INTRODUCTION
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
As we await the Lamb’s high feast
in snow-white robes of saving grace,
we sing to Christ, our Prince and Head,
for we have crossed the Red Sea tide.
His holy Body, parched and seared
upon the altar of the Cross,
his crimson Blood, outpoured for us,
we taste and so we live for God.
Protected on the paschal eve
from devastating angel sword,
we were delivered and set free
from Pharaoh’s harsh and bitter rule.
And now, our Pasch is Christ himself,
the pure and spotless Lamb once slain,
unleavened bread of truthfulness,
who gives his flesh in sacrifice.
O worthy Victim, real and true,
who rends and breaks the pow’r of hell,
the captives there have been redeemed
and now enjoy the prize of life.
Christ rises from the tomb indeed,
triumphant Victor from the depths,
who thrusts the tyrant down in chains
and clears the way to Paradise.
O Jesus, be for mind and heart
our everlasting paschal joy
and gather us, reborn by grace,
to share your triumphs evermore.
To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
who shine in vict’ry over death,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.
Tune: DUKE STREET, 8 8 8 8
Music: attributed to John Warrington Hatton, ca. 1710-1793, in William Dixon’s Euphonia, ca. 1805
or Mode VIII, melody 93; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Ad cenam Agni providi, attributed to Saint Nicetas of Remesiana, ca. 335-414, © 2023 ICEL
Or:
O Lord, eternal King and Son,
for ever at the Father’s side:
you fashioned Adam out of dust,
and in your image he was formed.
The devil snared him by deceit
in hatred for the human race;
so from the Virgin’s womb you took
a human body, flesh and form,
That by your marriage with our flesh
you might unite us all to God;
Redeemer, you would pardon sin
through gift of cleansing Baptism.
On our account you bore the Cross
and willingly you chose to die;
you gave your blood in sacrifice,
the price of our salvation, Lord.
Now you are risen, glorified
with glory from the Father due;
devoted minds and hearts believe
that we, through you, shall rise again.
O Jesus, be for mind and heart
our everlasting paschal joy
and gather us, reborn by grace,
to share your triumphs evermore.
To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
who shine in vict’ry over death,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.
Tune: DUKE STREET, as above, or Mode IV, melody 86; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: O rex æternæ, Domine, 5̀-6th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Sing for us one of Zion’s songs, alleluia.
Psalm 137:1-6
By the rivers of Babylon
The Babylonian captivity is a type of our spiritual captivity (Saint Hilary).
By the rivers of Babylon *
there we sat and wept,
remembering Zion; †
on the poplars that grew there *
we hung up our harps.
For it was there that they asked us, *
our captors, for songs,
our oppressors, for joy. †
“Sing to us,” they said, *
“one of Zion’s songs.”
O how could we sing *
the song of the Lord
on alien soil? †
If I forget you, Jerusalem, *
let my right hand wither!
O let my tongue *
cleave to my mouth
if I remember you not, †
if I prize not Jerusalem *
above all my joys!
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, remember your pilgrim Church. We sit weeping at the streams of Babylon. Do not let us be drawn into the current of the passing world, but free us from every evil and raise our thoughts to the heavenly Jerusalem.
Ant. Sing for us one of Zion’s songs, alleluia.
Ant. 2 Though I am surrounded by affliction, you preserve my life, alleluia.
Psalm 138
Thanksgiving
The kings of the earth will bring his glory and honor into the holy city (see Revelation 21:24).
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart, *
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you. *
I will adore before your holy temple.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love *
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered; *
you increased the strength of my soul.
All earth’s kings shall thank you *
when they hear the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the Lord’s ways: *
“How great is the glory of the Lord!”
The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly *
and the haughty he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of affliction *
you give me life and frustrate my foes.
You stretch out your hand and save me, *
your hand will do all things for me.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal, *
discard not the work of your hands.
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
Listen to the prayers of your Church, Lord God; in the presence of the angels we praise your name. You keep the proud at a distance and look upon the lowly with favor. Stretch out your hand to us in our suffering, perfect in us the work of your love and bring us to life.
Ant. Though I am surrounded by affliction, you preserve my life, alleluia.
Ant. 3 Yours, O Lord, is majesty and power, glory and triumph, alleluia.
Canticle: Revelation 4:11; 5:9, 10, 12
Redemption hymn
O Lord our God, you are worthy *
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you have created all things; *
by your will they came to be and were made.
Worthy are you, O Lord, *
to receive the scroll and break open its seals.
For you were slain; *
with your blood you purchased for God
men of every race and tongue, *
of every people and nation.
You made of them a kingdom, †
and priests to serve our God, *
and they shall reign on the earth.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain *
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength, *
honor and glory and praise.
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. Yours, O Lord, is majesty and power, glory and triumph, alleluia.
READING
1 Peter 2:4-5
Come to the Lord, a living stone, rejected by men but approved, nonetheless, and precious in God’s eyes. You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
RESPONSORY
The disciples rejoiced, alleluia, alleluia.
— The disciples rejoiced, alleluia, alleluia.
When they saw the risen Lord,
— alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— The disciples rejoiced, alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. I know my sheep and they follow me; I give them eternal life, alleluia.
Canticle of Mary
Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord
My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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. I know my sheep and they follow me; I give them eternal life, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
By his resurrection Christ has given sure hope to his people. Let us ask him with our whole hearts:
Lord Jesus, you live forever; hear our prayer.
Lord Jesus, from your wounded side flowed blood and water,
— make the Church your spotless bride.
Lord Jesus, you live forever; hear our prayer.
Chief shepherd, after your resurrection you made Peter shepherd of your flock when he professed his love for you,
— increase from day to day the love and devotion of N. our Pope.
Lord Jesus, you live forever; hear our prayer.
You showed your disciples how to make a great catch of fish,
— send others to continue their work as fishers of men.
Lord Jesus, you live forever; hear our prayer.
At the lakeside you prepared bread and fish for your disciples,
— grant that we may never allow others to die of hunger.
Lord Jesus, you live forever; hear our prayer.
Jesus, the new Adam and life-giving spirit, transform the dead into your own likeness,
— that the fullness of your joy may be theirs.
Lord Jesus, you live forever; hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us pray 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
Almighty God,
as we celebrate the resurrection,
may we share with each other
the joy the risen Christ has won for us.
We ask 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:
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that, celebrating the mysteries of the Lord’s Resurrection,
we may merit to receive the joy of our redemption.
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, Evening Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
— Amen.
******
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The strife is o’er, the battle done;
Now is the victor’s triumph won:
O let the song of praise be sung.
Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
On the third morn he rose again,
Glorious in majesty to reign:
O let us swell the joyful strain:
Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O risen Lord, all praise to thee,
Who from our sins has set us free,
That we may live eternally:
Alleluia!
Tune: Victory 888 with alleluias
Music: G.P. da Palestrina, 1588 adapted with alleluias by W.H. Monk, 1861
Text: Cologne, 1695
Translation: Francis Pott, 1861, alt.
Or:
Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands
For our offenses given:
But now at God’s right hand he stands
And brings us life from heaven;
Therefore let us joyful be,
And praise the Father thankfully
With songs of Alleluia.
Alleluia.
How long and bitter was the strife
When life and death contended,
The victory remained with life,
The reign of death was ended:
Stripped of power, no more it reigns,
And empty form alone remains.
Death’s sting is lost for ever.
Alleluia.
So let us keep this festival
To which Our Lord invites us,
The Savior who is joy of all,
The Sun that warms and lights us:
By his grace he shall impart
Eternal sunshine to the heart;
The night of sin has ended.
Alleluia.
Tune: Christ lag in Todesbanden 87.87.787 with alleluia
Music: Walther’s Gesangbuchlein, 1524
Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546, based on Victimae Paschali laudes
Translation: Richard Massie, 1800-1887, adapted by Anthony G. Petti
Or:
Alleluia! sing to Jesus!
His the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
His the victory alone:
Hark! the songs of peaceful Sion
Thunder like a mighty flood;
Jesus, out of ev’ry nation,
Has redeemed us by his Blood.
Alleluia! not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us,
Faith believes nor questions how:
Though the cloud from sight received him,
When the forty days were o’er
Shall our hearts forget his promise,
“I am with you evermore”?
Alleluia! Bread of angels,
Thou on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful
Flee to thee from day to day:
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
Earth’s Redeemer, plead for me,
Where the songs of all the sinless
Sweep across the crystal sea.
Alleluia! King eternal,
Thee, the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
Earth thy footstool, heav’n thy throne:
Thou within the veil has entered,
Robed in flesh, our great High Priest;
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim
In the Eucharistic feast.
Tune: Hyfrydol 87.87.D
Music: R. H. Prichard, 1811-1887
Text: William Chatterton Dix, 1837-1898
Or:
Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before his throne rejoice;
Praise is his gracious choice:
Alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide and friend;
Our cry he will attend;
His love will never end:
Alleluia! Amen!
Praise yet our Christ again;
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s joyful shore
His goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore:
Alleluia! Amen!
Tune: Madrid 66.66 D
Music: Anonymous, Philadelphia, 1826
Text: Christian Henry Bateman, 1813-1889