First Vespers

Antiphon. Wisdom has built herself a house, she has erected her seven pillars, she has slaughtered her beasts, prepared her wine, she has laid her table. [Prov 9:1–2]

Psalm 109 (110)

The Lord said to my Lord: * sit at my right hand, etc.

Antiphon. Melchizedech, king of Salem, offered bread and wine; he was the priest of the highest God. He blessed Abraham and said: blessed be Abraham by the most high God, who created heaven and earth. [Gen 14:18–19]

Psalm 110 (111)

I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart; * in the council of the just: and in the congregation, etc.

Antiphon. The entire multitude of the sons of Israel shall kill the lamb. And they shall take its blood, and place it on doorposts and lintels of the houses in which it is eaten. [Exod 12:6–7]

Psalm 115 (116:10–19)

I have believed, therefore I have spoken; * but I have been humbled exceedingly, etc.

Antiphon. And they shall eat flesh on that night roasted over fire and unleavened bread with bitter herbs; do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but over fire. [Exod 12:8–9]

Psalm 127 (128)

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: * that walk in his ways, etc.

Antiphon. He rained down manna to feed them, and he gave them the bread of heaven. Mankind ate the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. [Ps 77a (78):24–25]

Psalm 147 (147:12–20)

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: * praise your God, O Sion, etc.

Chapter

1 Corinthians 11:23–24

The Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread and, giving thanks, broke it and said: take and eat; this is my body, which will be given up for you. Do this in my memory.

Responsory

℟. When the dew had gone up * there appeared on the ground a fine and flake-like thing, * similar to hoarfrost on the ground. [Exod 16:14]

℣. It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. [Exod 16:15] * [There appeared on the ground a fine and flake-like thing. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. * Similar to hoarfrost on the ground.]

Hymn

Praise, my tongue, the mystery of the glorious Body and of the precious Blood, which the king of nations, fruit of a noble womb, poured out in ransom of the world.

• Given to us, born to us from a pure virgin, and having lived in the world, the seed of his word having been scattered, he closed in a wondrous way his span of life.
• At the night of the last supper, reclining with his brothers, the law of permitted foods having been fully observed, he gives himself as food with his own hands to the group of twelve.
• The Word made flesh changes true bread into Flesh by a word. And pure wine becomes Christ’s Blood. And if the sense fails, only faith suffices to convince the sincere heart.
• Therefore let us eagerly venerate such a great sacrament. Let the old example cede to the new rite. Let faith render assistance to the limitations of the senses.
• To the Father, and to the Son be praise and jubilation, salvation, honor, strength, and blessing. To the One who proceeds from them both be equal praise. Amen.
• Versicle

[Gen 49:20]

℣. Asher, his bread is rich, alleluia.

℟. And he provides food for kings, alleluia.

Magnificat

Luke 1:46–55

Antiphon for the Magnificat. You have nourished your people with the food of the angels, and you have furnished them with the prepared bread of heaven without labor, containing in it every delight, and satisfying every taste. You have shown your substance and your sweetness which you give to your children. [Wis 16:20–21]

My soul * doth magnify the Lord, etc.

Collect

God, who has left us, in a wonderful sacrament, a memorial of your Passion, grant, we pray, that we may venerate the mystery of your body and blood, so that we may always feel within ourselves the fruit of your redemption. Who lives and reigns God, [world without end. Amen.]