Universalis
Friday 11 July 2025    (other days)
Saint Benedict, Abbot, Co-Patron of Europe 
Feast

Using calendar: Netherlands. You can change this.

Vespers (Evening Prayer)


INTRODUCTION
O God, come to our aid.
  O Lord, make haste to help us.
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. Alleluia.

Hymn
Gem of the highest, diadem immortal,
Cherished for ever after sacred struggle,
Thou among many, first in lofty merit,
  Benedict, shinest.
Fleeing in secret, thou didst leave thy parents,
All things forsaking; then, a forest-dweller,
Into subjection unto Christ, by torment
  Broughtest thy body.
Not long securely couldest thou be hidden,
Good deeds and wonders brought thee to men’s knowledge;
Through the world widely spread the happy rumour
  Speedily flying.
Praise to the Father, to the Sole-begotten,
And to thee, always with the Twain co-equal,
Fostering Spirit; one and only Godhead
  Through all the ages.

Psalm 14 (15)
Who is worthy to face the Lord?

This man was found to be blameless and faithful; eternal glory will be his.
Lord, who will live in your tent?
  Who will dwell on your holy mountain?
Whoever comes there without stain,
  acts rightly, speaks truth in his heart.
Whoever does not speak deceitfully,
  or do harm to his neighbour, or slander him.
Whoever despises the evil-doer,
  but reveres those who fear the Lord.
Whoever swears and keeps his word, come what may
  – lends his money without usury –
  takes no bribe to condemn the innocent.
Whoever lives like this
  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 ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
This man was found to be blameless and faithful; eternal glory will be his.

Psalm 111 (112)
How blessed are the just

Grace and mercy await the chosen ones of God; he comes to the help of his holy people.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord
  and loves his commands above all things.
His seed will be powerful on earth:
  the descendants of the just will be blessed.
Glory and riches will fill his house,
  and his righteousness will stand firm for ever.
He rises up in the darkness,
  a light for the upright,
  compassionate, generous, and just.
Happy the man who takes pity and lends,
  who directs his affairs with wisdom –
  he will never be shaken.
The just man will be remembered for ever,
  no slander will he fear.
His heart is ready, hoping in the Lord;
  his heart is strong, it will not fear,
  until he looks down on his defeated enemies.
He gives alms and helps the poor:
  his righteousness will endure for ever,
  his future will be glorious.
The transgressor will see, and be enraged:
  he will grind his teeth and fade away.
The desires of the wicked will perish.
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.
Grace and mercy await the chosen ones of God; he comes to the help of his holy people.

CanticleApocalypse 15

A hymn of adoration

The saints will sing a new song before the throne of God and of the Lamb; their voices will fill the whole world.
Great and wonderful are your deeds,
  O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
  O King of the ages!
Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord?
  For you alone are holy.
All nations shall come and worship you,
  for your judgements have been revealed.
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.
The saints will sing a new song before the throne of God and of the Lamb; their voices will fill the whole world.

Scripture ReadingRomans 8:28-30
We know that by turning everything to their good, God co-operates with all those who love him, with all those he has called according to his purpose. They are the ones he chose specially long ago and intended to become true images of his Son, so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers. He called those he intended for this; those he called he justified, and with those he justified he shared his glory.

Short Responsory
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
His face is turned towards the upright man.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
The Lord is good; he loves good deeds.

CanticleMagnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

He received blessings from the Lord, and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek the Lord.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
  and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
  me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
  because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
  his mercy lasts for generation after generation
  for those who revere him.
He has put forth his strength:
  he has scattered the proud and conceited,
  torn princes from their thrones;
  but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
  the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
  he has remembered his mercy as he promised 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 ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
He received blessings from the Lord, and reward from the God who saves him. Such are the men who seek the Lord.

Prayers and intercessions
Let us ask the Father to lead us to holiness through the intercession and example of the saints.
Make us holy as you are holy.
Father, it was your will that we be called your children, and that is what we are;
  may your Church all over the world bear witness to your goodness.
Make us holy as you are holy.
Father, you have called us to walk in your light and do always the things that please you;
  may our lives be rich in every kind of good work.
Make us holy as you are holy.
Father, through Christ you have reconciled us to yourself;
  keep us in your name that we may all be one.
Make us holy as you are holy.
Father, you have invited us to the festival of eternal life;
  make us perfect in your love through the bread that comes from heaven.
Make us holy as you are holy.
Father, grant all sinners peace and forgiveness;
  let the dead live in the light of your presence.
Make us holy as you are holy.

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.

Lord God, you appointed Saint Benedict
  to be a wise master in the school of your service.
Give us grace to put your love before all else,
  and so to run with joy in the way of your commandments.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
  Amen.

The psalms and canticles here are our own translation from the Latin. The Grail translation of the psalms, which is used liturgically in most of the English-speaking world, cannot be displayed on the Web for copyright reasons. The Universalis apps and programs do contain the Grail translation of the psalms.

You can also view this page in Latin and English.


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