Vespers (Evening Prayer)
INTRODUCTION
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
Who are these like stars appearing,
these, before God’s throne who stand?
Each a golden crown is wearing;
who are all this glorious band?
Alleluia! Hark, they sing,
praising loud their heavenly King.
Who are these of dazzling brightness,
clothed in God’s own righteousness?
These, whose robes of purest whiteness,
shall their lustre still possess,
still untouched by time’s rude hand?
Whence came all this glorious band?
These are they who have contended
for their Saviour’s honour long,
wrestling on till life was ended,
following not the sinful throng;
these who well the fight sustained,
triumph through the Lamb have gained.
These are they whose hearts were riven,
sore with woe and anguish tried,
who in prayer full oft have striven
with the God they glorified;
now, their painful conflict o’er,
God has bid them weep no more.
These, the Almighty contemplating,
did as priests before him stand,
soul and body always waiting
day and night at his command:
now in God’s most holy place
blest they stand before his face.
Psalm 19 (20)
Prayer for victory
The Lord will give victory to his Anointed One.
May the Lord hear your prayer in the day of tribulation,
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
May he send you help from his holy place;
from Zion, may he extend his protection.
May he remember every one of your sacrifices
and find merit in your burnt-offerings.
May he deal with you as your heart desires
and bring all your plans to fulfilment.
We will rejoice in your salvation,
we will raise our banners in the name of God;
may the Lord grant all your prayers.
Now I know that the Lord keeps his anointed one safe:
in his sanctuary in heaven he hears his prayer,
and lends the support of his strong right hand.
Some put their faith in chariots
and some in horses,
but we invoked the name of the Lord our God.
They stumbled and fell,
but we rose and we stand upright.
Lord, keep the king safe,
and hear our prayer whenever we call upon you.
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 give victory to his Anointed One.
Psalm 20 (21)
Thanksgiving for victory
We shall sing and praise your power.
Lord, the king will rejoice in your strength,
he will triumph in your saving power.
You have granted him his heart’s desire,
you have not denied the wish that he spoke.
For you showered him with blessings
even before he asked for them.
You have placed a crown of purest gold upon his head.
He asked you for life,
and you granted it to him,
length of days for ever and for ever.
Great is his glory through your help:
you cover him with splendour and majesty.
You lay a blessing upon him that will last for ever,
you make him rejoice in joy before you.
For the king hopes in the Lord,
and through the kindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.
Stand high above us, Lord, in your power;
and we will sing and celebrate your might.
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.
We shall sing and praise your power.
Canticle
Apocalypse 4,5
The song of the redeemed
Lord, you made us a kingdom and priests to serve our God.
You are worthy, our Lord and our God,
to receive glory and honour and power;
for you made all things,
and it is by your will that they exist and were created.
You are worthy, Lord,
to receive the book and open its seals,
for you were killed,
and with your blood you have ransomed people
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and made them rulers and priests for God;
and they will rule over the earth.
The Lamb is worthy, who was killed,
to receive power and riches and wisdom,
strength and honour, glory and blessing.
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, you made us a kingdom and priests to serve our God.
Short Reading
1 Peter 5:1-4
©
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
Short Responsory
This is a man who loves his brothers and intercedes for the people.
– This is a man who loves his brothers and intercedes for the people.
He laid down his life for his brothers.
– This is a man who loves his brothers and intercedes for the people.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
– This is a man who loves his brothers and intercedes for the people.
Canticle
Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
I made myself all things to all men in order to save them all.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him.
He has put forth his strength:
he has scattered the proud and conceited,
torn princes from their thrones;
but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children 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.
I made myself all things to all men in order to save them all.
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.
Lord God, you won so many peoples to yourself
by the preaching of Saint Francis Xavier.
Give us the same zeal that he had for the faith,
and let your Church rejoice
and see the virtue and number of her children increase
throughout the world.
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.
