July 6th
14th Week
Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr
Optional Memorial
Saint Maria Goretti was a young girl in the 1890s. After her father’s passing, Saint Maria’s mother had to return to work while Maria looked after her five brothers and sisters. Sadly, a malicious neighbor took advantage of the situation and little Maria was killed. Saint Maria, at age 11, declared she’d rather die than be abused. She was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII and is one of the Church’s youngest saints.
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Wednesday Morning Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
Creator of the skies above,
The wisdom of your plan decreed
That sun should give us light by day,
And moon should rule the hours of night.
The darkness is dispelled at last,
The world’s great beauty is revealed;
Our strength of soul is now renewed
To spur us on to kindly deeds.
Returning day calls us to prayer,
And bids us sing your praise anew;
The brightening aspect of the sky
Gives courage and serenity.
May we avoid all stain of sin,
No evil mar our thoughts this day,
No sinful action spoil our lives,
No wrong or idle words offend.
But while the sun draws on the day,
May our weak faith grow strong and sure
With hope that presses to the goal,
And love unites us all to Christ.
O Father, this we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son,
Whom in the Spirit we adore:
One God who reigns for evermore. Amen.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 O God, all your ways are holy; what god can compare with our God?
Psalm 77
I cry aloud to God,
cry aloud to God that he may hear me.
In the day of my distress I sought the Lord.
My hands were raised at night without ceasing;
my soul refused to be consoled.
I remembered my God and I groaned.
I pondered and my spirit fainted.
You withheld sleep from my eyes.
I was troubled, I could not speak.
I thought of the days of long ago
and remembered the years long past.
At night I mused within my heart.
I pondered and my spirit questioned.
“Will the Lord reject us for ever?
Will he show us his favor no more?
Has his love vanished for ever?
Has his promise come to an end?
Does God forget his mercy
or in anger withhold his compassion?”
I said: “This is what causes my grief;
that the way of the Most High has changed.”
I remember the deeds of the Lord,
I remember your wonders of old,
I muse on all your works
and ponder your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders.
You showed your power among the peoples.
Your strong arm redeemed your people,
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and trembled;
the depths were moved with terror.
The clouds poured down rain,
the skies sent forth their voice;
your arrows flashed to and fro.
Your thunder rolled round the sky,
your flashes lighted up the world.
The earth was moved and trembled
when your way led through the sea,
your path through the mighty waters
and no one saw your footprints.
You guided your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm-prayer
Father, you established your ancient covenant by signs and wonders, but more wondrously you confirmed the new one through the sacrifice of your Son. Guide your Church through the pathways of life, that we may be led to the land of promise and celebrate your name with lasting praise.
Ant. O God, all your ways are holy; what god can compare with our God?
Ant.2 My heart leaps up with joy to the Lord, for he humbles only to exalt us.
Canticle – 1 Samuel 2:1-10
My heart exults in the Lord,
my horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.
There is no Holy One like the Lord;
there is no Rock like our God.
Speak boastfully no longer,
nor let arrogance issue from your mouths.
For an all-knowing God is the Lord,
a God who judges deeds.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes.
The Lord puts to death and gives life;
he casts down to the nether world;
he raises up again.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich,
he humbles, he also exalts.
He raises the needy from the dust;
from the ash heap he lifts up the poor,
to seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and he has set the world upon them.
He will guard the footsteps of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall perish in the darkness.
For not by strength does man prevail;
the Lord’s foes shall be shattered.
The Most High in heaven thunders;
the Lord judges the ends of the earth.
Now may he give strength to his king
and exalt the horn of his anointed!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. My heart leaps up with joy to the Lord, for he humbles only to exalt us.
Ant. 3 The Lord is king, let the earth rejoice.
Psalm 97
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,
let all the coastlands be glad.
Cloud and darkness are his raiment;
his throne, justice and right.
A fire prepares his path;
it burns up his foes on every side.
His lightnings light up the world,
the earth trembles at the sight.
The mountains melt like wax
before the Lord of all the earth.
