September 26
St. Elzear of Sabran, OFS and Blessed Delphina, OFS Husband and Wife
Elzear was born in France. He became Count of Ariano and married Delphina of Glandeves. According to tradition they lived together in virginity, and brought renown to the Secular Franciscan Order by their remarkable virtue. They generously distributed their great wealth to the poor and devoted their lives to good works. Elzear died in Paris, September 27, 1323. Delphina lived as a widow for some thirty-five years till her death near the city of Apt in France on November 26, 1358.
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Tuesday 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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 The man whose deeds are blameless and whose heart is pure will climb the mountain of the Lord.
Psalm 24
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made it firm.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things,
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is the king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant,
the Lord, the valiant in war.
O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors.
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is he, the king of glory?
He, the Lord of armies,
he is the king of glory.
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
King of glory, Lord of power and might, cleanse our hearts from all sin, preserve the innocence of our hands, and keep our minds from vanity, so that we may deserve your blessing in your holy place.
Ant. The man whose deeds are blameless and whose heart is pure will climb the mountain of the Lord.
Ant. 2 Praise the eternal King in all your deeds.
Canticle – Tobit 13:1-8
Blessed be God who lives forever,
because his kingdom lasts for all ages.
For he scourges and then has mercy;
he casts down to the depths of the nether world,
and he brings up from the great abyss.
No one can escape his hand.
Praise him, you Israelites, before the Gentiles,
for though he has scattered you among them,
he has shown you his greatness even there.
Exalt him before every living being,
because he is the Lord our God,
our Father and God forever.
He scourged you for your iniquities,
but will again have mercy on you all.
He will gather you from all the Gentiles
among whom you have been scattered.
When you turn back to him with all your heart,
to do what is right before him,
then he will turn back to you,
and no longer hide his face from you.
So now consider what he has done for you,
and praise him with full voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness,
and exalt the King of the ages.
In the land of my exile I praise him,
and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.
“Turn back, you sinners! do the right before him:
perhaps he may look with favor upon you and show you mercy.
“As for me, I exalt my God,
and my spirit rejoices in the King of heaven.
Let all men speak of his majesty,
and sing his praises in Jerusalem.”
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. Praise the eternal King in all your deeds.
Ant. 3 The loyal heart must praise the Lord.
Psalm 33
Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;
for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp,
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.
O sing him a song that is new,
play loudly, with all your skill.
For the word of the Lord is faithful
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right
and fills the earth with his love.
By his word the heavens were made,
by the breath of his mouth all the stars.
He collects the waves of the ocean;
he stores up the depths of the sea.
Let all the earth fear the Lord,
all who live in the world revere him.
He spoke; and it came to be.
He commanded; it sprang into being.
He frustrates the designs of the nations,
he defeats the plans of the peoples.
His own designs shall stand for ever,
the plans of his heart from age to age.
They are happy, whose God is the Lord,
the people he has chosen as his own.
From the heavens the Lord looks forth,
he sees all the children of men.
From the place where he dwells he gazes
on all the dwellers on the earth,
he who shapes the hearts of them all
and considers all their deeds.
A king is not saved by his army,
nor a warrior preserved by his strength.
A vain hope for safety is the horse;
despite its power it cannot save.
The Lord looks on those who revere him,
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
The Lord is our help and our shield.
In him do our hearts find joy.
We trust in his holy name.
May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in 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
Nourish your people, Lord, for we hunger for your word. Rescue us from the death of sin and fill us with your mercy, that we may share your presence and the joys of all the saints.
Ant. The loyal heart must praise the Lord.
READING Romans 13:11-14
It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep. The night is far spent; the day draws near. Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us live honorably as in daylight.
RESPONSORY
My God stands by me, all my trust is in him.
— My God stands by me, all my trust is in him.
I find refuge in him, and I am truly free;
— all my trust is in him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— My God stands by me, all my trust is in him.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. God has raised up for us a mighty Savior, as he promised through the words of his holy prophets.
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. God has raised up for us a mighty Savior, as he promised through the words of his holy prophets.
INTERCESSIONS
Beloved brothers and sisters, we share a heavenly calling under Christ, our high priest. Let us praise him with shouts of joy:
Lord, our God and our Savior.
Almighty King, through baptism you conferred on us a royal priesthood,
— inspire us to offer you a continual sacrifice of praise.
Lord, our God and our Savior.
Help us to keep your commandments,
— that through the power of the Holy Spirit we may live in you and you in us.
