Night Prayer
INTRODUCTION
God, + come to my assistance.
— Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
— as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
Examination of Conscience
A brief examination of conscience may be made. In the communal celebration of the Office, a Penitential Rite using the formulas of the Mass may be inserted here.
[I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
And, striking their breast, they say:
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
Then they continue:
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
The absolution by the presider follows:
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
— Amen.]
HYMN
Alternate Hymn
To you before the close of light,
Creator of all things, we pray:
Be our protector, keep us safe
in your unfailing clemency.
Incline our hearts to dream of you,
to sense your presence as we sleep;
as light returns, so let us sing
your praise and glory evermore.
Grant us the grace of health and strength,
renew our warmth and joy of life;
and let your radiant light dispel
the dreaded darkness of the night.
Almighty Father, grant our prayer
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who reigns with you from age to age,
one with the Spirit, ever blest. Amen.
Tune: TALLIS’ CANON, 8 8 8 8
Music: Thomas Tallis, ca. 1505-1585
or Mode VIII, melody 117; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983.
Text: Te lucis ante terminum, 5-6th c., © 2023 ICEL
Or:
O Christ, resplendent as the day,
you clear away the dark of night;
by faith we know you, Light from Light,
proclaiming light to all the blest.
O holy Lord, we humbly pray:
Watch over us throughout this night
and grant us calm and silent hours,
that we may find our rest in you.
And when our eyes are closed in sleep,
still let our hearts keep watch for you;
protect and guard by your right hand
the faithful, filled with love for you.
O strong defender, see our plight,
subdue our foes, who lie in wait;
direct and guide your servants, Lord,
whom you have purchased with your blood.
To you, O Christ, most loving King,
and to the Father, glory be,
one with the Spirit Paraclete,
from age to age for evermore. Amen.
Tune: As above
Text: Christe, qui, splendor et dies, 5-6th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4
Thanksgiving
The resurrection of Christ was God’s supreme and wholly marvelous work (Saint Augustine).
When I call, answer me, O God of justice; *
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
O men, how long will your hearts be closed, *
will you love what is futile and seek what is false?
It is the Lord who grants favors to those whom he loves; *
the Lord hears me whenever I call him.
Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still. *
Make justice your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.
“What can bring us happiness?” many say. *
Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.
You have put into my heart a greater joy *
than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.
I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once *
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.
Ant. 2 In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.
Psalm 134
Evening prayer in the Temple
Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great (Revelation 19:5).
O come, bless the Lord, *
all you who serve the Lord,
who stand in the house of the Lord, *
in the courts of the house of our God.
Lift up your hands to the holy place *
and bless the Lord through the night.
May the Lord bless you from Zion, *
he who made both heaven and earth.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.
READING
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.
RESPONSORY
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
— Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
— I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.
Canticle of Simeon
Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel
Lord, + now you let your servant go in peace; *
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation *
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Lord,
be with us throughout this night.
When day comes may we rise from sleep
to rejoice in the resurrection of your Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
— Amen.
BLESSING
May the all-powerful Lord
grant us a restful night
and a peaceful death.
— Amen.
Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you do we cry,
poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.
Or:
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you!
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Or:
Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
vita, dulcedo et spes nostra, salve,
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes occulos
ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis post hoc exilium ostende.
O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.
Or:
Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before.
You who received Gabriel’s joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.
******
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All praise to you, O God, this night,
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep us, we pray, O king of kings,
Beneath your own almighty wings.
Forgive us, Lord, through Christ your Son
Whatever wrong this day we’ve done;
Your peace give to the world, O Lord,
That all might live in one accord.
Enlighten us, O Blessed Light,
And give us rest throughout this night.
O strengthen us, that for your sake,
We all may serve you when we wake.
Tune: Tallis’ Canon L.M.
Music: Thomas Tallis, 1515-1585
Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711, alt.
Continue with the Psalmody