The skies proclaim his justice;
all peoples see his glory.
Let those who serve idols be ashamed,
those who boast of their worthless gods.
All you spirits, worship him.
Zion hears and is glad;
the people of Judah rejoice
because of your judgments, O Lord.
For you indeed are the Lord
most high above all the earth,
exalted far above all spirits.
The Lord loves those who hate evil;
he guards the souls of his saints;
he sets them free from the wicked.
Light shines forth for the just
and joy for the upright of heart.
Rejoice, you just, in the Lord;
give glory to his holy name.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm-prayer
Father, you clothe the sky with light and the depths of the ocean with darkness. Among the sons of men you work wonders, and rain terror upon the enemy. Look upon your servants. Do not try us by fire but bring us rejoicing to the shelter of your home.
Ant. The Lord is king, let the earth rejoice.
READING Romans 8:35, 37
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of him who has loved us.
RESPONSORY
I will bless the Lord all my life long.
— I will bless the Lord all my life long.
With a song of praise ever on my lips,
— all my life long.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— I will bless the Lord all my life long.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. Let us serve the Lord in holiness all the days of our life.
Luke 1:68 – 79
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Let us serve the Lord in holiness all the days of our life.
INTERCESSIONS
Blessed be God our Savior, who promised to remain with his Church all days, until the end of the world. Let us give him thanks and call out:
Remain with us, Lord.
Remain with us the whole day, Lord,
— let your grace be a sun that never sets.
Remain with us, Lord.
We dedicate this day to you as an offering,
— do not let us offer anything that is evil.
Remain with us, Lord.
May your gift of light pervade this whole day,
— that we may be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Remain with us, Lord.
May the love of your Holy Spirit direct our hearts and our lips,
— and may we always act in accordance with your will.
Remain with us, Lord.
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.
Concluding Prayer
Lord,
as a new day dawns
send the radiance of your light
to shine in our hearts.
Make us true to your teaching;
keep us free from error and sin.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. — Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
Wednesday Evening Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
As sun declines and shadows fall,
The sea and hills will fade from sight;
Its fiery orb bids us farewell
But promises tomorrow’s light.
And this, O God, creator wise,
You regulate in wondrous way
The laws of this great universe
At which we marvel night and day.
While darkness rides across the sky,
And stars their silent watches keep,
Your children leave their constant toil,
Regaining strength by peaceful sleep.
Made rich in hope, kept strong in faith,
May we be blest throughout the night,
By Christ, the Word, who timeless reigns,
True splendor of the Father’s light.
He is the sun that never sets,
No dusk can make his lustre die,
The kind Protector of the earth,
The joys of all the saints on high.
O Father, Son and Spirit blest
Grant us at last that light to see,
And full of joy your praises sing,
Bathed in your love eternally. Amen.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Eagerly we await the fulfillment of our hope, the glorious coming of our Savior.
Psalm 62
In God alone is my soul at rest;
my help comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold,
my fortress: I stand firm.
How long will you all attack one man
to break him down,
as though he were a tottering wall,
or a tumbling fence?
Their plan is only to destroy:
they take pleasure in lies.
With their mouth they utter blessing
but in their heart they curse.
In God alone be at rest, my soul;
for my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock, my stronghold,
my fortress: I stand firm.
In God is my safety and glory,
the rock of my strength.
Take refuge in God, all you people.
Trust him at all times.
Pour out your hearts before him
for God is our refuge.
Common folk are only a breath,
great men an illusion.
Placed in the scales, they rise;
they weigh less than a breath.
Do not put your trust in oppression
nor vain hopes on plunder.
Do not set your heart on riches
even when they increase.
For God has said only one thing:
only two do I know:
that to God alone belongs power
and to you, Lord, love;
and that you repay each man
according to his deeds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm-prayer
Lord God, you reward each one according to his works. Hear us as we pour out our hearts to you seeking your grace and secure protection. We look to you for our stable hope in a constantly, changing world.
