Breviary

Morning Prayer

INVITATORY

The Invitatory is said when this is the first ‘hour’ of the day.

Go to the Hymn

Go to the Psalmody

Lord, + open my lips.
And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

The antiphon is repeated. In individual recitation, the antiphon may be said only at the beginning of the psalm; it need not be repeated after each strophe.

Psalm 24

Psalm 67

Psalm 100

Psalm 95
A call to praise God


Encourage each other daily while it is still today (Hebrews 3:13).

Come, let us sing to the Lord *
  and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.
Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving *
  and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

The Lord is God, the mighty God, *
  the great king over all the gods.
He holds in his hands the depths of the earth *
  and the highest mountains as well.
He made the sea; it belongs to him, *
  the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship, *
  bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.
For he is our God and we are his people, *
  the flock he shepherds.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord:
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
  in the wilderness, *
when at Meriba and Massah
  they challenged me and provoked me, *
Although they had seen all of my works.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Forty years I endured that generation. *
I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray
  and they do not know my ways.”
So I swore in my anger, *
  “They shall not enter into my rest.”

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

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. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

If the Invitatory is not said, then the following is used:

God, + come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.

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. Alleluia.

HYMN

Alternate Hymns

The morning light dawns crimson gold,
all heaven echoes hymns of praise,
the world exulting shouts for joy,
and hell with groaning howls in grief.

For that most strong and mighty King,
by crushing all the pow’rs of death
and trampling hell beneath his feet,
has freed the wretched from their chains.

Enclosed within a tomb of stone,
secured by strong and zealous guard,
the Victor rises from the grave,
in triumph nobly marching forth.

Now grief of hell and cries of woe,
all pain and sorrow are undone;
an angel, clothed in light, proclaims:
The Lord is risen as he said.

O Jesus, be for mind and heart
our everlasting paschal joy
and gather us, reborn by grace,
to share your triumphs evermore.

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
who shine in vict’ry over death,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Tune: DUKE STREET, 8 8 8 8
Music: attributed to John Warrington Hatton, ca. 1710-1793, in William Dixon’s Euphonia, ca. 1805
or Mode VIII, melody 98; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Aurora lucis rutilat, 5th c., © 2023 ICEL


Continue with the Psalmody

Or:

Now let the new Jerusalem
draw forth new sweetness from this hymn,
and let the chorus celebrate
with solemn joy this Paschal Feast.

For Christ, unconquered lion comes,
the dragon crushed beneath his feet;
with living voice he cries aloud,
and, rising, wakes the dead from death.

The prey that Satan had devoured
his nether kingdom must expel:
a crowd of captives, free at last,
now follows Jesus from the tomb.

He triumphs, filled with splendid light,
in sov’reign pow’r and majesty;
he forms a single commonwealth,
one native land of heav’n and earth.

Let us entreat him with our song
as soldiers of our God and King,
that rank on rank he order us
within the splendor of his courts.

O Jesus, be for mind and heart
our everlasting paschal joy
and gather us, reborn by grace,
to share your triumphs evermore.

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,
who shine in vict’ry over death,
with God the Father, ever blest,
and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Tune: DUKE STREET, 8 8 8 8
Music: attributed to John Warrington Hatton, ca. 1710-1793, in William Dixon’s Euphonia, ca. 1805
or Mode I, melody 10; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Chorus novæ Ierusalem, Saint Fulbert of Chartres, ca. 960-1029, © 2023 ICEL

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life, alleluia.

Psalm 119:145-152
XIX (Koph)

A meditation on God’s law


Loving God means keeping his commandments (1 John 5:3).

I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me, *
I will keep your commands.
I call upon you, save me *
and I will do your will.

I rise before dawn and cry for help, *
I hope in your word.
My eyes watch through the night *
to ponder your promise.

In your love hear my voice, O Lord; *
give me life by your decrees.
Those who harm me unjustly draw near: *
they are far from your law.

But you, O Lord, are close: *
your commands are truth.
Long have I known that your will *
is established 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.

