Universalis
Thursday 1 June 2023    (other days)
Our Lord Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest 
Feast

Using calendar: Wales - Wrexham. You can change this.

Office of Readings

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.
INTRODUCTION
Deus, in adiutórium meum inténde.
  Dómine, ad adiuvándum me festína.
Glória Patri et Fílio*
  et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
  et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen. Allelúia.
INTRODUCTION
O God, come to our aid.
  O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
  and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Hymnus
Póntifex Iesu, mediátor une
ad thronum Patris precibúsque fautor,
iure conclámat celebrátque nostrum
  te genus omne.
Spíritu factus grémio puéllæ
tu puer, cuius tenet ulna mundum,
natus es nobis bene digna sola
  hóstia laudis.
Te sacerdótem Pater ipse sancti
gáudii donis oleóque inúnxit,
summa maiéstas sibi ut usque ferret
  culmen honóris.
Carne mortáli, Deus alte, sumpta,
sánguinis præbens decus et lavácrum,
iusta pro nostræ prétia obtulísti
  crímine mortis.
Christe, qui ligno crucis elevátus
cuncta traxísti, corda amóre fígens,
fac tibi, Patri, Parácleto in ævum
  cántica demus. Amen.
Hymn
Jesus, our High Priest, only Mediator,
mercifully bringing prayers before the Father:
from every nation, justly we extol you,
singing your praises.
Formed by the Spirit in the womb of Mary,
Son of the Virgin, your right arm embraces
all of creation, Sacrifice and Victim,
worthy of blessing.
Named by the Father Priest and King for ever,
you were anointed with the oil of gladness,
brought to high heaven and his throne of glory,
height of all honour.
God most exalted, mortal flesh assuming,
offering your life-blood, precious gift all cleansing,
you paid the ransom, price of our redemption,
death’s curse removing.
Christ, who uplifted on the Cross of sorrow,
drew all creation, piercing hearts with ardour,
grant we may ever praise you and the Father,
one with the Spirit.

Ps 2:1-12
Messias rex et victor

“Convenerunt vere adversus puerum tuum Iesum, quem unxisti” (Act 4, 27).

Postulávi Patrem meum; dedit mihi gentes in hereditátem.
1Quare fremuérunt gentes, *
  et pópuli meditáti sunt inánia?
2Astitérunt reges terræ †
  et príncipes convenérunt in unum *
  advérsus Dóminum et advérsus christum eius:
“3Dirumpámus víncula eórum, *
  et proiciámus a nobis iugum ipsórum!”
4Qui hábitat in cælis irridébit eos, *
  Dóminus subsannábit eos.
5Tunc loquétur ad eos in ira sua, *
  et in furóre suo conturbábit eos:
“6Ego autem constítui regem meum *
  super Sion, montem sanctum meum!”.
7Prædicábo decrétum eius: †
  Dóminus dixit ad me: “Fílius meus es tu, *
  ego hódie génui te.
8Póstula a me, et dabo tibi gentes hereditátem tuam, *
  et possessiónem tuam términos terræ.
9Reges eos in virga férrea, *
  et tamquam vas fíguli confrínges eos”.
10Et nunc, reges, intellégite, *
  erudímini, qui iudicátis terram.
11Servíte Dómino in timóre, *
  et exsultáte ei cum tremóre.
12Apprehéndite disciplínam, †
  ne quando irascátur, et pereátis de via, *
  cum exárserit in brevi ira eius.
Beáti omnes *
  qui confídunt in eo.
Glória Patri et Fílio*
  et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
  et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
Postulávi Patrem meum; dedit mihi gentes in hereditátem.

Psalm 2
The Messiah, king and victor

I asked my Father, and he has given me the nations as an inheritance.
Why are the nations in a ferment?
  Why do the people make their vain plans?
The kings of the earth have risen up;
  the leaders have united against the Lord,
  against his anointed.
“Let us break their chains, that bind us;
  let us throw off their yoke from our shoulders!”
The Lord laughs at them,
  he who lives in the heavens derides them.
Then he speaks to them in his anger;
  in his fury he throws them into confusion:
“But I – I have set up my king on Zion,
my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the Lord’s decrees.
The Lord has said to me: “You are my son: today I have begotten you.
  Ask me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance,
  the ends of the earth for you to possess.
You will rule them with a rod of iron,
  break them in pieces like an earthen pot.”
So now, kings, listen: understand, you who rule the land.
  Serve the Lord in fear, tremble even as you praise him.
Learn his teaching, lest he take anger,
  lest you perish when his anger bursts into flame.
Blessed are all who put their trust in the Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
  and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
I asked my Father, and he has given me the nations as an inheritance.

