Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

Purple

Advent

December 23

Wednesday · Weekday · Psalter Week 4

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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. The Lord is close at hand; come, let us worship him.

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. The Lord is close at hand; come, let us worship him.

Matins

Now

Office of Readings

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

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

Redeemer of the nations, come;

reveal yourself by virgin birth.

Let ev’ry age with wonder know

that such a birth befits our God.

Conceived not from the seed of man

but by the Spirit’s wondrous breath,

the Word of God is now made flesh,

as Mary’s womb brings forth its fruit.

The Virgin’s womb grows great with child,

this cloister is for ever pure;

the banners of her virtues gleam,

for in this temple God resides.

From bridal chamber let him come,

from royal Virgin, palace chaste,

with two-fold nature God and man,

a champion swift to run his course.

Th e

eternal Father’s Equal, come,

bind on the trophy of our flesh,

and strengthen with your lasting pow’r

the weakness of our mortal frame.

Your manger now with splendor shines

and night breathes forth new radiant light,

which no night may corrupt or dim:

so let it shine through constant faith.

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 103

Ant. Bless the Lord, my soul; never forget all he has done for you.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord,

all my being, bless his holy name.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord

and never forget all his blessings.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,

who heals every one of your ills,

who redeems your life from the grave,

who crowns you with love and compassion,

who fills your life with good things,

renewing your youth like an eagle’s.

The Lord does deeds of justice,

gives judgment for all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses

and his deeds to Israel’s sons.

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. Bless the Lord, my soul; never forget all he has done for you.

Ant. As a father is gentle with his children, so is the Lord with those who revere him.

The Lord is compassion and love,

slow to anger and rich in mercy.

His wrath will come to an end;

he will not be angry for ever.

He does not treat us according to our sins

nor repay us according to our faults.

For as the heavens are high above the earth

so strong is his love for those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west

so far does he remove our sins.

As a father has compassion on his sons,

the Lord has pity on those who fear him;

for he knows of what we are made,

he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

he flowers like the flower of the field;

the wind blows and he is gone

and his place never sees him again.

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. As a father is gentle with his children, so is the Lord with those who revere him.

Ant. Bless the Lord, all you his works!

But the love of the Lord is everlasting

upon those who hold him in fear;

his justice reaches out to children’s children

when they keep his covenant in truth,

when they keep his will in their mind.

The Lord has set his sway in heaven

and his kingdom is ruling over all.

Give thanks to the Lord, all his angels,

mighty in power, fulfilling his word,

who heed the voice of his word.

Give thanks to the Lord, all his hosts,

his servants who do his will.

Give thanks to the Lord, all his works,

in every place where he rules.

My soul, give thanks to 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. Bless the Lord, all you his works!

Let your compassion come upon me, O Lord.

Your salvation, true to your promise.

From the book of the prophet Isaiah

Listen to me, you who pursue justice,

who seek the Lord;

Look to the rock from which you were hewn,

to the pit from which you were quarried;

Look to Abraham, your father,

and to Sarah, who gave you birth;

When he was but one I called him,

I blessed him and made him many.

Yes, the Lord shall comfort Zion

and have pity on all her ruins;

Her deserts he shall make like Eden,

her wasteland like the garden of the Lord;

Joy and gladness shall be found in her,

thanksgiving and the sound of song.

Be attentive to me, my people;

my folk, give ear to me.

For law shall go forth from my presence,

and my judgment, as the light of the peoples.

I will make my justice come speedily;

my salvation shall go forth

and my arm shall judge the nations;

In me shall the coastlands hope,

and my arm they shall await.

Raise your eyes to the heavens,

and look at the earth below;

Though the heavens grow thin like smoke,

the earth wears out like a garment

and its inhabitants die like flies,

My salvation shall remain forever

and my justice shall never be dismayed.

Hear me, you who know justice,

you people who have my teaching at heart:

Fear not the reproach of men,

be not dismayed at their revilings.

