JUNE 13 - Liturgy of the Hours of St. Anthony of Padua
Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon towards the end of the twelfth century. He joined the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine and was ordained a priest, but soon afterwards he transferred to the Franciscans in order to spread the faith in Africa. However it was in France and Italy that he won renown as a preacher. He was responsible for converting many heretics and was the first to teach theology to the friars. The sermons he wrote are full of doctrine and very readable. He died at Padua in 1231. He was canonized in 1232 by Pope Gregory IX, who said in his sermon that the was the “Doctor Optime”, but it was only in 1946 that Pope Pius XII declared him officially a Doctor of the Church.
Invitatory
Come, let us adore the Lord of hosts, the King of glory.
Office of Readings
O Jesus, with your light and splendor
Illumine us at break of day,
As once through Anthony’s great wonders
The gloom of night you drove away.
He shines a beacon light of safety
To sailors tossed on stormy wave,
And by its guiding brilliance leads them
Into the port secure and safe.
His miracles the unbelievers
Unto the light of faith recall;
A fragile vase that tumbles headlong
No damage suffers from its fall.
An ailing cleric, once a scoffer
Of his repute and wondrous fame,
When cured through his most potent prayer
Pays tribute to his glorious name.
Through him, O Father, light eternal,
And Son, the Father’s splendor bright,
And ever radiant Holy Spirit,
Pour forth into our souls your light.
Psalmody
Ant. 1 He walked the right path from his youth, found great wisdom and profited much therein.
Ps. 21:2-8, 14
O Lord, your strength give joy to the King;
How your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart’s desire;
You have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessing of success,
You have set on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given,
Days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory.
You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,
You have granted your blessings to him for ever.
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord:
Through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength;
We shall sing and praise your power.
Ant. Ant. 1 He walked the right path from his youth, found great wisdom and profited much therein.
Ant. 2 He directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
Psalm 92
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
To make music to your name, O Most High,
To proclaim your love in the morning
And your truth in the watches of the night,
On the ten-stringed lyre and the lute,
With the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad;
For the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works!
How deep are your designs!
The foolish cannot know this
And the wicked cannot understand.
Though the wicked spring up like grass
And all who do evil thrive:
They are doomed to be eternally destroyed.
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
Ant. 2 He directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
Ant. 3 The Lord placed him as a light and lifted him up in the midst of the people.
II
See how your enemies perish;
All doers of evil are scattered.
To me you give the wild-ox’s strength;
You anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes;
My ears heard gladly of their fall.
The just will flourish like the palm-tree
And grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord
They will flourish in the courts of our God,
Still bearing fruit when they are old,
Still full of sap, still green,
To proclaim that the Lord is just;
In him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Ant. 3 The Lord placed him as a light and lifted him up in the midst of the people.
FIRST READING
From the book of Wisdom 6:12-16; 7:7-15
Wisdom is found by those who seek her
Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom,
and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men’s desires;
he who watches for her at dawn will not be disappointed,
for he shall find her sitting by his gate.
For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence,
And he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be
free from care.
Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her;
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.
Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
Because all gold, in view of her, is a bit of sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
And I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands;
And I rejoiced in them all, because Wisdom is their leader,
though I had not known that she is the mother of these
Simply I learned about her, and ungrudgingly do I share--
her riches I do not hide away;
For to men she is an unfailing treasure;
those who gain this treasure win the friendship of God,
to whom the gifts they have from discipline commend them.
Now God grant I speak suitably
and value these endowments at their worth:
For he is the guide of Wisdom
and the director of the wise.
RESPONSORY See Proverbs 4:11, 18
The Lord showed him the way of wisdom.
--His path was like shining light that grew in brilliance
till perfect day.
He made his course straightforward and guided his journey to its end in peace.
--His path was like shining light that grew in brilliance
till perfect day.
