The Good Shepherd ascended
to the right hand of the Father;
the little flock keeps vigil
with Mary in the Cenacle.
From the splendour of heaven
the prophetic chrism descends
and consecrates the apostles
heralds of the Gospel.
The Good Shepherd ascended…
Come, O Divine Spirit,
with your holy gifts
and make our hearts
a temple of your glory.
The Good Shepherd ascended…
Light of eternal wisdom,
reveal to us the great mystery
of the one and threefold God,
fountain of eternal love.
Amen.

If the Lord does not build the house,
in vain do the builders toil.
If the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain the watchman keeps vigil;
if the Lord does not watch over the city.
If the Lord does not build the house…
In vain is your early rising,
your going late to rest
to earn your daily bread.
God gives to his friends while they sleep!
God gives to his friends while they sleep.
If the Lord does not build the house…
Sons are a gift from the Lord,
like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are the sons of one’s youth.
Happy the man who has his quiver full of them,
he will not fear when enemies arrive.
If the Lord does not build the house…