Lenten Psalms SAT

PSALMS & PRAYERS FOR THE SATURDAYS OF LENT

“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 LENT
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 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.

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

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

Antiphon for Lent until Passion Sunday:
Let it not be vain for you to rise up early, before the light: * For the Lord hath promised a crown to them that watch.
Antiphon from from Passion Sunday until Wednesday of Holy Week:
When you hear the voice of the Lord today * Do not harden your heart.

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 Lent until Passion Sunday:
Let it not be vain for you to rise up early, before the light: * For the Lord hath promised a crown to them that watch.
Antiphon from from Passion Sunday until Wednesday of Holy Week:
When you hear the voice of the Lord today * Do not harden your heart.

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 Lent until Passion Sunday:
For the Lord hath promised a crown to them that watch.
Antiphon from from Passion Sunday until Wednesday of Holy Week:
Do not harden your heart.

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 Lent until Passion Sunday:
Let it not be vain for you to rise up early, before the light: * For the Lord hath promised a crown to them that watch.
Antiphon from from Passion Sunday until Wednesday of Holy Week:
When you hear the voice of the Lord today * Do not harden your heart.

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 Lent until Passion Sunday:
For the Lord hath promised a crown to them that watch.
Antiphon from from Passion Sunday until Wednesday of Holy Week:
Do not harden your heart.

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 Lent until Passion Sunday:
Let it not be vain for you to rise up early, before the light: * For the Lord hath promised a crown to them that watch.
Antiphon from from Passion Sunday until Wednesday of Holy Week:
When you hear the voice of the Lord today * Do not harden your 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 for Lent until Passion Sunday:
For the Lord hath promised a crown to them that watch. Let it not be vain for you to rise up early, before the light: * For the Lord hath promised a crown to them that watch.
Antiphon from from Passion Sunday until Wednesday of Holy Week:
Do not harden your heart. When you hear the voice of the Lord today * Do not harden your heart.

THE LENTEN HYMN UP UNTIL PASSION SUNDAY FROM THE OFFICE OF MATINS

The fast, as taught by holy lore,
We keep in solemn course once more:
The fast to all men known, and bound
In forty days of yearly round.

The law and seers that were of old
In divers ways this Lent foretold,
Which Christ, all seasons’ King and Guide,
In after ages sanctified.

More sparing therefore let us make
The words we speak, the food we take,
Our sleep and mirth—and closer barred
Be every sense in holy guard.

Avoid the evil thoughts that roll
Like waters o’er the heedless soul;
Nor let the foe occasion find
Our souls in slavery to bind.

In prayer together let us fall,
And cry for mercy, one and all,
And weep before the Judge’s feet,
And His avenging wrath entreat.

Thy grace have we offended sore,
By sins, O God, which we deplore;
But pour upon us from on high,
O pardoning One, Thy clemency.

Remember Thou, though frail we be,
That yet Thine handiwork are we;
Nor let the honor of Thy Name
Be by another put to shame.

Forgive the sin that we have wrought;
Increase the good that we have sought:
That we at length, our wanderings o'er,
May please Thee here and evermore.

Grant O Thou Blessed Trinity,
Grant, O Essential Unity,
That this our fast of forty days
May work our profit and Thy praise.
Amen.

THE LENTEN HYMN BEGINNING PASSION SUNDAY FROM THE OFFICE OF MATINS

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle
Sing the last, the dread affray;
O’er the cross, the victor’s trophy,
Sound the high triumphal lay:
Tell how Christ, the world’s Redeemer,
As a victim won the day.

God, his Maker, sorely grieving
That the first-made Adam fell,
When he ate the fruit of sorrow,
Whose reward was death and Hell,
Noted then this wood, the ruin
Of the ancient wood to quell.

For the work of our salvation
Needs would have his order so,
And the multiform deceiver’s
Art by art would overthrow,
And from thence would bring the med’cine
Whence the insult of the foe.

Wherefore, when the sacred fullness
Of the appointed time was come,
This world’s Maker left His Father,
Sent the heav’nly mansion from,
And proceeded, God Incarnate,
Of the Virgin’s holy womb.

Weeps the Infant in the manger
That in Bethlehem’s stable stands;
And His limbs the Virgin Mother
Doth compose in swaddling bands,
Meetly thus in linen folding
Of her God the feet and hands.

