Seek Conference ~ Liturgy of the Hours

Morning Prayer
Thursday, January 2, 2025

Memorial of Basil the Great and
Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors

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 forever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O Come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O Come ye, O Come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him, born the King of angels:

Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God, in the highest glory:

Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

Savior, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv’n;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

Refrain:
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Awake, lyre and harp, with praise let us awake the dawn.

Psalm 57
Morning prayer in affliction

This psalm tells of our Lord’s passion (Saint Augustine).

Side 1) Have mercy on me, God, have mercy
for in you my soul has taken refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I take refuge
till the storms of destruction pass by.

Side 2) I call to God the Most High,
to God who has always been my help.
May he send from heaven and save me
and shame those who assail me.

1) May God send his truth and his love.

2) My soul lies down among lions,
who would devour the sons of men.
Their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongue a sharpened sword.

1) O God, arise above the heavens;
may your glory shine on earth!

2) They laid a snare for my steps
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path
but fell in it themselves.

1) My heart is ready, O God,
my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise.
Awake, my soul;
awake, lyre and harp,
I will awake the dawn.

2) I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,
among the nations I will praise you
for your love reaches to the heavens
and your truth to the skies.

1) O God, arise above the heavens;
may your glory shine on earth!

2) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

1) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Awake, lyre and harp, with praise let us awake the dawn.

Ant. 2 My people, says the Lord, will be filled with my blessings.

Canticle – Jeremiah 31:10-14
The happiness of a people who have been redeemed

Jesus was to die … to gather God’s scattered children into one fold (John 11:51, 52).

Side 1) Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
proclaim it on distant coasts, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

Side 2) The Lord shall ransom Jacob,
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.

1) Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
they shall come streaming to the Lord’s blessings:
The grain, the wine, and the oil,
the sheep and the oxen;
They themselves shall be like watered gardens,
never again shall they languish.

2) Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
I will lavish choice portions upon the priests,
and my people shall be filled with my blessings,
says the Lord.

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. My people, says the Lord, will be filled with my blessings.

Ant. 3 The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God.

Psalm 48
Thanksgiving for the people’s deliverance

He took me up a high mountain and showed me Jerusalem, God’s holy city (Revelation 21:10).

Side 1) The Lord is great and worthy to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain rises in beauty,
the joy of all the earth.

Side 2) Mount Zion, true pole of the earth,
the Great King’s city!
God, in the midst of its citadels,
has shown himself its stronghold.

1) For the kings assembled together,
together they advanced.
They saw; at once they were astounded;
dismayed, they fled in fear.

2) A trembling seized them there,
like the pangs of birth.
By the east wind you have destroyed
the ships of Tarshish.

1) As we have heard, so we have seen
in the city of our God,
in the city of the Lord of hosts
which God upholds for ever.

2) O God, we ponder your love
within your temple.
Your praise, O God, like your name
reaches to the ends of the earth.

1) With justice your right hand is filled.
Mount Zion rejoices;
the people of Judah rejoice
at the sight of your judgments.

2) Walk through Zion, walk all round it;
count the number of its towers.
Review all its ramparts,
examine its castles,

1) that you may tell the next generation
that such is our God,
our God for ever and always.
It is he who leads us.

2) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

1) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord is great and worthy to be praised in the city of our God.

READING Wisdom 7:13-14

Simply I learned about Wisdom, and ungrudgingly do I share — her riches I do not hide away;
For to men she is an unfailing treasure;
those who gain this treasure win the friendship of God,
to whom the gifts they have from discipline commend them.

RESPONSORY

Let the peoples proclaim the wisdom of the saints.
– Let the peoples proclaim the wisdom of the saints.

With joyful praise let the Church tell forth,
– the wisdom of the saints.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– Let the peoples proclaim the wisdom of the saints.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. Those who are learned will be as radiant as the sky in all its beauty; those who instruct the people in goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity.

Luke 1:68 – 79
The Messiah and his forerunner

All:

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. Those who are learned will be as radiant as the sky in all its beauty; those who instruct the people in goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity.

