Evening Prayer I
Holy Family

O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.



HYMN

Sing of Mary, pure and lowly,
Virgin mother undefiled,
Sing of God's own Son most holy,
Who became her little child.
Fairest child of fairest mother,
God the Lord who came to earth,
Word made flesh, our very brother,
Takes our nature by his birth.

Sing of Jesus, son of Mary,
In the home at Nazareth.
Toil and labour cannot weary
Love enduring unto death.
Constant was the love he gave her,
Though he went forth from her side,
Forth to preach, and heal, and suffer,
Till on Calvary he died.

Glory be to God the Father;
Glory be to God the Son;
Glory be to God the Spirit;
Glory to the Three in One.
From the heart of blessed Mary,
From all saints the song ascends,
And the Church the strain reechoes
Unto earth's remotest ends.

Melody: Pleading Saviour 87.87 D
Music: The Christian Lyre, 1831
Text: Anon, 1914


PSALMODY

Antiphon:Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary; Mary gave birth to Jesus who is called the Christ.



Antiphon:Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary; Mary gave birth to Jesus who is called the Christ.


Antiphon: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; the child in her womb is conceived by the Holy Spirit.



Antiphon: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; the child in her womb is conceived by the Holy Spirit.


Antiphon:The shepherds went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, with the child cradled in a manger.

Canticle – Ephesians 1:3-10

Praised be the God and Father *
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has bestowed on us in Christ *
every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

God chose us in him *
before the world began
to be holy *
and blameless in his sight.

He predestined us *
to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ,
such was his will and pleasure, †
that all might praise the glorious favor *
he has bestowed on us in his beloved.

In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, *
and our sins forgiven,
so immeasurably generous *
is God's favor to us.

God has given us the wisdom *
to understand fully the mystery,
the plan he was pleased *
to decree in Christ.

A plan to be carried out *
in Christ, in the fullness of time,
to bring all things into one in him, *
in the heavens and on earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


Antiphon: The shepherds went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, with the child cradled in a manger.

READING                          2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.


Responsory:
The Word was made flesh; and lived among us.
 - The Word was made flesh and lived among us.
From his fullness we have all received,
 - and he lived among us.
Glory to the Father...
 - The Word was made flesh and lived among us.


Magnificat

Antiphon:The child Jesus remained in Jerusalem and his parents did not know it. They thought he was in the group of travelers and looked for him among their relatives and friends.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Antiphon:The child Jesus remained in Jerusalem and his parents did not know it. They thought he was in the group of travelers and looked for him among their relatives and friends.


Intercessions

The son of the living God let himself become the son of a human family. Let us pray to him:
- Lord, you are our example and our saviour.
Christ, you made yourself subject to Mary and Joseph:
    teach us to respect and obey whoever holds rightful authority.
You loved your parents and they loved you:
    may every family stand firm and peaceful in mutual love.
In all things you honoured your Father’s will:
    may God be honoured in every home.
Christ, after two days your parents found you in your Father’s temple:
    teach us to seek the kingdom of God before all else.
Christ, you have united Mary and Joseph in your glory in heaven:
    welcome our dead into the family of the blessed.
Our Father…

Closing Prayer:

Father,
help us to live as the holy family,
united in respect and love.
Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


Alternative Prayer:
Father in heaven, creator of all,
You ordered the earth to bring forth life
and crowned its goodness by creating humanity.
In history’s moment when all was ready,
you sent your Son to dwell in time,
obedient to the laws of life in our world.
Teach us the sanctity of human love,
show us the value of family life,
and help us to live in peace with all
that we may share in your life for ever.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.




 
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