Chapter the Fourth. Morning and Night Prayers for Advent

During Advent, the Christian, on waking in the morning, will unite himself with the Church, who, in her Office of Matins, says to us these solemn words, which choirs of religious men and women, throughout the universe, have been chanting during the deep silence of the night : —

Come, let us adore the Regem venturum Domi- King our Lord, who is to num, venite, adoremus. come !

He will profoundly adore this great King, whose Coming is so near at hand : and with this idea deeply impressed upon his mind, he will perform the first acts of religion, both interior and exterior, wherewith he begins the day. The time for Morning Prayer being come, he may use the following method, which is formed upon the very prayers of the Church : — morning prayers.

First, praise and adoration of the Most Holy Trinity :— y. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Let us praise him and extol him above all for ever.

J. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

1$. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

^. BenedicamusPatrem,et Filium, cum Sancto Spirftu.

1$. Laudemus et superexaltemus eum in saecula. f. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.

1$. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. dbyGoogk

Then, praise to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ :— ft. Adoramus te, Christe, ft. We adore thee, O Christ, et benedicinms tibi. and we bless thee.

3$. Quia per Crucem tuam 3$. Because by thy Cross redemisti mundum. thou hast redeemed the world.

Thirdly, invocation of the Holy Ghost : —

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, re- Come, O Holy Spirit, fill pie tuorum corda fidelium, the hearts of thy faithful, et tui amoris in eis ignem and enkindle within them accende. the fire of thy love.

After these fundamental acts of religion, you will recite the Lord's Prayer, asking of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant that his holy Name may be glorified on earth by sending his Son, who will found the kingdom of God; and that he will vouchsafe to give us this Saviour who is our Bread, and who will obtain for us, by the mediation so long looked for, the forgiveness of our sins ; finally, that he will deliver us from sin, which is the sovereign evil.

THE LOHD'S PRAYER.

Pater noster, qui es in Our Father, who art in coelis, sanctificetur nomen heaven, hallowed be thy tuum : adveniat regnum tu- name : thy kingdom come ; um : fiat voluntas tua, sicut thy will be done, on earth, in coelo, et in terra. Panem as it is in heaven. Give us nostrum quotidianum da no- this day our daily bread; bis hodie : et dimitte nobis and forgive us our trespasses, debita nostra, sicut et nos as we forgive them that tres- cRmittimus debitoribus nos- pass against us : and lead us tris I et ne nos inducas in not into temptation : but de- tentationem : sed libera nos liver us from evil. Amen, a malo. Amen.

Then address the Angelical Salutation to Mary, who is, in these days which precede the Nativity, so truly full of grace, since she has in her chaste womb Him who is the author of all grace. The Lord, the fruit of her womb, is with her ; and we may already give her the sublime and unshared title of Mother of God

THE ANGELICAL SALUTATION.

Hail Mary, full of grace ; Ave Maria, gratia plena : the Lord is with thee ; bles- Dominus tecum : benedicta sed art thou among women, tu in mulieribus, et bene- and blessed is the fruit of thy dictus fructus ventris tui, womb, J esus. J esus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, pray for us sinners, now and ora pro nobis peccatoribus, at the hour of our death, nunc et in hora mortis nos-

Amen. trae. Amen.

After this, recite the symbol of Faith ; and as you pronounce the words, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, dwell on them with a special attention, adoring the Saviour, who is as yet concealed in Mary's womb.

THE APOSTLES' CREED.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator 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 rilate, was crucified, dead, and buried ; he descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead ; he ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; from thence he shall come to judge the living 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 life everlasting. Amen.

Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, creatorem . coeli et terras. Et in Jesum Christum Filium ejus unicum Dominum nostrum : qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus : descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis : ascendit ad ccelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis : inde venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos.

Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam. Sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam seternam. Amen, dbyGoogk

After having thus made the Profession of your Faith, excite within yourself sentiments of penance, by the remembrance of the sins you have committed ; of gratitude to the Lamb of God, who is coming in order to save us ; and of fear of the Last Day. For this end, say with the Church the following hymn, taken from the Office of Lauds for Advent.

HYMN.

En clara vox redarguit, Obscura quaeque personans ; Procul fugentur somnia : Ab alto Jesus promicat.

Mens jam resurgat torpida, Non amplius jacens humi : Sidus ref ulget jam novum, XTt tollat omne noxium.

En Agnus ad nos mittitur Laxare gratis debitum : Omnes simul cum lacrymis, Precemur indulgentiam.