INTERCESSIONS

Presider: Christ is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep. Let us praise and thank him as we pray:

All: Nourish your people, Lord.

Lector: Christ, you decided to show your merciful love through your holy shepherds, let your mercy always reach us through them.

All: Nourish your people, Lord.

Lector: Through your vicars you continue to perform the ministry of shepherd of souls, direct us always through our leaders.

All: Nourish your people, Lord.

Lector: Through your holy ones, the leaders of your people, you served as physician of our bodies and our spirits, continue to fulfill your ministry of life and holiness in us.

All: Nourish your people, Lord.

Lector: You taught your flock through the prudence and love of your saints, grant us continual growth in holiness under the direction of our pastors.

All: Nourish your people, Lord.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 were pleased to give light to your Church
by the example and teaching of
the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory,
grant, we pray,
that in humility we may learn your truth
and practice it faithfully in charity.
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

The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless you, the Father + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.

Go in peace.
– Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer
Thursday, January 2, 2025

Memorial of Basil the Great and
Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors

 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 forever. Amen.  Alleluia.

HYMN

O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
the Father’s Sole-begotten Son,
in myst’ry born alone from him,
so wondrously before all time,

The Father’s splendor and true Light,
O everlasting hope for all,
bend low to hear your servants’ prayers
poured forth to you throughout the earth.

The sky above, the earth, the sea,
and all creation held therein
extol with joyous hymns of praise
the Author of your advent here.

We also, whom you came to save
and by your holy blood redeem,
all sing a new and joyful hymn
to celebrate your day of birth.

Tune: PUER NOBIS NASCETUR, 8 8 8 8
Music: Adapted from Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621, in Musae Sionae, VI, 1809
or Mode I, melody 7; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983*
Text: Christe, redemptor omnium, ex Patre, Patris Unice, 6th c., © 2023 ICEL

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 I cried to you, Lord, and you healed me; I will praise you for ever.

Psalm 30
Thanksgiving for deliverance from death

Christ, risen in glory, gives continual thanks to his Father (Cassian).

Side 1) I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

Side 2) O Lord, I cried to you for help
and you, my God, have healed me.
O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead,
restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.

1) Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him,
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favor through life.
At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.

2) I said to myself in my good fortune:
“Nothing will ever disturb me.”
Your favor had set me on a mountain fastness,
then you hid your face and I was put to confusion.

1) To you, Lord, I cried,
to my God I made appeal:
“What profit would my death be, my going to the grave?
Can dust give you praise or proclaim your truth?”

2) The Lord listened and had pity.
The Lord came to my help.
For me you have changed my mourning into dancing,
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
So my soul sings psalms to you unceasingly.
O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. I cried to you, Lord, and you healed me; I will praise you for ever.

Ant. 2 The one who is sinless in the eyes of God is blessed indeed.

Psalm 32
They are happy whose sins are forgiven

David speaks of the happiness of the man who is holy in God’s eyes not because of his own worth, but because God has justified him (Romans 4:6).

Side 1) Happy the man whose offense is forgiven,
whose sin is remitted.
O happy the man to whom the Lord
imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no guile.

Side 2) I kept it secret and my frame was wasted.
I groaned all the day long,
for night and day your hand was heavy upon me.
Indeed my strength was dried up
as by the summer’s heat.

1) But now I have acknowledged my sins;
my guilt I did not hide.
I said: “I will confess
my offense to the Lord.”
And you, Lord, have forgiven
the guilt of my sin.

2) So let every good man pray to you
in the time of need.
The floods of water may reach high
but him they shall not reach.
You are my hiding place, O Lord;
you save me from distress.
You surround me with cries of deliverance.

1) I will instruct you and teach you
the way you should go;
I will give you counsel
with my eye upon you.

2) Be not like horse and mule, unintelligent,
needing bridle and bit
else they will not approach you.
Many sorrows has the wicked
but he who trusts in the Lord,
loving mercy surrounds him.

1) Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord,
exult, you just!
O come, ring out your joy,
all you upright of heart.

2) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

1) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The one who is sinless in the eyes of God is blessed indeed.

