READING
See 1 Kings 8:51-53a  

We are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt, from the midst of an iron furnace. Thus may your eyes be open to the petition of your servant and to the petition of your people Israel. Hear us whenever we call upon you, because you have set us apart among all the peoples of the earth for your inheritance.

RESPONSORY
God himself will set me free, from the hunters snare.
God himself will set me free, from the hunters snare.
From those who would trap me with lying words
-and from the hunter's snare.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
God himself will set me free, from the hunters snare.

BENEDICTUS (Canticle of Zechariah)
Antiphons for Benedictus:
Week 1:   If you, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts to your childre, how much more will your Father in heaven pour out his gifts on all who pray to him.
Week 2:   Son, remember the good things you received in your lifetime and the bad things Lazarus received in his.
Week 3:   If it is by the power of God that I cast out devils, says the Lord, then the kingdom of God has come to you already.
Week 4:    John bore testimony to the truth, and although I have no need of human testimony, says the Lord, I remind you of this for your salvation.

INTERCESSIONS
Week 1 and 3

Christ our Lord came among us as the light of the world, that we might walk in his light, and not in the darkness of death.  Let us praise him and cry out to him:

   Let your word be a lamp to guide us.

God of mercy, help us today to grow in your likeness,
 - that we who sinned in Adam may rise again in Christ.
Let your word be a lamp to guide us,
 - that we may live the truth and grow always in your love.
Teach us to be faithful in seeking the common good for your sake,
 - that your light may shine on the whole human family by means of your Church.
Touch our hearts to seek your friendship more and more,
 - and to make amends for our sins against your wisdom and goodness.

Our Father...

God has revealed himself in Christ. Let us praise his goodness, and ask him from our hearts:

  Remember us, Lord, for we are your children.

Teach us to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Church,
 - that it may be more effective for ourselves and for the world as the sacrament of salvation.
Lover of mankind, inspire us to work for human progress,
 - seeking to spread your kingdom in all we do.
May our hearts thirst for Christ,
 - the fountain of living water.
Forgive us our sins,
 - and direct our steps into the ways of justice and sincerity.

Our Father...

Week 1   Father,
without you we can do nothing.
By your spirit help us to know what is right
and to be eager in doing your will.
We ask this...

Week 2   God of love,
bring us back to you.
Send your Spirit to make us strong in faith
and active in good works.
Grant this...

Week 3   Father,
help us to be ready to celebrate the great paschal mystery.
Make our love grow each day
as we approach the feast of our salvation.
We ask this...

Week 4   Merciful Father,
may the penance of our Lenten observance
make us your obedient people.
May the love within us be seen in what we do
and lead us to the joy of Easter.
Grant this...

Reading
Isaiah 55:6-7

Seek the Lord while he may be found,
  call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
  and the wicked man his thoughts;
Let him turn to the Lord for mercy;
  to our God, who is generous in forgiving.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
 - Renew in me a steadfast spirit.

Antiphon: As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the sinner to die, but to turn back to me and live.

Reading
Deuteronomy 30:2-3a

Provided that you and your children return to the Lord, your God, and heed his voice with all your heart and all your soul, just as I now command you, the Lord, your God, will change your lot; and taking pity on you.

Turn away your face from my sins.
 - Blot out all my guilt.

Antiphon: Armed with God's justice and power, let us prove ourselves through patient endurance.

Reading
Hebrews 10:35-36

Do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

My sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit.
 - A humble contrite heart, O God, you will not spurn.

Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.

RESPONSORY
To you, O Lord, I make my prayer for mercy;  
To you, O Lord, I make my prayer for mercy;
heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.
I make my prayer for mercy;
Glory to the Father to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
To you, O Lord, I make my prayer for mercy.  

MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphons on Magnificat:
Week 1:   Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Week 2:   The rich man, who had refused Lazarus a crust of bread, pleaded for a drop of water.
Week 3:   A woman in the crowd called out: How happy your mother must be, she bore you and fed you at her breast.  But Jesus answered: Happier still those who hear the word of God and live by it.
Week 4:   The works that I do speak on my behalf, says the Lord.  They prove that the Father has sent me.

INTERCESSIONS
Week 1 and 3

Christ the Lord gave us a new commandment, of love for each other. Let us pray to him:

   Lord, build up your people in love.

Good Master, teach us to love you in our neighbor,
 - and in serving them to serve you.
On the cross you asked pardon for your executioners,
 - give us strength to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
Through the mystery of your body and blood, deepen our love, our perseverance and our trust,
 - strengthen the weak, console the sorrowful, and give hope to the dying.
Light of the world, you gave light to the man born blind when he had washed in the pool of Siloam,
 - enlighten catechumens through the water of baptism and the word of life.
Give to the dead the perfect joy of your eternal love,
 - and number us also among your chosen ones.

Our Father...

In his mercy, God sends the Holy Spirit to shine on us, so that our lives may radiate holiness and faith.  Let us raise our voices in prayer and say:

   Lord, give life to your people, whom Christ has redeemed.

Lord, source of all holiness, draw bishops, priests and deacons closer to Christ through the eucharistic mystery,
 - may they grow daily in the grace of their ordination.
Teach Christ's faithful people to be devout and attentive at the table of his word and of his body,
 - so that they may bring into their daily lives the grace they receive through faith and sacrament.
Grant, Lord, that we may see in each person the dignity of one redeemed by your Son's blood,
 - so that we may respect the freedom and the conscience of all.
Teach us to restrain our greed for earthly goods,
 - and to have concern for the needs of others.
Be merciful to your faithful people whom you have called to yourself today,
 - grant them the gift of eternal happiness.

Our Father...

Week 1   Father,
without you we can do nothing.
By your spirit help us to know what is right
and to be eager in doing your will.
We ask this...

Week 2   God of love,
bring us back to you.
Send your Spirit to make us strong in faith
and active in good works.
Grant this...

Week 3   Father,
help us to be ready to celebrate the great paschal mystery.
Make our love grow each day
as we approach the feast of our salvation.
We ask this...

Week 4   Merciful Father,
may the penance of our Lenten observance
make us your obedient people.
May the love within us be seen in what we do
and lead us to the joy of Easter.
Grant this...