To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet;
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete:
Trinal Unity, whose praises
All created things repeat.
Amen.

The first of three psalms
PSALM 105

Antiphon: The Lord saved them * for his own name's sake.

105:1 Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: * for his mercy endureth for ever.
105:2 Who shall declare the powers of the Lord? * who shall set forth all his praises?
105:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, * and do justice at all times.
105:4 Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: * visit us with thy salvation.
105:5 That we may see the good of thy chosen, that we may rejoice in the joy of thy nation: * that thou mayst be praised with thy inheritance.
105:6 We have sinned with our fathers: * we have acted unjustly, we have wrought iniquity.
105:7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt: * they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies:
105:7 And they provoked to wrath going up to the sea, * even the Red Sea.
105:8 And he saved them for his own name’s sake: * that he might make his power known.
105:9 And he rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up: * and he led them through the depths, as in a wilderness.
105:10 And he saved them from the hand of them that hated them: * and he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
105:11 And the water covered them that afflicted them: * there was not one of them left.
105:12 And they believed his words: * and they sang his praises.
105:13 They had quickly done, they forgot his works: * and they waited not for his counsels.
105:14 And they coveted their desire in the desert: * and they tempted God in the place without water.
105:15 And he gave them their request: * and sent fulness into their souls.
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 saved them * for his own name's sake.

The second of three psalms
PSALM 105 (continued)

Antiphon: They forgot God * who saved them.

105:16 And they provoked Moses in the camp, * Aaron the holy one of the Lord.
105:17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: * and covered the congregation of Abiron.
105:18 And a fire was kindled in their congregation: * the flame burned the wicked.
105:19 They made also a calf in Horeb: * and they adored the graven thing.
105:20 And they changed their glory * into the likeness of a calf that eateth grass.
105:21 They forgot God, who saved them, * who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Cham: terrible things in the Red Sea.
105:23 And he said that he would destroy them: * had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach:
105:24 To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them; * and they set at nought the desirable land.
105:25 They believed not his word, and they murmured in their tents: * they hearkened not to the voice of the Lord.
105:26 And he lifted up his hand over them: * to overthrow them in the desert;
105:27 And to cast down their seed among the nations, * and to scatter them in the countries.
105:28 They also were initiated to Beelphegor: * and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
105:29 And they provoked him with their inventions: * and destruction was multiplied among them.
105:30 Then Phinees stood up, and pacified him: * and the slaughter ceased.
105:31 And it was reputed to him unto justice, * to generation and generation 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: They forgot God * who saved them.

The third of three psalms
PSALM 105 (continued)

Antiphon: And he saw when they were in tribulation * and he heard their prayer.

105:32 They provoked him also at the waters of contradiction: * and Moses was afflicted for their sakes: because they exasperated his spirit.
105:33 And he distinguished with his lips; * they did not destroy the nations of which the Lord spoke unto them.
105:35 And they were mingled among the heathens, and learned their works: and served their idols, * and it became a stumblingblock to them.
105:37 And they sacrificed their sons, * and their daughters to devils.
105:38 And they shed innocent blood: * the blood of their sons and of their daughters which they sacrificed to the idols of Chanaan.
105:39 And the land was polluted with blood, and was defiled with their works: * and they went aside after their own inventions.
105:40 And the Lord was exceedingly angry with his people: * and he abhorred his inheritance.
105:41 And he delivered them into the hands of the nations: * and they that hated them had dominion over them.
105:42 And their enemies afflicted them: and they were humbled under their hands: * many times did he deliver them.
105:43 But they provoked him with their counsel: * and they were brought low by their iniquities.
105:44 And he saw when they were in tribulation: * and he heard their prayer.
105:45 And he was mindful of his covenant: * and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
105:46 And he gave them unto mercies, * in the sight of all those that had made them
105:47 Save us, O Lord, our God: * and gather us from among nations:
105:47 That we may give thanks to thy holy name, * and may glory in thy praise.
105:48 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting: * and let all the people say: 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: And he saw when they were in tribulation * and he heard their prayer.

