Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

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Ordinary Time

Wednesday of the thirty-third week of Ordinary Time

Wednesday · Weekday · Psalter Week 1

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The Hours

Invitatorium

Now

Invitatory

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Lord, open my lips.

And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

Ant. Come, let us worship before the Lord, our maker.

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 before the Lord, our maker.

Matins

Now

Office of Readings

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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

Sublime Creator of all things,

our Lord and ruler, turn your gaze;

deliver us, immersed in sleep,

from harmful dreams and indolence.

O holy Christ, we beg of you:

Forgive us all our sinful deeds;

we break the silent hours of night

and rise to give you thanks and praise.

We lift our hearts and hands in prayer

and keep our vigil through the night,

as David in the Psalms prescribed

and Paul made known in word and deed.

You see the evil we have done;

we lay before you hidden faults

and pour forth prayers with sighs and tears:

Forgive us, Lord, for we have sinned.

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 18:2-30

Ant. I love you Lord; you are my strength.

I love you, Lord, my strength,

my rock, my fortress, my savior.

My God is the rock where I take refuge;

my shield, my mighty help, my stronghold.

The Lord is worthy of all praise:

when I call I am saved from my foes.

The waves of death rose about me;

the torrents of destruction assailed me;

the snares of the grave entangled me;

the traps of death confronted me.

In my anguish I called to the Lord;

I cried to God for help.

From his temple he heard my voice;

my cry came to his ears.

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. I love you Lord; you are my strength.

Ant. The Lord has saved me; he wanted me for his own.

Then the earth reeled and rocked;

the mountains were shaken to their base:

they reeled at his terrible anger.

Smoke came forth from his nostrils

and scorching fire from his mouth:

coals were set ablaze by its heat.

He lowered the heavens and came down,

a black cloud under his feet.

He came enthroned on the cherubim,

he flew on the wings of the wind.

He made the darkness his covering,

the dark waters of the clouds, his tent.

A brightness shone out before him

with hailstones and flashes of fire.

The Lord thundered in the heavens;

The Most High let his voice be heard.

He shot his arrows, scattered the foe,

flashed his lightnings and put them to flight.

The bed of the ocean was revealed;

the foundations of the world were laid bare

at the thunder of your threat, O Lord,

at the blast of the breath of your anger.

From on high he reached down and seized me;

he drew me forth from the mighty waters.

He snatched me from my powerful foe,

from my enemies whose strength I could not match.

They assailed me in the day of my misfortune,

but the Lord was my support.

He brought me forth into freedom,

he saved me because he loved 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. The Lord has saved me; he wanted me for his own.

Ant. Lord, kindle a light for my guidance and scatter my darkness.

He rewarded me because I was just.

repaid me, for my hands were clean,

for I have kept the way of the Lord

and have not fallen away from my God.

For his judgments are all before me:

I have never neglected his commands.

I have always been upright before him;

I have kept myself from guilt.

He repaid me because I was just

and my hands were clean in his eyes.

You are loving with those who love you:

you show yourself perfect with the perfect.

With the sincere you show yourself sincere,

but the cunning you outdo in cunning.

For you save a humble people

but humble the eyes that are proud.

You, O Lord, are my lamp,

my God who lightens my darkness.

With you I can break through any barrier,

with my God I can scale any wall.

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, kindle a light for my guidance and scatter my darkness.

All wondered at the words of grace.

Which came from the mouth of the Lord.

From the book of the prophet Zechariah

Thus says the Lord:

My wrath is kindled against the shepherds,

and I will punish the leaders;

For the Lord of hosts will visit his flock,

the house of Judah,

and make them his stately war horse.

From him shall come leader and chief,

from him warrior’s bow and every officer.

They shall all be warriors,

trampling the mire of the streets in battle;

They shall wage war because the Lord is with them,

and shall put the horsemen to rout.

I will strengthen the house of Judah,

the house of Joseph I will save;

I will bring them back, because I have mercy on them,

they shall be as though I had never cast them off,

for I am the Lord, their God, and I will hear them.

Then Ephraim shall be valiant men,

and their hearts shall be cheered as by wine.

Their children shall see it and be glad,

their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.