They shall be like a garment eaten by moths,

like wool consumed by grubs;

But my justice shall remain forever

and my salvation, for all generations.

Awake, awake, put on strength,

O arm of the Lord!

Awake as in the days of old,

in ages long ago!

Was it not you who crushed Rahab,

you who pierced the dragon?

Was it not you who dried up the sea,

the waters of the great deep,

Who made the depths of the sea into a way

for the redeemed to pass over?

Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return

and enter Zion singing,

crowned with everlasting joy;

They will meet with joy and gladness,

sorrow and mourning will flee.

See Isaiah 51:4, 5; 35:10

My people, listen to me;

hear me, all you who belong to my race;

close at hand is my Just One, my Savior draws nears.

Now those redeemed by the Lord will come back and enter Zion with songs of praise.

Close at hand is my Just One, my Savior draws nears.

From a treatise against the heresy of Noetus by Saint Hippolytus, priest and martyr

There is only one God, brethren, and we learn about him only from sacred Scripture. It is therefore our duty to become acquainted with what Scripture proclaims and to investigate its teachings thoroughly. We should believe them in the sense that the Father wills, thinking of the Son in the way the Father wills, and accepting the teaching he wills to give us with regard to the Holy Spirit. Sacred Scripture is God’s gift to us and it should be understood in the way that he intends: we should not do violence to it by interpreting it according to our own preconceived ideas.

God was all alone and nothing existed but himself when he determined to create the world. He thought of it, willed it, spoke the word and so made it. It came into being instantaneously, exactly as he had willed. It is enough then for us to be aware of a single fact: nothing is coeternal with God. Apart from God there was simply nothing else. Yet although he was alone, he was manifold because he lacked neither reason, wisdom, power, nor counsel. All things were in him and he himself was all. At a moment of his own choosing and in a manner determined by himself, God manifested his Word, and through him he made the whole universe.

When the Word was hidden within God himself he was invisible to the created world, but God made him visible. First God gave utterance to his voice, engendering light from light, and then he sent his own mind into the world as its Lord. Visible before to God alone and not to the world, God made him visible so that the world could be saved by seeing him. This mind that entered our world was made known as the Son of God. All things came into being through him; but he alone is begotten by the Father.

The Son gave us the law and the prophets, and he filled the prophets with the Holy Spirit to compel them to speak out. Inspired by the Father’s power, they were to proclaim the Father’s purpose and his will.

So the Word was made manifest, as Saint John declares when, summing up all the sayings of the prophets, he announces that this is the Word through whom the whole universe was made. He says:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through him all things came into being; not one thing was created without him.

And further on he adds:

The world was made through him, and yet the world did not know him. He entered his own creation, and his own did not receive him.

See Isaiah 9:6; John 1:4

A little child is born to us,

and he shall be called the mighty God.

He himself will sit upon the throne of David his father to rule; the authority of David rests on his shoulders.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

He himself will sit upon the throne of David his father to rule; the authority of David rests on his shoulders.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

as we see how the Nativity of your Son

according to the flesh draws near,

we pray that to us, your unworthy servants,

mercy may flow from your word,

who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary

and establish among us his dwelling,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

one 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

With mighty voice the prophets cry

that Christ the Lord is drawing near;

rejoicing, they foresee the grace

by which he saves us and redeems.

And so our morning sun shines forth,

our hearts ablaze with radiant joy;

we hear the faithful voice resound,

precursor of God’s glorious gift.

At that first Advent Christ our God

came forth not to condemn the world,

but came to cleanse our gaping wound,

to seek and save what had been lost.

Christ’s Second Coming warns us all

that he is standing at the gates

to give to saints their glorious crowns

and open wide the heav’nly realm.

Eternal light is now foretold,

the saving star is shining forth,

its radiant splendor summons us

and calls us to the heav’nly court.

Christ Jesus, you alone we seek

to see you face to face as God;

may this unending vision be

an everlasting hymn of praise. Amen.

