Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

STAND

KNEEL

Ave, maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix cæli porta.

Sea-Star! we acclaim thee,
God's kind Mother name thee!
Hail, thou Maid immortal,
Heaven's blissful portal.

STAND

Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen cæcis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

Monstra te esse matrem,
Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus
Tulit esse tuus.

Virgo singuláris,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos, culpis solútos,
Mites fac et castos.

Vitam præsta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut, vidéntes Jesum,
Semper collætémur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spirítui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.  Amen.

Ask light for the blinded,
Free the worldly-minded;
Thus our ills repressing,
Win us every blessing.

Be to us a Mother;
For thy Son, our Brother,
Will, for our salvation,
Heed thy supplication.

Maiden meek and lowly,
Singularly holy,
Hardened sinners render
Meek and chaste and tender.

In straight paths direct us,
On our way protect us,
Till on Jesus gazing,
We shall join thy praising.

Doxology
Father, Son eternal,
Holy Ghost supernal,
Thee we bless as Trinal,
One and First and Final.  Amen.

Ant. on Magnif:  All generations * shall call me blessed, for he that is mighty hath magnified me, alleluia.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Compline of Current Weekday

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

Invitatory and Hymn

Immaculátam Conceptiónem Vírginis Maríæ celebrémus : * Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us keep holy-day in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, * Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

Immaculátam Conceptiónem Vírginis Maríæ celebrémus : * Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us keep holy-day in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, * Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

Psalmus 94.
Venite, exsultemus Domino

Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro : præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.

O come, let us sing unto the Lord ; let us heartily rejoice in the God of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving ; and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.

Immaculátam Conceptiónem Vírginis Maríæ celebrémus : * Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us keep holy-day in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, * Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos : quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.

For the Lord is a great God ; and a great King above all gods:  For the Lord will not cast off his people:  In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also.

Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

In the following verse of the Psalm, at the words veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum (O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker) all genuflect.

Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus : veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum : plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos, quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.

The sea is his and he made it ; and his hands prepared the dry land.  O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker: For he is the Lord our God ; and we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Immaculátam Conceptiónem Vírginis Maríæ celebrémus : * Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us keep holy-day in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, * Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness ; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.

Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ; ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways:  unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.

Immaculátam Conceptiónem Vírginis Maríæ celebrémus : * Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us keep holy-day in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, * Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

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.

Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

Immaculátam Conceptiónem Vírginis Maríæ celebrémus : * Christum ejus Fílium adorémus Dóminum.

Let us keep holy-day in honour of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, * Let us worship Christ her Son and Lord.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, the First Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below. 

First Nocturn

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken from the occurrent Scripture, except when the Octave Day occurs with Ember Wednesday, in which case, Lessons (Serpens erat) and Responds as on the Feast, unless any impeded Lessons are to be resumed or anticipated. 

Scripture Lessons

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Ab antíquis tempóribus Sacrórum antístites, ecclesiástici viri, reguláres órdines ac vel ipsi imperatóres et reges ab hac apostólica Sede eníxe efflagitárunt, ut immaculáta sanctíssimæ Dei Genitrícis Concéptio véluti cathólicæ fídei dogma definirétur.  Quæ postulatiónes hac nostra quoque ætáte iterátæ fuérunt, ac potíssimum felícis recordatiónis Gregório decimoséxto prædecessóri nostro, ac nobis ipsis oblátæ sunt tum ab epíscopis, tum a clero sæculári, tum a religiósis famíliis, ac summis princípibus et fidélibus pópulis.  Nos ítaque singulári ánimi nostri gáudio hæc ómnia probe noscéntes ac sério considerántes, vix dum, licet immériti, arcáno divínæ providéntiæ consílio ad hanc sublímem Petri Cáthedram evécti, totíus Ecclésiæ gubernácula tractánda suscépimus, nihil certe antíquius habúimus, quam pro summa nostra vel a téneris annis erga sanctíssimam Dei Genitrícem Vírginem Maríam veneratióne, pietáte et afféctu, ea ómnia perágere, quæ adhuc in Ecclésiæ votis esse póterant, ut beatíssimæ Vírginis honor augerétur, ejúsque prærogatívæ uberióri luce nitérent.

