The Feast of The Annunciation

A personal Breviary for
The Feast of The Annunciation

Evening Prayer I
Office of Readings
Morning Prayer
Daytime Prayer(Terce; Sext; Nones)
Evening Prayer II

Evening Prayer I
The Feast of the Annunciation
March 25
______

Opening Processional Chant:

The angel said to Mary, + Rejoice most favored one!
The Lord is with you.

God has been gracious to you, Mary; + you will conceive and bear a son,
and you shall give him the name Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, + and the power of the Most High will overshadow you:
therrefore the holy child to be born will be called Son of God.

Mary said, + I am the Lord's servant;
as you have spoken so be it.

How blessed that Mother, in whose shrine
the world's Creator, Lord divine,
whose hand contains the earth and sky,
once deigned, as in his ark, to lie.

Blessed in the message Gabriel brought,
blessed by the work the Spirit wrought;
from whom the great Desire of earth
took human form and human birth.

O Jesus, virgin-born, we raise
to you our hymn of grateful praise;
and to the Father tribute bring
as by the Spirit here we sing.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to thee
eternal praise and glory be,
whom with the Father we adore
and Holy Ghost for evermore.

PSALMODY

Antiphon: A shoot shall spring forth from the stock of Jesse, and a flower will blossom from his root. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him.

Psalm 8
Domine, Dominus noster

1: O LORD our Lord, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2: Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.
3: You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
5: What is man that you should be mindful of him? *
the son of man that you should seek him out?
6: You have made him but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn him with glory and honor;
7: You give him mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:
8: All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,
9: The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10: O LORD our Lord, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Antiphon: A shoot shall spring forth from the stock of Jesse, and a flower will blossom from his root. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon him.

Antiphon: The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will reign for ever.

Psalm 138
Confitebor tibi

1: I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; *
before the gods I will sing your praise.
2: I will bow down toward your holy temple
and praise your Name, *
because of your love and faithfulness;
3: For you have glorified your Name *
and your word above all things.
4: When I called, you answered me; *
you increased my strength within me.
5: All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, *
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
6: They will sing of the ways of the LORD, *
that great is the glory of the LORD.
7: Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; *
he perceives the haughty from afar.
8: Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your right hand shall save me.
9: The LORD will make good his purpose for me; *
O LORD, your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Antiphon: The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will reign for ever.

Antiphon 3: The eternal Word, born of the father before time began, today emptied himself for our sake and became man.

Psalm 113
Laudate, pueri

1: Hallelujah!
Give praise, you servants of the LORD; *
praise the Name of the LORD.
2: Let the Name of the LORD be blessed, *
from this time forth for evermore.
3: From the rising of the sun to its going down *
let the Name of the LORD be praised.
4: The LORD is high above all nations, *
and his glory above the heavens.
5: Who is like the LORD our God, who sits enthroned on high, *
but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth?
6: He takes up the weak out of the dust *
and lifts up the poor from the ashes.
7: He sets them with the princes, *
with the princes of his people.
8: He makes the woman of a childless house *
to be a joyful mother of children.

Antiphon 3: The eternal Word, born of the father before time began, today emptied himself for our sake and became man.

First Reading
Genesis 3:1-15

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.” ’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ He said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.’ He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?’ The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent tricked me, and I ate.’ The Lord God said to the serpent,
‘Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.’

Canticle -Philippians 2:6-11
Christ, God's holy servant

Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.

Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.

He was known to be of human estate
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!

Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,

So that at Jesus' name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! Glory...

Second Reading
Galatians 4:1-7
My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

RESPONSORY
A flower has sprung from Jesse's stock and a star has risen from Jacob.
- A flower has sprung from Jesse's stock and a star has risen from Jacob.
The Virgin has conceived a Saviour,
- and a star has risen from Jacob.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
- A flower has sprung from Jesse's stock and a star has risen from Jacob.

MAGNIFICAT (Canticle of Mary)
Antiphon: The angel Gabriel was sent from God + to a town in Galilee call Nazareth, / to a virgin whose name was Mary.

INTERCESSIONS
On this day the eternal Father sent his angel to bring Mary the good news of our salvation. Let us turn to God and pray with confidence:

Lord, fill our hearts with your love.

You chose the Virgin Mary as the mother of your Son,
- have mercy on all who look for your gift of salvation.

You sent Gabriel to give Mary your message of peace and joy,
- give to the whole world the joy of salvation and your gift of true peace.

