Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist ~ II. classis

Start
℣. O Lord, + open thou my lips.
℟. And my mouth shall declare thy praise.
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Alleluia.

Invitatory {Antiphon from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. Let us adore God * Our Saviour.
Ant. Let us adore God * Our Saviour.
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
Ant. Let us adore God * Our Saviour.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For the Lord will not cast off his people: for in his hand are all the ends of the earth, and the heights of the mountains are his.
Ant. Our Saviour.
For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. (genuflect) Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us: For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Ant. Let us adore God * Our Saviour.
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts: As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
Ant. Our Saviour.
Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart. And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.
Ant. Let us adore God * Our Saviour.
℣. 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.
Ant. Our Saviour.
Ant. Let us adore God * Our Saviour.

Hymn {from the Psalter for the season of the Church year}
O Light of Light, O Day-spring bright,
Co-equal in thy Father’s light:
Assist us, as with prayer and psalm
Thy servants break the twilight calm.

All darkness from our minds dispel,
And turn to flight the hosts of hell:
Bid sleepfulness our eyelids fly,
Lest overwhelmed in sloth we lie.

Jesu, thy pardon, kind and free,
Bestow on us who trust in thee:
And as thy praises we declare,
O with acceptance hear our prayer.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.

Psalms with lections {Antiphons from the Psalter for the season of the Church year}
At the Nocturn
Ant. Overthrow, O Lord, * them that fight against me.
Psalm 34(1-10) [1]
34:1 Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: * overthrow them that fight against me.
34:2 Take hold of arms and shield: * and rise up to help me.
34:3 Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: * say to my soul: I am thy salvation.
34:4 Let them be confounded and ashamed * that seek after my soul.
34:4 Let them be turned back and be confounded * that devise against me.
34:5 Let them become as dust before the wind: * and let the Angel of the Lord straiten them.
34:6 Let their way become dark and slippery; * and let the Angel of the Lord pursue them.
34:7 For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: * without cause they have upbraided my soul.
34:8 Let the snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden catch him: * and into that very snare let them fall.
34:9 But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; * and shall be delighted in his salvation.
34:10 All my bones shall say: * Lord, who is like to thee?
34:10 Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; * the needy and the poor from them that strip him.
℣. 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.
Ant. Overthrow, O Lord, them that fight against me.

Ant. Rescue, O Lord, * my soul from their malice.
Psalm 34(11-17) [2]
34:11 Unjust witnesses rising up * have asked me things I knew not.
34:12 They repaid me evil for good: * to the depriving me of my soul.
34:13 But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, * I was clothed with haircloth.
34:13 I humbled my soul with fasting; * and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.
34:14 As a neighbour and as an own brother, so did I please: * as one mourning and sorrowful so was I humbled.
34:15 But they rejoiced against me, and came together: * scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not.
34:16 They were separated, and repented not: they tempted me, they scoffed at me with scorn: * they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
34:17 Lord, when wilt thou look upon me? * rescue thou my soul from their malice: my only one from the lions.
℣. 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.
Ant. Rescue, O Lord, my soul from their malice.

Ant. Arise, O Lord, * and be attentive to my judgment.
Psalm 34(18-28) [3]
34:18 I will give thanks to thee in a great church; * I will praise thee in a strong people.
34:19 Let not them that are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: * who have hated me without cause, and wink with the eyes.
34:20 For they spoke indeed peaceably to me; * and speaking in the anger of the earth they devised guile.
34:21 And they opened their mouth wide against me; * they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it.
34:22 Thou hast seen, O Lord, be not thou silent: * O Lord, depart not from me.
34:23 Arise, and be attentive to my judgment: * to my cause, my God, and my Lord.
34:24 Judge me, O Lord my God according to thy justice, * and let them not rejoice over me.
34:25 Let them not say in their hearts: It is well, it is well, to our mind: * neither let them say: We have swallowed him up.
34:26 Let them blush: and be ashamed together, * who rejoice at my evils.
34:26 Let them be clothed with confusion and shame, * who speak great things against me.
34:27 Let them rejoice and be glad, who are well pleased with my justice, * and let them say always: The Lord be magnified, who delights in the peace of his servant.
34:28 And my tongue shall meditate thy justice, * thy praise all the day long.
℣. 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.
Ant. Arise, O Lord, and be attentive to my judgment.

Ant. Envy not * the man who prospereth in his way; the man who doth unjust things.
Psalm 36(1-15) [4]
36:1 Be not emulous of evildoers; * nor envy them that work iniquity.
36:2 For they shall shortly wither away as grass, * and as the green herbs shall quickly fall.
36:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good, * and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches.
36:4 Delight in the Lord, * and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.
36:5 Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, * and he will do it.
36:6 And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday: * be subject to the Lord and pray to him.
36:7 Envy not the man who prospereth in his way; * the man who doth unjust things.
36:8 Cease from anger, and leave rage; * have no emulation to do evil.
36:9 For the evildoers shall be cut off: * but they that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the land.
36:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: * and thou shalt seek his place, and shalt not find it.
36:11 But the meek shall inherit the land, * and shall delight in abundance of peace.
36:12 The sinner shall watch the just man: * and shall gnash upon him with his teeth.
36:13 But the Lord shall laugh at him: * for he foreseeth that his day shall come.
36:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword: * they have bent their bow.
36:14 To cast down the poor and needy, * to kill the upright of heart.
36:15 Let their sword enter into their own hearts, * and let their bow be broken.
℣. 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.
Ant. Envy not the man who prospereth in his way; the man who doth unjust things.

Ant. The arms of the wicked * shall be broken in pieces; but the Lord strengtheneth the just.
Psalm 36(16-29) [5]
36:16 Better is a little to the just, * than the great riches of the wicked.
36:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken in pieces; * but the Lord strengtheneth the just.
36:18 The Lord knoweth the days of the undefiled; * and their inheritance shall be for ever.
36:19 They shall not be confounded in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be filled, * because the wicked shall perish.
36:20 And the enemies of the Lord, presently after they shall be honoured and exalted, * shall come to nothing and vanish like smoke.
36:21 The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; * but the just sheweth mercy and shall give.
36:22 For such as bless him shall inherit the land: * but such as curse him shall perish.
36:23 With the Lord shall the steps of a man be directed, * and he shall like well his way.
36:24 When he shall fall he shall not be bruised, * for the Lord putteth his hand under him.
36:25 I have been young, and now am old; * and I have not seen the just forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread.
36:26 He sheweth mercy, and lendeth all the day long; * and his seed shall be in blessing.
36:27 Decline from evil and do good, * and dwell for ever and ever.
36:28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and will not forsake his saints: * they shall be preserved for ever.
36:28 The unjust shall be punished, * and the seed of the wicked shall perish.
36:29 But the just shall inherit the land, * and shall dwell therein for evermore.
℣. 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.
Ant. The arms of the wicked shall be broken in pieces; but the Lord strengtheneth the just.

Ant. Keep innocence * and behold justice.
Psalm 36(30-40) [6]
36:30 The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom: * and his tongue shall speak judgment.
36:31 The law of his God is in his heart, * and his steps shall not be supplanted.
36:32 The wicked watcheth the just man, * and seeketh to put him to death.
36:33 But the Lord will not leave him in his hands; * nor condemn him when he shall be judged.
36:34 Expect the Lord and keep his way: and he will exalt thee to inherit the land: * when the sinners shall perish thou shalt see.
36:35 I have seen the wicked highly exalted, * and lifted up like the cedars of Libanus.
36:36 And I passed by, and lo, he was not: * and I sought him and his place was not found.
36:37 Keep innocence, and behold justice: * for there are remnants for the peaceable man.
36:38 But the unjust shall be destroyed together: * the remnants of the wicked shall perish.
36:39 But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, * and he is their protector in the time of trouble.
36:40 And the Lord will help them and deliver them: * and he will rescue them from the wicked, and save them, because they have hoped in him.
℣. 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.
Ant. Keep innocence and behold justice.

Ant. O Lord, * do not chastise me in thy wrath.
Psalm 37(2-11) [7]
37:2 Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; * nor chastise me in thy wrath.
37:3 For thy arrows are fastened in me: * and thy hand hath been strong upon me.
37:4 There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: * there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins.
37:5 For my iniquities are gone over my head: * and as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me.
37:6 My sores are putrified and corrupted, * because of my foolishness.
37:7 I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: * I walked sorrowful all the day long.
37:8 For my loins are filled with illusions; * and there is no health in my flesh.
37:9 I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: * I roared with the groaning of my heart.
37:10 Lord, all my desire is before thee, * and my groaning is not hidden from thee.
37:11 My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, * and the light of my eyes itself is not with me.
℣. 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.
Ant. O Lord, do not chastise me in thy wrath.

Ant. Attend unto my help, * O Lord, the God of my salvation.
Psalm 37(12-23) [8]
37:12 My friends and my neighbours * have drawn near, and stood against me.
37:12 And they that were near me stood afar off: * and they that sought my soul used violence.
37:13 And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, * and studied deceits all the day long.
37:14 But I, as a deaf man, heard not: * and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
37:15 And I became as a man that heareth not: * and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
37:16 For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: * thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
37:17 For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: * and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.
37:18 For I am ready for scourges: * and my sorrow is continually before me.
37:19 For I will declare my iniquity: * and I will think for my sin.
37:20 But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: * and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
37:21 They that render evil for good, have detracted me, * because I followed goodness.
37:22 Forsake me not, O Lord my God: * do not thou depart from me.
37:23 Attend unto my help, * O Lord, the God of my salvation.
℣. 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.
Ant. Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation.

Ant. Remove, O Lord, * thy scourges from me.
Psalm 38 [9]
38:2 I said: I will take heed to my ways: * that I sin not with my tongue.
38:2 I have set guard to my mouth, * when the sinner stood against me.
38:3 I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: * and my sorrow was renewed.
38:4 My heart grew hot within me: * and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.
38:5 I spoke with my tongue: * O Lord, make me know my end.
38:5 And what is the number of my days: * that I may know what is wanting to me.
38:6 Behold thou hast made my days measurable: * and my substance is as nothing before thee.
38:6 And indeed all things are vanity: * every man living.
38:7 Surely man passeth as an image: * yea, and he is disquieted in vain.
38:7 He storeth up: * and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things.
38:8 And now what is my hope? Is it not the Lord? * And my substance is with thee.
38:9 Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: * thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.
38:10 I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it: * remove thy scourges from me.
38:12 The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes: * thou hast corrected man for iniquity.
38:12 And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider: * surely in vain is any man disquieted.
38:13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: * give ear to my tears.
38:13 Be not silent: for I am a stranger with thee, * and a sojourner as all my fathers were.
38:14 O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, * and be no more.
℣. 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.
Ant. Remove, O Lord, thy scourges from me.

℣. O Lord, be not thou silent, forgive me.
℟. For I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner.

Our Father is said silently until And lead us not into temptation:.
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.
Absolution. May His loving-kindness and mercy help us, Who liveth and reigneth with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, world without end.
℟. Amen.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Gospel's holy lection Be our safety and protection.
℟. Amen.

Reading 1
Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 1:5-17
There was, in the days of Herod the King of Judaea, a certain Priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And so on.

Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan
Bk. i. on Luke
The Divine Scriptures teach us that we are behoven to praise the lives, not only of those concerning whom we are to speak honourably, but the lives also of their fathers, so as to show that that which we will praise in our subjects was in them a gift inherited from the bright purity of the source from which they came. What other meaning can the holy Evangelist have had in this place but to glorify St. John the Baptist, as well for having been the offspring of such parents, as for his miracles, his life, his gifts, and his sufferings? So likewise is praise ascribed to Hannah, the mother of Samuel so also did Isaac draw from his parents that noble godliness which he in his turn bequeathed to his children. Thus it is told not only that Zacharias was a Priest, but a Priest of the course of Abia, that is to say, of a family noble among the noblest.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Lord, when thy people shall turn again to thee, and shall pray unto thee in this house;
* Then hear Thou in heaven, O Lord, and deliver them out of the hand of their enemies.
℣. If thy people sin against thee, and turn again, and repent, and come and pray unto thee in this house.
℟. Then hear Thou in heaven, O Lord, and deliver them out of the hand of their enemies.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. God's most mighty strength alway be His people's staff and stay.
℟. Amen.

Reading 2
And his wife was of the daughters of Aaron. Thus we see that the noble blood of St. John was inherited not only from parents, but from an ancient ancestry, not illustrious indeed by worldly power, but worshipful for the tradition of a sacred succession. Such were the forefathers whom it well became the Fore-runner of the Christ to have, that it might manifestly fall to his lot, not as a sudden gift, but as an heir-loom, to preach belief in the coming of the Lord. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. What do they make of this text who, to take them some consolation for their own sins, hold that man cannot exist without oftentimes sinning, and quote to that end that which is written in Job: Not one is clean, even though his life on the earth be but one day?
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. And it came to pass when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind
* Elisha cried, and said: My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
℣. And as they still went on, and talked, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
℟. Elisha cried, and said: My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May He that is the Angels' King to that high realm His people bring.
℟. Amen.

Reading 3
To such we must reply by asking them first to tell us what they mean by a man without sin whether it be one who hath never sinned, or one who hath ceased to sin. If they mean by a man without sin one who hath never sinned, I myself agree in their position, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Rom. iii. 23. But if they mean to deny that he who hath reformed his old crooked ways, and changed his life for a new one, on purpose to avoid sin, cannot avoid sin, I am not able to subscribe to their opinion while I read that Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph. v. 25-27.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Thus saith the Lord: I took thee out of thy father's house, and appointed thee to be ruler over My people, over Israel.
* And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, to establish thy kingdom for ever.
℣. And I have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies.
℟. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, to establish thy kingdom for ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, to establish thy kingdom for ever.

Skip the rest, unless praying Lauds separately.

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, unto this Thy family the grace to walk always in the path of salvation, that they, obediently following the exhortation of the blessed Fore-runner John, may at the last attain safely unto Him Whom John heralded, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord:
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Alleluia.

Psalms {Psalms & antiphons from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. According to the multitude of thy tender mercies * blot out my iniquity.
Psalm 50 [1]
50:3 Have mercy on me, O God, * according to thy great mercy.
50:3 And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies * blot out my iniquity.
50:4 Wash me yet more from my iniquity, * and cleanse me from my sin.
50:5 For I know my iniquity, * and my sin is always before me.
50:6 To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: * that thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art judged.
50:7 For behold I was conceived in iniquities; * and in sins did my mother conceive me.
50:8 For behold thou hast loved truth: * the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.
50:9 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: * thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
50:10 To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: * and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
50:11 Turn away thy face from my sins, * and blot out all my iniquities.
50:12 Create a clean heart in me, O God: * and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
50:13 Cast me not away from thy face; * and take not thy holy spirit from me.
50:14 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, * and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
50:15 I will teach the unjust thy ways: * and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
50:16 Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: * and my tongue shall extol thy justice.
50:17 O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: * and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
50:18 For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: * with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
50:19 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: * a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
50:20 Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; * that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
50:21 Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: * then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.
℣. 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.
Ant. According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

Ant. Distinguish my cause, O Lord, * from the nation that is not holy.
Psalm 42 [2]
42:1 Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: * deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.
42:2 For thou art God my strength: * why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?
42:3 Send forth thy light and thy truth: * they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles.
42:4 And I will go in to the altar of God: * to God who giveth joy to my youth.
42:5 To thee, O God my God, I will give praise upon the harp: * why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me?
42:6 Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
℣. 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.
Ant. Distinguish my cause, O Lord, from the nation that is not holy.

Ant. May God have mercy on us * and bless us. ‡
Psalm 66 [3]
66:2 May God have mercy on us, and bless us: * ‡ may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.
66:3 That we may know thy way upon earth: * thy salvation in all nations.
66:4 Let people confess to thee, O God: * let all people give praise to thee.
66:5 Let the nations be glad and rejoice: * for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth.
66:6 Let the people, O God, confess to thee: * let all the people give praise to thee: the earth hath yielded her fruit.
66:7 May God, our God bless us, may God bless us: * and all the ends of the earth fear him.
℣. 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.
Ant. May God have mercy on us and bless us.

Ant. Thou shalt correct me, O Lord, * and make me to live.
Canticle of Ezechias [4]
Isa 38:10-23
38:10 I said: In the midst of my days * I shall go to the gates of hell:
38:11 I sought for the residue of my years. * I said: I shall not see the Lord God in the land of the living.
38:12 I shall behold man no more, * nor the inhabitant of rest.
38:13 My generation is at an end, and it is rolled away from me, * as a shepherd’s tent.
38:14 My life is cut off, as by a weaver: whilst I was yet but beginning, he cut me off: * from morning even to night thou wilt make an end of me.
38:15 I hoped till morning, * as a lion so hath he broken all my bones:
38:16 From morning even to night thou wilt make an end of me. * I will cry like a young swallow, I will meditate like a dove:
38:17 My eyes are weakened * looking upward:
38:18 Lord, I suffer violence, answer thou for me. * What shall I say, or what shall he answer for me, whereas he himself hath done it?
38:19 I will recount to thee all my years * in the bitterness of my soul.
38:20 O Lord, if man’s life be such, and the life of my spirit be in such things as these, thou shalt correct me, and make me to live. * Behold in peace is my bitterness most bitter:
38:21 But thou hast delivered my soul that it should not perish, * thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
38:22 For hell shall not confess to thee, neither shall death praise thee: * nor shall they that go down into the pit, look for thy truth.
38:23 The living, the living, he shall give praise to thee, as I do this day: * the father shall make thy truth known to the children.
38:24 O Lord, save me, and we will sing our psalms all the days of our life * in the house of the Lord.
℣. 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.
Ant. Thou shalt correct me, O Lord, and make me to live.

Ant. Praise * the Lord, for he will judge his people, and be gracious unto his servants.
Psalm 134 [5]
134:1 Praise ye the name of the Lord: * O you his servants, praise the Lord:
134:2 You that stand in the house of the Lord, * in the courts of the house of our God.
134:3 Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good: * sing ye to his name, for it is sweet.
134:4 For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself: * Israel for his own possession.
134:5 For I have known that the Lord is great, * and our God is above all gods.
134:6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased he hath done, in heaven, in earth, * in the sea, and in all the deeps.
134:7 He bringeth up clouds from the end of the earth: * he hath made lightnings for the rain.
134:8 He bringeth forth winds out of his stores: * He slew the firstborn of Egypt from man even unto beast.
134:9 He sent forth signs and wonders in the midst of thee, O Egypt: * upon Pharao, and upon all his servants.
134:10 He smote many nations, * and slew mighty kings:
134:11 Sehon king of the Amorrhites, and Og king of Basan, * and all the kingdoms of Chanaan.
134:12 And gave their land for an inheritance, * for an inheritance to his people Israel.
134:13 Thy name, O Lord, is for ever: * thy memorial, O Lord, unto all generations.
134:14 For the Lord will judge his people, * and will be entreated in favour of his servants.
134:15 The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, * the works of men’s hands.
134:16 They have a mouth, but they speak not: * they have eyes, but they see not.
134:17 They have ears, but they hear not: * neither is there any breath in their mouths.
134:18 Let them that make them be like to them: * and every one that trusteth in them.
134:19 Bless the Lord, O house of Israel: * bless the Lord, O house of Aaron.
134:20 Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: * you that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.
134:21 Blessed be the Lord out of Sion, * who dwelleth in Jerusalem.
℣. 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.
Ant. Praise the Lord, for he will judge his people, and be gracious unto his servants.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Rom 13:12-13
The night is passed, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
As the bird, whose clarion gay
Sounds before the dawn is grey,
Christ, who brings the spirit’s day,
Calls us, close at hand:

Wake! he cries, and for my sake,
From your eyes dull slumbers shake!
Sober, righteous, chaste, awake!
At the door I stand!

Lord, to thee we lift on high
Fervent prayer and bitter cry:
Hearts aroused to pray and sigh
May not slumber more:

Break the sleep of death and time,
Forged by Adam’s ancient crime;
And the light of Eden’s prime
To the world restore!

Unto God the Father, Son,
Holy Spirit, Three in One,
One in Three, be glory done,
Now and evermore.
Amen.

℣. We are filled in the morning with thy mercy.
℟. And we have rejoiced, and are delighted.

Canticle: Benedictus {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. The Lord has raised up * a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant.
Canticle of Zacharias
Luke 1:68-79
1:68 Blessed be the Lord ✠ God of Israel; * because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people:
1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, * in the house of David his servant:
1:70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets, * who are from the beginning:
1:71 Salvation from our enemies, * and from the hand of all that hate us:
1:72 To perform mercy to our fathers, * and to remember his holy testament,
1:73 The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, * that he would grant to us,
1:74 That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, * we may serve him without fear,
1:75 In holiness and justice before him, * all our days.
1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: * for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways:
1:77 To give knowledge of salvation to his people, * unto the remission of their sins:
1:78 Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, * in which the Orient from on high hath visited us:
1:79 To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: * to direct our feet into the way of peace.
℣. 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.
Ant. The Lord has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David his servant.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, unto this Thy family the grace to walk always in the path of salvation, that they, obediently following the exhortation of the blessed Fore-runner John, may at the last attain safely unto Him Whom John heralded, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord:
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Alleluia.

Hymn
Now in the sun's new dawning ray,
Lowly of heart, our God we pray
That he from harm may keep us free
In all the deeds this day shall see.

May fear of him our tongues restrain,
Lest strife unguarded speech should stain:
His favouring care our guardian be,
Lest our eyes feed on vanity.

May every heart be pure from sin
And folly find no place therein:
Scant need of food, excess denied,
Wear down in us the body's pride.

That when the light of day is gone,
And night in course shall follow on.
We, free from cares the world affords,
May chant the praise that is our Lord's.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, Eternal Son, to thee:
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the holy Paraclete.
Amen.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. In thee, O my God, * I put my trust; let me not be ashamed.
Psalm 24(1-7) [1]
24:1 To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul: * In thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed.
24:3 Neither let my enemies laugh at me: * for none of them that wait on thee shall be confounded.
24:4 Let all them be confounded that act unjust things * without cause.
24:4 Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, * and teach me thy paths.
24:5 Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; * for thou art God my Saviour; and on thee have I waited all the day long.
24:6 Remember, O Lord, thy bowels of compassion; * and thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world.
24:7 The sins of my youth * and my ignorances do not remember.
24:7 According to thy mercy remember thou me: * for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.
℣. 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.

Psalm 24(8-14) [2]
24:8 The Lord is sweet and righteous: * therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.
24:9 He will guide the mild in judgment: * he will teach the meek his ways.
24:10 All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, * to them that seek after his covenant and his testimonies.
24:11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt pardon my sin: * for it is great.
24:12 Who is the man that feareth the Lord? * He hath appointed him a law in the way he hath chosen.
24:13 His soul shall dwell in good things: * and his seed shall inherit the land.
24:14 The Lord is a firmament to them that fear him: * and his covenant shall be made manifest to them.
℣. 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.

Psalm 24(15-22) [3]
24:15 My eyes are ever towards the Lord: * for he shall pluck my feet out of the snare.
24:16 Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me; * for I am alone and poor.
24:17 The troubles of my heart are multiplied: * deliver me from my necessities.
24:18 See my abjection and my labour; * and forgive me all my sins.
24:19 Consider my enemies for they are multiplied, * and have hated me with an unjust hatred.
24:20 Keep thou my soul, and deliver me: * I shall not be ashamed, for I have hoped in thee.
24:21 The innocent and the upright have adhered to me: * because I have waited on thee.
24:22 Deliver Israel, O God, * from all his tribulations.
℣. 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.
Ant. In thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
1 Tim. 1:17
Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us.
℟. Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us.
℣. Thou, who sittest at the right hand of the Father.
℟. Have mercy on us.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us.

℣. Arise, O Christ, and help us.
℟. And deliver us for thy name's sake.

Prayer
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought us to the beginning of this day: defend us by thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always what is righteous in thy sight.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Martyrology {anticipated}
The morrow is the birthday of the holy Baptist John, the Forerunner of the Lord, the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, who was filled with the Holy Ghost while yet he was in his mother's womb.
June 24th 2026, the 9th day of the Moon, is made the commemoration of

The very many holy martyrs at Rome who were falsely accused by the Emperor Nero of having set the city on fire, and were by him ordered to be put to death in many diverse and most cruel ways.
Some were sewn up in the skins of wild beasts and put to be torn by dogs, some were crucified, some were burnt as torches to give light by night these were all disciples of the Apostles, and the first martyrs whom the Church of Rome, a field fruitful in martyrs, sent to be with the Lord, even before the slaying of the Apostles themselves.
There also the holy martyrs Faustus and twenty-three others.
At Mechelen, in Brabant, [in the eighth century,] the holy martyr Rombout, Bishop [of that city,] son of an Irish king and Bishop of Dublin.
At Satala, in Armenia, the holy brethren Orentius, Eros, Pharnacius, Firminus, Firmus, Cyriacus, and Longinus, all soldiers and all martyrs. Because they were Christians, the Emperor Maximian expelled them from the army, separated them from one another, and sent them to diverse places, where in sorrow and suffering they fell asleep in the Lord, [about the year 306.]
In the village of Créteil, in the country near Paris, the holy martyrs Agoard and Agilbert, with others, both men and women, who cannot be counted.
At Autun, the holy Confessor Simplicius, Bishop [of that see.]
At Lobbes, the holy Theodulf, Bishop [of that see.]
At Style, in Calabria, holy John, surnamed Therestus, famous for his praise as a monk, and for his holy life.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℣. Precious in the sight of the Lord
℟. Is the death of his saints.
Holy Mary and all the Saints, intercede for us with the Lord, our God, so that we may merit His help and salvation, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
℟. Amen.