Ps 39:2-14,17-18
Gratiarum actio et auxilii petitio

“Hostiam et oblationem noluisti, corpus autem aptasti mihi” (Hebr 10, 5).

Exhibéte córpora vestra hóstiam vivéntem, sanctam, Deo placéntem.
2Exspéctans exspectávi Dóminum,*
  et inténdit mihi.
3Et exaudívit clamórem meum*
  et edúxit me de lacu misériæ et de luto fæcis;
et státuit super petram pedes meos*
  et firmávit gressus meos.
4Et immísit in os meum cánticum novum,*
  carmen Deo nostro.
Vidébunt multi et timébunt*
  et sperábunt in Dómino.
5Beátus vir, qui pósuit Dóminum spem suam*
  et non respéxit supérbos et declinántes in mendácium.
6Multa fecísti tu, Dómine Deus meus, mirabília tua,†
  et cogitatiónes tuas pro nobis:*
  non est qui símilis sit tibi.
Si nuntiáre et éloqui volúero,*
  multiplicabúntur super númerum.
7Sacrifícium et oblatiónem noluísti,*
  aures autem fodísti mihi.
Holocáustum et pro peccáto non postulásti,*
  8tunc dixi: «Ecce vénio.
In volúmine libri scriptum est de me.*
  9Fácere voluntátem tuam,
Deus meus, vólui;*
  et lex tua in præcórdiis meis».
10Annuntiávi iustítiam tuam in ecclésia magna;*
  ecce lábia mea non prohibébo, Dómine, tu scisti.
11Iustítiam tuam non abscóndi in corde meo,*
  veritátem tuam et salutáre tuum dixi.
Non abscóndi misericórdiam tuam*
  et veritátem tuam ab ecclésia magna.
12Tu autem, Dómine, ne prohíbeas miseratiónes tuas a me;*
  misericórdia tua et véritas tua semper suscípiant me,
13quóniam circumdedérunt me mala, quorum non est númerus;†
  comprehendérunt me iniquitátes meæ,*
  et non pótui vidére.
Multiplicátæ sunt super capíllos cápitis mei,*
  et cor meum derelíquit me.
14Compláceat tibi, Dómine, ut éruas me;*
  Dómine, ad adiuvándum me festína.
17Exsúltent et læténtur in te omnes quæréntes te*
  et dicant semper: «Magnificétur Dóminus», qui díligunt salutáre tuum.
18Ego autem egénus et pauper sum;*
  Dóminus sollícitus est mei.
Adiútor meus et liberátor meus tu es;*
  Deus meus, ne tardáveris.
Glória Patri et Fílio*
  et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
  et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
Exhibéte córpora vestra hóstiam vivéntem, sanctam, Deo placéntem.

Psalm 39 (40)
Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.
I waited, I waited for the Lord;
  and he heard me.
He heard my voice when I cried,
  he led me from the pit of misery,
  he led me from the mire of filth.
He set my feet on firm rock,
  he steadied my footsteps.
He filled my being with a new song,
  a song to the Lord.
Many shall see what has happened, and trust,
  and honour the Lord.
Happy the man who puts his trust in the Lord,
  who pays no heed to the proud,
  who pays no heed to liars.
Many are your wonders, O Lord my God,
  and great is your care for us:
  there is no-one like you.
If I wanted to tell the things you have done for us –
  they are too many to count.
You have refused sacrifice and oblation,
  but you have opened your ears to me.
You have refused burnt-offerings, even for sin –
  so I said “I am coming.
The books of scripture have written of me.
It is your will, my God, that I wish to perform:
  your law is next to my heart.”
I have proclaimed your judgement in the great assembly:
  I will not close my lips – Lord, you know it.
I have not hidden your judgements in my heart;
  I have not hidden your faithfulness from the assembly of the people.
But you, Lord, do not keep your mercy from me:
  let your kindness and faithfulness always sustain me.
For evils besiege me, uncountable evils;
  my transgressions surround me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
  and my heart has failed me.
Make it your will, Lord, to rescue me:
  Lord, hurry to help me.
Let all who seek you rejoice in you:
  let them say always, “Great is the Lord,”
  all who delight in your salvation.
Though I am poor and destitute,
  the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my liberator:
  my God, do not delay.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
  and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

Ps 84:2-14
Propinqua est salus nostra

“In terram delapso Salvatore nostro, benedixit Deus terram suam” (Origenes).

