Lord, open my lips.
 - And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Psalm 95 is the traditional Invitatory Psalm. Psalm 24, 67, or 100 may be substituted.

Antiphon: The Lord is close at hand; come let us worship him.

Psalm 95

Psalm 24

Psalm 67

Psalm 100

God, come to my assistance.
 - Lord, make haste to help me.
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. [Alleluia.]


HYMN

Behold a Virgin Bearing Him

or:

With hearts renewed by living faith,
We lift our thoughts in grateful prayer
To God our gracious father,
Whose plan it was to make us sons
Through his own Son’s redemptive death,
That rescued us from darkness.
Lord, God, Savior,
Give us strength to mold our hearts in your true likeness.
Sons and servants of our Father.

So rich God’s grace in Jesus Christ,
That we are called as sons of light
To bear the pledge of glory.
Through him in whom all fullness dwells,
We offer God our gift of self
In union with the Spirit.
Lord, God, Savior,
Give us strength to mold our hearts in your true likeness.
Sons and servants of our Father.

Words: Jack May S.J.; Music: P. Nicolai, 1599; Melody: Frankfort 887.887.48.48

PSALMODY

Antiphon 1: The Lord will come from his holy place to save his people.

O Lord, you once favored your land
and revived the fortunes of Jacob,
you forgave the guilt of your people
and covered all their sins.
You averted all your rage,
you calmed the heat of your anger.

Revive us now, God, our helper!
Put an end to your grievance against us.
Will you be angry with us for ever,
will your anger never cease?

Will you not restore again our life
that your people may rejoice in you?
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
and give us your saving help.

I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
a voice that speaks of peace,
peace for his people and his friends
and those who turn to him in their hearts.
His help is near for those who fear him
and his glory will dwell in our land.

Mercy and faithfulness have met;
justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
and justice look down from heaven.

The Lord will make us prosper
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
and peace shall follow his steps. Glory...

Antiphon 1 The Lord will come from his holy place to save his people.


Antiphon 2 Zion is our mighty citadel, our saving Lord its wall and its defense; throw open the gates, for our God is here among us.

Canticle  -  Isaiah 26:1b-4,7-9,12
Hymn after the defeat of the enemy
The city wall had twelve foundation stones (see Revelation 21:14)

A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.

A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever!
For the Lord is an eternal Rock.

The way of the just is smooth;
the path of the just you make level.
Yes, for your way and your judgments, O Lord,
we look to you;
Your name and your title
are the desire of our souls.

My soul yearns for you in the night,
yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you;
When your judgment dawns upon the earth,
the world's inhabitants learn justice.
 
O Lord, you mete out peace to us,
for it is you who have accomplished all we have done. Glory...

Antiphon 2 Zion is our mighty citadel, our saving Lord its wall and its defense; throw open the gates, for our God is here among us.


Antiphon 3 Lord, make known your will throughout the earth; proclaim your salvation to every nation.

Psalm 67
People of all nations will worship the Lord
You must know that God is offering his salvation to all the world. (Acts 28:28)

O God, be gracious and bless us
and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn your saving help.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and exult
for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples,
you guide the nations on earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has yielded its fruit
for God, our God, has blessed us.
May God still give us his blessing
till the ends of the earth revere him. Glory...

Antiphon 3 Lord, make known your will throughout the earth; proclaim your salvation to every nation.