From of old time continual prayers have been offered to this Apostolic See not only by Bishops, Churchmen, and the Regular Orders, but also by Emperors and Kings, beseeching that the sinlessness of the Conception of the Mother of God might be made the subject of a Dogmatic Definition.  These prayers have been still more urgently addressed in recent times to our Predecessor, of happy memory, Gregory XVI, and to ourselves, by the Bishops, by the Secular Clergy, by the Regular Orders, and by the most eminent Christian Princes and nations.  The knowledge of these things hath caused our heart to rejoice, and they have been the serious occupation of our thoughts ever since, in spite of our unworthiness, the inscrutable Providence of God was pleased to set us in this supreme Chair of Peter, and to put his Church into our hands, for us to govern.  Since then, we have had nothing so much at heart as to yield to the desires of the Church in this matter, to the increasing of the veneration of which the most holy Virgin is already the object, and to the setting in a clearer light the singular graces with which God hath adorned her, being ourselves especially drawn to the same by the reverence, love, and affection with which we have been from our childhood animated towards the same most holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Ego ex ore Altíssimi prodívi, primogénita ante omnem creatúram : ego feci in cælis, ut orirétur lumen indefíciens. * Nondum erant abyssi, et ego jam concépta eram.
V.  Deus enim creávit me in justítia, et apprehéndit manum meam, et servávit me.
R.  Nondum erant abyssi, et ego jam concépta eram.

R.  I came out of the mouth of the Most High, the first-begotten before every creature : I made the unfading light to arise in the heavens. * Before ever were the depths, and I was already conceived.
V.  For the Lord hath created me in righteousness, and hath held mine hand, and hath kept me.
R.  Before ever were the depths, and I was already conceived.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

Itaque plúrimum in Dómino confísi advenísse témporum opportunitátem pro immaculáta sanctíssimæ Dei Genitrícis Vírginis Maríæ Conceptióne definiénda, quam divína elóquia, veneránda tradítio, perpétuus Ecclésiæ sensus, singuláris catholicórum antístitum ac fidélium conspirátio, et insígnia prædecessórum nostrórum acta et constitutiónes mirífice illústrant atque declárant ; rebus ómnibus diligentíssime perpénsis et assíduis fervidísque ad Deum précibus effúsis, mínime cunctándum nobis esse censúimus, suprémo nostro judício immaculátam ipsíus Vírginis Conceptiónem sancíre, definíre, atque ita pientíssimis cathólici orbis desidériis, nostræque in ipsam sanctíssimam Vírginem pietáti satisfácere, ac simul in ipsa unigénitum Fílium suum Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum magis atque magis honorificáre, cum in Fílium redúndet quidquid honóris et laudis in Matrem impénditur.

And now we trust in the Lord that the time is come to define as a truth of faith the doctrine of the stainless Conception of the most holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, that doctrine already set forth by Holy Scripture, by the ancient tradition, by the unbroken belief of the Universal Church, by the one common opinion of the Catholic Episcopate and laity, and by the marked acts and decrees of our Predecessors.  We have weighed everything in our mind, and we have without ceasing implored the help and light of God's Holy Spirit by earnest prayer, and we are of opinion that it is our duty no longer to delay, but by our Supreme Decision to settle and declare that the Virgin was conceived without sin, and thus to satisfy the godly cravings of the whole Christian world, as well as the instinct of our own love for the said most holy Virgin, and above all, because she is his Mother, to glorify our Lord Jesus Christ by this act, since whatever we do rightly to honour the Mother must redound to the glory of the Son.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Nihil inquinátum in eam incúrrit : * Candor est lucis ætérnæ et spéculum sine mácula.
V.  Est enim hæc speciósior sole, et luci comparáta invenítur púrior.
R.  Candor est lucis ætérnæ et spéculum sine mácula.

