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.


HYMN

The eternal gifts of Christ the King,
the apostles' glory, let us sing,
and all, with hearts of gladness, raise
due hymns of thankful love and praise.

Their faith in Christ the Lord prevailed;
their hope, a light that never failed;
their love ablaze o'er pathways trod
To lead them to the eternal God.

In them the Father's glory shone,
in them the will of God the Son,
in them exults the Holy Ghost,
through them rejoice the heav'enly host.

To thee, Redeemer, now we cry,
that thou wouldst join to them on high
thy servants, who this grace implore,
for ever and for evermore.
Melody: King's Majesty L.M. Music: Graham George, 1941 Text: Saint Ambrose, d. 397 Translator: J.M. Neale, d. 1866

PSALMODY

Antiphon: Of those whom he called to follow him, Jesus chose twelve, and made them his apostles.

Strong is his love for us;
he is faithful for ever. Glory...

Antiphon: Of those whom he called to follow him, Jesus chose twelve, and made them his apostles.


Antiphon: They left their nets to follow the Lord and Redeemer.

He has strengthened the bars of your gates
he has blessed the children within you.
He established peace on your borders,
he feeds you with finest wheat.

He sends out his word to the earth
and swiftly runs his command.
He showers down snow white as wool,
he scatters hoar-frost like ashes.

He hurls down hailstones like crumbs.
The waters are frozen at his touch;
he sends forth his word and it melts them:
at the breath of his mouth the waters flow.

He makes his word known to Jacob,
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;
he has not taught them his decrees.   Glory...

Antiphon: They left their nets to follow the Lord and Redeemer.


Antiphon: You are my friends, for you have remained steadfast in my love.

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...

Antiphon: You are my friends, for you have remained steadfast in my love.


READING          Acts 2:42-45
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common;they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need.


RESPONSORY
All the world will know, you are living as I taught you.
  -  All the world will know, you are living as I taught you.
If you love one another,
  -  you are living as I taught you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
  -  All the world will know, you are living as I taught you.


MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: You did not choose me, but I chose you to go forth and bear fruit that will last forever.


INTERCESSIONS
My brothers and sisters, we build on the foundation of the Apostles. Let us pray to our almighty Father for his holy people and say:

                                          Be mindful of your Church, O Lord.

Father, you wanted your Son to be seen first by the apostles after the resurrection from the dead.
- We ask you to make us his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world.

You sent your Son to preach your good news to the poor,
- help us to preach this Gospel to every creature.

You sent your Son to sow the seed of unending life,
- grant that we who work at sowing the seed may share the joy of the harvest.

You sent your Son to reconcile all to you through his blood,
- help us all to work toward achieving this reconciliation.

Your Son sits at your right hand in heaven,
- Let the dead enter your kingdom of joy.


Our Father…


PRAYER
As in the Proper of Saints


May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.


The English translation of Psalm Responses, Alleluia Verses, Gospel Verses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); the English translation of Antiphons, Invitatories, Responsories, Intercessions, Psalm 95, the Canticle of the Lamb, Psalm Prayers, Non-Biblical Readings from The Liturgy of the Hours © 1973, 1974, 1975, ICEL; excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved. Used with permission.