23rd June, Vigil of St John the Baptist

The Vigil of St. John the Baptist

In the Gospel of March 25th, we read that the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that three months later, Elizabeth, in virtue of a divine miracle, would have a son. This is why the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is celebrated towards the end of June. This important feast is preceded by a Vigil.

Ne timeas, Zacharia, exaudita est oratio tua: et Elisabeth uxor tua pariet tibi filium, et vocabis nomen ejus Joannem: et erit magnus coram Domino: et Spiritu sancto replebitur adhuc ex utero matris suae: et multi in nativitate ejus gaudebunt. * Domine, in virtute tua laetabitur rex: et super salutare tuum exsultabit vehementer.
Fear not Zachary; thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John; and he shall be great before the Lord and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother's womb; and many shall rejoice at his birth. * In Thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy: and in Thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly.
(St Luke 1:13,15,14 and Psalm 20:2 from the introit of Mass)

Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut familia tua per viam salutis incedat; et beati Joannis praecursoris hortamenta sectando, ad eum quem praedixit, secura perveniat, Dominum nostrum Je-sum Christum Filium tuum.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that Thy servants may walk in the way of salvation; and by following the exhortations of blessed John the precursor, may safely attain unto Him whom he foretold, Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Collect)

From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm