Introductory Rite:
God, come to my assistance R/ Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
R/ as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Day is done, but love unfailing
dwells ever here
Shadows fall, but hope, prevailing,
calms every fear.
Loving Father, none forsaking,
take our hearts of Love’s own making
Watch our sleeping, guard our waking,
be always near.
Dusk descends, but light unending
shines through our night
You are with us, ever lending
new strength to sight
One in love, your truth confessing
one in hope of heaven’s blessing
May we see, in love’s possessing
love’s endless light!
Eyes will close, but you unsleeping
watch by our side
Death may come, in love’s safekeeping
still we abide
God of love, all evil quelling
sin forgiving, fear dispelling
Stay with us, our hearts indwelling
this eventide.
PSALMODY
Antiphon 1: The Lord will come from his holy place to save his people.
By the rivers of Babylon
there we sat and wept,
remembering Zion;
on the poplars that grew there
we hung up our harps.
For it was there that they asked us,
our captors, for songs,
our oppressors, for joy.
Sing to us, they said,
one of Zion’s songs.
O how could we sing
the song of the Lord
on alien soil?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!
O let my tongue
cleave to my mouth
if I remember you not,
if I prize not Jerusalem
above all my joys! Glory…
Psalm Prayer: Lord, remember your pilgrim Church. We sit weeping at the streams of Babylon. Do not let us be drawn into the current of the passing world, but free us from every evil and raise our thoughts to the heavenly Jerusalem.
Antiphon 1: The Lord will come from his holy place to save his people.
Antiphon 2 Zion is our mighty citadel, our saving Lord its wall and its defense; throw open the gates, for our God is here among us, alleluia
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart,
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
you increased the strength of my soul.
All earth’s kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the Lord’s ways:
How great is the glory of the Lord!
The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly
and the haughty he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes.
You stretch out your hand and save me,
your hand will do all things for me.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands. Glory…
Psalm Prayer: Listen to the prayers of your Church, Lord God. In the presence of the angels we praise your name. You keep the proud at a distance and look upon the lowly with favor. Stretch out your hand to us in our suffering. Perfect in us the work of your love and bring us to life.
Antiphon 2 Zion is our mighty citadel, our saving Lord its wall and its defense; throw open the gates, for our God is here among us, alleluia
.Antiphon 3 Lord, make known your will throughout the earth; proclaim your salvation to every nation.
Worthy are you, Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
For you created all things;
by your will they came to be and were made.
Worthy are you, O Lord,
to receive the scroll and to break open its seals.
For you were slain;
with your blood you purchased for God
those from every tribe and tongue,
of every people and nation.
You made them a kingdom
and priests to serve our God,
and they shall reign on earth.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and praise. Glory…
Antiphon 3 Lord, make known your will throughout the earth; proclaim your salvation to every nation.
READING James 5:7-8,9b
Be patient, my brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer awaits the precious yield of the soil. He looks forward to it patiently while the soil receives the winter and the spring rains. You, too, must be patient. Steady your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. See! The judge stands at the gate.
RESPONSORY
Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
– Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
Let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved,
– Lord God of power and might.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
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…
Antiphon: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
INTERCESSIONS
To Christ our Lord, who humbled himself for our sake, we joyfully say:
Come, Lord Jesus!
Lord Jesus, by your coming you rescued the world from sin, – cleanse our souls and bodies from guilt.
By the mystery of your incarnation we are made your brothers and sisters, – do not let us become estranged from you.
Do not judge harshly, – those you redeemed with such great cost.
No age, O Christ, is without your goodness and holy riches, – enable us to merit the unfading crown of glory.
Lord, to you we commend the souls of your departed servants, – having died to the world, may they be alive in you for ever.
Lord’s Prayer
COLLECT
God our Father
You sent your son to free mankind from the power of death.
May we who celebrate the coming of Christ as man
Share more fully in his diving life.
For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.
Final Blessing and Dismissal