The Feast of

Christ the Priest

Text of Mass and Liturgy of the Hours

English texts approved by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments (Cf. Prot. N. 196/87, Prot. N. CD. 501/91)

Contents
3 4 9 Foreword Mass for the Feast of Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest Liturgy of the Hours in honour of Jesus Christ the High Priest As approved by the Congregatio de Cultu Divino et Disciplina Sacramentorum Prot. N. CD 501/91

Foreword
Each year, on the first Thursday after Pentecost, the Confraternity of Christ the Priest in Australia and all the Dioceses of Spain celebrate the Liturgical feast of Christ the Eternal High Priest. Approval was first granted by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments in 1987 (cf. Prot. N. 196/87, Prot. N. CD. 501/91). There is a need at this present time for both clergy and laity to turn ever more intently to Our Lord for a true understanding of priesthood. He is the model for our imitation, and when we pray for priests we are praying that they would be like Christ, the compassionate and trustworthy high priest (Hebrews 2:17), ever living to intercede for us (Heb 7:25). The Second Vatican Council taught many things about the Priesthood of Christ and our sharing in that one Priesthood through Baptism and Orders. This development has been reflected beautifully in many subsequent documents, some making it available to the general faithful. One effective way to build upon this teaching is to establish the Feast of Christ the Priest. For people are instructed in the truths of faith, and brought to appreciate the inner joys of religion far more effectually by the annual celebration of our sacred mysteries than by any official pronouncement of the teaching of the Church. Such pronouncements usually reach only a few and the more learned among the faithful; feasts reach them all; the former speak but once, the latter speak every year - in fact, forever. (Pope Pius XI Quas Primas 21 establishing the universal feast of Christ the King) What Pope Pius XI wrote here about the feast in honor of Our Lords Kingship can be said just as truly about this feast in honor of Our Lords Priesthood. Following the grace of the Year of the Priesthood, we pray that Bishops Conferences around the world will consider seeking permission of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to approve for their respective countries this liturgical feast, so that deep devotion to Our Blessed Lords Priesthood may extend to the whole world. Confraternity of Christ the Priest www.christthepriest.com

Mass For the Feast of Jesus Christ Eternal High Priest

Entrance Antiphon The Lord has sworn an oath and he will not retract: You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Opening Prayer Father, for your glory and our salvation you appointed Jesus Christ eternal High Priest. May the people he gained for you by his blood come to share in the power of his cross and resurrection by celebrating his memorial in this Eucharist for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah 52:1353:12 He became vulnerable himself, bearing the faults of many See, my servant will prosper, he shall be lifted up, exalted, rise to great heights. As the crowds were appalled on seeing him so disfigured did he look that he seemed no longer human so will the crowds be astonished at him, and kings stand speechless before him; for they shall see something never told and witness something never heard before: Who could believe what we have heard, and to whom has the power of the Lord been revealed? Like a sapling he grew up in front of us, like a root in arid ground. Without beauty, without majesty (we saw him), no looks to attract our eyes; a thing despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering, a man to make people screen their faces; he was despised and we took no account of him. And yet ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. 4

But we, we thought of him as someone punished, struck by God, and brought low. Yet he was pierced through for our faults, crushed for our sins. On him lies a punishment that brings us peace, and through his wounds we are healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each taking his own way and the Lord burdened him with the sins of all of us. Harshly dealt with, he bore it humbly, he never opened his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter-house, like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers never opening its mouth. By force and by law he was taken; would anyone plead his cause? Yes, he was torn away from the land of the living; for our faults struck down in death. They gave him a grave with the wicked, a tomb with the rich, though he had done no wrong and there had been no perjury in his mouth. The Lord has been pleased to crush him with suffering. If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life and through him what the Lord wishes will be done. His souls anguish over he shall see the light and be content. By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults on himself. Hence I will grant whole hordes for his tribute, he shall divide the spoil with the mighty, for surrendering himself to death and letting himself be taken for a sinner, while he was bearing the faults of many and praying all the time for sinners

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 40 6ab.9bc. 10.11ab

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I Lord; I come to do your will. How many, O Lord my God, Are the wonders and designs That you have worked for us; You have no equal. R. You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, But an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and victim. Instead, hear am I. R. In the scroll of the book it stands written That I should do your will. My God, I delight in your law In the depth of my heart. R. Your justice I have proclaimed In the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed; You know it, O Lord. R. I have not hidden your justice in my heart But declared your faithful help. I have not hidden your love and your truth From the great assembly. R.