Ant. Eagerly we await the fulfillment of our hope, the glorious coming of our Savior.
Ant. 2 May God turn his radiant face toward us and fill us with his blessings.
Psalm 67
O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples,
you guide the nations on earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its fruit
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm-prayer
Be gracious and bless us, Lord, and let your face shed its light on us, so that we can make you known with reverence: and bring forth a harvest of justice.
Ant. May God turn his radiant face toward us and fill us with his blessings.
Ant. 3 Through him all things were made; he holds all creation together in himself.
Let us give thanks to the Father
for having made you worthy
to share the lot of the saints
in light.
He rescued us
from the power of darkness
and brought us
into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Through him we have redemption,
the forgiveness of our sins.
He is the image of the invisible God,
the first-born of all creatures.
In him everything in heaven and on earth was created,
things visible and invisible.
All were created through him;
all were created for him.
He is before all else that is.
In him everything continues in being.
It is he who is head of the body, the church!
he who is the beginning,
the first-born of the dead,
so that primacy may be his in everything.
It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in him
and, by means of him, to reconcile everything in his person,
both on earth and in the heavens,
making peace through the blood of his cross.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Through him all things were made; he holds all creation together in himself.
READING 1 Peter 5:5b-7
In your relations with one another, clothe yourselves with humility, because God “is stern with the arrogant but to the humble he shows kindness.” Bow humbly under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time he may lift you high. Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you.
RESPONSORY
Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye.
— Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye.
Gather us under the shadow of your wings, and keep us,
— as the apple of your eye.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. Lord, with the strength of your arm scatter the proud, and lift up the lowly.
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Lord, with the strength of your arm scatter the proud, and lift up the lowly.
INTERCESSIONS
Beloved brothers and sisters, let us rejoice in our God, for he takes great delight in bestowing benefits on his people. Let us fervently pray:
Increase your grace and your peace, Lord.
Eternal God, for whom a thousand years are like the passing day,
— help us to remember that life is like a flower which blossoms in the morning, but withers in the evening.
Increase your grace and your peace, Lord.
Give your people manna to satisfy their hunger,
— and living water to quench their thirst for all eternity.
Increase your grace and your peace, Lord.
Let your faithful ones seek and taste the things that are above,
— and let them direct their work and their leisure to your glory.
Increase your grace and your peace, Lord.
Grant us good weather, Lord
— that we may reap the copious fruits of the earth.
Increase your grace and your peace, Lord.
Deliver us from all harm, Lord,
— and pour out your abundant blessings on our homes.
Increase your grace and your peace, Lord.
Show the faithful departed the vision of your face,
— let them rejoice in the contemplation of your presence.
Increase your grace and your peace, Lord.
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.
Concluding Prayer
Lord God,
holy is your name,
and renowned your compassion,
cherished by every generation.
Hear our evening prayer
and let us sing your praise,
and proclaim your greatness for ever.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. — Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
Thursday Morning Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
Now that the daylight fills the sky,
We lift our hearts to God on high,
That he, in all we do or say,
Would keep us free from harm today.
Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife;
From anger’s din would hide our life;
From all ill sights would turn our eyes,
Would close our ears to vanities;
Would keep our inmost conscience pure;
Our souls from folly would secure;
Would bid us check the pride of sense
With due and holy abstinence.
So we, when this new day is gone,
And night in turn is drawing on,
With conscience by the world unstained
Shall praise his name for vict’ry gained.
All laud to God the Father be;
All praise, eternal Son, to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the holy Paraclete. Amen.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Stir up your mighty power, Lord; come to our aid.
Psalm 80
O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
you who lead Joseph’s flock,
shine forth from your cherubim throne
upon Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help.
God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Lord God of hosts, how long
will you frown on your people’s plea?
You have fed them with tears for their bread,
an abundance of tears for their drink.
You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
our enemies laugh us to scorn.
God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
You brought a vine out of Egypt;
to plant it you drove out the nations.
Before it you cleared the ground;
it took root and spread through the land.
