PRAYER BEFORE OFFICE
Open thou, O Lord, my mouth to bless thy holy Name; cleanse also my heart from all vain, evil, and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding; enkindle my affections; that I may say this Office worthily, with attention and devotion, and so be meet to be heard in the presence of thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, in union with that divine intention wherewith thou thyself on earth didst render thy praises to God, I desire to offer these Hours (or this Hour) unto thee.
MATINS
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee : Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners ; Now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth : And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord : Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary : Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried : He descended into hell ; The third day he rose again from the dead : He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty : From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost : The holy Catholic Church : The Communion of Saints : The Forgiveness of sins : The Resurrection of the body : And the Life everlasting. Amen.
V. O Lord, + open thou my lips. R. And my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
V. O God, make speed to save me. 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.
Let us worship the Lord, * For he is our Maker.
Let us worship the Lord, * For he is our Maker.
Psalm 94. Venite, exsultemus Domino.
O come, let us sing unto the Lord ; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving ; and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.
Let us worship the Lord, * For he is our Maker.
For the Lord is a great God ; and a great King above all gods: For the Lord will not cast off his people: In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also.
For he is our Maker.
The sea is his and he made it ; and his hands prepared the dry land. O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker: For he is the Lord our God ; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.
Let us worship the Lord, * For he is our Maker.
Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness ; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.
For he is our Maker.
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways: unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.
Let us worship the Lord, * For he is our Maker.
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.
For he is our Maker.
Let us worship the Lord, * For he is our Maker.
The Hymn
The first day of the week saw earth
From utter darkness first have birth;
This day its Maker rose again,
And vanquished death, and burst our chain.
Begone with slumbering, slothful ease!
Raise we our hearts and bend our knees!
Heed we the Psalms' prophetic call
To seek betimes the Lord of all.
And so we plead for what we crave:
That God stretched forth his hand to save,
And, purging out each sinful stain,
Restore us to our home again.
Assembled for a holy day,
This holy Hour we raise the lay;
And O that he to whom we sing
May now reward our offering!
By local custom, during the following stanza all genuflect :
O Father of unclouded light,
We pray thee, kneeling in thy sight,
From all defilement to be freed,
And every sinful act and deed.
We pray that this our mortal frame
May know no sin, and fear no shame,
Whereby the fires of hell may rise
To torture us in fiercer wise.
We therefore, Saviour, cry to thee
To wash out our iniquity,
And give us of thy boundless grace
The blessings of the heavenly place.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Shall live and reign eternally. Amen.
FIRST NOCTURN
Ant.Blessed is the man.
Psalm 1. Beatus vir
Who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * nor sat in the chair of pestilence.
2 But his will is in the law of the Lord, * and on his law he shall meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, * which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. 4 And his leaf shall not fall off: * and all whosoever he shall do shall prosper.
5 Not so the wicked, not so: * but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.
6 Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: * nor sinners in the council of the just.
7 For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: * and the way of the wicked shall perish. 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.
Ant.Blessed is the man, who meditates on the law of the Lord.
Ant. Serve ye the Lord.
Psalm 2. Quare fremuerunt gentes?
1 Why have the Gentiles raged, * and the people devised vain things?
2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, * against the Lord and against his Christ.
3 Let us break their bonds asunder: * and let us cast away their yoke from us.
4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: * and the Lord shall deride them.
5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, * and trouble them in his rage.
6 But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, * preaching his commandment.
7 The Lord hath said to me: * Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10 And now, O ye kings, understand: * receive instruction, you that judge the earth.
11 Serve ye the Lord with fear: * and rejoice unto him with trembling.
12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, * and you perish from the just way.
13 When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, * blessed are all they that trust in him. 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.
Ant. Serve ye the Lord with fear: * and rejoice unto him with trembling.
Ant. Arise.
Psalm 3. Domine quid multiplicati?
Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God.
3 But thou, O Lord art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
4 I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill.
5 I have slept and taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.
6 I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God.
7 For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners.
8 Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people. 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.
Ant.Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God.
V. I have thought upon thy Name, O Lord, in the night season. R. And I have kept thy law.
Our Father secretly to
V.And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution Graciously hear, O Lord Jesus Christ, the prayers of thy servants, and have mercy upon us. Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, for ever and ever. R. Amen.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May the Father Eternal bless us with a never-ending blessing. R. Amen.
Lesson i
Chap. 1, 1-4
Here beginneth the Book of Daniel the Prophet
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
R. I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, and the whole earth was full of his glory : * And his train filled the temple. V.Above it stood the Seraphim : each one had six wings. And.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May the Son of God, the sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us. R. Amen.
