In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in the Common of One Martyr or the Common of Virgins with the proper texts below.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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 holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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
O Christ, the Martyrs’ strength and crown
and standard-bearer of the pure,
rewarding each for triumphs gained,
in mercy hear our humble prayer.
For we acclaim with solemn praise
this Virgin of a noble heart,
once by a double portion blest,
now glorious with a twofold palm.
Determined to confess her faith,
she firmly braced herself to meet
the arm of torture, swift and cruel,
and poured forth life and soul for you.
Thus wounds from fierce and vicious hands,
by teaching us to overcome
the lure and flatt’ry of the world,
instruct in sound and holy faith.
Through her good will and gracious prayer
forgive and cancel all our debts,
remove the luring snares of sin,
and grant the comfort of your grace.
To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
who are the Virgin Mary’s Son,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and loving Spirit, evermore. Amen.
Tune: DEUS TUORUM MILITUM, 8 8 8 8
Music: from the Grenoble Antiphoner, 1753
or Mode VI, melody 89; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: O castitatis signifer, unknown author, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 At daybreak, be merciful to me, O Lord.
Psalm 143:1-11
Prayer in distress
A man is not justified by observance of the law but only through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:16).
Lord, listen to my prayer: *
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are just; give answer. †
Do not call your servant to judgment *
for no one is just in your sight.
The enemy pursues my soul; *
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me dwell in darkness *
like the dead, long forgotten.
Therefore my spirit fails; *
my heart is numb within me.
I remember the days that are past: *
I ponder all your works.
I muse on what your hand has wrought †
and to you I stretch out my hands. *
Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.
Lord, make haste and answer; *
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face *
lest I become like those in the grave.
In the morning let me know your love *
for I put my trust in you.
Make me know the way I should walk: *
to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies; *
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will *
for you, O Lord, are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me *
in ways that are level and smooth.
For your name’s sake, Lord, save my life; *
in your justice save my soul from distress.
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 Jesus, early in the morning of your resurrection, you made your love known and brought the first light of dawn to those who dwell in darkness. Your death has opened a path for us. Do not enter into judgment with your servants; let your Holy Spirit guide us together into the land of justice.
Ant. At daybreak, be merciful to me, O Lord.
Ant. 2 The Lord will make a river of peace flow through Jerusalem.
Canticle: Isaiah 66:10-14a
Joys of heaven
The heavenly Jerusalem is a free woman and our mother (Galatians 4:26).
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, *
all you who love her;
exult, exult with her, *
all you who were mourning over her!
Oh, that you may suck fully *
of the milk of her comfort,
That you may nurse with delight *
at her abundant breasts!
For thus says the Lord: †
Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river, *
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.
As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, *
and fondled in her lap;
as a mother comforts her son, †
so will I comfort you; *
in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, *
and your bodies flourish like the grass.
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 Lord will make a river of peace flow through Jerusalem.
Ant. 3 Let us joyfully praise the Lord our God.
Psalm 147:1-11
The loving kindness of God who can do all he wills
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord: we acclaim you.
Praise the Lord for he is good; †
sing to our God for he is loving: *
to him our praise is due.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem *
and brings back Israel’s exiles,
he heals the broken-hearted, *
he binds up all their wounds.
He fixes the number of the stars; *
he calls each one by its name.
Our Lord is great and almighty; *
his wisdom can never be measured.
The Lord raises the lowly; *
he humbles the wicked to the dust.
O sing to the Lord, giving thanks; *
sing psalms to our God with the harp.
He covers the heavens with clouds; *
he prepares the rain for the earth,
making mountains sprout with grass *
and with plants to serve man’s needs.
He provides the beasts with their food *
and young ravens that call upon him.
His delight is not in horses *
nor his pleasure in warriors’ strength.
The Lord delights in those who revere him, *
in those who wait for his love.
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
God our Father, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number of the stars and call each of them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather together those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the plenitude of your eternal wisdom.
Ant. Let us joyfully praise the Lord our God.
READING
[Martyrs] 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from him. As we have shared much in the suffering of Christ, so through Christ do we share abundantly in his consolation.
RESPONSORY
The Lord will help her; his loving presence will be with her.
— The Lord will help her; his loving presence will be with her.
He dwells in her; she will not falter.
— His loving presence will be with her.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— The Lord will help her; his loving presence will be with her.
Or:
READING
[Virgins] Song of Songs 8:7
Deep waters cannot quench love,
nor floods sweep it away.
Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love,
he would be roundly mocked.
RESPONSORY
My heart is ever pleading, show me your face.
— My heart is ever pleading, show me your face.
I long to gaze upon you, Lord.
— Show me your face.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— My heart is ever pleading, show me your face.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. With a festal spirit, as though to a wedding banquet, Agatha went to prison; in prayer she offered her bitter suffering to God.
Canticle of Zechariah
Luke 1:68-79
The Messiah and his forerunner
Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
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. With a festal spirit, as though to a wedding banquet, Agatha went to prison; in prayer she offered her bitter suffering to God.
INTERCESSIONS
[Martyrs]
Our Savior’s faithfulness is mirrored in the fidelity of his witnesses who shed their blood for the Word of God. Let us praise him in remembrance of them:
You redeemed us by your blood.
Your martyrs freely embraced death in bearing witness for the faith,
— give us the true freedom of the Spirit, O Lord.
You redeemed us by your blood.
Your martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood,
— give us a faith, O Lord, that is constant and pure.
You redeemed us by your blood.
Your martyrs followed in your footsteps by carrying the cross,
— help us to endure courageously the misfortunes of life.
You redeemed us by your blood.
Your martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb,
— help us to avoid the weaknesses of the flesh and worldly allurements.
You redeemed us by your blood.
[Virgins]
Christ is the spouse and crowning glory of virgins. Let us praise him with joy in our voices and pray to him with sincerity in our hearts:
Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.
Christ, the holy virgins loved you as their one true spouse,
— grant that nothing may separate us from your love.
Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.
You crowned Mary, your mother, queen of virgins,
— through her intercession, let us continually serve you with pure hearts.
Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.
Your handmaids were always careful to love you with whole and undivided attention, that they might be holy in body and spirit,
— through their intercession grant that the lure of this passing world may not distract our attention from you.
Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.
Lord Jesus, you are the spouse whose coming was anticipated by the wise virgins,
— grant that we may wait for you in hope and expectation.
Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.
Through the intercession of Saint Agatha, who was one of the wise and prudent virgins,
— grant us wisdom and innocence of life.
Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:)
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.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Lord,
let your forgiveness be won for us
by the pleading of Saint Agatha,
who found favor with you by her chastity
and by her courage in suffering death for the gospel.
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:
May the Virgin Martyr Saint Agatha
implore your compassion for us, O Lord, we pray,
for she found favor with you
by the courage of her martyrdom
and the merit of her chastity.
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.
DISMISSAL
If a priest or deacon presides, he dismisses the people:
The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.
Another form of the blessing may be used, as at Mass.
Then he adds:
Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.
In the absence of a priest or deacon and in individual recitation, Morning Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
— Amen.
******
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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 holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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 holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
Know that he, the Lord, is God. †
He made us, we belong to him, *
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
Go within his gates, giving thanks. †
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Ant. The holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.
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 holy virgins praise their Lord and King; come, let us join in their worship.
Or: Come, let us worship the Lamb with the virgins who followed him.
Or: Come, let us worship Christ, the King of martyrs.