Office of Readings

If you have already recited the Invitatory Psalm today, you should use the alternative opening.

Lord, open our lips.

And we shall praise your name.

Invitatory Psalm	Psalm 66 (67)

Let us adore the Lord, the King who is to come.

(repeat antiphon*)

O God, take pity on us and bless us,

and let your face shine upon us,

so that your ways may be known across the world,

and all nations learn of your salvation.

(repeat antiphon*)

Let the peoples praise you, O God,

let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and rejoice,

for you judge the peoples with fairness

and you guide the nations of the earth.

(repeat antiphon*)

Let the peoples praise you, O God,

let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has produced its harvest:

may God, our God, bless us.

May God bless us,

may the whole world revere him.

(repeat antiphon*)

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

(repeat antiphon*)

* If you are reciting this on your own, you can choose to say the antiphon once only at the start of the psalm and not repeat it.

Hymn

The Advent of our God

With eager prayers we greet

And singing haste upon the road

His glorious gift to meet.

The everlasting Son

Scorns not a Virgin’s womb;

That we from bondage may be won

He bears a bondsman’s doom.

Daughter of Zion, rise

To meet thy lowly King;

Let not thy stubborn heart despise

The peace he deigns to bring.

In clouds of awful light,

As Judge he comes again,

His scattered people to unite,

With them in heaven to reign.

Let evil flee away

Ere that dread hour shall dawn.

Let this old Adam day by day

God’s image still put on.

Praise to the Incarnate Son,

Who comes to set us free,

With God the Father, ever One,

To all eternity.

Psalm 30 (31)
Trustful prayer in time of adversity

Hear me, Lord, and come to rescue me.

In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame.

In your justice, set me free,

Turn your ear to me,

make haste to rescue me.

Be my rampart, my fortification;

keep me safe.

For you are my strength and my refuge:

you will lead me out to the pastures,

for your own name’s sake.

You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me –

for you are my strength.

Into your hands I commend my spirit:

you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

You hate those who run after vain nothings;

but I put my trust in the Lord.

I will rejoice and be glad in your kindness,

for you have looked on me, lowly as I am.

You saw when my soul was in need:

you did not leave me locked in the grip of the enemy,

but set my feet on free and open ground.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Hear me, Lord, and come to rescue me.

Psalm 30 (31)

Lord, let your face shine on your servant.

Take pity on me, Lord, for I am troubled:

my eyes grow weak with sorrow,

the very centre of my being is disturbed.

For my life is worn out with distress,

my years with groaning;

my strength becomes weakness,

my bones melt away.

I am a scandal and a disgrace,

so many are my enemies;

to my friends and neighbours,

I am a thing to fear.

When they see me in the street,

they run from me.

I have vanished from their minds as though I were dead,

or like a pot that is broken.

I know this – for I have heard the scolding of the crowd.

There is terror all around,

for when they come together against me

it is my life they are resolved to take.

But I put my trust in you, Lord;

I say: “You are my God,

my fate is in your hands.”

Tear me from the grip of my enemies,

from those who hound me;

let your face shine upon your servant,

in your kindness, save me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Lord, let your face shine on your servant.

Psalm 30 (31)

Blessed be the Lord, who has shown me the wonders of his love.

How very many are the pleasures, Lord,

that you have stored up for those who fear you.

You have made these things ready for those who trust in you,

to give them in the sight of all men.

Far away from the plottings of men

you hide them in your secret place.

You keep them safe in your dwelling-place

far from lying tongues.

Blessed be the Lord,

for he has shown me his wonderful kindness

within the fortified city.

In my terror, I said

“I am cut off from your sight”;

but you heard the voice of my prayer

when I called to you.

Love the Lord, all his chosen ones.

The Lord keeps his faithful ones safe,

heaps rich revenge on the arrogant.

Be brave, let your hearts be strong,

all who trust in the Lord.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Blessed be the Lord, who has shown me the wonders of his love.

℣. Let us see, O Lord, your mercy.

℟. And give us your saving help.

First Reading	Isaiah 24:1-18 ©

The Lord’s manifestation on his day

See how the Lord lays the earth waste,

makes it a desert, buckles its surface,

scatters its inhabitants,

priest and people alike, master and slave,

mistress and maid, seller and buyer,

lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.

Ravaged, ravaged the earth,

despoiled, despoiled,

as the Lord has said.

The earth is mourning, withering,

the world is pining, withering,

the heavens are pining away with the earth.

The earth is defiled

under its inhabitants’ feet,

for they have transgressed the law, violated the precept,

broken the everlasting covenant.

So a curse consumes the earth

and its inhabitants suffer the penalty,

that is why the inhabitants of the earth are burnt up

and few men are left.

The wine is mourning, the vine is pining away,

all glad hearts are sighing.

The merry tambourines are silent,

the sound of revelling is over,

the merry lyre is silent.

They no longer sing over their wine,

the drunkard finds strong drink revolting.

The city of emptiness is in ruins,

the entrance to every house is shut.

There is lamentation in the streets: no wine,

joy quite gone,

gladness banished from the country.

Nothing but rubble in the city,

the gate smashed to pieces;

and so it will be on earth,

among the peoples,

as at the beating of the olive trees,

as at the gleaning of the grapes

when the grape harvest is over.

They lift up their voices, singing for joy;

they acclaim the majesty of the Lord from the sea.

Therefore in the islands they give glory to the Lord,

in the islands of the sea, to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.

From remotest earth we hear songs, ‘Honour to the upright one.’

But ‘Enough, enough!’ I say.

‘Woe to the traitors who betray,

to the traitors who treacherously betray!’

Terror, the pit, the snare

for you, inhabitants of the earth:

the man who runs away at the cry of terror

shall fall into the pit,

and the man who climbs out of the pit

shall be caught in the snare.

