Ecclesial
Plan- Office of Readings
- Morning Prayer
- Evening Prayer
OFFICE OF READINGS
WEEK I
FIRST SUNDAY 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 LordThe 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 handsCome, 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
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of kings.Then cleansed be ev'ry heart from sin,
Make straight the way of God within;
O let us all our hearts prepare
For Christ to come and enter there.For you are man's salvation, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward;
Once more upon your people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.To God the Son all glory be,
Whose advent set all nations free,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Spirit ever more.Melody: Winchester New L.M. Music: Musikalisches
Handbuch, HafIlburg, 1690 Text: Iordanis Ora Praevia, Charles Coffin, 1736
Translator: John Chandler, 1837, alt.PSALMODY
Ant. This is our heavenly King; he comes with power and might to save the nations, alleluia
Psalm 1
There are two ways a man may take
They are happy who, putting all their trust in the cross, have plunged into the water of life (from an author of the second century) .
Happy indeed is the man
who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners
nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord
and who ponders his law day and night.He is like a tree that is planted
beside the flowing waters,
that yields its fruit in due season
and whose leaves shall never fade;
and all that he does shall prosper.
Not so are the wicked, not so!For they like winnowed chaff
shall be driven away by the wind.
When the wicked are judged they shall not stand,
nor find room among those who are just;
for the Lord guards the way of the just
but the way of the wicked leads to doom.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
Lord, you are the fullness of life, of holiness and of joy. Fill our days and nights with the love of your wisdom, that we may bear fruit in the beauty of holiness, like a tree watered by running streams.
Ant. This is our heavenly King; he comes with power and might to save the nations, alleluia.
Ant. 2 Daughter of Jerusalem, rejoice and be glad; your King will come to you. Zion, do not fear; your Savior hastens on his way.Psalm 2
The Messiah, king and conqueror
The rulers of the earth joined forces to overthrow Jesus, your anointed Son (Acts:27).
Why this tumult among nations,
among peoples this useless murmuring?
They arise, the kings of the earth,
princes plot against the Lord and his Anointed.
"Come, let us break their fetters,
come, let us cast off their yoke."He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord is laughing them to scorn.
Then he will speak in his anger,
his rage will strike them with terror.
"It is I who have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain."I will announce the decree of the Lord:
The Lord said to me : "You are my Son.
It is I who have begotten you this day.
Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations,
put the ends of the earth in your possession.
With a rod of iron you will break them,
shatter them like a potter's jar."Now, O kings, understand,
take warning, rulers of the earth;
serve the Lord with awe
and trembling, pay him your homage
lest he be angry and you perish;
for suddenly his anger will blaze.Blessed are they who put their trust in 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 forever. Amen.Psalm-prayer
Lord God, you gave the peoples of the world as the inheritance of your only Son; you crowned him as King of Zion, your holy city, and gave him your Church to be his Bride. As he proclaims the law of your eternal kingdom, may we serve him faithfully, and so share his royal power for ever.
Ant. Daughter of Jerusalem, rejoice and be glad; your King will come to you. Zion, do not fear; your Savior hastens on his way
Ant. 3 Let us cleanse our hearts for the coming of our great King, that we may be ready to welcome him; he is coming and will not delay.
Psalm 3
I am safe in the Lord's keeping
Christ fell asleep in death, but he rose from the dead, for God was his deliverer (Saint Irenaeus) .
How many are my foes, O Lord!
How many are rising up against me!
How many are saying about me:
"There is no help for him in God."But you, Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, who lift up my head.
I cry aloud to the Lord.
He answers from his holy mountain.I lie down to rest and I sleep.
I wake, for the Lord upholds me.
I will not fear even thousands of people
who are ranged on every side against me.Arise, Lord; save me, my God,
you who strike all my foes on the mouth,
you who break the teeth of the wicked!
O Lord of salvation, bless your people!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
Lord God, you heard the cry of your Son when he was oppressed and saved him from the sleep of death. Arise, Lord, help your Church. Be its shield so that it may hold up its head and radiate the glory of the resurrection.
Ant. 3 Let us cleanse our hearts for the coming of our great King, that we may be ready to welcome him; he is coming and will not delay.
May the word of Christ ever fill your hearts.
—Share with one another the wisdom you receive.(Verse, Readings and prayer, as in the Proper of Seasons.)
Lift up your heads and see.
—Your redemption is now at hand.FIRST READING
From the beginning of the book of the prophet Isaiah 1:1-18The reproof of the people
The vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, had concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth,
for the Lord Speaks:
Sons have I raised and reared,
but they have disowned me!
An ox knows its owner,
and an ass, its master’s manger;
But Israel does not know,
my people has not understoodAh! Sinful nation, people laden with wickedness,
evil race, corrupt children!
They have forsaken the Lord,
spurned the Holy One of Israel, apostatizedWhere would you yet be struck,
you that rebel again and again?
The whole head is sick,
the whole heart faint
From the sole of the foot to the head
there is no sound spot;
Wound and welt and gaping gash,
not drained, or bandaged,
or eased with salve.Your country is waste,
your cities burnt with fire;
Your land before your eyes
strangers devour
[a waste, like Sodom overthrown]And daughter Zion is left
like a hut in a vineyard,
Like a shed in melon patch,
like a city blockaded.
Unless the Lord of Hosts
had left us a scanty remnant,
we had become as Sodom,
We should be like Gomorrah.Hear the word of the Lord,
princes of Sodom!
Listen to the instruction of our God,
people of Gomorrah!What care I for the number of your sacrifices?
says the Lord.
I have had enough of whole-burnt rams
and fat of fatlings;
In the blood of calves, lambs and goats
I find no pleasure
When you come in to visit me,
who asks these things of you?
Trample my courts no more!
Bring no more worthless offerings;
your incense is loathsome to me.
New moon and Sabbath, calling of assemblies,
octaves with wickedness; these I cannot bear
Your new moons and festivals I detest;
they weigh me down, I tire of the load.
When you spread out your hands,
I close my eyes to you;
Though you pray the more,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood!
Wash yourselves clean!
Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;
Cease doing evil; learn to do good.
Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,
hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow.Come now, let us set things right,
Say the Lord:Though your sins be like scarlet,
they may become white as snow;
Though they be crimson red,
they may become white as wool.RESPONSORY Isaiah 1: 16, 18, 17
Wash yourselves, be clean.
Banish evil from your hearts,
away from my sight.
—Though your sins be scarlet, they shall be made white as snow.
Cease to do evil and learn to do good, seek always what is just.
—Though your sins be scarlet, they shall be made white as snow.SECOND READING
From a catechetical instruction by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop
(Cat. 15,1-3: PG 33, 870-874)
On the twofold coming of Christ
We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom.
In general, what relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God before the ages, and a birth from a virgin at the fullness of time. There is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future.
At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising the shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels. We look then beyond the first coming and await the second. At the first coming we said: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. At the second we shall say it again; we shall go out with the angels to meet the Lord and cry out in adoration: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
The Savior will not come to be judged again, but to judge those by whom he was judged. At his own judgment he was silent; then he will address those who committed the outrages against him when they crucified him and will remind them: You did these things, and I was silent.
His first coming was to fulfill his plan of love, to teach men by gentle persuasion. This time, whether men like it or not, they will be subjects of his kingdom by necessity. Malachi the prophet speaks of the two comings. And the Lord wh?m you seek will come suddenly to his temple: that is one coming.
Again he says of another coming: Look, the Lord almighty will come, and who will endure the day of his entry, or who will stand in his sight? Because he comes like a refiner's fire, a fuller's herb, and he will sit refining and cleansing.
These two comings are also referred to by Paul in writing to Titus: The grace of God the Savior has appeared to all men, instructing us to put aside impiety and worldly desires and live temperately, uprightly, and religiously in this present age, waiting for the joyful hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Notice how he speaks of a first coming for which he gives thanks, and a second, the one we still await.
That is why the faith we profess has been handed on to you in these words: He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
Our Lord Jesus Christ will therefore come from heaven. He will come at the end of the world, in glory, at the last day. For there will be an end to this world, and the created world will be made new.
RESPONSORY
Watching from afar, I see the power of God advancing, and the whole earth enveloped in a cloud.
Go out to meet him crying:
—Tell us if you are the One who is to reign over the people of Israel.All peoples of the earth, all children of men,
―rich and poor alike, go out to meet him crying:Shepherd of Israel, hear us, you who lead Joseph's race like a flock,
―tell us if you are the One.
Throw wide the gates, you princes, let the King of glory enter,
―who is to reign over the people of Israel.Watching from afar to people of Israel.
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
All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
MORNING PRAYER
WEEK I
FIRST SUNDAY 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
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child, and yet a king,
Born to reign in us for ever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
Melody: Stllltrrart 87-87 Music: adapted from C. F. Witt.
1660- I 7 16
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-178RPSALMODY
Ant. 1 On that day sweet wine will flow from the mountains, milk and honey from the hills, alleluia.
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 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 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 voices celebrate you for ever.
Ant. On that day sweet wine will flow from the mountains, milk and honey from the hills, alleluia.
Ant. 2 The mountain and hills will sing praise to to God; all the trees of the forest will clap their hands, for he is coming, the Lord of a kingdom that lasts for ever, alleluia.
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 mountain and hills will sing praise to to God; all the trees of the forest will clap
their hands, for he is coming, the Lord of a kingdom that lasts for ever, alleluia.Ant. 3 A great prophet will come to Jerusalem; of that people he will make a new creation.
Psalm 149
The joy of God's holy peopleLet 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. A great prophet will come to Jerusalem; of that people he will make a new creation.
READING Romans 13:11-12
It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. The night is far spent; the day draws near. Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
RESPONSORY
Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
—Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
You are the one who is to come,
—have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
—Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAHAnt. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, Mary; you have no need to be afraid. You will carry in your womb the Son of God, alleluia.