Ut cum secundo fulserit Metuque mundum cinxerit, Non pro reatu puniat, Sed nos pius tunc protegat.

Virtus, honor, laus, gloria, Deo Patri cum Filio, Sancto simul Paraclito, In saeculorum saecula.

Amen.

Here make an humble confession of your sins, reciting the general formula made use of by the Church.

THE CONFESSION OF SINS.

Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, I confess to Almighty God, beatae Marise semper Vir- to blessed Mary ever Virgin, gini, beato Michaeli Arch- to blessed Michael the Arch-

The solemn voice of the Precursor is heard, explaining the obscurity of the ancient figures ; let our slumbers cease ; J esus is rising on our horizon.

Let the sluggish soul now rise, and stay no more upon this earth ; a new star is shining, which will take all sin away.

Lo ! • the Lamb is sent to forgive us freely our debt : let us unite in tears and prayers, that we may obtain pardon.

That when he comes the second time, filling the world with fear, he may not have to punish us for our sins, but may protect us in mercy.

Power, honour, praise, and glory, be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Paraclete, for ever and ever. Amen.

MORNING PRATERS. angel, to Blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and PauL and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, -word, and deed : through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault Therefore I beseech the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed J ohn Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to our Lord God for me.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, and, our sins being forgiven, bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins. angelo, beato Joanni Baptistee, Sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, et omnibus Sanctis, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo, et opere : mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, et omnes sanctos, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.

Misereatur nostri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis nostris, perducat nos ad vitam seternam. Amen.

Indulgentiam? absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. Amen.

This is the proper place for making your Meditation, as no doubt you practise this holy exercise. During Advent, its principal object ought to be the removing from ourselves those hindrances, which would oppose Jesus' coming and reigning within us. The love of sensual pleasures, avarice, and pride, that triple concupiscence which St. John so strongly condemns in his first Epistle, must be withstood, else our preparation for Christmas is useless. And as the chief thing in every Prayer or Meditation, is to turn our thoughts to Jesus Christ, we must, during Advent, contemplate him in the womb of Mary, where he remains hidden, giving us, by this his state of abasement, a most telling lesson of devotedness to his Father's glory, of obedience to the divine decrees, and of humility ; but, at the same time, he gives us a most powerful proof of the greatness of his love of us.

This thought will naturally suggest to us a variety of motives and resolutions for breaking those ties which keep us from a virtuous life. But should they not produce sufficient impression on us, we must then consider Jesus as our Judge, in the dread magnificence of his majesty, and all the severity of his inevitable vengeance.

The next part of your Morning Prayer must be to ask of God, by the following prayers, grace to avoid every kind of sin during the day you are just beginning. Say, then, with the Church, whose prayers must always be preferred to all others :

Domine, exaudi ora- ^. 0 Lord, hear my prayer, tionem meam.

Et clamor meus ad te 1$. And let my cry come veniat. unto thee.

ORBMUS. LET US PRAT.

Domine, Deus omnipotens, Almighty Lord and God, qui ad principium hujus diei who hast brought us to the nos pervenire f ecisti, tua nos beginning of this day, let thy hodie salva virtute, ut in hac powerful grace so conduct us die ad nullum declinemus through it, that we may not peccatum, sed semper ad fall into any sin, but that all tuam justitiam faciendam our thoughts, words, and nostra procedant eloquia, di- actions may be regulated riganturcogitationeset opera, according to the rules of thy

Per Domimim nostrum Je- heavenly justice, and tend to sum Christum Filium tuum, the observance of thy holy qui tecum vivit et regnat in law. Through Jesus Christ unitatefipiritusSanctiDeus, our Lord. Amen, per omnia ssecula saeculorum. Amen.

Then, beg the divine assistance for the actions of the day, that you may do them well ; and say thrice : iff. Deus, in adjutorium ft. Incline unto my aid, 0 meum intende. God.

1$. Domine, ad adjuvan- 1$. 0 Lord, make haste to dum me festina^ help me. ft. Deus, in adjutorium ft. Incline unto my aid, O meum intende. God.

MORNING PRAYERS.

1$. 0 Lord, make haste to ma

Incline unto my aid, O hej^> me.

God.

]$. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Lord God, and King of heaven and earth, vouchsafe this day to rule and sanctify, to direct and govern our souls and bodies, our senses, words, and actions in conformity to thy law, and strict obedience to thy commands ; that by the help of thy grace, O Saviour of the world ! we may be fenced and freed from all evils. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

3$. Amen.

]$. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.

Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.

