INVITATORY
The Invitatory is said when this is the first ‘hour’ of the day.
Lord, + open my lips.
— And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
The antiphon is repeated. In individual recitation, the antiphon may be said only at the beginning of the psalm; it need not be repeated after each strophe.
Psalm 95
A call to praise God
Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).
Come, let us sing to the Lord *
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving *
and sing joyful songs to the Lord.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
The Lord is God, the mighty God, *
the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth *
and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him, *
the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Come, then, let us bow down and worship, *
bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people, *
the flock he shepherds.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: †
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
in the wilderness, *
when at Meriba and Massah
they challenged me and provoked me, *
Although they had seen all of my works.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Forty years I endured that generation. *
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:
God, + come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN
During the night or at dawn:
With weary limbs refreshed once more,
we turn from sleep and rise from bed;
O Father, hear our earnest prayer,
be present to us as we sing.
So let our tongues first sing of you,
let hearts with ardor long for you,
that you, Most Holy One, may be
the font from which our actions flow.
Let darkness yield to dawning light
and night give way to morning sun,
that sin occasioned by the dark
surrender to the gift of light.
We beg you, Lord, with humble prayer
to prune away all harmful things,
that you may be for ever praised
by those who raise their voice in song.
Most loving Father, hear our prayer,
and you, O Christ coequal Son,
who with the Spirit Paraclete
now reign for all eternity. Amen.
Tune: MORNING HYMN, 8 8 8 8
Music: François Barthélémon, 1741-1808
or Mode IV, melody 67; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Somno refectis artubus, 6-7th c., © 2023 ICEL
During the day:
O Godhead, everlasting light,
O undivided Trinity,
though frail, we now confess your name
and beg you, hear our humble prayer.
We place our faith in God most high:
the Father and his Only Son,
and God the Spirit ever blest,
the bond of love uniting both.
O holy truth and charity,
our end and blessed happiness,
give us belief and hope in you
and grant us love to reach the goal.
You are the source and final end,
the font from which creation flows;
true solace dwells in you alone,
firm hope for all believing hearts.
For you alone have caused all things
and you alone suffice for all;
for each you are the one true light,
for those who hope, their great reward.
We ask the Father and the Son
and beg the Spirit of them both:
Sustain us with your loving care,
who reign for ever Three in One. Amen.
Tune: As above
Text: Æterna lux, divinitas, unknown author, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Show me your mercy, Lord, and keep me safe.
Psalm 6
A suffering man cries to God for mercy
I am filled with dismay . . . Father, save me from this hour (John 12:27).
Lord, do not reprove me in your anger: *
punish me not in your rage.
Have mercy on me, Lord, I have no strength; †
Lord, heal me, my body is racked; *
my soul is racked with pain.
But you, O Lord . . . how long? *
Return, Lord, rescue my soul.
Save me in your merciful love; †
for in death no one remembers you; *
from the grave, who can give you praise?
I am exhausted with my groaning; *
every night I drench my pillow with tears;
I bedew my bed with weeping. †
My eye wastes away with grief; *
I have grown old surrounded by my foes.
Leave me, all you who do evil; *
for the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my plea; *
the Lord will accept my prayer.
All my foes will retire in confusion, *
foiled and suddenly confounded.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord God, you love mercy and tenderness; you give life and overcome death. Look upon the many wounds of your Church; restore it to health by your risen Son, so that it may sing a new song in your praise.
Ant. Show me your mercy, Lord, and keep me safe.
Ant. 2 The poor are not alone in their distress; God is here to help them.
Psalm 9A
Thanksgiving for victory
You will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; *
I will recount all your wonders.
I will rejoice in you and be glad, *
and sing psalms to your name, O Most High.
See how my enemies turn back, *
how they stumble and perish before you.
You upheld the justice of my cause; *
you sat enthroned, judging with justice.
You have checked the nations, destroyed the wicked; *
you have wiped out their name for ever and ever.
The foe is destroyed, eternally ruined. *
You uprooted their cities; their memory has perished.
But the Lord sits enthroned for ever. *
He has set up his throne for judgment;
he will judge the world with justice, *
he will judge the peoples with his truth.
For the oppressed let the Lord be a stronghold, *
a stronghold in times of distress.
Those who know your name will trust you; *
you will never forsake those who seek you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. The poor are not alone in their distress. God is here to help them.
Ant. 3 I will be the herald of your praises, Lord, where the people of Zion gather.
II
Sing psalms to the Lord who dwells in Zion. *
Proclaim his mighty works among the peoples,
for the Avenger of blood has remembered them, *
has not forgotten the cry of the poor.
Have pity on me, Lord, see my sufferings, *
you who save me from the gates of death;
that I may recount all your praise †
at the gates of the city of Zion *
and rejoice in your saving help.
The nations have fallen in the pit which they made, *
their feet caught in the snare they laid.
The Lord has revealed himself, and given judgment. *
The wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.
Let the wicked go down among the dead, *
all the nations forgetful of God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten *
nor the hopes of the poor be in vain.
Arise, Lord, let men not prevail! *
Let the nations be judged before you.
Lord, strike them with terror, *
let the nations know they are but men.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
Lord God, when you judge, do not be deaf to the shouts of the poor, bring havoc to the madness of oppressors. Look at our wounds and save us from the gates of death, so that we may always rejoice in your help and speak your praise in the gates of Zion.
Ant. I will be the herald of your praises, Lord, where the people of Zion gather.
Give me insight, Lord, to know your will.
— Then I will cherish it with all my heart.
READINGS
FIRST READING
From the beginning of the book of Sirach
1:1-18
The mystery of divine wisdom
All wisdom comes from the Lord
and with him it remains forever.
