Office of Readings
0808 Pastors Feast
Invitatory Antiphon
【Ant.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; come, let us adore him.
Hymn
Come, adore this wondrous presence,
Bow to Christ, the source of grace.
Here is kept the ancient promise
Of God's earthly dwelling place.
Sight is blind before God's glory,
Faith alone may see his face.
Glory be to God the Father,
Praise to his co-equal Son,
Adoration to the Spirit,
Bond of love, in Godhead one.
Blest be God by all creation
Joyously while ages run.
Psalmody
Psalm 41
Ant. 1:He seldom spoke unless with God in prayer, or about God; and he encouraged his brethren to do the same.
Like the deer that yearns *
for running streams,
so my soul is yearning *
for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for God, *
the God of my life;
when can I enter and see *
the face of God?
My tears have become my bread, *
by night, by day,
as I hear it said all the day long: *
Where is your God?'
These things will I remember *
as I pour out my soul:
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd *
into the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, *
the throng wild with joy.
Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my saviour and my God.
My soul is cast down within me *
as I think of you,
from the country of Jordan and Mount Hermon, *
from the Hill of Mizar.
Deep is calling on deep, *
in the roar of waters:
your torrents and all your waves *
swept over me.
By day the Lord will send *
his loving kindness;
by night I will sing to him, *
praise the God of my life.
I will say to God, my rock: *
Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning *
oppressed by the foe?'
With cries that pierce me to the heart *
my enemies revile me,
saying to me all the day long: *
Where is your God?'
Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my saviour and my God.
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:He seldom spoke unless with God in prayer, or about God; and he encouraged his brethren to do the same.
Psalm 76
Ant. 2:He had compassion on his neighbours and ardently desired their salvation.
I cry aloud to God, *
cry aloud to God that he may hear me.
In the day of distress I sought the Lord. +
My hands were raised at night without ceasing; *
my soul refused to be consoled.
I remembered my God and I groaned. *
I pondered and my spirit fainted.
You withheld sleep from my eyes. *
I was troubled, I could not speak.
I thought of the days long ago *
and remembered the years long past.
At night I mused within my heart. *
I pondered and my spirit questioned.
'Will the Lord reject us for ever? *
Will he show us his favour no-more?
Has his love vanished for ever? *
Has his promise come to an end?
Does God forget his mercy *
or in anger withhold his compassion?'
I said: 'This is what causes my grief; *
that the way of the Most High has changed.'
I remember the deeds of the Lord, *
I remember your wonders of old;
I muse on all your works *
and ponder your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy. *
What God is great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders. *
You showed your power among the people.
Your strong arm redeemed your people, *
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, O God, +
the waters saw you and trembled; *
the depths were moved with terror.
The clouds poured down rain, +
the skies sent forth their voice; *
your arrows flashed to and fro.
Your thunder rolled round the sky, *
your flashes lighted up the world.
The earth was moved and trembled *
when your way led through the sea,
your path through the mighty waters *
and no one saw your footprints.
You guided your people like a flock *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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 had compassion on his neighbours and ardently desired their salvation.
Psalm 144, 1-9
Ant. 3:He showed himself everywhere to be a man of the Gospel in word and deed.
I will give you glory, O God my King, *
I will bless your name for ever.
I will bless you day after day *
and praise your name for ever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised, *
his greatness cannot be measured.
Age to age shall proclaim your works,*
shall declare your mighty deeds.
shall speak of your splendour and glory, *
tell the tale of your wonderful works.
They will speak of your terrible deeds,*
recount your greatness and might.
They will recall your abundant goodness; *
age to age shall ring out your justice.
The Lord is kind and full of compassion, *
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, *
compassionate to all his creatures.
Ant. 3:He showed himself everywhere to be a man of the Gospel in word and deed.
【V】:All my words that I speak to you.
【R】:Hearken with your ears and cherish in your heart.
The First Reading
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians [1 Cor 2, 1-16]
I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified
When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.
The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one: "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Responsory [2 Tim 4, 2&5; Rom 10, 15]
【V】：Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. *
【R】：Always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist.
【V】：How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news! *
【R】：Always be steady, endure suffering, do the works of an evangelist.
