First Sunday In Lent

Our Lord Jesus Christ, directly after His baptism, prepared Himself for his public life and mission by a fast of forty days in the desert, which extends from Jericho to the Mountains of Judea. Let us prepare ourselves by fast, prayers and works of charity for the solemn Feast of Easter.

The Gospel for today is St. Matthew 4. 1-11.
It was in the desert that Satan wishing to know if the Son of Mary was really the Son of God, tempted our Lord. The devil seeks to tempt us by the lustful desire of the flesh, by the pride of life, and by the lustful desire of the eyes, or avarice.
The Roman Missal, 1962


Hymn for Vespers

O Maker of the world, give ear,
Accept the prayers, and own the tear,
Before Thy throne of mercy spent
In this Thy holy fast of Lent.

Our hearts are manifest to Thee,
Thou knowest our infirmity:
We turn to thee, Thy mercy show,
And pardoning grace on us bestow.

Our sins are manifold and sore;
But spare us now, that sin deplore;
And for Thy Name's sake make each soul
That feels and owns it languor whole.

So mortify we every sense
By grace of outward abstinence,
That leaving now the food of sin
The soul may keep her fast within.

Grant, O Thou blessed Trinity,
Grant, O essential Unity,
That this our fast of forty days
May work our profit, and Thy praise.
Amen