SMC ENGLISH MASS - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (1 Jan 2026)

SMC English Mass - Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God (1 Jan 2026)

Prayer for the 80th Anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong

Messengers of Hope

O Lord, You are the source of all blessings and you guide the course of human history by your Providence.

With gratitude we thank you for the establishment of our Diocese eighty years ago.

In the footsteps of our predecessors, we have steadfastly kept the heritage of our Faith over the years and so have been able

to experience your unfailing help in the face of challenges;

to regain strength in our weakness;

to restore hope in our discouragement;

to look for your direction when we have lost our way.

As your children, may we always entrust ourselves to you in humility. May we always respond to your calling for us to carry on our mission to spread the Gospel and bear witness to our faith in Hong Kong, sowing the seeds of love and hope while living in joy and peace. 

We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

Angels We have heard on High #C01 P.129

1. Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains

* Gloria in excelsis deo. Gloria in excelsis deo. 

2. Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knees
Christ the Lord, the newborn King

( * )

Sign of the cross

Priest ✠ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Greeting

P✠: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And with your spirit.

Penitential Act

P✠: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

All: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (striking their breast) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

P✠: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

Kyrie Eleison

P✠: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

P✠: You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.

All: Christ, have mercy.

P✠: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

P✠: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

All: Amen.

Gloria

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will. 

We praise You. We bless You. We adore you. We glorify You. We give You thanks for Your great glory.  Lord God, heavenly King, O God almighty Father. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father: you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. 

For you alone are the Holy One. You alone are the Lord. You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Collect

P✠: Let us pray (pause)

O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race

the grace of eternal salvation,

grant, we pray,

that we may experience the intercession of her,

through whom we were found worthy

to receive the author of life,

our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

1st Reading – Numbers 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:

“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them: The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.” - The word of the Lord. 

All: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide.

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

R. May God bless us in his mercy.

2nd Reading – Galatians 4:4-7

Brothers and sisters:

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God. - The word of the Lord. 

All: Thanks be to God.

Alleluia – Hebrews 1:1-2

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel – Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 

When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. - The Gospel of the Lord. 

All: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,

the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,

the Only Begotten Son of God,

born of the Father before all ages.

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried,

and rose again on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful

OFFERTORY HYMN

Love is born #C16 P.135

* Jesus is born, love is born. Angels in heaven, sing and praise (x 2)

1. Cold is the night, darkness around. We wait in silence and sacred fear
A bright star appears, the skies are unfolded
A new heart is beating, a new life is born

( * )

2. And if this night dwells among us. Jesus our Saviour lives in our hearts
A new light is shining and peace reigns among men
For in our midst dwells Emmanuel 

( * )

P✠: Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

All: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. 

Prayer over the Offerings

P✠: O God, who in your kindness begin all good things

and bring them to fulfillment,

grant to us, who find joy in the Solemnity of the holy Mother of God,

that, just as we glory in the beginnings of your grace,

so one day we may rejoice in its completion.

Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

 

P✠: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

P✠: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

P✠: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right and just.

P✠: It is truly right and just,.... , as with one voice we acclaim:

Sanctus

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. 

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

P✠: You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the…. 

At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,

FOR THIS IS MY BODY,

WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

P✠: In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying:

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,

FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,

THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY

FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

P✠: The mystery of faith.

All: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

P✠: Therefore, as we celebrate the We have received this heavenly Sacrament with joy, O Lord:

grant, we pray,

that it may lead us to eternal life,

for we rejoice to proclaim the blessed ever-Virgin Mary Mother of your Son and Mother of the Church.

Through Christ our Lord.

 

P✠: Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

P✠: At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

P✠: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

All: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever.

P✠: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

P✠: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

All: And with your spirit.

P✠: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Agnus Dei

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

P✠: Lord Jesus Christ,.... 

P✠: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

COMMUNION HYMN

Jubilee Song, The #163 P.53

1. It's a time of joy, a time of peace. A time when hearts are then set free
A time to heal the wounds of division

2. It's a time of grace, a time of hope. A time of sharing the gifts we have
A time to build a world that is one

* It's a time to give thanks to the Father, Son and Spirit
And with Mary, our Mother, we sing this song
Open your hearts to the Lord
And begin to see the mystery that we are all together as one family
No more walls, no more chains, no more selfishness and closed doors
For we are in the fullness of God's time. It's the time of the Great Jubilee

3. It's a time of prayer, a time of praise. A time to lift our hands to God
A time to recall all our graces

4. It's a time to touch, a time to reach. Those hearts that often wander
A time to bring them back to God's embrace

* It's a time to give thanks to the Father, Son and Spirit
And with Mary, our Mother, we sing this song
[Open your hearts to the Lord
And begin to see the mystery that we are all together as one family
No more walls, no more chains, no more selfishness and closed doors
For we are in the fullness of God's time. It's the time of the Great Jubilee] (last x2) 

First Noel, The #C09 P.132

1. The first noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep

* Noel, noel, noel, noel
Born is the King of Israel

2. They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night

( * )

3. This star drew nigh to the northwest
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay

( * )

4. Then enter'd in those wisemen three
Full rev'rently upon their knee
And offer'd there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense

( * )

Prayer After Communion

P✠: Let us pray (pause)

We have received this heavenly Sacrament with joy, O Lord:

grant, we pray,

that it may lead us to eternal life,

for we rejoice to proclaim the blessed ever-Virgin Mary Mother of your Son and Mother of the Church.

Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Prayer for the 

100th Anniversary of 

St. Margaret's Church

 

Merciful Father, we thank you for sending us enthusiastic missionaries who, jointly with Chinese priests, sowed the seeds of the Gospel a hundred years ago in this parish and established a community devoted to the worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since we have inherited Your boundless love for all, we are committed to joyfully spread the love of the Sacred Heart and to actively build the church here.

As we celebrate the centenary of our parish church with gratitude, we pray that You send the Holy Spirit to assist us, grant us perseverance and patience, and guide us to become the salt and light of the world according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. May we bring the love experienced into our families and communities, as we spread the Gospel.

 

We ask this 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.

 

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

St. Margaret, pray for us!

P✠: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Solemn Blessing

P✠ Bow down for the blessing.

(The priest, with hands extended over the people, says the blessing.) 

May God, the source and origin of all blessing, grant you grace, pour out his blessing in abundance, and keep you safe from harm throughout the year.

R: Amen 

May he give you integrity in the faith, endurance in hope, and perseverance in charity with holy patience to the end.

R: Amen 

May he order your days and your deeds in his peace, grant your prayers in this and in every place, and lead you happily to eternal life.

R: Amen

And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son,  ✠ and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever.

R: Amen

P✠: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

All: Thanks be to God.

RECESSIONAL HYMN

Hail, Holy Queen enthroned above #102 P.33

1. Hail, Holy Queen, enthroned above, O Maria
Hail, Mother of mercy and of love, O Maria

* Triumph , all ye cherubim, sing with us, ye seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve, salve, salve Regina

2. O gate of life, we honour thee, O Maria
Our joy, our hope and heaven's key, O Maria

( * )