Evening Prayer
0917 Holy Men Feast
Hymn
The Holy Cross in mysteries
On Mount Alvernia was revealed;
Salvation's graces, boundless seas,
Are given to all by heaven sealed,
While Francis labours in his mind
The light of Jesu's Cross to find.
This man within that mountain scene
In lonely thought his time has passed,
Remote from all the world can mean,
He multiplies his days of fast.
With burning zeal his vigil keeps
And naked, sighing never sleeps.
And there confined in prayer alone,
His mind he raises up above.
He mourns for what the world has done
To Jesus on the Cross of love.
In sorrow there he prays that tree
May bear more fruit in victory.
The King of heaven came to him
In bright angelic form concealed,
Six-winged as the Seraphim,
His kindly face his peace revealed
While he appears as crucified -
An omen strange, which prophesied.
The servant saw his Saviour there,
The Lord impassible in pain,
And there God's light and splendour fair,
To poor and humble servant plain
The message of the angel ran
Beyond the ken of mortal man.
There all that dwelt about could see
The mountain peaks were all afire,
While Francis' heart love's ecstasy
Transformed beyond his great desire.
There on his body, limbs and side
Appeared the marks of Christ, who died.
May Christ upon the Cross be praised,
Who saved us all from death and sin,
And be the Father's glory raised,
Whose Fatherhood has made us kin,
And equal glory be to him,
The Spirit, in our evening hymn. Amen
Psalmody
Psalm 14
Ant. 1:God has used Blessed Francis to show forth in many ways the mystery of the cross.
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent *
and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault; *
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart;·*
he who does not slander with his tongue;
he who does no wrong to his brother, *
who casts no slur on his neighbour,
who holds the godless in disdain, *
but honours those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may; +
who takes no interest on a loan *
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm for ever.
' 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 used Blessed Francis to show forth in many ways the mystery of the cross.
Psalm 111
Ant. 2:I had no thought of bringing you any other knowledge than that of Jesus Christ, and of him as crucified.
Happy the man who fears the Lord, *
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; *
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house; *
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright: *
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, *
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver: *
he will be remembered forever.
He has no fear of evil news; *
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear; *
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor; +
his justice stands firm forever. *
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry, +
grinds his teeth and fades away; *
the desire 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. 2:I had no thought of bringing you any other knowledge than that of Jesus Christ, and of him as crucified.
Canticle: Rev. 15, 3-4
Ant. 3:In the body I was put to death, in the spirit I was raised to life.
Great and wonderful are your deeds, *
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, *
O King of the ages!
Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord? *
For you alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship you, *
for your judgements have been revealed.
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:In the body I was put to death, in the spirit I was raised to life.
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. I want no more trouble from anyone after this; the marks on my body are those of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.
Short Responsory
【V】:Lord Jesus Christ, you have sealed your servant Francis.
【R】:Lord Jesus Christ, you have sealed your servant Francis.
【V】:With the marks of our redemption.
【R】:Lord Jesus Christ, you have sealed your servant Francis.
【V】:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:Lord Jesus Christ, you have sealed your servant Francis.
Magnificat Antiphon
I have died to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God. Our real life is Christ, and when he appears, then we too will appear with him and share his glory.
My soul glorifies the Lord, *
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness; *
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. *
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age, *
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength *
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones *
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things, *
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant, *
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his sons for ever.
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.
Magnificat Antiphon
I have died to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God. Our real life is Christ, and when he appears, then we too will appear with him and share his glory.
Intercessions
Let us beg the Father, source of all holiness, to lead us to holiness of life through the example and intercession of our blessed Father Francis. Let us pray for this intention saying:
【R】We beseech you, hear us.
Father, you made your servant, Francis, a perfect follower of your Son
- grant us the grace to walk steadfastly in his footsteps and so live faithfully the Gospel of Christ.【R】
Father, direct our feet into the way of peace which our holy Father has pointed out to us
- so that we may live wholeheartedly in obedience, without property and in chastity.【R】
Father, you cast down the mighty and raise the lowly
- grant that we may imitate the humility of our seraphic Father.【R】
Father, you marked out your servant Francis with the signs of your Son's passion
- teach us always to rejoice and glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 【R】
Father, at the prayer of Francis, you granted forgiveness to sinners
- in your mercy, show the light of your countenance to our deceased brethren.【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.
The Holy Cross in mysteries
On Mount Alvernia was revealed;
Salvation's graces, boundless seas,
Are given to all by heaven sealed,
While Francis labours in his mind
The light of Jesu's Cross to find.
This man within that mountain scene
In lonely thought his time has passed,
Remote from all the world can mean,
He multiplies his days of fast.
With burning zeal his vigil keeps
And naked, sighing never sleeps.
And there confined in prayer alone,
His mind he raises up above.
He mourns for what the world has done
To Jesus on the Cross of love.
In sorrow there he prays that tree
May bear more fruit in victory.
The King of heaven came to him
In bright angelic form concealed,
Six-winged as the Seraphim,
His kindly face his peace revealed
While he appears as crucified -
An omen strange, which prophesied.
The servant saw his Saviour there,
The Lord impassible in pain,
And there God's light and splendour fair,
To poor and humble servant plain
The message of the angel ran
Beyond the ken of mortal man.
There all that dwelt about could see
The mountain peaks were all afire,
While Francis' heart love's ecstasy
Transformed beyond his great desire.
There on his body, limbs and side
Appeared the marks of Christ, who died.
May Christ upon the Cross be praised,
Who saved us all from death and sin,
And be the Father's glory raised,
Whose Fatherhood has made us kin,
And equal glory be to him,
The Spirit, in our evening hymn. Amen
Psalmody
Psalm 14
Ant. 1:God has used Blessed Francis to show forth in many ways the mystery of the cross.
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent *
and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault; *
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart;·*
he who does not slander with his tongue;
he who does no wrong to his brother, *
who casts no slur on his neighbour,
who holds the godless in disdain, *
but honours those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may; +
who takes no interest on a loan *
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm for ever.
' 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 used Blessed Francis to show forth in many ways the mystery of the cross.
Psalm 111
Ant. 2:I had no thought of bringing you any other knowledge than that of Jesus Christ, and of him as crucified.
Happy the man who fears the Lord, *
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; *
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house; *
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright: *
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, *
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver: *
he will be remembered forever.
He has no fear of evil news; *
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear; *
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor; +
his justice stands firm forever. *
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry, +
grinds his teeth and fades away; *
the desire 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. 2:I had no thought of bringing you any other knowledge than that of Jesus Christ, and of him as crucified.
Canticle: Rev. 15, 3-4
Ant. 3:In the body I was put to death, in the spirit I was raised to life.
Great and wonderful are your deeds, *
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, *
O King of the ages!
Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord? *
For you alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship you, *
for your judgements have been revealed.
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:In the body I was put to death, in the spirit I was raised to life.
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. I want no more trouble from anyone after this; the marks on my body are those of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, my brothers. Amen.
Short Responsory
【V】:Lord Jesus Christ, you have sealed your servant Francis.
【R】:Lord Jesus Christ, you have sealed your servant Francis.
【V】:With the marks of our redemption.
【R】:Lord Jesus Christ, you have sealed your servant Francis.
【V】:Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
【R】:Lord Jesus Christ, you have sealed your servant Francis.
Magnificat Antiphon
I have died to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God. Our real life is Christ, and when he appears, then we too will appear with him and share his glory.
My soul glorifies the Lord, *
my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness; *
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. *
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age, *
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength *
and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones *
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things, *
sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant, *
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his sons for ever.
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.
Magnificat Antiphon
I have died to the world, and my life is hidden with Christ in God. Our real life is Christ, and when he appears, then we too will appear with him and share his glory.
Intercessions
Let us beg the Father, source of all holiness, to lead us to holiness of life through the example and intercession of our blessed Father Francis. Let us pray for this intention saying:
【R】We beseech you, hear us.
Father, you made your servant, Francis, a perfect follower of your Son
- grant us the grace to walk steadfastly in his footsteps and so live faithfully the Gospel of Christ.【R】
Father, direct our feet into the way of peace which our holy Father has pointed out to us
- so that we may live wholeheartedly in obedience, without property and in chastity.【R】
Father, you cast down the mighty and raise the lowly
- grant that we may imitate the humility of our seraphic Father.【R】
Father, you marked out your servant Francis with the signs of your Son's passion
- teach us always to rejoice and glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 【R】
Father, at the prayer of Francis, you granted forgiveness to sinners
- in your mercy, show the light of your countenance to our deceased brethren.【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.