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 and Hail Mary 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.
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
Ant. The Lord said.
These words are not repeated in the Psalm.
Psalm 110Dixit Dominus Domino meo
The Lord said unto my Lord * Sit. Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion * be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
3In the day of thy power shall the people offer thee free-will offerings with an holy worship * the dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning.
4The Lord sware, and will not repent * Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
5The Lord upon thy right hand * shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
6He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies * and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
7He shall drink of the brook in the way * Stand. therefore shall he lift up his head.
Bow. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;Stand upright. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
Ant. The Lord said * unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand.
Ant. All his commandments.
Psalm 111Confitebor tibi, Domine
I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart * Sit. secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation.
2The works of the Lord are great * sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
3His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works * that they ought to be had in remembrance.
5He hath given meat unto them that fear him * he shall ever be mindful of his covenant.
6He hath shewed his people the power of his works * that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
7The works of his hands are verity and judgement * all his commandments are true.
8They stand fast for ever and ever * and are done in truth and equity.
9He sent redemption unto his people * he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom * Stand. a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; the praise of it endureth for ever.
Bow. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;Stand upright. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
Ant. All his commandments * are true: they stand fast for ever and ever.
Ant. He hath great delight.
Psalm 112Beatus vir, qui timet Dominum
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord * Sit. he hath great delight in his commandments.
2His seed shall be mighty upon earth * the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
3Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness * he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5A good man is merciful, and lendeth * and will guide his words with discretion.
6For he shall never be moved * and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.
7He will not be afraid of any evil tidings * for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord.
8His heart is established, and will not shrink * until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor * and his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
10The ungodly shall see it, and it shall grieve him * Stand. he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away; the desire of the ungodly shall perish.
Bow. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;Stand upright. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
Ant. He hath great delight * in his commandments.
Ant. Blessed be the Name.
Psalm 113Laudate, pueri, Dominum
Praise the Lord, ye servants * Sit. O praise the Name of the Lord.
2Blessed be the Name of the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.
3The Lord’s Name is praised * from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.
4The Lord is high above all heathen * and his glory above the heavens.
5Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling so high * and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth?
6He taketh up the simple out of the dust * and lifteth the poor out of the mire;
7That he may set him with the princes * even with the princes of his people.
8He maketh the barren woman to keep house * Stand. and to be a joyful mother of children.
Bow. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;Stand upright. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
Ant. Blessed be the Name * of the Lord for ever and ever.
Chapter
2 Cor. 1:3–4
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation.
℟.Thanks be to God.
How wonderful are thy works, * O Lord.
℟.How wonderful are thy works, * O Lord.
℣.In wisdom hast thou made them all.
℟.O Lord.
℣.Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟.How wonderful are thy works, * O Lord.
Hymn
Lucis Creator optime
O BLEST Creator of the light,Who makest the day with radiance bright,And o’er the forming world didst callThe light from chaos first of all:
Whose wisdom joined in meet arrayThe morn and eve, and named them day:Night comes with all its darkling fears,Regard thy people’s prayers and tears.
Lest, sunk in sin and whelmed with strife,They lose the gift of endless life;While thinking but the thoughts of time,They weave new chains of woe and crime.
But grant them grace that they may strainThe heavenly gate and prize to gain:Each harmful lure aside to cast,And purge away each error past.
O Father, that we ask be doneThrough Jesus Christ, thine only Son,Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,Shall live and reign eternally.Amen.
℣.Lord, let my prayer be set forth.
℟.In thy sight as the incense.
Ant. Render therefore.
MagnificatMagnificat anima mea Dominum
Luke 1:46–55
My soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
2For he hath regarded * the lowliness of his handmaiden.
3For behold, from henceforth * all generations shall call me blessed.
4For he that is mighty hath magnified me: * and holy is his Name.
5And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all generations.
6He hath shewed strength with his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
7He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble and meek.
8He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.
9He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel; * as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
Bow. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost;Stand upright. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.
Ant. Render therefore * unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s: and unto God the things that are God’s, alleluia.
The Prayers
℣.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.
℣.O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟.And let my cry come unto thee.
℣.The Lord be with you.
℟.And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, our refuge and strength, who art the author of all godliness; be ready, we beseech thee, to hear the devout prayers of thy Church; and grant that those things which we ask faithfully we may obtain effectually. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end.
℟.Amen.
Commemoration of Day II within the Octave of All Saints
Ant. O how glorious * is the kingdom wherein all the Saints rejoice with Christ; arrayed in white robes, they follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
℣.Let the Saints be joyful with glory.
℟.Let them rejoice in their beds.
Let us pray.
Almighty everlasting God, by whose favour we venerate the merits of all thy Saints in one solemnity: we beseech thee to bestow upon us, through so many intercessors, the abundance of thy mercy which we desire.
