Commonly Called

Christmas Eve

Privileged Vigil of I Class

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

COLLECT OF THE DAY

The Suffrage of All Saints is omitted through Advent, even on Feasts.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

However, when the Vigil of Christmas occurs with Sunday, the Office is said as follows:

• At Vespers on the 23rd, all as on Saturday before the IV Sunday in Advent.
• At Matins, Invit. of Christmas Eve, as below, but the Hymn of Advent from the Ordinary; the Antiphons, Psalms, Lessons and Nocturn Versicles and Responds at the I and II Nocturns are said as on the IV Sunday of Advent; but at the III Nocturn, although the Antiphons and Psalms are of Sunday, as in the Psalter, the Nocturn Versicle and Respond are of the Vigil, and likewise the three Lessons of the Homily, with their Responds for the Homily of the Sunday is not read as Lesson ix.
• Lauds is of the Vigil with Commemoration of the Sunday.  And likewise, throughout the Hours, the Office is of the Vigil, of which, however, just as of that of the Sunday, nothing is said after None.

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

The Nocturn

Invitatory and Hymn

Hódie sciétis quia véniet Dóminus : * Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

This day ye shall know that the Lord cometh, * And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

Hódie sciétis quia véniet Dóminus : * Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

This day ye shall know that the Lord cometh, * And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

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.

Hódie sciétis quia véniet Dóminus : * Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

This day ye shall know that the Lord cometh, * And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

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.

Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

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.

Hódie sciétis quia véniet Dóminus : * Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

This day ye shall know that the Lord cometh, * And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

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.

Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

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.

Hódie sciétis quia véniet Dóminus : * Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

This day ye shall know that the Lord cometh, * And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

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.

Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

Hódie sciétis quia véniet Dóminus : * Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

This day ye shall know that the Lord cometh, * And in the morning, then ye shall see his glory.

Illúmina nunc péctora,
Tuóque amóre cóncrema ;
Ut cor cadúca déserens
Cæli volúptas ímpleat.

Ut, cum tribúnal Júdicis
Damnábit igni nóxios,
Et vox amíca débitum
Vocábit ad cælum pios ;

Non esca flammárum nigros
Volvámur inter túrbines,
Vultu Dei sed cómpotes
Cæli fruámur gáudiis.

* Patri, simúlque Fílio,
Tibíque, Sancte Spíritus,
Sicut fuit, sit júgiter
Sæclum per omne glória.  Amen.

To earth descending, Word sublime
Begotten ere the days of time,
Who camest a Child, the world to aid,
As years their downward course displayed :

Each breast be lightened from above,
Each heart be kindled with thy love,
That we, who hear thy call today,
At length may cast earth's joys away.

That so, (when thou, our Judge, art nigh,
All secret deeds of men to try,
To mete to sin pangs rightly won,
To just men joy for deeds well done,)

Thy servants may not be enchained
By punishment their guilt hath gained;
But with the blessed evermore
May serve and love thee, and adore.

Ordinary Doxology
Praise to the Father, with the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past,
And so shall be while ages last.  Amen.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The Nocturn.  The Antiphons (which are not doubled) and Psalms are taken from the current weekday, as given in the table below.

When the Vigil of Christmas occurs with Sunday, Matins is said as follows:

After the Invitatory of Christmas Eve, and the Hymn of Advent from the Ordinary, as above, the Antiphons, Psalms, Lessons and Nocturn Versicles and Responds at the I and II Nocturns are said as on the IV Sunday of Advent; but at the III Nocturn, although the Antiphons and Psalms are of Sunday, as in the Psalter, the Nocturn Versicle and Respond are of the Vigil, and likewise the three Lessons of the Homily, with their Responds for the Homily of the Sunday is not read as Lesson ix.

The Nocturn

STAND

Cum esset desponsáta Mater Jesu María Joseph, ántequam convenírent, invénta est in útero habens de Spíritu Sancto.  Et réliqua.

When as Mary the Mother of Jesus was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Quare non de símplici vírgine, sed de desponsáta concípitur?  Primum, ut per generatiónem Joseph, orígo Maríæ monstrarétur : secúndo, ne lapidarétur a Judæis ut adúltera : tértio, ut in Ægyptum fúgiens habéret solátium.  Martyr Ignátius étiam quartam áddidit causam, cur a desponsáta concéptus sit : Ut partus, ínquiens, ejus celarétur diábolo, dum eum putat non de vírgine, sed de uxóre generátum.

