Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

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Christmas Time

Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

Thursday · Weekday · Psalter Week 1

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The Hours

Invitatorium

Now

Invitatory

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Lord, open my lips.

And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Christ is born for us; come, let us adore him.

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. Christ is born for us; come, let us adore him.

Matins

Now

Office of Readings

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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

Loving, eternal splendor of the Godhead,

Life, Light, and Mercy, Christ you come among us,

Healer of illness and all human weakness,

Gate of Salvation.

Angels in chorus to the earth are singing

tidings from heaven, telling of new ages:

praise to the Father, to our human fam’ly

joy, peace, and gladness.

Infant so lowly, Lord of all creation,

born of the Virgin, holy, pure, and sinless,

rule all the world now, Jesus Christ, our Master,

ever beloved.

Born to give heaven, our eternal homeland,

our flesh assuming, joined to us for ever;

draw hearts that seek you, mind and soul renewing;

by your love bind us.

Lord, see us gathered, filled with exultation,

joined to the angels, singing hymns of gladness;

joyous we praise you, one with God the Father,

and Love, your equal. Amen.

Psalm 96

Ant. Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad in the presence of the Lord, for he has come.

O sing a new song to the Lord,

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

O sing to the Lord, bless his name.

Proclaim his help day by day,

tell among the nations his glory

and his wonders among all the peoples.

The Lord is great and worthy of praise,

to be feared above all gods;

the gods of the heathens are naught.

It was the Lord who made the heavens,

his are majesty and state and power

and splendor in his holy place.

Give the Lord, you families of peoples,

give the Lord glory and power,

give the Lord the glory of his name.

Bring an offering and enter his courts,

worship the Lord in his temple.

O earth, tremble before him.

Proclaim to the nations: “God is king.”

The world he made firm in its place;

he will judge the peoples in fairness.

Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad,

let the sea and all within it thunder praise,

let the land and all it bears rejoice,

all the trees of the wood shout for joy

at the presence of the Lord for he comes,

he comes to rule the earth.

With justice he will rule the world,

he will judge the peoples with his truth.

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 the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad in the presence of the Lord, for he has come.

Psalm 97

Ant. A light has dawned for the just; joy has come to the upright of heart, alleluia.

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,

let all the coastlands be glad.

Cloud and darkness are his raiment;

his throne, justice and right.

A fire prepares his path;

it burns up his foes on every side.

His lightnings light up the world,

the earth trembles at the sight.

The mountains melt like wax

before the Lord of all the earth.

The skies proclaim his justice;

all peoples see his glory.

Let those who serve idols be ashamed,

those who boast of their worthless gods.

All you spirits, worship him.

Zion hears and is glad;

the people of Judah rejoice

because of your judgments, O Lord.

For you indeed are the Lord

most high above all the earth,

exalted far above all spirits.

The Lord loves those who hate evil;

he guards the souls of his saints;

he sets them free from the wicked.

Light shines forth for the just

and joy for the upright of heart.

Rejoice, you just, in the Lord;

give glory to his holy name.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. A light has dawned for the just; joy has come to the upright of heart, alleluia.

Psalm 99

Ant. The Lord has made known his saving power, alleluia.

The Lord is king; the peoples tremble.

He is throned on the cherubim; the earth quakes.

The Lord is great in Zion.

He is supreme over all the peoples.

Let them praise his name, so terrible and great.

He is holy, full of power.

You are a king who loves what is right;

you have established equity, justice and right;

you have established them in Jacob.

Exalt the Lord our God;

bow down before Zion, his footstool.

He the Lord is holy.

Among his priests were Aaron and Moses,

among those who invoked his name was Samuel.

They invoked the Lord and he answered.

To them he spoke in the pillar of cloud.

They did his will; they kept the law,

which he, the Lord, had given.

O Lord our God, you answered them.

For them you were a God who forgives;

yet you punished all their offenses.

Exalt the Lord our God;

bow down before his holy mountain

for the Lord our God is holy.

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 has made known his saving power, alleluia.

In these last days God has spoken to us through his Son.

The Word through whom he made all things.

From the letter of the apostle Paul to the Colossians

I tell you all this so that no one may delude you with specious arguments. I may be absent in body but I am with you in spirit, happy to see good order among you and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Continue, therefore, to live in Christ Jesus the Lord, in the spirit in which you received him. Be rooted in him and built up in him, growing ever stronger in faith, as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.

