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August 5 — Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major
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!
MORNING HYMN HONORING MARY
All may sing or alternate the verses of any Morning Hymn .
O Mother of our Loving God, Forever blest in all your ways,
Give us your own tranquility, And strength and comfort in our days.
You are a strong and lovely tree, The fruit of which is purest gold,
Whose branches spread to shelter us, Whose quiet leaves all peace unfold.
Pray for us now, and when we die, That we may live and ever praise
The Abba, Word, and Spirit blest In endless light and timeless days. Amen.
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Ark of the Covenant, Mother of the Savior,
Throne of Wisdom, O Virgin Mary!
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.
Ark of the Covenant, Mother of the Savior,
Throne of Wisdom, O Virgin Mary
Reading Song of Songs 1: 4-6
Draw me after you! Let us run!
The king has brought me to his bedchambers.
Let us exult and rejoice in you; let us celebrate your love: it is beyond wine!
Rightly do they love you!
I am black and beautiful,
Daughters of Jerusalem*—
Like the tents of Qedar,
like the curtains of Solomon.
Do not stare at me because I am so black,*
because the sun has burned me.
The sons of my mother were angry with me;
they charged me with the care of the vineyards.
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
She comes forth as the morning rising,
fair as the moon and bright as the sun.
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
She comes forth as the morning rising,
fair as the moon and bright as the sun.
Intercessory Prayer
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father …
Your mercy embraces all the faithful,
~From one generation to the next.
You lift up the lowly,
~And fill the hungry with good things.
Rescue your servants from suffering,
~Show us your loving kindness.
Send forth your Spirit and they will be created;
~And you will renew the face of the earth.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
~ And fill us with your Holy Spirit.
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 invoke her as Our Lady of the Snows 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.