June 29th, 2026 – Morning Prayer – Solemnity – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

June 29th, 2026 – A Solemnity, a Feast and the Race to the Finish – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

The Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time ·  The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles, The Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle  ·  Liturgical Colors: Red/Green/White Saint Paul’s words in Morning Prayer on Monday hold the key for the entire week: “I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith.” That word — kept — is the thread. Not won, not achieved, not completed: kept. Carried. Brought through. What follows across the week is a series of portraits of what keeping the faith actually looks like from the inside: the sincerity with which we approach God in prayer; the genuine thirst that drives us toward Him; the honest encounter that heals doubt; the humility that never stops begging for pardon. Together they form a picture not of faith as arrival, but of faith as a sustained, whole-person orientation — a race that is kept until it is finally, irrevocably, finished. I Have Run the Race to the Finish Near the end of his life, writing from prison and awaiting execution, Saint Paul sends a sentence to Timothy that the Church has carried ever since. The liturgy places it on our lips at Morning Prayer this week, as the third antiphon of the Psalmody: * “I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith.” —  Ant. 3, Monday, Morning Prayer (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul) Three verbs, and the most important is the last: not won, not arrived, but kept. Carried through. The Solemnity holds both apostles before us — Saint Peter, who gave the confession on which the Church is built, and Saint Paul, who ran to the ends of the earth without looking back. Their witness is not a single heroic act but a life sustained from beginning to end. The weekday Hours that follow ask, quietly and from different angles, what that sustaining looks like in practice. Saint Teresa of Avila, in Tuesday‘s Office of Readings, starts with a surprising question: would we approach anyone important carelessly, without thinking over what we wanted to say? * “When asking a favor of some person of importance, would anyone be so ill-mannered and thoughtless as not first to consider how best to address him?” — Second Reading, Office of Readings. The Hours are the Church’s answer to that question: a daily structure for approaching God with the care and honesty that every genuine relationship requires. Not pretending or performing, but genuine attention. Saint Jerome, on Thursday, gives the same question a different image: the newly baptized, fresh from the waters, “long for God as the deer longs for running water.” Not performing, longing — actually thirsting. The race Saint Paul describes is kept day by day in exactly this kind of sincerity. This sincerity reaches its fullest expression on Friday, the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Saint Thomas was absent from the upper room on Easter evening. He refused to believe the testimony of the other disciples. He demanded proof. And Saint Gregory the Great, in the Office of Readings, names the gift hidden in that refusal: * “The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples.” — Second Reading, Office of Readings, Feast of Saint Thomas God, Saint Gregory says, arranged it in his providence that the one disciple who required honest encounter with the wounds would become the ground on which every honest doubter after him could arrive at faith. The Church marks his feast with a rare symmetry: the same antiphon at Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer both — “With your hand, touch the mark of the nails; doubt no longer, but believe, alleluia” — the Lord’s own words framing the whole day. The week closes on Sunday with Saint Augustine, who supplies the one word that prevents any of this from becoming self-congratulation. Do not assume, he says, that a good life excuses the need for ongoing repentance: * “Our lives should be praised only when we continue to beg for pardon.” — Second Reading, Office of Readings, 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time Saint Paul’s “I have kept the faith” and Saint Augustine’s “we continue to beg for pardon” belong together. The race is real. The finish line is real. And the honest heart — the one that runs without pretending it has already arrived — is the one that keeps it to the end. 🕊 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f54a.png]Pray Morning Prayer for the Solemnity of Peter and Paul: https://divineoffice.org/today/morning-prayer/?date=20260629 [https://divineoffice.org/today/morning-prayer/?date=20260629] 🕊 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f54a.png] Pray Office of Readings for the Feast of Saint Thomas: https://divineoffice.org/today [https://divineoffice.org/today/morning-prayer/?date=20260524]/office-of-readings/ [https://divineoffice.org/today/office-of-readings/?date=20260524]?date=20260703 [https://divineoffice.org/today/morning-prayer/?date=20260703] Divine Office has kept the Hours available online for twenty years — freely, for anyone who needs them. If this ministry accompanies your daily prayer, please consider helping it. Your contribution sustains our daily efforts: maintaining the website, preparing for the new translation, producing recordings, and funding our Spanish Liturgy of the Hours project. divineoffice.org/contribute [http://divineoffice.org/contribute] With gratitude,  The Divine Office Team

June 29th, 2026 – About Today – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

About Today - Sts Peter and Paul by Masolino da Panicale, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Masolino_-_Saints_Paul_and_Peter_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg/500px-Masolino_-_Saints_Paul_and_Peter_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg?20121002022014] June 29 SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES Solemnity “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide;” (Jn 15:16). [1] Today is the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles. These two very different men were united in their faith in Christ, their service to the Church, and in their near contemporaneous martyrdoms in Rome. However, Peter, the first to profess, and Paul, who deepened the faith, would come to lead Christ’s Church through their own unique charisms. In The Twofold Mission of Peter and Paul in the Church we hear, “And so, each in a different way gathered together the one family of Christ; and revered together throughout the world, they share one Martyr’s crown.” Also, in these saints, we see Jesus forming friendship, carefully calling His disciples by name. He elevated Saul to Paul and Simon to Peter, just as He lovingly befriends, calls, and elevates us today. Sts. Peter and Paul honored Christ with the totality of their lives, modeling for us what our response to Jesus’ friendship can be. [2][3][4] Written by Sarah Ciotti Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD [1] Revised Standard Version s.v., “John, The Gospel According to.’ [2] Benedict XVI, Homily, June 29, 2011. [3] John Paul II, Homily, June 29, 2003. [4] “Preface: The Twofold Mission of Peter and Paul in the Church,” Magnificat, 14:4 (2012): 406.

June 29th, 2026 – Invitatory – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles. 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, the King of apostles. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles. 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, the King of apostles. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord, the King of apostles. 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, the King of apostles. 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, the King of apostles.

June 29th, 2026 – Office of Readings – Solemnity – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III: Ordinary: 651 Proper of Saints: 1503 Psalter from the Common of the Apostles: 1661 Office of Readings for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles 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 If you love me, Simon Peter, feed my sheep. 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. If you love me, Simon Peter, feed my sheep. Ant. 2 For me life is Christ, and death is gain; I must glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 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 depth 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. For me life is Christ, and death is gain; I must glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ant. 3 Lord, if it is you, bid me walk across the waters. 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. Lord, if it is you, bid me walk across the waters. 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 word of the Lord lives for ever. — This is the good news that has been preached to you. READINGS First reading From a letter of the apostle Paul to the Galatians The discussion between Peter and Paul The time came when he who had set me apart before I was born and called me by his favor chose to reveal his Son to me, that I might spread among the Gentiles the good tidings concerning him. Immediately, without seeking human advisers or even going to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, I went off to Arabia; later I returned to Damascus. Three years after that I went up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, with whom I stayed fifteen days. I did not meet any other apostles except James, the brother of the Lord. I declare before God that what I have just written is true. Thereafter I entered the regions of Syria and Cilicia. The communities of Christ in Judea had no idea what I looked like; they had only heard that “he who was formerly persecuting us is now preaching the faith he tried to destroy,” and they gave glory to God on my account. Then, after fourteen years, I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, this time taking Titus with me. I went prompted by a revelation, and I laid out for their scrutiny the gospel as I present it to the Gentiles—all this in private conference with the leaders, to make sure the course I was pursuing, or had pursued, was not useless. Not even Titus, who was with me, was ordered to undergo circumcision, despite his being a Greek. Certain false claimants to the title of brother were smuggled in; they wormed their way into the group to spy on the freedom we enjoy in Christ Jesus and thereby to make slaves of us, but we did not submit to them for a moment. We resisted so that the truth of the gospel might survive intact for your benefit. Those who were regarded as important, however (and it makes no difference to me how prominent they were—God plays no favorites), made me add nothing. On the contrary, recognizing that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter as his apostle among the Jews had been at work in me for the Gentiles), and recognizing, too, the favor bestowed on me, those who were the acknowledged pillars, James, Cephas, and John, gave Barnabas and me the handclasp of fellowship, signifying that we should go to the Gentiles as they to the Jews. The only stipulation was that we should be mindful of the poor—the one thing that I was making every effort to do. RESPONSORY Matthew 16:18-19 You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. — I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be held bound in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth will be held loosed in heaven. — I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Second reading From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop The martyrs realized what they taught This day has been made holy by the passion of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul. We are, therefore, not talking about some obscure martyrs. For their voice has gone forth to all the world, and to the ends of the earth their message. These martyrs realized what they taught: they pursued justice, they confessed the truth, they died for it. Saint Peter, the first of the apostles and a fervent lover of Christ, merited to hear these words: I say to you that you are Peter, for he had said: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then Christ said: And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church. On this rock I will build the faith that you now confess, and on your words: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, I will build my Church. For you are Peter, and the name Peter comes from petra, the word for “rock,” and not vice versa. “Peter” comes, therefore, from petra, just as “Christian” comes from Christ. As you are aware, Jesus chose his disciples before his passion and called them apostles; and among these almost everywhere Peter alone deserved to represent the entire Church. And because of that role which he alone had, he merited to hear the words: To you I shall give the keys of the kingdom of heaven. For it was not one man who received the keys, but the entire Church considered as one. Now insofar as he represented the unity and universality of the Church, Peter’s preeminence is clear from the words: To you I give, for what was given was given to all. For the fact that it was the Church that received the keys of the kingdom of God is clear from what the Lord says elsewhere to all the apostles: Receive the Holy Spirit, adding immediately, whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven, and whose sins you retain, they are retained. Rightly then did the Lord after his resurrection entrust Peter with the feeding of his sheep. Yet he was not the only disciple to merit the feeding of the Lord’s sheep; but Christ in speaking only to one suggests the unity of all; and so he speaks to Peter, because Peter is first among the apostles. Therefore do not be disheartened, Peter; reply once, reply twice, reply a third time. The triple confession of your love is to regain what was lost three times by your fear. You must loose three times what you bound three times; untie by love that which your fear bound. Once, and again, and a third time did the Lord entrust his sheep to Peter. Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching and their confession of faith. RESPONSORY Blessed apostle Paul, preacher of the truth and teacher of the Gentiles, — you are truly worthy of praise. Through you all peoples have come to know God’s grace. — You are truly worthy of praise. 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 Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. 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.

