Invitatorium: A Liturgy of the Hours Player

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Christmas Time

Saint John Neumann, Bishop

Tuesday · Memorial · Psalter Week 2

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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. Christ has appeared to us; come, let us adore 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. Christ has appeared to us; come, let us adore him.

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

The Magi, when they see the child,

draw forth their gifts from Eastern lands,

and falling down they worship him

with incense, myrrh and royal gold.

Receive and own, O holy Child,

clear tokens of your kingly pow’r,

for which the Father preordained

a threefold nature, type, and plan.

From Saba perfumed frankincense

and gold proclaim you God and King,

and fragrant dust of bitter myrrh

foretells the tomb where you will lie.

You stand alone, O Bethlehem,

more noble than the greatest towns,

for you brought forth in human flesh

the heav’nly leader sent to save.

His Father, by the testament

that prophets witnessed, sealed, and signed,

now bids him to assume his reign,

receiving his inheritance:

A kingdom that extends to all,

embracing earth and sea and sky,

from rising sun to evening star,

from nether world to heav’n above.

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,

revealed to nations on this day,

with God the Father, ever blest,

and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Psalm 37

Ant. Surrender to God, and he will do everything for you.

Do not fret because of the wicked;

do not envy those who do evil:

for they wither quickly like grass

and fade like the green of the fields.

If you trust in the Lord and do good,

then you will live in the land and be secure.

If you find your delight in the Lord,

he will grant your heart’s desire.

Commit your life to the Lord,

trust in him and he will act,

so that your justice breaks forth like the light,

your cause like the noon-day sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait in patience;

do not fret at the man who prospers;

a man who makes evil plots

to bring down the needy and the poor.

Calm your anger and forget your rage;

do not fret, it only leads to evil.

For those who do evil shall perish;

the patient shall inherit the land.

A little longer—and the wicked shall have gone.

Look at his place, he is not there.

But the humble shall own the land

and enjoy the fullness 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. Surrender to God, and he will do everything for you.

Ant. Turn away from evil and learn to do God’s will; the Lord will strengthen you if you obey him.

The wicked man plots against the just

and gnashes his teeth against him;

but the Lord laughs at the wicked

for he sees that his day is at hand.

The sword of the wicked is drawn,

his bow is bent to slaughter the upright.

Their sword shall pierce their own hearts

and their bows shall be broken to pieces.

The just man’s few possessions

are better than the wicked man’s wealth;

for the power of the wicked shall be broken

and the Lord will support the just.

He protects the lives of the upright,

their heritage will last for ever.

They shall not be put to shame in evil days,

in time of famine their food shall not fail.

But all the wicked shall perish

and all the enemies of the Lord.

They are like the beauty of the meadows,

they shall vanish, they shall vanish like smoke.

The wicked man borrows without repaying,

but the just man is generous and gives.

Those blessed by the Lord shall own the land,

but those he has cursed shall be destroyed.

The Lord guides the steps of a man

and makes safe the path of one he loves.

Though he stumble he shall never fall

for the Lord holds him by the hand.

I was young and now I am old,

but I have never seen the just man forsaken

nor his children begging for bread.

All the day he is generous and lends

and his children become a blessing.

Then turn away from evil and do good

and you shall have a home for ever;

for the Lord loves justice

and will never forsake his friends.

The unjust shall be wiped out for ever

and the children of the wicked destroyed.

The just shall inherit the land;

there they shall live 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. Turn away from evil and learn to do God’s will; the Lord will strengthen you if you obey him.

Ant. Wait for the Lord to lead, then follow in his way.

The just man’s mouth utters wisdom

and his lips speak what is right;

the law of his God is in his heart,

his steps shall be saved from stumbling.

The wicked man watches for the just

and seeks occasion to kill him.

The Lord will not leave him in his power

nor let him be condemned when he is judged.

Then wait for the Lord, keep to his way.

It is he who will free you from the wicked,

raise you up to possess the land

and see the wicked destroyed.

I have seen the wicked triumphant,

towering like a cedar of Lebanon.

I passed by again; he was gone.

I searched; he was nowhere to be found.

See the just man, mark the upright,

for the peaceful man a future lies in store,

but sinners shall all be destroyed.

No future lies in store for the wicked.

The salvation of the just comes from the Lord,

their stronghold in time of distress.

The Lord helps them and delivers them

and saves them: for their refuge is in him.

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. Wait for the Lord to lead, then follow in his way.

Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

He sends forth his word to give life to the earth.

