Liturgy of the Hours of Blessed Alphonse Marie Eppinger

September 9

BLESSED ALPHONSE MARIE EPPINGER
VIRGIN AND FOUNDRESS

Feast

Blessed Alphonse Marie was born in Niederbronn (Alsace), on September 9, 1814. Since her youth, she learned to endure suffering by meditating the mystery of the Cross and of God’s mercy. In 1846, she experienced mystical revelations. She founded a Congregation for the care of the sick, without distinction of status or religion, engaging to spread the message that all people are loved by the merciful God. She died on July 31, 1867 in Niederbronn.

From the common of Virgins or of Holy Women.

FIRST READING

I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians        2:19-20

Brothers and sisters:
For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God.
I have been crucified with Christ;
yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.
Insofar as I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God
who has loved me and given himself up for me.

The word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM                               Ps 16:1-2a+5.7-8.11

R/. (Cf. 5a): You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.”
O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R/. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I bless the Lord who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the Lord ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R/. You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R/. You are my inheritance, O Lord.


ALLELUIA                                                                 Matthew 5:6

R/. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
R/. Alleluia, alleluia.


GOSPEL

Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew                                                                   16, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each one according to his conduct.

The Gospel of the Lord.
 

Lord, have mercy.                                                                                                 Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.                                                                                              Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.                                                                                                Lord, have mercy.


God the Father of heaven,                                                                                  Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,

Holy Mary,                                                                                                          Pray for us.
Blessed Alphonse Marie,
In everything, always, and everywhere seeing only God,
Faithful bride of the Divine Spouse,
Tireless distributor of God’s love to all suffering,
Fearless messenger of God’s love to the poor and the sick,
Meek instrument of the plan of God’s love,
Loving God’s presence,
Living deeply mystical unification with Jesus,
Radiating the fruits of the Holy Spirit,
Faithful apostle of the Gospel,
Tirelessly seeking God’s will,
Instrument of God’s mercy,
Child of the Church,
Determined to suffer with Christ,
Testifying to authentic Christian love,
Determined to avoid sin,
Seeing Jesus in every poor and needy human being,
Flamed to save immortal souls,
Constantly praying for the parish,
Loving simplicity,
Loving mortification,
Accepting her poverty and misery,
Asking for grace of perseverance in good,
Taking care of the weak and the poor, who are Christ’s body,
Caring that every person’s life be an invitation for our neighbor to faith,

Jesus, our Redeemer, through the intercession of Blessed Alphonse Marie
- have mercy on the dying,                                                                                   We beseech you, hear us.
- shelter the poor and the suffering in their body and spirit,
- look upon the sick and innocent children,
- be merciful to all sinners,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                           Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                           Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,                                           Have mercy on us!

Pray for us, Blessed Alphonse Marie,                        That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY
God, the Father of mercy, you gave Blessed Alphonse Marie the strength to participate in the work of the Redemption through serving those who suffer. Grant us the grace that through her intercession we may be transformed by the love of Christ the Redeemer, and our lives may be a witness of your great love before all people. 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.