Christmas Prayers SUN

PRAYERS FOR ALL THE SUNDAYS OF CHRISTMAS

“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 THE SUNDAYS OF CHRISTMAS
PSALMS & READINGS

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 SUNDAY
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 CHRISTMAS SEASON
Inviting all to come and praise the Lord our God

Antiphon: Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship 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: Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship 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: O come, let us worship 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: Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship 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: O come, let us worship 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: Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship 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: O come, let us worship Him.* Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.

THE CHRISTMAS HYMN FROM THE OFFICE OF MATINS

Jesus, the Ransomer of man,
Who, ere created light began,
Didst from the sovereign Father spring,
His power and glory equallng.

The Father’s Light and Splendor Thou,
Their endless hope to Thee that bow;
Accept the prayers and praise today
That through the world Thy servants pay.

Salvation’s Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled,
Thou in man’s flesh becam’st a Child.

Thus testifies the present day,
Through every year in long array,
That Thou, salvation’s source alone,
Proceedest from the Father’s throne.

The heavens above, the rolling main
And all that earth’s wide realms contain,
With joyous voice now loudly sing
The glory of their new-born King.

And we who, by Thy precious Blood
From sin redeemed, are marked for God,
On this the day that saw Thy birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed earth.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to
Thee Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.
Amen.

The first of three psalms
PSALMS 33

Antiphon: The Lord hath said unto Me: * Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee.

33:2 I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall be always in my mouth.
33:3 In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice.
33:4 O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol His Name together.
33:5 I sought the Lord, and He heard me; and He delivered me from all my troubles.
33:6 Come ye to Him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be confounded.
33:7 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.
33:8 The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear Him: and shall deliver them.
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 Lord hath said unto Me: * Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee.

The second of three psalms
PSALMS 33 (continued)

Antiphon: In the Lord's days * shall abundance of peace arise and flourish.

33:9 O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in Him.
33:10 Fear the Lord, all ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him.
33:11 The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.
33:12 Come, children, hearken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
33:13 Who is the man that desireth life: who loveth to see good days?
33:14 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
33:15 Turn away from evil and do good: seek after peace and pursue it.
33:16 The eyes of the Lord are upon the just: and His ears unto their prayers.
33:17 But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the Earth.
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 the Lord's days * shall abundance of peace arise and flourish.

The third of three psalms
PSALM 33 (continued)

Antiphon: Truth is sprung out of the earth, * and righteousness hath looked down from Heaven.

33:18 The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of all their troubles.
33:19 The Lord is near unto them that are of a contrite heart: and He will save the humble of spirit.
33:20 Many are the afflictions of the just; but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.
33:21 The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken.
33:22 The death of the wicked is very evil: and they that hate the just shall be guilty.
33:23 The Lord will redeem the souls of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall offend.
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: Truth is sprung out of the earth, * and righteousness hath looked down from Heaven.

Versicle: The Lord is as a bridegroom.
Response: Coming out of his chamber.

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, ever world without end. Amen.

FIRST READING
Taken from a homily of Pope St. Leo I (St. Leo the Great). Sermon XXIII

I. The Truths of the Incarnation Never Suffer from Being Repeated
The things which are connected with the mystery of today’s solemn feast are well known to you, dearly-beloved, and have frequently been heard: but as yonder visible light affords pleasure to eyes that are unimpaired, so to sound hearts does the Savior’s nativity give eternal joy; and we must not keep silent about it, though we cannot treat of it as we ought. For we believe that what Isaiah says, “who shall declare his generation?” applies not only to that mystery, whereby the Son of God is co-eternal with the Father, but also to this birth whereby “the Word became flesh.” And SO God, the Son of God, equal and of the same nature from the Father and with the Father, Creator and Lord of the Universe, Who is completely present everywhere, and completely exceeds all things, in the due course of time, which runs by His own disposal, chose for Himself this day on which to be born of the blessed virgin Mary for the salvation of the world, without loss of the mother’s honor. For her virginity was violated neither at the conception nor at the birth: “that it might be fulfilled,” as the Evangelist says, “which was spoken by the Lord through Isaiah the prophet, saying, behold the virgin shall conceive in the womb, and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is interpreted, God with us.” For this wondrous child-bearing of the holy Virgin produced in her offspring one person which was truly human and truly Divine, because neither substance so retained their properties that there could be any division of persons in them; nor was the creature taken into partnership with its Creator in such a way that the One was the in-dweller, and the other the dwelling; but so that the one nature was blended with the other. And although the nature which is taken is one, and that which takes is another, yet these two diverse natures come together into such close union that it is one and the same Son who says both that, as true Man, “He is less than the Father,” and that, as true God, “He is equal with the Father.”

Versicle: But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Response: Thanks be to God.

Versicle: This is the day whereon the King of heaven was pleased to be born of a Virgin, that He might bring back to Heaven man who was lost. There is joy among the hosts of Angels, because eternal salvation hath appeared unto men.
Response: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, to men of goodwill.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: This is the day whereon the King of heaven was pleased to be born of a Virgin, that He might bring back to Heaven man who was lost. There is joy among the hosts of Angels, because eternal salvation hath appeared unto men.

SECOND READING
Continuation of the homily of Pope St. Leo I (St. Leo the Great). Sermon XXIII

III. The Incarnation Was Necessary to the Taking Away of Sin
In order therefore that we might be called to eternal bliss from our original bond and from earthly errors, He came down Himself to us to Whom we could not ascend, because, although there was in many the love of truth, yet the variety of our shifting opinions was deceived by the craft of misleading demons, and man’s ignorance was dragged into diverse and conflicting notions by a falsely-called science. But to remove this mockery, whereby men’s minds were taken captive to serve the arrogant devil, the teaching of the Law was not sufficient, nor could our nature be restored merely by the Prophets’ exhortations; but the reality of redemption had to be added to moral injunctions, and our fundamentally corrupt origin had to be re-born afresh. A Victim had to be offered for our atonement Who should be both a partner of our race and free from our contamination, so that this design of God whereby it pleased Him to take away the sin of the world in the Nativity and Passion of Jesus Christ, might reach to all generations: and that we should not be disturbed but rather strengthened by these mysteries, which vary with the character of the times, since the Faith, whereby we live, has at no time suffered variation.

Versicle: But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Response: Thanks be to God.

Versicle: O ye shepherds, speak, and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth?
Response: We saw the new-born Child, and Angels singing praise to the Lord.

Versicle: Speak; what have ye seen? And tell us of the Birth of Christ.
Response: We saw the new-born Child, and Angels singing praise to the Lord.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: We saw the new-born Child, and Angels singing praise to the Lord.

THIRD READING
Continuation of the homily of Pope St. Leo I (St. Leo the Great). Sermon XXIII

IV. The Blessings of the Incarnation Stretch Backwards as Well as Reach Forward
Accordingly let those men cease their complaints who with disloyal murmurs speak against the dispensations of God, and babble about the lateness of the Lord’s Nativity as if that, which was fulfilled in the last age of the world, had no bearing upon the times that are past. For the Incarnation of the Word did but contribute to the doing of that which was done: and the mystery of man’s salvation was never in the remotest age at a standstill. What the apostles foretold, that the prophets announced: nor was that fulfilled too late which has always been believed. But the Wisdom and Goodness of God made us more receptive of His call by thus delaying the work which brought salvation: so that what through so many ages had been foretold by many signs, many utterances, and many mysteries, might not be doubtful in these days of the Gospel: and that the Savior’s nativity, which was to exceed all wonders and all the measure of human knowledge, might engender in us a Faith so much the firmer, as the foretelling of it had been ancient and oft-repeated. And so it was no new counsel, no tardy pity whereby God took thought for men: but from the constitution of the world He ordained one and the same Cause of Salvation for all. For the grace of God, by which the whole body of the saints is ever justified, was augmented, not begun, when Christ was born: and this mystery of God’s great love, wherewith the whole world is now filled, was so effectively pre-signified that those who believed that promise obtained no less than they, who were the actual recipients.

Versicle: But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Response: Thanks be to God.

Versicle: The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. *
Response: And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Versicle: All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made.
Response:And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us

PRAYER

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

(Throughout the Octave of Christmas)
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the new birth of Thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, 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, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Second Liturgical Hour
DAWN PRAYER (LAUDS) FOR SUNDAY
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 39

Antiphon: O ye shepherds, speak, * and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth? We saw the newborn Child, and angels singing praise to the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

39:2 With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.
39:3 And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps.
39:4 And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.
39:5 Blessed is the man whose trust is in the Name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.
39:6Thou hast multiplied Thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in Thy thoughts there is no one like to Thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number.
39:7 Sacrifice and oblation Thou didst not desire; but Thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering Thou didst not require:
39:8 Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of me
39:9 That I should do Thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and Thy law in the midst of my heart.
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: O ye shepherds, speak, * and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth? We saw the newborn Child, and angels singing praise to the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

The second of five psalms
PSALM 39 (continued)

Antiphon: The Mother brought forth the King, * Whose name is called The Eternal; the joy of a Mother was hers, remaining a Virgin unsullied; neither before nor henceforth hath there been or shall be such another, alleluia.

39:10 I have declared Thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, Thou knowest it.
39:11 I have not hid Thy justice within my heart: I have declared Thy truth and Thy salvation. I have not concealed Thy mercy and Thy truth from a great council.
39:12 Withhold not Thou, O Lord, Thy tender mercies from me: Thy mercy and Thy truth have always upheld me.
39:13 For evils without number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath forsaken me.
39:14 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me, look down, O Lord, to help me.
39:15 Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.
39:16 Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: Tis well, tis well.
39:17 Let all that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: and let such as love Thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.
39:18 But I am a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.
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 Mother brought forth the King, * Whose name is called The Eternal; the joy of a Mother was hers, remaining a Virgin unsullied; neither before nor henceforth hath there been or shall be such another, alleluia.

The third of five psalms
PSALM 47

Antiphon: The Angel said unto the shepherds * I bring you good tidings of great joy; for unto you is born this day a Savior of the world, alleluia.

47:2 Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised * in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
47:3 With the joy of the whole Earth is mount Sion founded, * on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.
47:4 In her houses shall God be known, * when He shall protect her.
47:5 For behold the kings of the Earth assembled themselves: * they gathered together.
47:6 So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved: * trembling took hold of them.
47:7 There were pains as of a woman in labor; * with a vehement wind Thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.
47:9 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: * God hath founded it for ever.
47:10 We have received Thy mercy, O God, * in the midst of Thy temple.
47:11 According to Thy Name, O God, so also is Thy praise unto the ends of the Earth: * Thy right hand is full of justice.
47:12 Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; * because of Thy judgments, O Lord.
47:13 Surround Sion, and encompass her: * tell ye in her towers.
47:14 Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, * that ye may relate it in another generation.
47:15 For this is God, our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever: * He shall rule us for evermore.
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 said unto the shepherds * I bring you good tidings of great joy; for unto you is born this day a Savior of the world, alleluia.

The fourth of five psalms
PSALM 74

Antiphon: There was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, * praising God, and saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, to men of good will, alleluia.

74:2 We will praise Thee, O God: we will praise, and we will call upon Thy Name. We will relate Thy wondrous works:
74:3 When I shall take a time, I will judge justices.
74:4 The Earth is melted, and all that dwell therein: I have established the pillars thereof.
74:5 I said to the wicked: Do not act wickedly: and to the sinners: Lift not up the horn.
74:6 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not iniquity against God.
74:7 For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert hills:
74:8 For God is the judge. One He putteth down, and another He lifteth up:
74:9 For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup of strong wine full of mixture. And He hath poured it out from this to that: but the dregs thereof are not emptied: all the sinners of the Earth shall drink.
74:10 But I will declare for ever: I will sing to the God of Jacob.
74:11 And I will break all the horns of sinners: but the horns of the just shall be exalted.
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: There was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, * praising God, and saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, to men of good will, alleluia.

The fifth of five psalms
PSALM 94

Antiphon: Unto us this day a little Child is born, * and His name shall be called the Mighty God, alleluia, alleluia.

94:1 Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our Savior.
94:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful sound to Him with psalms.
94:3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
94:4 For in His hand are all the ends of the Earth: and the heights of the mountains are His.
94:5 For the sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land.
94:6 Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us.
94:7 For He is the Lord our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
94:8 Today if you shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts:
94:9 As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the desert wilderness: where your fathers tempted Me, they tested Me, and saw My works.
94:10 Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: “These always err in heart.
94:11 “And these men have not known My ways: so I swore in My wrath that they shall not enter into My rest!”

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: Unto us this day a little Child is born, * and His name shall be called the Mighty God, alleluia, alleluia.

CHAPTER VERSE
(Romans 13:11)

Versicle: God, Who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days hath spoken to us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the world.
Response: Thanks be to God!

HYMN

From lands that see the sun arise
To Earth's remotest boundaries,
The Virgin-born today we sing,
The Son of Mary, Christ the King.

Blest Author of this earthly frame,
To take a servant's form He came,
That, liberating flesh by flesh,
Whom He had made might live afresh.

In that chaste parent's holy womb
Celestial grace hath found its home;
And she, as Earthly bride unknown,
Yet calls that Offspring blest her own.

The mansion of the modest breast
Becomes a shrine where God shall rest:
The pure and undefilèd one
Conceived in her womb the Son.

That Son, that Royal Son she bore,
Whom Gabriel's voice had told afore;
Whom, in His mother yet concealed,
The infant Baptist had revealed.

The manger and the straw He bore,
The cradle did He not abhor;
By milk in infant portions fed,
Who gives e'en fowls their daily bread.

The heavenly chorus filled the sky,
The Angels sang to God on high,
What time to shepherds, watching lone,
They made creation's Shepherd known.

All honor, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born to thee:
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen.

Versicle: The Lord hath made known, alleluia.
Response: His salvation, alleluia.

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

Antiphon: Glory be to God in the highest; * and on Earth, peace to men of good will, alleluia, alleluia..

1:69 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: Glory be to God in the highest; * and on Earth, peace to men of good will, alleluia, alleluia..

PRAYER

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

(Throughout the Octave of Christmas)
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the new birth of Thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, 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, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Third Liturgical Hour
MORNING PRAYER (PRIME) FOR SUNDAY
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 95

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

Antiphon: O ye shepherds, speak, * and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth? We saw the newborn Child, and angels singing praise to the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

95:1 Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the Earth.
95:2 Sing ye to the Lord and bless His Name: show forth His salvation from day to day.
95:3 Declare His glory among the Gentiles: His wonders among all people.
95:4 For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.
95:5 For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.
95:6 Praise and beauty are before Him: holiness and majesty in His sanctuary.
95:7 Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honor:
95:8 Bring to the Lord glory unto His Name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into His courts:
95:9 Adore ye the Lord in His holy court. Let all the Earth be moved at His presence.
95:10 Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned. For He hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: He will judge the people with justice.
95:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the Earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fullness thereof:
95:12 The fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful. Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice
95:13 Before the face of the Lord, because He cometh: because He cometh to judge the Earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with His truth.
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 96

96:1 The Lord hath reigned, let the Earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.
96:2 Clouds and darkness are round about Him: justice and judgment are the establishment of His throne.
96:3 A fire shall go before Him, and shall burn His enemies round about.
96:4 His lightnings have shone forth to the world: the Earth saw and trembled.
96:5 The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the Earth.
96:6 The heavens declared His justice: and all people saw His glory.
96:7 Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, and that glory in their idols. Adore Him, all you His angels:
96:8 Sion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Juda rejoiced, because of Thy judgments, O Lord.
96:9 For Thou art the most high Lord over all the Earth: Thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.
96:10 You that love the Lord, hate evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of His saints, He will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.
96:11 Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.
96:12 Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of His holiness.
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 98

98:1 The Lord hath reigned, even though the people be angry.
98:2 The Lord is great in Sion, and high above all people.
98:3 Let them give praise to Thy great Name: for it is terrible and holy:
98:4 And the king’s honor loveth judgment. Thou hast prepared directions: Thou hast done judgment and justice in Jacob.
98:5 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore His footstool, for it is holy.
98:6 Moses and Aaron among His priests: and Samuel among them that call upon His Name. They called upon the Lord, and He heard them:
98:7 He spoke to them in the pillar of the cloud. They kept His testimonies, and the commandment which He gave them.
98:8 Thou didst hear them, O Lord our God: Thou wast a merciful God to them, and taking vengeance on all their inventions.
98:9 Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore at His holy mountain: for the Lord our God is holy.

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: O ye shepherds, speak, * and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth? We saw the newborn Child, and angels singing praise to the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

CHAPTER VERSE
(1 Timothy 1:17)

Versicle:  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 wast born of the Virgin Mary.
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.

Versicle:  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
(Hebrews 1:11-12)

Versicle:  They shall perish, but Thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment. And as a garment shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the selfsame, and Thy years shall not fail.

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 SUNDAY
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 SUNDAY
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 SUNDAY
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.

The Seventh Liturgical Hour
EVENING PRAYER (VESPERS) FOR SUNDAY
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 77

Antiphon: Thine shall be the dominion * in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints, from the womb, before the day-star, have I begotten thee.

77:1 Attend, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
77:2 I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter propositions from the beginning.
77:3 How great things have we heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
77:4 They have not been hidden from their children, in another generation. Declaring the praises of the Lord, and His powers, and His wonders which He hath done.
77:5 And He set up a testimony in Jacob: and made a law in Israel. How great things He commanded our fathers, that they should make the same known to their children:
77:6 That another generation might know them. The children that should be born and should rise up, and declare them to their children.
77:7 That they may 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.
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: Thine shall be the dominion * in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints, from the womb, before the day-star, have I begotten thee.

The second of five psalms
PSALM 77 (continued)

Antiphon: The Lord sent redemption * unto His people, He hath commanded His covenant for ever.

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:
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 Lord sent redemption * unto His people, He hath commanded His covenant for ever.

The third of five psalms
PSALM 77 (continued)

Antiphon: Unto the upright there ariseth * light in the darkness; the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

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.
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.
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: Unto the upright there ariseth * light in the darkness; the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

The fourth of five psalms
PSALM 77 (continued)

Antiphon: With the Lord * there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.

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.
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.
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: With the Lord * there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.

The fifth of five psalms
PSALM 77 (continued)

Antiphon: Of the fruit * of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

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.
77:62 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 awaked 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: Of the fruit * of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

CHAPTER VERSE
(Romans 13:11)

Versicle: God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days hath spoken to us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the world.
Response: Thanks be to God.

HYMN

Jesus, the Ransomer of man,
Who, ere created light began,
Didst from the sovereign Father spring,
His power and glory equaling.

The Father’s Light and Splendor Thou,
Their endless hope to Thee that bow;
Accept the prayers and praise to-day
That through the world Thy servants pay.

Salvation’s Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled,
Thou in man’s flesh becam’st a Child.

Thus testifies the present day,
Through every year in long array,
That Thou, salvation’s source alone,
Proceedest from the Father’s throne.

The heavens above, the rolling main
And all that earth’s wide realms contain,
With joyous voice now loudly sing
The glory of their new-born King.

And we who, by Thy precious Blood
From sin redeemed, are marked for God,
On this the day that saw Thy birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed earth.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to
Thee Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.
Amen.

Versicle: The Lord hath made known, alleluia.
Response: His salvation, alleluia.

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

Antiphon: This day the Christ is born this day the Savior is appeared; * this day the Angels sing praise in the Earth and the Archangels rejoice; this day the righteous are glad and say: Glory to God in the highest. 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 showed 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: This day the Christ is born this day the Savior is appeared; * this day the Angels sing praise in the Earth and the Archangels rejoice; this day the righteous are glad and say: Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia.

PRAYER

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

(Throughout the Octave of Christmas)
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the new birth of Thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, 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, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Eighth Liturgical Hour
BEDTIME PRAYER (COMPLINE) FOR SUNDAY
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 135

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

Antiphon: Have mercy * on me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.

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 second 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.

The third of three psalms
PSALM 137

137:1 I will praise Thee, O lord, with my whole heart: for Thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of His angels:
137:2 I will worship towards Thy holy temple, and I will give glory to Thy Name. For Thy mercy, and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Holy Name above all.
137:3 In what day soever I shall call upon Thee, hear me: Thou shall multiply strength in my soul.
137:4 May all the kings of the Earth give glory to Thee: for they have heard all the words of Thy mouth.
137:5 And let them sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
137:6 For the Lord is high, and looketh on the low: and the high He knoweth afar off.
137:7 If I shall walk in the midst of tribulation, Thou wilt quicken me: and Thou hast stretched forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies: and Thy right hand hath saved me.
137:8 The Lord will repay for me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the work of Thy 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: Have mercy * on me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.

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.

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!

Final Blessing: 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: After childbirth thou didst remain a virgin.
Response: Intercede for us, O Mother of God.

Let us pray.
O God, who, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son. Amen.

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