Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

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Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Friday · Memorial · Psalter Week 1

The Hours

Invitatorium

Now

Invitatory · 1:30

0:00 1:30

Lord, open my lips.

And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, fount of all wisdom.

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 years 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 for ever. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, fount of all wisdom.

Matins

Now

Office of Readings · 11:36

0:00 11:36

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

Eternal Sun, whose splendid rays,

pervading all created things,

infuse our minds with heav’nly light;

our hearts rejoice to sing your praise.

Enkindled by your Spirit’s care,

resplendent lamps of living flame

shed light on earth through ev’ry age,

revealing paths that save and heal.

The truth of words from heaven sent,

the truth that human minds can teach,

has shone with new and clearer light

through these, the stewards of your grace.

This blest partaker of their crown,

revered for teachings filled with light,

whom we acclaim with hymns of praise,

has shone in splendor with the saints.

O grant us, Lord our God, we pray

this teacher’s loving patronage,

that, running on the paths of truth,

we hold the course and come to you.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 35:1-2

Ant. Rise up, Lord, and come to my aid.

O Lord, plead my cause against my foes;

fight those who fight me.

Take up your buckler and shield;

arise to help me.

O Lord, say to my soul:

“I am your salvation.”

But my soul shall be joyful in the Lord

and rejoice in his salvation.

My whole being will say:

“Lord, who is like you

who rescue the weak from the strong

and the poor from the oppressor?”

Lying witnesses arise

and accuse me unjustly.

They repay me evil for good:

my soul is forlorn.

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. Rise up, Lord, and come to my aid.

Ant. All-powerful Lord, stand by me and defend me.

When they were sick I went into mourning,

afflicted with fasting.

My prayer was ever on my lips,

as for a brother, a friend.

I went as though mourning a mother,

bowed down with grief.

Now that I am in trouble they gather,

they gather and mock me.

They take me by surprise and strike me

and tear me to pieces.

They provoke me with mockery on mockery

and gnash their teeth.

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-powerful Lord, stand by me and defend me.

Ant. My tongue will speak of your goodness all the day long.

O Lord, how long will you look on?

Come to my rescue!

Save my life from these raging beasts,

my soul from these lions.

I will thank you in the great assembly,

amid the throng I will praise you.

Do not let my lying foes

rejoice over me.

Do not let those who hate me unjustly

wink eyes at each other.

O Lord, you have seen, do not be silent,

do not stand afar off!

Awake, stir to my defense,

to my cause, O God!

Let there be joy for those who love my cause.

Let them say without end:

“Great is the Lord who delights

in the peace of his servant.”

Then my tongue shall speak of your justice,

all day long of your 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. My tongue will speak of your goodness all the day long.

My son, take my words to heart.

Do as I say, and you will live.

From the book of the prophet Jeremiah

Thus says the Lord:

Proclaim it in Judah,

make it heard in Jerusalem;

Blow the trumpet through the land,

summon the recruits!

Say, “Fall in, let us march

to the fortified cities.”

Bear the standard to Zion,

seek refuge without delay!

Evil I bring from the north,

and great destruction.

Up comes the lion from his lair,

the destroyer of nations has set out,

has left his place,

To turn your land into desolation,

till your cities lie waste and empty.

So gird yourselves with sackcloth,

mourn and wail:

“The blazing wrath of the Lord

is not turned away from us.”

See! like storm clouds he advances,

like a hurricane his chariots;

Swifter than eagles are his steeds:

“Woe to us! we are ruined.”

Cleanse your heart of evil, O Jerusalem,

that you may be saved.

How long must your pernicious thoughts

lodge within you?

Listen! They proclaim it from Dan,

from Mount Ephraim they announce destruction:

“Make this known to the nations,

announce it to Jerusalem:

The besiegers are coming from the distant land,

shouting their war cry against the cities of Judah.”

Like watchmen of the fields they surround her,

for she has rebelled against me, says the Lord.

Your conduct, your misdeeds, have done this to you;

how bitter is this disaster of yours,

how it reaches to your very heart!

My breast! my breast! how I suffer!

The walls of my heart!

My heart beats wildly,

I cannot be still;

For I have heard the sound of the trumpet,

the alarm of war.

Ruin after ruin is reported;

the whole earth is laid waste.

In an instant my tents are ravaged;

in a flash, my shelters.

How long must I see that signal,

hear that trumpet sound!

Fools my people are,

they know me not;

Senseless children they are,

having no understanding;

They are wise in evil,

but know not how to do good.

I looked at the earth, and it was waste and void;

at the heavens, and their light had gone out!

I looked at the mountains, and they were trembling,

and all the hills were crumbling!

I looked and behold, there was no man;

even the birds of the air had flown away!

I looked and behold, the garden land was a desert,

with all its cities destroyed

before the Lord, before his blazing wrath.

For thus says the Lord:

Waste shall the whole land be;

I will [not] wholly destroy it.

Because of this the earth shall mourn,

the heavens above shall darken;

I have spoken, I will not repent,

I have resolved, I will not turn back.

See Jeremiah 4:24-26; 8:18; Psalm 85:5

O God, before your blazing anger the whole earth shook with fear.

Have mercy on us, O Lord;

do not destroy us.

Restore us again, O God, with your saving power,

and do not be angry with us.

Do not destroy us.

From the Confessions of Saint Augustine, bishop

Urged to reflect upon myself, I entered under your guidance into the inmost depth of my soul. I was able to do so because

you were my helper.

On entering into myself I saw, as it were with the eye of the soul, what was beyond the eye of the soul, beyond my spirit: your immutable light. It was not the ordinary light perceptible to all flesh, nor was it merely something of greater magnitude but still essentially akin, shining more clearly and diffusing itself everywhere by its intensity. No it was something entirely distinct, something altogether different from all these things: and it did not rest above my mind as oil on the surface of water, nor was it above me as Heaven is above the Earth. This light was above me because it has made me; I was below it because I was created by it. He who has come to know the truth knows this light.

O Eternal truth, true love and beloved eternity. You are my God. To you do I sigh day and night. When I first came to know you, you drew me to yourself so that I might see that there were things for me to see, but that I myself was not yet ready to see them. Meanwhile you overcame the weakness of my vision, sending forth most strongly the beams of your light, and I trembled at once with love and dread. I learned that I was in a region unlike yours and far distant from you, and I thought I heard your voice from on high: “I am the food of grown men; grow then, and you will feed on me. Nor will you change me into yourself like bodily food, but you will be changed into me.”

I sought a way to gain the strength which I needed to enjoy you. But I did not find it until I embraced

the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who is above all, God blessed for ever.

He was calling me and saying:

I am the way of truth, I am the life.

He was offering the food which I lacked the strength to take, the food he had mingled with our flesh.

For the Word became flesh,

that your wisdom, by which you created all things, might provide milk for us children.

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.

Responsory

O Truth, you are the light of my heart.

Let your light speak to me, not my own darkness.

I went astray, but I remembered you

and now I return longing and thirsting for your fountain.

I myself cannot give life.

Of myself I have lived wrongly;

in you I have found life again.

And now I return longing and thirsting for your fountain.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord

the spirit with which you endowed

your Bishop Saint Augustine

that, filled with the same spirit,

we may thirst for you,

the sole fount of true wisdom,

and seek you, the author of heavenly love.

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.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Lauds

Now

Morning Prayer · 10:42

0:00 10:42

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

Shining in heaven, star among the doctors,

brilliant Augustine, wise and glorious Bishop,

casts through all regions light of faith unfailing,

whole and untainted.

Sing heav’nly Zion, of the Lord’s salvation,

for he redeemed us and in wondrous manner

bound Saint Augustine to himself and gave him

light full of wisdom.

He never wavered in his work to strengthen

faith that is sacred, crushing error’s weapons,

by his clear teaching, cleansing and repelling

all sinful conduct.

O loving watchman, keeper of Christ’s sheepfold,

shining example both to monk and cleric,

pray for us always that God’s gracious visage

may shine upon us.

Praise, honor, blessing to the Triune Godhead,

whose wondrous myst’ries, you on earth searched deeply,

whose shining splendor you enjoy in glory

mid stars of heaven. Amen.

Psalm 51

Ant. Lord, you will accept the true sacrifice offered on your altar.

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.

Ant. Lord, you will accept the true sacrifice offered on your altar.

