Preparation for Mass and Communion

From the Roman Breviary and the Roman Missal

Antiphon. Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our fathers; neither take Thou vengeance of our sin.

Psalm lxxxiii

How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts: my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.

My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.

For the sparrow hath found her a house, and the turtle a nest for herself, where she may lay her young:

Even Thine altars, O Lord of hosts: my king and my God.

Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord: they shall praise Thee for ever and ever.

Blessed is the man whose help is in Thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps, in the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.

For the lawgiver shall give a blessing: they shall go from strength to strength: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob.

Behold, O God, our protector: and look upon the face of Thy Christ.

For one day in Thy courts: is better than a thousand.

I had rather be despised in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of sinners.

For God loveth mercy and truth: the Lord will give grace and glory.

He will not withhold good things from them that walk in innocence: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that hopeth in Thee.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Psalm lxxxiv

THOU hast blessed Thy land, O Lord: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of Thy people: Thou hast covered all their sins.

Thou hast softened all Thine anger: Thou hast turned away from the wrath of Thine indignation.

Convert us, O God, our Saviour: and turn away Thine anger from us.

Wilt Thou be angry with us for ever: or wilt Thou stretch out Thy wrath from generation to generation?

Thou shalt turn again, O God, and quicken us: and Thy people shall rejoice in Thee.

Show us Thy mercy, O Lord: and grant us Thy salvation.

I will hearken what the Lord God shall say within me: for He will speak peace unto His people.

And unto His saints: and unto them that are converted in heart.

Surely His salvation is nigh unto them that fear Him: that glory may dwell in our land.

Mercy and truth have met together: justice and peace have kissed each other.

Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.

For the Lord shall give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.

Justice shall walk before Him: and shall set His steps in the way.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Psalm lxxxv

INCLINE Thine ear, O Lord, and hear me: for I am needy and poor.

Preserve my soul, for I am holy: O my God, save Thy servant, that trusteth in Thee.

Have mercy upon me, O Lord: for unto Thee have I cried all the day. Give joy to the soul of Thy servant, for unto Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.

For Thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild; and plenteous in mercy unto all that call upon Thee.

Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer: and attend to the voice of my petition.

I have called upon Thee in the day of my trouble: for Thou hast heard me.

Among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord: and there is none that can do works like unto Thy works.

All the nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord, and shall glorify Thy name.

For Thou art great, and dost wondrous things: Thou art God alone.

Lead me, O Lord, in Thy way, and I will walk in Thy truth: let my heart rejoice that it may fear Thy name.

I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart: and I will glorify Thy name for ever.

For great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul out of the lower hell.

O God, the wicked are risen up against me: and the assembly of the mighty have sought after my soul: and they have not set Thee before their eyes.

And Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion and merciful: long-suffering, and of much mercy, and true.

O look upon me, and have mercy on me: give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thine handmaid.

Show me a token for good: that they who hate me may see, and be confounded: because Thou, O Lord, hast helped me, and hast comforted me.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Psalm cxv

I BELIEVED, and therefore did I speak: but I was humbled exceedingly.

I said in mine excess: All men are liars.

What shall I render unto the Lord: for all the things that He hath rendered unto me?

I will take the chalice of salvation: and call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the presence of all His people: precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

O Lord, I am Thy servant: I am Thy servant, and the son of Thine handmaid.

Thou hast broken my bonds in sunder; I will offer unto Thee the sacrifice of praise, and will call upon the name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows unto the Lord in the sight of all His people: in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Psalm cxxix

OUT of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.

O let Thine ears consider well: the voice of my supplication.

If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall abide it?

For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and because of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.

My soul hath waited on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch even until night: let Israel hope in the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him is plenteous redemption.

And He shall redeem Israel: from all his iniquities.

Glory be to the Father, etc.

Antiphon. Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our fathers; neither take Thou vengeance of our sins: Spare us, good Lord, spare Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us forever.

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Our Father.

V. And lead us not into temptation.

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. I said: O Lord, be Thou merciful unto me.

R. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee.

V. Turn to us, O Lord, for a little space.

R. And be entreated in favor of Thy servants.

V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.

R. As we have hoped in Thee.

V. Let Thy priests be clothed with justice.

R. And let Thy saints rejoice.

V. From my hidden sins cleanse me, O Lord.

R. And from those of others spare Thy servant.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray

1. MOST merciful God, incline Thine ears to our prayers, and with the grace of the Holy Ghost enlighten our hearts, that we may worthily take part in Thy service, and love Thee with an everlasting love.

2. O GOD, before Whom all hearts are open, to Whom all desires are known, and from Whom no secret is hidden: purify the thoughts of our hearts by the inpouring of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy name.

3. INFLAME, O Lord, our reins and our hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may serve Thee with chaste bodies and pure minds.

4. LORD, we beseech Thee, that the Paraclete Who proceedeth from Thee may enlighten our minds and lead us into all truth, even as Thy Son hath promised unto us.

5. SEND down upon us, we implore Thee, O Lord, the Holy Ghost in His might, that He may cleanse us from all evil and defend us from all adversities.

6. O GOD, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that, by the gift of the same spirit, we may always be truly wise and ever rejoice in His holy consolations.

7. LORD, we beseech Thee to cleanse our consciences by the power of Thy holy visitation, that when Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, cometh, He may find in us a dwelling-place made ready for Him; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.