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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Monday 3 January 2022

    Monday after Epiphany Sunday 
    or The Most Holy Name of Jesus 


    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

    O more than mighty cities known,
    Dear Bethlehem, in thee alone
    Salvation’s Lord from heaven took birth
    In human form upon the earth.

    And from a star that far outshone
    The radiant circle of the sun
    In beauty, swift the tidings ran
    Of God on earth in flesh of man.

    The wise men, seeing him, so fair,
    Bow low before him, and with prayer
    Their treasured eastern gifts unfold
    Of incense, myrrh, and royal gold.

    The fragrant incense which they bring,
    The gold, proclaim him God and King;
    The bitter spicy dust of myrrh
    Foreshadows his new sepulchre.

    All glory, Lord, to thee we pay
    For thine Epiphany today;
    All glory, as is ever meet,
    To Father and to Paraclete.


    ________

    Psalm 41 (42)
    Longing for the Lord and his temple


    “Let all who are thirsty come; all who want it may have the water of life” (Rev 22:17).

    When can I enter and see the face of God?

    Like the deer that yearns
    for running streams,
    so my soul is yearning
    for you, my God.

    My soul is thirsting for God,
    the God of my life;
    when can I enter and see
    the face of God?

    My tears have become my bread,
    by night, by day,
    as I hear it said all the day long:
    ‘Where is your God?’

    These things will I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
    how I would lead the rejoicing crowd
    into the house of God,
    amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving,
    the throng wild with joy.

    Why are you cast down, my soul,
    why groan within me?
    Hope in God; I will praise him still,
    my saviour and my God.

    My soul is cast down within me
    as I think of you,
    from the country of Jordan and Mount Hermon,
    from the Hill of Mizar.

    Deep is calling on deep,
    in the roar of waters;
    your torrents and all your waves
    swept over me.

    By day the Lord will send
    his loving kindness;
    by night I will sing to him,
    praise the God of my life.

    I will say to God, my rock:
    ‘Why have you forgotten me?
    Why do I go mourning
    oppressed by the foe?’

    With cries that pierce me to the heart,
    my enemies revile me,
    saying to me all the day long:
    ‘Where is your God?’

    Why are you cast down, my soul,
    why groan within me?
    Hope in God; I will praise him still,
    my saviour and my God.

    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.

    When can I enter and see the face of God?


    Psalm-prayer

    Father in heaven, when your strength takes possession of us we no longer say: Why are you cast down, my soul? So now that the surging waves of your indignation have passed over us, let us feel the healing calm of your forgiveness. Inspire us to yearn for you always, like the deer for running streams, until you satisfy every longing in heaven.


    Or:

    Lord God, never-failing fountain of life eternal, by the saving waters of baptism you called us from the depths of sin, to the depths of mercy. Do not forget the trials of our exile, but from the wellspring of the Word, satisfy our thirst for you so we may come rejoicing to your holy mountain.


    ________

    Canticle
    Ecclesiasticus 36
    A prayer for Jerusalem, the holy city


    “This is eternal life: to know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3).

    Show us, Lord, the light of your mercy.

    Save us, God of all things,
    strike all the nations with terror;
    raise your hand against foreign nations,
    that they may see the greatness of your might.

    Our sufferings proved your holiness to them;
    let their downfall prove your glory to us.
    Let them know, as we ourselves know,
    that there is no other God but you.

    Give us signs again, work further wonders,
    clothe your hand, your right arm in glory.

    Assemble all the tribes of Jacob,
    as when they first received their inheritance.
    Pity the poor people called by your name,
    pity Israel, chosen as your first-born.

    Have compassion on the holy city,
    Jerusalem, the place of your rest.
    Let Sion ring with your praises,
    let your temple be filled with your 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.

    Show us, Lord, the light of your mercy.


    ________

    Psalm 18 (19):2-7
    Praise of God the creator


    “The Rising Sun has come to visit us to guide our feet in the way of peace” (Lk 1:78,79).

    Blessed are you, Lord, in the vault of heaven.

    The heavens proclaim the glory of God,
    and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
    Day unto day takes up the story
    and night unto night makes known the message.

    No speech, no word, no voice is heard
    yet their span extends through all the earth,
    their words to the utmost bounds of the world.

    There he has placed a tent for the sun;
    it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent,
    rejoices like a champion to run its course.

    At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun;
    to the furthest end of the sky is its course.
    There is nothing concealed from its burning heat.

    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.

    Blessed are you, Lord, in the vault of heaven.


    Psalm-prayer

    To enlighten the world, Father, you sent to us your Word as the sun of truth and justice shining upon mankind. Illumine our eyes that we may discern your glory in the many works of your hand.


    ________

    Short Reading
    Isaiah 9:5

    There is a child born for us, a son given to us and dominion is laid on his shoulders; and this is the name they give him: Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace.


    ________

    Short Responsory

    All the kings of the earth will adore him.
    – All the kings of the earth will adore him.
    All the peoples will serve him.
    – All the kings of the earth will adore him.
    Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
    – All the kings of the earth will adore him.


    ________

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

    The Magi came to Bethlehem from the East to adore the Lord; they opened their treasures and offered him precious gifts: gold for a great king, frankincense for the true God, myrrh for his burial, 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.

    The Magi came to Bethlehem from the East to adore the Lord; they opened their treasures and offered him precious gifts: gold for a great king, frankincense for the true God, myrrh for his burial, alleluia.


    ________

    Prayers and intercessions

    We praise you, Christ. Through you God’s salvation reaches to the boundaries of the earth.
    – Glory to you, Christ the Lord.

    Christ, our Redeemer, you have drawn all men to yourself;
    break down the walls of prejudice that separate man from man.
    – Glory to you, Christ the Lord.

    You came to live among us:
    help us to recognize all the ways you are present in the Church and in the lives of men and women.
    – Glory to you, Christ the Lord.

    In you God stands revealed:
    may our belief and good works be consistent with your teaching.
    – Glory to you, Christ the Lord.

    Immanuel, God with men, renew our lives completely;
    make us a people you can call your own.
    – Glory to you, Christ the Lord.


    ________

    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.


    ________


    Lord, may the radiance of your glory light up our hearts
    and bring us through the shadows of this world
    until we reach our homeland of everlasting light.
    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.