Ant. 3 The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.

Canticle — Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
The judgment of God

Side 1) We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.

Side 2) The nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
The time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.

1) Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our God and the authority
of his Anointed One.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.

2) They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.

READING James 3:17-18

Wisdom from above is first of all innocent. It is also peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

RESPONSORY 

In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.
— In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.

The Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
— He spoke with eloquence.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. The man who not only teaches but does what is right will be counted great in the kingdom of God.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

All:

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. The man who not only teaches but does what is right will be counted great in the kingdom of God.

INTERCESSIONS

Presider: Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise, for he was appointed high priest among men and their representative before God. We honor him and in our weakness we pray:

All: Bring salvation to your people, Lord.

Lector: You marvelously illuminated your Church through distinguished leaders and holy men and women, let Christians rejoice always in such splendor.

All: Bring salvation to your people, Lord.

Lector: You forgave the sins of your people when their holy leaders like Moses sought your compassion, through their intercession continue to purify and sanctify your holy people.

All: Bring salvation to your people, Lord.

Lector: In the midst of their brothers and sisters you anointed your holy ones and filled them with the Holy Spirit, fill all the leaders of your people with the same Spirit.

All: Bring salvation to your people, Lord.

Lector: You yourself are the only visible possession of our holy pastors, let none of them, won at the price of your blood, remain far from you.

All: Bring salvation to your people, Lord.

Lector: The shepherds of your Church keep your flock from being snatched out of your hand. Through them you give your flock eternal life, save those who have died, those for whom you gave up your life.

All: Bring salvation to your people, Lord.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 were pleased to give light to your Church
by the example and teaching of
the Bishops Saints Basil and Gregory,
grant, we pray,
that in humility we may learn your truth
and practice it faithfully in charity.
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

The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless you, the Father + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.

Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer
Friday, January 3, 2025

Christmas Weekday
Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

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 forever. Amen.  Alleluia.

HYMN

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Lord, you will accept the true sacrifice offered on your altar.

Psalm 51
O God, have mercy on me

Your inmost being must be renewed, and you must put on the new man (Ephesians 4:23-24).

Side 1) Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.

Side 2) My offenses truly I know them;
my sin is always before me
Against you, you alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in your sight I have done.

1) That you may be justified when you give sentence
and be without reproach when you judge,
O see, in guilt I was born,
a sinner was I conceived.

2) Indeed you love truth in the heart;
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

1) Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,
that the bones you have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away your face
and blot out all my guilt.

2) A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

1) Give me again the joy of your help;
with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors your ways
and sinners may return to you.

2) O rescue me, God, my helper,
and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips
and my mouth shall declare your praise.

1) For in sacrifice you take no delight,
burnt offering from me you would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit,
a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

2) In your goodness, show favor to Zion:
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
holocausts offered on your altar.

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, you will accept the true sacrifice offered on your altar.

Ant. 2 All the descendants of Israel will glory in the Lord’s gift of victory.

Canticle — Isaiah 45:15-25
People of all nations will become disciples of the Lord

Every knee shall bend at the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:10).

Side 1) Truly with you God is hidden,
the God of Israel, the savior!
Those are put to shame and disgrace
who vent their anger against him.
Those go in disgrace
who carve images.

Side 2) Israel, you are saved by the Lord, saved forever!
You shall never be put to shame or disgrace
in future ages.

1) For thus says the Lord,
the creator of the heavens,
who is God,
the designer and maker of the earth
who established it,
not creating it to be a waste,
but designing it to be lived in:

2) I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I have not spoken from hiding
nor from some dark place of the earth.
And I have not said to the descendants of Jacob,
“Look for me in an empty waste.”
I, the Lord, promise justice,
I foretell what is right.

1) Come and assemble, gather together,
you fugitives from among the Gentiles!
They are without knowledge who bear wooden idols
and pray to gods that cannot save.

2) Come here and declare in counsel together:
Who announced this from the beginning
and foretold it from of old?
Was it not I, the Lord,
besides whom there is no other God?
There is no just and saving God but me.

1) Turn to me and be safe,
all you ends of the earth,
for I am God; there is no other!

