Divine Office – Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church (Breviary)

Epizodai

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  September 20th, 2026 – This Week: Ankle-Deep, Knee-Deep, Waist-Deep – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026

  25th Week in Ordinary Time • Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist • Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina • Oprional Memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyr • Liturgical Colours: Green/Red/White While we move through this week, the prophet Ezekiel keeps us company, but the distance he travels is extraordinary. Let’s try to follow. It opens with the prophet burying his wife and being forbidden to weep for her. It ends with water pouring out of the temple, rising past his ankles, his knees, his waist, until it becomes a river he cannot cross — and everything it touches lives. Between those two points, the week unfolds: a heart of stone exchanged for a heart of flesh, a plain of dry bones raised, and the glory of God returning through the east gate. This Week in the Liturgy – Highlights Sunday 20 September — 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The week opens with a blow, the Lord says to the prophet: “I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes” — his wife — and forbids him to grieve publicly: “do not mourn or weep or shed any tears. Groan in silence.” His silence is itself the prophecy, Jerusalem will lose the temple the same way and their mourning rituals will be taken away from them. The Second Reading of the day continues Saint Augustine’s sermons On Pastors which will end on Friday. Particularly beautiful and inspiring today is his metaphor of the paralytic for which the “paralysis is interior”. Monday 21 September — Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. The First reading comes from Ephesians 4:1–16, the different graces in the one body. While the Second reading from Saint Bede the Venerable — “Jesus saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him.” Each year on his feast day we remember his radical, miraculous transformation. Matthew was a tax collector, a wealthy man who profited from the occupation. Saint Bede argues precisely this: Jesus saw him accurately and chose him anyway. “By an invisible, interior impulse flooding his mind with the light of grace, he instructed him to walk in his footsteps.” Tuesday 22 September In Ezekiel 36, we see how God’s people are restored in body, heart and spirit: “I will take away the heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may walk in my ways.” That interior change is a gift from God.  Second Reading of the day continues Saint Augustine’s series On Pastors — the Church, like a vine, spreads everywhere in her growth. Wednesday 23 September — Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina. This year, the First reading on Padre Pio’s feast day comes from Ezekiel 37 – The vision of the dry bones. It paints a powerful picture of absolute despair transformed by God’s promise of new life. Padre Pio’s proper reading comes from the Second Vatican Council on “the priestly vocation to perfection,” and it is perfectly suited. He was deeply loved and revered for his self-sacrificial exercise of Christian virtues, which transformed him into a spiritual father to many. Thursday 24 September On Thursday the two sticks are joined into one —  a sign of Israel and Judah made a single nation again: “there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” It was paired with Saint Augustine’s “In good pastures I shall feed my sheep”. Friday 25 September First Reading, Ezekiel 40, the vision of the restored temple, with the glory of God returning through the eastern gate. In the Second Reading, Saint Augustine closes On Pastors: “Christ is your shepherd and judge… I find that all good shepherds are one in the one shepherd.” We are reminded of Saint Matthew’s transformation when we read: “My sheep, he says, hear my voice and follow me.” Saturday 26 September The week ends with Ezekiel 47:1–12, water flowing from beneath the temple threshold — ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then waist-deep, then a river too deep to cross. Perfectly paired with Saint Hilary’s “discourse on the psalms”, “the river whose streams gladden the city of God”. We who have been “reborn through the sacrament of baptism… we feel within us the first stirrings of the Holy Spirit”; these gifts enter us “like a gentle rain.” They start small right after baptism, but as one grows in faith, it will “bring forth fruit in abundance,” completely transforming one’s life just like the river from Ezekiel’s vision transformed the dead and barren into thriving life. This week in focus: Ankle-Deep, Knee-Deep, Waist-Deep From Saturday, September 26th, Office of Readings, First Reading: From the book of the prophet Ezekiel 47:1–12 (The vision of water flowing from the temple) This week ends with a man being taken into a river by stages. “Then when he had walked off to the east with a measuring cord in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and had me wade through the water, which was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand and once more had me wade through the water, which was now knee-deep. Again he measured off a thousand and had me wade; the water was up to my waist. Once more he measured off a thousand, but there was now a river through which I could not wade.” Four measurements. The first three, Ezekiel manages. He is wading, which means his feet are on the bottom and he is in charge of where he goes. Then comes the fourth thousand cubits, and the floor drops away. Anyone who has prayed the Hours for a while will understand this progression. You begin with something you can manage. Morning Prayer three times a week. One Hour a day, most days, when the schedule allows it. You are wading: you decide when to go in, how far, and when to come out. Everyone begins that way, in the vision his angelic guide starts Ezekiel wading through ankle-deep water. And because the prophet keeps moving the water keeps deepening. When you keep walking east, toward the Rising Sun, the river will always be bigger than your ability to stand in it. At some point, prayer will become not spiritual action but spiritual being, something you are inside of. If you’ll follow Ezekiel this week, you’ll see his story move from dry eyes forbidden to weep, to dry bones scattered in the dust, to being entirely submerged in a river of living water. It’s God’s promise to drown death in an ocean of life everlasting. “I saw water flowing eastward from beneath the threshold of the temple.— Wherever this water flows, everything shall live.The water I shall give you will become in you a spring welling up to eternal life.— Wherever this water flows, everything shall live.” Responsory after the First Reading (Ezekiel 47:1, 9; John 4:14) Those first words are sung across the whole Church at Easter, when the congregation is sprinkled with water at the beginning of Mass: “Vidi aquam”. I saw water. It comes from this vision. Whatever measure you are standing in this week, walk one more thousand cubits. Pray one Hour more than you have been praying, and let the water come up a little higher. If the Hours have taken you deeper than you thought you could go, please consider supporting our work, including our ongoing Spanish Liturgy of the Hours project. divineoffice.org/contribute With gratitude,The Divine Office Team
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  September 20th, 2026 – Invitatory – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 4min

  Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us, alleluia. Psalm 95 Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us. Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving and sing joyful songs to the Lord. Ant. Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us, alleluia. The Lord is God, the mighty God, the great king over all the gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the highest mountains as well He made the sea; it belongs to him, the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands. Ant. Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us, alleluia. Come, then, let us bow down and worship, bending the knee before the Lord, our maker, For he is our God and we are his people, the flock he shepherds. Ant. Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us, alleluia. Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did in the wilderness, when at Meriba and Massah they challenged me and provoked me, Although they had seen all of my works. Ant. Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us, alleluia. Forty years I endured that generation. I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray and they do not know my ways.” So I swore in my anger, “They shall not enter into my rest.” Ant. Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Come, let us sing to the Lord and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us, alleluia. [1] Instructions from Proper of Saints for November 2, Liturgy of the Hours vol IV, page 1537
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  September 20th, 2026 – Office of Readings – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 25min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 615 Proper of Seasons: 283 Psalter: Sunday, Week I, 646 Office of Readings for Sunday in Ordinary Time God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMN1. God Father, praise and glory Your children come to sing. Goodwill and peace to mankind. The gifts your kingdom brings. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 2. And you, Lord Coeternal, God's sole begotten Son; O Jesus. King anointed. You have redemption won. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 3. O Holy Ghost, Creator The Gift of God most high; Life, love and holy wisdom, Our weakness now supply. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 𝄞"God Father, Praise and Glory" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase • Musical Score • Title: God Father, Praise and Glory; Text: anon; Translator: John Rothensteiner, 1936, alt.; Melody: Gott Vater! Sel Gepriesen; Music: Mains Gesangbuch, 183; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 4 PSALMODY Ant. 1 See how the cross of the Lord stands revealed as the tree of life. Psalm 1 There are two ways a man may take They are happy who, putting all their trust in the cross, have plunged into the water of life (from an author of the second century). Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked; nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night. Ant. See how the cross of the Lord stands revealed as the tree of life. He is like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade; and all that he does shall prosper. Not so are the wicked, not so! Ant. See how the cross of the Lord stands revealed as the tree of life. For they like winnowed chaff shall be driven away by the wind. When the wicked are judged they shall not stand, nor find room among those who are just; for the Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom. Ant. See how the cross of the Lord stands revealed as the tree of life. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Lord, you are the fullness of life of holiness and of joy. Fill our days and night with the love of your wisdom, that we may bear fruit in the beauty of holiness, like a tree watered by running streams. Ant. See how the cross of the Lord stands revealed as the tree of life. Ant. 2 Here is a King of my own choosing who will rule on Mount Zion. Psalm 2 The Messiah, king and conqueror The rulers of the earth joined forces to overthrow Jesus, your anointed Son (Acts 4:27). Why this tumult among nations, among peoples this useless murmuring? They arise, the kings of the earth, princes plot against the Lord and his Anointed. “Come let us break their fetters, come, let us cast off their yoke.” Ant. Here is a King of my own choosing who will rule on Mount Zion. He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord is laughing them to scorn. Then he will speak in his anger, his rage will strike them with terror. “It is I who have set up my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” Ant. Here is a King of my own choosing who will rule on Mount Zion. I will announce the decree of the Lord: The Lord said to me: “You are my Son. It is I who have begotten you this day. Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations, put the ends of the earth in your possession. With a rod of iron you will break them, shatter them like a potter’s jar.” Ant. Here is a King of my own choosing who will rule on Mount Zion. Now, O kings, understand, take warning, rulers of the earth; serve the Lord with awe and trembling, pay him your homage lest he be angry and you perish; for suddenly his anger will blaze. Ant. Here is a King of my own choosing who will rule on Mount Zion. Blessed are they who put their trust in God. Ant. Here is a King of my own choosing who will rule on Mount Zion. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Lord God, you gave the peoples of the world as the inheritance of your only Son; you crowned him as King of Zion, your holy city, and gave him your Church to be his bride. As he proclaims the law of your eternal kingdom, may we serve him faithfully, and so share his royal power forever. Ant. Here is a King of my own choosing who will rule on Mount Zion. Ant. 3 Lord, you are my protector; you have raised me up in glory. Psalm 3 I am safe in the Lord’s keeping Christ fell asleep in death, but he rose from the dead, for God was his deliverer (Saint Irenaeus). How many are my foes, O Lord! How many are rising up against me! How many are saying about me: “There is no help for him in God.” Ant. Lord, you are my protector; you have raised me up in glory. But you, Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, who lift up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord. He answers from his holy mountain. Ant. Lord, you are my protector; you have raised me up in glory. I lie down to rest and I sleep. I wake, for the Lord upholds me. I will not fear even thousands of people who are ranged on every side against me. Ant. Lord, you are my protector; you have raised me up in glory. Arise, Lord; save me, my God, you who strike all my foes on the mouth, you who break the teeth of the wicked! O Lord of salvation, bless your people! Ant. Lord, you are my protector; you have raised me up in glory. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Lord God, you heard the cry of your Son when he was oppressed and saved him from the sleep of death. Arise, Lord, help your Church. Be its shield so that it may hold up its head and radiate the glory of the resurrection. Ant. Lord, you are my protector; you have raised me up in glory. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. May the word of Christ ever fill your hearts. — Share with one another the wisdom you receive. READINGS First Reading From the book of the prophet Ezekiel 24:15-27 The prophet’s life is a sign for the people Thus the word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, by a sudden blow I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes, but do not mourn or weep or shed any tears. Groan in silence, make no lament for the dead, bind on your turban, put your sandals on your feet, do not cover your beard, and do not eat the customary bread. That evening my wife died, and the next morning I did as I had been commanded. Then the people asked me, “Will you not tell us what all these things that you are doing mean for us?” I therefore spoke to the people that morning, saying to them: Thus the word of the Lord came to me: Say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: I will now desecrate my sanctuary, the stronghold of your pride, the delight of your eyes, the desire of your soul. The sons and daughters you left behind shall fall by the sword. Ezekiel shall be a sign for you: all that he did you shall do when it happens. Thus you shall know that I am the Lord. You shall do as I have done, not covering your beards nor eating the customary bread. Your turbans shall remain on your heads, your sandals on your feet. You shall not mourn or weep, but you shall rot away because of your sins and groan one to another. As for you, son of man, truly, on the day I take away from them their bulwark, their glorious joy, the delight of their eyes, the desire of their soul, and the pride of their hearts, their sons and daughters, that day the fugitive will come to you, that you may hear it for yourself; that day your mouth shall be opened and you shall be dumb no longer. Thus you shall be a sign to them, and they shall know that I am the Lord. RESPONSORY Ezekiel 24:24; Joel 2:13 Ezekiel shall be a sign for you; you shall do just as he has done, — and you shall know that I am the Lord your God. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God. — And you shall know that I am the Lord your God. Second reading From a sermon On Pastors by Saint Augustine, bishop On weak Christians You have failed to strengthen the weak, says the Lord. He is speaking to wicked shepherds, false shepherds, shepherds who seek their own concerns and not those of Christ. They enjoy the bounty of milk and wool, but they take no care at all of the sheep, and they make no effort to heal those who are ill. I think there is a difference between one who is weak (that is, not strong) and one who is ill, although we often say that the weak are also suffering from illness. My brothers, when I try to make that distinction, perhaps I could do it better and with greater precision, or perhaps someone with more experience and insight could do so. But when it comes to the words of Scripture, I say what I think so that in the meantime you will not be deprived of all profit. In the case of the weak sheep, it is to be feared that the temptation, when it comes, may break him. The sick person, however, is already ill by reason of some illicit desire or other, and this is keeping him from entering God’s path and submitting to Christ’s yoke. There are men who want to live a good life and have already decided to do so, but are not capable of bearing sufferings even though they are ready to do good. Now it is a part of the Christian’s strength not only to do good works but also to endure evil. Weak men are those who appear to be zealous in doing good works but are unwilling or unable to endure the sufferings that threaten. Lovers of the world, however, who are kept from good works by some evil desire, lie sick and listless, and it is this sickness that deprives them of any strength to accomplish good works. The paralytic was like that. When his bearers could not bring him in to the Lord, they opened the roof and lowered him down to the feet of Christ. Perhaps you wish to do this in spirit: to open the roof and to lower a paralytic soul down to the Lord. All its limbs are lifeless, it is empty of every good work, burdened with its sins, and weak from the illness brought on by its evil desires. Since all its limbs are helpless, and the paralysis is interior, you cannot come to the physician. But perhaps the physician himself is concealed within; for the true understanding of Scripture is hidden. Reveal therefore what is hidden, and thus you will open the roof and lower the paralytic to the feet of Christ. As for those who fail to do this and those who are negligent, you have heard what was said to them: You have failed to heal the sick; you have failed to bind up what was broken. Of this we have already spoken. Man was broken by terrible temptations. But there is at hand a consolation that will bind what was broken: God is faithful. He does not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. RESPONSORY 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; — I became all things to all men, that I might save at least some. I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, in order to share in its rewards. — I became all things to all men, that I might save at least some. TE DEUM You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the King of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come, and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance. — Govern and uphold them now and always. Day by day we bless you. — We praise your name for ever. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin. — Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. Lord, show us your love and mercy, — for we have put our trust in you. In you, Lord, is our hope: — And we shall never hope in vain. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbor, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (at least in the communal celebration) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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  September 20th, 2026 – Morning Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 23min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 618 Proper of Seasons: 287 Psalter: Sunday, Week I, 651 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Seasons: 630 Psalter: Sunday, Week I, 706 Morning Prayer for Sunday in Ordinary Time God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNEternal maker of the world, The sov'reign Lord of night and day: You give the seasons of the year To take time's heaviness away. In deepest night you never sleep, A Lamp for trav'lers on the way; A Light dividing night from night, The rooster crows announcing day. See, at the sound, the daystar wakes And drives the darkness from the sky; All those who strayed on deadly roads Now take the path to life on high. The ocean hears; the waves die down; The sailor overcomes his fears Saint Peter hears; The Church's Rock Removes denial's stain with tears. O Jesus, save us, for we fall; Look down and set us right, we pray, For at your glance our failings fail, And sorrow washes sins away. O Light, upon our senses shine, Dispel the sleepiness within; Let our first words be words of you; With faithful praise our day begin. To you, O Christ, most kindly King, And to the Father, glory be; Praise to the Spirit Paraclete, In ev'ry age, eternally. Amen. 𝄞"Eternal Maker of the World" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase • Musical Score • Text: Aeterne rerum Conditor, Ambrose; Translation: W.J. Copland, X; Tune: Chant, Mode I ; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 3 PSALMODY Ant. 1 As morning breaks I look to you, O God, to be my strength this day, alleluia. Psalm 63 A soul thirsting for God Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God. O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. Ant. As morning breaks I look to you, O God, to be my strength this day, alleluia. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy. Ant. As morning breaks I look to you, O God, to be my strength this day, alleluia. On my bed I remember you. On you I muse through the night for you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast. Ant. As morning breaks I look to you, O God, to be my strength this day, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Father, creator of unfailing light, give that same light to those who call to you. May our lips praise you; our lives proclaim your goodness; our work give you honor, and our voices celebrate you for ever. Ant. As morning breaks I look to you, O God, to be my strength this day, alleluia. Ant. 2 From the midst of the flames the three young men cried out with one voice: Blessed be God, alleluia. Canticle – Daniel 3:57-88, 56 Let all creatures praise the Lord All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revelation 19:5). Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. You heavens, bless the Lord. All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord. Sun and moon, bless the Lord. Stars of heaven, bless the Lord. Ant. From the midst of the flames the three young men cried out with one voice: Blessed be God, alleluia. Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. All you winds, bless the Lord. Fire and heat, bless the Lord. Cold and chill, bless the Lord. Dew and rain, bless the Lord. Frost and chill, bless the Lord. Ice and snow, bless the Lord. Nights and days, bless the Lord. Light and darkness, bless the Lord. Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord. Ant. From the midst of the flames the three young men cried out with one voice: Blessed be God, alleluia. Let the earth bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord. You springs, bless the Lord. Seas and rivers, bless the Lord. You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. All you birds of the air, bless the Lord. All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. You sons of men, bless the Lord. Ant. From the midst of the flames the three young men cried out with one voice: Blessed be God, alleluia. O Israel, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord. Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord. Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Ant. From the midst of the flames the three young men cried out with one voice: Blessed be God, alleluia. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let us praise and exalt him above all forever. Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever. Ant. From the midst of the flames the three young men cried out with one voice: Blessed be God, alleluia. Ant. 3 Let the people of Zion rejoice in their King, alleluia. Psalm 149 The joy of God’s holy people. Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new people, rejoice in Christ, their King (Hesychius). Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its maker, let Zion’s sons exult in their king. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp. Ant. Let the people of Zion rejoice in their King, alleluia. For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation. Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, shout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal out vengeance to the nations and punishment on all the peoples; to bind their kings in chains and their nobles in fetters of iron; to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; this honor is for all his faithful. Ant. Let the people of Zion rejoice in their King, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Let Israel rejoice in you, Lord, and acknowledge you as creator and redeemer. We put our trust in your faithfulness and proclaim the wonderful truths of salvation. May your loving kindness embrace us now and for ever. Ant. Let the people of Zion rejoice in their King, alleluia. READING Revelation 7:10, 12 Salvation is from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb! Praise and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving and honor, power and might, to our God forever and ever. Amen! The audio for this hour uses a longer reading taken from the single volume Christian Prayer book, while this abbreviated text is from the 4 volume Liturgy of the Hours. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. RESPONSORY Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. — Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father, — have mercy on us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. The greatest among you will be your servant, says the Lord; for I will lift up in glory the man who humbles himself. Luke 1:68 – 79 The Messiah and his forerunner Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. The greatest among you will be your servant, says the Lord; for I will lift up in glory the man who humbles himself. INTERCESSIONS Christ is the sun that never sets, the true light that shines on every man. Let us call out to him in praise: Lord, you are our life and our salvation. Creator of the stars, we thank you for your gift, the first rays of the dawn, — and we commemorate your resurrection. Lord, you are our life and our salvation. May your Holy Spirit teach us to do your will today, — and may your Wisdom guide us always. Lord, you are our life and our salvation. Each Sunday give us the joy of gathering as your people, — around the table of your Word and your Body. Lord, you are our life and our salvation. From our hearts we thank you, — for your countless blessings. Lord, you are our life and our salvation. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Concluding Prayer O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbor, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.
