Sunday S Vespees

The heaven of heaven is the Lord's : but the earth he has given to the children of men.

The dead shall p not praise thee, O Lord : nor any of them that go down to hell.

But we that live bless the Lord : from this time now and for ever.

Ant. Lord.

We that live bless the

Benedict! vos a Domino : * qui fecit ccelum et terram.

Coelum coeli Domino : * terram autem dedit filiis hominum.

Non mortui laudabunt te, Domine : * neque omnes qui descendunt in inf ernum.

Sed nos qui vivimus, benedicimus Domino : * ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.

Ant. Nos qui vivimus, benedicimus Domino.

After these five Psalms, a short Lesson from the holy Scriptures is then read. It is called Capitulum, because it is always very short. That for the several Feasts, is given on the respective Days. The following is said on the Sundays called After the Epiphany, as often as the Vespers are of the Sunday.

CAPITULUM.

II. Cor. i.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation, who comforteth us in all our tribulations.

1$. Thanks be to God.

Benedictus Deus et Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi, Pater misericordiarum et Deus totius consolationis, qui consolatur nos in omni tribulatione nostra.

1$. Deo gratias.

Then follows the Hymn. We give the one of the Sunday's Office. It was composed by St. Gregory the Great, and celebrates Creation. It praises the Light, which God drew out of nothing, on this the first Day, and which is the beautiful image of our Divine Infant, the Light of the world, the Orient that has visited them who sat in the shadow of death.

HYMN.*

Lucis Creator optime, Lucem dierum prof erens ; Primordiis lucis novae, Mundi parans originem.

Qui mane junetum vesperi Diem vocari prsecipis, Illabitur tetrum chaos, Audi preces cum fletibus.

ISTe mens gravata crimine, Vitse sit exul munere, Dum nil perenne cogitat, Seseque culpis illigat.

Cceleste pulset intimum, Vitale tollat preemium : Vitemus omne noxium, Purgemus omne pessimum.

Praesta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito Eegnans per omne saeculum. Amen.

O infinitely good Creator of the Light ! by thee was produced the Light of day, providing thus the world's beginning with the beginning of the new-made Light.

Thou biddest us call the time from morn till eve, Day; this day is over ; dark Night comes on — oh ! hear our tearful prayers.

Let not our soul, weighed down by crime, mis-spend thy gift of life, and, forgetting what is eternal, be earth-tied by her sins.

Oh ! may we strive to enter our heavenly home, and bear away the prize of life : may we shun what would injure us, and cleanse our soul from her defilements.

Most merciful Father ! and thou, his Only Begotten Son, co-equal with him, reigning for ever with the Holy Paraclete ! grant this our prayer. Amen.

• According to the Monastic Kite, it is as follows : —

R. breve. Quam magnificata sunt, * Opera tua Domine. Quam. V. Omnia in sapientia fecisti. * Opera. Gloria Patri, tfcc. Quam.

Lucis Creator optime, Lucem dierum proferens ; Primordiis lucis novse, Mundi parans originem.

Qui mane junetum vesperi Diem vocari prsecipis, Tetrum chaos illabitur, Audi preces cum fletibus.

Ne mens gravata crimine, Vitse sit exul munere, Dum nil perenne cogitat, Seseque culpis illigat.

Ccelorum pulset intimum, Vitale tollat prsemium : Vitemus omne noxium, Purgemus omne pessimum.

Preesta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito Pegnans per omne sseculum.

Amen.

The Versicle which follows the Hymn, and which we here give, is that of the Sunday : those for the Feasts are given in their proper places.

$". May my prayer, 0 Lord, ft. Dirigatur, D online, ascend, oratio mea,

I£. Like incense in thy sight. I£. Sicut incensum in con- spectu tuo.

Then is said the Magnificat Antiphon, which is to be found in the Proper for the different Days. After this, the Church sings the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat, in which are celebrated the Divine Maternity and all its consequent blessings. This exquisite Canticle is an essential part of the Yespers, throughout the year ; but how sweetly appropriate is it to the season of Christmas, during which, the Church is overflowing with joy at the Birth of Jesus ! She turns to the Mother, and proclaims her Blessed. Blessed, indeed ; for, the power of the Most High overshadowed her ; the Holy Ghost gave unto her, for the salvation of the world, the Blessed Fruit of her Womb. our lady's canticle. (St. Luke, i.)

