S. Antonii Mariæ Zaccaria Confessoris

Nocturn 1

Ant. The Lord our God has been mindful * for ever of his covenant.

Psalm 104(1-15)

104:1 Give praise to the Lord and call upon his name: * declare his works among the nations.
104:2 Sing to him, and sing praise to him: * tell all his wondrous works.
104:3 Be praised in his holy name: * let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
104:4 Seek the Lord, and be confirmed: * seek his face always.
104:5 Remember his miracles, which he has done: * his portents, and the judgments of his mouth:
104:6 You offspring of Abraham his servant: * you sons of Jacob, his elect.
104:7 He is the Lord our God: * his judgments are throughout the entire earth.
104:8 He has remembered his covenant for all ages: * the word that he entrusted to a thousand generations,
104:9 which he assigned to Abraham: * and his oath to Isaac:
104:10 And he stationed the same for Jacob with a precept: * and for Israel with an eternal testament:
104:11 saying: To you I will give the land of Canaan, * the allotment of your inheritance.
104:12 Though they may have been but a small number, * very few, and foreigners there:
104:13 and though they passed from nation to nation, * and from one kingdom to another people.
104:14 He allowed no man to harm them: * and he reproved kings on their behalf.
104:15 Do not be willing to touch my anointed ones: * and do not be willing to malign my prophets.

℣ 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 our God has been mindful for ever of his covenant.

Ant. The Lord increased * his people: and strengthened them against their enemies.

Psalm 104(16-27)

104:16 And he called a famine upon the land: * and he crushed every foundation of the bread.
104:17 He sent a man before them: * Joseph, who had been sold as a slave.
104:18 They humbled his feet in shackles; the iron pierced his soul, * until his word arrived.
104:19 The eloquence of the Lord inflamed him: * the king sent, and released him; the ruler of the peoples, and he dismissed him.
104:21 He established him as master of his house: * and ruler of all his possessions:
104:22 so that he might instruct his princes as himself: * and teach his elders prudence.
104:23 And Israel entered into Egypt: * and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.
104:24 And he helped his people greatly: * and he strengthened them over their enemies.
104:25 He turned their heart to hate his people: * and to deal deceitfully with his servants.
104:26 He sent Moses, his servant: * and Aaron, the one whom he chose.
104:27 He placed with them signs of his word: * and portents in the land of Ham.

℣ 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 increased his people: and strengthened them against their enemies.

Ant. God led out * his people in exultation, and his chosen ones in gladness.

Psalm 104(28-45)

104:28 He sent darkness and made it conceal: * and he did not afflict them with his speech.
104:29 He turned their waters into blood: * and he slaughtered their fish.
104:30 Their land brought forth frogs: * even in the inner chambers of their kings.
104:31 He spoke, and there came forth common flies: * and gnats, in every region.
104:32 He gave them a shower of hail: * and a burning fire, in the same land.
104:33 And he struck their vineyards and their fig trees: * and he crushed the trees of their region.
104:34 He spoke, and the locust came forth, and the caterpillar, * of which there was no number:
104:35 And it devoured all the grass in their land: * and it consumed all the fruit of their land.
104:36 And he struck all the first-born in their land: * the first-fruits of all their labor.
104:37 And he led them out with silver and gold: * and there was not an infirm one among their tribes.
104:38 Egypt was joyful at their departure: * for the fear of them lay heavy upon them.
104:39 He spread a cloud for their protection: * and a fire, to give them light through the night.
104:40 They petitioned, and the quail came: * and he satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
104:41 He ruptured the rock and the waters flowed: * rivers gushed in the dry land;
104:42 For he had called to mind his holy word: * which he kept near to his servant Abraham.
104:43 And he led forth his people in exultation, * and his elect in rejoicing.
104:44 And he gave them the regions of the Gentiles: * and they possessed the labors of the peoples:
104:45 So that they might observe his justifications, * and inquire about his law.

℣ 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. God led out his people in exultation, and his chosen ones in gladness.

℣ The Lord was mindful of his holy word.

℟ Which he spoke to Abraham, his servant.

