Advent Prayers SAT

PRAYERS FOR ALL THE SATURDAYS OF ADVENT

“Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee! Thou art my God, and I will exalt Thee! I will praise Thee, because Thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation!”
(Psalm 117:28).

“I will praise the Name of God with a canticle and I will magnify Him with praise!”
(Psalm 68:31)

THE LITURGY AND LITURGICAL PRAYER IS THE BEST FORM OF PRAYER AND THE MOST POWERFUL OF ALL PRAYERS, BUT, TODAY, THE MOST NEGLECTED OF ALL PRAYERS

In bygone days, liturgical prayer—the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Divine Office (also known as the Breviary, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Work of God)—was the prayer par excellence of the Church. With the Protestant Reformation, it began to fall from popularity and usage, giving way to private devotions in place of public devotion. Private devotion, no matter how pious and spiritual it may be, is merely the composition and work of man—whereas liturgical prayer is the composition and work of the Holy Spirit. During this Advent season you will have the chance to try-out and participate in an abbreviated version of the liturgical prayer contained in the Divine Office (Breviary) that is prayed by the clergy and religious orders of Holy Mother Church. First of all, here are a few words from the greatest liturgist of modern times—Dom Gueranger:

“Prayer is man's richest boon. It is his light, his nourishment, and his very life, for it brings him into communication with God, who is light, nourishment, and life. But of ourselves we know not what we should pray for as we ought, therefore, we must address ourselves to Jesus Christ, and say to Him as the apostles did: “Lord, teach us how to pray!” He effects by sending His Holy Spirit of grace and of prayers … Ever since that day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has dwelt in this His favored bride—the Church. He is the principle of everything that is in her. He it is that prompts her prayers, her desires, her canticles of praise. The prayer of the Church is, therefore, the most pleasing to the ear and heart of God, and therefore the most efficacious of all prayers. Happy, then, is he who prays with the Church, and unites his own petitions with those of this bride, who is so dear to her Lord that He gives her all she asks.

“Prayer said in union with the Church is the light of the understanding, it is the fire of divine love for the heart. The Christian soul neither needs nor wishes to avoid the company of the Church, when she would converse with God, and praise His greatness and His mercy. She knows that the company of the bride of Christ could not be a distraction to her. But now for many ages past, Christians have grown too solicitous about earthly things to frequent the holy vigils, and the mystical Hours of the day. Each new generation increased in indifference for that which their forefathers in the Faith had loved as their best and strongest food. Social prayer was made to give way to individual devotion. The spirit of prayer, and even prayer itself, has been sought for in methods and prayer-books, which contain, it is true, laudable and pious thoughts, but after all only human thoughts. Such nourishment cannot satisfy the soul, for it does not initiate her into the prayer of the Church. Instead of uniting her with the prayer of the Church, it isolates her.

“Liturgical prayer would soon become powerless were the faithful not to take a real share in it, or at least not to associate themselves to it in heart. It can heal and save the world, but only on the condition that it be understood. Be wise, then, ye children of the Catholic Church, and obtain that largeness of heart which will make you pray the prayer of your mother. Come, and by your share in It fill up that harmony which is so sweet to the ear of God. Where would you obtain the spirit of prayer if not at its natural source?” (Dom Gueranger, The Liturgical Year).

FOR ALL THE SATURDAYS OF ADVENT
PSALMS & READINGS

As of Saturday, December 8th, all the days of the week are fully completed.

Please note that you do NOT have to say ALL of these eight liturgical hours if it seems too burdensome. Pray what you can! Like lifting weights, add more as you get used to it.

Neither are you absolutely obliged to pray them at the recommended times (though it is better to do so). You could set aside just two or three periods in the day to cover them all.

As a rough estimate, the entire eight prayer periods should only take around 1 hour per day. The approximate maximum time for each of the eight liturgical hours is as follows (please note that Matins has been shortened by 60%, to only 1 of 3 Nocturns):

Matins (15 minutes); Lauds ( 7 minutes); Prime (7 minutes); Terce (4 minutes);
Sext (4 minutes); None (4 minutes); Vespers (7 minutes); Compline (7 minutes).
Total 55 minutes (more or less).

So if you set aside three 20-minute periods a day, or two 30-minute periods, then you could easily manage to pray the entire Divine Office (abbreviated version) daily.

The First Liturgical Hour
NIGHT PRAYER (MATINS) FOR SATURDAY
usually prayed in the middle of the night, or else right before dawn
(modern day suggestion: very last thing at night, or immediately after waking)

Religious would rise from sleep after midnight in the very early hours of the morning, well before dawn, to pray Matins
Usually Matins would consist of (1) an invitation to prayer called the "Invitatory"; (2) a hymn; (3) followed by nine psalms;
(4) then three spiritual readings; and (5) after this the Te Deum a hymn of thanksgiving is said; (6) which is followed by the prayer or collect of the day or feast.

Below you have an abbreviated version that you can easily pray.

The following extracts from the Divine Office of Matins is only around one-third of the actual length of Matins.

Versicle: O Lord, ✠︎ open thou my lips. (make the Sign of the Cross over the lips with your right thumb)
Response: And my mouth shall declare thy praise.

Versicle: O God, ✝ come to my assistance; (make the normal Sign of the Cross)
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Alleluia.

THE INVITATORY FROM THE OFFICE OF MATINS FOR THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Inviting all to come and praise the Lord our God

Antiphon for the First & Second Weeks of Advent: The Lord, the King Who is to come * O come, let us adore Him!
Antiphon for the Third & Fourth Weeks of Advent:  The Lord is now near * O come, let us adore Him

Come let us praise the Lord with joy! Let us joyfully sing to God our Savior! Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving and sing joyful praise to Him with psalms!

Antiphon for the First & Second Weeks of Advent: The Lord, the King Who is to come * O come, let us adore Him!
Antiphon for the Third & Fourth Weeks of Advent:  The Lord is now near * O come, let us adore Him

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For the Lord will not cast off His people: for in His hand are all the ends of the Earth, and the heights of the mountains are His.

Antiphon for the First & Second Weeks of Advent: O come, let us adore Him!
Antiphon for the Third & Fourth Weeks of Advent:  O come, let us adore Him

For the sea is His and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. (genuflect for next sentence) Come let us adore and fall down, and weep before the Lord that made us! (rise) For He is the Lord our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.

Antiphon for the First & Second Weeks of Advent: The Lord, the King Who is to come * O come, let us adore Him!
Antiphon for the Third & Fourth Weeks of Advent:  The Lord is now near * O come, let us adore Him

Today if you shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation by the Israelites during the Exodus, according to the day of temptation in the desert wilderness: where your fathers tempted Me, they tested Me, and saw My works.

Antiphon for the First & Second Weeks of Advent: O come, let us adore Him!
Antiphon for the Third & Fourth Weeks of Advent:  O come, let us adore Him

Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: “These people always err in their heart! And these men have not known My ways!” So I swore, in My wrath, that they shall not enter into My rest!

