(Make the sign of the cross, saying:)

God, come to my assistance,
Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be 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 looks tenderly on those who are poor.

Psalm 11 (10)
In the Lord I have taken my refuge.
How can you say to my soul:
"Fly like a bird to its mountain.

See the wicked one bracing his bow;
he is fixing his arrows on the string
to ambush the upright by stealth.
Foundations once destroyed,
what can the just do?"

The Lord is in his holy temple,
the Lord, whose throne is in heaven.
His eyes look down on the world;
his gaze tests the people of the earth.

The Lord tests the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
He sends fire and brimstone on the wicked;
he sends a scorching wind as their lot.

The Lord is just and loves justice;
the upright will see his face.

Glory be 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 looks tenderly on those who are poor.

ANT: Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.

Psalm 15 (14)
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent
and dwell on your holy mountain?

The man who walks without fault,
who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart,
he who does not slander with his tongue,

who does no wrong to his kindred,
who casts no slur on his neighbors,
who holds the godless in disdain,
but honors those who fear the Lord;

those who keep their word, come what may,
who take no interest on a loan
and accept no bribes against the innocent.
Such people will stand firm for ever.

Glory be 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.

READING (Colossians 1:9-11)
May you attain full knowledge of God's will
through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight.
Then you will lead a life worthy of the Lord
and pleasing to him in every way.
You will multiply good works of every sort
and grow in the knowledge of God.
By the might of his glory you will be endowed
with the strength needed to stand fast,
even to endure joyfully whatever may come.

[Reflect on the Reading, applying it to your life today.]

ANT: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

CANTICLE OF MARY (Lk 1:46-55)
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 be 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: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

INTERCESSIONS
God has made an everlasting covenant with his people,
and he never ceases to bless them.
Grateful for these gifts, we confidently direct our prayer to him:
Lord, bless your people.

Save your people, Lord,
and bless your inheritance.

Gather into one body all who bear the name of Christian,
that the world may believe in Christ whom you have sent.

Give our friends and our loved ones a share in divine life,
let them be symbols of Christ before all people.

Show your love to those who are suffering,
open their eyes to the vision of your revelation.

Be compassionate to those who have died,
welcome them into the company of the faithful departed.

[Pray for your special intentions.]

OUR FATHER
And now we pray to God the Father in the words that Jesus taught us.

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.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen

PRAYER
Father, may this evening pledge of our service to you
bring you glory and praise.
For our salvation you looked with favor,
on the lowliness of the Virgin Mary;
lead us to the fullness of the salvation
you have prepared for us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen