Dominica Quinquagesimae

Be Thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of refuge, to save me: for Thou art my strength and my refuge: and for Thy name's sake Thou wilt lead me and nourish me.

Graciously hear our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and having loosed us from the bonds of our sins, guard us from all adversity. Through our Lord.

Brethren: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy, and should know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth: beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never falleth away. And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

Thou art the God that alone dost wonders: Thou hast made Thy power known among the nations. With Thy arm Thou hast redeemed Thy people, the children of Israel and of Joseph.

Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before His presence with exceeding great joy: know ye that the Lord He is God. He made us, and not we ourselves: we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

At that time: Jesus took unto Him the twelve and said to them: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man. And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid from them, and they understood not the things that were said. Now it came to pass, when He drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the wayside, begging. And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto Him. And when he was come near, He asked him, saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see. And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he saw and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

We beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who have received heavenly nourishment, may thereby be defended against all adversities. Through our Lord.