Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

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Ordinary Time

Tuesday of the twenty-ninth week of Ordinary Time

Tuesday · Weekday · Psalter Week 1

The Hours

Invitatorium

Now

Invitatory · 1:29

0:00 1:29

Lord, open my lips.

And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship our mighty King and Lord.

Come, let us sing to the Lord

and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us.

Let us approach him with praise and thanksgiving

and sing joyful songs to the Lord.

The Lord is God, the mighty God,

the great king over all the gods.

He holds in his hands the depths of the earth

and the highest mountains as well.

He made the sea; it belongs to him,

the dry land, too, for it was formed by his hands.

Come, then, let us bow down and worship,

bending the knee before the Lord, our maker.

For he is our God and we are his people,

the flock he shepherds.

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord:

Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did

in the wilderness,

when at Meriba and Massah

they challenged me and provoked me,

Although they had seen all of my works.

Forty years I endured that generation.

I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray

and they do not know my ways.”

So I swore in my anger,

“They shall not enter into my rest.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us worship our mighty King and Lord.

Matins

Now

Office of Readings · 10:57

0:00 10:57

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O Christ, you share the Father’s light,

yourself, the Light from Light, our day;

we interrupt the night with song:

come help us, Lord, and hear our prayer.

Remove the darkness from our minds,

and hordes of demons put to flight;

drive far from us all drowsy sleep,

lest sluggish hearts be overcome.

And so, O Christ, be merciful

to us and all believing hearts,

that what we ask in psalm and hymn

may profit us, who sing your praise.

O Christ, to you, most loving King,

and to the Father glory be,

one with the Spirit Paraclete,

from age to age for evermore. Amen.

Psalm 10

Ant. The Lord is just; he will defend the poor.

Lord, why do you stand afar off

and hide yourself in times of distress?

The poor man is devoured by the pride of the wicked:

he is caught in the schemes that others have made.

For the wicked man boasts of his heart’s desires;

the covetous blasphemes and spurns the Lord.

In his pride the wicked says: “He will not punish,

There is no God.” Such are his thoughts.

His path is ever untroubled;

your judgment is far from his mind.

His enemies he regards with contempt.

He thinks: “Never shall I falter:

misfortune shall never be my lot.”

His mouth is full of cursing, guile, oppression,

mischief and deceit under his tongue.

He lies in wait among the reeds;

the innocent he murders in secret.

His eyes are on the watch for the helpless man.

He lurks in hiding like a lion in his lair;

he lurks in hiding to seize the poor;

he seizes the poor man and drags him away.

He crouches, preparing to spring,

and the helpless fall beneath his strength.

He thinks in his heart: “God forgets,

he hides his face, he does not see.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord is just; he will defend the poor.

Ant. Lord, you know the burden of my sorrow.

Arise then, Lord, lift up your hand!

O God, do not forget the poor!

Why should the wicked spurn the Lord

and think in his heart: “God will not punish?”

But you have seen the trouble and sorrow,

you note it, you take it in hand.

The helpless trusts himself to you;

for you are the helper of the orphan.

Break the power of the wicked and the sinner!

Punish his wickedness till nothing remains!

The Lord is king for ever and ever.

The heathen shall perish from the land he rules.

Lord, you hear the prayer of the poor;

you strengthen their hearts; you turn your ear

to protect the rights of the orphan and oppressed

so that mortal man may strike terror no more.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, you know the burden of my sorrow.

Psalm 12

Ant. The words of the Lord are true, like silver from the furnace.

Help, O Lord, for good men have vanished;

truth has gone from the sons of men.

Falsehood they speak one to another,

with lying lips, with a false heart.

May the Lord destroy all lying lips,

the tongue that speaks high-sounding words,

those who say: “Our tongue is our strength;

our lips are our own, who is our master?”

“For the poor who are oppressed and the needy who groan

I myself will arise,” says the Lord.

“I will grant them the salvation for which they thirst.”

The words of the Lord are words without alloy,

silver from the furnace, seven times refined.

It is you, O Lord, who will take us in your care

and protect us for ever from this generation.

See how the wicked prowl on every side,

while the worthless are prized highly by the sons of men.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The words of the Lord are true, like silver from the furnace.

The Lord teaches the humble his way.

He guides the gentle-hearted along the right path.

From the book of Esther

When Mordecai learned all that was happening, he tore his garments, put on sackcloth and ashes, and walked through the city crying out loudly and bitterly, till he came before the royal gate, which no one clothed in sackcloth might enter. (Likewise in each of the provinces, wherever the king’s legal enactment reached, the Jews went into deep mourning, with fasting, weeping, and lament; they all slept on sackcloth and ashes.)

Queen Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her. Overwhelmed with anguish, she sent garments for Mordecai to put on, so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he refused.

Esther then summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs whom he had placed at her service, and commanded him to find out what this action of Mordecai meant and the reason for it. So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the public square in front of the royal gate, and Mordecai told him all that had happened, as well as the exact amount of silver Haman had promised to pay to the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction which had been promulgated in Susa, to show and explain to Esther. He was to instruct her to go to the king; she was to plead and intercede with him in behalf of her people.

