The following are the English propers (“the readings”) for this Mass. The English of the fixed, ordinary parts of the Mass are available for a Low Mass, High Mass and Solemn Mass.
Introitus
Ps 118:46-47
I will speak of Your decrees before kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.
Ps 91:2
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing to Your name, Most High.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
I will speak of Your decrees before kings without being ashamed. And I will delight in Your commands, which I love exceedingly.
Collect
Let us pray.
May the great festival of St. John the Baptist, Your Precursor and Martyr, we beseech You, O Lord, assure for us the results of Your saving help.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
R. Amen
Lesson
Lesson from the book of Jeremias
Jer 1:17-19
In those days, the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Gird your loins; stand up and tell Juda all that I command you. Be not crushed on their account, as though I would leave you crushed before them; for it is I this day Who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land; against Juda’s kings and princes, against its priests and people. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
Gradual
Ps 91:13; 91:14
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
Osee 14:6
V. The just shall blossom like the lily; and flourish forever before the Lord. Alleluia.
Gospel
Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Mark
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Mark 6:17-29
At that time, Herod had sent and taken John, and bound him in prison, because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife. But Herodias laid snares for him, and would have liked to put him to death, but she could not. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and protected him; and when he heard him talk, he did any things, and he liked to hear him. And a favorable day came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet to the officials, tribunes and chief men of Galilee. And Herodias’ own daughter having come in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, Ask of me what you will, and I will give it to you. And he swore to her, Whatever you ask, I will give you, even though it be the half of my kingdom. Then she went out and said to her mother, What am I to ask for? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in at once with haste to the king, and asked, saying, I want you right away to give me on a dish the head of John the Baptist. And grieved as he was, the king because of his oath and his guests, was unwilling to displease her. But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head be brought on a dish. Then he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a dish, and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. His disciples, hearing of it, came and took away his body, and laid it in a tomb.
R. Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
S. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be blotted out.
Offertorium
Ps 20:2-3
O Lord, in Your strength the just man is glad; in Your victory how greatly he rejoices! You have granted him his heart’s desire.
Secreta
We pray, O Lord, that the offerings we bring You in memory of the agonizing death of Your holy Martyr, John the Baptist, may, by his help, be of profit for our salvation.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Prefatio
Common
It is truly meet and just, and profitable unto salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks to Thee, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God, through Christ, our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominions adore it, the Powers are in awe. Which the heavens and the hosts of heaven together with the blessed Seraphim joyfully do magnify. And do Thou command that it be permitted us to join with them in confessing Thee, while we say with lowly praise:
Communio
Ps 20:4
You placed on his head, O Lord, a crown of pure gold.
Postcommunio
Let us pray.
May the solemn festival of St. John the Baptist bring us the grace, O Lord, both to venerate the foreshadowing of the wondrous sacrament we have received and to rejoice because it has been fulfilled in us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.