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May 31 — Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth
Invitation to Worship
We celebrate the kindness of the Mother of Jesus,
Let us join her in singing the praise of God!
We make the Sign of the Cross over our lips as we begin.
O Holy ONE + open my lips,
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
My soul magnifies Adonai;
~ my spirit dances with joy in God my savior!
HYMN FOR THE VISITATION
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn .
Lady of the Visitation, Daughter of a Royal Name,
Where so quickly do you hasten, Glowing with the Spirit’s Flame?
Christ it is you bear within you; Love it is that leads you on
To attend your holy cousin At the birth of her son, John.
See, Elizabeth in greeting Comes to meet you with the word:
“Blest are you among all women!” God has called and you have heard.
“Blessed is the fruit of your womb;” So your cousin claims her Lord,
Him who lies within your body, Word Eternal, Christ adored.
Honor, glory, praise and power Be to Christ the Virgin’s Son,
With the Abba and the Spirit, While eternal ages run. Amen.
Text: Jean-Baptiste de Santeuil (1671); Tune: VISITATION 87.87
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town of Judah.
Psalm 44/45
My heart overflows with a marvelous song,
I must sing my ode to the One I love;
my tongue as skilled as a scribal pen.
You are unrivaled in beauty
and graciousness is poured out upon your lips,
how greatly God has blessed you!
Listen, O daughter, give ear to my words:
leave your family and home behind.
Your Lover desires your beauty,
you may share the gift of your love.
The people of Tyre come with their gifts,
the whole of the people pay you honor.
For as queen you are clothed with splendor,
your robes embroidered with pearls and gold.
You are led with your sister-companions
escorted with gladness and joy;
you enter the palace of your Love.
Your children will inherit the throne,
and reign with justice throughout the land.
May this song make your name remembered for ever,
May the people praise you from age to age.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town of Judah.
Reading Joel 2:27-3:1a
You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
I am Adonai your God, and there is no other;
my people shall nevermore be put to shame.
Then afterward I will pour out
my spirit upon all humankind.
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. Glorify Adonai with me: *for the Love of our God for me has been great. V. From this day forward all generations will count me blessed. *for the Love of our God for me has been great. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and to the Holy Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant in her womb leapt for joy,
and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
and to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant in her womb leapt for joy,
and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Intercessory Prayer
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
You filled Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit;
~she acclaimed the Presence of your Word-made-flesh.
You blessed Mary among all women,
~ and bless all creation through the Fruit of her womb.
Your mercy embraces all the faithful,
~From one generation to the next.
You scatter the haughty and dethrone the oppressor,
~And raise those who have no status or prestige.
You dismiss the rich and the famous,
~But fill the hungry with good things.
You come to the aid of those who are needy,
~ ever mindful of your compassion and mercy.
Gracious God, you showed great favor to Mary of Nazareth and asked her to bring your eternal Word into the world. May we follow her example and carry your liberating word into a world that still longs for the poor to be lifted up, and the hungry to be filled with good things. May all who celebrate this feast of her visit to Elizabeth work together for the freedom and flourishing of all people and the whole of creation. We ask this through Jesus, the Incarnate Word, who lives and loves with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
Blessing
May the Word of God, born of Mary of Nazareth, + bless us with her courage and strength. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai.
~Thanks be to God.