Antiphon for the First & Second Weeks of Advent: The Lord, the King Who is to come * O come, let us adore Him!
Antiphon for the Third & Fourth Weeks of Advent:  The Lord is now near * O come, let us adore Him

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon for the First & Second Weeks of Advent: O come, let us adore Him! The Lord, the King Who is to come * O come, let us adore Him!
Antiphon for the Third & Fourth Weeks of Advent:  O come, let us adore Him! The Lord is now near * O come, let us adore Him

THE ADVENT HYMN FROM THE OFFICE OF MATINS

Celestial Word, to this our Earth
Sent down from God's eternal clime,
To save mankind by mortal birth
Into a world of change and time;

Enlighten our hearts; vain hopes destroy;
And in Thy love's consuming fire
Fill all the soul with heavenly joy,
And melt the dross of low desire.

So when the Judge of quick and dead
Shall bid His awful summons come,
To overwhelm guilty souls with dread,
And call the blessed to their home.

Saved from the whirling, black abyss,
Forevermore to us be given
To share the feast of saintly bliss,
And see the face of God in Heaven.

To God the Father and the Son
Our songs with one accord we raise;
And to the Holy Spirit, One
With them, be ever equal praise
Amen.

The first of three psalms
PSALM 88

Antiphon: Behold, there cometh the King * even the Most High, with great power, to save the nations, alleluia.

[88:2] The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. I will show forth Thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation.
[88:3] For Thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: Thy truth shall be prepared in them.
[88:4] I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant:
[88:5] Thy seed will I settle for ever. And I will build up Thy throne unto generation and generation.
[88:6] The heavens shall confess Thy wonders, O Lord: and Thy truth in the church of the saints.
[88:7] For who in the clouds can be compared to the Lord: or who among the sons of God shall be like to God?
[88:8] God, who is glorified in the assembly of the saints: great and terrible above all them that are about Him.
[88:9] O Lord God of hosts, who is like to Thee? Thou art mighty, O Lord, and Thy truth is round about Thee.
[88:10] Thou rulest the power of the sea: and appeasest the motion of the waves thereof.
[88:11] Thou hast humbled the proud one, as one that is slain: with the arm of Thy strength Thou hast scattered Thy enemies.
[88:12] Thine are the heavens, and thine is the Earth: the world and the fullness thereof Thou hast founded:
[88:14] Thy arm is with might. Let Thy hand be strengthened, and Thy right hand exalted:
[88:15] Justice and judgment are the preparation of Thy throne. Mercy and truth shall go before Thy face:
[88:16] Blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation. They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance:
[88:17] And in Thy Name they shall rejoice all the day, and in Thy justice they shall be exalted.
[88:18] For Thou art the glory of their strength: and in Thy good pleasure shall our horn be exalted.
[88:19] For our protection is of the Lord, and of our king the holy one of Israel.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, there cometh the King * even the Most High, with great power, to save the nations, alleluia.

The second of three psalms
PSALM 88 (continued)

Antiphon: Rejoice * all ye, and be glad for, behold, the Lord will come with vengeance, He will bring a recompense He will come and save us.

[88:21] I have found David My servant: with My holy oil I have anointed him.
[88:22] For My hand shall help him: and My arm shall strengthen him.
[88:23] The enemy shall have no advantage over him: nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him.
[88:24] And I will cut down his enemies before his face; and them that hate him I will put to flight.
[88:25] And My truth and My mercy shall be with him: and in My Name shall his horn be exalted.
[88:26] And I will set his hand in the sea; and his right hand in the rivers.
[88:27] He shall cry out to Me: Thou art my father: my God, and the support of my salvation.
[88:28] And I will make him My firstborn, high above the kings of the Earth.
[88:29] I will keep My mercy for him for ever: and My covenant faithful to him.
[88:30] And I will make his seed to endure for evermore: and his throne as the days of Heaven.
[88:31] And if his children forsake My law, and walk not in My judgments:
[88:32] If they profane My justices: and keep not My commandments:
[88:33] I will visit their iniquities with a rod: and their sins with stripes.
[88:34] But My mercy I will not take away from him: nor will I suffer My truth to fail.
[88:35] Neither will I profane My covenant: and the words that proceed from My mouth I will not make void.
[88:36] Once have I sworn by My holiness: I will not lie unto David:
[88:37] His seed shall endure for ever.
[88:38] And his throne as the sun before Me: and as the moon perfect for ever, and a faithful witness in Heaven.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Rejoice * all ye, and be glad for, behold, the Lord will come with vengeance, He will bring a recompense He will come and save us.

The third of three psalms
PSALM 88 (continued)

Antiphon: Rejoice greatly, * O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh into thee, O Sion; fear not, for thy salvation cometh quickly.

[88:39] But Thou hast rejected and despised: Thou hast been angry with Thy anointed.
[88:40] Thou hast overthrown the covenant of Thy servant: Thou hast profaned his sanctuary on the Earth.
[88:41] Thou hast broken down all his hedges: Thou hast made his strength fear.
[88:42] All that pass by the way have robbed him: he is become a reproach to his neighbors.
[88:43] Thou hast set up the right hand of them that oppress him: Thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
[88:44] Thou hast turned away the help of his sword; and hast not assisted him in battle.
[88:45] Thou hast made his purification to cease: and Thou hast cast his throne down to the ground.
[88:46] Thou hast shortened the days of his time: Thou hast covered him with confusion.
[88:47] How long, O Lord, turnest Thou away unto the end? Shall Thy anger burn like fire?
[88:48] Remember what my substance is for hast Thou made all the children of men in vain?
[88:49] Who is the man that shall live, and not see death: that shall deliver his soul from the hand of Hell?
[88:50] Lord, where are Thy ancient mercies, according to what Thou didst swear to David in Thy truth?
[88:51] Be mindful, O Lord, of the reproach of Thy servants (which I have held in my bosom) of many nations:
[88:52] Wherewith Thy enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the change of Thy anointed.
[88:53] Blessed be the Lord for evermore. So be it. So be it.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Rejoice greatly, * O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh into thee, O Sion; fear not, for thy salvation cometh quickly.

Versicle: From Sion, from the place of His greatness.
Response: Our God shall come manifestly.

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.

Versicle: And lead us not into temptation:
Response: But deliver us from evil.

Absolution before the reading: O Lord Jesus Christ, graciously hear the prayers of Thy servants, and have mercy upon us, Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, for ever, world without end. Amen.

FIRST READING
TAken from the Homily by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, preached on the First Sunday of Advent

When the unhappy children of Eve had abandoned the pursuit of things true and salutary, they gave themselves up to the search for those that are fleeting and perishable. To whom shall we liken the men of this generation, or to what shall we compare them, seeing they are unable to tear themselves from earthly and carnal consolations, or disentangle their minds from such trammels? They resemble the shipwrecked who are in danger of being overwhelmed by the waters, and who may be seen catching eagerly at whatever they first grasp, how frail soever it may be. And if anyone strive to rescue them, they are wont to seize and drag him down with them, so that not infrequently the rescuer is involved with them in one common destruction. Thus the children of the world perish miserably while following after transitory things and neglecting those which are solid and enduring, cleaving to which, they might save their souls. Of truth, not of vanity, it is said: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Do you, therefore, to whom as to little ones God has revealed things hidden from the wise and prudent, turn your thoughts with earnestness to those that are truly desirable, and diligently meditate on this coming of Our Lord (Matthew 11:25). Consider Who He is that comes, whence He comes, to whom He comes, for what end He comes, when He comes, and in what manner He comes. This is undoubtedly a most useful and praiseworthy curiosity, for the Church would not so devoutly celebrate the season of Advent if there were not some great mystery hidden therein.

Versicle: But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: Christ our King cometh!
Response: And John hath testified of Him, that He is the Lamb that should come!

Versicle: The kings shall shut their mouths at Him, all nations shall serve Him!
Response: And John hath testified of Him, that He is the Lamb that should come!

SECOND READING
Continuation of the Homily by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, preached on the First Sunday of Advent

Lucifer, who rose brightly as the morning star, because he attempted to usurp a similitude with the Most High, and “it was thought robbery in him to equal himself with God” (Philippians 2:6), an equality which was the Son’s by right, was cast down from Heaven and ruined; for the Father was zealous for the glory of the Son, and seemed by this act to say: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19). And instantly “I saw Satan as lightning falling from Heaven” (Luke 10:18). Dust and ashes, why art thou proud? If God spared not pride in His angels, how much less will He tolerate it in thee, innate corruption? Satan had committed no overt act, he had but consented to a thought of pride, yet in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, he was irreparably rejected because, as the Evangelist says, “he stood not in the truth” (John 8:44). Fly pride, my brethren, I most earnestly beseech you. “Pride is the beginning of all sin” (Ecclesiasticus 10:15), and how quickly did it darken and overshadow with eternal obscurity Lucifer, the most bright and beautiful of the heavenly spirits, and, from not only an angel, but the first of angels, transform him into a hideous devil! Wherefore, envying man’s happiness, he brought forth in him the evil which he had conceived in himself by persuading man that if he should eat of the forbidden tree he would become as God, having a knowledge of good and evil.

Versicle: But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch; and a King shall reign in wisdom and shall execute judgment and justice in the Earth:
Response: And this is His Name whereby He shall be called: * The Lord our Righteous One.

Versicle: In His days Juda shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely.
Response: And this is His Name whereby He shall be called.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: The Lord our Righteous One.

THIRD READING
Continuation of the Homily by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, preached on the First Sunday of Advent

Wretch! What dost thou promise, when thou knowest that the Son of God has the key of knowledge yea, and is Himself the “Key of David, that shutteth and no man openeth”? (Apocalypse 3:7). that “in Him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God”? (Colossians 2:3). Wouldst thou, then, wickedly steal them away to give them to men. You see, my brethren, how true is the sentence of Our Lord: “The devil is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). He was a liar in saying: “I will be like unto the Most High” (Isaias 14:14), and he was the father of lies when he breathed his spirit of falsity into man. “You will be as gods” (Genesis 3:5). And wilt thou, man, “seeing the thief, run with him:”? (Psalm 49:18). You have heard, my brethren, what has been read this night from Isaiah. The Prophet says to the Lord: “Thy princes are faithless, companions of thieves” or, as another version has it, “disobedient companions of thieves” (Isaias 1:23). In truth, Adam and Eve were disobedient companions of thieves, for, by the counsel of the serpent, or, rather, of the devil in the serpent, they tried to seize upon what belonged by birth right to the Son of God. Nor did the Father overlook the injury, for the Father loveth the Son. He immediately took revenge on that same man, and let His hand fall heavily on us all, “for in Adam all have sinned” and in his sentence of condemnation we have shared.

Versicle: But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: Behold, I, the Lord your God, come from the South
Response: To visit you in peace.

Versicle: I will look again upon you and make you to increase ye shall be multiplied, and I will establish My covenant with you.
Response: To visit you in peace.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: To visit you in peace.

Versicle: From Sion, from the place of His greatness.
Response: Our God shall come manifestly.

PRAYER

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

(Throughout the entire First Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Put forth Thy power, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and come, that with Thee as our Protector we may be rescued from the impending danger of our sins; and with Thee as our Deliverer, may we obtain our salvation.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Second Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve Thee with purified minds. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Third Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Lend Thy ear to our prayers, O Lord, we beseech Thee; and brighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy coming. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Fourth Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Stir up, O Lord, we pray Thee, Thy strength, and delay not to come among us, that whereas through our sins and wickedness we do justly apprehend Thy wrathful judgments hanging over us, Thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

CONCLUSION

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

Versicle:  Let us bless the Lord!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Second Liturgical Hour
DAWN PRAYER (LAUDS) FOR SATURDAY
usually prayed before dawn
(modern day suggestion: after waking in the morning, before breakfast)
The Religious would rise from sleep once again before dawn, to pray Lauds. If Matins was not prayed during the middle of the night, then it is prayed now, at dawn, immediately before praying Lauds.
Usually Lauds consists of (1) five psalms with their appropriate seasonal antiphons (2) followed by what is called a "Chapter Verse" which is a short paragraphed reading; (3) this is followed by a hymn that suits the liturgical season; (4) then follows the Canticle of St. Zachary, the "Benedictus" with its appropriate seasonal antiphon; (5) finally there is said the prayer or collect for the day or feast.

Below you have an abbreviated version that you can easily pray.

OPENING INVOCATIONS

Versicle: O God, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) come to my assistance!
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me!

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

The first of five psalms
PSALM 91

Antiphon: In that day * the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk and honey. Alleluia.

[91:2] It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to Thy Name, O most High.
[91:3] To show forth Thy mercy in the morning, and Thy truth in the night:
[91:4] Upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the psaltery: with a canticle upon the harp.
[91:5] For Thou hast given me, O Lord, a delight in Thy doings: and in the works of Thy hands I shall rejoice.
[91:6] O Lord, how great are Thy works! Thy thoughts are exceeding deep.
[91:7] The senseless man shall not know: nor will the fool understand these things.
[91:8] When the wicked shall spring up as grass: and all the workers of iniquity shall appear: That they may perish for ever and ever:
[91:9] But Thou, O Lord, art most high for evermore.
[91:10] For behold Thy enemies, O Lord, for behold Thy enemies shall perish: and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
[91:11] But my horn shall be exalted like that of the unicorn: and my old age in plentiful mercy.
[91:12] My eye also hath looked down upon my enemies: and my ear shall hear of the downfall of the malignant that rise up against me.
[91:13] The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.
[91:14] They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
[91:15] They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: and shall be well treated,
[91:16] That they may show, that the Lord our God is righteous, and there is no iniquity in Him.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: In that day * the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk and honey. Alleluia.

The second of five psalms
PSALM 104

Antiphon: Sing, O daughter of Zion, * and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem, for thy Lord cometh. Alleluia.

[104:1] Give glory to the Lord, and call upon His Name: declare His deeds among the Gentiles.
[104:2] Sing to Him, yea sing praises to Him: relate all His wondrous works.
[104:3] Glory ye in His Holy Name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
[104:4] Seek ye the Lord, and be strengthened: seek His face evermore.
[104:5] Remember His marvelous works which He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.
[104:6] O ye seed of Abraham His servant; ye sons of Jacob His chosen.
[104:7] He is the Lord our God: His judgments are in all the Earth.
[104:8] He hath remembered His covenant for ever: the word which He commanded to a thousand generations.
[104:9] Which He made to Abraham; and His oath to Isaac:
[104:10] And He appointed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting testament:
[104:11] Saying: To thee will I give the land of Chanaan, the lot of your inheritance.
[104:12] When they were but a small number: yea very few, and sojourners therein:
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Sing, O daughter of Zion, * and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem, for thy Lord cometh. Alleluia.

The third of five psalms
PSALM 104 (continued)

Antiphon: Behold, the Lord shall come, * and all His saints with Him; and it shall come to pass in that day that the light shall be great. Alleluia.

[104:13] And they passed from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people.
[104:14] He suffered no man to hurt them: and He reproved kings for their sakes.
[104:15] Touch ye not My anointed: and do no evil to My prophets.
[104:16] And He called a famine upon the land: and He broke in pieces all the support of bread.
[104:17] He sent a man before them: Joseph, who was sold for a slave.
[104:18] They humbled his feet in fetters: the iron pierced his soul,
[104:19] Until His word came. The word of the Lord inflamed him.
[104:20] The king sent, and he released him: the ruler of the people, and he set him at liberty.
[104:21] He made him master of his house, and ruler of all his possession.
[104:22] That he might instruct his princes as himself, and teach his ancients wisdom.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, the Lord shall come, * and all His saints with Him; and it shall come to pass in that day that the light shall be great. Alleluia.

The fourth of five psalms
PSALM 104 (continued)

Antiphon: Behold, every one that thirsteth * come ye to the waters: seek ye the Lord while He may be found. Alleluia.

[104:23] And Israel went into Egypt: and Jacob was a sojourner in the land of Cham.
[104:24] And He increased His people exceedingly: and strengthened them over their enemies,
[104:25] He turned their heart to hate His people: and to deal deceitfully with His servants.
[104:26] He sent Moses His servant: Aaron the man whom He had chosen.
[104:27] He gave them power to show His signs, and His wonders in the land of Cham.
[104:28] He sent darkness, and made it obscure: and grieved not His words.
[104:29] He turned their waters into blood, and destroyed their fish.
[104:30] Their land brought forth frogs, in the inner chambers of their kings.
[104:31] He spoke, and there came divers sorts of flies and sciniphs in all their coasts.
[104:32] He gave them hail for rain, a burning fire in the land.
[104:33] And He destroyed their vineyards and their fig trees: and He broke in pieces the trees of their coasts.
[104:34] He spoke, and the locust came, and the bruchus, of which there was no number.
[104:35] And they devoured all the grass in their land, and consumed all the fruit of their ground.
[104:36] And he slew all the firstborn in their land: the first-fruits of all their labor.
[104:37] And He brought them out with silver and gold: and there was not among their tribes one that was feeble.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, every one that thirsteth * come ye to the waters: seek ye the Lord while He may be found. Alleluia.

The fifth of five psalms
PSALM 104 (continued)

Antiphon: Behold, a great Prophet * shall arise, and He shall build up a new Jerusalem. Alleluia.

[104:38] Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them lay upon them.
[104:39] He spread a cloud for their protection, and fire to give them light in the night.
[104:40] They asked, and the quail came: and He filled them with the bread of Heaven.
[104:41] He opened the rock, and waters flowed: rivers ran down in the dry land.
[104:42] Because He remembered His holy word, which He had spoken to His servant Abraham.
[104:43] And He brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen with gladness.
[104:44] And He gave them the lands of the Gentiles: and they possessed the labors of the people:
[104:45] That they might observe His justifications, and seek after His law.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, a great Prophet * shall arise, and He shall build up a new Jerusalem. Alleluia.

CHAPTER VERSE
(Romans 13:11)

And that knowing the season; that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
Response: Thanks be to God!

HYMN

Hark, a herald voice is calling;
“Christ is nigh,” it seems to say;
“Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day.”

Startled at the solemn warning,
Let the Earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her sun, all sloth dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

Behold, the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from Heaven;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven.

So when next He comes with glory,
Wrapping all the Earth in fear,
May He then as our defender
On the clouds of Heaven appear.

Honor, glory, virtue, merit,
To the Father and the Son,
With the co-eternal Spirit,
While eternal ages run.
Amen.

Versicle: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.
Response: Make straight His paths.

THE “BENEDICTUS” (Canticle of St. Zachary. Luke 1:68-79)

Antiphon: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, * O Mary; fear not, thou shalt bear in thy womb the Son of God. Alleluia.

[1:68] Blessed be the Lord ☩ (make a sign of the cross) God of Israel; * because He hath visited and wrought the redemption of His people:
[1:69] And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, * in the house of David His servant:
[1:70] As He spoke by the mouth of His holy Prophets, * who are from the beginning:
[1:71] Salvation from our enemies, * and from the hand of all that hate us:
[1:72] To perform mercy to our fathers, * and to remember His holy testament,
[1:73] The oath, which He swore to Abraham our father, * that He would grant to us,
[1:74] That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, * we may serve Him without fear,
[1:75] In holiness and justice before Him, * all our days.
[1:76] And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: * for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways:
[1:77] To give knowledge of salvation to His people, * unto the remission of their sins:
[1:78] Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, * in which the Orient from on high hath visited us:
[1:79] To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: * to direct our feet into the way of peace.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, O Mary; fear not, thou shalt bear in thy womb the Son of God. Alleluia.

PRAYER
Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

(Throughout the entire First Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Put forth Thy power, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and come, that with Thee as our Protector we may be rescued from the impending danger of our sins; and with Thee as our Deliverer, may we obtain our salvation.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Second Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve Thee with purified minds. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Third Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Lend Thy ear to our prayers, O Lord, we beseech Thee; and brighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy coming. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Fourth Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Stir up, O Lord, we pray Thee, Thy strength, and delay not to come among us, that whereas through our sins and wickedness we do justly apprehend Thy wrathful judgments hanging over us, Thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

CONCLUSION

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

Versicle: Let us bless the Lord!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Third Liturgical Hour
MORNING PRAYER (PRIME) FOR SATURDAY
usually prayed after breakfast and before starting work for the day
(modern day suggestion: after breakfast and before work, before 9 a.m.)

The word "Prime" refers to the first hour of daylight. It is the most recent addition to the Divine Office originating around the 4th century. It was the prayer said before starting work for the day.
Usually Prime consists of (1) an opening hymn which is always the same regardless of season or feast
(2) followed by three psalms with their appropriate seasonal antiphons
(3) then comes what is called a "Chapter Verse" which is a short paragraphed reading;
(4) this is followed by a prayer or collect which is always the same one, regardless of season or feast;
(4) then the Martyrology for the day in read;
(5) this is followed by another "Chapter Verse" and versicles;
(6) then come the concluding prayers, which include the Our Father;
(7) after which there is a seasonal "Chapter Verse" that is the same throughout the season;
(8) finally there is said the short concluding prayer, which is always the same throughout the year.

Below you have an abbreviated version that you can easily pray.

OPENING INVOCATIONS

Versicle: O God, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) come to my assistance!
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me!

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Now in the sun’s new dawning ray,
Lowly of heart, our God we pray
That He from harm may keep us free
In all the deeds this day shall see.

May fear of Him our tongues restrain,
Lest strife unguarded speech should stain:
His favoring care our guardian be,
Lest our eyes feed on vanity.

May every heart be pure from sin
And folly find no place therein:
Scant need of food, excess denied,
Wear down in us the body’s pride.

That when the light of day is gone,
And night in course shall follow on.
We, free from cares the world affords,
May chant the praise that is our Lord’s.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee:
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete.
Amen.

The first of three psalms
PSALM 107

For Prime, the antiphon is only said once before the three psalms are said, and once after the three psalms have been said.

Antiphon: In that day * the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk and honey. Alleluia.

[107:2] My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will sing, and will give praise, with my glory.
[107:3] Arise, my glory; arise, psaltery and harp: I will arise in the morning early.
[107:4] I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing unto Thee among the populations.
[107:5] For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth even unto the clouds.
[107:6] Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Thy glory over all the Earth:
[107:7] That Thy beloved may be delivered. Save with Thy right hand and hear me.
[107:8] God hath spoken in His holiness. I will rejoice, and I will divide Sichem and I will mete out the vale of tabernacles.
[107:9] Galaad is Mine, and Manasses is Mine and Ephraim the protection of my head. Juda is My king:
[107:10] Moab the pot of My hope. Over Edom I will stretch out My shoe: the aliens are become My friends.
[107:11] Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom?
[107:12] Wilt not Thou, O God, who hast cast us off? And wilt not Thou, O God, go forth with our armies?
[107:13] O grant us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
[107:14] Through God we shall do mightily: and He will bring our enemies to nothing.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The second of three psalms
PSALM 135

[135:1] Praise the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:2] Praise ye the God of gods: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:3] Praise ye the Lord of lords: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:4] Who alone doth great wonders: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:5] Who made the heavens in understanding: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:6] Who established the Earth above the waters: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:7] Who made the great lights: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:8] The sun to rule over the day: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:9] The moon and the stars to rule the night: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:10] Who smote Egypt with their firstborn: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:11] Who brought Israel from among them: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:12] With a mighty hand and a stretched out arm: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:13] Who divided the Red Sea into parts: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:14] And brought out Israel through the midst thereof: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:15] And overthrew Pharao and his host in the Red Sea: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The third of three psalms
PSALM 135 (continued)

[135:16] Who led His people through the desert: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:17] Who smote great kings: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:18] And slew strong kings: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:19] Sehon king of the Amorrhites: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:20] And Og king of Basan: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:21] And He gave their land for an inheritance: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:22] For an inheritance to His servant Israel: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:23] For He was mindful of us in our affliction: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:24] And He redeemed us from our enemies: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:25] Who giveth food to all flesh: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:26] Give glory to the God of Heaven: for His mercy endureth for ever.
[135:27] Give glory to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: In that day * the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk and honey. Alleluia.

CHAPTER VERSE
(1 Timothy 1:17)

Now to the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever! Amen.
Response: Thanks be to God!

RESPONSORIES

Versicle: Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us!
Response: Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us!

Versicle: Thou that shalt come into the world.
Response: Have mercy on us!

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us!

Versicle: Arise, O Christ, and help us!
Response: And deliver us for Thy Name’s sake!

PRAYERS

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

Let us pray.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, Who has safely brought us to the beginning of this day: defend us by Thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, but that all our doings may be ordered by Thy governance, to do always that is righteous in Thy sight. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Response: Amen.

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

Versicle: Let us bless the Lord!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: Precious in the sight of the Lord.
Response: Is the death of His saints.

May Holy Mary and all the Saints, intercede for us with the Lord, our God, so that we may merit His help and salvation, Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Response: Amen.

Versicle: O God come to my assistance!
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me!

Versicle: O God come to my assistance!
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me!

Versicle: O God come to my assistance!
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me!

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Versicle: Lord have mercy on us!
Response: Christ have mercy on us! Lord have mercy on us!

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.

Versicle: And lead us not into temptation:
Response: But deliver us from evil.

Versicle: Look upon Thy servants and upon Thy works: and direct their children.
Response: And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. Direct Thou the works of our hands; yes, the work of our hands do Thou direct.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray.
O Lord, Almighty God, King of Heaven and Earth, Savior of the world, bless, lead, rule and govern our hearts and bodies, our senses, words and deeds today, following Thy law and commandments, that here and for eternity, with Thy help, we shall be saved in freedom. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Response: Amen.

Versicle: Grant, Lord, a blessing!
Response: May Almighty God arrange our deeds and our day in His peace. Amen.

SHORT READING
(Isaias 33:2)

O Lord, have mercy on us: for we have waited for Thee! Be Thou our arm in the morning and our salvation in the time of trouble!

Versicle: But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us!
Response: Thanks be to God!

CONCLUSION

Versicle: Our help ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) is in the Name of the Lord.
Response: Who made Heaven and Earth.

Versicle: Let us bless.
Response: God!

Versicle: May the Lord bless us, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Fourth Liturgical Hour
MID-MORNING PRAYER (TERCE) FOR SATURDAY
work is temporarily halted for this short middle of the morning prayer
(modern day suggestion: anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.)

The word "Terce" refers to the third hour of daylight. The Religious would stop work and would again congregate in the church or chapel for prayer. In some Religious communities, the "Conventual" or "Community" Mass would be offered after Terce, even though private Masses had been offered by other priests earlier in the morning.

Usually Terce consists of (1) an opening hymn which is always the same regardless of season or feast;
(2) followed by three psalms with their appropriate seasonal antiphons;
(3) then comes what is called a "Chapter Verse" which is a short paragraphed reading;
(4) this is followed by a prayer or collect which is always the same one, regardless of season or feast.

Below you have an abbreviated version that you can easily pray.

The Fifth Liturgical Hour
MIDDAY PRAYER (SEXT) FOR SATURDAY
this midday prayer is usually said before eating lunch
(modern day suggestion: anytime between 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.)

The word "Sext" refers to the sixth hour of daylight. The Religious would stop work and would again congregate in the church or chapel for prayer.

Usually Sext consists of (1) an opening hymn which is always the same regardless of season or feast
(2) followed by three psalms with their appropriate seasonal antiphons
(3) then comes what is called a "Chapter Verse" which is a short paragraphed reading;
(4) this is followed by a prayer or collect which is always the same one, regardless of season or feast,

Below you have an abbreviated version that you can easily pray.

The Sixth Liturgical Hour
MID-AFTERNOON PRAYER (NONE) FOR SATURDAY
work is temporarily halted for this short middle of the afternoon prayer
(modern day suggestion: anytime between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.)

The word "None" refers to the ninth hour of daylight. The Religious would stop work and would again congregate in the church or chapel for prayer.