Psalm 108

Ant. The Lord, the mighty God, will come forth from Zion to set his people free.

My heart is ready, O God;

I will sing, sing your praise.

Awake, my soul; awake, lyre and harp.

I will awake the dawn.

I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,

among the nations I will praise you,

for your love reaches to the heavens

and your truth to the skies.

O God, arise above the heavens;

may your glory shine on earth!

O come and deliver your friends;

help with your right hand and reply.

From his holy place God has made this promise:

“I will triumph and divide the land of Shechem;

I will measure out the valley of Succoth.

Gilead is mine and Manasseh.

Ephraim I take for my helmet,

Judah for my commander’s staff.

Moab I will use for my washbowl,

on Edom I will plant my shoe.

Over the Philistines I will shout in triumph.”

But who will lead me to conquer the fortress?

Who will bring me face to face with Edom?

Will you utterly reject us, O God,

and no longer march with our armies?

Give us help against the foe:

for the help of man is vain.

With God we shall do bravely

and he will trample down our foes.

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, the mighty God, will come forth from Zion to set his people free.

Isaiah 61:10-62

Ant. I shall not cease to plead with God for Zion until he sends his Holy One in all his radiant beauty.

I rejoice heartily in the Lord,

in my God is the joy of my soul;

for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation,

and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,

like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,

like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

As the earth brings forth its plants,

and a garden makes its growth spring up,

so will the Lord God make justice and praise

spring up before all the nations.

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,

for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,

until her vindication shines forth like the dawn

and her victory like a burning torch.

Nations shall behold your vindication,

and all kings your glory;

you shall be called by a new name

pronounced by the mouth of the Lord.

You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord,

a royal diadem held by your God.

No more shall men call you “Forsaken,”

or your land “Desolate,”

but you shall be called “My Delight,”

and your land “Espoused.”

For the Lord delights in you,

and makes your land his spouse.

As a young man marries a virgin,

your Builder shall marry you;

and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride

so shall your God rejoice 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. I shall not cease to plead with God for Zion until he sends his Holy One in all his radiant beauty.

Psalm 146

Ant. The Spirit of the Lord rests upon me; he has sent me to preach his joyful message to the poor.

My soul, give praise to the Lord;

I will praise the Lord all my days,

make music to my God while I live.

Put no trust in princes,

in mortal men in whom there is no help.

Take their breath, they return to clay

and their plans that day come to nothing.

He is happy who is helped by Jacob’s God,

whose hope is in the Lord his God,

who alone made heaven and earth,

the seas and all they contain.

It is he who keeps faith for ever,

who is just to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

the Lord, who sets prisoners free,

the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

who raises up those who are bowed down,

the Lord, who protects the stranger

and upholds the widow and orphan.

It is the Lord who loves the just

but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for ever,

Zion’s God, from age to age.

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 Spirit of the Lord rests upon me; he has sent me to preach his joyful message to the poor.

Jeremiah 30:21, 22

Thus says the Lord:

His leader shall be from Jacob,

and his rulers shall come from his kin.

When I summon him, he shall approach me;

You shall be my people,

and I will be your God.

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. All that God promised to the virgin through the message of the angel has been accomplished.

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. All that God promised to the virgin through the message of the angel has been accomplished.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us pray to God our Father who sent his Son to save mankind:

Show us your mercy, Lord!

Father most merciful, we confess our faith in your Christ with our words,

keep us from denying him in our actions.

Show us your mercy, Lord!

You have sent your Son to rescue us,

remove every sorrow from the face of the earth and from our country.

Show us your mercy, Lord!

Our land looks forward with delight to the approach of your Son,

let it experience the fullness of your joy.

Show us your mercy, Lord!

Through your mercy make us live holy and chaste lives in this world,

eagerly awaiting the blessed hope and coming of Christ in glory.

Show us your mercy, Lord!