Lord, our God and our Savior.
Give us your eternal wisdom,
— to be with us today and to guide us.
Lord, our God and our Savior.
May our companions today be free of sorrow,
— and filled with joy.
Lord, our God and our Savior.
Our Father …
Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You have given us St. Elzear and Blessed Delphina as
shining examples of virtue in holy wedded life.
As we venerate their pious achievements on earth, so may we arrive
at blessed fellowship with them in heaven.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. – Amen.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Tuesday Evening Prayer II
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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 God has crowned his Christ with victory.
Psalm 20
May the Lord answer in time of trial;
may the name of Jacob’s God protect you.
May he send you help from his shrine
and give you support from Zion.
May he remember all your offerings
and receive your sacrifice with favor.
May he give you your heart’s desire
and fulfill every one of your plans.
May we ring out our joy at your victory
and rejoice in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your prayers.
I am sure now that the Lord
will give victory to his anointed,
will reply from his holy heaven
with the mighty victory of his hand.
Some trust in chariots or horses,
but we in the name of the Lord.
They will collapse and fall,
but we shall hold and stand firm.
Give victory to the king, O Lord,
give answer on the day we call.
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, you accepted the perfect sacrifice of your Son upon the cross. Hear us during times of trouble and protect us by the power of his name, that we who share his struggle on earth may merit a share in his victory.
Ant. God has crowned his Christ with victory.
Ant. 2 We celebrate your mighty works with songs of praise, O Lord.
Psalm 21
O Lord, your strength gives joy to the king;
how your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart’s desire;
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessings of success,
you have set on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given,
days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory.
You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,
you have granted your blessings to him for ever.
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord:
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength,
we shall sing and praise your power.
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 have given us life on this earth and have met us with the grace of redemption. Bestow your greatest blessing on us, the fullness of eternal life.
Ant. We celebrate your mighty works with songs of praise, O Lord.
Ant. 3 Lord, you have made us a kingdom and priests for God our Father.
Canticle — Revelation 4:11; 5:9, 10, 12
O Lord our God, you are worthy
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you have created all things;
by your will they came to be and were made.
Worthy are you, O Lord,
to receive the scroll and break open its seals.
For you were slain;
with your blood you purchased for God
men of every race and tongue,
of every people and nation.
You made of them a kingdom,
and priests to serve our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and praise.
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, you have made us a kingdom and priests for God our Father.
READING 1 John 3:1a, 2
See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God! Yet that is what we are. Dearly beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall later be has not yet come to light. We know that when it comes to light we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.
RESPONSORY
Through all eternity, O Lord, your promise stands unshaken.
— Through all eternity, O Lord, your promise stands unshaken.
Your faithfulness will never fail;
— your promise stands unshaken.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— Through all eternity, O Lord, your promise stands unshaken.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
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. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us praise Christ the Lord, who lives among us, the people he redeemed, and let us say:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord, king and ruler of nations, be with all your people and their governments,
— inspire them to pursue the good of all according to your law.
Lord, hear our prayer.
You made captive our captivity, to our brothers who are enduring bodily or spiritual chains,
— grant the freedom of the sons of God.
Lord, hear our prayer.
May our young people be concerned with remaining blameless in your sight,
— and may they generously follow your call.
Lord, hear our prayer.
May our children imitate your example,
— and grow in wisdom and grace.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Accept our dead brothers and sisters into your eternal kingdom,
— where we hope to reign with you.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Our Father …
Concluding Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You have given us St. Elzear and Blessed Delphina as
shining examples of virtue in holy wedded life.
As we venerate their pious achievements on earth, so may we arrive
at blessed fellowship with them in heaven.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. – Amen.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
September 27
Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest
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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Lord, send forth your light and your truth.
Psalm 43
Defend me, O God, and plead my cause
against a godless nation.
From deceitful and cunning men
rescue me, O God.
Since you, O God, are my stronghold,
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go mourning,
oppressed by the foe?
O send forth your light and your truth;
let these be my guide.
Let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.
And I will come to the altar of God,
the God of my joy.
My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp,
O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, my soul,
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still,
my savior and my God.
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
Almighty Father, source of everlasting light, send forth your truth into our hearts and pour over us the brightness of your light.
Ant. Lord, send forth your light and your truth.
Ant. 2 Lord, keep us safe all the days of our life.
Canticle – Isaiah 38:10-14, 17-20
Once I said,
“In the noontime of life I must depart!
To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned
for the rest of my years.”