“Remember the days of your lowly estate,” Mordecai had him say, “when you were brought up in my charge; for Haman, who is second to the king, has asked for our death. Invoke the Lord and speak to the king for us: save us from death.”

Hathach returned to Esther and told her what Mordecai had said. Then Esther replied to Hathach and gave him this message for Mordecai: “All the servants of the king and the people of his provinces know that any man or woman who goes to the king in the inner court without being summoned, suffers the automatic penalty of death, unless the king extends to him the golden scepter, thus sparing his life. Now as for me, I have not been summoned to the king for thirty days.”

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he had this reply brought to her: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace, you alone of all the Jews will escape. Even if you now remain silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source; but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows but that it was for a time like this that you obtained the royal dignity?”

Esther sent back to Mordecai the response: “Go and assemble all the Jews who are in Susa; fast on my behalf, all of you, not eating or drinking, night or day, for three days. I and my maids will also fast in the same way. Thus prepared, I will go to the king, contrary to the law. If I perish, I perish!”

Mordecai went away and did exactly as Esther had commanded.

See Esther 14:14; Tobit 3:13; Judith 6:19

I have never trusted in anyone but you,

O God of Israel;

despite your anger, you will be compassionate

and forgive all the sins of those in distress.

Lord, God of heaven and earth,

have pity on the humiliation of our people.

Despite your anger, you will be compassionate

and forgive all the sins of those in distress.

From a letter to Proba by Saint Augustine, bishop

We need to use words so that we may remind ourselves to consider carefully what we are asking, not so that we may think we can instruct the Lord or prevail upon him.

Thus, when we say:

Hallowed be your name,

we are reminding ourselves to desire that his name, which in fact is always holy, should also be considered holy among men. I mean that it should not be held in contempt. But this is a help for men, not for God.

And as for our saying:

Your kingdom come,

it will surely come whether we will it or not. But we are stirring up our desires for the kingdom so that it can come to us and we can deserve to reign there.

When we say:

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,

we are asking him to make us obedient so that his will may be done in us as it is done in heaven by his angels.

When we say:

Give us this day our daily bread,

in saying this day we mean “in this world.” Here we ask for a sufficiency by specifying the most important part of it; that is, we use the word “bread” to stand for everything. Or else we are asking for the sacrament of the faithful, which is necessary in this world, not to gain temporal happiness but to gain the happiness that is everlasting.

When we say:

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,

we are reminding ourselves of what we must ask and what we must do in order to be worthy in turn to receive.

When we say:

Lead us not into temptation,

we are reminding ourselves to ask that his help may not depart from us; otherwise we could be seduced and consent to some temptation, or despair and yield to it.

When we say:

Deliver us from evil,

we are reminding ourselves to reflect on the fact that we do not yet enjoy the state of blessedness in which we shall suffer no evil. This is the final petition contained in the Lord’s Prayer, and it has a wide application. In this petition the Christian can utter his cries of sorrow, in it he can shed his tears, and through it he can begin, continue and conclude his prayer, whatever the distress in which he finds himself. Yes, it was very appropriate that all these truths should be entrusted to us to remember in these very words.

Whatever be the other words we may prefer to say (words which the one praying chooses so that his disposition may become clearer to himself or which he simply adopts so that his disposition may be intensified), we say nothing that is not contained in the Lord’s Prayer, provided of course we are praying in a correct and proper way. But if anyone says something which is incompatible with this prayer of the Gospel, he is praying in the flesh, even if he is not praying sinfully. And yet I do not know how this could be termed anything but sinful, since those who are born again through the Spirit ought to pray only in the Spirit.

2 Maccabees 1:5, 3

May the Lord hear your prayers

and make peace with you;

may the Lord God never abandon you in time of evil.

May he give to all of you a heart

to worship him and to do his will.

May the Lord God never abandon you in time of evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

grant that we may always conform our will to yours

and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

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

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Lauds

Now

Morning Prayer · 10:46

0:00 10:46

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Now dawn proclaims the sun’s approach

with rays so welcome to the earth;

with color she adorns the world

and clothes all things in fairest hue.

O Christ, the everlasting Sun,

you shine on us with living light;

we turn to you with hymns of praise

and long to find our joy in you.

You are the Wisdom from on high,

the Father’s Word through whom all things

in wondrous order shine with light

and so attract our minds and hearts.

Then, grant us children of the light,

to walk with zeal and eager step,

that always by our lives and acts

we show the Father’s light and grace.

Lord, grant that we may always speak

sincerely, with no trace of guile,

and that the sweetest joys of truth

may stir and raise our mind and heart.

O Christ, to you, most loving King,

and to the Father glory be,

one with the Spirit Paraclete,

from age to age for evermore. Amen.

Psalm 24

Ant. The man whose deeds are blameless and whose heart is pure will climb the mountain of the Lord.