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  September 20th, 2026 – Midmorning Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 7min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 623 Complementary Psalter: 1251 (Series I, Midmorning) Psalter: Sunday, Week I, 660 (Midmorning Reading) Proper of Seasons: 283 (Concluding prayer) Midmorning Prayer for Sunday in Ordinary Time using Complementary Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMN1. God Father, praise and glory Your children come to sing. Goodwill and peace to mankind. The gifts your kingdom brings. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 2. And you, Lord Coeternal, God's sole begotten Son; O Jesus. King anointed. You have redemption won. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 3. O Holy Ghost, Creator The Gift of God most high; Life, love and holy wisdom, Our weakness now supply. Refrain: O most Holy Trinity. Undivided Unity; Holy God, Mighty God. God Immortal, be adored. 𝄞"God Father, Praise and Glory" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase • Musical Score • Title: God Father, Praise and Glory; Text: anon; Translator: John Rothensteiner, 1936, alt.; Melody: Gott Vater! Sel Gepriesen; Music: Mains Gesangbuch, 183; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 4 PSALMODY Ant. 1 I cried out, and the Lord heard me. Psalm 120 Longing for peace To the Lord in the hour of my distress I call and he answers me. “O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, from the tongue of the deceitful.” What shall he pay you in return, O treacherous tongue? The warrior’s arrows sharpened and coals, red-hot, blazing. Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, dwell among the tents of Kedar! Long enough have I been dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for fighting. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. I cried out, and the Lord heard me. Ant. 2 May the Lord watch over you as you come and as you go. Psalm 121 Guardian of his people Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16) I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth. May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel’s guard. The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night. The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. May the Lord watch over you as you come and as you go. Ant. 3 I rejoiced in the good news they told me. Psalm 122 The holy city, Jerusalem You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) I rejoiced when I heard them say: “Let us go to God’s house.” And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgment of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: “Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!” For love of my brethren and friends I say: Peace upon you. For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. I rejoiced in the good news they told me. READING 1 John 4:16 We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. Incline my heart according to your will, O God. — Speed my steps along your path. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbor, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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  September 20th, 2026 – Midday Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 10min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 623 Proper of Seasons: 283 (concluding prayer) Psalter: Sunday, Week I, 657 (Midday) Midday Prayer for Sunday in Ordinary Time, using Current Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNO Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed: Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! When through the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze: Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee: How great Thou art, how great Thou art! 𝄞"How Great Thou Art" by Melinda Kirigin-Voss • Title: How Great Thou Art; "O Store Gud" by Carl Boberg (1859-1940); Translation: Stuart K. Hine in 1899; Tune: Old Swedish meody; Artist: Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Copyright Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Used with permission. PSALMODY Ant. 1 What better can we do than take refuge in the Lord! His love will never fail, alleluia. Psalm 118 Song of joy for salvation This Jesus is the stone which, rejected by you builders, has become the chief stone supporting all the rest (Acts 4:11). I Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love endures for ever. Let the sons of Israel say: “His love endures for ever.” Let the sons of Aaron say: “His love endures for ever.” Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures for ever.” I called to the Lord in my distress; he answered and freed me. The Lord is at my side; I do not fear. What can man do against me? The Lord is at my side as my helper: I shall look down on my foes. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in men: it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. What better can we do than take refuge in the Lord! His love will never fail, alleluia. Ant. 2 The Lord is my strength, and I shall sing his praise, alleluia. II The nations all encompassed me; in the Lord’s name I crushed them. They compassed me, compassed me about; in the Lord’s name I crushed them. They compassed me about like bees; they blazed like a fire among thorns. In the Lord’s name I crushed them. I was hard-pressed and was falling but the Lord came to help me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he is my savior. There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the just. The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; his right hand raised me. The Lord’s right hand has triumphed; I shall not die, I shall live and recount his deeds. I was punished, I was punished by the Lord, but not doomed to die. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. The Lord is my strength, and I shall sing his praise, alleluia. Ant. 3 I shall proclaim your goodness, Lord, for you have answered me. III Open to me the gates of holiness: I will enter and give thanks. This is the Lord’s own gate where the just may enter. I will thank you for you have answered and you are my savior. The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes. This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. O Lord, grant us salvation; O Lord, grant success. Blessed in the name of the Lord is he who comes. We bless you from the house of the Lord; the Lord God is our light. Go forward in procession with branches even to the altar. You are my God, I thank you. My God, I praise you. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his love endures for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Lord God, you have given us the great day of rejoicing: Jesus Christ, the stone rejected by the builders, has become the cornerstone of the Church, our spiritual home. Shed upon your Church the rays of your glory, that it may be seen as the gate of salvation open to all nations. Let cries of joy and exultation ring out from its tents, to celebrate the wonder of Christ’s resurrection. Ant. I shall proclaim your goodness, Lord, for you have answered me. READING Galatians 6:7b-8 A man will reap only what he sows. If he sows in the field of the flesh, he will reap a harvest of corruption; but if his seed-ground is the spirit, he will reap everlasting life. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. Your promise, Lord, will stand for ever. — In every generation your word is true. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbor, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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  September 20th, 2026 – Midafternoon Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 8min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 623 Complementary Psalter: 1259 (Series III, Midafternoon) Psalter: Sunday, Week I, 660 (Midafternoon Reading) Proper of Seasons: 283 (concluding prayer) Midafternoon Prayer for Sunday in Ordinary Time using Complementary Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNSee, here I am. See, here I am. See, here I am, Lord, I come to do your will. See, here I am. See, here I am. See, here I am, Lord, I come to do your will. See, here I am. See, here I am. See, here I am, Lord, I come to do your will. See, here I am. See, here I am. See, here I am, Lord, I come to do your will. Your will be done, your will be done. I come to do Your will. 𝄞"See, Here I Am" by Briege O'Hare And Marie Cox • Available on iTunes • Available for Purchase • Title: See, Here I Am; Composed and arranged by: Briege O'Hare, OSC; Sung by: Marie Cox,RSM; (c) 1966 Briege O'Hare; Used by permission • Albums that contain this Hymn: Lord, Teach Us To Pray PSALMODY Ant. 1 The Lord has done great things for us; he is the source of all our joy. Psalm 126 Joyful hope in God Companions with him in suffering, you will share his over-flowing happiness (2 Corinthians 1:7) When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. The heathens themselves said: “What marvels the Lord worked for them!” What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. The Lord has done great things for us; he is the source of all our joy. Ant. 2 May the Lord build our house and watch over our city. Psalm 127 Apart from God our labors are worthless You are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9) If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord 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 he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber. Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, a blessing, the fruit of the womb. Indeed the sons of youth are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. O the happiness of the man who has filled his quiver with these arrows! He will have no cause for shame when he disputes with his foes in the gateways. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. May the Lord build our house and watch over our city. Ant. 3 Blessed are those who fear the Lord. Psalm 128 Happiness of family life rooted in God “May the Lord bless you from Zion,” that is, from the Church (Arnobius) O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways! By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper; your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; Your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children in a happy Jerusalem! On Israel, peace! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Blessed are those who fear the Lord. READING Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not grow weary of doing good; if we do not relax our efforts in due time we shall reap our harvest. While we have the opportunity, let us do good to all men – but especially to those of the household of faith. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. From the depths of my heart I cry to you, Lord, — I shall always do your will. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbor, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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  September 20th, 2026 – Evening Prayer II – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 20min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 632 Proper of Seasons: 287 Psalter: Sunday, Week I, 661 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 694 Proper of Seasons: 631 Psalter: Sunday, Week I, 712 Evening Prayer II for Sunday in Ordinary Time God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNO blest Creator of the light, who mak'st the day with radiance bright, and o'er the forming world didst call the light from chaos first of all. Whose wisdom joined in meet array the morn and eve, and named them day: night comes with all its darkling fears; regard thy people's prayers and tears. Lest, sunk in sin, and whelmed with strife, they lose the gift of endless life; while thinking but the thoughts of time, they weave new chains of woe and crime. But grant them grace that they may strain the heavenly gate and prize to gain: each harmful lure aside to cast, and purge away each error past. O Father, that we ask be done, through Jesus Christ, thine only Son; who, with the Holy Ghost and thee, doth live and reign eternally. Amen. 𝄞"O Blest Creator of the Light" by Rebecca Hincke • Musical Score • Title: O Blest Creator of the Light; Text: Lucis Creator optime, Attr. Gregory the Great; Translation: John M Neal; Tune: Chant, Mode VIII; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. PSALMODY Ant. 1 The Lord will stretch forth his mighty scepter from Zion, and he will reign for ever, alleluia. Psalm 110 The Messiah, king and priest Christ’s reign will last until all his enemies are made subject to him (1 Corinthians 15:25). The Lord’s revelation to my Master: “Sit on my right: your foes I will put beneath your feet.” Ant. The Lord will stretch forth his mighty scepter from Zion, and he will reign for ever, alleluia. The Lord will wield from Zion your scepter of power: rule in the midst of all your foes. Ant. The Lord will stretch forth his mighty scepter from Zion, and he will reign for ever, alleluia. A prince from the day of your birth on the holy mountains; from the womb before the dawn I begot you. Ant. The Lord will stretch forth his mighty scepter from Zion, and he will reign for ever, alleluia. The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change. “You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.” Ant. The Lord will stretch forth his mighty scepter from Zion, and he will reign for ever, alleluia. The Master standing at your right hand will shatter kings in the day of his great wrath. Ant. The Lord will stretch forth his mighty scepter from Zion, and he will reign for ever, alleluia. He shall drink from the stream by the wayside and therefore he shall lift up his head. Ant. The Lord will stretch forth his mighty scepter from Zion, and he will reign for ever, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Father, we ask you to give us victory and peace. In Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, we are already seated at your right hand. We look forward to praising you in the fellowship of all your saints in our heavenly homeland. Ant. The Lord will stretch forth his mighty scepter from Zion, and he will reign for ever, alleluia. Ant. 2 The earth is shaken to its depths before the glory of your face. Psalm 114 The Israelites are delivered from the bondage of Egypt You too left Egypt when, at baptism, you renounced that world which is at enmity with God (Saint Augustine). When Israel came forth from Egypt, Jacob’s sons from an alien people, Judah became the Lord’s temple, Israel became his kingdom. Ant. The earth is shaken to its depths before the glory of your face. The sea fled at the sight: the Jordan turned back on its course, the mountains leapt like rams and the hills like yearling sheep. Ant. The earth is shaken to its depths before the glory of your face. Why was it, sea, that you fled, that you turned back, Jordan, on your course? Mountains, that you leapt like rams, hills, like yearling sheep? Ant. The earth is shaken to its depths before the glory of your face. Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, in the presence of the God of Jacob, who turns the rock into a pool and flint into a spring of water. Ant. The earth is shaken to its depths before the glory of your face. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Almighty God, ever-living mystery of unity and Trinity, you gave life to the new Israel by birth from water and the Spirit, and made it a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people set apart as your eternal possession. May all those you have called to walk in the splendor of the new light render you fitting service and adoration. Ant. The earth is shaken to its depths before the glory of your face. Ant. 3 All power is yours, Lord God, our mighty King, alleluia. Canticle – See Revelation 19:1-7 The wedding of the lamb Alleluia. Salvation, glory, and power to our God: — Alleluia. his judgments are honest and true. —Alleluia (alleluia). Ant. All power is yours, Lord God, our mighty King, alleluia. Alleluia. Sing praise to our God, all you his servants, — Alleluia. all who worship him reverently, great and small. —Alleluia (alleluia). Ant. All power is yours, Lord God, our mighty King, alleluia. Alleluia. The Lord our all-powerful God is King; — Alleluia. Let us rejoice, sing praise, and give him glory. —Alleluia (alleluia). Ant. All power is yours, Lord God, our mighty King, alleluia. Alleluia. The wedding feast of the Lamb has begun, — Alleluia. and his bride is prepared to welcome him. —Alleluia (alleluia). Ant. All power is yours, Lord God, our mighty King, alleluia. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. All power is yours, Lord God, our mighty King, alleluia. READING 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from him. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. RESPONSORY The whole creation proclaims the greatness of your glory. — The whole creation proclaims the greatness of your glory. Eternal ages praise — the greatness of your glory. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — The whole creation proclaims the greatness of your glory. CANTICLE OF MARY Ant. No servant can obey two masters: you cannot serve God and the love of money at the same time. Luke 1:46-55 The soul rejoices in the Lord 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 to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. No servant can obey two masters: you cannot serve God and the love of money at the same time. INTERCESSIONS Christ the Lord is our head; we are his members. In joy let us call out to him: Lord, may your kingdom come. Christ our Savior, make your Church a more vivid symbol of the unity of all mankind, — make it more effectively the sacrament of salvation for all peoples. Lord, may your kingdom come. Through your presence, guide the college of bishops in union with the Pope, — give them the gifts of unity, love and peace. Lord, may your kingdom come. Bind all Christians more closely to yourself, their divine Head, — lead them to proclaim your kingdom by the witness of their lives. Lord, may your kingdom come. Grant peace to the world, — let every land flourish in justice and security. Lord, may your kingdom come. Grant to the dead the glory of resurrection, — and give us a share in their happiness. Lord, may your kingdom come. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Concluding Prayer O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbor, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.
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  September 20th, 2026 – Night Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 13min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours: Vol I, Page 1172 Vol II, Page 1628 Vol III, Page 1272 Vol IV, Page 1236 Christian Prayer: Page 1037 Night Prayer after Evening Prayer II on Sundays and Solemnities God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. Examination of conscience: We are called to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and to ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask for His strength to do better. Kýrie, eléison — Kýrie, eléison Christé, eléison — Christé, eléison Kýrie, eléison — Kýrie, eléison HYMNGod is Light (4x); Live in Light, live in Light, if we live in Light, we are one. 𝄞"God is Light" by Briege O'Hare And Marie Cox • Available on iTunes • Available for Purchase • Title: God is Light; Composed and arranged by: Briege O'Hare, OSC; Sung by: Marie Cox,RSM; (c) 1966 Briege O'Hare; Used by permission • Albums that contain this Hymn: Lord, Teach Us To Pray PSALMODY Ant. 1 Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings. Psalm 91 Safe in God’s sheltering care I have given you the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions (Luke 10:19). He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High and abides in the shade of the Almighty says to the Lord: “My refuge, my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!” It is he who will free you from the snare of the fowler who seeks to destroy you; he will conceal you with his pinions and under his wings you will find refuge. You will not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the plague that prowls in the darkness nor the scourge that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand fall at your right, you, it will never approach; his faithfulness is buckler and shield. Your eyes have only to look to see how the wicked are repaid, you who have said: “Lord, my refuge!” and have made the Most High your dwelling. Upon you no evil shall fall, no plague approach where you dwell. For you has he commanded his angels, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you upon their hands lest you strike your foot against a stone. On the lion and the viper you will tread and trample the young lion and the dragon. Since he clings to me in love, I will free him; protect him for he knows my name. When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you,” I will save him in distress and give him glory. With length of life I will content him; I shall let him see my saving power. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings. READING Revelation 22:4-5 They shall see the Lord face to face and bear his name on their foreheads. The night shall be no more. They will need no light from lamps or the sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever. RESPONSORY Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. — Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth. — I commend my spirit. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. GOSPEL CANTICLE Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Luke 2:29-32 Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Concluding Prayer Lord, we have celebrated today the mystery of the rising of Christ to new life. May we now rest in your peace, safe from all that could harm us, and rise again refreshed and joyful, to praise you throughout another day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. — Amen. Blessing May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. — Amen. Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary Hail, O Star of ocean, God's own Mother bearest, Ever sinless Virgin, Heaven's portal fairest. Taking that sweet Ave Which by Gabriel spoken, Eva's own name reversing, Be of peace the token. Break the sinner's fetters, Light to blind restoring, All our ills dispelling, Every grace imploring. Show thyself a mother In thy supplication, He will hear who chose thee At His Incarnation. Virgin all excelling, Passing meek and lowly, Win for sinners pardon, Make us chaste and holy. As we journey onward Aid our weak endeavor, Till we gaze on Jesus And rejoice forever. Father, Son, and Spirit, Three in One confessing, Give we equal glory Equal praise and blessing. Amen. 𝄞"Hail, O Star of Ocean" by Kathleen Lundquist • Title: Hail, O Star of Ocean; Text: Ave maris stella, 8th c.; Origin: unknown; Translation: Athelstan Riley, alt.; Tune: Chant, Mode I; Lumen Christi Hymnal; Artist: Kathleen Lundquist; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc.
