Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

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Ordinary Time

Saturday of the thirtieth week of Ordinary Time

Saturday · Weekday · Psalter Week 2

The Hours

Invitatorium

Now

Invitatory · 1:32

0:00 1:32

Lord, open my lips.

And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Let us listen to the voice of God; let us enter into his rest.

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. Let us listen to the voice of God; let us enter into his rest.

Matins

Now

Office of Readings · 9:47

0:00 9:47

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

Light eternal, Light almighty,

day that neither wanes nor fails;

vanquisher of night and shadow,

great restorer of the light,

bold destroyer of the darkness,

splendor of the mind and heart:

By your birth our hearts are gladdened,

at your call we rise from sleep;

by your action we are blessed,

at your leaving, filled with grief;

freed from death by your salvation,

we are radiant in your light.

You have given us the vict’ry

over death, the world, and night;

therefore grant us, King eternal,

heaven’s light and radiant dawn

darkened by no night or shadow,

joyful in your light alone.

Praise to you and to the Father,

honor to the Spirit blest,

to the name beyond all sweetness,

to the holy will divine,

God of peace and life and splendor,

wholly One yet perfect Three. Amen.

Psalm 136

Ant. None but the Lord has done such marvels; his love endures for ever.

O give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

for his love endures for ever.

Give thanks to the God of gods

for his love endures for ever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his love endures for ever;

who alone has wrought marvelous works,

for his love endures for ever;

whose wisdom it was made the skies,

for his love endures for ever;

who fixed the earth firmly on the seas,

for his love endures for ever.

It was he who made the great lights,

for his love endures for ever,

the sun to rule in the day,

for his love endures for ever,

the moon and the stars in the night,

for his love endures 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. None but the Lord has done such marvels; his love endures for ever.

Ant. He brought Israel out of Egypt with powerful hand and arm outstretched.

The first-born of the Egyptians he smote,

for his love endures for ever.

He brought Israel out from their midst,

for his love endures for ever;

arm outstretched, with power in his hand,

for his love endures for ever.

He divided the Red Sea in two,

for his love endures for ever;

he made Israel pass through the midst,

for his love endures for ever;

he flung Pharaoh and his force in the sea,

for his love endures 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. He brought Israel out of Egypt with powerful hand and arm outstretched.

Ant. Give praise to the God of heaven; he has ransomed us from our enemies.

Through the desert his people he led,

for his love endures for ever.

Nations in their greatness he struck,

for his love endures for ever.

Kings in their splendor he slew,

for his love endures for ever.

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

for his love endures for ever,

and Og, the king of Bashan,

for his love endures for ever.

He let Israel inherit their land,

for his love endures for ever.

On his servant their land he bestowed,

for his love endures for ever.

He remembered us in our distress,

for his love endures for ever.

And he snatched us away from our foes,

for his love endures for ever.

He gives food to all living things,

for his love endures for ever.

To the God of heaven give thanks,

for his love endures 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. Give praise to the God of heaven; he has ransomed us from our enemies.

Lord, show me your ways.

Teach me to walk in your footsteps.

From the book of Wisdom

You have disposed all things by measure and number and weight, O Lord.

For with you great strength abides always;

who can resist the might of your arm?

Indeed, before you the whole universe is as a grain from a balance,

or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.

But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;

and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent.

For you love all things that are

and loathe nothing that you have made;

for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.

And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;

or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?

But you spare all things, because they

are yours, O Lord and lover of souls,

for your imperishable spirit is in all things!

Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little,

warn them, and remind them of the sins they are committing,

that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord!

Neither out of fear for anyone

did you grant amnesty for their sins.

For who can say to you, “What have you done?”

or who can oppose your decree?

Or when peoples perish, who can challenge you, their maker;

or who can come into your presence as vindicator of unjust men?

For neither is there any god besides you who have the care of all,

that you need show you have not unjustly condemned;

Nor can any king or prince confront you on behalf of those you have punished.

But as you are just, you govern all things justly;

you regard it as unworthy of your power

to punish one who has incurred no blame.

For your might is the source of justice;

your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all.

