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August 25 — St. Louis of France ( 1214-1270)
Invitation to Worship
Come, let us sing to Adonai, let us praise the God of all Creation!
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.
Fish and all Creatures of the sea, bless Adonai;
~ All you Birds in the heavens, exalt God for ever!
ST. LOUIS HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn .
Today both earth and heaven sing
And praise with thanks to God now bring;
For Christ, who governs time and space
Gave Louis strength to rule with grace.
Saint Louis kept the land in peace;
And saw the fruits of earth increase.
Most brave, when called to go to war—
Most generous to all the poor.
He served the needy of the land;
Gave bread and gold with his own hand.
Took in the poor and washed their feet
And gave them his own food to eat.
He turned from greed and sinful pride;
Each day with prayer he sanctified.
He feared no evil, nor the sword,
But firmly trusted in the Lord.
He taught his family the same:
To love and serve God’s holy name,
To flee from sin, to love the good—
The royal road of fatherhood.
To God our Abba, Spirit, Son,
All praise eternally be done.
And may Saint Louis pray today
That we may follow in Christ’s way.
Text: Kathleen Pluth, alt. Tune: Plainsong
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Open-handed, Louis gave to the poor;
his righteousness stands firm for ever.
Psalm 111/112
Happy are those who love God
and delight in the whole of Torah!
Their children shall be blest,
strong and upright in the land.
The households of the just will flourish
their integrity stands firm forever.
A light shines from them for others
for they are generous, merciful and just.
The good lend freely to others
and conduct their affairs with honor.
They never waver from doing what is right
their justice is remembered forever.
They do not fear evil news
with strong hearts they trust in God.
Steadfast and without fear
they will watch the wicked crumble.
Open-handed they share with the poor;
their integrity stands firm forever.
this strength will bring them honor.
But hatred devours the wicked
who grind their teeth and depart;
their hopes all turn to ashes.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Open-handed, Louis gave to the poor;
his righteousness stands firm for ever.
READING Isaiah 58:6-9
Thus says Adonai:
This is the fasting that I wish:
releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke;
Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke?
Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry,
bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house;
Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed;
Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of Adonai shall be your rear guard.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. The command of Adonai is clear, *it gives light to the eyes. V. Those who love their neighbors have fulfilled the law; love is the fulfilling of the law. *it gives light to the eyes. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word, and the Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
All of you who listen to my words and build your lives on them
are like the person who builds a house on rock, alleluia.
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
All of you who listen to my words and build your lives on them
are like the person who builds a house on rock, alleluia.
Intercessory Prayer
Save all people, Adonai, and bless those who seek justice and truth,
~Govern and uphold them now and forever.
Day by day, let us bless your Name,
~And sing your praise forever.
Keep us this day from all sin and evil
~Show us your mercy and compassion.
In you, Adonai, is all our hope:
~Let us never be put to shame.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
~ And fill us with your Holy Spirit.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
We give you thanks, Holy One, for with a mother’s love you have watched over us in the night and have led us from the shadows of darkness into morning’s light. As we celebrate this feast remembering the servant-leadership of Louis of France, direct and sanctify, rule and guide our hearts and bodies, our thoughts, words and deeds to keep your commandment of love and honor the sacredness of all creation; for you live and reign in the power of love both now and forever. Amen.
May the God of Sea and Sky who has called us to glory + bless us and all creation with freedom, flourishing and the fullness of life. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai.
~Thanks be to God.