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness,

the world and all its peoples.

It is he who set it on the seas;

on the waters he made it firm.

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?

Who shall stand in his holy place?

The man with clean hands and pure heart,

who desires not worthless things,

who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.

He shall receive blessings from the Lord

and reward from the God who saves him.

Such are the men who seek him,

seek the face of the God of Jacob.

O gates, lift high your heads;

grow higher, ancient doors.

Let him enter, the king of glory!

Who is the king of glory?

The Lord, the mighty, the valiant,

the Lord, the valiant in war.

O gates, lift high your heads;

grow higher, ancient doors.

Let him enter, the king of glory!

Who is he, the king of glory?

He, the Lord of armies,

he is the king of glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The man whose deeds are blameless and whose heart is pure will climb the mountain of the Lord.

Tobit 13:1-8

Ant. Praise the eternal King in all your deeds.

Blessed be God who lives forever,

because his kingdom lasts for all ages.

For he scourges and then has mercy;

he casts down to the depths of the nether world,

and he brings up from the great abyss.

No one can escape his hand.

Praise him, you Israelites, before the Gentiles,

for though he has scattered you among them,

he has shown you his greatness even there.

Exalt him before every living being,

because he is the Lord our God,

our Father and God forever.

He scourged you for your iniquities,

but will again have mercy on you all.

He will gather you from all the Gentiles

among whom you have been scattered.

When you turn back to him with all your heart,

to do what is right before him,

then he will turn back to you,

and no longer hide his face from you.

So now consider what he has done for you,

and praise him with full voice.

Bless the Lord of righteousness,

and exalt the King of the ages.

In the land of my exile I praise him,

and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.

“Turn back, you sinners! do the right before him:

perhaps he may look with favor upon you

and show you mercy.

“As for me, I exalt my God,

and my spirit rejoices in the King of heaven.

Let all men speak of his majesty,

and sing his praises in Jerusalem.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Praise the eternal King in all your deeds.

Psalm 33

Ant. The loyal heart must praise the Lord.

Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just;

for praise is fitting for loyal hearts.

Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp,

with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs.

O sing him a song that is new,

play loudly, with all your skill.

For the word of the Lord is faithful

and all his works to be trusted.

The Lord loves justice and right

and fills the earth with his love.

By his word the heavens were made,

by the breath of his mouth all the stars.

He collects the waves of the ocean;

he stores up the depths of the sea.

Let all the earth fear the Lord,

all who live in the world revere him.

He spoke; and it came to be.

He commanded; it sprang into being.

He frustrates the designs of the nations,

he defeats the plans of the peoples.

His own designs shall stand for ever,

the plans of his heart from age to age.

They are happy, whose God is the Lord,

the people he has chosen as his own.

From the heavens the Lord looks forth,

he sees all the children of men.

From the place where he dwells he gazes

on all the dwellers on the earth,

he who shapes the hearts of them all

and considers all their deeds.

A king is not saved by his army,

nor a warrior preserved by his strength.

A vain hope for safety is the horse;

despite its power it cannot save.

The Lord looks on those who revere him,

on those who hope in his love,

to rescue their souls from death,

to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul is waiting for the Lord.

The Lord is our help and our shield.

In him do our hearts find joy.

We trust in his holy name.

May your love be upon us, O Lord,

as we place all our hope in you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The loyal heart must praise the Lord.

Romans 13:11

It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep. The night is far spent; the day draws near. Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us live honorably as in daylight.

RESPONSORY

My God stands by me, all my trust is in him.

I find refuge in him, and I am truly free;

all my trust is in him.

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

My God stands by me, all my trust is in him.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. God has raised up for us a mighty Savior, as he promised through the words of his holy prophets.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;

he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,

born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old

that he would save us from our enemies,

from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

free to worship him without fear,

holy and righteous in his sight

all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. God has raised up for us a mighty Savior, as he promised through the words of his holy prophets.

INTERCESSIONS

Beloved brothers and sisters, we share a heavenly calling under Christ, our high priest. Let us praise him with shouts of joy:

Lord, our God and our Savior.

Almighty King, through baptism you conferred on us a royal priesthood,

inspire us to offer you a continual sacrifice of praise.

Lord, our God and our Savior.

Help us to keep your commandments,

that through the power of the Holy Spirit we may live in you and you in us.

Lord, our God and our Savior.

Give us your eternal wisdom,

to be with us today and to guide us.

Lord, our God and our Savior.

May our companions today be free of sorrow,

and filled with joy.

Lord, our God and our Savior.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Now let us offer together the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

God our Father, hear our morning prayer

and let the radiance of your love

scatter the gloom of our hearts.

The light of heaven’s love has restored us to life:

free us from the desires that belong to darkness.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Terce

Now

Midmorning Prayer · 9 AM · 4:55

0:00 4:55

INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Now, Holy Spirit, come, descend,

one with the Father and the Son;

come swiftly in and fill our hearts

with your full flood of holiness.

