Morning Prayer
0710 Virgins Memorial
HYMN
Now, from the heaven's descending.
Is seen a glorious light,
The Bride of Christ in splendor,
Arrayed in purest white.
She is the Holy City,
Whose radiance is the grace
Of all the saints in glory,
From every time and place.
This is the hour of gladness
For Bridegroom and for Bride,
The Lamb's great feast is ready,
His Bride is at his side.
How blessed are those invited
To share his wedding feast:
The least become the greatest,
The greatest are the least.
He who is throned in heaven
Takes up his dwelling-place
Among his chosen people,
Who see him face to face.
No sound is heard of weeping,
For pain and sorrow cease,
And sin shall reign no longer,
But love and joy and peace.
See how a new creation
Is brought at last to birth,
A new and glorious heaven,
A new and glorious earth.
Death's power for ever broken,
Its empire swept away,
The promised dawn of glory
Begins its endless day.
PSALMODY
Antiphons and Psalms of the Weekday
Scripture Reading [Song of Songs 8, 7]
Love is a fire no waters avail to quench, no floods to drown; for love,a man will give up all that he has in the world, and think nothing of his loss.
Short Responsory
【V】:My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence, Lord.
【R】:My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence, Lord.
【V】:It is your face that I will continue to seek.
【R】:My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence, Lord.
【V】:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence, Lord.
Benedictus Antiphon
My heart exults in the Lord, I find my strength in my God, as I rejoice in his saving help.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! *
He has visited his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour *
in the house of David his servant,
as he promised by the lips of holy men, *
those who were his prophets from of old.
A saviour who would free us from our foes, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
So his love for our fathers is fulfilled *
and his holy covenant remembered.
He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, *
that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes,
we might serve him in holiness and justice *
all the days of our life in his presence.
As for you, little child, *
you shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High.
You shall go ahead of the Lord *
to prepare his ways before him,
To make known to his people their salvation *
through forgiveness of all their sins,
the loving-kindness of the heart of our God *
who visits us like the dawn from on high.
He will give light to those in darkness, +
those who dwell in the shadow of death, *
and guide us into the way of peace.
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.
Benedictus Antiphon
My heart exults in the Lord, I find my strength in my God, as I rejoice in his saving help.
Intercessions
With great joy let us praise Christ, the bridegroom of all virgins:
Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.【R】
Lord Jesus, the holy virgins loved you as their only spouse;
- may we never be separated from you.【R】
You crowned your mother Mary as queen of all virgins;
- by her prayers grant we may serve you in purity of life.【R】
The holy virgins followed you with undivided hearts;
- do not allow us to be fascinated by this passing world and drawn away from you.【R】
Lord Jesus, you are the bridegroom that the wise virgins were ready to meet;
- let us watch for your coming with longing and hope.【R】
May Saint Veronica, who reigns in your kingdom, intercede for us;
- through her prayers grant us wisdom and innocence of life.【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 made the virgin, Saint Veronica, a wonderful embodiment of your Son's Passion. Through her example and prayer may we become conformed to Christ by humbly embracing the cross and so rejoicing when he is revealed in glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Now, from the heaven's descending.
Is seen a glorious light,
The Bride of Christ in splendor,
Arrayed in purest white.
She is the Holy City,
Whose radiance is the grace
Of all the saints in glory,
From every time and place.
This is the hour of gladness
For Bridegroom and for Bride,
The Lamb's great feast is ready,
His Bride is at his side.
How blessed are those invited
To share his wedding feast:
The least become the greatest,
The greatest are the least.
He who is throned in heaven
Takes up his dwelling-place
Among his chosen people,
Who see him face to face.
No sound is heard of weeping,
For pain and sorrow cease,
And sin shall reign no longer,
But love and joy and peace.
See how a new creation
Is brought at last to birth,
A new and glorious heaven,
A new and glorious earth.
Death's power for ever broken,
Its empire swept away,
The promised dawn of glory
Begins its endless day.
PSALMODY
Antiphons and Psalms of the Weekday
Scripture Reading [Song of Songs 8, 7]
Love is a fire no waters avail to quench, no floods to drown; for love,a man will give up all that he has in the world, and think nothing of his loss.
Short Responsory
【V】:My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence, Lord.
【R】:My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence, Lord.
【V】:It is your face that I will continue to seek.
【R】:My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence, Lord.
【V】:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:My heart has said of you: I have sought your presence, Lord.
Benedictus Antiphon
My heart exults in the Lord, I find my strength in my God, as I rejoice in his saving help.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! *
He has visited his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour *
in the house of David his servant,
as he promised by the lips of holy men, *
those who were his prophets from of old.
A saviour who would free us from our foes, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
So his love for our fathers is fulfilled *
and his holy covenant remembered.
He swore to Abraham our father to grant us, *
that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes,
we might serve him in holiness and justice *
all the days of our life in his presence.
As for you, little child, *
you shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High.
You shall go ahead of the Lord *
to prepare his ways before him,
To make known to his people their salvation *
through forgiveness of all their sins,
the loving-kindness of the heart of our God *
who visits us like the dawn from on high.
He will give light to those in darkness, +
those who dwell in the shadow of death, *
and guide us into the way of peace.
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.
Benedictus Antiphon
My heart exults in the Lord, I find my strength in my God, as I rejoice in his saving help.
Intercessions
With great joy let us praise Christ, the bridegroom of all virgins:
Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.【R】
Lord Jesus, the holy virgins loved you as their only spouse;
- may we never be separated from you.【R】
You crowned your mother Mary as queen of all virgins;
- by her prayers grant we may serve you in purity of life.【R】
The holy virgins followed you with undivided hearts;
- do not allow us to be fascinated by this passing world and drawn away from you.【R】
Lord Jesus, you are the bridegroom that the wise virgins were ready to meet;
- let us watch for your coming with longing and hope.【R】
May Saint Veronica, who reigns in your kingdom, intercede for us;
- through her prayers grant us wisdom and innocence of life.【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 made the virgin, Saint Veronica, a wonderful embodiment of your Son's Passion. Through her example and prayer may we become conformed to Christ by humbly embracing the cross and so rejoicing when he is revealed in glory, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.