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

November 1

All Saints Day

Solemnity

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are,” (1 John 3:1). [1][2]

Today is the Solemnity of All Saints, a holy day of obligation. The Church honors all those who are with God, the innumerable men and women who chose fidelity to Christ. As we seek to implement the new evangelization, we can look to the saints as an example of evangelical zeal and Christian witness. According to a recent article published by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, ten saints who were particularly great evangelizers include; Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Jerome, St. Augustine, St. Patrick, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Juan Diego, St. Daniel Comboni, and St. Therese of the Child Jesus.[3][4]

Written by Sarah Ciotti

Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD

[1] Revised Standard Version, s.v., “John, The First Letter of.”

[2] Benedict XVI, Homily, November 1, 2006.

[3] Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, The Martyrology of the Monastery of the Ascension, 2008.

[4] Jeannine Marino, For All Saints Day and The Year of Faith: ‘Ten Saints Who Were Great Evangelizers,’ October 22, 2012.

Lord, open my lips.

— And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship God whose praises are sung in the assembly of the saints.

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 worship God whose praises are sung in the assembly of the saints.

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 worship God whose praises are sung in the assembly of the saints.

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 worship God whose praises are sung in the assembly of the saints.

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 worship God whose praises are sung in the assembly of the saints.

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 worship God whose praises are sung in the assembly of the saints.

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 God whose praises are sung in the assembly of the saints.

Ribbon Placement:

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV:

Ordinary: 615

All from the Proper of Saints: 1520

Christian Prayer:

Does not contain Office of Readings

Office of Readings for the Solemnity of All Saints

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.

HYMN
Lo! round the throne, a glorious band,

The saints in countless myriads stand;

Of every tongue redeemed to God,

Arrayed in garments washed in blood,

Alleluia.

Through tribulation great they came;

They bore the cross, despised the shame;

From all their labors now they rest,

In God’s eternal glory blest,

Alleluia.

They see their Savior face to face;

And sing the triumphs of His grace;

Him day and night, they ceaseless praise,

To Him their loud thanksgiving raise,

Alleluia.

“Worthy the Lamb, for sinners slain,

Through endless years to live and reign;

Thou hast redeemed us by Thy blood,

And made us kings and priests to God.”

Alleluia.

O may we tread the sacred road

That saints and holy martyrs trod;

Wage to the end the glorious strife,

And win, like them, a crown of life,

Alleluia.

𝄞"Lo! Round The Throne, A Glorious Band" by Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase • Musical Score • Title: Lo! Round The Throne, A Glorious Band; Text: Rowland Hill, 1783; Music: • Albums that contain this Hymn: The Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 1

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 How great is your name, O Lord, for with glory and honor you have crowned your saints; you have set them over the works of your hands.

Psalm 8

How great is your name, O Lord our God,

through all the earth!

Your majesty is praised above the heavens;

on the lips of children and of babes

you have found praise to foil your enemy,

to silence the foe and the rebel.

When I see the heavens, the work of your hands,

the moon and the stars which you arranged,

what is man that you should keep him in mind,

mortal man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him little less than a god;

with glory and honor you crowned him,

gave him power over the works of your hands,

put all things under his feet.

All of them, sheep and cattle,

yes, even the savage beasts,

birds of the air, and fish

that make their way through the waters.

How great is your name, O Lord our God

through all the 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. How great is your name, O Lord, for with glory and honor you have crowned your saints; you have set them over the works of your hands.

Ant. 2 Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

Psalm 15

Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent

and dwell on your holy mountain?

He who walks without fault;

he who acts with justice

and speaks the truth from his heart;

he who does not slander with his tongue;

He who does no wrong to his brother,

who casts no slur on his neighbor,

who holds the godless in disdain,

but honors those who fear the Lord;

he who keeps his pledge, come what may;

who takes no interest on a loan

and accepts no bribes against the innocent.

Such a man will stand firm forever.

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 the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

Ant. 3 You have shown your saints the path of life, you have filled them with joy in your presence, O Lord.

Psalm 16

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.

I say to the Lord: “You are my God.

My happiness lies in you alone.”

He has put into my heart a marvelous love

for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.

Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.

Never will I offer their offerings of blood.

Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;

it is you yourself who are my prize.

The lot marked out for me is my delight:

welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,

who even at night directs my heart.

I keep the Lord ever in my sight:

since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;

even my body shall rest in safety.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead,

nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,

the fullness of joy in your presence,

at your right hand happiness 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. You have shown your saints the path of life, you have filled them with joy in your presence, O 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.

Look to the Lord and be enlightened.

—And never let your faces be ashamed.

READINGS

First reading

From the book of Revelation

5:1-14

You redeemed us for God from every tribe and tongue, people and nation.

