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

April 20th, 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 24 The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, the world and all its peoples. It is he who set it on the seas; on the waters he made it firm. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things, who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war. Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory. 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 20th, 2026 – Office of Readings – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1045 Proper of Seasons: 702 Psalter: Monday, Week III, 1379 Office of Readings for Monday 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 Most ancient of all mysteries, before your throne we lie; have mercy now, most merciful, most Holy Trinity. When heaven and earth were still unmade, when time was yet unknown, you in your radiant majesty did live and love alone. You were not born; there was no source from which your being flowed; there is no end which you can reach: for you are simply God. How wonderful creation is, the work which you did bless! what then must you be like dear God, eternal Loveliness! Most ancient of all mysteries, before your throne we lie; have mercy now and ever more, most Holy Trinity. 𝄞"Most Ancient of all Mysteries" by Rebecca Hincke • Words: Frederick William Faber, 1849; Music: St. Flavian; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 Our God will be made manifest; he will not come in silence, alleluia. Psalm 50 Genuine love of God I have come not to abolish the law but to bring it to perfection (see Matthew 5:17). I The God of gods, the Lord, has spoken and summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion’s perfect beauty he shines. Our God comes, he keeps silence no longer. Before him fire devours, around him tempest rages. He calls on the heavens and the earth to witness his judgment of his people. “Summon before me my people who made covenant with me by sacrifice.” The heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself is the judge. 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 will be made manifest; he will not come in silence, alleluia. Ant. 2 Offer to God the sacrifice of praise, alleluia. II “Listen, my people, I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you, for I am God, your God. I accuse you, lay the charge before you. I find no fault with your sacrifices, your offerings are always before me. I do not ask more bullocks from your farms, nor goats from among your herds. For I own all the beasts of the forest, beasts in their thousands on my hills. I know all the birds in the sky, all that moves in the field belongs to me. Were I hungry, I would not tell you, for I own the world and all it holds. Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Pay your sacrifice of thanksgiving to God and render him your votive offerings. Call on me in the day of distress. I will free you and you shall honor 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. Ant. Offer to God the sacrifice of praise, alleluia. Ant. 3 I want a loving heart more than sacrifice, knowledge of my ways more than holocausts, alleluia. III But God says to the wicked: “But how can you recite my commandments and take my covenant on your lips, you who despise my law and throw my words to the winds, you who see a thief and go with him; who throw in your lot with adulterers, who unbridle your mouth for evil and whose tongue is plotting crime, you who sit and malign your brother and slander your own mother’s son. You do this, and should I keep silence? Do you think that I am like you? Mark this, you who never think of God, lest I seize you and you cannot escape; a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me and I will show God’s salvation to the upright.” 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 Father, accept us as a sacrifice of praise, so that we may go through life unburdened by sin, walking in the way of salvation, and always giving thanks to you. Ant. I want a loving heart more than sacrifice, knowledge of my ways more than holocausts, 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. My heart and my flesh, alleluia. — Rejoice in the living God, alleluia. READINGS First reading From the Book of Revelation 7:1-17 The great multitude of those marked with the seal of God I, John, saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth; they held in check the earth’s four winds so that no wind blew on land or sea or through any tree. I saw another angel come up from the east holding the seal of the living God. He cried out at the top of his voice to the four angels who were given power to ravage the land and the sea, “Do no harm to the land or the sea or the trees until we imprint this seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” I heard the number of those who were so marked—one hundred and forty-four thousand from every tribe of Israel: twelve thousand from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand from the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand from the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand from the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand from the tribe of Joseph, and twelve thousand from the tribe of Benjamin. After this I saw before me a huge crowd which no one could count from every nation and race, people and tongue. They stood before the throne and the Lamb, dressed in long white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, “Salvation is from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb!” All the angels who were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures fell down before the throne to worship God. They said: “Amen! Praise and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving and honor, power and might, to our God forever and ever. Amen!” Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people all dressed in white? And where have they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you should know better than I.” He then told me, “These are the ones who have survived the great period of trial; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “It was this that brought them before God’s throne: day and night they minister to him in his temple; he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. Never again shall they know hunger or thirst, nor shall the sun or its heat beat down on them, for the Lamb on the throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” RESPONSORY Revelation 7:13, 14; 6:9 Who are these people clothed in white robes? Who are they and where have they come from? I said to him: — These are the people who have undergone the great persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, alleluia. I saw beneath the altar the spirits of those who had been slain because of their witness to the word of God. — These are the people who have undergone the great persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, alleluia. Second reading From the commentary on the first letter of Peter by Saint Bede the Venerable, priest A chosen race, a royal priesthood You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood. This praise was given long ago by Moses to the ancient people of God, and now the apostle Peter rightly gives it to the Gentiles, since they have come to believe in Christ who, as the cornerstone, has brought the nations together in the salvation that belonged to Israel. Peter calls them a chosen race because of their faith, to distinguish them from those who by refusing to accept the living stone have themselves been rejected. They are a royal priesthood because they are united to the body of Christ, the supreme king and true priest. As sovereign he grants them his kingdom, and as high priest he washes away their sins by the offering of his blood. Peter says they are a royal priesthood; they must always remember to hope for an everlasting kingdom and to offer to God the sacrifice of a blameless life. They are also called a consecrated nation, a people claimed by God as his own, in accordance with the apostle Paul’s explanation of the prophet’s teaching: My righteous man lives by faith; but if he draws back, I will take no pleasure in him. But we, he says, are not the sort of people who draw back and are lost; ,we are those who remain faithful until we are saved. In the Acts of the Apostles we read: The Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. Thus, through the blood of our Redeemer, we have become a people claimed by God as his own, as in ancient times the people of Israel were ransomed from Egypt by the blood of a lamb. In the next verse, Peter also makes a veiled allusion to the ancient story, and explains that this story is to be spiritually fulfilled by the new people of God, so that, he says, they may declare his wonderful deeds. Those who were freed by Moses from slavery in Egypt sang a song of triumph to the Lord after they had crossed the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army had been overwhelmed; in the same way, now that our sins have been washed away in baptism, we too should express fitting gratitude for the gifts of heaven. The Egyptians who oppressed the people of God, and who can also stand for darkness or trials, are an apt symbol of the sins that once oppressed us but have now been destroyed in baptism. The deliverance of the children of Israel and their journey to the long-promised land correspond with the mystery of our redemption. We are making our way toward the light of our heavenly home with the grace of Christ leading us and showing us the way. The light of his grace was also symbolized by the cloud and the pillar of fire, which protected the Israelites from darkness throughout their journey, and brought them by a wonderful path to their promised homeland. RESPONSORY 1 Peter 2:9; Deuteronomy 7:7; 13:5 You are a chosen race, a holy nation, a people God has claimed as his own. — Proclaim the marvelous works of him who has called us out of darkness into his own wonderful light, alleluia. The Lord chose you and freed you from the land of slavery. — Proclaim the marvelous works of him who has called us out of darkness into his own wonderful light, alleluia. CONCLUDING PRAYER Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, putting off our old self with all its ways, we may live as Christ did, for through the healing paschal remedies you have conformed us to his nature. 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 20th, 2026 – Morning Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1049 Proper of Seasons: 706 Psalter: Monday, Week III, 1382 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Seasons: 476 Psalter: Monday, Week III, 867 Morning Prayer for Monday 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 Blessing and honor and glory and power, Wisdom and riches and strength evermore, Give we to God who our battle has won, Whose are the kingdom, the crown, and the throne. Hear through the heavens the sound of God's name, While rings the earth with God's glory and fame; Ocean and mountain, stream, forest, and flower Echo God's praises and tell of God's power. Ever ascending the song and the prayer; Ever descending the love that we share; Blessing and honor and glory and praise-- This is the theme of the hymns that we raise. Let us give glory and praise to the Lamb; Taking the robe and the harp and the palm; Singing the song of the Lamb that was slain, Dying in weakness but rising to reign. 𝄞"Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NQ2LY98/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk13] • Musical Score [https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/divineoffice/Blessing_and_Honor_and_Glory_and_Power.pdf] • Title: Blessing and honor and glory and power; Text: Horatius Bonar (1858); Tune: O QUANTA QUALIA; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2017 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. 