Presider’s Page for 1st Feb – St Brigid’s Day (4th Sun. Ordinary Time)

Opening Comment
We gather to celebrate the resurrection of our Saviour and to remember his beautiful teachings. We celebrate St Brigid today – the Matron Saint of Ireland. In doing so, we welcome the new beginnings of Spring. In the Beatitudes, which we read at Mass today, Jesus describes the kinds of people who are blessed in God’s eyes. We hope to join the company of all these saints in the heavenly liturgy.

Penitential Rite 
Jesus has shown us the way to walk: let us remember when we sought other paths (pause):
Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have given us the consolation of the truth: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, leading us into everlasting life: Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer
Merciful God,
origin and reward of all charity,
you called Saint Brigid to teach the new commandment of love
through her life of hospitality and her care of the needy;
give to your people, by her intercession,
a generous spirit,
so that, with hearts made pure,
we may show your love to all.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13 — Zephaniah describes the kind of people who find favour with God.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 — Paul reminds us that we are to rely not on our own efforts, but on God’s power.
Matthew 5:1-12 — Today we begin to read from a section in Matthew’s Gospel which describes the Sermon on the Mount.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) We bring our prayers to God, who raises up those who are bowed down.

1. That Christians may learn to be poor in sprit, relying on God’s power (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
2. That those who suffer persecution for their faith may receive the gift of courage, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
3. That good people who hunger and thirst for justice may see it come to pass, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
4. That peacemakers may succeed in ending hatred between people and nations, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
5. That those who suffer from illness may be healed, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
6. That all who mourn may experience comfort, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
7. That we may follow the selfless example of St Brigid, a woman of mercy and love, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us

The Presider prays for the dead: That those who have died may receive a great reward in heaven (especially N and N), we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us

Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord our God, you keep faith with people in any kind of need: hear the prayer we make to you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
As we present these gifts, O Lord,
on the feast of Saint Brigid,
may we come to know you as the source of all true love.
Through Christ our Lord.

PREFACE 
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.

For your wonderful love is seen in Saint Brigid:
you taught her to open her heart and hands to the poor
and to seek the image of your Son in every welcomed guest.

Through her you showed a people
the way of Mary, the Mother of your Son,
in dedicated service and holiness of life.

On this feast you fill our hearts with joy
for you continue to bless the Church
that you planted by her labours.

And so, with the Angels and Archangels,
and with the great multitude of the Saints,
we sing the hymn of your praise, as without end we acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy…

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.

[In communion with the whole Church,
we have assembled on this day which you have made holy,
and, rejoicing that you have made us a new creation in your risen Son,
we pray:]
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..

Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with Leo our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.

Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, with him, In him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
You give us food from heaven, Lord,
to strengthen us in love;
grant, we pray, through the intercession of Saint Brigid,
that works of charity continue to flourish
and the light of true faith not fail.
Through Christ our Lord.

Blessing of Saint Brigid’s Crosses

Father of all creation and Lord of Light,
you have given us life and entrusted your creation to us to use it and to care for it.
We ask you to bless these crosses made of green rushes in memory of holy Brigid,
who used the cross to recall and to teach your Son’s life, death and resurrection.

May these crosses be a sign of our sharing in the Paschal Mystery of your Son and a sign of your protection of our lives, our land and its creatures through Brigid’s intercession during the coming year and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

The crosses are sprinkled with holy water:

May the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be on these crosses and on the places where they hang and on everyone who looks at them. Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
You give us food from heaven, Lord,
to strengthen us in love;
grant, we pray, through the intercession of Saint Brigid,
that works of charity continue to flourish
and the light of true faith not fail.
Through Christ our Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING
May God, who in Saint Brigid has provided
an outstanding example of generosity:
make your ears be ever open to the cry of the poor.
R/. Amen.

May you who greet Saint Brigid as Mary of the Gael
receive from Jesus, Son of Mary,
the reward promised to the pure of heart.
R/. Amen.

May God fill you with his love,
as you honour Saint Brigid,
whose heart and mind became
a throne of rest for the Holy Spirit.
R/. Amen.

And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever.
R/. Amen.

Suggested Hymns:

Honouring St Brigid: Blest are the Poor in Heart; Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat; Gabhaim Molta Bríde; Christ in our Island / Christus in nostra insula; Hymn to St Brigid; St Brigid, Saint Most Holy

Beatitudes: Any hymn based on the Beatitudes, or ‘Be Thou My Vision’, ‘Ag Críost an Síol’, ‘Seek ye first’, ‘Let us Build the City of God’.