Evening Prayer
In those places where this Memorial is observed as a Solemnity or Feast, please use the texts found in the Common of Doctors of the Church or the Common of Pastors: For a Priest with the proper texts below.
INTRODUCTION
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 forever. Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN
Alternate Hymn
[Doctors]
Eternal Sun, whose splendid rays,
pervading all created things,
infuse our minds with heav’nly light;
our hearts rejoice to sing your praise.
Enkindled by your Spirit’s care,
resplendent lamps of living flame
shed light on earth through ev’ry age,
revealing paths that save and heal.
The truth of words from heaven sent,
the truth that human minds can teach,
has shone with new and clearer light
through these, the stewards of your grace.
This blest partaker of their crown,
revered for teachings filled with light,
whom we acclaim with hymns of praise,
has shone in splendor with the saints.
O grant us, Lord our God, we pray
this teacher’s loving patronage,
that, running on the paths of truth,
we hold the course and come to you.
Most loving Father, hear our prayer,
and you, O Christ coequal Son,
who with the Spirit Paraclete
now reign for all eternity. Amen.
Tune: MELCOMBE, 8 8 8 8
Music: Samuel Webbe the elder, 1740-1816
or Mode IV, melody 84; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Æterne sol, qui lumine, Anselmo Lentini, O.S.B., 1901-1989, © 2023 ICEL
Continue with the Psalmody
[Pastors]
Receive this hymn, O noble Priest,
bright pattern of a virtuous life;
as with due praise we sing your name,
we laud the wondrous works of God.
Christ came as Lord and great High Priest
to bind the human race to God,
restoring us to peace once more
through his eternal covenant.
In loving providence he willed
to make you steward of his gifts,
that God the Father might be praised
and all his people find new life.
You scaled the height and reached the crown,
the summit of this royal life;
by word and virtue you excelled
as teacher, priest, and sacrifice.
As you reside in heaven’s peace,
be mindful of the holy Church,
that all the sheep may seek and find
rich pasture in the joy of Christ.
All glory to the Triune God,
who crowns you with a worthy joy,
his true and zealous minister,
for service by your holy state. Amen.
Tune: As above
Text: Vir celse, forma fulgida, Anselmo Lentini, O.S.B., 1901-1989, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 The Lord surrounds his people with his strength.
Psalm 125
The Lord, guardian of his people
Peace to God’s true Israel (Galatians 6:16).
Those who put their trust in the Lord †
are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken, *
that stands for ever.
Jerusalem! The mountains surround her, †
so the Lord surrounds his people *
both now and for ever.
For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest *
over the land of the just
for fear that the hands of the just *
should turn to evil.
Do good, Lord, to those who are good, *
to the upright of heart;
but the crooked and those who do evil, *
drive them away!
On Israel, 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.
Psalm Prayer
Surround your people, Lord, within the safety of your Church, which you preserve on its rock foundation. Do not let us stretch out our hands to evil deeds, nor be destroyed by the insidious snares of the enemy, but bring us to share the lot of the saints in light.
Ant. The Lord surrounds his people with his strength.
Ant. 2 Unless you acquire the heart of a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Psalm 131
Childlike trust in God
Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29).
O Lord, my heart is not proud *
nor haughty my eyes.
I have not gone after things too great *
nor marvels beyond me.
Truly I have set my soul *
in silence and peace.
As a child has rest in its mother’s arms, *
even so my soul.
O Israel, hope in the Lord *
both now and 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
Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, you declared that whoever receives a little child in your name receives you, and you promised your kingdom to those who are like children. Never let pride reign in our hearts, but may the Father’s compassion reward and embrace all who willingly bear your gentle yoke.
Ant. Unless you acquire the heart of a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Ant. 3 Lord, you have made us a kingdom and priests for God our Father.
Canticle: Revelation 4:11; 5:9, 10, 12
Redemption hymn
O Lord our God, you are worthy *
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you have created all things; *
by your will they came to be and were made.
Worthy are you, O Lord, *
to receive the scroll and break open its seals.
For you were slain; *
with your blood you purchased for God
men of every race and tongue, *
of every people and nation.
You made of them a kingdom, †
and priests to serve our God, *
and they shall reign on the earth.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain *
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength, *
honor and glory and praise.
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 made us a kingdom and priests for God our Father.
READING
[Doctors] James 3:17-18
Wisdom from above is first of all innocent. It is also peaceable, lenient, docile, rich in sympathy and the kindly deeds that are its fruits, impartial and sincere. The harvest of justice is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.
RESPONSORY
In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.
— In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.
The Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
— He spoke with eloquence.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— In the midst of the Church he spoke with eloquence.
Or:
READING
[Pastors] 1 Peter 5:1-4
To the elders among you, I, a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and sharer in the glory that is to be revealed, make this appeal. God’s flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd’s care. Watch over it willingly, as God would have you do, not under constraint, and not for shameful profit, either, but generously. Be examples to the flock, not lording it over those assigned to you, so that when the chief Shepherd appears, you will win for yourselves the unfading crown of glory.
RESPONSORY
This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
He spent himself in their service,
— and ever prayed for them.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— This is a man who loved his brethren and ever prayed for them.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. God gave him surpassing wisdom which he taught without deceit, and shared freely with others.
Canticle of Mary
Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord
My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children 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. God gave him surpassing wisdom which he taught without deceit, and shared freely with others.
INTERCESSIONS
Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise, for he was appointed high priest among men and their representative before God. We honor him and in our weakness we pray:
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You marvelously illuminated your Church through distinguished leaders and holy men and women,
— let Christians rejoice always in such splendor.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You forgave the sins of your people when their holy leaders like Moses sought your compassion,
— through their intercession continue to purify and sanctify your holy people.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
In the midst of their brothers and sisters you anointed your holy ones and filled them with the Holy Spirit,
— fill all the leaders of your people with the same Spirit.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
You yourself are the only visible possession of our holy pastors,
— let none of them, won at the price of your blood, remain far from you.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
The shepherds of your Church keep your flock from being snatched out of your hand. Through them you give your flock eternal life,
— save those who have died, those for whom you gave up your life.
Bring salvation to your people, Lord.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Gathering our prayer 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,
you made Thomas Aquinas known for his holiness and learning.
Help us to grow in wisdom by his teaching,
and in holiness by imitating his faith.
Grant 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 made Saint Thomas Aquinas
outstanding in his zeal for holiness
and his study of sacred doctrine,
grant us, we pray,
that we may understand what he taught
and imitate what he accomplished.
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, Evening Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
— Amen.
******
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Shepherd of souls, in love come, feed us,
Life-giving Bread for hungry hearts!
To those refreshing waters lead us
Where dwells the peace your grace imparts.
May we, the wayward in your fold,
By your forgiveness rest consoled.
Life-giving vine, come feed and nourish,
Strengthen each branch with life divine;
Ever in you O may we flourish
Fruitful the branches on the vine.
Lord, may our souls be purified
So that in Christ may we abide.
Sinful is man who kneels before you,
Worthy of you are you alone;
Yet in your name do we implore you,
Rich are the mercies you have shown.
Say but the word, O Lord divine,
Then are our hearts made pure like thine.
Tune: Aus Heilige Seelenlust 98.98.88
Music: George Joseph, 1657
Text: Omar Westendorf © World Library Publications. Used with permission.
Continue with the Psalmody