The Second Reading
A reading from the Libellus by Blessed Jordan of Saxony on the beginnings of the Order of Preachers [pp.74-77]
Concerning the habits of Master Dominic
Far more impressive and splendid than all Dominic's miracles were the exceptional integrity of his character and the extraordinary energy of divine zeal which carried him along; these proved beyond all doubt that he was a vessel of honour and grace, adorned with every kind of precious stone. His mind was always steady and calm, except when he was stirred by a feeling of compassion and mercy; and, since a happy heart makes for a cheerful face, the tranquil composure of the inner man was revealed outwardly by the kindliness and cheerfulness of his expression. He never allowed himself to become angry. In every reasonable purpose which his mind conceived, in accordance with God's will, he maintained such constancy that he hardly ever, if ever, consented to change any plan he had formulated with due deliberation. And though, as has been said, his face was always radiant with a cheerfulness which revealed the good conscience he bore within him: "the light of his face never fell to the ground." By his cheerfulness he easily won the love of everybody. Without difficulty he found his way into people's hearts as soon as they saw him.
Wherever he went, whether he was on the road with his companions or in some house, with his host and the rest of the household, or among important people and rulers and prelates, he always overflowed with inspiring words. He had an abundant supply of edifying stories, with which he directed people's minds to the love of Christ and to contempt for the world. Everywhere, in word and deed, he showed himself to be a man of the Gospel.
During the day, nobody was more sociable and happy with his brethren and companions, but at night nobody was more thoroughly dedicated to keeping vigil and to prayer. "At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn." The day he gave to his neighbours, the night he gave to God, knowing that "By day the Lord will send his loving kindness, by night his song."
He used to weep plenteously and frequently, and his tears became his bread by day and by night, by day especially when he celebrated his daily Mass, and by night especially when he kept watch in his uniquely unwearying vigils.
It was his frequent habit to spend the whole night in church, so that he hardly ever seemed to have any fixed bed of his own to sleep in. He used to pray and keep vigil at night to the very limit of what he could force his frail body to endure. When at last weariness overtook him and his spirit succumbed, so that he had to sleep for a while, he rested briefly before the altar or absolutely anywhere, sometimes even leaning his head against a stone, like the patriarch Jacob. But then he would soon be awake again, rallying his spirit to resume his fervent prayer.
Everybody was enfolded in the wide embrace of his charity, and since he loved everyone, everyone loved him. He made it his own business to rejoice with those who were rejoicing and to weep with those who wept. He was full of affection and gave himself utterly to caring for his neighbours and to showing sympathy for the unfortunate.
Another thing that made him so attractive to everybody was his straightforwardness; there was never a hint of guile or duplicity in anything he said or did.
He was a true lover of poverty, and he always wore cheap clothes. He confined himself to a very modest allowance of food and drink, avoiding all luxuries. He was quite content with very simple food, so firm was his bodily self-control, and he drank wine so austerely diluted that, though it satisfied his bodily needs, it never blunted his fine sensitive spirit.
Who could ever hope to imitate the virtues of this man? We can, however, admire them, and weigh up the slackness of our own generation against his example. To be able to do what he did requires more than human strength; it presupposes a particular grace, which he alone had, unless perhaps God, in his merciful kindness, deigns to bring anyone else to a similar peak of holiness. But who is there who would be ready for such a gift? But still, Brethren, let us follow in our father's footsteps to the best of our ability, and let us also give thanks to our Redeemer, who has granted to his servants such a remarkable man to lead us along the path we are walking, giving us new birth through him into the clear light of this way of life.
And let us entreat the Father of mercies that we may be directed by the Spirit who leads God's children, so that, following the path marked out by our fathers, we may attain to that same goal of eternal happiness and everlasting bliss to which he has already happily come, and that we may never turn aside from the right way.
Responsory
【V】:What wonderful hope you gave to those weeping over you in the hour of your death, when you promised to be of use to your brothers after your death! *
【R】:Fulfil, Father, what you promised, and help us by your prayers.
【V】:You were renowned for so many signs, healing the bodies of the sick: bring Christ's power to heal us who are sick in our way of life. *
【R】:Fulfil, Father, what you promised, and help us by your prayers.
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
Almighty God, you have enlightened your Church by the merits and teachings of Saint Dominic, your confessor and our father. Giant, by his intercession, that she may never lack temporal help but grow ever richer in spiritual blessings: 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.
【Ant.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; 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.】:Today we are celebrating a feast in honour of our father Saint Dominic; come, let us adore him.
Hymn
Come, adore this wondrous presence,
Bow to Christ, the source of grace.
Here is kept the ancient promise
Of God's earthly dwelling place.
Sight is blind before God's glory,
Faith alone may see his face.
Glory be to God the Father,
Praise to his co-equal Son,
Adoration to the Spirit,
Bond of love, in Godhead one.
Blest be God by all creation
Joyously while ages run.
Psalmody
Psalm 41
Ant. 1:He seldom spoke unless with God in prayer, or about God; and he encouraged his brethren to do the same.
Like the deer that yearns *
for running streams,
so my soul is yearning *
for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for God, *
the God of my life;
when can I enter and see *
the face of God?
My tears have become my bread, *
by night, by day,
as I hear it said all the day long: *
Where is your God?'
These things will I remember *
as I pour out my soul:
how I would lead the rejoicing crowd *
into the house of God,
amid cries of gladness and thanksgiving, *
the throng wild with joy.
Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my saviour and my God.
My soul is cast down within me *
as I think of you,
from the country of Jordan and Mount Hermon, *
from the Hill of Mizar.
Deep is calling on deep, *
in the roar of waters:
your torrents and all your waves *
swept over me.
By day the Lord will send *
his loving kindness;
by night I will sing to him, *
praise the God of my life.
I will say to God, my rock: *
Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning *
oppressed by the foe?'
With cries that pierce me to the heart *
my enemies revile me,
saying to me all the day long: *
Where is your God?'
Why are you cast down, my soul, *
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still, *
my saviour and my God.
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:He seldom spoke unless with God in prayer, or about God; and he encouraged his brethren to do the same.
Psalm 76
Ant. 2:He had compassion on his neighbours and ardently desired their salvation.
I cry aloud to God, *
cry aloud to God that he may hear me.
In the day of distress I sought the Lord. +
My hands were raised at night without ceasing; *
my soul refused to be consoled.
I remembered my God and I groaned. *
I pondered and my spirit fainted.
You withheld sleep from my eyes. *
I was troubled, I could not speak.
I thought of the days long ago *
and remembered the years long past.
At night I mused within my heart. *
I pondered and my spirit questioned.
'Will the Lord reject us for ever? *
Will he show us his favour no-more?
Has his love vanished for ever? *
Has his promise come to an end?
Does God forget his mercy *
or in anger withhold his compassion?'
I said: 'This is what causes my grief; *
that the way of the Most High has changed.'
I remember the deeds of the Lord, *
I remember your wonders of old;
I muse on all your works *
and ponder your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy. *
What God is great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders. *
You showed your power among the people.
Your strong arm redeemed your people, *
the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, O God, +
the waters saw you and trembled; *
the depths were moved with terror.
The clouds poured down rain, +
the skies sent forth their voice; *
your arrows flashed to and fro.
Your thunder rolled round the sky, *
your flashes lighted up the world.
The earth was moved and trembled *
when your way led through the sea,
your path through the mighty waters *
and no one saw your footprints.
You guided your people like a flock *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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 had compassion on his neighbours and ardently desired their salvation.
Psalm 144, 1-9
Ant. 3:He showed himself everywhere to be a man of the Gospel in word and deed.
I will give you glory, O God my King, *
I will bless your name for ever.
I will bless you day after day *
and praise your name for ever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised, *
his greatness cannot be measured.
Age to age shall proclaim your works,*
shall declare your mighty deeds.
shall speak of your splendour and glory, *
tell the tale of your wonderful works.
They will speak of your terrible deeds,*
recount your greatness and might.
They will recall your abundant goodness; *
age to age shall ring out your justice.
The Lord is kind and full of compassion, *
slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all, *
compassionate to all his creatures.
Ant. 3:He showed himself everywhere to be a man of the Gospel in word and deed.
【V】:All my words that I speak to you.
【R】:Hearken with your ears and cherish in your heart.
The First Reading
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians [1 Cor 2, 1-16]
I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified
When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.
The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one: "For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
Responsory [2 Tim 4, 2&5; Rom 10, 15]
【V】：Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. *
【R】：Always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist.
【V】：How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news! *
【R】：Always be steady, endure suffering, do the works of an evangelist.