Isaiah 45:15-25

Ant. All the descendants of Israel will glory in the Lord’s gift of victory.

Truly with you God is hidden,

the God of Israel, the savior!

Those are put to shame and disgrace

who vent their anger against him.

Those go in disgrace

who carve images.

Israel, you are saved by the Lord, saved forever!

You shall never be put to shame or disgrace

in future ages.

For thus says the Lord,

the creator of the heavens,

who is God, the designer and maker of the earth

who established it,

not creating it to be a waste,

but designing it to be lived in:

I am the Lord, and there is no other.

I have not spoken from hiding

nor from some dark place of the earth.

And I have not said to the descendants of Jacob,

“Look for me in an empty waste.”

I, the Lord, promise justice,

I foretell what is right.

Come and assemble, gather together,

you fugitives from among the Gentiles!

They are without knowledge who bear wooden idols

and pray to gods that cannot save.

Come here and declare

in counsel together:

Who announced this from the beginning

and foretold it from of old?

Was it not I, the Lord,

besides whom there is no other God?

There is no just and saving God but me.

Turn to me and be safe,

all you ends of the earth,

for I am God; there is no other!

By myself I swear,

uttering my just decree

and my unalterable word:

To me every knee shall bend;

by me every tongue shall swear,

saying, “Only in the Lord

are just deeds and power.

Before him in shame shall come

all who vent their anger against him.

In the Lord shall be the vindication and the glory

of all the descendants of Israel.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. All the descendants of Israel will glory in the Lord’s gift of victory.

Psalm 100

Ant. Let us go into God’s presence singing for joy.

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing for joy.

Know that he, the Lord, is God.

He made us, we belong to him,

we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Go within his gates, giving thanks.

Enter his courts with songs of praise.

Give thanks to him and bless his name.

Indeed, how good is the Lord,

eternal his merciful love.

He is faithful from age to age.

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 go into God’s presence singing for joy.

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.

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. You inspire us, O Lord, to delight in praising you because you made us for yourself; our hearts are restless until they rest in you.

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. You inspire us, O Lord, to delight in praising you because you made us for yourself; our hearts are restless until they rest in you.

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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord

the spirit with which you endowed

your Bishop Saint Augustine

that, filled with the same spirit,

we may thirst for you,

the sole fount of true wisdom,

and seek you, the author of heavenly love.

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.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Terce

Now

Midmorning Prayer · 9 AM · 5:20

0:00 5:20

INTRODUCTION

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

Now, Holy Spirit, come, descend,

one with the Father and the Son;

come swiftly in and fill our hearts

with your full flood of holiness.

In mind and mouth, with heart and tongue,

with strength and sense, may praise resound,

May charity with ardor blaze

and kindle others with its flame.

Now through your presence may we know

and love the Father and the Son,

and you, the Spirit of them both,

may we profess throughout all time. Amen.

Psalm 119:25-32

Ant. Lightly I run in the way you have shown, for you have opened my heart to receive your law.

My soul lies in the dust;

by your word revive me.

I declared my ways and you answered:

teach me your statutes.

Make me grasp the way of your precepts

and I will muse on your wonders.

My soul pines away with grief;

by your word raise me up.

Keep me from the way of error

and teach me your law.

I have chosen the way of truth

with your decrees before me.

I bind myself to do your will;

Lord, do not disappoint me.

I will run the way of your commands;

you give freedom to my 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.

Ant. Lightly I run in the way you have shown, for you have opened my heart to receive your law.

Psalm 26

Ant. I trust in the Lord and will not be shaken.

Give judgment for me, O Lord:

for I walk the path of perfection.

I trust in the Lord; I have not wavered.

Examine me, Lord, and try me;

O test my heart and my mind,

for your love is before my eyes

and I walk according to your truth.

I never take my place with liars

and with hypocrites I shall not go.

I hate the evil-doer’s company:

I will not take my place with the wicked.

To prove my innocence I wash my hands

and take my place around your altar,

singing a song of thanksgiving,

proclaiming all your wonders.

O Lord, I love the house where you dwell,

the place where your glory abides.

Do not sweep me away with sinners,

nor my life with bloodthirsty men

in whose hands are evil plots,

whose right hands are filled with gold.

