Divine Office – Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church (Breviary)

April 21st, 2026 – About Today – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

About Today - A 19th-century stained-glass window depicting Anselm as archbishop, with his pallium and crozier [http://traffic.libsyn.com/divineoffice/divine-0421-Anselm-Canterbury.jpg] April 21 SAINT ANSELM, BISHOP AND DOCTOR Optional Memorial Saint Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, holds the distinguished title of Doctor of the Church, along with 32 other writer-saints. This is a title rarely given out due the high-quality of work required. Anselm’s subjects include the existence of God, the Incarnation, the procession of the Holy Spirit, Atonement, and discussions on Free Will and Predestination. Also, many German philosophers and English historians referenced Anslem’s theology as did the Italian poet, Dante. Anselm is mentioned in Dante’s Paradiso as, “…among the spirits of light and power in the sphere of the sun…” Anselm was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1720. [1][2] Written by Sarah Ciotti [1] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Anslem.” [2] Herbert J. Thurston, S.J., Donald Attwater, “St Anselm,” in Butler’s Lives of the Saints (Indiana: Ave Maria Press, Inc.,1956),138. Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.

April 21st, 2026 – Invitatory – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Psalm 100 Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Go within his gates, giving thanks. Enter his courts with songs of praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. 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. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

April 21st, 2026 – Office of Readings – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1045 Proper of Seasons: 710 Psalter: Tuesday, Week III, 1397 Office of Readings for Tuesday in Week 3 of Easter 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 Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest, And in our hearts take up Thy rest; Come with Thy grace and heav'nly aid, To fill the hearts which Thou has made, To fill the hearts which Thou has made. O Comfort Blest to Thee we cry, Thou heav'nly Gift of God most high; Thou fount of life and fire of love, And sweet anointing from above, And sweet anointing from above. Praise be to Thee Father and Son, And Holy Spirit Three in one; And may the Son on us bestow The gifts that from the Spirit flow, The gifts that from the Spirit flow. 𝄞"Come Holy Ghost" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NTSTMX2/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk3] • Musical Score [https://divineoffice.org/wp-content/uploads/Come-Holy-Ghost.pdf] • Title: Come, Holy Ghost; Text (attributed to): Rhabanus Maurus, 776-856; Tune: LAMBILOTTE; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2017 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 3 PSALMODY Ant. 1 Let God arise, let his enemies flee before him, alleluia. Psalm 68 The Lord’s triumphant entrance into his sanctuary Ascending on high he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:10). I Let God arise, let his foes be scattered. Let those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is blown away so will they be blown away; like wax that melts before the fire, so shall the wicked perish at the presence of God. But the just shall rejoice at the presence of God, they shall exult and dance for joy. O sing to the Lord, make music to his name; make a highway for him who rides on the clouds. Rejoice in the Lord, exult at his presence. Father of the orphan, defender of the widow, such is God in his holy place. God gives the lonely a home to live in; he leads the prisoners forth into freedom; but rebels must dwell in a parched land. When you went forth, O God, at the head of your people, when you marched across the desert, the earth trembled: the heavens melted at the presence of God, at the presence of God, Israel’s God. You poured down, O God, a generous rain; when your people were starved you gave them new life. It was there that your people found a home, prepared in your goodness, O God, for the poor. 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. Let God arise, let his enemies flee before him, alleluia. Ant. 2 Our God is a saving God; he, the Lord, holds the keys of death, alleluia. II The Lord gives the word to the bearers of good tidings: “The Almighty has defeated a numberless army and kings and armies are in flight, in flight while you were at rest among the sheepfolds.” At home the women already share the spoil. They are covered with silver as the wings of a dove, its feathers brilliant with shining gold and jewels flashing like snow on Mount Zalmon. The mountains of Bashan are mighty mountains; high-ridged mountains are the mountains of Bashan. Why look with envy, you high-ridged mountains, at the mountain where God has chosen to dwell? It is there that the Lord shall dwell for ever. The chariots of God are thousands upon thousands. The Lord has come from Sinai to the holy place. You have gone up on high; you have taken captives, receiving men in tribute, O God, even those who rebel, into your dwelling, O Lord. May the Lord be blessed day after day. He bears our burdens, God our savior; this God of ours is a God who saves. The Lord our God holds the keys of death. And God will smite the head of his foes, the crown of those who persist in their sins. The Lord said: “I will bring them back from Bashan; I will bring them back from the depth of the sea. Then your feet will tread in their blood and the tongues of your dogs take their share of the foe.” 