Morning Prayer
In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in the Common of the Blessed Virgin with the proper texts 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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Ant. Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Ant. Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Ant. Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 Christ, the Son of Mary.
Or: Come, let us sing to the Lord as we celebrate this feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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
Glorious majesty, pure light unfailing,
Shines as your diadem, sweet Virgin Mary,
Daughter of David’s race, further exalted
Over angelic hosts, close to the Godhead.
Virginal purity stays with you always,
Honor of Motherhood adds to your glory,
You were the resting place of the Eternal;
Of the Almighty one, King of the angels.
Whom the earth venerates, humbly adoring,
To whose almighty love knees bend in worship,
May he assist us all on our life’s journey
To win true happiness, casting off darkness.
Hear us tender Father, Light uncreated,
Through your beloved Son and through the Spirit,
Who ever reigns with you, guiding and ruling,
For all eternity in your bright kingdom. Amen.
Tune: Appalachian Fall, 11.11.11.11
Music: William P. Rowan, d. 1951
Text: O quam glorifica
Translation: © the Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK, used with permission
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Awake, lyre and harp, with praise let us awake the dawn.
Psalm 57
Morning prayer in affliction
This psalm tells of our Lord’s passion (Saint Augustine).
Have mercy on me, God, have mercy *
for in you my soul has taken refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge *
till the storms of destruction pass by.
I call to God the Most High, *
to God who has always been my help.
May he send from heaven and save me *
and shame those who assail me.
May God send his truth and his love.
My soul lies down among lions, *
who would devour the sons of men.
Their teeth are spears and arrows, *
their tongue a sharpened sword.
O God, arise above the heavens; *
may your glory shine on earth!
They laid a snare for my steps, *
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path *
but fell in it themselves.
My heart is ready, O God, *
my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise. *
Awake, my soul,
awake, lyre and harp, *
I will awake the dawn.
I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples, *
among the nations I will praise you
for your love reaches to the heavens *
and your truth to the skies.
O God, arise above the heavens; *
may your glory shine 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.
Psalm Prayer
Lord, send your mercy and your truth to rescue us from the snares of the devil, and we will praise you among the peoples and proclaim you to the nations, happy to be known as companions of your Son.
Ant. Awake, lyre and harp, with praise let us awake the dawn.
Ant. 2 My people, says the Lord, will be filled with my blessings.
Canticle: Jeremiah 31:10-14
The happiness of a people who have been redeemed
Jesus was to die . . . to gather God’s scattered children into one fold (John 11:51, 52).
Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, *
proclaim it on distant coasts, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, *
he guards them as a shepherd his flock.
The Lord shall ransom Jacob, *
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, *
they shall come streaming to the Lord’s blessings:
the grain, the wine, and the oil, *
the sheep and the oxen;
they themselves shall be like watered gardens, *
never again shall they languish.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, *
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy, *
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
I will lavish choice portions upon the priests, *
and my people shall be filled with my blessings,
says the Lord.
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. My people, says the Lord, will be filled with my blessings.
Ant. 3 The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God.
Psalm 48
Thanksgiving for the people’s deliverance
He took me up a high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, God’s holy city (Revelation 21:10).
The Lord is great and worthy to be praised *
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain rises in beauty, *
the joy of all the earth.
Mount Zion, true pole of the earth, *
the Great King’s city!
God, in the midst of its citadels, *
has shown himself its stronghold.
For the kings assembled together, *
together they advanced.
They saw; at once they were astounded; *
dismayed, they fled in fear.
A trembling seized them there, *
like the pangs of birth.
By the east wind you have destroyed *
the ships of Tarshish.
As we have heard, so we have seen *
in the city of our God,
in the city of the Lord of hosts *
which God upholds for ever.
O God, we ponder your love *
within your temple.
Your praise, O God, like your name *
reaches the ends of the earth.
With justice your right hand is filled. *
Mount Zion rejoices;
the people of Judah rejoice *
at the sight of your judgments.
Walk through Zion, walk all round it; *
count the number of its towers.
Review all its ramparts, *
examine its castles,
that you may tell the next generation *
that such is our God,
our God for ever and always. *
It is he who leads us.
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
Father, the body of your risen Son is the temple not made by human hands and the defending wall of the new Jerusalem. May this holy city, built of living stones, shine with spiritual radiance and witness to your greatness in the sight of all nations.
Ant. The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God.
READING
See Isaiah 61:10
I rejoice heartily in the Lord,
in my God is the joy of my soul;
For he has clothed me with a robe of salvation,
and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,
like a bride bedecked with her jewels.
RESPONSORY
The Lord has chosen her,
his loved one from the beginning.
– The Lord has chosen her,
his loved one from the beginning.
He has taken her to live with him.
– His loved one from the beginning.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– The Lord has chosen her,
his loved one from the beginning.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Blessed are you, Mary, because you believed that the Lord’s words to you would be fulfilled, alleluia.
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. Blessed are you, Mary, because you believed that the Lord’s words to you would be fulfilled, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us glorify our Savior, who chose the Virgin Mary for his mother. Let us ask him:
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
Sun of Justice, the immaculate Virgin was the white dawn announcing your rising,
– grant that we may always live in the light of your coming.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
Eternal Word, you chose Mary as the uncorrupted ark of your dwelling place,
– free us from the corruption of sin.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
Savior of Mankind, your mother stood at the foot of your cross,
– grant, through her intercession, that we may rejoice to share in your passion.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
With ultimate generosity and love, you gave Mary as a mother to your beloved disciple,
– help us to live as worthy sons of so noble a mother.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
Or:
Let us glorify our Savior, who chose the Virgin Mary for his mother. Let us ask him:
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
Savior of the world, by your redeeming might you preserved your mother beforehand from all stain of sin,
– keep watch over us, lest we sin.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
You are our redeemer who made the immaculate Virgin Mary your purest home and the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit,
– make us temples of your Spirit for ever.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
Eternal Word, you taught your mother to choose the better part,
– grant that in imitating her we may seek the food that brings life everlasting.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
King of kings, you lifted up your mother, body and soul, into heaven;
– help us to fix our thoughts on things above.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
Lord of heaven and earth, you crowned Mary and set her at your right hand as queen,
– make us worthy to share this glory.
May your mother intercede for us, Lord.
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
Eternal Father,
we honor the holiness and glory of the Virgin Mary.
May her prayers bring us
the fullness of your life and love.
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.
Or:
As we venerate the glorious memory
of the most holy Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession,
that we, too, may merit to receive
from the fullness of your grace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of 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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