The Capitular Office
℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. 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.
Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us.
Our Father is said silently until And lead us not into temptation:.
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.
℣. Look upon thy servants and upon thy works: and direct their children.
℟. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. Direct thou the works of our hands; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.
℣. 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.
Let us pray.
O Lord, Almighty God, King of heaven and earth, Saviour of the world, bless, lead, rule and govern our hearts and bodies, our senses, words and deeds today, following thy law and commandments, that here and for eternity with thy help we shall be saved in freedom. Who livest and reignest, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Short reading {Throughout the Year}
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May Almighty God arrange our deeds and our day in His peace.
℟. Amen.
2 Thess 3:5
And the Lord direct your hearts, in the charity of God, and the patience of Christ.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Conclusion
℣. Our help is ✠ in the name of the Lord,
℟. Who made heaven and earth.
℣. Let us bless.
℟. God.
Benediction. May the Lord bless us, ✠ protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. And may the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Alleluia.

Hymn
Come Holy Ghost who ever One
Art with the Father and the Son,
It is the hour, our souls possess
With thy full flood of holiness.

Let flesh and heart and lips and mind
Sound forth our witness to mankind;
And love light up our mortal frame,
Till others catch the living flame.

Almighty Father, hear our cry,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord most High,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. The Lord hath heard * my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer.
Psalm 39(2-9) [1]
39:2 With expectation I have waited for the Lord, * and he was attentive to me.
39:3 And he heard my prayers, * and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs.
39:3 And he set my feet upon a rock, * and directed my steps.
39:4 And he put a new canticle into my mouth, * a song to our God.
39:4 Many shall see, and shall fear: * and they shall hope in the Lord.
39:5 Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; * and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.
39:6 Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: * and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee.
39:6 I have declared and I have spoken * they are multiplied above number.
39:7 Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; * but thou hast pierced ears for me.
39:7 Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require: * then said I, Behold I come.
39:8 In the head of the book it is written of me that I should do thy will: * O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.
℣. 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.

Psalm 39(10-14) [2]
39:10 I have declared thy justice in a great church, * lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.
39:11 I have not hid thy justice within my heart: * I have declared thy truth and thy salvation.
39:11 I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth * from a great council.
39:12 Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: * thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.
39:13 For evils without number have surrounded me; * my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see.
39:13 They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: * and my heart hath forsaken me.
39:14 Be pleased, O Lord to deliver me: * look down, O Lord, to help me.
℣. 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.

Psalm 39(15-18) [3]
39:15 Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul * to take it away.
39:15 Let them be turned backward and be ashamed * that desire evils to me.
39:16 Let them immediately bear their confusion, * that say to me: ’T is well, ’t is well.
39:17 Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: * and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.
39:18 But I am a beggar and poor: * the Lord is careful for me.
39:18 Thou art my helper and my protector: * O my God, be not slack.
℣. 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.
Ant. The Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer.

Chapter Responsory Verse {Throughout the Year}
Jer 17:14
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed: save me, and I shall be saved, for thou art my praise.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. Heal my soul, * for I have sinned against thee.
℟. Heal my soul, * for I have sinned against thee.
℣. I said: O Lord, be thou merciful to me.
℟. For I have sinned against thee.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Heal my soul, * for I have sinned against thee.

℣. Be thou my helper, forsake me not.
℟. Do not thou despise me, O God my Saviour.

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, unto this Thy family the grace to walk always in the path of salvation, that they, obediently following the exhortation of the blessed Fore-runner John, may at the last attain safely unto Him Whom John heralded, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord:
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Alleluia.

Hymn
O God of truth, O Lord of might,
Who orderest time and change aright,
Who send’st the early morning ray,
And light’st the glow of perfect day:

Extinguish thou each sinful fire,
And banish every ill desire;
And while thou keep’st the body whole,
Shed forth thy peace upon the soul.

Almighty Father, hear our cry,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord most High,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. But thou hast upheld me, O Lord, * and hast established me in thy sight for ever.
Psalm 40 [1]
40:2 Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor: * the Lord will deliver him in the evil day.
40:3 The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth: * and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
40:4 The Lord help him on his bed of sorrow: * thou hast turned all his couch in his sickness.
40:5 I said: O Lord, be thou merciful to me: * heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.
40:6 My enemies have spoken evils against me: * when shall he die and his name perish?
40:7 And if he came in to see me, he spoke vain things: * his heart gathered together iniquity to itself.
40:7 He went out * and spoke to the same purpose.
40:8 All my enemies whispered together against me: * they devised evils to me.
40:9 They determined against me an unjust word: * shall he that sleepeth rise again no more?
40:10 For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, * who ate my bread, hath greatly supplanted me.
40:11 But thou, O Lord, have mercy on me, and raise me up again: * and I will requite them.
40:12 By this I know, that thou hast had a good will for me: * because my enemy shall not rejoice over me.
40:13 But thou hast upheld me by reason of my innocence: * and hast established me in thy sight for ever.
40:14 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel from eternity to eternity. * So be it. So be it.
℣. 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.

