Evening Prayer
In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in the Common of Doctors of the Church or the Common of Pastors: For a Priest with the proper texts below.
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 forever. Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN
This is the feast day of the Lord’s true witness,
Whom through the ages all have held in honor;
Now let us praise him and his deeds of glory
With exultation.
So now in chorus, giving God the glory,
We sing his praises and his mighty triumph,
That in his glory we may all be sharers
Here and hereafter.
Praise to the Father and the Son most holy,
Praise to the Spirit, with them coeternal,
Who give examples in the lives of all saints,
That we may follow.
Tune: Herr Deinen Zorn 11.11.11.5
Music: Johann Crüger, 1653
Text: Iste Confessor, eighth century.
Translation: Composite
Go to the Psalmody
Or:
Eternal Sun, true Light Divine,
Whose wisdom fills creation’s plan,
We sing to you with joy this day,
The Light supreme of ev’ry soul.
Your Holy Spirit’s ardent fire
Inspired some chosen master minds,
To shed bright rays upon the world
And open up salvation’s way.
Both inspiration from on high,
And efforts of deep human thought,
Have worked in harmony of grace
Developing our holy Faith.
This saint and doctor whom we praise,
Shines out with luster all his own,
A jewel in the favored crown
Of those who spread true doctrine’s light.
May his assistance help us now,
Unswerving path of truth to tread,
That we at last may gaze on you,
Our God, for all eternity.
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Let praise resound and never die
From saints and angel hosts on high.
Tune: L.M.
Text: Æterne sol, qui lumine
Translation: © the Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK, used with permission
Go to the Psalmody
Or:
Shepherd of souls, in love come, feed us,
Life-giving Bread for hungry hearts!
To those refreshing waters lead us
Where dwells the peace your grace imparts.
May we, the wayward in your fold,
By your forgiveness rest consoled.
Life-giving vine, come feed and nourish,
Strengthen each branch with life divine;
Ever in you O may we flourish
Fruitful the branches on the vine.
Lord, may our souls be purified
So that in Christ may we abide.
Sinful is man who kneels before you,
Worthy of you are you alone;
Yet in your name do we implore you,
Rich are the mercies you have shown.
Say but the word, O Lord divine,
Then are our hearts made pure like thine.
Tune: Aus Heilige Seelenlust 98.98.88
Music: George Joseph, 1657
Text: Omar Westendorf © World Library Publications. Used with permission.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Lord, keep my soul from death, never let me stumble.
Psalm 116:1-9
Thanksgiving
We must endure many trials before entering God’s kingdom (Acts 14:21).
I love the Lord for he has heard *
the cry of my appeal;
for he turned his ear to me *
in the day when I called him.
They surrounded me, the snares of death, *
with the anguish of the tomb;
they caught me, sorrow and distress. *
I called on the Lord’s name.
O Lord, my God, deliver me!
How gracious is the Lord, and just; *
our God has compassion.
The Lord protects the simple hearts; *
I was helpless so he saved me.
Turn back, my soul, to your rest *
for the Lord has been good;
he has kept my soul from death, †
my eyes from tears *
and my feet from stumbling.
I will walk in the presence of the Lord *
in the land of the living.
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 of power and mercy, through your Son’s passion and resurrection you have freed us from the bonds of death and the anguish of separation from you. Be ever with us on our pilgrimage; then we shall sing rather than weep. Keep our feet from stumbling, so that we may be able to follow you until we come to eternal rest.
Ant. Lord, keep my soul from death, never let me stumble.
Ant. 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121
Guardian of his people
Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16).
I lift up my eyes to the mountains: *
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord *
who made heaven and earth.
May he never allow you to stumble! *
Let him sleep not, your guard.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, *
Israel’s guard.
The Lord is your guard and your shade; *
at your right side he stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you *
nor the moon in the night.
The Lord will guard you from evil, *
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming *
both now and 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
Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared a quiet place for us in your Father’s eternal home. Watch over our welfare on this perilous journey, shade us from the burning heat of day, and keep our lives free of evil until the end.
Ant. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Ant. 3 King of all the ages, your ways are perfect and true.
Canticle: Revelation 15:3-4
Hymn of adoration
Mighty and wonderful are your works, *
Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways, *
O King of the nations!
Who would dare refuse you honor, *
or the glory due your name, O Lord?
Since you alone are holy, *
all nations shall come
and worship in your presence. *
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.
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. King of all the ages, your ways are perfect and true.
READING
[Doctors] James 3:17-18
Wisdom from above is first of all innocent. It is also peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.
RESPONSORY
In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.
– In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.
The Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
– He spoke with eloquence.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.
Or:
READING
[Pastors] 1 Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I, a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and sharer in the glory that is to be revealed, make this appeal. God’s flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd’s care. Watch over it willingly, as God would have you do, not under constraint, and not for shameful profit, either, but generously. Be examples to the flock, not lording it over those assigned to you, so that when the chief Shepherd appears, you will win for yourselves the unfading crown of glory.
RESPONSORY
This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
– This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
He spent himself in their service,
– and ever prayed for them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
The antiphon for the Gospel Canticle and the Intercessions may be taken from the Daily Office.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. [Doctors] O blessed doctor, Saint John, light of the holy Church and lover of God’s law, pray to the Son of God for us.
[Pastors] This is a faithful and wise steward: the Lord entrusted the care of his household to him, so that he might give them their portion of food at the proper season.
Or: O Christ, Good Shepherd, I thank you for leading me to glory; I pray that the flock you have entrusted to my care will share with me in your glory for ever.
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. [Doctors] O blessed doctor, Saint John, light of the holy Church and lover of God’s law, pray to the Son of God for us.
[Pastors] This is a faithful and wise steward: the Lord entrusted the care of his household to him, so that he might give them their portion of food at the proper season.
Or: O Christ, Good Shepherd, I thank you for leading me to glory; I pray that the flock you have entrusted to my care will share with me in your glory for ever.
INTERCESSIONS
Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise, for he was appointed high priest among men and women and their representative before God. We honor him and in our frailty we pray:
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You marvelously illuminated your Church through distinguished leaders and holy men and women,
– let Christians rejoice always in such splendor.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You forgave the sins of your people when their holy leaders like Moses sought your compassion,
– through their intercession continue to purify and sanctify your holy people.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
In the midst of their brothers and sisters you anointed your holy ones and filled them with the Holy Spirit,
– fill all the leaders of your people with the same Spirit.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You yourself are the only visible possession of our holy pastors,
– let none of them, won at the price of your blood, remain far from you.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
The shepherds of your Church keep your flock from being snatched out of your hand. Through them you give your flock eternal life,
– save those who have died, those for whom you gave up your life.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
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,
you endowed John of the Cross
with a spirit of self-denial
and a love of the cross.
By following his example,
may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
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:
O God, who gave the Priest Saint John
an outstanding dedication to perfect self-denial
and love of the Cross,
grant that, by imitating him closely at all times,
we may come to contemplate eternally your glory.
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, Evening Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.
******
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