Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

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Advent

Tuesday of the first week of Advent

Tuesday · 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 the Lord, the King who is to come.

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 the Lord, the King who is to come.

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

O Word proceeding from on high,

light coming from the Father’s light,

by birth you came to save the world

when time’s appointed course had run.

Now come and fill our hearts with light,

consume them in your love’s bright heat,

and when the herald’s cry is heard,

may all deceit be put to flight.

So when at length you come as Judge

to probe our hearts in thought and deed,

to weigh the guilt for hidden sin

and crown the just for deeds well done.

Let not the nature of our sins

detain us in the evil throng,

but let us with the blessed share

the life of heaven evermore.

To you, O Christ, 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: “God 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: “He 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.

A voice is heard, crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.

Make straight the path of our God.

From the book of the prophet Isaiah

O Lord, you have abandoned your people,

the house of Jacob,

Because they are filled with fortunetellers

and soothsayers, like the Philistines;

they covenant with strangers.

Their land is full of silver and gold,

and there is no end to their treasures;

Their land is full of horses,

and there is no end to their chariots.

Their land is full of idols;

they worship the works of their hands,

that which their fingers have made.

But man is abased,

each one brought low.

[Do not pardon them!]

Get behind the rocks,

hide in the dust,

From the terror of the Lord

and the splendor of his majesty!

The haughty eyes of man will be lowered,

the arrogance of men will be abased,

and the Lord alone will be exalted, on that day.

For the Lord of hosts will have his day

against all that is proud and arrogant,

all that is high, and it will be brought low;

Yes, against all the cedars of Lebanon

and all the oaks of Bashan,

Against all the lofty mountains

and all the high hills,

Against every lofty tower

and every fortified wall,

Against all the ships of Tarshish

and all stately vessels.

Human pride will be abased,

the arrogance of men brought low,

And the Lord alone will be exalted, on that day.

The idols will perish forever.

Men will go into caves in the rocks

and into holes in the earth,

From the terror of the Lord

and the splendor of his majesty,

when he arises to overawe the earth.

On that day men will throw to the moles and the bats the idols of silver and gold which they made for worship.

They go into caverns in the rocks

and into crevices in the cliffs,

From the terror of the Lord

and the splendor of his majesty,

when he arises to overawe the earth.

As for you, let man alone,

in whose nostrils is but a breath;

for what is he worth?

On that day,

The branch of the Lord will be luster and glory,

and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor

for the survivors of Israel.

He who remains in Zion

and he that is left in Jerusalem

Will be called holy:

every one marked down for life in Jerusalem.

When the Lord washes away

the filth of the daughters of Zion,

And purges Jerusalem’s blood from her midst

with a blast of searing judgment,

Then will the Lord create,

over the whole site of Mount Zion

and over her place of assembly,

A smoking cloud by day

and a light of flaming fire by night.

For over all, his glory will be shelter and protection:

shade from the parching heat of day,

refuge and cover from storm and rain.

Isaiah 2:11; Matthew 24:30

The proud man will lower his eyes,

the arrogant man will be humbled;

the Lord alone shall be exalted on that day.

They will see the Son of Man

coming in the clouds of heaven

with great power and majesty.

The Lord alone shall be exalted on that day.

From a sermon by Saint Gregory Nazianzen, bishop

The very Son of God, older than the ages, the invisible, the incomprehensible, the incorporeal, the beginning of beginning, the light of light, the fountain of life and immortality, the image of the archetype, the immovable seal, the perfect likeness, the definition and word of the Father: he it is who comes to his own image and takes our nature for the good of our nature, and unites himself to an intelligent soul for the good of my soul, to purify like by like. He takes to himself all that is human, except for sin. He was conceived by the Virgin Mary, who had been first prepared in soul and body by the Spirit; his coming to birth had to be treated with honor, virginity had to receive new honor. He comes forth as God, in the human nature he has taken, one being, made of two contrary elements, flesh and spirit. Spirit gave divinity, flesh received it.

He who makes rich is made poor; he takes on the poverty of my flesh, that I may gain the riches of his divinity. He who is full is made empty; he is emptied for a brief space of his glory, that I may share in his fullness. What is this wealth of goodness? What is this mystery that surrounds me? I received the likeness of God, but failed to keep it. He takes on my flesh, to bring salvation to the image, immortality to the flesh. He enters into a second union with us, a union far more wonderful than the first.

Holiness had to be brought to man by the humanity assumed by one who was God, so that God might overcome the tyrant by force and so deliver us and lead us back to himself through the mediation of his Son. The Son arranged this for the honor of the Father, to whom the Son is clearly obedient in all things.

The Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep, came in search of the straying sheep to the mountains and hills on which you used to offer sacrifice. When he found it, he took it on the shoulders that bore the wood of the cross, and led it back to the life of heaven.

Christ, the light of all lights, follows John, the lamp that goes before him. The Word of God follows the voice in the wilderness; the bridegroom follows the bridegroom’s friend, who prepares a worthy people for the Lord by cleansing them by water in preparation for the Spirit.

We need God to take our flesh and die, that we might live. We have died with him, that we may be purified. We have risen again with him, because we have died with him. We have been glorified with him, because we have risen again with him.

See Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:4; Romans 8:3

When at last the appointed time had come,

God sent his Son into the world,

born of a virgin, subject to the law,

to redeem those who were subject to the law.

Because of his great love for us,

God sent his Son in the likeness of our sinful human nature.

To redeem those who were subject to the law.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions,

and in our trials grant us your compassionate help,

that, consoled by the presence of your Son,

whose coming we now await,

we may be tainted no longer

by the corruption of former ways.

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

Behold a voice resounding, clear,

rebuking hidden fears and deeds:

Let dreams be driven far away,

for Christ shines forth from heaven’s height.

Now let the weary soul arise,

infirm and wounded by her sin;

a new star now sends forth its light

to rid the world of ev’ry harm.

The Lamb is sent from realms on high

to free us from our mortal debt.

Let ev’ry voice give thankful praise

and weep for tender mercy shown,

That when he comes like lightning flash

and terror grips the world in dread,

he need not punish us for guilt

but with compassion shield us then.

Praise to the Father, God most high,

all vict’ry to his only Son,

due honor to the Spirit blest,

through endless ages 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.

Genesis 49:10

The scepter shall never depart from Judah,

or the mace from between his legs,

While tribute is brought to him,

and he receives the people’s homage.

RESPONSORY

Your light will come, Jerusalem;

the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.

Your light will come, Jerusalem;

the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.

You will see his glory within you;

the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.

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

Your light will come, Jerusalem;

the Lord will dawn on you in radiant beauty.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. From the root of Jesse a flower will blossom, the glory of the Lord will fill the earth, and all creation shall see the saving power of God.

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. From the root of Jesse a flower will blossom, the glory of the Lord will fill the earth, and all creation shall see the saving power of God.

INTERCESSIONS

God the almighty Father stretches forth his hand again to take possession of the remnant of his people. Let us make our prayer to him:

Lord, may your kingdom come.

Lord, grant that our works of penance may please you,

and that we may be ready for your kingdom which is so near.

Lord, may your kingdom come.

Prepare a path in our hearts for the coming of your Word,

and let his glory be revealed among us.

Lord, may your kingdom come.

Bring low the mountains of our pride,

and fill up the valleys of our weakness.

Lord, may your kingdom come.

Break down the wall of hatred that divides the nations,

and make level for mankind the paths to peace.

Lord, may your kingdom come.

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

Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions,

and in our trials grant us your compassionate help,

that, consoled by the presence of your Son,

whose coming we now await,

we may be tainted no longer

by the corruption of former ways.

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.

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 119:1-8

Ant. This is the good news the prophets foretold: The Savior will be born of the Virgin Mary.