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 10: 1223 By virtue of one single offering he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctfying Jesus Christ has offered one single sacrifice for sins, and then taken his place for ever, at the right hand of God, where he is now waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for him. By virtue of that one single offering, he has achieved the eternal perfection of all whom he is sanctifying. The Holy Spirit assures us of this; for he says, first: This is the covenant I will make with them when those days arrive; and the Lord then goes on to say: I will put my laws into their hearts and write them on their minds. I will never call their sins to mind, or their offences. When all sins have been forgiven, there can be no more sin offerings. 6

In other words, brothers, through the blood of Jesus we have the right to enter the sanctuary, by a new way which he has opened for us, a living opening through the curtain, that is to say, his body. And we have the supreme high priest over all the house of God. So as we go in, let us be sincere in heart and filled with faith, our minds sprinkled and free from any trace of bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the one who made the promise is faithful. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. My Spirit rests upon him; he shall bring forth justice to the nations. Alleluia!

Isaiah 42:1

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 22: 1420 Do this in memory of me Jesus took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said, Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes. Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body which will be given up for you; do this as a memorial of me. He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you. This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Prayer over the Gifts Lord, may we offer these mysteries worthily and often, for whenever this memorial sacrifice is celebrated the work of our redemption is renewed

Communion antiphon This body will be given for you. This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood; whenever you receive them, do so in remembrance of me.

Prayer after Communion Lord, by sharing in this sacrifice which your Son commanded us to offer as his memorial may we become with him an everlasting gift to you

Liturgy of the Hours in honour of Jesus Christ The High Priest

Thursday following Pentecost Sunday As approved by the Congregatio de Cultu Divino et DisciplinaSacramentorum Prot. N. CD 501/91
Evening Prayer I is said only where the celebration is a solemnity; where the celebration has the grade of Feast, the Liturgy of the Hours begins with the Invitatory Antiphon.

EVENING PRAYER I Hymn O Christ, High Priest eternal of covenant made new, to you our vows are offered with thankful praises due. In pity for our weakness, you left the Fathers throne, obedient and lowly, the Virgins womb your home. Your light of grace transforming the weakest and the least, the Father and the Spirit anoint you Prince and Priest. O Victim, one and perfect, you shed your blood in love, that we may share for ever our Fathers peace above. On every altar offered, to save our fallen race, your pleading is accepted before the throne of grace. To Christ the Priest give glory, and to his Father praise, the Lord of life and bounty who reigns for endless days. Hymnus ad Vesperas. Aeterne Christe Pontifex Trans. Most Rev Bishop Peter Elliot 76.76.76.76 9

PSALMODY Antiphon 1 In Jesus the Son of God we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heavens. Psalm 112 Praise, O servants of the Lord,* praise the name of the Lord! May the name of the Lord be blessed* both now and for evermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting* praised be the name of the Lord! High above all nations is the Lord,* above the heavens his glory. Who is like the Lord, our God,* who has risen on high to his throne yet stoops from the heights to look down,* to look down upon heaven and earth? From the dust he lifts up the lowly,* from his misery he raises the poor to set him in the company of princes,* yes, with the princes of his people. To the childless wife he gives a home* and gladdens her heart with children. Antiphon: In Jesus the Son of God we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heavens. Antiphon 2 You have redeemed us from every tribe and tongue and people and nation and made us priests to our God. Psalm 116 O praise the Lord, all you nations,* acclaim him all you peoples! Strong is his love for us;* he is faithful for ever. Antiphon: You have redeemed us from every tribe and tongue and people and nation and made us priests to our God. Antiphon 3 He learnt to obey through suffering, and having been made perfect he was acclaimed by God high priest of the order of Melchisedek. 10

Canticle Though he was in the form of God,* Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. He emptied himself taking the form of a servant* being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death,* even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him* and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,* in heaven and on earth and under the earth. And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,* to the glory of God the Father.