]$. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.

OREMUS.

Dirigere et sanctificare, regere et gubernare dignare, Domine Deus, Kex cceli et terr®, hodie corda et corpora nostra, sensus, sermones et actus nostros in lege tua, et in operibus mandatorum tuorum, ut hie et in seternum, te auxiliante, salvi et libeiiesse mereamur, Salvator mundi. Qui vivis et regnasin sacula sa3culorum.

1$. Amen.

After this, uniting yourself with the Church, which, both in the Divine Office, and during the Holy Sacrifice, prays for the coming of Jesus Christ, say :

<v\ Veni ad liberandum nos, Domine Deus virtutum.

]$. Ostende faciem tuam, et salvi erimus.

J^. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.

1$. Et salutare tuum da nobis. ft. Super te, Jerusalem, orietur Dominus.

]$. Et gloria ejus in te videbitur.

OREMUS.

Week)

Excita, qusesumus, Domine, potentiam tuam et veni ; ut ab imminentibus peccatorum nostrorum periculis, te mereamur protegente

% 0 Lord God of hosts, come and deliver us.

B. Show thy face, and we shall be saved.

}v\ Show us, O Lord, thy mercy.

1$. And grant us the Saviour, whom we expect from thee.

The Lord shall rise upon thee, O Jerusalem !

1$. And his glory shall be seen upon thee.

(First

Exert, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy power and come ; that by thy protection we may be freed from the imminent dangers of our sins, and eripi, te liberante, salvari. Qui vivis et regnas Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. ft. Amen. ft. Amen. be saved by thy mercy ; who livest and reignest God, world without end.

{Second Week.) f

Excita, Domine, corda nos- Stir up, O Lord, our hearts traadpraeparandasUnigeniti to prepare the ways of thy tui vias ; ut per ejus adyen- Only Begotten Son ; that by turn puriiicatis tibi mentibus his coming, we may be en- seryiremereamur. Qui tecum abled to serve thee with pure vivit et regnat in saecula minds ; who livest and reign- saeculorum. est God, world without end. ft. Amen. ft. Amen.

{Third Week.)

Aurem tuam, quaesumus, Bend thine ear, 0 Lord, we

Domine, precibus nostris ac- beseech thee, to our prayers, commoda : et mentis nostras and enlighten the darkness of tenebras gratia tuae visita- our minds by the grace of thy tionis illustra. Qui vivis et visitation ; who livest and regnas Deus, per omnia sae- reignest God, world without cula saeculorum. end. ft. Amen. ft. Amen.

{Fourth Week.)

Excita, quaesumus, Do- Exert, we beseech thee, 0 mine, potentiam tuam et Lord, thy power and come ; veni, et magna nobis virtute and succour us by thy great succurre: ut, per auxilium might ; that by the assistance gratiae tuae quod nostra pec- of thy grace, thy indulgent cata praepediunt, indulgentia mercy may hasten what is tuae nropitiationis acceleret. delayed by our sins ; who

Qui vivis et regnas Deus, per livest and reignest God, world omnia saecula saeculorum. without end. ft. Amen. ft. Amen.

It would be well to add the special Prayer, which the Church says, during Advent, in honour of the Blessed Mother of God.

OREMUS. LET US PRAY.

Deus, (iui de beatae Ma- O God, who wast pleased nae Virgmis utero, Verbum that thy Word, when the tuum, Angelo nuntiante, car- Angel delivered his message, nem suscipere voluisti : prae- should take flesh in the womb sta supplicibus tuis, ut qui of the Blessed Virgin Mary : vere earn Genitricem Dei ere- give ear to our humble peti- dimus, ejus apud te inter- tions, and grant that we who

NIGHT PRATERS. believe her to be truly the cessionibus adjuvemur. Per

Mother of God, may be help- eumdem Christum Dominum ed by her prayers. Through nostrum, the same Christ our Lord.

1$. Amen. ]$. Amen.

During the day, you may use the instructions and prayers which you will find in this volume for each day of Advent, both for the Proper of the Time, and the Proper of the Saints. In the evening, you may use the following prayers.

NIGHT PRAYERS.

After having made the sign of the Cross, adore the Divine Majesty, who has so mercifully preserved you during this day, and so plentifully bestowed upon you, every hour, his grace and protection. Begin by reciting the hymn which the Church sings at Vespers during Advent

HYMN.

O Jesus, thou kind Creator of the heavens, eternal Light of believers, and Redeemer of all mankind, hear the prayers of thy suppliants.

