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Essential

The Benedictus (Canticle of Zechariah)

Benedictus

The Benedictus is the Gospel canticle sung by Zechariah after the birth of his son, Saint John the Baptist. It is recorded in Luke 1:68-79 and praises God for fulfilling His covenant with Israel through the coming salvation. The canticle also proclaims John’s mission to prepare the way of the Lord. Catholics sing or recite it each morning at Lauds in the Liturgy of the Hours. Its place at daybreak recalls Christ as the light that visits those who dwell in darkness. The Church commends the Liturgy of the Hours as the prayer of Christ united with His body, the Church, in CCC 1174.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people: And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning: Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us: To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament, The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us, That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear, In holiness and justice before him, all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways: To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins: Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us: To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

When to pray it: Pray this canticle each morning at Lauds or as a morning prayer of praise and thanksgiving.

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