In mind and mouth, with heart and tongue,

with strength and sense, may praise resound,

May charity with ardor blaze

and kindle others with its flame.

Now through your presence may we know

and love the Father and the Son,

and you, the Spirit of them both,

may we profess throughout all time. Amen.

Psalm 119:1-8

Ant. They are happy who live by the law of God.

They are happy whose life is blameless,

who follow God’s law!

They are happy who do his will,

seeking him with all their hearts,

who never do anything evil

but walk in his ways.

You have laid down your precepts

to be obeyed with care.

May my footsteps be firm

to obey your statutes.

Then I shall not be put to shame

as I heed your commands.

I will thank you with an upright heart

as I learn your decrees.

I will obey your statutes:

do not forsake me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. They are happy who live by the law of God.

Psalm 13

Ant. You have saved me, Lord, and my heart is filled with joy.

How long, O Lord, will you forget me?

How long will you hide your face?

How long must I bear grief in my soul,

this sorrow in my heart day and night?

How long shall my enemy prevail?

Look at me, answer me, Lord my God!

Give light to my eyes lest I fall asleep in death,

lest my enemy say: “I have overcome him”;

lest my foes rejoice to see my fall.

As for me, I trust in your merciful love.

Let my heart rejoice in your saving help:

Let me sing to the Lord for his goodness to me,

singing psalms to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. You have saved me, Lord, and my heart is filled with joy.

Psalm 14

Ant. God sees all men as sinners, that he might show them his mercy.

The fool has said in his heart:

“There is no God above.”

Their deeds are corrupt, depraved;

not a good man is left.

From heaven the Lord looks down

on the sons of men

to see if any are wise,

if any seek God.

All have left the right path,

depraved, every one:

there is not a good man left,

no, not even one.

Will the evil-doers not understand?

They eat up my people

as though they were eating bread:

they never pray to the Lord.

See how they tremble with fear

without cause for fear:

for God is with the just.

You may mock the poor man’s hope,

but his refuge is the Lord.

O that Israel’s salvation might come from Zion!

When the Lord delivers his people from bondage,

then Jacob will be glad and Israel rejoice.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. God sees all men as sinners, that he might show them his mercy.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose hope is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted beside the waters

that stretches out its roots to the stream:

It fears not the heat when it comes,

its leaves stay green;

In the year of drought it shows no distress,

but still bears fruit.

God cares for all the needs of those who follow him.

Lord, God of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in you.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

All-powerful and ever-living God,

in midmorning you poured out the Holy Spirit

as a constant Friend and Guide for your apostles.

Send that same Spirit of love to us

to make us faithful witnesses to you

in the sight of all mankind.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Sext

Now

Midday Prayer · 12 PM · 4:43

0:00 4:43

INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O mighty Ruler, God of truth,

for days and seasons setting bounds,

you clothe with splendor morning light

and midday skies with brilliant heat.

Extinguish flames of bitter strife,

all harmful passion take away,

grant health unto our mortal frame,

and on our hearts bestow true peace.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 119:1-8

Ant. They are happy who live by the law of God.

They are happy whose life is blameless,

who follow God’s law!

They are happy who do his will,

seeking him with all their hearts,

who never do anything evil

but walk in his ways.

You have laid down your precepts

to be obeyed with care.

May my footsteps be firm

to obey your statutes.

Then I shall not be put to shame

as I heed your commands.

I will thank you with an upright heart

as I learn your decrees.

I will obey your statutes:

do not forsake me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. They are happy who live by the law of God.

Psalm 13

Ant. You have saved me, Lord, and my heart is filled with joy.

How long, O Lord, will you forget me?

How long will you hide your face?

How long must I bear grief in my soul,

this sorrow in my heart day and night?

How long shall my enemy prevail?

Look at me, answer me, Lord my God!

Give light to my eyes lest I fall asleep in death,

lest my enemy say: “I have overcome him”;

lest my foes rejoice to see my fall.

As for me, I trust in your merciful love.

Let my heart rejoice in your saving help:

Let me sing to the Lord for his goodness to me,

singing psalms to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. You have saved me, Lord, and my heart is filled with joy.

Psalm 14

Ant. God sees all men as sinners, that he might show them his mercy.

The fool has said in his heart:

“There is no God above.”

Their deeds are corrupt, depraved;

not a good man is left.

From heaven the Lord looks down

on the sons of men

to see if any are wise,

if any seek God.

All have left the right path,

depraved, every one:

there is not a good man left,

no, not even one.

Will the evil-doers not understand?

They eat up my people

as though they were eating bread:

they never pray to the Lord.

See how they tremble with fear

without cause for fear:

for God is with the just.

You may mock the poor man’s hope,

but his refuge is the Lord.

O that Israel’s salvation might come from Zion!

When the Lord delivers his people from bondage,

then Jacob will be glad and Israel rejoice.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. God sees all men as sinners, that he might show them his mercy.

Proverbs 3:13-15

Happy the man who finds wisdom,

the man who gains understanding!

For her profit is better than profit in silver

and better than gold is her revenue.

