The Midday Office of Sext: Consecration of Noon Labor and the Passion Hour
📜 Historical & Biblical Origin: The Sixth Hour (Sext, approximately 12:00 noon) commemorates the moment Jesus was nailed to the Cross on Mount Calvary when darkness covered the whole earth (Luke 23:44). It calls workers to pause mid-day, release workplace anxiety, and consecrate the second half of the working day.
🕯️ Liturgical Setting & Posture: Stop all work and screens at noon. Sit or stand quietly for two minutes before a crucifix.
Opening:
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. Amen.
The Passion Noon Hymn:
O God of truth, O Lord of might,
Who orderest time and change aright,
Who send'st the early morning ray,
And light'st the glow of perfect day:
Extinguish Thou each sinful fire,
And banish every ill desire;
And while Thou keep'st the body whole,
Shed forth Thy peace upon the soul.
Midday Psalmody (Psalm 121):
I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved,
and He who watches over you will not sleep.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth and for evermore.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, who at the sixth hour didst mount the wood of the Cross for the redemption of the world, and didst stretch out Thine innocent hands in love: forgive our past shortcomings, strengthen our weary hands for the remainder of this day's work, and keep our hearts anchored in Thy peace. Who livest and reignest world without end. 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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