1 My heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God, alleluia. Psalm 84 Longing for God’s Temple Here we do not have a lasting city; we seek a home that is yet to come (Hebrews 13:14). How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, God of hosts. My soul is longing and yearning, is yearning for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my soul ring out their joy to God, the living God. The sparrow herself finds a home and the swallow a nest for her brood; she lays her young by your altars, Lord of hosts, my king and my God. They are happy, who dwell in your house, for ever singing your praise. They are happy, whose strength is in you, in whose hearts are the roads to Zion. As they go through the Bitter Valley they make it a place of springs (the autumn rain covers it with blessings). They walk with ever growing strength, they will see the God of gods in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer, give ear, O God of Jacob. Turn your eyes, O God, our shield, look on the face of your anointed. One day within your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. The threshold of the house of God I prefer to the dwellings of the wicked. For the Lord God is a rampart, a shield; he will give us his favor and glory. The Lord will not refuse any good to those who walk without blame. Lord, God of hosts, happy the man who trusts in 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 Bless your people, Lord. You have given us the law that we may walk from strength to strength and raise our minds to you from this valley of tears. May we receive the gifts you have gained for us. Ant. My heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God, alleluia. Ant. 2 The house of the Lord has been raised on high, and all the nations will go up to it, alleluia. Canticle – Isaiah 2:2-5 The mountain of the Lord’s dwelling towers above every mountain All peoples shall come and worship in your presence (Revelation 15:4). In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: “Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! 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 house of the Lord has been raised on high, and all the nations will go up to it, alleluia. Ant. 3 Proclaim this among the nations: the Lord is king, alleluia. Psalm 96 The Lord, king and judge of the world A new theme now inspires their praise of God; they belong to the Lamb (see Revelation 14:3). O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. O sing to the Lord, bless his name. Proclaim his help day by day, tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples. The Lord is great and worthy of praise, to be feared above all gods; the gods of the heathens are naught. It was the Lord who made the heavens, his are majesty and state and power and splendor in his holy place. Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power; give the Lord the glory of his name. Bring an offering and enter his courts, worship the Lord in his temple. O earth, tremble before him. Proclaim to the nations: “God is king.” The world he made firm in its place; he will judge the people in fairness. Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad, let the sea and all within it thunder praise, let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. With justice he will rule the world, he will judge the peoples with his truth. 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, you have renewed the face of the earth. Your Church throughout the world sings you a new song, announcing your wonders to all. Through a virgin, you have brought forth a new birth in our world; through your miracles, a new power; through your suffering, a new patience; in your resurrection, a new hope, and in your ascension, new majesty. Ant. Proclaim this among the nations: the Lord is king, alleluia. READING Romans 10:8b-10 The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach). For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Faith in the heart leads to justification, confession on the lips to salvation. 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. Do not work for food that will perish, but for food that lasts to eternal life, 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. Do not work for food that will perish, but for food that lasts to eternal life, alleluia. INTERCESSIONS The Father glorified Jesus and appointed him heir to all nations. Let us praise him, saying: Save us, Lord, through your victory. Lord Christ, by your victory you broke the power of evil and destroyed sin and death, — make us victorious over sin today. Save us, Lord, through your victory. You laid death low, and brought us new life, — grant that we may walk today in this new life. Save us, Lord, through your victory. You gave life to the dead, and led mankind from death to life, — give eternal life to all those we shall meet today. Save us, Lord, through your victory. You brought confusion on the guards at your tomb, but joy to your disciples, — grant the fullness of joy to all who serve you. Save us, Lord, through 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 Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, putting off our old self with all its ways, we may live as Christ did, for through the healing paschal remedies you have conformed us to his nature. 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 20th, 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: 707 (antiphon, reading, concluding prayer) Midmorning Prayer for Monday 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 According to Thy gracious word, In meek humility, This will I do, my dying Lord, I will remember Thee. Thy body, broken for my sake, My bread from heaven shall be; Thy testamental cup I take, And thus remember Thee. 𝄞"According to Thy Gracious Word" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NR5TD21/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk1] • Title: According to Thy Gracious Word; Text: James Montgomery; Tune: TALLIS' ORDINAL by Thomas Tallis, ca. 1567; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2017 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 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 Revelation 1:17c-18 I saw the Son of Man, who said to me: I am the First and the Last and the One who lives. Once I was dead but now I live — forever and ever. I hold the keys of death and the nether world. 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 Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, putting off our old self with all its ways, we may live as Christ did, for through the healing paschal remedies you have conformed us to his nature. 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.