Phil 2:6-11

Antiphon: He learnt to obey through suffering, and having been made perfect he was acclaimed by God high priest of the order of Melchisedek.

SCRIPTURE READING Hebrews 7:24-25 Jesus because he remains forever can never lose his priesthood. It follows then, his power to save is utterly certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come to God through him.

SHORT RESPONSORY R/. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Repeat R/ V/. We boast in the hope of the glory of God. R/. Glory be. R/.

MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHON He became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation and was acclaimed by God with the title of High Priest of the order of Melchisedek.

11

INTERCESSIONS Our Saviour has made us a kingdom and a priesthood to offer sacrifices acceptable to God. Therefore we gratefully call upon him: R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord.

Christ, true adorer of the Father, your clean oblation is offered by the Church from the rising of the sun till its setting unite in one body all who share the one bread. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. Watch over the priests and ministers of your Church while they preach to others may they be found faithful in your service. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. Make perfect in charity all who share the order of priesthood and preserve always your faithful in unity of spirit by the bond of peace. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. On the evening of this day hear your Church singing your praises teach her to glorify your Divine Majesty without ceasing. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. To the dead grant the vision of your face grant us also the blessedness of contemplating you in heaven. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. Our Father CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, for your glory and the salvation of the human race, you appointed your Son as the eternal High Priest; grant that the people he has gained for you by his blood may experience the power of his cross and resurrection through taking part in this remembrance of his priesthood. (We make our prayer) through our Lord Jesus Christ.

12

INVITATORY Antiphon: Let us give glory to Christ who has an everlasting Priesthood. Invitatory Psalm THE OFFICE OF READINGS Hymn Jesus our High Priest, Lord and Mediator, joyful we praise you, all our race acclaiming your intercession at the throne of mercy, before the Father. Formed by the Spirit through the holy Virgin, Victim most worthy, you were born to save us; Child in a manger, with your hands so gentle you hold creation. You were anointed with the oil of gladness, Chrism most holy, given by the Father, sharing his glory, majesty and honour, our Priest for ever. Lord God almighty, bearing our frail nature, your blood is offered, for our sins the cleansing, perfect oblation, price of reparation, from death our freedom. Christ our Redeemer, on the Cross uplifted, draw us together, with your love so tender, that we may praise you, Paraclete and Father, now and for ever. 11.11.11.5 Trans. Most Rev Bishop Peter Elliot

PSALMODY Antiphon 1 I have asked my Father; he has given me the nations for my inheritance. Psalm 2 Why this tumult among nations,* among peoples this useless murmuring? They arise, the kings of the earth,* princes plot against the Lord and his Anointed.

13

Come, let us break their fetters,* come, let us cast off their yoke. He who sits in the heavens laughs;* the Lord is laughing them to scorn. Then he will speak in his anger,* his rage will strike them with terror. It is I who have set up my king* on Sion, my holy mountain. I will announce the decree of the Lord: The Lord said to me: You are my Son.* It is I who have begotten you this day. Ask and I shall bequeath you the nations,* put the ends of the earth in your possession. With a rod of iron you will break them,* shatter them like a potters jar. Now, O kings, understand,* take warning, rulers of the earth; serve the Lord with awe* and trembling, pay him your homage lest he be angry and you perish;* for suddenly his anger will blaze. Blessed are they who put their trust in God.

Antiphon: I have asked my Father; he has given me the nations for my inheritance. Antiphon 2 Christ gave himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Psalm 39 I waited, I waited for the Lord and he stooped down to me;* he heard my cry. He drew me from the deadly pit,* from the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock* and made my footsteps firm.