I said, “I shall see the Lord no more
in the land of the living.
No longer shall I behold my fellow men
among those who dwell in the world.”
My dwelling, like a shepherd’s tent,
is struck down and borne away from me;
you have folded up my life, like a weaver
who severs the last thread.
Day and night you give me over to torment;
I cry out until the dawn.
Like a lion he breaks all my bones;
day and night you give me over to torment.
Like a swallow I utter shrill cries;
I moan like a dove.
My eyes grow weak, gazing heaven-ward:
O Lord, I am in straits; be my surety!
You have preserved my life
from the pit of destruction,
when you cast behind your back
all my sins.
For it is not the nether world that gives you thanks,
nor death that praises you;
Neither do those who go down into the pit
await your kindness.
The living, the living give you thanks,
as I do today.
Fathers declare to their sons,
O God, your faithfulness.
The Lord is our savior;
we shall sing to stringed instruments
in the house of the Lord
all the days of our life.
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, keep us safe all the days of our life.
Ant. 3 To you, O God, our praise is due in Zion.
Psalm 65
To you our praise is due
in Zion, O God.
To you we pay our vows,
you who hear our prayer.
To you all flesh will come
with its burden of sin.
Too heavy for us, our offenses,
but you wipe them away.
Blessed is he whom you choose and call
to dwell in your courts.
We are filled with the blessings of your house,
of your holy temple.
You keep your pledge with wonders,
O God our savior,
the hope of all the earth
and of far distant isles.
You uphold the mountains with your strength,
you are girded with power.
You still the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves
and the tumult of the peoples.
The ends of the earth stand in awe
at the sight of your wonders.
The lands of sunrise and sunset
you fill with your joy.
You care for the earth, give it water,
you fill it with riches.
Your river in heaven brims over
to provide its grain.
And thus you provide for the earth;
you drench its furrows,
you level it, soften it with showers,
you bless its growth.
You crown the year with your goodness.
Abundance flows in your steps,
in the pastures of the wilderness it flows.
The hills are girded with joy,
the meadows covered with flocks,
the valleys are decked with wheat.
They shout for joy, yes, they sing.
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, hope of all the earth, hear the humble prayer of your children as we sing your praises. Pour out your Spirit on us so that our lives may bear fruit abundantly.
Ant. To you, O God, our praise is due in Zion.
READING Hebrews 13:7-9a
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you; consider how their lives ended, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.
RESPONSORY
On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set my watchmen to guard you.
— On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set my watchmen to guard you.
Day or night, they will not cease to proclaim the name of the Lord.
— I have set my watchmen to guard you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set my watchmen to guard you.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. Vincent consoled the sorrowful, defended the right of orphans and generously aided widows.
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. Vincent consoled the sorrowful, defended the right of orphans and generously aided widows.
INTERCESSIONS
Christ is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. Let us praise and thank him as we pray:
Nourish your people, Lord.
Christ, you decided to show your merciful love through your holy shepherds,
— let your mercy always reach us through them.
Nourish your people, Lord.
Through your vicars you continue to perform the ministry of shepherd of souls,
— direct us always through our leaders.
Nourish your people, Lord.
Through your holy ones, the leaders of your people, you served as physician of our bodies and our spirits,
— continue to fulfill your ministry of life and holiness in us.
Nourish your people, Lord.
You taught your flock through the prudence and love of your saints,
— grant us continual growth in holiness under the direction of our pastors.
Nourish your people, Lord.
Our Father …
Concluding Prayer
O God,
who for the relief of the poor
and the formation of the clergy
endowed the Priest Saint Vincent de Paul
with apostolic virtues,
grant, we pray, that,
afire with that same spirit,
we may love what he loved and
put into practice what he taught.
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.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Wednesday Evening Prayer II
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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Psalm 27
God stands by us in dangers
God now truly dwells with men (Revelation 21:3).
I
The Lord is my light and my help;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
before whom shall I shrink?
When evil-doers draw near
to devour my flesh,
it is they, my enemies and foes,
who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me
my heart would not fear.
Though war break out against me
even then would I trust.
There is one thing I ask of the Lord,
for this I long,
to live in the house of the Lord,
all the days of my life,
to savor the sweetness of the Lord,
to behold his temple.
For there he keeps me safe in his tent
in the day of evil.
He hides me in the shelter of his tent,
on a rock he sets me safe.
And now my head shall be raised
above my foes who surround me
and I shall offer within his tent
a sacrifice of joy.
