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
O blessed Light of saints above
and highest Hope of mortal flesh,
O Jesus, at your birth is seen
the loving smile of fam’ly life.
O Mary, Mother rich in grace,
your purest heart alone can love
and fondle Jesus on your breast
with sweet caresses, nursing him.
O Heir to Patriarchs of old,
the Virgin’s chosen guardian blest,
with sweetest name, the child divine
called you his father here on earth.
From Jesse’s noble lineage sprung
to save the nations lost in sin,
with kindness hear the humble prayers
our hearts pour forth with deep desire.
Your home was like a garden fair,
with ev’ry virtue blest by grace.
O grant that we may imitate
such grace in fam’ly life at home.
Lord Jesus, humbly you became
obedient to your parents’ will;
to you eternal glory be
with Father and with Spirit blest. Amen.
Tune: PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, 8 8 8 8
Music: adapted by Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621, in Musae Sionae, VI, 1809
or Mode II, melody 53; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: O lux beata cælitum, Pope Leo XIII, 1810-1903, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 After three days, Jesus was found in the temple, seated in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.
Psalm 122
Holy city Jerusalem
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22).
I rejoiced when I heard them say: *
“Let us go to God’s house.”
And now our feet are standing *
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built as a city *
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up, *
the tribes of the Lord.
For Israel’s law it is, *
there to praise the Lord’s name.
There were set the thrones of judgment *
of the house of David.
For the peace of Jerusalem pray: *
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls,
in your palaces, peace!”
For love of my brethren and friends *
I say: “Peace upon you.”
For love of the house of the Lord *
I will ask for your good.
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
When you rose from the dead, Lord Jesus, you formed the Church into your new body, and made of it the new Jerusalem, united in your Spirit. Give us peace in our day. Make all nations come to your Church to share in your gifts in fellowship, that they may render you thanks without end and come to your eternal city.
Ant. After three days, Jesus was found in the temple, seated in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.
Ant. 2 Jesus returned with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth; there he lived and was obedient to them.
Psalm 127
Apart from God our labors are worthless
You are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9).
If the Lord does not build the house, *
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city, *
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising, *
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat, *
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, *
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth *
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man *
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame *
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
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
You command the seed to rise, Lord God, though the farmer is unaware. Grant that those who labor for you may trust not in their own work but in your help. Remembering that the land is brought to flower not with human tears but with those of your Son, may the Church rely only upon your gifts.
Ant. Jesus returned with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth; there he lived and was obedient to them.
Ant. 3 Jesus grew in wisdom with the years and was pleasing to God and men.
Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10
God our Savior
Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ
who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him
*
before the world began
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us †
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out in Christ, *
in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him,*
in the heavens and on earth.
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 grew in wisdom with the years and was pleasing to God and men.
READING
Philippians 2:6-7
Though he was in the form of God, Christ Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate.
RESPONSORY
He had to become like his brothers in every way to show the fullness of his mercy.
— He had to become like his brothers in every way to show the fullness of his mercy.
He was seen on earth and lived among men and women,
— to show the fullness of his mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— He had to become like his brothers in every way to show the fullness of his mercy.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Son, why have you done this to us? Think what anguish your father and I have endured looking for you. But why did you look for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?
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. Son, why have you done this to us? Think what anguish your father and I have endured looking for you. But why did you look for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?
INTERCESSIONS
Let us adore the Son of the living God who humbled himself to become a son of a human family, and let us beseech him:
Lord, you are the model and Savior of all.
Christ, by the mystery of your subjection to Mary and Joseph,
— teach all people reverence and obedience to lawful authority.
Lord, you are the model and Savior of all.
You loved your parents and were loved by them,
— establish our families in mutual love and peace.
Lord, you are the model and Savior of all.
You were eager to be about your Father’s business,
— may he be honored in every home.
Lord, you are the model and Savior of all.
Christ, after three days your anxious parents found you in your Father’s house,
— teach all to seek first the kingdom of God.
Lord, you are the model and Savior of all.
Christ, you have made Mary and Joseph sharers in heavenly glory,
— admit the dead into the family of the blessed.
Lord, you are the model and Savior of all.
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,
help us to live as the holy family,
united in respect and love.
Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home.
Grant 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 were pleased to give us
the shining example of the Holy Family,
graciously grant that we may imitate them
in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity,
and so, in the joy of your house,
delight one day in eternal rewards.
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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