SECOND READING
From a Sermon by Saint Anthony of Padua, priest
(1,226)
Actions speak louder than words
The man who is filled with the Holy Spirit speaks in different languages. These different languages are different ways of witnessing to Christ, such as humility, poverty, patience and obedience; we peak in those languages when we reveal in ourselves these virtues to others. Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions, and therefore are cursed by the Lord, since him himself cursed the fig tree when he found no fruit but only leaves. Gregory says, “A law is laid upon the preacher to practice what he preaches.” It is useless for a many to flaunt his knowledge of the law if he undermines its teaching by his actions.
But the apostles spoke as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. Happy the man whose words issue from the Holy Spirit and not from himself! For some men speak as their own character dictates, but steal the words of others and present them as their own and claim the credit for them. The Lord refers to such men and others like them in Jeremiah: So then, I have a quarrel with the prophets that steal my words from each other. I have a quarrel with then prophets, says the Lord, who have only to move their tongues to utter oracles. I have a quarrel with the prophets who make prophecies out of lying dreams, who recount them and lead my people astray with their lies and their pretensions. I certainly never sent them or commissioned them, and they serve no good purpose for this people, says the Lord.
We should speak then, as the Holy Spirit gives us the gift of speech. Our humble and sincere request to the Spirit for ourselves should be that we may bring the day of Pentecost to fulfillment, insofar as he infuses us with his grace, by using our bodily senses in a perfect manner and by keeping the commandments. Likewise we shall request that we may be filled with a keen sense of sorrow and with fiery tongues for confessing the faith, so that our deserved reward may be to stand in the blazing splendor of the saints and to look up the triune God.
RESPONSORY
Moved by the power of his lofty words,
--sinners are converted.
And did penance in the sight of God,
--sinners were converted.
HYMN, 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 put our trust in you.
℣. In you, Lord, is our hope:
℟. and we shall never hope in vain.
Prayer, as in Morning Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
MORNING PRAYER
HYMN
To Christ our King, in jubilation
Today our grateful hearts we raise,
For Anthony in halls of glory
Exults in heaven’s joy and grace.
He followed close his Father’s footsteps,
For his ideal ne’er turned aside;
A brook that sprang from bubbling fountain
And carried far its living tide.
Beneath this valiant leader’s banner
The hard-fought battle has been won;
And now both general and soldier
Enjoy their peace - the war is done.
Both far and wide its living waters
The parched and languished growth revive,
And like the gentle dews of morning
Restore to fresh and vigorous life.
May we, who on the field of battle
Their courage strive to emulate,
Through their most potent intercession
O’ercome by love all sin and hate.
This grace we beg of God the Father
And of the Father’s only Son,
Together with the Holy Spirit,
The Bond of love that makes them One.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 All marveled at the wisdom of his discourse and gave glory to God.
Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week I
Psalm 63:2-9
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.
Ant. 1 All marveled at the wisdom of his discourse and gave glory to God.
Ant. 2 The Lord made his holy one wonderful and heard him when he called upon him.
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. 2 The Lord made his holy one wonderful and heard him when he called upon him.
Ant. 3 I will praise the Lord in my heart and in my work; I will give glory to him who gives me wisdom.
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.
Ant. 3 I will praise the Lord in my heart and in my work; I will give glory to him who gives me wisdom.
Reading Luke 4:18-19
The spirit of the Lord is upon me;
therefore he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor;
to proclaim liberty to captives,
Recovery of sight to the blind
and release to prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the Lord.
RESPONSORY
By his fidelity
--He was proved a prophet.
And he was known to be trustworthy in his words.
--He was proved a prophet.
Glory be to the Father…
--By his fidelity he was proved a prophet.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. You have glorified your servant, Lord. Because of him
you have done great things. May your name be praised.
Benedictus - Luke 1: 68-79
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. You have glorified your servant, Lord. Because of him
you have done great things. May your name be praised.
INTERCESSIONS
Brothers, let us pray to God, the source and author of all holiness, who has opened the way to salvation for us in Christ, and let us say:
Lord, guide us on the right way.
