Couples for Christ – Renewal of Vows
OFFICE OF READINGS
Leader: Lord, open my lips.
All: And my mouth will proclaim your praise."
INVITATORY
Leader: Oh God, come to our assistance.
All: Oh Lord, make haste to help us.
Leader: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and
to the Holy Spirit,
All: As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN: Yahweh, the Faithful One, Glory & Praise
#58 or pg. 96]
Psalm 107: Peace is Flowing Like a River [Glory
& Praise #39 or pg. 71] or
CBW #535 – Now Thank We All Our God
Leader: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and
to the Holy Spirit,
All: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.
Psalm Prayer
You fill the hungry with good things, Lord God,
and break the sinner’s chains. Hear your people
who call to you in their need and lead your
Church from the shadows of death. Gather us
from sunrise to sunset, that we may grow together
in faith and love and give lasting thanks for your
kindness.
READINGS
FIRST READING
From the first book of Maccabees 9:1-22
When Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army
had fallen in battle, he again sent Bacchides and
Alcimus into the land of Judah, along with the
right wing of his army. They took the road to
Galilee, and camping opposite the ascent at
Arbela, they captured it and killed many people.
In the first month of the year one hundred and
fifty-two, they encamped against Jerusalem. Then
they set out for Berea with twenty thousand men
and two thousand cavalry. Judas, with three
thousand picked men, had camped at Elasa.
When his men saw the great number of the
troops, they were very much afraid, and many
slipped away from the camp, until only eight
hundred men remained.
As Judas saw that his army was melting away just
when the battle was imminent, he was panic-
stricken, because he had no time to gather them
together. But in spite of his discouragement, he
said to those who remained: “Let us go forward to
meet our enemies; perhaps we can put up a good
fight against them.” They tried to dissuade him,
saying: “We certainly cannot. Let us save our lives
now, and come back with our kinsmen, and then
fight against them. Now we are too few.” But
Judas said: “Far be it from me to do such a thing
as to flee from them! If our time has come, let us
die bravely for our kinsmen and not leave a stain
upon our glory!”
Then the army of Bacchides moved out of camp
and took its position for combat. The cavalry were
divided into two squadrons, and the slingers and
the archers came on ahead of the army, and all
the valiant men were in the front line. Bacchides
was on the right wing. Flanked by the two
squadrons, the phalanx attacked as they blew
their trumpets. Those who were on Judas’ side
also blew their trumpets. The earth shook with the
noise of the armies, and the battle raged from
morning until evening.
Seeing that Bacchides was on the right, with the
main force of his army, Judas, with all the most
stouthearted rallying to him, drove back the right
wing and pursued them as far as the mountain
slopes. But when the men on the left wing saw
that the right wing was driven back, they turned
and followed Judas and his men, taking them in
the rear. The battle was fought desperately, and
many on both sides fell wounded. Then Judas fell,
and the rest fled.
Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas and
buried him in the tomb of their fathers at Modein.
All Israel bewailed him in great grief. They
mourned for him many days, and they said, “How
the mighty one has fallen, the savior of Israel!”
The other acts of Judas, his battles, the brave
deeds he performed, and his greatness have not
been recorded; but they were very many.
RESPONSORY
See 1 Maccabees 4:8, 9, 10, 9
Leader: Do not be afraid of the enemy’s attack.
Recall how our fathers were saved.
All:– So now let us cry to heaven,
and our God will favor us.
Leader: Remember his wonderful deeds:
how he dealt with Pharaoh and his army in the
Red Sea.
All: – So now let us cry to heaven,
and our God will favor us.
Couples for Christ – Renewal of Vows
SECOND READING
From a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, pope
(Sermo 4, 1-2: PL 54, 148-149)
The minister of a special calling
Although the universal Church of God is
constituted of distinct orders of members, still, in
spite of the many parts of its holy body, the
Church subsists as an integral whole, just as the
Apostle says: We are all one in Christ, nor is
anyone separated from the office of another in
such a way that a lower group has no connection
with the head. In the unity of faith and baptism,
our community is then undivided. There is a
common dignity as the apostle Peter says in these
words: And you are built up as living stones into
spiritual houses, a holy priesthood, offering
spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ. And again: But you are a
chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people of election.
For all, regenerated in Christ, are made kings by
the sign of the cross; they are consecrated priests
by the oil of the Holy Spirit, so that beyond the
special service of our ministry as priests, all
spiritual and mature Christians know that they
are a royal race and are sharers in the office of the
priesthood. For what is more king-like than to find
yourself ruler over your body after having
surrendered your soul to God? And what is more
priestly than to promise the Lord a pure
conscience and to offer him in love unblemished
victims on the altar of one’s heart?
Because, through the grace of God, it is a deed
accomplished universally on behalf of all, it is
altogether praiseworthy and in keeping with a
religious attitude for you to rejoice in this our day
of consecration, to consider it a day when we are
especially honored. For indeed one sacramental
priesthood is celebrated throughout the entire
body of the Church. The oil which consecrates us
has richer effects in the higher grades, yet it is not
sparingly given in the lower.
