Office of Readings
1004 Solemnity
Invitatory Antiphon
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the God who save us.
Let us come before him giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
A mighty God is the Lord,
a great king above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his.
To him belongs the sea, for he made it,
and the dry land shaped by his hands.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
Come in; let us bow and bend low;
let us kneel before the God who made us
for he is our God and we +
the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
O that today you would listen to his voice!
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert +
when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
For forty years I was wearied of these people
and I said: 'Their hearts are astray,
these people do not know my ways.' +
Then I took an oath in my anger:
'Never shall they enter my rest.'"
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
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.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
Hymn
Saint Francis glorified by grace
Assumed a lowly guise,
But there in glory found his place
Among the souls sublime.
His humble soul with sternest rule
His body kept in check.
He conquers self in virtue's school
To be a victor great.
A vine of Minors there he sows
On poverty's estate
And trains it as it upward grows
With craftsmanship and care.
Eternal wealth he makes the quest
Of all his needy bands,
Whose tongues must always preach with zest
Delights of heaven to men.
His life and teaching shine like light,
His marvels splendid shine,
His great example shines as bright,
A living lamp for all.
O Father to that splendid place
Bring all your children home
That they may find redeeming grace
In Christ's eternal life.
We ask the Father and the Son,
The Holy Spirit too,
That they for us should be the One,
The mighty Trinity. Amen.
Psalmody
Psalm 1
Ant. 1:God has caused me to forget my father's house, and has made me flourish in a poor soil.vv Happy indeed is the man *
who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners *
nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord, *
and who ponders his law day and night.
He is like a tree that is planted *
beside the flowing waters,
that yields its fruit in due season +
and whose leaves shall never fade; *
and all that he does shall prosper.
Not so are the wicked, not so! +
For they like winnowed chaff *
shall be driven away by the wind.
When the wicked are judged they shall not stand, *
Nor find room among those who are just;
for the Lord guards the way of the just *
but the way 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:God has caused me to forget my father's house, and has made me flourish in a poor soil.
Psalm 8
Ant. 2:He prized the shame of Christ's cross as riches exceeding all earthly treasure.
How great is your name, O Lord our God, *
through all the earth!
Your majesty is praised above the heavens; *
on the lips of children and of babes
you have found praise to foil your enemy, *
to silence the foe and the rebel.
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands *
the moon and the stars which you arranged,
what is man that you should keep him in mind *
mortal man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him little less than a god; *
with glory and honour you crowned him,
gave him power over the work of your hand, *
put all things under his feet.
All of them, sheep and cattle, *
yes, even the savage beasts,
birds of the air, and fish *
that make their way through the waters.
How great is your name, O Lord our God, *
through all the earth!
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:He prized the shame of Christ's cross as riches exceeding all earthly treasure.
Psalm 15
Ant. 3:I have died to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. +
I say to the Lord: 'You are my God. *
My happiness lies in you alone.'
He has put into my heart a marvellous love *
for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows. +
Never will I offer their offerings of blood. *
Never will ! take their name upon my lips.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; *
it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight: *
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, *
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight: *
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; *
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, *
nor let your beloved know decay.
You will show me the path of life, +
the fullness of joy in your presence, *
at your right hand happiness for ever.
Ant. 3:I have died to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
【V】:Lord, you have sealed your servant, Francis.
【R】:With the signs of our redemption.
The First Reading
A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus [Ecclus 50,1, 4-11,13-14,22-25, 29-31]
He shone out like the sun in the temple of God
The leader of his brethren and the pride of his people, who in his life repaired the house, and in his time fortified the temple.
He considered how to save his people from ruin, and fortified the city to withstand a siege. How glorious he was when the people gathered round him as he came out of the inner sanctuary! Like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon when it is full; like the sun shining upon the temple of the Most High, and like the rainbow gleaming in glorious clouds; like roses in the days of the first fruits, like lilies by a spring of water, like a green shoot on Lebanon on a summer day; like fire and incense in the censer, like a vessel of hammered gold adorned with all kinds of precious stones; like an olive tree putting forth its fruit, and like a cypress towering in the clouds. When he put on his glorious robe and clothed himself with superb perfection and went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.
