Saint November 2 : All Soul's Day - Remembering all the Faithfully Departed - #AllSouls

Commemoration of All Faithful Departed

The commemoration of all the faithful departed is celebrated by the Church on 2 November, or, if this be a Sunday or a solemnity, on 3 November. The Office of the Dead must be recited by the clergy and all the Masses are to be of Requiem, except one of the current feast, where this is of obligation.
The theological basis for the feast is the doctrine that the souls which, on departing from the body, are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, are debarred from the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can help them by prayers, almsdeeds and especially by the sacrifice of the Mass. (See PURGATORY:(Lat., "purgare", to make clean, to purify) in accordance with Catholic teaching is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.) )
In the early days of Christianity the names of the departed brethren were entered in the diptychs. Later, in the sixth century, it was customary in Benedictine monasteries to hold a commemoration of the deceased members at Whitsuntide. In Spain there was such a day on Saturday before Sexagesima or before Pentecost, at the time of St. Isidore (d. 636). In Germany there existed (according to the testimony of Widukind, Abbot of Corvey, c. 980) a time-honoured ceremony of praying to the dead on 1 October. This was accepted and sanctified by the Church. St. Odilo of Cluny (d. 1048) ordered the commemoration of all the faithful departed to be held annually in the monasteries of his congregation. Thence it spread among the other congregations of the Benedictines and among the Carthusians.
Of the dioceses, Liège was the first to adopt it under Bishop Notger (d. 1008). It is then found in the martyrology of St. Protadius of Besançon (1053-66). Bishop Otricus (1120-25) introduced it into Milan for the 15 October. In Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, priests on this day say three Masses. A similar concession for the entire world was asked of Pope Leo XIII. He would not grant the favour but ordered a special Requiem on Sunday, 30 September, 1888.Catholic Encyclopedia In the Greek Rite this commemoration is held on the eve of Sexagesima Sunday, or on the eve of Pentecost. The Armenians celebrate the passover of the dead on the day after Easter.

Text from The Catholic Encyclopedia 

Pope Francis says "Today's solemnity of All Saints reminds us that we are all called to holiness. The saints ...are not simply symbols, distant human beings, unreachable... they are people who have lived with their feet on the ground

ANGELUS

St. Peter's Square
Friday, 1 November 2019
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today's solemnity of All Saints reminds us that we are all called to holiness. The saints and saints of all times, which we all celebrate together today, are not simply symbols, distant human beings, unreachable. On the contrary, they are people who have lived with their feet on the ground; they have experienced the daily toil of existence with its successes and its failures, finding in the Lord the strength to always get up and continue the journey. From this we understand that holiness is a goal that cannot be achieved only with one's own strength, but is the fruit of the grace of God and of our free response to it. Therefore holiness is gift and call.

As God's grace, that is his gift, it is something that we cannot buy or barter, but welcome, thus participating in the same divine life through the Holy Spirit who lives in us from the day of our Baptism. The seed of holiness is precisely Baptism. It is a question of becoming more and more aware that we are grafted into Christ, how the branch is united to the vine, and therefore we can and must live with Him and in Him as children of God. Then holiness is living in full communion with God, already now, during this earthly pilgrimage.

But holiness, besides being a gift, is also called, is a common vocation of all of us Christians, of the disciples of Christ; it is the path of fullness that every Christian is called to follow in the faith, proceeding towards the final goal: the definitive communion with God in eternal life. Holiness thus becomes a response to the gift of God, because it manifests itself as an assumption of responsibility. In this perspective, it is important to take on a daily commitment of sanctification in the conditions, duties and circumstances of our life, trying to live everything with love, with charity.

The saints we celebrate today in the liturgy are brothers and sisters who have admitted in their lives that they need this divine light, abandoning themselves to it with confidence. And now, before the throne of God (see Rev 7:15), he sings his glory forever. They constitute the "holy city", to which we look with hope, as to our definitive goal, while we are pilgrims in this "earthly city". We walk towards that "holy city", where these holy brothers and sisters await us. It is true, we are fatigued by the harshness of the journey, but hope gives us the strength to go on. Looking at their lives, we are encouraged to imitate them. Among them there are so many witnesses of a holiness "next door, of those who live near us and are a reflection of the presence of God" (Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et exsultate, 7).

Brothers and sisters, the memory of the Saints leads us to raise our eyes to Heaven: not to forget the realities of the earth, but to face them with more courage, with more hope. May Mary, our most holy Mother, a sign of consolation and sure hope, accompany us with her maternal intercession.

After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters,

I affectionately greet all of you, pilgrims from Italy and from various countries; in particular the children of Catholic Action; they came with their educators from many Italian dioceses, on the 50th anniversary of the ACR. One, two, three ... [the boys in the square sing a song] I greet the young men of the Deanery of Mauges, France; and the boys of Carugate (Milan).

I greet the athletes who took part in the Corsa dei Santi, organized by the "Missioni Don Bosco" Foundation to emphasize, even in a dimension of popular celebration, the religious value of the recurrence of All Saints. I thank you and all those, in the parishes and communities, these days promote prayer initiatives to celebrate All Saints and commemorate the dead. These two Christian holidays remind us of the bond that exists between the Church of the earth - we are - and that of heaven, between us and our loved ones who have moved on to another life.

Tomorrow afternoon I will go to celebrate the Eucharist in the Catacombs of Priscilla, one of the burial places of the first Christians of Rome. These days, when, unfortunately, there are also messages of negative culture about death and the dead, an invitation not to neglect, if possible, a visit and a prayer at the cemetery. It will be an act of faith.

And I wish everyone a good holiday in the spiritual company of the Saints. Please don't forget to pray for me. Good lunch and goodbye!

Full Text Source: Vatican.va - Unofficial Translation

Litany of the Saints : One of the Oldest Official prayers of the Church : Powerful Prayers to SHARE - #AllSaints

LITANY OF THE SAINTS The Litany of the Saints is one of the oldest prayers of the
Church. It was extent in the 3rd century. It is an official prayer
that can be recited publicly in the Roman Catholic Church.
Today is the feast of all the Saints: Nov. 1.
LITANY
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of 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.

Holy Mary, (after each Saint say) pray for us.Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
St. Michael,
St. Gabriel,
St. Raphael,
All you Holy Angels and Archangels,
St. John the Baptist,
St. Joseph,
All you Holy Patriarchs and Prophets,
St. Peter,
St. Paul,
St. Andrew,
St. James,
St. John,
St. Thomas,
St. James,
St. Philip,
St. Bartholomew,
St. Matthew,
St. Simon,
St. Jude,
St. Matthias,
St. Barnabas,
St. Luke,
St. Mark,
All you holy Apostles and Evangelists,
All you holy Disciples of the Lord,
All you holy Innocents,
St. Stephen,
St. Lawrence,
St. Vincent,
Sts. Fabian and Sebastian,
Sts. John and Paul,
Sts. Cosmos and Damian,
All you holy Martyrs,

St. Sylvester,
St. Gregory,
St. Ambrose,
St. Augustine,
St. Jerome,
St. Martin,
St. Nicholas,
All you holy Bishops and Confessors,
All you holy Doctors,

St. Anthony,
St. Benedict,
St. Bernard,
St. Dominic,
St. Francis,
All you holy Priests and Levites,
All you holy Monks and Hermits,
St. Mary Magdalene,
St. Agatha,
St. Lucy,
St. Agnes,
St. Cecilia,
St. Anastasia,
St. Catherine,
St. Clare,
All you holy Virgins and Widows,
All you holy Saints of God, 
Lord, be merciful, Lord, save your people.From all evil, Lord, save your people.From all sin, Lord, save your people.From your wrath, Lord, save your people.From a sudden and unprovided death, Lord, save your people.From the snares of the devil, Lord, save your people.From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, Lord, save your people.From the spirit of uncleanness, Lord, save your people.From lightning and tempest, Lord, save your people.From the scourge of earthquake, Lord, save your people.From plague, famine, and war, Lord, save your people.From everlasting death, Lord, save your people.
By the mystery of your holy Incarnation, Lord, save your people.By your Coming, Lord, save your people.By your Birth, Lord, save your people.By your Baptism and holy fasting, Lord, save your people.By your Cross and Passion, Lord, save your people.By your Death and Burial, Lord, save your people.By your holy Resurrection, Lord, save your people.By your wonderful Ascension, Lord, save your people.By the coming of the Holy Spirit, Lord, save your people.On the day of judgment,  Lord, save your people.

