Vespers (Evening Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 140 (141)
Prayer in time of danger
O Lord, I call on you, hurry to my help: listen to my voice when I call. When I make my prayer, let it rise like incense before you; when I raise my hands, let it be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard on my mouth, Lord, a watch upon my lips. Do not let my heart turn to evil thoughts, to the planning of wicked deeds, to alliance with wrongdoers. Let me not share in their delights. Let the just man strike and rebuke me out of kindness; but sinners shall never anoint me with oil, or I would be an ally in their plans. When they fall into the hands of harsh judges, they will see how kind my words were. Like fragments of spoil after digging, their bones will lie scattered round the mouth of the underworld. To you, Lord, to you my eyes are turned. I take refuge in you – preserve my life. Protect me from the trap they have laid for me, save me from the snares of the wicked. Let them be caught in their own nets, all of them, while I pass by in safety. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 140 (141)

Prayer in time of danger

O Lord, I call on you, hurry to my help: listen to my voice when I call.
When I make my prayer, let it rise like incense before you; when I raise my hands, let it be like the evening sacrifice.

Set a guard on my mouth, Lord, a watch upon my lips.
Do not let my heart turn to evil thoughts, to the planning of wicked deeds,
to alliance with wrongdoers. Let me not share in their delights.
Let the just man strike and rebuke me out of kindness; but sinners shall never anoint me with oil, or I would be an ally in their plans.

When they fall into the hands of harsh judges, they will see how kind my words were.
Like fragments of spoil after digging, their bones will lie scattered round the mouth of the underworld.

To you, Lord, to you my eyes are turned. I take refuge in you – preserve my life.
Protect me from the trap they have laid for me, save me from the snares of the wicked.
Let them be caught in their own nets, all of them, while I pass by in safety.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Psalm 141 (142)
You are my refuge
My voice cries out to the Lord; my voice cries out its entreaty. I pour out lamentation in his sight, I proclaim my troubles before him. When my spirit is failing within me, still, Lord, you know my paths. On the road I was travelling, they set up a trap for me. I looked about me and saw there was no-one beside me to help. I have nowhere to flee; and no-one will miss me. I have cried to you Lord, I have said: “you are my refuge, my share in the land of the living. Listen to my call for help, for I am crushed down”. “Lead my spirit from prison, so that I may praise your name. The upright will gather around me, because you have restored me”. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 141 (142)

You are my refuge

My voice cries out to the Lord; my voice cries out its entreaty.
I pour out lamentation in his sight, I proclaim my troubles before him.

When my spirit is failing within me, still, Lord, you know my paths.
On the road I was travelling, they set up a trap for me.
I looked about me and saw there was no-one beside me to help.
I have nowhere to flee; and no-one will miss me.

I have cried to you Lord, I have said: “you are my refuge, my share in the land of the living.
Listen to my call for help, for I am crushed down”.

“Lead my spirit from prison, so that I may praise your name.
The upright will gather around me, because you have restored me”.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Canticle	Philippians 2
Christ, God's servant
Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became like a man – not in appearance only, for he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross. For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Philippians 2

Christ, God's servant

Jesus Christ, although he shared God’s nature, did not try to seize equality with God for himself; but emptied himself, took on the form of a slave, and became like a man – not in appearance only, for he humbled himself by accepting death – even death on a cross.
For this, God has raised him high, and given him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth,
and every tongue will proclaim “Jesus Christ is Lord”, to the glory of God the Father.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

A short Bible reading and responsory may follow here.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Canticle

Magnificat

My soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation.
For he has shown me such favour –
me, his lowly handmaiden.
Now all generations will call me blessed,
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
His name is holy,
his mercy lasts for generation after generation
for those who revere him.

He has put forth his strength:
he has scattered the proud and conceited,
torn princes from their thrones;
but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel,
he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Some short prayers may follow here, to offer up the day's work to God.

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 that trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

A concluding prayer may follow here.

May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may he lead us to eternal life.

A M E N

Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 4
Thanksgiving
Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer. Alleluia.
When I called out, he heard me, the God of my righteousness. When I was in trouble, you gave me freedom: now, take pity on me and listen to my prayer. Sons of men, how long will your hearts be heavy? Why do you seek for vain things? Why do you run after illusions? Know that the Lord has done marvellous things for those he has chosen. When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me. Be vigorous, but do not sin: speak in the silence of your heart, in your bed, be at rest. Offer righteousness as a sacrifice, and put your trust in the Lord. Many are saying, Who will give us good things? Let your face shine on us, Lord, let the light of your face be a sign. You have given me a greater joy than the others receive from abundance of wheat and of wine. In peace shall I sleep, Lord, in peace shall I rest: firm in the hope you have given me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Take pity on me, Lord, and listen to my prayer. Alleluia.

Psalm 133 (134)
Evening prayer in the Temple
Bless the Lord through the night. Alleluia.
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand through the night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your arms to the sanctuary and bless the Lord! May the Lord bless you from Sion – the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Bless the Lord through the night. Alleluia.

Reading	Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one God. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength. These words that I teach you today will remain in your hearts. You will teach them to your children; you will speak them as you sit at home and as you go on your journeys; you will speak them when you lie down and when you rise up.

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Prayer
Let us pray. Come to us, Lord, this night, and give us the strength to rise at dawn rejoicing in the resurrection of your Anointed, who lives and reigns for ever and ever, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.