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.

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 1

From the First Book of Kings

1 Reg 16:1-3

1 And the Lord said to Samuel: 'How long will you mourn for Saul, though I have rejected him, so that he would not reign over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and approach, so that I may send you to Jesse of Bethlehem. For I have provided a king from among his sons for myself.'
2 And Samuel said: 'How shall I go? For Saul will hear of it, and he will put me to death.' And the Lord said: 'You shall take, by your hand, a calf from the herd. And you shall say, I have arrived in order to immolate to the Lord.
3 And you shall call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will reveal to you what you should do. And you shall anoint whomever I will indicate to you.'

℟ I have sinned beyond the number of the sands of the sea, and my sins have been multiplied; and I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven because of the multitude of my iniquity, for I have provoked your anger,

And have done evil before you.

℣ For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my transgression is ever before me; because against you only have I sinned.

℟ And have done evil before you.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 2

1 Reg 16:4-7

4 Therefore, Samuel did just as the Lord told him. And he went to Bethlehem, and the elders of the city wondered. And meeting him, they said, 'Is your arrival peaceful?'
5 And he said: 'It is peaceful. I have arrived in order to immolate to the Lord. Be sanctified, and come with me to the sacrifice.' Then he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and he called them to the sacrifice.
6 And when they had entered, he saw Eliab, and he said, 'Could he be the Christ in the sight of the Lord?'
7 And the Lord said to Samuel: 'You should not look with favor on his face, nor on the height of his stature. For I have rejected him. Neither do I judge by the appearance of a man. For man sees those things that are apparent, but the Lord beholds the heart.'

℟ You have heard, O Lord, the prayer of your servant, that I should build a temple for your name:

Bless and sanctify this house for evermore, O God of Israel.

℣ O Lord, who keep your covenant with your servants who walk before you with their whole heart.

℟ Bless and sanctify this house for evermore, O God of Israel.

℟ Hear, O Lord, the hymn and prayer which your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open, and your ears attentive,

Over this house day and night.

℣ Look down, O Lord, from your sanctuary, and from the high dwelling place of the heavens.

℟ Over this house day and night.

℣ 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.

℟ Over this house day and night.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benedictio. May the mercy of Christ lead us to the joys of paradise.

Reading 3

1 Reg 16:8-11

8 And Jesse called Abinadab, and he brought him before Samuel. And he said, 'Neither has the Lord chosen this one.'
9 Then Jesse brought Shammah. And he said about him, 'And the Lord has not chosen this one.'
10 And so Jesse brought his seven sons before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, 'The Lord has not chosen any of these.'
11 And Samuel said to Jesse, 'Could the sons now be completed?' But he responded, 'There still remains a little one, and he pastures the sheep.' And Samuel said to Jesse: 'Send and bring him. For we shall not recline to eat, until he arrives here.'

℟ Hear, O Lord, the hymn and prayer which your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open, and your ears attentive,

Over this house day and night.

℣ Look down, O Lord, from your sanctuary, and from the high dwelling place of the heavens.

℟ Over this house day and night.

℣ 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.

℟ Over this house day and night.

℟ Prepare your hearts to the Lord, and serve him alone:

And he will deliver you from the hands of your enemies.

℣ Turn to him with your whole heart, and put away the foreign gods from your midst.

℣ Put away the foreign gods from your midst.

℟ And he will deliver you from the hands of your enemies.

Nocturn 2

Ant. The Lord saved them * for his name's sake.

