Morning Prayer with Mass for the 2nd January, the Feast of Sts Basil and Gregory Nazianzen

 

St Basil the Great (330 – 379)

Basil was born in 330 at Caesarea in Cappadocia, of a Christian family. A brilliant scholar and a virtuous man, he started by becoming a hermit but was made bishop of Caesarea in 370. He fought against the Arians and wrote many notable works, in particular the monastic rule that bears his name and which many monks in the East follow to this day. He was also generous to the poor. He died on 1 January 379

 

St Gregory Nazianzen (330 – 389)

He was born in 330, near Nazianzus. He travelled widely in search of knowledge. He followed his friend Basil into the wilderness, but he too was ordained and later made a bishop. He was elected Bishop of Constantinople in 381 but because of the factional fighting within the Church he retired to Nazianzus, where he died on 25 January 389 or 390. He is known as “Gregory the Theologian” in honour of his learning and eloquence.

Entry Song from Psalm 68

Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord, turn to me in your goodness.
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord, turn to me in your love.

Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
glory to the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.

Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord, turn to me in your goodness.
Hear my prayer, answer me, Lord, turn to me in your love.

 

As we light our candle for peace we say:

Let us pray

Lord, we pray for the Holy Land, for Syria, the Yemen,
and for all the troubled countries
where people’s lives are threatened or taken from them by violence and war.
We pray for refugees and for those who need to show mercy.

Lord, hear us

 

Ps 120 Guard me, Lord, Enfold me in peace. Bless your servant, Lord.

I look up to the hills on high. Where can I find help? Lord of the Earth! Lord of the Skies! come down, enfold me in peace.

Guard me, Lord, Enfold me in peace. Bless your servant, Lord.

 

All my help comes from God the Lord, who made heav’n and earth. He does not fail, He stays awake. Guards me, surrounds me with Love.

Guard me, Lord, Enfold me in peace. Bless your servant, Lord.

 

God protector of Israel never sleeps on guard. Be at my side! Guard me with love Lord, in your shadow I lie.

Guard me, Lord, Enfold me in peace. Bless your servant, Lord.

 

From all evil He keeps me safe. He will guard my soul. No sun by day, no moon by night. Nothing can harm where I lie.

Guard me, Lord, Enfold me in peace. Bless your servant, Lord.

 

Let us pray
God our Father,
you enriched your Church  and gave examples for us to follow
in the life and teaching of Sts Basil the Great and Gregory Naziazen.
Grant that, learning the truth,  we may practise it in faith and love.

We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.   Amen

  

!st reading

 Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. At various times in the past, and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors, God spoke through the prophets;
now in our time,. He has spoken through his Son. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

 

Intercessions

Christ is the new Adam, breathing new life into the human race.

Let us turn in prayer to him, saying: – Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

Christ, Sun of righteousness,  you brought the old Covenant to its fulfilment:
pour out your light upon us also in our time. – Kyrie, eleison.

Christ, at your birth the angels sang of glory in heaven  and peace on earth:
may your peace spread throughout the world,
especially just now in the Middle East and Africa. – Kyrie, eleison.

Christ, as the new Adam you renewed our human nature and prepared a place for us in your kingdom:
may those bowed down by troubles and anxiety stand up straight, filled with hope in you.   – Kyrie, eleison.

 Lord, heal the sick, comfort those who mourn, and welcome our dead into your peace.   Kyrie, eleison.

 

As we bring the gifts to the altar we sing:

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,  the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,  the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

 

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,  but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, and stand by my side until morning is nigh.

 

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay  close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, and fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

Bellahouston Sanctus,
Memorial,
Agnus Dei

Communion Antiphon

As we eat this bread and drink this cup, though many, we are one;
one bread, one cup, one faith, one church, one Lord for evermore.

 

 

Canticle Benedictus vs 4

 

And you, my child, are favoured by the Most High: you shall be called a prophet of our God.

You shall go forth as herald from the Lord, and shall prepare the ways on which he comes.

You shall make known the wonders of salvation to everyone called chosen by the Lord.


After Mass

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm;
and may he lead us to eternal life.
Amen

 

 

 

 

Copyrights: A. P. Watt Ltd, 20 John Street, London WC1N 2DR on behalf of The Grail (England) for the text of Ps 68.which was taken from The Psalms : A New Translation published by William Collins & Co Ltd. Psalm 120: Noel S Donnelly © Kevin Mayhew (Psalms of the Seasons);