Sharing in this office, my dear brethren, we have
solid ground for a common rejoicing; yet there will
be more genuine and excellent reason for joy if
you do not dwell on the thought of our
unworthiness. It is more helpful and more
suitable to turn your thoughts to study the glory
of the blessed apostle Peter. We should celebrate
this day above all in honor of him. He overflowed
with abundant riches from the very source of all
graces, yet though he alone received much,
nothing was given over to him without his sharing
it. The Word made flesh lived among us, and in
redeeming the whole human race, Christ gave
himself entirely.
RESPONSORY
Matthew 16:18; Psalm 48:9
Leader: Jesus said to Simon: I tell you most
solemnly that you are Peter,
and I will build my Church upon this rock
foundation,
All: – and the powers of hell will never overcome
it.
Leader: For all eternity, God’s Church stands
firm.
All: – And the powers of hell will never overcome
it.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God our Father,
you will never allow the power of hell
to prevail against your Church,
founded on the rock of the apostle Peter.
Let the prayers of Pope Leo the Great
keep us faithful to your truth
and secure in your peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your
Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
All: – Amen.
ACCLAMATION
Leader: Let us praise the Lord.
All: – And give him thanks.
Couples for Christ – Renewal of Vows
MORNING PRAYER
Leader: O God, come to our assistance.
Response: O Lord, make haste to help us.
Leader: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and
to the Holy Spirit,
All: as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
HYMN: City of God (CBW#345 /G&P#43)
PSALMODY
Psalm 118 [Sing to the Mountains, Glory &
Praise #48 or pg. 82]
Canticle: Wisdom 9:1-6, 9-11 (recited)
Lord, give me wisdom
God of my fathers, Lord of mercy, *
you who have made all things by your word
and in your wisdom have established man *
to rule the creatures produced by you,
to govern the world in holiness and justice, *
and to render judgment in integrity of heart:
Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, *
and reject me not from among your children;
for I am your servant, the son of your handmaid, †
a man weak and short-lived *
and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of
laws.
Indeed, though one be perfect among the sons of
men, †
if Wisdom, who comes from you, be not with
him, *
he shall be held in no esteem.
Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works *
and was present when you made the world;
who understands what is pleasing in your eyes *
and what is conformable with your commands.
Send her forth from your holy heavens *
and from your glorious throne dispatch her
that she may be with me and work with me, *
that I may know what is your pleasure.
For she knows and understands all things, †
and will guide me discreetly in my affairs *
and safeguard me by her glory.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Wisdom of God, be with me, always at work
in me.
Psalm 116: [Our Blessing Cup, Glory & Praise
#129 or pg 169 /alternate: CBW #546]
Leader: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and
to the Holy Spirit,
All: as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
Psalm Prayer
God our Father, may all nations and peoples
praise you. May Jesus, who is called faithful and
true and who lives with you eternally, possess our
hearts for ever.
READING
[Pastors] Hebrews 13:7-9a
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of
God to you; consider how their lives ended, and
imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried
away by all kinds of strange teaching.
RESPONSORY
Leader: On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set my
watchmen to guard you.
All: – On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set my
watchmen to guard you.
Leader: Day or night, they will not cease to
proclaim the name of the Lord
All: – I have set my watchmen to guard you.
Leader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Spirit.
All: – On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set my
watchmen to guard you.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. (All): Strengthened by Christ, blessed Peter
has remained steadfast as a rock in his guidance
of the Church.
Couples for Christ – Renewal of Vows
Canticle of Zechariah (recited)
Luke 1:68-79
Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old †
that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father
Abraham: *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the
Most High; *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the
shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now. *
and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. (All): Strengthened by Christ, blessed Peter
has remained steadfast as a rock in his guidance
of the Church.
INTERCESSIONS
Christ is the Good Shepherd who laid down his
life for his sheep. Let us praise and thank him as
we pray:
Nourish your people, Lord.
Christ, you decided to show your merciful love
through your holy shepherds,
– let your mercy always reach us through them.
Nourish your people, Lord.
Through your vicars you continue to perform the
ministry of shepherd of souls,
– direct us always through our leaders.
Nourish your people, Lord.
Through your holy ones, the leaders of your
people, you served as physician of our bodies and
our spirits,
– continue to fulfill your ministry of life and
holiness in us.
Nourish your people, Lord.
You taught your flock through the prudence and
love of your saints,
– grant us continual growth in holiness under the
direction of our pastors.
Nourish your people, Lord.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us
offer the prayer Christ himself taught 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.
Concluding Prayer
O God, who never allow the gates of hell to prevail
against your Church, firmly founded on the
apostolic rock, grant her, we pray, that through
the intercession of Pope Saint Leo, she may stand
firm in your truth and know the protection of
lasting peace. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever,
All: Amen