Responsory
Is 24:14-15; Ps 96:1

℟. They lift up their voices, they sing for joy;* in the east give glory to the Lord.

℣. O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth;* in the east give glory to the Lord.

Second Reading
From The Ascent of Mount Carmel, by St John of the Cross

In Christ, God has spoken to us

The principal reason why the Old Law permitted us to ask questions of God, and why prophets and priests had to seek visions and revelations of God, was because at that time faith had no firm foundation and the law of the Gospel was not yet established; and thus it was necessary that men should enquire of God and that he should speak, whether by words or by visions and revelations or whether by figures and images or by many other ways of expressing his meaning. For all that he answered and revealed belonged to the mysteries of our faith and things touching it or leading to it.

But now that the faith is founded in Christ, now that in this era of grace the law of the Gospel has been made manifest, there is no reason to enquire of God in that manner nor for him to speak to us or answer us as he did then. For, in giving us, as he did, his Son, who is his one and only Word, he spoke to us once and for all, in this single Word, and he has no occasion to speak further.

And this is the meaning of that passage with which the Letter to the Hebrews begins, trying to persuade the Hebrews that they should abandon those first ways of dealing and communicating with God which are in the law of Moses, and should set their eyes on Christ alone: At various times in the past and in various different ways, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our own time, in the last days, he has spoken to us through his Son. That is, God has said so much about so many things through his Word that nothing more is needed, since that which he revealed partially in the past through the prophets, he has now revealed completely by giving us the All, which is his Son.

Therefore if someone were now to ask questions of God or seek any vision or revelation, he would not only be acting foolishly but would be committing an offence against God – for he should set his eyes altogether upon Christ and seek nothing beyond Christ.

God might answer him after this manner, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him. I have spoken all things to you in my Word. Set your eyes on him alone, for in him I have spoken and revealed to thee all things, and in him you shall find more than you ask for, even more than you want.

I descended upon him with my Spirit on Mount Tabor and said This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him. You have no reason to ask for new teaching or new answers from me because if I spoke to you in the past then it was to promise Christ. If people asked questions of me in the past then their questions were really a desire of Christ and a hope for his coming. For in him they were to find all good things, as has now been revealed in the teaching of the Evangelists and the Apostles.

Responsory

℟. Many nations shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord:* he will teach us his ways and we will walk in his paths.

℣. The Messiah is coming – he who is called Christ. When he comes, he will show us all things:* he will teach us his ways and we will walk in his paths.

Let us pray.

Let our prayers rise like incense before you, Lord,

so that we may come in humility and purity of heart

to celebrate the great mystery of your Son’s incarnation.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.

The psalms and canticles here are our own translation from the Latin. The Grail translation of the psalms, which is used liturgically in most of the English-speaking world, cannot be displayed on the Web for copyright reasons; The Universalis apps and programs do contain the Grail translation of the psalms.

You can also view this page in Latin and English.

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Office Readings”]

Office of Readings

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

INTRODUCTION

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn

The Advent of our God

With eager prayers we greet

And singing haste upon the road

His glorious gift to meet.

The everlasting Son

Scorns not a Virgin’s womb;

That we from bondage may be won

He bears a bondsman’s doom.

Daughter of Zion, rise

To meet thy lowly King;

Let not thy stubborn heart despise

The peace he deigns to bring.

In clouds of awful light,

As Judge he comes again,

His scattered people to unite,

With them in heaven to reign.

Let evil flee away

Ere that dread hour shall dawn.

Let this old Adam day by day

God’s image still put on.

Praise to the Incarnate Son,

Who comes to set us free,

With God the Father, ever One,

To all eternity.

Psalm 30 (31)
Trustful prayer in time of adversity

Hear me, Lord, and come to rescue me.

In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame.

In your justice, set me free,

Turn your ear to me,

make haste to rescue me.

Be my rampart, my fortification;

keep me safe.

For you are my strength and my refuge:

you will lead me out to the pastures,

for your own name’s sake.

You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me –

for you are my strength.

Into your hands I commend my spirit:

you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

You hate those who run after vain nothings;

but I put my trust in the Lord.

I will rejoice and be glad in your kindness,

for you have looked on me, lowly as I am.

You saw when my soul was in need:

you did not leave me locked in the grip of the enemy,

but set my feet on free and open ground.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Hear me, Lord, and come to rescue me.

Psalm 30 (31)

Lord, let your face shine on your servant.

Take pity on me, Lord, for I am troubled:

my eyes grow weak with sorrow,

the very centre of my being is disturbed.

For my life is worn out with distress,

my years with groaning;

my strength becomes weakness,

my bones melt away.

I am a scandal and a disgrace,

so many are my enemies;

to my friends and neighbours,

I am a thing to fear.

When they see me in the street,

they run from me.

I have vanished from their minds as though I were dead,

or like a pot that is broken.

I know this – for I have heard the scolding of the crowd.

There is terror all around,

for when they come together against me

it is my life they are resolved to take.

But I put my trust in you, Lord;

I say: “You are my God,

my fate is in your hands.”

Tear me from the grip of my enemies,

from those who hound me;

let your face shine upon your servant,

in your kindness, save me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Lord, let your face shine on your servant.

Psalm 30 (31)

Blessed be the Lord, who has shown me the wonders of his love.

How very many are the pleasures, Lord,

that you have stored up for those who fear you.

You have made these things ready for those who trust in you,

to give them in the sight of all men.

Far away from the plottings of men

you hide them in your secret place.

You keep them safe in your dwelling-place

far from lying tongues.

Blessed be the Lord,

for he has shown me his wonderful kindness

within the fortified city.

In my terror, I said

“I am cut off from your sight”;

but you heard the voice of my prayer

when I called to you.

Love the Lord, all his chosen ones.

The Lord keeps his faithful ones safe,

heaps rich revenge on the arrogant.

Be brave, let your hearts be strong,

all who trust in the Lord.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Blessed be the Lord, who has shown me the wonders of his love.

℣. Let us see, O Lord, your mercy.

℟. And give us your saving help.

First Reading	Isaiah 24:1-18 ©

The Lord’s manifestation on his day

See how the Lord lays the earth waste,

makes it a desert, buckles its surface,

scatters its inhabitants,

priest and people alike, master and slave,

mistress and maid, seller and buyer,

lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.

Ravaged, ravaged the earth,

despoiled, despoiled,

as the Lord has said.

The earth is mourning, withering,

the world is pining, withering,

the heavens are pining away with the earth.

The earth is defiled

under its inhabitants’ feet,

for they have transgressed the law, violated the precept,

broken the everlasting covenant.

So a curse consumes the earth

and its inhabitants suffer the penalty,

that is why the inhabitants of the earth are burnt up

and few men are left.

The wine is mourning, the vine is pining away,

all glad hearts are sighing.

The merry tambourines are silent,

the sound of revelling is over,

the merry lyre is silent.

They no longer sing over their wine,

the drunkard finds strong drink revolting.

The city of emptiness is in ruins,

the entrance to every house is shut.

There is lamentation in the streets: no wine,

joy quite gone,

gladness banished from the country.

Nothing but rubble in the city,

the gate smashed to pieces;

and so it will be on earth,

among the peoples,

as at the beating of the olive trees,

as at the gleaning of the grapes

when the grape harvest is over.

They lift up their voices, singing for joy;

they acclaim the majesty of the Lord from the sea.

Therefore in the islands they give glory to the Lord,

in the islands of the sea, to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.

From remotest earth we hear songs, ‘Honour to the upright one.’

But ‘Enough, enough!’ I say.

‘Woe to the traitors who betray,

to the traitors who treacherously betray!’

Terror, the pit, the snare

for you, inhabitants of the earth:

the man who runs away at the cry of terror

shall fall into the pit,

and the man who climbs out of the pit

shall be caught in the snare.

Responsory
Is 24:14-15; Ps 96:1

℟. They lift up their voices, they sing for joy;* in the east give glory to the Lord.

℣. O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth;* in the east give glory to the Lord.

Second Reading
From The Ascent of Mount Carmel, by St John of the Cross

In Christ, God has spoken to us

Responsory

℟. Many nations shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord:* he will teach us his ways and we will walk in his paths.

℣. The Messiah is coming – he who is called Christ. When he comes, he will show us all things:* he will teach us his ways and we will walk in his paths.

Let us pray.

Let our prayers rise like incense before you, Lord,

so that we may come in humility and purity of heart

to celebrate the great mystery of your Son’s incarnation.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.

You can also view this page in Latin and English.

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Morning Prayer”]

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

If this is the first Hour that you are reciting today, you should precede it with the Invitatory Psalm.

INTRODUCTION

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn

Hark! a herald voice is calling

Through the shadows of the night

‘Cast away the dreams of darkness

Christ descends with heavenly light.’

Wakened by the solemn warning,

Let the earthbound soul arise;

Christ, her sun, all sloth dispelling,

Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo, the Lamb, so long expected,

Comes with pardon down from heav’n;

Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,

One and all to be forgiv’n;

So, when next he comes with glory,

And his judgement-day draws near,

Faithful he may find his servants,

Watching till their Lord appear.

Honour, glory, might, and blessing

To the Father and the Son,

With the everlasting Spirit,

While eternal ages run.

Psalm 41 (42)
Longing for the Lord and his temple

When can I enter and see the face of God?

Like a deer that longs for springs of water,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, the living God:

when shall I come and stand before the face of God?

My tears are my food, by day and by night,

and everyone asks, “where is your God?”.

I remember how I went up to your glorious dwelling-place

and into the house of God:

the memory melts my soul.

The sound of joy and thanksgiving,

the crowds at the festival.

Why are you so sad, my soul,

and anxious within me?

Put your hope in the Lord, I will praise him still,

my saviour and my God.

My soul is sad within me,

and so I will remember you

in the lands of Jordan and Hermon,

on the mountain of Mizar.

Deep calls to deep

in your rushing waters:

and all your torrents, all your waves

have flowed over me.

By day the Lord sends his kindness upon me;

by night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life.

I will say to God:

“You are my support, why have you forgotten me?

Why must I go in mourning, while the enemy persecutes me?.”

As my bones break,

my persecutors deride me,

all the time saying “where is your God?.”

Why are you so sad, my soul,

and anxious within me?

Put your hope in the Lord, I will praise him still,

my saviour and my God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

When can I enter and see the face of God?

Canticle
Ecclesiasticus 36

A prayer for Jerusalem, the holy city

Show us, Lord, the light of your mercy.

God of all, have mercy on us, take notice of us,

and show us the light of your mercies.

Make the nations fear you, who have not sought you out,

make them know that there is no God except you,

let them tell of your wonders.

Lift up your hand over foreign nations, that they may see your power –

for just as in their sight you have been sanctified in us,

so in our sight you will be magnified in them.

Lift up your hand so that they may know, as we know,

that there is no God but you, Lord.

Bring forth new signs and repeat your wonders;

glorify your hand, show the strength of your arm.

Gather together all the tribes of Jacob,

give them back the inheritance they had from the beginning.

Take pity on your people, over whom we invoke your name,

and on Israel, whom you have made equal to your firstborn.

Take pity on the city you have sanctified,

Jerusalem, the place of your rest.

Fill Zion with your majesty;

fill your temple with your glory.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Show us, Lord, the light of your mercy.

Psalm 18 (19)
Praise of God the creator

Blessed are you, Lord, in the vault of heaven.

The skies tell the story of the glory of God,

the firmament proclaims the work of his hands;

day pours out the news to day,

night passes to night the knowledge.

