In Transfiguratione Domini Nostri Jesu ChristiTransfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ

℣ 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 most high King of glory, * let us adore Christ.

Ant. The most high King of glory, * let us adore Christ.

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 most high King of glory, * let us adore Christ.

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. let us adore Christ.

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 most high King of glory, * let us adore Christ.

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. let us adore Christ.

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 most high King of glory, * let us adore Christ.

℣ 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. let us adore Christ.

Ant. The most high King of glory, * let us adore Christ.

All ye who would the Christ descry,

Lift up your eyes to him on high:

There mortal gaze hath strength to see

The token of his majesty.

A wondrous sign we there behold,

That knows not death nor groweth old,

Sublime, most high, that cannot fade,

That was ere earth and heaven were made.

Here is the King the gentiles fear,

The Jews' most mighty King is here

Promised to Abraham of yore,

And to his seed forevermore.

'Tis he the prophets' words foretold,

And by their signs shown forth of old;

The Father's witness hath ordained

That we should hear with faith unfeigned.

Jesu, to thee our praise we pay,

To little ones revealed today,

With Father and blest Spirit One

Until the ages' course is done.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. Made a little lower * than the Angels, he has been crowned with glory and honor, and set over the works of God's hands.

Psalm 8 [1]

8:2a O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

8:2b For your magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.

8:3 Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have perfected praise, because of your enemies, * so that you may destroy the enemy and the revenger.

8:4 For I will behold your heavens, the works of your fingers: * the moon and the stars, which you have founded.

8:5 What is man, that you are mindful of him, * or the son of man, that you visit him?

8:6 You reduced him to a little less than the Angels; † you have crowned him with glory and honor, * (7) and you have set him over the works of your hands.

8:8 You have subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen, and in addition: the beasts of the field,

8:9 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, * which pass through the paths of the sea.

8:10 O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

℣ 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. Made a little lower than the Angels, he has been crowned with glory and honor, and set over the works of God's hands.

Ant. The Lord has revealed * his thick woods, and in his temple all proclaim his glory.

Psalm 28 [2]

28:1 Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, * bring to the Lord the sons of rams.

28:2 Bring to the Lord, glory and honor. Bring to the Lord, glory for his name. * Adore the Lord in his holy court.

28:3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters. The God of majesty has thundered. * The Lord is over many waters.

28:4 The voice of the Lord is in power. * The voice of the Lord is in magnificence.

28:5 The voice of the Lord shatters the cedars. * And the Lord will shatter the cedars of Lebanon.

28:6 And he will crush them like a calf of Lebanon, * and the beloved like a young single-horned beast.

28:7 The voice of the Lord cuts through the flame of fire. * The voice of the Lord shakes the desert. And the Lord will quake the desert of Kadesh.

28:9 The voice of the Lord is preparing the stags, and he will reveal the dense woods. * And in his temple, all will speak his glory.

28:10 The Lord causes the great flood to dwell. * And the Lord will sit as King in eternity.

28:11 The Lord will give strength to his people. * The Lord will bless his people in peace.

℣ 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 Lord has revealed his thick woods, and in his temple all proclaim his glory.

Ant. Fairest in form * above the sons of men, grace has been poured upon your lips.

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 more beautiful in form than 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, * into 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 stood 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. Fairest in form above the sons of men, grace has been poured upon your lips.

℣ You appeared gloriously in the sight of the Lord.

℟ Therefore the Lord clothed you with splendor.

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

From the Second Letter of the blessed Apostle Peter

2 Pet 1:10-14

10 Brethren: Be all the more diligent, so that by good works you may make certain your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will not sin at any time.

11 For in this way, you shall be provided abundantly with an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 For this reason, I will always begin to admonish you about these things, even though, certainly, you know them and are confirmed in the present truth.

13 But I consider it just, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up with admonishments,

14 For it is certain that the laying to rest of this, my tabernacle, is approaching swiftly, just as our Lord Jesus Christ has also indicated to me.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Rise up to be illuminated, O Jerusalem, for your light has come,

* And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

℣ And nations shall walk in your light, and kings in the splendor of your rising.

℟ And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

2 Pet 1:15-17

15 And I will endeavor that, after my death, you may frequently call these things to mind.

16 For it was not by following cleverly devised fables that we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were made eyewitnesses of his greatness.

17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father, whose voice descended to him from the magnificent glory: 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.'

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ In the shining cloud the Holy Spirit was seen, the Father's voice was heard:

* This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

℣ A cloud appeared overshadowing them, and the voice of the Father thundered.

℟ This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

2 Pet 1:18-21

18 We also heard this voice conveyed from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 And so, we have an even firmer prophetic word, to which you would do well to listen, as to a light shining within a dark place, until the day dawns, and the daystar rises, in your hearts.

