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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Saturday 25 June 2022

    The Immaculate Heart of Mary 
    on Saturday of week 12 in Ordinary Time


    (First Vespers of tomorrow, 13th Sunday 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

    O Light serene of God the Father’s glory,
    To you, O Christ, we sing,
    And with the evening star, at hour of sunset,
    Our worship bring.

    To Father, Son and God’s most Holy Spirit,
    Eternal praise is due.
    O Christ, who gave your life, the world gives glory
    And thanks to you.

    Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

    ________

    Psalm 140 (141)
    Prayer in time of danger


    “The smoke of incense rose before God with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel” (Rev 8:4).

    Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense.

    I have called to you, Lord; hasten to help me!
    Hear my voice when I cry to you.
    Let my prayer arise before you like incense,
    the raising of my hands like an evening oblation.

    Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth;
    keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips!
    Do not turn my heart to things that are wrong,
    to evil deeds with men who are sinners.

    Never allow me to share in their feasting.
    If a good man strikes or reproves me it is kindness;
    but let the oil of the wicked not anoint my head.
    Let my prayer be ever against their malice.

    Their princes were thrown down by the side of the rock;
    then they understood that my words were kind.
    As a millstone is shattered to pieces on the ground,
    so their bones were strewn at the mouth of the grave.

    To you, Lord God, my eyes are turned:
    in you I take refuge; spare my soul!
    From the trap they have laid for me keep me safe:
    keep me from the snares of those who do evil.

    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.

    Lord, let my prayer rise before you like incense.


    Psalm-prayer

    Lord, from the rising of the sun to its setting your name is worthy of all praise. Let our prayer come like incense before you. May the lifting up of our hands be as an evening sacrifice acceptable to you, Lord our God.


    Or:

    Lord, you never reject the prayer of those who cry to you. Listen to the pleading of your Church and defend your people. Make them strong in faith against the evil one who would devour them. After they have overcome the brief ordeals of this life, may they enter into your glory with Christ Jesus.


    ________

    Psalm 141 (142)
    You are my refuge


    “All these things were fulfilled by the Lord at the time of his passion” (St Hilary).

    You are my refuge, Lord, my heritage in the land of the living.

    With all my voice I cry to the Lord,
    with all my voice I entreat the Lord.
    I pour out my trouble before him;
    I tell him all my distress
    while my spirit faints within me.
    But you, O Lord, know my path.

    On the way where I shall walk
    they have hidden a snare to entrap me.
    Look on my right and see:
    there is no one who takes my part.
    I have no means of escape,
    not one who cares for my soul.

    I cry to you, O Lord.
    I have said: ‘You are my refuge
    all I have in the land of the living.’
    Listen, then, to my cry
    for I am in the depths of distress.

    Rescue me from those who pursue me
    for they are stronger than I.
    Bring my soul out of this prison
    and then I shall praise your name.
    Around me the just will assemble
    because of your goodness to me.

    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.

    You are my refuge, Lord, my heritage in the land of the living.


    Psalm-prayer

    Lord, we humbly ask for your goodness. May you help us to hope in you, and give us a share with your chosen ones in the land of the living.


    Or:

    Lord Jesus, hanging alone on the cross, you accepted to be tortured by the executioners and cut to the heart by the defection of your disciples. You called on your Father with a mighty cry as you gave up your spirit. Deliver us from the prison of affliction and be yourself our inheritance in the land of the living.


    ________

    Canticle
    Philippians 2
    Christ, God's servant

    The Lord Jesus humbled himself: therefore God has highly exalted him for ever.

    Though he was in the form of God,
    Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.

    He emptied himself,
    taking the form of a servant,
    being born in the likeness of men.

    And being found in human form,
    he humbled himself and became obedient unto death,
    even death on a cross.

    Therefore God has highly exalted him
    and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,

    That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

    And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

    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 Jesus humbled himself: therefore God has highly exalted him for ever.


    ________

    Short Reading
    Romans 11:33-36

    How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.


    ________

    Short Responsory

    How great are your works, O Lord.
    – How great are your works, O Lord.
    In wisdom you have made them all.
    – How great are your works, O Lord.
    Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
    – How great are your works, O Lord.


    ________

    Canticle
    Magnificat
    My soul rejoices in the Lord

    Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. (Year C)
    Or: Whoever receives you, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me, says the Lord.

    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.

    Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. (Year C)
    Or: Whoever receives you, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me, says the Lord.


    ________

    Prayers and intercessions

    Glory be to the one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as we humbly pray:
    – Lord, be with your people.

    Almighty Father, bring justice to our world,
    that your people may live in the joy of your peace.
    – Lord, be with your people.

    Bring all peoples into your kingdom,
    that all mankind may be saved.
    – Lord, be with your people.

    Give to married people the strength of your peace, the guidance of your will,
    and the grace to live together in constant love.
    – Lord, be with your people.

    Be the reward of all who have given us their help,
    and grant them eternal life.
    – Lord, be with your people.

    Have mercy on those who have lost their lives through warfare or violence,
    and receive them into your rest.
    – Lord, be with 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.


    ________


    Lord God,
    since by the adoption of grace
    you have made us children of light,
    do not let false doctrine darken our minds,
    but grant that your light may shine within us
    and we may always live in the brightness of truth.
    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 © 1996-2022 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.