FEASTS OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY II
Morning and Evening Prayer
Greeting
We adore you, O God, as the Merciful One.
We seek to discover your movement in us and in our world.
God of the lowly and meek, teach us to love tenderly, act justly and walk humbly with you.
DOXOLOGY
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
Psalm 145
Recalling the word of Jesus that he is one with his suffering members, we respond to the cry of the poor.
I will exalt you, God my king,
for ever bless your name.
I will bless you every day,
for ever praise your name.
Great is the Lord, highly to be praised,
great beyond our reach.
Age to age proclaims your works,
recounts your mighty deeds.
I ponder your splendor and glory
and all your wonderful works.
They reveal your fearful power,
I tell of your great deeds.
They recall your ample goodness,
joyfully sing your justice.
Gracious and merciful is the Lord,
slow to anger, full of love.
The Lord is good in every way,
merciful to every creature.
Let your works praise you, Lord,
your faithful ones bless you.
Let them proclaim your glorious reign,
let them tell of your might.
Let them make known to all
your might and glorious reign.
Your dominion lasts for ever,
your rule for all generations!
The Lord is faithful in every word
and gracious in every work.
The Lord supports the fallen,
raises those bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
you give them food in due time.
You open wide your hand
to feed all living things.
The Lord is just in every way,
loving in every deed.
The Lord is near to those who call,
who cry out from their hearts.
God grants them their desires,
hears their cry and saves them.
Those who love God are kept alive;
the wicked, the Lord destroys.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
let all flesh bless God’s Name,
holy, both now and for ever.
1Peter 2: 21–24
This Institute is founded on Calvary,
there to serve a crucified Redeemer.
Christ suffered for us
leaving us an example,
that we might walk
in his footsteps.
He did nothing wrong;
no false word
ever passed his lips.
When they cursed him
he returned no curse.
Tortured, he made no threats
but trusted in the perfect judge.
He carried our sins
in his body
to the cross,
that we might die to sin
and live for justice.
When he was wounded,
we were healed.
Reading
Ephesians 4:1 – 6
I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
Canticle of Zechariah
My God, look with compassion and mercy on those who are poor and afflicted, and grant us grace to do all that we can for their relief and comfort.
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.
Canticle of Mary
Since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.
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 forever.
The Lord’s Prayer
Intercessions, prayer and blessing as in Feasts of the Sisters of Mercy I or the Intercessions for Special Mercy Feasts.