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. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, Mary; you have no need to be afraid. You will carry in your womb the Son of God, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
To God our Father, who has given us the grace to wait in joyful hope for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us make our prayer:
Show us your mercy, Lord.
Sanctify us in mind and body,
—keep us without sin until the coming of your Son.
Make us walk this day in holiness,
—and live upright and devout lives in this world.
May we be clothed in our Lord Jesus Christ,
—and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Lord, help us to stand watchful and ready,
—until your Son is revealed in all his glory.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
All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Alternative Prayer
Father in heaven,
our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
EVENING PRAYER II
WEEK I
FIRST SUNDAY 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
Creator of the stars of night,
Your people's everlasting light,
Jesus, Redeemer, save us all,
And hear your servants when they call.Now, grieving that the ancient curse
Should doom to death a universe,
You heal all men who need your grace
To save and heal a ruined race.
At whose great name, majestic now,
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
All things in heaven and earth adore,
And own thee King for evermore.To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Praise, honor, might, and glory be
From age to age eternally.Melody: Conditor Alme Siderum L.M.
Music: Sarum plainsong Mode IV, c. 9th century Text: Anon., 7th century Translator: J. M. Neale and others, alt.PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Rejoice, daughter of Zion; shout for JOY, daughter of Jerusalem, alleluia.
Psalm 110: 1-5, 7
The Messiah, king and priest
Christ's reign will last until all his enemies are made subject to him (1 Corinthians 15: 25) .
The Lord's revelation to my Master:
"Sit on my right:
your foes I will put beneath your feet. "
The Lord will wield from Zion your scepter of power:
rule in the midst of all your foes.A prince from the day of your birth on the holy mountains;
from the womb before the dawn I begot you.The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change.
"You are a priest for ever,
a priest like Melchizedek of old."The Master standing at your right hand
will shatter kings in the day of his great wrath.He shall drink from the stream by the wayside
and therefore he shall lift up his head.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, we ask you to give us victory and peace. In Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, we are already seated at your right hand. We look forward to praising you in the fellowship of all your saints in our heavenly homeland.
Ant. 1 Rejoice, daughter of Zion; shout for JOY, daughter of Jerusalem, alleluia.
Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week 1,695.Ant. 2 Christ our King will come to us: the Lamb of God foretold by John.
Psalm 114
The Israelites are delivered from the bondage of Egypt
You too left Egypt when, at baptism, you renounced that world which is at enmity with God (Saint Augustine).
When Israel came forth from Egypt,
Jacob's sons from an alien people,
Judah became the Lord's temple,
Israel became his kingdom.The sea fled at the sight:
the Jordan turned back on its course,
the mountains leapt like rams
and the hills like yearling sheep.Why was it, sea, that you fled,
that you turned back, Jordan, on your course?
Mountains, that you leapt like rams,
hills, like yearling sheep?Tremble, O earth, before the Lord,
in the presence of the God of Jacob,
who turns the rock into a pool
and flint into a spring of water.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
Almighty God, ever-living mystery of unity and Trinity, you gave life to the new Israel by birth from water and the Spirit, and made it a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people set apart as your eternal possession. May all those you have called to walk in the splendor of the new light render you fitting service and adoration.
Ant. 2 Christ our King will come to us: the Lamb of God foretold by John.
Ant. 3 I am coming soon, says the Lord; I will give to everyone the reward his deeds deserve.
(The following canticle is said with the Alleluia when Evening Prayer is sung; when the office is recited, the Alleluia may be said at the beginning and end of each strophe.)Canticle See Revelation 19: 1- 7
The wedding of the Lamb
Alleluia.
Salvation, glory, and power to our God:
his judgments are honest and true.
Alleluia.
Sing praise to our God, all you his servants,
all who worship him reverently, great and small.
Alleluia.
The Lord our all-powerful God is King;
let us rejoice, sing praise, and give him glory.
Alleluia.
The wedding feast of the Lamb has begun,
and his bride is prepared to welcome him.
Ant. 3 I am coming soon, says the Lord; I will give to everyone the reward his deeds deserve.
READING Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it ,again. Rejoice!
Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near.RESPONSORY
Lord, show us your mercy and love.
―Lord, show us your mercy and love.
And grant us your salvation,
―your mercy and love.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
―Lord, show us your mercy and love.CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God; you will conceive and give birth to a Son, alleluia.
† 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. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God; you will conceive and give birth to a Son, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
To Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, the way, the truth, and the life, let us make our humble prayer:
Come and stay with us, Lord.
Son of the Most High, your coming was announced to the Virgin Mary by Gabriel,
— come and rule over your people for ever.
Holy One of God, in your presence John the Baptist leapt in Elizabeth's womb,
—bring the joy of salvation to all the earth.
Jesus the Savior, the angel revealed your name to Joseph the just man,
—come and save your people from their sins.
Light of the world, for whom Simeon and all the just waited,
―come and comfort us.
O Rising Sun that never sets, Zechariah foretold that you would visit us from above,
―come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.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
All- powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Alternative Prayer
Father in heaven,
our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word.
Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.