With a garland of brethren around him, he was like a young cedar on Lebanon; and they surrounded him like the trunks of palm trees, all the sons of Aaron in their splendour with the Lord's offering in their hands, before the whole congregation of Israel. Finishing the service at the altars and arranging the offering to the Most High the Almighty, he reached out his hand to the cup and poured a libation of the blood of the grape; he poured it out at the foot of the altar, a pleasing odour to the Most High, the King of all.
And now bless the God of all, who in every way does great things; who exalts our days from birth, and deals with us according to his mercy. May he give us gladness of heart, and grant that peace may be in our days in Israel, as in the days of old.
Instruction in understanding and knowledge I have written in this book, who out of his heart poured forth wisdom. Blessed is he who concerns himself with these things and he who lays them to heart will become wise. For if he does them, he will be strong for all things, for the light of the Lord is his path.
Responsory
【V】:My teaching and message were not delivered with skilful words of human wisdom *
【R】:but with convincing proof of the power of God’s Spirit.
【V】:For I had no thought of bringing you any other knowledge than that of Jesus Christ, and of him as crucified *
【R】:but with convincing proof of the power of God’s Spirit.
The Second Reading
From the letter of Saint Francis to all the faithful
How blessed are those who love the Lord and do as the Lord himself tells us in the Gospel
Because I am the servant of all, I am obliged to serve all and to administer the fragrant words of my Lord to them.Therefore, realizing that I could not visit each one of you personally because of sickness and the weakness of my body, I decided to offer you in this letter and message the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Word of the Father, and the words of the Holy Spirit, “which are spirit and life”.
The most high Father made known from heaven through His holy angel Gabriel this Word of the Father - so worthy, so holy and glorious - in the womb of holy and glorious Virgin Mary, from whose womb he received the flesh of our humanity and frailty. Though he was rich, He wished, together with the most Blessed Virgin, His mother, to choose poverty in the world beyond all else.
His Father’s will was such that His blessed and glorious Son, Whom He gave to us and Who was born for us, should offer Himself through His own blood as a sacrifice and oblation on the altar of the cross: not for Himself through Whom all things were made, but for our sins, leaving us an example that we might follow His footprints.
And He wishes all of us to be saved through Him and receive Him with our heart pure and our body chaste. How blessed and happy are those who love God and do as the Lord Himself says in the Gospel: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself." Let us love God, therefore, and adore Him with a pure heart and a pure mind, because He Who seeks this above all things has said: "True adorers adore the Father in Spirit and Truth". For all "who adore Him must ad ore Him in the Spirit" of truth. And "day and night" let us direct praises and prayers to Him, saying: "Our Father, Who art in heaven ... " for we "should pray and not become weary." We must also fast and abstain from vices and sins and from an excess of food and drink and be Catholics.
We must also frequently visit churches and venerate and revere the clergy not so much for themselves, if they are sinners; but because of their office and administration of the most holy Body and Blood of Christ which they sacrifice upon the altar, receive and administer to others. And let all of us know for certain that no one can be saved except through the holy words and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which the clergy pronounce, proclaim and minister. Religious, however, who have left the world, are bound to do more and greater things, but not to overlook these.
We must "love our enemies and do good to those who hate us." We must observe the commands and counsels of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must also deny ourselves and place our bodies under the yoke of servitude and holy obedience as each one has promised to the Lord.
We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh, but, instead, we must be simple, humble and pure. We must never desire to be above others, but, instead, we must be servants and subject to "every creature far God's sake." And "the Spirit of the Lord will rest" upon all those men and women who have done and persevered in these things and It will make a home and "dwelling place in them". And they will be the children of the heavenly Father, Whose works they do. And they are spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I, brother Francis, your lesser servant, with a wish to kiss your feet, beg and implore you in the love that is God, to receive, to put into practice, and to observe, as you should, these words and the others of our Lord Jesus Christ with humility and love. And may the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit bless all who receive them with kindness, and understand them, "if they have persevered to. the end" in them.