The mountains were covered with its shadow,
the cedars of God with its boughs.
It stretched out its branches to the sea,
to the Great River it stretched out its shoots.
Then why have you broken down its walls?
It is plucked by all who pass by.
It is ravaged by the boar of the forest,
devoured by the beasts of the field.
God of hosts, turn again, we implore,
look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it,
the vine your right hand has planted.
Men have burnt it with fire and destroyed it.
May they perish at the frown of your face.
May your hand be on the man you have chosen,
the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again:
give us life that we may call upon your name.
God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm-prayer
Lord God, eternal shepherd, you so tend the vineyard you planted that now it extends its branches even to the farthest coast. Look down on your Church and come to us. Help us remain in your Son as branches on the vine, that, planted firmly in your love, we may testify before the whole world to your great power working everywhere.
Ant. Stir up your mighty power, Lord; come to our aid.
Ant. 2 The Lord has worked marvels for us; make it known to the ends of the world.
Canticle — Isaiah 12:1-6
I give you thanks, O Lord;
though you have been angry with me,
your anger has abated, and you have consoled me.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the Lord,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation, and say on that day:
Give thanks to the Lord, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name.
Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. The Lord has worked marvels for us; make it known to the ends of the world.
Ant. 3 Ring out your joy to God our strength.
Psalm 81
Ring out your joy to God our strength,
shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.
Raise a song and sound the timbrel,
the sweet-sounding harp and the lute,
blow the trumpet at the new moon,
when the moon is full, on our feast.
For this is Israel’s law,
a command of the God of Jacob.
He imposed it as a rule on Joseph,
when he went out against the land of Egypt.
A voice I did not know said to me:
“I freed your shoulder from the burden;
your hands were freed from the load.
You called in distress and I saved you.
I answered, concealed in the storm cloud,
at the waters of Meribah I tested you.
Listen, my people, to my warning,
O Israel, if only you would heed!
Let there be no foreign god among you,
no worship of an alien god.
I am the Lord your God,
who brought you from the land of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
But my people did not heed my voice
and Israel would not obey,
so I left them in their stubbornness of heart
to follow their own designs.
O that my people would heed me,
that Israel would walk in my ways!
At once I would subdue their foes,
turn my hand against their enemies.
The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet
and their subjection would last forever.
But Israel I would feed with finest wheat
and fill them with honey from the rock.”
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm-prayer
Lord God, open our mouths to proclaim your glory. Help us to leave sin behind and to rejoice in professing your name.
Ant. Ring out your joy to God our strength.
READING Romans 14:17-19
The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of justice, peace, and the joy that is given by the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ in this way pleases God and wins the esteem of men. Let us, then, make it our aim to work for peace and to strengthen one another.
RESPONSORY
In the early hours of the morning, I think of you, O Lord.
— In the early hours of the morning, I think of you, O Lord.
Always you are there to help me.
— I think of you, O Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— In the early hours of the morning, I think of you, O Lord.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. Give your people knowledge of salvation, Lord, and forgive us our sins.
Luke 1:68-79
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Give your people knowledge of salvation, Lord, and forgive us our sins.
INTERCESSIONS
Blessed be God, our Father, who protects his children and never spurns their prayers. Let us humbly implore him:
Enlighten us, Lord.
We thank you, Lord, for enlightening us through your Son,
— fill us with his light throughout the day.
Enlighten us, Lord.
Let your wisdom lead us today, Lord,
— that we may walk in the newness of life.
Enlighten us, Lord.
May we bear hardships with courage for your name’s sake,
— and be generous in serving you.
Enlighten us, Lord.
Direct our thoughts, feelings and actions this day,
— help us to follow your providential guidance.
Enlighten us, Lord.
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.
Concluding Prayer
Lord,
true light and source of all light,
listen to our morning prayer.
Turn our thoughts to what is holy
and may we ever live in the light of your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. — Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
Thursday Evening Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
O Lord our God who made the day
To gladden us with its fair light,
We praise your name, imploring aid,
For day will soon give place to night.
