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. Be favourable.
Psalm 18bCum sancto sanctus eris
With the holy thou shalt be holy * and with a perfect man thou shalt be perfect.
26With the clean thou shalt be clean * and with the froward thou shalt learn frowardness.
27For thou shalt save the people that are in adversity * and shalt bring down the high looks of the proud.
28Thou also shalt light my candle * the Lord my God shall make my darkness to be light.
29For in thee I shall discomfit an host of men * and with the help of my God I shall leap over the wall.
30The way of God is an undefiled way * the word of the Lord also is tried in the fire; he is the defender of all them that put their trust in him.
31For who is God, but the Lord * or who hath any strength, except our God?
32It is God, that girdeth me with strength of war * and maketh my way perfect.
33He maketh my feet like harts’ feet * and setteth me up on high.
34He teacheth mine hands to fight * and mine arms shall break even a bow of steel.
35Thou hast given me the defence of thy salvation * thy right hand also shall hold me up, and thy loving correction shall make me great.
36Thou shalt make room enough under me for to go * that my footsteps shall not slide.
37I will follow upon mine enemies, and overtake them * neither will I turn again till I have destroyed them.
38I will smite them, that they shall not be able to stand * but fall under my feet.
39Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle * thou shalt throw down mine enemies under me.
40Thou hast made mine enemies also to turn their backs upon me * and I shall destroy them that hate me.
41They shall cry, but there shall be none to help them * yea, even unto the Lord shall they cry, but he shall not hear them.
42I will beat them as small as the dust before the wind * I will cast them out as the clay in the streets.
43Thou shalt deliver me from the strivings of the people * and thou shalt make me the head of the heathen.
44A people whom I have not known * shall serve me.
45As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me * but the strange children shall dissemble with me.
46The strange children shall fail * and be afraid out of their prisons.
47The Lord liveth, and blessed be my strong helper * and praised be the God of my salvation;
48Even the God that seeth that I be avenged * and subdueth the people unto me.
49It is he that delivereth me from my cruel enemies, and setteth me up above mine adversaries * thou shalt rid me from the wicked man.
50For this cause will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles * and sing praises unto thy Name.
51Great prosperity giveth he unto his King * and sheweth loving-kindness unto David his Anointed, and unto his seed 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 19Cæli enarrant gloriam Dei
The heavens declare the glory of God * and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2One day telleth another * and one night certifieth another.
3There is neither speech nor language * but their voices are heard among them.
4Their sound is gone out into all lands * and their words into the ends of the world.
5In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun * which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course.
6It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again * and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul * the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
8The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart * the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
9The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever * the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold * sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.
11Moreover, by them is thy servant taught * and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12Who can tell how oft he offendeth * O cleanse thou me from my secret faults.
13Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me * so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.
14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart * be alway acceptable in thy sight,
15O Lord * my strength, and my redeemer.
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 20Exaudiat te Dominus
The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble * the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2Send thee help from the sanctuary * and strengthen thee out of Sion;
3Remember all thy offerings * and accept thy burnt-sacrifice;
4Grant thee thy heart’s desire * and fulfil all thy mind.
5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and triumph in the Name of the Lord our God * the Lord perform all thy petitions.
6Now know I that the Lord helpeth his Anointed, and will hear him from his holy heaven * even with the wholesome strength of his right hand.
7Some put their trust in chariots, and some in horses * but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.
8They are brought down, and fallen * but we are risen, and stand upright.
9Save, Lord, and hear us, O King of heaven * when we call upon thee.
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. Be favourable, * O Lord, and gracious.
Chapter
1 Tim. 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory * for ever and ever. Amen.
℟.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, September 1
In the province of Narbonne, St. Giles, abbot and confessor.
At Benevento, twelve saintly brothers, martyrs.
In Palestine, the Saints Josue and Gedeon.
At Jerusalem, blessed Anna, prophetess, whose sanctity is revealed in the Gospel.
At Capua, on the Aquarian road, St. Priscus, martyr, who was one of the ancient disciples of Christ.
At Rheims, in France, St. Xystus, disciple of the blessed apostle Peter, who was consecrated by him the first bishop of that city, and received the crown of martyrdom under Nero.
At Todi, in Umbria, St. Terentian, bishop and martyr. Under the emperor Adrian, he was racked, and scourged with whips set with metal by order of the proconsul Lætian, and finally, having his tongue cut out, he ended his martyrdom by undergoing capital punishment.
At Heraclea, St. Ammon, deacon, and forty holy virgins whom he instructed in the faith, and led with him to the glory of martyrdom, under the tyrant Licinius.
In Spain, the holy martyrs Vincent and Lætus.
At Piombino, in Tuscany, St. Regulus, martyr, who went thither from Africa, and consummated his martyrdom under Totila.
At Sens, St. Lupus, bishop and confessor, of whom it is related, that on a certain day, whilst he stood at the holy altar in presence of the clergy, a gem fell from heaven into the consecrated chalice which he was using.
At Capua, St. Priscus, bishop. He was one of those priests who were subjected to various trials for the Catholic faith during the persecution of the Vandals. Being put in an old ship on the coast of Africa, they reached the shores of Campania, and separating, they were placed at the head of various churches, and thus greatly extended the Christian religion. The companions of Priscus were Castrensis, Tammarus, Rosius, Heraclius, Secundinus, Adjutor, Mark, Augustus, Elpidius, Canion, and Vindonius.
At Aquino, St. Constantius, a bishop renowned for the gift of prophecy and many virtues.
At Le Mans, St. Victorius, bishop.
In Baden, in the diocese of Constance, St. Verena, virgin.
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.