S. Joannis Apostoli et EvangelistæS. John, Apostle and Evangelist

℣ O Lord, ✠ open my lips.

℟ And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

℣ O God, ✠ come to my assistance.

℟ Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Alleluia.

Ant. The Lord, King of Apostles, * come, let us adore.

Ant. The Lord, King of Apostles, * come, let us adore.

Come, let us exult in the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to God, our Savior. Let us anticipate his presence with confession, and let us sing joyfully to him with psalms.

Ant. The Lord, King of Apostles, * come, let us adore.

For the Lord is a great God and a great King over all gods. For the Lord will not drive away his people. For in his hand are all the limits of the earth, and he beholds the heights of the mountains.

Ant. come, let us adore.

For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands established the dry land. (kneel) Come, let us adore and fall prostrate before God, and let us weep before the Lord who made us. For he is the Lord our God, and we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Ant. The Lord, King of Apostles, * come, let us adore.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness, where your fathers tempted me; they tested and saw my works.

Ant. come, let us adore.

For forty years, I was near to that generation, and I said: These have always strayed in heart. But they have not known my ways. To them I swore in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest.

Ant. The Lord, King of Apostles, * come, let us adore.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. come, let us adore.

Ant. The Lord, King of Apostles, * come, let us adore.

Th' eternal gifts of Christ the King,

The Apostles' glory, let us sing;

And all with hearts of gladness raise

Due hymns of thankful love and praise.

For they the Church's princes are,

Triumphant leaders in the war,

The heavenly King's own warrior band,

True lights to lighten every land.

Theirs was the steadfast faith of saints,

The hope that never yields nor faints,

The love of Christ in perfect glow,

That lay the prince of this world low.

In them the Father's glory shone,

In them the Spirit's will was done,

The Son himself exults in them;

Joy fills the new Jerusalem.

Praise to the Father, with the Son,

And Holy Spirit, Three in One;

As ever was in ages past,

And so shall be while ages last.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. Into all the earth * their sound has gone forth, and to the ends of the world their words.

Psalm 18 [1]

18:2 The heavens describe the glory of God, * and the firmament announces the work of his hands.

18:3 Day proclaims the word to day, * and night to night imparts knowledge.

18:4 There are no speeches or conversations, * where their voices are not being heard.

18:5 Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, * and their words to the ends of the world.

18:6a He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, * and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom.

18:6b He has exulted like a giant running along the way; * (7a) his departure is from the summit of heaven.

18:7b And his course reaches all the way to its summit. * Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat.

18:8 The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. * The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones.

18:9 The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. * The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes.

18:10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. * The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves:

18:11 desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

18:12 For, indeed, your servant keeps them, * and in keeping them, there are many rewards.

18:13 Who can understand transgression? † From my hidden faults, cleanse me, O Lord, * (14a) and from those of others, spare your servant.

18:14b If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, * and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression.

18:15a And the eloquence of my mouth will be so as to please, * along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever,

18:15b O Lord, my helper * and my redeemer.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Into all the earth their sound has gone forth, and to the ends of the world their words.

Ant. The just cried out, * and the Lord heard them.

Psalm 33 [2]

33:2 I will bless the Lord at all times. * His praise will be ever in my mouth.

33:3 In the Lord, my soul will be praised. * May the meek listen and rejoice.

33:4 Magnify the Lord with me, * and let us extol his name in itself.

33:5 I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, * and he carried me away from all my tribulations.

33:6 Approach him and be enlightened, * and your faces will not be confounded.

33:7 This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, * and he saved him from all his tribulations.

33:8 The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, * and he will rescue them.

33:9 Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. * Blessed is the man who hopes in him.

33:10 Fear the Lord, all you his saints. * For there is no destitution for those who fear him.

33:11 The rich have been needy and hungry, * but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good thing.

33:12 Come forward, sons. Listen to me. * I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

33:13 Which is the man who wills life, * who chooses to see good days?

33:14 Prohibit your tongue from evil * and your lips from speaking deceit.

33:15 Turn away from evil, and do good. * Inquire about peace, and pursue it.

33:16 The eyes of the Lord are on the just, * and his ears are with their prayers.

33:17 But the countenance of the Lord is upon those who do evil, * to perish the remembrance of them from the earth.

33:18 The just cried out, and the Lord heard them, * and he freed them from all their tribulations.

