OFFICE OF READINGS

WEEK I
FRST MONDAY OF ADVENT

The Sign of the Cross on the lips is made as we say:

†Lord, open my lips
—and my mouth will proclaim  your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King who is to come.

Invitatory

(For psalm 95 on may substitute psalm 100 or 67 or 24 (If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory psalm)

Psalm 95

Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13)
Come, let us sing to the Lord
And shout with joy to the Rock  who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving
And sing joyful songs to the Lord

The Lord is God, the mighty God,
The great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
And the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him,
The dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands

Come, then, let us bow down and worship,
Bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people,
The flock he shepherds.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord:
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
In the wilderness,
When at Meriba and Massah
They challenged me and provoked me,
Although they had seen all of my works.

Forty year I endured that generation.
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
And they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger,
“They shall not enter into my rest”

Glory to the  Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
—as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King who is to come.

 

Office of Readings

 (This verse and response are omitted when the hour begins with the invitatory.)

†God, come to my assistance,
—Lord, make haste to help me.
           
Glory to the  Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
—as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.  Alleluia [Alleluia is omitted in Lent.]

HYMN

Your hand, O Lord, has guided
Your church from age to age;
The wondrous tale is written
So clearly on each page;
Our fathers praised your goodness,
And we their deeds record;
And both to this bear witness:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Your heralds brought glad tidings
To greatest and to least;
They told all men to hasten
To share the great King's feast;
And this was all their teaching
In every deed and word,
To all alike proclaiming:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Through many days of darkness,
Through many scenes of strife,
The faithful few fought bravely
To guard the Christian life;
Their gospel of redemption,
Sin pardoned, man restored,
Was all in this enfolded:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Your mercy will not fail us,
Nor leave your work undone;
With all your strength to help us,
The vict'ry shall be won;
And then by men and angels
Your name shall be adored,
And this shall be their anthem:
One Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Melody: Thornbury 76.76.D       Music: Basil Harwood, 1859-1949
Text: Edward H. Plumptre, 1821-1891, alt. by anthony G. Petti

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19A

The heavens proclaim the glory of God
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story
and night unto night makes known the message.

No speech, no word, no voice is heard
yet their span extends through all the earth,
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
There he has placed a tent for the sun;
it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his
tent, rejoices like a champion to run its course.

At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun;
to the furthest end of the sky is its course.
There is nothing concealed from its burning heat.

Glory to the  Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
—as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen

Ant. Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Ant. 2 They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds.

Psalm 64

Hear my voice, O God, as I complain,
guard my life from dread of the foe.
Hide me from the band of the wicked,
from the throng of those who do evil.

They sharpen their tongues like swords;
they aim bitter words like arrows
to shoot at the innocent from ambush,
shooting suddenly and recklessly.

They scheme their evil course;
they conspire to lay secret snares.
They say: "Who will see us?
Who can search out our crimes?"

He will search who searches the mind
and knows the depths of the heart.
God has shot them with his arrow
and dealt them sudden wounds.
Their own tongue has brought them to ruin
and all who see them mock.

Then will all men fear;
they will tell what God has done.
They will understand God's deeds.
The just will rejoice in the Lord
and fly to him for refuge.
All the upright hearts will 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 forever. Amen

Ant. They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds.

Ant. 3 God's holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God's glory.

Psalm 97

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,
the many 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 forever. Amen

Ant. God's holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God's glory.

They proclaimed the Lord's praises, told of his power to save.
―And of the wonders he had worked.

FIRST READING

From the first letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians           1:18-2:5

The apostles proclaim the message of the cross

The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God. Scripture says,
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and thwart the cleverness of the clever. "
Where is the wise man to be found? Where the scribe? Where is the master of worldly argument? Has not God turned the wisdom of this world into folly?

   Since in God's wisdom the world did not come to know him through "wisdom," it pleased God to save those who believe through the absurdity of the preaching of the gospel. Yes, Jews demand "signs" and Greeks look for "wisdom," but we preach Christ crucified-a stumbling block to Jews, and an absurdity to Gentiles; but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God's folly is wiser than men, and his weakness more powerful than men.

   Brothers, you are among those called. Consider your situation. Not many of you are wise, as men account wisdom; not many are influential; and surely not many are well-born. God chose those whom the world considers absurd to shame the wise; he singled out the weak of this world to shame the strong. He chose the world's lowborn and despised, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who were something, so that mankind can do no boasting before God. God it is who has given you life in Christ Jesus. He has made him our wisdom and also our justice, our sanctification, and our redemption. This is just as you find it written, "Let him who would boast, boast in the Lord."
As for myself, brothers, when I came to you I did not come proclaiming God's testimony with any particular eloquence or "wisdom." No, I determined that while I was with you I would speak of nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. When I came among you it was in weakness and fear, and with much trepidation. My message and my preaching had none of the persuasive force of "wise" argumentation, but the convincing power of the Spirit. As a consequence, your faith rests not on the wisdom of men but on the power of God.