I will whistle for them to come together,

and when I redeem them

they will be as numerous as before.

I sowed them among the nations,

yet in distant lands they remember me;

they shall rear their children and return.

I will bring them back from the land of Egypt,

and gather them from Assyria.

I will bring them into Gilead and into Lebanon,

but these shall not suffice them;

I will cross over to Egypt

and smite the waves of the sea

and all the depths of the Nile shall be dried up.

The pride of Assyria shall be cast down,

and the scepter of Egypt taken away.

I will strengthen them in the Lord,

and they shall walk in his name, says the Lord.

Open your doors, O Lebanon,

that the fire may devour your cedars!

Wail, you cypress trees,

for the cedars are fallen,

the mighty have been despoiled.

Wail, you oaks of Bashan,

for the impenetrable forest is cut down!

Hark! the wailing of the shepherds,

their glory has been ruined.

Hark! the roaring of the young lions,

the jungle of the Jordan is laid waste.

Zechariah 10:6, 7; Isaiah 28:5

I shall restore them because I have compassion on them,

for I am the Lord their God.

Their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.

On that day, the Lord of hosts shall be a crown of glory,

a brilliant diadem for the remnant of the people.

Their hearts shall rejoice in the Lord.

From a sermon by Saint Augustine, bishop

The just man will rejoice in the Lord and put his hope in him; the hearts of all good men will be filled with joy.

We must surely have sung these words with our hearts as well as with our voices. Indeed, the tongue of the Christian expresses his deepest feelings when it addresses such words to God.

The just man will rejoice,

not in the world, but

in the Lord. Light has dawned for the just,

Scripture says in another place,

and joy for the upright of heart.

Were you wondering what reason he has for joy? Here you are told:

The just man will rejoice in the Lord.

Another text runs:

Delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

What are we instructed to do then, and what are we enabled to do? To rejoice in the Lord. But who can rejoice in something he does not see? Am I suggesting that we see the Lord then? No, but we have been promised that we shall see him.

Now, as long as we are in the body, we walk by faith, for we are absent from the Lord. We walk by faith, and not by sight.

When will it be by sight?

Beloved, says John,

we are now the sons of God; what we shall be has not yet been revealed, but we know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

When this prophecy is fulfilled, then it will be by sight.

That will be the great joy, the supreme joy, joy in all its fullness. Then we shall no longer drink the milk of hope, but we shall feed on the reality itself. Nevertheless, even now, before that vision comes to us, or before we come to that vision, let us rejoice in the Lord; for it is no small reason for rejoicing to have a hope that will some day be fulfilled.

Therefore, since the hope we now have inspires love, the just man rejoices, Scripture says,

in the Lord; but because he does not yet see, it immediately goes on to say, and

hopes in him.

Yet already we have the firstfruits of the Spirit, and have we not also other reasons for rejoicing? For we are drawing near to the one we love, and not only are we drawing near—we even have some slight feeling and taste of the banquet we shall one day eagerly eat and drink.

But how can we rejoice in the Lord if he is far from us? Pray God he may not be far. If he is, that is your doing. Love, and he will draw near; love, and he will dwell within you.

The Lord is at hand; have no anxiety.

Are you puzzled to know how it is that he will be with you if you love?

God is love.

“What do you mean by love?” you will ask me. It is that which enables us to be loving. What do we love? A good that words cannot describe, a good that is for ever giving, a good that is the Creator of all good. Delight in him from whom you have received everything that delights you. But in that I do not include sin, for sin is the one thing that you do not receive from him. With that one exception, everything you have comes from him.

Responsory

The unseen God lies hidden from you;

if you wish to see God,

believe in him though you cannot see him.

Walk on in faith

and you shall some day see his face.

If faith has not consoled you along the path of life.

you will never enjoy the blessed privilege of seeing him in his kingdom.

Walk on in faith

and you shall some day see his face.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Grant us, we pray, O Lord our God,

the constant gladness of being devoted to you,

for it is full and lasting happiness

to serve with constancy

the author of all that is good.

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

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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 night and darkness, clouded gloom,

disturbed confusion of the world,

the dawn appears, the sky grows pale;

disperse and go, for Christ comes forth.

