Invit. Come, let us adore our glorified Saviour. Come, let us adore our glorified Saviour. Psalm I. BEHOLD! the angels are assembled in their choirs; and the blessed saints are about to intone their hymns of praise. Behold! the Church is preparing for her solemn office; and summons all her children to unite in this sacred duty. Come, let us adore our glorified Saviour. The King of Heaven himself invites us, and graciously calls us into his divine presence. He bids us suspend our usual occupations in the world, to receive the honor of an interview with him. Come, let us adore our glorified Saviour. To him we owe all the days of our life; let us give this one at least to his service, a service so sweet and easy in itself; and so infinitely rich in its eternal rewards. Come, let us adore our glorified Saviour. Let us cheerfully ascend to the house of ou rLord, the place in which he condescends to dwell, for the love of us: let us reverently bow to his holy altars, where he himself in person is present to hear our prayers. Come, let us adore our glorified Saviour. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Come, let us adore our glorified Saviour. Come, let us adore our glorified Saviour. Hymn. Behold, dear Lord, to thee we come, We leave the world's distracting hum, Whate'er we have, whate'er we are, But O, can all our store afford, Thus we confess thy riches, Lord! And thus our poverty. 'Tis not our tongue or knee can pay, The mighty debt we owe: Far more we should, than we can say, Come, then, my soul, with all thy powers, Glory to thee, eternal Lord! Thrice holy Three in One, Thy name by all be ever adored, While time its course doth run. Amen. Antiphon. This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoice therein. Alleluia. Psalm II. WELCOME, blest day! on which the sun of justice rose, and chased away the clouds of fear. Welcome, thou birth-day of our hopes! thou art a day of public jubilee: a day of holiness and solemn devotion; a day of rest and universal festivity. Welcome to us, and our dark world! May thy radiant name shine bright forever. May all the earth be enlightened with thy beams, and every obdurate heart be subdued by thy holy influence. This is the day which our Lord hath made; let us be glad, and rejoice therein. This is the day he has reserved to himself; and called by his own adorable name. That on it we may meet to adore his greatness; and admire the wonders of his infinite power. That we may recall his innumerable mercies; and deeply imprint them on our minds and hearts. That we may visit his holy temple; and humbly present our homage at his altars: Those sacred altars where the Lamb of God is daily offered; and the memory of our Saviour's love is renewed. Worthy art thou, O Lord! of all our time; worthy the praises of all thy creatures. Every moment of our life is due to thy service; because every moment is bestowed by thy goodness. Shall others labor so much in vain pursuits, and we not rest for the service of our God? Shall we employ the whole week for ourselves; and not offer in gratitude one day to thee? To thee who bestowest on us all we have; and wilt give us hereafter more than we can hope for? O gracious Lord! whose mercy is satisfied with the slender return we make thee; Whose bounty is so liberal to us; and retains so small a part for thyself; O make us faithfully discharge our duty, and pay so exactly the tribute we owe to thee; That spending religiously the days consecrated to thy honor, we may end our life in thy friendship. |