14

He put a new song into my mouth,* praise of our God. Many shall see and fear* and shall trust in the Lord. Happy the man who has placed* his trust in the Lord and has not gone over to the rebels* who follow false gods. How many, O Lord my God, are the wonders and designs that you have worked for us;* you have no equal. Should I proclaim and speak of them,* they are more than I can tell! You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,* but an open ear. You do not ask for holocaust and victim.* Instead, here am I. In the scroll of the book it stands written* that I should do your will. My God, I delight in your law* in the depth of my heart. Your justice I have proclaimed* in the great assembly. My lips I have not sealed;* you know it, O Lord. I have not hidden your justice in my heart* but declared your faithful help. I have not hidden your love and your truth* from the great assembly. O Lord, you will not withhold* your compassion from me. Your merciful love and your truth* will always guard me.

15

For I am beset with evils* too many to be counted. My sins have fallen upon me* and my sight fails me. They are more than the hairs of my head* and my heart sinks. O Lord, come to my rescue,* Lord, come to my aid. O let there be rejoicing and gladness* for all who seek you. Let them ever say: The Lord is great,* who love your saving help. As for me, wretched and poor,* the Lord thinks of me. You are my rescuer, my help,* O God, do not delay. Antiphon: Christ gave himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Antiphon 3 Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her to make her holy. Psalm 84 O Lord, you once favoured your land, and revived the fortunes of Jacob, you forgave the guilt of your people* and covered all their sins. You averted all your rage,* you calmed the heat of your anger. Revive us now, God, our helper!* Put an end to your grievance against us. Will you be angry with us for ever,* will your anger never cease? Will you not restore again our life* that your people may rejoice in you? Let us see, O Lord, your mercy* and give us your saving help. I will hear what the Lord God has to say,* a voice that speaks of peace, 16

peace for his people and his friends* and those who turn to him in their hearts. His help is near for those who fear him* and his glory will dwell in our land. Mercy and faithfulness have met;* justice and peace have embraced. Faithfulness shall spring from the earth* and justice look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosper* and our earth shall yield its fruit. Justice shall march before him.* and peace shall follow his steps.

Antiphon: Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her to make her holy. V/. Christ was offered only once to take away the sins of many. R/. He achieved the eternal perfection of those he is sanctifying. THE FIRST READING Hebrews 4:14-5:10

A reading from the letter to the Hebrews Jesus Christ our supreme pontiff Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help. Every high priest has been taken out of mankind and is appointed to act for men in their relations with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; and so he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or uncertain because he too lives in the limitations of weakness. That is why he has to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No-one takes this honour on himself, but each one is called by God, as Aaron was. Nor did Christ give himself the glory of becoming high priest, but he had it from the one who said to him: You are my Son, today I have become your father, and in another text: You are a priest of the order of Melchisedek, and for ever. During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt

17

to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation and was acclaimed by God with the title of high priest of the order of Melchisedek. RESPONSORY R/. Christ humbled himself * and became obedient unto death. V/. When he was treated badly, he submitted * and became obedient unto death. THE SECOND READING N10 A reading from the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium of the Second Vatican Council All share in the one priesthood of Christ Christ the Lord, high priest taken from among men, made the new people a kingdom of priests to God, his Father. The baptised, by regeneration and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are consecrated to be a spiritual house and a holy priesthood, that through all the works of Christian men they may offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim the perfection of him who has called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. Therefore all the disciples of Christ, persevering in prayer and praising God, should present themselves as a sacrifice, living, holy and pleasing to God. They should everywhere on earth bear witness to Christ and give an answer to everyone who asks a reason for the hope of an eternal life which is theirs. Though they differ essentially and not only in degree, the common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood are none the less ordered one to another; each in its own proper way shares in the one priesthood of Christ. The ministerial priest, by the sacred power that he has, forms and rules the priestly people; in the person of Christ he effects the eucharistic sacrifice and offers it to God in the name of all the people. The faithful indeed, by virtue of their royal priesthood, participate in the offering of the Eucharist. They exercise that priesthood, too, by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksiving, the witness of a holy life, abnegation and active charity.