She is more precious than corals,

and none of your choice possessions can compare with her.

Lord, all you ask of me is truth.

In the depths of my heart you have taught me wisdom.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord God,

you made known to Peter

your desire to bring all nations to salvation.

Let all our work give you praise

and carry out your loving plan.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

None

Now

Midafternoon Prayer · 3 PM · 4:42

0:00 4:42

INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O God, our firm and steadfast strength,

remaining in yourself unmoved,

you rule the span of daily light

and guide the course of all the hours.

Bestow at eventide a light

by which our life may never fail;

may endless glory be the crown

that follows on a holy death.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ, coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 119:1-8

Ant. They are happy who live by the law of God.

They are happy whose life is blameless,

who follow God’s law!

They are happy who do his will,

seeking him with all their hearts,

who never do anything evil

but walk in his ways.

You have laid down your precepts

to be obeyed with care.

May my footsteps be firm

to obey your statutes.

Then I shall not be put to shame

as I heed your commands.

I will thank you with an upright heart

as I learn your decrees.

I will obey your statutes:

do not forsake me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. They are happy who live by the law of God.

Psalm 13

Ant. You have saved me, Lord, and my heart is filled with joy.

How long, O Lord, will you forget me?

How long will you hide your face?

How long must I bear grief in my soul,

this sorrow in my heart day and night?

How long shall my enemy prevail?

Look at me, answer me, Lord my God!

Give light to my eyes lest I fall asleep in death,

lest my enemy say: “I have overcome him”;

lest my foes rejoice to see my fall.

As for me, I trust in your merciful love.

Let my heart rejoice in your saving help:

Let me sing to the Lord for his goodness to me,

singing psalms to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. You have saved me, Lord, and my heart is filled with joy.

Psalm 14

Ant. God sees all men as sinners, that he might show them his mercy.

The fool has said in his heart:

“There is no God above.”

Their deeds are corrupt, depraved;

not a good man is left.

From heaven the Lord looks down

on the sons of men

to see if any are wise,

if any seek God.

All have left the right path,

depraved, every one:

there is not a good man left,

no, not even one.

Will the evil-doers not understand?

They eat up my people

as though they were eating bread:

they never pray to the Lord.

See how they tremble with fear

without cause for fear:

for God is with the just.

You may mock the poor man’s hope,

but his refuge is the Lord.

O that Israel’s salvation might come from Zion!

When the Lord delivers his people from bondage,

then Jacob will be glad and Israel rejoice.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. God sees all men as sinners, that he might show them his mercy.

Job 5:17-18

Happy is the man whom God reproves!

The Almighty’s chastening do not reject.

For he wounds, but he binds up;

he smites, but his hands give healing.

Deal with your servant in mercy, Lord.

Teach me to do your will.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,

you sent your angel to Cornelius

to show him the way to salvation.

Help us to work generously for the salvation of the world

so that your Church may bring us and all mankind

into your presence.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Vespers

Now

Evening Prayer · 8:13

0:00 8:13

INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

O mighty Author of the world,

you thrust chaotic waters back

and drew the dry land from the deep

to set the earth unmoved and still.

That burgeoning in fitting growth,

adorned with radiant bloom and flow’r,

she might be fertile, bearing fruit

and yielding welcome, pleasing food.

Now cleanse with fresh and verdant grace

the wounded soul that sin has parched,

that she, by tears, may purge her guilt

and wear away corrupt desire.

Then let her yield to your commands,

and keep her safe from evil ways;

may she delight in all good things

and know no deed that leads to death.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 20

Ant. God has crowned his Christ with victory.

May the Lord answer in time of trial;

may the name of Jacob’s God protect you.

May he send you help from his shrine

and give you support from Zion.

May he remember all your offerings

and receive your sacrifice with favor.

May he give you your heart’s desire

and fulfill every one of your plans.

May we ring out our joy at your victory

and rejoice in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your prayers.

I am sure now that the Lord

will give victory to his anointed,

will reply from his holy heaven

with the mighty victory of his hand.

Some trust in chariots or horses,

but we in the name of the Lord.

They will collapse and fall,

but we shall hold and stand firm.

Give victory to the king, O Lord,

give answer on the day we call.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. God has crowned his Christ with victory.

Psalm 21:2-8

Ant. We celebrate your mighty works with songs of praise, O God.

O Lord, your strength gives joy to the king;

how your saving help makes him glad!

You have granted him his heart’s desire;

you have not refused the prayer of his lips.

You came to meet him with the blessings of success,

you have set on his head a crown of pure gold.

He asked you for life and this you have given,

days that will last from age to age.

Your saving help has given him glory.

You have laid upon him majesty and splendor,

you have granted your blessings to him for ever.

You have made him rejoice with the joy of your presence.

The king has put his trust in the Lord:

through the mercy of the Most High he shall stand firm.

O Lord, arise in your strength;

we shall sing and praise your power.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. We celebrate your mighty works with songs of praise, O Lord.

