Lenten Psalms THU

PSALMS & PRAYERS FOR THE THURSDAYS 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 THURSDAYS 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 THURSDAY
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 68

Antiphon: Save me, O God * for the waters are come in even unto my soul

68:2 Save me, O God: for the waters are come in even unto my soul.
68:3 I stick fast in the mire of the deep: * and there is no sure standing.
68:3 I am come into the depth of the sea: * and a tempest hath overwhelmed me.
68:4 I have labored with crying; my jaws are become hoarse: * my eyes have failed, whilst I hope in my God.
68:5 They are multiplied above the hairs of my head, * who hate me without cause.
68:5 My enemies are grown strong who have wrongfully persecuted me: * then did I pay that which I took not away.
68:6 O God, Thou knowest my foolishness; * and my offences are not hidden from Thee.
68:7 Let not them be ashamed for me, who look for Thee, O Lord, * the Lord of hosts.
68:7 Let them not be confounded on my account, * who seek Thee, O God of Israel.
68:8 Because for Thy sake I have borne reproach; * shame hath covered my face.
68:9 I am become a stranger to my brethren, * and an alien to the sons of my mother.
68:10 For the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up: * and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
68:11 And I covered my soul in fasting: * and it was made a reproach to me.
68:12 And I made haircloth my garment: * and I became a byword to them.
68:13 They that sat in the gate spoke against me: * and they that drank wine made me their song.
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: Save me, O God * for the waters are come in even unto my soul

The second of three psalms
PSALM 68 (continued)

Antiphon: O Lord, save me from my enemies.

68:14 But as for me, my prayer is to Thee, O Lord; * for the time of Thy good pleasure, O God.
68:14 In the multitude of Thy mercy hear me, * in the truth of Thy salvation.
68:15 Draw me out of the mire, that I may not stick fast: * deliver me from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
68:16 Let not the tempest of water drown me, nor the deep swallow me up: * and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
68:17 Hear me, O Lord, for Thy mercy is kind; * look upon me according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies.
68:18 And turn not away Thy face from Thy servant: * for I am in trouble, hear me speedily.
68:19 Attend to my soul, and deliver it: * save me because of my enemies.
68:20 Thou knowest my reproach, and my confusion, * and my shame.
68:21 In Thy sight are all they that afflict me; * my heart hath expected reproach and misery.
68:21 And I looked for one that would grieve together with me, * but there was none: and for one that would comfort me, and I found none.
68:22 And they gave me gall for my food, * and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
68:23 Let their table become as a snare before them, * and a recompense, and a stumbling-block.
68:24 Let their eyes be darkened that they see not; * and their back bend thou down always.
68:25 Pour out Thy indignation upon them: * and let Thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
68:26 Let their habitation be made desolate: * and let there be none to dwell in their tabernacles.
68:27 Because they have persecuted him whom Thou hast smitten; * and they have added to the grief of my wounds.
68:28 Add Thou iniquity upon their iniquity: * and let them not come into Thy justice.
68:29 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; * and with the just let them not be written.
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 Lord, save me from my enemies.

The third of three psalms
PSALM 68 (continued)

Antiphon: Look for the Lord and your soul shall live.

68:30 I am poor and sorrowful: * Thy salvation, O God, hath set me up.
68:31 I will praise the Name of God with a canticle: * and I will magnify Him with praise.
68:32 And it shall please God better than a young calf, * that bringeth forth horns and hoofs.
68:33 Let the poor see and rejoice: * seek ye God, and your soul shall live.
68:34 For the Lord hath heard the poor: * and hath not despised His prisoners.
68:35 Let the Heavens and the Earth praise Him; * the sea, and every thing that creepeth therein.
68:36 For God will save Sion, * and the cities of Juda shall be built up.
68:36 And they shall dwell there, * and acquire it by inheritance.
68:37 And the seed of his servants shall possess it; * and they that love His Name shall dwell therein.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon: Look for the Lord and your soul shall live.

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

Although, dearly-beloved, as the Easter festival approaches, the very recurrence of the season points out to us the Lenten fast, yet our words also must add their exhortations which, the Lord helping us, may be not useless to the active nor irksome to the devout. For since the idea of these days demands the increase of all our religious performances, there is no one, I am sure, that does not feel glad at being incited to good works. For though our nature which, so long as we are mortal, will be changeable, is advancing to the highest pursuits of virtue, yet always has the possibility of falling back, so has it always the possibility of advancing. And this is the true justness of the perfect that they should never assume themselves to be perfect, lest flagging in the purpose of their yet unfinished journey, they should fall into the danger of failure, through giving up the desire for progress. And, therefore, because none of us, dearly beloved, is so perfect and holy as not to be able to be more perfect and more holy, let us all together, without difference of rank, without distinction of desert, with pious eagerness pursue our race from what we have attained to what we yet aspire to, and make some needful additions to our regular devotions. For he that is not more attentive than usual to religion in these days, is shown at other times to be not attentive enough.

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 (#40) by Pope St. Leo the Great

Hence the reading of the Apostle's proclamation has sounded opportunely in our ears, saying, Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation. For what is more accepted than this time, what more suitable to salvation than these days, in which war is proclaimed against vices and progress is made in all virtues? You had indeed always to keep watch, O Christian soul, against the enemy of your salvation, lest any spot should be exposed to the tempter's snares: but now greater wariness and keener prudence must be employed by you when that same foe of yours rages with fiercer hatred. For now in all the world the power of his ancient sway is taken from him, and the countless vessels of captivity are rescued from his grasp. The people of all nations and of all tongues are breaking away from their cruel plunderer, and now no race of men is found that does not struggle against the tyrant's laws, while through all the borders of the earth many thousands of thousands are being prepared to be reborn in Christ: and as the birth of a new creature draws near, spiritual wickedness is being driven out by those who were possessed by it. The blasphemous fury of the despoiled foe frets, therefore, and seeks new gains because it has lost its ancient right. Unwearied and ever wakeful, he snatches at any sheep he finds straying carelessly from the sacred folds, intent on leading them over the steeps of treasure and down the slopes of luxury into the abodes of death. And so he inflames their wrath, feeds their hatreds, whets their desires, mocks at their continence, arouses their gluttony.

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 (#40) by Pope St. Leo the Great

For whom would he not dare to try, who did not keep from his treacherous attempts even on our Lord Jesus Christ? For, as the story of the Gospel has disclosed, when our Savior, Who was true God, that He might show Himself true Man also, and banish all wicked and erroneous opinions, after the fast of 40 days and nights, had experienced the hunger of human weakness, the devil, rejoicing at having found in Him a sign of possible and mortal nature, in order to test the power which he feared, said, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread Matthew 4:3. Doubtless the Almighty could do this, and it was easy that at the Creator's command a creature of any kind should change into the form that it was commanded: just as when He willed it, in the marriage feast, He changed the water into wine: but here it better agreed with His purposes of salvation that His haughty foe's cunning should be vanquished by the Lord, not in the power of His Godhead, but by the mystery of His humiliation. At length, when the devil had been put to flight and the tempter baffled in all his arts, angels came to the Lord and ministered to Him, that He being true Man and true God, His Manhood might be unsullied by those crafty questions, and His Godhead displayed by those holy ministrations. And so let the sons and disciples of the devil be confounded, who, being filled with the poison of vipers, deceive the simple, denying in Christ the presence of both true natures, while they rob either His Godhead of Manhood, or His Manhood of Godhead, although both falsehoods are destroyed by a twofold and simultaneous proof: for by His bodily hunger His perfect Manhood was shown, and by the attendant angels His perfect Godhead.

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 THURSDAY
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 89

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

89:1 Lord, Thou hast been our refuge * from generation to generation.
89:2 Before the mountains were made, or the Earth and the world was formed; * from eternity and to eternity Thou art God.
89:3 Turn not man away to be brought low: * and Thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.
89:4 For a thousand years in thy sight * are as yesterday, which is past.
89:5 And as a watch in the night, * things that are counted nothing, shall their years be.
89:6 In the morning man shall grow up like grass; in the morning he shall flourish and pass away: * in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither.
89:7 For in Thy wrath we have fainted away: * and are troubled in Thy indignation.
89:8 Thou hast set our iniquities before Thy eyes: * our life in the light of Thy countenance.
89:9 For all our days are spent; * and in Thy wrath we have fainted away.
89:9 Our years shall be considered as a spider: * the days of our years in them are threescore and ten years.
89:10 But if in the strong they be fourscore years: * and what is more of them is labor and sorrow.
89:10 For mildness is come upon us: * and we shall be corrected.
89:11 Who knoweth the power of Thy anger, * and for Thy fear can number Thy wrath?
89:12 So make Thy right hand known: * and men learned in heart, in wisdom.
89:13 Return, O Lord, how long? * and be entreated in favor of Thy servants.
89:14 We are filled in the morning with Thy mercy: * and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.
89:15 We have rejoiced for the days in which Thou hast humbled us: * for the years in which we have seen evils.
89:16 Look upon Thy servants and upon their works: * and direct their children.
89:17 And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct Thou the works of our hands over us; * yea, 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.