Be merciful to us sinners,
Lord, hear our prayer.
That you will spare us, Lord, hear our prayer.
That you will pardon us, Lord, hear our prayer
That it may please you to bring us to true
penance, Lord, hear our prayer (continue with the same response)
Guide and protect your holy Church,
Preserve in holy religion the Pope, and all
those in holy Orders,
Humble the enemies of holy Church,
Give peace and unity to the whole Christian
people,
Bring back to the unity of the Church all
those who are straying, and bring all
unbelievers to the light of the Gospel,
Strengthen and preserve us in your holy
service,
Raise our minds to desire the things of
heaven,
Reward all our benefactors with eternal
blessings,
Deliver our souls from eternal damnation,
and the souls of our brethren, relatives,
and benefactors,
Give and preserve the fruits of the earth,
Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed,
That it may please You to hear and heed
us, Jesus, Son of the Living God,
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of
the world, Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of
the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of

the world,
Have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us,
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

V. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem. V. And lead us not into temptation. R. Sed líbera nos a malo. R. But deliver us from evil. Psalmus 69. Deus, in adjutórium Psalm 69. Deus, in adjutórium 1 Deus, in adjutórium meum inténde: * Dómine ad adjuvándum me festína. 1 HASTE thee, O God, to deliver me; * make haste to help me, O LORD. 2 Confundántur et revereántur, * qui quærunt ánimam meam. 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul; * let them be turned backward and put to confusion that wish me evil. 3 Avertántur retrórsum, et erubéscant, * qui volunt mihi mala. 3 Let them for their reward be soon brought to shame, * that cry over me, There! there! 4 Avertántur statim erubescéntes, * qui dicunt mihi : Euge, euge. 4 But let all those that seek thee be joyful and glad in thee: * and let all such as delight in thy salvation say always, The Lord be praised. 5 Exsúltent et læténtur in te omnes qui quærunt te, * et dicant semper : Magnificétur Dóminus : qui díligunt salutáre tuum. 5 As for me, I am poor and in misery: * haste thee unto me, O God. 6 Ego vero egénus, et pauper sum : * Deus, ádjuva me. 6 Thou art my helper, and my redeemer: * O LORD, make no long tarrying. 7 Adjútor meus, et liberátor meus es tu : * Dómine, ne moréris. 8 Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. 8 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 9 Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen. 9 As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. V. Salvos fac servos tuos. V. O God, save thy servants. R. Deus meus, sperántes in te. R. That put their trust in thee. V. Esto nobis, Dómine, turris fortitúdinis. V. Be unto us, O Lord, a tower of strength. R. A fácie inimíci. R. From the face of the enemy. V. Nihil profíciat inimícus in nobis. V. Let the enemy prevail nothing against us. R. Et fílius iniquitátis non appónat nocére nobis. R. Nor the son of wickedness approach to afflict us. V. Dómine, non secúndum peccáta nostra fácias nobis. V. O Lord, deal not with us after our sins. R. Neque secúndum iniquitátes nostras retríbuas nobis. R. Neither reward us according to our iniquities. V. Orémus pro Pontifice nostro (Nomen). V. Let us pray for our Pope (Name). R. Dóminus consérvet eum, et vivíficet eum, et beátum fáciat eum in terra, et beátum fáciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in ánimam inimicórum ejus. R. The Lord preserve him and keep him alive, that he may be blessed upon earth; and deliver not thou him into the will of his enemies. (Vacante Apostolica Sede, Versus cum suo Responsorio præteritur.) (If the Holy See is vacant, the above Versicle with its Response is omitted.) V. Orémus pro benefactóribus nostris. V. Let us pray for our benefactors. R. Retribúere dignáre, Dómine, ómnibus, nobis bona faciéntibus propter nomen tuum, vitam ætérnam. Amen. R. Vouchsafe, O Lord, for thy Name's sake, to reward with eternal life all them that do us good. Amen. V. Orémus pro fidelibus defunctis. V. Let us pray for the faithful departed. R. Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine, et lux perpétua luceat eis. R. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. V. Requiéscant in pace. V. May they rest in peace. R. Amen. R. Amen. V. Pro frátribus nostris abséntibus. V. Let us pray for our absent brethren. R. Salvos fac servos tuos, Deus meus, sperántes in te. R. Save thy servants, O my God, that put their trust in thee. V. Mitte eis, Dómine, auxílium de sancto. V. Send them help, O Lord, from thy holy place. R. Et de Sion tuere eos. R. And from Zion deliver them. V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam. V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat. R. And let my cry come unto thee. V. Dóminus vobíscum. V. The Lord be with you. R. Et cum spíritu tuo. R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray. (Collects) Deus, cui proprium est miseréri semper et parcere : súscipe deprecatiónem nostram ; ut nos, et omnes fámulos tuos, quos delictórum catena constringit, miserátio tuæ pietátis clementer absolvat.	O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive : receive our humble petitions ; and though we be tied and bound by the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us.