Revelation 4:11

Ant. Lord, you have made us a kingdom and priests for God our Father.

O Lord our God, you are worthy

to receive glory and honor and power.

For you have created all things;

by your will they came to be and were made.

Worthy are you, O Lord,

to receive the scroll and break open its seals.

For you were slain;

with your blood you purchased for God

men of every race and tongue,

of every people and nation.

You made of them a kingdom,

and priests to serve our God,

and they shall reign on earth.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power and riches,

wisdom and strength,

honor and glory and praise.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, you have made us a kingdom and priests for God our Father.

1 John 3:1-3

See what love the Father has bestowed on us

in letting us be called the children of God.

Yet that is what we are.

Dearly beloved, we are God’s children now;

what we shall later be has not yet come to light.

We know that when it comes to light

we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is.

RESPONSORY

Through all eternity, O Lord, your promise stands unshaken.

Your faithfulness will never fail;

your promise stands unshaken.

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

Through all eternity, O Lord, your promise stands unshaken.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us praise Christ the Lord, who lives among us, the people he redeemed, and let us say:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Lord, king and ruler of nations, be with all your people and their governments,

inspire them to pursue the good of all according to your law.

Lord, hear our prayer.

You made captive our captivity,

to our brothers who are enduring bodily or spiritual chains, grant the freedom of the sons of God.

Lord, hear our prayer.

May our young people be concerned with remaining blameless in your sight,

and may they generously follow your call.

Lord, hear our prayer.

May our children imitate your example,

and grow in wisdom and grace.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Accept our dead brothers and sisters into your eternal kingdom,

where we hope to reign with you.

Lord, hear our prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Now let us offer together the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Almighty God, we give you thanks

for bringing us safely

to this evening hour.

May this lifting up of our hands in prayer

be a sacrifice pleasing in your sight.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Compline

Now

Night Prayer · 4:50

0:00 4:50

Examination of conscience

An examination of conscience is a traditional, optional part of Night Prayer, commended in the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours (86), and the Church leaves its form free: a quiet review of the day, a familiar prayer of sorrow, or something longer. If you would like to be led, here are two to listen to and pray along with. Afterwards, return to Night Prayer.

Coptic act of contrition

11th Hour

If the righteous one is hardly saved, where shall I, a sinner, appear?! The burden and the heat of the day I could not bear because of the weakness of my human nature. But, O merciful God, count me among the laborers of the eleventh hour. For behold, I was brought forth in iniquities, and in sin my mother conceived me. Therefore, I dare not lift my eyes unto heaven. But rather I rely on the abundance of Your mercy and love-of-mankind, crying to You and saying, “Lord, forgive me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.”

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

O my Savior, hasten to open Your fatherly bosom to me. For I have wasted my life in worldly desires and pleasures, whereas the day has been consumed and far spent. Therefore, now I rely on the abundance of Your infinite compassion. So, then, do not disregard my revering heart which is exceedingly in need of Your mercy. For I cry out to You, O Lord, with reverence, saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in Your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called Your son, make me like one of Your hired servants.”

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

With full awareness and enthusiasm did I pursue every transgression, with all eagerness and diligence did I commit every sin, and of all judgment and torment I deserve. Hence, I beseech you, our Lady the Virgin, to lead me to repentance. For to you I plead and through you I seek intercession, and upon you I call to help me that I should not be put to shame. And when my soul departs from my body, please be present and attend to me, and defeat the conspiracies of the enemies, and shut the gates of Hades, lest they might swallow my soul. O you bride without blemish of the true Bridegroom.

12th Hour

Behold, I am about to stand before the just and righteous Judge, terrified and trembling because of my numerous sins. For a life wasted in worldly pleasures deserves condemnation. So repent therefore, O my soul, as long as you dwell on this earth. For the dust in the grave cannot offer any praise, and among the dead no one can remember, nor can anyone in Hades give thanks. Therefore, arise O my soul from the slumber of your laziness, and implore the Savior in repentance saying, “O God have mercy on me and save me.”

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

Were this life on earth everlasting, and this world ever-existing, you would have had an excuse, O my soul. But now, if your wicked deeds and repulsive evils were to be exposed before the righteous Judge, what answer would you be giving while you are lying on the bed of sins and negligent in disciplining your body?! O Christ our God, before Your awesome seat of judgment I am terrified, and before Your counsel of judgment I am dreadful, and from the radiant light of Your divinity I tremble. For I am a wretched and defiled person who lies in bed, careless of the ways of my life. Yet, I take example of the tax collector’s penance, beating my chest and saying, “O God be merciful to me, a sinner.”

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O pure Virgin, overshadow your servant speedily with your help, keep the waves of evil thoughts away from me, and raise my ailing soul to pray and watch, for it has gone into deep slumber. For you are a capable and compassionate helper, the Mother of the Fountain of life, my King and my God, Jesus Christ my hope.

