Morning Prayer
0811 Virgins Feast
Hymn
Little plant of Father Francis,
Holy Mother, gentle Clare,
Life and loveliness unfolding,
like a bud in sunlit air;
In the breath of God's own Spirit,
life so royal, ripe and rare!
Planted in the soil so arid
of thy vow of Poverty,
Owing nothing, claiming nothing,
grace from heaven nourished thee;
Stripped of all that was not Jesus,
all thy life to thee was he.
In thy light, O Sun of Justice,
she unfolded day by day,
Virtues, like a rose's petals lifting
them from where they lay,
O'er her heart of light,
which mirrored glory from thy glorious ray.
Glower of light, O shining flower,
white thou art with purity,
And the fragrance thou exhalest
is thy sweet humility;
And the light which shines
within thee is the fire of charity.
Little plant of Father Francis,
gentle Mother, holy Clare,
We, the children of thy Spirit,
crying to thee, claim thy care;
Whisper to each one thy secret:
"Prayer is love and love is prayer!"
Psalmody
Psalm 63:2-9
A soul thirsting for God
Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God.
Ant. 1:The hand of the Lord has been her strength, therefore she shall be blessed for ever.
O God, you are my God, for you I long; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you *
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life, *
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, *
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
On my bed I remember you. *
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; *
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.
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:The hand of the Lord has been her strength, therefore she shall be blessed for ever.
Canticle: Daniel 3:57-88, 56
Let all creatures praise the Lord
All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revelation 19:5).
Ant. 2:The Lord blessed her, and through her brought his enemies to nought.
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. *
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord. *
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord. *
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord. *
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. *
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord. *
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. *
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. *
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. *
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *
Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. *
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.
Ant. 2:The Lord blessed her, and through her brought his enemies to nought.
Psalm 149
The joy of God’s holy people.
Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new people, rejoice in Christ, their King (Hesychius).
Ant. 3:She cast all her cares on God: she trusted in him and received help.
Sing a new song to the Lord, *
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing *
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people. *
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips *
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
to deal out vengeance to the nations *
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *
this honor is for all his faithful.
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:She cast all her cares on God: she trusted in him and received help.
Scripture Reading [Is. 58, 10-11]
Your light shall rise in the darkness, and the Lord will give you rest for ever; he will fill your soul with brightness, and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring whose waters will not fail.
Short Responsory
【V】:My soul will rejoice in the Lord.
【R】:My soul will rejoice in the Lord.
【V】:And will delight in his salvation.
【R】:My soul will rejoice in the Lord.
【V】:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:My soul will rejoice in the Lord.
Benedictus Antiphon
The blessed Virgin Clare denied herself and took up her cross, following the Lord, the spouse of virgins.
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
The blessed Virgin Clare denied herself and took up her cross, following the Lord, the spouse of virgins.
Intercessions
Let us pray to the Father of all mercies, from whom comes all that is good, all that is perfect, and humbly say to him:
【R】Lord, hear our prayer.
You alone are holy and supremely good
- multiply in your Church saints who will love you and lead others to your love. 【R】
You gave us blessed Clare as our mother and model
- grant that we may follow in her footsteps, serving you in poverty and humility. 【R】
You are our way, our hope and our life; give to the Seraphic Order a vigorous evangelical life
- so that following Saint Clare's example, we may be faithful children of the Church.【R】
You are the source of true wisdom; inflame our hearts with your love
- so that mindful of your words we may always seek the better part.【R】
You look to your loved ones to bring forth fruit in patience; grant us the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- that working with him we may bring peace and joy to our sisters and brothers.【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
Lord God, in your mercy you led Saint Clare to the love of poverty. Help us, by her intercession, to follow Christ in poverty of spirit, so that, in the kingdom of heaven, we may see you in your glory: we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Little plant of Father Francis,
Holy Mother, gentle Clare,
Life and loveliness unfolding,
like a bud in sunlit air;
In the breath of God's own Spirit,
life so royal, ripe and rare!
Planted in the soil so arid
of thy vow of Poverty,
Owing nothing, claiming nothing,
grace from heaven nourished thee;
Stripped of all that was not Jesus,
all thy life to thee was he.
