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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Sunday 21 November 2021

    Christ the King - Solemnity 


    Morning Prayer (Lauds)


    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

    To Christ the Lord of worlds we sing,
    The nations’ universal King.
    Hail, conquering Christ, whose reign alone
    Over our hearts and souls we own.

    Christ, who art known the prince of peace,
    Bid all rebellious tumults cease;
    Call home thy straying sheep, and hold
    For ever in one faithful fold.

    For this, thine arms, on Calvary,
    Were stretched across th’ empurpled tree,
    And the sharp spear that through thee ran
    Laid bare the heart that burned for man.

    For this, in forms of bread and wine
    Lies hid the plenitude divine,
    And from thy wounded body runs
    The stream of life to all thy sons.

    W. Shewring

    ________

    Psalm 62 (63)
    Thirsting for God


    “Let the man who has put away the deeds of the night watch for God.”

    Behold a man whose name is ‘The Rising Sun’; he will sit on the throne and rule over all; he will speak of peace to the peoples.

    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 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.

    Behold a man whose name is ‘The Rising Sun’; he will sit on the throne and rule over all; he will speak of peace to the peoples.


    Psalm-prayer

    Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you. May our lips praise you; our lives proclaim your goodness; our work give you honour, and our voices celebrate you for ever.


    Or:

    This morning, Lord, we lift up our hands to praise you. We thirst for you; we long for you. Help us to love you more than life itself and fill us with good gifts from your banquet table.


    ________

    Canticle
    Daniel 3:57-88,56
    All creatures, bless the Lord


    “Praise our God, all you his servants” (Rev 19:5).

    He will receive glory throughout the earth, he himself will be peace.

    O all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, angels of the Lord, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, the heavens of the Lord, O bless the Lord.
    And you, clouds of the sky, O bless the Lord.
    And you, all armies of the Lord, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, sun and moon, O bless the Lord.
    And you, the stars of the heavens, O bless the Lord.
    And you, showers and rain, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, all you breezes and winds, O bless the Lord.
    And you, fire and heat, O bless the Lord.
    And you, cold and heat, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, showers and dew, O bless the Lord.
    And you, frosts and cold, O bless the Lord.
    And you, frost and snow, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, night-time and day, O bless the Lord.
    And you, darkness and light, O bless the Lord.
    And you, lightning and clouds, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    O let the earth bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, mountains and hills, O bless the Lord.
    And you, all plants of the earth, O bless the Lord.
    And you, fountains and springs, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, rivers and seas, O bless the Lord.
    And you, creatures of the sea, O bless the Lord.
    And you, every bird in the sky, O bless the Lord.
    And you, wild beasts and tame, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, children of men, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    O Israel, bless the Lord, O bless the Lord.
    And you, priests of the Lord, O bless the Lord.
    And you, servants of the Lord, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    And you, spirits and souls of the just, O bless the Lord.
    And you, holy and humble of heart, O bless the Lord.
    Ananias, Azarias, Mizael, O bless the Lord.
    To him be highest glory and praise for ever.

    Let us praise the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit:
    To you be highest glory and praise for ever.
    May you be blessed, O Lord, in the heavens:
    To you be highest glory and praise for ever.

    He will receive glory throughout the earth, he himself will be peace.


    ________

    Psalm 149
    The saints rejoice


    “The members of the Church, God’s new people, will rejoice in their king, who is Christ” (Hesychius).

    The Lord has given him power and honour and kingdom; every people, tribe and nation will serve him.

    Sing a new song to the Lord,
    his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
    Let Israel rejoice in its Maker,
    let Sion’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 honour is for all his faithful.

    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 has given him power and honour and kingdom; every people, tribe and nation will serve him.


    Psalm-prayer

    Let Israel rejoice in you, Lord, and acknowledge you as creator and redeemer. We put our trust in your faithfulness and proclaim the wonderful truths of salvation. May your loving kindness embrace us now and for ever.


    Or:

    Lord Jesus, you came to your own people and gave to all who welcomed you power to become children of God. In your merciful love watch over the Church and through her ministry bring salvation to the meek and lowly. May we avoid the snares of the impious, and come to rejoice in glory with your saints.


    ________

    Short Reading
    Ephesians 4:15-16

    If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to its function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love.


    ________

    Short Responsory

    O Lord, your saints will tell of the glory of your kingdom.
    – O Lord, your saints will tell of the glory of your kingdom.
    They will speak of your power.
    – O Lord, your saints will tell of the glory of your kingdom.
    Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
    – O Lord, your saints will tell of the glory of your kingdom.


    ________

    Canticle
    Benedictus
    The Messiah and the one who was sent before him

    He made us a kingdom for his God and Father; he is the firstborn from the dead, the leader of the kings of the earth, alleluia.

    Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel!
    He has visited his people and redeemed them.

    He has raised up for us a mighty saviour
    in the house of David his servant,
    as he promised by the lips of holy men,
    those who were his prophets from of old.

    A saviour who would free us from our foes,
    from the hands of all who hate us.
    So his love for our fathers is fulfilled
    and his holy covenant remembered.

    He swore to Abraham our father to grant us,
    that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes,
    we might serve him in holiness and justice
    all the days of our life in his presence.

    As for you, little child,
    you shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High.
    You shall go ahead of the Lord
    to prepare his ways before him,

    To make known to his people their salvation
    through forgiveness of all their sins,
    the loving-kindness of the heart of our God
    who visits us like the dawn from on high.

    He will give light to those in darkness,
    those who dwell in the shadow of death,
    and guide us into the way of peace.

    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.

    He made us a kingdom for his God and Father; he is the firstborn from the dead, the leader of the kings of the earth, alleluia.


    ________

    Prayers and intercessions

    To Christ our King, who is first in all things and in whom all things exist, let us confidently pray:
    – Lord, may your kingdom come.

    Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour, you are our king and our shepherd:
    lead your people into life-giving pastures.
    – Lord, may your kingdom come.

    Jesus, the Good Shepherd, you laid down your life for your sheep:
    guide us, and we shall lack nothing.
    – Lord, may your kingdom come.

    Jesus, our Redeemer, you are the king of the whole world:
    restore all things in yourself.
    – Lord, may your kingdom come.

    Jesus, king of all men, you came into the world to bear witness to the truth:
    make all aware of your primacy in all things.
    – Lord, may your kingdom come.

    Jesus, our master and model, you have brought us into your kingdom:
    grant that today we may be holy, blameless and worthy of you.
    – Lord, may your kingdom come.


    ________

    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, ever-living God,
    it is your will to unite the entire universe under your beloved Son,
    Jesus Christ, the King of heaven and earth.
    Grant freedom to the whole of creation,
    and let it praise and serve your majesty for ever.
    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.


    ________

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


    Copyright © 1996-2021 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.