Ember Friday in September

Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord: seek the Lord, and be strengthened; seek His face evermore. (Ps. 104: 1) Give glory to the Lord, and call upon His name; declare His deeds among the gentiles. 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. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord: seek the Lord, and be strengthened; seek His face evermore.

We beseech Thee, O almighty God, grant that as year by year we devoutly keep these sacred fasts, we may please Thee both in body and mind. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Eternal Shepherd, regard graciously Thy flock, and keep it with an everlasting protection, by the intercession of blessed Linus, Thy Martyr and) Sovereign Pontiff, whom Thou hast constituted shepherd of the whole Church. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Thus saith the Lord God: Return, O Israel, to the Lord thy God: for thou hast fallen down by thy iniquity. Take with you words, and return to the Lord, and say to him: Take away all iniquity, and receive the good: and we will render the calves of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more: The works of our hands are our gods, for thou wilt have mercy on the fatherless that is in thee. I will heal their breaches, I will love them freely: for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be as the dew, Israel shall spring as the lily, and his root shall shoot forth as that of Libanus. His branches shall spread, and his glory shall be as the olive tree: and his smell as that of Libanus. They shall be converted that sit under his shadow: they shall live upon wheat, and they shall blossom as a vine: his memorial shall be as the wine of Libanus. Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I will hear him, and I will make him flourish like a green fir tree: from me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know these things? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall in them.

Return, O Lord, a little and be entreated in favor of Thy servants. Lord, Thou hast been our refuge, from generation to generation.

At that time one of the Pharisees desired Jesus to eat with him. And He went into the house of the Pharisee and sat down to meat. And behold a woman that was in the city, a sinner, when she knew that He sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment. And standing behind at His feet, she began to wash His feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head and kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment. And the Pharisee, who had invited Him, seeing it, spoke within Himself, saying: This man, if He were a prophet, would know surely who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him, that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering, said to him: Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. But he said: Master, say it. A certain creditor had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence and the other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which therefore of the two loveth him most? Simon answering, said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And He said to him: Thou hast judged rightly. And turning to the woman, He said unto Simon: Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house: thou gavest Me no water for My feet. But she with tears hath washed My feet; and with her hairs hath wiped them. Thou gavest Me no kiss. But she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss My feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint. But she with ointment hath anointed My feet. Wherefore, I say to thee: Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less. And He said to her: Thy sins are forgiven thee. And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves: Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And He said to the woman: Thy faith hath made thee safe. Go in peace.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; and your youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s.

May the gift of our fasting, we beseech You, O Lord, be acceptable to You, and by its purifying power make us worthy of Your grace and bring us to the eternal bliss You have promised us. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

By the offered gifts we beg Thee, O Lord: enlighten kindly Thy Church: so that Thy flock everywhere may be increasing, and the Shepherds, under Thy direction, may be pleasing to Thy Name. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Remove from me reproach and contempt, because I have sought out Thy commandments, O Lord; for Thy testimonies are my meditation.

We thank Thee, almighty God, for the gifts we have received, and beseech Thee to grant us yet greater benefits. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

O Lord, we beseech Thee, graciously govern Thy Church, which Thou hast fed with a holy meal; so that, directed by a mighty wisdom, she may progress in liberty, and persist in the integrity of faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.