Lord, grant us the grace to walk in the light of faith today
--and to proclaim our faith through love and deeds.
Father, you sent your Son into the world to preach the Gospel to the poor;
--grant that we may preach the Gospel to every creature.
Lord, grant us your eternal wisdom
--that it may be with us today and work with us.
Lord, you have called us to perfect charity and commanded us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
--Enlighten us to serve you humbly in our brothers.
Lord, teach us to recognize your presence in all
--and to find you especially in the poor and in those who mourn.
Our Father…
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
DAYTIME PRAYER
Antiphons and psalms from the weekday.
Midmorning
READING Wisdom 6:15-16
For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,
and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care;
Because she make her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.
His tongue speaks of your justice,
--your praise, O Lord, all through the day.
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
Midday
READING Wisdom 8:1-2
Wisdom reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.
Her I loved and sought after from my youth;
I sought to take her for my bride
and was enamored of her beauty.
The Lord prospered him in his labors.
--And made abundant the fruit of his works.
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
Midafternoon
READING Wisdom 8:5,7
If riches be a desirable possession in life,
what is more rich than Wisdom, who produces all things?
Or if one loves justice,
the fruits of her works are virtues;
For she teaches moderation and prudence,
justice and fortitude,
and nothing in life is more useful for men than these.
The just man shall blossom like the lily.
--He will bloom forever before the Lord.
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
EVENING PRAYER
HYMN
Sing joyful praises to the King
A loyal soldier’s recompense
Who fondly Anthony embraces,
Enamored of his innocence.
O Anthony, by special favor
With mortal eyes you saw your Lord:
A solemn pledge of future glory,
A foretaste of sublime reward.
The people mourned, as you lay dying,
To see your premature demise,
And yet consoled to have your relics
As finest pearl of greatest price.
At Padua, as you predicted,
Arose a hymn of praise and fame;
Through heaven’s grace the world continues
Unending honor to your name.
May Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
In answer to your fervent plea,
With loving mercy deign to keep us
From every sin and blemish free.
Ant. 1 Dear to God and man, his memory is held in benediction.
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 for ever.
Ant. 1 Dear to God and man, his memory is held in benediction.
Ant. 2. Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.
Psalm 112
Happy the man who fears the Lord
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honor.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry,
grinds his teeth and fades away;
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Ant. 2. Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.
Ant. 3 The Lord has granted me my tongue as a reward and with it I will declare his praises.
Mighty and wonderful are your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
Who would dare refuse your honor,
or the glory due your name, O Lord?
Since your alone are holy,
all nations shall come
and worship in your presence
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.
Ant. 3 The Lord has granted me my tongue as a reward and with it I will declare his praises.
READING Isaiah 58:3-4
When you pour out your soul to the thirsty and refresh the soul of the afflicted, then shall your light shine in darkness; and the Lord will give you rest continuously and fill your soul with brightness; and you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never fails.
RESPONSORY
His memory
--shall never fade
His name shall be sought from generation to generation.
--It shall never fade.
Glory be to the Father…
--His memory shall never fade.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. O blessed doctor, St. Anthony, light of holy Church and lover of God’s law, pray to the Son of God for us.
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. O blessed doctor, St. Anthony, light of holy Church and lover of God’s law, pray to the Son of God for us.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us humbly implore Christ the source of all life and the foundation of all virtue and say:
O Lord, your kingdom come.
You sent disciples into the whole world to preach the Gospel to every creature
--grant that those who now preach the Gospel may live according to your spirit.
Your cooperate everywhere with those who preach and you confirm the word,
--make us always genuine witnesses of your resurrection.
Make us your cheerful collaborators in bringing the order of the world to perfection
--that the message of peace may be proclaimed more widely through the Church.
Grant that those who do not yet believe the Gospel may join the communion of the Church
--and may your people increase and become one fold united under one shepherd.
Be mindful of all our brothers who sleep in peace
--and make them partakers of eternal life.