The veil of darkness, torn apart,

is pierced by sharpened rays of sun;

now color is restored to earth

beneath the daystar’s shining face.

Just so the darkness of our lives

and hearts aware of veiled deceit

shall pale before the reign of God,

laid bare, as clouds are rent by light.

In knowing you alone, O Christ,

with pure and honest mind and heart,

we learn to pray on bended knee,

to come to you with tears and praise.

Look deeply now into our hearts,

examine closely our whole life,

where much is tainted by deceit:

Lord, cleanse and purge it by your light.

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 36

Ant. O Lord, in your light we see light itself.

Sin speaks to the sinner

in the depths of his heart.

There is no fear of God

before his eyes.

He so flatters himself in his mind

that he knows not his guilt.

In his mouth are mischief and deceit.

All wisdom is gone.

He plots the defeat of goodness

as he lies on his bed.

He has set his foot on evil ways,

he clings to what is evil.

Your love, Lord, reaches to heaven;

your truth to the skies.

Your justice is like God’s mountain,

your judgments like the deep.

To both man and beast you give protection.

O Lord, how precious is your love.

My God, the sons of men

find refuge in the shelter of your wings.

They feast on the riches of your house;

they drink from the stream of your delight.

In you is the source of life

and in your light we see light.

Keep on loving those who know you,

doing justice for upright hearts.

Let the foot of the proud not crush me

nor the hand of the wicked cast me out.

See how the evil-doers fall!

Flung down, they shall never arise.

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, in your light we see light itself.

Judith 16:2-3

Ant. O God, you are great and glorious; we marvel at your power.

Strike up the instruments,

a song to my God with timbrels,

chant to the Lord with cymbals.

Sing to him a new song,

exalt and acclaim his name.

A new hymn I will sing to my God.

O Lord, great are you and glorious,

wonderful in power and unsurpassable.

Let your every creature serve you;

for you spoke, and they were made,

you sent forth your spirit, and they were created;

no one can resist your word.

The mountains to their bases, and the seas, are shaken;

the rocks, like wax, melt before your glance.

But to those who fear you,

you are very merciful.

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 God, you are great and glorious; we marvel at your power.

Psalm 47

Ant. Exult in God’s presence with hymns of praise.

All peoples, clap your hands,

cry to God with shouts of joy!

For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,

great king over all the earth.

He subdues peoples under us

and nations under our feet.

Our inheritance, our glory, is from him,

given to Jacob out of love.

God goes up with shouts of joy;

the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.

Sing praise for God, sing praise,

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

God is king of all the earth.

Sing praise with all your skill.

God is king over the nations;

God reigns on his holy throne.

The princes of the peoples are assembled

with the people of Abraham’s God.

The rulers of the earth belong to God,

to God who reigns over all.

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. Exult in God’s presence with hymns of praise.

Tobit 4:15a, 16a, 18a, 19

Do to no one what you yourself dislike. Give to the hungry some of your bread, and to the naked some of your clothing. Seek counsel from every wise man. At all times bless the Lord God, and ask him to make all your paths straight and to grant success to all your endeavors and plans.

RESPONSORY

Incline my heart according to your will, O God.

Speed my steps along your path,

according to your will, O God.

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

Incline my heart according to your will, O God.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. Show us your mercy, Lord; remember your holy covenant.

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. Show us your mercy, Lord; remember your holy covenant.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us give thanks to Christ and offer him continual praise, for he sanctifies us and calls us his brothers:

Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness.

With single-minded devotion we dedicate the beginnings of this day to the honor of your resurrection,

may we make the whole day pleasing to you by our works of holiness.

Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness.

As a sign of your love, you renew each day for the sake of our well-being and happiness,

renew us daily for the sake of your glory.

Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness.

Teach us today to recognize your presence in all men,

especially in the poor and in those who mourn.

Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness.

Grant that we may live today in peace with all men,

never rendering evil for evil.

Lord, help your brothers to grow in holiness.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

With longing for the coming of God’s kingdom, let us offer our prayer to the Father:

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 Savior, hear our morning prayer:

help us to follow the light

and live the truth.

In you we have been born again

as sons and daughters of light:

may we be your witnesses before all the world.

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

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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 119:9-16

Ant. Lord, may you be for ever blessed; teach me the ways of holiness.

How shall the young remain sinless?

By obeying your word.

I have sought you with all my heart:

let me not stray from your commands.

I treasure your promise in my heart

lest I sin against you.

Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes.

With my tongue I have recounted

the decrees of your lips.

I rejoiced to do your will

as though all riches were mine.

I will ponder all your precepts

and consider your paths.

I take delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

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, may you be for ever blessed; teach me the ways of holiness.

Psalm 17

Ant. Lord, keep me steadfast in your ways.

Lord, hear a cause that is just,

pay heed to my cry.

Turn your ear to my prayer:

no deceit is on my lips.

From you may my judgment come forth.

Your eyes discern the truth.

You search my heart, you visit me by night.

You test me and you find in me no wrong.

My words are not sinful as are men’s words.

I kept from violence because of your word,

I kept my feet firmly in your paths;

there was no faltering in my steps.

I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God.

Turn your ear to me; hear my words.

Display your great love, you whose right hand saves

your friends from those who rebel against them.

Guard me as the apple of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings

from the violent attack of the wicked.

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, keep me steadfast in your ways.

Ant. Rise up, O Lord, and rescue me.

My foes encircle me with deadly intent.

Their hearts tight shut, their mouths speak proudly.

They advance against me, and now they surround me.

Their eyes are watching to strike me to the ground,

as though they were lions ready to claw

or like some young lion crouched in hiding.

Lord, arise, confront them, strike them down!

Let your sword rescue my soul from the wicked;

let your hand, O Lord, rescue me from men,

from men whose reward is in this present life.

You give them their fill of your treasures;

they rejoice in abundance of offspring

and leave their wealth to their children.

As for me, in my justice I shall see your face

and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your 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. Rise up, O Lord, and rescue me.

1 Peter 1:13-14

Gird the loins of your understanding; live soberly; set all your hope on the gift to be conferred on you when Jesus Christ appears. As obedient sons, do not yield to the desires that once shaped you in your ignorance.

Lord, show me your ways.

Teach me to walk in your footsteps.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

God of truth, Father of all,

you send your Spirit as you promised

to bring together in love

all whom sin has driven apart.

Strengthen us to work for your blessings

of unity and peace in the world.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Sext

Now

Midday Prayer · 12 PM

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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 119:9-16

Ant. Lord, may you be for ever blessed; teach me the ways of holiness.

How shall the young remain sinless?

By obeying your word.

I have sought you with all my heart:

let me not stray from your commands.

I treasure your promise in my heart

lest I sin against you.

Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes.

With my tongue I have recounted

the decrees of your lips.

I rejoiced to do your will

as though all riches were mine.

I will ponder all your precepts

and consider your paths.

I take delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

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, may you be for ever blessed; teach me the ways of holiness.

Psalm 17

Ant. Lord, keep me steadfast in your ways.

Lord, hear a cause that is just,

pay heed to my cry.

Turn your ear to my prayer:

no deceit is on my lips.

From you may my judgment come forth.

Your eyes discern the truth.

You search my heart, you visit me by night.

You test me and you find in me no wrong.

My words are not sinful as are men’s words.

I kept from violence because of your word,

I kept my feet firmly in your paths;

there was no faltering in my steps.

I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God.

Turn your ear to me; hear my words.

Display your great love, you whose right hand saves

your friends from those who rebel against them.

Guard me as the apple of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings

from the violent attack of the wicked.

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, keep me steadfast in your ways.

Ant. Rise up, O Lord, and rescue me.

My foes encircle me with deadly intent.

Their hearts tight shut, their mouths speak proudly.

They advance against me, and now they surround me.

Their eyes are watching to strike me to the ground,

as though they were lions ready to claw

or like some young lion crouched in hiding.

Lord, arise, confront them, strike them down!

Let your sword rescue my soul from the wicked;

let your hand, O Lord, rescue me from men,

from men whose reward is in this present life.

You give them their fill of your treasures;

they rejoice in abundance of offspring

and leave their wealth to their children.

As for me, in my justice I shall see your face

and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your 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. Rise up, O Lord, and rescue me.

1 Peter 1:15-16

Become holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, after the likeness of the holy One who called you; remember, Scripture says, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

May your priests be robed with holiness.

Let your people dance for joy.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

God of mercy,

this midday moment of rest

is your welcome gift.

Bless the work we have begun,

make good its defects

and let us finish it in a way that pleases you.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

None

Now

Midafternoon Prayer · 3 PM

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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 119:9-16

Ant. Lord, may you be for ever blessed; teach me the ways of holiness.

How shall the young remain sinless?

By obeying your word.

I have sought you with all my heart:

let me not stray from your commands.

I treasure your promise in my heart

lest I sin against you.

Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes.

With my tongue I have recounted

the decrees of your lips.

I rejoiced to do your will

as though all riches were mine.

I will ponder all your precepts

and consider your paths.

I take delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

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, may you be for ever blessed; teach me the ways of holiness.

Psalm 17

Ant. Lord, keep me steadfast in your ways.

Lord, hear a cause that is just,

pay heed to my cry.

Turn your ear to my prayer:

no deceit is on my lips.

From you may my judgment come forth.

Your eyes discern the truth.

You search my heart, you visit me by night.

You test me and you find in me no wrong.

My words are not sinful as are men’s words.

I kept from violence because of your word,

I kept my feet firmly in your paths;

there was no faltering in my steps.

I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God.

Turn your ear to me; hear my words.

Display your great love, you whose right hand saves

your friends from those who rebel against them.

Guard me as the apple of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings

from the violent attack of the wicked.

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, keep me steadfast in your ways.

Ant. Rise up, O Lord, and rescue me.

My foes encircle me with deadly intent.

Their hearts tight shut, their mouths speak proudly.

They advance against me, and now they surround me.

Their eyes are watching to strike me to the ground,

as though they were lions ready to claw

or like some young lion crouched in hiding.

Lord, arise, confront them, strike them down!

Let your sword rescue my soul from the wicked;

let your hand, O Lord, rescue me from men,

from men whose reward is in this present life.

You give them their fill of your treasures;

they rejoice in abundance of offspring

and leave their wealth to their children.

As for me, in my justice I shall see your face

and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your 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. Rise up, O Lord, and rescue me.

James 4:7-8a, 10

Submit to God; resist the devil, and he will take flight. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Be humbled in the sight of the Lord and he will raise you on high.

God looks tenderly on those who revere him.

On those who trust in his mercy.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ,

to save all mankind

you stretched out your arms on the cross.

Let our work be pleasing to you:

may it proclaim your salvation to the world,

for you live and reign forever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Vespers

Now

Evening Prayer

The audio for this hour isn’t ready. The prayers are here to read: tap Read above.

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

Most Holy God in heav’n above,

who paints the sky with gleaming ray,

adorning with resplendent lights

the glowing dome of heaven’s vault,

On this fourth day you set in place

the flaming circle of the sun

and made the wand’ring paths of stars

to serve the orbit of the moon,

That you might set for night and day

a bound’ry keeping them apart

and mark with clear, unfailing sign

each new beginning of the month.

Enlighten ev’ry heart and mind

and wipe away all shameful thoughts;

deliver us from bonds of guilt

and ease the burden of our sin.

Most loving Father, hear our prayer,

and you, O Christ coequal Son,

who with the Spirit Paraclete

now reign for all eternity. Amen.

Psalm 27

Ant. The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is my light and my help;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

before whom shall I shrink?

When evil-doers draw near

to devour my flesh,

it is they, my enemies and foes,

who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me

my heart would not fear.

Though war break out against me

even then would I trust.

There is one thing I ask of the Lord,

for this I long,

to live in the house of the Lord,

all the days of my life,

to savor the sweetness of the Lord,

to behold his temple.

For there he keeps me safe in his tent

in the day of evil.

He hides me in the shelter of his tent,

on a rock he sets me safe.

And now my head shall be raised

above my foes who surround me,

and I shall offer within his tent

a sacrifice of joy.

I will sing and make music for the Lord.

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 my light and my help; whom shall I fear?

Ant. I long to look on you, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.

