Opening
Lord, open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Hymn
Rise in my heart, O Sun of Justice; Scatter what is false and small. Give me courage for the labor And a blessing on it all. New mercy for this new beginning — I place my plans inside your hands. Walk beside the ordinary duties Until the evening stands.
Original – Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
From the first light, teach me to walk in your peace.
Psalm 24 (23)
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord: the whole world and all that dwells in it. For he has founded it upon the seas, and he has prepared it upon the rivers. Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? And who will stand in his holy place? The innocent of hands and the clean of heart, who has not received his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor. He will receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God, his Savior. This is the generation that seeks him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle. Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon
From the first light, teach me to walk in your peace.
Psalm II
Antiphon
You restore my soul; lead me in paths of quiet faithfulness.
Psalm 46 (45)
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Our God is our refuge and strength, a helper in the tribulations that have greatly overwhelmed us. Because of this, we will not be afraid when the earth will be turbulent and the mountains will be transferred into the heart of the sea. They thundered, and the waters were stirred up among them; the mountains have been disturbed by his strength. The frenzy of the river rejoices the city of God. The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle. God is in its midst; it will not be shaken. God will assist it in the early morning. The peoples have been disturbed, and the kingdoms have been bowed down. He uttered his voice: the earth has been moved. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our supporter. Draw near and behold the works of the Lord: what portents he has set upon the earth, carrying away wars even to the end of the earth. He will crush the bow and break the weapons, and he will burn the shield with fire. Be empty, and see that I am God. I will be exalted among the peoples, and I will be exalted upon the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our supporter.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon
You restore my soul; lead me in paths of quiet faithfulness.
Silence
A moment of silence
Reading
Romans 8:18–21
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
For I consider that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with that future glory which shall be revealed in us. For the anticipation of the creature anticipates the revelation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to emptiness, not willingly, but for the sake of the One who made it subject, unto hope. For the creature itself shall also be delivered from the servitude of corruption, into the liberty of the glory of the sons of God.
Responsory
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Benedictus
Antiphon
Go before the face of the Lord this day, and prepare his way in our work.
Luke 1:68–79
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Canticle
“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel. For he has visited and has wrought the redemption of his people. And he has raised up a horn of salvation for us, in the house of David his servant, just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets, who are from ages past: salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all those who hate us, to accomplish mercy with our fathers, and to call to mind his holy testament, the oath, which he swore to Abraham, our father, that he would grant to us, so that, having been freed from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear, in holiness and in justice before him, throughout all our days. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the face of the Lord: to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people for the remission of their sins, through the heart of the mercy of our God, by which, descending from on high, he has visited us, to illuminate those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to direct our feet in the way of peace.”
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon
Go before the face of the Lord this day, and prepare his way in our work.
Intercessions
For the Church, that she may greet this day as a gift and a calling.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For the world you love, that light may find the places still in shadow.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For those who wake to labor, illness, or fear — hold them in your peace.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For our household and those we carry quietly — receive what we cannot say.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For the work that waits for us, that it may be offered, not merely endured.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
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. Amen.
Closing prayer
God of mercy, begin this day in us. We do not ask for a perfect record, only a faithful love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.