In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in the Common of Holy Men with the proper texts below.
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
With grateful hymns we sing your praise,
O Martha, Mary, Lazarus,
who merited to welcome Christ
so often to your gracious home.
O Martha, with attentive care
preoccupied with many things,
spurred on by zeal and sweetest love,
you entertained so great a guest.
And as with joy you fed the Lord,
your sister and your brother both
were eager to receive the food
of grace and life from his own hand.
When he was set to tread the path
that leads to death, you served him still;
your sister offered spice and nard
and you, your final meal with him.
How blest are you, who host the Lord;
inspire our hearts to burn with love,
that they may ever be for him
a place of friendship and a home.
All glory to the Three in One;
and may they grant to us at length,
that we may enter heaven’s home,
to sing with you eternal praise. Amen.
Tune: WAREHAM, 8 8 8 8
Music: William Knapp, 1698-1768
or Mode VIII, melody 100; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Te gratulantes pangimus, Anselmo Lentini, O.S.B., 1901-1989, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Psalm 27
God stands by us in dangers
God now truly dwells with men (Revelation 21:3).
I
The Lord is my light and my help; *
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; *
before whom shall I shrink?
When evil-doers draw near *
to devour my flesh,
it is they, my enemies and foes, *
who stumble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me *
my heart would not fear.
Though war break out against me *
even then would I trust.
There is one thing I ask of the Lord, *
for this I long,
to live in the house of the Lord, *
all the days of my life,
to savor the sweetness of the Lord, *
to behold his temple.
For there he keeps me safe in his tent *
in the day of evil.
He hides me in the shelter of his tent, *
on a rock he sets me safe.
And now my head shall be raised *
above my foes who surround me,
and I shall offer within his tent *
a sacrifice of joy.
I will sing and make music for the Lord.
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 is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Ant. 2 I long to look on you, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.
II
Some rose to present lies and false evidence against Jesus (Mark 14:57).
O Lord, hear my voice when I call; *
have mercy and answer.
Of you my heart has spoken: *
“Seek his face.”
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; *
hide not your face.
Dismiss not your servant in anger; *
you have been my help.
Do not abandon or forsake me, *
O God my help!
Though father and mother forsake me, *
the Lord will receive me.
Instruct me, Lord, in your way; *
on an even path lead me.
When they lie in ambush, protect me *
from my enemy’s greed.
False witnesses rise against me, *
breathing out fury.
I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness *
in the land of the living.
Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. *
Hope in the Lord!
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
Father, you protect and strengthen those who hope in you; you heard the cry of your Son and kept him safe in your tent in the day of evil. Grant that your servants who seek your face in time of trouble may see your goodness in the land of the living.
Ant. I long to look on you, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.
Ant. 3 He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is his.
Canticle: Colossians 1:12-20
Christ the first-born of all creation and the first-born from the dead
Let us give thanks to the Father *
for having made you worthy
to share the lot of the saints *
in light.
He rescued us *
from the power of darkness
and brought us *
into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
Through him we have redemption, *
the forgiveness of our sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, *
the first-born of all creatures.
In him everything in heaven and on earth was created, *
things visible and invisible.
All were created through him; *
all were created for him.
He is before all else that is. *
In him everything continues in being.
It is he who is head of the body, the church! *
he who is the beginning,
the first-born of the dead, *
so that primacy may be his in everything.
It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in him *
and, by means of him, to reconcile everything in his person,
both on earth and in the heavens, *
making peace through the blood of his cross.
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. He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is his.
READING
Romans 8:28-30
We know that God makes all things work for the good for those who have been called according to his decree. Those whom he foreknew he predestined to share the image of his Son, so the Son might be the first-born among many brothers. Those he predestined he likewise called; those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.
RESPONSORY
Just is the Lord, in justice he delights.
— Just is the Lord, in justice he delights.
He looks with favor on the upright (man);
— in justice he delights.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Just is the Lord, in justice he delights.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Jesus loved Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus.
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. Jesus loved Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us pray to the Father, the source of all holiness, and ask him to lead us to holiness of life through the example and intercession of his saints.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, you want us to be called your sons and truly to be such,
— grant that your holy Church may proclaim you throughout the world.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, you want us to walk worthily and please you in all we do,
— let us abound in doing good works.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, you have reconciled us to yourself through Christ,
— preserve us in your name so that all may be one.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, you have called us to a heavenly banquet,
— through the bread that came down from heaven make us worthy to grow in perfect love.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, forgive the offenses of every sinner,
— let the dead perceive the light of your countenance.
May we be holy as you are holy.
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
O God, whose Son
called Lazarus back to life from the grave
and was pleased to be a guest in the home of Martha,
grant us, we pray,
that, faithfully serving him in our brothers and sisters,
we, with Mary, may be found worthy to be nourished
by the contemplation of his word.
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.
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