April 20th, 2026 – Midday Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1054 Proper of Seasons: 708 Psalter: Monday, Week III, 1388 Midday Prayer for Monday in Week 3 of Easter, using the Current 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 Almighty Ruler, God of Truth, Who guide and master all, The rays with which you gild the dawn With noonday heat now fall. O quench the fires of hatred, Lord, Of anger and of strife, Bring health to every mind and heart That peace may enter life. Most holy Father, grant our prayer Through Christ your only Son That in your Spirit we may live And praise you ever one. 𝄞"Almighty Ruler, God of Truth" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NR95M83/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk5] • Ralph Wright, 1808; Melody: St. Anne; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Psalm 119:89-96 XII (Lamed) A meditation on God’s law I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34). Your word, O Lord, for ever stands firm in the heavens: your truth lasts from age to age, like the earth you created. By your decree it endures to this day; for all things serve you. Had your law not been my delight I would have died in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts for with them you give me life. Save me, for I am yours since I seek your precepts. Though the wicked lie in wait to destroy me yet I ponder on your will. I have seen that all perfection has an end but your command is boundless. 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, your Word, which stands firm for ever in heaven, dwells in your Church; may his presence bring lasting light to your temple. Psalm 71 You have stood by me, Lord, from my youth Let hope be your joy; be patient in trials (Romans 12:12). I In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, free me; pay heed to me and save me. Be a rock where I can take refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me; for you are my rock, my stronghold. Free me from the hand of the wicked, from the grip of the unjust, of the oppressor. It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth; from my mother’s womb you have been my help. My hope has always been in you. My fate has filled many with awe but you are my strong refuge. My lips are filled with your praise, with your glory all the day long. Do not reject me now that I am old; when my strength fails do not forsake me. For my enemies are speaking about me; those who watch me take counsel together. Saying: God has forsaken him; follow him, seize him; there is no one to save him.” O God, do not stay far off: my God, make haste to help me! Let them be put to shame and destroyed, all those who seek my life. Let them be covered with shame and confusion, all those who seek to harm 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. II But as for me, I will always hope and praise you more and more. My lips will tell of your justice and day by day of your help though I can never tell it all. Lord, I will declare your mighty deeds, proclaiming your justice, yours alone. O God, you have taught me from my youth and I proclaim your wonders still. Now that I am old and gray-headed, do not forsake me, God. Let me tell of your strength and justice to the skies, tell of you who have worked such wonders. O God, who is like you? You have burdened me with bitter troubles but you will give me back my life. You will raise me from the depths of the earth; you will exalt me and console me again. So I will give you thanks on the lyre for your faithful love, O God. To you will I sing with the harp, to you, the Holy One of Israel. When I sing to you my lips shall rejoice and my soul, which you have redeemed. And all the day long my tongue shall tell the tale of your justice: for they are put to shame and disgraced, all those who seek to harm 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. Psalm Prayer Lord, God of the living, you give us lasting youth through the waters of rebirth, and happiness through the bread of life. Do not desert us when we are old, but help us to follow your will in both good times and bad, so that we may for ever praise your faithfulness. Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. READING Colossians 2:9, 12 In Christ the fullness of deity resides in bodily form. Yours is a share of this fullness. In baptism you were not only buried with him but also raised to life with him because you believed in the power of God who raised him from the dead. 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 disciples rejoiced, alleluia. — When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia. CONCLUDING PRAYER Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, putting off our old self with all its ways, we may live as Christ did, for through the healing paschal remedies you have conformed us to his nature. 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.