St. Laurence O’Toole – Patron of the Diocese of Dublin
14th November observed in Dublin as a solemnity
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: Ezekiel 36:24-28 (Lectionary, vol. III, p. 509)
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 22. R v 1 (Lectionary, vol. III, p 518)
The Lord is my Shepherd; There is nothing I shall want
Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-15 (Lectionary, vol. III, p. 597)
Gospel Acclamation: Jn 10:14 (Lectionary, vol. III, p. 835) Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep, and my own know me. Alleluia!
Gospel: John 10:11-18 (Lectionary, vol. III, p. 835)
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God of all holiness,
who called Saint Laurence O’Toole from a life of quiet and solitude
to be a shepherd of your people,
a teacher of the clergy and friend of the poor;
grant, we pray, that we may follow his example of perseverance
and through his intercession arrive at the peace of your kingdom.
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. Amen.
FIRST READING
A Reading from the prophet of Ezekiel 36:24-28
The Lord says this: I am going to take you from among the nations and gather you together from all the foreign countries, and bring you home to your own land, I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed; I shall cleanse you of all your defilement and all your idols. I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. I shall put my spirit in you, and make you keep my laws and sincerely respect my observances. You will live in the land which I gave your ancestors. You shall be my people and I will be your God. This is the word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 22. R v. 1
R. The Lord is my Shepherd; There is nothing I shall want.
1. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. R
He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort. R
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. R
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever.
SECOND READING
A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians 3:12-15
You are God’s chosen race, his saints; he loves you and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same. Over all these clothes, to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful.
This is the word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 10:14 Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own sheep, and my own know me. Alleluia!
GOSPEL A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 10:11-18
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd. The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No-one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as it is in my power to lay it down so it is in my power to take it up again; and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
As we bring our intentions before the Lord, let us remember in particular our diocese which St Laurence loved, and for which he now intercedes in heaven.
We pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, that he may continue to guide the church with Christ’s tenderness. A Thiarna éist linn.
We pray for our Archbishop Diarmuid, that God may enable him to follow St. Laurence as shepherd of his people, reconciler and man of peace. A Thiarna éist linn.
We pray for ourselves that like St Laurence we may earnestly seek the face of God in silent prayer and in the Gospels and so walk in newness of life. A Thiarna éist linn.
We pray for those considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, may they receive the support and guidance they need to respond generously to God’s call. A Thiarna éist linn.
We pray for all our departed loved ones…. And those who have no one to remember them. May they know the joy of being with the Lord face to face. A Thiarna éist linn.
Almighty God, you have blessed this diocese with the example and prayers of St Laurence O’Toole. Through his intercession, restore our faith and vision, renew our energies and love that with your abundant grace we may serve you faithfully. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Receive, O Lord,
these offerings of your people,
on the feast day of blessed Laurence O’Toole,
so that through them, according to our confident hope,
we may experience the help of your loving kindness.
Through Christ our Lord.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Renewed by the sacred mysteries, we humbly pray,
O Lord, that following the example of blessed Laurence O’Toole,
we may strive to profess what he believed and to practise what he taught.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
FINAL BLESSING
The Lord be with you
All: And with your spirit.
God is the glory and joy of all his saints.
Through the intercession of our Diocesan Patron, St Laurence O’Toole,
may God watch over you always; turn your thoughts towards Him,
fill your hearts with His goodness, and lead you to the company of the saints.
Amen.
and may almighty God bless you the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
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