Usually None consists of (1) an opening hymn which is always the same regardless of season or feast
(2) followed by three psalms with their appropriate seasonal antiphons
(3) then comes what is called a "Chapter Verse" which is a short paragraphed reading;
(4) this is followed by a prayer or collect which is always the same one, regardless of season or feast,

Below you have an abbreviated version that you can easily pray.

OPENING INVOCATIONS

Versicle: O God, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) come to my assistance!
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me!

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O strength and stay upholding all creation,
Who ever dost thyself unmoved abide,
Yet day by day the light in due gradation
From hour to hour through all its changes guide:

Grant to life’s day a calm unclouded ending,
An eve untouched by shadows of decay,
The brightness of a holy death-bed blending
With dawning glories of th’ eternal day.

Hear us, O Father, gracious and forgiving,
And thou, O Christ, the co-eternal Word,
Who, with the Holy Ghost, by all things living
Now and to endless ages art adored.
Amen.

The first of three psalms
PSALM 77

For Prime, the antiphon is only said once before the three psalms are said, and once after the three psalms have been said.

Antiphon: Behold, a great Prophet * shall arise, and He shall build up a new Jerusalem. Alleluia.

[77:7] May they put their hope in God and may not forget the works of God: and may seek His commandments.
[77:8] That they may not become like their fathers, a perverse and exasperating generation. A generation that set not their heart aright: and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
[77:9] The sons of Ephraim who bend and shoot with the bow: they have turned back in the day of battle.
[77:10] They kept not the covenant of God: and in His law they would not walk.
[77:11] And they forgot His benefits, and His wonders that He had shown them.
[77:12] Wonderful things did He do in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Tanis.
[77:13] He divided the sea and brought them through: and He made the waters to stand as in a vessel.
[77:14] And He conducted them with a cloud by day: and all the night with a light of fire.
[77:15] He struck the rock in the wilderness: and gave them to drink, as out of the great deep.
[77:16] He brought forth water out of the rock: and made streams run down as rivers.
[77:17] And they added yet more sin against Him: they provoked the most High to wrath in the place without water.
[77:18] And they tempted God in their hearts, by asking meat for their desires.
[77:19] And they spoke ill of God: they said: Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
[77:20] Because He struck the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can He also give bread, or provide a table for His people?
[77:21] Therefore the Lord heard, and was angry: and a fire was kindled against Jacob, and wrath came up against Israel.
[77:22] Because they believed not in God: and trusted not in His salvation.
[77:23] And He had commanded the clouds from above, and had opened the doors of Heaven.
[77:24] And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them the bread of Heaven.
[77:25] Man ate the bread of angels: He sent them provisions in abundance.
[77:26] He removed the south wind from Heaven: and by His power brought in the southwest wind.
[77:27] And He rained upon them flesh as dust: and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
[77:28] And they fell in the midst of their camp, round about their pavilions.
[77:29] So they did eat, and were filled exceedingly, and He gave them their desire:
[77:30] They were not defrauded of that which they craved. As yet their meat was in their mouth:
[77:31] And the wrath of God came upon them. And He slew the fat ones amongst them, and brought down the chosen men of Israel.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The second of three psalms
PSALM 77 (continued)

77:32] In all these things they sinned still: and they believed not for His wondrous works.
[77:33] And their days were consumed in vanity, and their years in haste.
[77:34] When He slew them, then they sought Him: and they returned, and came to Him early in the morning.
[77:35] And they remembered that God was their helper: and the most high God their redeemer.
[77:36] And they loved Him with their mouth: and with their tongue they lied unto Him:
[77:37] But their heart was not right with Him: nor were they counted faithful in His covenant.
[77:38] But He is merciful, and will forgive their sins: and will not destroy them. And many a time did He turn away His anger: and did not kindle all His wrath.
[77:39] And He remembered that they are flesh: a wind that goeth and returneth not.
[77:40] How often did they provoke Him in the desert: and move Him to wrath in the place without water?
[77:41] And they turned back and tempted God: and grieved the holy one of Israel.
[77:42] They remembered not His hand, in the day that He redeemed them from the hand of Him that afflicted them:
[77:43] How He wrought His signs in Egypt, and His wonders in the field of Tanis.
[77:44] And He turned their rivers into blood, and their showers that they might, not drink.
[77:45] He sent amongst them divers sores of flies, which devoured them: and frogs which destroyed them.
[77:46] And He gave up their fruits to the blast, and their labors to the locust.
[77:47] And He destroyed their vineyards with hail, and their mulberry trees with hoarfrost.
[77:48] And He gave up their cattle to the hail, and their stock to the fire.
[77:49] And He sent upon them the wrath of His indignation: indignation and wrath and trouble, which He sent by evil angels.
[77:50] He made a way for a path to His anger: He spared not their souls from death, and their cattle He shut up in death.
[77:51] And He killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the first-fruits of all their labor in the tabernacles of Cham.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The third of three psalms
PSALM 77 (continued)

[77:52] And He took away His own people as sheep: and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
[77:53] And He brought them out in hope, and they feared not: band the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
[77:54] And He brought them into the mountain of His sanctuary: the mountain which His right hand had purchased. And He cast out the Gentiles before them: and by lot divided to them their land by a line of distribution.
[77:55] And He made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tabernacles.
[77:56] Yet they tempted, and provoked the most high God: and they kept not His testimonies.
[77:57] And they turned away, and kept not the covenant: even like their fathers they were turned aside as a crooked bow.
[77:58] They provoked Him to anger on their hills: and moved Him to jealousy with their graven things.
[77:59] God heard, and despised them, and He reduced Israel exceedingly as it were to nothing.
[77:60] And He put away the tabernacle of Silo, His tabernacle where He dwelt among men.
[77:61] And He delivered their strength into captivity: and their beauty into the hands of the enemy.
[77:62] And He shut up His people under the sword: and He despised His inheritance.
[77:63] Fire consumed their young men: and their maidens were not lamented.
[77:64] Their priests fell by the sword: and their widows did not mourn.
[77:65] And the Lord was awakened as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that hath been surfeited with wine.
[77:66] And He smote His enemies on the hinder parts: He put them to an everlasting reproach.
[77:67] And He rejected the tabernacle of Joseph: and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
[77:68] But He chose the tribe of Juda, mount Sion which He loved.
[77:69] And He built His sanctuary as of unicorns, in the land which He founded for ever.
[77:70] And He chose His servant David, and took him from the flocks of sheep: He brought him from following the ewes great with young,
[77:71] To feed Jacob His servant, and Israel His inheritance.
[77:72] And He fed them in the innocence of His heart: and conducted them by the skillfulness of His hands.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, a great Prophet * shall arise, and He shall build up a new Jerusalem. Alleluia.

CHAPTER VERSE
(Romans 13:13-14)

Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in partying and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy: But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Response: Thanks be to God!

RESPONSORIES

Versicle: The Lord shall arise * upon thee, Jerusalem.
Response: The Lord shall arise * upon thee, Jerusalem.