Why was the Lord conceived of a virgin espoused rather than of one who was not?  First, that Mary's genealogy might be reckoned from that of Joseph.  Secondly, lest she be stoned by the Jews as an adulteress.  Thirdly, that she might have a guardian on their flight into Egypt.  To these, the Martyr Ignatius hath added a fourth reason ; namely, that the birth might take place unknown to the devil, who would thus suppose that Mary had conceived by Joseph.

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

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

R.  Sanctificámini hódie, et estóte paráti : quia die crástina vidébitis * Majestátem Dei in vobis.
V. Hódie sciétis quia véniet Dóminus, et mane vidébitis.
R.  Majestátem Dei in vobis.

R.  Sanctify yourselves today, and make you ready : for on the morrow ye shall see : * The majesty of God upon you
V.  This day ye shall know that the Lord cometh, and in the morning, then ye shall see.
R.  The majesty of God upon you

Antequam convenírent, invénta est in útero habens de Spíritu Sancto.  Non ab alio invénta est, nisi a Joseph, qui pene licéntia maritáli futúræ uxóris ómnia nóverat.  Quod autem dícitur, Antequam convenírent, non séquitur ut póstea convénerint : sed Scriptúra quod factum non sit, osténdit.

Before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost.  That is, she was found by Joseph, not by anyone else, for already he had almost an husband's privilege to know all that concerned her.  But from the words, Before they came together, it doth not follow that they ever did come together.  The Scripture is concerned only to shew that up to this time they had not so done.

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

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

R.  Constántes estóte, vidébitis auxílium Dómini super vos : Judæa et Jerúsalem, nolíte timére : * Cras egrediémini, et Dóminus erit vobíscum.
V. Sanctificámini, fílii Israël, et estóte paráti.
R.  Cras egrediémini, et Dóminus erit vobíscum.

R.  Stand ye still, and ye shall see the salvation of the Lord with you : O Judah and Jerusalem, fear not : *  Tomorrow ye shall go out, and the Lord will be with you.
V.  Sanctify yourselves, O ye children of Israel, and make you ready.
R.  Tomorrow ye shall go out, and the Lord will be with you.

Joseph autem vir ejus, cum esset justus, et nollet eam tradúcere, vóluit occúlte dimíttere eam.  Si quis fornicáriæ conjúngitur, unum corpus effícitur, et in lege præcéptum est, non solum reos, sed et cónscios críminum obnóxios esse peccáti : quómodo Joseph, cum crimen celáret uxóris, justus scríbitur?  Sed hoc testimónium Maríæ est, quod Joseph sciens illíus castitátem, et admírans quod evénerat, celat siléntio, cujus mystérium nesciébat.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.  If any man be joined to an harlot, he becometh one body with her ; and according to the law, they that be privy to a crime are held to be guilty.  How then can it be that Joseph is described as a just man, at the very time he was compounding the criminality of his espoused?  These words be none other than a testimony to the virginity of Mary ; for Joseph knew her to be chaste ; wherefore he marvelled at all that had come to pass, and hid in silence that of which he knew not the mystery.

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

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

R.  Sanctificámini, fílii Israël, dicit Dóminus : die enim crástina descéndet Dóminus, * Et áuferet a vobis omnem languórem.
V.  Crástina die delébitur iníquitas terræ, et regnábit super nos Salvátor mundi.
R.  Et áuferet a vobis omnem languórem.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et áuferet a vobis omnem languórem.

R.  Sanctify yourselves, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord : for on the morrow the Lord will come down, * And will take away from you all sickness.
V.  On the morrow the sins of the earth shall be washed away, and the Saviour of the world will be our King.
R.  And will take away from you all sickness.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And will take away from you all sickness.

The Office of Matins ends after the Third Respond.  The Te Deum is not said, and Lauds normally follows immediately, beginning with the Opening Versicles.  Otherwise, the Conclusion of Matins is read, according to the Rubrics.

Conclusion of Matins

Lauds

This Office is said as on a Double with the Psalms of Sunday

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

Psalmus 92.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit, decórem indútus est: * indútus est Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se.
2  Etenim firmávit orbem terræ, * qui non commovébitur.
3  Paráta sedes tua ex tunc: * a sæculo tu es.
4  Elevavérunt flúmina, Dómine: * elevavérunt flúmina vocem suam.
5  Elevavérunt flúmina fluctus suos, * a vócibus aquárum multárum.
6  Mirábiles elatiónes maris: * mirábilis in altis Dóminus.
7  Testimónia tua credibília facta sunt nimis: * domum tuam decet sanctitúdo, Dómine, in longitúdinem diérum.

