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: Come, let us adore Christ the Lord who promised to send the Holy Spirit on his people, alleluia.

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.

HYMN

Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Or:

Hymns for Ascensiontide

Or:


This day God gives me
Strength of high heaven.
Sun and moon shining.
Flame in my hearth.
Flashing of lightning.
Wind in its swiftness.
Deeps of the ocean.
Firmness of earth.

This day God sends me
Strength as my steersman,
Might to uphold me.
Wisdom as guide.
Your eyes are watchful.
Your ears are listening.
Your lips are speaking.
Friend at my side.

God's way is my way,
God's shield is round me.
God's host defends me.
Saving from ill.
Angels of heaven,
Drive from me always
All that would harm me.
Stand by me still.

Rising, I thank you.
Mighty and strong one.
King of creation,
Giver of rest.
Firmly confessing
Threeness of persons,
Oneness of Godhead,
Trinity blest.
Text: James Quinn, SJ; Music: Old Gaelic Melody, Bunessan 55.54.D; Midi: Cyberhymnal

PSALMODY

Antiphon 1: You will turn back, O God, and bring us to life, and your people will rejoice in you, alleluia.

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 You will turn back, O God, and bring us to life, and your people will rejoice in you, alleluia.


Antiphon 2 We have placed all our hope in the Lord, and he has given us his peace, alleluia.

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 We have placed all our hope in the Lord, and he has given us his peace, alleluia.


Antiphon 3 The earth has yielded its fruit; let the nations be glad and sing for joy, alleluia.

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 The earth has yielded its fruit; let the nations be glad and sing for joy, alleluia.


READING     Acts 13:30-33
God raised Jesus from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had accompanied him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and it is these same companions of his who are now his witnesses before our people. We have come here to tell you the Good News. It was to our ancestors that God made the promise but it is to us, their children, that he has fulfilled it, by raising Jesus from the dead. As scripture says in the second psalm: You are my son: today I have become your father.


RESPONSORY
The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.
 - The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.
He hung upon the cross for us,
 - alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
 - The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.


BENEDICTUS (Canticle of Zechariah)
Antiphon: The Lord is risen from the dead as he promised; let all the earth rejoice and be glad, for he shall reign for ever, alleluia.


INTERCESSIONS
Christ the Lord promised to send us from the Father the Holy Spirit. Let us give Christ glory and ask him:

                                   Lord Jesus, give us your Spirit

Lord Jesus, may your word dwell in us in all its richness,
 - that we may thank you in psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles.

Through the Spirit you have made us children of God,
 - grant that through the Spirit we may join with you in always calling on God as Father.

Give us wisdom in our daily lives,
 - that we may do everything for God's glory.

You are patient and full of compassion,
 - make us live at peace with all mankind.


Our Father...


COLLECT
Grant, we pray, almighty and merciful God,
that the Holy Spirit, coming near
and dwelling graciously within us,
may make of us a perfect temple of his glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.


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