Not a speech, not a word,

not a voice goes unheard.

Their sound is spread throughout the earth,

their message to all the corners of the world.

At the ends of the earth he has set up

a dwelling place for the sun.

Like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

it rejoices like an athlete at the race to be run.

It appears at the edge of the sky,

runs its course to the sky’s furthest edge.

Nothing can hide from its heat.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Blessed are you, Lord, in the vault of heaven.

Scripture Reading	Isaiah 2:3 ©

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths; since the Law will go out from Zion, and the oracle of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Short Responsory

The glory of the Lord will shine on you, Jerusalem. Like the sun he will rise over you.

– The glory of the Lord will shine on you, Jerusalem. Like the sun he will rise over you.

His glory will appear in your midst.

– The glory of the Lord will shine on you, Jerusalem. Like the sun he will rise over you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

– The glory of the Lord will shine on you, Jerusalem. Like the sun he will rise over you.

Canticle	Benedictus

The Messiah and his forerunner

Be converted and return to me, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is near!

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,

for he has come to his people and brought about their redemption.

He has raised up the sign of salvation

in the house of his servant David,

as he promised through the mouth of the holy ones,

his prophets through the ages:

to rescue us from our enemies

and all who hate us,

to take pity on our fathers,

to remember his holy covenant

and the oath he swore to Abraham our father,

that he would give himself to us,

that we could serve him without fear

– freed from the hands of our enemies –

in uprightness and holiness before him,

for all of our days.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High:

for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his path,

to let his people know their salvation,

so that their sins may be forgiven.

Through the bottomless mercy of our God,

one born on high will visit us

to give light to those who walk in darkness,

who live in the shadow of death;

to lead our feet in the path of peace.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Be converted and return to me, says the Lord, for the kingdom of heaven is near!

Prayers and intercessions

As we pray together in the name of the Church, turn our minds and hearts back to you, Lord.

– Send us your light and your truth.

As we think and pray about your Son’s coming,

help us to grasp its meaning in a way that is personal and profound.

– Send us your light and your truth.

May we never despise any of our fellow-men, since we are all your children.

Help us rather to fight against their hurt or degradation.

– Send us your light and your truth.

Heal the broken bonds of human life:

reconcile us in the sharing of our hope in Christ.

– Send us your light and your truth.

Help us to hear your voice

through the situations in which we work today.

– Send us your light and your truth.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Let our prayers rise like incense before you, Lord,

so that we may come in humility and purity of heart

to celebrate the great mystery of your Son’s incarnation.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

You can also view this page in Latin and English.

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Mid-Morning Prayer”]

Mid-Morning Prayer (Terce)

INTRODUCTION

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn

Come, Holy Spirit, live in us

With God the Father and the Son,

And grant us your abundant grace

To sanctify and make us one.

May mind and tongue made strong in love

Your praise throughout the world proclaim,

And may that love within our hearts

Set fire to others with its flame.

Most blessèd Trinity of love,

For whom the heart of man was made,

To you be praise in timeless song,

And everlasting homage paid.

Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

Psalms of the day

Complementary psalms

The psalms of the day are shown here. If you are reciting more than one daytime hour (Terce, Sext, None) today, use the psalms of the day at one hour and the complementary psalms at the others.

PSALMS OF THE DAY

Psalm 118(119): 41-48

The prophets foretold that the Saviour would be born of the Virgin Mary.

Cover me, Lord, with your loving kindness.

Save me, as you have promised.

Then I will answer those who taunt me,

for I put my hope in what you have said.

Do not take a single word of your truth

away from my speech,

for I have put all my hope in your decrees.

I will always observe your law,

for ever and for all ages.

I shall walk freely and without constraint,

for I have sought out your commands.

I shall speak of your decrees in front of kings

and not be discomfited.

I shall delight in your precepts,

for I have loved them.

I shall stretch out my hand to your precepts,

for I have loved them.

I shall ponder your statutes.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 39 (40)
Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

I waited, I waited for the Lord;

and he heard me.

He heard my voice when I cried,

he led me from the pit of misery,

he led me from the mire of filth.

He set my feet on firm rock,

he steadied my footsteps.

He filled my being with a new song,

a song to the Lord.

Many shall see what has happened, and trust,

and honour the Lord.

Happy the man who puts his trust in the Lord,

who pays no heed to the proud,

who pays no heed to liars.

Many are your wonders, O Lord my God,

and great is your care for us:

there is no-one like you.

If I wanted to tell the things you have done for us –

they are too many to count.

You have refused sacrifice and oblation,

but you have opened your ears to me.

You have refused burnt-offerings, even for sin –

so I said “I am coming.

The books of scripture have written of me.

It is your will, my God, that I wish to perform:

your law is next to my heart.”

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 39 (40)

I have proclaimed your judgement in the great assembly:

I will not close my lips – Lord, you know it.

I have not hidden your judgements away in my heart;

I have not hidden your faithfulness from the assembly of the people.

But you, Lord, do not keep your mercy from me:

let your kindness and faithfulness always sustain me.

For evils besiege me, uncountable evils;

my transgressions surround me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart has failed me.

Make it your will, Lord, to rescue me:

Lord, hurry to help me.

Let all who seek you rejoice in you:

let them say always, “Great is the Lord,”

all who delight in your salvation.

Though I am poor and destitute,

the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my liberator:

my God, do not delay.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

The prophets foretold that the Saviour would be born of the Virgin Mary.

Continue

OR:

At the daytime hours (Terce, Sext, None) when you don’t choose to use the psalms of the day, use the complementary psalms instead.

COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS

Psalm 119 (120)
Longing for peace

The prophets foretold that the Saviour would be born of the Virgin Mary.

I was in trouble, and cried to the Lord;

and he answered me.