Our Father…
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
Invitatory
Come, let us adore the Lord of hosts, the King of glory.
Office of Readings
O Jesus, with your light and splendor
Illumine us at break of day,
As once through Anthony’s great wonders
The gloom of night you drove away.
He shines a beacon light of safety
To sailors tossed on stormy wave,
And by its guiding brilliance leads them
Into the port secure and safe.
His miracles the unbelievers
Unto the light of faith recall;
A fragile vase that tumbles headlong
No damage suffers from its fall.
An ailing cleric, once a scoffer
Of his repute and wondrous fame,
When cured through his most potent prayer
Pays tribute to his glorious name.
Through him, O Father, light eternal,
And Son, the Father’s splendor bright,
And ever radiant Holy Spirit,
Pour forth into our souls your light.
Psalmody
Ant. 1 He walked the right path from his youth, found great wisdom and profited much therein.
Ps. 21:2-8, 14
O Lord, your strength give joy to the King;
How your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart’s desire;
You have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessing of success,
You have set on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given,
Days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory.
You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,
You have granted your blessings to him for ever.
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord:
Through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength;
We shall sing and praise your power.
Ant. Ant. 1 He walked the right path from his youth, found great wisdom and profited much therein.
Ant. 2 He directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
Psalm 92
It is good to give thanks to the Lord
To make music to your name, O Most High,
To proclaim your love in the morning
And your truth in the watches of the night,
On the ten-stringed lyre and the lute,
With the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad;
For the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works!
How deep are your designs!
The foolish cannot know this
And the wicked cannot understand.
Though the wicked spring up like grass
And all who do evil thrive:
They are doomed to be eternally destroyed.
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
Ant. 2 He directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
Ant. 3 The Lord placed him as a light and lifted him up in the midst of the people.
II
See how your enemies perish;
All doers of evil are scattered.
To me you give the wild-ox’s strength;
You anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes;
My ears heard gladly of their fall.
The just will flourish like the palm-tree
And grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord
They will flourish in the courts of our God,
Still bearing fruit when they are old,
Still full of sap, still green,
To proclaim that the Lord is just;
In him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Ant. 3 The Lord placed him as a light and lifted him up in the midst of the people.
FIRST READING
From the book of Wisdom 6:12-16; 7:7-15
Wisdom is found by those who seek her
Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom,
and she is readily perceived by those who love her,
and found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men’s desires;
he who watches for her at dawn will not be disappointed,
for he shall find her sitting by his gate.
For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence,
And he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be
free from care.
Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her;
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.
Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
Because all gold, in view of her, is a bit of sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her,
And I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company,
and countless riches at her hands;
And I rejoiced in them all, because Wisdom is their leader,
though I had not known that she is the mother of these
Simply I learned about her, and ungrudgingly do I share--
her riches I do not hide away;
For to men she is an unfailing treasure;
those who gain this treasure win the friendship of God,
to whom the gifts they have from discipline commend them.
Now God grant I speak suitably
and value these endowments at their worth:
For he is the guide of Wisdom
and the director of the wise.
RESPONSORY See Proverbs 4:11, 18
The Lord showed him the way of wisdom.
--His path was like shining light that grew in brilliance
till perfect day.
He made his course straightforward and guided his journey to its end in peace.
--His path was like shining light that grew in brilliance
till perfect day.
SECOND READING
From a Sermon by Saint Anthony of Padua, priest
(1,226)
Actions speak louder than words
The man who is filled with the Holy Spirit speaks in different languages. These different languages are different ways of witnessing to Christ, such as humility, poverty, patience and obedience; we peak in those languages when we reveal in ourselves these virtues to others. Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. We are full of words but empty of actions, and therefore are cursed by the Lord, since him himself cursed the fig tree when he found no fruit but only leaves. Gregory says, “A law is laid upon the preacher to practice what he preaches.” It is useless for a many to flaunt his knowledge of the law if he undermines its teaching by his actions.