Lest the world should perish by the fraud of the devil, thou, impelled by the vehemence of thy love for us, didst thyself become the remedy of all our weakness.

To expiate the sin of the whole world, thou didst come from the sanctuary of the Virgin's womb, a victim destined to the cross.

How glorious is thy power, when, at the very sound ot thy Name, heaven and hell bend their trembling knee !

Creator alme siderum, iEterna lux credentium, Jesu, Redemptor omnium, Intende votis supplicum.

Qui daemonis ne fraudibus Penret orbis, impetu Amoris actus, languidi Mundi medela f actus es.

Commune qui mundi nef as Ut expiares, ad crucem, E Virginis sacrario Intacta prodis victima.

Cujus potestas gloriae Nomenque quum primum sonat, Et coelites et inferi Tremente curvantur genu.

Te deprecamur, ultimae We beseech thee, dread

Magnum diei judicem, Judge of the last day, defend

Armis supernae gratis us from our enemies by the

'Def ende nos ab hostibus. armour of thy heavenly grace.

Virtus, honor, laus, gloria, Power, honour, praise, and

Deo Patri cum Filio; glory, be to the Father, and

Sancto simul Parachto, to the Son, and to the holy

In saeculorum ssecula. Paraclete, for ever and ever.

Amen. Amen.

After this Hymn, say the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed, as in the Morning.

Then make the Examination of Conscience, going over in your mind all the faults you may have committed during the day; think how unworthy sin makes us of the merciful visit of our Saviour, and make a firm resolution to avoid sin for the future, to do penance for it, and to avoid the occasions which might lead you into it.

The Examination of Conscience concluded, recite the Gonfiteor (or / confess) with heartfelt contrition, and then give expression to your sorrow by the following Act, which we have taken from the Venerable Cardinal Bellarmine's Catechism :

ACT OF CONTRITION.

0 my God, I am exceedingly grieved for having offended thee, and with my whole heart I repent for the sins I have committed : I hate and abhor them above every other evil, not only because, by so sinning, I have lost Heaven ana deserved Hell, but still more because I have offended thee. O Infinite Goodness, who art worthy to be loved above all things. I most firmly resolve, by the assistance of thy grace, never more to offend thee for the time to come, and to avoia those occasions which might lead me into sin.

You may then add the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, to the recitation of which Pope Benedict XIV. has granted an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines for each time.

ACT OF FAITH.

0 my God, I firmly believe whatsoever the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church requires me to believe : I believe it, because thou hast revealed it to her, thou who art the very Truth.

ACT OP HOPE.

O my God, knowing thy almighty power, and thy infinite goodness and mercy, I hope in thee that, by the merits of - the Passion and Death of our Saviour Jesus Christ, thou wilt grant me eternal life, which thou hast promised to all such as shall do the wdrks of a good Christian ; and these I resolve to do with the help of thy grace.

ACT OP CHARITY.

O iny God, I love thee with my whole heart and above all things, because thou art the Sovereign Good : I would rather lose all things than offend thee. For thy love also, I love and desire to love my neighbour as myself.

Then say to our Blessed Lady, in honour of the ineffable dignity of her Maternity, the following Anthem:

ANTHEM TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

Redemptoris mater, quae pervia cceli Porta manes, et stella maris, Surgere qui curat populo : tu quae genuisti, Natura mirante, tuum sane- Genitorem, Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabriefis ab ore, Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.

Sweet Mother of our Re- Alma deemer* Gate whereby we enter heaven, and Star of the sea ! help us, we fall ; yet do succurre cadenti, we long to rise. Nature looked upon thee with admiration, when thou didst give birth to thy divine Creator, turn thyself remaining, before and after it, a pure Virgin. Gabriel spoke his Hau to thee ; we sinners crave thy pity.

^. The Angel of the Lord y. Angelus Domini nundeclared unto Mary. tiavit Mariae,

1$. And she conceived of 1$. Et concepit de Spiritu the Holy Ghost Sancto.

LET US PRAV. OREMUS.

Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris inunde, ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui Incarnationem cognovimus, per Passionem ejus et Crucem ad Resurrectionisgloriam perdu-

Pour forth, we beseech thee. O Lord, thy grace into our hearts ; that we to whom f the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an AngeL may by his Passion and Cross be camur. Per eumdem Chris- brought to the glory of his turn Dominum nostrum. Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. 3$. Amen. 1$. Amen.

Yon would do well to add the Litany of our Lady. An indulgence of three hundred days, for each time it is recited, has been granted by the Church.