The Second Reading
A reading from the Libellus by Blessed Jordan of Saxony on the beginnings of the Order of Preachers [pp.74-77]
Concerning the habits of Master Dominic
Far more impressive and splendid than all Dominic's miracles were the exceptional integrity of his character and the extraordinary energy of divine zeal which carried him along; these proved beyond all doubt that he was a vessel of honour and grace, adorned with every kind of precious stone. His mind was always steady and calm, except when he was stirred by a feeling of compassion and mercy; and, since a happy heart makes for a cheerful face, the tranquil composure of the inner man was revealed outwardly by the kindliness and cheerfulness of his expression. He never allowed himself to become angry. In every reasonable purpose which his mind conceived, in accordance with God's will, he maintained such constancy that he hardly ever, if ever, consented to change any plan he had formulated with due deliberation. And though, as has been said, his face was always radiant with a cheerfulness which revealed the good conscience he bore within him: "the light of his face never fell to the ground." By his cheerfulness he easily won the love of everybody. Without difficulty he found his way into people's hearts as soon as they saw him.
Wherever he went, whether he was on the road with his companions or in some house, with his host and the rest of the household, or among important people and rulers and prelates, he always overflowed with inspiring words. He had an abundant supply of edifying stories, with which he directed people's minds to the love of Christ and to contempt for the world. Everywhere, in word and deed, he showed himself to be a man of the Gospel.
During the day, nobody was more sociable and happy with his brethren and companions, but at night nobody was more thoroughly dedicated to keeping vigil and to prayer. "At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn." The day he gave to his neighbours, the night he gave to God, knowing that "By day the Lord will send his loving kindness, by night his song."
He used to weep plenteously and frequently, and his tears became his bread by day and by night, by day especially when he celebrated his daily Mass, and by night especially when he kept watch in his uniquely unwearying vigils.
It was his frequent habit to spend the whole night in church, so that he hardly ever seemed to have any fixed bed of his own to sleep in. He used to pray and keep vigil at night to the very limit of what he could force his frail body to endure. When at last weariness overtook him and his spirit succumbed, so that he had to sleep for a while, he rested briefly before the altar or absolutely anywhere, sometimes even leaning his head against a stone, like the patriarch Jacob. But then he would soon be awake again, rallying his spirit to resume his fervent prayer.
Everybody was enfolded in the wide embrace of his charity, and since he loved everyone, everyone loved him. He made it his own business to rejoice with those who were rejoicing and to weep with those who wept. He was full of affection and gave himself utterly to caring for his neighbours and to showing sympathy for the unfortunate.
Another thing that made him so attractive to everybody was his straightforwardness; there was never a hint of guile or duplicity in anything he said or did.
He was a true lover of poverty, and he always wore cheap clothes. He confined himself to a very modest allowance of food and drink, avoiding all luxuries. He was quite content with very simple food, so firm was his bodily self-control, and he drank wine so austerely diluted that, though it satisfied his bodily needs, it never blunted his fine sensitive spirit.
Who could ever hope to imitate the virtues of this man? We can, however, admire them, and weigh up the slackness of our own generation against his example. To be able to do what he did requires more than human strength; it presupposes a particular grace, which he alone had, unless perhaps God, in his merciful kindness, deigns to bring anyone else to a similar peak of holiness. But who is there who would be ready for such a gift? But still, Brethren, let us follow in our father's footsteps to the best of our ability, and let us also give thanks to our Redeemer, who has granted to his servants such a remarkable man to lead us along the path we are walking, giving us new birth through him into the clear light of this way of life.
And let us entreat the Father of mercies that we may be directed by the Spirit who leads God's children, so that, following the path marked out by our fathers, we may attain to that same goal of eternal happiness and everlasting bliss to which he has already happily come, and that we may never turn aside from the right way.
Responsory
【V】:What wonderful hope you gave to those weeping over you in the hour of your death, when you promised to be of use to your brothers after your death! *
【R】:Fulfil, Father, what you promised, and help us by your prayers.
【V】:You were renowned for so many signs, healing the bodies of the sick: bring Christ's power to heal us who are sick in our way of life. *
【R】:Fulfil, Father, what you promised, and help us by your prayers.
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
Almighty God, you have enlightened your Church by the merits and teachings of Saint Dominic, your confessor and our father. Giant, by his intercession, that she may never lack temporal help but grow ever richer in spiritual blessings: 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.