Versicle: I will not turn away My face from you, for I am holy, saith the Lord
Response: And I will not be angry for ever! (Jeremias 3:12)

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
Homily #42 by Pope St. Leo the Great, preached at the beginning of the Lenten season

In proposing to preach this most holy and important fast to you, dearly beloved, how shall I begin more fitly than by quoting the words of the Apostle, in whom Christ Himself was speaking, and by reminding you of what we have read: “Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day of salvation.” For though there are no seasons which are not full of Divine blessings, and though access is ever open to us to God’s mercy through His grace, yet now all men’s minds should be moved with greater zeal to spiritual progress, and animated by larger confidence, when the return of the day, on which we were redeemed, invites us to all the duties of godliness: that we may keep the super-excellent mystery of the Lord’s passion with bodies and hearts purified. These great mysteries do indeed require from us such unflagging devotion and unwearied reverence that we should remain in God’s sight always the same, as we ought to be found on the Easter feast itself. But because few have this constancy, and, because so long as the stricter observance is relaxed in consideration of the frailty of the flesh, and so long as one’s interests extend over all the various actions of this life, even pious hearts must get some soils from the dust of the world, the Divine Providence has with great beneficence taken care that the discipline of the forty days should heal us and restore the purity of our minds, during which the faults of other times might be redeemed by pious acts and removed by chaste fasting.

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

Versicle: The Lord is just in all His ways: and holy in all His works (Psalm 144:17).
Response: For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice (Psalm 10:8).
Versicle: The Lord is merciful and just, and our God showeth mercy (Psalm 114:5).
Response: For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice (Psalm 10:8).

SECOND READING
Continuation of the Homily (#42) by Pope St. Leo the Great

As we are therefore, dearly-beloved, about to enter on those mystic days which are dedicated to the benefits of fasting, let us take care to obey the Apostle’s precepts, cleansing ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit 2 Corinthians 7:1: that by controlling the struggles that go on between our two natures, the spirit which, if it is under the guidance of God, should be the governor of the body, may uphold the dignity of its rule: so that we may give no offense to any, nor be subject to the chidings of reprovers. For we shall be rightly attacked with rebukes, and through our fault ungodly tongues will arm themselves to do harm to religion, if the conduct of those that fast is at variance with the standard of perfect purity. For our fast does not consist chiefly of mere abstinence from food, nor are dainties withdrawn from our bodily appetites with profit, unless the mind is recalled from wrong-doing and the tongue restrained from slandering. This is a time of gentleness and long-suffering, of peace and tranquility: when all the pollutions of vice are to be eradicated and continuance of virtue is to be attained by us. Now let godly minds boldly accustom themselves to forgive faults, to pass over insults, and to forget wrongs. Now let the faithful spirit train himself with the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, that through honor and dishonor, through ill repute and good repute, the conscience may be undisturbed in unwavering uprightness, not puffed up by praise and not wearied out by reviling. The self-restraint of the religious should not be gloomy, but sincere; no murmurs of complaint should be heard from those who are never without the consolation of holy joys. The decrease of worldly means should not be feared in the practice of works of mercy.

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

Versicle: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled (Psalm 6:3).
Response: O Lord, have mercy on me, and raise me up again (Psalm 40:11)

Versicle: Forgive Thy people that have sinned against Thee
Response: O Lord, have mercy on me, and raise me up again (Psalm 40:11)

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and  to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: O Lord, have mercy on me, and raise me up again (Psalm 40:11)

THIRD READING
Continuation of the Homily (#42) by Pope St. Leo the Great

Christian poverty is always rich, because what it has is more than what it has not. Nor does the poor man fear to labor in this world, to whom it is given to possess all things in the Lord of all things. Therefore those who do the things which are good must have no manner of fear lest the power of doing should fail them; since in the gospel the widow’s devotion is extolled in the case of her two mites, and voluntary bounty gets its reward for a cup of cold water. For the measure of our charitableness is fixed by the sincerity of our feelings, and he that shows mercy on others will never want for mercy himself. The holy widow of Sarepta discovered this, who offered the blessed Elias in the time of famine one day’s food, which was all she had, and putting the prophet’s hunger before her own needs, ungrudgingly gave up a handful of grain and a little oil. But she did not lose what she gave in all Faith, and in the vessels emptied by her godly bounty a source of new plenty arose, that the fullness of her substance might not be diminished by the holy purpose to which she had put it, because she had never dreaded being brought to want.

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

Versicle: Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry. Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God.
Response: For to Thee will I pray, O Lord! In the morning Thou shalt hear my voice.