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Gathering our prayer and praises into one, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Almighty ever-living God,

as we see how the Nativity of your Son

according to the flesh draws near,

we pray that to us, your unworthy servants,

mercy may flow from your Word,

who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary

and establish among us his dwelling,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

We keep the order of the day

with loving heart and earnest prayer;

at this third hour we humbly beg

the glory of your threefold pow’r.

That we may be a dwelling place

where God the Holy Spirit dwells,

who at this hour, in parted tongues,

on each Apostle came to rest.

Throughout the course of daily hours

the Author of the heavn’ly realm

with splendor has adorned all things

to be our everlasting crown.

To God the Father glory be,

all honor to his only Son,

one with the Spirit Paraclete,

from age to age for evermore. Amen.

119:145-152

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

I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me,

I will keep your commands.

I call upon you, save me

and I will do your will.

I rise before dawn and cry for help,

I hope in your word.

My eyes watch through the night

to ponder your promise.

In your love hear my voice, O Lord;

give me life by your decrees.

Those who harm me unjustly draw near;

they are far from your law.

But you, O Lord, are close;

your commands are truth.

Long have I known that your will

is established 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.

Psalm 94

O Lord, avenging God,

avenging God, appear!

Judge of the earth, arise,

give the proud what they deserve!

How long, O Lord, shall the wicked,

how long shall the wicked triumph?

They bluster with arrogant speech;

the evil-doers boast to each other.

They crush your people, Lord,

they afflict the ones you have chosen

They kill the widow and the stranger

and murder the fatherless child.

And they say: “The Lord does not see;

the God of Jacob pays no heed.”

Mark this, most senseless of people;

fools, when will you understand?

Can he who made the ear, not hear?

Can he who formed the eye, not see?

Will he who corrects nations, not punish?

Will he who teaches men, not have knowledge?

The Lord knows the thoughts of men.

He knows they are no more than a breath.

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.

Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord,

whom you train by means of your law:

to him you give peace in evil days

while the pit is being dug for the wicked.

The Lord will not abandon his people

nor forsake those who are his own:

for judgment shall again be just

and all true hearts shall uphold it.

Who will stand up for me against the wicked?

Who will defend me from those who do evil?

If the Lord were not to help me,

I would soon go down into the silence.

When I think: “I have lost my foothold,”

your mercy, Lord, holds me up.

When cares increase in my heart

your consolation calms my soul.

Can judges who do evil be your friends?

They do injustice under cover of law;

they attack the life of the just

and condemn innocent blood.

As for me, the Lord will be a stronghold;

my God will be the rock where I take refuge.

He will repay them for their wickedness,

destroy them for their evil deeds.

The Lord, our God, will destroy them.

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 29:11, 12

I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart.

The nations will revere your name, O Lord.

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

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

as we see how the Nativity of your Son

according to the flesh draws near,

we pray that to us, your unworthy servants,

mercy may flow from your Word,

who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary

and establish among us his dwelling,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

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

Let us sing praises to the Lord

with willing mind and fervent heart;

the noonday hour returns again

and summons us once more to prayer.

For to the faithful at this hour

true saving glory was restored

by off’ring of the blessed Lamb

and by the power of his Cross.

The Cross obscures the noonday sun

by its most clear and brilliant light;

let us receive with all our heart

the gift of such resplendent grace.

To God the Father glory be,

all honor to his only Son,

one with the Spirit Paraclete,

from age to age for evermore. Amen.

119:145-152

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

I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me,

I will keep your commands.

I call upon you, save me

and I will do your will.

I rise before dawn and cry for help,

I hope in your word.

My eyes watch through the night

to ponder your promise.

In your love hear my voice, O Lord;

give me life by your decrees.

Those who harm me unjustly draw near;

they are far from your law.

But you, O Lord, are close;

your commands are truth.

Long have I known that your will

is established 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.

Psalm 94

O Lord, avenging God,

avenging God, appear!