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

The third of five psalms
PSALM 35

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

35:2 The unjust hath said within himself, that he would sin: * there is no fear of God before his eyes.
35:3 For in his sight he hath done deceitfully, * that his iniquity may be found unto hatred.
35:4 The words of his mouth are iniquity and guile: * he would not understand that he might do well.
35:5 He hath devised iniquity on his bed, * he hath set himself on every way that is not good: but evil he hath not hated.
35:6 O Lord, Thy mercy is in Heaven, * and Thy truth reacheth even to the clouds.
35:7 Thy justice is as the mountains of God, * Thy judgments are a great deep.
35:7 Men and beasts Thou wilt preserve, O Lord: * O how hast Thou multiplied Thy mercy, O God!
35:8 But the children of men * shall put their trust under the covert of Thy wings.
35:9 They shall be inebriated with the plenty of Thy house; * and Thou shalt make them drink of the torrent of Thy pleasure.
35:10 For with Thee is the fountain of life; * and in Thy light we shall see light.
35:11 Extend Thy mercy to them that know Thee, * and Thy justice to them that are right in heart.
35:12 Let not the foot of pride come to me, * and let not the hand of the sinner move me.
35:13 There the workers of iniquity are fallen, * they are cast out, and could not stand.
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 * Exodus 15:1-22)

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

15:1 Let us sing to the Lord: for he is gloriously magnified, * the horse and the rider he hath thrown into the sea.
15:2 The Lord is my strength and my praise, * and he is become salvation to me:
15:3 He is my God and I will glorify him: * the God of my father, and I will exalt him.
15:4 The Lord is as a man of war, Almighty is his name. * Pharao’s chariots and his army he hath cast into the sea:
15:5 His chosen captains are drowned in the Red Sea. * The depths have covered them, they are sunk to the bottom like a stone.
15:6 Thy right hand, O Lord, is magnified in strength: thy right hand, O Lord, hath slain the enemy. * And in the multitude of thy glory thou hast put down thy adversaries:
15:7 Thou hast sent thy wrath, which hath devoured them like stubble. * And with the blast of thy anger the waters were gathered together:
15:8 The flowing water stood, * the depths were gathered together in the midst of the sea.
15:9 The enemy said: I will pursue and overtake, * I will divide the spoils, my soul shall have its fill:
15:10 I will draw my sword, * my hand shall slay them.
15:11 Thy wind blew and the sea covered them: * they sunk as lead in the mighty waters.
15:12 Who is like to thee, among the strong, O Lord? * who is like to thee, glorious in holiness, terrible and praiseworthy, doing wonders?
15:13 Thou stretchedst forth thy hand, and the earth swallowed them. * In thy mercy thou hast been a leader to the people which thou hast redeemed:
15:14 And in thy strength thou hast carried them * to thy holy habitation.
15:15 Nations rose up, and were angry: * sorrows took hold on the inhabitants of Philisthiim.
15:16 Then were the princes of Edom troubled, trembling seized on the stout men of Moab: * all the inhabitants of Chanaan became stiff.
15:17 Let fear and dread fall upon them, * in the greatness of thy arm:
15:18 Let them become unmoveable as a stone, until thy people, O Lord, pass by: * until this thy people pass by, which thou hast possessed.
15:19 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thy inheritance, * in thy most firm habitation which thou hast made, O Lord;
15:20 Thy sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have, established. * The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.
15:21 For Pharao went in on horseback with his chariots and horsemen into the sea: * and the Lord brought back upon them the waters of the sea:
15:22 But the children of Israel walked on dry ground * in the midst thereof.
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 146

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

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

Antiphon: 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 THURSDAY
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 THURSDAY
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 THURSDAY
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 THURSDAY
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 THURSDAY
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 132

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

132:1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity:
132:2 ‡ Like the precious ointment on the head, * that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron,
132:2 Which ran down to the skirt of his garment: * as the dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon Mount Sion.
132:3 For there the Lord hath commanded blessing, * and life 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: Behold how good * and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

The second of five psalms
PSALM 135

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

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 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.
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 135 (continued)

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

135:10 Who smote Egypt with their firstborn: * for His mercy endureth for ever.
135:11 Who brought out Israel from among them: * for His mercy endureth for ever.
135:12 With a mighty hand and with 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.
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.
135:26 Give glory to the Lord of lords: * for His mercy endureth for ever.
Versicle: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Response: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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

