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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Saturday 23 May 2020

    Saturday before Ascension Sunday


    Afternoon Prayer (None)


    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. Alleluia.


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    Hymn

    Eternal Father, loving God,
    Who made us from the dust of earth,
    Transform us by the Spirit’s grace,
    Give value to our little worth.

    Prepare us for that day of days
    When Christ from heaven will come with might
    To call us out of dust again,
    Our bodies glorified in light.

    O Godhead, here untouched, unseen,
    All things created bear your trace;
    The seed of glory sown in man
    Will flower when we see your face.

    Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

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    PSALMS OF THE DAY

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    Psalm 118(119): 81-88
    Meditating the word of the Lord in the Law


    “His mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him” (Luke 1:50)

    Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

    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 remember your statutes.
    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 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 60 (61)
    An exile's prayer


    “The prayer of a just man who looks to the things which are eternal” (St Hilary).

    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 ever sit enthroned before God:
    bid love and truth be his protection.

    So I will always praise your name
    and day after day fulfil my vows.

    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 63 (64)
    A prayer against enemies


    “This psalm in particular invites us to think about the passion of the Lord” (St Augustine).

    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 depths 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 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.

    Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.


    Psalm-prayer

    Father, you gave your Son victory over the men who plotted evil against him; when he cried to you in his agony, you delivered him from fear of his enemies. May those who suffer with him in this life find refuge and success in you.


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    Short Reading
    2 Corinthians 5:14-15

    The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead. The reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them.


    ________

    ℣. Stay with us, Lord, alleluia.
    ℟. It is nearly evening and the day is drawing to a close, alleluia.


    ________

    Let us pray.

    Mould our minds, we pray you, Lord,
    by the works of your law.
    Always striving after what is best,
    may we make our lives a constant sharing
    in Christ’s death and resurrection.
    Through Christ our Lord.
    Amen.


    ________

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


    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.