christ.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
Presider
We are confident, God of mercy, that you will continue encouraging and strengthening our hearts through grace. We pray that you will hear our prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Entrance
Christ, be our light—AOV2 3, CWBII 540, G 590, GA 404
Christ is here (Walker)—GA 351, DD (OCP)
Come to set us free—AOV1 39, CWBII 233, GA 277
For all the saints—CWB 679, CWBII 439, G 884, GA 551
Keep in mind—AOV1 180, CWB 730, CWBII 530, G 646
Song for Human Rights—AOV2 135, CWBII 606
Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time)
Psalm 16 (17): Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full (Isele)—CWB 444
Common Psalm 117 (118): Let us rejoice (Haugen)—G 81, GA 71
Common Psalm 117 (118): This is the day (Willcock)—CWB 289a, GA 70, PFS 26
Common Psalm 121 (122): Let us go rejoicing (Willcock)—CWBII 536, GA 72, PFS 60
Gospel acclamation
Revelations 1:5a, 6b
Alleluia, Alleluia! Jesus Christ is the firstborn of the dead; glory and kingship be his for ever and ever. Alleluia!
Procession of the gifts/offertory
Be with me, Lord (Haugen)—CWB 627, CWBII 286, G 65, GA 53
Glory in the cross (Schutte)—G 501, DD (OCP)
Your love is finer than life (Haugen)—CWBII 567, G 58, GA 43, DD (GIA)
Communion
Be not afraid (Dufford)—AOV1 114, CWBII 653, G 683, GA 449
God of peace—AOV2 138, CWBII 546, GA 553
I am the bread of life (Kaczmarek)—AOVNG 72
I am the bread of life (Toolan)—AOV1 49, CWB 718, CWBII 508, G 945, GA 204
I heard the voice of Jesus say—AOV1 54, CWBII 512, G 724, GA 468
On eagle’s wings—AOV1 153, CWBII 654, G 691, GA 452
Shelter me, O God—AOV1 140, G 717, GA 230
Shepherd me, O God—AOV1 33, CWBII 597, G 35, GA 24
Take and eat (Joncas)—CWBII 608, G 950, GA 198
This body will be given for you—CWB 839, GA 387
Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)
I know that my Redeemer lives (Soper)—AOV2 34, CWBII 145, DD (OCP)
I know that my Redeemer lives! (DUKE STREET)—G 527
I know that my Redeemer lives (WINCHESTER NEW)—CWBII 144
Sending forth
In faith and hope and love—CWB 722, CWBII 520, GA 442
Now thank we all our God—AOV1 189, CWB 755, CWBII 561, G 636, GA 425
O Christ the great foundation—CWBII 565, GA 483
O God, our help in ages past—AOV1 175, CWB 767, CWBII 568, G 688, GA 459
Sing a new song unto the Lord—AOV1 80, CWBII 598, GA 414
Strong and constant—AOV1 110, CWB 812, CWBII 515
The Church of Christ, in every age—CWB 818, CWBII 613
The Church’s one foundation—CWB 819, CWBII 614, GA 484
First reading
Wisdom 11:22–12:2 You are merciful to all, because you love all that exists.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 144(145):1–2, 8–11, 13b–14 R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
Second reading
2 Thessalonians 1:11–2:2 The name of Christ will be glorified in you, and you in him.
Gospel acclamation
John 3:16 God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life.
Gospel
Luke 19:1–10 Salvation comes to the house of Zacchaeus.
Images from the Word
A wealthy man
Too short
Today
Lover of life
Pray continually
Liturgical notes
The People of God, gathered for Mass, has a coherent and hierarchical structure, which finds its expression in the variety of ministries and the variety of actions according to the different parts of the celebration. The general ordering of the sacred building must be such that in some way it conveys the image of the gathered assembly and allows the appropriate ordering of all the participants, as well as facilitating them in the proper carrying out of their function.
The faithful and the choir should have a place that facilitates their active participation.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §294
A sacred building that is used for the eucharistic celebration must be designed to encourage active participation from all ministers involved in the celebration. The space must create an immediate impression of a gathered assembly that is ready to participate. It is not a space for spectators, but one that facilitates active involvement.
‘You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, O Lord.’