20 Understand this first: that every prophecy of Scripture does not result from one's own interpretation.

21 For prophecy was not conveyed by human will at any time. Instead, holy men of God spoke while inspired by the Holy Spirit.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Behold, what manner of charity God the Father has given us,

* That we should be called and should be children of God.

℣ We know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

℟ That we should be called and should be children of God.

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

℟ That we should be called and should be children of God.

Nocturn II

Ant. You illuminate * wondrously from the everlasting mountains: all the foolish of heart are troubled.

Psalm 75 [4]

75:2 In Judea, God is known. * In Israel, his name is great.

75:3 And his place has been formed with peace. * And his dwelling place is in Zion.

75:4 In that place, he has broken the powers of the bows, * the shield, the sword, and the battle.

75:5 You illuminate wondrously from the mountains of eternity. * All the foolish of heart have been disturbed.

75:6 They have slept their sleep, * and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands.

75:7 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, * those who were mounted on horseback have fallen asleep.

75:8 You are terrible, and so, who can withstand you? * From thence is your wrath.

75:9 You have caused judgment to be heard from heaven. * The earth trembled and was quieted,

75:10 when God rose up in judgment * in order to bring salvation to all the meek of the earth.

75:11 For the thinking of man will confess to you, * and the legacy of his thinking will keep a feast day to you.

75:12 Make vows and pay them to the Lord, your God. * All you who surround him bring gifts:

75:13 to him who is terrible, even to him who takes away the spirit of leaders, * to him who is terrible with the kings of the earth.

℣ 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 illuminate wondrously from the everlasting mountains: all the foolish of heart are troubled.

Ant. Better is * one day in your courts above thousands.

Psalm 83 [5]

83:2 How beloved are your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! * My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord.

83:3 My heart and my flesh * have exulted in the living God.

83:4 For even the sparrow has found a home for himself, * and the turtle-dove a nest for herself, where she may lay her young:

83:4 your altars, O Lord of hosts, * my king and my God.

83:5 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord. * They will praise you from age to age.

83:6 Blessed is the man whose help is from you. * In his heart, he has arranged ascents in the valley of tears, in the place which he has appointed.

83:8 For even the lawgiver will provide a blessing; they will go from virtue to virtue. * The God of gods will be seen in Zion.

83:9 O Lord, God of hosts, hear my prayer. * Pay attention, O God of Jacob.

83:10 O God, our protector, look upon us, * and look upon the face of your Christ.

83:11 For one day in your courts is better * than thousands elsewhere.

83:11 I have chosen to be lowly in the house of my God, * rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.

83:12 For God loves mercy and truth. * The Lord will give grace and glory.

83:13 He will not withhold good things from those who walk in innocence. * O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who hopes in you.

℣ 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. Better is one day in your courts above thousands.

Ant. Glorious things * are spoken of you, O city of God.

Psalm 86 [6]

86:1 Its foundations are in the holy mountains: * the Lord loves the gates of Zion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.

86:3 Glorious things are being said of you, * O City of God.

86:4 I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon * knowing me.

86:4 Behold, the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians: * these have been there.

86:5 Will not Zion say that this man and that man were born in her? * And the Most High himself has founded her.

86:6 The Lord will explain, in the writings of peoples and of leaders, * about those who have been in her.

86:7 The dwelling of all who rejoice * is in you.

℣ 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. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.

℣ You have crowned him with glory and honor, O Lord.

℟ And you have set him over the works of your hands.

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

Sermon of Saint Leo, Pope

Sermon on the Transfiguration, before the middle

The Lord disclosed his glory before chosen witnesses, and so clarified that outward form which he shared in common with other men with such splendor, that his face became like the brightness of the sun and his garment equal to the whiteness of snow. The chief purpose being accomplished in this Transfiguration was that the scandal of the Cross should be removed from the hearts of the disciples; and that the voluntary humility of the Passion should not trouble the faith of those to whom the hidden excellence of his dignity had been revealed. But with no less providence was the hope of the holy Church being founded, that the whole body of Christ might recognize what manner of transformation it was to receive, that the members might promise to themselves a share in that honor which had shone forth in the Head.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ They have been inebriated with the abundance of your house:

* And you have given them to drink from the torrent of your delight.

℣ For with you is the fountain of life; and within your light, we will see the light.