My soul doth magnify the Magnificat : * anima mea

Lord ; Dominum :

And my spirit hath rejoiced Et exsultavit spiritus in God my Saviour. meus : * in Deo salutari meo.

Because he hath regarded Quiarespexithumilitatem the humility of his handmaid : ancillse suse : * ecce enim ex for, behold, from henceforth hoc Beatam me dicent om- all generations shall call me nes generationes. Blessed.

Because he that is mighty Quia fecit mihi magna qui hath done great things to me : potens est : * et sanctum and holy is his name. nomen ejus.

And his mercy is from gene- Et misericordia ejus a pro-

1 St. Luke, i. 35.

CHKISTMAS. genie in progenies : * timentibus eum.

Fecit potentiaminbrachio suo : * dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.

Deposuitpotentesde sede: * et exaltavit humiles.

Esurientes implevit bonis : * et divites dimisit inanes.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum : * recordatus misericordia suae.

Sieut locutus est ad patres nostros : * Abraham et semini ejus in saecula. ration unto generation, to them that fear him.

He hath showed might in his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy.

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

The Magnificat Antiphon is then repeated. The Prayer, or Collect, will be found in the Proper of each Sunday and Feast.

The Vespers end with the following Yersicles :

"Jv. Benedicamus Domino.

1$. Deo gratias.

$". Fidelium animae per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace.

1$. Amen.

(V. Let us bless the Lord.

I£. Thanks be to God.

"ff. May the souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

1$. Amen.

CHAPTER VIII.

ON THE OFFICE OF COMPLINE,

DCTEING CHEISTMAS.

This Office, which concludes the day, commences by a warning of the dangers of the night : then immediately follows the public Confession of our sins, as a powerful means of propitiating the divine justice, and obtaining God's help, now that we are going to spend so many hours in the unconscious and therefore dangerous state of sleep, which is also such an image of death.

The Lector, addressing the Priest, says to him :

Pray, Father, give thy bless- p. Jube, Domine, benediing. cere.

The Priest answers :

May the Almighty Lord Noctem quietanij et finem grant us a quiet night and a perfectum concedat nobis perfect end. Domimis omnipotens.

1$. Amen. 1$. Amen.

The Lector then reads these words, from the first Epistle of St. Peter :

Brethren, be sober and Fratres : Sobrii estote, et watch : for your adversary vigilate : quia adversarius the devil goes about like a vester diabolus, tamquam roaring lion, seeking whom he leo rugiens circuit quaerens may devour : resist him, being quern devoret : cui resistite strong in faith. But thou, O fortes in fide. Tu autem,

Lord, have mercy on us. Domine, miserere nobis.

The Choir answers : 1$. Thanks be to God. 1$. Deo gratias.

Then, the Priest :

$". Adjutorium nostrum "ft". Our help is in the name in nomine Domine. of the Lord.

The Choir :

1$. Qui fecit coelum et ter- I£. Who hath made heaven ram. and earth.

Then the Lord's Prayer is recited in secret; after which the Priest says the Confiteor ; and, when he has finished, the Choir says :

Misereatur tui omnipo- May Almighty God he mer- tens Deus, et dimissis pecca- ciful to thee, and, forgiving tis tuis, perducat te ad vitam thy sins, bring thee to ever- seternam. lasting life.

The Priest having answered Amen, the Choir repeats the Confiteor, thus :

Confiteor Deo Omnipo- I confess to Almighty God, tenti, beatae Marise semper to Blessed Mary ever Virgin,

Virgini,beato Michael iArch- to blessed Michael the Arch- angelo, beato Joanni Baptis- angel, to blessed John Baptist, tag, Sanctis Apostolis Petro to the holy Apostles Peter and et Paulo, omnibus Sanctis, et Paul, to all the saints, and to tibi Pater: quia peccavi thee, Father, that I have sinned nimis, cogitatione, verbo, et exceedingly in thought, word, opere:mea culpa, mea culpa, and deed, through my fault, mea maxima culpa. Ideo through my fault, through my precor beatam Mariam sem- most grievous fault. There- per Virginem, beatum Mi- fore I beseech the Blessed chaelem Archangelum, bea- Mary ever Virgin, blessed turn Joannem Baptistam, Michael the Archangel, bless- sanctos Apostolos Petrum ed John Baptist, the holy et Paulum, omnes sanctos, Apostles Peter and Paul, and et te, Pater, orare pro me ad all the saints, and thee, Father,

Dominum Deum nostrum. to pray to our Lord God for me.