Christus diléxit Ecclésiam et seípsum trádidit pro ea, ut illam sanctificáret.
2Complacuísti tibi, Dómine, in terra tua,*
  convertísti captivitátem Iacob.
3Remisísti iniquitátem plebis tuæ,*
  operuísti ómnia peccáta eórum.
4Contraxísti omnem iram tuam,*
  revertísti a furóre indignatiónis tuæ.
5Convérte nos, Deus, salutáris noster,*
  et avérte iram tuam a nobis.
6Numquid in ætérnum irascéris nobis*
  aut exténdes iram tuam a generatióne in generatiónem?
7Nonne tu convérsus vivificábis nos,*
  et plebs tua lætábitur in te?
8Osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam*
  et salutáre tuum da nobis.
9Audiam, quid loquátur Dóminus Deus,†
  quóniam loquétur pacem ad plebem suam et sanctos suos*
  et ad eos, qui convertúntur corde.
10Vere prope timéntes eum salutáre ipsíus,*
  ut inhábitet glória in terra nostra.
11Misericórdia et véritas obviavérunt sibi,*
  iustítia et pax osculátæ sunt.
12Véritas de terra orta est,*
  et iustítia de cælo prospéxit.
13Etenim Dóminus dabit benignitátem,*
  et terra nostra dabit fructum suum.
14Iustítia ante eum ambulábit,*
  et ponet in via gressus suos.
Glória Patri et Fílio*
  et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio et nunc et semper*
  et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
Christus diléxit Ecclésiam et seípsum trádidit pro ea, ut illam sanctificáret.

Psalm 84 (85)
Our salvation is very near

Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her, to make her holy.
You looked kindly, O Lord, on your land:
  you ended the captivity of Jacob.
You forgave your people’s unrighteousness
  and covered over their sins.
You reined back all of your anger
  and renounced your indignant fury.
Rescue us, God, our saviour,
  and turn your anger away from us.
Do not be angry for ever
 – or will you let your wrath last from one generation to the next?
Surely you will turn round and give us life
 – so that your people can rejoice in you?
Show us, Lord, your kindness
  and give us your salvation.
I will listen to whatever the Lord God tells me,
  for he will speak peace to his people and his chosen ones,
  and to those who repent in their hearts.
Truly his salvation is close to those who fear him,
  so that glory may dwell in our land.
Kindness and faithfulness have met together,
  justice and peace have kissed.
Faithfulness has sprung from the earth,
  and justice has looked down from heaven.
Truly the Lord will give generously,
  and our land will be fruitful.
Justice will walk before him
  and place its footsteps on his path.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
  and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end.
Amen.
Christ loved the Church and handed himself over for her, to make her holy.
℣. Christus unam pro peccátis óbtulit hóstiam.
℟. Et consummávit in sempitérnum sanctificátos.
℣. Christ offered one sacrifice for sins.
℟. And has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
Lectio prior
De epistola ad Hebraeos 4:14-16; 5:1-10

Iesus, Pontifex magnus

Fratres: Habéntes pontíficem magnum, qui penetrávit cælos, Iesum Fílium Dei, teneámus confessiónem; non enim habémus pontíficem, qui non possit cómpati infirmitátibus nostris, tentátum autem per ómnia secúndum similitúdinem absque peccáto. Adeámus ergo cum fidúcia ad thronum grátiæ, ut misericórdiam consequámur et grátiam inveniámus in auxílium opportúnum.
  Omnis póntifex ex homínibus assúmptus pro homínibus constitúitur in his, quæ sunt ad Deum, ut ófferat dona et sacrifícia pro peccátis; qui æque condolére possit his, qui ignórant et errant, quóniam et ipse circúmdatus est infirmitáte et propter eam debet, quemádmodum et pro pópulo, ita étiam pro semetípso offérre pro peccátis. Nec quisquam sumit sibi illum honórem, sed qui vocátur a Deo tamquam et Aaron.
  Sic et Christus non semetípsum glorificávit, ut póntifex fíeret, sed qui locútus est ad eum: «Fílius meus es tu; ego hódie génui te»; quemádmodum et in álio dicit: «Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech».
  Qui in diébus carnis suæ, preces supplicationésque ad eum, qui possit salvum illum a morte fácere, cum clamóre válido et lácrimis ófferens et exaudítus pro sua reveréntia, et quidem cum esset Fílius, dídicit ex his, quæ passus est, obœdiéntiam; et, consummátus, factus est ómnibus obœdiéntibus sibi auctor salútis ætérnæ, appellátus a Deo póntifex iuxta órdinem Melchísedech.
First Reading
Hebrews 4:14-5:10 ©