Responsory
【V】:Listen to my voice and do all that I command you
【R】:and you shall find rest for your souls.
【V】:Be imitators of me as I am of Christ
【R】:and you shall find rest for your souls.
TeDeum
We praise you, O God: *
we acclaim you as the Lord.
Everlasting Father, *
all the world bows down before you.
All the angels sing your praise, *
the hosts of heaven and all the angelic powers,
all the cherubim and seraphim *
call out to you in unending song:
Holy, Holy, Holy, *
is the Lord God of angel hosts!
The heavens and the earth are filled *
with your majesty and glory.
The glorious band of apostles, *
the noble company of prophets,
the white-robed army who shed their blood for Christ, *
all sing your praise.
And to the ends of the earth *
your holy Church proclaims her faith in you:
Father, whose majesty is boundless, +
your true and only Son, who is to be adored *
the Holy Spirit sent to be our Advocate.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
Son of the eternal Father.
When you took our nature to save mankind *
you did not shrink from birth in the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the power of death *
opening the Father's kingdom to all who believe in you.
Enthroned at God's right hand in the glory of the Father, *
you will come in judgment according to your promise.
You redeemed your people by your precious blood. *
Come we implore you, to our aid.
Grant us with the saints *
a place in eternal glory.
***
Lord, save your people *
and bless your inheritance.
Rule them and uphold them *
for ever and ever.
Day by day we praise you: *
we acclaim you now and to all eternity.
In your goodness, Lord, keep us free from sin. *
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
May your mercy always be with us, Lord, *
for we have hoped in you.
In you, Lord, we put our trust: *
we shall not be put to shame.
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.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
hail the God who save us.
Let us come before him giving thanks,
with songs let us hail the Lord.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
A mighty God is the Lord,
a great king above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his.
To him belongs the sea, for he made it,
and the dry land shaped by his hands.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
Come in; let us bow and bend low;
let us kneel before the God who made us
for he is our God and we +
the people who belong to his pasture,
the flock that is led by his hand.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
O that today you would listen to his voice!
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as on that day at Massah in the desert +
when your fathers put me to the test;
when they tried me, though they saw my work.
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
For forty years I was wearied of these people
and I said: 'Their hearts are astray,
these people do not know my ways.' +
Then I took an oath in my anger:
'Never shall they enter my rest.'"
【Ant.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
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.】: Christ the King exalts the humble; come, let us adore him.
Hymn
Saint Francis glorified by grace
Assumed a lowly guise,
But there in glory found his place
Among the souls sublime.
His humble soul with sternest rule
His body kept in check.
He conquers self in virtue's school
To be a victor great.
A vine of Minors there he sows
On poverty's estate
And trains it as it upward grows
With craftsmanship and care.
Eternal wealth he makes the quest
Of all his needy bands,
Whose tongues must always preach with zest
Delights of heaven to men.
His life and teaching shine like light,
His marvels splendid shine,
His great example shines as bright,
A living lamp for all.
O Father to that splendid place
Bring all your children home
That they may find redeeming grace
In Christ's eternal life.
We ask the Father and the Son,
The Holy Spirit too,
That they for us should be the One,
The mighty Trinity. Amen.
Psalmody
Psalm 1
Ant. 1:God has caused me to forget my father's house, and has made me flourish in a poor soil.vv Happy indeed is the man *
who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners *
nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord, *
and who ponders his law day and night.
He is like a tree that is planted *
beside the flowing waters,
that yields its fruit in due season +
and whose leaves shall never fade; *
and all that he does shall prosper.
Not so are the wicked, not so! +
For they like winnowed chaff *
shall be driven away by the wind.
When the wicked are judged they shall not stand, *
Nor find room among those who are just;
for the Lord guards the way of the just *
but the way 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:God has caused me to forget my father's house, and has made me flourish in a poor soil.