33:19 The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, * and he will save the humble in spirit.

33:20 Many are the afflictions of the just, * but from them all the Lord will free them.

33:21 The Lord preserves all of their bones, * not one of them shall be broken.

33:22 The death of a sinner is very harmful, * and those who hate the just will fare badly.

33:23 The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, * and none of those who hope in him will fare badly.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. The just cried out, and the Lord heard them.

Ant. You shall make them * princes over all the earth: they shall be mindful of your name, O Lord.

Psalm 44 [3]

44:2a My heart has uttered a good word. * I speak of my works to the king.

44:2b My tongue is like the pen of a scribe * who writes quickly.

44:3 You are a brilliant form before the sons of men. † Grace has been poured freely into your lips. * Because of this, God has blessed you in eternity.

44:4 Fasten your sword to your thigh, * O most powerful one.

44:5a With your splendor and your excellence * extended, proceed prosperously, and reign

44:5b for the sake of truth and meekness and justice, * and so will your right hand lead you wondrously.

44:6 Your arrows are sharp; the people will fall under you, * with the hearts of the enemies of the king.

44:7 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. * The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of true aim.

44:8 You have loved justice and hated iniquity. * Because of this, God, your God, has anointed you, before your co-heirs, with the oil of gladness.

44:9 Myrrh and balsam and cinnamon perfume your garments, from the houses of ivory. * From these, they have delighted you: (10a) the daughters of kings in your honor.

44:10b The queen assisted at your right hand, in clothing of gold, * encircled with diversity.

44:11 Listen, daughter, and see, and incline your ear. * And forget your people and your father’s house.

44:12 And the king will desire your beauty. * For he is the Lord your God, and they will adore him.

44:13 And the daughters of Tyre * will entreat your countenance with gifts: all the rich men of the people.

44:14 All the glory of the daughter of its king is inside, * in golden fringes, (15a) clothed all around with diversities.

44:15b After her, virgins will be led to the king. * Her neighbors will be brought to you.

44:16 They will be brought with gladness and exultation. * They will be led into the temple of the king.

44:17 For your fathers, sons have been born to you. * You will establish them as leaders over all the earth.

44:18a They will remember your name always, * for generation after generation.

44:18b Because of this, people will confess to you in eternity, * even forever and ever.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. You shall make them princes over all the earth: they shall be mindful of your name, O Lord.

℣ Their sound has gone forth into all the earth.

℟ And their words to the ends of the world.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

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 also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. Hear the prayers of your servants, Lord Jesus Christ, and have mercy on us: You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the eternal Father bless us with his everlasting blessing.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 1

Here begins the First Epistle of blessed John the Apostle

1 John 1:1-5

1 He who was from the beginning, whom we have heard, whom we have seen with our eyes, upon whom we have gazed, and whom our hands have certainly touched: He is the Word of Life.

2 And that Life has been made manifest. And we have seen, and we testify, and we announce to you: the Eternal Life, who was with the Father, and who appeared to us.

3 He whom we have seen and heard, we announce to you, so that you, too, may have fellowship with us, and so that our fellowship may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And this we write to you, so that you may rejoice, and so that your joy may be full.

5 And this is the announcement which we have heard from him, and which we announce to you: that God is light, and in him there is no darkness.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Greatly to be honored is blessed John, who at supper reclined upon the breast of the Lord:

* To whom Christ on the Cross entrusted his Virgin Mother to a virgin.

℣ He is a virgin chosen by the Lord, and beloved above all others.

℟ To whom Christ on the Cross entrusted his Virgin Mother to a virgin.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the Only Begotten Son of God be pleased to bless and assist us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

1 John 1:6-10

6 If we claim that we have fellowship with him, and yet we walk in darkness, then we are lying and not telling the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, just as he also is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we claim that we have no sin, then we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, then he is faithful and just, so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

10 If we claim that we have not sinned, then we make him a liar, and his Word is not in us.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ This is that disciple who bears witness of these things and wrote these things:

* And we know that his testimony is true.

℣ He drank the streams of the Gospel from that sacred font of the Lord's own breast.

℟ And we know that his testimony is true.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

1 John 2:1-5

1 My little sons, this I write to you, so that you may not sin. But if anyone has sinned, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One.

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins. And not only for our sins, but also for those of the whole world.