The Priest then says :

Misereatur vestri omni- May Almighty God be merpotens Deus, et dimissis ciful to you, and, forgiving

Ill your sins, bring you to everlasting life.

1$. Amen.

May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.

1$. Amen.

$\ Convert us, 0 God, our Saviour.

I£. And turn away thy anger from us.

JJ". Incline unto my aid, O God.

I£. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory, &c.

Ant. Have mercy. peccatis vestris, perducat vos ad vitam aeternam.

I£. Amen.

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

I£. Amen.

$\ Converte nos, Deus, Salutaris noster.

1^. Et averte iram tuam a nobis.

$". Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.

I£. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.

Gloria Patri, &c.

Ant. Miserere.

The first Psalm expresses the confidence with which the just man sleeps in peace; but the wicked know not what calm rest is. It also speaks of the eternal Word, the Light of the Father, who is come to dispel our darkness. psalm 4.

When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me : when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me.

Have mercy on me : and hear my prayer.

O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart ? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying 1

Know ye also that the Lord hath made his Holy One wonderful : the Lord will hear me, when I shall cry unto him.

Be ye angry, and sin not : the things you say in your

Cum invocarem exaudivit me Deus justitise meas : * in _ tribulatione dilatasti mihi.

Miserere mei : * et exaudi orationem meam.

Filii hominum, usquequo gravi corde 1 * ut quid chligitis vanitatem, et quseritis mendacium %

Et scitote quoniam mirificavit Dominus sanctum suum : * Dominus exaudiet me, cum clamavero ad eum.

Irascimini, et nolite peccare : * quae dicitis in corcli- bus vestris, in cubilibus vestris compungimini.

Sacrificate sacrificium justitise, et sperate in Domino :

• multi dicunt : Quis ostendit nobis bona 1

Signatum est super nos lumen vultus tui Domine :

• dedisti lsetitiam in corde rneo*

A f ructu f rumenti, vini et olei sui : * multiplicati sunt.

In pace in idipsum : * dormiam et requiescam.

Quoniam tu, Domine, singulariter in spe : * constituisti me. hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.

Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord : many say, who showeth us good things 1

The Light of thy countenance, 0 Lord, is signed upon us : thou hast given gladness in my heart.

By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, they are multiplied.

In peace, in the self same, I will sleep, and I will rest.

For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.

The Church has introduced here the first six Verses of the thirtieth Psalm, because they contain the prayer which our Saviour made when dying : Into thy hands, 0 Lord, I commend my spirit ! words so beautifully appropriate in this Office of the close of day. psalm 30.

In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in seternum : * in justitia tua libera me.

Inclina ad me aurem tuam : * accelera ut eruas me.

Esto mihi in Deum protectorem, et in domum refugii : * ut salvum me facias.

Quoniam fortitudo mea, et refugium meum es tu : * et propter nomen tuum deduces me, et enutries me.

Educes me de laqueo hoc, quern absconderunt mihi : *

In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded : deliver me in thy justice.

Bow down thy ear to me : make haste to deliver thee.

Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, to save me.

For thou art my strength, and my refuge : and for thy name's sake thou wilt lead me, and nourish me.

Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me : for thou art my protector.

Into thy hands I commend my spirit : thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth. quoniam tu es protector meus.

In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum : * redemisti me, Domine, Deus veritatis.

The third Psalm gives the motives of the just man's confidence, even during the dangers of the night. Then, we have God himself speaking, and promising to show us our Saviour. psalm 90.

He that dwelleth in the aid of the Most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.

He shall say to the Lord : Thou art my protector, and my refuge : my God, in him will I trust.

For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters : and from the sharp word.

He will overshadow thee with his shoulders : and under his wings thou shalt trust.

His truth shall compass thee with a shield : thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.

Of the arrow that flieth in the day : of the business that walketh about in the dark : of invasion, or of the noonday devil.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand : but it shall not come nigh thee.

But thou shalt consider with thy eyes : and shalt see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast said:

Qui habitat in adjutorio Altissimi : * in protectione Dei cceli commorabitur.

