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SERVICE OF LIGHT
Greeting/Invocation
We light the Evening Vesper Candle and say or sing:
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Love!
~Thanks be to God!
Evening Hymn: STABAT MATER
At the cross her station keeping,
Mary stood in sorrow weeping
When her Son was crucified.
While she waited in her anguish,
Seeing Christ in torment languish,
Bitter sorrow pierced her heart.
With what pain and desolation,
With what noble resignation,
Mary watched her dying Son.
Ever-patient in her yearning
Though her tear-filled eyes were burning,
Mary gazed upon her Son.
Who, that sorrow contemplating,
On that passion meditating,
Would not share the Virgin’s grief?
Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief sublime.
Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of your dying Son divine.
Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
PSALMODY
Antiphon
O Mary, your heart was broken with sorrow;
pray for us, that we may stand with all those who suffer.
Psalm 126/127
If Adonai does not build the house,
in vain do its builders labor;
if Adonai 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 Adonai pours gifts on the beloved while they slumber.
Truly children are a gift from Adonai,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the children of youth
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of those
who have filled their quiver with these arrows!
They will have no cause for shame
when arguing for justice and seeking peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love;
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
O Mary, your heart was broken with sorrow;
pray for us, that we may stand with all those who suffer.
Reading 2 Timothy 2:10-12a
I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him
we shall also live with him;
if we persevere we shall also reign with him.
But if we deny him he will deny us.
Silent Prayer
Responsory
R. If we die with him, we shall live with him * if we endure we shall reign with Christ. V. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are faithless he keeps faith, he cannot deny himself * if we endure we shall reign with Christ. V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachary– Luke 1:68-79
Antiphon
A sword shall pierce your heart
so that the thoughts of many may be revealed.
It is customary to make the sign of the cross at the beginning of the Gospel Canticle.
My heart + is radiant with the Lord,
My whole being delights in God my Savior.
All people now will call me blessed
For God has loved this humble handmaid.
The Almighty has shown me great favor
Holy is the NAME,
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
From one generation to the next.
The mighty arm of God,
Scatters the proud in their own conceit,
Pulls tyrants from their thrones
While lifting up the lowly:
Fills the famished with bounty,
And reveals the emptiness of riches.
Rescues lowly Israel,
Sharing such loving kindness,
As promised to our ancestors
To Abraham and Sarah, and their descendants forever.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
A sword shall pierce your heart
so that the thoughts of many may be revealed.
SERVICE OF PRAYER
Intercessory Prayer
You called Mary to be the mother of mercy;
– may all who suffer feel your tender care through those who follow her Son.
You blessed Mary to be open to your word and to be faithful as your servant.
– open our hearts to hear your call and strengthen us to do your will.
You gave Mary strength at the foot of the cross and filled her with joy at the resurrection of Jesus – lighten the hardships of those who are burdened and deepen their sense of hope.
You crowned Mary queen of heaven,
– may all those who have died rejoice with your saints for ever.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Dear Abba in heaven …
Gracious God, you showed great favor to Mary of Nazareth and graced her to bring your eternal Word into the world and to stand beside him through his passion and death. May we follow her example and carry your word into a world that still longs for the poor to be lifted up, the hungry to be filled with good things and those in sorrow to be comforted with consolation and peace. 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 Incarnate Word, born of Mary, + bless us with her courage, compassion and strength. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai ~Thanks be to God.
Those who wish may end evening prayer with the Marian Antiphon.
Marian Antiphon
Mother of mercy, our Queen, we greet you! Our life, our hope, our happiness, we hail you.
We call to you as Eve’s own children, and exiles; To you we lift our heart in sorrow and fear, in this valley of tears. Turn then, our loving Advocate, and look with favor upon us. And after our life in exile, show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O gracious, O loving, O Virgin benign, our Mother Mary.