Psalm 8
Ant. 2:He prized the shame of Christ's cross as riches exceeding all earthly treasure.
How great is your name, O Lord our God, *
through all the earth!
Your majesty is praised above the heavens; *
on the lips of children and of babes
you have found praise to foil your enemy, *
to silence the foe and the rebel.
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands *
the moon and the stars which you arranged,
what is man that you should keep him in mind *
mortal man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him little less than a god; *
with glory and honour you crowned him,
gave him power over the work of your hand, *
put all things under his feet.
All of them, sheep and cattle, *
yes, even the savage beasts,
birds of the air, and fish *
that make their way through the waters.
How great is your name, O Lord our God, *
through all the earth!
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:He prized the shame of Christ's cross as riches exceeding all earthly treasure.
Psalm 15
Ant. 3:I have died to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. +
I say to the Lord: 'You are my God. *
My happiness lies in you alone.'
He has put into my heart a marvellous love *
for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows. +
Never will I offer their offerings of blood. *
Never will ! take their name upon my lips.
O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; *
it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight: *
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, *
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight: *
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; *
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead, *
nor let your beloved know decay.
You will show me the path of life, +
the fullness of joy in your presence, *
at your right hand happiness for ever.
Ant. 3:I have died to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
【V】:Lord, you have sealed your servant, Francis.
【R】:With the signs of our redemption.
The First Reading
A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus [Ecclus 50,1, 4-11,13-14,22-25, 29-31]
He shone out like the sun in the temple of God
The leader of his brethren and the pride of his people, who in his life repaired the house, and in his time fortified the temple.
He considered how to save his people from ruin, and fortified the city to withstand a siege. How glorious he was when the people gathered round him as he came out of the inner sanctuary! Like the morning star among the clouds, like the moon when it is full; like the sun shining upon the temple of the Most High, and like the rainbow gleaming in glorious clouds; like roses in the days of the first fruits, like lilies by a spring of water, like a green shoot on Lebanon on a summer day; like fire and incense in the censer, like a vessel of hammered gold adorned with all kinds of precious stones; like an olive tree putting forth its fruit, and like a cypress towering in the clouds. When he put on his glorious robe and clothed himself with superb perfection and went up to the holy altar, he made the court of the sanctuary glorious.
With a garland of brethren around him, he was like a young cedar on Lebanon; and they surrounded him like the trunks of palm trees, all the sons of Aaron in their splendour with the Lord's offering in their hands, before the whole congregation of Israel. Finishing the service at the altars and arranging the offering to the Most High the Almighty, he reached out his hand to the cup and poured a libation of the blood of the grape; he poured it out at the foot of the altar, a pleasing odour to the Most High, the King of all.
And now bless the God of all, who in every way does great things; who exalts our days from birth, and deals with us according to his mercy. May he give us gladness of heart, and grant that peace may be in our days in Israel, as in the days of old.
Instruction in understanding and knowledge I have written in this book, who out of his heart poured forth wisdom. Blessed is he who concerns himself with these things and he who lays them to heart will become wise. For if he does them, he will be strong for all things, for the light of the Lord is his path.
Responsory
【V】:My teaching and message were not delivered with skilful words of human wisdom *
【R】:but with convincing proof of the power of God’s Spirit.
【V】:For I had no thought of bringing you any other knowledge than that of Jesus Christ, and of him as crucified *
【R】:but with convincing proof of the power of God’s Spirit.
The Second Reading
From the letter of Saint Francis to all the faithful
How blessed are those who love the Lord and do as the Lord himself tells us in the Gospel
Because I am the servant of all, I am obliged to serve all and to administer the fragrant words of my Lord to them.Therefore, realizing that I could not visit each one of you personally because of sickness and the weakness of my body, I decided to offer you in this letter and message the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Word of the Father, and the words of the Holy Spirit, “which are spirit and life”.