2) By myself I swear,
uttering my just decree
and my unalterable word:

1) To me every knee shall bend;
by me every tongue shall swear,
saying, “Only in the Lord
are just deeds and power.

2) “Before him in shame shall come
all who vent their anger against him.
In the Lord shall be the vindication and the glory
of all the descendants of Israel.”

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. All the descendants of Israel will glory in the Lord’s gift of victory.

Ant. 3 Let us go into God’s presence singing for joy.

Psalm 100
The joyful song of those entering God’s temple

The Lord calls his ransomed people to sing songs of victory (Saint Athanasius).

Side 1) Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing for joy.

Side 2) Know that he, the Lord, is God.
He made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

1) Go within his gates, giving thanks.
Enter his courts with songs of praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.

2) Indeed, how good is the Lord,
eternal his merciful love.
He is faithful from age to age.

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Let us go into God’s presence singing for joy.

READING Isaiah 61:1-2a

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,
to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the Lord.

RESPONSORY 

The Lord has made known, alleluia, alleluia.
— The Lord has made known, alleluia, alleluia.

His saving power.
— Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— The Lord has made known, alleluia, alleluia.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. He came through blood and water, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Luke 1:68 – 79
The Messiah and his forerunner

All:

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. He came through blood and water, Jesus Christ our Lord.

INTERCESSIONS

Presider: The Word of God existed before the creation of the universe yet was born among us in time. We praise and worship him as we cry out in joy:

All: Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come.

Lector: You are the unending Word of God who flooded the world with joy at your birth, fill us with joy by the continuous gift of your life.

All: Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come.

Lector: You saved us and by your birth revealed to us the covenant faithfulness of the Lord, help us to be faithful to the promises of our baptism.

All: Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come.

Lector: You are King of heaven and earth who sent messengers to announce peace to all, let our lives be filled with your peace.

All: Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come.

Lector: You are the true vine that brings forth the fruit of life, make us branches of the vine, bearing much fruit.

All: Let the earth ring out with joy for you have come.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 founded the salvation
of the human race on the Incarnation of your Word,
give your peoples the mercy they implore, so that
all may know there is no other name to be invoked
but the Name of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.

DISMISSAL

The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless you, the Father + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.

Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer
Friday, January 3, 2025

Christmas Weekday
Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

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 forever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Of the Father’s love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bore the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.

O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.

Author: Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cent.
Translated by: John. M. Neale, 1854 and Henry W. Baker, 1861
Titled: “Corde natus ex Parentis”

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Lord, lay your healing hand upon me, for I have sinned.

Psalm 41
Prayer of a sick person

One of you will betray me, yes, one who eats with me (Mark 14:18).

Side 1) Happy the man who considers the poor and the weak.
The Lord will save him in the day of evil,
will guard him, give him life, make him happy in the land
and will not give him up to the will of his foes.
The Lord will help him on his bed of pain,
he will bring him back from sickness to health.

Side 2) As for me, I said: “Lord, have mercy on me,
heal my soul for I have sinned against you.”
My foes are speaking evil against me.
“How long before he dies and his name be forgotten?”
They come to visit me and speak empty words,
their hearts full of malice, they spread it abroad.

1) My enemies whisper together against me.
They all weigh up the evil which is on me:
“Some deadly thing has fastened upon him,
he will not rise again from where he lies.”
Thus even my friend, in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has turned against me.

2) But you, O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let me rise once more and I will repay them.
By this I shall know that you are my friend,
if my foes do not shout in triumph over me.
If you uphold me I shall be unharmed
and set in your presence for evermore.

1) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
from age to age. Amen. Amen.

2) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

1) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, lay your healing hand upon me, for I have sinned.

Ant. 2 The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Psalm 46
God our refuge and strength

He shall be called Emmanuel, which means: God-with-us (Matthew 1:23).

Side 1) God is for us a refuge and strength,
a helper close at hand, in time of distress:
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock,
though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea,
even though its waters rage and foam,
even though the mountains be shaken by its waves.

