Psalmody
Psalm 126
Ant. God in his goodness comes to the help of those who place their trust in him. So never lose your confidence. (1853 letter to Fr. Mouchette)
When the LORD brought back the exiles of Zion,
we thought we were dreaming.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter;
on our tongues, songs of joy.
Then they said among the nations,
“What great deeds the LORD worked for them!”
3What great deeds the LORD worked for us!
Indeed, we were glad.
Bring back our exiles, O LORD,
as streams in the Negeb.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
bearing seed for the sowing;
they come back, they come back with a song,
bearing their sheaves.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. God in his goodness comes to the help of those who place their trust in him. So never lose your confidence.
Psalm 127
Ant. Give them good example, and then good advice to whoever may need some. (1854 letter to Fr. Fabre)
If the LORD does not build the house,
in vain do its builders labour;
if the LORD does not guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch.
In vain is your earlier rising,
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat,
when God pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Yes, children are a gift from the LORD,
a reward, the fruit of the womb.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
so are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed are the warriors
who have filled their quivers with these arrows!
They will have no cause for shame,
when they dispute with their foes in the gateways.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. Give them good example, and then good advice to whoever may need some.
Canticle (Col 1:12-20)
Ant. You are God’s chosen made in God’s image – more precious in the eyes of God than all the world’s riches. (Eugene de Mazenod)
Let us give thanks to God
for having made us worthy
to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
God has delivered us
from the power of darkness
and transferred us
into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, Jesus,
in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of our sins.
Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation;
in him all things were created,
in heaven and on earth,
things invisible and visible.
All things were created through him;
all were created for him.
He is before all else that is.
In him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church!
He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
that in everything, he might be above all others.
In him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
and through him, to reconcile all things to himself,
whether on earth or in heaven,
making peace by the blood of his cross.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. You are God’s chosen made in God’s image – more precious in the eyes of God than all the world’s riches.
Reading
To live communion and enrich our community life, especially in international and intercultural communities, it is essential to know ourselves as Oblates, to recognize each other as brothers, and to be open to values other than our own.
(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. In the joys and sorrows of our missionary life, we feel close to her who is the Mother of Mercy. (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. In the joys and sorrows of our missionary life, we feel close to her who is the Mother of Mercy.
Intercessions
Jesus, you knew a labourer’s day; bless those who live by the work of their hands; help all to find the employment they need.
The world still longs for the peace that only you can give; guard and protect those whose work is to keep the peace in lands torn by civil war and conflicts.
We pray for the Church around the world; may it be a Community of disciples.
We pray for all Oblates and Oblate Associates, may we continue the Mission of Christ by bringing love, peace and understanding wherever we go.
Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Creator God, all that we have and are comes from you and through you we are blessed. By the power of the Holy Spirit, open our eyes that, like St Eugene, we may be aware of the needs of people around us and reach out to help those who feel abandoned. Inspire us to bring the Good News of Jesus to your people. Guide us as we live the Oblate mission together. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Novitiate Liturgy of the Hours 