The evening shadows grow apace,
Advancing, they will hide the sun,
As darkness creeps upon the earth
When daylight hours their course have run.
We beg you, Lord and God Most High,
Protect us with your presence blessed,
Though weary, keep our souls in peace
And not by gloom of night oppressed.
Let not the setting sun go down
On hearts distressed with sin, and sore,
But sheltered by your gentle grace,
May we behold the day once more.
To you, O Christ, most kindly King,
And to the Father, glory be,
Praise to the Spirit Paraclete,
In every age, eternally. Amen.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 I have made you the light of all nations to carry my salvation to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 72
I
O God, give your judgment to the king,
to a king’s son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgment.
May the mountains bring forth peace for the people
and the hills, justice.
May he defend the poor of the people
and save the children of the needy
and crush the oppressor.
He shall endure like the sun and the moon
from age to age.
He shall descend like rain on the meadow,
like raindrops on the earth.
In his days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
Before him his enemies shall fall,
his foes lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts
shall pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. I have made you the light of all nations to carry my salvation to the ends of the earth.
Ant. 2 The Lord will save the children of the poor and rescue them from slavery.
II
For he shall save the poor when they cry
and the needy who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak
and save the lives of the poor.
From oppression he will rescue their lives,
to him their blood is dear.
Long may he live,
may the gold of Sheba be given him.
They shall pray for him without ceasing
and bless him all the day.
May corn be abundant in the land
to the peaks of the mountains.
May its fruit rustle like Lebanon;
may men flourish in the cities
like grass on the earth.
May his name be blessed for ever
and endure like the sun.
Every tribe shall be blessed in him,
all nations bless his name.
Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel,
who alone works wonders,
ever blessed his glorious name.
Let his glory fill the earth.
Amen! Amen!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm-prayer
We call upon your name, Father, and pronounce it blessed above the earth. Give your people the fullness of peace and justice in your kingdom.
Ant. The Lord will save the children of the poor and rescue them from slavery.
Ant. 3 Now the victorious reign of our God has begun.
Canticle – Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.
The nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
The time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.
Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our God and the authority
of his Anointed One.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.
They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Now the victorious reign of our God has begun.
READING 1 Peter 1:18-23
By obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a genuine love of your brothers; therefore; love one another constantly from the heart. Your rebirth has come, not from a destructible but from an indestructible seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
RESPONSORY
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall want for nothing.
— The Lord is my shepherd, I shall want for nothing.
He has brought me to green pastures.
— I shall want for nothing.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— The Lord is my shepherd, I shall want for nothing.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. If you hunger for holiness, God will satisfy your longing, good measure, and flowing over.
Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. If you hunger for holiness, God will satisfy your longing, good measure, and flowing over.
INTERCESSIONS
Lift up your hearts to our Lord and Savior who gives his people every spiritual blessing. In the spirit of devotion, let us ask him:
Bless your people, Lord.
Merciful God, strengthen our Pope, and all our bishops,
— keep them free from harm,
Bless your people, Lord.
Look favorably on our country, Lord,
— free us from all evil.
Bless your people, Lord.
Call men to serve at your altar,
— and to follow you more closely in chastity, poverty and obedience.
Bless your people, Lord.
Take care of your handmaidens vowed to virginity,
— that they may follow you, the divine Lamb, wherever you go.
Bless your people, Lord.
May the dead rest in eternal peace,
— may their union with us be strengthened through the sharing of spiritual goods.
Bless your people, Lord.
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.
Concluding Prayer
Father of mercy,
hear our evening prayer of praise,
and let our hearts never waver
from the love of your law.
Lead us on through night’s darkness
to the dawning of eternal life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. — Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
Friday Morning Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
Friday Evening Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
Saturday Morning Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
Sunday Evening Prayer I
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
day Morning Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
day Evening Prayer
God, come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Hymn
Blessing
May the Lord bless and keep us
May His face shine upon us and be gracious to us
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us his peace
May the Lord bless us, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – Amen