Jesus Christ the great High Priest

Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us; but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help.
  Every high priest has been taken out of mankind and is appointed to act for men in their relations with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; and so he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or uncertain because he too lives in the limitations of weakness. That is why he has to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honour on himself, but each one is called by God, as Aaron was. Nor did Christ give himself the glory of becoming high priest, but he had it from the one who said to him: You are my son, today I have become your father, and in another text: You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and for ever.
  During his life on earth, he offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation and was acclaimed by God with the title of high priest of the order of Melchizedek.
Responsorium
Phil 2:8; Is 53:7
℟. Christus humiliávit semetípsum,* Factus obœ́diens usque ad mortem.
℣. Oblátus est quia ipse vóluit. * Factus obœ́diens.
ResponsoryHeb 5:7-9
℟. Although he was the son of God, Christ learnt to obey through suffering,* and he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
℣. During his life on earth, he offered up prayer aloud, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard,* and he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation.
Lectio altera
Ex Lítteris Encýclicis «Mediátor Dei» Pii Papæ duodécimi.

Christus sacerdos et victima

Christus útique sacérdos est, sed nobis non sibi sacérdos, cum vota religionísque sensus totíus humáni géneris nómine ætérno Patri déferat; idem páriter víctima est, sed nobis, cum semetípsum in vicem hóminis culpis obnóxii repónat. Iamvéro illud Apóstoli «hoc... sentíte in vobis quod et in Christo Iesu» a christiánis ómnibus póstulat, ut eo modo ánimum in se réferant afféctum, quamtum humána potest facúltas, quo divíni Redemptóris ánimus afféctus erat, cum sui ipsíus faciébat Sacrifícium; húmilem nempe réferant mentis demissiónem, summǽque Dei Maiestátis adoratiónem adhíbeant, honórem, laudem gratiarúmque actiónem. Póstulat prætérea ab iísdem ut víctimæ conditiónem quodámmodo sumant, ut semetípsos ad Evangélii præcépta abnégent, ut pæniténtiæ ultro libentérque dent óperam, utque admíssa quisque sua detesténtur et éxpient. Póstulat dénique ut omnes una cum Christo mýsticam in Cruce mortem obeámus, ita quidem ut Pauli senténtiam usurpáre póssimus: «Christo confíxus sum Cruci» (Gal 2, 19).
Second Reading
The Encyclical "Mediator Dei" of Pope Pius XII

