Benedictus
Luke 1:68-79Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who has visited the people and redeemed them,
and has raised up for us a mighty saviour
in the house of David, his servant.
As was promised by the lips of holy ones,
those who were the prophets from of old:
a saviour who would free us from our foes,
from the hands of all who hate us.
So God's love for our forebears is fulfilled
and the holy covenant remembered.
God swore to Abraham, our father,
to grant us that, free from fear
and saved from the hands of our foes,
we might worship in holiness and justice
all the days of our life in God's presence.
As for you, little child, you shall be called
a prophet of God, the Most High.
You shall go ahead of the Lord
to prepare the way before him,
to make known to the people their salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
and the loving-kindness of the heart of our God
who visits us like the dawn from on high.
God will give light to those in darkness,
those who dwell in the shadow of death
and guide us into the way of peace.
Glory …
As used by the Cistercians of Tarawara (Australia) and Kopua (New Zealand)