Side 2) The Lord of hosts is with us:
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

1) The waters of a river give joy to God’s city,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within, it cannot be shaken;
God will help it at the dawning of the day.
Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken:
he lifts his voice, the earth shrinks away.

2) The Lord of hosts is with us:
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

1) Come, consider the works of the Lord,
the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.
He puts an end to wars over all the earth;
the bow he breaks, the spear he snaps.
He burns the shields with fire.
“Be still and know that I am God,
supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth!”

1) The Lord of hosts is with us:
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

2) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

1) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Ant. 3 All nations will come and worship before you, O Lord.

Canticle – Revelation 15:3-4
Hymn of adoration

Side 1) Mighty and wonderful are your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!

Side 2) Who would dare refuse you honor,
or the glory due your name, O Lord?

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

2) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

1) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. All nations will come and worship before you, O Lord.

READING Acts 10:37-38

I take it you know what has been reported all over Judea about Jesus of Nazareth, beginning in Galilee with the baptism John preached; of the way God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good works and healing all who were in the grip of the devil, and God was with him.

RESPONSORY 

The Word was made man, alleluia, alleluia.
— The Word was made man, alleluia, alleluia.

He lived among us.
— Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— The Word was made man, alleluia, alleluia.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. From heaven the Father’s voice proclaimed: You are my Son, my beloved, in whom I take delight.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

All:

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. From heaven the Father’s voice proclaimed: You are my Son, my beloved, in whom I take delight.

INTERCESSIONS

Presider: At the birth of Jesus, angels proclaimed peace to the world. We worship him now with joy, and we pray with hearts full of faith:

All: May your birth bring peace to all.

Lector: Lord, fill your holy people with whatever good they need, let the mystery of your birth be the source of our peace.

All: May your birth bring peace to all.

Lector: You came as chief shepherd and guardian of our lives, let the pope and bishops be faithful channels of your many gifts of grace.

All: May your birth bring peace to all.

Lector: King from all eternity, you desired to be born within time and to experience the day-to-day life of men and women, share your gift of unending life with us, weak people, doomed to death.

All: May your birth bring peace to all.

Lector: Awaited from the beginning of the world, you came only in the fullness of time, now reveal your presence to those who are still expecting you.

All: May your birth bring peace to all.

Lector: You became man and gave new life to our human condition in the grip of death, now give the fullness of life to all who have died.

All: May your birth bring peace to all.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 founded the salvation
of the human race on the Incarnation of your Word,
give your peoples the mercy they implore, so that
all may know there is no other name to be invoked
but the Name of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.

DISMISSAL

The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless you, the Father + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.

Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.

Morning Prayer
Saturday, January 4, 2025

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious

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 forever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

See, she stands, Elizabeth Seton,
glorious in God’s holy place;
her great soul reflects God’s splendor,
and the beauty of His face.
Praise to God who wrought from nothing
all the shining worlds above;
He has raised a lowly creature
to the summits of His love.

Look on us, Elizabeth Seton,
listen to the hymn we raise;
that we sing who sing your praise.
all the shining worlds above;
to the summits of His love.

On your life, Elizabeth Seton,
Jesus was the radiant Sun;
with His heart your heart was one.
all the shining worlds above;
He has raised a lowly creature
to the summits of His love.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Dawn finds me ready to welcome you, my God.

Psalm 119
XIX (Koph)

Side 1) I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me,
I will keep your commands.
I call upon you, save me
and I will do your will.

Side 2) I rise before dawn and cry for help,
I hope in your word.
My eyes watch through the night
to ponder your promise.

1) In your love hear my voice, O Lord;
give me life by your decrees.
Those who harm me unjustly draw near;
they are far from your law.

2) But you, O Lord, are close,
your commands are truth.
Long have I known that your will
is established for ever.

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Dawn finds me ready to welcome you, my God.

Ant. 2 The Lord is my strength, and I shall sing his praise, for he has become my Savior.

Canticle – Exodus 15:1-4a, 8-13, 17-18
Hymn of victory after the crossing of the Red Sea

Those who had conquered the beast were singing the song of Moses, God’s servant (see Revelation 15:2-3).

Side 1) I will sing to the Lord, for he is gloriously triumphant;
horse and chariot he has cast into the sea.

Side 2) My strength and my courage is the Lord,
and he has been my savior.
He is my God, I praise him;
the God of my father, I extol him.

1) The Lord is a warrior,
Lord is his name!
Pharaoh’s chariots and army he hurled into the sea.
At a breath of your anger the waters piled up,
the flowing waters stood like a mound,
the flood waters congealed in the midst of the sea.

2) The enemy boasted, “I will pursue and overtake them;
I will divide the spoils and have my fill of them;
I will draw my sword;
my hand shall despoil them!”
When your wind blew, the sea covered them;
like lead they sank in the mighty waters.

1) Who is like to you among the gods, O Lord?
Who is like to you, magnificent in holiness?
O terrible in renown, worker of wonders,
when you stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them!

2) In your mercy you led the people you redeemed;
in your strength you guided them to your holy dwelling.

1) And you brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your inheritance-
the place where you made your seat, O Lord,
the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands established.
The Lord shall reign forever and ever.

2) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

1) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord is my strength, and I shall sing his praise, for he has become my Savior.

Ant. 3 O praise the Lord, all you nations.

Psalm 117
Praise for God’s loving compassion

I affirm that… the Gentile peoples are to praise God because of his mercy (Romans 15:8-9).

Side 1) O praise the Lord, all you nations,
acclaim him all you peoples!

Side 2) Strong is his love for us;
he is faithful for ever.

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. O praise the Lord, all you nations.

READING Romans 12:1-2

Brothers, I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect.

RESPONSORY

The Lord will help her; his loving presence will be with her.
— The Lord will help her; his loving presence will be with her.

He dwells in her; she will not falter.
— His loving presence will be with her.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— The Lord will help her; his loving presence will be with her.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. All the world will recognize you as my disciples when they see the love you have one for another.

Luke 1:68 – 79
The Messiah and his forerunner

All:

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. All the world will recognize you as my disciples when they see the love you have one for another.

INTERCESSIONS

Presider: My brothers and sisters, with all the holy women, let us profess our faith in our Savior and call upon him:

All: Come, Lord Jesus.

Lector: Lord Jesus, you forgave the sinful woman because she loved much, forgive us who have sinned much.

All: Come, Lord Jesus.

Lector: Lord Jesus, the holy women ministered to your needs during your journeys, help us to follow your footsteps.

All: Come, Lord Jesus.

Lector: Lord Jesus, master, Mary listened to your words while Martha served your needs, help us to serve you with love and devotion.

All: Come, Lord Jesus.

Lector: Lord Jesus, you call everyone who does your will your brother, sister and mother, help us to do what is pleasing to you in word and action.

All: Come, Lord Jesus.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 crowned with the gift of true faith
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s burning zeal to find you,
grant by her intercession
and example that we may always seek you with diligent love
and find you in daily service with sincere faith.
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

The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless you, the Father + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.

Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.

Evening Prayer
Saturday January 4, 2025

Evening Prayer I
Epiphany of the Lord

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 forever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

The first Noel the an­gel did say
Was to cer­tain poor shep­herds
In fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay tend­ing their sheep,
On a cold win­ter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, No­el, No­el, No­el,
Born is the King of Is­ra­el.

They lookéd up and saw a star
Shining in the east, be­yond them far;
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it con­tin­ued both day and night.

Noel, No­el, No­el, No­el,
Born is the King of Is­ra­el.

Then en­tered in those wise men three,
Full rev­er­ent­ly up­on the knee,
And of­fered there, in His pre­sence,
Their gold and myrrh and frank­in­cense.

Noel, No­el, No­el, No­el,
Born is the King of Is­ra­el.

– Tra­di­tion­al Eng­lish car­ol 

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Begotten of the Father before the daystar shone or time began, the Lord our Savior has appeared on earth today.

Psalm 135
Praise for the wonderful things God does for us

He has won us for himself… and you must proclaim what he has done for you. He has called you out of darkness into his own wonderful light (see 1 Peter 2:9).