R.  No defiled thing can come nigh unto her ; * For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, and the unspotted mirror of the power of God.
V.  She is more beautiful than the sun, and being compared with the light, she is found before it.
R.  For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, and the unspotted mirror of the power of God.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Quare postquam numquam intermísimus in humilitáte et jejúnio privátas nostras et públicas Ecclésiæ preces Deo Patri per Fílium ejus offérre, ut Spíritus Sancti virtúte mentem nostram dirígere et confírmare dignarétur, imploráto univérsæ cæléstis cúriæ præsídio, et advocáto cum gemítibus Paráclito Spíritu, eóque sic aspiránte ; ad honórem sanctæ et indivíduæ Trinitátis, ad decus et ornaméntum Vírginis Deíparæ, ad exaltatiónem fídei cathólicæ et christiánæ religiónis augméntum, auctoritáte Dómini nostri Jesu Christi, beatórum Apostolórum Petri et Pauli, ac nostra, declarámus, pronuntiámus et definímus : Doctrínam quæ tenet beatíssimam Vírginem Maríam in primo instánti suæ Conceptiónis fuísse singulári omnipoténtis Dei grátia et privilégio, intúitu meritórum Christi Jesu Salvatóris humáni géneris, ab omni originális culpæ labe præservátam immúnem, esse a Deo revelátum, atque idcírco ab ómnibus fidélibus fírmiter constantérque credéndam.  Quaprópter si qui secus ac a nobis definítum est, quod Deus avértat, præsúmpserint corde sentíre, ii nóverint ac porro sciant se próprio judício condemnátos, naufrágium circa fidem passos esse, et ab unitáte Ecclésiæ defercísse.

Wherefore, having in all fasting and humbleness of heart continually implored God the Father through his Blessed Son, to hear our own prayers and those his whole Church, and to teach and strengthen our mind by the power of his Holy Spirit, having begged the intercession of the Church Triumphant, and, above all, with groans called on the Holy Ghost the Comforter.  We now, moved by him, for the honour of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, for the greater praise and exaltation of the Virgin Mother of God, the glory of the Catholic Faith, and the good of Christianity, in the name and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and in our own, declare and define that : That doctrine which declareth that the most blessed Virgin Mary was, in the first instant of her Conception, preserved, by a special grace and privilege granted to her by Almighty God, through the merits of Christ Jesus, Saviour of mankind, which he foreknew, from any stain of original sin, is a doctrine taught and revealed by God, and therefore from this time forth must be held by all faithful Christians firmly and constantly.  Wherefore, if any one, which God forbid, shall at any time think in his heart any thing contrary to this our definítion, let him know that he is condemned by his own judgment, that he hath made shipwreck of the faith, and that he hath cut himself off from the body of the Church.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Signum magnum appáruit in cælo : Múlier amícta sole, et luna sub pédibus ejus, * Et in cápite ejus coróna stellárum duódecim.
V.  Induit eam Dóminus vestiméntis salútis, induménto justítiæ, et quasi sponsam ornávit eam monílibus suis.
R.  Et in cápite ejus coróna stellárum duódecim.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et in cápite ejus coróna stellárum duódecim.

R.  And there appeared a great wonder in heaven : a Woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, * And upon her head is a crown of twelve stars.
V.  The Lord hath clothed her with the garments of salvation, he hath covered her with the robe of righteousness, as a bride adorned with jewels.
R.  And upon her head is a crown of twelve stars.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And upon her head is a crown of twelve stars.

As soon as the Second Nocturn is finished, the Third Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below. 

Third Nocturn

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 7: Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 7:  May the Gospel's holy lection be our safeguard and protection.
R.  Amen.

In illo témpore : Missus est Angelus Gábriel a Deo in civitátem Galilææ, cui nomen Názareth, ad Vírginem desponsátam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de domo David, et nomen Vírginis María.  Et réliqua.

At that time : The Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David ; and the Virgin's name was Mary.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Quid dicam, aut quid próloquar de præclára et sancta Vírgine?  Solo enim Deo excépto, cunctis supérior éxstitit : natúra formósior est ipsis Chérubim et Séraphim, et omni exércitu Angélico : cui prædicándæ cæléstis ac terréna lingua  mínime súfficit, immo vero nec Angelórum.  O beáta Virgo, colúmba pura et sponsa cæléstis, María, cælum, templum, et thronus divinitátis, quæ coruscántem in cælo et in terra solem habes Christum!  Nubes lúcida, quæ fulgur de cælo lucidíssimum ad illuminándum mundum deduxísti Christum.  Ave, grátia plena, porta cælórum, de qua in Cánticis prophéta in decúrsu oratiónis plane et apérte prolóquitur inclámans : Hortus conclúsus soror mea sponsa, hortus conclúsus, fons signátus.

