π Eternal Rest π
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Based on the Entrance Antiphon of the Mass for the Dead.
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π The Magnificat π
My soul glorifies the Lord,
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
Henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age,
on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength
And scatters the proud hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
And raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things,
Sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons 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.
Mary's song of praise was first sung to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:46-55). It is sung daily at Evening Prayer.
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π The Benedictus π
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour
In the house of David his servant,
As he promised by the lips of holy men,
Those who were his prophets from of old.
A saviour who would free us from our foes,
From the hands of all who hate us.
So his love for our fathers is fulfilled
And his holy covenant remembered.
He swore to Abraham our father to grant us,
that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes,
we might serve him in holiness and justice
all the days of our life in his presence.
As for you, little child,
you shall be called a prophet of God, the Most High.
You shall go ahead of the Lord
To prepare his ways before him.
To make known to his people their salvation
Through forgiveness of all their sins,
The loving-kindness of the heart of our God
Who visits us like the dawn from on high.
He will give light to those in darkness,
Those who dwell in the shadow of death,
And guide us into the way of peace.
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 Canticle of Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, is taken from Luke's Gospel (Luke 1:68-79) It is sung daily at Morning Prayer.
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π The Nunc Dimittis (Canticle of Simeon) π
Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace;
Your word has been fulfilled:
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which You have prepared in the sight of every people:
A light to reveal You to the nations
and the glory of Your people, Israel.
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.
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π The Te Deum π
We praise You, O God;
we acknowledge You to be the Lord.
All the earth worships You,
the Father everlasting.
To You all angels cry aloud,
the heavens and all the powers therein.
To You cherubim and seraphim continually do cry,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Your glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praises You.
The noble fellowship of the prophets praises You.
The white-robed army of martyrs praises You.
The holy Church throughout all the world acknowledges You:
the Father of an infinite majesty;
Your adorable, true, and only Son;
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
You are the King of glory, O Christ.
You are the everlasting Son of the Father.
When You took upon Yourself to deliver man,
You did not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When You had overcome the sharpness of death,
You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You sit at the right hand of God,
in the glory of the Father.
We believe that You will come
to be our Judge.
We, therefore, pray You, help Your servants,
whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with Your saints,
in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage.
Govern them and lift them up forever.
Day by day we magnify You;
and we worship Your Name forever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us; have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let Your mercy be upon us, as our trust is in You.
O Lord, in You have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
.
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