As for me, I walk the path of perfection.

Redeem me and show me your mercy.

My foot stands on level ground:

I will bless the Lord in the assembly.

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 trust in the Lord and will not be shaken.

Psalm 28:1-3

Ant. I put all my trust in the Lord, and he has not failed me.

To you, O Lord, I call,

my rock, hear me.

If you do not heed I shall become

like those in the grave.

Hear the voice of my pleading

as I call for help,

as I lift up my hands in prayer

to your holy place.

Do not drag me away with the wicked,

with the evil-doers,

who speak words of peace to their neighbors

but with evil in their hearts.

Blessed be the Lord for he has heard

my cry, my appeal.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts.

I was helped, my heart rejoices

and I praise him with my song.

The Lord is the strength of his people,

a fortress where his anointed find salvation.

Save your people; bless Israel your heritage.

Be their shepherd and carry them 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. I put all my trust in the Lord, and he has not failed me.

Philippians 2:2b-4

Maintain your unanimity, possessing the one love, united in spirit and ideals. Never act out of rivalry or conceit; rather, let all parties think humbly of others as superior to themselves, each of you looking to others’ interests rather than his own.

All God’s ways are faithful and compassionate.

For those who keep his covenant and do his will.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ,

at this hour you were led out

to die on the cross

for the salvation of the world.

We ask your forgiveness for the sins of our past

and your protection from all future evil.

Bring us to the peace and joy of that kingdom

where you live and reign for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Sext

Now

Midday Prayer · 12 PM · 5:11

0:00 5:11

INTRODUCTION

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

O mighty Ruler, God of truth,

for days and seasons setting bounds,

you clothe with splendor morning light

and midday skies with brilliant heat.

Extinguish flames of bitter strife,

all harmful passion take away,

grant health unto our mortal frame,

and on our hearts bestow true peace.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 119:25-32

Ant. Lightly I run in the way you have shown, for you have opened my heart to receive your law.

My soul lies in the dust;

by your word revive me.

I declared my ways and you answered:

teach me your statutes.

Make me grasp the way of your precepts

and I will muse on your wonders.

My soul pines away with grief;

by your word raise me up.

Keep me from the way of error

and teach me your law.

I have chosen the way of truth

with your decrees before me.

I bind myself to do your will;

Lord, do not disappoint me.

I will run the way of your commands;

you give freedom to my 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.

Ant. Lightly I run in the way you have shown, for you have opened my heart to receive your law.

Psalm 26

Ant. I trust in the Lord and will not be shaken.

Give judgment for me, O Lord:

for I walk the path of perfection.

I trust in the Lord; I have not wavered.

Examine me, Lord, and try me;

O test my heart and my mind,

for your love is before my eyes

and I walk according to your truth.

I never take my place with liars

and with hypocrites I shall not go.

I hate the evil-doer’s company:

I will not take my place with the wicked.

To prove my innocence I wash my hands

and take my place around your altar,

singing a song of thanksgiving,

proclaiming all your wonders.

O Lord, I love the house where you dwell,

the place where your glory abides.

Do not sweep me away with sinners,

nor my life with bloodthirsty men

in whose hands are evil plots,

whose right hands are filled with gold.

As for me, I walk the path of perfection.

Redeem me and show me your mercy.

My foot stands on level ground:

I will bless the Lord in the assembly.

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 trust in the Lord and will not be shaken.

Psalm 28:1-3

Ant. I put all my trust in the Lord, and he has not failed me.

To you, O Lord, I call,

my rock, hear me.

If you do not heed I shall become

like those in the grave.

Hear the voice of my pleading

as I call for help,

as I lift up my hands in prayer

to your holy place.

Do not drag me away with the wicked,

with the evil-doers,

who speak words of peace to their neighbors

but with evil in their hearts.

Blessed be the Lord for he has heard

my cry, my appeal.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts.

I was helped, my heart rejoices

and I praise him with my song.

The Lord is the strength of his people,

a fortress where his anointed find salvation.

Save your people; bless Israel your heritage.

Be their shepherd and carry them 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. I put all my trust in the Lord, and he has not failed me.

2 Corinthians 13:4

It is true he was crucified out of weakness, but he lives by the power of God. We too are weak in him, but we live with him by God’s power in us.

