Evening Prayer

 

HYMN

 

Jesus, giver of eternal salvation,

come to the aid of the redeemed. 

Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, 

obtain salvation for your servants.

 

And you princes who reign in heaven’s court, 

hear the prayers of your suppliants 

who pray to you for heaven’s gifts.

 

Triumphant host of martyrs, 

loving band of priests,

choir of chaste virgins, 

cleanse us of all our guilt.

 

Power, honor, praise, and glory

be to God the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit,

now and forevermore.

Amen.

 

PSALMODY

 

Ant. 1 I saw a huge crowd which no one could count 

from all nations standing before the throne.

Psalm 15

 

Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent *
and dwell on your holy mountain?

He who walks without fault: *
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart; *
he who does not slander with his tongue;

he who does no wrong to his brother, *
who casts no slur on his neighbor,
who holds the godless in disdain, *
but honors those who fear the Lord;

he who keeps his pledge, come what may; *
who takes no interest on a loan
and accepts no bribes against the innocent. *
Such a man will stand firm 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.

Ant. I saw a huge crowd which no one could count from

all nations standing before the throne.

 

Ant. 2 They had the name of the Lamb and the name of

the Father written on their foreheads.

 

Psalm 112

 

Happy the man who fears the Lord, *
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; *
the children of the upright are blessed.

Riches and wealth are in his house; *
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright: *
he is generous, merciful and just.

The good man takes pity and lends, *
he conducts his affairs with honor.
The just man will never waver: *
he will be remembered for ever.

He has no fear of evil news; *
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear; *
he will see the downfall of his foes.

Open-handed, he gives to the poor; †
his justice stands firm for ever. *
His head will be raised in glory.

The wicked man sees and is angry, †
grinds his teeth and fades away; *
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.

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 had the name of the Lamb and the name of

the Father written on their foreheads.

 

Ant 3. All of the saints rejoice with Christ; robed in white

garments they follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

Canticle: Revelation 15:3-4

 

Mighty and wonderful are your works, *
Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways, *
O King of the nations!

Who would dare refuse you honor, *
or the glory due your name, O Lord?

Since you alone are holy, *
all nations shall come
and worship in your presence. *
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.

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. All of the saints rejoice with Christ; robed in white

garments they follow the Lamb wherever he goes.

 

 

READING         Sirach 44:1, 6-7

Now will I praise those godly men, 

     our ancestors, each in his own time. 

Stalwart men, solidly established 

     and at peace in their own estates. 

All these were glorious in their time, 

     each illustrious in his day.

 

 

RESPONSORY

 

This is true brotherhood

—-which conquers the world’s darkness by the love of Christ.

 

And possesses the glorious kingdom of heaven

—-which conquers the world’s darkness by the love of Christ.

 

Glory to the Father . . .

—-This is true brotherhood . . .

 

 

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. They have not heard from of old, nor has ear ever heard, nor eye ever seen,

O God, what you have prepared for those who await you.

 

My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children 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.

Ant. They have not heard from of old, nor has ear ever heard, nor eye ever seen,

O God, what you have prepared for those who await you.

 

 

INTERCESSIONS

Let us joyfully pray to God the crown of saints and say to him: 

            Save us, O Lord, through the intercession of the Saints.   

You gave the martyrs courage to bear witness to the faith, even to the shedding of their blood, 

—-make us faithful witnesses of your Son.

You gave holy virgins the glorious gift of imitating Christ in his virginity, 

—-may we recognize virginity consecrated to you as a special sign of heavenly gifts.

You show your presence, your countenance and your word to all the saints, 

—-grant that your faithful may feel themselves closer to you by venerating them. 

Our father.

 

PRAYER

Almighty, eternal God, you are pleased to make your

church illustrious through the varied splendour

of the saints of the Seraphic Order.

As we venerate their memory in one festival,

may we also follow such shining examples

of virtue on earth and thus obtain

merited crowns in heaven.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives in reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, for ever and ever.