Sunday – Evening Prayer

L    Lord, we come to thank you.

R    In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction

L    Most Holy Trinity, at the end of this day we come before you. We offer you the burden and the joy of this day.

R    We thank you for all the love that we have given and received. Accept the good we have done for your glory and for the salvation of all.

L    Most Holy Trinity, you alone are good. Nothing sinful can stand before you.

R    Remove whatever holds us back from you. Give growth to all that leads to you.

Examen Reflection

A. According to the law of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, the essence of the act of consecration is stated in these words: “For the greater glory of God, […] I surrender, give and offer my whole self to the same Omnipotent God.” (SAC Law 18)

B. St. Vincent Pallotti writes about our consecration: “The spirit of the consecration indicates a public declaration of that holy obligation that every human being has, lay person, religious or priest, always to live in God, always to work for God, always to think and speak about God. Bodily senses, spiritual powers and all things created are to be used for the greater glory of God, for our own sanctification and that of our neighbor.” (OOCC II 290)

We ask ourselves:

• Are we aware that the Blessed Trinity lives and works in us? (Pause)
• Are our prayers and labors directed towards the honor of God, or towards our personal gratification? (Pause)
• Let us call to mind our hope to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity in the glory to come! (Pause)

Prayer

L    St. Vincent Pallotti, you desired to love the infinite God in the most perfect manner possible.

R    Implore for us the grace not to seek and desire the world, but God, God in all and forever.

L    Not the intellect, not the will, not the heart, but God.

R    Not food and drink, not clothing, not tranquility, not worldly good, but God.

L    Not riches and honor, not dignities and recognition, but God.

R    God in all and forever.

L    Mary, Mother of faith, through Christ you loved the Father, Infinite Love, and you responded to his incomprehensible work of salvation more perfectly than all the angels and saints.

R    Pray for us that we may recognize God, the Infinite Love, and respond to the plans of our Creator with the greatest possible perfection.

L    Eternal Father, for your infinite honor and glory we unite ourselves to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and to the obedience of his mother.

R    We thank you as if you had already given us the grace to know and to love you forever. Amen.

(Angelus or Regina Coeli)

The Angelus

Introduction (optional)

L   “This is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life”  (John 3:16)

Adoring, we remember the mystery of the incarnation of the Word and we greet Mary, Mother of the Redeemer.

L    The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,

R    and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary.

L    Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R    Be it done unto me according to your word.

Hail Mary.

L    And the Word was made flesh,

R    and dwelt among us.

Hail Mary.

L    Pray for us, holy Mother of God,

R    that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

L    Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may, by his Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.

R    Amen.

During the Easter Season:

Regina Coeli

Introduction (optional):

L   The angel said to the women: “There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said he would.” (Mt 28:5-6)

In the joy of the resurrection, let us address our prayer to Mary, Mother of the Redeemer.

L    Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia.

R    The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia.

L      has risen as he said, alleluia.

R    Pray for us to God, alleluia.

L    Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia,

R    for the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

L    O God, you give joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. Through the prayers of his mother, the Virgin Mary, bring us to the happiness of eternal life. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

R    Amen.

L    Glory be…

R       As…

R    Angel of God, whom God has appointed my guardian, enlighten, protect, direct and govern me this day.

Amen.

Intercessions

L    Let us pray for vocations and for an apostolic spirit among all the baptized: Through the most holy mysteries of our redemption:

R    Send forth, O Lord, laborers into your vineyard and spare your people.

L    through the merits and intercession of your holy Mother and of all the angels and saints;

R    Send forth, O Lord, laborers into your vineyard and spare your people.

L    Queen of Apostles and all the angels and saints, pray the Lord of the harvest:

R   to send laborers into his vineyard and spare his people, that united with him and the Father and the Holy Spirit, we may all rejoice forever and ever. Amen.

L    Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in the Union.

R   O God, help your servants who trust in you.

L    Let us pray for our benefactors:

R Lord, give eternal life to all who have done good to us for your Name’s sake.

(*)

L    Let us pray for all the deceased, especially for our members, relatives and friends:

R    give them eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them.

(**)

(*) At the death of a member, the last intercession is replaced by the following:

L    Let us pray for all the deceased, especially for our brother (sister) N.:

R    Give them eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them.

L    God, we earnestly ask for your mercy. Your servant, N., has left this world. Give him (her) your light and your peace and receive him (her) into the company of your saints. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R    Amen.

(**) On All Souls Day and for a week after it the following prayer is added:

L    God, you are rich in your forgiveness; consider lovingly the salvation of all your people. We beseech you that the members, relatives and benefactors of the Union who have passed from this life may live with you forever.

R    Listen graciously to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and all your saints and give a share in your eternal life to all those who have died. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Vigil Prayer (when this occurs: see the Vigil Prayers section of Community Prayers)

Blessing

L    May our evening prayer rise up to you, O Lord, and may your mercy descend upon us. Yours is the day and yours is the night. When the light of the day fades away, let the light of your truth shine on us. Remain with us through the stillness of the night and lead us, one day, to our eternal fulfillment. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

R    Amen.

S    May the kind and merciful God bless and protect us: the Father + the Son and the Holy Spirit.

R    Amen.

If no priest or deacon is present, this formula of blessing is replaced by the Leader as follows:

L    The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

R    Amen.

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.