Evening Prayer I
1004 Solemnity
Hymn
About the earth the night creeps on
And shadows fill the air.
Our Father knows his days have run
And soon will end his care.
How constant is the little man,
How steadfast is his mind,
His ardent love the world will span
His heart God's love will find.
His sons with sorrow's bitter tears
About him sadly mourn,
"Desert us not with all our fears",
To him their cry is borne."
But upward to the light on high
He meekly points the way
And says that God will not deny
His grace to be their stay.
"Let error not invade your mind,
No evil where you live;
Bu t only virtue shining find
Its warmth your heart to give."
Thus speaking, forth his spirit went
To take its place above,
Among the stars it makes ascent
In blessedness of love.
Be praise to Father and his Son
And to the Spirit blest,
Who give to us while ages run
A glory manifest. Amen.
Psalmody
Psalm 111
Ant. 1:Francis, wholly catholic and apostolic, was sent to herald the gospel of peace.
Happy the man who fears the Lord, *
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; *
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house; *
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright: *
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, *
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver: *
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news; *
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear; *
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor; +
his justice stands firm forever. *
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry, +
grinds his teeth and fades away; *
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
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. 1:Francis, wholly catholic and apostolic, was sent to herald the gospel of peace.
Psalm 147
Ant. 2:In his lifetime he supported the house of God, and in his day he made safe the temple of the Lord.
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! *
Sion praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates, *
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders, *
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth *
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool, *
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. *
The waters are frozen at his touch:
he sends forth his word and it melts them: *
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.
He makes his word known to Jacob, *
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;*
he has not taught them his decrees.
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. 2:In his lifetime he supported the house of God, and in his day he made safe the temple of the Lord.
Psalm 141
Ant. 3:Bring my soul out of this prison; the just await my coming, when you will reward me?
With all my voice I cry to the Lord, +
with all my voice I entreat the Lord. *
I pour out my trouble before him;
I tell him all my distress +
while my spirit faints within me. *
But you, O Lord, know my path.
On the way where I shall walk *
they have hidden a snare to entrap me.
Look on my right and see: *
there is no one who takes my part.
I have no means of escape, *
not one who cares for my soul.
I cry to you, O Lord. +
I have said: "You are my refuge, *
all I have in the land of the living."
Listen, then, to my cry *
for I am in the depths of distress.
Rescue me from those who pursue me *
for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of this prison *
and then I shall praise your name.
Around me the just will assemble *
because of your goodness to 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 for ever. Amen.
Ant. 3:Bring my soul out of this prison; the just await my coming, when you will reward me?
Scripture Reading [Rom. 8, 10-11]
If Christ lives in you, then although the body be a dead thing in virtue of our guilt, the spirit is a living thing, by virtue of our justification. And if the spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead, will give life to your perishable bodies too, for the sake of his Spirit who dwells in you.
Short Responsory
【V】:Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven rich in merit.
【R】:Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven rich in merit.
【V】: He is honoured with heavenly song.
【R】:Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven rich in merit.
【V】: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven rich in merit.
Magnificat Antiphon
Francis, totally submissive to the Creator, held sway over his creatures, and was able to enjoy them to the glory of their Maker.
My soul glorifies the Lord, *
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness; *
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. *
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age, *
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength *
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones *
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things, *
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant, *
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his sons 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.
Magnificat Antiphon
Francis, totally submissive to the Creator, held sway over his creatures, and was able to enjoy them to the glory of their Maker.
Intercessions
Let us beg the Father, source of all holiness, to lead us to holiness of life through the example and intercession of our blessed Father Francis. Let us pray for this intention saying:
【R】We beseech you, hear us.
Father, you made your servant, Francis, a perfect follower of your Son,
- grant us the grace to walk steadfastly in his footsteps and so to live faithfully the Gospel of Christ.【R】
Father, direct our feet into the way of peace which our holy Father has pointed out to us
- so that we may live wholeheartedly in obedience, poverty and chastity. 【R】
Father, you cast down the mighty and raise the lowly
- grant that we may imitate the humility of our seraphic Father.【R】
Father, you marked out your servant Francis with the scars of your Son's Passion
- teach us always to rejoice and glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.【R】
Father, at the prayer of Francis you granted forgiveness to sinners
- in your mercy, show the light of your countenance to our deceased brethren. 【R】
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
Father, you helped our seraphic Father Francis reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and humility. May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi and by imitating his joyful love: grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
About the earth the night creeps on
And shadows fill the air.
Our Father knows his days have run
And soon will end his care.
How constant is the little man,
How steadfast is his mind,
His ardent love the world will span
His heart God's love will find.
His sons with sorrow's bitter tears
About him sadly mourn,
"Desert us not with all our fears",
To him their cry is borne."
But upward to the light on high
He meekly points the way
And says that God will not deny
His grace to be their stay.
"Let error not invade your mind,
No evil where you live;
Bu t only virtue shining find
Its warmth your heart to give."
Thus speaking, forth his spirit went
To take its place above,
Among the stars it makes ascent
In blessedness of love.
Be praise to Father and his Son
And to the Spirit blest,
Who give to us while ages run
A glory manifest. Amen.
Psalmody
Psalm 111
Ant. 1:Francis, wholly catholic and apostolic, was sent to herald the gospel of peace.
Happy the man who fears the Lord, *
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; *
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house; *
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright: *
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, *
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver: *
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news; *
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear; *
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor; +
his justice stands firm forever. *
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry, +
grinds his teeth and fades away; *
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
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. 1:Francis, wholly catholic and apostolic, was sent to herald the gospel of peace.
Psalm 147
Ant. 2:In his lifetime he supported the house of God, and in his day he made safe the temple of the Lord.
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! *
Sion praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates, *
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders, *
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth *
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool, *
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.
He hurls down hailstones like crumbs. *
The waters are frozen at his touch:
he sends forth his word and it melts them: *
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.
He makes his word known to Jacob, *
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;*
he has not taught them his decrees.
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. 2:In his lifetime he supported the house of God, and in his day he made safe the temple of the Lord.
Psalm 141
Ant. 3:Bring my soul out of this prison; the just await my coming, when you will reward me?
With all my voice I cry to the Lord, +
with all my voice I entreat the Lord. *
I pour out my trouble before him;
I tell him all my distress +
while my spirit faints within me. *
But you, O Lord, know my path.
On the way where I shall walk *
they have hidden a snare to entrap me.
Look on my right and see: *
there is no one who takes my part.
I have no means of escape, *
not one who cares for my soul.
I cry to you, O Lord. +
I have said: "You are my refuge, *
all I have in the land of the living."
Listen, then, to my cry *
for I am in the depths of distress.
Rescue me from those who pursue me *
for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of this prison *
and then I shall praise your name.
Around me the just will assemble *
because of your goodness to 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 for ever. Amen.
Ant. 3:Bring my soul out of this prison; the just await my coming, when you will reward me?
Scripture Reading [Rom. 8, 10-11]
If Christ lives in you, then although the body be a dead thing in virtue of our guilt, the spirit is a living thing, by virtue of our justification. And if the spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead, will give life to your perishable bodies too, for the sake of his Spirit who dwells in you.
Short Responsory
【V】:Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven rich in merit.
【R】:Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven rich in merit.
【V】: He is honoured with heavenly song.
【R】:Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven rich in merit.
【V】: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:Francis, poor and humble, enters heaven rich in merit.
Magnificat Antiphon
Francis, totally submissive to the Creator, held sway over his creatures, and was able to enjoy them to the glory of their Maker.
My soul glorifies the Lord, *
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness; *
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. *
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age, *
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength *
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones *
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things, *
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant, *
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his sons 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.
Magnificat Antiphon
Francis, totally submissive to the Creator, held sway over his creatures, and was able to enjoy them to the glory of their Maker.
Intercessions
Let us beg the Father, source of all holiness, to lead us to holiness of life through the example and intercession of our blessed Father Francis. Let us pray for this intention saying:
【R】We beseech you, hear us.
Father, you made your servant, Francis, a perfect follower of your Son,
- grant us the grace to walk steadfastly in his footsteps and so to live faithfully the Gospel of Christ.【R】
Father, direct our feet into the way of peace which our holy Father has pointed out to us
- so that we may live wholeheartedly in obedience, poverty and chastity. 【R】
Father, you cast down the mighty and raise the lowly
- grant that we may imitate the humility of our seraphic Father.【R】
Father, you marked out your servant Francis with the scars of your Son's Passion
- teach us always to rejoice and glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.【R】
Father, at the prayer of Francis you granted forgiveness to sinners
- in your mercy, show the light of your countenance to our deceased brethren. 【R】
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
Father, you helped our seraphic Father Francis reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and humility. May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi and by imitating his joyful love: grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.