Lord, free me from the lips of liars,

from deceitful tongues.

What will be given you, what will you receive,

deceitful tongue?

Sharp arrows from the warrior,

hardened in the flames.

Alas, I am an exile in Meshech;

I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

My soul has lived too long

with those who hate peace.

I am for making peace;

but whenever I spoke, they attacked me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 120 (121)
The guardian of the people

I shall lift my eyes to the hills:

where is my help to come from?

My help will come from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip:

he will not doze, your guardian.

Behold, he will not doze or sleep,

the guardian of Israel.

The Lord is your guardian, the Lord is your shade;

he is at your right hand.

By day the sun will not strike you;

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will guard you from all harm;

the Lord will guard your life.

The Lord will guard your coming and your going

both now and for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 121 (122)
Jerusalem, the holy city

They filled me with joy when they said,

“We will go to the house of the Lord.”

Now our feet are standing

within your gates, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, built as a city,

whole and self-contained:

there the tribes have gone up,

the tribes of the Lord –

the witness of Israel,

to praise the Lord’s name.

For there are the thrones of justice,

the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“Safety for those who care for you,

peace inside your walls,

security within your ramparts!”

For my brethren and those near to me I will say

“Peace be upon you.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will call blessings upon you.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

The prophets foretold that the Saviour would be born of the Virgin Mary.

Continue

CONCLUSION

Scripture Reading
(Isaiah 10:20-21) ©

That day, the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the House of Jacob will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.

℣. The nations shall fear your name, O Lord.

℟. And all the kings of the earth your glory.

Let us pray.

Let our prayers rise like incense before you, Lord,

so that we may come in humility and purity of heart

to celebrate the great mystery of your Son’s incarnation.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.

You can also view this page in Latin and English.

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Mid-Day Prayer”]

Midday Prayer (Sext)

INTRODUCTION

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn

Lord God and Maker of all things,

Creation is upheld by you.

While all must change and know decay,

You are unchanging, always new.

You are man’s solace and his shield,

His Rock secure on which to build.

You are the spirit’s tranquil home,

In you alone is hope fulfilled.

To God the Father and the Son

And Holy Spirit render praise:

Blest Trinity, from age to age

The strength of all our living days.

Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

Psalms of the day

Complementary psalms

The psalms of the day are shown here. If you are reciting more than one daytime hour (Terce, Sext, None) today, use the psalms of the day at one hour and the complementary psalms at the others.

PSALMS OF THE DAY

Psalm 118(119): 41-48

The angel Gabriel said to Mary, ‘Rejoice, most highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Of all women you are the most blessed.’

Cover me, Lord, with your loving kindness.

Save me, as you have promised.

Then I will answer those who taunt me,

for I put my hope in what you have said.

Do not take a single word of your truth

away from my speech,

for I have put all my hope in your decrees.

I will always observe your law,

for ever and for all ages.

I shall walk freely and without constraint,

for I have sought out your commands.

I shall speak of your decrees in front of kings

and not be discomfited.

I shall delight in your precepts,

for I have loved them.

I shall stretch out my hand to your precepts,

for I have loved them.

I shall ponder your statutes.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 39 (40)
Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

I waited, I waited for the Lord;

and he heard me.

He heard my voice when I cried,

he led me from the pit of misery,

he led me from the mire of filth.

He set my feet on firm rock,

he steadied my footsteps.

He filled my being with a new song,

a song to the Lord.

Many shall see what has happened, and trust,

and honour the Lord.

Happy the man who puts his trust in the Lord,

who pays no heed to the proud,

who pays no heed to liars.

Many are your wonders, O Lord my God,

and great is your care for us:

there is no-one like you.

If I wanted to tell the things you have done for us –

they are too many to count.

You have refused sacrifice and oblation,

but you have opened your ears to me.

You have refused burnt-offerings, even for sin –

so I said “I am coming.

The books of scripture have written of me.

It is your will, my God, that I wish to perform:

your law is next to my heart.”

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 39 (40)

I have proclaimed your judgement in the great assembly:

I will not close my lips – Lord, you know it.

I have not hidden your judgements away in my heart;

I have not hidden your faithfulness from the assembly of the people.

But you, Lord, do not keep your mercy from me:

let your kindness and faithfulness always sustain me.

For evils besiege me, uncountable evils;

my transgressions surround me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart has failed me.

Make it your will, Lord, to rescue me:

Lord, hurry to help me.

Let all who seek you rejoice in you:

let them say always, “Great is the Lord,”

all who delight in your salvation.

Though I am poor and destitute,

the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my liberator:

my God, do not delay.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

The angel Gabriel said to Mary, ‘Rejoice, most highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Of all women you are the most blessed.’

Continue

OR:

At the daytime hours (Terce, Sext, None) when you don’t choose to use the psalms of the day, use the complementary psalms instead.

COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS

Psalm 122 (123)
The Lord guards his people

The angel Gabriel said to Mary, ‘Rejoice, most highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Of all women you are the most blessed.’

To you I lift up my eyes,

to you who dwell in the heavens.

Like the eyes of a servant watching his master,

like the eyes of a maid on her mistress’s hands,

so we keep our eyes on the Lord our God,

as we wait for his kindness.

Take pity on us, Lord, take pity:

we have had our fill of contempt.

Our souls have had their fill

of the laughter of the rich,

of the contempt of the proud.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 123 (124)
Our help is in the name of the Lord

If the Lord had not been with us

(so let Israel sing),

If the Lord had not been with us

when men rose up against us,

they might have skinned us alive,

such was their anger.

The waters could have drowned us,

the torrent poured over us,

the foaming waters poured over us.

Blessed be the Lord, who saved us

from being torn to pieces by their teeth.

We have escaped, like a bird

from the snare of the fowler.

