The Little office of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Lauds
LAUDS
O God, ✠ hasten to mine aid.
R. O Lord, ✠ make haste to help me. Glory be, etc.
Alleluia, or Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of everlasting glory.
From Candlemas until Advent
Ant. Mary is taken up * into heaven, the angels rejoice, and praising, bless the Lord.
During Advent
Ant. The angel Gabriel was sent * to Mary the Virgin, who was espoused to Joseph.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Ant. O wondrous union! The Creator of mankind, taking a living body, vouchsafed to be born of a virgin, and becoming man, without man's concurrence, bestowed upon us His Godhead.
PSALM XCII
The glory and the stability of the Church of Christ
The Lord reigneth: He is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded Himself.
For He hath established the world, which shall not be moved.
Thy throne is prepared of old: Thou art from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord: the floods have lifted up their voice.
The floods have lifted up their waves, with the noise of many waters.
Wonderful are the surges of the sea: wonderful is the Lord on high.
Thy testimonies are made exceedingly trustworthy: holiness becometh Thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.
Glory be, etc.
From Candlemas until Advent
Ant. Mary is taken up into heaven, the angels rejoice, and praising, bless the Lord.
Ant. The Virgin Mary * is taken
up into the heavenly bridechamber, where the King of kings
sitteth on a starry throne.
During Advent
Ant. The angel Gabriel was sent to Mary the Virgin, who was espoused to Joseph.
Ant. Hail, Mary,* full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, Alleluia.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Ant. O wondrous union ! The Creator of mankind, taking a living body, vouchsafed to be born of a virgin, and becoming man, without man's concurrence, bestowed upon us His Godhead.
Ant. When Thou wert wondrously born * of a virgin, then were the Scriptures fulfilled: Thou earnest down like the rain upon the fleece, that Thou mightest save mankind. We praise Thee, our God.
PSALM XCIX
All are invited to praise the Lord
Sing joyfully unto God all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness.
Come in before His presence with exceeding joy.
Know ye that the Lord He is God: He hath made us, and not we ourselves.
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture: go ye into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with hymns; and give thanks unto Him.
Praise ye His name; for the Lord is gracious, His mercy is for ever, and His truth endureth from generation to generation.
Glory be, etc.
From Candlemas until Advent
Ant. The Virgin Mary is taken up into the heavenly bridechamber, where the King of kings sitteth on a starry throne.
Ant. We run after the sweet smell * of thine ointments;
maidens love thee exceedingly.
During Advent
Ant. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, Alleluia.
Ant. Fear not, Mary: * thou hast
found grace before the
Lord: behold, thou shalt conceive,
and shalt bring forth a Son, Alleluia.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Ant. When Thou wert wondrously born of a virgin, then were the Scriptures fulfilled; Thou earnest down like the rain upon the fleece, that Thou mightest save mankind. We praise Thee, our God.
Ant. The bush which Moses saw *
unconsumed, we acknowledge to be thine admirable virginity, which thou didst keep inviolate; O
Mother of God, plead for us.
PSALM LXII
A prayer in desolation and distress
O God, my God, to Thee do I wake at break of day.
For Thee my soul thirsteth; for Thee my flesh longeth, O how exceedingly!
In a desert, pathless, and waterless land: so have I come before Thee in the holy place, that I might see Thy power and Thy glory.
For Thy mercy is better than life: my lips shall praise Thee.
Thus will I bless Thee all my life long; and in Thy name will I lift up my hands.
Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips.
If I have remembered Thee upon my bed, on Thee will I meditate in the morning; because Thou hast been my helper.
And I will rejoice under the covert of Thy wings: my soul cleaveth unto Thee; Thy right hand upholdeth me.
But they seek my soul in vain: they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: they shall be delivered into the power of the sword: they shall be portions for foxes.
But the king shall rejoice in God, all they that swear by Him shall be praised: because the mouth of them that speak wicked things is stopped.
Glory be, etc.
From Candlemas until Advent
Ant. We run after the sweet smell of Thine ointments; maidens love Thee exceedingly.
Ant. Blessed art thou, daughter,* of the Lord, for, through thee do we share in the fruit of life.
During Advent
Ant. Fear not, Mary: thou hast found grace before the Lord: behold, thou shalt conceive, and shalt bring forth a Son, Alleluia.
Ant. The Lord shall give unto Him * the throne of David His father, and He shall reign for ever.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Ant. The bush which Moses saw unconsumed we acknowledge to be thine admirable virginity, which thou didst keep inviolate; O Mother of God, plead for us.
Ant. The root of Jesse hath budded, * a star hath arisen out of Jacob: a virgin hath brought forth a Saviour; we give praise to Thee, our God.
CANTICLE OF THE THREE CHILDREN
Dan. iii
All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: O ye heavens, bless the Lord.
O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord.
O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord; O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord; O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord.
O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord; O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord.
O ye dews and hoar-frosts, bless the Lord; O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord.
O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord; O ye nights and days, bless the Lord.
O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord; O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
O let the earth bless the Lord; let it praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord; O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord.
O ye fountains, bless the Lord; O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord; O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord.
O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord; O ye sons of men, bless the Lord.
O let Israel bless the Lord; let him praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord.
O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all for ever.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; let us praise and magnify Him for ever.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; and worthy of praise, and glorious, and magnified for ever. (Glory be, etc. is not said.)
From Candlemas until Advent
Ant. Blessed art thou, daughter, of the Lord, for through thee do we share in the fruit of life.
Ant. Thou art beautiful * and comely, O daughter of Jerusalem: terrible as an army set in array.
During Advent
Ant. The Lord shall give unto Him the throne of David His father, and He shall reign for ever.
Ant. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: * be it done unto me according to thy word.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Ant. The root of Jesse hath budded, a star hath arisen out of Jacob: a virgin hath brought forth a Saviour; we give praise to Thee, our God.
Ant. Behold, Mary * hath borne us a Saviour, Whom when John saw he called out, saying: Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who taketh away the sins of the world, Alleluia.
PSALM CXLVIII
All creatures invited to praise God
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights.
Praise Him, all ye His angels; praise Him, all His hosts.
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all ye stars and light.
Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens; and let all the waters that are above the heavens, praise the name of the Lord.
For He spake, and they were made: He commanded, and they were created.
He hath established them for ever, and for evermore; He hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth; ye dragons and all deeps.
Fire, hail, snow, ice, and stormy winds, which fulfil His word,
Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees and all cedars.
Beasts and all cattle; creeping things, and feathered fowls.
Kings of the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, old men and children, let them praise the name of the Lord; for His name alone is exalted.
His praise is above heaven and earth; and He hath exalted the horn of His people.
A song of praise to all His saints; to the children of Israel, a people drawing nigh unto Him. Glory be, etc.
From Candlemas until Advent
Ant. Thou art fair and comely, O daughter of Jerusalem: terrible as an army set in array.
During Advent
Ant. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done unto me according to thy word.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Ant. Behold, Mary hath borne us a Saviour, Whom when John saw he called out, saying: Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who taketh away the sins of the world, Alleluia.
From Christmas until Advent
LITTLE CHAPTER, Cant. vi
The daughters of Sion saw her, and declared her most blessed; and queens praised her.
R. Thanks be to God.
During Advent
LITTLE CHAPTER
Is. xi
There shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him.
R. Thanks be to God.
HYMN
O Queen of all the virgin choir,
Enthroned above the starry sky,
Who with thy bosom's milk didst feed
Thine own Creator, Lord most high.
What man had lost in hapless Eve,
Thy sacred womb to man restores;
Thou to the wretched here beneath
Hast open'd heaven's eternal doors.
Hail, O refulgent Hall of light!
Hail, Gate august of heaven's high King!
Through thee redeemed to endless life,
Thy praise let all the nations sing.
O Jesu! born of Virgin bright,
Immortal glory be to Thee;
And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen.
