Evening 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.
HYMN
Alternate Hymns
O loving Maker of the stars,
believers’ everlasting light,
O Christ, Redeemer of us all,
with kindness hear our humble prayer.
With pity, you beheld the fate
that death imposed on ages past;
you gave the guilty healing grace
and saved a weak and fallen world.
When evening fell upon the earth,
as bridegroom from the bridal room,
from honored cloister forth you came,
born from the Virgin Mother pure.
Before your strong and steadfast might,
on earth and in the heav’ns above
all knees bend low, all hearts confess
submission to your sov’reign will.
With faith we beg you, Holy Lord,
the Judge of ages still to come,
that in our time you keep us safe
from snares of our deceitful foe.
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: WINCHESTER NEW, 8 8 8 8
Music: adapted from a chorale in Musicalisches Hand-Buch, Hamburg, 1690
or Mode IV, melody 71;Antiphonale Sacrosanctæ Ecclesiæ Romanæ, Typis Polyglottis Vanticanis, 1912
Text: Conditor alme siderum, 9th c., © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 Proclaim the good news among the nations; Our God will come to save us.
Psalm 141:1-9
A prayer when in danger
An angel stood before the face of God, thurible in hand. The fragrant incense soaring aloft was the prayer of God’s people on earth (Revelation 8:4).
I have called to you, Lord; hasten to help me! *
Hear my voice when I cry to you.
Let my prayer arise before you like incense, *
the raising of my hands like an evening oblation.
Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth; *
keep watch at the door of my lips!
Do not turn my heart to things that are wrong, *
to evil deeds with men who are sinners.
Never allow me to share in their feasting. *
If a good man strikes or reproves me it is kindness;
but let the oil of the wicked not anoint my head. *
Let my prayer be ever against their malice.
Their princes were thrown down by the side of the rock: *
then they understood that my words were kind.
As a millstone is shattered to pieces on the ground, *
so their bones were strewn at the mouth of the grave.
To you, Lord God, my eyes are turned: *
in you I take refuge; spare my soul!
From the trap they have laid for me keep me safe: *
keep me from the snares of those who do evil.
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.
Psalm Prayer
Lord, from the rising of the sun to its setting your name is worthy of all praise. Let our prayer come like incense before you. May the lifting up of our hands be as an evening sacrifice acceptable to you, Lord our God.
Ant. Proclaim the good news among the nations; Our God will come to save us.
Ant. 2 Know the Lord is coming and with him all his saints; that day will dawn with a wonderful light, alleluia.
Psalm 142
You, Lord, are my refuge
What is written in this psalm was fulfilled in our Lord’s passion (Saint Hilary).
With all my voice I cry to the Lord, *
with all my voice I entreat the Lord.
I pour out my trouble before him; *
I tell him all my distress
while my spirit faints within me. *
But you, O Lord, know my path.
On the way where I shall walk *
they have hidden a snare to entrap me.
Look on my right and see: *
there is not one who takes my part.
I have no means of escape, *
not one who cares for my soul.
I cry to you, O Lord. †
I have said: “You are my refuge, *
all I have left in the land of the living.”
Listen then to my cry *
for I am in the depths of distress.
Rescue me from those who pursue me *
for they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of this prison *
and then I shall praise your name.
Around me the just will assemble *
because of your goodness to 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.
Psalm Prayer
Lord, we humbly ask for your goodness. May you help us to hope in you, and give us a share with your chosen ones in the land of the living.
Ant. the Lord is coming and with him all his saints; that day will dawn with a wonderful light, alleluia.
Ant. 3 The Lord will come with mighty power; all mortal eyes shall see him.
Canticle: Philippians 2:6-11
Christ, God’s holy servant
Though he was in the form of God, †
Jesus did not deem equality with God *
something to be grasped at.
Rather, he emptied himself †
and took the form of a slave, *
being born in the likeness of men.
He was known to be of human estate, *
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death, *
death on a cross!
Because of this, *
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name *
above every other name,
So that at Jesus’ name *
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth, *
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim †
to the glory of God the Father: *
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!
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. The Lord will come with mighty power; all mortal eyes shall see him.
READING
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness. May he preserve you whole and entire, spirit, soul, and body, irreproachable at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls us is trustworthy, therefore he will do it.
RESPONSORY
Lord, show us your mercy and love.
— Lord, show us your mercy and love.
And grant us your salvation,
— your mercy and love.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Lord, show us your mercy and love.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. See the Lord coming from afar; his splendor fills the earth.
Canticle of Mary
Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord
My + soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, †
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: †
the Almighty has done great things for me, *
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
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. See the Lord coming from afar; his splendor fills the earth.
INTERCESSIONS
Jesus Christ is the joy and happiness of all who look forward to his coming. Let us call upon him and say:
Come, Lord, and do not delay!
In joy, we wait for your coming;
— come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord, and do not delay!
Before time began, you shared life with the Father;
— come now and save us.
Come, Lord, and do not delay!
You created the world and all who live in it;
— come to redeem the work of your hands.
Come, Lord, and do not delay!
You did not hesitate to become man, subject to death;
— come to free us from the power of death.
Come, Lord, and do not delay!
You came to give us life to the full;
— come and give us your unending life.
Come, Lord, and do not delay!
You desire all people to live in love in your kingdom;
— come and bring together those who long to see you face to face.
Come, Lord, and do not delay!
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(With longing for the coming of God’s kingdom, let us offer our prayer to the Father:)
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.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
All-powerful God,
increase our strength of will for doing good
that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming
and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
Or:
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.
DISMISSAL
If a priest or deacon presides, he dismisses the people:
The Lord be with you.
— And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
— Amen.
Another form of the blessing may be used, as at Mass.
Then he adds:
Go in peace.
— Thanks be to God.
In the absence of a priest or deacon and in individual recitation, Evening Prayer concludes:
May the Lord + bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
— Amen.
******
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Jerusalem, lift up your voice!
Daughter of Zion, now rejoice!
Your King is come, whose mighty hand
Henceforth shall reign o’er every land.
He comes to every tribe and race,
A messenger of truth and grace:
With peace he comes from heaven above
On earth to found his realm of love.
In God’s eternal covenant,
He comes for our salvation sent.
The star of hope moves on before,
And hosts assemble to adore.
Let all the world with one accord
Now hail the coming of the Lord:
Praise to the Prince of heavenly birth
Who brings God’s peace to all the earth.
Tune: Von Himmel Hoch L.M.
Music: Geistliche Lieder, Leipzig, 1539
Text: Johan O. Wallin, 1814
Translation: Ernst W. Olsen, 1870-1958
Continue with the Psalmody
Or:
The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
“All hail,” said he, “O lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!
“For know a blessed Mother you shall be,
All generations praise continually,
Your Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold.
Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
“To me be as it pleases God!” she said.
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.”
“Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!
Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn;
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
“Most highly favored lady!” Gloria!
Tune: Gabriel’s Message 10.10.12.10
Music: Traditional Basque Carol
Text: Birjina gaztettobat zegoen
Translation: Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924
Continue with the Psalmody
Or:
Savior of the nations, come;
Show the glory of the Son!
Marvel now, O heav’n and earth,
That our Lord chose such a birth.
Not by human flesh and blood,
By the spirit of our God
Was the word of God made flesh,
Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.
Wondrous birth! O wondrous child
Of the Virgin undefiled!
Mighty God and man in one,
Eager now his race to run!
God creator is his source,
Back to God he runs his course,
Down to death and hell descends,
God’s high throne he re-ascends.
Now your lowly manger bright
Hallows night with newborn light;
Let no night this light subdue,
Let our faith shine ever new.
Tune: Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland, 77 77
Music: Geystliche Gesangk Büchleyn, Wittenberg, ,1524
Text: Veni, redemptor gentium; Martin Luther, 1483-1546, after Saint Ambrose of Milan, 340-347
Translation: William Reynolds, 1812-1876 (vss. 1-3a) and Martin L. Seitz, 1909-1967 (vss. 3b-5), alt.
Continue with the Psalmody
Or:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O wisdom from on high,
And order all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O come, O Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times did give the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O rod of Jesse’s stem,
From ev’ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty power to save,
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O key of David, come,
And open wide our heav’nly home,
Make safe the way that leads on high,
That we no more have cause to sigh.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, O Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadow put to flight.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
Bid every strife and quarrel cease
And fill the world with heaven’s peace.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
Tune: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel 88.88 with Refrain
Music: Thomas Helmore, 1811-1890, adapted from a first Mode Responsory in a fifteenth century French Processional
Text: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, a paraphrase of the Latin twelfth-thirteenth century “Great O” antiphons in Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum
Translation: Thomas Helmore, 1811-1890, John Mason Neale, 1818-1866, and others
Continue with the Psalmody
Or:
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Ne irascáris, Dómine, ne ultra memíneris iniquitátis:
Ecce cívitas sancti facta est desérta:
Sion desérta facta est: Ierúusalem desoláta est:
Domus sanctificatiónis tuae et glóriæ tuæ,
Ubi laudáværunt te patres nostri.
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Peccávimus, et facti sumus tamquam immúndus nos,
Et cicídimus quasi fólium univérsi:
Et iniquitátis nostrae quasi ventus abstulérunt nos:
Abscondísti fáciem tuam a nobis,
Et allisísti nos in manu iniquitátis nostræ.
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Vide, Dómine, afflictiónem pópuli tui,
Et mitte quam missúrus es:
Emítte Agnum dominatórem terræ,
De petra desérti ad montem fíliæ Sion:
Ut aúferat ipse iugum captivitátis nostræ.
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Consolámini, consolámini, pópule meus:
Cito véniet salus tua:
Quare mœróre consuméris, quia innovávit dolor?
Salvábo, te, noli timére, ego enim sum Dóminus Deus tuus,
Sanctus Israël, Redémptor tuus.
Refrain: Roráte cœli désuper, et nubes pluant iustum.
Tune: Rorate Cœli, Irregular
Music: P. Bourget?, 1634
Text: Paris, 1634
Continue with the Psalmody