See to it that no one deceives you through any empty, seductive philosophy that follows mere human traditions, a philosophy based on cosmic powers rather than on Christ.

In Christ the fullness of deity resides in bodily form. Yours is a share of this fullness, in him who is the head of every principality and power.

You were also circumcised in him, not with the circumcision administered by hand but with Christ’s circumcision which strips off the carnal body completely. In baptism you were not only buried with him but also raised to life with him because you believed in the power of God who raised him from the dead. Even when you were dead in sin and your flesh was uncircumcised, God gave you new life in company with Christ. He pardoned all our sins.

He canceled the bond that stood against us with all its claims, snatching it up and nailing it to the cross. Thus did God disarm the principalities and powers. He made a public show of them and, leading them off captive, triumphed in the person of Christ.

Colossians 2:9, 10, 12

The fullness of divinity lives in Christ’s humanity;

he is the head over every power and authority.

In baptism we were buried with Christ,

and in baptism we have risen to a new life with him

through our faith in the power of God.

He is the head over every power and authority.

From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope

Although the state of infancy, which the majesty of the Son of God did not disdain to assume, developed with the passage of time into maturity of manhood, and although after the triumph of the passion and the resurrection all his lowly acts undertaken on our behalf belong to the past, nevertheless today’s feast of Christmas renews for us the sacred beginning of Jesus’ life, his birth from the Virgin Mary. In the very act in which we are reverencing the birth of our Savior, we are also celebrating our own new birth. For the birth of Christ is the origin of the Christian people; and the birthday of the head is also the birthday of the body.

Though each and every individual occupies a definite place in this body to which he has been called, and though all the progeny of the church is differentiated and marked with the passage of time, nevertheless as the whole community of the faithful, once begotten in the baptismal font, was crucified with Christ in the passion, raised up with him in the resurrection and at the ascension placed at the right hand of the Father, so too it is born with him in this Nativity, which we are celebrating today.

For every believer regenerated in Christ, no matter in what part of the whole world he may be, breaks with that ancient way of life that derives from original sin, and by rebirth is transformed into a new man. Henceforth he is reckoned to be of the stock, not of his earthly father, but of Christ, who became Son of Man precisely that men could become sons of God; for unless in humility he had come down to us, none of us by our own merits could ever go up to him.

Therefore the greatness of the gift which he has bestowed on us demands an appreciation proportioned to its excellence; for blessed Paul the Apostle truly teaches:

We have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.

The only way that he can be worthily honored by us is by the presentation to him of that which he has already given to us.

But what can we find in the treasure of the Lord’s bounty more in keeping with the glory of this feast than that peace which was first announced by the angelic choir on the day of his birth? For that peace, from which the sons of God spring, sustains love and mothers unity; it refreshes the blessed and shelters eternity; its characteristic function and special blessing is to join to God those whom it separates from this world.

Therefore, may those who were born,

not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God,

offer to the Father their harmony as sons united in peace; and may all those whom he has adopted as his members meet in the firstborn of the new creation who came not to do his own will but the will of the one who sent him; for the grace of the Father has adopted as heirs neither the contentious nor the dissident, but those who are one in thought and love. The hearts and minds of those who have been reformed according to one and the same image should be in harmony with one another.

The birthday of the Lord is the birthday of peace, as Paul the Apostle says:

For he is our peace, who has made us both one;

for whether we be Jew or Gentile,

through him we have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:13-14, 17

You were once far away from God,

but now you have been brought very near through the blood of Christ.

He himself is our peace who has made us all one.

Christ came to proclaim the good news to us:

peace to you who were far away,

and peace to those who were near.

He himself is our peace who has made us all one.

TE DEUM

You are God: we praise you;

You are the Lord: we acclaim you;

You are the eternal Father:

All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,

Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.

The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.

The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:

Father, of majesty unbounded,

your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,

and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,

the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free

you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.

You overcame the sting of death,

and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.

We believe that you will come, and be our judge.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,

bought with the price of your own blood,

and bring us with your saints

to glory everlasting.

Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.

Govern and uphold them now and always.

Day by day we bless you.

We praise your name for ever.

Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.

Lord, show us your love and mercy;

for we put our trust in you.

In you, Lord, is our hope:

and we shall never hope in vain.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

who in the Nativity of your Son

established the beginning and fulfillment of all religion,

grant, we pray, that we may be numbered

among those who belong to him,

in whom is the fullness of human salvation.

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

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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

From lands beneath the rising sun,

through all the compass of the earth,

now let us sing to Christ the Lord,

the Virgin Mary’s newborn Son.

The hallowed Author of the world

a servant’s body has assumed,

that liberating flesh by flesh

he should not lose what he has made.

Pure grace from heaven entered then

the Mother’s womb, both sealed and closed;

the cloister of this maiden bride

bore secrets she could not have known.

The home of this pure heart became,

with sudden pow’r, the shrine of God;

a virgin still, she knew not man

and by a word conceived her Son.

She brought to birth her holy child,

whose advent Gabriel proclaimed,

whose presence John perceived with joy

and leapt within his mother’s womb.

He lay on straw with no complaint,

not shrinking from a manger bed;

an infant’s share of milk he drank,

while in his care he fed the birds.

The hosts on high exult with joy

and angels sing to God with praise;

the shepherds wondrously behold

the Shepherd, Maker of all things.

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,

the Virgin Mother’s newborn Son,

with God the Father, ever blest,

and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Psalm 63:2-9

Ant. Tell us, shepherds, what have you seen? Who has appeared on earth? We have seen a newborn infant and a choir of angels praising the Lord, alleluia.

O God, you are my God, for you I long;

for you my soul is thirsting.

My body pines for you

like a dry, weary land without water.

So I gaze on you in the sanctuary

to see your strength and your glory.

For your love is better than life,

my lips will speak your praise.

So I will bless you all my life,

in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,

my mouth shall praise you with joy.

On my bed I remember you.

On you I muse through the night

for you have been my help;

in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand holds me fast.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Tell us, shepherds, what have you seen? Who has appeared on earth? We have seen a newborn infant and a choir of angels praising the Lord, alleluia.

Daniel 3:57-88

Ant. The angel said to the shepherds: I proclaim to you a great joy; today the Savior of the world is born for you, alleluia.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.

Praise and exalt him above all forever.

Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.

You heavens, bless the Lord.

All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord.

All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Sun and moon, bless the Lord.

Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord.

All you winds, bless the Lord.

Fire and heat, bless the Lord.

Cold and chill, bless the Lord.

Dew and rain, bless the Lord.

Frost and chill, bless the Lord.

Ice and snow, bless the Lord.

Nights and days, bless the Lord.

Light and darkness, bless the Lord.

Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Let the earth bless the Lord.

Praise and exalt him above all forever.

Mountains and hills, bless the Lord.

Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.

You springs, bless the Lord.

Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.

You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord.

All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.

All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord.

You sons of men, bless the Lord.

O Israel, bless the Lord.

Praise and exalt him above all forever.

Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord.

Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.

Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord.

Praise and exalt him above all forever.

Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.

Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven.

Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.

Ant. The angel said to the shepherds: I proclaim to you a great joy; today the Savior of the world is born for you, alleluia.

Psalm 149

Ant. A little child is born for us today; little and yet called the mighty God, alleluia.

Sing a new song to the Lord,

his praise in the assembly of the faithful.

Let Israel rejoice in its maker,

let Zion’s sons exult in their king.

Let them praise his name with dancing

and make music with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes delight in his people.

He crowns the poor with salvation.

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,

shout for joy and take their rest.

Let the praise of God be on their lips

and a two-edged sword in their hand,

to deal out vengeance to the nations

and punishment on all the peoples;

to bind their kings in chains

and their nobles in fetters of iron;

to carry out the sentence pre-ordained;

this honor is for all his faithful.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. A little child is born for us today; little and yet called the mighty God, alleluia.

Isaiah 4:2-3

On that day,

The branch of the Lord will be luster and glory,

and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor

for the survivors of Israel.

He who remains in Zion

and he that is left in Jerusalem

Will be called holy:

every one marked down for life in Jerusalem.

RESPONSORY

The Lord has made known, alleluia, alleluia.

His saving power.

Alleluia, alleluia.