I will sing and make music for the Lord.
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 is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Ant. 2 I long to look on you, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.
II
O Lord, hear my voice when I call;
have mercy and answer.
Of you my heart has spoken:
“Seek his face.”
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;
hide not your face.
Dismiss not your servant in anger;
you have been my help.
Do not abandon or forsake me,
O God my help!
Though father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
Instruct me, Lord, in your way;
on an even path lead me.
When they lie in ambush protect me
from my enemy’s greed.
False witnesses rise against me,
breathing out fury.
I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Hope in him, hold firm and take heart.
Hope in the Lord!
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 protect and strengthen those who hope in you; you heard the cry of your Son and kept him safe in your tent in the day of evil. Grant that your servants who seek your face in times of trouble may see your goodness in the land of the living.
Ant. I long to look on you, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.
Ant. 3 He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is his.
Canticle — Colossians 1:12-20
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. He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is his.
READING 1 Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you I, a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and sharer in the glory that is to be revealed, make this appeal. God’s flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd’s care. Watch over it willingly as God would have you do, not under constraint; and not for shameful profit either, but generously. Be examples to the flock, not lording it over those assigned to you, so that when the chief Shepherd appears you will win for yourselves the unfading crown of glory.
RESPONSORY
This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
He spent himself in their service,
— and ever prayed for them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
—This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.
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. Whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me.
INTERCESSIONS
Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise, for he was appointed high priest among men and their representative before God. We honor him and in our weakness we pray:
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You marvelously illuminated your Church through distinguished leaders and holy men and women,
— let Christians rejoice always in such splendor.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You forgave the sins of your people when their holy leaders like Moses sought your compassion,
— through their intercession continue to purify and sanctify your holy people.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
In the midst of their brothers and sisters you anointed your holy ones and filled them with the Holy Spirit,
— fill all the leaders of your people with the same Spirit.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You yourself are the only visible possession of our holy pastors,
— let none of them, won at the price of your blood, remain far from you.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
The shepherds of your Church keep your flock from being snatched out of your hand. Through them you give your flock eternal life,
— save those who have died, those for whom you gave up your life.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
Our Father...
Concluding Prayer
O God,
who for the relief of the poor
and the formation of the clergy
endowed the Priest Saint Vincent de Paul
with apostolic virtues,
grant, we pray, that,
afire with that same spirit,
we may love what he loved and
put into practice what he taught.
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.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
September 28
St. Wenceslaus, M or Sts. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions
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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Awake, lyre and harp, with praise let us awake the dawn.
Psalm 57
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy
for in you my soul has taken refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge
till the storms of destruction pass by.
I call to God the Most High,
to God who has always been my help.
May he send from heaven and save me
and shame those who assail me.
May God send his truth and his love.
My soul lies down among lions,
who would devour the sons of men.
Their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongue a sharpened sword.
O God, arise above the heavens;
may your glory shine on earth!
They laid a snare for my steps,
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path
but fell in it themselves.
My heart is ready, O God,
my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise.
Awake, my soul,
awake, lyre and harp,
I will awake the dawn.
I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,
among the nations I will praise you,
for your love reaches to the heavens
and your truth to the skies.
O God, arise above the heavens;
may your glory shine on earth!
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, send your mercy and your truth to rescue us from the snares of the devil, and we will praise you among the peoples and proclaim you to the nations, happy to be known as companions of your Son.
Ant. Awake, lyre and harp, with praise let us awake the dawn.
Ant. 2 My people, says the Lord, will be filled with my blessings.
Canticle – Jeremiah 31:10-14
Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
proclaim it on distant coasts and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd his flock.
The Lord shall ransom Jacob,
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
they shall come streaming to the Lord’s blessings:
the grain, the wine, and the oil,
the sheep and the oxen;
they themselves shall be like watered gardens,
never again shall they languish.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
I will lavish choice portions upon the priests,
and my people shall be filled with my blessings,
says the Lord.
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 people, says the Lord, will be filled with my blessings.
Ant. 3 The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God.
Psalm 48
The Lord is great and worthy to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain rises in beauty,
the joy of all the earth.
Mount Zion, true pole of the earth,
the Great King’s city!
God, in the midst of its citadels,
has shown himself its stronghold.
For the kings assembled together,
together they advanced.
They saw; at once they were astounded;
dismayed, they fled in fear.
A trembling seized them there,
like the pangs of birth.
By the east wind you have destroyed
the ships of Tarshish.