Dicet Domino : Susceptor meus es tu, et refugium meum, * Deus meus, sperabo in eum.

Quoniam ipse liberavit me de laqueo venantium : * et a verbo aspero.

Scapulis suis obumbrabit tibi : * et sub pennis ejus sperabis.

Scuto circumdabit te Veritas ejus : * non timebis a timore nocturno.

A sagitta volante in die. a negotio perambulante in tenebris : * ab incursu, et daemonio meridiano.

Cadent a latere tuo mille, et dacem milha a dextris tuis : * ad te autem non appropinquabit.

Verumtamen oculis tuis considerabis : * et retributionem peccatorum videbis.

Quoniam tu es, Domine, I

CHEISTMAS. spes mea : * Altissimum posuisti refugium tuum.

Non accedet ad te malum :

• et flagellum non appropinquabit tabernaculo tuo.

Quoniam Angelis suis mandavit de te : * ut custodiant te in omnibus viis tuis.

In manibus portabunt te :

• ne forte offendas ad lapidem pedem tuum.

Super aspidem et basiliscum ambulabis : * et conculcabis leonem et draconem.

Quoniam in me speravit, liberabo eum : * protegam eum, quoniam cognovit nomen meum.

Clamabit ad me, et ego exaudiam eum : * cum ipso sum in tribulatione, eripiam eum et glorificabo eum.

Longitudine dierum replebo eum : * et ostendam Uli Salutare meum.

Thou, 0 Lord, art my hope : Thou hast made the Most High thy refuge.

There shall no evil come to thee, nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.

For he hath given his Angels charge over thee : to keep thee in all thy ways.

In their hands they shall bear thee up : lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt walk upon the asp and basilisk : and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.

God will say of thee : Because he hoped in me, I will deliver him : I will protect him, because he hath known my name.

He will cry to me, and I will hear him : I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.

I will fill him with length of days : and I will show him my salvation.

The fourth Psalm invites the Servants of God to persevere, with fervour, in the prayers they offer during the Night. The Faithful should say this Psalm in a spirit of gratitude to God, for his raising up, in the Church, adorers of his holy name, whose grand vocation is to lift up their hands, day and night, for the safety of Israel. On such prayers, depend the happiness and destinies of the world. psalm 133.

Ecce nunc benedicite Dominum : * omnes servi Domini.

Qui statis in domo Domi- now bless ye the ye servants of the

Behold Lord, all Lord.

Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord.

Say to Israel: May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, he that made heaven and earth.

Ant. Have mercy on me, 0 Lord, and hear my prayer. ni : * in atriis domus Dei nostri.

In noctibus extollite manus vestras in sancta : * et benedicite Dominum.

Benedicat te Dominus ex Sion : * qui fecit ccelum et terram.

Ant. Miserere mei, Domine, et exaudi orationem meam.

HYMN*

Before the closing of the light, we beseech thee, Creator of all things ! that, in thy clemency, thou be our protector and our guard.

May the dreams and phantoms of night depart far from us ; and do thou repress our enemy, lest our bodies be profaned.

Most merciful Father ! and thou, his Only Begotten Son, co-equal with him ! reigning for ever with the Holy Paraclete ! grant this our prayer. Amen.

{Tliis last Stanza is varied for Christmas Day, &c, and for the Epiphany. See page 118.)

CAPITULTTM.

(Jeremias, xiv.)

But thou art in us, O Lord, Tu autem in nobis es, and thy holy name has been Domine, et nomen sanctum

Te lucis ante terminum, Rerum Creator, poscimus, Ut pro tua dementia Sis praesul et custodia.

Procul recedant somnia, Et noctium phantasmata ; Hostemque nostrum cornprime, Ne polluantur corpora.

Prsesta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito Regnans per omne saeculum.

Amen.

• According to the Monastic Rite, as follows :

Te lucis ante terminum, Hostemque nostrum comprime,

Rerum Creator, poscimus, Ne polluantur corpora.

Ut solita dementia Prsesta Pater omnipotens,

Sis praesul ad custodiam. Per Jesum Christum Dominum,

3 Procul recedant somnia, Qui tecum in perpetuum

Et noctium phantasmata ; Regnat cum Sancto Spiritu. tuum invocatum est super nos ; ne derelinquas nos, Domine Deus noster.

