Universalis
Tuesday 4 November 2025    (other days)
Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop 
 on Tuesday of week 31 in Ordinary Time

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Vespers (Evening Prayer)

Based on the liturgy for the Common of Bishops.
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.
Hymn
Who are these like stars appearing,
these, before God’s throne who stand?
Each a golden crown is wearing;
who are all this glorious band?
Alleluia! Hark, they sing,
praising loud their heavenly King.
Who are these of dazzling brightness,
clothed in God’s own righteousness?
These, whose robes of purest whiteness,
shall their lustre still possess,
still untouched by time’s rude hand?
Whence came all this glorious band?
These are they who have contended
for their Saviour’s honour long,
wrestling on till life was ended,
following not the sinful throng;
these who well the fight sustained,
triumph through the Lamb have gained.
These are they whose hearts were riven,
sore with woe and anguish tried,
who in prayer full oft have striven
with the God they glorified;
now, their painful conflict o’er,
God has bid them weep no more.
These, the Almighty contemplating,
did as priests before him stand,
soul and body always waiting
day and night at his command:
now in God’s most holy place
blest they stand before his face.

Psalm 124 (125)
The Lord guards his people

The Lord surrounds his people.
Those who trust in the Lord are like the mountain of Zion:
  it cannot be shaken, it will stand firm for ever.
Jerusalem – the mountains stand guard over it,
  and the Lord stands guard over his people,
  both now and for ever.
The sceptre of the wicked shall not rest
  upon the inheritance of the just;
lest the just themselves stretch out their hands
  and turn to wickedness.
Be good, O Lord, to the good
  and the upright of heart.
As for those who turn away to crooked paths,
  the Lord shall treat them like the doers of evil.
Peace be on Israel!
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.
The Lord surrounds his people.

How to listen

Psalm 130 (131)
Childlike trust in God

Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Lord, I do not puff myself up or stare about,
  or walk among the great or seek wonders beyond me.
Truly calm and quiet I have made my spirit:
  quiet as a weaned child in its mother’s arms –
  like an infant is my soul.
Let Israel hope in the Lord, now and for all time.
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.
Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
CanticleApocalypse 4,5

The song of the redeemed

Lord, you made us a kingdom and priests to serve our God.
You are worthy, our Lord and our God,
  to receive glory and honour and power;
for you made all things,
  and it is by your will that they exist and were created.
You are worthy, Lord,
  to receive the book and open its seals,
for you were killed,
  and with your blood you have ransomed people
  from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and made them rulers and priests for God;
  and they will rule over the earth.
The Lamb is worthy, who was killed,
  to receive power and riches and wisdom,
  strength and honour, glory and blessing.
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.
Lord, you made us a kingdom and priests to serve our God.
Scripture Reading1 Peter 5:1-4
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
Short Responsory
This is a man who loves his brothers and intercedes for the people.
– This is a man who loves his brothers and intercedes for the people.
He laid down his life for his brothers.
– This is a man who loves his brothers and intercedes for the people.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
– This is a man who loves his brothers and intercedes for the people.
CanticleMagnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

This is the faithful and wise steward whom the Master placed over his household to give them their measure of food at the proper time.
Or: I thank you, Christ, for honouring me by leading me to this glory. You are the good shepherd; I pray that the sheep which you have placed in my charge will share with me in your glory for ever.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
  and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
  me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
  because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
  his mercy lasts for generation after generation
  for those who revere him.
He has put forth his strength:
  he has scattered the proud and conceited,
  torn princes from their thrones;
  but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
  the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
  he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
  to Abraham and his children for ever.
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.
This is the faithful and wise steward whom the Master placed over his household to give them their measure of food at the proper time.
Or: I thank you, Christ, for honouring me by leading me to this glory. You are the good shepherd; I pray that the sheep which you have placed in my charge will share with me in your glory for ever.
Prayers and intercessions
Let us pray to Christ, the high priest, who was appointed to represent men in their relations with God.
– Lord, save your people.
Lord Jesus, in times past you have lighted the way for your people through wise and holy leaders;
  may Christians always enjoy this sign of your loving kindness.
– Lord, save your people.
You forgave the sins of your people when holy pastors prayed;
  continually cleanse your Church through their powerful intercession.
– Lord, save your people.
In the presence of their brothers, you anointed your holy ones and poured on them your Spirit;
  fill with your Holy Spirit all the leaders of your people.
– Lord, save your people.
Nothing could ever separate the holy pastors from your love;
  do not lose even one of those whom you redeemed by your passion.
– Lord, save your people.
Through the pastors of your Church you give your sheep eternal life, and no one can steal them from you;
  save the faithful departed, for whom you laid down your life.
– Lord, save your people.
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.
Lord, keep alive in your people
  the spirit you gave to your bishop Saint Charles Borromeo.
Shape and renew your Church
  until it bears the image of Christ,
  and shows his true likeness to the world.
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.
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
  Amen.

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 Latin and English.

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