first, third and fifth Fridays
Morning Prayer

READING
Acts 5:30-32
The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.


CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day. Alleluia!

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who shepherds the people and sets them free.

God raises from David’s house
a child with power to save.
Through the holy prophets
God promised in ages past
to save us from enemy hands,
from the grip of all who hate us.

The Lord favored our ancestors
recalling the sacred covenant,
the pledge to our ancestor Abraham,
to free us from our enemies,
so we might worship without fear
and be holy and just all our days.

And you child, will be called
Prophet of the Most High,
for you will come to prepare
a pathway for the Lord
by teaching the people salvation
through forgiveness of their sin.

Out of God’s deepest mercy
a dawn will come from on high,
light for those shadowed by death,
a guide for our feet on the way to peace.


INTERCESSIONS
Risen Savior, your apostles and disciples were passionate in their proclamation of what they had seen and heard. May we witness to you with the same spirit:
~ We bless and proclaim your holy name!

In thanksgiving for priests, religious, and catechists who preach the Good News:

In thanksgiving for the martyrs of our century who gave their lives in testimony to your mission:

In thanksgiving for parents and foster parents who nurture their children in the Christian faith:

In thanksgiving for missionaries who forsake their native lands for the sake of the gospel:

In thanksgiving for theologians who lead us more deeply into the mystery of your word:


THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
Spirit of God, fill our hearts with zeal for preaching the good news and strengthen us for our mission of mercy. May we show by our words and deeds that you are ever with us, sustaining and guiding us throughout this day. We make our prayer in union with Jesus our Savior. Amen.

easter
first, third and fifth fridays
EVENING PRAYER


READING
Hebrews 5:7-10
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

CANTICLE OF MARY
Having loved his own who were in the world, Jesus loved them to the end. Alleluia!

I acclaim the greatness of the Lord,
I delight in God my savior,
who regarded my humble state.
Truly from this day on
all ages will call me blest.

For God, wonderful in power,
has used that strength for me.
Holy the name of the Lord!
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next.

The mighty arm of God
scatters the proud in their conceit,
pulls tyrants from their thrones,
and raises up the humble.
The Lord fills the starving
and lets the rich go hungry.

God rescues lowly Israel,
recalling the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham’s heirs for ever.

INTERCESSIONS
Gracious God, Mary’s son, Jesus, rose from the dead as the first fruits of those who sleep. In our joy let us pray:
~Risen Christ, we thank you.

For the gifts of this day and for sustaining us throughout it:

For the church and for our Institute of Mercy, through which we have been called to serve:

For the companions with whom we share faith and mission:

For the witness of women who announce the gospel in word and deed:

For the beauty and hospitality of this planet Earth:

For the rich diversity of peoples and cultures:


THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
Holy Source of all lives and of all alleluias, we go to rest knowing that our world is in your loving hands. Let us rise renewed and strengthened to live out Catherine McAuley’s legacy of mercy. This we ask with confident hope in your promises. Amen.