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September 17 Feast |
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Albert Avogadro was born about the middle of the twelfth century in Castel
Gualteri in Italy. He became a Canon Regular of the Holy Cross at Mortara and
was elected their prior in 1180. Named Bishop of Bobbio in 1184, and of
Vercelli in 1185, he was made Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1205. There, in word
and example, he was the model of a good pastor and peace-maker. While he was
Patriarch (1206-1214) he united the hermits of Mount Carmel into one
community and wrote a Rule for them. He was murdered at Acre on September
14, 1214.
Invitatory
The Lord is our supreme Law-giver, come let us adore him.
Office of Readings
Hymn
Albert, as you shine before us
Legislator, Shepherd true,
Hear in love the hymns of homage
Which your children sing to you.
Messenger of peace and concord,
Careful to foresee all need,
You instructed all your faithful
Zealously by word and deed.
From your virtues this whole country
Shines with many a precious gem;
Most of all your mem'ry's fragrance
Clings about Jerusalem.
So renowned that Church, so honored
When you worked as pastor there,
Carmel's hermits asked for precepts
To define a life of prayer.
We are grateful to you, Father,
For the Rule which we profess,
Apt to guide each one in Carmel
To the heights of holiness.
With your Rule to give us increase,
Fruit abundant may we see
When with you we praise in heaven
God eternal, One in Three.
87.87. Sr. Margarita of Jesus, O.C.D.
Psalmody
Ant. 1 The just delight in the law of the Lord and ponder it day and night.
Psalm 21
O Lord, your strength gives joy to the king; *
how your saving help makes him glad!
You have granted him his heart's desire; *
you have not refused the prayer of his lips.
You came to meet him with the blessings of success, *
you have set on his head a crown of pure gold.
He asked you for life and this you have given, *
days that will last from age to age.
Your saving help has given him glory. *
You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,
you have granted your blessings to him for ever. *
You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.
The king has put his trust in the Lord: *
through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.
O Lord, arise in your strength; *
we shall sing and praise your power.
Ant. The just delight in the law of the Lord and ponder it day and night.
Ant. 2 Let the law of the Lord be always in your mouth: let it be as a sign in
your hand, a remembrance before your eyes.
Psalm 92
I
It is good to give thanks to the Lord *
to make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning *
and your truth in the watches of the night,
on the ten-stringed lyre and the lute, *
with the murmuring sound of the harp.
Your deeds, O Lord, have made me glad; *
for the work of your hands I shout with joy.
O Lord, how great are your works! *
How deep are your designs!
The foolish man cannot know this *
and the fool cannot understand.
Though the wicked spring up like grass *
and all who do evil thrive;
they are doomed to be eternally destroyed. *
But you, Lord, are eternally on high.
Ant. Let the law of the Lord be always in your mouth: let it be as a sign in your
hand, a remembrance before your eyes.
Ant. 3 Those who ponder the law of God will yield fruit in due season.
II
See how your enemies perish; *
all doers of evil are scattered.
To me you give the wild-ox's strength; *
you anoint me with the purest oil.
My eyes looked in triumph on my foes; *
my ears heard gladly of their fall.
The just will flourish like the palm-tree *
and grow like a Lebanon cedar.
Planted in the house of the Lord *
they will flourish in the courts of our God,
still bearing fruit when they are old, *
still full of sap, still green,
to proclaim that the Lord is just. *
In him, my rock, there is no wrong.
Ant. Those who ponder the law of God will yield fruit in due season.
V. Receive instruction from his mouth.
R. And lay up his words in your heart.
The First Reading
Eph 6:5-8, 10-18, 23-24
A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians
Put on all the armor that God gives you Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with a sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ. Do this not only when they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ. Do your work as slaves cheerfully, as though you served the Lord, and not merely men. Remember that the Lord will reward everyone whether slave or free, for the good work he does.
Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able
to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.
So stand ready with truth as a belt tight round your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people.
May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christian brothers peace and love with faith. May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.
Responsory
R. Walk worthily in the vocation to which you have been called,
-- living in allegiance to Jesus Christ.
V. Meditate on his law day and night and keep watch in prayer,
-- living in allegiance to Jesus Christ.