But the apostles spoke as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. Happy the man whose words issue from the Holy Spirit and not from himself! For some men speak as their own character dictates, but steal the words of others and present them as their own and claim the credit for them. The Lord refers to such men and others like them in Jeremiah: So then, I have a quarrel with the prophets that steal my words from each other. I have a quarrel with then prophets, says the Lord, who have only to move their tongues to utter oracles. I have a quarrel with the prophets who make prophecies out of lying dreams, who recount them and lead my people astray with their lies and their pretensions. I certainly never sent them or commissioned them, and they serve no good purpose for this people, says the Lord.
We should speak then, as the Holy Spirit gives us the gift of speech. Our humble and sincere request to the Spirit for ourselves should be that we may bring the day of Pentecost to fulfillment, insofar as he infuses us with his grace, by using our bodily senses in a perfect manner and by keeping the commandments. Likewise we shall request that we may be filled with a keen sense of sorrow and with fiery tongues for confessing the faith, so that our deserved reward may be to stand in the blazing splendor of the saints and to look up the triune God.
RESPONSORY
Moved by the power of his lofty words,
--sinners are converted.
And did penance in the sight of God,
--sinners were converted.
HYMN, 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 put our trust in you.
℣. In you, Lord, is our hope:
℟. and we shall never hope in vain.
Prayer, as in Morning Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
MORNING PRAYER
HYMN
To Christ our King, in jubilation
Today our grateful hearts we raise,
For Anthony in halls of glory
Exults in heaven’s joy and grace.
He followed close his Father’s footsteps,
For his ideal ne’er turned aside;
A brook that sprang from bubbling fountain
And carried far its living tide.
Beneath this valiant leader’s banner
The hard-fought battle has been won;
And now both general and soldier
Enjoy their peace - the war is done.
Both far and wide its living waters
The parched and languished growth revive,
And like the gentle dews of morning
Restore to fresh and vigorous life.
May we, who on the field of battle
Their courage strive to emulate,
Through their most potent intercession
O’ercome by love all sin and hate.
This grace we beg of God the Father
And of the Father’s only Son,
Together with the Holy Spirit,
The Bond of love that makes them One.
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 All marveled at the wisdom of his discourse and gave glory to God.
Psalms and canticle from Sunday, Week I
Psalm 63:2-9
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.
Ant. 1 All marveled at the wisdom of his discourse and gave glory to God.
Ant. 2 The Lord made his holy one wonderful and heard him when he called upon him.
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. 2 The Lord made his holy one wonderful and heard him when he called upon him.
Ant. 3 I will praise the Lord in my heart and in my work; I will give glory to him who gives me wisdom.
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.
Ant. 3 I will praise the Lord in my heart and in my work; I will give glory to him who gives me wisdom.
Reading Luke 4:18-19
The spirit of the Lord is upon me;
therefore he has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor;
to proclaim liberty to captives,
Recovery of sight to the blind
and release to prisoners,
To announce a year of favor from the Lord.
RESPONSORY
By his fidelity
--He was proved a prophet.
And he was known to be trustworthy in his words.
--He was proved a prophet.
Glory be to the Father…
--By his fidelity he was proved a prophet.
CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Ant. You have glorified your servant, Lord. Because of him
you have done great things. May your name be praised.
Benedictus - Luke 1: 68-79
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. You have glorified your servant, Lord. Because of him
you have done great things. May your name be praised.
INTERCESSIONS
Brothers, let us pray to God, the source and author of all holiness, who has opened the way to salvation for us in Christ, and let us say:
Lord, guide us on the right way.
Lord, grant us the grace to walk in the light of faith today
--and to proclaim our faith through love and deeds.
Father, you sent your Son into the world to preach the Gospel to the poor;
--grant that we may preach the Gospel to every creature.
Lord, grant us your eternal wisdom
--that it may be with us today and work with us.