3 And we can be sure that we have known him by this: if we observe his commandments.

4 Whoever claims that he knows him, and yet does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the charity of God is perfected.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ This is the most blessed Evangelist and Apostle John,

* Who by the privilege of a special love merited to be honored more highly than the others by the Lord.

℣ This is that disciple whom Jesus loved, who reclined upon the breast of the Lord at the supper.

℟ Who by the privilege of a special love merited to be honored more highly than the others by the Lord.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ Who by the privilege of a special love merited to be honored more highly than the others by the Lord.

Nocturn II

Ant. The princes of the peoples * are gathered together with the God of Abraham.

Psalm 46 [4]

46:2 All nations, clap your hands. * Shout joyfully to God with a voice of exultation.

46:3 For the Lord is exalted and terrible: * a great King over all the earth.

46:4 He has subjected the peoples to us * and subdued the nations under our feet.

46:5 He has chosen us for his inheritance: * the splendor of Jacob, whom he has loved.

46:6 God ascends with jubilation, * and the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

46:7 Sing psalms to our God, sing psalms. * Sing psalms to our King, sing psalms.

46:8 For God is the King of all the earth. * Sing psalms wisely.

46:9 God will reign over the peoples. * God sits upon his holy throne.

46:10 The leaders of the peoples have been gathered together by the God of Abraham. * For the strong gods of the earth have been exceedingly exalted.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. The princes of the peoples are gathered together with the God of Abraham.

Ant. You have given an inheritance * to those who fear your name, O Lord.

Psalm 60 [5]

60:2 O God, pay attention to my supplication. * Be attentive to my prayer.

60:3 I cried out to you from the ends of the earth. * When my heart was in anguish, you exalted me on a rock.

60:4 You have led me, for you have been my hope, * a tower of strength before the face of the enemy.

60:5 I will dwell in your tabernacle forever. * I will be protected under the cover of your wings.

60:6 For you, my God, have listened to my prayer. * You have granted an inheritance to those who fear your name.

60:7 You will add days to the days of the king, * to his years, even to the time of generation after generation.

60:8 He remains in eternity, in the sight of God. * Who will long for his mercy and truth?

60:9 So I will compose a psalm to your name, forever and ever, * so that I may repay my vows from day to day.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. You have given an inheritance to those who fear your name, O Lord.

Ant. They have declared * the works of God, and have understood his deeds.

Psalm 63 [6]

63:2 Hear, O God, my prayer of supplication. * Rescue my soul from the fear of the enemy.

63:3 You have protected me from the assembly of the malignant, * from a multitude of workers of iniquity.

63:4 For they have sharpened their tongues like a sword; * they have formed their bow into a bitter thing, so that they may shoot arrows from hiding at the immaculate.

63:6 They will suddenly shoot arrows at him, and they will not be afraid. * They are resolute in their wicked talk.

63:6 They have discussed hidden snares. * They have said, “Who will see them?”

63:7 They have been searching carefully for iniquities. * Their exhaustive search has failed.

63:7 Man will approach with a deep heart, * and God will be exalted.

63:8 The arrows of the little ones have become their wounds, * and their tongues have been weakened against them.

63:9 All those who saw them have been troubled; * and every man was afraid.

63:10 And they announced the works of God, * and they understood his acts.

63:11 The just will rejoice in the Lord, and they will hope in him. * And all the upright of heart will be praised.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. They have declared the works of God, and have understood his deeds.

℣ You shall make them princes over all the earth.

℟ They shall be mindful of your name, O Lord.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

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 also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. May his loving kindness and mercy assist us, he who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God the almighty Father be gracious and merciful to us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 4

From the book On Ecclesiastical Writers by Saint Jerome, Priest

Chapter 9

John the Apostle, whom Jesus loved most, the son of Zebedee, brother of James the Apostle whom Herod beheaded after the Passion of the Lord, wrote the Gospel last of all, having been urged by the bishops of Asia against Cerinthus and other heretics, and especially the then-rising doctrine of the Ebionites, who assert that Christ did not exist before Mary; wherefore he was also compelled to proclaim his divine nativity.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Whoever prevails, I will set him as a column in my temple, says the Lord:

* And I will write upon him my name, and the name of the new city of Jerusalem.

℣ To him who prevails, I will give to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of my God.

