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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Thursday 3 September 2020

    Saint Gregory the Great, Pope, Doctor 
    on Thursday of week 22 in Ordinary Time


    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. Alleluia.


    ________

    Hymn

    Apostle of the English, thou
    Art comrade of the Angels now:
    O help the faithful, Gregory,
    Who heardest then the peoples’ cry.

    Abundant wealth was naught to thee
    Who, seeking princely penury,
    Didst spurn the glory of the earth
    To follow Jesus in his dearth.

    First in his Church from that time forth
    Christ set thee, in thy proven worth;
    So didst thou rise to Peter’s throne,
    Whose life was pattern for thine own.

    O Priest and Leader of the flock,
    The Church’s glory, light, and rock,
    Instructed by thy wise command,
    Let not the sheep in peril stand.

    Praise to the unbegotten One,
    And glory to his only Son;
    And thine, O Spirit, Breath of God
    Be equal majesty and laud.


    ________

    Psalm 71 (72)
    The Messiah's royal power


    “They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mt 2:11).

    I will make you the light of the nations to bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.

    O God, give your judgement to the king,
    to a king’s son your justice,
    that he may judge your people in justice
    and your poor in right judgement.

    May the mountains bring forth peace for the people
    and the hills, justice.
    May he defend the poor of the people
    and save the children of the needy
    and crush the oppressor.

    He shall endure like the sun and the moon
    from age to age.
    He shall descend like rain on the meadow,
    like raindrops on the earth.

    In his days justice shall flourish
    and peace till the moon fails.
    He shall rule from sea to sea,
    from the Great River to earth’s bounds.

    Before him his enemies shall fall,
    his foes lick the dust.
    The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts
    shall pay him tribute.

    The kings of Sheba and Seba
    shall bring him gifts.
    Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
    all nations shall serve him.

    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.

    I will make you the light of the nations to bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.


    ________

    Psalm 71 (72)

    The Lord will save the poor; from oppression he will rescue their lives.

    For he shall save the poor when they cry
    and the needy who are helpless.
    He will have pity on the weak
    and save the lives of the poor.

    From oppression he will rescue their lives,
    to him their blood is dear.
    Long may he live,
    may the gold of Sheba be given him.
    They shall pray for him without ceasing
    and bless him all the day.

    May corn be abundant in the land
    to the peaks of the mountains.
    May its fruit rustle like Lebanon;
    may men flourish in the cities
    like grass on the earth.

    May his name be blessed for ever
    and endure like the sun.
    Every tribe shall be blessed in him,
    all nations bless his name.

    Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel,
    who alone works wonders,
    ever blessed his glorious name.
    Let his glory fill the earth.
    Amen! Amen!

    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 Lord will save the poor; from oppression he will rescue their lives.


    Psalm-prayer

    We call upon your name, Father, and pronounce it blessed above the earth. Give your people the fullness of peace and justice in your kingdom.


    Or:

    Almighty God, you gave the kingdom of justice and peace to David and his descendant, our Lord Jesus Christ. Extend this kingdom to every family of nations so that through your Son all men may obtain true peace, the poor receive justice, the destitute relief, and the people of earth find a blessing in his name.


    ________

    Canticle
    Apocalypse 11
    The Judgement

    Victory and empire have now been won by our God.

    We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    who are and who were,
    that you have taken your great power
    and begun to reign.

    The nations raged,
    but your wrath came,
    and the time for the dead to be judged,
    for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
    and those who fear your name,
    both small and great.

    Now the salvation and the power
    and the kingdom of our God
    and the authority of his Christ have come,
    for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down,
    who accuses them day and night before our God.

    And they have conquered him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony,
    for they loved not their lives even unto death.
    Rejoice, then, O heaven,
    and you that dwell therein.

    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.

    Victory and empire have now been won by our God.


    ________

    Short Reading
    James 3:17-18

    The wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure. It also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it. Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness.


    ________

    Short Responsory

    This man became a teacher in the Church of God.
    – This man became a teacher in the Church of God.
    The Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
    – This man became a teacher in the Church of God.
    Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
    – This man became a teacher in the Church of God.


    ________

    Canticle
    Magnificat
    My soul rejoices in the Lord

    Gregory fulfilled in deeds what he preached by word, so that he might be an example while speaking about mystical things.

    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.

    Gregory fulfilled in deeds what he preached by word, so that he might be an example while speaking about mystical things.


    ________

    Prayers and intercessions

    Let us pray to Christ, the high priest, who was appointed to represent men in their relations with God.
    – Lord, save your people.

    Lord Jesus, in times past you have lighted the way for your people through wise and holy leaders;
    may Christians always enjoy this sign of your loving kindness.
    – Lord, save your people.

    You forgave the sins of your people when holy pastors prayed;
    continually cleanse your Church through their powerful intercession.
    – Lord, save your people.

    In the presence of their brothers, you anointed your holy ones and poured on them your Spirit;
    fill with your Holy Spirit all the leaders of your people.
    – Lord, save your people.

    Nothing could ever separate the holy pastors from your love;
    do not lose even one of those whom you redeemed by your passion.
    – Lord, save your people.

    Through the pastors of your Church you give your sheep eternal life, and no one can steal them from you;
    save the faithful departed, for whom you laid down your life.
    – Lord, save your people.


    ________

    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.


    ________


    God our Father, your rule is a rule of love,
    your providence is full of mercy for your people.
    Through the intercession of Saint Gregory
    grant the spirit of wisdom to those you have placed in authority,
    so that the spiritual growth of the people may bring eternal joy to the pastors.
    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.