RESPONSORY                                    See, Matthew 4:18, 19

As the Lord was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Peter and Andrew casting their nets into the sea; he called out to them, saying:

― Come, follow me, I will make you fishers of men.

They were fishermen, so he said to them:
― Come, follow me, I will make you fishers of men.

SECOND READING

From a homily on the Gospel of John by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop (Horn. 19,1: PG 59,120-121)

We have found the Messiah

After Andrew had stayed with Jesus and had learned much from him, he did not keep this treasure to himself, but hastened to share it with his brother. Notice what Andrew said to him: We have found the Messiah, that is to say, the Christ. Notice how his words reveal what he has learned in so short a time. They show the power of the master who has convinced them of this truth. They reveal the zeal and concern of men preoccupied with this question from the very beginning. Andrew's words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to his appearing from heaven, rejoicing when he does appear, and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.

Notice, too, how, even from the beginning, Peter is docile and receptive in spirit. He hastens to Jesus, without delay. He brought him to Jesus, says the evangelist. But Peter must not be condemned for his readiness to accept Andrew's word without much weighing of it. It is probable that his brother had given him, and many others, a careful account of the event; the evangelists, in the interest of brevity, regularly summa­rize a lengthy narrative. Saint John does not say that Peter believed immediately, but that he brought him to Jesus. Andrew was to hand him over to Jesus, to learn everything for himself. There was also another disciple
present, and he hastened with them for the same purpose.

   When John the Baptist said, This is the Lamb, and he baptizes in the Spirit, he left the deeper understanding of these things to be received from Christ. All the more so would Andrew act in the same way, since he did not think himself able to give a complete explanation. He brought his brother to the very source of light, and Peter was so joyful and eager that he would not delay even for a moment.

RESPONSORY

As soon as Andrew heard the Lord preaching,
he left the nets which were his livelihood and way of life,
―and followed the Lord who gives eternal life.

This is the man who endured suffering for the love of Christ and for his law,
―and followed the Lord who gives eternal life. Te Deum

Te Deum

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,God of poser and might,
heaven and earth are full of you glory.

The glorious companyof apostles praise you.
The noble fellowshipof prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help you people,
bought with the price of your own blood.
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.

V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance
R. Govern and uphold them now and always.
V. Day by day we bless you.
R. We praise your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in you.
V. In you, Lord, is our hope:
R. and we shall never hope in vain.

Prayer

Lord,
in your kindness hear our petitions. You called Andrew the apostle
to preach the Gospel and guide your Church in faith. May he always be our friend in your presence to help us with his prayers. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

MORNING PRAYER

WEEK I
FIRST MONDAY OF ADVENT

(The Sign of the Cross is made as we say)
†God, come to my assistance,
—Lord, make haste to help me.

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

(This verse and response are omitted when the hour begins with the invitatory).

HYMN

Great Saint Andrew, friend of Jesus,
Lover of his glorious cross,
Quickly, at the Master's bidding,
Called from ease to pain and loss;
Strong Saint Andrew, Simon's brother,
Like him started life anew,
Gladly spread the holy gospel
Which from Word of God he drew.

Blest Saint Andrew, noble herald,
True apostle, martyr bold,
Who by deeds his words confirming
Sealed with blood the truth he told.
Never was a crown more glorious,
Never prize to heart so dear,
As to him the cross of Jesus
When its promised joys drew near.

Melody: Contemplation 87.87 D           Music: Felix Mendelssohn,
1809-1847 Text: Frederick Oakeley, 1802-1880, adapted by Anthony G. Petti

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Two men followed the Lord from the begin­ning; one of these was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.

Psalm 63:2-9
A soul thirsting for God

Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God

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 muse through the nigh
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 forever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you.  May our lips praise you; our lives proclaim your goodness; our work give you honor, and our voice celebrate you for ever.

Ant.  Two men followed the Lord from the begin­ning; one of these was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.

Ant. 2 The Lord loved Andrew and cherished his friendship

Canticle Daniel 3: 57-88, 56

Let all creatures praise the Lord

All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revela­tion 19: 5).

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 forever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven.
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.
(At the end of the canticle the Glory to the Father is not said.)

Ant. The Lord loved Andrew and cherished his friendship

Ant. 3 Andrew said to his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, and he brought him to Jesus.

Psalm 149

The joy of God's holy people

Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new peo­ple, rejoice in Christ, their King (Hesychius).

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 forever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Let Israel rejoice in you, Lord, and acknowledge you as creator and redeemer. We put our trust in your faith­fulness and proclaim the wonderful truths of salvation. May your loving kindness embrace us now and for ever.

Ant. Andrew said to his brother Simon: We have found the Messiah, and he brought him to
Jesus .