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. Our God is a saving God; he, the Lord, holds the keys of death, alleluia. Ant. 3 Kingdoms of earth, sing praise to God, make music in honor of the Lord, alleluia. III They see your solemn procession, O God, the procession of my God, of my king, to the sanctuary: the singers in the forefront, the musicians coming last, between them, maidens sounding their timbrels. “In festive gatherings, bless the Lord; bless God, O you who are Israel’s sons.” There is Benjamin, least of the tribes, at the head, Judah’s princes, a mighty throng, Zebulun’s princes, Naphtali’s princes. Show forth, O God, show forth your might, your might, O God, which you have shown for us. For the sake of your temple high in Jerusalem may kings come to you bringing their tribute. Threaten the wild beast that dwells in the reeds, the bands of the mighty and lords of the peoples. Let them bow down offering silver. Scatter the peoples who delight in war. Princes will make their way from Egypt; Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God. Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, praise the Lord who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens. He thunders his voice, his mighty voice. Come, acknowledge the power of God. His glory is on Israel; his might is in the skies. God is to be feared in his holy place. He is the Lord, Israel’s God. He gives strength and power to his people. Blessed be God! 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, King of the universe, you have given us joy in your holy meal. Help us to understand the significance of your death and to acknowledge you as the conqueror of death seated at the right hand of the Father. Ant. Kingdoms of earth, sing praise to God, make music in honor of the Lord, alleluia. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. Christ risen from the dead will never die again, alleluia. — Death no longer has power over him, alleluia. READINGS First reading From the Book of Revelation 8:1-13 The seven angels punish the earth When the Lamb broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw that the seven angels who stood before God were given seven trumpets. Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a gold censer. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with burning coals from the altar, and hurled it down to the earth. There were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. The seven angels who were holding the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. When the first one blew his trumpet, there came hail and fire mixed with blood, which was hurled down to the earth. A third of the land was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all green grass. When the second angel blew his trumpet, something like a large burning mountain was hurled into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were wrecked. When the third angel blew his trumpet, a large star burning like a torch fell from the sky. It fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The star was called “Wormwood,” and a third of all the water turned to wormwood. Many people died from this water, because it was made bitter. When the fourth angel blew his trumpet, a third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them became dark. The day lost its light for a third of the time, as did the night. Then I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead cry out in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth from the rest of the trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to blow!” RESPONSORY Revelation 8:3-4; 5:8 An angel stood by the altar, holding a golden censer; a large quantity of incense was given to him, — and clouds of incense rose from the hand of the angel in the presence of God, alleluia. Each angel held a vessel filled with incense: the prayers of God’s holy people. — And clouds of incense rose from the hand of the angel in the presence of God, alleluia. Second Reading From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop Let us sing to the Lord a song of love Sing to the Lord a new song; his praise is in the assembly of the saints. We are urged to sing a new song to the Lord, as new men who have learned a new song. A song is a thing of joy; more profoundly, it is a thing of love. Anyone, therefore, who has learned to love the new life has learned to sing a new song, and the new song reminds us of our new life. The new man, the new song, the new covenant, all belong to the one kingdom of God, and so the new man will sing a new song and will belong to the new covenant. There is not one who does not love something, but the question is, what to love. The psalms do not tell us not to love, but to choose the object of our love. But how can we choose unless we are first chosen? We cannot love unless someone has loved us first. Listen to the apostle John: We love him, because he first loved us. The source of man’s love for God can only be found in the fact that God loved him first. He has given us himself as the object of our love, and he has also given us its source. What this source is you may learn more clearly from the apostle Paul who tells us: The love of God has been poured into our hearts. This love is not something we generate ourselves; it comes to us through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Since we have such an assurance, then, let us love God with the love he has given us. As John tells us more fully: God is love, and whoever dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. It is not enough to say: Love is from God. Which of us would dare to pronounce the words of Scripture: God is love? He alone could say it who knew what it was to have God dwelling within him. God offers us a short route to the possession of himself. He cries out: Love me and you will have me for you would be unable to love me if you did not possess me already. My dear brothers and sons, fruit of the true faith and holy seed of heaven, all you who have been born again in Christ and whose life is from above, listen to me; or rather, listen to the Holy Spirit saying through me: Sing to the Lord a new