Psalm 105(1-15)

105:1 Confess to the Lord, for he is good: * for his mercy is with every generation.
105:2 Who will declare the powers of the Lord, * who will make a hearing for all his praises?
105:3 Blessed are those who keep judgment, * and who do justice at all times.
105:4 Remember us, O Lord, with good will for your people: * visit us with your salvation:
105:5 so that we may see the goodness of your elect, so that we may rejoice in the joy of your nation: * so that you may be praised along with your inheritance.
105:6 We have sinned, as have our fathers: * we have acted unjustly; we have wrought iniquity.
105:7 Our fathers did not understand your miracles in Egypt: * they did not remember the multitude of your mercies.
105:7 And they provoked you, while going up to the sea, * the Red Sea.
105:8 And he saved them for the sake of his name: * so that he might make known his power.
105:9 And he rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up, * and he led them into the abyss, as if into a desert.
105:10 And he saved them from the hand of those who hated them: * and he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
105:11 And the water covered those who troubled them: * not one of them remained.
105:12 And they believed his words: * and they sang his praises.
105:13 As soon as they had finished, they forgot his works: * and they would not endure his counsel.
105:14 And they coveted their desire in the desert: * and they tempted God in a waterless place.
105:15 And he granted to them their request: * and he sent abundance into their souls.

℣ 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 saved them for his name's sake.

Ant. They forgot God * who saved them.

Psalm 105(16-31)

105:16 And they provoked Moses in the camp: * and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord.
105:17 The earth opened and swallowed Dathan: * and it covered the congregation of Abiram.
105:18 And a fire broke out in their congregation: * a flame burned up the sinners.
105:19 And they fashioned a calf at Horeb, * and they adored a graven image.
105:20 And they exchanged their glory * for the likeness of a calf that eats hay.
105:21 They forgot God, who saved them, * who did great things in Egypt, wonders in the land of Ham, and terrible things at the Red Sea.
105:23 And he said that he would destroy them: * yet Moses, his elect, stood firm before him in the breach,
105:24 in order to avert his wrath, lest he destroy them: * and they held the desirable land to be nothing.
105:25 They did not trust in his word, and they murmured in their tabernacles: * they did not heed the voice of the Lord.
105:26 And he lifted up his hand over them: * in order to prostrate them in the desert:
105:27 and in order to cast their offspring among the nations: * and to scatter them among the regions.
105:28 And they were initiated into Baal of Peor: * and they ate the sacrifices of the dead.
105:29 And they provoked him with their inventions: * and ruination was multiplied in them.
105:30 Then Phinehas stood up and placated him: * and so the violent disturbance ceased.
105:31 And it was reputed to him unto justice: * from generation to generation, even forever.

℣ 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 forgot God who saved them.

Ant. When they were in tribulation * the Lord saw them: and heard their prayer.

Psalm 105(32-48)

105:32 And they provoked him at the Waters of Contradiction: * and Moses was afflicted because of them,
105:33 for they exasperated his spirit: * and so he divided them with his lips.
105:35 And they were mixed among the Gentiles, and they learned their works; and they served their graven images: * and it became a scandal to them.
105:37 And they sacrificed their sons, * and their daughters, to demons.
105:38 And they shed innocent blood: * the blood of their sons and of their daughters, which they sacrificed to the graven images of Canaan.
105:39 And the land was infected with bloodshed, and was contaminated with their works: * and they fornicated according to their own inventions.
105:40 And the Lord became furiously angry with his people: * and he abhorred his inheritance.
105:41 And he handed them over into the hands of the nations: * and those who hated them held dominion over them.
105:42 And their enemies afflicted them, and they were humbled under their hands: * many times he delivered them.
105:43 But they provoked him with their counsel: * and they were brought low by their iniquities.
105:44 And he saw, when they were in tribulation: * and he heard their prayer.
105:45 And he was mindful of his covenant: * and he repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
105:46 And he provided for them with mercies * in the sight of all those who had seized them.
105:47 Save us, O Lord our God: * and gather us from the nations:
105:47 That we may give thanks to your holy name: * and glory in your praise.
105:48 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, from age to age: * and let all the people say: Amen. Amen.

℣ 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. When they were in tribulation the Lord saw them: and heard their prayer.

℣ The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom.

℟ And his tongue shall speak judgment.

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.