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.

Psalm 13

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.

Psalm 14

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. This is the good news the prophets foretold: The Savior will be born of the Virgin Mary.

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord,

when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;

As king he shall reign and govern wisely,

he shall do what is just and right in the land.

The nations will revere your name, O Lord.

And the great ones of the earth will acknowledge your glory.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions,

and in our trials grant us your compassionate help,

that, consoled by the presence of your Son,

whose coming we now await,

we may be tainted no longer

by the corruption of former ways.

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 119:1-8

Ant. The angel Gabriel said to Mary in greeting: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.

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.

Psalm 13

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.

Psalm 14

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. The angel Gabriel said to Mary in greeting: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved,

Israel shall dwell in security.

This is the name they give him:

“The Lord our justice.”

Remember us, Lord, because of the love you have for your people.

Come and bring us your salvation.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions,

and in our trials grant us your compassionate help,

that, consoled by the presence of your Son,

whose coming we now await,

we may be tainted no longer

by the corruption of former ways.

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 119:1-8

Ant. Mary said: My soul is deeply troubled; what can this greeting mean? Am I to give birth to my King and yet remain a virgin for ever?

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.

Psalm 13

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.

Psalm 14

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. Mary said: My soul is deeply troubled; what can this greeting mean? Am I to give birth to my King and yet remain a virgin for ever?

Ezekiel 34:15-16

I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, shepherding them rightly.

Come, Lord, do not delay.

Free your people from their sinfulness.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions,

and in our trials grant us your compassionate help,

that, consoled by the presence of your Son,

whose coming we now await,

we may be tainted no longer

by the corruption of former ways.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

Vespers

Now

Evening Prayer

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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 loving Maker of the stars,

believers’ everlasting light,

O Christ, Redeemer of us all,

with kindness hear our humble prayer.

With pity, you beheld the fate

that death imposed on ages past;

you gave the guilty healing grace

and saved a weak and fallen world.

When evening fell upon the earth,

as bridegroom from the bridal room,

from honored cloister forth you came,

born from the Virgin Mother pure.

Before your strong and steadfast might,

on earth and in the heav’ns above

all knees bend low, all hearts confess

submission to your sov’reign will.

With faith we beg you, Holy Lord,

the Judge of ages still to come,

that in our time you keep us safe

from snares of our deceitful foe.

To you, O Christ, most loving King,

and to the Father, glory be,

one with the Spirit Paraclete,

from age to age for evermore. 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.

See 1 Corinthians 1:7b-9

We await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will strengthen us to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, and it was he who called us to fellowship with his Son.

RESPONSORY

Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.

Let your face shine upon us and we shall be saved,

Lord God of power and might.

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

Come and set us free, Lord God of power and might.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near, alleluia.

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. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

To the eternal Word who became man to reveal to us the new and living way, let us make our humble prayer:

Come, Lord, and save us.

God, in whom we live and move and have our being,

come and teach us that you have made us your own.

Come, Lord, and save us.

You are not far from each of us,

show yourself to all who search for you.

Come, Lord, and save us.

Father of the poor and consoler of the afflicted,

set captives free, give joy to those who mourn.

Come, Lord, and save us.

You hate death and love life,

free all mankind from eternal death.

Come, Lord, and save us.

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

Look with favor, Lord God, on our petitions,

and in our trials grant us your compassionate help,

that, consoled by the presence of your Son,

whose coming we now await,

we may be tainted no longer

by the corruption of former ways.

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.

DISMISSAL

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

Compline

Now

Night Prayer

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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 5:8-9a

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

Loving mother of the Redeemer,

gate of heaven, star of the sea,

assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.

To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,

yet remained a virgin after as before.

You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,

have pity on us poor sinners.

A lma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæli

porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti,

súrgere qui curat, pópulo; tu, quæ genuísti,

natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem,

Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore

sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.

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