I£. In manus tuas, Domine : * Comrnendo spiritum meum. In manus tuas. ft. Redemisti nos, Domine Deus veritatis. * Comrnendo.

Gloria. In manus tuas. ft. Custodi nos, Domine, ut pupi]lam oculi.

I£. Sub umbra alarum tuarum protege nos. invoked upon us : forsake us not, 0 Lord our God.

I£. Into thy hands, O Lord : * I commend my spirit. Into thy hands. ft. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord God of truth. * I commend.

Glory. Into thy hands. ft. Preserve us, 0 Lord, as the apple of thine eye.

I£. Protect us under the shadow of thy wings.

The Canticle of the venerable Simeon — who, whilst holding the divine Infant in his arms, proclaimed him to be the Light of the Gentiles, and then slept the sleep of the just — harmonises admirably with this closing Office of the day, at Christmastide ; for, during this holy Season, the Church is for ever thanking God, because he has dispelled the shades of death by the rising of the Sun of Justice, in whose love she labours all day long, and takes her rest at night, saying : I sleep, and my heart watcheth.

CANTICLE OF SIMEON.

(St, Luke, ii.)

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine : * secundum verbum tuum in pace.

Quia viderunt oculi mei : * Salutare tuum.

Quod parasti : * ante faciem omnium populorum.

Lumen ad revelationem Gentium : * et gloriam plebis tuse Israel.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, &c.

Ant. Salva nos, Domine,

Now dost thou dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace.

Because my eyes have seen thy Salvation,

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples.

The Light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory.

Ant. Save us, 0 Lord,

1 Cant. v. 2. whilst awake, and watch us as we sleep ; that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace.

$". The Lord be with you. I£. And with thy spirit. vigilantes : custodi nos dormientes, ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace.

$r. Dominus vobiscum.

I£. Et cum spiritu tuo.

LET US PRAY.

Visit, we beseech thee, 0 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.

$". The Lord be with you.

Jfc. And with thy spirit.

$". Let us bless the Lord.

1$. Thanks be to God.

May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless and preserve us.

1$. Amen.

OREMUS.

Visita, quaesumus D online, habitationem istam, et omnes insidias inimici ab ea longe repelle ; Angeli tui sancti habitent in ea, qui nos in pace custodiant : et benedictio tua sit super nos semper. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Fi^ lium tuum? qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

]v. Dominus vobiscum.

3$. Et cum spiritu tuo.

$". Benedicamus Domino.

1^. Deo gratias.

Benedicat et custodiat nos omnipotens et misericors Dominus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanetus.

I£. Amen.

ANTHEM TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

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

Alma Redemptoris mater, quae pervia cceli

Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,

Surgere qui curat populo. Tu quae genuisti,

Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem.

Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore

Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere. ft. Post partum, Virgo, inviolata permansisti.

I£. Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis. ft. After child-birth, thou didst remain most pure, O Virgin !

I£. O Mother of God ! make intercession for us.

OREMUS.

Deus qui salutis seternse beatae Marias virginitate fecunda humano generi prsemia prsestitisti : tribue, quassumus, ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere sentiamus per quam meruimus auctorem vitas suscipere Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum.

3$. Amen. ft. Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum.

1$. Amen.*

LET TJS PRAY.

0 God, who, by the fruitful Virginity of the Blessed Mary, hast given to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation ; grant, we beseech thee, that we may experience Her intercession, by whom we received the Author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son.

I£. Amen. ft. May the divine assistance remain always with us. 1^. Amen.

Then in secret, Pater, Ave, and Credo, page 35.

THE LAST STANZA OF THE HYMN IS THUS VARIED From Christmas Bay till the Epiphany.

Roman Breviary.

Jesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui natus es de Virgine, Cum Patre et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna seecula.

Amen.

Monastic Breviary.

Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, In sempiterna sascula.

Amen.

In the Monastic Rite, this Response is as follows

R. Et cum fratribus nostris absentibus. Amen.

B. And with our absent Brethren. Amen.

For the Epiphany, and during the Octave. Roman Breviary. Monastic Breviary.

Jesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui apparuisti Gentibus, Cum Patre et almo Spirit^ In sempiterna saecula.

Amen.

Gloria tibi Domine, Qui apparuisti hodie, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula.

Amen.