Christ, Priest and Victim

Christ is a Priest indeed; however, he is a Priest not for himself but for us, since, in the name of the whole human race, he brings our prayers and religious dispositions to the eternal Father; he is also a victim, but a victim for us, since he substitutes himself for sinners.
  Now the exhortation of the Apostle, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” demands that all Christians should possess, as far as is humanly possible, the same dispositions as those which the divine Redeemer had when he offered himself in sacrifice: that is to say, they should with a humble attitude of mind, offer adoration, honour, praise and thanksgiving to the supreme majesty of God.
  Moreover, it demands that they must assume in some way the condition of a victim, that they deny themselves as the Gospel commands, that freely and of their own accord they do penance and that each detests and makes satisfaction for his sins.
  It demands, in a word, that we must all undergo with Christ a mystical death on the Cross so that we can apply to ourselves the words of St Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:19).
ResponsoriumCf. Gal 2:20
℟. In fide vivo Fílii Dei* Qui diléxit me et trádidit semetípsum pro me.
℣. Vivo, autem iam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus.* Qui diléxit me.
ResponsoryCf. Gal 2:20
℟. I live by faith in the Son of God, * Who has loved me and has given himself up for me.
℣. I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me * Who has loved me and has given himself up for me.
Canticum
Te Deum laudámus:* te Dóminum confitémur.
Te ætérnum Patrem,* omnis terra venerátur.
Tibi omnes ángeli,*
  tibi cæli et univérsæ potestátes:
tibi chérubim et séraphim*
  incessábili voce proclámant:
Sanctus,* Sanctus,* Sanctus*
  Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
Pleni sunt cæli et terra* maiestátis glóriæ tuæ.
Te gloriósus* Apostolórum chorus,
te prophetárum* laudábilis númerus,
te mártyrum candidátus* laudat exércitus.
Te per orbem terrárum*
  sancta confitétur Ecclésia,
Patrem* imménsæ maiestátis;
venerándum tuum verum* et únicum Fílium;
Sanctum quoque* Paráclitum Spíritum.
Tu rex glóriæ,* Christe.
Tu Patris* sempitérnus es Fílius.
Tu, ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem,*
  non horruísti Vírginis úterum.
Tu, devícto mortis acúleo,*
  aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.
Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes,* in glória Patris.
Iudex créderis* esse ventúrus.
Te ergo quæsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni,*
  quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.
Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis* in glória numerári.
Haec ultima pars hymni ad libitum omitti potest:
Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine,*
  et bénedic hereditáti tuæ.
Et rege eos,* et extólle illos usque in ætérnum.
Per síngulos dies* benedícimus te;
et laudámus nomen tuum in sæculum,*
  et in sæculum sæculi.
Dignáre, Dómine, die isto*
sine peccáto nos custodíre.
Miserére nostri, Dómine,* miserére nostri.
Fiat misericórdia tua, Dómine, super nos,*
  quemádmodum sperávimus in te.
In te, Dómine, sperávi:*
  non confúndar in ætérnum.
CanticleTe Deum
God, we praise you; Lord, we proclaim you!
You, the Father, the eternal –
all the earth venerates you.
All the angels, all the heavens, every power –
The cherubim, the seraphim –
unceasingly, they cry:
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts:
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of your glory!”
The glorious choir of Apostles –
The noble ranks of prophets –
The shining army of martyrs –
all praise you.
Throughout the world your holy Church proclaims you.
– Father of immeasurable majesty,
– True Son, only-begotten, worthy of worship,
– Holy Spirit, our Advocate.
You, Christ:
– You are the king of glory.
– You are the Father’s eternal Son.
– You, to free mankind, did not disdain a Virgin’s womb.
– You defeated the sharp spear of Death, and opened the kingdom of heaven to those who believe in you.
– You sit at God’s right hand, in the glory of the Father.
– You will come, so we believe, as our Judge.
And so we ask of you: give help to your servants, whom you set free at the price of your precious blood.
Number them among your chosen ones in eternal glory.
The final part of the hymn may be omitted:
Bring your people to safety, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance.
Rule them and lift them high for ever.
Day by day we bless you, Lord: we praise you for ever and for ever.
Of your goodness, Lord, keep us without sin for today.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
Let your pity, Lord, be upon us, as much as we trust in you.
In you, Lord, I trust: let me never be put to shame.
Oremus.
  Deus, qui ad maiestátis tuæ glóriam et géneris humáni salútem, Unigénitum tuum Summum atque Ætérnum constituísti Sacerdótem, præsta, ut, Spíritu Sancto largiénte, quos minístros et mysteriórum suórum dispensatóres elégit, in accépto ministério adimpléndo fidéles inveniántur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum,
qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus,
per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen.
Let us pray.
O God, who for the glory of your majesty and the salvation of the human race
  made your Only-Begotten Son the Eternal High Priest,
grant that, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,
  those whom he has chosen as ministers and stewards of his mysteries
  may be found faithful in carrying out the ministry they have received.
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.
Benedicámus Dómino.
– Deo grátias.
Let us praise the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.

The psalms and canticles here are our own translation from the Latin. The Grail translation of the psalms, which is used liturgically in most of the English-speaking world, cannot be displayed on the Web for copyright reasons; The Universalis apps and programs do contain the Grail translation of the psalms.

You can also view this page in English only.

Local calendars

General Calendar

Europe

Wales

Wrexham

Copyright © 1996-2023 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
 		 This web site © Copyright 1996-2023 Universalis Publishing Ltd · Contact us · Cookies/privacy
(top)