The fourth of five psalms
PSALM 136

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

136:1 Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: * when we remembered Sion:
136:2 On the willows in the midst thereof * we hung up our instruments.
136:3 For there they that led us into captivity required of us * the words of songs.
136:3 And they that carried us away, said: * Sing ye to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.
136:4 How shall we sing the song of the Lord * in a strange land?
136:5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, * let my right hand be forgotten.
136:6 Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, * if I do not remember thee:
136:6 If I make not Jerusalem * the beginning of my joy.
136:7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, * in the day of Jerusalem:
136:7 Who say: Raze it, raze it, * even to the foundation thereof.
136:8 O daughter of Babylon, miserable: * blessed shall he be who shall repay thee thy payment which thou hast paid us.
136:9 Blessed be he that shall take * and dash thy little ones against the rock.
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 137

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

137:1 I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: * for Thou hast heard the words of my mouth.
137:2 I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the Angels: * I will worship towards Thy holy temple, and I will give glory to Thy Name.
137:3 For Thy mercy, and for Thy truth: * for Thou hast magnified Thy Holy Name
137:4 In what day soever I shall call upon Thee, hear me: * Thou shalt multiply strength in my soul.
137:5 May all the kings of the Earth give glory to Thee: * for they have heard all the words of Thy mouth.
137:6 And let them sing in the ways of the Lord: * for great is the glory of the Lord.
137:7 For the Lord is high, and looketh on the low: * and the high He knoweth afar off.
137:8 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.
137:9 The Lord will repay for me: * Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the works 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: 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 THURSDAY
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 69

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.

69:2 O God, come to my assistance; * O Lord, make haste to help me.
69:3 Let them be confounded and ashamed * that seek my soul:
69:4 Let them be turned backward, and blush for shame * that desire evils to me:
69:4 Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame * that say to me: ’T is well, ’t is well.
69:5 Let all that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; * and let such as love Thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.
69:6 But I am needy and poor; * O God, help me.
69:6 Thou art my helper and my deliverer: * O Lord, make no delay.
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 70

70:1 In Thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion: * deliver me in Thy justice, and rescue me.
70:2 Incline Thy ear unto me, * and save me.
70:3 Be Thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of strength: * that Thou mayst make me safe.
70:3 For Thou art my firmament * and my refuge.
70:4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the sinner, * and out of the hand of the transgressor of the law and of the unjust.
70:5 For Thou art my patience, O Lord: * my hope, O Lord, from my youth.
70:6 By Thee have I been confirmed from the womb: * from my mother’s womb Thou art my protector.
70:7 Of Thee shall I continually sing: * I am become unto many as a wonder, but Thou art a strong helper.
70:8 Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may sing Thy glory; * Thy greatness all the day long.
70:9 Cast me not off in the time of old age: * when my strength shall fail, do not Thou forsake me.
70:10 For my enemies have spoken against me; * and they that watched my soul have consulted together,
70:11 Saying: God hath forsaken him: pursue and take him, * for there is none to deliver him.
70:12 O God, be not Thou far from me: * O my God, make haste to my help.
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 70 (continued)

70:13 Let them be confounded and come to nothing that detract my soul; * let them be covered with confusion and shame that seek my hurt.
70:14 But I will always hope; * and will add to all Thy praise.
70:15 My mouth shall show forth Thy justice; * Thy salvation all the day long.
70:16 Because I have not known learning, I will enter into the powers of the Lord: * O Lord, I will be mindful of Thy justice alone.
70:17 Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth: * and till now I will declare Thy wonderful works.
70:18 And unto old age and grey hairs: * O God, forsake me not,
70:18 Until I show forth Thy arm * to all the generation that is to come:
70:19 Thy power, and Thy justice, O God, even to the highest great things Thou hast done: * O God, who is like to Thee?
70:20 How great troubles hast Thou shown me, many and grievous: and turning Thou hast brought me to life, * and hast brought me back again from the depths of the Earth:
70:21 Thou hast multiplied Thy magnificence; * and turning to me Thou hast comforted me.
70:22 For I will also confess to Thee Thy truth with the instruments of psaltery: * O God, I will sing to Thee with the harp,
70:23 My lips shall greatly rejoice, when I shall sing to Thee; * and my soul which Thou hast redeemed.
70:24 Yea and my tongue shall meditate on Thy justice all the day; * when they shall be confounded and put to shame that seek evils to 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.

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.