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  September 20th, 2026 – The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition: What We Know So Far – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026

  Brothers and Sisters in Christ, For many years now, we have shared updates with you about the long-awaited Second Edition of the Liturgy of the Hours — the first major revision of the Church’s official daily prayer in the United States in more than fifty years. This year, that long journey has reached a major milestone and is now approaching its end. Where Things Stand In October 2025, the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments confirmed the new English translation for liturgical use in the United States. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, President of the USCCB, then signed a decree of promulgation establishing two important dates: Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027, will be the first-use date — the day the Second Edition becomes lawful for use. The First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2028, will be the mandatory-use date — the day the current translation is retired. Between these two dates lies a period of transition, sometimes called a vacatio legis, during which the faithful and clergy alike may continue praying with their current volumes while the new edition becomes available. Can I Keep Praying With My Current Books? This is a question we hear often, the answer is Yes, for most of you, nothing changes right away. Between Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027 (the first-use date) and the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2028 (the mandatory-use date), your current four-volume set remains entirely valid for prayer. You are not required to buy the new edition the moment it becomes available. The distinction that matters is between obligation and devotion: If you are a priest, deacon, or religious bound by canon law to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the current translation continues to fulfill that obligation right up until the mandatory-use date. Starting December 3, 2028, the Second Edition will be required for you. If you are a layperson praying the Hours as an act of personal devotion, you are not bound by that same canonical obligation, so nothing forces you to purchase the new set on any particular date. You are free to continue praying with the volumes you already have. That said, we do encourage everyone — clergy, religious, and laity alike — to plan on transitioning to the Second Edition by the mandatory-use date, the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2028. Praying the same texts as the rest of the Church, in the same words at the same hours, is part of what makes the Liturgy of the Hours a shared, public prayer of the whole Body of Christ rather than a private devotion. We are not in a position to encourage an earlier move: as of this writing, the USCCB has not yet established a licensing model for digital editions of the Second Edition, so we do not yet have the rights to publish the new text on DivineOffice.org. We are hopeful that a digital licensing path will be in place well before the 2028 deadline, at which point we intend to make the new text available and begin the work of recording new audio for the Second Edition. Two Publishers, Four Volumes The USCCB has selected Ascension Press and Word on Fire Publishing as the exclusive publishers of the new four-volume breviary. Both have opened pre-orders since July 1, 2026, beginning with Volume II, covering Lent and Easter — fittingly, the first volume needed for the Ash Wednesday first-use date. The remaining three volumes are expected to follow throughout the year, with the complete four-volume set anticipated by the end of 2027. Bundles for preordering the Full 4-Volume are also available. Four additional publishers have also been selected to produce single-volume “major extracts” — editions containing Lauds, Vespers, and Compline — for those who do not need the full four-volume breviary for daily prayer. What About Digital and Audio Formats? This is a question many of you have asked us directly, since so much of what we do here at DivineOffice.org depends on digital text and recorded audio. The answer is that the USCCB has not yet announced a timeline for digital or alternative formats. The Bishops’ Conference has stated only that availability will be determined and shared at a later date. We hope and pray that these details will be resolved in a way that lets us continue the mission many of you have come to depend on and that we have carried for nearly twenty years now, bringing the Liturgy of the Hours to everyone in the United States and the world. Especially our visually, hearing impaired, homebound brothers and sisters who pray with us through our audio or the accessible versions. A word about the Spanish version Some of you have also asked whether this new translation affects our own Spanish Liturgy of the Hours project. It does not. The USCCB’s Second Edition is an English-language undertaking, and the USCCB has not confirmed a Spanish edition of its own. Existing Spanish translations approved by other bishops’ conferences remain entirely valid for prayer, and our work on recording the Liturgy of the Hours in Spanish continues on its own path, independent of this transition. Continuing to Walk Together We know many of you have waited a long time for this new edition, and we share your anticipation. As always, we will continue to follow the USCCB’s official announcements closely and share verified updates with you as they come. Many of you know the many obstacles this work has overcome in 20 years of existence. God willing, we will do so for many more. The current translation will be maintained and updated as until now through website, podcasts and apps and every effort will be made to sustain and expand our mission in the world. Thank you for praying with us, today and always. The Divine Office Team
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  September 21st, 2026 – This Week: Ankle-Deep, Knee-Deep, Waist-Deep – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026

  25th Week in Ordinary Time • Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist • Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina • Oprional Memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyr • Liturgical Colours: Green/Red/White While we move through this week, the prophet Ezekiel keeps us company, but the distance he travels is extraordinary. Let’s try to follow. It opens with the prophet burying his wife and being forbidden to weep for her. It ends with water pouring out of the temple, rising past his ankles, his knees, his waist, until it becomes a river he cannot cross — and everything it touches lives. Between those two points, the week unfolds: a heart of stone exchanged for a heart of flesh, a plain of dry bones raised, and the glory of God returning through the east gate. This Week in the Liturgy – Highlights Sunday 20 September — 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The week opens with a blow, the Lord says to the prophet: “I am taking away from you the delight of your eyes” — his wife — and forbids him to grieve publicly: “do not mourn or weep or shed any tears. Groan in silence.” His silence is itself the prophecy, Jerusalem will lose the temple the same way and their mourning rituals will be taken away from them. The Second Reading of the day continues Saint Augustine’s sermons On Pastors which will end on Friday. Particularly beautiful and inspiring today is his metaphor of the paralytic for which the “paralysis is interior”. Monday 21 September — Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. The First reading comes from Ephesians 4:1–16, the different graces in the one body. While the Second reading from Saint Bede the Venerable — “Jesus saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him.” Each year on his feast day we remember his radical, miraculous transformation. Matthew was a tax collector, a wealthy man who profited from the occupation. Saint Bede argues precisely this: Jesus saw him accurately and chose him anyway. “By an invisible, interior impulse flooding his mind with the light of grace, he instructed him to walk in his footsteps.” Tuesday 22 September In Ezekiel 36, we see how God’s people are restored in body, heart and spirit: “I will take away the heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may walk in my ways.” That interior change is a gift from God.  Second Reading of the day continues Saint Augustine’s series On Pastors — the Church, like a vine, spreads everywhere in her growth. Wednesday 23 September — Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina. This year, the First reading on Padre Pio’s feast day comes from Ezekiel 37 – The vision of the dry bones. It paints a powerful picture of absolute despair transformed by God’s promise of new life. Padre Pio’s proper reading comes from the Second Vatican Council on “the priestly vocation to perfection,” and it is perfectly suited. He was deeply loved and revered for his self-sacrificial exercise of Christian virtues, which transformed him into a spiritual father to many. Thursday 24 September On Thursday the two sticks are joined into one —  a sign of Israel and Judah made a single nation again: “there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” It was paired with Saint Augustine’s “In good pastures I shall feed my sheep”. Friday 25 September First Reading, Ezekiel 40, the vision of the restored temple, with the glory of God returning through the eastern gate. In the Second Reading, Saint Augustine closes On Pastors: “Christ is your shepherd and judge… I find that all good shepherds are one in the one shepherd.” We are reminded of Saint Matthew’s transformation when we read: “My sheep, he says, hear my voice and follow me.” Saturday 26 September The week ends with Ezekiel 47:1–12, water flowing from beneath the temple threshold — ankle-deep, then knee-deep, then waist-deep, then a river too deep to cross. Perfectly paired with Saint Hilary’s “discourse on the psalms”, “the river whose streams gladden the city of God”. We who have been “reborn through the sacrament of baptism… we feel within us the first stirrings of the Holy Spirit”; these gifts enter us “like a gentle rain.” They start small right after baptism, but as one grows in faith, it will “bring forth fruit in abundance,” completely transforming one’s life just like the river from Ezekiel’s vision transformed the dead and barren into thriving life. This week in focus: Ankle-Deep, Knee-Deep, Waist-Deep From Saturday, September 26th, Office of Readings, First Reading: From the book of the prophet Ezekiel 47:1–12 (The vision of water flowing from the temple) This week ends with a man being taken into a river by stages. “Then when he had walked off to the east with a measuring cord in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and had me wade through the water, which was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand and once more had me wade through the water, which was now knee-deep. Again he measured off a thousand and had me wade; the water was up to my waist. Once more he measured off a thousand, but there was now a river through which I could not wade.” Four measurements. The first three, Ezekiel manages. He is wading, which means his feet are on the bottom and he is in charge of where he goes. Then comes the fourth thousand cubits, and the floor drops away. Anyone who has prayed the Hours for a while will understand this progression. You begin with something you can manage. Morning Prayer three times a week. One Hour a day, most days, when the schedule allows it. You are wading: you decide when to go in, how far, and when to come out. Everyone begins that way, in the vision his angelic guide starts Ezekiel wading through ankle-deep water. And because the prophet keeps moving the water keeps deepening. When you keep walking east, toward the Rising Sun, the river will always be bigger than your ability to stand in it. At some point, prayer will become not spiritual action but spiritual being, something you are inside of. If you’ll follow Ezekiel this week, you’ll see his story move from dry eyes forbidden to weep, to dry bones scattered in the dust, to being entirely submerged in a river of living water. It’s God’s promise to drown death in an ocean of life everlasting. “I saw water flowing eastward from beneath the threshold of the temple.— Wherever this water flows, everything shall live.The water I shall give you will become in you a spring welling up to eternal life.— Wherever this water flows, everything shall live.” Responsory after the First Reading (Ezekiel 47:1, 9; John 4:14) Those first words are sung across the whole Church at Easter, when the congregation is sprinkled with water at the beginning of Mass: “Vidi aquam”. I saw water. It comes from this vision. Whatever measure you are standing in this week, walk one more thousand cubits. Pray one Hour more than you have been praying, and let the water come up a little higher. If the Hours have taken you deeper than you thought you could go, please consider supporting our work, including our ongoing Spanish Liturgy of the Hours project. divineoffice.org/contribute With gratitude,The Divine Office Team
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  September 21st, 2026 – About Today – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026

  September 21 Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Feast “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Is. 55:8-9). [1][2] When Jesus called St. Matthew he left everything, rose and followed Him. The Son of Man’s selection of St. Matthew, as a publican and tax-collector, emphasizes an important point in the plan of Redemption. Jesus invites all men to the Supper of the Lamb; regardless of culture, circumstance, or sinful past. St. Matthew was the son of Alpheus, a Galilean, and is one of the four Evangelists. His name means ‘gift of God’ in Hebrew and his emblem is a winged-man. [3][4] Written by Sarah Ciotti Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD [1] Revised Standard Version, s.v., “Isaiah, The Book of.” [2] Benedict XVI, Angelus, September 21, 2008. [3] Benedict XVI, General Audience, August 30, 2006. [4] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Matthew.”