The Prayer of the Veil

O Lord, You know the alertness of my enemies, and You understand the weakness of my nature, O my Creator. For behold, into Your hands I place my spirit that You may shield me under the wings of Your goodness, lest I sleep unto death. Enlighten my eyes with the greatness of Your sayings, and raise me up to glorify You at all times, for You alone are the Good One and Lover of Mankind.

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

O Lord, Your judgment is fearful, when people shall be gathered, the angels standing, the books opened, the deeds revealed, and thoughts examined. What will be my judgment, I who am entangled by sin?! Who will quench the flames of fire around me?! Who will enlighten my darkness except You, O Lord?! Have mercy on me, for You are kind towards mankind.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O Theotokos, because we have put our trust in you, we shall not be put to shame; And because we have attained your help and intercessions, O holy and perfect one, we shall not fear, but shall drive out our enemies and disperse them. And, in everything, we take your great help to protect us as if with a shield. We ask and entreat you, proclaiming “O Theotokos” to save us by your intercessions, and raise us up from the darkness of sleep, in order to glorify through the power of God who was incarnate from you.

The Absolution

O Lord, all our sins we have committed against You in this day, whether in deed or in words or in thoughts or through any of our senses, please do forgive and pardon us, for the sake of Your holy name, O good Lord, Lover of Mankind.

Grant us a peaceful night and a sleep free of all worry and anxiety. Send us the guardian angel to protect us from all evil and every affliction and temptation of the enemy.

Through the grace, compassion and love-of-mankind, of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, O Father, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

The Thanksgiving Prayer

Let us give thanks to the beneficent and merciful God, the Father of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, for He has covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to Him, had compassion on us, supported us, and has brought us to this hour. Let us also ask Him, the Lord our God, the Pantocrator, to guard us in all peace this holy day and all the days of our life.

O Master, Lord, God the Pantocrator, the Father of our Lord, God, and Savior, Jesus Christ, we thank You for every condition, concerning every condition, and in every condition. For You have covered us, helped us, guarded us, accepted us to You, had compassion on us, supported us, and brought us to this hour.

Therefore, we ask and entreat Your goodness, O Lover of Mankind. Grant us to complete this holy day, and all the days of our life, in all peace in Your fear. All envy, all temptation, all the work of Satan, the counsel of wicked men and the rising up of enemies, hidden and manifest, take them away from us and from all Your people and from this holy place that is Yours. But those things which are good and profitable do provide for us. For it is You who have given us the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, by the grace, compassion and love-of-mankind, of Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through whom the glory, the honor, the dominion, and the adoration are due unto You, with Him, and the Holy Spirit, the Life-Giver, who is of one essence with You, now and at all times, and unto the age of all ages. Amen.

From the Agpeya, the Coptic Orthodox Book of Hours (St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Jersey City; text as published on copticchurch.net).

INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

A brief moment of silent reflection is made to examine one’s conscience and recall God’s mercy throughout the day.

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

HYMN

To you before the close of light,

Creator of all things, we pray:

Be our protector, keep us safe

in your unfailing clemency.

Incline our hearts to dream of you,

to sense your presence as we sleep;

as light returns, so let us sing

your praise and glory evermore.

Grant us the grace of health and strength,

renew our warmth and joy of life;

and let your radiant light dispel

the dreaded darkness of the night.

Almighty Father, grant our prayer

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who reigns with you from age to age,

one with the Spirit, ever blest. Amen.

Psalm 143:1-11

Ant. Do not hide your face from me; in you I put my trust.

Lord, listen to my prayer:

turn your ear to my appeal.

You are faithful, you are just; give answer.

Do not call your servant to judgment

for no one is just in your sight.

The enemy pursues my soul;

he has crushed my life to the ground;

he has made me dwell in darkness

like the dead, long forgotten.

Therefore my spirit fails;

my heart is numb within me.

I remember the days that are past:

I ponder all your works.

I muse on what your hand has wrought

and to you I stretch out my hands.

Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.

Lord, make haste and answer;

for my spirit fails within me.

Do not hide your face

lest I become like those in the grave.

In the morning let me know your love

for I put my trust in you.

Make me know the way I should walk:

to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies;

I have fled to you for refuge.

Teach me to do your will

for you, O Lord, are my God.

Let your good spirit guide me

in ways that are level and smooth.

For your name’s sake, Lord, save my life;

in your justice save my soul from distress.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Do not hide your face from me; in you I put my trust.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.

I commend my spirit.

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

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle of Simeon

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord, fill this night with your radiance.

May we sleep in peace and rise with joy

to welcome the light of a new day in your name.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.

MARIAN ANTIPHON

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,

our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To you do we cry,

poor banished children of Eve.

To you do we send up our sighs

mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

your eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this exile

show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary.

Also for today

Yesterday Compline

Now

Yesterday Night Prayer · 5:09

0:00 5:09

Examination of conscience

Coptic act of contrition

11th Hour

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

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

12th Hour

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

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Prayer of the Veil

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

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Absolution

Grant us a peaceful night and a sleep free of all worry and anxiety. Send us the guardian angel to protect us from all evil and every affliction and temptation of the enemy.

