Morning Prayer
If the Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is observed, the complete texts may be found in the ‘Prayers’ section of the iBreviary. The ferial texts of the Saturday are given below:
INVITATORY
The Invitatory is said when this is the first ‘hour’ of the day.
Go to the Hymn
Go to the Psalmody
Lord, + open my lips.
– And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
The antiphon is repeated. In individual recitation, the antiphon may be said only at the beginning of the psalm; it need not be repeated after each strophe.
Go to Psalm 24
Go to Psalm 67
Go to Psalm 100
Psalm 95
A call to praise God
Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).
Come, let us sing to the Lord *
and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving *
and sing joyful songs to the Lord.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
The Lord is God, the mighty God, *
the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth *
and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him, *
the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Come, then, let us bow down and worship, *
bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people, *
the flock he shepherds.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: †
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
in the wilderness, *
when at Meriba and Massah
they challenged me and provoked me, *
Although they had seen all of my works.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Forty years I endured that generation. *
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger, *
“They shall not enter into my rest.”
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
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. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Go to the Hymn
Psalm 24
The Lord’s entry into his temple
Christ opened heaven for us in the manhood he assumed (Saint Irenaeus).
The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, *
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas; *
on the waters he made it firm.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? *
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart, †
who desires not worthless things, *
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord *
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him, *
seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
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. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Go to the Hymn
Psalm 67
People of all nations will worship the Lord
You must know that God is offering his salvation to all the world (Acts 28:28).
O God, be gracious and bless us *
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth *
and all nations learn your saving help.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Let the nations be glad and exult *
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples, *
you guide the nations on earth.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
The earth has yielded its fruit *
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing *
till the ends of the earth revere him.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
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. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Go to the Hymn
Psalm 100
The joyful song of those entering God’s temple
The Lord calls his ransomed people to sing songs of victory (Saint Athanasius).
Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. †
Serve the Lord with gladness. *
Come before him, singing for joy.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Know that he, the Lord, is God. †
He made us, we belong to him, *
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Go within his gates, giving thanks. †
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Ant. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
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. Come, let us worship God who holds the world and its wonders in his creating hand.
If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:
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
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To his feet your tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore his praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favor
To his children in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Father-like, he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hand he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows.
Angels, help us to adore him;
You behold him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
Join the praises of our race:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Tune: Lauda Anima 87.87.87
Music: John Goss, 1869
Text: H. F. Lyle, 1793-1847, alt.
Go to the Psalmody
Or:
The dawn is sprinkling in the east
Its golden shower, as day flows in;
Fast mount the pointed shafts of light:
Farewell to darkness and to sin!
Away, ye midnight phantoms all!
Away, despondence and despair!
Whatever guilt the night has brought
Now let it vanish into air.
So, that last morning, dread and great,
Which we with trembling hope await,
With blessed light for us shall glow
Who chant the song we sang below.
All laud to God the Father be;
All praise, eternal Son, to thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete. Amen.
Tune: Bromley L.M.
Music: Jeremiah Clarke, 1700
Text: Aurora iam spargit polum, attributed to Saint Ambrose of Milan, 337?-397
Translation: Edward Caswall, 1814-1878, alt.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Lord, you are near to us, and all your ways are true.
Psalm 119:145-152
XIX (Koph)
A meditation on God’s law
Loving God means keeping his commandments (1 John 5:3).
I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me, *
I will keep your commands.
I call upon you, save me *
and I will do your will.
I rise before dawn and cry for help, *
I hope in your word.
My eyes watch through the night *
to ponder your promise.
In your love hear my voice, O Lord; *
give me life by your decrees.
Those who harm me unjustly draw near: *
they are far from your law.
But you, O Lord, are close: *
your commands are truth.
Long have I known that your will *
is established 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
Save us by the power of your hand, Father, for our enemies have ignored your words. May the fire of your word consume our sins and its brightness illumine our hearts.
Ant. Lord, you are near to us, and all your ways are true.
Ant. 2 Wisdom of God, be with me, always at work in me.
Canticle: Wisdom 9:1-6, 9-11
Lord, give me wisdom
I will inspire you with wisdom which your adversaries will be unable to resist (Luke 21:15).
God of my fathers, Lord of mercy, *
you who have made all things by your word
and in your wisdom have established man *
to rule the creatures produced by you,
to govern the world in holiness and justice, *
and to render judgment in integrity of heart:
Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, *
and reject me not from among your children;
for I am your servant, the son of your handmaid, †
a man weak and short-lived *
and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws.
Indeed, though one be perfect among the sons of men, †
if Wisdom, who comes from you, be not with him, *
he shall be held in no esteem.
Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works *
and was present when you made the world;
who understands what is pleasing in your eyes *
and what is conformable with your commands.
Send her forth from your holy heavens *
and from your glorious throne dispatch her
that she may be with me and work with me, *
that I may know what is your pleasure.
For she knows and understands all things, †
and will guide me discreetly in my affairs *
and safeguard me by her glory.
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. Wisdom of God, be with me, always at work in me.
Ant. 3 The Lord remains faithful to his promise for ever.
Psalm 117
Praise for God’s loving compassion
I affirm that . . . the Gentile peoples are to praise God because of his mercy (Romans 15:8-9).
O praise the Lord, all you nations, *
acclaim him all you peoples!
Strong is his love for us; *
he is faithful 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
God our Father, may all nations and peoples praise you. May Jesus, who is called faithful and true and who lives with you eternally, possess our hearts for ever.
Ant. The Lord remains faithful to his promise for ever.
READING
Philippians 2:14-15
In everything you do, act without grumbling or arguing; prove yourselves innocent and straightforward, children of God beyond reproach in the midst of a twisted and depraved generation—among whom you shine like the stars in the sky.
RESPONSORY
I cry to you, O Lord, for you are my refuge.
– I cry to you, O Lord, for you are my refuge.
You are all I desire in the land of the living,
– for you are my refuge.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– I cry to you, O Lord, for you are my refuge.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Lord, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Canticle of Zechariah
Luke 1:68-79
The Messiah and his forerunner
Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
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. Lord, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
INTERCESSIONS
With confidence let us pray to the Father who willed that the Virgin Mary should surpass all creatures in heaven and earth:
Look upon the Mother of your Son and hear our prayer.
We are grateful to you, Father of mercy, for you gave us Mary to be our mother and our model,
– through her intercession cleanse our hearts.
Look upon the Mother of your Son and hear our prayer.
You inspired Mary to be attentive to your word and faithful in your service,
– through her intercession give us the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Look upon the Mother of your Son and hear our prayer.
You strengthened Mary at the foot of the cross and filled her with joy at the resurrection of your Son,
– through her intercession relieve our distress and strengthen our hope.
Look upon the Mother of your Son and hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Let us again offer our praise to God and pray in the words of Christ:)
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,
fountain and source of our salvation,
may we proclaim your glory every day of our lives,
that we may sing your praise for ever in heaven.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one 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, Morning Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.
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