Psalm 41(2-6) [2]
41:2 As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; * so my soul panteth after thee, O God.
41:3 My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; * when shall I come and appear before the face of God?
41:4 My tears have been my bread day and night, * whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?
41:5 These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me: * for I shall go over into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God:
41:5 With the voice of joy and praise; * the noise of one feasting.
41:6 Why art thou sad, O my soul? * and why dost thou trouble me?
41:6 Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
℣. 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.

Psalm 41(7-12) [3]
41:7 My soul is troubled within myself: * therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniim, from the little hill.
41:8 Deep calleth on deep, * at the noise of thy flood-gates.
41:8 All thy heights and thy billows * have passed over me.
41:9 In the daytime the Lord hath commanded his mercy; * and a canticle to him in the night.
41:9 With me is prayer to the God of my life. * I will say to God: Thou art my support.
41:10 Why hast thou forgotten me? * and why go I mourning, whilst my enemy afflicteth me?
41:11 Whilst my bones are broken, * my enemies who trouble me have reproached me;
41:11 Whilst they say to me day by day: Where is thy God? * Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me?
41:12 Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to him: * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
℣. 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.
Ant. But thou hast upheld me, O Lord, and hast established me in thy sight for ever.

Chapter Responsory Verse {Throughout the Year}
Rom 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. I will bless the Lord * at all times.
℟. I will bless the Lord * at all times.
℣. His praise shall be always in my mouth.
℟. At all times.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. I will bless the Lord * at all times.

℣. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
℟. He hath set me in a place of pasture.

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, unto this Thy family the grace to walk always in the path of salvation, that they, obediently following the exhortation of the blessed Fore-runner John, may at the last attain safely unto Him Whom John heralded, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord:
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Alleluia.

Hymn
O strength and stay upholding all creation,
Who ever dost thyself unmoved abide,
Yet day by day the light in due gradation
From hour to hour through all its changes guide:

Grant to life’s day a calm unclouded ending,
An eve untouched by shadows of decay,
The brightness of a holy death-bed blending
With dawning glories of th’ eternal day.

Hear us, O Father, gracious and forgiving,
And thou, O Christ, the co-eternal Word,
Who, with the Holy Ghost, by all things living
Now and to endless ages art adored.
Amen.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. Thou hast saved us, O Lord, * and in thy name we will give praise for ever.
Psalm 43(2-9) [1]
43:2 We have heard, O God, with our ears: * our fathers have declared to us,
43:2 The work thou hast wrought in their days, * and in the days of old.
43:3 Thy hand destroyed the Gentiles, and thou plantedst them: * thou didst afflict the people and cast them out.
43:4 For they got not the possession of the land by their own sword: * neither did their own arm save them.
43:4 But thy right hand and thy arm, and the light of thy countenance: * because thou wast pleased with them.
43:5 Thou art thyself my king and my God, * who commandest the saving of Jacob.
43:6 Through thee we will push down our enemies with the horn: * and through thy name we will despise them that rise up against us.
43:7 For I will not trust in my bow: * neither shall my sword save me.
43:8 But thou hast saved us from them that afflict us: * and hast put them to shame that hate us.
43:9 In God shall we glory all the day long: * and in thy name we will give praise for ever.
℣. 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.

Psalm 43(10-20) [2]
43:10 But now thou hast cast us off, and put us to shame: * and thou, O God, wilt not go out with our armies.
43:11 Thou hast made us turn our back to our enemies: * and they that hated us plundered for themselves.
43:12 Thou hast given us up like sheep to be eaten: * thou hast scattered us among the nations.
43:13 Thou hast sold thy people for no price: * and there was no reckoning in the exchange of them.
43:14 Thou hast made us a reproach to our neighbours, * a scoff and derision to them that are round about us.
43:15 Thou hast made us a byword among the Gentiles: * a shaking of the head among the people.
43:16 All the day long my shame is before me: * and the confusion of my face hath covered me.
43:17 At the voice of him that reproacheth and detracteth me: * at the face of the enemy and persecutor.
43:18 All these things have come upon us, yet we have not forgotten thee: * and we have not done wickedly in thy covenant.
43:19 And our heart hath not turned back: * neither hast thou turned aside our steps from thy way.
43:20 For thou hast humbled us in the place of affliction: * and the shadow of death hath covered us.
℣. 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.