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  September 21st, 2026 – Invitatory – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 2min

  Lord, open my lips. — And my mouth will proclaim your praise. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel. Psalm 67 O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your saving help. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel. Let the nations be glad and exult for you rule the world with justice. With fairness you rule the peoples, you guide the nations on earth. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel. The earth has yielded its fruit for God, our God, has blessed us. May God still give us his blessing till the ends of the earth revere him. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Come, let us worship the Lord who speaks to us through the gospel.
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  September 21st, 2026 – Office of Readings – Feast – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 21min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 615 Proper of Saints: 1416 Common of Apostles: 1673 Office of Readings for the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNFaith of our Fathers! faith and prayer Shall win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God, Mankind shall then indeed be free. Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. Faith of our Fathers! we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife: And preach thee too as love knows how, By kindly deeds and virtuous life. Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. Faith of our Fathers! faith and prayer Shall win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God, Mankind shall then indeed be free. Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. 𝄞"Faith of Our Fathers" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase • Musical Score • Text: Frederick William Faber, 1814-1863; Music: Henry F. Hemy, 1818-1888, and James G. Walton, 1821-1905; Melody: Saint Catherine L.M.; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 3 PSALMODY Ant. 1 Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19A The heavens proclaim the glory of God, and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands. Day unto day takes up the story and night unto night makes known the message. No speech, no word, no voice is heard yet their span extends through all the earth, their words to the utmost bounds of the world. There he has placed a tent for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom coming from his tent, rejoices like a champion to run its course. At the end of the sky is the rising of the sun; to the furthest end of the sky is its course. There is nothing concealed from its burning heat. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Ant. 2 They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds. Psalm 64 Hear my voice, O God, as I complain, guard my life from dread of the foe. Hide me from the band of the wicked, from the throng of those who do evil. They sharpen their tongues like swords; they aim bitter words like arrows to shoot at the innocent from ambush, shooting suddenly and recklessly. They scheme their evil course; they conspire to lay secret snares. They say: “Who will see us? Who can search out our crimes?” He will search who searches the mind and knows the depths of the heart. God has shot them with his arrow and dealt them sudden wounds. Their own tongue has brought them to ruin and all who see them mock. Then will all men fear; they will tell what God has done. They will understand God’s deeds. The just will rejoice in the Lord and fly to him for refuge. All the upright hearts will glory. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. They proclaimed what God has done for us; they grasped the meaning of his deeds. Ant. 3 God’s holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God’s glory. Psalm 97 The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, let all the coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right. A fire prepares his path; it burns up his foes on every side. His lightnings light up the world, the earth trembles at the sight. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory. Let those who serve idols be ashamed, those who boast of their worthless gods. All you spirits, worship him. Zion hears and is glad; the people of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O Lord. For you indeed are the Lord most high above all the earth, exalted far above all spirits. The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the souls of his saints; he sets them free from the wicked. Light shines forth for the just and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice, you just, in the Lord; give glory to his holy name. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. God’s holiness was revealed by them; all nations saw God’s glory. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. They proclaimed the Lord’s praises, told of his power to save. — And of the wonders he had worked. READINGS First Reading From the letter of the apostle Paul to the Ephesians 4:1-16 The different graces in the one body I plead with you, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, with perfect humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly. Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force. There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and works through all, and is in all. Each of us has received God’s favor in the measure in which Christ bestows it. Thus you find Scripture saying: “When he ascended on high, he took a host of captives and gave gifts to men.” “He ascended”—what does this mean but that he had first descended into the lower regions of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended high above the heavens, that he might fill all men with his gifts. It is he who gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ, till we become one in faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, and form that perfect man who is Christ come to full stature. Let us, then, be children no longer, tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine that originates in human trickery and skill in proposing error. Rather, let us profess the truth in love and grow to the full maturity of Christ the head. Through him the whole body grows, and with the proper functioning of the members joined firmly together by each supporting ligament, builds itself up in love. RESPONSORY 2 Peter 1:21; Proverbs 2:6 No prophecy ever came from man. — The men who spoke the word of God were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Lord gives wisdom; knowledge and understanding flow from his mouth. — The men who spoke the word of God were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Second reading From a homily by Saint Bede the Venerable, priest Jesus saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office, and he said to him: Follow me. Jesus saw Matthew, not merely in the usual sense, but more significantly with his merciful understanding of men. He saw the tax collector and, because he saw him through the eyes of mercy and chose him, he said to him: Follow me. This following meant imitating the pattern of his life—not just walking after him. Saint John tells us: Whoever says he abides in Christ ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. And he rose and followed him. There is no reason for surprise that the tax collector abandoned earthly wealth as soon as the Lord commanded him. Nor should one be amazed that neglecting his wealth, he joined a band of men whose leader had, on Matthew’s assessment, no riches at all. Our Lord summoned Matthew by speaking to him in words. By an invisible, interior impulse flooding his mind with the light of grace, he instructed him to walk in his footsteps. In this way Matthew could understand that Christ, who was summoning him away from earthly possessions, had incorruptible treasures of heaven in his gift. As he sat at table in the house, behold many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. This conversion of one tax collector gave many men, those from his own profession and other sinners, an example of repentance and pardon. Notice also the happy and true anticipation of his future status as apostle and teacher of the nations. No sooner was he converted than Matthew drew after him a whole crowd of sinners along the same road to salvation. He took up his appointed duties while still taking his first steps in the faith, and from that hour he fulfilled his obligation and thus grew in merit. To see a deeper understanding of the great celebration Matthew held at his house, we must realize that he not only gave a banquet for the Lord at his earthly residence, but far more pleasing was the banquet set in his own heart which he provided through faith and love. Our Savior attests to this: Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. On hearing Christ’s voice, we open the door to receive him, as it were, when we freely assent to his promptings and when we give ourselves over to doing what must be done. Christ, since he dwells in the hearts of his chosen ones through the grace of his love, enters so that he might eat with us and we with him. He ever refreshes us by the light of his presence insofar as we progress in our devotion to and longing for the things of heaven. He himself is delighted by such a pleasing banquet. RESPONSORY Matthew was a talented scribe and deeply versed in the law of the Lord. — He dedicated all his efforts to the study of God’s law so that with the Lord’s guidance he might observe his precepts and teach them to others. The gospel of God’s glory is credited to him. — He dedicated all his efforts to the study of God’s law so that with the Lord’s guidance he might observe his precepts and teach them to others. TE DEUM You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you: Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. You, Christ, are the King of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not spurn the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come, and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance. — Govern and uphold them now and always. Day by day we bless you. — We praise your name for ever. Keep us today, Lord, from all sin. — Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. Lord, show us your love and mercy, — for we have put our trust in you. In you, Lord, is our hope: — And we shall never hope in vain. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who with untold mercy were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (at least in the communal celebration) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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  September 21st, 2026 – Morning Prayer – Feast – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 17min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 618 Proper of Saints: 1420 Common of Apostles: 1680 Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week I, 652 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 689 Proper of Saints: 1266 Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week I, 707 Morning Prayer for the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNChrist Jesus, Lord, true Light of Light Begotten Son of God most high, You sent the Twelve afar to teach And spread the faith throughout the world. You gave them special gifts and grace, And sent them out the world to win To bring the gospel's truth to all, Its seed to scatter far and wide. Appeased by your apostles' prayer, Be gracious to us Lord, we pray, Smile down on us as we rejoice To celebrate their feast today. By their great merits keep us safe From every snare of sin and death, Since we preserve in faithful hearts The holy teaching they proclaimed. With face serene look down on us, Correct us with your loving gaze, That we may conquer by your grace The evils that beset our way. All glory be to you, O Lord, Beyond the limits of all time, Who by your true apostles' words, Lead us, your children, safely home. Amen. 𝄞"Christ Jesus, Lord, True Light of Light" by Kathleen Lundquist • Available for Purchase • Title: Christ Jesus, Lord, True Light of Light; Text: Claro paschali gaudio, 11th c.; Tr. the Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK; Tune: Chant, Mode III; Liber Hymnarius; Artist: Kathleen Lundquist; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1 PSALMODY Ant. 1 My commandment is this: love one another as I have loved you. Psalm 63 A soul thirsting for God Whoever has left the darkness of sin yearns for God. O God, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life, my lips will speak your praise. So I will bless you all my life, in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy. On my bed I remember you. On you I muse through the night for you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. My commandment is this: love one another as I have loved you. Ant. 2 There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends. Canticle – Daniel 3:57-88, 56 Let all creatures praise the Lord All you servants of the Lord, sing praise to him (Revelation 19:5). Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord. You heavens, bless the Lord, All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord. All you hosts of the Lord, bless the Lord. Sun and moon, bless the Lord. Stars of heaven, bless the Lord. Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. All you winds, bless the Lord. Fire and heat, bless the Lord. Cold and chill, bless the Lord. Dew and rain, bless the Lord. Frost and chill, bless the Lord. Ice and snow, bless the Lord. Nights and days, bless the Lord. Light and darkness, bless the Lord. Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord. Let the earth bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Mountains and hills, bless the Lord. Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord. You springs, bless the Lord. Seas and rivers, bless the Lord. You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord. All you birds of the air, bless the Lord. All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord. You sons of men, bless the Lord. O Israel, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord. Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord. Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord. Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord. Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let us praise and exalt him above all for ever. Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all for ever. Ant. There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends. Ant. 3 You are my friends, says the Lord, if you do what I command you. Psalm 149 The joy of God’s holy people Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new people, rejoice in Christ, their King (Hesychius). Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its maker, let Zion’s sons exult in their king. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people. He crowns the poor with salvation. Let the faithful rejoice in their glory, shout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal out vengeance to the nations and punishment on all the peoples; to bind their kings in chains and their nobles in fetters of iron; to carry out the sentence pre-ordained; this honor is for all his faithful. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. You are my friends, says the Lord, if you do what I command you. READING Ephesians 2:19-22 You are strangers and aliens no longer. No, you are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is fitted together and takes shape as a holy temple in the Lord; in him you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. RESPONSORY You have made them rulers over all the earth. — You have made them rulers over all the earth. They will always remember your name, O Lord, — over all the earth. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — You have made them rulers over all the earth. CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH Ant. The Lord saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s office and said to him: Follow me. Matthew got up and followed him. Luke 1:68-79 The Messiah and his forerunner Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. The Lord saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s office and said to him: Follow me. Matthew got up and followed him. INTERCESSIONS Beloved friends, we have inherited heaven along with the apostles. Let us give thanks to the Father for all his gifts: The company of apostles praises you, O Lord. Praise be to you, Lord, for the banquet of Christ’s body and blood given us through the apostles, — which refreshes us and gives us life. The company of apostles praises you, O Lord. Praise be to you, Lord, for the feast of your word prepared for us by the apostles, — giving us light and joy. The company of apostles praises you, O Lord. Praise be to you, Lord, for your holy Church, founded on the apostles, — where we are gathered together into your community. The company of apostles praises you, O Lord. Praise be to you, Lord, for the cleansing power of baptism and penance that you have entrusted to your apostles, — through which we are cleansed of our sins. The company of apostles praises you, O Lord. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Concluding Prayer O God, who with untold mercy were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.
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  September 21st, 2026 – Midmorning Prayer – Feast – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 8min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 623 Complementary Psalmody: 1257 (Series I Midmorning) Proper of Saints: 1420 (concluding prayer) Common of Apostles: 1682 (reading) Midmorning Prayer for the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, using the Complementary Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMN1 I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise, that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies. I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; the moon shines full at his command, and all the stars obey. 2 I sing the goodness of the Lord, that filled the earth with food; He formed the creatures with his word, and then pronounced them good. Lord, how your wonders are displayed, where'er I turn my eyes, if I survey the ground I tread or gaze upon the skies. 3 There's not a plant or flower below but makes your glories known; And clouds arise and tempests blow by order from your throne; while all that borrows life from you is ever in your care, and everywhere that man can be, you, God, are present there. 𝄞"I Sing the Mighty Power of God" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase • Musical Score • Title: I Sing the Might Power of God; Text: Isaac Watts, 1715; Music: Wurtemburg Gesangbuch, 1784; Melody: Ellacombe C.M.D.; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 4 PSALMODY Ant. 1 I cried out, and the Lord heard me. Psalm 120 Longing for peace To the Lord in the hour of my distress I call and he answers me. “O Lord, save my soul from lying lips, from the tongue of the deceitful.” What shall he pay you in return, O treacherous tongue? The warrior’s arrows sharpened and coals, red-hot, blazing. Alas, that I abide a stranger in Meshech, dwell among the tents of Kedar! Long enough have I been dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for fighting. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. I cried out, and the Lord heard me. Ant. 2 May the Lord watch over you as you come and as you go. Psalm 121 Guardian of his people Never again will they hunger and thirst, never again know scorching heat (Revelation 7:16) I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth. May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel’s guard. The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night. The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and for ever. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. May the Lord watch over you as you come and as you go. Ant. 3 I rejoiced in the good news they told me. Psalm 122 The holy city, Jerusalem You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22) I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to God’s house. And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel’s law it is, there to praise the Lord’s name. There were set the thrones of judgment of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: “Peace be to your homes! May peace reign in your walls, in your palaces, peace!” For love of my brethren and friends I say: Peace upon you. For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for your good. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. I rejoiced in the good news they told me. READING 2 Corinthians 5:19b-20 God has entrusted the message of reconciliation to us. This makes us ambassadors of Christ, God as it were appealing through us. We implore you, in Christ’s name: be reconciled to God! Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. Their voice has gone out to the limits of the earth. — Their words to the ends of the world. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who with untold mercy were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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  September 21st, 2026 – Midday Prayer – Feast – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 11min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 623 Psalter: Monday, Week I, 675 (Midday) Proper of Saints: 1420 (Concluding prayer) Common of Apostles: 1683 (Reading) Midday Prayer for the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, using Current Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNHoly, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity. 𝄞"Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase • Musical Score • Title: Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty; Text: Reginald Heber Music: John B. Dykes Tune: NICAEA; Recording copyright 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 4 PSALMODY Ant. 1 The will of God gives joy to the heart; we see all things in its light. Psalm 19B Praise of God who gave us the law of love You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). The law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul. The rule of the Lord is to be trusted, it gives wisdom to the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, they gladden the heart. The command of the Lord is clear, it gives light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is holy, abiding for ever. The decrees of the Lord are truth and all of them just. They are more to be desired than gold, than the purest of gold, and sweeter are they than honey, than honey from the comb. So in them your servant finds instruction; great reward is in their keeping. But who can detect all his errors? From hidden faults acquit me. From presumption restrain your servant and let it not rule me. Then shall I be blameless, clean from grave sin. May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favor in your sight, O Lord, my rescuer, my rock! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer May our words in praise of your commandments find favor with you, Lord. May our faith prove we are not slaves, but sons, not so much subjected to your law as sharing your power. Ant. The will of God gives joy to the heart; we see all things in its light. Ant. 2 God comes in power to give his people justice. Psalm 7 Prayer of a God-fearing man who is being calumniated Here stands the Judge, at our very door ( James 5:9). I Lord God, I take refuge in you. From my pursuer save me and rescue me, lest he tear me to pieces like a lion and drag me off with no one to rescue me. Lord God, if my hands have done wrong, if I have paid back evil for good, I who saved my unjust oppressor: then let my foe pursue me and seize me, let him trample my life to the ground and lay my soul in the dust. Lord, rise up in your anger, rise against the fury of my foes; my God, awake! You will give judgment. Let the company of nations gather round you, taking your seat above them on high. The Lord is judge of the peoples. Give judgment for me, Lord; I am just and innocent of heart. Put an end to the evil of the wicked! Make the just stand firm, you who test mind and heart, O just God! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Father, you weigh what is in our hearts. Free us from oppressors, and, as we wait for your day of judgment, set a firm guard on our thoughts, so that while we return good for evil, we may still praise your kind of justice. Ant. God comes in power to give his people justice. Ant. 3 God is our judge, strong and just; he saves the upright of heart. II God is the shield that protects me, who saves the upright of heart. God is a just judge slow to anger; but he threatens the wicked every day, men who will not repent. God will sharpen his sword; he has braced his bow and taken aim. For them he has prepared deadly weapons; he barbs his arrows with fire. Here is one who is pregnant with malice, conceives evil and brings forth lies. He digs a pitfall, digs it deep; and in the trap he has made he will fall. His malice will recoil on himself; on his own head his violence will fall. I will thank the Lord for his justice: I will sing to the Lord, the Most High. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer You know our hearts, Lord, but you are slow to anger and merciful in judging. Come, examine your Church, wash her clean of sin and great crowds will surround you with songs of praise. Ant. God is our judge, strong and just; he saves the upright of heart. READING Acts 5:12a, 14 Through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders occurred among the people. Nevertheless more and more believers, men and women in great numbers, were continually added to the Lord. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. The apostles held fast to Christ’s message. — They kept the precepts he gave them. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who with untold mercy were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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  September 21st, 2026 – Midafternoon Prayer – Feast – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 8min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 623 Proper of Saints: 1420 Common of Apostles: 1682 Complementary Psalmody: 1258 (Series III Midafternoon) Midafternoon Prayer for the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, using the Complementary Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNPraise to the Lord, the almighty, the king of creation! O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation! Let all who hear, now to his temple draw near; Joining in glad adoration. Praise to the Lord, who over all things is wondrously reigning; And, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining. Have you not seen all that is needful has been Sent by his gracious ordaining? Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you; Surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do As with his love he befriends you. Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore him! All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him. Let the Amen sound from his people again, Gladly forever adore Him. 𝄞"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" by Rebecca Hincke • Musical Score • Title: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; Text: Lobe den Herren, den machtigen Konig der Ehren, Joachim Neunter; Translation: Catherine Winkworth; Tune: 17th c. German; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 The Lord has done great things for us; he is the source of all our joy. Psalm 126 Joyful hope in God Companions with him in suffering, you will share his over-flowing happiness (2 Corinthians 1:7) When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. The heathens themselves said: “What marvels the Lord worked for them!” What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. The Lord has done great things for us; he is the source of all our joy. Ant. 2 May the Lord build our house and watch over our city. Psalm 127 Apart from God our labors are worthless You are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9) If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord 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 he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber. Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, a blessing, the fruit of the womb. Indeed the sons of youth are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. O the happiness of the man who has filled his quiver with these arrows! He will have no cause for shame when he disputes with his foes in the gateways. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. May the Lord build our house and watch over our city. Ant. 3 Blessed are those who fear the Lord. Psalm 128 Happiness of family life rooted in God “May the Lord bless you from Zion,” that is, from the Church (Arnobius) O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways! By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper; your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; Your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children in a happy Jerusalem! On Israel, peace! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Blessed are those who fear the Lord. READING Acts 5:41-42 The apostles left the Sanhedrin full of joy that they had been judged worthy of ill-treatment for the sake of the Name. Day after day, both in the temple and at home, they never stopped preaching and proclaiming the good new of Jesus the Messiah. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. Rejoice and be glad, says the Lord. — For your names are written in heaven. CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, who with untold mercy were pleased to choose as an Apostle Saint Matthew, the tax collector, grant that, sustained by his example and intercession, we may merit to hold firm in following you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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  September 21st, 2026 – Evening Prayer – Feast – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 14min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 632 Proper of the Season: 1344 Common of the Apostles: 1673 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 694 Proper of Saints: 1266 Common of the Apostles: 1392 Evening Prayer for the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNLet heaven now resound with praise, And earth reecho with its joy, To celebrate with melody The triumph of the chosen Twelve. O holy judges of the world, Its truest light and trusted guides, Incline your ears to our poor prayer Arising from our grateful hearts. To you entrusted was the pow’r Of binding and of loosing sin, With but a word, we humbly pray, From bonds of trespass set us free. All maladies and evil harm At your command were soon dispelled, Restore our health of soul anew Enrich us with all virtue’s grace. So that when Christ our Judge shall come And time and space shall be no more, He may bestow on us a share Of heaven’s bliss that has no end. All glory to the Father be, All glory to his only Son, And to the Holy Spirit blest, Both now and in eternity. Amen. 𝄞"Let Heaven Now Resound With Praise" by Kathleen Lundquist • Title: Let Heaven Now Resound With Praise; Text: Exsultet caelum laudibus, ca. 10th c.; Tr. the Benedictines of Saint Cecilia’s Abbey, Ryde, UK; Tune: Chant, Mode III; Liber Hymnarius; Artist: Kathleen Lundquist; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. PSALMODY Ant. 1 You are the men who have stood by me in my time of trial. Psalm 116 Thanksgiving in the Temple Through Christ let us offer God a continual sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). I trusted, even when I said: I am sorely afflicted, and when I said in my alarm: No man can be trusted. How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people. O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. You are the men who have stood by me in my time of trial. Ant. 2 I have lived among you as one who ministers to others. Psalm 126 Joyful hope in God Just as you share in sufferings so you will share in the divine glory (2 Corinthians 1:7). When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. The heathens themselves said: “What marvels the Lord worked for them!” What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. I have lived among you as one who ministers to others. Ant. 3 I no longer call you servants, but my friends, for I have shared with you everything I have heard from my Father. Canticle – Ephesians 1:3-10 God our Savior Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens. God chose us in him before the world began to be holy and blameless in his sight. He predestined us to be his adopted sons through Jesus Christ, such was his will and pleasure, that all might praise the glorious favor he has bestowed on us in his beloved. In him and through his blood, we have been redeemed, and our sins forgiven, so immeasurably generous is God’s favor to us. God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ. A plan to be carried out in Christ, in the fulness of time, to bring all things into one in him, in the heavens and on earth. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. I no longer call you servants, but my friends, for I have shared with you everything I have heard from my Father. READING Ephesians 4:11-13 Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in roles of service for the faithful to build up the body of Christ, till we become one in faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, and form that perfect man who is Christ come to full stature. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. RESPONSORY Tell all the nations how glorious God is. — Tell all the nations how glorious God is. Make known his wonders to every people. — How glorious God is. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — Tell all the nations how glorious God is. CANTICLE OF MARY Ant. I desire mercy and not sacrifice. I did not come to call the virtuous but sinners. Luke 1:46-55 The soul rejoices in the Lord 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 to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. I desire mercy and not sacrifice. I did not come to call the virtuous but sinners. INTERCESSIONS My brothers, we build on the foundation of the apostles. Let us pray to our almighty Father for his holy people and say: Be mindful of your Church, O Lord. Father, you wanted your Son to be seen first by the apostles after the resurrection from the dead, — we ask you to make us his witnesses to the farthest corners of the world. Be mindful of your Church, O Lord. You sent your Son to preach the good news to the poor, — help us to preach this Gospel to every creature. Be mindful of your Church, O Lord. You sent your Son to sow the seed of unending life, — grant that we who work at sowing the seed may share the joy of the harvest. Be mindful of your Church, O Lord. You sent your Son to reconcile all men to you through his blood, — help us all to work toward achieving this reconciliation. Be mindful of your Church, O Lord. Your Son sits at your right hand in heaven, — let the dead enter your kingdom of joy. Be mindful of your Church, O Lord. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Concluding Prayer God of mercy, you chose a tax collector, Saint Matthew, to share the dignity of the apostles. By his example and prayers help us to follow Christ and remain faithful in your service. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. — Amen. DISMISSAL May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. — Amen.
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  September 21st, 2026 – Night Prayer – Divine Office: Liturgy of the Hours 20.09.2026 10min

  Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours: Vol I, 1175 Vol II, 1632 Vol III, 1275 Vol IV, 1239 Christian Prayer: 1041 General instruction: Please pray with us actively, especially by joining with us in saying antiphons and responses, most of which are indicated in this highlight. Consider an examination of your own conscience before beginning to best make use of our time together in prayer. Night Prayer for Monday God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. Examination of conscience: We are called to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and to ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask for His strength to do better. Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father: Lord, have mercy. — Lord, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division: Christ, have mercy. — Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you intercede for us with your Father: Lord, have mercy. — Lord, have mercy. HYMNChrist is our life (2x); Christ the beloved Son of God, dwelling in us, making us holy. Jesus, Jesus, dwelling in us, making us holy. 𝄞"Christ Is Our Life" by Briege O'Hare And Marie Cox • Available on iTunes • Available for Purchase • Title: Christ Is Our Life; Composed and arranged by: Briege O'Hare, OSC; Sung by: Marie Cox,RSM; (c) 1966 Briege O'Hare; Used by permission • Albums that contain this Hymn: Lord, Teach Us To Pray PSALMODY Ant. 1 O Lord, our God, unwearied is your love for us. Psalm 86 Poor man’s prayer in trouble Blessed be God who comforts us in all our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am faithful; save the servant who trusts in you. You are my God, have mercy on me, Lord, for I cry to you all day long. Give joy to your servant, O Lord, for to you I lift up my soul. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of love to all who call. Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my voice. In the day of distress I will call and surely you will reply. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; nor work to compare with yours. All the nations shall come to adore you and glorify your name, O Lord: for you are great and do marvelous deeds, you who alone are God. Show me, Lord, your way so that I may walk in your truth. Guide my heart to fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart and glorify your name for ever; for your love to me has been great: you have saved me from the depths of the grave. The proud have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; to you they pay no heed. But you, God of mercy and compassion, slow to anger, O Lord, abounding in love and truth, turn and take pity on me. O give your strength to your servant and save your handmaid’s son. Show me the sign of your favor that my foes may see to their shame that you console me and give me your help. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. O Lord, our God, unwearied is your love for us. READING 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 God has destined us for acquiring salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us, that all of us, whether awake or asleep, together might live with him. RESPONSORY Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. — Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth. — I commend my spirit. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. CANTICLE OF SIMEON Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Luke 2:29-32 Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Concluding Prayer Lord, give our bodies restful sleep and let the work we have done today bear fruit in eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. — Amen. BLESSING May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. — Amen. Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.