The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain,
the days of eternity: who can number these?
Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth,
the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?
Before all things else wisdom was created;
and prudent understanding, from eternity.
To whom has wisdom’s root been revealed?
Who knows her subtleties?
There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring,
seated upon his throne:
It is the Lord; he created her,
has seen her and taken note of her.
He has poured her forth upon all his works,
upon every living thing according to his bounty;
he has lavished her upon his friends.
Fear of the Lord is glory and splendor,
gladness and a festive crown.
Fear of the Lord warms the heart,
giving gladness and joy and length of days.
He who fears the Lord will have a happy end;
even on the day of his death he will be blessed.
The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord,
which is formed with the faithful in the womb.
With devoted men was she created from of old,
and with their children her beneficence abides.
Fullness of wisdom is fear of the Lord;
she inebriates men with her fruits.
Her entire house she fills with choice foods,
her granaries with her harvest.
Wisdom’s garland is fear of the Lord,
with blossoms of peace and perfect health.
Knowledge and full understanding she showers down;
she heightens the glory of those who possess her.
The root of wisdom is fear of the Lord;
her branches are length of days.
RESPONSORY
Sirach 1:7, 10, 1, 9
To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed?
Who has seen it clearly in all its subtleties?
God most high has poured her out on all his works;
— and he has given her as a gift to all who love him.
All wisdom is from the Lord,
who created her through the Holy Spirit.
— And he has given her as a gift to all who love him.
SECOND READING
From a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement I, pope and martyr
(Nn. 59, 2—60,4;61,3: Funk I, 135-141)
The Word of God on high, fountain of wisdom
For his chosen ones scattered throughout the world, we shall make our constant prayer to the Creator of the universe. May he allow none of them to fall away, but preserve them all through his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, through whom he called us out of darkness into light, out of ignorance to the knowledge of his glorious name.
Give us grace, Lord, to hope in your Name, to which all creatures owe their being. Open the eyes of our heart to know you alone, the Most High in the highest heavens, the holy One, whose dwelling is in the holy. You abase the arrogance of the proud, frustrate the designs of the godless, exalt the lowly and humble the lofty. You give men wealth and take it away; you slay them, save them and give them new life. Alone the Benefactor of spirits and God of all flesh, your gaze penetrates the depths, you observe the doings of men. Helper of those in peril, Savior of those in despair, you created and still keep watch over all that draws breath. You cause the peoples on the earth to multiply, and from them all choose those who love you through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. Through him you have instructed us, sanctified us, honored us.
Lord, we entreat you to help us. Come to the aid of the afflicted, pity the lowly, raise up the fallen, show your face to the needy, heal the sick, convert the wayward, feed the hungry, deliver the captives, support the weak, encourage the fainthearted. Let all nations know that you alone are God; Jesus Christ is your Son, and we are your people and the sheep of your pasture.
Lord, you created the world according to the eternal decree now revealed in your works. Faithful throughout all generations you are just in judgment, wonderful in power and majesty. You formed your creation with wisdom, established it with prudence. Everything we see proclaims your goodness. You are kind and compassionate, and never fail those who put their trust in you. Forgive us for our failings and for our sins.
Do not hold all the transgressions of your servants against them, but purify us by your truth, and so guide our footsteps that by walking in holiness and justice and simplicity of heart we may do what is good and pleasing in your sight and in the sight of our leaders.
Lord, let the light of your face shine upon us, so that we may enjoy your blessings in peace, protected by your strong hand, and freed from all sin by your outstretched arm; and deliver us from those who hate us unjustly.
Give peace and concord to us and to all mankind, even as you gave it to our ancestors when they devoutly called upon you in faith and truth. Lord, you alone are able to bestow these and even greater benefits upon us. We praise you through Jesus Christ, our high priest and the champion of our souls. Through him be glory and majesty to you now and throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
RESPONSORY
Psalm 77:14-16
What god so great as our God?
— You are the God who works wonders.
You have shown your power to the nations;
with your strong arm, you have redeemed your people.
— You are the God who works wonders.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Father of love,
hear our prayers.
Help us to know your will
and to do it with courage and faith.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Or:
Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care,
O Lord, we pray,
that they may see what must be done
and gain strength to do what they have seen.
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.
ACCLAMATION
Let us praise the Lord.
— And give him thanks.
******
Psalm 24
The Lord’s entry into his temple
Christ opened heaven for us in the manhood he assumed (Saint Irenaeus).
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, *
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas; *
on the waters he made it firm.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? *
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart, †
who desires not worthless things, *
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord *
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him, *
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Psalm 67
People of all nations will worship the Lord
You must know that God is offering his salvation to all the world (Acts 28:28).
O God, be gracious and bless us *
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth *
and all nations learn your saving help.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Let the nations be glad and exult *
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples, *
you guide the nations on earth.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
The earth has yielded its fruit *
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing *
till the ends of the earth revere him.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Psalm 100
The joyful song of those entering God’s temple
The Lord calls his ransomed people to sing songs of victory (Saint Athanasius).
Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. †
Serve the Lord with gladness. *
Come before him, singing for joy.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Know that he, the Lord, is God. †
He made us, we belong to him, *
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Go within his gates, giving thanks. †
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Let us approach the Lord with praise and thanksgiving.
O God of truth, prepare our minds
To hear and heed your holy word.
Fill every heart that longs for you
With your mysterious presence, Lord.
Almighty Father, with your Son
And blessed Spirit, hear our prayer;
Teach us to love eternal truth
And seek its freedom everywhere.
Tune: Warrington L.M.
Music: R. Harrison, 1748-1810
Text: © Stanbrook Abbey, used with permission