Psalm Prayer

Save us by the power of your hand, Father, for our enemies have ignored your words. May the fire of your word consume our sins and its brightness illumine our hearts.

Ant. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life, alleluia.

Ant. 2 Lord, you have built your temple and altar on your holy mountain, alleluia.

Canticle: Wisdom 9:1-6, 9-11
Lord, give me wisdom


I will inspire you with wisdom which your adversaries will be unable to resist (Luke 21:15).

God of my fathers, Lord of mercy, *
you who have made all things by your word
and in your wisdom have established man *
to rule the creatures produced by you,
to govern the world in holiness and justice, *
and to render judgment in integrity of heart:

Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, *
and reject me not from among your children;
for I am your servant, the son of your handmaid,
a man weak and short-lived *
and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws.

Indeed, though one be perfect among the sons of men,
if Wisdom, who comes from you, be not with him, *
he shall be held in no esteem.

Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works *
and was present when you made the world;
who understands what is pleasing in your eyes *
and what is conformable with your commands.

Send her forth from your holy heavens *
and from your glorious throne dispatch her
that she may be with me and work with me, *
that I may know what is your pleasure.

For she knows and understands all things,
and will guide me discreetly in my affairs *
and safeguard me by her glory.

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. Lord, you have built your temple and altar on your holy mountain, alleluia.

Ant. 3 I am the way, the truth and the life, alleluia.

Psalm 117
Praise for God’s loving compassion


I affirm that . . . the Gentile peoples are to praise God because of his mercy (Romans 15:8-9).

O praise the Lord, all you nations, *
acclaim him all you peoples!

Strong is his love for us; *
he is faithful 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.

Psalm Prayer

God our Father, may all nations and peoples praise you. May Jesus, who is called faithful and true and who lives with you eternally, possess our hearts for ever.

Ant. I am the way, the truth and the life, alleluia.

READING
Romans 14:7-9

None of us lives as his own master and none of us dies as his own master. While we live we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die we die as his servants. Both in life and in death we are the Lord’s. That is why Christ died and came to life again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

RESPONSORY

The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.

He hung upon the cross for us,
alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL CANTICLE

Ant. Simon Peter said: Lord to who shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we believe and we are convinced that you are the Christ, the Son of God, alleluia.

Canticle of Zechariah
Luke 1:68-79
The Messiah and his forerunner


Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old
  that he would save us from our enemies, *
  from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
   all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet 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.

Ant. Simon Peter said: Lord to who shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we believe and we are convinced that you are the Christ, the Son of God, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

Christ is the bread of life; he will raise up on the last day all who share the table of his word and his body. In our joy let us pray:
Lord, give us peace and joy.

Son of God, you were raised from the dead to lead us into life,
bless and sanctify all the children of your Father.
Lord, give us peace and joy.

You give peace and joy to all who believe in you,
grant that we may walk as children of the light, rejoicing in your victory.
Lord, give us peace and joy.

Build up the faith of your pilgrim Church on earth,
that it may bear witness to your resurrection before the whole world.
Lord, give us peace and joy.

You suffered and so entered into the glory of the Father,
change the tears of the sorrowful into joy.
Lord, give us peace and joy.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

(Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:)

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

God our Father,
by the waters of baptism
you give new life to the faithful.
May we not succumb to the influence of evil
but remain true to your gift of life.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Or:

O God, who in the font of Baptism
have made new those who believe in you,
keep safe those reborn in Christ,
that, defeating every onslaught of error,
they may faithfully preserve the grace of your blessing.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

DISMISSAL

If a priest or deacon presides, he dismisses the people:

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.

May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Another form of the blessing may be used, as at Mass.

Then he adds:


Go in peace.
Thanks be to God.

In the absence of a priest or deacon and in individual recitation, Morning Prayer concludes:

May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.

******

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Psalm 24
The Lord’s entry into his temple


Christ opened heaven for us in the manhood he assumed (Saint Irenaeus).

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, *
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas; *
on the waters he made it firm.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? *
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things, *
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

He shall receive blessings from the Lord *
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him, *
seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Who is the king of glory?
The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, *
the Lord, the valiant in war.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

O gates, lift high your heads;
grow higher, ancient doors. *
Let him enter, the king of glory!

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Who is he, the king of glory?
He, the Lord of armies, *
he is the king of glory.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

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. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Continue with the Hymn

Psalm 67
People of all nations will worship the Lord


You must know that God is offering his salvation to all the world (Acts 28:28).

O God, be gracious and bless us *
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth *
and all nations learn your saving help.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Let the nations be glad and exult *
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples, *
you guide the nations on earth.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

The earth has yielded its fruit *
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing *
till the ends of the earth revere him.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

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. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Continue with the Hymn

Psalm 100
The joyful song of those entering God’s temple


The Lord calls his ransomed people to sing songs of victory (Saint Athanasius).

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness. *
Come before him, singing for joy.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Know that he, the Lord, is God.
He made us, we belong to him, *
we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Go within his gates, giving thanks.
Enter his courts with songs of praise. *
Give thanks to him and bless his name.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Indeed, how good is the Lord,
eternal his merciful love. *
He is faithful from age to age.

Ant. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

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. The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Continue with the Hymn


Jesus Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ our heav’nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now He rules eternal King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Praise to God the Father sing, Alleluia!
Praise to God the Son, our King, Alleluia!
Praise to God the Spirit be, Alleluia!
Now and through eternity, Alleluia!

Tune: Easter Hymn 77.77 with alleluia
Music: Lyra Davidica, 1708
Text: Stanza 1 In Lyra Davidica, Latin Carol, paraphrased, 1708, alt; stanzas 2, 3, The Compleat Psalmodist, 1749, alt; stanza 4, William Reynolds, 1860


Continue with the Psalmody

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Ye sons and daughters, let us sing!
The King of Heav’n, the glorious King,
O’er death today rose triumphing.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
An angel clad in white they see,
Who sat, and spoke unto the three,
“Your Lord doth go to Galilee.”
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
On this most holy day of days,
To God your hearts and voices raise,
In laud and jubilee and praise.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
And we with Holy Church unite,
As evermore is just and right,
In glory to the King of light.
Alleluia!

Tune: O Filii et Filiae 888 with alleluias
Music: Seventeenth Century French Proper Melody
Text: Jean Tisserand, d. 1495
Translation: John Mason Neale, 1818-1866, alt.


Continue with the Psalmody

Or:

This joyful Eastertide
Away with sin and sorrow!
My love, the Crucified,
Has sprung to life this morrow:

Refrain: Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain:
But now has Christ arisen,
Arisen, arisen, arisen;
But now has Christ arisen!

My flesh in hope shall rest
And for a season slumber
Till trump from east to west
Shall wake the dead in number:

Refrain: Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain:
But now has Christ arisen,
Arisen, arisen, arisen;
But now has Christ arisen!

Death’s flood has lost its chill
Since Jesus crossed the river;
Lover of souls, from ill
My passing soul deliver:

Refrain: Had Christ, who once was slain,
Not burst his three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain:
But now has Christ arisen,
Arisen, arisen, arisen;
But now has Christ arisen!

Tune: Vreuchten 67.67 with refrain
Music: Ooudaen’s David’s Psalmen, 1685
Text: George R. Woodward, 1848-1934


Continue with the Psalmody

Or:

This day our risen Savior reigns,
Creation’s undefeated King,
While angels in resplendent light
With mighty voice his triumph sing.

This day the Lord has made his own,
Who broke from his confining grave,
His living presence fills the world
That by his cross he came to save.

To God the Father glory give
For Jesus Christ his deathless Son,
Who with the Holy Spirit lives
Immortal, and for ever one.

Tune: Solemnis Haec Festivas L.M.
Music: Graduale, 1685
Text: © 1974 Stanbrook Abbey, used with permission


Continue with the Psalmody

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