Fortnight for Religious Freedom Evening Prayer Introduction Stand (and chant if possible) † making the sign of the cross.
L
O God, come to my assistance.
R
Lord, make haste to help me.
All
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.
If Vespers begins with a service of light, then the following greeting is sung:
L
Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
R
Thanks be to God.
Evening Hymn
O Radiant Light (or some other appropriate hymn)
[Lucernarium – Service of Light] If the Lucernarium is celebrated, the Paschal Candle is incensed. After the Evening Hymn the Evening Thanksgiving is sung. (Chant if possible)
Evening Thanksgiving L
Let us give thanks to God the Father, always and for everything.
R
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Evening Thanksgiving is chanted.
At the conclusion:
L
now and forever
R
Amen.
Psalmody Psalms and the NT canticle should be sung/chanted if possible. A parish may choose to use both psalms and the NT canticle, or opt to use only one or two of them.
Antiphon Be gracious, O Lord! Let my prayer rise like incense, my hands like an evening sacrifice. Psalm 141: Let My Prayers Rise Like Incense
Sit
During the chanting of the psalm, incense may be placed on the burning coals in the thurible/brazier.
Silence Psalm Prayer L
Stand
Lord, from the rising of the sun to its setting your name is worthy of all praise. Let our prayer come like incense before you. May the lifting up of our hands be as an evening sacrifice acceptable to you, Lord our God. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Antiphon The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 46
Sit
Silence Psalm Prayer
L
All-powerful Father, the refuge and strength of your people, you protect in adversity and defend in prosperity
Stand
those who put their trust in you. May they persevere in seeking your will and find their way to you through obedience. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Antiphon All nations will come and worship before you, O Lord. New Testament Canticle
Revelation 15:1-6
Sit
Other psalms/psalm prayers and NT canticle may be substituted for those above.
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 32:15-18
Responsory
Sit
Sit
L
Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
R
Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
L
Let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved.
R
Lord God of power and might.
L
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R
Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.
[Homily]
Gospel Canticle
Magnificat
Stand
The altar, crucifix, Paschal Candle, and people are incensed during the Magnificat.
Intercessions Leader:
Let us pray for the needs of our world.
For world and civic leaders, that they may be guided by God’s love and mercy so as to provide religious freedom, safety, food and shelter for all people, we pray to the Lord. For all who minister in the Church by lives of faithful service; for all bishops, priests and deacons; for members of religious communities, and for all who give generously of their talents to care for the needs of others, we pray to the Lord… For the poor and the sick, the persecuted and the imprisoned; for victims of hatred and violence, especially those standing up for the principles of their faith; and for all who bear the sufferings of Christ in mind or body, we pray to the Lord… For those motivated by their moral convictions who bring the healing and mercy of Christ into our world; for doctors and nurses, for all who work in hospitals and nursing homes, and for all who take the opportunity to bring the healing of Christ to their homes, neighborhoods and places of work, we pray to the Lord… For those who have died and for those who mourn the death of a loved one, we pray to the Lord.
Lord’s Prayer Leader:
Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray the prayer our Savior taught us: Our Father…
Collect O God, who gave one origin to all peoples and willed to gather from them on family for yourself, fill all hearts, we pray, with the fire of your love and kindle in them a desire
for the just advancement of their neighbor, that, through the good things which you richly bestow upon all, each human person may be brought to perfection, every division may be removed, and equity and justice may be established in human society. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Blessing If the leader is a priest or deacon:
May the Lord bless you +… If the leader is a lay person:
May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