READING                                                     Ephesians 2: 19-22

You are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is fitted together and takes shape as a holy temple in the Lord; in him you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.

RESPONSORY

You have made them rulers over all the earth.
―You have made them rulers over all the earth.
They will always remember your name, O Lord,
― over all the earth.
Glory to the Father ...
―you have made them rulers over all the earth.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. I bow before the cross made precious by Christ, my Master. I embrace it as his disciple.

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 forever. Amen.

Ant. I bow before the cross made precious by Christ, my Master. I embrace it as his disciple.

INTERCESSIONS

Beloved friends, we have inherited heaven along with the apostles. Let us voice our thanks to the Father for all his gifts:
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.

Praise be to you, Lord, for the banquet of Christ's body and blood given us through the apostles,
―which refreshes us and gives us life.                   
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.

Praise be to you, Lord, for the feast of your word prepared for us by the apostles,
―giving us light and joy.
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.

Praise be to you, Lord, for your holy Church, founded on the apostles,
―where we are gathered together into your community.
The company of apostles praises you, O Lord.

Praise be to you, Lord, for the cleansing power of baptism and penance that you have entrusted to your apostles,
―through which we are cleansed of our sins.
The company of apostles praises you, O 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. Amen.

Prayer

Lord,
in your kindness hear our petitions. You called Andrew the apostle
to preach the Gospel and guide your Church in faith. May he always be our friend in your presence to help us with his prayers. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

 

EVENING PRAYER

WEEK I
FIRST MONDAY OF ADVENT

†God, come to my assistance,
—Lord, make haste to help me.
           
Glory to the  Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
—as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.  Alleluia [omitted in Lent.]

HYMN

The eternal gifts of Christ the King,
The apostles’ glory, let us sing,
And all with hearts of gladness, raise
Due hymns of thankful love and praise

Their faith in Christ, the Lord, prevailed;
Their hope, a light that never failed
Their love ablaze o’er  pathways trod
To lead them to he eternal God.

In the them the Father’s glory shone,
In them the will of God the Son,
In them exults the Holy Ghost,
Through them rejoice the heav’nly host.

To thee, Redeemer, now we cry,
That thou wouldst join to them on high
Thy servants, who this grace implore,
For ever and for ever more.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The Lord saw Peter and Andrew; he called them to follow him.

 

Psalm 116: 10-19

I trusted, even when I said:
“I am sorely afflicted,”
and when I said in my alarm;
“No man can be trusted”

How can I repay the Lord
For his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise;
I will call on the Lord’s name.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfill
before all his people.
O precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful.

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;
you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;
I will call on the Lord’s name.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfill
before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O 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 forever. Amen.

Ant.  The Lord saw Peter and Andrew; he called them to follow him.

Ant. 2 Come, follow me, said the Lord. I will make you fishers of men.

Psalm 126

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.

The heathens themselves said: "What marvels
the Lord worked for them!"
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves.

Glory to the  Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
—as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Ant. Come, follow me, said the Lord. I will make you fishers of men.

Ant. 3 They left their nets to follow Christ, their Lord and Redeemer.

Canticle                  Ephesians 1:3-10

Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who bestowed on us in Christ
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him
before the world began,
to be holy
and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood,
we have been redeemed,
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous
is God's favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased
to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him,
in the heavens and on 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 forever. Amen.

Ant. They left their nets to follow Christ, their Lord and Redeemer.

 

                                                                    READING           Ephesians 4: 11-13

Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ, till we become one in faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, and form that perfect man who is Christ come to full stature.

RESPONSORY

Tell all the nations how glorious God is.
—Tell all the nations how glorious God is.
Make known his wonders to every people.
—How glorious God is.
Glory to the Father
—Tell all the nations how glorious God is.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. Andrew served Christ and loyally preached the Gospel; with his brother Peter, he laid down his life for God.

† My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, (Sign of Cross as the Canticle begins)
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 forever. Amen.

Ant. Andrew served Christ and loyally preached the Gospel; with his brother Peter, he laid down his life for God.

INTERCESSIONS

My brothers, we build on the foundation of the apostles.
Let us pray to our almighty Father for his holy people and say:
Be mindful of your Church, 0 Lord.

Father, you wanted your Son to be seen first by the apostles after the resurrection from the dead,
—we ask you to make us his witnesses to the farthest
corners of the world.

You sent your Son to preach the good news to the poor,
—help us to preach this Gospel to every creature.
You sent your Son to sow the seed of unending life,
—grant that we who work at sowing the seed may share the joy of the harvest.
You sent your Son to reconcile all men to you through his blood,
— help us all to work toward achieving this reconciliation.
Your Son sits at your right hand in heaven,
—let the dead enter your kingdom of joy.

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. Amen.

Prayer

Lord,
in your kindness hear our petitions. You called Andrew the apostle
to preach the Gospel and guide your Church in faith. May he always be our friend in your presence to help us with his prayers.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.