Morning Prayer
The Optional Memorial of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop, may be observed today using the ferial texts with the proper Concluding Prayer. If it is desired to use any texts from the Common, these may be taken from the Common of Pastors: For a Bishop or the Common of Pastors: For a Missionary, found in the ‘Prayers’ section of the iBreviary.
INVITATORY
The Invitatory is said when this is the first ‘hour’ of the day.
Go to the Psalmody
Go to the Hymn
Lord, + open my lips.
– And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.”
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
Know that he, the Lord, is God. †
He made us, we belong to him, *
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
Go within his gates, giving thanks. †
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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.
Before the Ascension:
Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.
After the Ascension:
Ant. Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.
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
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say: Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high: Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia!
Christ has burst the gates of hell: Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids his rise; Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died, our souls to save; Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise; Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven! Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given; Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now; Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection Thou! Alleluia! Amen.
Tune: Llanfair 77.77 with alleluias
Music: Robert Williams, 1781-1821
Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, alt.
Or:
Light’s glittering morn bedecks the sky,
Heaven thunders forth its victor cry,
The glad earth shouts its triumph high,
And groaning hell makes wild reply:
While he, the King of glorious might,
Treads down death’s strength in death’s despite,
And trampling hell by victor’s right,
Brings forth his sleeping Saints to light.
Fast barred beneath the stone of late
In watch and ward where soldiers wait,
Now shining in triumphant state,
He rises Victor from death’s gate.
Hell’s pains are loosed, and tears are fled;
Captivity is captive led;
The Angel, crowned with light, hath said,
“The Lord is risen from the dead.”
Tune: Grenoble L.M.
Music: Grenoble Antiphoner, 1753
Text: Aurora lucis rutilat, verses 1-4, attributed to Saint Ambrose of Milan (340-397)
Translation: John Mason Neale, 1818-1866
Or:
Aurora lucis rutilat,
Caelum laudibus intonat,
Mundus exultans iubilat,
Gemens infernus ululat,
Cum rex ille fortissimus,
Mortis confractis viribus,
Pede conculcans tartara
Solvit catena miseros!
Ille, qui clausus lapide
Custoditur sub milite,
Triumphans pompa nobile
Victor surgit de funere.
Solutis iam gemitibus
Et inferni doloribus,
“Quia surrexit Dominus!”
Resplendens clamat angelus
Tune: Grenoble L.M.
Music: Grenoble Antiphoner, 1753
Text: Aurora lucis rutilat, verses 1-4, attributed to Saint Ambrose of Milan (340-397)
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 You have filled me with gladness, Lord; I will sing for joy at the works of your hands, alleluia.
Psalm 92
Praise of God the Creator
Sing in praise of Christ’s redeeming work (Saint Athanasius).
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, *
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning *
and your truth in the watches of the night,
on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute, *
with the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad; *
for the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works! *
How deep are your designs!
The foolish man cannot know this *
and the fool cannot understand.
Though the wicked spring up like grass *
and all who do evil thrive:
they are doomed to be eternally destroyed. *
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
See how your enemies perish; *
all doers of evil are scattered.
To me you give the wild-ox’s strength; *
you anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes; *
my ears heard gladly of their fall.
The just will flourish like the palm-tree *
and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord *
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old, *
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just; *
in him, my rock, there is no wrong.
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
Take our shame away from us, Lord, and make us rejoice in your saving works. May all who have been chosen by your Son always abound in works of faith, hope, and love in your service.
Ant. You have filled me with gladness, Lord; I will sing for joy at the works of your hands, alleluia.
Ant. 2 It is I who bring death and I who give life; I inflict injury and I bring healing, alleluia.
Canticle: Deuteronomy 32:1-12
God’s kindness to his people
How often I have longed to gather your children as a hen gathers her brood under her wing (Matthew 23:37).
Give ear, O heavens, while I speak; *
let the earth hearken to the words of my mouth!
May my instruction soak in like the rain, *
and my discourse permeate like the dew,
like a downpour upon the grass, *
like a shower upon the crops:
For I will sing the Lord’s renown. *
Oh, proclaim the greatness of our God!
The Rock—how faultless are his deeds, *
how right all his ways!
A faithful God, without deceit, *
how just and upright he is!
Yet basely has he been treated by his degenerate children, *
a perverse and crooked race!
Is the Lord to be thus repaid by you, *
O stupid and foolish people?
Is he not your father who created you? *
Has he not made you and established you?
Think back on the days of old, *
reflect on the years of age upon age.
Ask your father and he will inform you, *
ask your elders and they will tell you:
When the Most High assigned the nations their heritage, *
when he parceled out the descendants of Adam,
he set up the boundaries of the peoples *
after the number of the sons of God;
while the Lord’s own portion was Jacob, *
his hereditary share was Israel.
He found them in a wilderness, *
a wasteland of howling desert.
He shielded them and cared for them, *
guarding them as the apple of his eye.
As an eagle incites its nestlings forth *
by hovering over its brood,
so he spread his wings to receive them *
and bore them up on his pinions.
The Lord alone was their leader, *
no strange god was with him.
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. It is I who bring death and I who give life; I inflict injury and I bring healing, alleluia.
Ant. 3 You have crowned your Anointed One with glory and honor, alleluia.
Psalm 8
The majesty of the Lord and man’s dignity
The Father gave Christ lordship of creation and made him head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22).
How great is your name, O Lord our God, *
through all the earth!
Your majesty is praised above the heavens; *
on the lips of children and of babes
you have found praise to foil your enemy, *
to silence the foe and the rebel.
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands, *
the moon and the stars which you arranged,
what is man that you should keep him in mind, *
mortal man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him little less than a god; *
with glory and honor you crowned him,
gave him power over the works of your hands, *
put all things under his feet.
All of them, sheep and cattle, *
yes, even the savage beasts,
birds of the air, and fish *
that make their way through the waters.
How great is your name, O Lord our God *
through all the 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
Almighty Lord, how wonderful is your name. You have made every creature subject to you; make us worthy to give you service.
Ant. You have crowned your Anointed One with glory and honor, alleluia.
READING
Romans 14:7-9
None of us lives as his own master and none of us dies as his own master. While we live we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die we die as his servants. Both in life and in death we are the Lord’s. That is why Christ died and came to life again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
RESPONSORY
The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.
– The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.
He hung upon the cross for us,
– alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. I promise that the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name, alleluia.
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. I promise that the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name, alleluia.
INTERCESSIONS
Before the Ascension:
Christ has made known to us the life that lasts for ever. With faith and joy let us cry out to him, saying:
Lord, may your resurrection bring us the riches of your grace.
Eternal shepherd, look on your flock as it rises from sleep,
– feed us with the word of life and the bread from heaven.
Lord, may your resurrection bring us the riches of your grace.
Keep us safe from wolf and hireling,
– and make us faithful in listening to your voice.
Lord, may your resurrection bring us the riches of your grace.
You are present to all who preach your Gospel, and give power to their words,
– make us today preachers of your resurrection by our holiness of life.
Lord, may your resurrection bring us the riches of your grace.
Be our great joy that no one can take from us,
– so that we may reject sin with its sadness, and reach out to eternal life.
Lord, may your resurrection bring us the riches of your grace.
After the Ascension:
Let us praise the Lord Jesus, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and pray:
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; make intercession for us.
Christ our Lord, look with favor on all who are called by your name,
– and gather them in unity by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; make intercession for us.
Give light to those who suffer for your sake,
– that they may know what to say when faced with their persecutors.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; make intercession for us.
You are the true vine; may all acknowledge you,
– and become your branches, bearing fruit in the Spirit.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; make intercession for us.
King of all the world, you ascended to heaven in triumph,
– rule over all peoples.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; make intercession for us.
May those who in baptism were made one with you in rising again,
– pass with you from death to life.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; make intercession for us.
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
Before the Ascension:
Lord,
teach us to know you better
by doing good to others.
Help us to grow in your love
and come to understand the eternal mystery
of Christ’s death and resurrection.
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:
Constantly shape our minds, O Lord,
by the practice of good works,
that, always trying for what is better,
we may strive to hold ever fast to the Paschal Mystery.
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.
After the Ascension:
Father,
at your Son’s ascension into heaven
you promised to send the Holy Spirit on your apostles.
You filled them with heavenly wisdom:
fill us also with the gift of your Spirit.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.
– Amen.
Or:
O God, whose Son, at his Ascension to the heavens,
was pleased to promise the Holy Spirit to the Apostles,
grant, we pray,
that, just as they received manifold gifts of heavenly teaching,
so on us, too, you may bestow spiritual gifts.
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.
Go to the Dismissal
For the Memorial of Saint Augustine of Canterbury:
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Father,
by the preaching of Saint Augustine of Canterbury,
you led the people of England to the gospel.
May the fruits of his work continue in your Church.
Grant 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:
O God, who by the preaching
of the Bishop Saint Augustine of Canterbury
led the English peoples to the Gospel,
grant, we pray, that the fruits of his labors
may remain ever abundant in your Church.
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
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.
******
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