Posted on 05/11/2003 5:11:52 PM PDT by Litany
Vespers (Evening Prayer)
O God, come to my aid. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.
Psalm 109(110)
The Messiah, king and priest
The Lord has said to my lord: "Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies into your footstool".
From Sion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes. Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, glorious and holy; from the time of your birth, before the dawn.
The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: "You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech". The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings.
He will judge the nations, he will pile high their skulls; he will drink from the stream as he goes - he will hold his head high.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Psalm 111(112)
How blessed are the just
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord and loves his commands above all things. His seed will be powerful on earth: the descendants of the just will be blessed. Glory and riches will fill his house, and his righteousness will stand firm for ever.
He rises up in the darkness, a light for the upright, compassionate, generous, and just. Happy the man who takes pity and lends, who directs his affairs with wisdom - he will never be shaken.
The just man will be remembered for ever, no slander will he fear. His heart is ready, hoping in the Lord; his heart is strong, it will not fear, until he looks down on his defeated enemies. He gives alms and helps the poor: his righteousness will endure for ever, his future will be glorious.
The transgressor will see, and be enraged: he will grind his teeth and fade away. The desires of the wicked will perish. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Canticle: Apocalypse 19 The wedding of the Lamb
Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, because his judgements are true and just. Alleluia.
Alleluia. Praise our God, all his servants, and you who fear him, small and great. Alleluia.
Alleluia. For the Lord reigns, our God, the Almighty: let us rejoice and exult and give him glory. Alleluia.
Alleluia. The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his spouse has made herself ready. Alleluia..
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here.
Canticle: Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour - me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him.
He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones - but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. ___________
Prayers and Intercessions
God the Father raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand. Let us pray to him humbly:
-Lord, through Christ's glory, keep your people safe.
Father of justice, you lifted Christ up from the earth through the victory of the cross. Let all things be drawn to him. Through the Son you have raised, send the Holy Spirit into your Church: let her sanctify and unite the whole human race.
Through water and the Spirit you brought a new generation into being: make them faithful to their baptism so that they enter eternal life.
You lifted up Christ: relieve the sorrowful, free prisoners, heal the sick; make the whole world rejoice in your blessings. To our brethren who have died, you gave the body and blood of Christ in his glory: raise them from the dead at the end of time.
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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 that trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
A concluding prayer may follow here.
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.
A M E N
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