THE LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

Kyrie, eleison. Lord, have mercy on us.

Christe, eleison. Christ, have mercy on us.

Kyrie, eleison. Lord, nave mercy on us.

Christe, audi nos. Christ, hear us.

Christe, exaudi nos. Christ, graciously hear us.

Pater de ccelis, Deus, mise- God the Father of heaven, rere nobis. have mercy on us.

Fili, RedemptormundiDeus, God the Son, Redeemer of miserere nobis. the world, have mercy on us.

Spiritus Sancte, Deus, mise- God the Holy Ghost, have rere nobis. mercy on us.

Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, Holy Trinity, one God, have miserere nobis. mercy on us.

Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis. Holy Mary, pray for us. Sancta Dei Genitnx, ora, etc. Holy Mother of God, pray, etc.

Holy virgin of virgins, Mother of Christ, Mother of divine grace, Mother most pure, Mother most chaste, Mother inviolate. Mother undefined, Mother most amiable, Mother most admirable, Mother of our Creator, Mother of our Redeemer, Virgin most prudent, Virgin most venerable, Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Virgin most faithful, Mirror ofjustice, Seat of Wisdom,

Sancta Virgo virginum, Mater Christi, Mater divinse grati*, Mater purissima, Mater castissima. Mater inviolata, Mater intemerata, Mater amabilis. Mater admirabilis, Mater Creatoris, Mater Salvatoris, Virgo prudentissima, Virgo veneranda, Virgo praedicanda, Virgo potens, Virgo clemena, Virgo fidelis, * Speculum justitiae, Sedes sapiential

NIGHT

Cause of our joy,

Spiritual vessel,

V essel of honour,

Vessel of singular devotion.

Mystical Rose,

Tower of David,

Tower of ivory,

House of gold,

Ark of the covenant,

Gate of heaven,

Mornmg Star,

Health of the weak,

Refuge of sinners,

Comforter of the afflicted,

Help of Christians,

Queen of Angels,

Queen of Patriarchs,

Queen of Prophets,

Queen of Apostles,

Queen of Martyrs,

Queen of Confessors,

Queen of Virgins,

Queen of all Saints,

Queen conceived without original sin.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

O Lamb of God, who takest a Way the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us. Pray for us, 0 holy

Mother of God. 3$. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that we tny servants may enjoy constant health of body and mind, and by the

Causa nostras lsetitiae,

Vas spirituale,

Vas honorabile,

Vas insigne devotionis,

Rosa mystica,

Turris Davidica,

Tunis eburnea,

Domus aurea,

Foederis area,

J anua cceli,

Stella matutina,

Salus infirmorum,

Ref ugium peccatorum,

Consolatrix afflictorum,

Auxilium Christianorum,

Regina Angelorum,

Regina Patriarcharum,

Regina Prophetarum,

Regina Apostolorum,

Regina Martyrum,

Regina Confessorum,

Regina Virginum,

Regina Sanctorum omnium,

Regina sine labe concepta.

Agnus Dei, aui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine.

Agnus Dei, aui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Domine.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Christe, audi nos. Christe, exaudi nos.

^. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.

1$. Utdigniefficiamurpromissionibus Christi.

0REMU8.

Concede nos famulos tuos, quaesumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere : et gloriosa beatae Mariae semper Virginia intercessione, a praesenti liberari tristitia, et aeterna perfruilaetitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, ever a Virgin, be delivered from all present affliction, and come to that joy which is eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here invoke the Holy Angels, whose protection is, indeed, always so much needed by us, but never so much as during the hours of night. Say with the Church :

Sancti Angeli, custodesnostri, defendite nos in praelio, ut non pereamus in tremendo judicio.

Angelis suis Deus mandavit de te.

1$. Ut custodiant te in omnibus viis tuis.

0REMTJS.

Deus, qui ineffabili providentia sanctos Angelos tuos ad nostram custodiam mittere dignaris : largire supplicibus tuis, jet eorum semper protectione def endi, et aeterna societate gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Holy Anffels, our loving Guardians, defend us in the hour of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful judgment.

(V. God hath given his Angels charge of thee*

]$. That they may guard thee in all thy ways.

O God, who in thy wonderful providence hast been pleased to appoint thy holy Angels for our guardians : mercifully hear our prayer, and grant we may rest secure under their protection, and enjoy their fellowship in heaven for ever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then beg the assistance of the Saints by the following Antiphon and Prayer of the Church :

Ant. Behold, the Lord will come, and with him all his Saints : and on that day there shall be a great light Alleluia. f. Behold, the Lord shall appear upon a white cloud.

