Vespers

()

Introduction

℣ O Heart of Jesus, burning with love of me, inflame my heart with the love of thee.

℟ Amen.

℣ Lord open my lips.

℟ And my mouth shall declare thy praise.

℣ O God, ✠ hasten to mine aid.

℟ O Lord, make haste to help me.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (outside Lent:) Alleluia. (from Septuagesima to Holy Saturday:) Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of glory everlasting.

Hymn

O, wond'rous pow'r of love
God gives himself to eat —
His blood is drink, his flesh is meat!
And he who reigns above,

Dread Sov'reign of the skies,
Regales his mortal guest,
Himself the donor and the feast,
Tho'hid from mortal eyes.

Thy Father's only One,
Chaste spouse of lovers pure,
Who canst no rival-love endure,
Possess our hearts alone.

Amen.

Anthem

O sacred Heart of Jesus, most ardently in love with poverty I put thyself as a seal on my heart, that, sequestered from the trifles of this earth, it may be entirely united to thee, my only treasure.

℣ O God of my heart, my heart is ready to do thy will.

℟ My God, I desire it, and to carry thy law in the midst of my heart.

Let us pray.

Look, we beseech thee, O God of Mercy! on the heart of thy most beloved Son, in whom thou hast been well pleased: behold the bitter afflictions he has endured for us, and the worthy satisfactions he has made to thee in our behalf; that, being thus appeased, we may obtain of thee pardon for our sins, seeing we ask it with contrite hearts. Kindle in our hearts so ardent a love of Christ, that, being all inflamed with the affections of his divine heart, we may also merit to be found according to thy heart, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.