Psalmody
Psalm 123
Ant. Abandon yourself with untroubled heart and without anxiety to Divine Providence. (1831 letter to Fr. Mille and Oblate community)
To you have I lifted up my eyes,
you who dwell in the heavens.
Behold, like the eyes of servants
on the hand of their lords,
like the eyes of a maiden
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the LORD our God,
till mercy be shown us.
Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy.
We are filled with contempt.
Indeed, all too full is our soul
with the scorn of the arrogant,
the disdain of the proud.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. Abandon yourself with untroubled heart and without anxiety to Divine Providence.
Psalm 124
Ant. Lord, enlighten me in this search and give me the grace.
(1818 Day’s retreat notes)
“If the LORD had not been on our side,” let Israel say:
“If the LORD had not been on our side
when people rose against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive
when their anger was kindled.
“Then would the waters have engulfed us,
the torrent gone over us;
over our head would have swept
the raging waters.”
Blest be the LORD who did not give us
as prey to their teeth!
Our life, like a bird, has escaped
from the snare of the fowler.
Indeed, the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. Lord, enlighten me in this search and give me the grace.
Canticle (Eph 1:3-10)
Ant. I must take advantage to express my gratitude for the constant kindness you have always demonstrated. (1852 letter to the Council of the Propagation of the Faith)
Praise be the God
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.
God chose us in him
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy
and blameless in God’s sight.
We have been predestined
to be God’s children through Jesus Christ,
such was the purpose of God’s will
that all might praise the glorious favour
bestowed on us in Christ.
In Christ and through his blood
we have redemption,
the forgiveness of our sins,
according to the riches of God’s grace lavished upon us.
For God has made known to us
in all wisdom and insight,
the mystery of the plan set forth in Christ.
A plan to be carried out in Christ,
in the fullness of time,
to unite all things in Christ,
things in heaven and things on earth.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. I must take advantage to express my gratitude for the constant kindness you have always demonstrated.
Reading
Being conscious of the dynamic of a pilgrimage as missionaries of hope, we feel the call to find new ways of responding to the realities of the poor today. Our commitment to the people on the margins who cry out for justice remains a constant concern. We must pursue healing and reconciliation wherever it is needed. This is true also with regard to caring for the earth.
(Acts of the 37th General Chapter)
Responsory
We shall always look on Mary as our mother
-We shall always look on Mary as our mother
in the joys and sorrows of our missionary life
-as our mother
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
-We shall always look on Mary as our mother
Canticle of Mary
Ant. Mary Immaculate is patroness of our Congregation. Open to the Spirit, she consecrated herself totally as lowly handmaid to the person and work of the Saviour. (Constitution 10)
My heart is radiant, overflowing with joy,
for you have loved my lowliness.
You have shown me great favour;
all people will call me blest.
Your mercy extends throughout the ages
toward those who revere your holy name.
You have revealed your strength,
scattering the proud of heart.
You dethrone the powerful
and lift up the lowly.
The famished are filled;
the rich sent empty away.
Your people Israel you have remembered,
true to your loving kindness,
just as you have promised long ago
to Sarah and Abraham.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. Mary Immaculate is patroness of our Congregation. Open to the Spirit, she consecrated herself totally as lowly handmaid to the person and work of the Saviour
Intercessions
For all who teach and preach the Gospel, that the Lord will protect them from arrogance and conceit, and make them accept their human weaknesses and limitations. We pray
May the poor, the oppressed, the outcast, the powerless, and the misunderstood of our society experience Christ’s healing presence through our participation in the saving mission of Jesus. We pray
For those who suffer from physical, emotional and mental illness; may they be healed through God’s infinite mercy and be comforted by those who care for them. We pray
Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer
O God, our Father, by filling the heart of Saint Eugene de Mazenod with your Spirit, you led him to bring together a community patterned on that of the Apostles. As members of this community we ask you to keep us closely united to our deceased brothers and sisters, and to benefit from their example and virtues. Welcome them into the assembly of your Saints. We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Novitiate Liturgy of the Hours 