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 4

Anthony Mary Zaccaria, born at Cremona in Lombardy of a noble family, seemed from boyhood to give promise of the holiness he was to possess. For the marks of extraordinary virtues shone out early in him: piety toward God and the Blessed Virgin; and a notable mercy toward the poor, for whose want he was more than once at hand to relieve, even stripping himself of a costly garment. Educated in the humanities in his native city, he applied himself at Pavia to the study of philosophy and at Padua to medicine; and as he excelled all others in integrity of life, so also did he easily surpass his contemporaries in sharpness of intellect. Having obtained his degree and returned home, when he understood through God's prompting that he was called to heal souls rather than bodies, he applied himself diligently to the sacred disciplines. In the meantime he never ceased to visit the sick, to instruct boys in Christian doctrine, to cultivate the piety of groups of young men, and frequently to exhort even those of advanced age to amend their ways. When ordained and offering his first Mass, he is said to have appeared to the astonished people surrounded by a crown of Angels amid a heavenly light that suddenly arose. From then on, it was his care to attend ever more earnestly to the salvation of souls and to oppose corrupt morals with all his strength. Moreover, he embraced strangers, the needy, and the afflicted with fatherly affection, comforting them when refreshed by pious words and assistance, so that his house was regarded as a refuge for the wretched, and he himself merited to be called by his fellow citizens father of the fatherland and an angel.

℟ Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands:

For the hand of the Lord was with him; he struck down the Philistine, and took away the reproach from Israel.

℣ Is not this David, of whom they sang in the chorus, saying: Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

℟ For the hand of the Lord was with him; he struck down the Philistine, and took away the reproach from Israel.

℟ O mountains of Gilboa, let neither dew nor rain fall upon you,

where the mighty of Israel have fallen.

℣ May the Lord visit all the mountains that surround it: but from Gilboa may he pass away.

℟ where the mighty of Israel have fallen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 5

At Milan, while he was pondering with himself that more abundant fruit might flow for the Christian cause if he were to take colleagues in labor in the vineyard of the Lord, he communicated the matter to Bartholomew Ferrari and James Morigia, men of the highest nobility and holiness, and laid the foundations of the society of Clerks Regular; which, from his love for the Apostle to the Gentiles, he named after Saint Paul. This society, approved by Pontiff Clement VII and confirmed by Paul III, was quickly propagated throughout many regions. The society of the Angelical Sisters also had Antonio Maria himself as its parent and founder. Yet he thought so humbly of himself that he would never in any way accept the office of superior of his own order. So great was his patience that he bore with steadfast spirit the most fearful storms stirred up against his people; so great his charity that he never ceased to inflame religious men with the love of God through pious exhortations, to call priests back to the apostolic norm of life, and to form the brotherhoods of heads of families to a virtuous way of life. Indeed, he would sometimes go out with his companions through the streets and squares bearing the cross before him, and by fervent and vehement oration would bring erring and wicked men back to salvation.

℟ O mountains of Gilboa, let neither dew nor rain fall upon you,

where the mighty of Israel have fallen.

℣ May the Lord visit all the mountains that surround it: but from Gilboa may he pass away.

℟ where the mighty of Israel have fallen.

℟ You have heard, O Lord, the prayer of your servant, that I should build a temple for your name:

Bless and sanctify this house for evermore, O God of Israel.

℣ O Lord, who keep your covenant with your servants who walk before you with their whole heart.

℟ Bless and sanctify this house for evermore, O God of Israel.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 6

Also to be remembered is that, burning with love for the crucified Jesus, he took care that the mystery of the Cross should be recalled by all at the sound of the bell each Friday toward evening. The most holy name of Christ was used throughout his writings and was ever on his lips; and the sufferings of that same Christ — a true disciple of Paul — he bore in his own body. He was drawn to the most holy Eucharist with singular charity; he both renewed the practice of receiving it frequently, and is said to have introduced the custom of publicly adoring it from an elevated throne over three days. He cultivated chastity so greatly that even in his bloodless body, seeming to come to life again, he bore witness to his love of it. Added to these were the heavenly gifts of ecstasy, of tears, of knowledge of future events, of the searching of hearts, and of power against the enemy of the human race. At last, his great labors everywhere endured, he was seized by a grave illness at Guastalla, whither he had been summoned as a mediator of peace. Brought to Cremona, amid the weeping and embraces of his companions and of his most pious mother — whose imminent death he foretold — refreshed by a heavenly vision of the Apostles and foretelling the growth of his society, he died most holily on the third day before the Nones of July in the year 1539, having lived thirty-six years. The veneration given by the Christian people to so great a man immediately after his death, on account of his outstanding holiness and abundance of signs, was confirmed and ratified by Pope Leo XIII; and that same Pontiff, in the year 1897, on the feast of the Lord's Ascension, enrolled him in solemn rite among the saints.