The snare was broken,

and we escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 124 (125)
The Lord guards his people

Those who trust in the Lord are like the mountain of Zion:

it cannot be shaken, it will stand firm for ever.

Jerusalem – the mountains stand guard over it,

and the Lord stands guard over his people,

both now and for ever.

The sceptre of the wicked shall not rest

upon the inheritance of the just;

lest the just themselves stretch out their hands

and turn to wickedness.

Be good, O Lord, to the good

and the upright of heart.

As for those who turn away to crooked paths,

the Lord shall treat them like the doers of evil.

Peace be on Israel!

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

The angel Gabriel said to Mary, ‘Rejoice, most highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Of all women you are the most blessed.’

Continue

CONCLUSION

Scripture Reading
(Isaiah 10:24,27) ©

The Lord of Hosts says this: My people who live in Zion, do not be afraid. On that day the burden will fall from your shoulder and the yoke will cease to weigh on your neck.

℣. Remember us, Lord, for the love you bear your people.

℟. Come to us as a saviour.

Let us pray.

Let our prayers rise like incense before you, Lord,

so that we may come in humility and purity of heart

to celebrate the great mystery of your Son’s incarnation.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.

You can also view this page in Latin and English.

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Afternoon Prayer”]

Afternoon Prayer (None)

INTRODUCTION

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn

Eternal Father, loving God,

Who made us from the dust of earth,

Transform us by the Spirit’s grace,

Give value to our little worth.

Prepare us for that day of days

When Christ from heaven will come with might

To call us out of dust again,

Our bodies glorified in light.

O Godhead, here untouched, unseen,

All things created bear your trace;

The seed of glory sown in man

Will flower when we see your face.

Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal

Psalms of the day

Complementary psalms

The psalms of the day are shown here. If you are reciting more than one daytime hour (Terce, Sext, None) today, use the psalms of the day at one hour and the complementary psalms at the others.

PSALMS OF THE DAY

Psalm 118(119): 41-48

Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’

Cover me, Lord, with your loving kindness.

Save me, as you have promised.

Then I will answer those who taunt me,

for I put my hope in what you have said.

Do not take a single word of your truth

away from my speech,

for I have put all my hope in your decrees.

I will always observe your law,

for ever and for all ages.

I shall walk freely and without constraint,

for I have sought out your commands.

I shall speak of your decrees in front of kings

and not be discomfited.

I shall delight in your precepts,

for I have loved them.

I shall stretch out my hand to your precepts,

for I have loved them.

I shall ponder your statutes.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 39 (40)
Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

I waited, I waited for the Lord;

and he heard me.

He heard my voice when I cried,

he led me from the pit of misery,

he led me from the mire of filth.

He set my feet on firm rock,

he steadied my footsteps.

He filled my being with a new song,

a song to the Lord.

Many shall see what has happened, and trust,

and honour the Lord.

Happy the man who puts his trust in the Lord,

who pays no heed to the proud,

who pays no heed to liars.

Many are your wonders, O Lord my God,

and great is your care for us:

there is no-one like you.

If I wanted to tell the things you have done for us –

they are too many to count.

You have refused sacrifice and oblation,

but you have opened your ears to me.

You have refused burnt-offerings, even for sin –

so I said “I am coming.

The books of scripture have written of me.

It is your will, my God, that I wish to perform:

your law is next to my heart.”

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 39 (40)

I have proclaimed your judgement in the great assembly:

I will not close my lips – Lord, you know it.

I have not hidden your judgements away in my heart;

I have not hidden your faithfulness from the assembly of the people.

But you, Lord, do not keep your mercy from me:

let your kindness and faithfulness always sustain me.

For evils besiege me, uncountable evils;

my transgressions surround me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart has failed me.

Make it your will, Lord, to rescue me:

Lord, hurry to help me.

Let all who seek you rejoice in you:

let them say always, “Great is the Lord,”

all who delight in your salvation.

Though I am poor and destitute,

the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my liberator:

my God, do not delay.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’

Continue

OR:

At the daytime hours (Terce, Sext, None) when you don’t choose to use the psalms of the day, use the complementary psalms instead.

COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS

Psalm 125 (126)
Gladness and hope in the Lord

Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’

When the Lord gave Zion back her captives, we became like dreamers.

Our mouths were filled with gladness and our voices cried in exultation.

Among the Gentiles they were saying,

“By his deeds the Lord has shown himself great.”

The Lord’s deeds showed forth his greatness,

and filled us with rejoicing.

Give us back our captives, O Lord,

as you renew the dry streams in the desolate South.

Those who sow in tears will rejoice at the harvest.

They wept as they went, went with seed for the sowing;

but with joy they will come, come bearing the sheaves.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 126 (127)
Without the Lord, we labour in vain

If the Lord does not build the house,

its builders labour in vain.

If the Lord does not watch over a city,

its watchmen guard it in vain.

It is vain for you to rise before the dawn

and go late to your rest,

eating the bread of toil –

to those he loves, the Lord gives sleep.

The Lord bestows sons as an heirloom,

the fruit of the womb as a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior –

so are the sons of one’s youth.

Happy the man who fills his quiver thus:

when he disputes with his enemies at the gate,

he will not be the loser.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Psalm 127 (128)
Peaceful life in the Lord

Blessed are all who fear the Lord

and walk in his ways.

The food you have worked for, you will eat:

God’s blessing will bring you good things.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

on the side of your house.

Your children will be like olive shoots,

seated round your table.

See, this is how the man is blessed

who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion:

may you see the wealth of Jerusalem

all the days of your life.

May you see your children’s children.

Peace be on Israel.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Mary was greatly troubled at this greeting and wondered what it might mean. She said, ‘I am to give birth to a King without ceasing to be a virgin.’

Continue

CONCLUSION

Scripture Reading
(Isaiah 13:22-14:1) ©

Its time is almost up, its days will not last long. Yes, the Lord will have pity on Jacob, and Israel will be saved.

