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
John, great and holy, help your faithful servants
sing of your wonders with resounding voices;
set free from error lips by guilt corrupted,
that they may praise you.
From highest heaven came the angelic herald
telling your father of your birth and greatness,
giving in order both your name and mission,
your life’s unfolding.
Doubting the promise brought to him by heaven,
his tongue was silenced, nothing could he utter;
but once a newborn, you restored his powers
that had been taken.
You, lying hidden in the womb’s dark cradle,
sensed kingly presence in the nuptial chamber;
thus the sons’ merits help each parent utter
long-hidden wonders.
God, One and Triune, citizens of heaven
honor and praise you with their joyful singing;
while we beseech you, grant us your forgiveness,
pardon the ransomed. Amen.
Tune: CHRISTE SANCTORUM 11 11 11 5
Music: François de la Feillée’s Methode de plain-chant, 1782
or Mode II, melody 35; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Ut queant laxis, resonare fibris, attributed to Paul the Deacon, ca. 720-799, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 There was a man sent by God whose name was John.
Psalm 15
Who is worthy to stand in God’s presence?
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:22).
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent *
and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault; *
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart; *
he who does not slander with his tongue;
he who do no wrong to his brother, *
who casts no slur on his neighbor,
who holds the godless in disdain, *
but honors those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may; *
who takes no interest on a loan
and accepts no bribes against the innocent. *
Such a man will stand firm 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.
Psalm Prayer
Make our lives blameless, Lord. Help us to do what is right and to speak what is true, that we may dwell in your tent and find rest on your holy mountain.
Ant. There was a man sent by God whose name was John.
Ant. 2 He came to bear witness to the truth.
Psalm 112
The happiness of the just
Live as children born of the light. Light produces every kind of goodness and justice and truth (Ephesians 5:8-9).
Happy the man who fears the Lord, *
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; *
the children of the upright are blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house; *
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright: *
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, *
he conducts his affairs with honor.
The just man will never waver: *
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news; *
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear; *
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Openhanded, he gives to the poor; †
his justice stands firm for ever. *
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry, †
grinds his teeth and fades away; *
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
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 are the eternal light which illumines the hearts of good people. Help us to love you, to rejoice in your glory, and so to live in this world as to avoid harsh judgment in the next. May we come to see the light of your countenance.
Ant. He came to bear witness to the truth.
Ant. 3 John was like a brilliantly shining light.
Canticle: Revelation 15:3-4
Hymn of adoration
Mighty and wonderful are your works, *
Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways, *
O King of the nations!
Who would dare refuse you honor, *
or the glory due your name, O Lord?
Since you alone are holy, *
all nations shall come
and worship in your presence. *
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.
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. John was like a brilliantly shining light.
READING
Acts 13:23-25
According to his promise, God has brought forth from David’s descendants Jesus, a savior for Israel. John heralded the coming of Jesus by proclaiming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. As John’s career was coming to an end, he would say, “What you suppose me to be I am not. Rather, look for one who comes after me. I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.”
RESPONSORY
Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.
— Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.
He who is to come after me existed before me.
— Make straight his paths.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. This prophet, born to us, is greater than any prophet; the Savior said of him: There is no man born of woman greater than John the Baptist.
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. This prophet, born to us, is greater than any prophet; the Savior said of him: There is no man born of woman greater than John the Baptist.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us pray joyfully to God our Father who called John the Baptist to proclaim the coming of the kingdom of Christ:
O Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.
You called John the Baptist from his mother’s womb to prepare the way of your Son,
— help us to follow in that path which the Baptist opened before the Lord Jesus.
O Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.
May your Church, in imitation of the Baptist, fearlessly point out the Lamb of God,
— so that people in every age may acknowledge that the Lord comes to them.
O Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.
John the Baptist did not exalt himself but acknowledged his role as forerunner of the Christ,
— teach us to acknowledge that you are the giver of all our good gifts and that we must use them in your service.
O Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.
You called John the Baptist to give testimony to you by his life and even by his death,
— help us to imitate his unceasing witness to your truth.
O Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.
Remember those who have died,
— give them a place of light, happiness, and peace.
O Lord, guide our feet into the way of peace.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Now let us pray as Christ the Lord has 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
God our Father,
you raised up John the Baptist
to prepare a perfect people for Christ the Lord.
Give your Church joy in spirit
and guide those who believe in you
into the way of salvation and peace.
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:
O God, who raised up Saint John the Baptist
to make ready a nation fit for Christ the Lord,
give your people, we pray,
the grace of spiritual joys
and direct the hearts of all the faithful
into the way of salvation and peace.
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.
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