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

The Lord has made known, alleluia, alleluia.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. Suddenly there was with the angel a great company of the heavenly hosts, praising God and singing: Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth, alleluia.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

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

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

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

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

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Suddenly there was with the angel a great company of the heavenly hosts, praising God and singing: Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

Humbly yet confidently, let us invoke Christ the Lord whose favor has been shown to all people:

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, born of the Father before the ages, splendor of his glory, image of his being, your word holds all creation in being,

we ask you to give new life to our world through your Gospel.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, you were born into the world at the fullness of time to save us and to give freedom to every creature,

we ask you to extend the liberty of our relationship with you to all people.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, consubstantial Son of the Father, begotten before the dawn of day, and born in Bethlehem in fulfillment of the scriptures,

we ask you to make your Church a notable example of poverty and simplicity.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, God and man, Lord of David and Son of David, fulfillment of all prophecies,

we pray that Israel may recognize you as its Messiah.

Lord, have mercy.

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 ever-living God,

who in the Nativity of your Son

established the beginning and fulfillment of all religion,

grant, we pray, that we may be numbered

among those who belong to him,

in whom is the fullness of human salvation.

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

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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 119:17-24

Ant. Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were filled with wonder at all that was said of the child.

Bless your servant and I shall live

and obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see

the wonders of your law.

I am a pilgrim on the earth;

show me your commands.

My soul is ever consumed

as I long for your decrees.

You threaten the proud, the accursed,

who turn from your commands.

Relieve me from scorn and contempt

for I do your will.

Though princes sit plotting against me

I ponder on your rulings.

Your will is my delight;

your statutes are my counselors.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 25

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

I trust you, let me not be disappointed;

do not let my enemies triumph.

Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,

but only those who wantonly break faith.

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all day long

because of your goodness, O Lord.

Remember your mercy, Lord,

and the love you have shown from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth.

In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

he guides the humble in the right path;

he teaches his way to the poor.

His ways are faithfulness and love

for those who keep his covenant and law.

Lord, for the sake of your name

forgive my guilt; for it is great.

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.

If anyone fears the Lord

he will show him the path he should choose.

His soul shall live in happiness

and his children shall possess the land.

The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him;

to them he reveals his covenant.

My eyes are always on the Lord;

for he rescues my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and have mercy

for I am lonely and poor.

Relieve the anguish of my heart

and set me free from my distress.

See my affliction and my toil

and take all my sins away.

See how many are my foes;

how violent their hatred for me.

Preserve my life and rescue me.

Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.

May innocence and uprightness protect me:

for my hope is in you, O Lord.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.

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. Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were filled with wonder at all that was said of the child.

Isaiah 45:13

It was I who stirred up one for the triumph of justice;

all his ways I make level.

He shall rebuild my city

and let my exiles go free

Without price or ransom,

says the Lord of hosts.

The Lord has remembered his gracious promise, alleluia.

He has kept faith with his people, Israel, alleluia.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

who in the Nativity of your Son

established the beginning and fulfillment of all religion,

grant, we pray, that we may be numbered

among those who belong to him,

in whom is the fullness of human salvation.

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

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Sext

Now

Midday Prayer · 12 PM

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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 119:17-24

Ant. Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

Bless your servant and I shall live

and obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see

the wonders of your law.

I am a pilgrim on the earth;

show me your commands.

My soul is ever consumed

as I long for your decrees.

You threaten the proud, the accursed,

who turn from your commands.

Relieve me from scorn and contempt

for I do your will.

Though princes sit plotting against me

I ponder on your rulings.

Your will is my delight;

your statutes are my counselors.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 25

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

I trust you, let me not be disappointed;

do not let my enemies triumph.

Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,

but only those who wantonly break faith.

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all day long

because of your goodness, O Lord.

Remember your mercy, Lord,

and the love you have shown from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth.

In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

he guides the humble in the right path;

he teaches his way to the poor.

His ways are faithfulness and love

for those who keep his covenant and law.

Lord, for the sake of your name

forgive my guilt; for it is great.

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.

If anyone fears the Lord

he will show him the path he should choose.

His soul shall live in happiness

and his children shall possess the land.

The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him;

to them he reveals his covenant.

My eyes are always on the Lord;

for he rescues my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and have mercy

for I am lonely and poor.

Relieve the anguish of my heart

and set me free from my distress.