℟ And I will write upon him my name, and the name of the new city of Jerusalem.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

In the fourteenth year, therefore, when Domitian was stirring up the second persecution after Nero, he was banished to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Apocalypse, which is interpreted by Justin Martyr and Irenaeus. After Domitian was killed and his acts were annulled by the Senate on account of his excessive cruelty, he returned to Ephesus under the emperor Nerva; and there, persevering until the reign of the emperor Trajan, he founded and governed the churches throughout all Asia; and worn out by old age, he died in the sixty-eighth year after the Passion of the Lord and was buried near the same city.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ For Jesus loved him, because the special prerogative of chastity had made him worthy of a greater love:

* For being chosen a virgin by him, he remained a virgin forever.

℣ And finally, as he was dying on the Cross, he entrusted his virgin Mother to this virgin.

℟ For being chosen a virgin by him, he remained a virgin forever.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God kindle the fire of his love in our hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

From the Commentaries of the Same on the Epistle to the Galatians

Book 3, chapter 6

Blessed John the Evangelist, when he was living at Ephesus until extreme old age, and could scarcely be carried to the assembly on the hands of his disciples, and was unable to string together many words, had nothing else he would customarily bring forth at their gatherings save this: Little children, love one another. At last the disciples and brethren who were present, wearied of hearing always the same thing, said: Master, why do you always say this? He replied with a sentence worthy of John: Because it is the commandment of the Lord; and if it alone be done, it suffices.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ In the midst of the Church the Lord opened his mouth,

* And the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.

℣ He stored up joy and exultation upon him.

℟ And the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ And the Lord filled him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding.

Nocturn III

Ant. The horns of the just * shall be exalted, alleluia.

Psalm 74 [7]

74:2 We will confess to you, O God. * We will confess, and we will call upon your name.

74:3 We will describe your wonders. * While I have time, I will judge justices.

74:4 The earth has been dissolved, with all who dwell in it. * I have confirmed its pillars.

74:5 I said to the iniquitous: “Do not act unjustly,” * and to the offenders: “Do not exalt the horn.”

74:6 Do not exalt your horn on high. * Do not speak iniquity against God.

74:7 For it is neither from the east, nor from the west, nor before the desert mountains. * For God is judge.

74:8 This one he humbles and that one he exalts. * For, in the hand of the Lord, there is a cup of undiluted wine, full of consternation.

74:9 And he has tipped it from here to there. So, truly, its dregs have not been emptied. * All the sinners of the earth will drink.

74:10 But I will announce it in every age. * I will sing to the God of Jacob.

74:11 And I will break all the horns of sinners. * And the horns of the just will be exalted.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. The horns of the just shall be exalted, alleluia.

Ant. Light has risen * for the just, alleluia; and gladness for the upright of heart, alleluia.

Psalm 96 [8]

96:1 The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. * Let the many islands rejoice.

96:2 Clouds and mist are all around him. * Justice and judgment are corrections from his throne.

96:3 A fire will precede him, * and it will enflame his enemies all around.

96:4 His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. * The earth saw, and it was shaken.

96:5 The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, * before the face of the Lord of all the earth.

96:6 The heavens announced his justice, * and all peoples saw his glory.

96:7 May all those who adore graven images be confounded, * along with those who glory in their false images.

96:7 All you his Angels: Adore him. * Zion heard, and was glad.

96:8 And the daughters of Judah exulted * because of your judgments, O Lord.

96:9 For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. * You are greatly exalted above all gods.

96:10 You who love the Lord: hate evil. * The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner.

96:11 The light has risen for the just, * and joy for the upright of heart.

96:12 Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, * and confess to the memory of his sanctuary.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Light has risen for the just, alleluia; and gladness for the upright of heart, alleluia.

Ant. They kept * his testimonies and his commandments, alleluia.

Psalm 98 [9]

98:1 The Lord has reigned: let the peoples be angry. * He sits upon the cherubim: let the earth be moved.

98:2 The Lord is great in Zion, * and he is high above all peoples.

98:3 May they confess to your great name, for it is terrible and holy. * And the honor of the king loves judgment.

98:4 You have prepared guidance. * You have accomplished judgment and justice in Jacob.

98:5 Exalt the Lord our God, and adore the footstool of his feet, * for it is holy.

98:6 Moses and Aaron are among his priests, * and Samuel is among those who call upon his name.

98:6 They called upon the Lord, and he heeded them. * He spoke to them in the pillar of the cloud.

98:7 They kept his testimonies * and the precept that he gave them.

98:8 You heeded them, O Lord our God. * You were a forgiving God to them, though taking vengeance on all their inventions.

98:9 Exalt the Lord our God, and adore on his holy mountain. * For the Lord our God is holy.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. They kept his testimonies and his commandments, alleluia.

℣ How greatly honored are your friends, O God.

℟ How greatly is their dominion strengthened.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

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 also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. May the almighty and merciful Lord absolve us from the bonds of our sins.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the evangelical reading be our salvation and protection.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 7

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to John

John 21:19-24

At that time: Jesus said to Peter: Follow me. Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Augustine, Bishop

Tractate 124 on John, after the middle

The Church knows two lives divinely foretold and commended to her: one of which is in faith, the other in sight; one in the time of pilgrimage, the other in the eternity of dwelling; one in labor, the other in rest; one on the way, the other in the homeland; one in the work of action, the other in the reward of contemplation. The one turns away from evil and does good; the other has no evil from which to turn away, and has a great good by which to rejoice. The one fights against an enemy; the other reigns without an enemy.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ On that day I will take you, my servant, and place you as a seal in my sight:

* For I have chosen you, says the Lord.

℣ Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

℟ For I have chosen you, says the Lord.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May he whose feast we celebrate intercede for us to the Lord.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

The one helps the needy; the other is where she finds no needy one. The one forgives the sins of others, that her own may be forgiven; the other neither suffers what she may forgive nor does what she must ask to have forgiven. The one is scourged by evils, lest she be exalted in goods; the other is possessed of such fullness of grace, free from every evil, that without any temptation of pride she cleaves to the supreme Good.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ This is John, who reclined upon the breast of the Lord at the supper:

* Blessed Apostle, to whom the secrets of heaven were revealed.

℣ He drank the streams of the Gospel from that sacred font of the Lord's own breast.

℟ Blessed Apostle, to whom the secrets of heaven were revealed.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ Blessed Apostle, to whom the secrets of heaven were revealed.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the King of Angels lead us to the company of the citizens on high.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

Therefore, one life is good, but still wretched; the other is better, and blessed. The first was signified by the Apostle Peter, the second by John. The first is enacted entirely here until the end of this world, and there finds its end; the fulfillment of the second is deferred until after the end of this world, but in the age to come it has no end. Therefore to the first it is said: Follow me. But of the other: So I will that he remain until I come; what is that to you? You follow me. For what is this? As far as I understand, as far as I grasp, what is this? — unless: you follow me through the imitation of enduring temporal evils; let him remain, until I come to render eternal goods.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

Te Deum

O God, we praise you; * O Lord, we acclaim you.

Eternal Father, * all the earth reveres you.

To you all the Angels, * the heavens and all the Powers of heaven:

To you the Cherubim and Seraphim * cry out in endless praise:

(A bow is made) Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of hosts;

Heaven and earth are filled * with the majesty of your glory.

The glorious choir of Apostles * sings to you,

the noble company of Prophets * praises you,

the white-robed army of Martyrs * glorifies you.

Holy Church throughout the earth * proclaims you,

the Father * of boundless majesty;

your true and only Son, * worthy of adoration;

and the Holy Spirit, * the Paraclete.

You, O Christ, * are the King of glory.

You are * the Father's everlasting Son.

(A bow is made) When you resolved to save the human race, * you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death * and opened the Kingdom of Heaven to those who put their faith in you.

You are seated at the right hand of God * in the glory of the Father.

We believe you are the Judge * who is to come.

(The following verse is said kneeling) And so we beg you, help your servants, * redeemed by your most precious blood.

Number them * among your Saints in eternal glory.

Save your people, Lord, * and bless your inheritance.

Shepherd them * and raise them to eternal life.

Day by day * we bless you,

(A bow is made, according to custom) and we praise your name * for endless ages evermore.

Be gracious, Lord, on this day, * and keep us from all sin.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, * have mercy.

May your mercy be upon us, Lord, * as we place our trust in you.

In you, O Lord, I rest my hope: * let me never be put to shame.

The rest is omitted unless Lauds is said separately.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

Let us pray.

Graciously enlighten your Church, O Lord, that, illumined by the teachings of your blessed Apostle and Evangelist John, she may attain everlasting gifts.

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.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

℣ Let us bless the Lord.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℣ May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟ Amen.