Evening Prayer
In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in the Common of Pastors: For a Priest or the Common of Holy Men: For Religious 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 for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN
Resplendent model for us all,
Receive the humble praise we sing,
For while we spread your great renown
We praise God’s wondrous work of grace.
For our eternal Priest and Lord
Restored to God our fallen race,
And by his death as mortal man,
Atoned for us, became our peace.
Christ chose you in his tender love
To be the steward of his grace,
To give his Father glory due,
And to all peoples lasting life.
He raised you to the royal height
Of teacher, priest, oblation too,
That by your ev’ry word and work
His image should be seen in you.
From your high throne in heaven’s light
Remember holy Church’s needs,
That all Christ’s sheep may follow him
To pastures of eternal bliss.
All glory to the Trinity,
Who crown you with your merit’s joy,
Who have deserved the recompense
Of servant worthy of his Lord. Amen.
Tune: Te lucis ante terminum (plainchant), L.M.
Music: Anonymous, Gregorian
Text: © the Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, 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 The Lord looks tenderly on those who are poor.
Psalm 11
God is the unfailing support of the just
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice; they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6).
In the Lord I have taken my refuge. †
How can you say to my soul: *
“Fly like a bird to its mountain.
See the wicked one bracing his bow; *
they are fixing their arrows on the string
to shoot upright men in the dark. *
Foundations once destroyed, what can the just do?”
The Lord is in his holy temple, *
the Lord, whose throne is in heaven.
His eyes look down on the world; *
his gaze tests mortal men.
The Lord tests the just and the wicked: *
the lover of violence he hates.
He sends fire and brimstone on the wicked; *
he sends a scorching wind as their lot.
The Lord is just and loves justice: *
the upright shall see his face.
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 God, you search the hearts of all, both the good and the wicked. May those who are in danger for love of you, find security in you now, and, in the day of judgment, may they rejoice in seeing you face to face.
Ant. The Lord looks tenderly on those who are poor.
Ant. 2 Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Psalm 15
Who is worthy to stand in God’s presence?
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:22).
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent *
and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault: *
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart; *
he who does not slander with his tongue;
he who does no wrong to his brother, *
who casts no slur on his neighbor,
who holds the godless in disdain, *
but honors those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may; *
who takes no interest on a loan
and accepts no bribes against the innocent. *
Such a man will stand firm 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
Make our lives blameless, Lord. Help us to do what is right and to speak what is true, that we may dwell in your tent and find rest on your holy mountain.
Ant. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Ant. 3 God chose us in his Son to be his adopted children.
Canticle: Ephesians 1:3-10
God our savior
Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him †
before the world began *
to be holy
and blameless in his sight.
He predestined us †
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, *
such was his will and pleasure,
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.
In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God’s favor to us.
God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.
A plan to be carried out *
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and 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.
Ant. God chose us in his Son to be his adopted children.
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.
READING
[Religious] Romans 8:28-30
We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who have been called according to his decree. Those whom he foreknew he predestined to share the image of his Son, that the Son might be the first-born of many brothers. Those he predestined he likewise called; those he called he also justified; and those he justified he in turn glorified.
RESPONSORY
Just is the Lord, in justice he delights.
– Just is the Lord, in justice he delights.
He looks with favor on the upright man;
– in justice he delights.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
– Just is the Lord, in justice he delights.
The antiphon for the Gospel Canticle and the Intercessions may be taken from the Daily Office.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. [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.
[Religious] You have left everything to follow me; you will have it all returned a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
Or: Where brothers praise God together, there the Lord will shower his graces.
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. [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.
[Religious] You have left everything to follow me; you will have it all returned a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
Or: Where brothers praise God together, there the Lord will shower his graces.
INTERCESSIONS
[Pastors]
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.
[Religious]
Let us pray to the Father, the source of all holiness, and ask him to lead us to holiness of life through the example and intercession of his saints.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, you want us to be called your sons and truly to be such,
– grant that your holy Church may proclaim you throughout the world.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, you want us to walk worthily and please you in all we do,
– let us abound in doing good works.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, you have reconciled us to yourself through Christ,
– preserve us in your name so that all may be one.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, you have called us to a heavenly banquet,
– through the bread that came down from heaven make us worthy to grow in perfect love.
May we be holy as you are holy.
Holy Father, forgive the offenses of every sinner,
– let the dead perceive the light of your countenance.
May we be holy as you are holy.
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
Almighty ever-living God, who, by a singular grace,
gave the Priest Saint Pius a share in the Cross of your Son
and, by means of his ministry,
renewed the wonders of your mercy,
grant that through his intercession
we may be united constantly to the sufferings of Christ,
and so brought happily to the glory of the resurrection.
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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