The Thanksgiving Prayer

From the Agpeya, the Coptic Orthodox Book of Hours (St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church, Jersey City; text as published on copticchurch.net).

INTRODUCTION

God, come to my assistance.

Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

A brief moment of silent reflection is made to examine one’s conscience and recall God’s mercy throughout the day.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

HYMN

To you before the close of light,

Creator of all things, we pray:

Be our protector, keep us safe

in your unfailing clemency.

Incline our hearts to dream of you,

to sense your presence as we sleep;

as light returns, so let us sing

your praise and glory evermore.

Grant us the grace of health and strength,

renew our warmth and joy of life;

and let your radiant light dispel

the dreaded darkness of the night.

Almighty Father, grant our prayer

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who reigns with you from age to age,

one with the Spirit, ever blest. Amen.

Psalm 86

Ant. O Lord, our God, unwearied is your love for us.

Turn your ear, O Lord, and give answer

for I am poor and needy.

Preserve my life, for I am faithful:

save the servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord,

for I cry to you all day long.

Give joy to your servant, O Lord,

for to you I lift up my soul.

O Lord, you are good and forgiving,

full of love to all who call.

Give heed, O Lord, to my prayer

and attend to the sound of my voice.

In the day of distress I will call

and surely you will reply.

Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;

nor work to compare with yours.

All the nations shall come to adore you

and glorify your name, O Lord:

for you are great and do marvelous deeds,

you who alone are God.

Show me, Lord, your way

so that I may walk in your truth.

Guide my heart to fear your name.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart

and glorify your name for ever;

for your love to me has been great:

you have saved me from the depths of the grave.

The proud have risen against me;

ruthless men seek my life:

to you they pay no heed.

But you, God of mercy and compassion,

slow to anger, O Lord,

abounding in love and truth,

turn and take pity on me.

O give your strength to your servant

and save your handmaid’s son.

Show me the sign of your favor

that my foes may see to their shame

that you console me and give me your help.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. O Lord, our God, unwearied is your love for us.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

God has destined us for acquiring salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us, that all of us, whether awake or asleep, together might live with him.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.

I commend my spirit.

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

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle of Simeon

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord, give our bodies restful sleep

and let the work we have done today

bear fruit in eternal life.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.

MARIAN ANTIPHON

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,

our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To you do we cry,

poor banished children of Eve.

To you do we send up our sighs

mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

your eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this exile

show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary.

Mass Readings

Now

Readings of the Day's Mass · 3:25

0:00 3:25

First Reading

Eph 2:12-22

Brothers and sisters:

You were at that time without Christ,

alienated from the community of Israel

and strangers to the covenants of promise,

without hope and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off

have become near by the Blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, he made both one

and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his Flesh,

abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,

that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two,

thus establishing peace,

and might reconcile both with God,

in one Body, through the cross,

putting that enmity to death by it.

He came and preached peace to you who were far off

and peace to those who were near,

for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners,

but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones

and members of the household of God,

built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,

with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.

Through him the whole structure is held together

and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;

in him you also are being built together

into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 85:9ab-10, 11-12, 13-14

℟. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

I will hear what God proclaims;

the LORD—for he proclaims peace.

Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,

glory dwelling in our land.

Kindness and truth shall meet;

justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

and justice shall look down from heaven.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;

our land shall yield its increase.

Justice shall walk before him,

and salvation, along the way of his steps.

℟. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.

Gospel Acclamation

Lk 21:36

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Be vigilant at all times and pray

that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Gird your loins and light your lamps

and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,

ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

Blessed are those servants

whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.

Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,

have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.

And should he come in the second or third watch

and find them prepared in this way,

blessed are those servants.”

Devotional Prayers

The words of the prayers

Prayer Before the Office

Lord, open my lips, to praise Your Holy Name. Cleanse my heart of any worthless, evil, or distracting thoughts. Give me the wisdom and love necessary to pray this Office with attention, reverence, and devotion. Father, let this prayer be heard in Your Presence, for it is offered through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord, in union with that intention with which you offered praises to God when on earth, I offer this Hour to You.

I offer this Hour in union with all of the Masses being said throughout the world, and I offer it for the following intention: ____.

Prayer After the Office

Blessed be forever the most loving Hearts and the sweet Names of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the most glorious Virgin Mary, His Mother.

O most merciful Jesus, I thank you with all my heart. Be merciful to me, a miserable sinner. I offer this action to your Divine Heart to be amended and perfected, to the praise and glory of your most holy Name and of your most blessed Mother, and for the salvation of my soul and of your whole Church. Amen.

To the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, to the Manhood of Our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified, to the Fruitful Virginity of the Most Blessed and Most Glorious Mary, Ever Virgin, and to the Congregation of all the Saints be ascribed everlasting praise, honor, power and glory by every creature, and to us be granted the forgiveness of all our sins, world without end. Amen.

Blessed be the Womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father.

And blessed be the Breasts which gave suck to Christ our Lord.

Our Father

Hail Mary