The Second Reading
Chs 14, 16. From the Rule of Saint Albert
Spiritual exhortations
But because life on earth is a time of trial, and all who seek to live devoutly in Christ suffer persecution, and because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion prowls about seeking someone to devour, every care must be taken to put on the armor of God, that you may stand firm against the cunning devices of the enemy. Encircle your loins with the belt of chastity. Defend your breast with holy meditation, for Scripture says: Holy meditation will save you. Put on the breastplate of justice so that you may love the Lord your God with your whole heart and your whole soul and your whole strength, and your neighbors as yourselves.In all things take up the shield of faith by which you can extinguish every flaming dart from the evil one, for without faith it is impossible to please God. Then set the helmet of salvation on your head, that you place your hope of salvation only in the Savior, who rescues his people from their sins.- Next may you possess the sword of the spirit, which is God's word, abundantly in your
mouth and in your hearts. Just so whatever you do, let it be done in the Lord's word.
The Apostle recommends silence, for he specifies that one should work in it. In the same way the Prophet witnesses: Silence fosters righteousness; and again: In silence and hope will lie your strength. Be careful to avoid excessive talking, for as Scripture puts it, and experience teaches nothing less, In much talking sin will not be far away, and The one who is careless in speech will come to harm. Also, Many words bring the soul to grief. Again, the Lord says in the Gospel : For every rash word uttered you will have to render an account on the day of judgement. So let each one make a balance for his words and a careful rein for his mouth lest he stumble and fall in speech, and the fall be incurable, even mortal. With the prophet let him be careful of his ways, that his tongue give no offense; and let him carefully and studiously cultivate silence, in which lies the fostering of righteousness.
Responsory:
R. Let us love God, then, for he has first loved us; and this is what love is, that we keep his commandments,
-- and his commandments are not burdensome.
V. If a man keeps God's commandments the love of God will be complete in him,
-- and his commandments are not burdensome.
Te DeumPrayer
as at Morning Prayer.
Morning Prayer
Hymn
Glorious Saint Albert, we would hymn your praises,
Splendid in virtue, victor in the combat,
All hearts and voices joyously united
Here to acclaim you.
High-priest devoted, lover of the people,
Watchman unwearied; though your death was bloodstained
Stainless your honor, when for God and duty
You fell a victim.
True to the wisdom of our ancient Fathers,
Your Rule for Carmel still preserves among us
Solitude, silence, spirit of the desert
Timeless, unfading.
Get us the courage needed in these last days,
Faithful transmitter of the Spirit's message;
Make Carmel's garden fruitful for God's glory
Yielding new increase.
Splendor and empire to our Lord God only
Who willed to give us such a Friend and Father,
Praying at all times that we may in safety
Gain heaven's kingdom.
87.87. Mary Paula, O.C.D.
Psalmody
Ant. 1: Lord, grant us wisdom so that we may ponder your law in our minds and keep it always in our hearts.
Psalms and canticle of Sunday I.
Ant. 2: May the message of Christ in all its richness find a home in you; with gratitude in your hearts sing songs to God.
Ant. 3: This way is holy and good: walk in it.
Scripture Reading
Dt 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your
God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And
these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you
shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit
in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and
when you rise.
Short Responsory
R. On the two commandments of love, * the law and the prophets depend.
Repeat R.
V. The law of the Lord is perfect, it delights the soul. * The law and the prophets
depend on it. Glory . . . R.
Benedictus
Ant: O worthy man, our lawgiver, because you kept the law of God deep in your heart you could open wonderful treasures of wisdom to us
Intercessions
Let us give praise to Christ, who loves his people and is the shepherd and
guardian of our souls. Let us place our hope in him as we say.
R. Protect your people, Lord.
Lord, accept our vows and petitions; — the first offerings of our day. R.
Lord, may we be so inspired by our Rule, — that our lives proclaim your love
before all. R.
May we so love you, who are Love itself, that we may come to possess you; —
may we so live that our whole life praises you. R.
Help us, who are your servants, to keep your word faithfully; — and to seek it
with all our hearts. R.
Our Father . . .
Prayer
Lord God,
through Saint Albert of Jerusalem
you have given us a Rule of life according to your Gospel
to help us attain perfect love.Through his prayers
may we always live in allegiance to Jesus Christ
and serve faithfully until death
him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
one God, for ever and ever.
Prayer During the Day
Antiphons and psalms of the weekday.
Before Noon
Scripture Reading
Lv 20:7-8
Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy; for I am the Lord your God. Keep
my statutes, and do them; I am the Lord who sanctify you.
V. Let all that you do.
R. Have the Lord's word for accompaniment.
Midday
Scripture Reading
Cf. 2 Tim 3:12, 14-15
You are well aware that anyone who tries to live in devotion to Christ is certain
to be attacked. You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true;
remember who your teachers were, and how, ever since you were a child, you
have known the holy scriptures — from these you can learn the wisdom that
leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
V. Follow the sound advice you have heard from me.
R. In the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Afternoon
Scripture Reading
Phil 4:8-9
And now, my friends, all that is true, all that is noble, all that is just and pure, all
that is lovable and gracious, whatever is excellent and admirable — fill all your
thoughts with these things: The lessons I taught you, the tradition I have passed
on, all that you heard me say or saw me do, put into practice; and the God of
peace will be with you.
V. Blessed are the peacemakers.
R. They shall be called God's children.
Evening Prayer
Hymn
as at Morning Prayer
Psalmody
Ant. 1: Make me know the way I should walk, for I have lifted my soul to you.
Psalm 15
Lord, who shall be admitted to your tent *
and dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault; *
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart; *
he who does not slander with his tongue.
He who does no wrong to his brother, *
who casts no slur on his neighbor,
who holds the godless in disdain, *
and honors those who fear the Lord;
he who keeps his pledge, come what may;
who takes no interest on a loan *
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm forever.
Ant.: Make me know the way I should walk, for I have lifted my soul to you.
Ant. 2: My child, treasure my Rule, and keep my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Psalm 112
Happy the man who fears the Lord, *
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth; *
the children of the upright are blessed.
Riches and wealth are in his house; *
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is light in the darkness for the upright: *
he is generous, merciful and just.
The good man takes pity and lends, *
he conducts his affairs with honor.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
He has no fear of evil news; *
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear; *
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Open-handed, he gives to the poor; †
his justice stands firm for ever. *
His head will be raised in glory.
The wicked man sees and is angry, †
grinds his teeth and fades away, *
the desire of the wicked leads to doom.
Ant.: My child, treasure my Rule, and keep my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Ant. 3: The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his deeds.
Canticle: Rev 15:34
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.
Ant.: The Lord is just in all his ways and holy in all his deeds.
Scripture Reading
James 1:22-25
You must do what the word tells you, and not just listen to it and deceive
yourselves. To listen to the word and not obey it is like looking at your own
features in a mirror and then, after a quick look, going off and immediately
forgetting what you looked like. But the man who looks steadily at the perfect
law of freedom and makes that his habit—not listening and then forgetting, but
actively putting it into practice—will be happy in all that he does.
Short Responsory
R. Incline my heart * to your word, O God. Repeat R.
V. In your way give me life, * your word, O God. Glory... R.
Magnificat
This man of God, wonderful in his goodness and unshaken in his faith,
gave himself for the service of many.
Intercessions
Praise and honor to Christ, who has reconciled the world to God. It was as his
representative that Albert came among us, and God was encouraging us through
him. Filled with faith, let us implore Christ:
R. Remember your family, Lord.
Lord, it is in your service that we have embraced the religious life; — may we
serve you faithfully with a pure heart and a clean conscience. R.
To some of us you give special authority so that they may be at the service of the
community; — may we hear your voice in their word and example. R.
You call us to ponder your law day and night; — come and dwell with us: be on
our lips and in our hearts. R.
You commend to us that silence which is filled with your presence; — convince
us that our strength is found in silence and in hope. R.
You have said that our life on earth is a time of trial; — strengthen the fainthearted,
lift the fallen, and fill us all with your holy Spirit. R.
We commend to you all those who were our companions while they lived; —
may they rejoice with you forever in the heavenly kingdom. R.
Our Father...
Prayer
as at Morning Prayer