song. Look, you tell me, I am singing. Yes indeed, you are singing; you are singing clearly, I can hear you. But make sure that your life does not contradict your words. Sing with your voices, your hearts, your lips and your lives: Sing to the Lord a new song. Now it is your unquestioned desire to sing of him whom you love, but you ask me how to sing his praises. You have heard the words: Sing to the Lord a new song, and you wish to know what praises to sing. The answer is: His praise is in the assembly of the saints; it is in the singers themselves. If you desire to praise him, then live what you express. Live good lives, and you yourselves will be his praise. RESPONSORY Romans 6:4; 1 John 3:23; Judith 16:15 Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too must live a new life, — and we must love one another as the Lord has commanded us, alleluia. Let us sing the praises of the Lord, let us sing a new song to our God. — And we must love one another as the Lord has commanded us, alleluia. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who open wide the gates of the heavenly Kingdom to those reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, pour out on your servants an increase of the grace you have bestowed, that, having been purged of all sins, they may lack nothing that in your kindness you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (at least in the communal celebration) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.

April 21st, 2026 – Morning Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1049 Proper of Seasons: 714 Psalter: Tuesday, Week III, 1401 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Seasons: 480 Psalter: Tuesday, Week III, 877 Morning Prayer for Tuesday in Week 3 of Easter 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 Sing with all the sons of glory, Sing the resurrection song! Death and sorrow, earth's dark story, To the former days belong. All around the clouds are breaking, Soon the storms of time shall cease; In God's likeness, man awaking, Knows the everlasting peace. O what glory, far exceeding All that eye has yet perceived! Holiest hearts for ages pleading, Never that full joy conceived. God has promised, Christ prepares it, There on high our welcome waits; Every humble spirit shares it, Christ has passed th'eternal gates. Life eternal! heav'n rejoices: Jesus lives who once was dead; Join, O man, the deathless voices; Child of God, lift up thy head! Patriarchs from the distant ages, Saints all longing for their heaven. Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages, All await the glory given. Life eternal! O what wonders Crowd on faith; what joy unknown, When, amidst earth's closing thunders, Saints shall stand before the throne! O to enter that bright portal, See that glowing firmament, Know, with thee, O God immortal, "Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent!" 𝄞"Sing with All the Sons of Glory" by Rebecca Hincke • Musical Score [https://divineoffice.org/wp-content/uploads/Sing-With-All-the-Sons-of-Glory.pdf] • Title: Sing with All the Sons of Glory; Melody: Hymn to Joy (Beethoven0 87.87.D; Text: Based on 1 Corinthians 15:20, William J. Irons, 1812-1883; Music: Arranged from Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827, by Edward Hodges, 1796-1867; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Recording (c) 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 You will turn back, O God, and bring us to life, and your people will rejoice in you, alleluia. Psalm 85 Our salvation is near God blessed the land when our Savior came to earth (Origen). O Lord, you once favored your land and revived the fortunes of Jacob, you forgave the guilt of your people and covered all their sins. You averted all your rage, you calmed the heat of your anger. Revive us now, God, our helper! Put an end to your grievance against us. Will you be angry with us for ever, will your anger never cease? Will you not restore again our life that your people may rejoice in you? Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help. I will hear what the Lord God has to say, a voice that speaks of peace, peace for his people and his friends and those who turn to him in their hearts. His help is near for those who fear him and his glory will dwell in our land. Mercy and faithfulness have met; justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth and justice look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosper and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him and peace shall follow his steps. 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 Show us your mercy, Lord; our misery is known to us. May no evil desires prevail over us, for your glory and love dwell in our hearts. Ant. You will turn back, O God, and bring us to life, and your people will rejoice in you, alleluia. Ant. 2 We have placed all our hope in the Lord, and he has given us his peace, alleluia. Canticle – Isaiah 26:1-4, 7-9, 12 Hymn after the defeat of the enemy The city wall had twelve foundation stones (see Revelation 21:14). A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock. The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level. Yes, for your way and your judgments, O Lord, we look to you; your name and your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; when your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world’s inhabitants learn justice. O Lord, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done. 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. We have placed all our hope in the Lord, and he has given us his peace, alleluia. Ant. 3 The earth has yielded its fruit; let the nations be glad and sing for joy, alleluia. 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. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 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. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 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. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. 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 Be gracious and bless us, Lord, and let your face shed its light on us, so that we can make you known with reverence and bring forth a harvest of justice. Ant. The earth has yielded its fruit; let the nations be glad and sing for joy, alleluia. READING Acts 13:30-33 God raised Jesus from the dead, and for many days thereafter Jesus appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are his witnesses now before the people. We ourselves announce to you the good news that what God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, in raising up Jesus, according to what is written in the second psalm, “You are my son; this day I have begotten you.” Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. RESPONSORY The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia. — The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia. He hung upon the cross for us, — alleluia, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. Truly I say to you: Moses did not give you the bread of heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven, alleluia. Luke 1:68 – 79 The Messiah and his forerunner Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. 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. Truly I say to you: Moses did not give you the bread of heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven, alleluia. INTERCESSIONS By his own power Christ raised up the temple of his body when it had been destroyed in death. With joy let us ask him: Lord, share with us the fruits of your victory. Christ our Savior, when you rose again you brought to the holy women and the apostles the joyful news of a world redeemed, — make us witnesses to your risen life. Lord, share with us the fruits of your victory. You promised to all people that we would rise up again to newness of life, — make us heralds of your Gospel. Lord, share with us the fruits of your victory. You showed yourself to your apostles and breathed the Holy Spirit on them, — renew in us the presence of the same creator Spirit. Lord, share with us the fruits of your victory. You promised to be with your disciples to the end of the world, — stay with us today, and remain with us always. Lord, share with us the fruits of your victory. 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 O God, who open wide the gates of the heavenly Kingdom to those reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, pour out on your servants an increase of the grace you have bestowed, that, having been purged of all sins, they may lack nothing that in your kindness you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.

April 21st, 2026 – Midmorning Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1054 Complementary Psalmody: 1651 (Midmorning) Proper of Seasons: 715 (antiphon, reading, concluding prayer) Midmorning Prayer for Tuesday in Week 3 of Easter, using the Complementary Psalmody 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 Enfold me God in Your pure eternal love And dwell within my heart and mind throughout this new day And surround me, O God, in all I see. Be Thou in every hope I hold, O God surround me. And surround me, O God, in all I see. Be Thou in every hope I hold, O God surround me. Hold me, enfold me, O God. Hold me, enfold me, O God. Be Thou in every hope I hold, O God, surround me. 𝄞"The New Day" by Briege O'Hare And Marie Cox • Available on iTunes [https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/peace-god-songs-from-celtic/id445853947] • Available for Purchase [https://www.poorclaresireland.org/Hermitage_Arts.html] • Title: The New Day; Text: Briege O'Hare, OSC, inspired by The Carmina Gadelica; Album: The Peace of God. Songs from a Celtic Monastery; Composed and arranged by: Briege O'Hare, OSC; Sung by: Marie Cox,RSM; (c) 2006 Hermitage Production; Used by permission • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Peace of God PSALMODY Ant. 1 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Psalm 120 Longing for peace To the Lord in the hour of my distress I call and he answers me. “O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, from the tongue of the deceitful.” What shall he pay you in return, O treacherous tongue? The warrior’s arrows sharpened and coals, red-hot, blazing. Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, dwell among the tents of Kedar! Long enough have I been dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for fighting. 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 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 122 The holy city, Jerusalem You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to God’s house. And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgment of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: “Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!” For love of my brethren and friends I say: Peace upon you. For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good. 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. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. READING See Acts 4:11-12 This Jesus is “the stone rejected by you the builders which has become the cornerstone.” There is no salvation in anyone else, for there in no other name in the whole world given to the men by which we are to be saved. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. The Lord is risen, alleluia. — He has appeared to Simon, alleluia. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who open wide the gates of the heavenly Kingdom to those reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, pour out on your servants an increase of the grace you have bestowed, that, having been purged of all sins, they may lack nothing that in your kindness you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.