Exáudi, quæsumus, Dómine, supplícium preces, et confiténtium tibi parce peccátis : ut páriter nobis indulgéntiam tríbuas benignus et pacem.	We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to hear the prayers of thy humble servants, and to forgive the sins of them that confess the same unto thee : that they may obtain of thy loving-kindness pardon and peace.
Ineffábilem nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam clementer osténde : ut simul nos et a peccátis ómnibus exuas, et a pœnis, quas pro his meremur, erípias.	O Lord, we pray thee, shew forth upon us thy servants the abundance of thy unspeakable mercy : that we may be delivered from the chain of our sins, and from the punishment which for the same we have most righteously deserved.
Deus, qui culpa offenderis, pœniténtia placaris : preces pópuli tui supplicántis propítius réspice ; et flagélla tuæ iracúndiæ, quæ pro peccátis nostris meremur, averte.	O God, who art wroth with them that sin against thee, and sparest them that are penitent : we beseech thee to hear the prayers of thy people that call upon thee ; that we, which have most justly deserved the scourges of thine anger, may by thy great mercy be delivered from the same.
(If the Holy See is vacant, the following Collect is omitted.)	(If the Holy See is vacant, the following Collect is omitted.)
Omnípotens sempiterne Deus, miserére famulo tuo Pontifici nostro (Nomen), et dírige eum secúndum tuam cleméntiam in viam salútis ætérnæ : ut, te donante, tibi placita cupiat, et tota virtúte perfíciat.	Almighty and everlasting God, we beseech thee to have compassion upon N., our Pope, and by thy mercy govern him in the way of everlasting life : that, being endued with thy grace, he may ever seek those things that are pleasing unto thee, and with his whole strength perform the same.
Deus, a quo sancta desidéria, recta consília et justa sunt ópera : da servis tuis illam, quam mundus dare non potest, pacem ; ut et corda nostra mandátis tuis dedita, et, hóstium subláta formidine, témpora sint, tua protectióne, tranquilla.	O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed : give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give ; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness.
Ure igne Sancti Spíritus renes nostros et cor nostrum, Dómine : ut tibi casto corpore serviamus, et mundo corde placeámus.	Grant, O Lord, we pray thee, that the fire of thy Holy Ghost may in such wise cleanse our reins and our hearts : that we serving thee in pureness both of body and soul may be found an acceptable people in thy sight.
Fidélium, Deus, ómnium conditor et redemptor, animábus famulórum famularumque tuárum remissiónem cunctórum tríbue peccatórum : ut indulgéntiam, quam semper optavérunt, piis supplicatiónibus consequántur.	O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all them that believe : grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaidens the remission of all their sins ; that, as they have ever desired thy merciful pardon, so by the supplications of their brethren they may receive the same.
Actiónes nostras, quæsumus, Dómine, aspirándo prævéni et adjuvándo proséquere : ut cuncta nostra orátio et operátio a te semper incipiat et per te cœpta finiátur.	Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favour, and further us with thy continual help : that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life.
Omnípotens sempiterne Deus, qui vivórum domináris simul et mortuórum, ómniumque miseréris quos tuos fide et ópere futuros esse prænoscis : te supplices exorámus ; ut, pro quibus effúndere preces decrevimus, quosque vel præsens sæculum adhuc in carne retinet vel futúrum jam exutos corpore suscépit, intercedéntibus ómnibus Sanctis tuis, pietátis tuæ cleméntia, ómnium delictórum suórum véniam consequántur. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.	Almighty and everlasting God, who hast dominion both of the quick and the dead, who likewise hast mercy upon all men, whom by reason of their faith and works thou hast foreknown : we commend unto thee all those for whom we now do offer our prayers, whether in this world they still be held in the bonds of the flesh, or being delivered therefrom have passed into that which is to come ; beseeching thee that at the intercession of all thy Saints they may of thy bountiful goodness obtain the remission of all their sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.	R. Amen.
V. Dóminus vobíscum.	V. The Lord be with you.
R. Et cum spíritu tuo.	R. And with thy spirit.
V. Exáudiat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.	V. May the Almighty and Merciful Lord graciously hear us.
R. Amen.	R. Amen.
V. Et fidélium ánimæ † per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace.	V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, † through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.	R. Amen.