As we have heard, so we have seen
in the city of our God,
in the city of the Lord of hosts
which God upholds for ever.
O God, we ponder your love
within your temple.
Your praise, O God, like your name
reaches the ends of the earth.
With justice your right hand is filled.
Mount Zion rejoices;
the people of Judah rejoice
at the sight of your judgments.
Walk through Zion, walk all round it;
count the number of its towers.
Review all its ramparts,
examine its castles,
that you may tell the next generation
that such is our God,
our God for ever and always.
It is he who leads us.
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, the body of your risen Son is the temple not made by human hands and the defending wall of the new Jerusalem. May this holy city, built of living stones, shine with spiritual radiance and witness to your greatness in the sight of all nations.
Ant. The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God.
READING Isaiah 66:1-2
Thus says the Lord:
The heavens are my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house can you build for me;
what is to be my resting place?
My hand made all these things
when all of them came to be, says the Lord.
This is the one whom I approve:
the lowly and afflicted man who trembles at my word.
RESPONSORY
From the depths of my heart I cry to you; hear me, O Lord.
— From the depths of my heart I cry to you; hear me, O Lord.
I will do what you desire;
— hear me, O Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— From the depths of my heart I cry to you; hear me, O Lord.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. Let us serve the Lord in holiness, and he will save us from our enemies.
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, and he will save us from our enemies.
INTERCESSIONS
The Lord Jesus Christ has given us the light of another day. In return we thank him as we cry out:
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.
You offered yourself in sacrifice for our sins,
— accept our intentions and our work today.
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.
You bring us joy by the light of another day,
— let the morning star rise in our hearts.
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.
Give us strength to be patient with those we meet today,
— and so imitate you.
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.
Make us aware of your mercy this morning, Lord,
— and let your strength be our delight.
Lord, bless us and bring us close to you.
Our Father …
Concluding Prayer
All-powerful and ever-living God,
at morning, noon, and evening we pray:
cast out from our hearts the darkness of sin
and bring us to the light of your truth,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. — Amen.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Thursday Evening Prayer II
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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 I cried to you, Lord, and you healed me; I will praise you for ever.
Psalm 30
I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, I cried to you for help
and you, my God, have healed me.
O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead,
restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.
Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him,
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favor through life.
At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.
I said to myself in my good fortune:
“Nothing will ever disturb me.”
Your favor had set me on a mountain fastness,
then you hid your face and I was put to confusion.
To you, Lord, I cried,
to my God I made appeal:
“What profit would my death be, my going to the grave?
Can dust give you praise or proclaim your truth?”
The Lord listened and had pity.
The Lord came to my help.
For me you have changed my mourning into dancing,
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
So my soul sings psalms to you unceasingly.
O Lord my God, I will thank you 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.
Psalm-prayer
God our Father, glorious in giving life, and even more glorious in restoring it, when his last night on earth came, your Son shed tears of blood, but dawn brought incomparable gladness. Do not turn away from us, or we shall fall back into dust, but rather turn our mourning into joy by raising us up with Christ.
Ant. I cried to you, Lord, and you healed me; I will praise you for ever.
Ant. 2 The one who is sinless in the eyes of God is blessed indeed.
Psalm 32
Happy the man whose offense is forgiven,
whose sin is remitted.
O happy the man to whom the Lord
imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no guile.
I kept it secret and my frame was wasted.
I groaned all the day long
for night and day your hand
was heavy upon me.
Indeed, my strength was dried up
as by the summer’s heat.
But now I have acknowledged my sins;
my guilt I did not hide.
I said: “I will confess
my offense to the Lord.”
And you, Lord, have forgiven
the guilt of my sin.
So let every good man pray to you
in the time of need.
The floods of water may reach high
but him they shall not reach.
You are my hiding place, O Lord;
you save me from distress.
You surround me with cries of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you
the way you should go;
I will give you counsel
with my eye upon you.
Be not like horse and mule, unintelligent,
needing bridle and bit,
else they will not approach you.
Many sorrows has the wicked
but he who trusts in the Lord,
loving mercy surrounds him.
Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord,
exult, you just!
O come, ring out your joy,
all you upright of heart.
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
You desired, Lord, to keep from us your indignation and so did not spare Jesus Christ, who was wounded for our sins. We are your prodigal children, but confessing our sins we come back to you. Embrace us that we may rejoice in your mercy together with Christ your beloved Son.
Ant. The one who is sinless in the eyes of God is blessed indeed.
Ant. 3 The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.
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. The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.
READING 1 Peter 1:6-9
There is cause for rejoicing here. You may for a time have to suffer the distress of many trials; but this is so that your faith, which is more precious than the passing splendor of fire-tried gold, may by its genuineness lead to praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears. Although you have never seen him, you love him, and without seeing you now believe in him, and rejoice with inexpressible joy touched with glory because you are achieving faith’s goal, your salvation.
RESPONSORY
The Lord has given us food, bread of the finest wheat.
— The Lord has given us food, bread of the finest wheat.
Honey from the rock to our heart’s content,
— bread of the finest wheat.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— The Lord has given us food, bread of the finest wheat.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. God has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted 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. God has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.
INTERCESSIONS
Our hope is in God, who gives us help. Let us call upon him, and say:
Look kindly on your children, Lord.
Lord, our God, you made an eternal covenant with your people,
— keep us ever mindful of your mighty deeds.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.
Let your ordained ministers grow toward perfect love,
— and preserve your faithful people in unity by the bond of peace.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.
Be with us in our work of building the earthly city,
— that in building we may not labor in vain.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.
Send workers into your vineyard,
— and glorify your name among the nations.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.
Welcome into the company of your saints our relatives and benefactors who have died,
— may we share their happiness one day.
Look kindly on your children, Lord.
Our Father …
Concluding Prayer
Father,
you illumine the night
and bring the dawn to scatter darkness.
Let us pass this night in safety,
free from Satan’s power,
and rise when morning comes
to give you thanks and praise.
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. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
September 29
Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Let us join the angels in praising the Lord, as the cherubim and seraphim sing: Holy, holy, holy.
Psalm 63
O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.
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 join the angels in praising the Lord, as the cherubim and seraphim sing: Holy, holy, holy.
Ant. 2 Angels of the Lord, sing praise to the Lord for ever.
Canticle – Daniel 3:57-88, 56
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
You heavens, bless the Lord,
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord.
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord.
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord.
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord.
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord.
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord.
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord.
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord.
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord.
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord.
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord.
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord.
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord.
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven.
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all for ever.
Ant. Angels of the Lord, sing praise to the Lord for ever.
Ant. 3 All the angels in heaven praise you, O Lord, and with one voice they say: To you we owe our hymn of praise, O God.
Psalm 149
Sing a new song to the Lord,
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker,
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people.
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
to deal out vengeance to the nations
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained;
this honor is for all his faithful.
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. All the angels in heaven praise you, O Lord, and with one voice they say: To you we owe our hymn of praise, O God.
READING Genesis 28: 12-13a
Jacob had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s messengers were going up and down on it. And there was the Lord standing beside him and saying: “I, the Lord, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac.”
RESPONSORY
An angel stood by the altar.
— An angel stood by the altar.
And held a golden censer
— by the altar.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— An angel stood by the altar.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. Truly I say to you: You will see the heavens open up, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
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. Truly I say to you: You will see the heavens open up, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
INTERCESSIONS
With one voice the choirs of angels sing their unceasing praise of the Lord. Let us join in their worship as we proclaim:
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
You commanded your angels to guard us in all our ways,
— keep us from sin as you lead us in your path this day.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Father, the angels stand for ever before your face,
— nourish in us a never-failing hope of coming at last into your presence.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Your children will be like the angels in heaven,
— grant us chastity in both mind and body.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Send Michael, the prince of the heavenly hosts, to the aid of your people,
— may he defend them against Satan and his angels on the day of battle.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Our Father …
Concluding Prayer
O God,
who dispose in marvelous order
ministries both angelic and human,
graciously grant that our life on earth
may be defended by those who watch over us
as they minister perpetually to you in heaven.
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.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Friday Evening Prayer II
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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Your majesty is praised above the heavens, O King of the angels.
Psalm 8
How great is your name, O Lord our God,
through all the earth!
Your majesty is praised above the heavens;
on the lips of children and of babes
you have found praise to foil your enemy,
to silence the foe and the rebel.
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands,
the moon and the stars which you arranged,
what is man that you should keep him in mind,
mortal man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him little less than a god;
with glory and honor you crowned him,
gave him power over the works of your hands,
put all things under his feet.
All of them, sheep and cattle,
yes, even the savage beasts,
birds of the air, and fish
that make their way through the waters.
How great is your name, O Lord our God
through all the earth!
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. Your majesty is praised above the heavens, O King of the angels.
Ant. 2 In the company of the angels I will sing psalms to you, my God.
Psalm 138
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart,
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
you increased the strength of my soul.
All earth’s kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the Lord’s ways:
“How great is the glory of the Lord!”
The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly
and the haughty he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes.
You stretch out your hand and save me,
your hand will do all things for me.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands.
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. In the company of the angels I will sing psalms to you, my God.
Ant. 3 I saw the lamb, which appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, and I heard the sound of angelic choirs around the throne.
Canticle – Colossians 1:12-20
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 fulness 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. I saw the lamb, which appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, and I heard the sound of angelic choirs around the throne.
READING Revelation 1:4b-5
Grace and peace — from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead and ruler of the kings of earth, who loves us and freed us from our sins by his own blood.
RESPONSORY
Clouds of incense rose in the presence of the Lord.
— Clouds of incense rose in the presence of the Lord.
From the hand of the angel incense rose
— in the presence of the Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— Clouds of incense rose in the presence of the Lord.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary and said: You will conceive and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
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. The angel Gabriel spoke to Mary and said: You will conceive and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.
INTERCESSIONS
The angels carry out God’s will. Let us pray that we too may listen carefully for his voice and hear his call, as we say:
— We beg you, hear us.
That our prayers may rise like a pleasant fragrance before you,
through the hands of your angels.
— We beg you, hear us.
That our prayers may be brought to your altar on high,
through the hands of your angels.
— We beg you, hear us.
That we may proclaim glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth,
with the multitude of the heavenly armies.
— We beg you, hear us.
That the angels may receive us at the end of our days,
and lead us home to paradise.
— We beg you, hear us.
That the holy standard-bearer, Michael, may bring into the light of your presence,
the souls of those who have died.
— We beg you, hear us.
Our Father …
Concluding Prayer
O God,
who dispose in marvelous order
ministries both angelic and human,
graciously grant that our life on earth
may be defended by those who watch over us
as they minister perpetually to you in heaven.
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.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
September 30
St. Jerome
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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 A humble, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
My offenses truly I know them;
my sin is always before me
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in your sight I have done.
That you may be justified when you give sentence
and be without reproach when you judge,
O see, in guilt I was born,
a sinner was I conceived.
Indeed you love truth in the heart;
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face
and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help;
with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways
and sinners may return to you.
O rescue me, God, my helper,
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
For in sacrifice you take no delight,
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit,
a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
In your goodness, show favor to Zion:
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
holocausts offered on your altar.
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, he who knew no sin was made sin for us, to save us and restore us to your friendship. Look upon our contrite heart and afflicted spirit and heal our troubled conscience, so that in the joy and strength of the Holy Spirit we may proclaim your praise and glory before all the nations.
Ant. A humble, contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.
Ant.2 Even in your anger, Lord, you will remember compassion.
Canticle – Habakkuk 3:2-4, 13a, 15-19
O Lord, I have heard your renown,
and feared, O Lord, your work.
In the course of the years revive it,
in the course of the years make it known;
in your wrath remember compassion!
God comes from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran.
Covered are the heavens with his glory,
and with his praise the earth is filled.
His splendor spreads like the light;
rays shine forth from beside him,
where his power is concealed.
You come forth to save your people,
to save your anointed one
You tread the sea with your steeds
amid the churning of the deep waters.
I hear, and my body trembles;
at the sound, my lips quiver.
Decay invades my bones,
my legs tremble beneath me.
I await the day of distress
that will come upon the people who attack us.
For though the fig tree blossom not
nor fruit be on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive fail
and the terraces produce no nourishment,
Though the flocks disappear from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
Yet will I rejoice in the Lord
and exult in my saving God.
God, my Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet swift as those of hinds
and enables me to go upon the heights.
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. Even in your anger, Lord, you will remember compassion.
Ant. 3 O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Psalm 147
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Zion praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders,
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool,
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
He hurls down hailstones like crumbs.
The waters are frozen at his touch;
he sends forth his word and it melts them:
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.
He makes his word known to Jacob,
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;
he has not taught them his decrees.
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, you established peace within the borders of Jerusalem. Give the fullness of peace now to your faithful people. May peace rule us in this life and possess us in eternal life. You are about to fill us with the best of wheat: grant that what we see dimly now as in a mirror, we may come to perceive clearly in the brightness of your truth.