Judge of the earth, arise,

give the proud what they deserve!

How long, O Lord, shall the wicked,

how long shall the wicked triumph?

They bluster with arrogant speech;

the evil-doers boast to each other.

They crush your people, Lord,

they afflict the ones you have chosen

They kill the widow and the stranger

and murder the fatherless child.

And they say: “The Lord does not see;

the God of Jacob pays no heed.”

Mark this, most senseless of people;

fools, when will you understand?

Can he who made the ear, not hear?

Can he who formed the eye, not see?

Will he who corrects nations, not punish?

Will he who teaches men, not have knowledge?

The Lord knows the thoughts of men.

He knows they are no more than a breath.

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.

Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord,

whom you train by means of your law:

to him you give peace in evil days

while the pit is being dug for the wicked.

The Lord will not abandon his people

nor forsake those who are his own:

for judgment shall again be just

and all true hearts shall uphold it.

Who will stand up for me against the wicked?

Who will defend me from those who do evil?

If the Lord were not to help me,

I would soon go down into the silence.

When I think: “I have lost my foothold,”

your mercy, Lord, holds me up.

When cares increase in my heart

your consolation calms my soul.

Can judges who do evil be your friends?

They do injustice under cover of law;

they attack the life of the just

and condemn innocent blood.

As for me, the Lord will be a stronghold;

my God will be the rock where I take refuge.

He will repay them for their wickedness,

destroy them for their evil deeds.

The Lord, our God, will destroy them.

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 30:18a

Thus says the Lord:

See! I will restore the tents of Jacob,

his dwellings I will pity.

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

Come and bring us your salvation.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

as we see how the Nativity of your Son

according to the flesh draws near,

we pray that to us, your unworthy servants,

mercy may flow from your Word,

who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary

and establish among us his dwelling,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us praise the Lord.

And give him thanks.

None

Now

Midafternoon Prayer · 3 PM

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

Three times the cycle of the hours

returns to us by gift of God;

let us devoutly sing to him

who is the perfect Three in One.

We keep with pure and faithful hearts

the sacred myst’ry of our God;

this is the rule that Peter taught

and showed with wondrous, healing signs.

Let us sing psalms with heart and mind

and to th

Apostles let us cling,

that they may guide with pow’r from Christ

our feeble steps that falter still.

To God the Father glory be,

all honor to his only Son,

one with the Spirit Paraclete,

from age to age for evermore. Amen.

119:145-152

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?

I call with all my heart; Lord, hear me,

I will keep your commands.

I call upon you, save me

and I will do your will.

I rise before dawn and cry for help,

I hope in your word.

My eyes watch through the night

to ponder your promise.

In your love hear my voice, O Lord;

give me life by your decrees.

Those who harm me unjustly draw near;

they are far from your law.

But you, O Lord, are close;

your commands are truth.

Long have I known that your will

is established 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.

Psalm 94

O Lord, avenging God,

avenging God, appear!

Judge of the earth, arise,

give the proud what they deserve!

How long, O Lord, shall the wicked,

how long shall the wicked triumph?

They bluster with arrogant speech;

the evil-doers boast to each other.

They crush your people, Lord,

they afflict the ones you have chosen

They kill the widow and the stranger

and murder the fatherless child.

And they say: “The Lord does not see;

the God of Jacob pays no heed.”

Mark this, most senseless of people;

fools, when will you understand?

Can he who made the ear, not hear?

Can he who formed the eye, not see?

Will he who corrects nations, not punish?

Will he who teaches men, not have knowledge?

The Lord knows the thoughts of men.

He knows they are no more than a breath.

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.

Happy the man whom you teach, O Lord,

whom you train by means of your law:

to him you give peace in evil days

while the pit is being dug for the wicked.

The Lord will not abandon his people

nor forsake those who are his own:

for judgment shall again be just

and all true hearts shall uphold it.

Who will stand up for me against the wicked?

