tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67706478349361716532024-03-18T03:00:31.837-04:00GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEOThe Virtual Chapel - A place of Prayer, Peace and Reflection of orthodox Catholicism.JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comBlogger10946125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-87015727432357579612024-03-18T03:00:00.002-04:002024-03-18T03:00:00.255-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#monday5">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031824.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 56 (55): 2</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Have mercy on me, O God, for people assail me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they fight me all day long and oppress me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, by whose wondrous grace</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we are enriched with every blessing,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">grant us so to pass from former ways to newness of life,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that we may be made ready for the glory of the heavenly Kingdom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the daughter of Hilkiah;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">her pious parents had trained their daughter</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">according to the law of Moses.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Joakim was very rich;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he had a garden near his house,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and the Jews had recourse to him often</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because he was the most respected of them all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">of whom the Lord said, “Wickedness has come out of Babylon:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">from the elders who were to govern the people as judges.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">These men, to whom all brought their cases,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">frequented the house of Joakim.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the people left at noon,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Susanna used to enter her husband’s garden for a walk.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the old men saw her enter every day for her walk,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they began to lust for her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They suppressed their consciences;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and did not keep in mind just judgments.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One day, while they were waiting for the right moment,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">she entered the garden as usual, with two maids only.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She decided to bathe, for the weather was warm.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Nobody else was there except the two elders,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who had hidden themselves and were watching her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Bring me oil and soap,” she said to the maids,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“and shut the garden doors while I bathe.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As soon as the maids had left,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the two old men got up and hurried to her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Look,” they said, “the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">give in to our desire, and lie with us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If you refuse, we will testify against you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“I am completely trapped,” Susanna groaned.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“If I yield, it will be my death;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">if I refuse, I cannot escape your power.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without guilt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">than to sin before the Lord.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then Susanna shrieked, and the old men also shouted at her,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as one of them ran to open the garden doors.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the people in the house heard the cries from the garden,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they rushed in by the side gate to see what had happened to her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At the accusations by the old men,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the servants felt very much ashamed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for never had any such thing been said about Susanna.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the people came to her husband Joakim the next day,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the two wicked elders also came,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">fully determined to put Susanna to death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Before all the people they ordered:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Send for Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the wife of Joakim.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When she was sent for,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">she came with her parents, children and all her relatives.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">All her relatives and the onlookers were weeping.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the midst of the people the two elders rose up</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and laid their hands on her head.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through tears she looked up to heaven,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The elders made this accusation:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“As we were walking in the garden alone,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">this woman entered with two girls</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and shut the doors of the garden, dismissing the girls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A young man, who was hidden there, came and lay with her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When we, in a corner of the garden, saw this crime,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we ran toward them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We saw them lying together,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but the man we could not hold, because he was stronger than we;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he opened the doors and ran off.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then we seized her and asked who the young man was,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but she refused to tell us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We testify to this.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The assembly believed them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">since they were elders and judges of the people,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and they condemned her to death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But Susanna cried aloud:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“O eternal God, you know what is hidden</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and are aware of all things before they come to be:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you know that they have testified falsely against me. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Here I am about to die,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">though I have done none of the things</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with which these wicked men have charged me.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Lord heard her prayer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As she was being led to execution,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and he cried aloud:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“I will have no part in the death of this woman.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">All the people turned and asked him, “What is this you are saying?”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He stood in their midst and continued,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Are you such fools, O children of Israel! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To condemn a woman of Israel without examination</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and without clear evidence?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Return to court, for they have testified falsely against her.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then all the people returned in haste.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To Daniel the elders said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Come, sit with us and inform us,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">since God has given you the prestige of old age.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But he replied,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Separate these two far from each other that I may examine them.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After they were separated one from the other,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he called one of them and said:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“How you have grown evil with age!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now have your past sins come to term:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">passing unjust sentences, condemning the innocent,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and freeing the guilty, although the Lord says,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">‘The innocent and the just you shall not put to death.’</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now, then, if you were a witness,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">tell me under what tree you saw them together.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Under a mastic tree,” he answered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Daniel replied, “Your fine lie has cost you your head,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for the angel of God shall receive the sentence from him</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and split you in two.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Putting him to one side, he ordered the other one to be brought.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Daniel said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Offspring of Canaan, not of Judah, beauty has seduced you,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">lust has subverted your conscience.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is how you acted with the daughters of Israel,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and in their fear they yielded to you;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but a daughter of Judah did not tolerate your wickedness.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now, then, tell me under what tree you surprised them together.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Under an oak,” he said.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Daniel replied, “Your fine lie has cost you also your head,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for the angel of God waits with a sword to cut you in two</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so as to make an end of you both.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The whole assembly cried aloud,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">blessing God who saves those who hope in him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They rose up against the two elders,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for by their own words Daniel had convicted them of perjury.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">According to the law of Moses,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they inflicted on them</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the penalty they had plotted to impose on their neighbor:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they put them to death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thus was innocent blood spared that day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for you are at my side.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In verdant pastures he gives me repose;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Beside restful waters he leads me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he refreshes my soul.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for you are at my side.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He guides me in right paths</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for his name’s sake.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Even though I walk in the dark valley</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I fear no evil; for you are at my side</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">With your rod and your staff</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that give me courage.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for you are at my side.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You spread the table before me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in the sight of my foes;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You anoint my head with oil;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">my cup overflows.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for you are at my side</i></b>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Only goodness and kindness follow me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">all the days of my life;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for years to come.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for you are at my side.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ez 33:11</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but rather in his conversion, that he may live.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 8:1-11</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and all the people started coming to him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and he sat down and taught them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who had been caught in adultery </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and made her stand in the middle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Teacher, this woman was caught </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in the very act of committing adultery.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So what do you say?”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They said this to test him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that they could have some charge to bring against him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But when they continued asking him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he straightened up and said to them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Let the one among you who is without sin </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>be the first to throw a stone at her.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And in response, they went away one by one,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">beginning with the elders.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So he was left alone with the woman before him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Woman, where are they?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Has no one condemned you?”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She replied, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“No one, sir.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then Jesus said, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Neither do I condemn you.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-cyril-of-jerusalem/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 18</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Saint Cyril of Jerusalem</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(315 - 386)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The crises that the Church faces today may seem minor when compared with the threat posed by the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ and almost overcame Christianity in the fourth century. Cyril was to be caught up in the controversy, accused of Arianism by Saint Jerome, and ultimately vindicated both by the men of his own time and by being declared a Doctor of the Church in 1822.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Raised in Jerusalem and well-educated, especially in the Scriptures, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he was ordained a priest by the bishop of Jerusalem and given the task during Lent of catechizing those preparing for Baptism and catechizing the newly baptized during the Easter season. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His Catecheses remain valuable as examples of the ritual and theology of the Church in the mid-fourth century.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">There are conflicting reports about the circumstances of his becoming bishop of Jerusalem. It is certain that he was validly consecrated by bishops of the province. Since one of them was an Arian, Acacius, it may have been expected that his “cooperation” would follow. Conflict soon rose between Cyril and Acacius, bishop of the rival nearby see of Caesarea. Cyril was summoned to a council, accused of insubordination and of selling Church property to relieve the poor. Probably, however, a theological difference was also involved. He was condemned, driven from Jerusalem, and later vindicated, not without some association with and help from Semi-Arians. Half his episcopate was spent in exile; his first experience was repeated twice. He finally returned to find Jerusalem torn with heresy, schism and strife, and wracked with crime. Even Saint Gregory of Nyssa, who was sent to help, left in despair.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They both went to the Council of Constantinople, where the amended form of the Nicene Creed was promulgated in 381. Cyril accepted the word consubstantial—that is, Christ is of the same substance or nature as the Father. Some said it was an act of repentance, but the bishops of the Council praised him as a champion of orthodoxy against the Arians. Though not friendly with the greatest defender of orthodoxy against the Arians, Cyril may be counted among those whom Athanasius called “brothers, who mean what we mean, and differ only about the word consubstantial.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-677dbe94-7fff-b2c7-6d3c-36ec4818b91b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>12/04/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-85689214556819855152024-03-17T03:00:00.012-04:002024-03-17T03:00:00.413-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#sunday5">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031724-YearB.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fifth Sunday of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 43 (42): 1-2</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Give me justice, O God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">From the deceitful and cunning rescue me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for you, O God, are my strength.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may we walk eagerly in that same charity</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with which, out of love for the world,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">your Son handed himself over to death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading I</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jer 31:31-34</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The days are coming, says the LORD, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and the house of Judah.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the day I took them by the hand </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for they broke my covenant, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But this is the covenant that I will make </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will be their God, and they shall be my people.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">how to know the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thoroughly wash me from my guilt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> and of my sin cleanse me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A clean heart create for me, O God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> and a steadfast spirit renew within me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cast me not out from your presence,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> and your Holy Spirit take not from me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Give me back the joy of your salvation,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> and a willing spirit sustain in me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will teach transgressors your ways,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> and sinners shall return to you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading II</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Heb 5:7-9</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the days when Christ Jesus was in the flesh, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to the one who was able to save him from death, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and he was heard because of his reverence.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and when he was made perfect, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 12:26</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Whoever serves me must follow me, says the Lord;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and where I am, there also will my servant be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 12:20-33</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Philip went and told Andrew; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus answered them, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Amen, amen, I say to you, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>it remains just a grain of wheat; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but if it dies, it produces much fruit.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Whoever loves his life loses it,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and whoever hates his life in this world</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will preserve it for eternal life.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Whoever serves me must follow me, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and where I am, there also will my servant be.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The Father will honor whoever serves me.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘Father, save me from this hour’?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Father, glorify your name.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then a voice came from heaven, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but others said, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“An angel has spoken to him.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus answered and said, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Now is the time of judgment on this world; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>now the ruler of this world will be driven out.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And when I am lifted up from the earth, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I will draw everyone to myself.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgsrdtIddjAsUvfJnqrsEOFah60niQ1tIKJndAc8loVv1cRPV14L9vo6TTBpyUWz22BBAUa-8y9vFg0F5fo6-63O8NvgVuDVMbOF-86BXyMHk3dT-WO98dMdo-alkMsXW8DlfQuLyx7Uj-uJwHhCJo5O82UOA_I8fctoX1fK-MOQHHJq3yzy4kRQtnJXl/s300/st_patrick-215x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="215" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgsrdtIddjAsUvfJnqrsEOFah60niQ1tIKJndAc8loVv1cRPV14L9vo6TTBpyUWz22BBAUa-8y9vFg0F5fo6-63O8NvgVuDVMbOF-86BXyMHk3dT-WO98dMdo-alkMsXW8DlfQuLyx7Uj-uJwHhCJo5O82UOA_I8fctoX1fK-MOQHHJq3yzy4kRQtnJXl/w455-h634/st_patrick-215x300.jpg" width="455" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-patrick/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 17</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Patrick</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(415 - 493)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Legends about Patrick abound; but truth is best served by our seeing two solid qualities in him: He was humble and he was courageous. The determination to accept suffering and success with equal indifference guided the life of God’s instrument for winning most of Ireland for Christ.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Details of his life are uncertain. Current research places his dates of birth and death a little later than earlier accounts. Patrick may have been born in Dunbarton, Scotland, Cumberland, England, or in northern Wales. He called himself both a Roman and a Briton. At 16, he and a large number of his father’s slaves and vassals were captured by Irish raiders and sold as slaves in Ireland. Forced to work as a shepherd, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he suffered greatly from hunger and cold.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After six years Patrick escaped, probably to France, and later returned to Britain at the age of 22. His captivity had meant spiritual conversion. He may have studied at Lerins, off the French coast; he spent years at Auxerre, France, and was consecrated bishop at the age of 43. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His great desire was to proclaim the good news to the Irish.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In a dream vision it seemed “all the children of Ireland from their mothers’ wombs were stretching out their hands” to him. He understood the vision to be a call to do mission work in pagan Ireland. Despite opposition from those who felt his education had been defective, he was sent to carry out the task. He went to the west and north–where the faith had never been preached–obtained the protection of local kings, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and made numerous converts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Because of the island’s pagan background, Patrick was emphatic in encouraging widows to remain chaste and young women to consecrate their virginity to Christ. He ordained many priests, divided the country into dioceses, held Church councils, founded several monasteries and continually urged his people to greater holiness in Christ.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He suffered much opposition from pagan druids and was criticized in both England and Ireland for the way he conducted his mission. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In a relatively short time, the island had experienced deeply the Christian spirit, and was prepared to send out missionaries whose efforts were greatly responsible for Christianizing Europe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Patrick was a man of action, with little inclination toward learning. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He had a rock-like belief in his vocation, in the cause he had espoused. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One of the few certainly authentic writings is his Confessio, above all an act of homage to God for having called Patrick, unworthy sinner, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to the apostolate.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">There is hope rather than irony in the fact that his burial place is said to be in County Down in Northern Ireland, long the scene of strife and violence.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-28bb61cb-7fff-c644-c1fd-eb5d96c7405a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>12/04/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-42494903571458222772024-03-16T03:00:00.004-04:002024-03-16T03:00:00.131-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#saturday4">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031624.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 18 (17): 5, 7</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The waves of death rose about me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the pains of the netherworld surrounded me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In my anguish I called to the Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and from his holy temple he heard my voice.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">May the working of your mercy, O Lord, we pray,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">direct our hearts aright,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for without your grace</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we cannot find favor in your sight.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jer 11:18-20</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I knew their plot because the LORD informed me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">at that time you, O LORD, showed me their doings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">had not realized that they were hatching plots against me:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Let us destroy the tree in its vigor;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let us cut him off from the land of the living,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that his name will be spoken no more."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">searcher of mind and heart,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for to you I have entrusted my cause!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O LORD, my God, in you I take refuge;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">save me from all my pursuers and rescue me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lest I become like the lion's prey,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to be torn to pieces, with no one to rescue me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Do me justice, O LORD, because I am just,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and because of the innocence that is mine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let the malice of the wicked come to an end,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but sustain the just,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O searcher of heart and soul, O just God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A shield before me is God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who saves the upright of heart;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A just judge is God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">a God who punishes day by day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. O Lord, my God, in you I take refuge.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">See Lk 8:15</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and yield a harvest through perseverance.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 7:40-53</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"This is truly the Prophet."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Others said, "This is the Christ."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But others said, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David's family</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So a division occurred in the crowd because of him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some of them even wanted to arrest him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but no one laid hands on him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who asked them, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Why did you not bring him?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The guards answered, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Never before has anyone spoken like this man."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So the Pharisees answered them, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Have you also been deceived?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and finds out what he is doing?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They answered and said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"You are not from Galilee also, are you?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then each went to his own house.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-clement-mary-hofbauer/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 16</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1751 - 1820)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Clement Mary might be called the second founder of the Redemptorists, as it was he who carried the congregation of Saint Alphonsus Liguori to the people north of the Alps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">John, the name given him at Baptism, was born in Moravia into a poor family, the ninth of 12 children. Although he longed to be a priest, there was no money for studies, and he was apprenticed to a baker. But God guided the young man’s fortunes. He found work in the bakery of a monastery where he was allowed to attend classes in its Latin school. After the abbot there died, John tried the life of a hermit, but when Emperor Joseph II abolished hermitages, John again returned to Vienna and to baking.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One day after serving Mass at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, he called a carriage for two ladies waiting there in the rain. In their conversation they learned that he could not pursue his priestly studies because of a lack of funds. They generously offered to support both John and his friend Thaddeus, in their seminary studies. The two went to Rome, where they were drawn to Saint Alphonsus’ vision of religious life and to the Redemptorists. The two young men were ordained together in 1785.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Newly professed at age 34, Clement Mary, as he was now called, and Thaddeus were sent back to Vienna. But the religious difficulties there caused them to leave and continue north to Warsaw, Poland. There they encountered numerous German-speaking Catholics who had been left priestless by the suppression of the Jesuits. At first they had to live in great poverty and preach outdoor sermons. Eventually they were given the church of St. Benno, and for the next nine years they preached five sermons a day, two in German and three in Polish, converting many to the faith. They were active in social work among the poor, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">founding an orphanage and then a school for boys.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Drawing candidates to the congregation, they were able to send missionaries to Poland, Germany, and Switzerland. All of these foundations eventually had to be abandoned because of the political and religious tensions of the times. After 20 years of difficult work, Clement Mary himself was imprisoned and expelled from the country. Only after another arrest was he able to reach Vienna, where he was to live and work the final 12 years of his life. He quickly became “the apostle of Vienna,” hearing the confessions of the rich and the poor, visiting the sick, acting as a counselor to the powerful, sharing his holiness with all in the city. His crowning work was the establishment of a Catholic college in his beloved city.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Persecution followed Clement Mary, and there were those in authority who were able for a while to stop him from preaching. An attempt was made at the highest levels to have him banished. But his holiness and fame protected him and prompted the growth of the Redemptorists. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Due to his efforts, the congregation was firmly established north of the Alps by the time of his death in 1820.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Clement Mary Hofbauer was canonized in 1909. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-6ad12cd1-7fff-4971-da86-8bc73046a18e"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/25/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-80897615764593594612024-03-15T03:00:00.006-04:002024-03-15T03:00:00.143-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#friday4">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031524.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 54 (53): 3-4</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, save me by your name;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">by your power, defend my cause.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, hear my prayer;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">give ear to the words of my mouth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, who have prepared</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">fitting helps for us in our weakness,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">grant, we pray, that we may receive</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">their healing effects with joy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and reflect them in a holy way of life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Wis 2:1a, 12-22</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The wicked said among themselves,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">thinking not aright:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he sets himself against our doings,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Reproaches us for transgressions of the law</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and charges us with violations of our training.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He professes to have knowledge of God</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and styles himself a child of the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To us he is the censure of our thoughts;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">merely to see him is a hardship for us,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Because his life is not like that of others,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and different are his ways.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He judges us debased;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He calls blest the destiny of the just</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and boasts that God is his Father.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let us see whether his words be true;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let us find out what will happen to him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and deliver him from the hand of his foes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">With revilement and torture let us put him to the test</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that we may have proof of his gentleness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and try his patience.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let us condemn him to a shameful death;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for according to his own words, God will take care of him."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">These were their thoughts, but they erred;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for their wickedness blinded them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and they knew not the hidden counsels of God;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">neither did they count on a recompense of holiness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor discern the innocent souls' reward.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD confronts the evildoers,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and from all their distress he rescues them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Many are the troubles of the just man,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but out of them all the LORD delivers him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He watches over all his bones;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">not one of them shall be broken.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 4:4b</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One does not live on bread alone,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus moved about within Galilee;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he did not wish to travel in Judea,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because the Jews were trying to kill him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But when his brothers had gone up to the feast,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Is he not the one they are trying to kill?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But we know where he is from.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"You know me and also know where I am from.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Yet I did not come on my own,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So they tried to arrest him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but no one laid a hand upon him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because his hour had not yet come.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-louise-de-marillac/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 15</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Louise de Marillac</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1591 - 1660)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Born near Meux, France, Louise lost her mother when she was still a child, her beloved father when she was but 15. Her desire to become a nun was discouraged by her confessor, and a marriage was arranged. One son was born of this union. But Louise soon found herself nursing her beloved husband through a long illness that finally led to his death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Louise was fortunate to have a wise and sympathetic counselor, Francis de Sales, and then his friend, the bishop of Belley, France. Both of these men were available to her only periodically. But from an interior illumination she understood that she was to undertake a great work under the guidance of another person she had not yet met. This was the holy priest Monsieur Vincent, later to be known as Saint Vincent de Paul.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At first, he was reluctant to be her confessor, busy as he was with his “Confraternities of Charity.” Members were aristocratic ladies of charity who were helping him nurse the poor and look after neglected children, a real need of the day. But the ladies were busy with many of their own concerns and duties. His work needed many more helpers, especially ones who were peasants themselves and therefore, close to the poor and able to win their hearts. He also needed someone who could teach them and organize them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Only over a long period of time, as Vincent de Paul became more acquainted with Louise, did he come to realize that she was the answer to his prayers. She was intelligent, self-effacing, and had physical strength and endurance that belied her continuing feeble health. The missions he sent her on eventually led to four simple young women joining her. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Her rented home in Paris became the training center for those accepted for the service of the sick and poor. Growth was rapid and soon there was the need for a so-called “rule of life,” which Louise herself, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">under the guidance of Vincent, drew up for the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Monsieur Vincent had always been slow and prudent in his dealings with Louise and the new group. He said that he had never had any idea of starting a new community, that it was God who did everything. “Your convent,” he said, “will be the house of the sick; your cell, a hired room; your chapel, the parish church; your cloister, the streets of the city or the wards of the hospital.” Their dress was to be that of the peasant women. It was not until years later that Vincent de Paul would finally permit four of the women to take annual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It was still more years before the company would be formally approved by Rome and placed under the direction of Vincent’s own congregation of priests.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Many of the young women were illiterate. Still it was with reluctance that the new community undertook the care of neglected children. Louise was busy helping wherever needed despite her poor health. She traveled throughout France, establishing her community members in hospitals, orphanages and other institutions. At her death on March 15, 1660, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the congregation had more than 40 houses in France. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Six months later Vincent de Paul followed her in death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Louise de Marillac was canonized in 1934 and declared patroness of social workers in 1960.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-db4da750-7fff-2dab-32e8-5805f0f4f293"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/25/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-78087679675720547172024-03-14T03:00:00.004-04:002024-03-14T03:00:00.143-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#thursday4">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031424.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 105 (104): 3-4</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">turn to the Lord and his strength;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">constantly seek his face.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We invoke your mercy in humble prayer, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that you may cause us, your servants,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">corrected by penance and schooled by good works,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to persevere sincerely in your commands</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and come safely to the paschal festivities.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ex 32:7-14</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD said to Moses,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Go down at once to your people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">whom you brought out of the land of Egypt,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for they have become depraved.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">sacrificing to it and crying out,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'This is your God, O Israel,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who brought you out of the land of Egypt!'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD said to Moses,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"I see how stiff-necked this people is.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let me alone, then,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then I will make of you a great nation."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">whom you brought out of the land of Egypt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with such great power and with so strong a hand?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Why should the Egyptians say,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'With evil intent he brought them out,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that he might kill them in the mountains</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and exterminate them from the face of the earth'?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let your blazing wrath die down;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">relent in punishing your people.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and how you swore to them by your own self, saying,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and all this land that I promised,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So the LORD relented in the punishment</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he had threatened to inflict on his people.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Our fathers made a calf in Horeb</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and adored a molten image;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They exchanged their glory</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for the image of a grass-eating bullock.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They forgot the God who had saved them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who had done great deeds in Egypt,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Wondrous deeds in the land of Ham,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">terrible things at the Red Sea.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then he spoke of exterminating them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but Moses, his chosen one,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Withstood him in the breach</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to turn back his destructive wrath.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember us, O Lord, as you favor your people.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 3:16</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 5:31-47</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to the Jews:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But there is another who testifies on my behalf,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I do not accept human testimony,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but I say this so that you may be saved.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He was a burning and shining lamp,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But I have testimony greater than John's.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>these works that I perform testify on my behalf</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>that the Father has sent me.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and you do not have his word remaining in you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>You search the Scriptures,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because you think you have eternal life through them;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>even they testify on my behalf.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But you do not want to come to me to have life.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"I do not accept human praise;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I came in the name of my Father,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but you do not accept me;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>yet if another comes in his own name,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>you will accept him.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father:</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>the one who will accuse you is Moses,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>in whom you have placed your hope.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>For if you had believed Moses,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>you would have believed me,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because he wrote about me.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But if you do not believe his writings,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>how will you believe my words?"</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-maximilian/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 14</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Maximilian</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(274 - 295)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We have an early, almost unembellished account of the martyrdom of Saint Maximilian in modern-day Algeria.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Brought before the proconsul Dion, Maximilian refused enlistment in the Roman army saying, “I cannot serve, I cannot do evil. I am a Christian.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dion replied: “You must serve or die.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Maximilian: “I will never serve. You can cut off my head, but I will not be a soldier of this world, for I am a soldier of Christ. My army is the army of God, and I cannot fight for this world. I tell you I am a Christian.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dion: “There are Christian soldiers serving our rulers Diocletian and Maximian, Constantius and Galerius.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Maximilian: “That is their business. I also am a Christian, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and I cannot serve.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dion: “But what harm do soldiers do?”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Maximilian: “You know well enough.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dion: “If you will not do your service I shall condemn you to death for contempt of the army.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Maximilian: “I shall not die. If I go from this earth, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">my soul will live with Christ my Lord.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Maximilian was 21 years old when he gladly offered his life to God. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His father went home from the execution site joyful, thanking God that he had been able to offer heaven such a gift.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-887956ef-7fff-218e-ea77-382c178b15b5"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/25/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-72457248837987312572024-03-13T03:00:00.001-04:002024-03-13T03:00:00.231-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#wednesday4">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031324.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 69 (68): 14</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I pray to you, O Lord, for a time of your favor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In your great mercy, answer me, O God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with your salvation that never fails.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, who reward the merits of the just</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and offer pardon to sinners who do penance,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">have mercy, we pray, on those who call upon you,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that the admission of our guilt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may serve to obtain your pardon for our sins.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Is 49:8-15</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thus says the LORD:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In a time of favor I answer you,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">on the day of salvation I help you;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To restore the land</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and allot the desolate heritages,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Saying to the prisoners: Come out!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To those in darkness: Show yourselves!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Along the ways they shall find pasture,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">on every bare height shall their pastures be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They shall not hunger or thirst,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For he who pities them leads them</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and guides them beside springs of water.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will cut a road through all my mountains,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and make my highways level.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">See, some shall come from afar,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">others from the north and the west,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and some from the land of Syene.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">break forth into song, you mountains.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For the LORD comforts his people</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and shows mercy to his afflicted.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But Zion said, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The LORD has forsaken me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">my Lord has forgotten me."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Can a mother forget her infant,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">be without tenderness for the child of her womb?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Even should she forget,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will never forget you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD is gracious and merciful,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">slow to anger and of great kindness.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD is good to all</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and compassionate toward all his works.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD is faithful in all his words</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and holy in all his works.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD lifts up all who are falling</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and raises up all who are bowed down.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD is just in all his ways</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and holy in all his works.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD is near to all who call upon him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to all who call upon him in truth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is gracious and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 11:25a, 26</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">whoever believes in me will never die.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 5:17-30</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus answered the Jews:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"My Father is at work until now, so I am at work."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For this reason they tried all the more to kill him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because he not only broke the sabbath</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus answered and said to them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son cannot do anything on his own,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but only what he sees the Father doing;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for what he does, the Son will do also.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>For the Father loves the Son</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and shows him everything that he himself does,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and he will show him greater works than these,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>so that you may be amazed.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Nor does the Father judge anyone,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but he has given all judgment to the Son,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Whoever does not honor the Son</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>does not honor the Father who sent him.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and believes in the one who sent me</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>has eternal life and will not come to condemnation,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but has passed from death to life.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and those who hear will live.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>For just as the Father has life in himself,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>so also he gave to the Son the possession of life in himself.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And he gave him power to exercise judgment,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because he is the Son of Man.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Do not be amazed at this,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will hear his voice and will come out,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>those who have done good deeds</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>to the resurrection of life,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but those who have done wicked deeds</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>to the resurrection of condemnation.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"I cannot do anything on my own;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because I do not seek my own will</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but the will of the one who sent me."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-leander-of-seville/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 13</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Leander of Seville</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(534 - 601)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The next time you recite the Nicene Creed at Mass, think of today’s saint. For it was Leander of Seville who, as bishop, introduced the practice in the sixth century. He saw it as a way to help reinforce the faith of his people and as an antidote against the heresy of Arianism, which denied the divinity of Christ. By the end of his life, Leander had helped Christianity flourish in Spain at a time of political and religious upheaval.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Leander’s own family were staunch Christians: his brothers Isidore and Fulgentius were named bishops, and their sister Florentina became an abbess. Leander entered a monastery as a young man and spent three years in prayer and study. At the end of that tranquil period he was made a bishop. For the rest of his life he worked strenuously to fight against heresy. The death of the anti-Christian king in 586 helped Leander’s cause. He and the new king worked hand in hand to restore orthodoxy and a renewed sense of morality. Leander succeeded in persuading many Arian bishops to change their loyalties.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Leander died around 600. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In Spain, he is honored as a Doctor of the Church.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-40e4699c-7fff-a464-34c0-0e5b85d51bcc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/25/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-61796729218384902242024-03-12T03:00:00.003-04:002024-03-12T03:00:00.271-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#tuesday4">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031224.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Is 55: 1</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">All who are thirsty, come to the waters, says the Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Though you have no money, come and drink with joy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">May the venerable exercises of holy devotion</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">shape the hearts of your faithful, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to welcome worthily the Paschal Mystery</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and proclaim the praises of your salvation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ez 47:1-9, 12</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The angel brought me, Ezekiel,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">back to the entrance of the temple of the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and I saw water flowing out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">from beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for the façade of the temple was toward the east;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the water flowed down from the right side of the temple,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">south of the altar.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He led me outside by the north gate,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and around to the outer gate facing the east,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">where I saw water trickling from the right side.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then when he had walked off to the east</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with a measuring cord in his hand,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he measured off a thousand cubits</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and had me wade through the water,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">which was ankle-deep.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He measured off another thousand</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and once more had me wade through the water,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">which was now knee-deep.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Again he measured off a thousand and had me wade;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the water was up to my waist.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Once more he measured off a thousand,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but there was now a river through which I could not wade;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for the water had risen so high it had become a river</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that could not be crossed except by swimming.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He asked me, "Have you seen this, son of man?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then he brought me to the bank of the river, where he had me sit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Along the bank of the river I saw very many trees on both sides.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He said to me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Wherever the river flows,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and there shall be abundant fish,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Every month they shall bear fresh fruit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord of hosts is with us; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>our stronghold is the God of Jacob.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God is our refuge and our strength,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">an ever-present help in distress.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and mountains plunge into the depths of the sea.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord of hosts is with us; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>our stronghold is the God of Jacob.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">There is a stream whose runlets gladden the city of God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the holy dwelling of the Most High.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God is in its midst; it shall not be disturbed;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God will help it at the break of dawn.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord of hosts is with us; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>our stronghold is the God of Jacob.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The LORD of hosts is with us;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">our stronghold is the God of Jacob.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the astounding things he has wrought on earth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord of hosts is with us; </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>our stronghold is the God of Jacob.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 51:12a, 14a</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A clean heart create for me, O God;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">give me back the joy of your salvation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 5:1-16</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">There was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep Gate</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When Jesus saw him lying there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Do you want to be well?"</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The sick man answered him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">when the water is stirred up;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Rise, take up your mat, and walk."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now that day was a sabbath.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So the Jews said to the man who was cured,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He answered them, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The man who made me well told me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'Take up your mat and walk.'"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They asked him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Who is the man who told you, 'Take it up and walk'?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The man who was healed did not know who it was,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Look, you are well; do not sin anymore,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>so that nothing worse may happen to you."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The man went and told the Jews</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that Jesus was the one who had made him well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because he did this on a sabbath.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/blessed-angela-salawa/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 12</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Blessed Angela Salawa</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1881 - 1922)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Born in Siepraw, near Kraków, Poland, she was the 11th child of Bartlomiej and Ewa Salawa. In 1897, she moved to Kraków where her older sister Therese lived. Angela immediately began to gather together and instruct young women domestic workers. During World War I, she helped prisoners of war without regard for their nationality or religion. The writings of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross were a great comfort to her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Angela gave great service in caring for soldiers wounded in World War I. After 1918, her health did not permit her to exercise her customary apostolate. Addressing herself to Christ, she wrote in her diary, “I want you to be adored as much as you were destroyed.” In another place, she wrote, “Lord, I live by your will. I shall die when you desire; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">save me because you can.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At her 1991 beatification in Kraków, Pope John Paul II said: “It is in this city that she worked, that she suffered and that her holiness came to maturity. While connected to the spirituality of Saint Francis, she showed an extraordinary responsiveness to the action of the Holy Spirit” (L’Osservatore Romano, volume 34, number 4, 1991).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-e90b2e4e-7fff-f9b0-93e3-35a0037eb2e8"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/25/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-27254664696526115932024-03-11T03:00:00.008-04:002024-03-11T03:00:00.154-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#monday4">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031124.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 31 (30): 7-8</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As for me, I trust in the Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let me be glad and rejoice in your mercy,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for you have seen my affliction.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, who renew the world</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">through mysteries beyond all telling,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">grant, we pray,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that your Church may be guided by your eternal design</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and not be deprived of your help in this present age.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Is 65:17-21</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thus says the LORD:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lo, I am about to create new heavens</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and a new earth;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The things of the past shall not be remembered</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or come to mind.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in what I create;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For I create Jerusalem to be a joy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and its people to be a delight;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will rejoice in Jerusalem</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and exult in my people.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or the sound of crying;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">No longer shall there be in it</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">an infant who lives but a few days,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or an old man who does not round out his full lifetime;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He dies a mere youth who reaches but a hundred years,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and he who fails of a hundred shall be thought accursed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They shall live in the houses they build,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and eat the fruit of the vineyards they plant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">PS 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O LORD, you brought me up from the nether world;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and give thanks to his holy name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For his anger lasts but a moment;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">a lifetime, his good will.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At nightfall, weeping enters in,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but with the dawn, rejoicing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O LORD, be my helper.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You changed my mourning into dancing;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Am 5:14</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Seek good and not evil so that you may live,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and the LORD will be with you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 4:43-54</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For Jesus himself testified</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that a prophet has no honor in his native place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for they themselves had gone to the feast.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then he returned to Cana in Galilee,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">where he had made the water wine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he went to him and asked him to come down</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and heal his son, who was near death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Unless you people see signs and wonders, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>you will not believe.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The royal official said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Sir, come down before my child dies.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“You may go; your son will live.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">While the man was on his way back,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He asked them when he began to recover.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They told him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Your son will live,”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and he and his whole household came to believe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now this was the second sign Jesus did</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">when he came to Galilee from Judea.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-ogilvie/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 11</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint John Ogilvie</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1579 - 1615)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">John Ogilvie’s noble Scottish family was partly Catholic and partly Presbyterian. His father raised him as a Calvinist, sending him to the continent to be educated. There, John became interested in the popular debates going on between Catholic and Calvinist scholars. Confused by the arguments of Catholic scholars whom he sought out, he turned to Scripture. Two texts particularly struck him: “God wills all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth,” and “Come to me all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Slowly, John came to see that the Catholic Church could embrace all kinds of people. Among these, he noted, were many martyrs. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He decided to become Catholic and was received into the Church at Louvain, Belgium, in 1596 at the age of 17.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">John continued his studies, first with the Benedictines, then as a student at the Jesuit College at Olmutz. He joined the Jesuits and for the next 10 years underwent their rigorous intellectual and spiritual training. At his ordination to the priesthood in France in 1610, John met two Jesuits who had just returned from Scotland after suffering arrest and imprisonment. They saw little hope for any successful work there in view of the tightening of the penal laws. But a fire had been lit within John. For the next two and a half years he pleaded to be placed there as a missionary.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sent by his superiors, he secretly entered Scotland posing as a horse trader or a soldier returning from the wars in Europe. Unable to do significant work among the relatively few Catholics in Scotland, John made his way back to Paris to consult his superiors. Rebuked for having left his assignment in Scotland, he was sent back. He warmed to the task before him and had some success in making converts and in secretly serving Scottish Catholics. But he was soon betrayed, arrested, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and brought before the court.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His trial dragged on until he had been without food for 26 hours. He was imprisoned and deprived of sleep. For eight days and nights he was dragged around, prodded with sharp sticks, his hair pulled out. Still, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he refused to reveal the names of Catholics or to acknowledge the jurisdiction of the king in spiritual affairs. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He underwent a second and third trial but held firm.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At his final trial, he assured his judges: “In all that concerns the king, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will be slavishly obedient; if any attack his temporal power, I will shed my last drop of blood for him. But in the things of spiritual jurisdiction which a king unjustly seizes I cannot and must not obey.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Condemned to death as a traitor, he was faithful to the end, even when on the scaffold he was offered his freedom and a fine living if he would deny his faith. His courage in prison and in his martyrdom was reported throughout Scotland.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">John Ogilvie was canonized in 1976, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">becoming the first Scottish saint since 1250.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-0e0d9023-7fff-0eea-429c-69291af8b0fc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/25/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-35402333995842817572024-03-10T03:00:00.024-04:002024-03-10T03:00:00.216-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#sunday4">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031024-YearB.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fourth Sunday of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Is 66: 10-11</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Be joyful, all who were in mourning;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, who through your Word</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">grant, we pray,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that with prompt devotion and eager faith</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the Christian people may hasten</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">toward the solemn celebrations to come.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading I</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">added infidelity to infidelity, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">practicing all the abominations of the nations </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and polluting the LORD’s temple </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">send his messengers to them, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But they mocked the messengers of God, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that there was no remedy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Their enemies burnt the house of God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">tore down the walls of Jerusalem, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">set all its palaces afire, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and destroyed all its precious objects.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Those who escaped the sword were carried captive to Babylon, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">where they became servants of the king of the Chaldeans and his sons</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">until the kingdom of the Persians came to power.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">All this was to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Until the land has retrieved its lost sabbaths, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">during all the time it lies waste it shall have rest </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">while seventy years are fulfilled.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both by word of mouth and in writing: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">All the kingdoms of the earth</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and he has also charged me to build him a house </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let him go up, and may his God be with him!”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">PS 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">By the streams of Babylon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> we sat and wept</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> when we remembered Zion.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">On the aspens of that land</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> we hung up our harps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For there our captors asked of us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> the lyrics of our songs,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> “Sing for us the songs of Zion!”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">How could we sing a song of the LORD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> in a foreign land?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If I forget you, Jerusalem,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> may my right hand be forgotten!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">May my tongue cleave to my palate</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> if I remember you not,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If I place not Jerusalem</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> ahead of my joy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading II</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Eph 2:4-10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Brothers and sisters:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, who is rich in mercy, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because of the great love he had for us, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">even when we were dead in our transgressions, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">raised us up with him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that in the ages to come </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For by grace you have been saved through faith, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">it is not from works, so no one may boast.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that God has prepared in advance,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that we should live in them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 3:16</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 3:14-21</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to Nicodemus:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>so must the Son of Man be lifted up, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that everyone who believes in him might not perish </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but might have eternal life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but that the world might be saved through him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And this is the verdict,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that the light came into the world, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but people preferred darkness to light,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because their works were evil.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For everyone who does wicked things hates the light</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and does not come toward the light, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that his works might not be exposed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-dominic-savio/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 10</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Dominic Savio</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1842 - 1857)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Born into a peasant family at Riva, Italy, young Dominic joined Saint John Bosco as a student at the Oratory in Turin at the age of 12. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He impressed Don Bosco with his desire to be a priest and to help him in his work with neglected boys. A peacemaker and an organizer, young Dominic founded a group he called the Company of the Immaculate Conception which, besides being devotional, aided John Bosco with the boys and with manual work. All the members save one, Dominic, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">would, in 1859, join Don Bosco in the beginnings of his Salesian congregation. By that time, Dominic had been called home to heaven.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As a youth, Dominic spent hours rapt in prayer. His raptures he called “my distractions.” Even in play, he said that at times, “It seems heaven is opening just above me. I am afraid I may say or do something that will make the other boys laugh.” Dominic would say, “I can’t do big things. But I want all I do, even the smallest thing, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to be for the greater glory of God.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dominic’s health, always frail, led to lung problems and he was sent home to recuperate. As was the custom of the day, he was bled in the thought that this would help, but it only worsened his condition. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He died on March 9, 1857, after receiving the Last Sacraments. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Saint John Bosco himself wrote the account of his life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some thought that Dominic was too young to be considered a saint. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Saint Pius X declared that just the opposite was true, and went ahead with his cause. Dominic was canonized in 1954. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-434f561b-7fff-c5af-b56a-16081622e1f1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"> </p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/17/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-31673857016758260842024-03-09T03:00:00.002-05:002024-03-09T03:00:00.129-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#saturday3">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030924.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Saturday of the Third Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 103 (102): 2-3</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all his benefits;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">it is he who forgives all your sins.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Rejoicing in this annual celebration</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">of our Lenten observance,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we pray, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that, with our hearts set on the paschal mysteries,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we may be gladdened by their full effects.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hos 6:1-6</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Come, let us return to the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He will revive us after two days;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">on the third day he will raise us up,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to live in his presence.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as certain as the dawn is his coming,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He will come to us like the rain,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">like spring rain that waters the earth."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">What can I do with you, Ephraim?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">What can I do with you, Judah?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Your piety is like a morning cloud,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">like the dew that early passes away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For this reason I smote them through the prophets,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I slew them by the words of my mouth;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">PS 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thoroughly wash me from my guilt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and of my sin cleanse me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For you are not pleased with sacrifices;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Be bountiful, O LORD, to Zion in your kindness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">burnt offerings and holocausts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. It is mercy I desire, and not sacrifice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 95:8</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If today you hear his voice,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">harden not your hearts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lk 18:9-14</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus addressed this parable</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to those who were convinced of their own righteousness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and despised everyone else.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I fast twice a week,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and I pay tithes on my whole income.’</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But the tax collector stood off at a distance</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and would not even raise his eyes to heaven</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but beat his breast and prayed,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-frances-of-rome/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 9</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Frances of Rome</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1384 - 1440)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Born of wealthy parents, Frances found herself attracted to the religious life during her youth. But her parents objected and a young nobleman was selected to be her husband.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As she became acquainted with her new relatives, Frances soon discovered that the wife of her husband’s brother also wished to live a life of service and prayer. So the two, Frances and Vannozza, set out together—with their husbands’ blessings—to help the poor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Frances fell ill for a time, but this apparently only deepened her commitment to the suffering people she met. The years passed, and Frances gave birth to two sons and a daughter. With the new responsibilities of family life, the young mother turned her attention more to the needs of her own household.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The family flourished under Frances’ care, but within a few years a great plague began to sweep across Italy. It struck Rome with devastating cruelty and left Frances’ second son dead. In an effort to help alleviate some of the suffering, Frances used all her money and sold her possessions to buy whatever the sick might possibly need. When all the resources had been exhausted, Frances and Vannozza went door to door begging. Later, Frances’ daughter died, and the saint opened a section of her house as a hospital.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Frances became more and more convinced that this way of life was so necessary for the world, and it was not long before she requested and was given permission to found a society of women bound by no vows. They simply offered themselves to God and to the service of the poor. Once the society was established, Frances chose not to live at the community residence, but rather at home with her husband. She did this for seven years, until her husband passed away, and then came to live the remainder of her life with the society—serving the poorest of the poor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-7d86460c-7fff-931d-91b9-b5ab9992f167"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/17/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-24161615779508703722024-03-08T03:00:00.004-05:002024-03-08T03:00:00.141-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#friday3">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030824.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Friday of the Third Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 86 (85): 8, 10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Pour your grace into our hearts, we pray, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that we may be constantly drawn away from unruly desires</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and obey by your own gift the heavenly teaching you give us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hos 14:2-10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thus says the LORD:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you have collapsed through your guilt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Take with you words,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and return to the LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and receive what is good, that we may render</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Assyria will not save us,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor shall we have horses to mount;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We shall say no more, 'Our god,'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to the work of our hands;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for in you the orphan finds compassion."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will heal their defection, says the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will love them freely;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for my wrath is turned away from them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will be like the dew for Israel:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he shall blossom like the lily;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and put forth his shoots.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His splendor shall be like the olive tree</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Again they shall dwell in his shade</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and raise grain;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They shall blossom like the vine,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"I am like a verdant cypress tree"–</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Because of me you bear fruit!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let him who is wise understand these things;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let him who is prudent know them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Straight are the paths of the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in them the just walk,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but sinners stumble in them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">An unfamiliar speech I hear:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"I relieved his shoulder of the burden;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">his hands were freed from the basket.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In distress you called, and I rescued you."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Unseen, I answered you in thunder;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I tested you at the waters of Meribah.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hear, my people, and I will admonish you;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O Israel, will you not hear me?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There shall be no strange god among you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor shall you worship any alien god.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I, the LORD, am your God</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who led you forth from the land of Egypt."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"If only my people would hear me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and Israel walk in my ways,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I would feed them with the best of wheat,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and with honey from the rock I would fill them."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I am the Lord your God: hear my voice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 4:17</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Repent, says the Lord;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mk 12:28-34</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Which is the first of all the commandments?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus replied, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"The first is this:</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Hear, O Israel!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The Lord our God is Lord alone!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>with all your soul,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>with all your mind,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and with all your strength.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The second is this:</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>You shall love your neighbor as yourself.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>There is no other commandment greater than these."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The scribe said to him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Well said, teacher.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You are right in saying,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He is One and there is no other than he.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And to love him with all your heart,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with all your understanding,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with all your strength,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and to love your neighbor as yourself</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"You are not far from the Kingdom of God."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And no one dared to ask him any more questions.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-of-god/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 8</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint John of God</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1495 - 1550)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Having given up active Christian belief while a soldier, John was 40 before the depth of his sinfulness began to dawn on him. He decided to give the rest of his life to God’s service, and headed at once for Africa where he hoped to free captive Christians and, possibly, be martyred.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He was soon advised that his desire for martyrdom was not spiritually well based, and returned to Spain and the relatively prosaic activity of a religious goods store. Yet he was still not settled. Moved initially by a sermon of Saint John of Avila, he one day engaged in a public beating of himself, begging mercy and wildly repenting for his past life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Committed to a mental hospital for these actions, John was visited by Saint John, who advised him to be more actively involved in tending to the needs of others rather than in enduring personal hardships. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">John gained peace of heart, and shortly after left the hospital to begin work among the poor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He established a house where he wisely tended to the needs of the sick poor, at first doing his own begging. But, excited by the saint’s great work and inspired by his devotion, many people began to back him up with money and provisions. Among them were the archbishop and marquis of Tarifa.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Behind John’s outward acts of total concern and love for Christ’s sick poor was a deep interior prayer life which was reflected in his spirit of humility. These qualities attracted helpers who, 20 years after John’s death, formed the Brothers Hospitallers, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">now a worldwide religious order.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">John became ill after 10 years of service, but tried to disguise his ill health. He began to put the hospital’s administrative work into order and appointed a leader for his helpers. He died under the care of a spiritual friend and admirer, Lady Ana Ossorio.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-83deb4bc-7fff-7f3e-6799-683edd5f474b"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/17/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-4980974310634223452024-03-07T03:00:00.005-05:002024-03-07T03:00:00.165-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#thursday3">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030724.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thursday of the Third Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Should they cry to me in any distress,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will hear them, and I will be their Lord forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We implore your majesty most humbly, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that, as the feast of our salvation draws ever closer,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so we may press forward all the more eagerly</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">towards the worthy celebration of the Paschal Mystery.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jer 7:23-28</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thus says the LORD:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is what I commanded my people:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Listen to my voice;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">then I will be your God and you shall be my people.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Walk in all the ways that I command you,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that you may prosper.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even to this day,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have sent you untiringly all my servants the prophets.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Yet they have not obeyed me nor paid heed;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their fathers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When you speak all these words to them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they will not listen to you either;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">when you call to them, they will not answer you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Say to them:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is the nation that does not listen</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to the voice of the LORD, its God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or take correction.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Faithfulness has disappeared;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the word itself is banished from their speech.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">PS 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let us joyfully sing psalms to him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Come, let us bow down in worship;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let us kneel before the LORD who made us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For he is our God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Oh, that today you would hear his voice:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as in the day of Massah in the desert,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Where your fathers tempted me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they tested me though they had seen my works."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jl 2:12-13</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Even now, says the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">return to me with your whole heart,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for I am gracious and merciful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lk 11:14-23</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and when the demon had gone out,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the mute man spoke and the crowds were amazed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some of them said, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he drives out demons."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But he knew their thoughts and said to them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and house will fall against house.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And if Satan is divided against himself,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>how will his kingdom stand?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>by whom do your own people drive them out?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Therefore they will be your judges.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When a strong man fully armed guards his palace,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>his possessions are safe.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>he takes away the armor on which he relied</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and distributes the spoils.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Whoever is not with me is against me,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and whoever does not gather with me scatters."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-perpetua-and-felicity/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 7</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saints Perpetua and Felicity</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(d. 203)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“When my father in his affection for me was trying to turn me from my purpose by arguments and thus weaken my faith, I said to him, ‘Do you see this vessel—water pot or whatever it may be? Can it be called by any other name than what it is?’ ‘No,’ he replied. ‘So also I cannot call myself by any other name than what I am—a Christian.’”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So writes Perpetua: young, beautiful, well-educated, a noblewoman of Carthage in North Africa, mother of an infant son and chronicler of the persecution of the Christians by Emperor Septimius Severus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Perpetua’s mother was a Christian and her father a pagan. He continually pleaded with her to deny her faith. She refused and was imprisoned at 22.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In her diary, Perpetua describes her period of captivity: “What a day of horror! Terrible heat, owing to the crowds! Rough treatment by the soldiers! To crown all, I was tormented with anxiety for my baby…. Such anxieties I suffered for many days, but I obtained leave for my baby to remain in the prison with me, and being relieved of my trouble and anxiety for him, I at once recovered my health, and my prison became a palace to me and I would rather have been there than anywhere else.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Despite threats of persecution and death, Perpetua, Felicity–a slavewoman and expectant mother–and three companions, Revocatus, Secundulus and Saturninus, refused to renounce their Christian faith. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For their unwillingness, all were sent to the public games in the amphitheater. There Perpetua and Felicity were beheaded, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and the others killed by beasts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Felicity gave birth to a daughter a few days before the games commenced.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Perpetua’s record of her trial and imprisonment ends the day before the games. “Of what was done in the games themselves, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let him write who will.” The diary was finished by an eyewitness.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-6bfc1b49-7fff-c937-3dfe-12472fdc4dc0"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/17/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-21761357234305104772024-03-06T03:00:00.005-05:002024-03-06T03:00:00.137-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#wednesday3">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030624.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Antiphon</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 119 (118): 133</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let my steps be guided by your promise;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may evil never rule me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Grant, we pray, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that, schooled through Lenten observance</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and nourished by your word,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">through holy restraint</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we may be devoted to you with all our heart</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and be ever united in prayer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dt 4:1, 5-9</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Moses spoke to the people and said:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">which I am teaching you to observe,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as the LORD, my God, has commanded me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Observe them carefully,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for thus will you give evidence</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who will hear of all these statutes and say,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For what great nation is there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">whenever we call upon him?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Or what great nation has statutes and decrees</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that are as just as this whole law</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">which I am setting before you today?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"However, take care and be earnestly on your guard</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but teach them to your children and to your children's children."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">PS 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">praise your God, O Zion.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he has blessed your children within you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He sends forth his command to the earth;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">swiftly runs his word!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He spreads snow like wool;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">frost he strews like ashes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He has not done thus for any other nation;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">his ordinances he has not made known to them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 6:63c, 68c</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You have the words of everlasting life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 5:17-19</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to his disciples:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will pass from the law,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>until all things have taken place.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and teaches others to do so</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-mary-ann-of-jesus-of-paredes/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 6</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1618 - 1645)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The youngest of eight, Mary Ann was born in Quito, Ecuador, which had been brought under Spanish control in 1534. She joined the Secular Franciscans and led a life of prayer and penance at home, leaving her parents’ house only to go to church and to perform some work of charity. She established in Quito a clinic and a school for Africans and indigenous Americans. When a plague broke out, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">she nursed the sick and died shortly thereafter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-96203f91-7fff-1ec1-1af9-9f1be2aabfa2"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/17/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-19814152417711038302024-03-05T03:00:00.003-05:002024-03-05T03:00:00.169-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#tuesday3">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030524.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> Cf. Ps 17 (16): 6, 8</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To you I call, for you will surely heed me, O God;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">turn your ear to me; hear my words.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Guard me as the apple of your eye;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in the shadow of your wings protect me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Collect</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">May your grace not forsake us, O Lord, we pray,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but make us dedicated to your holy service</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and at all times obtain for us your help.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dn 3:25, 34-43</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Azariah stood up in the fire and prayed aloud:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“For your name’s sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or make void your covenant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Do not take away your mercy from us,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for the sake of Abraham, your beloved,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To whom you promised to multiply their offspring</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">like the stars of heaven,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or the sand on the shore of the sea.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">brought low everywhere in the world this day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because of our sins.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But with contrite heart and humble spirit</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let us be received;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or thousands of fat lambs,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So let our sacrifice be in your presence today</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as we follow you unreservedly;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And now we follow you with our whole heart,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we fear you and we pray to you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Do not let us be put to shame,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Deliver us by your wonders,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and bring glory to your name, O Lord.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">PS 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">teach me your paths,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Guide me in your truth and teach me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for you are God my savior.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Remember that your compassion, O LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and your kindness are from of old.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In your kindness remember me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because of your goodness, O LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Good and upright is the LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">thus he shows sinners the way.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He guides the humble to justice,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he teaches the humble his way.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember your mercies, O Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jl 2:12-13</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Even now, says the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">return to me with your whole heart;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for I am gracious and merciful.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 18:21-35</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Peter approached Jesus and asked him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Lord, if my brother sins against me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">how often must I forgive him?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As many as seven times?”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus answered,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>That is why the Kingdom of Heaven may be likened to a king</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>who decided to settle accounts with his servants.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When he began the accounting,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Since he had no way of paying it back,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>his master ordered him to be sold,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>along with his wife, his children, and all his property,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>in payment of the debt.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Moved with compassion the master of that servant</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>let him go and forgave him the loan.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>who owed him a much smaller amount.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘Pay back what you owe.’</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But he refused.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Instead, he had him put in prison</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>until he paid back the debt.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and reported the whole affair.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>His master summoned him and said to him, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘You wicked servant!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>as I had pity on you?’</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>until he should pay back the whole debt.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>So will my heavenly Father do to you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-joseph-of-the-cross/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 5</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint John Joseph of the Cross</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1654 - 1734)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">John Joseph was very ascetic even as a young man. At 16, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he joined the Franciscans in Naples; he was the first Italian to follow the reform movement of Saint Peter Alcantara. John Joseph’s reputation for holiness prompted his superiors to put him in charge of establishing a new friary even before he was ordained.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Obedience moved John Joseph to accept appointments as novice master, guardian and, finally, provincial. His years of mortification enabled him to offer these services to the friars with great charity. As guardian he was not above working in the kitchen or carrying the wood and water needed by the friars.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When his term as provincial expired, John Joseph dedicated himself to hearing confessions and practicing mortification, two concerns contrary to the spirit of the dawning Age of Enlightenment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">John Joseph of the Cross was canonized in 1839.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-a63def18-7fff-19c4-7e7b-4f32bd0f7b42"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/17/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-5930769654354928572024-03-04T03:00:00.007-05:002024-03-04T03:00:00.182-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#monday3">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030424.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Monday of the Third Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 84 (83): 3</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My soul is longing and yearning for the courts of the Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My heart and my flesh cry out to the living God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">May your unfailing compassion, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">cleanse and protect your Church,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and, since without you she cannot stand secure,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may she be always governed by your grace.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">2 Kgs 5:1-15ab</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">was highly esteemed and respected by his master,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for through him the LORD had brought victory to Aram.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But valiant as he was, the man was a leper.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Now the Arameans had captured in a raid on the land of Israel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">a little girl, who became the servant of Naaman's wife.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"If only my master would present himself to the prophet in Samaria,"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">she said to her mistress, "he would cure him of his leprosy."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Naaman went and told his lord</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">just what the slave girl from the land of Israel had said.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Go," said the king of Aram.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"I will send along a letter to the king of Israel."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So Naaman set out, taking along ten silver talents,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">six thousand gold pieces, and ten festal garments.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To the king of Israel he brought the letter, which read:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that you may cure him of his leprosy."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When he read the letter,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the king of Israel tore his garments and exclaimed:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Am I a god with power over life and death,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that this man should send someone to me to be cured of leprosy?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Take note! You can see he is only looking for a quarrel with me!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When Elisha, the man of God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">heard that the king of Israel had torn his garments,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he sent word to the king:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Why have you torn your garments?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let him come to me and find out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that there is a prophet in Israel."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Naaman came with his horses and chariots</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and stopped at the door of Elisha's house.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The prophet sent him the message:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Go and wash seven times in the Jordan,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But Naaman went away angry, saying,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"I thought that he would surely come out and stand there</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to invoke the LORD his God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and would move his hand over the spot,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and thus cure the leprosy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Are not the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">better than all the waters of Israel?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Could I not wash in them and be cleansed?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">With this, he turned about in anger and left.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But his servants came up and reasoned with him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"My father," they said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"if the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">would you not have done it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">All the more now, since he said to you,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'Wash and be clean,' should you do as he said."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">at the word of the man of God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He returned with his whole retinue to the man of God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">On his arrival he stood before him and said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">except in Israel."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">PS 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When shall I go and behold the face of God?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As the hind longs for the running waters,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so my soul longs for you, O God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When shall I go and behold the face of God?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When shall I go and behold the face of God?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When shall I go and behold the face of God?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Send forth your light and your fidelity;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they shall lead me on</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And bring me to your holy mountain,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to your dwelling-place.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When shall I go and behold the face of God?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then will I go into the altar of God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the God of my gladness and joy;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, my God!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Athirst is my soul for the living God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When shall I go and behold the face of God?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 130:5, 7</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I hope in the LORD, I trust in his word;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with him there is kindness and plenteous redemption.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lk 4:24-30</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Amen, I say to you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>no prophet is accepted in his own native place.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>in the days of Elijah</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>when the sky was closed for three and a half years</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and a severe famine spread over the entire land.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Again, there were many lepers in Israel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>during the time of Elisha the prophet;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>yet not one of them was cleansed, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but only Naaman the Syrian.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the people in the synagogue heard this,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they were all filled with fury.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They rose up, drove him out of the town,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and led him to the brow of the hill</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">on which their town had been built,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to hurl him down headlong.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But he passed through the midst of them and went away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-casimir/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 4</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Casimir</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1458 - 1483)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Casimir, born of kings and in line to be a king himself, was filled with exceptional values and learning by a great teacher, John Dlugosz. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Even his critics could not say that his conscientious objection indicated softness. As a teenager, Casimir lived a highly disciplined, even severe life, sleeping on the ground, spending a great part of the night in prayer and dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When nobles in Hungary became dissatisfied with their king, they prevailed upon Casimir’s father, the king of Poland, to send his son to take over the country. Casimir obeyed his father, as many young men over the centuries have obeyed their governments. The army he was supposed to lead was clearly outnumbered by the “enemy”; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">some of his troops were deserting because they were not paid. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At the advice of his officers, Casimir decided to return home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His father was irked at the failure of his plans, and confined his </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">15-year-old son for three months. The lad made up his mind never again to become involved in the wars of his day, and no amount of persuasion could change his mind. He returned to prayer and study, maintaining his decision to remain celibate even under pressure to marry the emperor’s daughter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He reigned briefly as king of Poland during his father’s absence. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He died of lung trouble at 25 while visiting Lithuania, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">of which he was also Grand Duke. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He was buried in Vilnius, Lithuania.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-630006ac-7fff-7543-4092-688deb691e3d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/17/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-34471192732082726952024-03-03T03:00:00.005-05:002024-03-03T03:00:00.453-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#sunday3">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030324-YearB.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Third Sunday of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 25 (24): 15-16</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My eyes are always on the Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for he rescues my feet from the snare.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Turn to me and have mercy on me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for I am alone and poor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">have shown us a remedy for sin,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">look graciously on this confession of our lowliness,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that we, who are bowed down by our conscience,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may always be lifted up by your mercy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ex 20:1-17</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In those days, God delivered all these commandments:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“I, the LORD, am your God, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You shall not have other gods besides me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You shall not carve idols for yourselves </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in the shape of anything in the sky above </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you shall not bow down before them or worship them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">on the children of those who hate me, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">down to the third and fourth generation; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">on the children of those who love me and keep my commandments.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“You shall not take the name of the LORD, your God, in vain.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For the LORD will not leave unpunished </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the one who takes his name in vain.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Remember to keep holy the sabbath day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Six days you may labor and do all your work, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD, your God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or your male or female slave, or your beast, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">or by the alien who lives with you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the sea and all that is in them; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but on the seventh day he rested.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">That is why the LORD has blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“Honor your father and your mother, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that you may have a long life in the land </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">which the LORD, your God, is giving you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You shall not kill.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You shall not commit adultery.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You shall not steal.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor his male or female slave, nor his ox or ass, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor anything else that belongs to him.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">19:8, 9, 10, 11</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The law of the LORD is perfect,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> refreshing the soul;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> giving wisdom to the simple.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The precepts of the LORD are right,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> rejoicing the heart;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the command of the LORD is clear,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> enlightening the eye.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The fear of the LORD is pure,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> enduring forever;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the ordinances of the LORD are true,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> all of them just.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They are more precious than gold,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> than a heap of purest gold;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">sweeter also than syrup</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> or honey from the comb.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading II</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">1 Cor 1:22-25</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Brothers and sisters:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but we proclaim Christ crucified, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 3:16</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 2:13-25</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Since the Passover of the Jews was near,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus went up to Jerusalem.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as well as the money changers seated there.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He made a whip out of cords</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and spilled the coins of the money changers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and overturned their tables, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and to those who sold doves he said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Take these out of here, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Zeal for your house will consume me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At this the Jews answered and said to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“What sign can you show us for doing this?”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus answered and said to them, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>“Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Jews said, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">“This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and you will raise it up in three days?”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But he was speaking about the temple of his body.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">his disciples remembered that he had said this, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and they came to believe the Scripture </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and the word Jesus had spoken.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">many began to believe in his name </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">when they saw the signs he was doing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and did not need anyone to testify about human nature.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He himself understood it well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-katharine-drexel/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 3</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Katharine Drexel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1858 - 1955)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Born in Philadelphia in 1858, she had an excellent education and traveled widely. As a rich girl, Katharine also had a grand debut into society. But when she nursed her stepmother through a three-year terminal illness, she saw that all the Drexel money could not buy safety from pain or death, and her life took a profound turn.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Katharine had always been interested in the plight of the Indians, having been appalled by what she read in Helen Hunt Jackson’s A Century of Dishonor. While on a European tour, she met Pope Leo XIII and asked him to send more missionaries to Wyoming for her friend Bishop James O’Connor. The pope replied, “Why don’t you become a missionary?” </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His answer shocked her into considering new possibilities.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Back home, Katharine visited the Dakotas, met the Sioux leader Red Cloud and began her systematic aid to Indian missions.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Katharine Drexel could easily have married. But after much discussion with Bishop O’Connor, she wrote in 1889, “The feast of Saint Joseph brought me the grace to give the remainder of my life to the Indians and the Colored.” Newspaper headlines screamed “Gives Up Seven Million!”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After three and a half years of training, Mother Drexel and her first band of nuns—Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Colored—opened a boarding school in Santa Fe. A string of foundations followed. By 1942, she had a system of black Catholic schools in 13 states, plus 40 mission centers and 23 rural schools. Segregationists harassed her work, even burning a school in Pennsylvania. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In all, she established 50 missions for Indians in 16 states.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Two saints met when Mother Drexel was advised by Mother Cabrini about the “politics” of getting her order’s Rule approved in Rome. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Her crowning achievement was the founding of Xavier University in New Orleans, the first Catholic university in the United States for African Americans.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At 77, Mother Drexel suffered a heart attack and was forced to retire. Apparently her life was over. But now came almost 20 years of quiet, intense prayer from a small room overlooking the sanctuary. Small notebooks and slips of paper record her various prayers, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ceaseless aspirations, and meditations. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She died at 96 and was canonized in 2000.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-1370bdac-7fff-01eb-d1a9-80f6b9a8e8a8"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/17/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-16210425314663451392024-03-02T03:00:00.006-05:002024-03-02T03:00:00.365-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#saturday2">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030224.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Saturday of the Second Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 145 (144): 8-9</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Lord is kind and full of compassion,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">slow to anger, abounding in mercy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">How good is the Lord to all,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">compassionate to all his creatures.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, who grant us by glorious healing remedies while still on earth</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to be partakers of the things of heaven,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">guide us, we pray, through this present life</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and bring us to that light in which you dwell.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mi 7:14-15, 18-20</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Shepherd your people with your staff,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the flock of your inheritance,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">That dwells apart in a woodland,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in the midst of Carmel.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as in the days of old;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">show us wonderful signs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Who does not persist in anger forever,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but delights rather in clemency,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And will again have compassion on us,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">treading underfoot our guilt?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You will show faithfulness to Jacob,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and grace to Abraham,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As you have sworn to our fathers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">from days of old.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is kind and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Bless the LORD, O my soul;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and all my being, bless his holy name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Bless the LORD, O my soul,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and forget not all his benefits.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is kind and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He pardons all your iniquities,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he heals all your ills.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He redeems your life from destruction,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he crowns you with kindness and compassion.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is kind and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He will not always chide,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor does he keep his wrath forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Not according to our sins does he deal with us,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor does he requite us according to our crimes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is kind and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For as the heavens are high above the earth,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As far as the east is from the west,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so far has he put our transgressions from us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. The Lord is kind and merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lk 15:18</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will get up and go to my father and shall say to him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lk 15:1-3, 11-32</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So to them Jesus addressed this parable.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'Father, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>give me the share of your estate that should come to me.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>So the father divided the property between them.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and set off to a distant country</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When he had freely spent everything,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>a severe famine struck that country,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and he found himself in dire need.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but nobody gave him any.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Coming to his senses he thought,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'How many of my father's hired workers</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>have more than enough food to eat,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but here am I, dying from hunger.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I no longer deserve to be called your son;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>So he got up and went back to his father.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>While he was still a long way off,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>his father caught sight of him, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and was filled with compassion.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>His son said to him,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I no longer deserve to be called your son.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But his father ordered his servants,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Then let us celebrate with a feast,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>he was lost, and has been found.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Then the celebration began.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Now the older son had been out in the field</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and, on his way back, as he neared the house,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>he heard the sound of music and dancing.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The servant said to him,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'Your brother has returned</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because he has him back safe and sound.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He became angry,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and when he refused to enter the house,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>his father came out and pleaded with him.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He said to his father in reply,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'Look, all these years I served you</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and not once did I disobey your orders;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But when your son returns</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for him you slaughter the fattened calf.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He said to him,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'My son, you are here with me always;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>everything I have is yours.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But now we must celebrate and rejoice,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>because your brother was dead and has come to life again;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>he was lost and has been found.'"</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-agnes-of-bohemia/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 2</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Agnes of Bohemia</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1205 - 1282)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Agnes was the daughter of Queen Constance and King Ottokar I of Bohemia. She was betrothed to the Duke of Silesia, who died three years later. As she grew up, she decided she wanted to enter the religious life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After declining marriages to King Henry VII of Germany and King Henry III of England, Agnes was faced with a proposal from Frederick II, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the Holy Roman Emperor. She appealed to Pope Gregory IX for help. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The pope was persuasive; Frederick magnanimously said that he could not be offended if Agnes preferred the King of Heaven to him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After Agnes built a hospital for the poor and a residence for the friars, she financed the construction of a Poor Clare monastery in Prague. In 1236, she and seven other noblewomen entered this monastery. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Saint Clare sent five sisters from San Damiano to join them, and wrote Agnes four letters advising her on the beauty of her vocation and her duties as abbess.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Agnes became known for prayer, obedience and mortification. Papal pressure forced her to accept her election as abbess, nevertheless, the title she preferred was “senior sister.” Her position did not prevent her from cooking for the other sisters and mending the clothes of lepers. The sisters found her kind but very strict regarding the observance of poverty; she declined her royal brother’s offer to set up an endowment for the monastery.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Devotion to Agnes arose soon after her death on March 6, 1282. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-b3393a6c-7fff-8fb5-dbc5-5f2ba6f0029d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/13/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-76563690217046429792024-03-01T03:00:00.005-05:002024-03-01T03:00:00.151-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#friday2">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030124.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Friday of the Second Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> Cf. Ps 31 (30): 2, 5</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In you, O Lord, I put my trust, let me never be put to shame;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">release me from the snare they have hidden for me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for you indeed are my refuge.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Grant, we pray, almighty God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that, purifying us by the sacred practice of penance,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you may lead us in sincerity of heart</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to attain the holy things to come.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for he was the child of his old age;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and he had made him a long tunic.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When his brothers saw that their father loved him best of all his sons,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they hated him so much that they would not even greet him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One day, when his brothers had gone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to pasture their father's flocks at Shechem,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Israel said to Joseph,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Your brothers, you know, are tending our flocks at Shechem.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Get ready; I will send you to them."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So Joseph went after his brothers and caught up with them in Dothan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They noticed him from a distance,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and before he came up to them, they plotted to kill him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They said to one another: "Here comes that master dreamer!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Come on, let us kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns here;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we could say that a wild beast devoured him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We shall then see what comes of his dreams."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When Reuben heard this,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he tried to save him from their hands, saying,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"We must not take his life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Instead of shedding blood," he continued,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"just throw him into that cistern there in the desert;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but do not kill him outright."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His purpose was to rescue him from their hands</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and return him to his father.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So when Joseph came up to them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they stripped him of the long tunic he had on;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">then they took him and threw him into the cistern,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">which was empty and dry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They then sat down to their meal.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">their camels laden with gum, balm and resin</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to be taken down to Egypt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Judah said to his brothers:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">instead of doing away with him ourselves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After all, he is our brother, our own flesh."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His brothers agreed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the LORD called down a famine on the land</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and ruined the crop that sustained them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He sent a man before them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Joseph, sold as a slave.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They had weighed him down with fetters,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and he was bound with chains,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Till his prediction came to pass</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and the word of the LORD proved him true.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The king sent and released him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the ruler of the peoples set him free.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He made him lord of his house</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and ruler of all his possessions.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 3:16</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 21:33-43, 45-46</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Hear another parable.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>There was a landowner who planted a vineyard,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>put a hedge around it,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>dug a wine press in it, and built a tower.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When vintage time drew near,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>he sent his servants to the tenants to obtain his produce.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>another they killed, and a third they stoned.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Again he sent other servants, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>more numerous than the first ones,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but they treated them in the same way.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Finally, he sent his son to them,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>thinking, 'They will respect my son.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'This is the heir.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and killed him.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes?"</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>They answered him,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"He will put those wretched men to a wretched death</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and lease his vineyard to other tenants</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>who will give him the produce at the proper times."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures:</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The stone that the builders rejected</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>has become the cornerstone;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>by the Lord has this been done,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and it is wonderful in our eyes?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Therefore, I say to you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and given to a people that will produce its fruit."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they knew that he was speaking about them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And although they were attempting to arrest him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they feared the crowds, for they regarded him as a prophet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-david-of-wales/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>March 1</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint David of Wales</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(d. 589)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">David is the patron saint of Wales and perhaps the most famous of British saints. Ironically, we have little reliable information about him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It is known that he became a priest, engaged in missionary work, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and founded many monasteries, including his principal abbey in southwestern Wales. Many stories and legends sprang up about David and his Welsh monks. Their austerity was extreme. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They worked in silence without the help of animals to till the soil. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Their food was limited to bread, vegetables and water.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In about the year 550, David attended a synod where his eloquence impressed his fellow monks to such a degree that he was elected primate of the region. The episcopal see was moved to Mynyw, where he had his monastery, now called St. David’s. He ruled his diocese until he had reached a very old age. His last words to his monks and subjects were: “Be joyful, brothers and sisters. Keep your faith, and do the little things that you have seen and heard with me.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Saint David is pictured standing on a mound with a dove on his shoulder. The legend is that once while he was preaching a dove descended to his shoulder and the earth rose to lift him high above the people so that he could be heard. Over 50 churches in South Wales were dedicated to him in pre-Reformation days.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-89bc2221-7fff-0ef6-fc70-8f2210bdb12c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/13/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-12692009765440737252024-02-29T03:00:00.003-05:002024-02-29T03:00:00.372-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#thursday2">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022924.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thursday of the Second Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> Cf. Ps 139 (138): 23-24</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Test me, O God, and know my thoughts.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">See that my path is not wicked,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and lead me in the way everlasting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, who delight in innocence and restore it,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">direct the hearts of your servants to yourself,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that, caught up in the fire of your Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we may be found steadfast in faith</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and effective in works.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jer 17:5-10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thus says the LORD:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who seeks his strength in flesh,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">whose heart turns away from the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He is like a barren bush in the desert</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that enjoys no change of season,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But stands in a lava waste,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">a salt and empty earth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">whose hope is the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He is like a tree planted beside the waters</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that stretches out its roots to the stream:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It fears not the heat when it comes,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">its leaves stay green;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the year of drought it shows no distress,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but still bears fruit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">More tortuous than all else is the human heart,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">beyond remedy; who can understand it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I, the LORD, alone probe the mind</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and test the heart,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To reward everyone according to his ways,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">according to the merit of his deeds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Blessed the man who follows not</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the counsel of the wicked</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Nor walks in the way of sinners,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor sits in the company of the insolent,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But delights in the law of the LORD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and meditates on his law day and night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He is like a tree</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">planted near running water,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">That yields its fruit in due season,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and whose leaves never fade.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Whatever he does, prospers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Not so, the wicked, not so;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they are like chaff which the wind drives away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For the LORD watches over the way of the just,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but the way of the wicked vanishes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lk 8:15</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and yield a harvest through perseverance.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lk 16:19-31</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to the Pharisees:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and dined sumptuously each day.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>that fell from the rich man's table.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>When the poor man died,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The rich man also died and was buried,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and Lazarus at his side.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for I am suffering torment in these flames.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Abraham replied, 'My child,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>remember that you received what was good during your lifetime</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>to prevent anyone from crossing</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>who might wish to go from our side to yours</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>or from your side to ours.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>to my father's house,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>lest they too come to this place of torment.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Let them listen to them.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Then Abraham said,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>neither will they be persuaded</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>if someone should rise from the dead.'"</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-gregory-of-narek/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>February 29</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Gregory of Narek</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(945 - 1003)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Gregor was born in a village on the shores of Lake Van between 945 and 950. When his parents died, Gregor and his older brother were raised by a scholarly uncle who had them educated at the Narek monastery where he was a monk. The monastery was a prominent center of learning located in what is now Turkey. Gregor too entered the monastery </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and was ordained in 977.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">A professor of theology, Gregor wrote a mystical interpretation of the Song of Songs, and a long mystical poem called the Book of Prayer or the Book of Lamentations. He described his poem as “an encyclopedia of prayer for all nations.” This classic of Armenian literature has been translated into 30 languages. The Russian text of the Book of Lamentations was set to music in 1985.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Little else is known about Gregor, other than he died in the early 11th century and was buried within the walls of the Narek monastery where he had spent his life. In 2015 as the world observed the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire, Pope Francis concelebrated a Mass at the Vatican with Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX Tarmouni and declared the monk, poet, and saint of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Gregory of Narek, a Doctor of the Church. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-15d28faf-7fff-5bea-6e50-1c1781886082"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/13/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-79199404947867423512024-02-28T03:00:00.003-05:002024-02-28T03:00:00.145-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#wednesday2">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022824.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 38 (37): 22-23</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Forsake me not, O Lord! My God, be not far from me!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Keep your family, O Lord,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">schooled always in good works,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and so comfort them with your protection here</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as to lead them graciously to gifts on high.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jer 18:18-20</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">let us carefully note his every word."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Heed me, O LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and listen to what my adversaries say.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Must good be repaid with evil</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that they should dig a pit to take my life?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Remember that I stood before you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to speak in their behalf,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to turn away your wrath from them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You will free me from the snare they set for me,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for you are my refuge.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Into your hands I commend my spirit;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But my trust is in you, O LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I say, "You are my God."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In your hands is my destiny; rescue me</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 8:12</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am the light of the world, says the Lord;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">whoever follows me will have the light of life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 20:17-28</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and said to them on the way,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and the scribes,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and they will condemn him to death,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and hand him over to the Gentiles</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>to be mocked and scourged and crucified,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and he will be raised on the third day."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He said to her, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"What do you wish?"</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She answered him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Command that these two sons of mine sit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said in reply,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"You do not know what you are asking.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They said to him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"We can."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He replied,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"My chalice you will indeed drink,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but to sit at my right and at my left,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>this is not mine to give</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When the ten heard this,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they became indignant at the two brothers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But Jesus summoned them and said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and the great ones make their authority over them felt.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But it shall not be so among you.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Rather, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and to give his life as a ransom for many."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/blessed-daniel-brottier/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>February 28</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Blessed Daniel Brottier</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1876 - 1936)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Born in France in 1876, Daniel was ordained in 1899 and began a teaching career. That didn’t satisfy him long. He wanted to use his zeal for the gospel far beyond the classroom. He joined the missionary Congregation of the Holy Spirit, which sent him to Senegal, West Africa. After eight years there, his health was suffering. He was forced to return to France, where he helped raise funds for the construction of a new cathedral in Senegal.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At the outbreak of World War I, Daniel became a volunteer chaplain and spent four years at the front. He did not shrink from his duties. Indeed, he risked his life time and again in ministering to the suffering and dying. It was miraculous that he did not suffer a single wound during his 52 months in the heart of battle.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After the war he was invited to help establish a project for orphaned and abandoned children in a Paris suburb. He spent the final 13 years of his life there. He died in 1936 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Paris only 48 years later.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c36e9b7-7fff-77a9-4090-b97c81221ee6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/13/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-9955410729452076802024-02-27T03:00:00.006-05:002024-02-27T03:00:00.264-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#tuesday2">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022724.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 13 (12): 4-5</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Give light to my eyes lest I fall asleep in death,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">lest my enemy say: I have overcome him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Guard your Church, we pray, O Lord, in your unceasing mercy,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and, since without you mortal humanity is sure to fall,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may we be kept by your constant helps from all harm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and directed to all that brings salvation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Is 1:10, 16-20 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hear the word of the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">princes of Sodom!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Listen to the instruction of our God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">people of Gomorrah!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Wash yourselves clean!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">cease doing evil; learn to do good.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Make justice your aim: redress the wronged,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Come now, let us set things right,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">says the LORD:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Though your sins be like scarlet,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they may become white as snow;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Though they be crimson red,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">they may become white as wool.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If you are willing, and obey,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you shall eat the good things of the land;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But if you refuse and resist,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the sword shall consume you:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for your burnt offerings are before me always.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I take from your house no bullock,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">no goats out of your fold."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Why do you recite my statutes,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and profess my covenant with your mouth,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Though you hate discipline</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and cast my words behind you?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Or do you think that I am like yourself?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ez 18:31</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 23:1-12</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"The scribes and the Pharisees</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but do not follow their example.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>For they preach but they do not practice.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and lay them on people's shoulders,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but they will not lift a finger to move them.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>All their works are performed to be seen.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>They love places of honor at banquets, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>seats of honor in synagogues,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Call no one on earth your father;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>you have but one Father in heaven.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Do not be called 'Master';</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>you have but one master, the Christ.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The greatest among you must be your servant.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-gabriel-of-our-lady-of-sorrows/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>February 27</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1838 - 1862)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Born in Italy into a large family and baptized Francis, Saint Gabriel lost his mother when he was only four years old. He was educated by the Jesuits and, having been cured twice of serious illnesses, came to believe that God was calling him to the religious life. Young Francis wished to join the Jesuits but was turned down, probably because of his age, not yet 17. Following the death of a sister to cholera, his resolve to enter religious life became even stronger and he was accepted by the Passionists. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Upon entering the novitiate he was given the name </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ever popular and cheerful, Gabriel quickly was successful in his effort to be faithful in little things. His spirit of prayer, love for the poor, consideration of the feelings of others, exact observance of the Passionist Rule as well as his bodily penances—always subject to the will of his wise superiors— made a deep impression on everyone.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">His superiors had great expectations of Gabriel as he prepared for the priesthood, but after only four years of religious life symptoms of tuberculosis appeared. Ever obedient, he patiently bore the painful effects of the disease and the restrictions it required, seeking no special notice. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He died peacefully on February 27, 1862, at age 24, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">having been an example to both young and old.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was canonized in 1920.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-02434f66-7fff-a082-975c-4600f6f49048"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/13/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-66566203684780663852024-02-26T03:00:00.001-05:002024-02-26T03:00:00.370-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#monday2">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022624.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Monday of the Second Week in Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 26 (25): 11-12</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Redeem me, O Lord, and have mercy on me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My foot stands on level ground;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will bless the Lord in the assembly.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, who have taught us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to chasten our bodies</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for the healing of our souls,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">enable us, we pray,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to abstain from all sins,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and strengthen our hearts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to carry out your loving commands.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dn 9:4b-10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Lord, great and awesome God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and observe your commandments!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">our fathers, and all the people of the land.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Justice, O Lord, is on your side;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we are shamefaced even to this day:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and all Israel, near and far,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in all the countries to which you have scattered them</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because of their treachery toward you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for having sinned against you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Yet we rebelled against you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may your compassion quickly come to us,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for we are brought very low.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Help us, O God our savior,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because of the glory of your name;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Deliver us and pardon our sins</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">for your name's sake.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let the prisoners' sighing come before you;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">with your great power free those doomed to death.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">will give thanks to you forever;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">through all generations we will declare your praise.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jn 6:63c, 68c</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you have the words of everlasting life.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lk 6:36-38</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to his disciples:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Stop judging and you will not be judged.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Forgive and you will be forgiven.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Give and gifts will be given to you;</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will be poured into your lap.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>For the measure with which you measure</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will in return be measured out to you."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-maria-bertilla-boscardin/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>February 26</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Maria Bertilla Boscardin</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1888 - 1922)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Born in Italy in 1888, the young girl lived in fear of her father, a violent man prone to jealousy and drunkenness. Her schooling was limited so that she could spend more time helping at home and working in the fields. She showed few talents and was often the butt of jokes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In 1904, she joined the Sisters of Saint Dorothy and was assigned to work in the kitchen, bakery and laundry. After some time Maria received nurses’ training and began working in a hospital with children suffering from diphtheria. There the young nun seemed to find her true vocation: nursing very ill and disturbed children. Later, when the hospital was taken over by the military in World War I, Sister Maria Bertilla fearlessly cared for patients amidst the threat of constant air raids and bombings.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">She died in 1922 after suffering for many years from a painful tumor. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Some of the patients she had nursed many years before were present at her canonization in 1961.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-0f84ba32-7fff-5ca4-3f25-196204dbd50c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/13/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-40014905660101644572024-02-25T03:00:00.002-05:002024-02-25T03:00:00.321-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#sunday1">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Second Sunday of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> Cf. Ps 27 (26): 8-9</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Of you my heart has spoken, Seek his face.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">hide not your face from me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O God, who have commanded us</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to listen to your beloved Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">be pleased, we pray,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to nourish us inwardly by your word,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that, with spiritual sight made pure,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we may rejoice to behold your glory.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading 1</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God put Abraham to the test.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He called to him, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Abraham!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Here I am!" he replied.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then God said:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and go to the land of Moriah.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">There you shall offer him up as a holocaust</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">on a height that I will point out to you."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When they came to the place of which God had told him,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Abraham, Abraham!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Here I am!" he answered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Do not do the least thing to him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I know now how devoted you are to God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As Abraham looked about,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So he went and took the ram</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that because you acted as you did</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in not withholding from me your beloved son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will bless you abundantly</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and make your descendants as countless</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">your descendants shall take possession</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">of the gates of their enemies,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and in your descendants all the nations of the earth</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">shall find blessing—</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">all this because you obeyed my command."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I believed, even when I said,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"I am greatly afflicted."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Precious in the eyes of the LORD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">is the death of his faithful ones.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">O LORD, I am your servant;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you have loosed my bonds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and I will call upon the name of the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My vows to the LORD I will pay</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in the presence of all his people,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the courts of the house of the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">in your midst, O Jerusalem.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading 2</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Rom 8:31b-34</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Brothers and sisters:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If God is for us, who can be against us?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He who did not spare his own Son</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but handed him over for us all,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">how will he not also give us everything else along with him?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It is God who acquits us, who will condemn?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Christ Jesus it is who died—or, rather, was raised—</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who also is at the right hand of God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who indeed intercedes for us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Mt 17:5</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">From the shining cloud the Father's voice is heard:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This is my beloved Son, listen to him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mk 9:2-10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus took Peter, James, and John</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And he was transfigured before them,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and his clothes became dazzling white,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and they were conversing with Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let us make three tents:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">from the cloud came a voice,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">but Jesus alone with them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">As they were coming down from the mountain,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">So they kept the matter to themselves,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">questioning what rising from the dead meant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/blessed-sebastian-of-aparicio/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>February 25</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1502 - 1600)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sebastian’s parents were Spanish peasants. At the age of 31, he sailed to Mexico, where he began working in the fields. Eventually he built roads to facilitate agricultural trading and other commerce. His 466-mile road from Mexico City to Zacatecas took 10 years to build and required careful negotiations with the indigenous peoples along the way.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In time Sebastian was a wealthy farmer and rancher. At the age of 60, he entered a virginal marriage. His wife’s motivation may have been a large inheritance; his was to provide a respectable life for a girl without even a modest marriage dowry. When his first wife died, he entered another virginal marriage for the same reason; his second wife also died young.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At the age of 72, Sebastian distributed his goods among the poor and entered the Franciscans as a brother. Assigned to the large (100-member) friary at Puebla de los Angeles south of Mexico City, Sebastian went out collecting alms for the friars for the next 25 years. His charity to all earned him the nickname “Angel of Mexico.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Sebastian was beatified in 1787 and is known as a patron of travelers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-aa489b9a-7fff-dd47-095b-34202742bcd7"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/13/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-81622672996708060322024-02-24T03:00:00.004-05:002024-02-24T03:00:00.248-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#saturday1">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022424.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Saturday of the First Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> Cf. Ps 19 (18): 8</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The law of the Lord is perfect; it revives the soul.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The decrees of the Lord are steadfast; they give wisdom to the simple.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Turn our hearts to you, eternal Father,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and grant that, seeking always the one thing necessary</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and carrying out works of charity,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">we may be dedicated to your worship.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Dt 26:16-19</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Moses spoke to the people, saying:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"This day the LORD, your God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">commands you to observe these statutes and decrees.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Be careful, then,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Today you are making this agreement with the LORD:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and to hearken to his voice.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And today the LORD is making this agreement with you:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and provided you keep all his commandments,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">above all other nations he has made,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">as he promised."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Blessed are they whose way is blameless,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who walk in the law of the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Blessed are they who observe his decrees,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who seek him with all their heart.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You have commanded that your precepts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">be diligently kept.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Oh, that I might be firm in the ways</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">of keeping your statutes!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will give you thanks with an upright heart,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">when I have learned your just ordinances.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will keep your statutes;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">do not utterly forsake me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">2 Cor 6:2b</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Behold, now is a very acceptable time;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">behold, now is the day of salvation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 5:43-48</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to his disciples:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"You have heard that it was said,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But I say to you, love your enemies,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and pray for those who persecute you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>that you may be children of your heavenly Father,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>For if you love those who love you, </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>what recompense will you have?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Do not the tax collectors do the same?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>what is unusual about that?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Do not the pagans do the same?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/blessed-luke-belludi/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>February 24</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Blessed Luke Belludi</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(1200 - 1285)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In 1220, Saint Anthony was preaching conversion to the inhabitants of Padua when a young nobleman, Luke Belludi, came up to him and humbly asked to receive the habit of the followers of Saint Francis. Anthony liked the talented, well-educated Luke and personally recommended him to Francis, who then received him into the Franciscan Order.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Luke, then only 20, was to be Anthony’s companion in his travels and in his preaching, tending to him in his last days and taking Anthony’s place upon his death. He was appointed guardian of the Friars Minor in the city of Padua. In 1239, the city fell into the hands of its enemies. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Nobles were put to death, the mayor and council were banished, the great university of Padua gradually closed and the church dedicated to Saint Anthony was left unfinished. Luke himself was expelled from the city but secretly returned.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At night he and the new guardian would visit the tomb of Saint Anthony in the unfinished shrine to pray for his help. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">One night a voice came from the tomb assuring them that the city would soon be delivered from its evil tyrant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">After the fulfillment of the prophetic message, Luke was elected provincial minister and furthered the completion of the great basilica in honor of Anthony, his teacher. He founded many convents of the order and had, as Anthony, the gift of miracles. Upon his death he was laid to rest in the basilica that he had helped finish and has had a continual veneration up to the present time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-0fddcb6f-7fff-f183-9183-2871e3daf133"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/04/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6770647834936171653.post-82294887303242978402024-02-23T03:00:00.004-05:002024-02-23T03:00:00.152-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/roman_missal/lentmass.htm#friday1">THE LITURGY OF THE WORD</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022324.cfm">Daily Mass Readings</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>Friday of the First Week of Lent</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Antiphon</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cf. Ps 25 (24): 17-18</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Set me free from my distress, O Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">See my lowliness and suffering,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and take away all my sins.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Collect</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Grant that your faithful, O Lord, we pray,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may be so conformed to the paschal observances,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that the bodily discipline now solemnly begun</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">may bear fruit in the souls of all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">God, forever and ever.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Reading</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ez 18:21-28</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Thus says the Lord GOD:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">if he keeps all my statutes and does what is right and just,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he shall surely live, he shall not die.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">None of the crimes he committed shall be remembered against him;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he shall live because of the virtue he has practiced.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Do I indeed derive any pleasure from the death of the wicked?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">says the Lord GOD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Do I not rather rejoice when he turns from his evil way</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that he may live?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And if the virtuous man turns from the path of virtue to do evil,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the same kind of abominable things that the wicked man does,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">can he do this and still live?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">None of his virtuous deeds shall be remembered,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because he has broken faith and committed sin;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">because of this, he shall die.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">You say, "The LORD's way is not fair!"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Hear now, house of Israel:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But if the wicked, turning from the wickedness he has committed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">does what is right and just,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he shall preserve his life;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">since he has turned away from all the sins that he committed,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he shall surely live, he shall not die.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Responsorial Psalm</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-8</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LORD, hear my voice!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let your ears be attentive</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">to my voice in supplication.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LORD, who can stand?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">But with you is forgiveness,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that you may be revered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I trust in the LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">my soul trusts in his word.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My soul waits for the LORD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">more than sentinels wait for the dawn.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let Israel wait for the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">For with the LORD is kindness</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and with him is plenteous redemption;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And he will redeem Israel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">from all their iniquities.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>R. If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Verse Before the Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Ez 18:31</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">And make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gospel</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Mt 5:20-26</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Jesus said to his disciples:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"I tell you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>unless your righteousness surpasses that</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>of the scribes and Pharisees,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will be liable to judgment,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and there recall that your brother</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>has anything against you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>leave your gift there at the altar,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>go first and be reconciled with your brother,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and then come and offer your gift.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and the judge will hand you over to the guard,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>and you will be thrown into prison.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Amen, I say to you,</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-polycarp/">SAINT OF THE DAY</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>February 23</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Saint Polycarp</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(69 - 155)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, disciple of Saint John the Apostle and friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Saint Ignatius, on his way to Rome to be martyred, visited Polycarp at Smyrna, and later at Troas wrote him a personal letter. The Asia Minor Churches recognized Polycarp’s leadership by choosing him as a representative to discuss with Pope Anicetus the date of the Easter celebration in Rome—a major controversy in the early Church.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Only one of the many letters written by Polycarp has been preserved, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">the one he wrote to the Church of Philippi in Macedonia.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">At 86, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be burned alive. The flames did not harm him and he was finally killed by a dagger. The centurion ordered the saint’s body burned. The “Acts” of Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Christian martyr’s death. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He died in 155.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-99b9ef3a-7fff-28c8-1344-28fdebffc7d4"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">THE LITURGY OF HOURS</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The Liturgy of the Hours, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God; at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church; and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Divine Office "is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father." (SC 84) The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. Morning and Evening Prayer also include intercessions that flow from the scriptural proclamation just as the Psalms prepare for it.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In the Hours, the royal priesthood of the baptized is exercised, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and this sacrifice of praise is thus connected to the sacrifice of the Eucharist, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">both preparing for and flowing from the Mass.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour (with the subsequent responses or troparia) and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal more deeply the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and prepare for silent prayer." (CCC 1177)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">OFFICE OF READINGS</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"The office of readings seeks to provide God's people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers. Even though the cycle of scriptural readings at daily Mass is now richer, the treasures of revelation and tradition to be found in the office of readings will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life" (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours [GILH], no. 55).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/readings.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">LAUDS - Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"As is clear from many of the elements that make it up, morning prayer is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. St. Basil the Great gives an excellent description of this character in these words: "It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God and that we may take nothing in hand until we have been gladdened by the thought of God, as it is written: 'I was mindful of God and was glad' (Ps 77:4 [Jerome's translation from Hebrew]), or set our bodies to any task before we do what has been said: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">'I will pray to you, Lord, you will hear my voice in the morning; </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I will stand before you in the morning and gaze on you' </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Ps 5:4-5)."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and "the sun of justice" (Mal 4:2), "rising from on high" (Lk 1:78). Hence, we can well understand the advice of St. Cyprian: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated" (GILH, no. 38).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/lauds.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">TERCE - Mid-Morning Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Following a very ancient tradition Christians have made a practice of praying out of private devotion at various times of the day, even in the course of their work, in imitation of the Church in apostolic times. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In different ways with the passage of time this tradition has taken the form of a liturgical celebration.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer, mainly because these hours were linked to a commemoration of the events of the Lord's passion and of the first preaching of the Gospel" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 74-75).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/terce.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">SEXT - Mid-Day Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/sext.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">NONE - Afternoon Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://www.universalis.com/0/none.htm</span></a></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">VESPERS - Evening Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice' (see Ps 141:2). This sacrifice 'may also be interpreted more spiritually as the true evening sacrifice that our Savior the Lord entrusted to the apostles at supper on the evening when he instituted the sacred mysteries of the Church or of the evening sacrifice of the next day, the sacrifice, that is, which, raising his hands, he offered to the Father at the end of the ages for the salvation of the whole world.' Again, in order to fix our hope on the light that knows no setting, 'we pray and make petition for the light to come down on us anew; we implore the coming of Christ who will bring the grace of eternal light.' Finally, at this hour we join with the Churches of the East in calling upon the 'joy-giving light of that holy glory, born of the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy and blessed Jesus Christ; now that we have come to the setting of the sun and have seen the evening star, we sing in praise of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…'" </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">(GILH, no. 39).</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/vespers.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">COMPLINE - Night Prayer</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">"Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/compline.htm</span></span></a></p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">ABOUT TODAY</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #ffd966; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">https://www.universalis.com/0/today.htm</span></span></a></p><br /></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>11/04/23</span></div>JACKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17437769524164651907noreply@blogger.com