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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Sunday 12 December 2021

    3rd Sunday of Advent


    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 117 (118):1-9
    A cry of rejoicing and triumph


    “This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone” (Acts 4:11).

    Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’

    Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
    for his love endures for ever.

    Let the sons of Israel say:
    ‘His love endures for ever.’
    Let the sons of Aaron say:
    ‘His love endures for ever.’
    Let those who fear the Lord say:
    ‘His love endures for ever.’

    I called to the Lord in my distress;
    he answered and freed me.
    The Lord is at my side; I do not fear.
    What can man do against me?
    The Lord is at my side as my helper;
    I shall look down on my foes.

    It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in men;
    it is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.

    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.


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    Psalm 117 (118):10-18

    The nations all encompassed me;
    in the Lord’s name I crushed them.

    They compassed me, compassed me about;
    in the Lord’s name I crushed them.

    They compassed me about like bees;
    they blazed like a fire among thorns.
    In the Lord’s name I crushed them.

    I was hard-pressed and was falling,
    but the Lord came to help me.
    The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he is my saviour.
    There are shouts of joy and victory
    in the tents of the just.

    The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;
    his right hand raised me.
    The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;
    I shall not die, I shall live
    and recount his deeds.
    I was punished, I was punished by the Lord,
    but not doomed to die.

    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.


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    Psalm 117 (118):19-29

    Open to me the gates of holiness:
    I will enter and give thanks.
    This is the Lord’s own gate
    where the just may enter.
    I will thank you for you have answered
    and you are my saviour.

    The stone which the builders rejected
    has become the corner stone.
    This is the work of the Lord,
    a marvel in our eyes.
    This day was made by the Lord;
    we rejoice and are glad.

    O Lord, grant us salvation;
    O Lord, grant success.
    Blessed in the name of the Lord
    is he who comes.
    We bless you from the house of the Lord;
    the Lord God is our light.

    Go forward in procession with branches
    even to the altar.
    You are my God, I thank you.
    My God, I praise you.
    Give thanks to the Lord for he is good;
    for his love endures 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.

    Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’


    Psalm-prayer

    Lord God, you have given us the great day of rejoicing: Jesus Christ, the stone rejected by the builders, has become the cornerstone of the Church, our spiritual home. Shed upon your Church the rays of your glory, that she may be seen as the gate of salvation open to all nations. Let cries of joy and exultation ring out from her tents, to celebrate the wonder of Christ’s resurrection.


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    Short Reading
    (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)

    God will very rightly reward you, who are suffering now, with the same peace as he will give us, when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven with the angels of his power, when he comes to be glorified among his saints and seen in his glory by all who believe in him.


    ________

    ℣. Come, Lord, and make no delay.
    ℟. Release your people from their sin.


    ________

    Let us pray.

    Grant, almighty God,
    that looking forward in faith to the feast of our Lord’s birth,
    we may feel all the happiness our Saviour brings
    and celebrate his coming with unfailing joy.
    Through Christ our Lord.
    Amen.


    ________

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


    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.