RESPONSORY Romans 12:1, 1Pet 2:5 R/. Brothers, I implore you by Gods mercy to offer your very selves, a living victim, holy and pleasing to God * a worship offered by mind and heart. V/. You are raised into a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ * a worship offered by mind and heart.

TE DEUM is said

18

PRAYER O God, for your glory and the salvation of the human race, you appointed your Son as the eternal High Priest; grant that the people he has gained for you by his blood may experience the power of his cross and resurrection through taking part in this remembrance of his priesthood. (We make our prayer) through our Lord Jesus Christ.

MORNING PRAYER Hymn Earth joins with heaven, echoing your praises, Christ the Redeemer of the race of Adam before the Father, as the priest and victim, our expiation. Jesus our Saviour, merciful and peaceful, bearing the sorrow of our mortal burden, you died to save us, opening for lost ones portals of heaven. Rites of the old law by your will completed, wisdom of prophets brought to human vision, in heights of heaven is for ever honoured your new agreement. Merciful giver of the pact eternal, you give your body, food of life for ever, your own oblation, gift of peace and mercy on every altar. Christ our Redeemer, on the Cross uplifted, draw us together, with your love so tender, that we may praise you, Paraclete and Father, now and for ever. Christe Sanctorum; 11.11.11.5 Trans. Most Rev Bishop Peter Elliot

19

PSALMODY Antiphon 1 Through the blood of Christ the Father has reconciled all things to him, everything in heaven and everything on earth. A soul thirsting for God O God, you are my God, for you I long;* for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you* like a dry, weary land without water. So I gaze on you in the sanctuary* to see your strength and your glory. For your love is better than life,* my lips will speak your praise. So I will bless you all my life,* in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,* my mouth shall praise you with joy. On my bed I remember you.* On you I muse through the night for you have been my help;* in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. My soul clings to you;* your right hand holds me fast. Antiphon: Through the blood of Christ the Father has reconciled all things to him, everything in heaven and everything on earth. Antiphon 2 All things were created through Christ and for Christ. Canticle: Daniel 3:57-88,56 O all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, angels of the Lord, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, the heavens of the Lord, O bless the Lord.* and you, clouds of the sky, O bless the Lord. And you, all armies of the Lord, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. Psalm 62(63):2-9

20

And you, sun and moon, O bless the Lord.* And you, the stars of the heavns, O bless the Lord. And you, showers and rain, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, all you breezes and winds, O bless the Lord.* And you, fire and heat, O bless the Lord. And you, cold and heat, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, showers and dew, O bless the Lord.* And you, frosts and cold, O bless the Lord. And you, frost and snow, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, night-time and day, O bless the Lord.* And you, darkness and light, O bless the Lord. And you, lightning and clouds, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. O let the earth bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, mountains and hills, O bless the Lord.* And you, all plants of the earth, O bless the Lord. And you, fountains and springs, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, rivers and seas, O bless the Lord.* And you, creatures of the sea, O bless the Lord. And you, every bird in the sky, O bless the Lord. And you, wild beasts and tame, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, children of men, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. O Israel, bless the Lord, O bless the Lord.* And you, priests of the Lord, O bless the Lord. And you, servants of the Lord, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. And you, spirits and souls of the just, O bless the Lord.* And you, holy and humble of heart, O bless the Lord. 21

Ananias, Azarias, Mizael, O bless the Lord.* To him be highest glory and praise for ever. Let us praise the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit:* To you be highest glory and praise for ever. May you be blessed, O Lord, in the heavens.* To you be highest glory and praise for ever. Antiphon: All things were created through Christ and for Christ. Antiphon 3 He has put everything in subjection under his feet and made him supreme head of the Church which is his Body. Psalm 149 Sing a new song to the Lord,* his praise in the assembly of the faithful. Let Israel rejoice in its Maker,* let Sions songs exult in their king. Let them praise his name with dancing* and make music with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people.* He crowns the poor with salvation. Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,* shout for joy and take their rest. Let the praise of God be on their lips* and a two-edged sword in their hand, to deal out vengeance to the nations* and punishment on all the peoples; to bind their kings in chains* and their nobles in fetters of iron; to carry out the sentence pre-ordained:* this honour is for all his faithful. Antiphon: He has put everything in subjection under his feet and made him supreme head of the Church which is his Body.