Versicle: And His glory shall be seen upon thee.
Response: Upon thee, Jerusalem.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: The Lord shall arise * upon thee, Jerusalem.

Versicle: Come, O Lord, do not be late!
Response: Forgive the misdeeds of your people!

PRAYER

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

(Throughout the entire First Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Put forth Thy power, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and come, that with Thee as our Protector we may be rescued from the impending danger of our sins; and with Thee as our Deliverer, may we obtain our salvation.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Second Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve Thee with purified minds. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Third Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Lend Thy ear to our prayers, O Lord, we beseech Thee; and brighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy coming. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Fourth Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Stir up, O Lord, we pray Thee, Thy strength, and delay not to come among us, that whereas through our sins and wickedness we do justly apprehend Thy wrathful judgments hanging over us, Thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

CONCLUSION

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

Versicle: Let us bless the Lord!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Seventh Liturgical Hour
EVENING PRAYER (VESPERS) FOR SATURDAY
usually prayed as the sun begins to set
(modern day suggestion: anytime between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The Religious would finish work at sunset to pray Vespers before the evening meal.

Usually Vespers consists of (1) five psalms with their appropriate seasonal antiphons
(2) followed by what is called a "Chapter Verse" which is a short paragraphed reading;
(3) this is followed by a hymn that suits the liturgical season;
(4) then follows the Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the "Magnificat" with its appropriate seasonal antiphon;
(5) finally there is said the prayer or collect for the day or feast.

Below you have an abbreviated version that you can easily pray.

OPENING INVOCATIONS

Versicle: O God, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) come to my assistance!
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me!

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

The first of five psalms
PSALM 146

Antiphon: In that day * the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk and honey. Alleluia.

[146:1] Praise ye the Lord, because psalm is good: to our God be joyful and comely praise.
[146:2] The Lord buildeth up Jerusalem: He will gather together the dispersed of Israel.
[146:3] Who healeth the broken of heart, and bindeth up their bruises.
[146:4] Who telleth the number of the stars: and calleth them all by their names.
[146:5] Great is our Lord, and great is His power: and of His wisdom there is no number.
[146:6] The Lord lifteth up the meek, and bringeth the wicked down even to the ground.
[146:7] Sing ye to the Lord with praise: sing to our God upon the harp.
[146:8] Who covereth the Heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth. Who maketh grass to grow on the mountains, and herbs for the service of men.
[146:9] Who giveth to beasts their food: and to the young ravens that call upon Him.
[146:10] He shall not delight in the strength of the horse: nor take pleasure in the legs of a man.
[146:11] The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him: and in them that hope in His mercy.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: In that day * the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk and honey. Alleluia.

The second of five psalms
PSALM 147

Antiphon: Sing, O daughter of Zion, * and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem, for thy Lord cometh. Alleluia.

[147:12] Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion.
[147:13] Because He hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates, He hath blessed thy children within thee.
[147:14] Who hath placed peace in thy borders: and filleth thee with the fat of corn.
[147:15] Who sendeth forth His speech to the Earth: His word runneth swiftly.
[147:16] Who giveth snow like wool: scattereth mists like ashes.
[147:17] He sendeth His crystal like morsels: who shall stand before the face of His cold?
[147:18] He shall send out His word, and shall melt them: His wind shall blow, and the waters shall run.
[147:19] Who declareth His word to Jacob: His justices and His judgments to Israel.
[147:20] He hath not done in like manner to every nation: and His judgments He hath not made manifest to them. Alleluia.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Sing, O daughter of Zion, * and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem, for thy Lord cometh. Alleluia.

The third of five psalms
PSALM 148

Antiphon: Behold, the Lord shall come, * and all His saints with Him; and it shall come to pass in that day that the light shall be great. Alleluia.

[148:1] Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye Him in the high places.
[148:2] Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts.
[148:3] Praise ye Him, O sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars and light.
[148:4] Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens
[148:5] Praise the Name of the Lord. For He spoke, and they were made: He commanded, and they were created.
[148:6] He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: He hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.
[148:7] Praise the Lord from the Earth, ye dragons, and all ye deeps:
[148:8] Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds which fulfill His word:
[148:9] Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars:
[148:10] Beasts and all cattle: serpents and feathered fowls:
[148:11] Kings of the Earth and all people: princes and all judges of the Earth:
[148:12] Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the Name of the Lord:
[148:13] For His Name alone is exalted.
[148:14] The praise of Him is above Heaven and Earth: and He hath exalted the horn of His people. A hymn to all His saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to Him. Alleluia.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, the Lord shall come, * and all His saints with Him; and it shall come to pass in that day that the light shall be great. Alleluia.

The fourth of five psalms
PSALM 149

Antiphon: Behold, every one that thirsteth * come ye to the waters: seek ye the Lord while He may be found. Alleluia.

[149:1] Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let His praise be in the church of the saints.
[149:2] Let Israel rejoice in Him that made him: and let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.
[149:3] Let them praise His Name in choir: let them sing to Him with the timbrel and the psaltery.
[149:4] For the Lord is well pleased with His people: and He will exalt the meek unto salvation.
[149:5] The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.
[149:6] The high praise of God shall be in their mouth: and two-edged swords in their hands:
[149:7] To execute vengeance upon the nations, chastisements among the people:
[149:8] To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron.
[149:9] To execute upon them the judgment that is written: this glory is to all His saints. Alleluia.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, every one that thirsteth * come ye to the waters: seek ye the Lord while He may be found. Alleluia.

The fifth of five psalms
PSALM 150

Antiphon: Behold, a great Prophet * shall arise, and He shall build up a new Jerusalem. Alleluia.

[150:1] Praise ye the Lord in His holy places: praise ye Him in the firmament of His power.
[150:2] Praise ye Him for His mighty acts: praise ye Him according to the multitude of His greatness.
[150:3] Praise Him with sound of trumpet: praise Him with psaltery and harp.
[150:4] Praise Him with timbrel and choir: praise Him with strings and organs.
[150:5] Praise Him on high sounding cymbals: praise Him on cymbals of joy: let every spirit praise the Lord. Alleluia.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Behold, a great Prophet * shall arise, and He shall build up a new Jerusalem. Alleluia.

CHAPTER VERSE
(Romans 13:11)

And that knowing the season; that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
Response: Thanks be to God.

HYMN

Bright builder of the heavenly poles,
Eternal light of faithful souls,
Jesus, Redeemer of mankind,
Our humble prayers vouchsafe to mind.

Who, lest the fraud of Hell’s black king
Should all men to destruction bring,
Didst, by an act of generous love,
The fainting world’s physician prove.

Who, that Thou might our ransom pay
And wash the stains of sin away,
Would from a Virgin’s womb proceed
And on the cross a victim bleed.

Whose glorious power, Whose saving Name
No sooner any voice can frame,
But Heaven and Earth and Hell agree
To honor them with trembling knee.

Thee, Christ, Who at the latter day
Shalt be our Judge, we humbly pray
Such arms of heavenly grace to send
As may Thy Church from foes defend.

Be glory given and honor done
To God the Father and the Son
And to the Holy Ghost on high,
From age to age eternally.
Amen.

