Pope Francis has invited us to set September 7, 2013 aside as a day of prayer and fast for peace in Syria.
Diana Macalintal, Director of Worship for the Diocese of San Jose in California has generously shared a draft of Night Prayer for Peace in Syria, Vigil of the Birth of Mary.Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph. Diana invites us to use the draft, adapt it for your own pastoral context and share it with anyone that you feel may benefit from this wonderful resource. If you want to go directly to the Word document to download, click dsjliturgy.org/uploads/prayers/peace/2013-09-07/compline.doc
Thank you Diana Macalintal, also a leader for Team RCIA with her husband and colleague Nick Wagner for sharing your time, talent and resource with us.
May God guide all government leaders to seek peaceful outcomes in the days ahead.
Blessings to all as we gather to pray for peace.
The Staff at The Roncalli Center
Night Prayer Vigil for Peace in Syria, Vigil of the Birth of Mary
Items needed: (items marked with * provided by Cathedral)
- Presider’s script and folder
- Folder with examination of conscience, reading, and litany on ambo
- 2 processional candles and stands (at ambo)*
- 1 processional candle and stand (at altar near Jubilee Cross)*
- 1 processional candle and stand (near image of Mary)*
- Choir dress for Bishop (no miter, no crozier)
- Worship aids
- Jubilee Cross and stand*
- Singing bowl and mallet
- Image of Mary and stand
- Vigil candles, several small tables* and stands*, fabrics
- Matches and tapers*
Ministers needed:
- Presider: Bishop McGrath
- MC: Jeff Fernandez
- Cantor: Diana Macalintal
- Cross bearer: ____________
- Exam of Consc.: ____________ ____________
- Lector(s): ____________ ____________
- Litany: ____________ ____________
- Candles process.: ____________ ____________
- Light candles: ____________ ____________
- Greeters: ____________ ____________
Preparation:
- Candles are lit (except for vigil candles near Mary) and set in worship space
- Image of Mary is enthroned in the space, surrounded by unlit candles
- Check folder on ambo
Music needed:
- Prayer of Saint Francis (Sebastian Temple, OCP)
- Kyrie from Mass of Remembrance (Marty Haugen, GIA) – in multiple keys
- Salmo 129: Clamo a Ti, Señor (Eleazar Cortés, OCP) – Spanish only
- Salmo 50: Oh Dios, Crea en Mí / Psalm 51: Create in Me (Eleazar Cortés, OCP) – bilingual
- Psalm 27: The Goodness of the Lord (Scott Soper, OCP)
- Woman of God (Jesse Manibusan, see handout)
- Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace (Text: James Quinn, SJ, GIA, found in Ritual Song, Selah; Tune: Amazing Grace)
- Christ, Be Our Light (Bernadette Farrell, OCP)
- Salve Regina (chant, a cappella)
- Additional music during private prayer
- Holy Is His Name (John Michael Talbot, OCP, Birdwing Music/BMG Songs, Inc.)
- Day of Peace (Janèt Sullivan Whitaker, SpiritandSong)
-
Rehearse with assembly:
- Invitatory and sign of the cross, bowing
- Sign of the cross during Canticle
° Gathering °
(all stand)
Call to Worship
Cantor rings singing bowl three times.
Procession of Ministers Song: Prayer of Saint Francis (Temple)
Order of Procession:
- Cross
- 2 Candles (placed at ambo)
- Chaplain(s)
- Bishop
- MC
Bishop and chaplain(s) kiss the altar then proceed to the presider’s bench.
Introductory Verse
Bishop:
God (+) come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
(bow) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
(rise) As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Examination of Conscience
Bishop:
Sisters and brothers,
as our world is overshadowed once again
by the darkness of violence and war,
let us examine our hearts and acknowledge our sins
before our merciful God.
There is a long period of silence for reflection.
Act of Repentance[1]
Read by two readers from the ambo. This is underscored instrumentally.
Reader 1: Lord Jesus, you said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Dichosos los pobres de espíritu, porque de ellos es el Reino de los cielos.”
Yet we are preoccupied with power, money, and worldly goods
and even try to increase them at the expense of justice.
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros y danos la paz.
Kyrie sung from Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) in Dm
Reader 2: Christ Jesus, you said:
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.”
“Dichosos los sufridos, porque heredarán la tierra.”
Yet we are ruthless with each other,
and our world is full of discord and violence.
Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros y danos la paz.
Kyrie sung from Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) in Dm
Reader 1: Lord Jesus, you said:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
“Dichosos los que lloran, porque serán consolados.”
Yet we are impatient under our own burdens
and unconcerned about the burdens of others.
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros y danos la paz.
Kyrie sung from Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) in Ebm
Reader 2: Christ Jesus, you said:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be filled.”
“Dichosos los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia, porque serán saciados.”
Yet we do not thirst for you, the fountain of all holiness,
and are slow to spread your influence in our private lives or in society.
Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros y danos la paz.
Kyrie sung from Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) in Ebm
Reader 1: Lord Jesus, you said:
“Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.”
“Dichosos los misericordiosos, porque obtendrán misericordia.”
Yet we are slow to forgive and quick to condemn.
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros y danos la paz.
Kyrie sung from Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) in Em
Reader 2: Christ Jesus, you said:
“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.”