Lesson ii
Chap. 1, 5-9
And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
R. Look down, O Lord, from the dwelling place of thine holiness, and take thought for us : O my God, incline thine ear, and hear : * Open thine eyes, and behold our desolation. V.Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock. Open.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May the grace of the Holy Ghost all our heart and mind enlighten. R. Amen.
Lesson iii
Chap. 1, 10-15
And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
R. Consider, O Lord, how that the city sitteth solitary that was full of riches ; how is she become as a widow, she that was great among the nations ; * She hath none to comfort her, save thee, O our God. V.She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks. She. Glory. She.
SECOND NOCTURN
Ant.How admirable.
Psalm 8. Domine, Dominus noster
O Lord our Lord, * how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!
2 For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens.
3 Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, * that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger.
4 For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: * the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.
5 What is man that thou art mindful of him? * or the son of man that thou visitest him?
6 Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: * and hast set him over the works of thy hands.
7 Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields.
8 The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea.
9 O Lord our Lord, how admirable is thy name in all the earth! 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.
Ant.How admirable is thy Name, O Lord, in all the earth!
Ant. Thou hast sat on the throne.
Psalm 9. i. Confitebor tibi
I will give praise to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: * I will relate all thy wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: * I will sing to thy name, O thou most high.
3 When my enemy shall be turned back: * they shall be weakened and perish before thy face.
4 For thou hast maintained my judgment and my cause: * thou hast sat on the throne, who judgest justice.
5 Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles, and the wicked one hath perished: * thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever. 6 The swords of the enemy have failed unto the end: * and their cities thou hast destroyed.
7 Their memory hath perished with a noise, * but the Lord remaineth for ever.
8 He hath prepared his throne in judgment: * and he shall judge the world in equity, he shall judge the people in justice.
9 And the Lord is become a refuge for the poor: a helper in due time in tribulation. 10 And let them trust in thee who know thy name: for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee, O Lord. 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.
Ant. Thou hast sat on the throne, who judgest justice.
Ant. Arise, O Lord.
Psalm 9. ii. Psallite Domino
11 Sing ye to the Lord, who dwelleth in Sion: * declare his ways among the Gentiles:
12 For requiring their blood he hath remembered them: * he hath not forgotten the cry of the poor.
13 Have mercy on me, O Lord: * see my humiliation which I suffer from my enemies.
14 Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death, * that I may declare all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
15 I will rejoice in thy salvation: * the Gentiles have stuck fast in the destruction which they have prepared. 16 Their foot hath been taken * in the very snare which they hid.
17 The Lord shall be known when he executeth judgments: * the sinner hath been caught in the works of his own hands.
18 The wicked shall be turned into hell, * all the nations that forget God.
19 For the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end: * the patience of the poor shall not perish for ever.
20 Arise, O Lord, let not man be strengthened: * let the Gentiles be judged in thy sight.
21 Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: * that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men. 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.
Ant.Arise, Lord, and let not man prevail.
V. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee. R. Because of thy righteous judgments.
Our Father secretly to
V.And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us. Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever. R. Amen.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity. R. Amen.
Lesson iv
Liber de Virginitate, post initium
The Lesson is taken from the Book on Virginity by St. Athanasius the Bishop
If any should come and say unto thee, Fast not so often, lest thou injure thine health, believe them not, neither listen to them. They but lend their voices to the great enemy in suggesting such a thing unto thee. Remember how it is written that when the Three Children, and Daniel, and the other young men, were led captives by Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, that it was commanded them to eat of his royal table, and to drink of his wine, Daniel and those Three Children would not defile themselves with the King's table, but said unto the eunuch into whose keeping they had been given : Give us pulse to eat : that is, something made of herbs. And the Eunuch answered them : I fear my lord the King, who hath appointed your meat and your drink, for why should he see your faces worse liking than the youths which are of your own age? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
R. Upon thy walls have I set watchmen, O Jerusalem ; * Which shall never hold their peace day nor night, praising the Name of the Lord. V.They shall proclaim my might unto the nations, and declare my glory unto the Gentiles. Which.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal. R. Amen.
Lesson v
Then Daniel said unto him : Prove thy servants ten days, and let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink. And, when he brought them in before the King, their countenances appeared fairer than all the children which did eat the portion of the King's meat. Seest thou what fasteth doth? It healeth diseases ; it drieth up the humours of the body ; it scareth away devils ; it purgeth out unclean thoughts ; it maketh the intellect clearer ; it purifieth the heart ; it sanctifieth the body ; and in the end it leadeth a man unto the very throne of God. Think not that this is rash talking. Thou hast the testimony of this in the Gospels under the sanction of the Saviour himself. His disciples asked him why they could not cast out an evil spirit, and he said unto them : This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
R. Hedge us about with thine invincible wall, O Lord, and shield us continually with the arms of thy might ; * O Lord God of Israel, deliver them that cry unto thee. V.Deliver us also according to thy marvellous works, and give glory to thy Name. O.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love. R. Amen.