Versicle: Drop down dew, ye Heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just.
Response: Let the earth be opened, and bud forth the Savior.

THE MAGNIFICAT
Canticle of the Blessed Virgin (Luke 1:46-55)

Antiphon: Fear not, Mary, * for thou hast found grace with the Lord; behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son. Alleluia.

[1:46] My soul ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) * doth magnify the Lord.
[1:47] And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Savior.
[1:48] Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
[1:49] Because He that is mighty, hath done great things to me; * and holy is His Name.
[1:50] And His mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear Him.
[1:51] He hath shown might in His arm: * He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
[1:52] He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble.
[1:53] He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich He hath sent empty away.
[1:54] He hath received Israel His servant, * being mindful of His mercy:
[1:55] As He spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and to His seed for ever.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with the Lord; behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son. Alleluia.

PRAYER

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer.
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee.

(Throughout the entire First Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Put forth Thy power, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and come, that with Thee as our Protector we may be rescued from the impending danger of our sins; and with Thee as our Deliverer, may we obtain our salvation.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Second Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten Son, so that through His coming we may be able to serve Thee with purified minds. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Third Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Lend Thy ear to our prayers, O Lord, we beseech Thee; and brighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy coming. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

(Throughout the entire Fourth Week in Advent)
Let us pray. Stir up, O Lord, we pray Thee, Thy strength, and delay not to come among us, that whereas through our sins and wickedness we do justly apprehend Thy wrathful judgments hanging over us, Thy bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

CONCLUSION

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee.

Versicle: Let us bless the Lord!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Eighth Liturgical Hour
BEDTIME PRAYER (COMPLINE) FOR SATURDAY
usually prayed before retiring to sleep for the night
(modern day suggestion: anytime between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.)

The English word Compline is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline is the completion of the working day. The word was first used in this sense about the beginning of the 6th century by St. Benedict in his monastic Rule.

Usually Compline consists of (1) an opening plea for God's blessing for the night to come;
(2) followed by the Lord's Prayer (Our Father), an examination of conscience, and the recitation of the
Act of Contrition, the Confiteor, with the two prayers of absolution that follow;
(3) after which three psalms with their appropriate seasonal antiphons are prayed;
(4) these are followed by a hymn which is always the same throughout the year;
(5) then follows a "Chapter Verse";
(6) this is followed by the Canticle of St. Simeon;
(7) after which comes the concluding prayer or collect, which is always the same;
(8) finally, the seasonal antiphon or hymn to Our Lady is sung.

Below you have an abbreviated version that you can easily pray.

OPENING INVOCATION

Please grant us, O Lord, a blessing!
May almighty God grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

SHORT READING
(1 Peter 5:8-9)

Brothers: Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in Faith!
Versicle: But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: Our help is ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) in the Name of the Lord!
Response: Who made Heaven and Earth.

There follows an examination of conscience, or the Our Father said silently.

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. Amen.

Then all say the Coniteor aloud
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed: (strike your chest three times) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, 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.

May the almighty ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution and remission of our sins. Amen.

Versicle: Turn us then, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross over the heart with your right thumb) O God, our Savior!
Response: And let thy anger cease from us!

Versicle: O God, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) come to my assistance!
Response: O Lord, make haste to help me!

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

The first of three psalms
PSALM 90

For Compline, the antiphon is only said once before the three psalms are said, and once after the three psalms have been said.

Antiphon: The angel of the Lord * shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.

[90:1] He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.
[90:2] He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in Him will I trust.
[90:3] For He hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.
[90:4] He will overshadow thee with His shoulders: and under His wings thou shalt trust.
[90:5] His truth shall compass thee with a shield: Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.
[90:6] Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.
[90:7] A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.
[90:8] But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked. [9] Because Thou, O Lord, art my hope: Thou hast made the most High thy refuge.
[90:10] There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.
[90:11] For He hath given His angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.
[90:12] In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest Thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[90:13] Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample underfoot the lion and the dragon.
[90:14] Because he hoped in Me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known My Name.
[90:15] He shall cry to Me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.
[90:16] I will fill him with length of days; and I will show him My salvation.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The second of three psalms
PSALM 134

[134:1] Praise ye the Name of the Lord: O you His servants, praise the Lord:
[134:2] You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
[134:3] Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good: sing ye to His Name, for it is sweet.
[134:4] For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself: Israel for His own possession.
[134:5] For I have known that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods.
[134:6] Whatsoever the Lord hath pleased He hath done, in Heaven, in Earth, in the sea, and in all the deeps.
[134:7] He bringeth up clouds from the end of the Earth: He hath made lightnings for the rain. He bringeth forth winds out of His stores:
[134:8] He slew the firstborn of Egypt from man even unto beast.
[134:9] He sent forth signs and wonders in the midst of thee, O Egypt: upon Pharao, and upon all his servants.
[134:10] He smote many nations, and slew mighty kings:
[134:11] Sehon king of the Amorrhites, and Og king of Basan, and all the kingdoms of Chanaan.
[134:12] And gave their land for an inheritance, for an inheritance to His people Israel.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The third of three psalms
PSALM 125

[125:1] When the lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted.
[125:2] Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them.
[125:3] The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.
[125:4] Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.
[125:5] They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
[125:6] Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.
[125:7] But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: The angel of the Lord * shall encamp round about them that fear Him: and shall deliver them.

HYMN

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That with Thy wonted favor Thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread under foot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.

CHAPTER VERSE
(Jeremais 14:9)

But Thou, O Lord, art among us, and Thy Name is called upon by us: forsake us not, O Lord our God!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: Into Thy hands, O Lord, * I commend my spirit.
Response: Into Thy hands, O Lord, * I commend my spirit.

Versicle: For Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, God of truth.
Response: I commend my spirit.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: Into Thy hands, O Lord, * I commend my spirit.

Versicle: Keep us, Lord, as the apple of Thine eye!
Response: Protect us under the shadow of Thy wings!

CANTICLE: NUNC DIMITTIS
Canticle of St. Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Antiphon: Protect us, * Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest in peace.

[2:29] Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) * according to Thy word in peace;
[2:30] Because my eyes have seen * Thy salvation,
[2:31] Which Thou hast prepared * before the face of all peoples:
[2:32] A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, * and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Protect us, * Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest in peace.

PRAYER

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

Let us pray.
Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it the snares of the enemy; let Thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace, and let Thy blessing be always upon us. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Response: Amen

CONCLUSION

Versicle: O Lord, hear my prayer!
Response: And let my cry come unto Thee!

Versicle: Let us bless the Lord!
Response: Thanks be to God!

Versicle: The almighty and merciful Lord, ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us.
Response: Amen.

FINAL ANTIPHON OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Mother of Christ, hear thou thy people's cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
O, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

Versicle: The Angel of the Lord announced unto Mary.
Response: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray.
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts: that as we have known the incarnation of Thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an Angel, so too by His Passion and Cross may we be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Response: Amen.

Versicle: May the divine assistance ☩ (make the Sign of the Cross) remain with us always.
Response: Amen.