V. Blessed art thou amongst women.
R. And blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
From Candlemas until Advent
Ant. O Mary, blessed Mother of God, * ever a virgin, the Lord's own temple, shrine of the Holy Ghost, thou alone as none other didst please Our Lord Jesus Christ; pray for the people; intercede for the clergy; plead for religious women.
During Eastertide is said instead of the above:
Ant. O Queen of heaven, * rejoice, Alleluia; for He Whom thou wast meet to bear, Alleluia, hath risen, as He said, Alleluia; pray for us to God, Alleluia.
During Advent
Ant. The Holy Ghost * shall come down upon thee, Mary; fear not, thou shalt hold within thy womb the Son of God, Alleluia.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Ant. A wondrous mystery * is revealed to-day: marvels are wrought. God is made man; He still remaineth what He was, and hath taken upon Him what He was not, suffering neither confusion nor division.
CANTICLE OF ZACHARY, Luke i
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because He hath visited and wrought the redemption of His people.
And hath raised up a horn of salvation to us in the house of David His servant;
As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who are from the beginning:
Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.
To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember His holy testament.
The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, that He would grant to us,
That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve Him without fear,
In holiness and justice before Him all our days.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways:
To give knowledge of salvation to His people, unto the remission of their sins;
Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us.
To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to direct our feet into the way of peace.
Glory be, etc.
From Candlemas until Advent
Ant. O Mary, blessed Mother of God, ever a virgin, the Lord's own temple, shrine of the Holy Ghost, thou alone as none other didst please Our Lord Jesus Christ; pray for the people; intercede for the clergy; plead for religious women.
During Eastertide
Ant. O Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia; for He Whom thou wast meet to bear, Alleluia, hath risen, as He said, Alleluia; pray for us to God, Alleluia.
During Advent
Ant. The Holy Ghost shall come down upon thee, Mary; fear not, thou shalt hold within thy womb the Son of God, Alleluia.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Ant. A wondrous mystery is revealed to-day: marvels are wrought. God is made man; He still remaineth what He was, and hath taken upon Him what He was not, suffering neither confusion nor division.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
From Candlemas until Christmas
Let us pray
O God, Who didst will that Thine eternal Word should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the angel delivered his message: grant that Thy petitioners, who verily believe her to be the Mother of God, may be assisted by her intercession. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
From Christmas until Candlemas
Let us pray
O God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast given to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession for us, by whom we deserved to receive the Author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son. R. Amen.
COMMEMORATION OF THE SAINTS
Throughout the year except in Advent
Ant. All ye saints of God, vouchsafe to plead for our salvation and for that of all mankind.
V. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just.
R. And be joyful, all ye that are right of heart.
Let us pray
Shield, O Lord, Thy people, and ever keep them in Thy care, who put their trust in the pleading of Thine apostles Peter and Paul, and of the other apostles.
May all Thy saints, we beseech Thee, O Lord, everywhere come to our help, that while we do honor to their merits, we may also enjoy their intercession: grant Thine own peace unto our times, and drive away all wickedness from Thy Church; direct our way, our actions, and our wishes and those of all Thy servants in the way of salvation; to our benefactors render everlasting blessings, and to all the faithful departed grant eternal rest. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
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.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Our Father, in silence throughout.
V. May the Lord give us His peace.
R. And life everlasting. Amen.
Then is said, according to the season, one of the Anthems which are at the end of Compline.
COMMEMORATION OF THE SAINTS
During Advent
Ant. Behold, the Lord shall come, and all His saints with Him, and in that day there shall be great light, Alleluia.
V. Behold, the Lord shall appear upon a shining cloud.
R. And with Him thousands of saints.
Let us pray
Cleanse our consciences, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by Thy visitation, that when Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, shall come with all the saints, He may find within us a resting-place made ready for Him. Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. 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.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen.
Our Father, in silence throughout.
V. May the Lord grant us His peace.
R. And life everlasting. Amen.
Then is said one of the Anthems of the B. V. M. which are at the end of Compline.