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Arch Bishop Micheal Ralph Vendegna S.O.S.M.A.

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Thursday 19 March 2020

    Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Solemnity


    Vespers (Evening Prayer)

    Introduction (without Invitatory)

    If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, use the version with the Invitatory Psalm instead.


    O God, come to our aid.
        O Lord, make haste to help us.
    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.


    ________

    Hymn

    O Blessed Joseph, yours the praise
    The choirs of angels sing,
    The guardian of the Virgin blest,
    And of her Child and King.

    The prophets told of God to come:
    The Son of God on earth;
    Yours was the glory then to be
    There at the Saviour’s birth.

    To him, the Father’s only Son
    You served as father here;
    He was subjected to your will
    He, whom the heavens revere.

    As once you sought and found again
    The Christ, the Lord of light;
    So may we walk with him, like you
    All humble in his sight.

    O Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
    The God of truth and grace,
    By holy Joseph’s prayers grant
    That we may see your face.

    Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

    ________

    Psalm 14 (15)
    Who is worthy to face the Lord?


    “You have come to Mount Sion, to the city of the living God” (Heb 12:22).

    The parents of Jesus found him in the temple, seated among the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.

    Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent
        and dwell on your holy mountain?

    He who walks without fault;
        he who acts with justice
    and speaks the truth from his heart;
        he who does not slander with his tongue;

    he who does no wrong to his brother,
        who casts no slur on his neighbour,
    who holds the godless in disdain,
        but honours those who fear the Lord;

    he who keeps his pledge, come what may;
        who takes no interest on a loan
    and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
        Such a man will stand firm for ever.

    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 parents of Jesus found him in the temple, seated among the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.


    Psalm-prayer

    Make our lives blameless, Lord. Help us to do what is right and to speak what is true, that we may dwell in your tent and find rest on your holy mountain.


    Or:

    You first chose to live among men, Lord Jesus, and in returning to your Father you made an eternal home for us. Help us walk blamelessly in your ways, that we may come at last to your holy mountain.


    ________

    Psalm 111 (112)
    How blessed are the just


    “Be like the children of the light; for the fruits of the light are seen in complete goodness and right living and truth” (Eph 5:8,9).

    The mother of Jesus said to him: ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.’

    Happy the man who fears the Lord,
        who takes delight in all his commands.
    His sons will be powerful on earth;
        the children of the upright are blessed.

    Riches and wealth are in his house;
        his justice stands firm for ever.
    He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
        he is generous, merciful and just.

    The good man takes pity and lends,
        he conducts his affairs with honour.
    The just man will never waver:
        he will be remembered for ever.

    He has no fear of evil news;
        with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
    With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
        he will see the downfall of his foes.

    Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
        his justice stands firm for ever.
        His head will be raised in glory.

    The wicked man sees and is angry,
        grinds his teeth and fades away;
        the desire of the wicked leads to doom.

    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 mother of Jesus said to him: ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.’


    Psalm-prayer

    Lord God, you are the eternal light which illumines the hearts of good people. Help us to love you, to rejoice in your glory, and so to live in this world as to avoid harsh judgement in the next. May we come to see the light of your countenance.


    Or:

    Lord Jesus, you are the light rising in darkness for the just. To show your love for us you offered yourself in our place as a victim to God. Teach us to love one another as you love us, that our love may bring peace and joy to the world and enable us to find the happiness of your home.


    ________

    Canticle
    Apocalypse 15
    A hymn of adoration

    Jesus went down with them to Nazareth and lived under their authority.

    Great and wonderful are your deeds,
        O Lord God the Almighty!
    Just and true are your ways,
        O King of the ages!

    Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord?
        For you alone are holy.
    All nations shall come and worship you,
        for your judgements have been revealed.

    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.

    Jesus went down with them to Nazareth and lived under their authority.


    ________

    Short Reading
    Colossians 3:23-24

    Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as if it were for the Lord and not for men, knowing that the Lord will repay you by making you his heirs. It is Christ the Lord that you are serving.


    ________

    Short Responsory

    The virtuous man will bloom like the lily.
    – The virtuous man will bloom like the lily.
    He will grow for ever before the Lord.
    – The virtuous man will bloom like the lily.
    Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
    – The virtuous man will bloom like the lily.


    ________

    Canticle
    Magnificat
    My soul rejoices in the Lord

    When Jesus started to teach, he was about thirty years old, being the son, as it was thought, of Joseph.

    My soul glorifies the Lord,
        my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
    He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
        henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

    The Almighty works marvels for me.
        Holy his name!
    His mercy is from age to age,
        on those who fear him.

    He puts forth his arm in strength
        and scatters the proud-hearted.
    He casts the mighty from their thrones
        and raises the lowly.

    He fills the starving with good things,
        sends the rich away empty.

    He protects Israel, his servant,
        remembering his mercy,
    the mercy promised to our fathers,
        to Abraham and his sons for ever.

    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.

    When Jesus started to teach, he was about thirty years old, being the son, as it was thought, of Joseph.


    ________

    Prayers and intercessions

    Let us pray to God our Father, for from him all fatherhood in heaven and on earth takes its name.
    – Father, hallowed be your name

    Father, in your Son you revealed to Joseph the mystery kept secret for endless ages:
        help us to acknowledge your Son as God and man.
    – Father, hallowed be your name

    Father, you enabled Joseph to spend his life in your service:
        set our minds on your kingdom and your justice before all other things.
    – Father, hallowed be your name

    Father, your will is that every man should accept and answer your call:
        by the prayer of Joseph, give us the grace to live in accord with your will.
    – Father, hallowed be your name

    Creator of all things, you have entrusted your work to our hands:
        grant that our labours may prove worthy of you.
    – Father, hallowed be your name

    Father, in whom all men live, grant to those who have died new life, through your Son;
        with Mary, and Joseph, and all your saints for ever.
    – Father, hallowed be your name


    ________

    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.


    ________


    Almighty God,
        at the beginnings of our salvation,
        when Mary conceived your Son and brought him forth in to the world,
        you placed them under Joseph’s watchful care.
    May his prayer still help your Church
        to be an equally faithful guardian of your mysteries
        and a sign of Christ to mankind.
    Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
        who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
        one God, for ever and ever.
    Amen.


    ________

    The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
        Amen.


    Copyright © 1996-2020 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers. Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). Used with permission of A.P. Watt Ltd.  All rights reserved.