In thy light, O Sun of Justice,
she unfolded day by day,
Virtues, like a rose's petals lifting
them from where they lay,
O'er her heart of light,
which mirrored glory from thy glorious ray.
Glower of light, O shining flower,
white thou art with purity,
And the fragrance thou exhalest
is thy sweet humility;
And the light which shines
within thee is the fire of charity.
Little plant of Father Francis,
gentle Mother, holy Clare,
We, the children of thy Spirit,
crying to thee, claim thy care;
Whisper to each one thy secret:
"Prayer is love and love is prayer!"
Psalmody
Psalm 63:2-9
A soul thirsting for God
Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God.
Ant. 1:The hand of the Lord has been her strength, therefore she shall be blessed for ever.
O God, you are my God, for you I long; *
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you *
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary *
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life, *
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life, *
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, *
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
On my bed I remember you. *
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help; *
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you; *
your right hand holds me fast.
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:The hand of the Lord has been her strength, therefore she shall be blessed for ever.
Canticle: Daniel 3:57-88, 56
Let all creatures praise the Lord
All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revelation 19:5).
Ant. 2:The Lord blessed her, and through her brought his enemies to nought.
Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
You heavens, bless the Lord.
All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. *
All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Sun and moon, bless the Lord. *
Stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. *
All you winds, bless the Lord.
Fire and heat, bless the Lord. *
Cold and chill, bless the Lord.
Dew and rain, bless the Lord. *
Frost and chill, bless the Lord.
Ice and snow, bless the Lord. *
Nights and days, bless the Lord.
Light and darkness, bless the Lord. *
Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
Let the earth bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. *
Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.
You springs, bless the Lord. *
Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. *
All you birds of the air, bless the Lord.
All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. *
You sons of men, bless the Lord.
O Israel, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. *
Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. *
Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.
Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. *
Praise and exalt him above all forever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. *
Let us praise and exalt him above all forever.
Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. *
Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.
Ant. 2:The Lord blessed her, and through her brought his enemies to nought.
Psalm 149
The joy of God’s holy people.
Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new people, rejoice in Christ, their King (Hesychius).
Ant. 3:She cast all her cares on God: she trusted in him and received help.
Sing a new song to the Lord, *
his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, *
let Zion’s sons exult in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing *
and make music with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes delight in his people. *
He crowns the poor with salvation.
Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, *
shout for joy and take their rest.
Let the praise of God be on their lips *
and a two-edged sword in their hand,
to deal out vengeance to the nations *
and punishment on all the peoples;
to bind their kings in chains *
and their nobles in fetters of iron;
to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; *
this honor is for all his faithful.
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:She cast all her cares on God: she trusted in him and received help.
Scripture Reading [Is. 58, 10-11]
Your light shall rise in the darkness, and the Lord will give you rest for ever; he will fill your soul with brightness, and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring whose waters will not fail.
Short Responsory
【V】:My soul will rejoice in the Lord.
【R】:My soul will rejoice in the Lord.
【V】:And will delight in his salvation.
【R】:My soul will rejoice in the Lord.
【V】:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:My soul will rejoice in the Lord.
Benedictus Antiphon
The blessed Virgin Clare denied herself and took up her cross, following the Lord, the spouse of virgins.
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
The blessed Virgin Clare denied herself and took up her cross, following the Lord, the spouse of virgins.
Intercessions
Let us pray to the Father of all mercies, from whom comes all that is good, all that is perfect, and humbly say to him:
【R】Lord, hear our prayer.
You alone are holy and supremely good
- multiply in your Church saints who will love you and lead others to your love. 【R】
You gave us blessed Clare as our mother and model
- grant that we may follow in her footsteps, serving you in poverty and humility. 【R】
You are our way, our hope and our life; give to the Seraphic Order a vigorous evangelical life
- so that following Saint Clare's example, we may be faithful children of the Church.【R】
You are the source of true wisdom; inflame our hearts with your love
- so that mindful of your words we may always seek the better part.【R】
You look to your loved ones to bring forth fruit in patience; grant us the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- that working with him we may bring peace and joy to our sisters and brothers.【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
Lord God, in your mercy you led Saint Clare to the love of poverty. Help us, by her intercession, to follow Christ in poverty of spirit, so that, in the kingdom of heaven, we may see you in your glory: we ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.