The Reproaches

As we are commemorating our Lord's Passion while under 'stay at home' orders, one thing we might do as a family is pray the Reproaches. These are the liturgical text the Church asks to be prayed during the veneration of the Cross, and perhaps even more powerful this year as we experience a pandemic that the Lord might be using to bring deeper conversion.

The Reproaches (Improperia) 

Antiphon 1 and 2:
We worship you, Lord,
we venerate your cross,
we praise your resurrection.
1: Through the cross
you brought joy to the world. 

1: (Psalm 66:2)
May God be gracious and bless us;
and let his face shed its light upon us. 

Repeat Antiphon by 1 and 2: 

The Reproaches: 

I. 

1 and 2: My people, what have I done to you
How have I offended you? Answer me! 

1: I led you out of Egypt,
from slavery to freedom,
but you led your Savior to the cross. 

2: My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me! 

1: Holy is God! 
2: Holy and strong! 
1: Holy immortal One, have mercy on us! 

1 and 2: For forty years I led you
safely through the desert.
I fed you with manna from heaven,
and brought you to a land of plenty; but you led your Savior to the cross. 

Repeat "Holy is God..." 

1 and 2: What more could I have done for you.
I planted you as my fairest vine,
but you yielded only bitterness:
when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink,
and you pierced your Savior with a lance. 

Repeat "Holy is God..." 

II. 

1: For your sake I scourged your captors
and their firstborn sons,
but you brought your scourges down on me. 

(Repeated throughout by Choir 2)
2: My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me! 

1: I led you from slavery to freedom
and drowned your captors in the sea,
but you handed me over to your high priests.
2: "My people...." 

1: I opened the sea before you,
but you opened my side with a spear.
2: "My people...." 

1: I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud,
but you led me to Pilate's court.
2: "My people...." 

1: I bore you up with manna in the desert,
but you struck me down and scourged me.
2: "My people...." 

1: I gave you saving water from the rock,
but you gave me gall and vinegar to drink.
2: "My people...." 

1: For you I struck down the kings of Canaan.
but you struck my head with a reed.
2: "My people...." 

1: I gave you a royal scepter,
but you gave me a crown of thorns.
2: "My people...." 

1: I raised you to the height of majesty,
but you have raised me high on a cross.
2: "My people...."