℣. Come, Lord, and make no delay.

℟. Release your people from their sin.

Let us pray.

Let our prayers rise like incense before you, Lord,

so that we may come in humility and purity of heart

to celebrate the great mystery of your Son’s incarnation.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us praise the Lord.

– Thanks be to God.

You can also view this page in Latin and English.

[/su_tab]
[su_tab title=”Evening Prayer”]

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

INTRODUCTION

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Hymn

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry

Announces that the Lord is nigh;

Come then and hearken, for he brings

Glad tidings from the King of kings.

Then cleansed be every Christian breast,

And furnished for so great a guest!

Yea, let us each his heart prepare

For Christ to come and enter there.

For thou art our salvation, Lord,

Our refuge and our great reward;

Without thy grace our souls must fade,

And wither like a flower decayed.

Stretch forth thine hand, to heal our sore,

And make us rise to fall no more;

Once more upon thy people shine,

And fill the world with love divine.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee,

Whose Advent sets thy people free,

Whom, with the Father, we adore,

And Holy Ghost, for evermore.

Psalm 44 (45)
The wedding of the King

You are the fairest of the children of men, and graciousness is poured upon your lips.

My heart cries out on a joyful theme:

I will tell my poem to the king,

my tongue like the pen of the swiftest scribe.

You have been given more than human beauty,

and grace is poured out upon your lips,

so that God has blessed you for ever.

Strap your sword to your side, mighty one,

in all your greatness and splendour.

In your splendour go forth, mount your chariot,

on behalf of truth, kindness and justice.

Let your right hand show your marvels,

let your arrows be sharp against the hearts of the king’s enemies

– the peoples will fall before you.

Your throne is firm, O God, from age to age,

your royal sceptre is a sceptre of justice.

You love uprightness, hate injustice

– for God, your God has anointed you

with the oil of gladness, above all your companions.

Myrrh and aloes and cassia anoint your garments.

From ivory palaces the sound of harps delights you.

In your retinue go the daughters of kings.

At your right hand, the queen is adorned with gold of Ophir.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

You are the fairest of the children of men, and graciousness is poured upon your lips.

Psalm 44 (45)
The King's bride

Behold, the Bridegroom is coming: go out and meet him.

Listen, my daughter, and understand;

turn your ears to what I have to say.

Forget your people, forget your father’s house,

and the king will desire you for your beauty.

He is your lord, so worship him.

The daughters of Tyre will bring you gifts;

the richest of your subjects will beg you to look on them.

How great is the king’s daughter, within the palace!

She is clothed in woven gold.

She will be taken to the king in coloured garments,

her maidens will escort her to your presence.

In gladness and rejoicing they are brought

and led to the house of the king.

Instead of your fathers you will have sons:

you will make them rulers over all the world.

I will remember your name

from generation to generation.

And so your people will do you honour

for ever and for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Behold, the Bridegroom is coming: go out and meet him.

Canticle	Ephesians 1

God the Saviour

God planned to bring all things together under Christ when the fullness of time had come.

Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has blessed us, in Christ,

with every spiritual blessing in heaven.

In love, he chose us before the creation of the world,

to be holy and spotless in his sight.

He predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ,

simply because it pleased him to do so.

This he did for the praise of the glory of his grace,

of his free gift to us in his Beloved,

in whose blood we have gained redemption,

and the forgiveness of our sins.

This he did according to the riches of his grace,

which he gave us in abundance,

with all wisdom and discernment,

revealing to us the mysteries of his will,

because it pleased him to do so.

In this action he has planned, in the fulfilment of time,

to bring all things together in Christ,

from the heavens and from the earth.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

God planned to bring all things together under Christ when the fullness of time had come.

Scripture Reading
Philippians 3:20-21 ©

We are waiting for our saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe.

Short Responsory

Come to us and save us, Lord God almighty.

– Come to us and save us, Lord God almighty.

Let your face smile on us and we shall be safe.

– Come to us and save us, Lord God almighty.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

– Come to us and save us, Lord God almighty.

Canticle	Magnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

See, the King, the Lord of the earth is coming. He will take the burden of captivity from our shoulders.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.

For he has shown me such favour –

me, his lowly handmaiden.

Now all generations will call me blessed,

because the mighty one has done great things for me.

His name is holy,

his mercy lasts for generation after generation

for those who revere him.

He has put forth his strength:

he has scattered the proud and conceited,

torn princes from their thrones;

but lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things;

the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,

he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

See, the King, the Lord of the earth is coming. He will take the burden of captivity from our shoulders.

Prayers and intercessions

The Lord who is to come is the Judge of the living and the dead.

– Christ, have mercy.

We thank you for the mercy you have shown us:

let your compassion support us in our weakness.

– Christ, have mercy.

You humbled yourself to wash away our guilt:

forgive us the times when we have been indifferent to your pardon.

– Christ, have mercy.

Grant us also a spirit of understanding

to forgive as we ourselves are forgiven.

– Christ, have mercy.

If you should mark the guilt of those who have died,

Lord, who would survive?

– Christ, have mercy.

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Let our prayers rise like incense before you, Lord,

so that we may come in humility and purity of heart

to celebrate the great mystery of your Son’s incarnation.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

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Compline (Night Prayer)

INTRODUCTION

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

I confess to almighty God

and to you, my brothers and sisters,

that I have greatly sinned,

in my thoughts and in my words,

in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

through my fault,

through my most grievous fault;

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints,

and you, my brothers and sisters,

to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins,

and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Hymn

Now that the daylight dies away,

By all thy grace and love,

Thee, Maker of the world, we pray

To watch our bed above.

Let dreams depart and phantoms fly,

The offspring of the night,

Keep us, like shrines, beneath thine eye,

Pure in our foe’s despite.