Ant. O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
READING Wisdom 7:13-14
Simply I learned about Wisdom, and ungrudgingly do I share –
her riches I do not hide away;
For to men she is an unfailing treasure;
those who gain this treasure win the friendship of God,
to whom the gifts they have from discipline commend them.
RESPONSORY
Let the peoples proclaim the wisdom of the saints.
— Let the peoples proclaim the wisdom of the saints.
With joyful praise let the Church tell forth
— the wisdom of the saints.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— Let the peoples proclaim the wisdom of the saints.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. Those who are learned will be as radiant as the sky in all its beauty; those who instruct the people in goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity.
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. Those who are learned will be as radiant as the sky in all its beauty; those who instruct the people in goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity.
INTERCESSIONS
Christ is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. Let us praise and thank him as we pray:
Nourish your people, Lord.
Christ, you decided to show your merciful love through your holy shepherds,
— let your mercy always reach us through them.
Nourish your people, Lord.
Through your vicars you continue to perform the ministry of shepherd of souls,
— direct us always through our leaders.
Nourish your people, Lord.
Through your holy ones, the leaders of your people, you served as physician of our bodies and our spirits,
— continue to fulfill your ministry of life and holiness in us.
Nourish your people, Lord.
You taught your flock through the prudence and love of your saints,
— grant us continual growth in holiness under the direction of our pastors.
Nourish your people, Lord.
Our Father …
Concluding Prayer
O God,
who gave the Priest Saint Jerome
a living and tender love for Sacred Scripture,
grant that your people may be ever more fruitfully nourished
by your Word and find in it the fount of life.
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.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and 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
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.
Psalm 119
XIV (Nun)
Your word is a lamp for my steps
and a light for my path.
I have sworn and have made up my mind
to obey your decrees.
Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.
Lord, I am deeply afflicted:
by your word give me life.
Accept, Lord, the homage of my lips
and teach me your decrees.
Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.
Though I carry my life in my hands,
I remember your law.
Though the wicked try to ensnare me
I do not stray from your precepts.
Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.
Your will is my heritage for ever,
the joy of my heart.
I set myself to carry out your will
in fullness, for ever.
Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.
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
Let your Word, Father, be a lamp for our feet and a light to our path, so that we may understand what you wish to teach us and follow the path your light marks out for us.
Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.
Ant. 2 When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.
Psalm 16
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: “You are my God.
My happiness lies in you alone.”
Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.
He has put into my heart a marvellous love
for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.
Never will I offer their offerings of blood.
Never will I take their name upon my lips.
Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight:
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!
Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.
Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.
You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.
Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.
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 Jesus, uphold those who hope in you and give us your counsel, so that we may know the joy of your resurrection and deserve to be among the saints at your right hand.
Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.
Ant. 3 Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.
Canticle — Philippians 2:6-11
Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.
Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.
Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.
Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.
He was known to be of human estate,
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!
Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.
Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,
So that at Jesus’ name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.
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 everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.
READING Colossians 1:2b-6a
May God our Father give you grace and peace. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our prayers for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you bear toward all the saints–moved as you are by the hope held in store for you in heaven. You heard of this hope through the message of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, has borne fruit, and has continued to grow in your midst, as it has everywhere in the world.
RESPONSORY
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
may the name of the Lord be praised.
— From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the name of the Lord be praised.
His splendor reaches far beyond the heavens;
— may the name of the Lord be praised.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the name of the Lord be praised.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. Not everyone who says: “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly Father, alleluia.
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. Not everyone who says: “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my heavenly Father, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
God aids and protects the people he has chosen for his inheritance. Let us give thanks to him and proclaim his goodness:
Lord, we trust in you.
We pray for our Pope, and all our bishops,
— protect them and in your goodness make them holy.
Lord, we trust in you.
May the sick feel their companionship with the suffering Christ,
— and know that they will enjoy his eternal consolation.
Lord, we trust in you.
In your goodness have compassion on the homeless,
— help them to find proper housing.
Lord, we trust in you.
In your goodness give and preserve the fruits of the earth,
— so that each day there may be bread enough for all.
Lord, we trust in you.
Lord, you attend the dying with great mercy,
— grant them an eternal dwelling.
Lord, we trust in you.
Our Father...
Concluding Prayer
O God,
who manifest your almighty power above all
by pardoning and showing mercy,
bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us
and make those hastening to attain your promises
heirs to the treasures of heaven.
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.
Blessing:
May the Lord Bless and keep us. Amen
May his face shine upon us, and be gracious to us. Amen
May he look upon us with kindness and give us, His peace. Amen
May the Lord Bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
