A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity/Evening Prayers
Evening Prayers.
THE OFFICE OF COMPLINE.
ORD, grant Thy blessing.
The Blessing.
MAY the Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night, and a perfect end.
R. Amen.
Short Lesson.
BRETHREN, be sober, and vigilant, for your adversary the devil as a roaring lion goeth about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist strong in faith. And do Thou, O Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord,
R. Who hath made heaven and earth.
Our Father (inaudibly).
CONVERT us, O God our Saviour.
R. And turn away Thine anger from us.
V. Come unto my help, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia (or, in Lent, Praise to Thee, O Lord, King of Eternal Glory).
Ant. Have mercy.
In Paschal time, Ant. Alleluia.
Psalm 4.
WHEN I called upon Him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in straits, Thou didst set me at liberty.
Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long will ye be dull of heart? why do ye love vanity, and seek after lying?
Know ye also that the Lord hath exalted His holy one: the Lord will hear me when I cry unto Him.
Be ye angry, and sin not: the things ye say in your hearts, be sorry for upon your beds.
Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say, Who showeth us good things?
The light of Thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: Thou hast given gladness in my heart.
By the fruit of their corn, and wine, and oil: are they multiplied.
In peace in the self-same: I will sleep, and I will rest.
For Thou, O Lord, alone: hast established me in hope.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Psalm 30.
IN Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded: deliver me in Thy justice.
Bow down Thine ear unto me: make haste to deliver me.
Be Thou unto me a God, a protector: and a house of refuge to save me.
For Thou art my strength and my refuge: and for Thy name's sake Thou wilt lead me, and nourish me.
Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me: for Thou art my protector.
Into Thy hands I commend my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Psalm 90.
HE that dwelleth in the help of the Most High: shall abide under the protection of the God of Heaven.
He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my upholder, and my refuge: my God, in Him will I hope.
For He hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters; and from the sharp word.
He shall overshadow thee with His shoulders: and under His wings shalt thou trust.
His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid for the terror of the night;
For the arrow that flieth in the day; for the plague that walketh in the darkness; for the assault of the evil one in the noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.
But with thine eyes shalt thou behold: and shalt see the reward of the wicked.
For Thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the Most High thy refuge.
There shall no evil approach unto thee: neither shall the scourge come nigh thy dwelling.
For He hath given His Angels charge over thee: to keep thee in all thy ways.
In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: the lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under foot.
Because he hath hoped in Me, I will deliver him: I will protect him, because he hath known My name.
He shall cry unto Me, and I will hear him: I am with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.
I will fill him with length of days: and will show him My salvation.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Psalm 133.
BEHOLD, now bless ye the Lord: all ye servants of the Lord.
Ye that stand in the house of the Lord: in the courts of the house of our God.
Lift up your hands by night to the holy places: and bless ye the Lord.
May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: Who hath made heaven and earth.
Ant. Have mercy on me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.
The Hymn.[1]
NOW that the daylight dies away,
By all Thy grace and love,
Thee, Maker of the world, we pray
To watch our bed above.
Let dreams depart and phantoms fly,
The offspring of the night;
Keep us, like shrines, beneath Thine eye,
Pure in our foes' despite.
This grace on Thy redeemed confer,
Father, Co-equal Son,
And Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
Eternal Three in One. Amen.
The Little Chapter.
THOU, O Lord, art among us, and Thy holy name is called upon us: forsake us not, O Lord our God.
R. Thanks be to God.
Short Responsory.
INTO Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
R. Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, God of truth.
R. I commend my spirit.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
V. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of Thine eye.
R. Protect us under the shadow of Thy wings.
The Canticle of Simeon.
Ant. Save us.
NOW, O Lord, lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy word.
For mine eyes have seen: Thy salvation.
Which Thou hast prepared: in sight of all nations.
Light to enlighten the gentiles: and glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, etc.
Ant. Save us, O Lord, watching, guard us sleeping: that we may watch with Christ, and may rest in peace. (At Eastertide, Alleluia.)
LORD, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father (inaudibly).
V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
I believe in God (in audibly).
V. The resurrection of the body.
R. And the life everlasting. Amen.
V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
R. And worthy to be praised and glorified for ever.
V. Let us bless the Father and the Son with the Holy Ghost.
R. Let us praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of Heaven.
R. And worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever.
V. May the Almighty and merciful Lord bless and protect us.
R. Amen.
V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night
R. To keep us without sin.
V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
R. Have mercy on us,
V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let us pray.
VISIT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy: let Thy holy Angels dwell therein to keep us in peace: and may Thy blessing be upon us always. Through our Lord, etc.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Blessing.
MAY the Almighty and merciful Lord bless and protect us; the Father, ✠ the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen.
I.
From Vespers of Saturday before the First Sunday in Advent to the Purification, inclusive.
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ALMA Redemptoris Mater quæ pervia cœli |
MOTHER of Christ! hear thou thy people's cry, |
In Advent.
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ANGELUS Domini nuntiavit Mariæ. |
THE Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. |
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R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. |
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost. |
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Oremus.
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Let us pray. |
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GRATIAM tuam, quæsumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde, ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem ejus et crucem ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur; per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. |
POUR forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that as we have known the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son by the message of an Angel, so, by His Passion and Cross, we may be brought to the glory of His resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. |
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R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
From Christmas day to the Purification.
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POST partum virgo inviolata permansisti. |
AFTER child-birth thou didst remain a pure virgin. |
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R. Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis. |
R. O Mother of God, intercede for us. |
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Oremus.
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Let us pray. |
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DEUS, qui salutis æternæ, beatæ Mariæ virginitate fecunda, humano generi præmia præstitisti; tribue, quæsumus, ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus, per quam meruimus auctorem vitæ suscipere, Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum. |
O GOD, who, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, hast given unto mankind the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may feel that she intercedes for us, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son. |
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R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
II.
From the Feast of the Purification to Maundy Thursday, exclusively.
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AVE, Regina cœlorum! |
HAIL! O Queen of Heav'n enthron'd! |
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V. Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata. |
V. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O sacred Virgin. |
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R. Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos. |
R. Give me strength against thine enemies. |
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Oremus.
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Let us pray. |
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CONCEDE, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostræ præsidium; ut qui sanctæ Dei Genitricis memoriam agimus, intercessionis ejus auxilio a nostris iniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. |
GRANT, O merciful God, defence to our weakness; that we who now celebrate the memory of the holy Mother of God may, by the aid of her intercession, rise again from our sins. Through the same Christ our Lord. |
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R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
III.
From Holy Saturday till Trinity Eve.
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REGINA Cœli, lætare! Alleluia. |
O QUEEN of heaven, rejoice! Alleluia. |
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V. Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria. Alleluia. |
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia. |
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R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere. Alleluia. |
R. For the Lord hath risen indeed. Alleluia. |
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Oremus.
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Let us pray. |
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DEUS, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi mundum lætificare dignatus es; præsta, quæsumus, ut per ejus Genitricem Virginem Mariam perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. |
O GOD, who, through the Resurrection of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, didst vouchsafe to fill the world with joy; grant, we beseech Thee, that, through His Virgin Mother, Mary, we may lay hold on the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. |
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R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
IV.
From First Vespers of Trinity Sunday to Advent.
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SALVE, Regina, mater misericordiæ; vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exules filii Hevæ; ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrymarum valle. Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; et Jesum, benedictum fructum veutris tui, nobis post hoc exilium ostende, O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. |
HAIL, holy Queen, Mother of mercy; our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary. |
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V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. |
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. |
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R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. |
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. |
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Oremus.
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Let us pray. |
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OMNIPOTENS, sempiterne Deus, qui gloriosæ Virginis Matris Mariæ corpus et animam, ut dignum Filii tui habitaculum effici mereretur, Spiritu Sancto cooperante, præparasti; da ut cujus commemoratione lætamur, ejus pia intercessione ab instantibus malis et a morte perpetua liberemur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. |
ALMIGHTY, Everlasting God, who, by the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mother, Mary, to become the fit habitation of Thy Son; grant that we who now rejoice in her commemoration may, by her gracious intercession, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us, and from everlasting death. Through the same Christ our Lord. |
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R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
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V. Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum. |
V. May the divine assistance remain always with us. |
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R. Amen.
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R. Amen. |
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Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Credo (secreto). |
Our Father, Hail Mary, I believe in God (inaudibly). |
ANOTHER FORM OF EYENING PRAYERS.
IN the name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
O MY God, I present myself before Thee at the end of another day, to offer Thee anew the homage of my heart. I humbly adore Thee, my Creator, my Redeemer, and my Judge! I believe in Thee, because Thou art Truth itself; I hope in Thee, because Thou art faithful to Thy promises; I love Thee with my whole heart, because Thou art infinitely worthy of being loved; and for Thy sake I love my neighbor as myself.
ENABLE me, O my God, to return Thee thanks as I ought for all Thine inestimable blessings and favors. Thou hast thought of me, and loved me from all eternity; Thou hast formed me out of nothing; Thou hast delivered up Thy beloved Son to the ignominious death of the Cross for my redemption; Thou hast made me a member of Thy holy Church; Thou hast preserved me from falling into the abyss of eternal misery, when my sins had provoked Thee to punish me; and Thou hast graciously continued to spare me, even though I have not ceased to offend Thee. What return, O my God, can I make for Thine innumerable blessings, and particularly for the favors of this day? O all ye Saints and Angels, unite with me in praising the God of mercies, who is so bountiful to so unworthy a creature.
Our Father. Hail Mary. I believe in God.
Ask of God light to discover the sins committed this day.
O MY God, sovereign Judge of men, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should be converted and saved, enlighten my mind, that I may know the sins which I have this day committed in thought, word, or deed, and give me the grace of true contrition.
Here examine your Conscience; then say:
O MY God, I heartily repent, and am grieved that I have offended Thee, because Thou art infinitely good, and sin is infinitely displeasing to Thee. I humbly ask of Thee mercy and pardon, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ. I resolve, by the assistance of Thy grace, to do penance for my sins, and I will endeavor never more to offend Thee.
I confess to Almighty God, etc.
[Here may be said the Litany of Loreto, p. 65.]
- ↑ Translated by Cardinal Newman