Versicle: O Lord, rebuke me not in Thy indignation, nor chastise me in Thy wrath.
Response: For to Thee will I pray, O Lord! In the morning Thou shalt hear my voice.

Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: For to Thee will I pray, O Lord! In the morning Thou shalt hear my voice.

Versicle: My God is my helper, and in Him will I put my trust.
Response: My protector and the horn of my salvation, and my support.

PRAYER

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

(Throughout the entire First Week in Lent)
Let us pray. O God, Who dost every year purge Thy Church by the Fast of Forty Days, grant unto this Thy family, that what things soever they strive to obtain at Thy hand by abstaining from meats, they may ever turn to profit by good works.
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

(Throughout the entire Second Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Almighty God, grant, we beseech Thee, unto this thy family, that as they do abstain from meals to afflict the flesh, so by following after righteousness they may fast from sin.
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

(Throughout the entire Third Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Graciously hear us, O Almighty and merciful God, and in thy goodness enable us to reap the fruit of this our healthful Fasting.
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

(Throughout the entire Fourth Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we who for our evil deeds are worthily punished, may, by the comfort of Thy grace, mercifully be relieved.
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

(Throughout the first Week of Passiontide which is the Fifth Week in Lent)
Let us pray.  Lord, we beseech Thee, that this our Fast may be acceptable in Thy sight, and may, through Thy blessing, effectually work in us, making us meet here to receive Thy grace and hereafter the everlasting glory which Thou hast promised.
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

(Throughout Palm Sunday and Monday to Wednesday in Holy Week which is the Sixth Week in Lent)
Let us pray.  Almighty and everlasting God, Who, of Thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent Thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon Him our flesh and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility; mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection.
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 departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Second Liturgical Hour
THE 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.

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

The first of five psalms
PSALM 50

Antiphon: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies * blot out my iniquity.

50:3 Have mercy on me, O God, * according to Thy great mercy.
50:3 And according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies * blot out my iniquity.
50:4 Wash me yet more from my iniquity, * and cleanse me from my sin.
50:5 For I know my iniquity, * and my sin is always before me.
50:6 To Thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before Thee: * that Thou mayst be justified in Thy words, and mayst overcome when Thou art judged.
50:7 For behold I was conceived in iniquities; * and in sins did my mother conceive me.
50:8 For behold Thou hast loved truth: * the uncertain and hidden things of Thy wisdom Thou hast made manifest to me.
50:9 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: * Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
50:10 To my hearing Thou shalt give joy and gladness: * and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
50:11 Turn away Thy face from my sins, * and blot out all my iniquities.
50:12 Create a clean heart in me, O God: * and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
50:13 Cast me not away from Thy face; * and take not Thy holy spirit from me.
50:14 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, * and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
50:15 I will teach the unjust Thy ways: * and the wicked shall be converted to Thee.
50:16 Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: * and my tongue shall extol Thy justice.
50:17 O Lord, Thou wilt open my lips: * and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
50:18 For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: * with burnt offerings Thou wilt not be delighted.
50:19 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: * a contrite and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
50:20 Deal favorably, O Lord, in Thy good will with Sion; * that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
50:21 Then shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: * then shall they lay calves upon Thy altar.
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: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies * blot out my iniquity.

The second of five psalms
PSALM 91

Antiphon: Turn thee again, O Lord, * and be gracious unto thy servants

91:2 It is good to give praise to the Lord: * and to sing to thy name, O most High.
91:3 To shew 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:
91:9 That they may perish for ever and ever: * 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, that they may shew,
91:16 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: Turn thee again, O Lord, * and be gracious unto thy servants

The third of five psalms
PSALM 63

Antiphon: O God, * thou hast multiplied thy mercy.

63:2 Hear, O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to thee: * deliver my soul from the fear of the enemy.
63:3 Thou hast protected me from the assembly of the malignant; * from the multitude of the workers of iniquity.
63:4 For they have whetted their tongues like a sword; * they have bent their bow a bitter thing, to shoot in secret the undefiled.
63:6 They will shoot at him on a sudden, and will not fear: * they are resolute in wickedness.
63:6 They have talked of hiding snares; * they have said: Who shall see them?
63:7 They have searched after iniquities: * they have failed in their search.
63:7 Man shall come to a deep heart: * and God shall be exalted.
63:8 The arrows of children are their wounds: * and their tongues against them are made weak.
63:9 All that saw them were troubled; * and every man was afraid.
63:10 And they declared the works of God: * and understood his doings.
63:11 The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in him: * and all the upright in heart shall be praised.
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 God, * thou hast multiplied thy mercy.