I am at a loss what words or terms I ought to employ in speaking of this illustrious and holy Virgin.  She is raised above all things except God ; she was made much higher than the Cherubim and Seraphim, and the whole host of heaven ; neither the voices of heaven nor of earth are full enough to set forth her majesty, no, not the voices of Angels.  O blessed Virgin!  O pure dove and Bride of heaven!  O Mary!  At once the heaven, the temple, and the throne of God!  Mother of the Sun that shineth both on heaven and on earth, even Christ!  Bright cloud, through which the Son of Man hath come as the lightning, that lighteneth from the East even unto the West!  Hail, gate of heaven, full of grace, of whom the Prophet in the Song of Songs openly speaketh in the course of his prayer, saying, A garden enclosed is my sister, my Spouse, a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Hortus conclúsus soror mea sponsa, hortus conclúsus, fons signátus : * Emissiónes tuæ paradísus, o María.
V.  Aperi mihi, soror mea, amíca mea, colúmba mea, immaculáta mea.
R.  Emissiónes tuæ paradísus, o María.

R.  A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed : * O Mary, thy perfumes are a garden of delights.
V.  Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled.
R.  O Mary, thy perfumes are a garden of delights.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipsa Virgo vírginum intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May she whose feast day we are keeping, Mary, blessed Maid of maidens, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Virgo est lílium immaculátum, quæ rosam immarcescíbilem génuit Christum.  O sancta Deípara, ovis immaculáta quæ Verbum ex te incarnátum Agnum Christum peperísti!  O Virgo sanctíssima, quæ exércitus Angelórum in stupórem deduxísti!  Stupéndum est miráculum in cælis, múlier amícta sole, gestans lucem in ulnis : stupéndum miráculum in cælis, thálamus Vírginis habens Fílium Dei : stupéndum miráculum in cælis, Dóminus Angelórum infans Vírginis efféctus est.  Angeli accusábant Hevam, nunc vero Maríam glória prosequúntur, quæ lapsam Hevam eréxit, et Adámum e paradíso dejéctum in cælos misit.  Ipsa enim est cæli et terræ mediátrix, quæ uniónem naturáliter perégit.

The Virgin is that stainless lily whence hath sprung the Rose that fadeth not, even Christ.  O Holy Mother of God!  Ewe without spot, thou hast borne the Lamb that took flesh of thee, even Christ!  O Maiden whose holiness hath dazzled the heavenly armies!  There hath appeared a great sign in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and with the Light in her arms ; a great sign in heaven, the Virgin's womb the chamber of the Son of God ; a great sign in heaven, the Lord of angels made the Virgin's child.  The angels accused Eve, but now they praise Mary, who hath raised Eve fallen, and restored to heaven Adam banished from Paradise.  For Mary is the bridge between heaven and earth, the ambassadress who hath reconciled them in her womb.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum : * Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus.
V.  Ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.
R.  Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus.

R.  My soul doth magnify the Lord : * For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his Name.
V.  For, behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed.
R.  For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his Name.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his Name.

If Lesson ix is to be taken from an occurring Feast or Sunday, it is given in its proper place, as announced in the Ordo.

Alternate Ninth Lesson

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 9: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Grátia sanctæ Vírginis est imménsa.  Hinc Gábriel in primis salútat Vírginem, dicens : Ave, grátia plena, quæ es spléndidum cælum.  Ave, grátia plena, multis virtútibus exornáta Virgo.  Ave, grátia plena, quæ es urna áurea cóntinens manna cæléste.  Ave, grátia plena, quæ sitiéntes perénnis fontis dulcédine sátias.  Ave, sanctíssima Mater immaculáta, quæ genuísti Christum, qui est ante te.  Ave, púrpura régia, quæ cæli terræque Regem induísti.  Ave, liber incomprehénsus, quæ Verbum et Fílium Patris mundo legéndum exhibuísti.

We cannot measure the grace bestowed upon this holy Virgin.  Hence the salutation addressed to her by Gabriel, Hail, thou glorious heaven, full of grace.  Hail, Virgin adorned with many graces, yea, full of grace.  Hail, thou vessel of gold that holdest the manna that came down from heaven, full of grace.  Hail, thou unfailing fountain, that satisfiest the thirsty soul with sweet waters, full of grace.  Hail, holy, sinless Mother of him that was before thee, even Christ.  Hail, thou Queenly purple, mantle of the King of heaven and earth.  Hail, thou Book that no man can understand, and yet which the Eternal Word, the Son of the Father, hath opened for earth to read.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

STAND

O gloriósa vírginum,
Sublímis inter sídera,
Qui te creávit, párvulum
Lacténte nutris úbere.

Quod Heva tristis ábstulit :
Tu reddis almo gérmine :
Intrent ut astra flébiles,
Cæli reclúdis cárdines.

Tu Regis alti jánua
Et aula lucis fúlgida :
Vitam datam per Vírginem,
Gentes redémptæ, pláudite.

Jesu tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

O glorious Maid, exalted far,
In light more bright than any star,
From him who made thee thou hast won
Grace to be Mother of his Son.

That which was lost in hapless Eve
Thy holy Scion did retrieve;
The tear-worn sons of Adam's race,
Through thee have glimpsed the heavenly place.

Thou was the gate of heaven's Lord,
The door through which the Light hath poured;
Thou, Maiden-Mother, Life dost bring,
Ye ransomed nations, shout and sing!

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore.  Amen.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Ait Dóminus Deus * ad serpéntem : Inimicítias ponam inter te et mulíerem, et semen tuum et semen illíus : ipsa cónteret caput tuum, allelúja.

Ant. on Bened:  The Lord God said * unto the serpent, I will put enmity between thee and the Woman, and between thy seed and her Seed, and she shall bruise thy head, alleluia.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Lectio Brevis   Apoc. 12. 1.
Signum magnum appáruit in cælo : Múlier amícta sole, et luna sub pédibus ejus, et in cápite ejus coróna stellárum duódecim.  Tu autem,  Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

Return to the Office of Prime

Terce

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

V.  Deus omnípotens * Præcínxit me virtúte.
R.  Deus omnípotens * Præcínxit me virtúte.
V.  Et pósuit immaculátam viam meam.
R.  Præcínxit me virtúte.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Deus omnípotens * Præcínxit me virtúte.

V.  In hoc cognóvi, quóniam voluísti me.
R.  Quóniam non gaudébit inimícus meus super me.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Sext

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

The Little Chapter          Ezek. 44. 2.
This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.  It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  In hoc cognóvi, * Quóniam voluísti me.
R.  In hoc cognóvi, * Quóniam voluísti me.
V.  Quóniam non gaudébit inimícus meus super me.
R.  Quóniam voluísti me.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  In hoc cognóvi, * Quóniam voluísti me.

V.  Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me.
R.  Nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

None

Lectio Brevis   Apoc. 12. 1.
Signum magnum appáruit in cælo : Múlier amícta sole, et luna sub pédibus ejus, et in cápite ejus coróna stellárum duódecim.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  Exaltábo te, Dómine, * Quóniam suscepísti me.
R.  Exaltábo te, Dómine, * Quóniam suscepísti me.
V.  Nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.
R.  Quóniam suscepísti me.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Exaltábo te, Dómine, * Quóniam suscepísti me.

V.  Immaculáta Concéptio tua, Dei Génitrix Virgo.
R.  Gáudium annuntiávit univérso mundo.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Second Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

STAND

KNEEL

Ave, maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix cæli porta.

Sea-Star! we acclaim thee,
God's kind Mother name thee!
Hail, thou Maid immortal,
Heaven's blissful portal.

STAND

Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen cæcis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

Monstra te esse matrem,
Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus
Tulit esse tuus.

Virgo singuláris,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos, culpis solútos,
Mites fac et castos.

Vitam præsta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut, vidéntes Jesum,
Semper collætémur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spirítui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.  Amen.

Ask light for the blinded,
Free the worldly-minded;
Thus our ills repressing,
Win us every blessing.

Be to us a Mother;
For thy Son, our Brother,
Will, for our salvation,
Heed thy supplication.

Maiden meek and lowly,
Singularly holy,
Hardened sinners render
Meek and chaste and tender.

In straight paths direct us,
On our way protect us,
Till on Jesus gazing,
We shall join thy praising.

Doxology
Father, Son eternal,
Holy Ghost supernal,
Thee we bless as Trinal,
One and First and Final.  Amen.

Ant. on Magnif:  Today hath grown forth * a branch out of the root of Jesse ; today Mary was conceived without any stain of sin; today is bruised by her the head of the ancient serpent, alleluia.