See my affliction and my toil

and take all my sins away.

See how many are my foes;

how violent their hatred for me.

Preserve my life and rescue me.

Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.

May innocence and uprightness protect me:

for my hope is in you, O Lord.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.

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. Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

Isaiah 65:1

I was ready to respond to those who asked me not,

to be found by those who sought me not.

I said: Here I am! Here I am!

to a nation that did not call upon my name.

Mercy and truth have come together, alleluia.

Justice and peace have kissed, alleluia.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

who in the Nativity of your Son

established the beginning and fulfillment of all religion,

grant, we pray, that we may be numbered

among those who belong to him,

in whom is the fullness of human salvation.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

None

Now

Midafternoon Prayer · 3 PM

The audio for this hour isn’t ready. The prayers are here to read: tap Read above.

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 119:17-24

Ant. My own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

Bless your servant and I shall live

and obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see

the wonders of your law.

I am a pilgrim on the earth;

show me your commands.

My soul is ever consumed

as I long for your decrees.

You threaten the proud, the accursed,

who turn from your commands.

Relieve me from scorn and contempt

for I do your will.

Though princes sit plotting against me

I ponder on your rulings.

Your will is my delight;

your statutes are my counselors.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 25

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

I trust you, let me not be disappointed;

do not let my enemies triumph.

Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,

but only those who wantonly break faith.

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all day long

because of your goodness, O Lord.

Remember your mercy, Lord,

and the love you have shown from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth.

In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

he guides the humble in the right path;

he teaches his way to the poor.

His ways are faithfulness and love

for those who keep his covenant and law.

Lord, for the sake of your name

forgive my guilt; for it is great.

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.

If anyone fears the Lord

he will show him the path he should choose.

His soul shall live in happiness

and his children shall possess the land.

The Lord’s friendship is for those who revere him;

to them he reveals his covenant.

My eyes are always on the Lord;

for he rescues my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and have mercy

for I am lonely and poor.

Relieve the anguish of my heart

and set me free from my distress.

See my affliction and my toil

and take all my sins away.

See how many are my foes;

how violent their hatred for me.

Preserve my life and rescue me.

Do not disappoint me, you are my refuge.

May innocence and uprightness protect me:

for my hope is in you, O Lord.

Redeem Israel, O God, from all its distress.

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 own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people.

Isaiah 65:1

I was ready to respond to those who asked me not,

to be found by those who sought me not.

I said: Here I am! Here I am!

to a nation that did not call upon my name.

Mercy and truth have come together, alleluia.

Justice and peace have kissed, alleluia.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

who in the Nativity of your Son

established the beginning and fulfillment of all religion,

grant, we pray, that we may be numbered

among those who belong to him,

in whom is the fullness of human salvation.

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

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Vespers

Now

Evening Prayer

The audio for this hour isn’t ready. The prayers are here to read: tap Read above.

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

Of the Father’s heart begotten

ere the dawning of the world,

he is Alpha and Omega,

ancient source and final end

of all things that are and have been

and shall be in years to come.

He assumed a mortal body,

frail and needy, fit to die,

that the race of Adam’s children

might not perish, lost in death,

where sin’s harmful law immersed them

in the hidden depths of hell.

O how blest that splendor rising

when the Virgin, giving birth,

fruitful by the Holy Spirit,

our salvation brought to light;

and the child, the world’s Redeemer,

first revealed his sacred face.

Lo, the one whom through the ages

bards have sung with one accord,

whom the prophets in their writings

filled with faith had long foretold,

splendid child of ancient promise:

let creation sing him praise.

Praise and glory to the Father,

let our voices ring with song.

Praise and glory to Christ Jesus,

from the Virgin Mother born.

Endless glory to the Spirit,

high exalted Paraclete. Amen.

Psalm 113

Ant. O marvelous exchange! Man’s Creator has become man, born of a virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

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. O marvelous exchange! Man’s Creator has become man, born of a virgin. We have been made sharers in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.

Psalm 147:12-20

Ant. By your miraculous birth of the Virgin you have fulfilled the Scriptures: like a gentle rain falling upon the earth you have come down to save your people. O God, we praise you.

O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!

Zion, praise your God!

He has strengthened the bars of your gates,

he has blessed the children within you.

