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Day 6 - Novena to St Francis

WORD OF GOD
6th Day –30th September
Hymn
Word of God, come down on earth, Alleluia,
Touch our hearts and bring to birth, Alleluia,
Faith and hope and lasting love, Alleluia,
Word of God, come down on earth!

Speak to us, eternal Word, Alleluia,
You who brought all things to life, Alleluia,
Word that came from heaven to die, Alleluia,
Speak to us, eternal Word!

Speak and heal our mortal ills, Alleluia,
Word that caused blind eyes to see, Alleluia,
Deaf we are, our healer be, Alleluia,
Speak and heal our mortal ills!

Word made flesh, we long for you, Alleluia,
Word that speaks the Father’s love, Alleluia,
Word that sends the Spirit blest, Alleluia,
Word made flesh, we long for you!

Psalmody

Ant. 1 “The Rule and Life of the Friars Minor is this: to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without anything of our own, and in Chastity. (LR I:1)

Psalm 119:105-112

Response: Your word, O Lord, is a lamp to my feet, a light on my path

Your word is a lamp for my steps
And a light for my path.
I have sworn and have made up my mind
To obey your decrees

Lord, I am deeply afflicted:
By your word give me life.
Accept, Lord, the homage of my lips
And teach me your decrees.

Though I carry my life in my hands,
I remember your law.
Though the wicked try to ensnare me
I do not stray from your precepts.

Your will is my heritage forever,
The joy of my heart
I set myself to carry out your will
in fullness, forever.

Ant. 1 The Rule and Life of the Friars Minor is this: to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without anything of our own, and in Chastity. (LR I:1)

Ant. 2 “Free from all stain, Francis’ genius penetrated the hidden depths of Scripture, and where the scholarship of the teacher stands outside, the affection of the lover entered within” (LM, XI.1).
Canticle: Jud 16:2-3a, 13-15

Begin a song to my God with tambourines,
Sing to my Lord with cymbals.
Raise to him a new psalm;
Exalt him and call upon his name.
For God is the Lord who crushes wars.

I will sing to my God a new song:
O Lord, you are great and glorious,
Wonderful in strength, invincible.

Let all your creatures serve you,
For you spoke, and they were made.
You sent forth your Spirit, and it formed them;
There is none that can resist your voice.

For the mountains shall be shaken to their foundations with
The waters;
At your presence the rocks shall melt like wax
But to those who fear you
You will continue to show mercy

Ant. 2 “Free from all stain, Francis’ genius penetrated the hidden depths of Scripture, and where the scholarship of the teacher stands outside, the affection of the lover entered within” (LM, XI.1).

Ant. 3 “Through his perfect imitation of Christ, Francis carried into practice the truth described in the Scriptures and, through the abundant anointing of the Holy Spirit, had his Teacher within himself in his heart” (LM, XI.2)

Psalm 19

The law of the Lord is perfect,
Reviving the soul;
The decrees of the Lord are sure,
Making wise the simple;

The precepts of the Lord are right,
Rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is clear,
Enlightening the eyes;

The fear of the Lord is pure,
Enduring forever;
The ordinances of the Lord are true
And righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,
Even much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey,
And drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.

 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
Do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth
And the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Ant. 3 “Through his perfect imitation of Christ, Francis carried into practice the truth described in the Scriptures and, through the abundant anointing of the Holy Spirit, had his Teacher within himself in his heart” (LM, XI.2)

Scripture Reading (Isa 55:10-11)

As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return till they have watered the earth, making it yield seed for the sower and food for the eater, so is my word that goes forth out of my mouth: it will not return to me idle, but it shall accomplish my will the purpose for which it has been sent.

Responsory

Leader: Let us hold on to the words, the life, and teaching and the Holy Gospel of Him who humbled himself to intercede with his Father for us and to make His name Known to us. (ER 22:41)
Response: Oh, the Word of my Lord, deep within my being,
Oh, the Word of my Lord, you have filled my mind! (2)

Magnificat Ant. “This is what I wish, this is what I seek, and this is what I desire with all my heart.” (1Cel. 22).

Intercessions

(Join in the second part of the intercession)
St. Francis was given over to persistent meditation and penetrating consideration of the Scriptures. Like Francis, we seek spirit and life in the words of the Gospel. For this grace, let us pray:
All: Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life.

Your words are spirit, Lord and they are life:
All: May we be totally conformed to the Gospel in word and deed!

Lord, at your word, Francis hastened to carry it out diligently:
All: May we not be deaf hearers of your Gospel.

The Rule and Life of the brothers and sisters is to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
All: May we dedicate ourselves wholly to live out the charism we profess.

Your word, O Lord, lights up our ways and guides our steps:
All: Lord, your law brings salvation!

Lord, Mary our mother pondered your word and kept it in her heart:
All: Like St. Francis, may all his brothers throughout the world bring forth worthy fruits of penance!

Lord, you have laid down your commands:
All: May we ever be ready to obey your decrees!

Our Father . . .

Concluding Prayer

Lord, your words are the light to our eyes, the joy of our hearts, and the truth of our life. Your servant, St. Francis, realized this in his days. We pray that your Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, may be lived by us today, simply and plainly. We make this prayer through same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn

I am the herald of the great king!
Hear, all you creatures of the wood.
Praise is my life and music-making;
Join me, O nature’s brotherhood

Birds in the tress and in the clearing,
go, tell the good word all around;
Sparrows, there’s good news for your hearing
a father in heaven i have found.

Shout to the meadows and the mountains,
And let the valleys now resound;
Hear this, you rivers and you fountains,
A king and a father i have found!

All things he holds them in the hollow,
Father of all that lives and grows,
Feeding the raven and the swallow,
Clothing the lily and the rose.
Br. Salvadore Drego
OFM Franciscans India

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