Lord, you have called us to perfect charity and commanded us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
--Enlighten us to serve you humbly in our brothers.
Lord, teach us to recognize your presence in all
--and to find you especially in the poor and in those who mourn.
Our Father…
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
DAYTIME PRAYER
Antiphons and psalms from the weekday.
Midmorning
READING Wisdom 6:15-16
For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence,
and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care;
Because she make her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her,
and graciously appears to them in the ways,
and meets them with all solicitude.
His tongue speaks of your justice,
--your praise, O Lord, all through the day.
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
Midday
READING Wisdom 8:1-2
Wisdom reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.
Her I loved and sought after from my youth;
I sought to take her for my bride
and was enamored of her beauty.
The Lord prospered him in his labors.
--And made abundant the fruit of his works.
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
Midafternoon
READING Wisdom 8:5,7
If riches be a desirable possession in life,
what is more rich than Wisdom, who produces all things?
Or if one loves justice,
the fruits of her works are virtues;
For she teaches moderation and prudence,
justice and fortitude,
and nothing in life is more useful for men than these.
The just man shall blossom like the lily.
--He will bloom forever before the Lord.
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
EVENING PRAYER
HYMN
Sing joyful praises to the King
A loyal soldier’s recompense
Who fondly Anthony embraces,
Enamored of his innocence.
O Anthony, by special favor
With mortal eyes you saw your Lord:
A solemn pledge of future glory,
A foretaste of sublime reward.
The people mourned, as you lay dying,
To see your premature demise,
And yet consoled to have your relics
As finest pearl of greatest price.
At Padua, as you predicted,
Arose a hymn of praise and fame;
Through heaven’s grace the world continues
Unending honor to your name.
May Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
In answer to your fervent plea,
With loving mercy deign to keep us
From every sin and blemish free.
Ant. 1 Dear to God and man, his memory is held in benediction.
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 for ever.
Ant. 1 Dear to God and man, his memory is held in benediction.
Ant. 2. Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.
Psalm 112
Happy the man who fears the Lord
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honor.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry,
grinds his teeth and fades away;
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Ant. 2. Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.
Ant. 3 The Lord has granted me my tongue as a reward and with it I will declare his praises.
Mighty and wonderful are your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
Who would dare refuse your honor,
or the glory due your name, O Lord?
Since your alone are holy,
all nations shall come
and worship in your presence
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.
Ant. 3 The Lord has granted me my tongue as a reward and with it I will declare his praises.
READING Isaiah 58:3-4
When you pour out your soul to the thirsty and refresh the soul of the afflicted, then shall your light shine in darkness; and the Lord will give you rest continuously and fill your soul with brightness; and you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never fails.
RESPONSORY
His memory
--shall never fade
His name shall be sought from generation to generation.
--It shall never fade.
Glory be to the Father…
--His memory shall never fade.
CANTICLE OF MARY
Ant. O blessed doctor, St. Anthony, light of holy Church and lover of God’s law, pray to the Son of God for us.
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. O blessed doctor, St. Anthony, light of holy Church and lover of God’s law, pray to the Son of God for us.
INTERCESSIONS
Let us humbly implore Christ the source of all life and the foundation of all virtue and say:
O Lord, your kingdom come.
You sent disciples into the whole world to preach the Gospel to every creature
--grant that those who now preach the Gospel may live according to your spirit.
Your cooperate everywhere with those who preach and you confirm the word,
--make us always genuine witnesses of your resurrection.
Make us your cheerful collaborators in bringing the order of the world to perfection
--that the message of peace may be proclaimed more widely through the Church.
Grant that those who do not yet believe the Gospel may join the communion of the Church
--and may your people increase and become one fold united under one shepherd.
Be mindful of all our brothers who sleep in peace
--and make them partakers of eternal life.
Our Father…
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people
as an outstanding preacher
and an intercessor in their need,
grant that, with his assistance,
as we follow the teachings of the Christian life,
we may know your help in every trial.
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.
