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 Hymn
O mighty Author of the world,
you thrust chaotic waters back
and drew the dry land from the deep
to set the earth unmoved and still.
That burgeoning in fitting growth,
adorned with radiant bloom and flow’r,
she might be fertile, bearing fruit
and yielding welcome, pleasing food.
Now cleanse with fresh and verdant grace
the wounded soul that sin has parched,
that she, by tears, may purge her guilt
and wear away corrupt desire.
Then let her yield to your commands,
and keep her safe from evil ways;
may she delight in all good things
and know no deed that leads to death.
Most loving Father, hear our prayer,
and you, O Christ coequal Son,
who with the Spirit Paraclete
now reign for all eternity. Amen.
Tune: OLD HUNDRETH, 8 8 8 8
Music: from the Genevan Psalter. 1551
or Mode D, melody 128; Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983
Text: Telluris ignens conditor, attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604, © 2023 ICEL
PSALMODY
Ant. 1 The Lord surrounds his people with his strength.
Psalm 125
The Lord, guardian of his people
Peace to God’s true Israel (Galatians 6:16).
Those who put their trust in the Lord †
are like Mount Zion, that cannot be shaken, *
that stands for ever.
Jerusalem! The mountains surround her, †
so the Lord surrounds his people *
both now and for ever.
For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest *
over the land of the just
for fear that the hands of the just *
should turn to evil.
Do good, Lord, to those who are good, *
to the upright of heart;
but the crooked and those who do evil, *
drive them away!
On Israel, peace!
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
Surround your people, Lord, within the safety of your Church, which you preserve on its rock foundation. Do not let us stretch out our hands to evil deeds, nor be destroyed by the insidious snares of the enemy, but bring us to share the lot of the saints in light.
Ant. The Lord surrounds his people with his strength.
Ant. 2 Unless you acquire the heart of a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Psalm 131
Childlike trust in God
Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29).
O Lord, my heart is not proud *
nor haughty my eyes.
I have not gone after things too great *
nor marvels beyond me.
Truly I have set my soul *
in silence and peace.
As a child has rest in its mother’s arms, *
even so my soul.
O Israel, hope in the Lord *
both now and 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.
Psalm Prayer
Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, you declared that whoever receives a little child in your name receives you, and you promised your kingdom to those who are like children. Never let pride reign in our hearts, but may the Father’s compassion reward and embrace all who willingly bear your gentle yoke.
Ant. Unless you acquire the heart of a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Ant. 3 Lord, you have made us a kingdom and priests for God our Father.
Canticle: Revelation 4:11; 5:9, 10, 12
Redemption hymn
O Lord our God, you are worthy *
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you have created all things; *
by your will they came to be and were made.
Worthy are you, O Lord, *
to receive the scroll and break open its seals.
For you were slain; *
with your blood you purchased for God
men of every race and tongue, *
of every people and nation.
You made of them a kingdom, †
and priests to serve our God, *
and they shall reign on the earth.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain *
to receive power and riches,
wisdom and strength, *
honor and glory and praise.
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. Lord, you have made us a kingdom and priests for God our Father.
READING
Romans 12:9-12
Your love must be sincere. Detest what is evil, cling to what is good. Love one another with the affection of brothers. Anticipate each other in showing respect. Do not grow slack but be fervent in spirit; he whom you serve is the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer.
RESPONSORY
Through all eternity, O Lord, your promise stands unshaken.
— Through all eternity, O Lord, your promise stands unshaken.
Your faithfulness will never fail;
— your promise stands unshaken.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
— Through all eternity, O Lord, your promise stands unshaken.
GOSPEL CANTICLE
Ant. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
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. My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
INTERCESSIONS
God establishes his people in hope. Let us cry out to him with joy:
You are the hope of your people, Lord.
We thank you, Lord,
— because in Christ you have given us all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
You are the hope of your people, Lord.
O God, in your hands are the hearts of the powerful; bestow your wisdom upon government leaders,
— may they draw from the fountain of your counsel and please you in thought and deed.
You are the hope of your people, Lord.
The talents of artists reflect your splendor,
— may their work give the world hope and joy.
You are the hope of your people, Lord.
You do not allow us to be tested beyond our ability,
— strengthen the weak and raise up the fallen.
You are the hope of your people, Lord.
Through your Son you promised to raise men up on the Last Day,
— do not forget those who have died.
You are the hope of your people, Lord.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Now let us offer together the prayer our Lord Jesus Christ taught us:)
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
Lord,
may our evening prayer rise up to you,
and your blessing come down upon us.
May your help and salvation be ours
now and through all eternity.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and 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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The setting sun now dies away,
And darkness comes at close of day;
Your brightest beams, dear Lord, impart,
And let them shine within our heart.
We praise your name with joy this night:
Please watch and guide us till the light;
Joining the music of the blest,
O Lord, we sing ourselves to rest.
To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Trinity blest, whom we adore,
Be praise and glory evermore.
Tune: Angelus L.M.
Music: Georg Joseph, 1657
Text: Jam sol recedit igneus, based upon the hymn O Lux Beata Trinitas, ascribed to Saint Ambrose (340-397), modified by Pope Urban VIII, +1644
Translation: Geoffrey Laycock, based on version in Primer, 1706
Continue with the Psalmody