Commemoration of St Winifred, Virgin & Martyr
Ant. Come, thou Bride of Christ, * receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever.
℣.In thy grace and in thy beauty.
℟.Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
Let us pray.
Almighty everlasting God, who hast bestowed upon blessed Winifred the reward of her virginity: grant, we beseech thee, at her intercession, that we may put away the allurements of the world, and obtain with her a throne of everlasting glory. Through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end.
℟.Amen.
℣.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.
Vespers of the Dead
Ant. I will walk before the Lord * in the land of the living.
Psalm 116Dilexi, quoniam exaudiet Dominus
I am well pleased * that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;
2That he hath inclined his ear unto me * therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3The snares of death compassed me round about * and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.
4I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord * O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5Gracious is the Lord, and righteous * yea, our God is merciful.
6The Lord preserveth the simple * I was in misery, and he helped me.
7Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul * for the Lord hath rewarded thee.
8And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death * mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9I will walk before the Lord * in the land of the living.
10I believed, and therefore will I speak; but I was sore troubled * I said in my haste, All men are liars.
11What reward shall I give unto the Lord * for all the benefits that he hath done unto me?
12I will receive the cup of salvation * and call upon the Name of the Lord.
13I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people * right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
14Behold, O Lord, how that I am thy servant * I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid; thou hast broken my bonds in sunder.
15I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving * and will call upon the Name of the Lord.
16I will pay my vows unto the Lord, in the sight of all his people * in the courts of the Lord’s house, even in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.And let light perpetual shine upon them.
Ant. I will walk before the Lord * in the land of the living.
Ant. Woe is me * that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech.
Psalm 120Ad Dominum cum tribularer
When I was in trouble I called upon the Lord * and he heard me.
2Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips * and from a deceitful tongue.
3What reward shall be given or done unto thee, thou false tongue * even mighty and sharp arrows, with hot burning coals.
4Woe is me, that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech * and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar.
5My soul hath long dwelt among them * that are enemies unto peace.
6I labour for peace, but when I speak unto them thereof * they make them ready to battle.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.And let light perpetual shine upon them.
Ant. Woe is me * that I am constrained to dwell with Mesech.
Ant. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: * yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
Psalm 121Levavi oculos meos
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills * from whence cometh my help.
2My help cometh even from the Lord * who hath made heaven and earth.
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved * and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The Lord himself is thy keeper * the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
6So that the sun shall not burn thee by day * neither the moon by night.
7The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil * yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
8The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in * from this time forth for evermore.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.And let light perpetual shine upon them.
Ant. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: * yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
Ant. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, * O Lord, who may abide it?
Psalm 130De profundis clamavi
Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord * Lord, hear my voice.
2O let thine ears consider well * the voice of my complaint.
3If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss * O Lord, who may abide it?
4For there is mercy with thee * therefore shalt thou be feared.
5I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him * in his word is my trust.
6My soul fleeth unto the Lord * before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch.
7O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy * and with him is plenteous redemption.
8And he shall redeem Israel * from all his sins.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.And let light perpetual shine upon them.
Ant. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, * O Lord, who may abide it?
Ant. Despise not then, * O Lord, the works of thine own hands.
Psalm 138Confitebor tibi, Domine
I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, with my whole heart * even before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy Name, because of thy loving-kindness and truth * for thou hast magnified thy Name and thy word above all things.
3When I called upon thee, thou heardest me * and enduedst my soul with much strength.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord * for they have heard the words of thy mouth.
5Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord * that great is the glory of the Lord.
6For though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly * as for the proud, he beholdeth them afar off.
7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, yet shalt thou refresh me * thou shalt stretch forth thy hand upon the furiousness of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8The Lord shall make good his loving-kindness toward me * yea, thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever; despise not then the works of thine own hands.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.And let light perpetual shine upon them.
Ant. Despise not then, * O Lord, the works of thine own hands.
℣.I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me.
℟.Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
Ant. All that the Father giveth me * shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.
MagnificatMagnificat anima mea Dominum
Luke 1:46–55
My soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
2For he hath regarded * the lowliness of his handmaiden.
3For behold, from henceforth * all generations shall call me blessed.
4For he that is mighty hath magnified me: * and holy is his Name.
5And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all generations.
6He hath shewed strength with his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
7He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble and meek.
8He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.
9He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel; * as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.And let light perpetual shine upon them.
Ant. All that the Father giveth me * shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.
The following prayers are said kneeling.
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.
℣.From the gate of hell.
℟.Deliver their souls, O Lord.
℣.May they rest in peace.
℟.Amen.
℣.O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟.And let my cry come unto thee.
℣.The Lord be with you.
℟.And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful: grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins; that through devout supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Who with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit livest and reignest God, world without end.
℟.Amen.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord.And let light perpetual shine upon them.
℣.May they rest in peace.
℟.Amen.