I am broken, crushed to the earth.

Speak, Lord, your word of life.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ,

at noon, when darkness covered all the earth,

you mounted the wood of the cross

as the innocent victim for our redemption.

May your light be always with us

to guide us to eternal life in that kingdom

where you live and reign for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

None

Now

Midafternoon Prayer · 3 PM · 5:20

0:00 5:20

INTRODUCTION

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

O God, our firm and steadfast strength,

remaining in yourself unmoved,

you rule the span of daily light

and guide the course of all the hours.

Bestow at eventide a light

by which our life may never fail;

may endless glory be the crown

that follows on a holy death.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ, coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 119:25-32

Ant. Lightly I run in the way you have shown, for you have opened my heart to receive your law.

My soul lies in the dust;

by your word revive me.

I declared my ways and you answered:

teach me your statutes.

Make me grasp the way of your precepts

and I will muse on your wonders.

My soul pines away with grief;

by your word raise me up.

Keep me from the way of error

and teach me your law.

I have chosen the way of truth

with your decrees before me.

I bind myself to do your will;

Lord, do not disappoint me.

I will run the way of your commands;

you give freedom to my 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.

Ant. Lightly I run in the way you have shown, for you have opened my heart to receive your law.

Psalm 26

Ant. I trust in the Lord and will not be shaken.

Give judgment for me, O Lord:

for I walk the path of perfection.

I trust in the Lord; I have not wavered.

Examine me, Lord, and try me;

O test my heart and my mind,

for your love is before my eyes

and I walk according to your truth.

I never take my place with liars

and with hypocrites I shall not go.

I hate the evil-doer’s company:

I will not take my place with the wicked.

To prove my innocence I wash my hands

and take my place around your altar,

singing a song of thanksgiving,

proclaiming all your wonders.

O Lord, I love the house where you dwell,

the place where your glory abides.

Do not sweep me away with sinners,

nor my life with bloodthirsty men

in whose hands are evil plots,

whose right hands are filled with gold.

As for me, I walk the path of perfection.

Redeem me and show me your mercy.

My foot stands on level ground:

I will bless the Lord in the assembly.

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 trust in the Lord and will not be shaken.

Psalm 28:1-3

Ant. I put all my trust in the Lord, and he has not failed me.

To you, O Lord, I call,

my rock, hear me.

If you do not heed I shall become

like those in the grave.

Hear the voice of my pleading

as I call for help,

as I lift up my hands in prayer

to your holy place.

Do not drag me away with the wicked,

with the evil-doers,

who speak words of peace to their neighbors

but with evil in their hearts.

Blessed be the Lord for he has heard

my cry, my appeal.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts.

I was helped, my heart rejoices

and I praise him with my song.

The Lord is the strength of his people,

a fortress where his anointed find salvation.

Save your people; bless Israel your heritage.

Be their shepherd and carry them 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. I put all my trust in the Lord, and he has not failed me.

Colossians 3:12-13

Because you are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.

Tender and compassionate is the Lord.

Patient and ready to forgive.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you brought the repentant thief

from the suffering of the cross

to the joy of your kingdom.

Lord, when we die,

may we who confess our sins

be brought to you through the gates of heaven,

that we may have eternal joy in that kingdom

where you live and reign for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Vespers

Now

Evening Prayer · 9:34

0:00 9:34

INTRODUCTION

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

Shining in heaven, star among the doctors,

brilliant Augustine, wise and glorious Bishop,

casts through all regions light of faith unfailing,

whole and untainted.

Sing heav’nly Zion, of the Lord’s salvation,

for he redeemed us and in wondrous manner

bound Saint Augustine to himself and gave him

light full of wisdom.

He never wavered in his work to strengthen

faith that is sacred, crushing error’s weapons,

by his clear teaching, cleansing and repelling

all sinful conduct.

O loving watchman, keeper of Christ’s sheepfold,

shining example both to monk and cleric,

pray for us always that God’s gracious visage

may shine upon us.

Praise, honor, blessing to the Triune Godhead,

whose wondrous myst’ries, you on earth searched deeply,

whose shining splendor you enjoy in glory

mid stars of heaven. Amen.

Psalm 41

Ant. Lord, lay your healing hand upon me, for I have sinned.

