Welcome to the ULC Minister's Network

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

Liturgy of the Hours

  • Sext (Midday Prayer)


    INTRODUCTION  
    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  
    Lord God and Maker of all things,
    Creation is upheld by you.
    While all must change and know decay,
    You are unchanging, always new.
    You are man’s solace and his shield,
    His Rock secure on which to build.
    You are the spirit’s tranquil home,
    In you alone is hope fulfilled.
    To God the Father and the Son
    And Holy Spirit render praise:
    Blest Trinity, from age to age
    The strength of all our living days.
    Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

    The psalms of the day are shown here. If you are reciting more than one daytime hour (Terce, Sext, None) today, use the psalms of the day at one hour and the complementary psalms at the others.

    PSALMS OF THE DAY


    Psalm 118(119): 17-24

    As I live, says the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked man; rather let him turn from his evil way and live.
    Be good to your servant, and I shall live
      and keep to your teachings.
    Uncover my eyes
      and I shall see the wonders of your law.
    My home is on the earth
      but do not hide your commands from me.
    My soul is weary with longing,
      day and night, for your decrees.
    You have rebuked the proud, they are accursed
      because they turn from your commands.
    Save me from scorn and contempt,
      for I have kept your decrees.
    Princes enthroned may speak against me,
      but your servant will still follow your judgements.
    For your decrees are my delight,
      and your statutes are my counsellors.
    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.

    Psalm 24 (25)
    A plea for pardon and salvation

    To you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
      My God, I trust you, I shall not be ashamed.
    Do not let my enemies triumph.
      No-one who trusts you should lose by it.
    Let the losers be the faithless traitors
      who break their word pointlessly.
    Lord, show me your ways
      and teach me your paths.
    Guide me in your truth and teach me,
      since you are the God of my salvation
      and I hope in you all the day long.
    Remember your mercies, O Lord:
      remember your loving kindness
      since the beginning of time.
    The sins of my youth and my crimes
     – forget them all, O Lord.
    Your mercy is great, so remember me.
      Lord, remember me in your goodness.
    The Lord is upright and gentle,
      and he will teach sinners good ways.
    He will guide the humble in his judgements;
      he will teach the meek his ways.
    All the ways of the Lord are kindness and faithfulness
      to those who keep his covenant
      and obey his decrees.
    For the sake of your name, O Lord,
      you will not be angry at my sins
      for they are so many.
    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.

    Psalm 24 (25)

    Who is the man who fears the Lord?
      The Lord will teach him the path to choose.
    His soul will live in prosperity:
      his children will inherit the land.
    The Lord is close to those who fear him
      in fulfilment of his covenant.
    My eyes are turned to the Lord
      for he frees my feet from the snare.
    Look down on me and take pity,
      for I am alone and a pauper.
    Loosen the bonds of my heart,
      rescue me from my need.
    See my lowliness, see how I labour,
      and forgive all my sins.
    See my enemies, how many they are,
      and the hatred they have for me.
    Guard my life and rescue me:
      I will not be ashamed, for I hope in you.
    May innocence and justice guard me,
      since my hope is in you.
    O God, free Israel
      from all its troubles.
    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.
    As I live, says the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked man; rather let him turn from his evil way and live.
    OR:

    At the daytime hours (Terce, Sext, None) when you don’t choose to use the psalms of the day, use the complementary psalms instead.

    COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS


    Psalm 122 (123)
    The Lord guards his people

    As I live, says the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked man; rather let him turn from his evil way and live.
    To you I lift up my eyes,
      to you who dwell in the heavens.
    Like the eyes of a servant watching his master,
      like the eyes of a maid on her mistress’s hands,
      so we keep our eyes on the Lord our God,
      as we wait for his kindness.
    Take pity on us, Lord, take pity:
      we have had our fill of contempt.
    Our souls have had their fill
      of the laughter of the rich,
      of the contempt of the proud.
    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.

    Psalm 123 (124)
    Our help is in the name of the Lord

    If the Lord had not been with us
      (so let Israel sing),
    If the Lord had not been with us
      when men rose up against us,
    they might have skinned us alive,
      such was their anger.
    The waters could have drowned us,
      the torrent poured over us,
      the foaming waters poured over us.
    Blessed be the Lord, who saved us
      from being torn to pieces by their teeth.
    We have escaped, like a bird
      from the snare of the fowler.
    The snare was broken,
      and we escaped.
    Our help is in the name of the Lord,
      who made heaven and earth.
    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.

    Psalm 124 (125)
    The Lord guards his people

    Those who trust in the Lord are like the mountain of Zion:
      it cannot be shaken, it will stand firm for ever.
    Jerusalem – the mountains stand guard over it,
      and the Lord stands guard over his people,
      both now and for ever.
    The sceptre of the wicked shall not rest
      upon the inheritance of the just;
    lest the just themselves stretch out their hands
      and turn to wickedness.
    Be good, O Lord, to the good
      and the upright of heart.
    As for those who turn away to crooked paths,
      the Lord shall treat them like the doers of evil.
    Peace be on Israel!
    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.
    As I live, says the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked man; rather let him turn from his evil way and live.

    CONCLUSION


    Short Reading Hebrews 7:26-27 ©
    The ideal high priest would have to be holy, innocent and uncontaminated, beyond the influence of sinners, and raised up above the heavens; one who would not need to offer sacrifices every day, as the other high priests do for their own sins and then for those of the people, because Jesus Christ our Lord has done this once and for all by offering himself.

    ℣. From my sins turn away your face.
    ℟. And blot out all my guilt.

    Let us pray.
    Stand by your people, Lord,
      who place all their trust in your mercy.
    Wash away the stain of our sins,
      make us live in your presence our whole life long,
      and bring us to the inheritance you have promised.
    Through Christ our Lord.
    Amen.

    Let us praise the Lord.
    – Thanks be to God.