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

Liturgy of the Hours


  • Monday 27 September 2021

    Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest 
    on Monday of week 26 in Ordinary Time


    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

    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 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
    Hebrews 13:7-9

    Remember your leaders, who preached the word of God to you, and as you reflect on the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday and as he will be for ever. Do not let yourselves be led astray by all sorts of strange doctrines.


    ________

    Short Responsory

    I placed watchmen on your towers, Jerusalem.
    – I placed watchmen on your towers, Jerusalem.
    They will never cease to tell of the name of the Lord, by day and by night.
    – I placed watchmen on your towers, Jerusalem.
    Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
    – I placed watchmen on your towers, Jerusalem.


    ________

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

    Vincent comforted those in grief. He was the protector of orphans, and benefactor of widows.

    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.

    Vincent comforted those in grief. He was the protector of orphans, and benefactor of widows.


    ________

    Prayers and intercessions

    Christ, the good shepherd, laid down his life for his sheep. Let us praise him with grateful hearts, as we pray:
    – Lord, nourish the lives of your people.

    Christ our Lord, in the holy pastors you reveal your love for us;
    may we never be deprived of the care you show through them.
    – Lord, nourish the lives of your people.

    Through your sacred ministers you are present in our midst as the shepherd of our souls;
    never cease to guide us through their teaching and encouragement.
    – Lord, nourish the lives of your people.

    In the saints who lead your people, you manifest your power of healing souls and bodies;
    remain always with us to renew our lives in holiness.
    – Lord, nourish the lives of your people.

    By the example of the saints you instruct your faithful in the ways of wisdom and love;
    through our pastors, help us grow to the full stature of perfection.
    – Lord, nourish the lives of 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.


    ________


    Father, you endowed Saint Vincent de Paul with the spirit of an apostle
    to give himself to the service of the poor and to the training of priests.
    Give us a share of the same spirit
    that we may love what he loved
    and do as he taught us.
    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.