Who will defend me from those who do evil?

If the Lord were not to help me,

I would soon go down into the silence.

When I think: “I have lost my foothold,”

your mercy, Lord, holds me up.

When cares increase in my heart

your consolation calms my soul.

Can judges who do evil be your friends?

They do injustice under cover of law;

they attack the life of the just

and condemn innocent blood.

As for me, the Lord will be a stronghold;

my God will be the rock where I take refuge.

He will repay them for their wickedness,

destroy them for their evil deeds.

The Lord, our God, will destroy them.

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?

Baruch 3:5-6a

Remember at this time not the misdeeds of our fathers, but your own hand and name; for you are the Lord our God.

Come, Lord, do not delay.

Free your people from their sinfulness.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Almighty ever-living God,

as we see how the Nativity of your Son

according to the flesh draws near,

we pray that to us, your unworthy servants,

mercy may flow from your Word,

who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary

and establish among us his dwelling,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who lives and reigns for ever 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

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 139:1-18

Ant. The Lord, the mighty God, will come forth from Zion to set his people free.

O Lord, you search me and you know me,

you know my resting and my rising,

you discern my purpose from afar.

You mark when I walk or lie down,

all my ways lie open to you.

Before ever a word is on my tongue

you know it, O Lord, through and through.

Behind and before you besiege me,

your hand ever laid upon me.

Too wonderful for me, this knowledge,

too high, beyond my reach.

O where can I go from your spirit,

or where can I flee from your face?

If I climb the heavens, you are there.

If I lie in the grave, you are there.

If I take the wings of the dawn

and dwell at the sea’s furthest end,

even there your hand would lead me,

your right hand would hold me fast.

If I say: “Let the darkness hide me

and the light around me be night,”

even darkness is not dark for you

and the night is as clear as the day.

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, the mighty God, will come forth from Zion to set his people free.

Ant. I shall not cease to plead with God for Zion until he sends his Holy One in all his radiant beauty.

For it was you who created my being,

knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I thank you for the wonder of my being,

for the wonders of all your creation.

Already you knew my soul,

my body held no secret from you

when I was being fashioned in secret

and molded in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw all my actions,

they were all of them written in your book;

every one of my days was decreed

before one of them came into being.

To me, how mysterious your thoughts,

the sum of them not to be numbered!

If I count them, they are more than the sand;

to finish, I must be eternal, like you.

O search me, God, and know my heart.

O test me and know my thoughts.

See that I follow not the wrong path

and lead me in the path of life eternal.

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 shall not cease to plead with God for Zion until he sends his Holy One in all his radiant beauty.

Colossians 1:12-20

Ant. The Spirit of the Lord rests upon me; he has sent me to preach his joyful message to the poor.

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. The Spirit of the Lord rests upon me; he has sent me to preach his joyful message to the poor.

2 Peter 3:8b-9

In the Lord’s eyes, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day. The Lord does not delay in keeping his promise—though some consider it “delay.” Rather, he shows you generous patience, since he wants none to perish but all to come to repentance.

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. O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

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. O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

INTERCESSIONS

To our Redeemer who came to bring good news to the poor, let us earnestly pray:

Let all men see your glory!

Show yourself to those who have never known you;

let them see your saving work.

Let all men see your glory!

Let your name be preached to the ends of the earth,

that all may find the way to you.

Let all men see your glory!

You came first to save the world;

now come again and save those who believe in you.

Let all men see your glory!

You brought freedom to us by saving us;

continue to save us and make us free.

Let all men see your glory!

You came once as a man; you will return in judgment;

bring eternal reward to those who have died.

Let all men see your glory!

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Remember us, Lord, when you come to your kingdom and teach us how to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done on earth

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Almighty ever-living God,

as we see how the Nativity of your Son

according to the flesh draws near,

we pray that to us, your unworthy servants,

mercy may flow from your Word,

who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary

and establish among us his dwelling,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

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

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