℟ And you have given them to drink from the torrent of your delight.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

But for the confirmation of the Apostles and for their advancement to all knowledge, another lesson was also added in that miracle. For Moses and Elijah — that is, the law and the prophets — appeared speaking with the Lord; so that, in the most true sense, the saying was fulfilled in the presence of those five men: In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall stand. What is more firm, what more sure, than the word whose proclamation the trumpet of the old and new Testament sounds in harmony, and where the instruments of ancient testimonies concur with the evangelical doctrine? For the pages of both Covenants give assent to each other; and him whom preceding signs had promised under the veil of mysteries, the splendor of the present glory showed manifest and clear.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Master, it is good for us to be here:

* let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

℣ For he did not know what he was saying.

℟ let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

Therefore the Apostle Peter, enkindled by these revelations of the mysteries, despising worldly things and scorning earthly things, was caught up by a certain ecstasy of mind into desire for eternal things; and, filled with the joy of the whole vision, he desired to dwell there with Jesus where he rejoiced in his manifest glory. Hence he said: Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you will, let us make three tabernacles here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. But the Lord did not reply to this suggestion — signifying that what he desired was not wrong, but disordered; since the world could not be saved except by the death of Christ, and in the example of the Lord, the faith of believers was called to this: that though one ought not to doubt the promises of beatitude, we should nonetheless understand that among the temptations of this life, we must first ask for patience before glory.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ If the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones, was in glory, so that the children of Israel could not look upon the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which is passing away:

* Much more shall the ministry of the Spirit, which endures, be in glory.

℣ For Christ has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, by as much as the one who has built a house has greater honor than the house itself.

℟ Much more shall the ministry of the Spirit, which endures, be in glory.

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

℟ Much more shall the ministry of the Spirit, which endures, be in glory.

Nocturn III

Ant. Thabor and Hermon * shall rejoice in your name: your arm is with power.

Psalm 88(2-19) [7]

88:2 I will sing the mercies of the Lord * in eternity.

88:2 From generation to generation, * I will announce your truth with my mouth.

88:3 For you have said: Mercy will be built in the heavens, unto eternity. * Your truth will be prepared there.

88:4 I have set up a covenant with my elect. I have sworn to David my servant: * I will prepare your offspring, even in eternity.

88:5 And I will build up from generation to generation * your throne.

88:6 The heavens will confess your miracles, Lord, * and also your truth, in the Church of the saints.

88:7 For who among the clouds is equal to the Lord? * Who among the sons of God is like God?

88:8 God is glorified by the counsel of the saints. * He is great and terrible above all those who are around him.

88:9 O Lord, God of hosts, who is like you? * You are powerful, Lord, and your truth is all around you.

88:10 You rule over the power of the sea, * and you even mitigate the movement of its waves.

88:11 You have humbled the arrogant one, like one who has been wounded. * You have scattered your enemies with the arm of your strength.

88:12 Yours are the heavens, and yours is the earth. You founded the whole world in all its fullness. * You created the north and the sea.

88:13 Tabor and Hermon will exult in your name. * Your arm acts with power.

88:14 Let your hand be strengthened, and let your right hand be exalted. * Justice and judgment are the preparation of your throne.

88:15 Mercy and truth will precede your face. * Blessed is the people that knows jubilation.

88:16 They will walk in the light of your countenance, O Lord, and they will exult in your name all day long, * and they will be exalted in your justice.

88:18 For you are the glory of their strength, * and in your goodness, our horn will be exalted.

88:19 For our protection is of the Lord, * and it is of our king, the holy one of Israel.

℣ 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. Thabor and Hermon shall rejoice in your name: your arm is with power.

Ant. Light has risen * for the just, and joy for the upright of heart.

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 the establishment of 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 remembrance of his holiness.

℣ 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, and joy for the upright of heart.

Ant. He has clothed himself * in praise and beauty, wrapped in light as in a garment.

Psalm 103 [9]

103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. * O Lord my God, you are exceedingly great.

103:1 You have clothed yourself with praise and beauty; * you are dressed with light like a garment,

103:2 while you stretch out heaven like a tent. * You cover its heights with water.

103:3 You set the clouds as your stairs. * You walk upon the wings of the winds.

103:4 You make your Angels spirits, * and your ministers a burning fire.

103:5 You founded the earth upon its stable base. * It will not be bent from age to age.

103:6 The abyss, like a garment, is its clothing. * The waters will remain standing above the mountains.

103:7 At your rebuke, they will flee. * At the voice of your thunder, they will dread.

103:8 The mountains ascend, and the plains descend, * to the place which you have founded for them.

103:9 You have set a limit that they will not cross. * And they will not return to cover the earth.

103:10 You spring forth fountains in steep valleys. * The waters will cross through the midst of the mountains.

103:11 All the wild beasts of the field will drink. * The wild donkeys will anticipate in their thirst.

103:12 Above them, the flying things of the air will dwell. * From the midst of the rocks, they will utter voices.