The fourth of five psalms
CANTICLE OF MOSES
(Canticle of Moses * Deuteronomy 32:1-27)

Antiphon: The Lord is my strength * and my praise, and He is become my salvation.

32:1 Hear, O ye heavens, the things I speak, * let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth.
32:2 Let my doctrine gather as the rain, * let my speech distill as the dew,
32:3 As a shower upon the herb, and as drops upon the grass. * Because I will invoke the name of the Lord:
32:4 Give ye magnificence to our God. * The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments:
32:5 God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right. * They have sinned against him, and are none of his children in their filth:
32:6 They are a wicked and perverse generation. * Is this the return thou makest to the Lord, O foolish and senseless people?
32:7 Is not he thy father, * that hath possessed thee, and made thee, and created thee?
32:8 Remember the days of old, * think upon every generation:
32:9 Ask thy father, and he will declare to thee: * thy elders and they will tell thee.
32:10 When the Most High divided the nations: * when he separated the sons of Adam,
32:11 He appointed the bounds of people * according to the number of the children of Israel.
32:12 But the Lord’s portion is his people: * Jacob the lot of his inheritance.
32:13 He found him in a desert land, * in a place of horror, and of vast wilderness:
32:14 He led him about, and taught him: * and he kept him as the apple of his eye.
32:15 As the eagle enticing her young to fly, * and hovering over them,
32:16 He spread his wings, and hath taken him * and carried him on his shoulders.
32:17 The Lord alone was his leader: * and there was no strange god with him.
32:18 He set him upon high land: * that he might eat the fruits of the fields,
32:19 That he might suck honey out of the rock, * and oil out of the hardest stone,
32:20 Butter of the herd, and milk of the sheep * with the fat of lambs, and of the rams of the breed of Basan:
32:21 And goats with the marrow of wheat, * and might drink the purest blood of the grape.
32:22 The beloved grew fat, and kicked: * he grew fat, and thick and gross,
32:23 He forsook God who made him, * and departed from God his saviour.
32:24 They provoked him by strange gods, * and stirred him up to anger, with their abominations.
32:25 They sacrificed to devils and not to God: * to gods whom they knew not:
32:26 That were newly come up, * whom their fathers worshipped not.
32:27 Thou hast forsaken the God that beget * and hast forgotten the Lord that created thee.
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 is my strength * and my praise, and He is become my salvation.

The fifth of five psalms
PSALM 147

Antiphon: Praise the Lord * who healeth the broken of heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

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.
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: Praise the Lord * who healeth the broken of heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

CHAPTER VERSE
(Isaias 58:1)

Cry, cease not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their wicked doings, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Response: Thanks be to God!

THE HYMN FROM THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT AND BEFORE PASSION SUNDAY

Jesus, salvation’s Sun Divine,
Within our inmost bosoms shine,
With light all darkness drive away
And give the world a better day.

Now days of grace with mercy flow,
O Lord, the gift of tears bestow,
To wash our stains in every part,
Whilst heavenly fire consumes the heart.

Rise, crystal tears, from that same source
From whence our sins derive their course;
Nor cease, till hardened hearts relent,
And softened by your streams, repent.

Behold, the happy days return,
The days of joy for them that mourn;
May we of their indulgence share,
And bless the God that grants our prayer.

May Heaven and Earth aloud proclaim
The Trinity’s almighty fame;
And we, restored to grace, rejoice
In newness both of heart and voice.
Amen.

Versicle: Have mercy on me, O God, because Thou art merciful!
Response: And wash away the stains of my sins!.

THE HYMN BEGINNING WITH PASSION SUNDAY

Thirty years among us dwelling,
His appointed time fulfilled,
Born for this, he meets his passion,
For that this he freely willed:
On the cross the Lamb is lifted,
Where his life-blood shall be spilled.

He endured the nails, the spitting,
Vinegar, and spear, and reed;
From that holy body broken
Blood and water forth proceed:
Earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean,
By that flood from stain are free.

Faithful cross! above all other,
One and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peers may be;
Sweetest wood and sweetest iron!
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.

Bend thy boughs, O tree of glory!
Thy relaxing sinews bend;
For awhile the ancient rigour,
That thy birth bestowed, suspend;
And the King of heavenly beauty
On thy bosom gently tend!

Thou alone wast counted worthy
This world's ransom to uphold;
For a shipwrecked race preparing
Harbour, like the ark of old;
With the sacred blood anointed
From the smitten Lamb that rolled.

To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet;
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete:
Trinal Unity, whose praises
All created things repeat.
Amen.

Versicle: Deliver me from my enemies, O my God.
Response: And defend me from them that rise up against me.

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

Antiphon: Son, remember * that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things.

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: Son, remember * that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things.

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

(Throughout the entire First Week in Lent)
Let us pray. O God, Who dost every year purge Thy Church by the Fast of Forty Days, grant unto this Thy family, that what things soever they strive to obtain at Thy hand by abstaining from meats, they may ever turn to profit by good works.
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

(Throughout the entire Second Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Almighty God, grant, we beseech Thee, unto this thy family, that as they do abstain from meals to afflict the flesh, so by following after righteousness they may fast from sin.
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

(Throughout the entire Third Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Graciously hear us, O Almighty and merciful God, and in thy goodness enable us to reap the fruit of this our healthful Fasting.
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

(Throughout the entire Fourth Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we who for our evil deeds are worthily punished, may, by the comfort of Thy grace, mercifully be relieved.
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

(Throughout the first Week of Passiontide which is the Fifth Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Lord, we beseech Thee, that this our Fast may be acceptable in Thy sight, and may, through Thy blessing, effectually work in us, making us meet here to receive Thy grace and hereafter the everlasting glory which Thou hast promised.
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

(Throughout Palm Sunday and Monday to Wednesday in Holy Week which is the Sixth Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, Who, of Thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent Thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon Him our flesh and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility; mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection.
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 departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Third Liturgical Hour
THE 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.

The Fourth Liturgical Hour
THE 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
THE 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
THE 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.

The Seventh Liturgical Hour
THE 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.

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

The first of five psalms
PSALM 143

Antiphon: Behold how good * and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

143:1 Blessed be the Lord my God, who teacheth my hands to fight, * and my fingers to war.
143:2 My mercy, and my refuge: * my support, and my deliverer:
143:2 My protector, and I have hoped in him: * who subdueth my people under me.
143:3 Lord, what is man, that thou art made known to him? * or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?
143:4 Man is like to vanity: * his days pass away like a shadow.
143:5 Lord, bow down thy heavens and descend: * touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
143:6 Send forth lightning, and thou shalt scatter them: * shoot out thy arrows, and thou shalt trouble them.
143:7 Put forth thy hand from on high, take me out, and deliver me from many waters: * from the hand of strange children:
143:8 Whose mouth hath spoken vanity: * and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity.
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 how good * and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

The second of five psalms
PSALM 143 (continued)

Antiphon: Give ye glory to the Lord * for his mercy endureth for ever.

143:9 To thee, O God, I will sing a new canticle: * on the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings I will sing praises to thee.
143:10 Who givest salvation to kings: * who hast redeemed thy servant David from the malicious sword: Deliver me,
143:11 And rescue me out of the hand of strange children; whose mouth hath spoken vanity: * and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity:
143:12 Whose sons are as new plants * in their youth:
143:12 Their daughters decked out, * adorned round about after the similitude of a temple:
143:13 Their storehouses full, * flowing out of this into that.
143:13 Their sheep fruitful in young, abounding in their goings forth: * their oxen fat.
143:14 There is no breach of wall, nor passage, * nor crying out in their streets.
143:15 They have called the people happy, that hath these things: * but happy is that people whose God is the Lord.
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: Give ye glory to the Lord * for his mercy endureth for ever.

The third of five psalms
PSALM 144

Antiphon: Give ye glory to the Lord * for he was mindful of us in our affliction.

144:1 I will extol thee, O God my king: * and I will bless thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
144:2 Every day will I bless thee: * and I will praise thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
144:3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: * and of his greatness there is no end.
144:4 Generation and generation shall praise thy works: * and they shall declare thy power.
144:5 They shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of thy holiness: * and shall tell thy wondrous works.
144:6 And they shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: * and shall declare thy greatness.
144:7 They shall publish the memory of the abundance of thy sweetness: * and shall rejoice in thy justice.
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: Give ye glory to the Lord * for he was mindful of us in our affliction.

The fourth of five psalms
PSALM 144 (continued)

Antiphon: Let my tongue cleave to my jaws * if I do not remember thee, Jerusalem.

144:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful: * patient and plenteous in mercy.
144:9 The Lord is sweet to all: * and his tender mercies are over all his works.
144:10 Let all thy works, O Lord, praise thee: * and let thy saints bless thee.
144:11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom: * and shall tell of thy power:
144:12 To make thy might known to the sons of men: * and the glory of the magnificence of thy kingdom.
144:13 Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages: * and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
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: Let my tongue cleave to my jaws * if I do not remember thee, Jerusalem.

The fifth of five psalms
PSALM 144 (continued)

Antiphon: I will give glory * to thy name, for thy mercy, and for thy truth.

144:14 The Lord is faithful in all his words: and holy in all his works.
144:14 ‡ The Lord lifteth up all that fall: * and setteth up all that are cast down.
144:15 The eyes of all hope in thee, O Lord: * and thou givest them meat in due season.
144:16 Thou openest thy hand, * and fillest with blessing every living creature.
144:17 The Lord is just in all his ways: * and holy in all his works.
144:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: * to all that call upon him in truth.
144:19 He will do the will of them that fear him: * and he will hear their prayer, and save them.
144:20 The Lord keepeth all them that love him; * but all the wicked he will destroy.
144:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: * and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever; yea, for ever and 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: I will give glory * to thy name, for thy mercy, and for thy truth.

CHAPTER VERSE
(Romans 13:11)

Between the porch and the altar the priests the Lord's ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people: and give not Thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them.
Response: Thanks be to God.

THE HYMN FROM THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT AND BEFORE PASSION SUNDAY

O kind Creator, bow Thine ear
To mark the cry, to know the tear
Before Thy throne of mercy spent
In this Thy holy fast of Lent.

Our hearts are open, Lord, to Thee:
Thou knowest our infirmity;
Pour out on all who seek Thy face
Abundance of Thy pardoning grace.

Our sins are many, this we know;
Spare us, good Lord, Thy mercy show;
And for the honor of Thy Name
Our fainting souls to life reclaim.

Give us the self-control that springs
From discipline of outward things,
That fasting inward secretly
The soul may purely dwell with Thee.

We pray Thee, Holy Trinity,
One God, unchanging Unity,
That we from this our abstinence
May reap the fruits of penitence.
Amen.

Versicle: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak:
Response: Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled

THE HYMN BEGINNING WITH PASSION SUNDAY

Abroad the regal banners fly,
Now shines the cross’s mystery;
Upon it Life did death endure,
And yet by death did life procure.

Who, wounded with a direful spear,
Did, purposely to wash us clear
From stain of sin, pour out a flood
Of precious water mixed with blood.

That which the prophet-king of old
Hath in mysterious verse foretold,
Is now accomplished, whilst we see
God ruling nations from a tree.

O lovely and refulgent tree,
Adorned with purpled majesty;
Culled from a worthy stock, to bear
Those limbs which sanctifièd were.

Blest tree, whose happy branches bore
The wealth that did the world restore;
The beam that did that body weigh
Which raised up hell’s expected prey.

The following verse is said on bended knee.

O Cross, our one reliance, hail!
This holy Passiontide avail
To give fresh merit to the saint,
And pardon to the penitent.

Blest Trinity, salvation’s spring,
May every soul thy praises sing;
To those thou grantest conquest by
The holy cross, rewards apply.
Amen.

Versicle: Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man.
Response: Rescue me from the unjust man.