℟ I took you from your father's house, says the Lord, and I set you to shepherd the flock of my people:

And I was with you in all things, wherever you walked, establishing your kingdom for ever.

℣ And I made you a great name, after the name of the great ones who are on the earth; and I gave you rest from all your enemies.

℟ And I was with you in all things, wherever you walked, establishing your kingdom for 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.

℟ And I was with you in all things, wherever you walked, establishing your kingdom for ever.

℟ Lord, if your people have turned back and have prayed toward your sanctuary:

You will hear in heaven, O Lord, and deliver them from the hands of their enemies.

℣ If your people sin against you, and, having turned back, do penance, and come and pray in this place.

℟ You will hear from heaven, O Lord, and deliver them from the hands of their enemies.

Nocturn 3

Ant. They cried out to the Lord * and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 106(1-14)

106:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: * for his mercy endures for ever.
106:2 Let those who have been redeemed by the Lord say so, those whom he redeemed from the hand of the enemy: * and gathered them from the regions:
106:3 From the rising of the sun and its setting: * from the north and from the sea.
106:4 They wandered in solitude in a waterless place: * they did not find the way to a city of habitation.
106:5 Hungry and thirsty: * their soul fainted within them.
106:6 And they cried out to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he rescued them from their necessity.
106:7 And he led them in the right way: * that they might go forth to a city of habitation.
106:8 Let them confess to the Lord his mercies: * and his wonders to the sons of men.
106:9 For he has satisfied the empty soul: * and the hungry soul he has filled with good things.
106:10 Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death: * shackled in poverty and in iron.
106:11 For they had provoked the words of God: * and had spurned the counsel of the Most High.
106:12 And their heart was brought low with hardships: * they were weakened, and there was no one to help them.
106:13 And they cried out to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he freed them from their distress.
106:14 And he led them out of darkness and the shadow of death: * and he broke apart their chains.

℣ 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 cried out to the Lord and he delivered them from their distress.

Ant. They themselves saw * the works of God and his wonders.

Psalm 106(15-30)

106:15 Let them confess to the Lord his mercies: * and his wonders to the sons of men.
106:16 For he has crushed the gates of brass: * and broken the iron bars.
106:17 He has taken them up from the way of their iniquity: * for they were brought low because of their injustices.
106:18 Their soul abhorred all food: * and they drew near even to the gates of death.
106:19 And they cried out to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he delivered them from their necessity.
106:20 He sent his word, and healed them: * and rescued them from their utter destruction.
106:21 Let them confess to the Lord his mercies: * and his wonders to the sons of men.
106:22 And let them offer sacrifice with the sacrifice of praise: * and declare his works in exultation.
106:23 Those who descend to the sea in ships, * making their livelihood in the great waters:
106:24 These have seen the works of the Lord, * and his wonders in the deep.
106:25 He spoke, and a windstorm arose: * and its waves were exalted.
106:26 They ascend even to the heavens, and descend even to the abyss: * their soul wasted away in distress.
106:27 They were troubled and moved like a drunkard: * and all their wisdom was consumed.
106:28 And they cried out to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he led them out of their distress.
106:29 And he replaced the storm with a breeze: * and its waves were stilled.
106:30 And they rejoiced that it was stilled: * and he led them into the haven they desired.

℣ 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 themselves saw the works of God and his wonders.

Ant. The righteous shall see * and rejoice, and shall understand the mercies of the Lord.

