Office of Readings
In those places where this Feast is observed as a Solemnity, additional texts are found in the Common of Apostles 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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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.
Psalm 24
Psalm 67
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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
O Princes of the King of kings
and first among the eternal court,
whom Jesus Christ once taught and gave
as his Apostles to the world.
You brightly gleam as sparkling gems,
the beautiful foundation stones
of heavenly Jerusalem,
whose lamp and glory is the Lamb.
And now the Church, the Bride of Christ,
with glad rejoicing sings your praise,
for you have roused her by your word
and sanctified her by your blood.
When all the ages fade away
and our Redeemer sits as judge,
then you will take your seats with praise,
the glorious council throned on high.
So may your prayers bring constant aid
and strengthen us in our resolve,
that seeds which you have sown on earth
be heaven’s grain at harvest time.
To Christ be glory evermore,
who filled you with the Spirit’s pow’r
and made you heralds to announce
the loving Father, God most high. Amen.
Tune: ST VENANTIUS, 8 8 8 8
Music: Rouen church melody, 1728
or Mode III, melody 54; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: O sempiternæ curiæ, Anselmo Lentini, O.S.B., 1901-1989, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19A
Praise the Lord, Creator of all
The dawn from on high shall break upon us ... to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:78, 79).
The heavens proclaim the glory of God *
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story *
and night unto night makes known the message.
No speech, no word, no voice is heard
yet their span extends through all the earth, *
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.
There he has placed a tent for the sun;
it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent, *
rejoices like a champion to run its course.
At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun;
to the furthest end of the sky is its course. *
There is nothing concealed from its burning heat.
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
To enlighten the world, Father, you sent to us your Word as the sun of truth and justice shining upon mankind. Illumine our eyes that we may discern your glory in the many works of your hand.
Ant. Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Ant. 2 They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds.
Psalm 64
Prayer for help against enemies
This psalm commemorates most particularly our Lord’s passion (Saint Augustine).
Hear my voice, O God, as I complain, *
guard my life from dread of the foe.
Hide me from the band of the wicked, *
from the throng of those who do evil.
They sharpen their tongues like swords; *
they aim bitter words like arrows
to shoot at the innocent from ambush, *
shooting suddenly and recklessly.
They scheme their evil course; *
they conspire to lay secret snares.
They say: “Who will see us? *
Who can search out our crimes?”
He will search who searches the mind *
and knows the depth of the heart.
God has shot them with his arrow *
and dealt them sudden wounds.
Their own tongue has brought them to ruin *
and all who see them mock.
Then will all men fear;
they will tell what God has done. *
They will understand God’s deeds.
The just will rejoice in the Lord
and fly to him for refuge. *
All the upright hearts will 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.
Psalm Prayer
Father, you gave your Son victory over the men who plotted evil against him; when he cried to you in his agony you delivered him from fear of his enemies. May those who suffer with him in this life find refuge and success in you.
Ant. They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds.
Ant. 3 God’s holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God’s glory.
Psalm 97
The glory of the Lord in his decrees for the world
This psalm foretells a world-wide salvation and that peoples of all nations will believe in Christ (Saint Athanasius).
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, *
let all the coastlands be glad.
Cloud and darkness are his raiment; *
his throne, justice and right.
A fire prepares his path; *
it burns up his foes on every side.
His lightnings light up the world, *
the earth trembles at the sight.
The mountains melt like wax *
before the Lord of all the earth.
The skies proclaim his justice; *
all peoples see his glory.
Let those who serve idols be ashamed, †
those who boast of their worthless gods. *
All you spirits, worship him.
Zion hears and is glad; †
the people of Judah rejoice *
because of your judgments, O Lord.
For you indeed are the Lord, †
most high above all the earth, *
exalted far above all spirits.
The Lord loves those who hate evil: †
he guards the souls of his saints; *
he sets them free from the wicked.
Light shines forth for the just *
and joy for the upright of heart.
Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; *
give glory to his holy name.
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, you clothe the sky with light and the depths of the ocean with darkness. Among the children of the earth you work wonders, and rain terror upon the enemy. Look upon your servants. Do not try us by fire but bring us rejoicing to the shelter of your home.
Ant. God’s holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God’s glory.
They proclaimed the Lord’s praises, told of his power to save.
— And of the wonders he had worked.
READINGS
FIRST READING
From the first letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians
4:1-16
Let us imitate the Apostle just as he imitates Christ
Men should regard us as servants of Christ and administrators of the mysteries of God. The first requirement of an administrator is that he prove trustworthy. It matters little to me whether you or any human court pass judgment on me. I do not even pass judgment on myself. Mind you, I have nothing on my conscience. But that does not mean that I am declaring myself innocent. The Lord is the one to judge me, so stop passing judgment before the time of his return. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and manifest the intentions of hearts. At that time, everyone will receive his praise from God.
Brothers, I have applied all this to myself and Apollos by way of example for your benefit. May you learn from us not to go beyond what is set down, so that none of you will grow self-important by reason of his association with one person rather than another. Who confers any distinction on you? Name something you have that you have not received. If, then, you have received it, why are you boasting as if it were your own? At the moment you are completely satisfied. You have grown rich! You have launched upon your reign with no help from us. Would that you had really begun to reign, that we might be reigning with you!
As I see it, God has put us apostles at the end of the line, like men doomed to die in the arena. We have become a spectacle to the universe, to angels and men alike. We are fools on Christ’s account. Ah, but in Christ you are wise! We are the weak ones, you the strong! They honor you, while they sneer at us! Up to this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, poorly clad, roughly treated, wandering about homeless. We work hard at manual labor. When we are insulted we respond with a blessing. Persecution comes our way; we bear it patiently. We are slandered, and we try conciliation. We have become the world’s refuse, the scum of all; that is the present state of affairs.
I am writing you in this way not to shame you but to admonish you as my beloved children. Granted you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you have only one father. It was I who begot you in Christ Jesus through my preaching of the gospel. I beg you, then, be imitators of me.
RESPONSORY
John 15:15; Matthew 13:11, 16
I no longer call you servants, but my friends,
— for I have shared with you everything
I have heard from my Father.
The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven have been revealed to you;
blessed are your eyes because they see
and your ears because they hear.
— For I have shared with you everything
I have heard from my Father.
SECOND READING
From a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
(Hom. 26, 7-9: PL 76, 1201-1202)
My Lord and my God
Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. He was the only disciple absent; on his return he heard what had happened but refused to believe it. The Lord came a second time; he offered his side for the disbelieving disciple to touch, held out his hands, and showing the scars of his wounds, healed the wound of his disbelief.
Dearly beloved, what do you see in these events? Do you really believe that it was by chance that this chosen disciple was absent, then came and heard, heard and doubted, doubted and touched, touched and believed? It was not by chance but in God’s providence. In a marvelous way God’s mercy arranged that the disbelieving disciple, in touching the wounds of his master’s body, should heal our wounds of disbelief. The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is strengthened. So the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ’s wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the resurrection.
Touching Christ, he cried out: My Lord and my God. Jesus said to him: Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed. Paul said: Faith is the guarantee of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. It is clear, then, that faith is the proof of what can not be seen. What is seen gives knowledge, not faith. When Thomas saw and touched, why was he told: You have believed because you have seen me? Because what he saw and what he believed were different things. God cannot be seen by mortal man. Thomas saw a human being, whom he acknowledged to be God, and said: My Lord and my God. Seeing, he believed; looking at one who was true man, he cried out that this was God, the God he could not see.
What follows is reason for great joy: Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. There is here a particular reference to ourselves; we hold in our hearts one we have not seen in the flesh. We are included in these words, but only if we follow up our faith with good works. The true believer practices what he believes. But of those who pay only lip service to faith, Paul has this to say: They profess to know God, but they deny him in their works. Therefore James says: Faith without works is dead.
RESPONSORY
1 John 1:2, 1
This life was made visible;
we have seen it and we proclaim to you
— the eternal life which was with the Father
and has appeared to us.
We have seen it with our own eyes
and with our own hands we have touched the Word of life;
what we have seen and heard we declare to you.
— The eternal life which was with the Father
and has appeared to us.
Those who wish to extend the celebration of the this Feast, according to tradition, first celebrate the Office of Readings. After both readings and before the Te Deum, they may add canticles and a gospel reading. Afterward the Te Deum is sung, the prayer is said, and the hour is concluded as in the Ordinary.
Optional Vigil
TE DEUM
You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord: we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you:
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death,
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come, and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
℣. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance.
℟. Govern and uphold them now and always.
℣. Day by day we bless you.
℟. We praise your name for ever.
℣. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin.
℟. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
℣. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
℟. for we put our trust in you.
℣. In you, Lord, is our hope:
℟. and we shall never hope in vain.
The concluding part of the hymn may be omitted.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Almighty Father,
as we honor Thomas the apostle,
let us always experience the help of his prayers.
May we have eternal life by believing in Jesus,
whom Thomas acknowledged as Lord,
for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Or:
Grant, almighty God,
that we may glory in the Feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas,
so that we may always be sustained by his intercession
and, believing, may have life
in the name of Jesus Christ your Son,
whom Thomas acknowledged as the Lord.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
ACCLAMATION
Let us praise the Lord.
— And give him thanks.
******
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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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles.
Who is the king of glory? †
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles.
O gates, lift high your heads; †
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles.
Who is he, the king of glory? †
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
Continue with 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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
Continue with 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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
Indeed, how good is the Lord, †
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.
Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles.
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 the Lord, the King of apostles.
Continue with the Hymn
CANTICLES
Ant. Rejoice and be glad, says the Lord, for your names are written in heaven.
Canticle I: Isaiah 61:6-9
The covenant of the Lord with his ministers
God has made us suitable ministers of a new covenant(2 Corinthians 3:6).
You shall be named priests of the Lord, *
ministers of our God you shall be called.
You shall eat the wealth of the nations *
and boast of riches from them.
Since their shame was double *
and disgrace and spittle were their portion,
They shall have a double inheritance in their land, *
everlasting joy shall be theirs.
For I, the Lord, love what is right, *
I hate robbery and injustice;
I will give them their recompense faithfully, *
a lasting covenant I will make with them.
Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations, *
and their offspring among the peoples;
All who see them shall acknowledge them *
as a race the Lord has blessed.
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.
Canticle II: Wisdom 3:7-9
The future glory of the just
The just shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43).
In the time of their visitation the just shall shine, *
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, *
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth, *
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, *
and his care is with the elect.
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.
Canticle III: Wisdom 10:17-21
God led his people in deliverance
Those who had overcome the beast sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:2, 3).
God gave the holy ones the recompense of their labors, *
conducted them by a wondrous road,
and became a shelter for them by day *
and a starry flame by night.
He took them across the Red Sea *
and brought them through the deep waters—
but their enemies he overwhelmed, *
and cast them up from the bottom of the depths.
Therefore the just despoiled the wicked; *
and they sang, O Lord, your holy name
because Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb, *
and gave ready speech to infants.
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. Rejoice and be glad, says the Lord, for your names are written in heaven.
THE HOLY GOSPEL
+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
3:13-15
Jesus summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter;
James, son of Zebedee,
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
Or:
+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
9:35-38
The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Or:
+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
23:8-12
The greatest among you must be your servant
Jesus spoke to his disciples:
“Do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Messiah.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
A homily on the Gospel may be given.
Other readings may be chosen from the Common of Pastors found in the Lectionary for Mass.
Te Deum