The Lord hath reigned, and hath put on glorious apparel; * the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2  For he hath stablished the round world, * that it cannot be moved.
3  Thy throne is prepared from of old : * thou art from everlasting.
4  The floods have lift up, O Lord, * yea, the floods have lift up their voice.
5  The floods have lift up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.
6  The waves of the sea are mighty, * glorious is the Lord, who dwelleth on high.
7  Thy testimonies are become exceeding credible: * holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever and ever.

Psalmus 99.  Jubilate

Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * servíte Dómino in lætítia.
2  Introíte in conspéctu ejus, * in exsultatióne.
3  Scitóte quóniam Dóminus ipse est Deus: * ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos.
4  Pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus: * introíte portas ejus in confessióne, átria ejus in hymnis: confitémini illi.
5  Laudáte nomen ejus: quóniam suávis est Dóminus, in ætérnum misericórdia ejus, * et usque in generatiónem et generatiónem véritas ejus.

Psalm 99.  Jubilate

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness.
2  Come before his presence * with exceeding great joy.
3  Know ye that the Lord he is God; * it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.
4  We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture : * O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be ye thankful unto him.
5  Give praises unto his Name: for the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

Psalmus 62.  Deus, Deus meus

Deus, Deus meus, * ad te de luce vígilo.
2  Sitívit in te ánima mea, * quam multiplíciter tibi caro mea.
3  In terra desérta, et ínvia, et inaquósa: * sic in sancto appárui tibi, ut vidérem virtútem tuam, et glóriam tuam.
4  Quóniam mélior est misericórdia tua super vitas: * lábia mea laudábunt te.
5  Sic benedícam te in vita mea: * et in nómine tuo levábo manus meas.
6  Sicut ádipe et pinguédine repleátur ánima mea: * et lábiis exsultatiónis laudábit os meum.
7  Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutínis meditábor in te: * quia fuísti adjútor meus.
8  Et in velaménto alárum tuárum exsultábo, adhæsit ánima mea post te: * me suscépit déxtera tua.
9  Ipsi vero in vanum quæsiérunt ánimam meam, introíbunt in inferióra terræ: * tradéntur in manus gládii, partes vúlpium erunt.
10  Rex vero lætábitur in Deo, laudabúntur omnes qui jurant in eo: * quia obstrúctum est os loquéntium iníqua.

Psalm 62.  Deus, Deus meus

O God, thou art my God; * to thee do I watch at break of day.
2  My soul hath thirsted for thee, * my flesh also in many different ways.
3  In a barren and dry land where no water is: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, that I might behold thy power and thy glory.
4  For thy mercy is better than the life itself : * my lips shall praise thee.
5  Thus will I bless thee as long as I live : * and I will lift up my hands in thy Name.
6  My soul shall be filled as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
7  If I have remembered thee in my bed, I will think upon thee in the morning : * because thou hast been my helper.
8  And under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice, my soul hath hung upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me.
9  But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go down into the nether parts of the earth : * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes.
10  But the king shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak wicked things shall be stopped.

Canticum trium Puerorum
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 et 56

Benedícite, ómnia ópera Dómini, Dómino: * laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.

2    Benedícite, Angeli Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, cæli, Dómino.

3    Benedícite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes virtútes Dómini, Dómino.

4    Benedícite, sol et luna, Dómino: * benedícite, stellæ cæli, Dómino.

5    Benedícite, omnis imber et ros, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes spíritus Dei, Dómino.

6    Benedícite, ignis et æstus, Dómino: * benedícite, frigus et æstus, Dómino.

7    Benedícite, rores et pruína, Dómino: * benedícite, gelu et frigus, Dómino.

8    Benedícite, glácies et nives, Dómino: * benedícite, noctes et dies, Dómino.

9    Benedícite, lux et ténebræ, Dómino: * benedícite, fúlgura et nubes, Dómino.

10  Benedícat terra Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

11  Benedícite, montes et colles, Dómino: * benedícite, univérsa germinántia in terra, Dómino.

12  Benedícite, fontes, Dómino: * benedícite, mária et flúmina, Dómino.

13  Benedícite, cete, et ómnia, quæ movéntur in aquis, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes vólucres cæli, Dómino.