This grace on thy redeemed confer,

Father, co-equal Son,

And Holy Ghost, the Comforter,

Eternal Three in One.

Psalm 85 (86)
A poor man's prayer in time of trouble

You, Lord God, are slow to anger, abounding in love.

Turn your ear to me, Lord, and hear me,

for I am poor and destitute.

Keep my life safe, for I am faithful;

O God, save your servant, who trusts in you.

Take pity upon me, O Lord,

for I call to you all the day long.

Make your servant’s heart glad,

for to you, O Lord, I have raised it.

For you, Lord, are gentle and mild:

you are kind to all those who call on you.

Let your ears hear my prayer, O Lord!

Turn to the voice of my pleading!

In my time of trouble I call on you,

for you, O Lord, will hear me.

No other god is like you, O Lord,

and nothing compares with your works.

All people – all nations you made –

will come and worship before you;

they will give glory to your name.

For you are great, you work wonders:

you alone are God.

O Lord, teach me your paths,

and I will come to your truth.

Make my heart simple and guileless,

so that it honours your name.

I will proclaim you, Lord my God,

and give you praise with all my heart.

I will give glory to your name for ever,

for your great kindness is upon me:

you have rescued me from the deepest depths.

O God, the proud rise against me,

in the meetings of the powerful they seek my life:

they do not keep you in their sight.

And you, Lord, are a God of compassion,

full of mercies, patient and true.

Look upon me, have mercy upon me,

give your strength and protection to your servant:

your servant, the child of your handmaid.

Give me a sign of your goodness,

let my enemies see it and be confounded;

because you, O Lord, have helped me and given me comfort.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

You, Lord God, are slow to anger, abounding in love.

Scripture Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 ©

God chose us to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us in order that we might live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes.

Short Responsory

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis

Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.

Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.

You have fulfilled your promise.

My own eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.

A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;

the glory of your people Israel.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.

Let us pray.

Lord, give our bodies restful sleep;

and let the work we have done today

be sown for an eternal harvest.

Through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

The Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

Amen.

Marian Anthem

Alma Redemptoris Mater

Kind mother of our Redeemer,

the way to heaven for us, now and always,

star of the sea,

come to our help as we fall and strive to rise.

All nature stood still in wonder

when you gave flesh

to your own flesh’s Creator.

Virgin at Gabriel’s greeting,

Virgin now and always –

take pity on us sinners.

Alma Redemptóris Mater,

quæ pérvia cæli porta manes,

et stella maris,

succúrre cadénti,

súrgere qui curat, pópulo;

tu quæ genuísti, natúra miránte,

tuum sanctum Genitórem,

Virgo prius ac postérius,

Gabriélis ab ore

sumens illud Ave,

peccatórum miserére.

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* From www.universalis.com – See today’s Liturgy of the Hours on Universalis
Copyright © 1996-2015 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com. Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
* Image file attribution: By Ramon FVelasquez [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

Office of Readings

Psalm 30 (31)Trustful prayer in time of adversity

Psalm 30 (31)

Psalm 30 (31)

The Lord’s manifestation on his day

In Christ, God has spoken to us

Office of Readings

Psalm 30 (31)Trustful prayer in time of adversity

Psalm 30 (31)

Psalm 30 (31)

The Lord’s manifestation on his day

In Christ, God has spoken to us

Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Psalm 41 (42)Longing for the Lord and his temple

A prayer for Jerusalem, the holy city

Psalm 18 (19)Praise of God the creator

The Messiah and his forerunner

Mid-Morning Prayer (Terce)

PSALMS OF THE DAY

Psalm 118(119): 41-48

Psalm 39 (40)Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

Psalm 39 (40)

COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS

Psalm 119 (120)Longing for peace

Psalm 120 (121)The guardian of the people

Psalm 121 (122)Jerusalem, the holy city

CONCLUSION

Midday Prayer (Sext)

PSALMS OF THE DAY

Psalm 118(119): 41-48

Psalm 39 (40)Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

Psalm 39 (40)

COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS

Psalm 122 (123)The Lord guards his people

Psalm 123 (124)Our help is in the name of the Lord

Psalm 124 (125)The Lord guards his people

CONCLUSION

Afternoon Prayer (None)

PSALMS OF THE DAY

Psalm 118(119): 41-48

Psalm 39 (40)Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

Psalm 39 (40)

COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS

Psalm 125 (126)Gladness and hope in the Lord

Psalm 126 (127)Without the Lord, we labour in vain

Psalm 127 (128)Peaceful life in the Lord

CONCLUSION

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

Psalm 44 (45)The wedding of the King

Psalm 44 (45)The King's bride

God the Saviour

My soul rejoices in the Lord

Compline (Night Prayer)

Psalm 85 (86)A poor man's prayer in time of trouble

Marian Anthem

Alma Redemptoris Mater

Psalm 30 (31)
Trustful prayer in time of adversity

Psalm 30 (31)
Trustful prayer in time of adversity

Psalm 41 (42)
Longing for the Lord and his temple

Psalm 18 (19)
Praise of God the creator

Psalm 39 (40)
Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

Psalm 119 (120)
Longing for peace

Psalm 120 (121)
The guardian of the people

Psalm 121 (122)
Jerusalem, the holy city

Psalm 39 (40)
Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

Psalm 122 (123)
The Lord guards his people

Psalm 123 (124)
Our help is in the name of the Lord

Psalm 124 (125)
The Lord guards his people

Psalm 39 (40)
Thanksgiving and a prayer for help

Psalm 125 (126)
Gladness and hope in the Lord

Psalm 126 (127)
Without the Lord, we labour in vain

Psalm 127 (128)
Peaceful life in the Lord

Psalm 44 (45)
The wedding of the King

Psalm 44 (45)
The King's bride

Psalm 85 (86)
A poor man's prayer in time of trouble