Psalmody
Psalm 143 (1-11)
Ant. God grant that we have nothing to reproach ourselves for as to the cause. (1846 letter to Fr. Semeria)
Listen, O LORD, to my prayer;
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are righteous; give answer.
Do not call your servant to judgment,
for in your sight no living being is righteous.
The foe has pursued my soul,
has crushed my life to the ground,
and has made me dwell in darkness,
like those long dead.
Therefore my spirit fails;
my heart is desolate within me.
I remember the days that are past;
I ponder all your works.
I muse on what your hand has wrought,
and to you I stretch out my hands.
My soul is like a parched land before you.
O LORD, make haste and answer me,
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face from me,
lest I become like those going down to the pit.
In the morning, let me hear your faithful love,
for in you I place my trust.
Make me know the way I should walk;
to you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me, O LORD, from my foes;
to you have I fled for refuge.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me
upon ground that is level.
LORD, save my life for the sake of your name;
in your righteousness, lead my soul out of distress.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. God grant that we have nothing to reproach ourselves for as to the cause.
Canticle (Isa 66:10-14a)
Ant. There are always painful moments in the usual course of any life. What is essential is to have confidence in the Lord and to ask him for his light. (1843 letter to Fr. Guigues)
“Rejoice with Jerusalem,
and be glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her;
that you may suck
and be satisfied with her consoling breasts,
that you may drink deeply with delight
from the abundance of her glory.”
For thus says God Most High:
“Behold I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of the nations
like an overflowing stream.
As nurslings, you shall be carried upon her hip,
and fondled on her lap.
As a parent comforts a child,
so will I comfort you,
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your hearts shall rejoice,
your beings flourish like the grass.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. There are always painful moments in the usual course of any life. What is essential is to have confidence in the Lord and to ask him for his light.
Psalm 147 (1-11)
Ant. God be blessed, my very dear brother, for the dispositions he has put in your good heart. (1815 letter to Fr. Tempier)
How good to sing psalms to our God;
how pleasant to chant fitting praise!
The LORD builds up Jerusalem
and brings back Israel’s exiles;
God heals the broken-hearted,
and binds up all their wounds;
God counts out the number of the stars,
and calls each one by its name.
Our Lord is great and almighty;
God’s wisdom can never be measured.
The LORD lifts up the lowly,
and casts down the wicked to the ground.
O sing to the LORD, giving thanks;
sing psalms to our God with the lyre.
The Lord covers the heavens with clouds;
and prepares the rain for the earth,
making mountains sprout with grass,
and plants to serve human needs.
God provides the cattle with their food,
and what young ravens call for.
The Lord’s delight is not in the strength of horses,
nor God’s pleasure in a warrior’s stride.
The LORD delights in those who revere him,
those who wait for God’s faithful love.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. God be blessed, my very dear brother, for the dispositions he has put in your good heart.
Reading
Communion signifies relationships that permeate our soul and create paths of healing and reconciliation within our communities and with the world. In communion, we nurture the bond of fraternity among us as Brothers and Priests, calling us to live out our consecration in apostolic community, celebrating its richness and embracing its challenges.
(Acts of the 37th General Chapter)
Responsory
Like the Apostle, we preach Jesus Christ
-Like the Apostle, we preach Jesus Christ
and him crucified
-Jesus Christ
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
-Like the Apostle, we preach Jesus Christ
Canticle of Zachariah
Ant. Our apostolic zeal is sustained by the unreserved gift we make of ourselves in our oblation, an offering constantly renewed by the challenges of our mission. (Constitution 2)
O God, you have come and freed your people;
from David’s house you have sent a Saviour.
Through ages the prophets have told us
that we would be saved from hatred.
You have shown to us your great mercy
by the promise to Sarah and Abraham
that we should be freed from all fear
to serve you in justice and holiness.
And you, John, are called prophet of God,
for you will prepare the way
to lead people to salvation
through the awareness and knowledge of God.
Praise to you, God of Israel.
The bright dawn will break upon us.
You give light to those in darkness.
You guide us to ways of peace.
Glory to the Father…
Ant. Our apostolic zeal is sustained by the unreserved gift we make of ourselves in our oblation, an offering constantly renewed by the challenges of our mission.
Intercessions
Lord Jesus Christ, for by your mercy we have been reborn to a living hope, help us to bring your hope to places of despair and doubt.
God, you made people in your own image and renew them in Christ, mold us into the likeness of your Christ.
We pray for peace and Christ-like people for those who have no one to care for them no one to bind up their wounds.
Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Just and merciful God, true Lord of every house, sure delight of every heart, come into our midst today to speak your word and satisfy our hunger. Enable us to see you clearly, to welcome you with joy, and to give justice and mercy a place in our lives. Grant this 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.
Novitiate Liturgy of the Hours 