Dawn Office of Lauds: The Benedictus Canticle of Zechariah
📜 Historical & Biblical Origin: Lauds (Laudes, Morning Praises) is the traditional dawn hinge of the Divine Office, sanctifying the first rays of light with the canticle of the priest Zechariah upon the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:68-79).
🕯️ Liturgical Setting & Posture: Stand facing East at sunrise. Make the Sign of the Cross at the opening verse: "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel."
Opening Versicle:
V. O God, come to my assistance.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
The Canticle of Zechariah (Benedictus - Luke 1:68-79):
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
for He has come to His people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
born of the house of His servant David.
Through His holy prophets He promised of old
that He would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember His holy covenant.
This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship Him without fear,
holy and righteous in His sight all the days of our life.
And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way,
to give His people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Concluding Collect:
Lord God, King of heaven and earth, direct and sanctify, rule and govern our hearts and bodies, our thoughts, words, and deeds this day in Thy law and in the work of Thy commandments; that here and in eternity, by Thy help, we may be saved and freed, O Savior of the world, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
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Answered Graces from Fellow Believers
"Biopsy Results Returned 100% Benign"
I recited this novena every day before my surgery and lit a 7-day vigil candle. The peace that entered my heart the night before was inexplicable. Two days later, my oncologist called to say the biopsy came back completely benign. Glory to God!
"Reconciliation with My Estranged Son"
My eldest son had not spoken to our family for over 4 years. We offered a Holy Mass intention for him on his birthday and united in prayer on this wall. Two weeks later, he knocked on our front door asking for forgiveness. God never abandons a praying mother.
"Breakthrough After 6 Months of Unemployment"
Facing foreclosure, I turned to this prayer every morning at dawn. When my savings were down to their last week, a company I had interviewed with two months prior called out of nowhere offering a higher salary with full benefits. Keep the faith!
"Sudden Deliverance from Crippling 3 AM Panic"
I woke up gasping with chest-tightening anxiety and dread. I opened MyPrayerTower and read this prayer out loud. By the time I whispered the final Amen, a tangible warmth washed over my chest. I fell asleep in total peace. Jesus is real.
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