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
Creator, sov’reign Prince of time,
who set the hours in fixed array,
you mark the light of day for work
and grant us night for sleep and rest.
Direct our hearts and keep them chaste,
lest silence shrouded in the night
expose us to our jealous foe,
who pierces souls with fearful wounds.
May hearts be free of vain desire
and bear no torch of ire or lust,
lest flames that touch and rouse our sense
should sap the strength of mind and soul.
Most loving Father, hear our prayer,
and you, O Christ, coequal Son,
who with the Spirit Paraclete
now reign for all eternity. Amen.
Tune: OLD HUNDRETH, 8 8 8 8
Music: from the Genevan Psalter, 1551
or Mode I, melody 27; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Sator princepsque temporum, 7-8th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither.
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. If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand wither.
Ant. 2 In the presence of the angels I will sing to you, my God.
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. In the presence of the angels I will sing to you, my God.
Ant. 3 Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb who was slain.
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. Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb who was slain.
READING
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you. In wisdom made perfect, instruct and admonish one another. Sing gratefully to God from your hearts in psalms, hymns, and inspired songs.
RESPONSORY
I shall know the fullness of joy,
when I see your face, O Lord.
— I shall know the fullness of joy,
when I see your face, O Lord.
Fulfillment and endless peace in your presence,
— when I see your face, O Lord.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— I shall know the fullness of joy,
when I see your face, O Lord.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Do great things for us, O Lord, for you are mighty and holy is your name.
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. Do great things for us, O Lord, for you are mighty, and holy is your name.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us praise Christ who gives power and strength to his people, and let us entreat him with sincere hearts:
Hear us, O Lord, and we shall praise you for ever.
Christ our strength, you called your faithful ones to your truth,
— mercifully grant them faith and perseverance.
Hear us, O Lord, and we shall praise you for ever.
Direct our leaders according to your will,
— and help them to keep us in peace.
Hear us, O Lord, and we shall praise you for ever.
You provided bread for the hungry crowd,
— teach us to share our resources with the needy.
Hear us, O Lord, and we shall praise you for ever.
Do not direct world leaders to give attention only to the needs of their own nations,
— but give them, above all, a respect and a deep concern for all peoples.
Hear us, O Lord, and we shall praise you for ever.
Grant blessed life and resurrection to our brothers who have fallen asleep,
— and may all those who have believed in you share in your glory.
Hear us, O Lord, and we shall praise you for ever.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Remember us, Lord, when you come to your kingdom and teach us how to pray:)
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,
may our evening prayer come before you
and let the faith our lips profess
live in the prayerful thoughts of our hearts.
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.
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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