Psalmody
Psalm 136 (1-9)
Ant. It is the compensation that the Lord kindly wishes to grant me. I thank him for it every day. (1849 letter to Fr. Bellon)
O give thanks to the LORD, who is good,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
Who alone has wrought marvellous works,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
who in wisdom made the heavens,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
who spread the earth on the waters,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
It was the Lord who made the great lights,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
the sun to rule in the day,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
the moon and the stars in the night,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. It is the compensation that the Lord kindly wishes to grant me. I thank him for it every day.
Psalm 136 (10-26)
Ant. One must be patient, since the good God wishes this to be so.
(1818 Day’s retreat notes)
The firstborn of the Egyptians the Lord smote,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
brought Israel out from their midst,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
with mighty hand and outstretched arm,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
The Lord divided the Red Sea in two,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
made Israel pass through the midst,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
flung Pharaoh and his force in the Red Sea,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
The Lord led the people through the desert,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
Kings in their greatness he struck down,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
Kings in their splendour the Lord slew,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
and Og, the king of Bashan,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
The Lord gave their land as a heritage,
for God’s faithful love endures forever;
A heritage for Israel, God’s servant,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
The Lord remembered us in our distress,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
The Lord snatched us away from our foes,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
The Lord gives bread to all mortal flesh,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
To the God of heaven give thanks,
for God’s faithful love endures forever.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. One must be patient, since the good God wishes this to be so.
Canticle (Eph 1:3-10)
Ant. …a quarter of an hour meditation will put you back on the right track. (1838 letter to Fr. Guigues)
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. …a quarter of an hour meditation will put you back on the right track. (1838 letter to Fr. Guigues)
Reading
May Christ increase to overflowing your love for one another and for all people, even as our love does for you; May Christ strengthen your hearts, making them blameless and holy before our Abba God at the coming of our Saviour Jesus with all the holy ones.
(1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)
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. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
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. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Intercessions
For those who are separated or estranged from family, friends and community. That they may be comforted in their loneliness, be reconciled in their disagreements and that they may know they are valued and loved.
Inspire us to seek new ways of touching human hearts, let us be open to the signs of times around us.
In your Mercy forgive the sins of all the dead, that they may live with your saints.
Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Compassionate God of the still, small voice quiet our inner spirit. Help us to focus upon you, and you alone, to hear your voice within. There are so many other voices demanding our attention. But we cannot attend to them without you…. “Be still and know that I am God,” You say to us as you said to Elijah…. May your voice speak through us. In weakness, be our strength. In poverty, be our wealth. In depression, be our joy. In apathy, be our love. We cannot sing Love’s song, O Lord, unless it be your voice singing in us. Take this heart, and with this mouth make Your praise and thanksgiving a reality here and now. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Novitiate Liturgy of the Hours 