He established peace on your borders,

he feeds you with finest wheat.

He sends out his word to the earth

and swiftly runs his command.

He showers down snow white as wool,

he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.

He hurls down hailstones like crumbs.

The waters are frozen at his touch;

he sends forth his word and it melts them:

at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.

He makes his word known to Jacob,

to Israel his laws and decrees.

He has not dealt thus with other nations;

he has not taught them his decrees.

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. By your miraculous birth of the Virgin you have fulfilled the Scriptures: like a gentle rain falling upon the earth you have come down to save your people. O God, we praise you.

Ephesians 1:3-10

Ant. Your blessed and fruitful virginity is like the bush, flaming yet unburned, which Moses saw on Sinai. Pray for us, Mother of God.

Praised be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has bestowed on us in Christ

every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him

before the world began

to be holy and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us

to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,

such was his will and pleasure,

that all might praise the glorious favor

he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed,

and our sins forgiven,

so immeasurably generous

is God’s favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom

to understand fully the mystery,

the plan he was pleased

to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out

in Christ, in the fullness of time,

to bring all things into one in him,

in the heavens and on 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. Your blessed and fruitful virginity is like the bush, flaming yet unburned, which Moses saw on Sinai. Pray for us, Mother of God.

Galatians 4:4-5

When the designated time had come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it, so that we might receive our status as adopted sons.

RESPONSORY

The Word was made man, alleluia, alleluia.

He lived among us.

Alleluia, alleluia.

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

The Word was made man, alleluia, alleluia.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. In his great love for us, God sent his Son in the likeness of our sinful nature, born of a woman and subject to the law, alleluia.

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. In his great love for us, God sent his Son in the likeness of our sinful nature, born of a woman and subject to the law, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

Blessed be the Lord Jesus, our Peace, who came to unite man with God. Let us pray to him in humility:

Lord, grant your peace to all.

When you were born you showed your kindness and gentleness,

help us always to be grateful for all your blessings.

Lord, grant your peace to all.

You made Mary, your Mother, full of grace,

give all people the fullness of grace.

Lord, grant your peace to all.

You came to announce God’s good news to the world,

increase the number of preachers and hearers of your word.

Lord, grant your peace to all.

You desired to become our brother by being born of the Virgin Mary,

teach men and women to love each other in mutual brotherhood.

Lord, grant your peace to all.

You came as the Sun rising over the earth,

show the light of your countenance to those who have died.

Lord, grant your peace to all.

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

O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary

bestowed on the human race

the grace of eternal salvation,

grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her,

through whom we were found worthy

to receive the author of life,

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

The audio for this hour isn’t ready. The prayers are here to read: tap Read above.

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 91

Ant. Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

and abides in the shade of the Almighty

says to the Lord: “My refuge,

my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”

It is he who will free you from the snare

of the fowler who seeks to destroy you;

he will conceal you with his pinions

and under his wings you will find refuge.

You will not fear the terror of the night

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the plague that prowls in the darkness

nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand fall at your right,

you, it will never approach;

his faithfulness is buckler and shield.

Your eyes have only to look

to see how the wicked are repaid,

you who have said: “Lord, my refuge!”

and have made the Most High your dwelling.

Upon you no evil shall fall,

no plague approach where you dwell.

For you has he commanded his angels,

to keep you in all your ways.

They shall bear you upon their hands

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

On the lion and the viper you will tread

and trample the young lion and the dragon.

Since he clings to me in love, I will free him;

protect him for he knows my name.

When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you,”

I will save him in distress and give him glory.

With length of life I will content him;

I shall let him see my saving power.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings.

Revelation 22:4-5

They shall see the Lord face to face and bear his name on their foreheads. The night shall be no more. They will need no light from lamps or the sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever.

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, we beg you to visit this house

and banish from it

all the deadly power of the enemy.

May your holy angels dwell here

to keep us in peace,

and may your blessing be upon us always.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

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

MARIAN ANTIPHON

Loving mother of the Redeemer,

gate of heaven, star of the sea,

assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.

To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,

yet remained a virgin after as before.

You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,

have pity on us poor sinners.

A lma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæli

porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti,

súrgere qui curat, pópulo; tu, quæ genuísti,

natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem,

Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore

sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.

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