Lesson vi
If any man therefore be troubled with an unclean spirit, let him bethink him of this, and have recourse to the appointed remedy, namely, fasting, and the evil spirit will be forthwith compelled to leave him from dread of the power which cometh from a fast. Devils take great delight in fulness, and drunkenness, and bodily comfort. There is therefore great power in fasting, and great and glorious things are wrought thereby. How cometh it that men work such wonders, and that signs are done by them, and that God through them giveth health to the sick, unless it be from their spiritual exercises, and the meekness of their souls, and their godly conversation? To fast is to banquet with Angels ; and he that fasteth is to be reckoned, in so far as he fasteth, as among the angelic host.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
R. We looked for peace and it came not ; we asked for good, and behold trouble : for we have acknowledged our sins, O Lord : * Forget us not for ever. V.O Lord God, we have sinned, we have done ungodly, we have dealt unrighteously in all thine ordinances. Forget. Glory. Forget.
THIRD NOCTURN
Ant.Why, O Lord.
Psalm 9. iii. Ut quid, Domine?
22 Hast thou retired afar off? * why dost thou slight us in our wants, in the time of trouble?
23 Whilst the wicked man is proud, the poor is set on fire: * they are caught in the counsels which they devise.
24 For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: * and the unjust man is blessed.
25 The sinner hath provoked the Lord * according to the multitude of his wrath he will not seek him:
26 God is not before his eyes: * his ways are filthy at all times. 27 Thy judgments are removed from his sight: * he shall rule over all his enemies.
28 For he hath said in his heart: * I shall not be moved from generation to generation, and shall be without evil.
29 His mouth is full of cursing, and of bitterness, and of deceit: * under his tongue are labour and sorrow.
30 He sitteth in ambush with the rich in private places, * that he may kill the innocent.
31 His eyes are upon the poor man: * He lieth in wait in secret like a lion in his den. 32 He lieth in ambush that he may catch the poor man: * to catch the poor, whilst he draweth him to him.
33 In his net he will bring him down, * he will crouch and fall, when he shall have power over the poor.
34 For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten, * he hath turned away his face not to see to the end. 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.
Ant.Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off?
Ant. Arise.
Psalm 9. iv. Exsurge, Domine Deus
35 O Lord God, let thy hand be exalted: * forget not the poor.
36 Wherefore hath the wicked provoked God? * for he hath said in his heart: He will not require it.
37 Thou seest it, for thou considerest labour and sorrow: * that thou mayst deliver them into thy hands.38 To thee is the poor man left: thou wilt be a helper to the orphan.
39 Break thou the arm of the sinner and of the malignant: * his sin shall be sought, and shall not be found. 40 The Lord shall reign to eternity, yea, for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish from his land.
41 The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor: thy ear hath heard the preparation of their heart.
42 To judge for the fatherless and for the humble, that man may no more presume to magnify himself upon earth. 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.
Ant. Arise, O Lord God, let thy hand be exalted.
Ant. The Lord is just.
Psalm 10. In Domino confido
In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: * Get thee away from hence to the mountain like a sparrow?
2 For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow; they have prepared their arrows in the quiver; * to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.
3 For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: * but what has the just man done?
4 The Lord is in his holy temple, * the Lord's throne is in heaven.5 His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men.
6 The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: * but he that loveth iniquity hateth his own soul.
7 He shall rain snares upon sinners: * fire and brimstone and storms of winds shall be the portion of their cup.
8 For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: * his countenance hath beheld righteousness. 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.
Ant. The Lord is just, and hath loved justice.
V. Mine eyes prevent the night watches. R. That I might be occupied in thy words, O Lord.
Our Father secretly to
V.And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free. R. Amen.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May the Gospel's holy lection be our safeguard and protection. R. Amen.
Lesson vii
Chap. 13, 24-30
The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
At that time : Jesus spake this parable unto the multitudes : The Kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. And so on, and that which followeth.
A Homily by St. Augustine the Bishop
Liber Quæst. Evang. in Matth. cap. 11, tom. 4
In this parable the Lord hath reference to the time when the Shepherds of the Church should begin to wax careless, (or, it may be, to the time when the Apostles should fall asleep in the sleep of death,) at which time, the devil would come and sow that which the Lord calleth a seed of evil-doers. Now, is this seed of evil-doers a reference to hereticks or to Catholics of bad lives? It certainly is not unjust to call the hereticks a seed of evil-doers, seeing that they have sprung up from the seed of the Gospel, and have been begotten in the Name of Christ, and afterwards have turned into crooked ways and lying doctrines.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
R. Blessed is the people * Whom the Lord of Hosts hath blest, saying : O Israel, thou art the work of mine own hands, thou art mine own inheritance. V.Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord, and blessed are the folk that he hath chosen to him to be his inheritance. Whom.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May help divine be with us all, for ever abiding. R. Amen.
Lesson viii
But since it is written that this seed was sown in the midst of the wheat, we ought perhaps to understand thereby a reference to such as are of one Communion with the righteous. However, inasmuch as the Lord saith : The field is the world : and doth not thereby directly speak of the Church, we may with good reason understand the seed of evil-doers to be the hereticks, since in this world they are mingled together with the good, not in one common Communion, but only under one common name of Christian. And Catholics of bad lives, which nevertheless are of one Faith with the good seed, and yet are themselves worthless, may more fitly be likened to straw than to tares, since the straw springeth from one soil and one root with the good grain-bearing ear of corn.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
R. The two Seraphim did cry the One to the Other : * Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Hosts : * The whole earth is full of his glory. V.For there are Three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost : and these Three are One. Holy. Glory. The.
V. Pray, Lord, give me thy blessing.
Bened. May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven. R. Amen.
Lesson ix
However, as touching the net cast into the sea, and enclosing a great multitude of fishes, both bad and good, we may well understand that by the bad are meant Catholics of bad lives. For the sea is one thing whereby we may understand to be signified the world ; and the net another , which seemeth to signify our Faith, or the Communion of one Church. Between hereticks and sinful Catholics there is this difference : hereticks believe a lie : sinful Catholics believe the truth, but live not what they believe.
V.But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to God.
TE DEUM
We praise thee, O God, * we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, * the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud, * the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim * continually do cry.
Holy, Holy, Holy, * Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full * of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles * praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets * praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs * praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world * doth acknowledge thee;
The Father, * of an infinite Majesty.
Thine honourable, true, * and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, * the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory, * O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting * Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, * thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, * thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, * in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come * to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, * whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, * in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people, * and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, * and lift them up for ever.
Day by day * we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name * ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us * this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, * have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, * as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted, * let me never be confounded.
LAUDS
V. O God, make speed to save me. 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.
Ant. Alleluia.
Psalm 92. Dominus regnavit
The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: * the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself.
2 For he hath established the world which shall not be moved.
3 Thy throne is prepared from of old: * thou art from everlasting.
4 The floods have lifted up, O Lord: the floods have lifted up their voice.
5 The floods have lifted up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.6 Wonderful are the surges of the sea: * wonderful is the Lord on high.
7 Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: * holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days. 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.
Ant.Alleluia, the Lord reigneth, apparelled with majesty and girded with strength, alleluia, alleluia.
Ant.Sing joyfully.
Psalm 99. Jubilate
To God, all the earth: * serve ye the Lord with gladness.
2 Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves.
4 We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. * Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him.
5 Praise ye his name: for the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, * and his truth to generation and generation. 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.
Ant.Sing joyfully to God, all the earth, alleluia.
Ant.I will bless thee.
Psalm 62. Deus, Deus meus
O God, my God, * to thee do I watch at break of day.
2 For thee my soul hath thirsted; * for thee my flesh, O how many ways!
3 In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory.
4 For thy mercy is better than lives: * thee my lips shall praise.
5 Thus will I bless thee all my life long: * and in thy name I will lift up my hands.
6 Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
7 If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning: * because thou hast been my helper.
8 And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings: my soul hath stuck close to thee: * thy right hand hath received me.
9 But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: * They shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes.
10 But the king shall rejoice in God, all they shall be praised that swear by him: * because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things. 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.
Ant.I will bless thee all my life long, O Lord: and in thy name I will lift up my hands, alleluia.
Ant.At the king's commandment.
The Song of the Three Holy Children
Benedicite, omnia opera
Dan. 3, 57-88 and 56
All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: * praise and exalt him above all for ever.
2 O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: * O ye heavens, bless the Lord.
3 O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord.
4 O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: * O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
5 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord.
6 O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: * O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord.
7 O ye dews and hoar frost, bless the Lord: * O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord.
8 O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: * O ye nights and days, bless the Lord.
9 O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: * O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
10 O let the earth bless the Lord; * let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.
11 O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: * O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord:
12 O ye fountains, bless the Lord: * O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
13 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: * O all ye fowls of the Air, bless the Lord.
14 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: * O ye sons of men, bless the Lord.
15 O let Israel bless the Lord; * let them praise and exalt him above all for ever.
16 O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: * O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
17 O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: * O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord.
18 O Ananias, Azarias, Misael, bless ye the Lord: * let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.(During the following verse, all bow)
19 Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.
20 Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: * and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever.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.
Ant.The three children at the king's commandment were cast into the furnace, fearing not the flame of the fire, but saying : Blessed be our God, alleluia.
Ant.Alleluia.
Psalm 148. Laudate Dominum
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: * praise ye him in the high places.
2 Praise ye him , all his angels: * praise ye him, all his hosts.
3 Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: * and let all the waters that are above the heavens praise the name of the Lord.
5 For he spoke, and they were made: * he commanded, and they were created.
6 He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: * he hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons, and all ye deeps:
8 Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds * which fulfil his word:
9 Mountains and all hills, * fruitful trees and all cedars:
10 Beasts and all cattle: * serpents and feathered fowls:
11 Kings of the earth and all people: * princes and all judges of the earth:
12 Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord: * for his name alone is exalted.
13 The praise of him is above heaven and earth: * and he hath exalted the horn of his people.14 A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to him.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.
Ant. Alleluia, praise ye the Lord from the heavens, alleluia, alleluia.
The Little Chapter Apoc. 7. 12.Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Hymn
Maker of all, eternal King,
Who day and night about dost bring,
Thou, weary mortals to relieve,
Dost in their turn the seasons give.
Lo! chanticleer proclaims each day,
And calls the sun's awakening ray
To be the pilgrim's guiding light,
And mark the watches night by night.
Roused at the note, the morning star
Heaven's dusky veil uplifts afar;
Night's vagrant bands no longer roam,
But from their dark ways hie them home.
Encouraged sailors then no more
Do fear the raging billow's roar;
Lo! e'en the very Church's Rock
Melts at the crowing of the [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse].
So daily let us ardent rise;
The [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] rebukes men's slumbering eyes,
Bestirs who still in sleep would lie,
And shames who would their Lord deny.
New hope his clarion note awakes,
Sickness the feeble frame forsakes,
The robber sheathes his lawless sword,
Faith to the fallen is restored.
Look on us, Jesu, when we fall,
And with the look our souls recall;
If thou but look, our sins are gone,
And with due tears our pardon won.
Shed through our hearts thy piercing ray,
Our souls' dull slumber drive away;
Thy Name be first on every tongue,
To thee our earliest praise be sung.
To God the Father, glory be,
And to his sole-begotten Son,
Glory, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
While everlasting ages run. Amen.
V. The Lord is King and hath put on glorious apparel. R. The Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
Ant. on Bened: Sir, didst not thou sow.
THE SONG OF ZACHARIAS Luke 1. 68-79
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: * because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people.
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, * in the house of David his servant.
70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, * who are from the beginning.
71 Salvation from our enemies * and from the hand of all that hate us.
72 To perform mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy testament.
73 The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, * that he would grant to us.
74 That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, * we may serve him without fear:
75 In holiness and justice before him, * all our days.
76 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:
77 To give knowledge of salvation to his people, * unto the remission of their sins.
78 Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, * in which the Orient from on high hath visited us
79 To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death: * to direct our feet into the way of peace.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.
Ant. on Bened: Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? and the house-holder made answer : An enemy hath done this.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray. O Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy Church and household continually with thy mercy: that they who do lean only upon the hope of thy heavenly grace, may evermore be defended by thy mighty power. Through.
And a Commemoration is made of the Octave:
Ant: The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee; the goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee; the white-robed army of Martyrs praise thee; all thy Saints and Elect with one voice do acknowledge thee, O blessed Trinity, One God.
V. Let the Saints be joyful in glory. R. Let them rejoice in their beds.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who hast granted us to venerate the merits of all thy Saints in one solemnity, vouchsafe to us, we beseech thee, through the multitude of our intercessors, that abundance of thy mercy for which we ever have hoped. Through.
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.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen.
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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
V. The Lord give us his peace. R. And life everlasting. Amen.
FINAL ANTIPHON OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, 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 vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, shew unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
V. Pray for us, most holy Mother of God. R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. Almighty, everlasting God, who by the co-operation of the Holy Ghost didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary to become a dwelling-place meet for thy Son : grant that as we rejoice in her commemoration ; so by her fervent intercession we may be delivered from present evils and from everlasting death. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
V. May help divine be with us all, for ever abiding. R. Amen.
