In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in the Common of Pastors: For a Priest 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
Receive this hymn, O noble Priest,
bright pattern of a virtuous life;
as with due praise we sing your name,
we laud the wondrous works of God.
Christ came as Lord and great High Priest
to bind the human race to God,
restoring us to peace once more
through his eternal covenant.
In loving providence he willed
to make you steward of his gifts,
that God the Father might be praised
and all his people find new life.
You scaled the height and reached the crown,
the summit of this royal life;
by word and virtue you excelled
as teacher, priest, and sacrifice.
As you reside in heaven’s peace,
be mindful of the holy Church,
that all the sheep may seek and find
rich pasture in the joy of Christ.
All glory to the Triune God,
who crowns you with a worthy joy,
his true and zealous minister,
for service by your holy state. Amen.
Tune: MELCOMBE, 8 8 8 8
Music: Samuel Webbe the elder, 1740-1816
or Mode IV, melody 84; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Vir celse, forma fulgida, Anselmo Lentini, O.S.B., 1901-1989 © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 You cannot serve both God and mammon.
Psalm 49
Emptiness of riches
It is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:23).
I
Hear this, all you peoples, *
give heed, all who dwell in the world,
men both high and low, *
rich and poor alike!
My lips will speak words of wisdom. *
My heart is full of insight.
I will turn my mind to a parable, *
with the harp I will solve my problem.
Why should I fear in evil days *
the malice of the foes who surround me,
men who trust in their wealth, *
and boast of the vastness of their riches?
For no man can buy his own ransom, *
or pay a price to God for his life.
The ransom of his soul is beyond him. †
He cannot buy life without end, *
nor avoid coming to the grave.
He knows that wise men and fools must both perish *
and must leave their wealth to others.
Their graves are their homes for ever, †
their dwelling place from age to age, *
though their names spread wide through the land.
In his riches, man lacks wisdom; *
he is like the beasts that are destroyed.
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. You cannot serve both God and mammon.
Ant. 2 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.
II
This is the lot of those who trust in themselves, *
who have others at their beck and call.
Like sheep they are driven to the grave, †
where death shall be their shepherd *
and the just shall become their rulers.
With the morning their outward show vanishes *
and the grave becomes their home.
But God will ransom me from death *
and take my soul to himself.
Then do not fear when a man grows rich, *
when the glory of his house increases.
He takes nothing with him when he dies, *
his glory does not follow him below.
Though he flattered himself while he lived: *
“Men will praise me for all my success,”
yet he will go to join his fathers, *
and will never see the light any more.
In his riches, man lacks wisdom; *
he is like the beasts that are destroyed.
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 mouths speak your wisdom, Lord Jesus, and help us to remember that you became man and redeemed us from death that we might merit the beauty of your light.
Ant. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.
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 from 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 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
1 Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I, a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and sharer in the glory that is to be revealed, make this appeal. God’s flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd’s care. Watch over it willingly, as God would have you do, not under constraint, and not for shameful profit, either, but generously. Be examples to the flock, not lording it over those assigned to you, so that when the chief Shepherd appears, you will win for yourselves the unfading crown of glory.
RESPONSORY
This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
He spent himself in their service,
— and ever prayed for them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
The antiphon for the Gospel Canticle and the Intercessions may be taken from the Daily Office.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. This is a faithful and wise steward: the Lord entrusted the care of his household to him, so that he might give them their portion of food at the proper season.
Or: O Christ, Good Shepherd, I thank you for leading me to glory; I pray that the flock you have entrusted to my care will share with me in your glory for ever.
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 is a faithful and wise steward: the Lord entrusted the care of his household to him, so that he might give them their portion of food at the proper season.
Or: O Christ, Good Shepherd, I thank you for leading me to glory; I pray that the flock you have entrusted to my care will share with me in your glory for ever.
INTERCESSIONS
Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise, for he was appointed high priest among men and their representative before God. We honor him and in our weakness we pray:
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You marvelously illuminated your Church through distinguished leaders and holy men and women,
— let Christians rejoice always in such splendor.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You forgave the sins of your people when their holy leaders like Moses sought your compassion,
— through their intercession continue to purify and sanctify your holy people.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
In the midst of their brothers and sisters you anointed your holy ones and filled them with the Holy Spirit,
— fill all the leaders of your people with the same Spirit.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You yourself are the only visible possession of our holy pastors,
— let none of them, won at the price of your blood, remain far from you.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
The shepherds of your Church keep your flock from being snatched out of your hand. Through them you give your flock eternal life,
— save those who have died, those for whom you gave up your life.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
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
Father of mercy,
you made Saint John Vianney outstanding
in his priestly zeal and concern for your people.
By his example and prayers,
enable us to win our brothers and sisters
to the love of Christ
and come with them to eternal glory.
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:
Almighty and merciful God,
who made the Priest Saint John Vianney
wonderful in his pastoral zeal,
grant, we pray,
that through his intercession and example
we may in charity win brothers and sisters for Christ
and attain with them eternal glory.
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.
******
Shepherd of souls, in love come, feed us,
Life-giving Bread for hungry hearts!
To those refreshing waters lead us
Where dwells the peace your grace imparts.
May we, the wayward in your fold,
By your forgiveness rest consoled.
Life-giving vine, come feed and nourish,
Strengthen each branch with life divine;
Ever in you O may we flourish
Fruitful the branches on the vine.
Lord, may our souls be purified
So that in Christ may we abide.
Sinful is man who kneels before you,
Worthy of you are you alone;
Yet in your name do we implore you,
Rich are the mercies you have shown.
Say but the word, O Lord divine,
Then are our hearts made pure like thine.
Tune: Aus Heilige Seelenlust 98.98.88
Music: George Joseph, 1657
Text: Omar Westendorf © World Library Publications. Used with permission.