O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
HYMN
So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called 'the uncircumcision' by those who are called 'the circumcision' —a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ fJesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Responsory
O glorious cross, on you the king of angels was victorious. O glorious cross, on you the king of angels was victorious.
And he has washed away our sins in his own blood. On you the king of angels was victorious.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit O glorious cross, on you the king of angels was victorious.
Second Canticle Magnificat
Antiphon: Through Jesus God chose to reconcile + the whole universe to himself / making peace through the shedding of his blood on the cross.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Antiphon: Through Jesus God chose to reconcile + the whole universe to himself / making peace through the shedding of his blood on the cross.
Collect Almighty God, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the Cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Intercessions
Let us pray with confidence to Christ who endured the cross to save us. (R.)Lord, through your cross bring us to the glory of your kingdom.
O Christ, you emptied yourself, taking the form of a servant and being made like us,
- grant that your people may follow the example of your humility.(R.)
O Christ, you humbled yourself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross,
- grant that your servants may imitate your obedience and willing acceptance of trials.(R.)
O Christ, you were raised up by the Father and given the name that is above every name,
- may your people, strengthened in the hope of a heavenly resurrection, persevere to the end.(R.)
O Christ, at your name every knee in heaven, on earth and under the earth will bend in adoration,
- pour out your love upon all people that they may join together in proclaiming your glory.(R.)
O Christ, every tongue shall confess that you are Lord to the glory of God the Father,
- welcome our brothers and sisters who have died into the unfailing joy of your kingdom.(R.)
Our Father…
Closing Prayer:
God our Father,
in obedience to you
your only Son accepted death on the cross
for the salvation of mankind.
We acknowledge the mystery of the cross on earth.
May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who live and reigns with you and Holy Spirit
One God, forever and ever, Amen.