Psalm 106(31-43)

106:31 Let them confess to the Lord his mercies: * and his wonders to the sons of men.
106:32 And let them exalt him in the assembly of the people: * and praise him in the chair of the elders.
106:33 He has placed rivers in the desert: * and sources of water in a waterless land.
106:34 A fruit-bearing land into brine: * because of the malice of those who dwell in it.
106:35 He has placed the desert in pools of water: * and a land without water in sources of water.
106:36 And he has gathered the hungry there: * and they have built a city of habitation.
106:37 And they sowed fields and planted vineyards: * and they yielded the fruit of their increase.
106:38 And he blessed them, and they were multiplied exceedingly: * and their cattle he did not diminish.
106:39 And they became few: * and were afflicted by the tribulation of evils and sorrow.
106:40 Contempt was poured out upon their leaders: * and he caused them to wander in trackless places and not on the way.
106:41 And he helped the poor man out of destitution: * and set families like flocks.
106:42 The upright will see and rejoice: * and every iniquity will stop its mouth.
106:43 Who is wise and will keep these things? * And who will understand the mercies of the Lord?

℣ 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 righteous shall see and rejoice, and shall understand the mercies of the Lord.

℣ The law of his God is in his heart.

℟ And his steps shall not be overthrown.

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.

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benedictio. May he bless us who lives and reigns without end.

Reading 7

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

Marc 10:15-21

In that time: Jesus said to his disciples: Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will not enter into it. Et cetera.

A Homily of Saint Augustine the Bishop.

Sermo 47 de diversis

It seems hard and burdensome what the Lord commanded — that whoever wishes to follow him should deny himself; but it is not hard or burdensome what he commands, since he helps bring about what he commands. For that is true which is said to him in the Psalm: Because of the words of your lips I have kept to hard ways. For whatever is hard in the commandments, charity makes gentle. We know how much love itself accomplishes. But what is it: Let him deny himself? Let him not presume of himself; let him acknowledge himself to be a human being, and heed the prophetic saying: Cursed is everyone who places his hope in a human being. Let him withdraw from himself — but not downward; let him withdraw from himself so as to cleave to God.

℟ I have sinned beyond the number of the sands of the sea, and my sins have been multiplied; and I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven because of the multitude of my iniquity, for I have provoked your anger,

And have done evil before you.

℣ For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my transgression is ever before me; because against you only have I sinned.

℟ And have done evil before you.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benedictio. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

Reading 8

Where must the Lord be followed? Where he went, we know; for he rose again and ascended into heaven: he must be followed there. Certainly there is no cause for despair, because he himself has promised, not because man can do anything. And why should we despair, if we are members of that Head? It is good to follow him there; but we must see how. For the Lord Jesus was not saying these words at the time when he had already risen from the dead; he had not yet suffered; he was going to the Cross, going to dishonor, to insults, to scourging, to thorns, to wounds, to mockery, to reproaches, to death. The way has become, as it were, rough: you make yourself sluggish, you do not wish to follow. Follow. For who would not wish to go to exaltation? Heights delight everyone, but humility is the step.

℟ Two Seraphim cried out one to the other:

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts: * all the earth is filled with his glory.

℣ For there are Three who give testimony in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. And these Three are One.

℟ Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts.

℣ 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.

℟ All the earth is filled with his glory.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 9

Take up your cross, and follow the Lord. For our cross, which the Lord commands us to carry that we may follow him with utmost readiness, what does it signify but the mortality of this flesh? For it torments us until death is swallowed up in victory. This cross therefore must itself be crucified, and transfixed with the nails of the fear of God, lest with its members loose and free you be unable to carry it as it struggles; for you cannot follow the Lord at all without carrying it. For how will you follow him if you are not his? But those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified their flesh with its vices and concupiscences.

(The following verse is said kneeling)

(Brethren, when they begin 'Te ergo quaesumus,' departing from the Stalls, let them reverently bow at the words 'Quos pretioso' and the rest)

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.
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)

(Brethren, when they begin 'Te ergo quaesumus,' departing from the Stalls, let them reverently bow at the words 'Quos pretioso' and the rest)

And so we beg you, help your servants, * redeemed by your most precious blood.
Number them * among your Saints in eternal glory.
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.
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.