The most high Father made known from heaven through His holy angel Gabriel this Word of the Father - so worthy, so holy and glorious - in the womb of holy and glorious Virgin Mary, from whose womb he received the flesh of our humanity and frailty. Though he was rich, He wished, together with the most Blessed Virgin, His mother, to choose poverty in the world beyond all else.
His Father’s will was such that His blessed and glorious Son, Whom He gave to us and Who was born for us, should offer Himself through His own blood as a sacrifice and oblation on the altar of the cross: not for Himself through Whom all things were made, but for our sins, leaving us an example that we might follow His footprints.
And He wishes all of us to be saved through Him and receive Him with our heart pure and our body chaste. How blessed and happy are those who love God and do as the Lord Himself says in the Gospel: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself." Let us love God, therefore, and adore Him with a pure heart and a pure mind, because He Who seeks this above all things has said: "True adorers adore the Father in Spirit and Truth". For all "who adore Him must ad ore Him in the Spirit" of truth. And "day and night" let us direct praises and prayers to Him, saying: "Our Father, Who art in heaven ... " for we "should pray and not become weary." We must also fast and abstain from vices and sins and from an excess of food and drink and be Catholics.
We must also frequently visit churches and venerate and revere the clergy not so much for themselves, if they are sinners; but because of their office and administration of the most holy Body and Blood of Christ which they sacrifice upon the altar, receive and administer to others. And let all of us know for certain that no one can be saved except through the holy words and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which the clergy pronounce, proclaim and minister. Religious, however, who have left the world, are bound to do more and greater things, but not to overlook these.
We must "love our enemies and do good to those who hate us." We must observe the commands and counsels of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must also deny ourselves and place our bodies under the yoke of servitude and holy obedience as each one has promised to the Lord.
We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh, but, instead, we must be simple, humble and pure. We must never desire to be above others, but, instead, we must be servants and subject to "every creature far God's sake." And "the Spirit of the Lord will rest" upon all those men and women who have done and persevered in these things and It will make a home and "dwelling place in them". And they will be the children of the heavenly Father, Whose works they do. And they are spouses, brothers and mothers of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I, brother Francis, your lesser servant, with a wish to kiss your feet, beg and implore you in the love that is God, to receive, to put into practice, and to observe, as you should, these words and the others of our Lord Jesus Christ with humility and love. And may the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit bless all who receive them with kindness, and understand them, "if they have persevered to. the end" in them.
Responsory
【V】:Listen to my voice and do all that I command you
【R】:and you shall find rest for your souls.
【V】:Be imitators of me as I am of Christ
【R】:and you shall find rest for your souls.
TeDeum
We praise you, O God: *
we acclaim you as the Lord.
Everlasting Father, *
all the world bows down before you.
All the angels sing your praise, *
the hosts of heaven and all the angelic powers,
all the cherubim and seraphim *
call out to you in unending song:
Holy, Holy, Holy, *
is the Lord God of angel hosts!
The heavens and the earth are filled *
with your majesty and glory.
The glorious band of apostles, *
the noble company of prophets,
the white-robed army who shed their blood for Christ, *
all sing your praise.
And to the ends of the earth *
your holy Church proclaims her faith in you:
Father, whose majesty is boundless, +
your true and only Son, who is to be adored *
the Holy Spirit sent to be our Advocate.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, *
Son of the eternal Father.
When you took our nature to save mankind *
you did not shrink from birth in the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the power of death *
opening the Father's kingdom to all who believe in you.
Enthroned at God's right hand in the glory of the Father, *
you will come in judgment according to your promise.
You redeemed your people by your precious blood. *
Come we implore you, to our aid.
Grant us with the saints *
a place in eternal glory.
***
Lord, save your people *
and bless your inheritance.
Rule them and uphold them *
for ever and ever.
Day by day we praise you: *
we acclaim you now and to all eternity.
In your goodness, Lord, keep us free from sin. *
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
May your mercy always be with us, Lord, *
for we have hoped in you.
In you, Lord, we put our trust: *
we shall not be put to shame.
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.