Prayers Before the Office
Before beginning the Office, it is praiseworthy to say the following Prayers.
Open my mouth, O Lord, to bless thy holy Name: cleanse my heart from all vain, evil, and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding and kindle my affections, that I may fittingly recite this Office with attention and devotion, and so may be meet to be heard before the presence of thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
℟.Amen.
O Lord, in union with that divine intention wherewith thou thyself didst offer thy praises to God while upon the earth, I now recite this Office to thee.
The Our Father, Hail Mary, and Apostles’ Creed are said secretly.
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 who 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 in 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.
Opening Versicles
℣.O God, ✠ make speed to save me.
℟.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
Hymn
Iam lucis orto sidere
Now that the daylight fills the sky,We lift our hearts to God on high,That he, in all we do or say,Would keep us free from harm to-day:
Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife;From anger’s din would hide our life;From all ill sights would turn our eyes;Would close our ears from vanities:
Would keep our inmost conscience pure;Our souls from folly would secure;Would bid us check the pride of senseWith due and holy abstinence.
So we, when this new day is gone,And night in turn is drawing on,With conscience by the world unstained,Shall praise his Name for victory gained.
All laud to God the Father be;All praise, eternal Son, to thee;All glory, as is ever meet,To God the Holy Paraclete.Amen.
Ant. My goods.
Psalm 16Conserva me, Domine
Preserve me, O God * for in thee have I put my trust.
2O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord * Thou art my God, my goods are nothing unto thee.
3All my delight is upon the saints, that are in the earth * and upon such as excel in virtue.
4But they that run after another god * shall have great trouble.
5Their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer * neither make mention of their names within my lips.
6The Lord himself is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup * thou shalt maintain my lot.
7The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground * yea, I have a goodly heritage.
8I will thank the Lord for giving me warning * my reins also chasten me in the night-season.
9I have set God always before me * for he is on my right hand, therefore I shall not fall.
10Wherefore my heart was glad, and my glory rejoiced * my flesh also shall rest in hope.
11For why? thou shalt not leave my soul in hell * neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
12Thou shalt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is the fulness of joy * and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.
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.
Psalm 17Exaudi, Domine, justitiam meam
Hear the right, O Lord, consider my complaint * and hearken unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
2Let my sentence come forth from thy presence * and let thine eyes look upon the thing that is equal.
3Thou hast proved and visited mine heart in the night-season; thou hast tried me, and shalt find no wickedness in me * for I am utterly purposed that my mouth shall not offend.
4Because of men’s works, that are done against the words of thy lips * I have kept me from the ways of the destroyer.
5O hold thou up my goings in thy paths * that my footsteps slip not.
6I have called upon thee, O God, for thou shalt hear me * incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words.
7Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, thou that art the Saviour of them which put their trust in thee * from such as resist thy right hand.
8Keep me as the apple of an eye * hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
9From the ungodly that trouble me * mine enemies compass me round about to take away my soul.
10They are inclosed in their own fat * and their mouth speaketh proud things.
11They lie waiting in our way on every side * turning their eyes down to the ground;
12Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey * and as it were a lion’s whelp, lurking in secret places.
13Up, Lord, disappoint him, and cast him down * deliver my soul from the ungodly, which is a sword of thine;
14From the men of thy hand, O Lord, from the men, I say, and from the evil world * which have their portion in this life, whose bellies thou fillest with thy hid treasure.
15They have children at their desire * and leave the rest of their substance for their babes.
16But as for me, I will behold thy presence in righteousness * and when I awake up after thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it.
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.
Psalm 18aDiligam te, Domine
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength; the Lord is my stony rock, and my defence * my saviour, my God, and my might, in whom I will trust, my buckler, the horn also of my salvation, and my refuge.
2I will call upon the Lord, which is worthy to be praised * so shall I be safe from mine enemies.
3The sorrows of death compassed me * and the overflowings of ungodliness made me afraid.
4The pains of hell came about me * the snares of death overtook me.
5In my trouble I will call upon the Lord * and complain unto my God.
6So shall he hear my voice out of his holy temple * and my complaint shall come before him, it shall enter even into his ears.
7The earth trembled and quaked * the very foundations also of the hills shook, and were removed, because he was wroth.
8There went a smoke out in his presence * and a consuming fire out of his mouth, so that coals were kindled at it.
9He bowed the heavens also, and came down * and it was dark under his feet.
10He rode upon the cherubins, and did fly * he came flying upon the wings of the wind.
11He made darkness his secret place * his pavilion round about him, with dark water and thick clouds to cover him.
12At the brightness of his presence his clouds removed * hail-stones, and coals of fire.
13The Lord also thundered out of heaven, and the Highest gave his thunder * hail-stones, and coals of fire.
14He sent out his arrows, and scattered them * he cast forth lightnings, and destroyed them.
15The springs of waters were seen, and the foundations of the round world were discovered, at thy chiding, O Lord * at the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure.
16He shall send down from on high to fetch me * and shall take me out of many waters.
