Day One: Today is a Joyful Day

I Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

O Saving Victim opening wide the gate of heaven to all below. Our foes press on from every side; Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.

To Thy great name be endless praise Immortal Godhead, One in Three; Oh, grant us endless length of days, In our true native land with Thee. Amen.

II Invocation of the Holy Spirit (or Come Holy Spirit song)

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

III Words of Wisdom / Reflection / Homiletics Services:

One day Jesus left Nazareth, His hometown, and lived in Capernaum. During that time it was a big city, not distant form Nazareth. The decision entailed a gesture of farewell to His mother and his town mates. Everyone making a decision must say goodbye and give up something. A vocation of service always signifies some form of sacrifices. It is the price of the Kingdom of God.

Mary, our mother, like her Son was growing in her faith, her understanding of Jesus’ vocation and her acceptance of the mission God destined for her Son. For her, this process means uncertainties, sufferings, fears and anxieties just as for many mothers who share with their son’s commitment to fight for justice on the risks of their lives.

IV. Prayer

Father of mercies, you glorified your heavenly Son and revealed yourself in the bright cloud, grant that we may listen in faith to have a love for the word of Christ. Amen.

V. Profession of Faith

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit; born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead, on the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence, He shall come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

VI. Concluding prayer

God, our Father, in the transfigured glory of Christ your Son, you strengthen our faith by confirming the witness of your prophets and by showing to us the splendor of your beloved Son, help us to become heirs to the eternal life with Him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

VII. Benediction

Tantum Ergo Sacramentum

Down in adoration falling, Lo! The Sacred Host we hail.
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of Grace prevail:
Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail.

To The Everlasting Father And The Son Who reigns on high,
With The Spirit blessed proceeding Forth, from Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing, Might and endless majesty. Amen.

(To be followed by the Holy Mass)