For you show your might when the perfection of your power is disbelieved;

and in those who know you, you rebuke temerity.

But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency,

and with much lenience you govern us;

for power, whenever you will, attends you.

And you taught your people, by these deeds,

that those who are just must be kind;

And you gave your sons good ground for hope

that you would permit repentance for their sins.

See Wisdom 11:24, 27; Sirach 36: 1

Lord, you show mercy to all

and you despise nothing you have created.

You overlook the sins of men,

that they may be repentant

and that you might spare them,

because you are the Lord our God.

Look down on us with pity,

and may the light of your mercy shine on us.

Because you are the Lord our God.

From a dialogue on Divine Providence by Saint Catherine of Siena, virgin

With a look of mercy that revealed his indescribable kindness, God the Father spoke to Catherine:

Beloved daughter, everything I give to man comes from the love and care I have for him. I desire to show my mercy to the whole world and my protective love to all those who want it.

But in his ignorance man treats himself very cruelly. My care is constant, but he turns my life-giving gifts into a source of death. Yes, I created him with loving care and formed him in my image and likeness. I pondered, and I was moved by the beauty of my creation.

I gave him a memory to recall my goodness, for I wanted him to share in my own power. I gave him an intellect to know and understand my will through the wisdom of my Son, for I am the giver of every good gift and I love him with a father’s constant love. Through the Holy Spirit I gave him a will to love what he would come to know with his intellect.

In my loving care I did all this, so that he could know me and perceive my goodness and rejoice to see me for ever. But as I have recounted elsewhere, heaven had been closed off because of Adam’s disobedience. Immediately after his sin all manner of evil made its advance throughout the world.

So that I might commute the death consequent upon this disobedience, I attended to you with loving care—out of provident concern I handed over my only-begotten Son to make satisfaction for your needs. I demanded supreme obedience from him so that the human race might be freed of the poison which had infected the entire earth because of Adam’s disobedience. With eager love he submitted to a shameful death on the cross and by that death he gave you life, not merely human but divine.

Psalm 17:8, 7

Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye.

Gather us under the shadow of your wings.

Show us your wonderful love,

O Savior of all who seek refuge in you.

Gather us under the shadow of your wings.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

increase our faith, hope and charity,

and make us love what you command,

so that we may merit what you promise.

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 · 9:42

0:00 9:42

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

As daylight fills the sky once more,

let us with thanks and joyful voice

sing glory to the Lord our God

as we proclaim the grace of Christ,

Through whom the Maker of the world

decreed and fixed both night and day,

confirming by eternal law

that each proceed in ordered course.

True Light that shines on faithful hearts,

you are not bound by ancient law,

nor do you fail at close of day,

resplendent with eternal light.

O unbegotten Father, grant

that we may live throughout this day

filled with the Holy Spirit’s gifts,

intent on always praising Christ. Amen.

Psalm 92

Ant. As morning breaks we sing of your mercy, Lord, and night will find us proclaiming your fidelity.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to make music to your name, O Most High,

to proclaim your love in the morning

and your truth in the watches of the night,

on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute,

with the murmuring sound of the harp.

Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad;

for the work of your hands I shout with joy.

O Lord, how great are your works!

How deep are your designs!

The foolish man cannot know this

and the fool cannot understand.

Though the wicked spring up like grass

and all who do evil thrive:

they are doomed to be eternally destroyed.

But you, Lord, are eternally on high.

See how your enemies perish;

all doers of evil are scattered.

To me you give the wild-ox’s strength;

you anoint me with the purest oil.

My eyes looked in triumph on my foes;

my ears heard gladly of their fall.

The just will flourish like the palm-tree

and grow like a Lebanon cedar.

Planted in the house of the Lord

they will flourish in the courts of our God,

still bearing fruit when they are old,

still full of sap, still green,

to proclaim that the Lord is just;

in him, my rock, there is no wrong.

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. As morning breaks we sing of your mercy, Lord, and night will find us proclaiming your fidelity.

Deuteronomy 32:1-12

Ant. Extol the greatness of our God.

Give ear, O heavens, while I speak;

let the earth hearken to the words of my mouth!

May my instruction soak in like the rain,

and my discourse permeate like the dew,

like a downpour upon the grass,

like a shower upon the crops:

For I will sing the Lord’s renown.

Oh, proclaim the greatness of our God!

The Rock—how faultless are his deeds,

how right all his ways!

A faithful God, without deceit,

how just and upright he is!

Yet basely has he been treated by his degenerate children,

a perverse and crooked race!

Is the Lord to be thus repaid by you,

O stupid and foolish people?

Is he not your father who created you?

Has he not made you and established you?

Think back on the days of old,

reflect on the years of age upon age.

Ask your father and he will inform you,

ask your elders and they will tell you:

When the Most High assigned the nations their heritage,

when he parceled out the descendants of Adam,

he set up the boundaries of the peoples

after the number of the sons of God;

while the Lord’s own portion was Jacob,

his hereditary share was Israel.

He found them in a wilderness,

a wasteland of howling desert.

He shielded them and cared for them,

guarding them as the apple of his eye.

As an eagle incites its nestlings forth

by hovering over its brood,

so he spread his wings to receive them

and bore them up on his pinions.

The Lord alone was their leader,

no strange god was with him.

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. Extol the greatness of our God.

Psalm 8

Ant. How wonderful is your name, O Lord, in all creation.

How great is your name, O Lord our God,

through all the earth!

Your majesty is praised above the heavens;

on the lips of children and of babes

you have found praise to foil your enemy,

to silence the foe and the rebel.

When I see the heavens, the work of your hands,

the moon and the stars which you arranged,

what is man that you should keep him in mind,

mortal man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him little less than a god;

with glory and honor you crowned him,

gave him power over the works of your hands,

put all things under his feet.

All of them, sheep and cattle,

yes, even the savage beasts,

birds of the air, and fish

that make their way through the waters.

How great is your name, O Lord our God

through all the earth!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. How wonderful is your name, O Lord, in all creation.

Romans 12:14-16

Bless your persecutors; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same attitude toward all. Put away ambitious thoughts and associate with those who are lowly.

RESPONSORY

It is my joy, O God, to praise you with song.

To sing as I ponder your goodness,

to praise you with song.

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

It is my joy, O God, to praise you with song.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us celebrate the kindness and wisdom of Christ, He offers his love and understanding to all men, especially to the suffering. Let us earnestly pray to him:

Perfect us in love, Lord.

This morning we recall your resurrection,

and we long for the benefits of your redemption.

Perfect us in love, Lord.

Grant that we bear witness to you today, Lord,

and offer an acceptable gift to the Father through you.

Perfect us in love, Lord.

Enable us to see your image in all men,

and to serve you in them.

Perfect us in love, Lord.

Lord Jesus, you are the true vine and we are the branches,

allow us to remain in you, to bear much fruit and to give glory to the Father.

Perfect us in love, 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

Lord, we praise you

with our lips, and with our lives and hearts.

Our very existence is a gift from you;

to you we offer all that we have and are.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

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

Terce

Now

Midmorning Prayer · 9 AM · 4:50

0:00 4:50

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 119:81-88

Ant. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.

I yearn for your saving help;

I hope in your word.

My eyes yearn to see your promise.

When will you console me?

Though parched and exhausted with waiting

I have not forgotten your commands.

How long must your servant suffer?

When will you judge my foes?

For me the proud have dug pitfalls,

against your law.

Your commands are all true; then help me

when lies oppress me.

They almost made an end of me on earth

but I kept your precepts.

Because of your love give me life

and I will do your will.

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. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.

Psalm 61

Ant. Lord, you are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.

O God, hear my cry!

Listen to my prayer!

From the end of the earth I call:

my heart is faint.

On the rock too high for me to reach

set me on high,

O you who have been my refuge,

my tower against the foe.

Let me dwell in your tent for ever

and hide in the shelter of your wings.

For you, O God, hear my prayer,

grant me the heritage of those who fear you.

May you lengthen the life of the king:

may his years cover many generations.

May he sit ever enthroned before God:

bid love and truth be his protection.

So I will always praise your name

and day after day fulfill my vows.

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 are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.

Psalm 64

Ant. O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.

Hear my voice, O God, as I complain,

guard my life from dread of the foe.

Hide me from the band of the wicked,

from the throng of those who do evil.

They sharpen their tongues like swords;

they aim bitter words like arrows

to shoot at the innocent from ambush,

shooting suddenly and recklessly.

They scheme their evil course;

they conspire to lay secret snares.

They say: “Who will see us?

Who can search out our crimes?”

He will search who searches the mind

and knows the depth of the heart.

God has shot them with his arrow

and dealt them sudden wounds.

Their own tongue has brought them to ruin

and all who see them mock.

Then will all men fear;

they will tell what God has done.

They will understand God’s deeds.

The just will rejoice in the Lord

and fly to him for refuge.

All the upright hearts will glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.

Deuteronomy 8:5b-6

The Lord, your God, disciplines you even as a man disciplines his son. Therefore, keep the commandments of the Lord, your God, by walking in his ways and fearing him.

The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever.

The decrees of the Lord are true, and all of them just.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

God, all-powerful Father,

fill your people with the light of your Holy Spirit,

that, safe from every enemy,

we may rejoice in singing your praises.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Sext

Now

Midday Prayer · 12 PM · 4:51

0:00 4:51

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 119:81-88

Ant. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.

I yearn for your saving help;

I hope in your word.

My eyes yearn to see your promise.

When will you console me?

Though parched and exhausted with waiting

I have not forgotten your commands.

How long must your servant suffer?

When will you judge my foes?

For me the proud have dug pitfalls,

against your law.

Your commands are all true; then help me

when lies oppress me.

They almost made an end of me on earth

but I kept your precepts.

Because of your love give me life

and I will do your will.

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. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.

Psalm 61

Ant. Lord, you are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.

O God, hear my cry!

Listen to my prayer!

From the end of the earth I call:

my heart is faint.

On the rock too high for me to reach

set me on high,

O you who have been my refuge,

my tower against the foe.

Let me dwell in your tent for ever

and hide in the shelter of your wings.

For you, O God, hear my prayer,

grant me the heritage of those who fear you.

May you lengthen the life of the king:

may his years cover many generations.

May he sit ever enthroned before God:

bid love and truth be his protection.

So I will always praise your name

and day after day fulfill my vows.

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 are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.

Psalm 64

Ant. O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.

Hear my voice, O God, as I complain,

guard my life from dread of the foe.

Hide me from the band of the wicked,

from the throng of those who do evil.

They sharpen their tongues like swords;

they aim bitter words like arrows

to shoot at the innocent from ambush,

shooting suddenly and recklessly.

They scheme their evil course;

they conspire to lay secret snares.

They say: “Who will see us?

Who can search out our crimes?”

He will search who searches the mind

and knows the depth of the heart.

God has shot them with his arrow

and dealt them sudden wounds.

Their own tongue has brought them to ruin

and all who see them mock.

Then will all men fear;

they will tell what God has done.

They will understand God’s deeds.

The just will rejoice in the Lord

and fly to him for refuge.

All the upright hearts will glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.

1 Kings 2:2b-3

Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees, that you may succeed in whatever you do.

Guide me, Lord, in the way of your precepts.

For this is all I desire.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord,

fill us with the resplendent light

of your eternal love.

May we love you above all things,

and our brothers for your sake.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

None

Now

Midafternoon Prayer · 3 PM · 4:48

0:00 4:48

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 119:81-88

Ant. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.

I yearn for your saving help;

I hope in your word.

My eyes yearn to see your promise.

When will you console me?

Though parched and exhausted with waiting

I have not forgotten your commands.

How long must your servant suffer?

When will you judge my foes?

For me the proud have dug pitfalls,

against your law.

Your commands are all true; then help me

when lies oppress me.

They almost made an end of me on earth

but I kept your precepts.

Because of your love give me life

and I will do your will.

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. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.

Psalm 61

Ant. Lord, you are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.

O God, hear my cry!

Listen to my prayer!

From the end of the earth I call:

my heart is faint.

On the rock too high for me to reach

set me on high,

O you who have been my refuge,

my tower against the foe.

Let me dwell in your tent for ever

and hide in the shelter of your wings.

For you, O God, hear my prayer,

grant me the heritage of those who fear you.

May you lengthen the life of the king:

may his years cover many generations.

May he sit ever enthroned before God:

bid love and truth be his protection.

So I will always praise your name

and day after day fulfill my vows.

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 are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.

Psalm 64

Ant. O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.

Hear my voice, O God, as I complain,

guard my life from dread of the foe.

Hide me from the band of the wicked,

from the throng of those who do evil.

They sharpen their tongues like swords;

they aim bitter words like arrows

to shoot at the innocent from ambush,

shooting suddenly and recklessly.

They scheme their evil course;

they conspire to lay secret snares.

They say: “Who will see us?

Who can search out our crimes?”

He will search who searches the mind

and knows the depth of the heart.

God has shot them with his arrow

and dealt them sudden wounds.

Their own tongue has brought them to ruin

and all who see them mock.

Then will all men fear;

they will tell what God has done.

They will understand God’s deeds.

The just will rejoice in the Lord

and fly to him for refuge.

All the upright hearts will glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.

Jeremiah 6:16a

Stand beside the earliest roads,

ask the pathways of old

Which is the way to good, and walk it;

thus you will find rest for your souls.

Your words are my eternal heritage.

They are the joy of my heart.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord,

make the peace we pray for a reality;

may we live our days in quiet joy

and, with the help of the Virgin Mary’s prayers,

safely reach your kingdom.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Vespers

Now

Evening Prayer · 8:41

0:00 8:41

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, Creator of the world

and Ruler of the sky above,

you clothe the day with splendid light

and night with gracious gifts of sleep,

That limbs relaxed by quiet rest

may be restored to use and toil,

that weary minds may be refreshed

and anxious sorrows be relieved.

As day now changes into night

we pay our debt of grateful prayer;

sustain and help those bound to you

as we pour forth our hymn of praise.

May hearts unite from deep within

to honor you with ringing praise,

to cherish you with purest love,

to worship you with sober mind,

That as the deep’ning gloom of night

shuts out the light and bars the day,

no darkness may obscure our faith

and night by faith may fill with light.

We ask the Father and the Son

and beg the Spirit of them both:

Sustain us with your loving care,

who reign forever Three in One. Amen.

Psalm 113

Ant. From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the name of the Lord be praised.

Praise, O servants of the Lord,

praise the name of the Lord!

May the name of the Lord be blessed

both now and for evermore!

From the rising of the sun to its setting

praised be the name of the Lord!

High above all nations is the Lord,

above the heavens his glory.

Who is like the Lord, our God,

who has risen on high to his throne

yet stoops from the heights to look down,

to look down upon heaven and earth?

From the dust he lifts up the lowly,

from his misery he raises the poor

to set him in the company of princes,

yes, with the princes of his people.

To the childless wife he gives a home

and gladdens her heart with children.

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. From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the name of the Lord be praised.

Psalm 116:10-19

Ant. I shall take into my hand the saving chalice and invoke the name of the Lord.

I trusted, even when I said:

“I am sorely afflicted,”

and when I said in my alarm:

“No man can be trusted.”

How can I repay the Lord

for his goodness to me?

The cup of salvation I will raise;

I will call on the Lord’s name.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfill

before all his people.

O precious in the eyes of the Lord

is the death of his faithful.

Your servant, Lord, your servant am I;

you have loosened my bonds.

A thanksgiving sacrifice I make:

I will call on the Lord’s name.

My vows to the Lord I will fulfill

before all his people,

in the courts of the house of the Lord,

in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. I shall take into my hand the saving chalice and invoke the name of the Lord.

Philippians 2:6-11

Ant. The Lord Jesus humbled himself and God exalted him for ever.

Though he was in the form of God,

Jesus did not deem equality with God

something to be grasped at.

Rather, he emptied himself

and took the form of a slave,

being born in the likeness of men.

He was known to be of human estate,

and it was thus that he humbled himself,

obediently accepting even death,

death on a cross!

Because of this,

God highly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name

above every other name,

So that at Jesus’ name

every knee must bend

in the heavens, on the earth,

and under the earth,

and every tongue proclaim

to the glory of God the Father:

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord Jesus humbled himself and God exalted him for ever.

Hebrews 13:20-21

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. Through Jesus Christ may he carry out in you all that is pleasing to him. To Christ be glory forever! Amen.

RESPONSORY

Our hearts are filled with wonder as we contemplate your works, O Lord.

We praise the wisdom which wrought them all,

as we contemplate your works, O Lord.

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

Our hearts are filled with wonder as we contemplate your works, O Lord.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. You have one teacher, and he is in heaven: Christ your Lord.

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. You have one teacher, and he is in heaven: Christ your Lord.

INTERCESSIONS

Christ had compassion on the hungry and performed a miracle of love for them. Mindful of this, let us pray:

Show us your love, Lord.

Lord, we recognize that all the favors we have received today come through your generosity,

do not let them return to you empty, but let them bear fruit.

Show us your love, Lord.

Light and salvation of all nations, protect the missionaries you have sent into the world,

enkindle in them the fire of your Spirit.

Show us your love, Lord.

Grant that man may shape the world in keeping with human dignity,

and respond generously to the needs of our time.

Show us your love, Lord.

Healer of body and spirit, comfort the sick and be present to the dying,

in your mercy visit and refresh us.

Show us your love, Lord.

May the faithful departed be numbered among the saints,

whose names are in the Book of Life.

Show us your love, 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

Almighty and merciful God,

by whose gift your faithful offer you

right and praiseworthy service,

grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling

to receive the things you have promised.

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 · 5:05

0:00 5:05

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 4

Ant. Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.

When I call, answer me, O God of justice;

from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!

O men, how long will your hearts be closed,

will you love what is futile and seek what is false?

It is the Lord who grants favors to those whom he loves;

the Lord hears me whenever I call him.

Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still.

Make justice your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.

“What can bring us happiness?” many say.

Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.

You have put into my heart a greater joy

than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.

I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once

for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

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. Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 134

Ant. In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.

O come, bless the Lord,

all you who serve the Lord,

who stand in the house of the Lord,

in the courts of the house of our God.

Lift up your hands to the holy place

and bless the Lord through the night.

May the Lord bless you from Zion,

he who made both heaven and earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.

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.

Lord, be with us throughout this night.

When day comes may we rise from sleep

to rejoice in the resurrection of your Christ,

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

Yesterday Compline

Now

Yesterday Night Prayer · 5:07

0:00 5:07

Examination of conscience

Coptic act of contrition

11th Hour

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

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

12th Hour

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

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

The Prayer of the Veil

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

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

The Absolution

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.

The Thanksgiving Prayer

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.

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.

Mass Readings

Now

Readings of the Day's Mass · 3:29

0:00 3:29

First Reading

Phil 1:18b-26

Brothers and sisters:

As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,

Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,

for I know that this will result in deliverance for me

through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

My eager expectation and hope

is that I shall not be put to shame in any way,

but that with all boldness, now as always,

Christ will be magnified in my body,

whether by life or by death.

For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.

If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.

And I do not know which I shall choose.

I am caught between the two.

I long to depart this life and be with Christ,

for that is far better.

Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.

And this I know with confidence,

that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you

for your progress and joy in the faith,

so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me

when I come to you again.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 42:2, 3, 5cdef

℟. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

As the hind longs for the running waters,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.

When shall I go and behold the face of God?

I went with the throng

and led them in procession to the house of God.

Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,

with the multitude keeping festival.

℟. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

Gospel Acclamation

Mt 11:29ab

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am meek and humble of heart.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine

at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,

and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,

noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,

do not recline at table in the place of honor.

A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,

and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,

‘Give your place to this man,’

and then you would proceed with embarrassment

to take the lowest place.

Rather, when you are invited,

go and take the lowest place

so that when the host comes to you he may say,

‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’

Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

but the one who 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