In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Wise Virgin, you have trimmed your lamp
and entered heaven’s wedding feast,
where hosts of angels praise on high
the everlasting glorious King.
A welcome guest to saints above,
you feast and join your heav’nly Spouse;
united in his pure embrace,
your chastity finds rich reward.
Show us the rule of righteous life,
protect and spur us by your prayer,
that we may have the strength to foil
the cunning ruses of our foe.
Exemplar of the Virgin’s life,
O Mary, ask your Son, we pray,
that he may send his gracious aid
to help us through our exile here.
All glory be to God on high
through endless ages as they run,
for this great Virgin’s victory,
in which the heav’nly courts rejoice. Amen.
Tune: DANBY, 8 8 8 8
Music: English traditional melody
or Mode VIII, melody 115; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Aptata, virgo, lampade, ca. 14th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 The man whose deeds are blameless and whose heart is pure will climb the mountain of the Lord.
When Psalm 24 is used as the invitatory psalm, psalm 95, above, is used as the first psalm at Morning Prayer.
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.
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.
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.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
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
King of glory, Lord of power and might, cleanse our hearts from all sin, preserve the innocence of our hands, and keep our minds from vanity, so that we may deserve your blessing in your holy place.
Ant. The man whose deeds are blameless and whose heart is pure will climb the mountain of the Lord.
Ant. 2 Praise the eternal King in all your deeds.
Canticle: Tobit 13:1-8
God afflicts but only to heal
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who in his great love for us has brought us to a new birth (1 Peter 1:3).
Blessed be God who lives forever, *
because his kingdom lasts for all ages.
For he scourges and then has mercy; *
he casts down to the depths of the nether world,
and he brings up from the great abyss. *
No one can escape his hand.
Praise him, you Israelites, before the Gentiles, †
for though he has scattered you among them, *
he has shown you his greatness even there.
Exalt him before every living being, †
because he is the Lord our God, *
our Father and God forever.
He scourged you for your iniquities, *
but will again have mercy on you all.
He will gather you from all the Gentiles *
among whom you have been scattered.
When you turn back to him with all your heart, *
to do what is right before him,
then he will turn back to you, *
and no longer hide his face from you.
So now consider what he has done for you, *
and praise him with full voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness, *
and exalt the King of the ages.
In the land of my exile I praise him, *
and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.
“Turn back, you sinners! do the right before him: †
perhaps he may look with favor upon you *
and show you mercy.
“As for me, I exalt my God, *
and my spirit rejoices in the King of heaven.
Let all men speak of his majesty, *
and sing his praises in Jerusalem.”
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. Praise the eternal King in all your deeds.
Ant. 3 The loyal heart must praise the Lord.
Psalm 33
Song of praise for God’s continual care
Through the Word all things were made (John 1:3).
Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; *
for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.
Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp, *
with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.
O sing him a song that is new, *
play loudly, with all your skill.
For the word of the Lord is faithful *
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right *
and fills the earth with his love.
By his word the heavens were made, *
by the breath of his mouth all the stars.
He collects the waves of the ocean; *
he stores up the depths of the sea.
Let all the earth fear the Lord, *
all who live in the world revere him.
He spoke; and it came to be. *
He commanded; it sprang into being.
He frustrates the designs of the nations, *
he defeats the plans of the peoples.
His own designs shall stand for ever, *
the plans of his heart from age to age.
They are happy, whose God is the Lord, *
the people he has chosen as his own.
From the heavens the Lord looks forth, *
he sees all the children of men.
From the place where he dwells he gazes *
on all the dwellers on the earth,
he who shapes the hearts of them all *
and considers all their deeds.
A king is not saved by his army, *
nor a warrior preserved by his strength.
A vain hope for safety is the horse; *
despite its power it cannot save.
The Lord looks on those who revere him, *
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death, *
to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord. *
The Lord is our help and our shield.
In him do our hearts find joy. *
We trust in his holy name.
May your love be upon us, O Lord, *
as we place all our hope in 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.
Psalm Prayer
Nourish your people, Lord, for we hunger for your word. Rescue us from the death of sin and fill us with your mercy, that we may share your presence and the joy of all the saints.
Ant. The loyal heart must praise the Lord.
READING
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.
The antiphon for the Gospel Canticle and the Intercessions may be taken from the Daily Office.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Now this wise virgin has gone to Christ. Among the choirs of virgins she is radiant as the sun in the heavens.
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. Now this wise virgin has gone to Christ. Among the choirs of virgins she is radiant as the sun in the heavens.
INTERCESSIONS
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 Scholastica, 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,
as we recall the memory of Saint Scholastica,
we ask that by her example
we may serve you with love and obtain perfect joy.
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:
As we celebrate anew the Memorial of the Virgin Saint Scholastica,
we pray, O Lord,
that, following her example,
we may serve you with pure love
and happily receive what comes from loving you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.