June 29th, 2026 – Morning Prayer – Solemnity – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours

Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III: Ordinary: 654 Proper of Saints: 1508 Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week I, 688 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Saints: 1181 Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week I, 707 Morning Prayer for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles 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 I know the one whom I have trusted and I am certain that he, the just judge, has power to keep safe what he has entrusted to me until that Day. Psalm 63:2-9 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. I know the one whom I have trusted and I am certain that he, the just judge, has power to keep safe what he has entrusted to me until that Day. Ant. 2 God’s grace in me has not been without fruit; it is always at work in me. Canticle – Daniel 3:57-88, 56 Let all creatures praise the Lord All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revelation 19:5). 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 for ever. Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all for ever. Ant. God’s grace in me has not been without fruit; it is always at work in me. Ant. 3 I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith. 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. I have fought the good fight; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith. READING 1 Peter 4:13-14 Beloved, rejoice in the measure that you share Christ’s sufferings. When his glory is revealed, you will rejoice exultantly. Happy are you when you are insulted for the sake of Christ, for then God’s Spirit in its glory has come to rest on 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 They gave up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — They gave up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. They went forth rejoicing because they have been found worthy to suffer insult, — for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — They gave up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. Simon Peter said: Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we believe and we are convinced that you are the Christ, the Son of God, 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. Simon Peter said: Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we believe and we are convinced that you are the Christ, the Son of God, alleluia. INTERCESSIONS The Lord Jesus built his holy people on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. In faith let us pray: Bless your Church, O Lord. You prayed that the faith of Peter would not fail, — strengthen the faith of your Church. Bless your Church, O Lord. You appeared to Peter after your resurrection and you appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, — strengthen our faith, so that we may steadfastly proclaim that you have risen from the dead. Bless your Church, O Lord. You chose Paul as an apostle to preach your message to the Gentiles, — make us faithful preachers of your Gospel. Bless your Church, O Lord. You mercifully forgave Peter’s denials, — forgive us all of our sins. Bless your Church, O Lord. 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, O Lord our God, that we may be sustained by the intercession of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, as through them you gave your Church the foundations of her heavenly office, so through them you may help her to eternal salvation. 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.