Pope Francis explains "...the love of Christ..a type of love that waits patiently, like...He plays His last card with Judas: ‘Friend,’ offering him a way out, even until the end."

Pope at Mass: Christ’s love is not like a soap opera
In his homily at Mass in the Casa Santa Marta on Thursday, Pope Francis reflects on God’s love for each of us in Jesus, saying tenderness is the key to understanding the love of Christ.
By Vatican News

The Holy Spirit helps us to understand “the love of Christ for us” and to prepare our hearts to “allow ourselves to be loved” by the Lord.

Pope Francis made that point during Mass on Thursday, as he reflected on the First Reading (Rm 8:31b-39).

St Paul, he said, could seem to some to be “too proud” or “too sure of himself” when he affirms that “anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword” will succeed in separating us from Christ.

A mother’s love
Pope Francis said St Paul is really showing us that “we conquer overwhelmingly” through the love of Christ. Ever since the Lord called to Paul along the road to Damascus, the Apostle to the Gentiles “sought to understand the mystery of Christ.”

He had “fallen in love with Christ”, said the Pope, caught up in “a strong love” and not in a “soap opera type of story.” St Paul felt the Lord accompany him through all manner of good and bad times.

“He felt this in love. I ask myself: do I love the Lord like him? When hard times come, how often do we feel the desire to say: ‘The Lord has abandoned me. He doesn’t love me anymore’ and then seek to abandon the Lord in turn. But Paul was sure that the Lord would never abandon him. He had understood the love of Christ in his own life. This is the path that Paul shows us: the path of love at all times, through thick and thin, at every moment. This is the greatness of Paul.”

Give our lives for others
Christ’s love, Pope Francis added, “cannot be described”. It is immeasurable.

“It is really He Who was sent by the Father to save us. He did so with love. He gave His life for me: There is no greater love than to give your life for another person. We can think about a mother – the love of a mother, for example – who gives her life for her child, accompanying him or her through life in difficult moments… Jesus’ love is near to us, and is not an abstract love. It is a You-Me/Me-You love – each of us – with our own name and surname.”

Tears for each of us
In Luke’s Gospel, Pope Francis focused on “something concrete in Jesus’ love”. Speaking about Jerusalem, Jesus recalls the times He tried to gather her children, “as a hen gathers her brood under her wings”, but was opposed. So he wept.

“The love of Christ drives Him to weep, to weep for each of us. What tenderness we find in this expression. Jesus could have condemned Jerusalem, say horrible things… But he laments that she would not allow herself to be loved like the hen’s chicks. This is the tender love of God in Jesus. Which is exactly what Paul understood. If we cannot feel or understand the tender love of God in Jesus for each of us, then we will never, never, be able to understand the love of Christ. It is a type of love that waits patiently, like the love with which He plays His last card with Judas: ‘Friend’, offering him a way out, even until the end. He loves even the worst sinners with this tenderness, all the way up to the end. I’m not sure we think about Jesus being so tender – Jesus who cries, as He cried before the tomb of Lazarus, as He cried here looking out over Jerusalem.”

Love expressed in tears
Finally, Pope Francis urged us to ask ourselves if Jesus weeps for us, even as we often choose to “take another path”.

The love of God, he concluded, “is expressed in the tender tears of Jesus”, which is why St Paul fell “so in love with Christ that nothing could drag him away.”
Full Text Source: VaticanNews.va

Today's Mass Readings and Video : Friday, November 1, 2019 - #Solemnity of #AllSaintsDay

Solemnity of All Saints
Lectionary: 667

Reading 1RV 7:2-4, 9-14

I, John, saw another angel come up from the East,
holding the seal of the living God.
He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels
who were given power to damage the land and the sea,
"Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees
until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."
I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal,
one hundred and forty-four thousand marked
from every tribe of the children of Israel.

After this I had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice:

"Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne,
and from the Lamb."

All the angels stood around the throne
and around the elders and the four living creatures.
They prostrated themselves before the throne,
worshiped God, and exclaimed:

"Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might
be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me,
"Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?"
I said to him, "My lord, you are the one who knows."
He said to me,
"These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb."

Responsorial PsalmPS 24:1BC-2, 3-4AB, 5-6

R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Reading 21 JN 3:1-3

Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.

AlleluiaMT 11:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 5:1-12A

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven."