A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Compline

COMPLINE (Lat. Completorium). The last of the 'Horæ Diurnæ,' or 'Day Hours,' of the Roman Ritual.

Compline is sung after Vespers, either with or without a pause between the two Offices. It begins with the Versicle, 'Jube domine benedicere'; the Benediction, 'Noctem quietam, etc.'; and the Lectio, 'Fratres, sobrii estote.' These are followed by the 'Confiteor,' and 'Absolutio,' with the usual alternations between the Officiant and the Choir; the Versicles and Responses, 'Converte nos, etc.'; and Psalms iv, xxx, xc, and cxxxiii (Vulg. vers.) sung under the Antiphon 'Miserere mihi.' These Psalms never change; nor, except in the last verse, does the Hymn, 'Te lucis ante terminum,' which immediately succeeds them. The Officiant next sings the Capitulum, 'Tu autem'; followed by the Responsorium breve, 'In manus tuas'; the 'Gloria Patri,' and the Versicle and Response, 'Custode nos.' This part of the Office, which changes with the Season, is followed by the Canticle, 'Nunc dimittis,' sung with the Antiphon, 'Salva nos.' On certain days, the Canticle is followed by the Preces, 'Kyrie eleison, etc.,' sung kneeling. When these are omitted, the Officiant proceeds, at once, with the unchanging Prayer, 'Visita, quaesumus, Domine.' Then follows the Benediction, 'Benedicat et custodiat'; and the Office concludes with one of the four Antiphons, 'Alma Redemptoris Mater,' 'Ave, Regina,' 'Regina coeli,' or 'Salve Regina,' which change with the Season.

[ W. S. R. ]