“Dichosos los limpios de corazón, poique verán a Dios.”
Yet we are prisoners of our senses and evil desires
and dare not raise our eyes to you.
Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros y danos la paz.
Kyrie sung from Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) in Em
Reader 1: Lord Jesus, you said:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
“Dichosos los que trabajan por la paz, porque se les llamará hijos de Dios.”
Yet we fail to make peace in our families, in our country, and in the world.
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros y danos la paz.
Kyrie sung from Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) in Fm
Reader 2: Christ Jesus, you said:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”
“Dichosos los perseguidos por causa de la justicia,
porque de ellos es el Reino de los cielos.”
Yet we prefer to practice injustice rather than suffer for the sake of right;
we discriminate against our neighbors and oppress and persecute them.
Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros y danos la paz.
Kyrie sung from Mass of Remembrance (Haugen) in Fm
Bishop:
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
Hymn Song: God of Day and God of Darkness (Haugen)
° Psalmody °
(all sit)
Psalm Salmo 129: “Clamo a Ti, Señor” (Cortés) – Spanish only
Silence at least one minute of silence
Psalm Salmo 50: Oh Dios, Crea en Mí / Psalm 51: Create in Me (Cortés)
Silence at least one minute of silence
Psalm Psalm 27: The Goodness of the Lord (Soper)
Scripture Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10b; 11:1-9
from Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Office of Readings
Homily Bishop McGrath
Response Song: Woman of God (Manibusan)
During this song, candles surrounding the image of Mary are lit.
° Petition °
(all stand)
Intercessions[2]
Bishop:
With the help of Mary our Mother, let us pray to the Father
that there may be peace and salvation for all God’s children.
Read by five readers from the ambo.
Reader 1 (in English):
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
God the Father in heaven: have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world: have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit: have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God: have mercy on us.
Reader 2 (in Spanish):
Holy Mary: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Most honored of virgins: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Chosen daughter of the Father: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Mother of Christ the King: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Glory of the Holy Spirit: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Virgin daughter of Zion: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Virgin poor and humble: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Virgin gentle and obedient: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Handmaid of the Lord: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Mother of the Lord: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Helper of the Redeemer: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Full of grace: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Fountain of beauty: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Model of virtue: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Reader 3 (in English):
First fruit of the redemption: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Perfect disciple of Christ: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Untarnished image of the Church: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Woman transformed: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Woman clothed with the sun: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Woman crowned with stars: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Gentle Lady: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Gracious Lady: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Our Lady: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Joy of Israel: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Splendor of the Church: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Pride of the human race: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Advocate of grace: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Minister of holiness: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Champion of God’s people: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Reader 4 (in Spanish):
Queen of love: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of mercy: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of angels: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs and prophets: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of apostles and martyrs: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of confessors and virgins: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of all saints: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of all the earth: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of heaven: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Queen of the universe: Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Reader 5 (in English):
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O Queen of Heaven: that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Bishop, with hands outstretched:
God of mercy, listen to the prayers of your servants.
Give to them the gift of heavenly grace,
that the feast of the birth of the Blessed Virgin
may bring deeper peace to all the world.
May we who have honored the Mother of Christ, your Son,
always be instruments of peace,
serve you and our neighbor on earth,
and be welcomed into your eternal kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.[3]
Canticle Song: Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace[4] (Quinn)
Closing Prayer
Bishop, with hands outstretched:
God of Compassion, hear the cries of the people of Syria,
bring healing to those suffering from the violence,
and bring comfort to those mourning the dead.
Strengthen Syria’s neighbors
in their care and welcome for refugees.
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
and protect those committed to peace.
continued on next page
God of Hope,
inspire leaders to choose peace over violence
and to seek reconciliation with enemies.
Inspire the Church around the world
with compassion for the people of Syria,
and give us hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
Prince of Peace and Light of the World,
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.[5]
Closing Blessing
Bishop:
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night (+)
and a peaceful death. Amen.
Closing Song Song: Christ, Be Our Light (Farrell)
Bishop and chaplain(s) kiss the altar and go to reserved seats within the assembly to continue in prayer.
Hymn to the Blessed Virgin Song: Salve Regina (chant)
After the hymn, private prayer accompanied by silence, song, and instrumental music will continue until 9:30p.
Scripture Reading Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10b; 11:1-9
(in English)
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
The Lord spoke to Ahaz:
Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God;
let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!”
Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel, for “With us is God!”
(in Spanish)
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
a spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
but he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide fairly for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
(in English)
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat;
the calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord,
as water covers the sea.
The word of the Lord.
[1] From Rite of Penance, Appendix II, #41
[2] From the Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, #41
[3] Adapted from the Collect for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and from the conclusion of the Litany from Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
[4] Text: James Quinn, SJ. © 1969, Selah Publishing Co. Tune: NEW BRITAIN (Amazing Grace).
[5] From USCCB “A Prayer for the People of Syria.”
Denise Morency Gannon
The threat of war hangs over us and will continue until the coming of Christ; but insofar as they can vanquish sin by coming together in charity, violence itself will be vanquished and they will make these words come true:"They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isaiah 2:4 (Church in the Modern World [Gaudium et Spes], 78) 
