Untitled Document

OFFICE OF READINGS

WEEK I
FIRST TUESDAY 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

Lord, your word abiding,
And our footsteps guiding,
Gives us joy for ever,
Shall desert us never.

Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By your word imparted
To the simplehearted?

Word of mercy giving
Succor to the living;
Word of life supplying
Comfort to the dying.
O that we, discerning
Its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear you,
Evermore be near you.

Melody: Ravenshaw 66.66 Music: Ave Hierarchia, M. Weisse, 1480—1534, adapted by W. H. Monk, 1823—1889 Text: Henry Williams Baker, 18211877, adapted by Anthony G. Petti

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The Lord is just; he will defend the poor.

Psalm 10

Prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are the poor; the kingdom of heaven is theirs (Luke 6:20).

I

Lord, why do you stand afar off
and hide yourself in times of distress?
The poor man is devoured by the pride of the wicked:
he is caught in the schemes that others have made.

For the wicked man boasts of his heart's desires;
the covetous blasphemes and spurns the Lord.
In his pride the wicked says: "He will not punish.
There is no God." Such are his thoughts.

His path is ever untroubled;
your judgment is far from his mind.
His enemies he regards with contempt.
He thinks: "Never shall I falter:
misfortune shall never be my lot."

His mouth is full of cursing, guile, oppression,
mischief and deceit under his tongue.
He lies in wait among the reeds;
the innocent he murders in secret.

His eyes are on the watch for the helpless man.
He lurks in hiding like a lion in his lair;
he lurks in hiding to seize the poor;
he seizes the poor man and drags him away.

He crouches, preparing to spring,
and the helpless fall beneath his strength.
He thinks in his heart: "God forgets,
he hides his face, he does not see

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 is just; he will defend the poor.

Ant. 2 Lord, you know the burden of my sorrow.

II

Arise then, Lord, lift up your hand!
O God, do not forget the poor!
Why should the wicked spurn the Lord
and think in his heart: "He will not punish"?

But you have seen the trouble and sorrow,
you note it, you take it in hand.
The helpless trusts himself to you;
for you are the helper of the orphan.

Break the power of the wicked and the sinner!
Punish his wickedness till nothing remains!
The Lord is king for ever and ever.
The heathen shall perish from the land he rules.

Lord, you hear the prayer of the poor;
you strengthen their hearts; you turn your ear
to protect the rights of the orphan and oppressed
so that mortal man may strike terror no more.

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

Rise up, Lord, in defense of your people; do not hide your face from our troubles. Father of orphans, wealth of the poor, we rejoice in making you known; may we find comfort and security in times of pain and anxiety.

Ant. Lord, you know the burden of my sorrow.

Ant. 3 The words of the Lord are true, like silver from the furnace.

Psalm 12

A cry for God's help against powerful oppressors

The Father sent his Son into the world to defend the poor (Saint Augustine).

Help, a Lord, for good men have vanished:
truth has gone from the sons of men.
Falsehood they speak one to another,
with lying lips, with a false heart.

May the Lord destroy all lying lips,
the tongue that speaks high-sounding words,
those who say: "Our tongue is our strength;
our lips are our own, who is our master?"

"For the poor who are oppressed and the needy who groan
I myself will arise," says the Lord.
"I will grant them the salvation for which they thirst."

The words of the Lord are words without alloy,
silver from the furnace, seven times refined.

It is you, O Lord, who will take us in your care
and protect us for ever from this generation.
See how the wicked prowl on every side,
while the worthless are prized highly by the sons of men.

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

Your light is true light, Lord, and your truth shines like the day. Direct us to salvation through your life-giving words. May we be saved by always embracing your word.

Ant. The words of the Lord are true, like silver from the furnace.

The Lord teaches the humble his way.
—He guides the gentle-hearted along the right path.

A voice is heard, crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.
―Make straight the path of our God.

FIRST READING

     From the book of the prophet Isaiah                        2:6-22; 4:2-6

The judgment of God

O Lord, you have abandoned your people,
he house of Jacob,
Because they are filled with fortunetellers
and soothsayers, like the Philistines;
they covenant with strangers.
Their land is full of silver and gold,
and there is no end to their treasures;
Their land is full of horses,
and there is no end to their chariots.
Their land is full of idols;
they worship the works of their hands
that which their fingers have made. '

But man is abased,
each one brought low.
[Do not pardon them!]
Get behind the rocks,
hide in the dust,
From the terror of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty!
The haughty eyes of man will be lowered,
the arrogance of men will be abased,
and the Lord alone will be exalted, on that day.
For the Lord of hosts will have his day
against all that is proud and arrogant,
all that is high, and it will be brought low'

Yes, against all the cedars of Lebanon '
and all the oaks of Bashan,
Against all the lofty mountains
and all the high hills,
Against every lofty tower
and every fortified wall,
Against all the ships of Tarshish
and all stately vessels.

Human pride will be abased,
the arrogance of men brought low,
And the Lord alone will be exalted, on that day.
The Idols Will perish forever.
Men will go into caves in the rocks
and into holes in the earth,
From the terror of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty,
when he arises to overawe the earth.

On that day men will throw to the moles and the bats
the idols of silver and gold which they made for worship.

They go into caverns in the rocks
and into crevices in the cliffs,
From the terror of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty, when he arises to overawe the earth.

As for you, let man alone,
in whose nostrils is but a breath;
for what is he worth?

On that day,
The branch of the Lord will be luster and glory,
and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor
for the survivors of Israel.
He who remains in Zion
and he that is left in Jerusalem
Will be called holy:
every one marked down for life in Jerusalem.

When the Lord washes away
the filth of the daughters of Zion,
And purges Jerusalem's blood from her midst
with a blast of searing judgment,
Then will the Lord create,
over the whole site of Mount Zion
and over her place of assembly,
A smoking cloud by day
and a light of flaming fire by night.
For over all, his glory will be shelter and protection:
shade from the parching heat of day,
refuge and cover from storm and rain.

RESPONSORY                          Isaiah 2: 11; Matthew 24:30

The proud man will lower his eyes,
the arrogant man will be humbled;
― the Lord alone shall be exalted on that day.
They will see the Son of Man
coming in the clouds of heaven
with great power and majesty.
―the Lord alone shall be exalted on that day.

SECOND READING

From a sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop

(Oratio 45, 9, 22.26.28: PG 36,634-635.654.658-659.662)

The marvel of the Incarnation

The very Son of God, older than the ages, the invisible, the incomprehensible, the incorporeal, the beginning of beginning, the light of light, the fountain of life and immortality, the image of the archetype, the immovable seal, the perfect likeness, the definition and word of the Father: he it is who comes to his own image and takes our nature for the good of our nature, and unites himself to an intelligent soul for the good of my soul, to purify like by like. He takes to himself all that is human, except for sin. He was conceived by the Virgin Mary, who had been first prepared in soul and body by the Spirit; his coming to birth had to be treated with honor, virginity had to receive new honor. He comes forth as God, in the human nature he has taken, one being, made of two contrary elements, flesh and spirit. Spirit gave divinity, flesh received it.
He who makes rich is made poor; he takes on the poverty of my flesh, that I may gain the riches of his divinity. He who is full is made empty; he is emptied for a brief space of his glory, that I may share in his fullness. What is this wealth of goodness? What is this mystery that surrounds me? I received the likeness of God, but failed to keep it. He takes on my flesh, to bring salvation to the image, immortality to the flesh. He enters into a second union with us, a union far more wonderful than
the first.

Holiness had to be brought to man by the humanity assumed by one who was God, so that God might overcome the tyrant by force and so deliver us and lead us back to himself through the mediation of his Son. The Son arranged this fer the honor of the Father, to whom the Son is clearly obedient in all things.

The Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep, came in search of the straying sheep to the mountains and hills on which you used to offer sacrifice. When he found it, he took it on the shoulders that bore the wood of the cross, and led it back to the life of heaven.

   Christ, the light of all lights, follows John, the lamp that goes before him. The Word of God follows the voice in the wilderness; the bridegroom follows the bridegroom's friend, who prepares a worthy people for the Lord by cleansing them by water in preparation for the Spirit.

   We need God to take our flesh and die, that we might live. We have died with him, that we may be purified. We have risen again with him, because we have died with him. We have been glorified with him, because we have risen again with him.

RESPONSORY              See Gal. 4:4-5; Eph. 2:4; Rom. 8:3

When at last the appointed time had come,
God sent his Son into the world,
born of a virgin, subject to the law,
―to redeem those who were subject to the law.
Because of his great love for us,
God sent his Son in the likeness of our sinful human nature.
―to redeem those who were subject to the law.

Prayer

God of mercy and consolation,
help us in our weakness and free us from sin. Hear our prayers
that we may rejoice at the coming of your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

MORNING PRAYER

WEEK I
FIRST TUESDAY 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

Antiphon:
Sian, sing, break into song!
For within you is the Lord
with his saving power.

Rise and shine forth, for your light has come,
And upon you breaks the glory of the Lord;
For the darkness covers the earth,
And the thick clouds, the people.

Antiphon

But upon you the Lord shall dawn,
And in you his splendor shall be revealed;
Your light shall guide the Gentiles on their path,
And kings shall walk in your brightness.

Antiphon

Wonder and thanksgiving shall fill your heart,
As the wealth of nations enriches you;
You shall be called the City of the Lord,
Dear to the Holy One of Israel.

Antiphon

You who were desolate and alone,
A place unvisited by men,
Shall be the pride of ages untold,
And everlasting joy to the nations.

Antiphon

No more shall the sun be your light by day,
Nor the moon's beam enlighten you by night;
The Lord shall be your everlasting light,
And your God shall be your glory.

Antiphon

No more for you the setting of suns,
No more the waning of moons;
The Lord shall be your everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning shall come to an end.

Antiphon

Melody: Sion, Sing
Music: Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp., 1965 Text: Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp., 1965

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The man whose deeds are blameless and whose heart is pure will climb the mountain of the Lord.

(When psalm 24 is the invitatory psalm, psalm 95, 613, is used as the first psalm of Morning Prayer.)

Psalm 24

The Lord's entry into his temple

Christ opened heaven for us in the manhood he assumed (Saint Irenaeus).

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 forever. 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

God afflicts but only to heal

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord 'Jesus Christ, who in his great love for us has brought us to a new birth ( 1 Peter 1: 3 ) .

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

Song of praise for God's continual care

Through the Word all things were made (John 1: 3) .

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 a
nd 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                                                           Genesis 49: 10

The scepter shall never depart from Judah,
or the mace from between his legs,
While tribute is brought to him,
and he receives the people's homage.

RESPONSORY

Your light will come, Jerusalem;
the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.
―Your light will come, Jerusalem;
the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.

You will see his glory within you;
―the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit . . .
―Your light will come, Jerusalem;

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. From the root of Jesse a flower will blossom, the glory of the Lord will fill the earth, and all creation shall see the saving power of God.

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. From the root of Jesse a flower will blossom, the glory of the Lord will fill the earth, and all      creation shall see the saving power of God.

INTERCESSIONS

God the almighty Father stretches forth his hand again to take possession of the remnant of his people. Let us make our prayer to him:
Lord, may your kingdom come.

Lord, grant that our works of penance may please you,
―and that we may be ready for your kingdom which is so near.
Prepare a path in our hearts for the coming of your Word,
―and let his glory be revealed among us.
Bring low the mountains of our pride,
― and fill up the valleys of our weakness.
Break down the wall of hatred that divides the nations,
―and make level for mankind the paths to peace.

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

God of mercy and consolation,
help us in our weakness and free us from sin.
Hear our prayers
that we may rejoice at the coming of your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

EVENING PRAYER II

WEEK I
FIRST TUESDAY 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 setting sun now dies away,
And darkness comes at close of day;
Your brightest beams, dear Lord, impart,
And let them shine within our heart.

We praise your name with joy this night:
Please watch and guide us till the light;
Joining the music of the blest,
a Lord, we sing ourselves to rest.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Trinity blest, whom we adore.
Be praise and glory evermore.

                                                           Melody: Angelus L.M. Music: Georg Joseph, 1657
Text: Jam sol recedit igneus Translator: Geoffrey Laycock; translation based on version in Primer, 1706
PSALMODY

Ant. 1 God has crowned his Christ with victory.

Psalm 20

A prayer for the king's victory

Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2: 21).

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 everyone 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: 2—8, 14

Thanksgiving for the king's victory

He accepted life that he might rise and live for ever (Saint Hilary).

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

Redemption hymn

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                                        See 1 Corinthians 1:7b-9

We await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will strengthen us to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and it was he who called us to fellowship with his Son.

RESPONSORY

Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
―Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
Let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved,
―Lord God of power and might.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
―Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near, 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. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

To the eternal Word who became man to reveal to us the new and living way, let us make our humble prayer:
Come, Lord, and save us.
God, in whom we live and move and have our being,
―come and teach us that you have made us your own.
You are not far from each of us,
―show yourself to all who search for you.
Father of the poor and consoler of the afflicted,
―set captives free, give joy to those who mourn.
You hate death and love life,
―free all mankind from eternal 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

God of mercy and consolation,
help us in our weakness and free us from sin. Hear our prayers
that we may rejoice at the coming of your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy S;irit, one God, for ever and ever.