Mary gave her consent, the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, and your Word came to dwell among us,
- touch our hearts that we may welcome Christ as Mary did.

You look with love on the humble, and fill the hungry with your gifts,
- raise up the downcast, help all in need, comfort and strengthen the dying.

Lord our God, you alone work wonders and with you all things are possible,
- give us the fullness of salvation when you raise up the dead on the last day.

Our Father…

COLLECT
O God, who willed that your Word
should take on the reality of human flesh
in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray,
that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man,
may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature.
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.

Office of Readings
The Feast of the Annunciation
March 25
______

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

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us
Gk. Hagios Theos, hagios ischyros, hagios athanatos,
Eleison imas
Latin. Sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis, sanctus et immortalis
Miserere nobis.

HYMN

The angel Gabriel from Heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
"All hail," said he, "thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

"For know a blessèd mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favored lady," Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said,
"My soul shall laud and magnify His holy Name."
Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say—
"Most highly favored lady," Gloria!
Tune: Gabriel's Messagel Words: Basque carol; translated to English by Sabine Baring Gould 1834-1924).

PSALMODY

Antiphon 1: In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, born of a woman, / that we might become his adopted children (alleluia).

Psalm 2
Quare fremuerunt gentes

Why this tumult among nations,
among peoples this useless murmuring?

They arise, the kings of the earth,
princes plot against the Lord and his Anointed.

Come, let us break their fetters,
come, let us cast off their yoke."

He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord is laughing them to scorn.

Then he will speak in his anger,
his rage will strike them with terror.

It is I who have set up my king on Zion,
my holy mountain."

I will announce the decree of the Lord:

The Lord said to me: You are my Son.
It is I who have begotten you this day.

Ask and I will bequeath you the nations,
put the ends of the earth in your possession.

With a rod of iron you will break them,
shatter them like a potter's jar."

Now, O kings, understand,
take warning, rulers of the earth;

serve the Lord with awe
and trembling, pay him your homage

lest he be angry and you perish;
for suddenly his anger will blaze.

Blessed are they who put their trust in God. Glory...

Antiphon 1: In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, born of a woman, / that we might become his adopted children (alleluia).

Antiphon 2: When he came into this world, he said: You have prepared a body for me; / behold I come to do your will, O God (alleluia).

Psalm 19A
Caeli enarrant

The heavens proclaim the glory of God,
and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.
Day unto day takes up the story
and night unto night makes known the message.

No speech, no word, no voice is heard
yet their span extends through all the earth,
their words to the utmost bounds of the world.

There he has placed a tent for the sun;
it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent,
rejoices like a champion to run its course.

At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun;
to the furthest end of the sky is its course.
There is nothing concealed from its burning heat. Glory...

Antiphon 2:When he came into this world, he said: You have prepared a body for me; / behold I come to do your will, O God (alleluia).

Antiphon 3: In this we have come to know God's love for us: / God sent his only Son, that we might live through him (alleluia)..

Psalm 45
Eructavit cor meum

My heart overflows with noble words.
To the king I must speak the song I have made,
my tongue as nimble as the pen of a scribe.

You are the fairest of the children of men
and graciousness is poured upon your lips:
because God has blessed you for evermore.

O mighty one, gird your sword upon your thigh;
in splendor and state, ride on in triumph
for the cause of truth and goodness and right.

Take aim with your bow in your dread right hand.
Your arrows are sharp, peoples fall beneath you.
The foes of the king fall down and lose heart.

Your throne, O God, shall endure for ever.
A scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom.
Your love is for justice; your hatred for evil.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness above other kings:
your robes are fragrant with aloes and myrrh.

From the ivory palace you are greeted with music.
The daughters of kings are among your loved ones.
On your right stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words:
forget your own people and your father's house.
So will the king desire your beauty:
He is your lord, pay homage to him.

And the people of Tyre shall come with gifts,
the richest of the people shall seek your favor.
The daughter of the king is clothed with splendor,
her robes embroidered with pearls set in gold.

She is led to the king with her maiden companions.
They are escorted amid gladness and joy;
they pass within the palace of the king.

Sons shall be yours in place of your fathers:
you will make them rulers over all the earth.

May this song make your name for ever remembered.
May the peoples praise you from age to age. Glory...

Antiphon 3: In this we have come to know God's love for us: / God sent his only Son, that we might live through him (alleluia)..

The Word was made flesh (alleluia).
- He lived among us (alleluia).

FIRST READING

From the first book of Chronicles          17:1-15

A prophecy about the Son of David

Now when David settled in his house, David said to the prophet Nathan, 'I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.' Nathan said to David, 'Do all that you have in mind, for God is with you.'

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: You shall not build me a house to live in. For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought out Israel to this very day, but I have lived in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, saying, Why have you not built me a house of cedar? Now therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies before you; and I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall wear them down no more, as they did formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will subdue all your enemies.

Moreover, I declare to you that the Lord will build you a house. When your days are fulfilled to go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne for ever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom for ever, and his throne shall be established for ever. In accordance with all these words and all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

RESPONSORY          See Luke 1: 26-32
The angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary who was betrothed to Joseph.
The light filled her with fear,
but the angel said to her:
Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
    -    Behold you shall conceive and bear a son,
and he will be called the Son of the Most High, alleluia.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
    -    Behold you shall conceive and bear a son,
and he will be called the Son of the Most High, alleluia.

SECOND READING

From a letter by Saint Leo the Great, pope
(Epist. 28 ad Flavianum 3-4: PL 54, 763-767)

The mystery of man's reconciliation with God

Lowliness is assured by majesty, weakness by power, mortality by eternity. To pay the debt of our sinful state, a nature that was incapable of suffering was joined to one that could suffer. Thus, in keeping with the healing that we needed, one and the same mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, was able to die in one nature, and unable to die in the other.

He who is true God was therefore born in the complete and perfect nature of a true man, whole in his own nature, whole in ours. By our nature we mean what the Creator had fashioned in us from the beginning, and took to himself in order to restore it.

For in the Saviour there was no trace of what the deceiver introduced and man, being misled, allowed to enter. It does not follow that because he submitted to sharing in our human weakness he therefore shared in our sins.

He took the nature of a servant without stain of sin, enlarging our humanity without diminishing his divinity. He emptied himself; though invisible he made himself visible, though Creator and Lord of all things he chose to be one of us mortal men. Yet this was the condescension of compassion, not the loss of omnipotence. So he who in the nature of God had created man, became in the nature of a servant, man himself.

Thus the Son of God enters this lowly world. He comes down from the throne of heaven, yet does not separate himself from the Father's glory. He is born in a new condition, by a new birth.

He was born in a new condition, for, invisible in his own nature, he became visible in ours. Beyond our grasp, he chose to come within our grasp. Existing before time began, he began to exist at a moment in time. Lord of the universe, he hid his infinite glory and took the nature of a servant. Incapable of suffering as God, he did not refuse to be a man, capable of suffering. Immortal, he chose to be subject to the laws of death.

He who is true God is also true man. There is no falsehood in this unity as long as the lowliness of man and the pre-eminence of God coexist in mutual relationship.

As God does not change by his condescension, so man is not swallowed up by being exalted. Each nature exercises its own activity, in communion with the other. The Word does what is proper to the Word, the flesh fulfils what is proper to the flesh.

One nature is resplendent with miracles, the other falls victim to injuries. As the Word does not lose equality with the Father's glory, so the flesh does not leave behind the nature of our race.

One and the same person – this must be said over and over again – is truly the Son of God and truly the son of man. He is God in virtue of the fact that "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." He is man in virtue of the fact that "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."

RESPONSORY          See Luke 1: 31,42
Receive, O Virgin Mary, the word
which the Lord has made known to you by the message of the angel:
You will conceive and give birth to a son, both God and man,
    -    and you will be called blessed among women (alleluia).
A virgin, you will indeed bear a son;
ever chaste and holy, you will be the mother of our Savior.
    -    And you will be called blessed among women (alleluia).

CANTICLE          TE DEUM

You are God: we praise you;
You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
  Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
  heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
  Father, of majesty unbounded,
  your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
  and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.

V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
R. govern and uphold them, now and always.
V. Day by day we bless you;
R. we praise your name for ever.
V. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin;
R. have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;
R. for we put our trust in you.
V. In you, Lord, is our hope;
R. and we shall never hope in vain.

The concluding part of the hymn may be omitted.

COLLECT
O God, who willed that your Word
should take on the reality of human flesh
in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray,
that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man,
may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.

Morning Prayer
The Feast of the Annunciation
March 25
______

Opening Processional Chant:

The angel said to Mary, + Rejoice most favored one!
The Lord is with you.

God has been gracious to you, Mary; + you will conceive and bear a son,
and you shall give him the name Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, + and the power of the Most High will overshadow you:
therrefore the holy child to be born will be called Son of God.

Mary said, + I am the Lord's servant;
as you have spoken so be it.

God's blessing is on you + above all women,
and his blessing is on the fruit of your womb.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One.
Have mercy on us
Gk. Hagios Theos, hagios ischyros, hagios athanatos,
Eleison imas
Latin. Sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis, sanctus et immortalis
Miserere nobis.

2 Samuel 7:28-29
Lord God, you are God and your words are truth; you have made this generous promise to your servant. Do, then, bless the house of your servant that it may be before you forever; for you, Lord God, have promised, and by your blessing the house of your servant shall be blessed forever.

MATINS HYMN
6.6.6.6

Mary, fairest mortal,
whom God chose as portal
for the Incarnation,
we give veneration.

You, Ave receiving,
Gabriel's word believing,
turned to peace and gladness
Eva's name of sadness.

Mother's care displaying,
bless your child in praying,
who, when born our brother,
chose you for his mother.

Maiden all excelling,
gentle past our telling,
you we join in raising
to your child our praising.

Creator eternal,
Spirit all supernal,
with the Word, we bless you,
Three in One confess you. Amen.

Psalmody

Antiphon:The angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary, who was engaged to be married to Joseph.

Psalm 63
Deus, Deus meus
1
O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; *
     my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you,
     as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
2
Therefore I have gazed upon you in your holy place, *
     that I might behold your power and your glory.
3
For your loving-kindness is better than life itself; *
     my lips shall give you praise.
4
So will I bless you as long as I live *
     and lift up my hands in your Name.
5
My soul is content, as with marrow and fatness, *
     and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
6
When I remember you upon my bed, *
     and meditate on you in the night watches.
7
For you have been my helper, *
     and under the shadow of your wings I will rejoice.
8
My soul clings to you; *
     your right hand holds me fast. Glory...

Antiphon: The angel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary, who was engaged to be married to Joseph.

Antiphon: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Psalm 85
Benedixisti, Domine

1: You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2: You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3: You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4: Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
5: Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6: Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7: Show us your mercy, O LORD, *
and grant us your salvation.
8: I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9: Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10: Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11: Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12: The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13: Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

Antiphon: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Antiphon: Trusting in the Lord's promise, the Virgin Mary conceived a child, and remaining a virgin, she gave birth to the Saviour.
Psalm 87
Fundamenta ejus

1: On the holy mountain stands the city he has founded; *
the LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2: Glorious things are spoken of you, *
O city of our God.
3: I count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me; *
behold Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia:
in Zion were they born.
4: Of Zion it shall be said, "Everyone was born in her, *
and the Most High himself shall sustain her."
5: The LORD will record as he enrolls the peoples, *
"These also were born there."
6: The singers and the dancers will say, *
"All my fresh springs are in you." Glory...

Antiphon: Trusting in the Lord's promise, the Virgin Mary conceived a child, and remaining a virgin, she gave birth to the Saviour.

First Reading
Isaiah 52:7-12

How beautiful upon the mountains
   are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
   who announces salvation,
   who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
   together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
   the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
   you ruins of Jerusalem;
for the Lord has comforted his people,
   he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
   before the eyes of all the nations;
and all the ends of the earth shall see
   the salvation of our God.

Depart, depart, go out from there!
   Touch no unclean thing;
go out from the midst of it, purify yourselves,
   you who carry the vessels of the Lord.
For you shall not go out in haste,
   and you shall not go in flight;
for the Lord will go before you,
   and the God of Israel will be your rearguard.

Song of the Three Young Men II Benedictus es, Domine

Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.

Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.

Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Glory to you, beholding the depths; *
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.

Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.

Second Reading
Hebrews 2:5-10

Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,
‘What are human beings that you are mindful of them,
   or mortals, that you care for them?
You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
   you have crowned them with glory and honour,
   subjecting all things under their feet.’
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

RESPONSORY
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
- Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
- The Lord is with you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to he Holy Spirit
- Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

BENEDICTUS (Canticle of Zechariah)
Antiphon: In his great love for us, God sent his Son in the likeness of sinful nature. (alleuia)

INTERCESSIONS
Today we celebrate the beginning of our salvation when the coming of the Lord was announced by the angel. Let us pray with joy in our hearts, saying:

May God's holy Mother intercede for us.

Mary received God's word with joy,
- may joy fill our hearts as we welcome our Saviour.

