The priest, with an understanding smile and a welcoming gesture, extended his hands towards the congregation and said in a calm and clear voice: "Please, take a seat." His tone was gentle yet firm, filling the expectant silence of the chapel. The crowd obeyed, and the murmur of the wooden pews being occupied once again briefly filled the sacred space.
Once the community was seated, the priest turned to the reader, who approached the ambo with a mix of humility and honor. Before beginning, the reader made a small bow before the altar and opened the lectionary with respectful hands. The chapel fell into an attentive silence, all eyes turned towards the ambo, where the reader prepared to share the sacred words.
"Today we are going to read from the book of the prophet Malachi," announced the reader, their voice clear and firm resonating in the sacred space. "Let us listen attentively to the Word of God."
And they began to read in Latin, their voice carrying the weight and beauty of the ancient text:
**Malachi 3:1-4**
```
"Ecce ego mitto angelum meum, et praeparabit viam ante faciem meam.
Et statim veniet ad templum suum Dominator, quem vos quaeritis,
et angelus testamenti, quem vos vultis. Ecce venit, dicit Dominus exercituum,
et quis poterit cogitare diem adventus eius, et quis stabit ad videndum eum?
Ipse enim quasi ignis conflans, et quasi herba fullonum:
et sedebit conflans et purgans argentum, et purgabit filios Levi,
et colabit eos quasi aurum et quasi argentum,
et erunt Domino offerentes sacrificia in iustitia.
Et placebit Domino sacrificium Iuda et Ierusalem,
sicut dies saeculi et sicut anni antiqui."
```
Upon finishing, the reader closed the lectionary and declared: "Word of God." The congregation responded in unison, "We praise you, Lord," an echo of gratitude and reverence that filled the chapel.
The priest nodded in approval, and at that moment, the choir began to intone the responsorial psalm, their voices rising in harmony and filling the enclosure with the beauty of Gregorian chant.
"Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam, et salutare tuum da nobis."
The choir sang the refrain, and the congregation joined in the chant:
"Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam, et salutare tuum da nobis."
The choir soloist continued with the first verse:
"Audiam quid loquatur in me Dominus Deus;
quoniam loquetur pacem in plebem suam et super sanctos suos,
et in eos qui convertuntur ad cor."
The congregation responded with the refrain:
"Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam, et salutare tuum da nobis."
The chant continued, alternating between the soloist and the congregation's response, creating a moment of reflection and communal prayer. With each verse and each repetition of the refrain, the hearts of those present were prepared to receive the message of the Gospel that was to come.
As the last echo of the chant faded, the reader cleared their throat with a discreet cough, capturing everyone's attention. The singing ceased and a respectful silence settled in the chapel.
A few seconds later, with all eyes on him, the reader solemnly announced: "We will continue with the second reading. This time, we will read from the first letter to the Thessalonians of the New Testament. Let us listen attentively to the words of the Apostle Saint Paul."
And with a reverent gesture, they began to read:
**1 Thessalonians 5:1-6**
```
De temporibus autem et momentis, fratres, non indigetis, ut scribatur vobis;
ipsi enim diligenter scitis quia dies Domini, sicut fur in nocte, ita veniet.
Cum enim dixerint: "Pax et securitas", tunc repentinus eis superveniet interitus,
sicut dolor in utero habenti, et non effugient.
Vos autem, fratres, non estis in tenebris, ut vos dies ille sicut fur comprehendat;
omnes enim vos filii lucis estis et filii diei. Non sumus noctis neque tenebrarum.
Igitur non dormiamus sicut ceteri, sed vigilemus et sobrii simus.
```
After concluding the reading, the reader closed the lectionary and the community responded, "We praise you, Lord."
Then, the reader bowed to the altar and, with an air of serenity, withdrew from the ambo, returning to their place in the room. Their task was fulfilled, and they had conveyed the Word of God with respect and clarity.
The priest approached the ambo with measured steps and a presence that inspired reverence. With a look that encompassed the entire congregation, he invited the faithful to prepare for one of the most solemn moments of the liturgy.
"Please stand," he said with a firm and serene voice. "We are going to sing the Alleluia to acclaim the Holy Gospel."
The community rose in a unified movement, the sound of the wooden pews softly resonating in the chapel. The organ began to play a melody that filled the air with anticipation and solemnity.
The choir cantor gave the pitch and began the chant, with the congregation joining in at the appropriate moment:
Choir:
```
Alleluia, alleluia.
```
Congregation:
```
Alleluia, alleluia.
```
The cantor, with a voice clear and full of devotion, intoned the Alleluia verse, which served as a bridge between the readings and the Gospel:
Cantor (singing the verse):
```
"I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me."
```
Congregation (repeating the "Alleluia"):
```
Alleluia, alleluia.
```
The priest, meanwhile, prepared to proclaim the Gospel, taking the sacred book in his hands with great respect. The community, standing and with open hearts, awaited to receive the words of eternal life.
With the last Alleluia resonating in the chapel, the priest announced clearly: "The Lord be with you." And the crowd responded: "And with your spirit." The priest made the sign of the cross over the Gospel book and over himself, and began the proclamation of the message that had been transmitted through the ages, the words of Jesus Christ according to the evangelist of the day.
Priest:
"A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke."
Congregation:
"Glory to you, Lord."
The priest reads the passage:
**Luke 15:1-7 (The Gospel according to Luke)**
```
In illo tempore: Appropinquabant ad Iesum omnes publicani et peccatores ut
audirent illum. Et murmurabant pharisaei et scribae dicentes: "Hic peccatores
recipit et manducat cum illis." Et ait ad illos parabolam istam dicens: "Quis ex
vobis homo, qui habet centum oves et si perdiderit unam ex illis, nonne dimittit
nonaginta novem in deserto et vadit ad illam quae perierat, donec inveniat eam?
Et cum invenerit eam, imponit in umeros suos gaudens, et veniens domum
convocat amicos et vicinos dicens illis: 'Congratulamini mihi, quia inveni ovem
meam quae perierat.' Dico vobis, ita gaudium erit in caelo super uno peccatore
paenitentiam agente quam super nonaginta novem iustis, qui non indigent
paenitentia."
```
Upon concluding the reading of the Gospel, the priest says:
"The Gospel of the Lord."
Congregation:
"Glory to you, Lord Jesus."
After the proclamation of the Gospel, the priest offers a homily, which is a reflection on the readings of the day and how they apply to the lives of the faithful.