Sunday Third and Fifth Weeks

EVENING PRAYER I

READING
1 Corinthians 15:3-6
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures and that he appeared to Cephas, than to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.

CANTICLE OF MARY
Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” 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
Christ Jesus, we enter into night’s rest grateful for the gifts of the day and confident of the sun’s rising tomorrow. Trusting in your love, we place these prayers before you.

We ask for forgiveness for the ways we have failed to respond with charity, patience, or courage to the challenges of this day:
~Christ Jesus, heal us.

We ask for renewed zeal in our Mercy commitment to address the needs of our time:
~Christ Jesus, enliven us.

We ask you to console those who face the night with fearful and anxious hearts:
~Christ Jesus, comfort them.

We ask you to relieve those enduring hunger, pain, or loneliness anywhere in the world:
~Christ Jesus, be merciful to them.

We ask you to bless the ministers of the church, that they may proclaim the Good News to all creation:
~Christ Jesus, strengthen them.


THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
Christ Jesus, after three days in darkness, you arose to new life. May we rise in the morning, refreshed and filled with zeal for the proclamation of your gospel. May our days be spent in the service of your people; may our ordinary works be songs of praise. We make this prayer with faith and trust in your constant care for us. Amen.


Easter
Third and Fifth Sundays
Morning Prayer

READING
Acts 10:40-43
God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testily that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins though his name.


CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH
The one who believes and is baptized will be saved. 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
Gracious God, you raised up Jesus on the third day and allowed him to appear to certain witnesses; Jesus in turn commanded these witnesses to preach to all the people. Today we are heirs of that testimony and hear the same command. Therefore, we pray:
~ May the Good News be preached to all people.

Through the efforts of the pope and the clergy:

Through the efforts of men and women religious throughout the world:

Through the efforts of parents, guardians and caretakers of children:

Through the efforts of theologians, teachers and catechists:

Through the efforts of Sisters of Mercy and their collaborators in ministry:



THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for the gift of salvation made possible through the life, death and resurrection of your Son and the power of your Spirit. In our life’s journey, each of us was led to baptism and nurtured in the faith through the efforts of others. May we be apostles to those we meet, so that they too may share in your infinite gift. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Easter
Third and fFfth Sundays

EVENING PRAYER II


READING
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for Christ who died and was raised for them.

CANTICLE OF MARY
The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 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
Jesus, loving Savior, the gift of your life and death and the miracle of your resurrection gave new meaning to the Mosaic law and the ancient prophecies. Help us to continue to grow in you saving knowledge.

For those who govern in the Church and in our Mercy Institute:
~May they grow in grace and truth, we pray.

For those who govern our towns and cities, states and nations:

For children who are growing in body and maturing in insight:

For women discerning a call to a Mercy vocation:

For confessors, counselors, and spiritual directors:


THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
Jesus Christ, your love urges us to live for you and to love and serve others in union with you. Help us to recognize the needs of our friends and neighbors, of strangers and those who are far off. Help us to see you in them and to respond with loving hearts and generous hands. We make this prayer with gratitude for the love with which you have first loved us. Amen.