% And with him thousands of Saints.

Ant. Ecce Dominus veniet, et omnes Sancti ems cum eo : et erit in die ilia lux magna. Alleluia. y. Ecce apparebit Dominus super nubem candidam.

B. Et cum eo Sanctorum miflia.

NIGHT PRAYERS.

LET US PKAY. OR EMUS.

Visit, we beseech thee, O Conscientias nostras, quae-

Lord, and purify our hearts sumus, Domine, visitando by thy grace : that when our purifica: ut veniens Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ thy Son Christus Filius tuus Domi- shall come, together with all nus noster, cum omnibus his Saints, he may find us Sanctis suis, paratam sibi in ready to give him a place nobis inveniat mansionem. within us : who liveth and Qui tecum vivit, <hc. reigneth with thee for ever and ever. Amen.

And here you may add a special mention of the Saints to whom you bear a particular devotion, either as your Patrons or otherwise ; as also of those whose feast is kept in the Church that day, or at least who have been commemorated in the Divine Office.

This done, remember the necessities of the Church Suffeiing, and beg of God that he will give to the souls in Purgatory a place of refreshment, light, and peace. For this intention recite the usual prayers.

PSALM 129.

From the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord ; Lord, hear my voice.

Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If thou wilt observe ini- r'ties, 0 Lord, Lord, who 11 endure it?

For with thee there is merciful forgiveness ; and by reason of thy law I have waited for thee, O Lord.

My soul hath relied on his word ; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.

Because with the Lord

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine : Domine, exaudi vocem meam.

Fiant aures tu» intendentes : in vocem deprecationis mese.

Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine : Domine, quis sustinebit ?

Quia apud te propitiatio est : et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.

Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus : speravit anima mea in Domino.

A custodia matutina usque ad noctem : speret Israel in Domino.

Quia apud Dominum mise- there is mercy, and with him plentiful redemption.

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Eternal rest give to them, 0 Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon them. W. From the gate of helL 1$. Deliver their souls, O Lord.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

]f. O Lord, hear my prayer.

1$. And let my cry come unto thee.

LET US PRAT.

0 God, the Creator and Kedeemer of all the Faithful, give to the souls of thy servants departed the remission of their sins: that through the help of pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

Here make a special memento of such of the Faithful departed as have a particular claim upon your charity; after which, ask of God to give you his assistance, whereby you may pass the night free from danger. Say, then, still keeping to the words of the Church : ricordia : et copiosa apud eum redemptio.

Et ipse redimet Israel : ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.

Et lux perpetua luceat eis.

*ff. A porta inferi. 1$. Erue, Domine, animas eorum.

Requiescant in pace. ]$. Amen.

Domine, exaudi orationem meam.

1$. Et clamor meus ad te veniat

OREMT7S.

Fidelium Deus omnium Conditor et Redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum. remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum : ut indulgentiam, quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Ant. Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes, custodi nos dormientes : ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace.

Dignare, Domine, nocte ista.

1$. Sine peccato nos custodire.

Ant. Save us, O Lord, whilst awake, and watch us as we sleep ; that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace.

"f. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night.

1$. To keep us without sin.

NIGHT PRAYERS.

Have mercy on us, O

Lord.

B. Have mercy on us. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.

1$. As we have hoped in thee.

O Lord, hear my prayer.

1$. And let my cry come unto thee.

[let us pray.

Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this house and family, and drive from it all snares of the enemy : let thy holy Angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and may thy blessing be always upon us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.

^. Miserere nostri, Do mine. U. Miserere nostri p. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos.

1$. Quemadmodum spera* vimus in te.

Domine, exaudi orationem meam.

1$. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

OREMUS.

Visita,qusesumus, Domine, habitationem istam, et omnes insidias inimici ab ea longe repelle : Angeli tui sancti haDitent in ea, qui nos in pace custodiant, et Denedictio tua sit super nos semper. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filiuin tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia ssecula saeculorum. Amen.

And that you may end the day in the same sentiments with which you began it, repeat your prayer . for the coming of the Saviour :

% Drop down dew, ye % Rorate, cceli desuper, heavens, from above, and let et nubes pluant justum. the clouds rain the Just One.

^. Let the earth be opened, and bud forth the Saviour.

^. Aperiatur terra et germinet Salvatorem.

To which add one of the four prayers for Advent, taking the one which belongs to the week (as above, page 51), and then retire to rest in the expectation of Him who is to come in the mid-night