In the right hand of the One who sat on the throne I saw a scroll. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a mighty angel who proclaimed in a loud voice: “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could be found to open the scroll or examine its contents. I wept bitterly because no one could be found worthy to open or examine the scroll. One of the elders said to me: “Do not weep. The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the right by his victory to open the scroll with the seven seals.”

Then, between the throne with the four living creatures and the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, a Lamb that had been slain. He had seven horns and seven eyes; these eyes are the seven spirits of God, sent to all parts of the world. The Lamb came and received the scroll from the right hand of the One who sat on the throne.

When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Along with their harps, the elders were holding vessels of gold filled with aromatic spices, which were the prayers of God’s holy people. This is the new hymn they sang:

“Worthy are you to receive the scroll

and break open its seals,

for you were slain.

With your blood you purchased for God

men of every race and tongue,

of every people and nation.

You made of them a kingdom,

and priests to serve our God,

and they shall reign on the earth.”

As my vision continued, I heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, thousands and tens of thousands, and they all cried out:

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,

honor and glory and praise!”

Then I heard the voices of every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea; everything in the universe cried aloud:

“To the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb,

be praise and honor, glory and might,

forever and ever!”

The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

RESPONSORY Revelation 11:17; Psalm 145:10

We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty,

who is, who was and who is to come,

—for you have begun your reign,

And now the time has come to reward your servants and your saints.

May all creation praise you, O Lord;

may all your saints bless you.

—for you have begun your reign,

And now the time has come to reward your servants and your saints.

Second reading

From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot

Let us make haste to our brethren who are awaiting us.

Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honors when their heavenly Father honors them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honor from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs. Clearly, if we venerate their memory, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning.

Calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself. We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed, to join the assembly of patriarchs, the ranks of the prophets, the council of apostles, the great host of martyrs, the noble company of confessors and the choir of virgins. In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints. But our dispositions change. The Church of all the first followers of Christ awaits us, but we do nothing about it. The saints want us to be with them, and we are indifferent. The souls of the just await us, and we ignore them.

Come, brothers, let us at length spur ourselves on. We must rise again with Christ, we must seek the world which is above and set our mind on the things of heaven. Let us long for those who are longing for us, hasten to those who are waiting for us, and ask those who look for our coming to intercede for us. We should not only want to be with the saints, we should also hope to possess their happiness. While we desire to be in their company, we must also earnestly seek to share in their glory. Do not imagine that there is anything harmful in such an ambition as this; there is no danger in setting our hearts on such glory.

When we commemorate the saints we are inflamed with another yearning: that Christ our life may also appear to us as he appeared to them and that we may one day share in his glory. Until then we see him, not as he is, but as he became for our sake. He is our head, crowned, not with glory, but with the thorns of our sins. As members of that head, crowned with thorns, we should be ashamed to live in luxury; his purple robes are a mockery rather than an honor. When Christ comes again, his death shall no longer be proclaimed, and we shall know that we also have died, and that our life is hidden with him. The glorious head of the Church will appear and his glorified members will shine in splendor with him, when he forms this lowly body anew into such glory as belongs to himself, its head.

Therefore, we should aim at attaining this glory with a wholehearted and prudent desire. That we may rightly hope and strive for such blessedness, we must above all seek the prayers of the saints. Thus, what is beyond our own powers to obtain will be granted through their intercession.

RESPONSORY Revelation 19:5,6; Psalm 33:1

Praise God, all you who serve him, both great and small,

—for the Lord God Almighty has begun his reign.

Sing for joy, God’s chosen ones,

let all the saints give him fitting praise.

—For the Lord God Almighty has begun his reign.

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

Almighty ever-living God,

by whose gift we venerate in one celebration

the merits of all the Saints, bestow on us, we pray,

through the prayers of so many intercessors,

an abundance of the reconciliation with you

for which we earnestly long.

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.

Ribbon Placement:

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV:

Ordinary: 618

Proper of Saints: 1529

Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week 1, 652

Christian Prayer:

Ordinary: 689

Proper of Saints: 1304

Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week 1, 707

Morning Prayer for the Solemnity of All Saints

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.

HYMN
Sing with all the sons of glory,

Sing the resurrection song!

Death and sorrow, earth's dark story,

To the former days belong.

All around the clouds are breaking,

Soon the storms of time shall cease;

In God's likeness, man awaking,

Knows the everlasting peace.

O what glory, far exceeding

All that eye has yet perceived!

Holiest hearts for ages pleading,

Never that full joy conceived.

God has promised, Christ prepares it,

There on high our welcome waits;

Every humble spirit shares it,

Christ has passed th'eternal gates.

Life eternal! heav'n rejoices:

Jesus lives who once was dead;

Join, O man, the deathless voices;

Child of God, lift up thy head!

Patriarchs from the distant ages,

Saints all longing for their heaven.

Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages,

All await the glory given.

Life eternal! O what wonders

Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,

When, amidst earth's closing thunders,

Saints shall stand before the throne!

O to enter that bright portal,

See that glowing firmament,

Know, with thee, O God immortal,

"Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent!"

𝄞"Sing with All the Sons of Glory" by Rebecca Hincke • Musical Score • Title: Sing with All the Sons of Glory; Melody: Hymn to Joy (Beethoven0 87.87.D; Text: Based on 1 Corinthians 15:20, William J. Irons, 1812-1883; Music: Arranged from Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827, by Edward Hodges, 1796-1867; Artist: Rebecca Hincke; Recording (c) 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The saints find their home in the kingdom of heaven; their life is eternal peace, 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.

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. Alleluia.

Ant. The saints find their home in the kingdom of heaven; their life is eternal peace, alleluia.

Ant. 2 Saints of the Lord, sing praise to the Lord for ever.

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 forever.

Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven.

Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever.

Ant. Saints of the Lord, sing praise to the Lord for ever.

Ant. 3 Sing a hymn of praise in honor of the saints, the children of Israel whom God has chosen as his own; celebrate the glory of all his holy ones.

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. Alleluia.

Ant. Sing a hymn of praise in honor of the saints, the children of Israel whom God has chosen as his own; celebrate the glory of all his holy ones.

READING Ephesians 1:17-18

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know him clearly. May he enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which he has called you, the wealth of his glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the church.

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

Let the just rejoice and sing for joy in the Lord.

— Let the just rejoice and sing for joy in the Lord.

Delight in his love, you pure of heart,

— and sing for joy in the Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

— Let the just rejoice and sing for joy in the Lord.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. The saints will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father, alleluia.

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 saints will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

God is the reward of all the saints. Let us joyfully call upon him:

Lord, save your people.

O God, source of all that is holy, you have let your holiness shine in many marvelous ways through the lives of your saints,

— help us to celebrate your greatness in them.

Lord, save your people.

The lives of your saints have given testimony to your Son, Jesus Christ,

— through their example may we draw closer to him.

Lord, save your people.

King of heaven, through your saints you have given us the courage to follow after your Son,

— help us to imitate the example of the saints who show us the way to Christ.

Lord, save your people.

Father, in the eucharistic sacrifice you unite us more fully with those who now live in your kingdom,

— by our frequent sharing in the body and blood of your Son bring us to the company of the eternal banquet.

Lord, save your people.

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

Almighty ever-living God,

by whose gift we venerate in one celebration

the merits of all the Saints, bestow on us, we pray,

through the prayers of so many intercessors,

an abundance of the reconciliation with you

for which we earnestly long.

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.

Ribbon Placement:

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV:

Ordinary: 632

Complementary Psalmody: 1255 (Midmorning)

Proper of Saints: 1531 (Midmorning reading)

Midmorning Prayer for the Solemnity of All Saints, 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.

HYMN
Brightness of the Father's glory

Springing from eternal light,

Source of light by light engendered.

Day enlightening every day.

In your ever-lasting radiance

Shine upon us, Christ, true sun,

Bringing life to mind and body

Through the Holy Spirit's pow'r.

Father of unfading glory.

Rich in grace and Strong to save.

Hear our prayers and come to save us,

Keep us far from sinful ways.

Dawn is drawing ever nearer,

Dawn that brings us all we seek,

Son who dwells within the Father,

Father uttering one Word.

Glory be to God the Father.

Glory to his Only Son,

Glory now and through all ages

To the Spirit Advocate.

𝄞"Brightness of the Father's Glory" by Gabe Bouck, Rebecca Hincke • Available for Purchase • Musical Score • Title: Brightness of the Father's Glory; Text: Mount Saint Bernard Abbey; Tune: SHARON by William Boyce, 1710-1799; Artists: Gabe Bouck and Rebecca Hincke; (c) 2016 Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Hymns and Chants of Divine Office, Vol. 4

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 The Lord will comfort Zion. Joy and gladness, thanksgiving and songs of praise will resound within her walls.

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.

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.

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. The Lord will comfort Zion. Joy and gladness, thanksgiving and songs of praise will resound within her walls.

READING Isaiah 65:18-19

There shall always be rejoicing and happiness

in what I create;

For I create Jerusalem to be a joy

and its people to be a delight;

I will rejoice in Jerusalem

and exult in my people.

No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there,

or the sound of crying.

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, all you saints.

— For your reward is great in heaven.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Almighty ever-living God,

by whose gift we venerate in one celebration

the merits of all the Saints, bestow on us, we pray,

through the prayers of so many intercessors,

an abundance of the reconciliation with you

for which we earnestly long.

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.