O Lord, hear my voice when I call;

have mercy and answer.

Of you my heart has spoken:

“Seek his face.”

It is your face, O Lord, that I seek;

hide not your face.

Dismiss not your servant in anger;

you have been my help.

Do not abandon or forsake me,

O God my help!

Though father and mother forsake me,

the Lord will receive me.

Instruct me, Lord, in your way;

on an even path lead me.

When they lie in ambush, protect me

from my enemy’s greed.

False witnesses rise against me,

breathing out fury.

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness

in the land of the living.

Hope in him, hold firm and take heart.

Hope in the Lord!

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. I long to look on you, O Lord; do not turn your face from me.

Colossians 1:12-20

Ant. He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is his.

Let us give thanks to the Father

for having made you worthy

to share the lot of the saints

in light.

He rescued us from the power of darkness

and brought us into the kingdom of his beloved Son.

Through him we have redemption,

the forgiveness of our sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,

the first-born of all creatures.

In him everything in heaven and on earth was created,

things visible and invisible.

All were created through him;

all were created for him.

He is before all else that is.

In him everything continues in being.

It is he who is head of the body, the church!

he who is the beginning,

the first-born of the dead,

so that primacy may be his in everything.

It pleased God to make absolute fullness reside in him

and, by means of him, to reconcile everything in his person,

both on earth and in the heavens,

making peace through the blood of his cross.

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. He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is his.

James 1:19-22, 25

Act on this word. If all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves. There is, on the other hand, the man who peers into freedom’s ideal law and abides by it. He is no forgetful listener, but one who carries out the law in practice. Blest will this man be in whatever he does.

RESPONSORY

Claim me once more as your own, Lord, and have mercy on me.

Do not abandon me with the wicked;

have mercy on me.

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

Claim me once more as your own, Lord, and have mercy on me.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

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. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.

INTERCESSIONS

In all that we do, let the name of the Lord be praised, for he surrounds his chosen people with boundless love. Let our prayer rise up to him:

Lord, show us your love.

Remember your Church, Lord,

keep her from every evil and let her grow to the fullness of your love.

Lord, show us your love.

Let the nations recognize you as the one true God,

and Jesus your Son, as the Messiah whom you sent.

Lord, show us your love.

Grant prosperity to our neighbors,

give them life and happiness for ever.

Lord, show us your love.

Console those who are burdened with oppressive work and daily hardships,

preserve the dignity of workers.

Lord, show us your love.

Open wide the doors of your compassion to those who have died today,

and in your mercy receive them into your kingdom.

Lord, show us your love.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

With longing for the coming of God’s kingdom, let us offer our prayer to the Father:

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

Lord, watch over us by day and by night.

In the midst of life’s countless changes

strengthen us with your never-changing love.

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

The audio for this hour isn’t ready. The prayers are here to read: tap Read above.

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 31:1-6

Ant. Lord God, be my refuge and my strength.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge.

Let me never be put to shame.

In your justice, set me free,

hear me and speedily rescue me.

Be a rock of refuge for me,

a mighty stronghold to save me,

for you are my rock, my stronghold.

For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.

Release me from the snares they have hidden

for you are my refuge, Lord.

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

It is you who will redeem me, Lord.

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 God, be my refuge and my strength.

Psalm 130

Ant. Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,

Lord, hear my voice!

O let your ears be attentive

to the voice of my pleading.

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt,

Lord, who would survive?

But with you is found forgiveness:

for this we revere you.

My soul is waiting for the Lord,

I count on his word.

My soul is longing for the Lord

more than watchman for daybreak.

Let the watchman count on daybreak

and Israel on the Lord.

Because with the Lord there is mercy

and fullness of redemption,

Israel indeed he will redeem

from all its iniquity.

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. Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord.

Ephesians 4:26-27

If you are angry, let it be without sin. The sun must not go down on your wrath; do not give the devil a chance to work on you.

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 Jesus Christ,

you have given your followers

an example of gentleness and humility,

a task that is easy, a burden that is light.

Accept the prayers and work of this day,

and give us the rest that will strengthen us

to render more faithful service to you

who live and reign for ever and ever.

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.

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