You looked with love on your lowly servant,
- in your mercy, Father, remember us and all your children.

Mary, the new Eve, was obedient to your word,
- may we echo her loving obedience.

May God's holy Mother help all in distress, encourage the fainthearted, console the sorrowful,
- may she pray for your holy people, for the clergy, and for all women dedicated to your service.

Our Father…

COLLECT
O God, who willed that your Word
should take on the reality of human flesh
in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
grant, we pray,
that we, who confess our Redeemer to be God and man,
may merit to become partakers even in his divine nature.
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.

DaytimePrayer

The Feast of the Annunciation
March 25
______

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

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us
Gk. Hagios Theos, hagios ischyros, hagios athanatos,
Eleison imas
Latin. Sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis, sanctus et immortalis
Miserere nobis.

HYMN

Mother of Christ, our hope, our Patroness,
Star of the sea, our beacon in distress,
Guide to the shores of everlasting day
God’s holy people on their pilgrim way.

Virgin by vow but Mother of all grace,
Chosen by God to be his dwelling-place,
Blessed are you: God’s word you did believe,
Your “Yes” undid the “No” of sinful Eve.

Daughter of God, who bore his holy One,
Dearest of all, the Christ, your loving Son,
Show us his face, O Mother, as on earth,
Loving us all, you gave our Savior birth.
Melody: Farley Castle 10.10.10.10, H. Lawes 1596-1662; Text: Alma Redemptoris; Midi: Cyberhymnal

Terce (Midmorning)

Sext (Midday)

Nones (Midafternoon)

TERCE

PSALMODY

Antiphon: The Virgin Mary came forth from the root of Jesse, / and the Spirit of the Most High came to dwell in her heart (alleluia).

Psalm 120
Longing for peace
Be patient in suffering, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)

To the Lord in the hour of my distress
I call and he answers me.
O Lord, save my soul from lying lips,
from the tongue of the deceitful.

What shall he repay you in return,
O treacherous tongue?
The warriors arrows sharpened
and coals, red-hot, blazing.

Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech,
dwell among the tents of Kedar!

Long enough have I been dwelling
with those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak,
they are for fighting. Glory...

Psalm 121
Guardian of his people
Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16)

I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the Lord
who made heaven and earth.

May he never allow you to stumble!
Let him sleep not, your guard.
No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,
Israel's guard.

The Lord is your guard and your shade;
at your right side he stands.
By day the sun shall not smite you
nor the moon in the night.

The Lord will guard you from evil,
he will guard your soul.
The Lord will guard your going and coming
both now and for ever. Glory...

Psalm 122
The holy city, Jerusalem
You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22)

I rejoiced when I heard them say:
Let us go to God's house.
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built as a city
strongly compact.
It is there that the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord.

For Israel's law it is,
there to praise the Lord's name.
There were set the thrones of judgment
of the house of David.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray:
Peace be to your homes!

For love of my brethren and friends
I say: Peace upon you.
For love of the house of the Lord
I will ask for your good. Glory...

Antiphon: The Virgin Mary came forth from the root of Jesse, / and the Spirit of the Most High came to dwell in her heart (alleluia).

READING Ephesians 1:9b-10
God has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

RESPONSORY
The angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary
- and she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER
God our Father,
your Word became flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary.
May we become more like Jesus Christ,
whom we acknowledge as our redeemer, God and man.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who live and reigns with you and Holy Spirit
One God, forever and ever, Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.

SEXT

PSALMODY

Antiphon: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, / and he shall be called Emmanuel (alleluia).

Psalm 123
The Lord is the hope of his people
Two blind men cried out: "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us" (Matthew 20:30)

To you have I lifted up my eyes,
you who dwell in the heavens;
my eyes, like the eyes of slaves
on the hand of their lords.

Like the eyes of a servant
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the Lord our God
till he show us his mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
We are filled with contempt.
Indeed all too full is our soul
with the scorn of the rich,
with the proud man's disdain. Glory...

Psalm 124
Our help is in the name of the Lord
The Lord said to Paul: Fear not...I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10)

If the Lord had not been on our side,
this is Israel's song.
If the Lord had not been on our side
when men rose up against us,
then would they have swallowed us alive
when their anger was kindled.

Then would the waters have engulfed us,
the torrent gone over us;
over our head would have swept
the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord who did not give us
a prey to their teeth!
Our life, like a bird, has escaped
from the snare of the fowler.

Indeed the snare has been broken
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. Glory...