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

Antiphon: His mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear Him

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: His mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear Him

PRAYER

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

(Throughout the entire First Week in Lent)
Let us pray. O God, Who dost every year purge Thy Church by the Fast of Forty Days, grant unto this Thy family, that what things soever they strive to obtain at Thy hand by abstaining from meats, they may ever turn to profit by good works.
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

(Throughout the entire Second Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Almighty God, grant, we beseech Thee, unto this thy family, that as they do abstain from meals to afflict the flesh, so by following after righteousness they may fast from sin.
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

(Throughout the entire Third Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Graciously hear us, O Almighty and merciful God, and in thy goodness enable us to reap the fruit of this our healthful Fasting.
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

(Throughout the entire Fourth Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we who for our evil deeds are worthily punished, may, by the comfort of Thy grace, mercifully be relieved.
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

(Throughout the first Week of Passiontide which is the Fifth Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Lord, we beseech Thee, that this our Fast may be acceptable in Thy sight, and may, through Thy blessing, effectually work in us, making us meet here to receive Thy grace and hereafter the everlasting glory which Thou hast promised.
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

(Throughout Palm Sunday and Monday to Wednesday in Holy Week which is the Sixth Week in Lent)
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, Who, of Thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent Thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon Him our flesh and to suffer death upon the Cross, that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility; mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection.
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 departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.

The Eighth Liturgical Hour
THE NIGHT 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 Confiteor 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.

Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

The first of three psalms
PSALM 87

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

Antiphon: Unless you do penance * you shall likewise perish.

87:2 Lord, the God of my salvation: * I have cried in the day, and in the night before thee.
87:3 Let my prayer come in before thee: * incline thy ear to my petition.
87:4 For my soul is filled with evils: * and my life hath drawn nigh to hell.
87:5 I am counted among them that go down to the pit: * I am become as a man without help, free among the dead.
87:6 Like the slain sleeping in the sepulchres, whom thou rememberest no more: * and they are cast off from thy hand.
87:7 They have laid me in the lower pit: * in the dark places, and in the shadow of death.
87:8 Thy wrath is strong over me: * and all thy waves thou hast brought in upon me.
87:9 Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me: * they have set me an abomination to themselves.
87:9 I was delivered up, and came not forth: * my eyes languished through poverty.
87:10 All the day I cried to thee, O Lord: * I stretched out my hands to thee.
87:11 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? * or shall physicians raise to life, and give praise to thee?
87:12 Shall any one in the sepulchre declare thy mercy: * and thy truth in destruction?
87:13 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark; * and thy justice in the land of forgetfulness?
87:14 But I, O Lord, have cried to thee: * and in the morning my prayer shall prevent thee.
87:15 Lord, why castest thou off my prayer: * why turnest thou away thy face from me?
87:16 I am poor, and in labours from my youth: * and being exalted have been humbled and troubled.
87:17 Thy wrath hath come upon me: * and thy terrors have troubled me.
87:18 They have come round about me like water all the day: * they have compassed me about together.
87:19 Friend and neighbour thou hast put far from me: * and my acquaintance, because of misery.
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 102

102:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: * and let all that is within me bless his holy name.
102:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and never forget all he hath done for thee.
102:3 Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: * who healeth all thy diseases.
102:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: * who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
102:5 Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: * thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s.
102:6 The Lord doth mercies, * and judgment for all that suffer wrong.
102:7 He hath made his ways known to Moses: * his wills to the children of Israel.
102:8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful: * longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.
102:9 He will not always be angry: * nor will he threaten for ever.
102:10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: * nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
102:11 For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: * he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.
102:12 As far as the east is from the west, * so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.
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 102 (continued)

102:13 As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him: * for he knoweth our frame.
102:14 He remembereth that we are dust: * man’s days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.
102:16 For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: * and he shall know his place no more.
102:17 But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity * and unto eternity upon them that fear him:
102:17 And his justice unto children’s children, * to such as keep his covenant,
102:18 And are mindful of his commandments * to do them.
102:19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: * and his kingdom shall rule over all.
102:20 Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: * you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.
102:21 Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: * you ministers of his that do his will.
102:22 Bless the Lord, all his works: * in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.
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: Unless you do penance * you shall likewise perish.

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

Hail, O Queen of heaven, enthroned!
Hail, by Angels Mistress owned!
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Whence the world's true Light was born:

Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in heaven they see:
Fairest thou, where all are fair,
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.

Versicle: Allow me to praise thee, holy Virgin.
Response: Give me strength against thine enemies.

Let us pray.
Grant, O merciful God, to our weak natures thy protection, that we who commemorate the holy Mother of God may, by the help of her intercession, arise from our iniquities. 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.