The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

“A voice that lasted only for a time.”

Prayer for the Evening

Let us sing praise to God as we honor John.

Glory to the Father…. Alleluia!

HYMN

O prophet John, O man of God,

Your love was pure as desert fire.

Obtain for us pure hearts that we

May sing with voices that inspire.

While still within your mother’s womb

You leapt to greet the hidden Word.

Your mother spoke, alive with joy,

And Mary praised her mighty Lord.

To God the Father offer praise,

To Jesus Christ his only Son,

And in their gracious Spirit sing

Of all that God in love has done.

PSALM 71:15-17, 18b-23

John is the voice, but the Lord in the beginning was the Word. John is a voice for a time, but Christ is the eternal Word from the beginning. (Saint Augustine)

Before John was born, the Angel Gabriel announced the word of his birth. In the womb, the Word inspired him to leap with joy. In the desert solitude, the word of God came to him. And always, always, the Word found John ready to serve.

My lips will tell of your justice

and day by day of your help

though I can never tell it all.

I will declare the Lord’s mighty deeds

proclaiming your justice, yours alone.

O God, you have taught me from my youth

and I proclaim your wonders still.

Let me tell of your power to all ages,

praise your strength and justice to the skies,

tell of you who have worked such wonders.

O God, who is like you?

You have burdened me with bitter troubles

but you will give me back my life.

You will raise me from the depths of the earth;

you will exalt me and console me again.

So I will give you thanks on the lyre

for your faithful love, my God.

To you will I sing with the harp,

to you, the Holy One of Israel.

When I sing to you my lips shall rejoice

and my soul, which you have redeemed.

Glory to the Father….

Word of God (1 Peter 1:6-8)

In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy.

My spirit rejoices in God my savior!
(Lk 1:47)

TE DEUM

I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!” (Is 6:8)

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.

Come then, Lord, and help your people,

bought with the price of your own blood,

and bring us with your saints

to glory everlasting.

INTERCESSIONS

Fortified and encouraged by the eloquent witness of John the Baptist, let us pray:

R/Hear us, O Lord.

John told of your justice at the price of his life:

– make us faithful witnesses. R/

John declared your mighty deeds:

– make our lives a proclamation of the Gospel. R/

John was formed and taught by your word from his youth:

– form your people in faith by the power of your

word. R/

John was burdened with bitter troubles but promised future glory:

– raise to new life all those who have died. R/

(Personal intentions)

Our Father….

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever! Amen.

MARIAN ANTIPHON 

Mary is the immaculate lily,

who brought forth Christ the imperishable rose.

O holy Mother of God,

immaculate sheep,

who gave birth to Christ the Lamb,

the Word incarnate from you;

O most holy Virgin,

who have astonished the hosts of angels;

stupendous is the miracle in heaven:

a woman clothed with the sun

carrying in her arms the Light.

Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;

vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae.

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes

in hac lacrimarum valle.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra,

illos tuos misericordes oculos

ad nos converte.

Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,

nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,

our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To you do we cry,

poor banished children of Eve.

To you do we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, O most gracious advocate,

your eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this our exile

show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V/ Pray for us, O holy Mother of God,

R/ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.