Happy the man who considers the poor and the weak.

The Lord will save him in the day of evil,

will guard him, give him life, make him happy in the land

and will not give him up to the will of his foes.

The Lord will help him on his bed of pain,

he will bring him back from sickness to health.

As for me, I said: “Lord, have mercy on me,

heal my soul for I have sinned against you.”

My foes are speaking evil against me.

“How long before he dies and his name be forgotten?”

They come to visit me and speak empty words,

their hearts full of malice, they spread it abroad.

My enemies whisper together against me.

They all weigh up the evil which is on me:

“Some deadly thing has fastened upon him,

he will not rise again from where he lies.”

Thus even my friend, in whom I trusted,

who ate my bread, has turned against me.

But you, O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let me rise once more and I will repay them.

By this I shall know that you are my friend,

if my foes do not shout in triumph over me.

If you uphold me I shall be unharmed

and set in your presence for evermore.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel

from age to age. Amen. Amen.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, lay your healing hand upon me, for I have sinned.

Psalm 46

Ant. The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

God is for us a refuge and strength,

a helper close at hand, in time of distress:

so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,

though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea,

even though its waters rage and foam,

even though the mountains be shaken by its waves.

The Lord of hosts is with us:

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within, it cannot be shaken;

God will help it at the dawning of the day.

Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken:

he lifts his voice, the earth shrinks away.

The Lord of hosts is with us:

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come, consider the works of the Lord,

the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.

He puts an end to wars over all the earth;

the bow he breaks, the spear he snaps.

He burns the shields with fire.

“Be still and know that I am God,

supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us:

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

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 mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Revelation 15:3-4

Ant. All nations will come and worship before you, O Lord.

Mighty and wonderful are your works,

Lord God Almighty!

Righteous and true are your ways,

O King of the nations!

Who would dare refuse you honor,

or the glory due your name, O Lord?

Since you alone are holy,

all nations shall come

and worship in your presence.

Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.

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 nations will come and worship before you, O Lord.

James 3:17-18

Wisdom from above is first of all innocent. It is also peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

RESPONSORY

In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.

The Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.

He spoke with eloquence.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you. You called, you shouted and you shattered my deafness.

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. Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you. You called, you shouted and you shattered my deafness.

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.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Renew in your Church, we pray, O Lord

the spirit with which you endowed

your Bishop Saint Augustine

that, filled with the same spirit,

we may thirst for you,

the sole fount of true wisdom,

and seek you, the author of heavenly love.

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.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Compline

Now

Night Prayer · 5:07

0:00 5:07

Examination of conscience

An examination of conscience is a traditional, optional part of Night Prayer, commended in the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours (86), and the Church leaves its form free: a quiet review of the day, a familiar prayer of sorrow, or something longer. If you would like to be led, here are two to listen to and pray along with. Afterwards, return to Night Prayer.

Coptic act of contrition

11th Hour

If the righteous one is hardly saved, where shall I, a sinner, appear?! The burden and the heat of the day I could not bear because of the weakness of my human nature. But, O merciful God, count me among the laborers of the eleventh hour. For behold, I was brought forth in iniquities, and in sin my mother conceived me. Therefore, I dare not lift my eyes unto heaven. But rather I rely on the abundance of Your mercy and love-of-mankind, crying to You and saying, “Lord, forgive me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O my Savior, hasten to open Your fatherly bosom to me. For I have wasted my life in worldly desires and pleasures, whereas the day has been consumed and far spent. Therefore, now I rely on the abundance of Your infinite compassion. So, then, do not disregard my revering heart which is exceedingly in need of Your mercy. For I cry out to You, O Lord, with reverence, saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in Your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called Your son, make me like one of Your hired servants.”

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

With full awareness and enthusiasm did I pursue every transgression, with all eagerness and diligence did I commit every sin, and of all judgment and torment I deserve. Hence, I beseech you, our Lady the Virgin, to lead me to repentance. For to you I plead and through you I seek intercession, and upon you I call to help me that I should not be put to shame. And when my soul departs from my body, please be present and attend to me, and defeat the conspiracies of the enemies, and shut the gates of Hades, lest they might swallow my soul. O you bride without blemish of the true Bridegroom.

12th Hour

Behold, I am about to stand before the just and righteous Judge, terrified and trembling because of my numerous sins. For a life wasted in worldly pleasures deserves condemnation. So repent therefore, O my soul, as long as you dwell on this earth. For the dust in the grave cannot offer any praise, and among the dead no one can remember, nor can anyone in Hades give thanks. Therefore, arise O my soul from the slumber of your laziness, and implore the Savior in repentance saying, “O God have mercy on me and save me.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Were this life on earth everlasting, and this world ever-existing, you would have had an excuse, O my soul. But now, if your wicked deeds and repulsive evils were to be exposed before the righteous Judge, what answer would you be giving while you are lying on the bed of sins and negligent in disciplining your body?! O Christ our God, before Your awesome seat of judgment I am terrified, and before Your counsel of judgment I am dreadful, and from the radiant light of Your divinity I tremble. For I am a wretched and defiled person who lies in bed, careless of the ways of my life. Yet, I take example of the tax collector’s penance, beating my chest and saying, “O God be merciful to me, a sinner.”

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O pure Virgin, overshadow your servant speedily with your help, keep the waves of evil thoughts away from me, and raise my ailing soul to pray and watch, for it has gone into deep slumber. For you are a capable and compassionate helper, the Mother of the Fountain of life, my King and my God, Jesus Christ my hope.

The Prayer of the Veil

O Lord, You know the alertness of my enemies, and You understand the weakness of my nature, O my Creator. For behold, into Your hands I place my spirit that You may shield me under the wings of Your goodness, lest I sleep unto death. Enlighten my eyes with the greatness of Your sayings, and raise me up to glorify You at all times, for You alone are the Good One and Lover of Mankind.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Lord, Your judgment is fearful, when people shall be gathered, the angels standing, the books opened, the deeds revealed, and thoughts examined. What will be my judgment, I who am entangled by sin?! Who will quench the flames of fire around me?! Who will enlighten my darkness except You, O Lord?! Have mercy on me, for You are kind towards mankind.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O Theotokos, because we have put our trust in you, we shall not be put to shame; And because we have attained your help and intercessions, O holy and perfect one, we shall not fear, but shall drive out our enemies and disperse them. And, in everything, we take your great help to protect us as if with a shield. We ask and entreat you, proclaiming “O Theotokos” to save us by your intercessions, and raise us up from the darkness of sleep, in order to glorify through the power of God who was incarnate from you.

The Absolution

O Lord, all our sins we have committed against You in this day, whether in deed or in words or in thoughts or through any of our senses, please do forgive and pardon us, for the sake of Your holy name, O good Lord, Lover of Mankind.

Grant us a peaceful night and a sleep free of all worry and anxiety. Send us the guardian angel to protect us from all evil and every affliction and temptation of the enemy.

Through the grace, compassion and love-of-mankind, of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, O Father, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

The Thanksgiving Prayer

Let us give thanks to the beneficent and merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, for He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Him, had compassion on us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.

O Master, Lord, God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, we thank You for every condition, concerning every condition, and in every condition. For You have covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to You, had compassion on us, supported us, and brought us to this hour.

Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind. Grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our life, in all peace in Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the counsel of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us and from all Your people and from this holy place that is Yours. But those things which are good and profitable do provide for us. For it is You who have given us the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, by the grace, compassion and love-of-mankind, of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

From the Agpeya, the Coptic Orthodox Book of Hours (St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Jersey City; text as published on copticchurch.net).

INTRODUCTION

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. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

A brief moment of silent reflection is made to examine one’s conscience and recall God’s mercy throughout the day.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

HYMN

To you before the close of light,

Creator of all things, we pray:

Be our protector, keep us safe

in your unfailing clemency.

Incline our hearts to dream of you,

to sense your presence as we sleep;

as light returns, so let us sing

your praise and glory evermore.

Grant us the grace of health and strength,

renew our warmth and joy of life;

and let your radiant light dispel

the dreaded darkness of the night.

Almighty Father, grant our prayer

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who reigns with you from age to age,

one with the Spirit, ever blest. Amen.

Psalm 88

Ant. Day and night I cry to you, my God.

Lord my God, I call for help by day;

I cry at night before you.

Let my prayer come into your presence.

O turn your ear to my cry.

For my soul is filled with evils;

my life is on the brink of the grave.

I am reckoned as one in the tomb:

I have reached the end of my strength,

like one alone among the dead;

like the slain lying in their graves;

like those you remember no more,

cut off, as they are, from your hand.

You have laid me in the depths of the tomb,

in places that are dark, in the depths.

Your anger weighs down upon me:

I am drowned beneath your waves.

You have taken away my friends

and made me hateful in their sight.

Imprisoned, I cannot escape;

my eyes are sunken with grief.

I call to you, Lord, all the day long;

to you I stretch out my hands.

Will you work your wonders for the dead?

Will the shades stand and praise you?

Will your love be told in the grave

or your faithfulness among the dead?

Will your wonders be known in the dark

or your justice in the land of oblivion?

As for me, Lord, I call to you for help:

in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Lord, why do you reject me?

Why do you hide your face?

Wretched, close to death from my youth,

I have borne your trials; I am numb.

Your fury has swept down upon me;

your terrors have utterly destroyed me.

They surround me all the day like a flood,

they assail me all together.

Friend and neighbor you have taken away:

my one companion is darkness.

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. Day and night I cry to you, my God.

Jeremiah 14:9

You are in our midst, O Lord,

your name we bear:

do not forsake us, O Lord, our God!

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.

I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle of Simeon

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

All-powerful God

keep us united with your Son

in his death and burial

so that we may rise to new life with him,

who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.

MARIAN ANTIPHON

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,

our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To you do we cry,

poor banished children of Eve.

To you do we send up our sighs

mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

your eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this exile

show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary.

Also for today

Mass Readings

Now

Readings of the Day's Mass · 3:18

0:00 3:18

First Reading

1 Cor 1:17-25

We proclaim Christ crucified, foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, the wisdom of God.

Brothers and sisters:

Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the Gospel,

and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,

so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

For it is written:

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the learning of the learned I will set aside.

Where is the wise one?

Where is the scribe?

Where is the debater of this age?

Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

For since in the wisdom of God

the world did not come to know God through wisdom,

it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation

to save those who have faith.

For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,

but we proclaim Christ crucified,

a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike,

Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,

and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps. 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11

℟. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Exult, you just, in the LORD;

praise from the upright is fitting.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;

with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.

For upright is the word of the LORD,

and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right;

of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

The LORD brings to nought the plans of nations;

he foils the designs of peoples.

But the plan of the LORD stands forever;

the design of his heart, through all generations.

℟. The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Mt 23:9b, 10b

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

You have but one Father, in heaven;

you have but one master, the Christ.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mt 23:8-12

Jesus spoke to his disciples:

“Do not be called ‘Rabbi.’

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.

Call no one on earth your father;

you have but one Father in heaven.

Do not be called ‘Master’:

you have but one master, the Christ.

The greatest among you must be your servant.

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;

but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Devotional Prayers

The words of the prayers

Prayer Before the Office

Lord, open my lips, to praise Your Holy Name. Cleanse my heart of any worthless, evil, or distracting thoughts. Give me the wisdom and love necessary to pray this Office with attention, reverence, and devotion. Father, let this prayer be heard in Your Presence, for it is offered through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord, in union with that intention with which you offered praises to God when on earth, I offer this Hour to You.

I offer this Hour in union with all of the Masses being said throughout the world, and I offer it for the following intention: ____.

Prayer After the Office

Blessed be forever the most loving Hearts and the sweet Names of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the most glorious Virgin Mary, His Mother.

O most merciful Jesus, I thank you with all my heart. Be merciful to me, a miserable sinner. I offer this action to your Divine Heart to be amended and perfected, to the praise and glory of your most holy Name and of your most blessed Mother, and for the salvation of my soul and of your whole Church. Amen.

To the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, to the Manhood of Our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified, to the Fruitful Virginity of the Most Blessed and Most Glorious Mary, Ever Virgin, and to the Congregation of all the Saints be ascribed everlasting praise, honor, power and glory by every creature, and to us be granted the forgiveness of all our sins, world without end. Amen.

Blessed be the Womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father.

And blessed be the Breasts which gave suck to Christ our Lord.

Our Father

Hail Mary