I

Side 1) Praise the name of the Lord,
praise him, servants of the Lord,
who stand in the house of the Lord
in the courts of the house of our God.

Side 2) Praise the Lord for the Lord is good.
Sing a psalm to his name for he is loving.
For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself
and Israel for his own possession.

1) For I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is high above all gods.
The Lord does whatever he wills,
in heaven, on earth, in the seas.

2) He summons clouds from the ends of the earth;
makes lightning produce the rain;
from his treasuries he sends forth the wind.

1) The first-born of the Egyptians he smote,
of man and beast alike.
Signs and wonders he worked
in the midst of your land, O Egypt,
against Pharaoh and all his servants.

2) Nations in their greatness he struck
and kings in their splendor he slew.
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
Og, the king of Bashan,
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
He let Israel inherit their land;
on his people their land he bestowed.

1) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

2) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Begotten of the Father before the daystar shone or time began, the Lord our Savior has appeared on earth today.

Ant. 2 Great is the Lord, our God, transcending all other gods.

II

Side 1) Lord, your name stands for ever,
unforgotten from age to age,
for the Lord does justice for his people;
the Lord takes pity on his servants.

Side 2) Pagan idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths but they cannot speak;
they have eyes but they cannot see.

1) They have ears but they cannot hear;
there is never a breath on their lips.
Their makers will come to be like them
and so will all who trust in them!

2) Sons of Israel, bless the Lord!
Sons of Aaron, bless the Lord!
Sons of Levi, bless the Lord!
You who fear him, bless the Lord!

1) From Zion may the Lord be blessed,
he who dwells in Jerusalem!

2) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

1) as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Great is the Lord, our God, transcending all other gods.

Ant. 3 The star burned like a flame, pointing the way to God, the King of kings; the wise men saw the sign and brought their gifts in homage to their great King.

Canticle – See 1 Timothy 3:16
The mystery and glory of Christ

Presider: Christ manifested in the flesh,
Christ justified in the Spirit.

All: Praise the Lord, all you nations.

Presider: Christ contemplated by the angels,
Christ proclaimed by the pagans.

All: Praise the Lord, all you nations.

Presider: Christ who is believed in the world,
Christ exalted in glory.

All: Praise the Lord, all you nations.

All: 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 star burned like a flame, pointing the way to God, the King of kings; the wise men saw the sign and brought their gifts in homage to their great King.

READING 2 Timothy 1:9-10

God has saved us and has called us to a holy life, not because of any merit of ours but according to his own design — the grace held out to us in Christ Jesus before the world began but now made manifest through the appearance of our Savior. He has robbed death of its power and has brought life and immortality into clear light through the gospel.

RESPONSORY

All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.
— All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.

All nations will acclaim his glory.
— Men and women of every race.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
— All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. Seeing the star, the wise men said: This must signify the birth of some great king. Let us search for him and lay our treasures at his feet: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

All:

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. Seeing the star, the wise men said: This must signify the birth of some great king. Let us search for him and lay our treasures at his feet: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

INTERCESSIONS

Presider: Today our Savior was adored by the Magi. Let us also worship him with joy as we pray:

All: Save the poor, O Lord.

Lector: King of the nations, you called the Magi to adore you as the first representatives of the nations, give us a willing spirit of adoration and service.

All: Save the poor, O Lord.

Lector: King of glory, you judge your people with justice, grant mankind an abundant measure of peace.

All: Save the poor, O Lord.

Lector: King of ages, you endure from age to age, send your word as fresh spring rain falling on our hearts.

All: Save the poor, O Lord.

Lector: King of justice, you desire to free the poor who have no advocate, be compassionate to the suffering and the afflicted.

All: Save the poor, O Lord.

Lector: Lord, your name is blessed for all ages, show the wonders of your saving power to our deceased brothers and sisters.

All: Save the poor, O Lord.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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

May the splendor of your majesty,
O Lord, we pray,
shed its light upon our hearts,
that we may pass through the shadows of this world
and reach the brightness of our eternal home.
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

The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless you, the Father + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.

Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.