22

SCRIPTURE READING Hebrews 10:5-10 This is what he said on coming into the world: You wanted no sacrifice or oblation but you gave me a body. You took no pleasure in burnt offering or sacrifice for sin; then I said, Here I am, I am coming, to do your will, God. He is abolishing the first sort to establish the second. And this will was for us to be made holy by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ made once and for all. SHORT RESPONSORY R/. Behold, I come to do your will. Repeat R/. V/. Your law is deep in my heart. R/. Glory be. R/. BENEDICTUS ANTIPHON You have redeemed us Lord from every tribe and tongue and people and nation and made us a kingdom and priests. INTERCESSIONS Jesus Christ, high priest of the new and eternal covenant, taking human nature, introduced into this earthly exile that hymn which is sung throughout all ages in the halls of heaven: he desired the entire community of mankind to join him in singing this divine song of praise. Hence with confidence we pray: R/. Lord, grant that we may glorify you. All powerful king through baptism you have given us a royal priesthood grant that we may continually offer you the sacrifice of praise. R/. Lord, grant that we may glorify you. Lord of all mankind you came into the world that the name of your Father should be glorified in every place strengthen the witness of the Church among the nations. R/. Lord, grant that we may glorify you. Lord Jesus grant that all men may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. R/. Lord, grant that we may glorify you. By your help may we praise you through every hour of this day and glorify your name in all we do. R/. Lord, grant that we may glorify you. Look down with love upon all who have asked our prayers fill them with every blessing for body and soul. 23

R/. Lord, grant that we may glorify you. Christ the Priest, on the altar of the cross you offered the perfect sacrifice to the Father teach us how to offer it in union with you. R/. Lord, grant that we may glorify you. Our Father CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, for your glory and the salvation of the human race, you appointed your Son as the eternal High Priest; grant that the people he has gained for you by his blood may experience the power of his cross and resurrection through taking part in this remembrance of his priesthood. (We make our prayer) through our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER DURING THE DAY Before Noon Antiphon: Through Christ we both have access to the Father in the one Spirit.

SCRIPTURE READING Hebrews 7:26-27 To suit us, the ideal high priest would have to be holy, innocent and uncontaminated, beyond the influence of sinners, and raised up above the heavens; one who would not need to offer sacrifices every day, as the other high priests do for their own sins and then for those of the people, because he has done this once and for all by offering himself. V/. In so far as you share in the sufferings of Christ be glad. R/. So that you may enjoy a much greater gladness when his glory is revealed.

Midday Antiphon: You are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. SCRIPTURE READING 1 Peter 2:4-5 Come to the Lord, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you, too, may be living stones making a spiritual house as a holy priesthood to offer the spiritual sacrifices made acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. V/. As you have received Jesus as Lord and Christ, live your lives in him. R/. Firm in faith, let your hearts overflow with thanksgiving.

24

Afternoon Antiphon: To each of us grace has been given according to the measure of the giving of Christ for the building up of his body which is the Church. SCRIPTURE READING 1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people and now you are the People of God; once you were outside the mercy and now you have been given mercy. V/. Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts. R/. To this you were called together into a single body.