14    Benedícite, omnes béstiæ et pécora, Dómino: * benedícite, fílii hóminum, Dómino.

15    Benedícat Israël Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

16    Benedícite, sacerdótes Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, servi Dómini, Dómino.

17    Benedícite, spíritus, et ánimæ justórum, Dómino: * benedícite, sancti et húmiles corde, Dómino.

18    Benedícite, Ananía, Azaría, Mísaël, Dómino: * laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.
(Fit reverentia:)

19    Benedicámus Patrem et Fílium cum Sancto Spíritu: * laudémus et superexaltémus eum in sæcula.
20  Benedíctus es, Dómine, in firmaménto cæli: * et laudábilis, et gloriósus, et superexaltátus in sæcula.
Hic non dícitur Glória Patri, neque Amen.

The Song of the Three Holy Children
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 and 56

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
2  O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord.
3  O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
4  O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord.
5  O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: * O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord.
6  O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord.
7  O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord.
8  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord.
9  O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord.
10  O let the Earth bless the Lord; * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
11  O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord. 
12  O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord.
13  O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord.
14  O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord.
15  O let Israël bless the Lord; * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
16  O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
17  O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord.
18  O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever:
(During the following verse, all bow:)
19  Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
20  Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; * and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Here is not said Amen or Glory be.

Psalmus 148.  Laudate Dominum

Laudáte Dóminum de cælis: * laudáte eum in excélsis.
2  Laudáte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * laudáte eum, omnes virtútes ejus.
3  Laudáte eum, sol et luna: * laudáte eum, omnes stellæ et lumen.
4  Laudáte eum, cæli cælórum: * et aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, laudent nomen Dómini.
5  Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt: * ipse mandávit, et creáta sunt.
6  Státuit ea in ætérnum, et in sæculum sæculi: * præcéptum pósuit, et non præteríbit.
7  Laudáte Dóminum de terra, * dracónes, et omnes abyssi.
8  Ignis, grando, nix, glácies, spíritus procellárum: * quæ fáciunt verbum ejus:
9  Montes, et omnes colles: * ligna fructífera, et omnes cedri.
10  Béstiæ, et univérsa pécora: * serpéntes, et vólucres pennátæ:
11  Reges terræ, et omnes pópuli: * príncipes, et omnes júdices terræ.
12  Júvenes, et vírgines : senes cum junióribus laudent nomen Dómini: * quia exaltátum est nomen ejus solíus.
13  Conféssio ejus super cælum et terram: * et exaltávit cornu pópuli sui.
14  Hymnus ómnibus sanctis ejus: * fíliis Israël, pópulo appropinquánti sibi.

Psalm 148.  Laudate Dominum

O praise ye the Lord from the heavens: * praise ye him in the height.
2  Praise him, all ye Angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
3  Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
4  Praise him, all ye heavens of heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens, praise the Name of the Lord.
5  For he spake the word, and they were made; * he commanded, and they were created.
6  He hath established them for ever, yea, unto ages of ages : * he hath set forth a law, and it shall not pass away.
7  Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and ice, wind and storm, * fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;
10  Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;
11  Kings of the earth, and all people; * princes, and all judges of the world;
12  Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord: * for his Name only is exalted.
13  His praise is above heaven and earth : * and he shall exalt the horn of his people.
14  A hymn unto all his saints : * even unto the children of Israel, a people that draw nigh unto him.

STAND

Capitulum           Rom. 1. 1.
Paulus servus Jesu Christi, vocátus Apóstolus, segregátus in Evangélium Dei, quod ante promíserat per prophétas suos in Scriptúris sanctis de Fílio suo, qui factus est ei ex sémine David secúndum carnem.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Rom. 1. 1.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, (which he promised afore by his prophets in the holy Scriptures,) concerning which was made of the seed of David, according to the flesh.
R.  Thanks be to God.

En clara vox redárguit
Obscúra quæque, pérsonans :
Procul fugéntur sómnia :
Ab alto Jesus prómicat.

Mens jam resúrgat, tórpida
Non ámplius jacens humi :
Sidus refúlget jam novum,
Ut tollat omne nóxium.

En Agnus ad nos míttitur
Laxáre gratis débitum :
Omnes simul cum lácrimis
Precémur indulgéntiam ;

Ut, cum secúndo fúlserit,
Metúque mundum cínxerit,
Non pro reátu púniat,
Sed nos pius tunc prótegat.

Virtus, honor, laus, glória
Deo Patri cum Fílio,
Sancto simul Paráclito,
In sæculórum sæcula.  Amen.

A thrilling voice by Jordan rings,
Rebuking guilt and darksome things:
Vain dreams of sin and visions fly;
Christ in his might shines forth on high.

Now let each torpid soul arise,
That sunk in guilt and wounded lies;
See! the new Star's refulgent ray
Shall chase disease and sin away.

The Lamb descends from heaven above
To pardon sin with freest love:
For such indulgent mercy shewn
With tearful joy our thanks we own:

That when again he shines revealed,
And trembling worlds to terror yield,
He give not sin its just reward,
But in his love protect and guard.

All praise, eternal Son, to thee
Whose Advent doth thy people free;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Oriétur * sicut sol Salvátor mundi: et descéndet in úterum Vírginis, sicut imber super gramen, allelúja.

Ant. on Bened:  The Saviour of the world * shall arise like as the dawning of the sun, even as his coming down into the womb of the Virgin was like as the mist upon the little herbs, alleluia.

Oremus.
Deus, qui nos redemptiónis nostræ annua exspectatióne lætíficas: præsta; ut Unigénitum tuum, quem Redemptórem læti suscípimus, veniéntem quoque Júdicem secúri videámus, Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum : Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus.

Let us pray.
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly Expectation of the birth of thine only Son Jesus Christ: grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Prime

The Office is said as on a Double Feast, with Festal Psalms, Little Chapter Regi sæculorum, and proper Brief Lesson, as indicated below.  The Preces are not said.

Ant.    Judæa et Jerúsalem, * nolíte timére: cras egrediémini, et Dóminus erit vobíscum, allelúja.

Ant.    O Judah and Jerusalem, * fear not nor be dismayed: tomorrow go ye out against them, for the Lord himself will be with you.

Festal Psalms

Return to the Office of Prime

Lectio Brevis   Rom. 1. 5.
Per quem accépimus grátiam, et apostolátum ad obediéndum fídei in ómnibus Géntibus pro nómine ejus, in quibus estis et vos vocáti Jesu Christi Dómini nostri.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

Brief Lesson    Rom. 1. 5.
By him we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the Faith among all nations, for his Name, among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ our Lord.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Return to the Office of Prime

Terce

The Office is said as on a Double Feast, with Sunday Psalms, and the rest is proper, as indicated below.

Ant.    Hódie sciétis * quia véniet Dóminus: et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.

Ant.    Today shall ye know * that the Lord will come and deliver you, and in the morning ye shall see the glory of the Lord.

Sunday Psalms

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

STAND

Capitulum           Rom. 1. 1.
Paulus servus Jesu Christi, vocátus Apóstolus, segregátus in Evangélium Dei, quod ante promíserat per prophétas suos in Scriptúris sanctis de Fílio suo, qui factus est ei ex sémine David secúndum carnem.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Rom. 1. 1.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, (which he promised afore by his prophets in the holy Scriptures,) concerning which was made of the seed of David, according to the flesh.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Hódie sciétis * Quia véniet Dóminus.
R.  Hódie sciétis * Quia véniet Dóminus.
V.  Et mane vidébitis glóriam ejus.
R.  Quia véniet Dóminus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Hódie sciétis * Quia véniet Dóminus.

V.  Constántes estóte.
R.  Vidébitis auxílium Dómini super vos.

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

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

Sext

Sunday Psalms

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

STAND

Capitulum                      Rom. 1. 4.
Qui prædestinátus est Fílius Dei in virtúte secúndum spíritum sanctificatiónis, ex resurrectióne mortuórum Jesu Christi Dómini nostri.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Rom. 1. 4.
He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Crástina die * Delébitur iníquitas terræ.
R.  Crástina die * Delébitur iníquitas terræ.
V.  Et regnábit super nos Salvátor mundi.
R.  Delébitur iníquitas terræ.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Crástina die * Delébitur iníquitas terræ.

V.  Crástina erit vobis salus.
R.  Dicit Dóminus Deus exercítuum.

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

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

None

Sunday Psalms

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

STAND

Capitulum                      Rom. 1. 5.
Per quem accépimus grátiam, et apostolátum ad obediéndum fídei in ómnibus Géntibus pro nómine ejus, in quibus estis et vos vocáti Jesu Christi Dómini nostri.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Rom. 1. 5.
By him we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the Faith among all nations, for his Name, among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ our Lord.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Crástina * Erit vobis salus.
R.  Crástina * Erit vobis salus.
V.  Dicit Dóminus Deus exercítuum.
R.  Erit vobis salus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Crástina * Erit vobis salus.

V.  Crástina die delébitur iníquitas terræ.
R.  Et regnábit super nos Salvátor mundi.

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

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

If a Sunday occur from December 25th to 28th inclusive, no part of its Office is said on its day, but it is transferred to some day after December 28th, as indicated elsewhere in its proper place.