17He shall deliver me from my strongest enemy, and from them which hate me * for they are too mighty for me.
18They prevented me in the day of my trouble * but the Lord was my upholder.
19He brought me forth also into a place of liberty * he brought me forth, even because he had a favour unto me.
20The Lord shall reward me after my righteous dealing * according to the cleanness of my hands shall he recompense me.
21Because I have kept the ways of the Lord * and have not forsaken my God, as the wicked doth.
22For I have an eye unto all his laws * and will not cast out his commandments from me.
23I was also uncorrupt before him * and eschewed mine own wickedness.
24Therefore shall the Lord reward me after my righteous dealing * and according unto the cleanness of my hands in his eye-sight.
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. My goods * are nothing unto thee; in thee have I put my trust, preserve me O God.
Chapter
Zach. 8:19
Love the truth and peace, saith the Lord of hosts.
℟.Thanks be to God.
Litany & Lord’s Prayer
℣.O Christ, arise, help us.
℟.And deliver us for thy Name’s sake.
℣.Kyrie, eleison.
℟.Christe, eleison.
All:Kyrie, eleison.
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 who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,
℟.But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Preces
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.
℣.Our help ✠ is in the Name of the Lord.
℟.Who hath made heaven and earth.
I CONFESS to God Almighty, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (to our blessed Father Benedict,) and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed: by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault. Wherefore I beg blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (our blessed Father Benedict,) and all the Saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Almighty God have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
℟.Amen.
May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant unto us pardon, ✠ absolution, and remission of our sins.
℟.Amen.
All
I CONFESS to God Almighty, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (to our blessed Father Benedict,) and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed: by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault. Wherefore I beg blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (our blessed Father Benedict,) and all the Saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Almighty God have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
℟.Amen.
May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant unto us pardon, ✠ absolution, and remission of our sins.
℟.Amen.
Then the Officiant makes Confession:
Priest
I confess to God Almighty, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (to our blessed Father Benedict,) to all the Saints, and to you, brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed: by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault. Wherefore I beg blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (our blessed Father Benedict,) all the Saints, and you, brethren, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
People
Almighty God have mercy upon thee, forgive thee thy sins, and bring thee to everlasting life.
Priest
℟.Amen.
Then the Confession is repeated by the Choir, and thee, father, is said instead of you, brethren.
People
I confess to God Almighty, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (to our blessed Father Benedict,) to all the Saints, and to thee, father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed: by my fault, by my own fault, by my own most grievous fault. Wherefore I beg blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, (our blessed Father Benedict,) all the Saints, and thee, father, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
After Confession has been made by the Choir, the Officiant says:
Priest
Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life.
People
℟.Amen.
Priest
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you pardon, absolution, and remission of your sins.
People
℟.Amen.
℣.Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day.
℟.To keep us without sin.
℣.O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟.And let my cry come unto thee.
℣.The Lord be with you.
℟.And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Collect
O Lord God Almighty, who hast brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power, that we may not fall this day into any sin, but that all our thoughts, words, and works may be directed to the fulfilment of thy righteousness. Through Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth God, world without end.
℟.Amen.
Blessing
℣.O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟.And let my cry come unto thee.
℣.The Lord be with you.
℟.And with thy spirit.
℣.Let us bless the Lord.
℟.Thanks be to God.
℣.May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟.Amen.
Then the Martyrology is read in Choir, and this may laudably be done also in the private recitation of the Office out of Choir.
Martyrology for tomorrow, October 2
The feast of the holy Guardian Angels.
At Nicomedia, St. Eleutherius, soldier and martyr, with numberless others. They were falsely accused of having set fire to the palace of Diocletian and, by order of this most cruel emperor, were barbarously massacred in groups. Some were put to the sword, some consumed by fire, while others were precipitated into the sea. But the principal one, Eleutherius, having endured long tortures, and being found stronger after each one, terminated his victorious martyrdom by fire, as well-tried gold.
In the vicinity of Arras, the martyrdom of blessed Leodegarius, bishop of Autun. After being subjected to various insults and torments for the truth, he was put to death by Ebroin, chief minister of Theodoric.
Also, the holy martyr Gerinus, brother of the blessed Leodegarius, who was overwhelmed with stones in the same city.
At Antioch, the holy martyrs Primus, Cyril, and Secundarius.
At Constantinople, St. Theophilus, a monk, who was most cruelly scourged by Leo the Isaurian, for the defence of holy images, was driven into exile, and went gloriously to heaven.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and virgins.
℟.Thanks be to God.
Prayers After the Office
To the holy and undivided Trinity, to the humanity of our crucified Lord, Jesus Christ, to the fruitful Virginity of the blessed and glorious ever Virgin Mary, and to the whole company of the Saints, be everlasting praise, honour, power, and glory from every creature, and unto us the remission of all our sins for ever, world without end.
℟.Amen.
℣.Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Father eternal.
℟.And blessed are the paps which gave suck to Christ the Lord.
Then is said secretly Our Father and Hail Mary.
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 who 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 in the hour of our death. Amen.