Morning Prayer
0917 Holy Men Feast
Hymn
Children, hymns of mystic meaning
Sing the father's praise today,
Showing forth the wounds of Jesus,
Praising him with singing gay.
Leader in our warlike mission
Take the banner of the Cross,
Following Christ's weary footsteps,
Never for God's gifts at loss.
Looking on his crucifixion,
On the Cross now unified,
Heart united with his suffering,
To the world so crucified.
Works of world and flesh destroying,
Fixing them upon that wood,
Heart that sword, the Cross, transfixing,
Blessed Francis wounded stood.
Seraph on the Cross appearing,
Wounded hand and feet and side;
God's own hand the image sealing
Of the Saviour crucified.
Praise the Father, Son and Spirit
Through the wounds which Francis bore,
May he give to us his children
Graces as our heavenly store. Amen.
Psalmody
Psalm 63:2-9
A soul thirsting for God
Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God.
Ant. 1:With Christ I hang upon the cross, and yet I am alive; or rather not I; it is Christ who lives in me.
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:With Christ I hang upon the cross, and yet I am alive; or rather not I; it is Christ who lives in me.
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:Christ Jesus has won the mastery over me, so that I may learn to know him and what it means to share his sufferings, moulded into the pattern of his death.
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:Christ Jesus has won the mastery over me, so that I may learn to know him and what it means to share his sufferings, moulded into the pattern of his death.
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:Christ will be glorified in my body; for me, life means Christ.
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:Christ will be glorified in my body; for me, life means Christ.
Scripture Reading [Gal. 6, 14&17-18]
As for me, the only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. The marks on my body are those of Jesus.
Short Responsory
【V】:Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me.
【R】:Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me.
【V】:My heart throbs, my strength is spent.
【R】:Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me.
【V】:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me.
Benedictus Antiphon
O Francis, because you longed for martyrdom the Dawn from on high came to visit you and renewed in your body the marks of our redemption.
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
O Francis, because you longed for martyrdom the Dawn from on high came to visit you and renewed in your body the marks of our redemption.
Intercessions
Christ our Lord established the Church with his own blood, and has deigned to call us to be followers of Francis; let us humbly beseech him, saying:
【R】Keep us faithful, Lord in your service.
You came to bring the good news to the poor; teach us to spread your kingdom abroad by word and deed
- and to establish it effectively among men.【R】
You are the light of all nations and teacher of holiness; grant that we may firmly adhere to the true faith
- and preach your name to the ends of the earth.【R】
You commanded your disciples to observe, above all, your precept of love
- grant that we may make it our special concern to do good to all.【R】
Wisdom of the Eternal Father, enlighten our minds
- so that we may live the truth in love, and that all our thoughts may be imbued with truth and holiness.【R】
Christ our Saviour, you did not disdain to work with your hands; direct the work of our hands
- so that all may see our good works and glorify the Father.【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
Almighty God, you renewed the marks of the sufferings of Jesus in the body of our holy Father Francis in order to inflame our hearts with the fire of your love. Through his prayers may we be made conformable to the death of your Son and thus share also in his resurrection: 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.
Children, hymns of mystic meaning
Sing the father's praise today,
Showing forth the wounds of Jesus,
Praising him with singing gay.
Leader in our warlike mission
Take the banner of the Cross,
Following Christ's weary footsteps,
Never for God's gifts at loss.
Looking on his crucifixion,
On the Cross now unified,
Heart united with his suffering,
To the world so crucified.
Works of world and flesh destroying,
Fixing them upon that wood,
Heart that sword, the Cross, transfixing,
Blessed Francis wounded stood.
Seraph on the Cross appearing,
Wounded hand and feet and side;
God's own hand the image sealing
Of the Saviour crucified.
Praise the Father, Son and Spirit
Through the wounds which Francis bore,
May he give to us his children
Graces as our heavenly store. Amen.
Psalmody
Psalm 63:2-9
A soul thirsting for God
Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God.
Ant. 1:With Christ I hang upon the cross, and yet I am alive; or rather not I; it is Christ who lives in me.
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:With Christ I hang upon the cross, and yet I am alive; or rather not I; it is Christ who lives in me.
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:Christ Jesus has won the mastery over me, so that I may learn to know him and what it means to share his sufferings, moulded into the pattern of his death.
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:Christ Jesus has won the mastery over me, so that I may learn to know him and what it means to share his sufferings, moulded into the pattern of his death.
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:Christ will be glorified in my body; for me, life means Christ.
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:Christ will be glorified in my body; for me, life means Christ.
Scripture Reading [Gal. 6, 14&17-18]
As for me, the only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. The marks on my body are those of Jesus.
Short Responsory
【V】:Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me.
【R】:Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me.
【V】:My heart throbs, my strength is spent.
【R】:Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me.
【V】:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:Your arrows have sunk deep in me; your hand has come down upon me.
Benedictus Antiphon
O Francis, because you longed for martyrdom the Dawn from on high came to visit you and renewed in your body the marks of our redemption.
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
O Francis, because you longed for martyrdom the Dawn from on high came to visit you and renewed in your body the marks of our redemption.
Intercessions
Christ our Lord established the Church with his own blood, and has deigned to call us to be followers of Francis; let us humbly beseech him, saying:
【R】Keep us faithful, Lord in your service.
You came to bring the good news to the poor; teach us to spread your kingdom abroad by word and deed
- and to establish it effectively among men.【R】
You are the light of all nations and teacher of holiness; grant that we may firmly adhere to the true faith
- and preach your name to the ends of the earth.【R】
You commanded your disciples to observe, above all, your precept of love
- grant that we may make it our special concern to do good to all.【R】
Wisdom of the Eternal Father, enlighten our minds
- so that we may live the truth in love, and that all our thoughts may be imbued with truth and holiness.【R】
Christ our Saviour, you did not disdain to work with your hands; direct the work of our hands
- so that all may see our good works and glorify the Father.【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
Almighty God, you renewed the marks of the sufferings of Jesus in the body of our holy Father Francis in order to inflame our hearts with the fire of your love. Through his prayers may we be made conformable to the death of your Son and thus share also in his resurrection: 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.