EVENING PRAYER II Hymn Tune:: Valet will ich dir geben 76.76.D (St Theodulph of Orleans - 821) O Christ, High Priest eternal of covenant made new, to you our vows are offered with thankful praises due. In pity for our weakness, you left the Fathers throne, obedient and lowly, the Virgins womb your home. Your light of grace transforming the weakest and the least, the Father and the Spirit anoint you Prince and Priest. O Victim, one and perfect, you shed your blood in love, that we may share for ever our Fathers peace above. On every altar offered, to save our fallen race, your pleading is accepted before the throne of grace.

25

To Christ the Priest give glory, and to his Father praise, the Lord of life and bounty who reigns for endless days. Hymnus ad Vesperas. Aeterne Christe Pontifex Trans. Most Rev BishopPeter Elliot PSALMODY Antiphon 1 The Lord has sworn an oath and he will not retract, you are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchisedek. Psalm 109 The Lords revelation to my Master: Sit on my right:* your foes I will put beneath your feet. The Lord will wield from Sion your sceptre of power:* rule in the midst of all your foes. A prince from the day of your birth on the holy mountains;* from the womb before the dawn I begot you. The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change You are a priest for ever,* a priest like Melchisedech of old. The Master standing at your right hand* will shatter kings in the day of his wrath. He shall drink from the stream by the wayside* and therefore he shall lift up his head. Antiphon: The Lord has sworn an oath and he will not retract, you are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchisedek. Antiphon 2 God, who is rich in mercy, has brought us to life in Christ. Psalm 110 I will thank the Lord with all my heart* in the meeting of the just and their assembly. Great are the works of the Lord;* to be pondered by all who love them.

26

Majestic and glorious his work,* his justice stands firm for ever. He makes us remember his wonders.* The Lord is compassion and love. He gives food to those who fear him;* keeps his covenant ever in mind. He has shown his might to his people* by giving them the lands of the nations. His works are justice and truth:* his precepts are all of them sure, standing firm for ever and ever:* they are made in uprightness and truth. He has sent deliverance to his people and established his covenant for ever.* Holy his name, to be feared. To fear the Lord is the first stage of wisdom; all who do so prove themselves wise.* His praise shall last for ever! Antiphon: God, who is rich in mercy, has brought us to life in Christ. Antiphon 3 Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. Canticle Colossians 1:12-20 Let us give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share* in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness* and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption,* the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God,* the firstborn of all creation, for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth,* visible and invisible.

27

All things were created* through him and for him. He is before all things,* and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the Church;* he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,* that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,* and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven,* making peace by the blood of his cross. Antiphon: Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. SCRIPTURE READING Hebrews 10:19-23 Brothers, through the blood of Jesus we have the right to enter the sanctuary, by a new way which he has opened for us, a living opening through the curtain, that is to say, his body. And we have the supreme high priest over all the house of God. So as we go in, let us be sincere in heart and filled with faith, our minds sprinkled and free from any trace of bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us keep firm in the hope we profess, because the one who made the promise is faithful.

SHORT RESPONSORY R/. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Repeat R/. V/. We boast in the hope of the glory of God. R/. Glory be. R/. MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHON Father I have completed the work you gave me to do. I have glorified you upon earth.

28

INTERCESSIONS Our Saviour has made us a kingdom and a priesthood to offer sacrifices acceptable to God. Therefore we gratefully call upon him: R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. Christ, true adorer of the Father, your clean oblation is offered by the Church from the rising of the sun till its setting unite in one body all who share the one bread. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. Watch over the priests and ministers of your Church while they preach to others may they be found faithful in your service. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. Make perfect in charity all who share the order of priesthood and preserve always your faithful in unity of spirit by the bond of peace. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. On the evening of this day hear your Church singing your praises teach her to glorify your Divine Majesty without ceasing. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. To the dead grant the vision of your face grant us also the blessedness of contemplating you in heaven. R/. Keep us faithful in your service, Lord. Our Father CONCLUDING PRAYER O God, for your glory and the salvation of the human race, you appointed your Son as the eternal High Priest; grant that the people he has gained for you by his blood may experience the power of his cross and resurrection through taking part in this remembrance of his priesthood. (We make our prayer) through our Lord Jesus Christ.

29