103:13 You irrigate the mountains from your heights. * The earth will be satiated from the fruit of your works,

103:14 producing grass for cattle * and herbs for the service of men.

103:14 So may you draw bread from the earth, * and wine, in order to cheer the heart of man.

103:15 Then he may gladden his face with oil, * and bread will confirm the heart of man.

103:16 The trees of the field will be saturated, along with the cedars of Lebanon, which he planted. * There, the sparrows will make their nests.

103:17 The leader of them is the house of the heron. * The heights of the hills are for the deer; the rock is a refuge for the hedgehog.

103:19 He has made the moon for seasons; * the sun knows its setting.

103:20 You appointed darkness, and it has become night; * all the beasts of the forest will cross through it.

103:21 The young lions will roar, * while searching for and seizing their meal from God.

103:22 The sun arose, and they were gathered together; * and in their dens, they will lie down together.

103:23 Man will go forth to his work * and to his activities, until the evening.

103:24 How great are your works, O Lord! * You have made all things in wisdom. The earth has been filled with your possessions.

103:25 This sea is great and wide. * There are creeping things without number:

103:26 the small animals with the great. * There, the ships will pass.

103:27 There is this dragon that you have formed to play with. * All these expect you to give them food in due time.

103:28 What you give to them, they will gather. * When you open your hand, they will all be filled with goodness.

103:29 But if you turn your face away, they will be disturbed. * You will take away their breath, and they will fail, and they will return to their dust.

103:30 You will send forth your Spirit, and they will be created. * And you will renew the face of the earth.

103:31 May the glory of the Lord be for all ages. * The Lord will rejoice in his works.

103:32 He considers the earth, and he makes it tremble. * He touches the mountains, and they smoke.

103:33 I will sing to the Lord with my life. * I will sing psalms to my God, as long as I am.

103:34 May my speech be pleasing to him. * Truly, I will take delight in the Lord.

103:35 Let sinners fade away from the earth, along with the unjust, so that they may not be. * Bless the Lord, O my soul.

℣ 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. He has clothed himself in praise and beauty, wrapped in light as in a garment.

℣ Great is his glory in your salvation.

℟ You shall lay upon him glory and great majesty.

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 Matthew

Matthew 17:1-9

At that time: Jesus took Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them. And so forth.

From a Homily of Saint John Chrysostom

Homily 57 on Matthew, at the beginning

Since the Lord had spoken much of dangers, much of his own Passion, much of the death and slaughter of the disciples, and had enjoined upon them many things that were harsh and arduous — things which in the present life were already imminent — while the good things were still in hope and expectation; such as, that they would save their soul if they lost it, that he would come in the glory of his Father and would render rewards: in order that he might make them more certain even by sight, and show them what that glory is in which he is to come — as much as they were capable of receiving in this present life — he showed it to them and unveiled it, lest they should grieve either at their own death or at the Lord's, and especially Peter.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ God has called us with his holy calling, according to his grace, which has now been made manifest;

* Through the enlightenment of our Savior Jesus Christ.

℣ Who has destroyed death, and illumined life unto incorruption.

℟ Through the enlightenment of our Savior Jesus Christ.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

And see what he does, when he has discoursed about the kingdom and about hell. For in what he said — He who finds his life will lose it; and whoever loses it for my sake will find it — and in what he says — He will render to each according to his works — he indicated both the kingdom and hell. When, therefore, he has discoursed about both, he grants that the kingdom is to be perceived by the eyes, but hell not at all; because that would have been necessary for the more unlearned and dull-witted, but since they were of good judgment and discernment, it was sufficient for them to be confirmed by the better things. This too was far more fitting for him. Yet he did not omit it altogether, but at times sets before the eyes, as it were, the dreadfulness of hell, as when he described the image of Lazarus, and when he recalled the man who demanded back the hundred denarii.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ God, who made light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts

* For the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

℣ Light has risen in the darkness for the upright of heart, merciful and compassionate and just.

℟ For the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

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

℟ For the enlightenment of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

Consider indeed the wisdom of Matthew, who did not conceal the names of those who had been placed in authority. John does the same thing frequently, when he describes most truthfully and diligently the outstanding praises of Peter. For there was no place for envy or vainglory in this fellowship of the Apostles. He therefore took the chief Apostles apart by themselves. Why did he take only these? Because they were obviously more excellent than the others. But why did he not do so at once, but only after six days? So that the other disciples and people would not be disturbed; for which reason he did not even name those whom he was about to take up.

℣ 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.

O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son confirmed the mysteries of faith by the testimony of the Fathers, and wondrously prefigured the perfect adoption of children by the voice descending in a bright cloud: graciously grant that you may make us co-heirs with the King of glory himself, and grant that we may be sharers in the same glory.

Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, 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.