Psalm 125
The Lord, the guardian of his people
Peace to God's true Israel (Galatians 6:16)

Those who put their trust in the Lord
are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken,
that stands for ever.

Jerusalem! The mountains surround her,
so the Lord surrounds his people
both now and for ever.

For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest
over the land of the just
for fear that the hands of the just
should turn to evil.

Do good, Lord, to those who are good,
to the upright of heart;
but the crooked and those who do evil,
drive them away!

On Israel, peace! Glory...

Antiphon: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, / and he shall be called Emmanuel (alleluia).

READING 1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

RESPONSORY
Behold the handmaid of the Lord
- Let it be to me according to your Word.

PRAYER
God our Father,
your Word became flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary.
May we become more like Jesus Christ,
whom we acknowledge as our redeemer, God and man.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who live and reigns with you and Holy Spirit
One God, forever and ever, Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.

NONES

PSALMODY

Antiphon: They will sing his praises to the ends of the earth, / and he will be their peace (alleuia).

Psalm 126
Joyful hope in God
Companions with him in suffering, you will share his over-flowing happiness (2 Corinthians 1:7)

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
on our lips there were songs.

The heathens themselves said: "What marvels
the Lord worked for them!"
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
Indeed we were glad.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,
carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
carrying their sheaves. Glory...

Psalm 127
Apart from God our labors are worthless
You are God's building (1 Corinthians 3:9)

If the Lord does not build the house,
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.

In vain is your earlier rising,
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat,
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.

Truly sons are a gift from the Lord,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

O the happiness of the man
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways. Glory...

Psalm 128
Happiness of family life rooted in God
"May the Lord bless you from Zion," that is, from the Church (Arnobius)

O blessed are those who fear the Lord
and walk in his ways!

By the labor of your hands you shall eat.
You will be happy and prosper;
the wife like a fruitful vine
in the heart of your house;
Your children like shoots of the olive,
around your table.

Indeed thus shall be blessed
the man who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion
all the days of your life!
May you see your children's children
in a happy Jerusalem!

On Israel, peace! Glory...

Antiphon: They will sing his praises to the ends of the earth, / and he will be their peace (alleuia).

READING 1 Timothy 2:5-6a
There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.

RESPONSORY
The Word was made flesh
- and dwelt among us.

PRAYER
God our Father,
your Word became flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary.
May we become more like Jesus Christ,
whom we acknowledge as our redeemer, God and man.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who live and reigns with you and Holy Spirit
One God, forever and ever, Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.
- And give him thanks.

Evening Prayer II
The Feast of the Annunciation
March 25
______

Opening Processional Chant:

The angel said to Mary, + Rejoice most favored one!
The Lord is with you.

God has been gracious to you, Mary; + you will conceive and bear a son,
and you shall give him the name Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, + and the power of the Most High will overshadow you:
therrefore the holy child to be born will be called Son of God.

Mary said, + I am the Lord's servant;
as you have spoken so be it.

God's blessing is on you + above all women,
and his blessing is on the fruit of your womb.

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

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us
Gk. Hagios Theos, hagios ischyros, hagios athanatos,
Eleison imas
Latin. Sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis, sanctus et immortalis
Miserere nobis.

What we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and our hands have touched - we speak of the Word of life. This life became visible; we have seen it and bear witness to it and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was presemt to the Father and became visible to us. - 1 John 1:1-2

HYMN

To a maid engaged to Joseph, the angel Gabriel came.
"Fear not," the angel told her, "I come to bring good news,
Good news I come to tell you, good news, I say, good news.

"For you are highly favored by the God the Lord of all,
Who even now is with you. You are on earth most blest,
You are most blest, most blessèd, God chose you, you are blest!"

But Mary was most troubled to hear the angel's word.
What was the angel saying? It troubled her to hear,
To hear the angel's message, it troubled her to hear.

"Fear not, for God is with you, and you shall bear a child.
His name shall be called Jesus, God's offspring from on high.
And he shall reign forever, forever reign on high."

"How shall this be?" said Mary, "I am not yet a wife."
The angel answered quickly, "The power of the Most High
Will come upon you shortly, your child will be God's child."

As Mary heard the angel, she wondered at his words.
"Behold, I am your handmaid," she said unto her God.
"So be it; I am ready according to your word."
Words: Gracia Grindal, 1983. Music: Annunciation, Rusty Edwards, 1983 © 1984 by Hope Publishing Co.

PSALMODY