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

April 25th, 2026 – About Today – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

About Today - Saint Mark by Artus Wolffort [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Artus_Wolffort_-_Saint_Mark.jpg/500px-Artus_Wolffort_-_Saint_Mark.jpg] April 25 SAINT MARK, EVANGELIST Feast Saint Mark the Evangelist authored the Gospel According to Mark. He was one of the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ. He and his mother, Mary, were integral in the early church movement; Mary opening up her home as a Christian meeting place. Also, Saint Mark’s journey with Saint Paul and Saint Barnabas is recorded in Acts as they traveled through Cyprus and Rome carrying the Word. Church writings accredit Saint Mark as founding the Church in Alexandria and consequently, serving as bishop there. Saint Mark’s emblem in Christian literature and art is the lion. He is the Patron Saint of Venice. [1][2] Written by Sarah Ciotti [1] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Mark.” [2]. Herbert J. Thurston, S.J., Donald Attwater, “St Anselm,” in Butler’s Lives of the Saints (Indiana: Ave Maria Press, Inc.,1956),160.

April 25th, 2026 – Invitatory – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Antiphon: 1782 Psalm: 1298 Christian Prayer: Antiphon: Psalm: 820 Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel, alleluia. Psalm 67 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. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel, alleluia. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel, alleluia. 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. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel, alleluia. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel, alleluia. 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. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel, 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. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel, alleluia.

April 25th, 2026 – Office of Readings – Feast – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1045 Proper of Saints: 1782 Common of the Apostles: 1951 Office of Readings for the Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist 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 Faith of our Fathers! faith and prayer Shall win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God, Mankind shall then indeed be free. Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. Faith of our Fathers! we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife: And preach thee too as love knows how, By kindly deeds and virtuous life. Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. Faith of our Fathers! faith and prayer Shall win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God, Mankind shall then indeed be free. Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. 𝄞"Faith of Our Fathers" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NTT8PX6/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk10] • Musical Score [https://divineoffice.org/wp-content/uploads/Faith-of-Our-Fathers.pdf] • Text: Frederick William Faber, 1814-1863; Music: Henry F. Hemy, 1818-1888, and James G. Walton, 1821-1905; Melody: Saint Catherine L.M.; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 3 PSALMODY Ant. 1 Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world, alleluia. Psalm 19A Praise of the Lord, Creator of all The dawn from on high shall break on us… to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:78, 79). The heavens proclaim the glory of God and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands. Day unto day takes up the story and night unto night makes known the message. No speech, no word, no voice is heard yet their span extends through all the earth, their words to the utmost bounds of the world. There he has placed a tent for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent, rejoices like a champion to run its course. At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun; to the furthest end of the sky is its course. There is nothing concealed from its burning heat. 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. Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world, alleluia. Ant. 2 They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds, alleluia. Psalm 64 Prayer for help against enemies This psalm commemorates most particularly our Lord’s passion (Saint Augustine). Hear my voice, O God, as I complain, guard my life from dread of the foe. Hide me from the band of the wicked, from the throng of those who do evil. They sharpen their tongues like swords; they aim bitter words like arrows to shoot at the innocent from ambush, shooting suddenly and recklessly. They scheme their evil course; they conspire to lay secret snares. They say: “Who will see us? Who can search out our crimes?” He will search who searches the mind and knows the depths of the heart. God has shot them with his arrow and dealt them sudden wounds. Their own tongue has brought them to ruin and all who see them mock. Then will all men fear; they will tell what God has done. They will understand God’s deeds. The just will rejoice in the Lord and fly to him for refuge. All the upright hearts will glory. 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. They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds, alleluia. Ant. 3 God’s holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God’s glory, alleluia. Psalm 97 The glory of the Lord in his decrees for the world This psalm foretells a world-wide salvation and that peoples of all nations will believe in Christ (St. Athanasius). The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, let all the coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right. A fire prepares his path; it burns up his foes on every side. His lightnings light up the world, the earth trembles at the sight. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory. Let those who serve idols be ashamed, those who boast of their worthless gods. All you spirits, worship him. Zion hears and is glad; the people of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O Lord. For you indeed are the Lord, most high above all the earth, exalted far above all spirits. The Lord loves those who hate evil: he guards the souls of his saints; he sets them free from the wicked. Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; give glory to his holy name. 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’s holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God’s glory, 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. The Lord will give his message to the preachers of the Gospel, alleluia. — He will give them strength to proclaim it fearlessly, alleluia. READINGS First Reading From the letter of the apostle Paul to the Ephesians 4:1-16 The various graces for the different ministries in the one body of Christ. I plead with you, then, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, with perfect humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly. Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and works through all, and is in all. Each of us has received God’s favor in the measure in which Christ bestows it. Thus you find Scripture saying: “When he ascended on high, he took a host of captives and gave gifts to men.” “He ascended” — what does this mean but that he had first descended into the lower regions of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended high above the heavens, that he might fill all men with his gifts. It is he who gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ, till we become one in faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, and form that perfect man who is Christ come to full stature. Let us, then, be children no longer, tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine that originates in human trickery and skill in proposing error. Rather, let us profess the truth in love and grow to the full maturity of Christ the head. Through him the whole body grows, and with the proper functioning of the members joined firmly together by each supporting ligament, builds itself up in love. RESPONSORY 2 Peter 1:21; Proverbs 2:6 No prophecy ever came from man. — The men who spoke the word of God were inspired by the Holy Spirit, alleluia. The Lord gives wisdom; knowledge and understanding flow from his mouth — The men who spoke the word of God were inspired by the Holy Spirit, alleluia. Second reading From the treatise Against Heresies by Saint Irenaeus, bishop Preaching truth The Church, which has spread everywhere, even to the ends of the earth, received the faith from the apostles and their disciples. By faith, we believe in one God, the almighty Father who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became man for our salvation. And we believe in the Holy Spirit who through the prophets foretold God’s plan: the coming of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, his birth from the Virgin, his passion, his resurrection from the dead, his ascension into heaven, and his final coming from heaven in the glory of his Father, to recapitulate all things and to raise all men from the dead, so that, by the decree of his invisible Father, he may make a just judgment in all things and so that every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth to Jesus Christ our Lord and our God, our Savior and our King, and every tongue confess him. The Church, spread throughout the whole world, received this preaching and this faith and now preserves it carefully, dwelling as it were in one house. Having one soul and one heart, the Church holds this faith, preaches and teaches it consistently as though by a single voice. For though there are different languages, there is but one tradition. The faith and the tradition of the churches founded in Germany are no different from those founded among the Spanish and the Celts, in the East, in Egypt, in Libya and elsewhere in the Mediterranean world. Just as God’s creature, the sun, is one and the same the world over, so also does the Church’s preaching shine everywhere to enlighten all men who want to come to a knowledge of the truth. Now of those who speak with authority in the churches, no preacher however forceful will utter anything different — for no one is above the Master — nor will a less forceful preacher diminish what has been handed down. Since our faith is everywhere the same, no one who can say more augments it, nor can anyone who says less diminish it. RESPONSORY 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, 21 Christ sent me to preach the Gospel, but not with the wisdom of this world in which the cross of Christ loses all its meaning. — For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are on the way to destruction; but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the proof of God’s power, alleluia. The world did not come to know God through wisdom; it has pleased God to save those who believed through the foolishness of the message we preach. — For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are on the way to destruction; but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the proof of God’s power, alleluia. TE DEUM You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the King of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come, and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance. — Govern and uphold them now and always. Day by day we bless you. — We praise your name for ever. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin. — Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. Lord, show us your love and mercy, — for we have put our trust in you. In you, Lord, is our hope: — And we shall never hope in vain. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel, grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. 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 25th, 2026 – Morning Prayer – Feast – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. II: Ordinary: 1049 Proper of Saints: 1786 Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week I, 1088 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Saints: 1132 Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week I, 707 Morning Prayer for the Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist 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 Christ Jesus, Lord, true Light of Light Begotten Son of God most high, You sent the Twelve afar to teach And spread the faith throughout the world. You gave them special gifts and grace, And sent them out the world to win To bring the gospel's truth to all, Its seed to scatter far and wide. Appeased by your apostles' prayer, Be gracious to us Lord, we pray, Smile down on us as we rejoice To celebrate their feast today. By their great merits keep us safe From every snare of sin and death, Since we preserve in faithful hearts The holy teaching they proclaimed. With face serene look down on us, Correct us with your loving gaze, That we may conquer by your grace The evils that beset our way. All glory be to you, O Lord, Beyond the limits of all time, Who by your true apostles' words, Lead us, your children, safely home. Amen. 𝄞"Christ Jesus, Lord, True Light of Light" by Kathleen Lundquist [http://www.mystagogia.net] • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P3VFDWT/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk2] • Title: Christ Jesus, Lord, True Light of Light; Text: Claro paschali gaudio, 11th c.; Tr. the Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK; Tune: Chant, Mode III; Liber Hymnarius; Artist: Kathleen Lundquist; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. 1 The holy evangelists searched the wisdom of past ages. Through their gospels they confirmed the words of the prophets, alleluia. Psalm 63 A soul thirsting for God Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God. O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy. On my bed I remember you. On you I muse through the night for you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast. 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 holy evangelists searched the wisdom of past ages. Through their gospels they confirmed the words of the prophets, alleluia. Ant. 2 Through the Gospel God called us to believe in the truth and to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia. Canticle – Daniel 3:57-88, 56 Let all creatures praise the Lord The Creator… is blessed for ever (Romans 1:25) Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. You heavens, bless the Lord. All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord. Sun and moon, bless the Lord. Stars of heaven, bless the Lord. Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. All you winds, bless the Lord. Fire and heat, bless the Lord. Cold and chill, bless the Lord. Dew and rain, bless the Lord. Frost and chill, bless the Lord. Ice and snow, bless the Lord. Nights and days, bless the Lord. Light and darkness, bless the Lord. Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord. Let the earth bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord. You springs, bless the Lord. Seas and rivers, bless the Lord. You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. All you birds of the air, bless the Lord. All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. You sons of men, bless the Lord. O Israel, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord. Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord. Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let us praise and exalt him above all forever. Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever. Ant. Through the Gospel God called us to believe in the truth and to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia. Ant. 3 Many will praise their wisdom; it shall be remembered for ever, alleluia. Psalm 149 The joy of God’s holy people Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new people, rejoice in Christ, their King (Hesychius). Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its maker, let Zion’s sons exult in their king. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation. Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, shout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal out vengeance to the nations and punishment on all the peoples; to bind their kings in chains and their nobles in fetters of iron; to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; this honor is for all his faithful. 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. Many will praise their wisdom; it shall be remembered for ever, alleluia. READING 1 Corinthians 15:1-2a, 3-4 Brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and in which you stand firm. You are being saved by it at this very moment. I handed on to you first of all what I myself received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures; that he was buried and, in accordance with the Scriptures, rose on the third day. 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 They proclaimed the Lord’s praises, told of his power to save, alleluia, alleluia. — They proclaimed the Lord’s praises, told of his power to save, alleluia, alleluia. And of the wonders he had worked, — alleluia, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — They proclaimed the Lord’s praises, told of his power to save, alleluia, alleluia. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, preachers and teachers were sent out to be ministers of the faith for all who believe, 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. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, preachers and teachers were sent out to be ministers of the faith for all who believe, alleluia. INTERCESSIONS Let us sing a song of praise to our Savior, who destroyed the power of death and made clear the path to life and immortality through the Gospel; and let us petition him in humble supplication: Strengthen your Church in faith and love. You gave wonderful guidance to your Church through her holy and distinguished teachers, —may Christians rejoice always in the splendid legacy given to your Church. Strengthen your Church in faith and love. When their holy pastors prayed to you, as Moses had done, you forgave the sins of the people, —through the intercession of these holy pastors continue to sanctify and purify your Church. Strengthen your Church in faith and love. You anointed your holy ones in the midst of their brothers and called the Holy Spirit down upon them, —fill all the leaders of your people with the Holy Spirit. Strengthen your Church in faith and love. You yourself are the sole possession of your holy pastors, —grant that those you have redeemed with your blood may remain always in you. Strengthen your Church in faith and love. 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 raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel, grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. 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 25th, 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 Saints: 1788 (reading, concluding prayer) Midmorning Prayer for the Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist, 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 1 I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise, that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies. I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; the moon shines full at his command, and all the stars obey. 2 I sing the goodness of the Lord, that filled the earth with food; He formed the creatures with his word, and then pronounced them good. Lord, how your wonders are displayed, where'er I turn my eyes, if I survey the ground I tread or gaze upon the skies. 3 There's not a plant or flower below but makes your glories known; And clouds arise and tempests blow by order from your throne; while all that borrows life from you is ever in your care, and everywhere that man can be, you, God, are present there. 𝄞"I Sing the Mighty Power of God" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NTRSS3G/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk10] • Musical Score [https://divineoffice.org/wp-content/uploads/I-Sing-the-Mighty-Power-of-God.pdf] • Title: I Sing the Might Power of God; Text: Isaac Watts, 1715; Music: Wurtemburg Gesangbuch, 1784; Melody: Ellacombe C.M.D.; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 4 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 Romans 1:16-17 I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God leading everyone who believes in it to salvation, the Jew first, then the Greek. For in the gospel is revealed the justice of God which begins and ends with faith; as Scripture says, “The just man shall live by faith” 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. Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, alleluia. — Their words to the ends of the world, alleluia. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who raised up Saint Mark, your Evangelist, and endowed him with the grace to preach the Gospel, grant, we pray, that we may so profit from his teaching as to follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. 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.