From the book of the prophet Isaiah

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.

Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,

I have stationed watchmen;

Never, by day or by night,

shall they be silent.

O you who are to remind the Lord,

take no rest

And give no rest to him,

until he re-establishes Jerusalem

And makes of it the pride of the earth.

The Lord has sworn by his right hand

and by his mighty arm:

No more will I give your grain

as food to your enemies;

Nor shall foreigners drink your wine,

for which you toiled.

But you who harvest the grain shall eat it,

and you shall praise the Lord;

You who gather the grapes shall drink the wine

in the courts of my sanctuary.

Pass through, pass through the gates,

prepare the way for the people;

Build up, build up the highway,

clear it of stones,

raise up a standard over the nations.

See, the Lord proclaims

to the ends of the earth:

Say to daughter Zion,

your savior comes!

Here is his reward with him,

his recompense before him.

They shall be called the holy people,

the redeemed of the Lord,

And you shall be called “Frequented,”

a city that is not forsaken.

Isaiah 62:2-3

The nations shall see your justice,

all kings shall witness your glory;

and the Lord himself will give you a new name by which you shall be called.

You will be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord,

and a kingly diadem in the hand of your God.

And the Lord himself will give you a new name by which you shall be called.

From a sermon on the Epiphany attributed to Saint Hippolytus, priest and martyr

That Jesus should come and be baptized by John is surely cause for amazement. To think of the infinite river that gladdens the city of God being bathed in a poor little stream of the eternal, the unfathomable fountainhead that gives life to all men being immersed in the shallow waters of this transient world! He who fills all creation, leaving no place devoid of his presence, he who is incomprehensible to the angels and hidden from the sight of man, came to be baptized because it was his will. And

behold, the heavens opened and a voice said: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

The beloved Father begets love, and spiritual light generates light inaccessible. In his divine nature he is my only Son, though he was known as the son of Joseph.

This is my beloved Son.

Though hungry himself, he feeds thousands; though weary, he refreshes those who labor. He has no place to lay his head yet holds all creation in his hand. By his passion [inflicted on him by others], he frees us from the passions [unleashed by our disobedience]; by receiving a blow on the cheek he gives the world its liberty; by being pierced in the side he heals the wound of Adam.

I ask you now to pay close attention, for I want to return to that fountain of life and contemplate its healing waters at their source.

The Father of immortality sent his immortal Son and Word into the world; he came to us men to cleanse us with water and the Spirit. To give us a new birth that would make our bodies and souls immortal, he breathed into us the spirit of life and armed us with incorruptibility. Now if we become immortal, we shall also be divine; and if we become divine after rebirth in baptism through water and the Holy Spirit, we shall also be coheirs with Christ after the resurrection of the dead.

Therefore, in a herald’s voice I cry: Let peoples of every nation come and receive the immortality that flows from baptism. This is the water that is linked to the Spirit, the water that irrigates Paradise, makes the earth fertile, gives growth to plants, and brings forth living creatures. In short, this is the water by which a man receives new birth and life, the water in which even Christ was baptized, the water into which the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove.

Whoever goes down into these waters of rebirth with faith renounces the devil and pledges himself to Christ. He repudiates the enemy and confesses that Christ is God, throws off his servitude, and is raised to filial status. He comes up from baptism resplendent as the sun, radiant in his purity, but above all, he comes as a son of God and a coheir with Christ. To him and to his most holy and life-giving Spirit be glory and power now and for ever. Amen.

John 1:32, 34, 33

I saw the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove resting upon him.

I have seen and given witness that he is the Son of God.

He who sent me to baptize said to me:

The one on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest,

this is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

I have seen and given witness that he is the Son of God.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

O God, whose Only Begotten Son

has appeared in our very flesh,

grant, we pray, that we may be inwardly transformed

through him whom we recognize as outwardly like ourselves.

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

All you who long to see the Christ,

lift up your eyes to heaven’s height,

for there you will behold the sign

of his eternal majesty.

This star in light and beauty bright

outshines the circle of the sun.

It brings glad tidings to the earth,

that God in mortal flesh has come.

Lo, Persian Magi from the East,

the gateway of the rising sun,

discern with wise and learned skill

the royal standard of the King.

“This great one, who is he?,” they ask.

“The sov’reign ruler of the stars;

celestial hosts before him quake,

the light and skies obey his will.

“Some noble wonder we behold

that knows no limit, end, or death,

sublime, exalted, boundless One,

more ancient than the heights and depths.

“The King of nations, this is he,

and sov’reign King of Israel,

pledged to their father Abraham

and his descendants evermore.”

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,

revealed to nations on this day,

with God the Father, ever blest,

and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Psalm 43

Ant. Lord, send forth your light and your truth.

Defend me, O God, and plead my cause

against a godless nation.

From deceitful and cunning men

rescue me, O God.

Since you, O God, are my stronghold,

why have you rejected me?

Why do I go mourning

oppressed by the foe?

O send forth your light and your truth;

let these be my guide.

Let them bring me to your holy mountain

to the place where you dwell.

And I will come to the altar of God,

the God of my joy.

My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp,

O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, my soul,

why groan within me?

Hope in God; I will praise him still,

my savior and my God.

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, send forth your light and your truth.

Isaiah 38:10-14

Ant. Lord, keep us safe all the days of our life.

Once I said,

“In the noontime of life I must depart!

To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned

for the rest of my years.”

I said, “I shall see the Lord no more

in the land of the living.

No longer shall I behold my fellow men

among those who dwell in the world.”

My dwelling, like a shepherd’s tent,

is struck down and borne away from me;

you have folded up my life, like a weaver

who severs the last thread.

Day and night you give me over to torment;

I cry out until the dawn.

Like a lion he breaks all my bones;

day and night you give me over to torment.

Like a swallow I utter shrill cries;

I moan like a dove.

My eyes grow weak, gazing heavenward:

O Lord, I am in straits; be my surety!

You have preserved my life

from the pit of destruction,

When you cast behind your back

all my sins.

For it is not the nether world that gives you thanks,

nor death that praises you;

Neither do those who go down into the pit

await your kindness.

The living, the living give you thanks,

as I do today.

Fathers declare to their sons,

O God, your faithfulness.

The Lord is our savior;

we shall sing to stringed instruments

In the house of the Lord

all the days of our life.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Lord, keep us safe all the days of our life.

Psalm 65

Ant. To you, O God, our praise is due in Zion.

To you our praise is due

in Zion, O God.

To you we pay our vows,

you who hear our prayer.

To you all flesh will come

with its burden of sin.

Too heavy for us, our offenses,

but you wipe them away.

Blessed is he whom you choose and call

to dwell in your courts.

We are filled with the blessings of your house,

of your holy temple.

You keep your pledge with wonders,

O God our savior,

the hope of all the earth

and of far distant isles.

You uphold the mountains with your strength,

you are girded with power.

You still the roaring of the seas,

the roaring of their waves

and the tumult of the peoples.

The ends of the earth stand in awe

at the sight of your wonders.

The lands of sunrise and sunset

you fill with your joy.

You care for the earth, give it water;

you fill it with riches.

Your river in heaven brims over

to provide its grain.

And thus you provide for the earth;

you drench its furrows,

you level it, soften it with showers,

you bless its growth.

You crown the year with your goodness.

Abundance flows in your steps,

in the pastures of the wilderness it flows.

The hills are girded with joy,

the meadows covered with flocks,

the valleys are decked with wheat.

They shout for joy, yes they sing.

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. To you, O God, our praise is due in Zion.

Isaiah 4:2-3

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.

RESPONSORY

All the kings of the earth will bow down in worship.

Men and women of every nation will serve him.

They will bow down in worship.

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

All the kings of the earth will bow down in worship.

Canticle of Zechariah

Ant. The wise men offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Lord, the Son of God and King most high, alleluia.

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. The wise men offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Lord, the Son of God and King most high, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

Let us rejoice in the compassion of Christ, who came to free mankind from the slavery of corruption and to give us the freedom of the sons of God. Trusting in this divine compassion, we plead:

By your birth, deliver us from evil.

Lord, you existed before the ages, yet you entered into a new life,

renew us continually through the mystery of your birth.

By your birth, deliver us from evil.

Without surrendering your divinity, you wondrously took on our humanity,

grant that our lives may press on to a fuller participation in your divinity.

By your birth, deliver us from evil.

You came to be a light to the nations, the teacher of holiness,

let your words be a light along our way.

By your birth, deliver us from evil.

Word of God made flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, you entered this world,

live in our hearts always through faith.

By your birth, deliver us from evil.

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

O God, whose Only Begotten Son

has appeared in our very flesh,

grant, we pray, that we may be inwardly transformed

through him whom we recognize as outwardly like ourselves.

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 119:49-56

Ant. This mystery, which has been hidden through all ages and from all generations, is revealed to us today.

Remember your word to your servant

by which you gave me hope.

This is my comfort in sorrow

that your promise gives me life.

Though the proud may utterly deride me

I keep to your law.

I remember your decrees of old

and these, Lord, console me.

I am seized with indignation at the wicked

who forsake your law.

Your commands have become my song

in the land of exile.

I think of your name in the night-time

and I keep your law.

This has been my blessing,

the keeping of your precepts.

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 53

The fool has said in his heart:

“There is no God above.”

Their deeds are corrupt, depraved;

not a good man is left.

God looks down from heaven

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 God.

See how they tremble with fear

without cause for fear:

for God scatters the bones of the wicked.

They are shamed; God rejects them.

O that Israel’s salvation might come from Zion!

When God 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.

Psalm 54:1-6

O God, save me by your name;

by your power, uphold my cause.

O God, hear my prayer;

listen to the words of my mouth.

For proud men have risen against me,

ruthless men seek my life.

They have no regard for God.

But I have God for my help.

The Lord upholds my life.

I will sacrifice to you with willing heart

and praise your name for it is good:

for you have rescued me from all my distress

and my eyes have seen the downfall of my 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. This mystery, which has been hidden through all ages and from all generations, is revealed to us today.

Deuteronomy 4:7

What great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?

He was seen on the earth.

He was a man among men.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

O God, whose eternal Word adorns the face of the heavens

yet accepted from the Virgin Mary the frailty of our flesh,

grant, we pray,

that he who appeared among us as the splendor of truth

may go forth in the fullness of power

for the redemption of the world.

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

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 119:49-56

Ant. Christ Jesus has come, bringing the joyful news: peace to those who were far off; peace to those who are near.

Remember your word to your servant

by which you gave me hope.

This is my comfort in sorrow

that your promise gives me life.

Though the proud may utterly deride me

I keep to your law.

I remember your decrees of old

and these, Lord, console me.

I am seized with indignation at the wicked

who forsake your law.

Your commands have become my song

in the land of exile.

I think of your name in the night-time

and I keep your law.

This has been my blessing,

the keeping of your precepts.

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 53

The fool has said in his heart:

“There is no God above.”

Their deeds are corrupt, depraved;

not a good man is left.

God looks down from heaven

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 God.

See how they tremble with fear

without cause for fear:

for God scatters the bones of the wicked.

They are shamed; God rejects them.

O that Israel’s salvation might come from Zion!

When God 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.

Psalm 54:1-6

O God, save me by your name;

by your power, uphold my cause.

O God, hear my prayer;

listen to the words of my mouth.

For proud men have risen against me,

ruthless men seek my life.

They have no regard for God.

But I have God for my help.

The Lord upholds my life.

I will sacrifice to you with willing heart

and praise your name for it is good:

for you have rescued me from all my distress

and my eyes have seen the downfall of my 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. Christ Jesus has come, bringing the joyful news: peace to those who were far off; peace to those who are near.

Isaiah 12:5-6

Sing praise to the Lord for his glorious achievement;

let this be known throughout all the earth.

Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel!

All nations will see the glory of your holy One.

All the kings of the earth will acknowledge your majesty.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

O God, whose eternal Word adorns the face of the heavens

yet accepted from the Virgin Mary the frailty of our flesh,

grant, we pray,

that he who appeared among us as the splendor of truth

may go forth in the fullness of power

for the redemption of the world.

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

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 119:49-56

Ant. I have raised you up as a light for all the nations; through you my salvation will be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Remember your word to your servant

by which you gave me hope.

This is my comfort in sorrow

that your promise gives me life.

Though the proud may utterly deride me

I keep to your law.

I remember your decrees of old

and these, Lord, console me.

I am seized with indignation at the wicked

who forsake your law.

Your commands have become my song

in the land of exile.

I think of your name in the night-time

and I keep your law.

This has been my blessing,

the keeping of your precepts.

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 53

The fool has said in his heart:

“There is no God above.”

Their deeds are corrupt, depraved;

not a good man is left.

God looks down from heaven

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 God.

See how they tremble with fear

without cause for fear:

for God scatters the bones of the wicked.

They are shamed; God rejects them.

O that Israel’s salvation might come from Zion!

When God 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.

Psalm 54:1-6

O God, save me by your name;

by your power, uphold my cause.

O God, hear my prayer;

listen to the words of my mouth.

For proud men have risen against me,

ruthless men seek my life.

They have no regard for God.

But I have God for my help.

The Lord upholds my life.

I will sacrifice to you with willing heart

and praise your name for it is good:

for you have rescued me from all my distress

and my eyes have seen the downfall of my 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. I have raised you up as a light for all the nations; through you my salvation will be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Tobit 14:6-7

All the nations of the world shall be converted and shall offer God true worship; all shall abandon their idols which have deceitfully led them into error, and shall bless the God of the ages in righteousness.

All you peoples praise our God.

Sing to the glory of his name.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

O God, whose eternal Word adorns the face of the heavens

yet accepted from the Virgin Mary the frailty of our flesh,

grant, we pray,

that he who appeared among us as the splendor of truth

may go forth in the fullness of power

for the redemption of the world.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

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

Why, wicked Herod, should you fear

with hostile dread the Christ who comes?

He gives us heaven, his own realm,

and lays no claim to earthly rule.

The Magi came, led by a star

sent forth by God to show the way.

By light they sought their way to Light;

with incense they confessed him God.

The Lamb of God came forth and touched

the River Jordan’s cleansing stream;

to wash us clean he took away

the sins for which he bore no guilt.

At Cana, power fresh and new

once made the jars of water blush;

by his command new wine was poured,

transformed from water at its source.

To you, Lord Jesus, glory be,

revealed to nations on this day,

with God the Father, ever blest,

and loving Spirit, ever one. Amen.

Psalm 49

Ant. You cannot serve both God and mammon.

Hear this, all you peoples,

give heed, all who dwell in the world,

men both high and low,

rich and poor alike!

My lips will speak words of wisdom.

My heart is full of insight.

I will turn my mind to a parable,

with the harp I will solve my problem.

Why should I fear in evil days

the malice of the foes who surround me,

men who trust in their wealth,

and boast of the vastness of their riches?

For no man can buy his own ransom,

or pay a price to God for his life.

The ransom of his soul is beyond him.

He cannot buy life without end,

nor avoid coming to the grave.

He knows that wise men and fools must both perish

and must leave their wealth to others.

Their graves are their homes for ever,

their dwelling place from age to age,

though their names spread wide through the land.

In his riches, man lacks wisdom;

he is like the beasts that are destroyed.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now,

and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. You cannot serve both God and mammon.

Ant. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.

This is the lot of those who trust in themselves,

who have others at their beck and call.

Like sheep they are driven to the grave,

where death shall be their shepherd

and the just shall become their rulers.

With the morning their outward show vanishes

and the grave becomes their home.

But God will ransom me from death

and take my soul to himself.

Then do not fear when a man grows rich,

when the glory of his house increases.

He takes nothing with him when he dies,

his glory does not follow him below.

Though he flattered himself while he lived:

“Men will praise me for all my success,”

yet he will go to join his fathers,

and will never see the light any more.

In his riches, man lacks wisdom;

he is like the beasts that are destroyed.

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. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, says the Lord.

Revelation 4:11

Ant. Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb who was slain.

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 from 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. Adoration and glory belong by right to the Lamb who was slain.

Ephesians 2:3b-5

By nature we deserved God’s wrath like the rest. But God is rich in mercy; because of his great love for us he brought us to life with Christ when we were dead in sin. By this favor you were saved.

RESPONSORY

All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.

All nations will acclaim his glory.

Men and women of every race.

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

All peoples will be blessed in him, men and women of every race.

Canticle of Mary

Ant. Christ, you are Light from Light; when you appeared on the earth, the wise men offered their gifts to you, 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. Christ, you are Light from Light; when you appeared on the earth, the wise men offered their gifts to you, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

United with all Christians in prayer and praise, we entreat the Lord:

Father, hear your children.

Help those who know not God but seek your presence in the shadows and projections of the human mind,

make them new persons in the light of Christ.

Father, hear your children.

Look with favor on all who adore you as the one true God and who await your coming in judgment on the last day,

may they recognize your constant love for us.

Father, hear your children.

Remember all those on whom you bestow life, light and all good things,

let them never be far from you.

Father, hear your children.

Watch over all travelers with angelic protection,

and keep them from sudden and unforeseen death.

Father, hear your children.

You revealed your truth to the dead while they were on earth,

lead them to contemplate the beauty of your countenance.

Father, hear your children.

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

O God, whose Only Begotten Son

has appeared in our very flesh,

grant, we pray, that we may be inwardly transformed

through him whom we recognize as outwardly like ourselves.

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