Psalm 43(21-26) [3]
43:21 If we have forgotten the name of our God, * and if we have spread forth our hands to a strange god:
43:22 Shall not God search out these things: * for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
43:22 Because for thy sake we are killed all the day long: * we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
43:23 Arise, why sleepest thou, O Lord? * arise, and cast us not off to the end.
43:24 Why turnest thou thy face away? * and forgettest our want and our trouble?
43:25 For our soul is humbled down to the dust: * our belly cleaveth to the earth.
43:26 Arise, O Lord, help us * and redeem us for thy name’s sake.
℣. 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.
Ant. Thou hast saved us, O Lord, and in thy name we will give praise for ever.

Chapter Responsory Verse {Throughout the Year}
1 Pet 1:17-19
Converse in fear during the time of your sojourning here. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. Redeem me, O Lord, * and have mercy on me.
℟. Redeem me, O Lord, * and have mercy on me.
℣. For my feet stood in the right way.
℟. And have mercy on me.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Redeem me, O Lord, * and have mercy on me.

℣. From my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord.
℟. And from those of others spare thy servant.

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, unto this Thy family the grace to walk always in the path of salvation, that they, obediently following the exhortation of the blessed Fore-runner John, may at the last attain safely unto Him Whom John heralded, Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord:
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Alleluia.

Psalms {Psalms & antiphons from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. He shall go before Him * in the spirit and power of Elias, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Psalm 109 [1]
109:1 The Lord said to my Lord: * Sit thou at my right hand:
109:1 Until I make thy enemies * thy footstool.
109:2 The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: * rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.
109:3 With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: * from the womb before the day star I begot thee.
109:4 The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: * Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.
109:5 The Lord at thy right hand * hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.
109:6 He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: * he shall crush the heads in the land of many.
109:7 He shall drink of the torrent in the way: * therefore shall he lift up the head.
℣. 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.
Ant. He shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Ant. His name is John. * He shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Psalm 110 [2]
110:1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; * in the council of the just, and in the congregation.
110:2 Great are the works of the Lord: * sought out according to all his wills.
110:3 His work is praise and magnificence: * and his justice continueth for ever and ever.
110:4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: * he hath given food to them that fear him.
110:5 He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: * he will shew forth to his people the power of his works.
110:7 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: * the works of his hands are truth and judgment.
110:8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, * made in truth and equity.
110:9 He hath sent redemption to his people: * he hath commanded his covenant for ever.
110:9 (bow head) Holy and terrible is his name: * the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
110:10 A good understanding to all that do it: * his praise continueth for ever and ever.
℣. 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.
Ant. His name is John. He shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Ant. Elizabeth was barren and well stricken in years, * but from her womb was born John the Fore-runner of the Lord.
Psalm 111 [3]
111:1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: * he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.
111:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: * the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
111:3 Glory and wealth shall be in his house: * and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.
111:4 To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: * he is merciful, and compassionate and just.
111:5 Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment: * because he shall not be moved for ever.
111:7 The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: * he shall not fear the evil hearing.
111:7 His heart is ready to hope in the Lord: his heart is strengthened, * he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies.
111:9 He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: * his horn shall be exalted in glory.
111:10 The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: * the desire of the wicked shall perish.
℣. 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.
Ant. Elizabeth was barren and well stricken in years, but from her womb was born John the Fore-runner of the Lord.

Ant. The child shall be great * in the sight of the Lord, for His hand is with him.
Psalm 112 [4]
112:1 Praise the Lord, ye children: * praise ye the name of the Lord.
112:2 (bow head) Blessed be the name of the Lord, * from henceforth now and for ever.
112:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.
112:4 The Lord is high above all nations; * and his glory above the heavens.
112:5 Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: * and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
112:7 Raising up the needy from the earth, * and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:
112:8 That he may place him with princes, * with the princes of his people.
112:9 Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, * the joyful mother of children.
℣. 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.
Ant. The child shall be great in the sight of the Lord, for His hand is with him.

Ant. The child shall be called a Nazarite. * He shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, neither shall he eat any unclean thing, even from his mother's womb.
Psalm 116 [5]
116:1 Praise the Lord, all ye nations: * praise him, all ye people.
116:2 For his mercy is confirmed upon us: * and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
℣. 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.
Ant. The child shall be called a Nazarite. He shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, neither shall he eat any unclean thing, even from his mother's womb.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Isa 49:1
Give ear, ye islands, and hearken, ye people from afar. The Lord hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother he hath been mindful of my name.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
O for thy spirit, holy John, to chasten
Lips sin-polluted, fettered tongues to loosen;
So by thy children might thy deeds of wonder
Meetly be chanted.

Lo! a swift herald, from the skies descending,
Bears to thy father promise of thy greatness;
How he shall name thee, what thy future story,
Duly revealing.

Scarcely believing message so transcendent,
Him for season power of speech forsaketh,
Till, at thy wondrous birth, again returneth
Voice to the voiceless.

Thou, in thy mother's womb all darkly cradled,
Knewest thy Monarch, biding in his chamber,
Whence the two parents, through their children's merits,
Mysteries uttered.

Praise to the Father, to the Son begotten,
And to the Spirit, equal power possessing,
One God whose glory, through the lapse of ages,
Ever resoundeth.
Amen.

℣. There was a man sent from God.
℟. Whose name was John.

Canticle: Magnificat {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. When Zacharias went * into the Temple of the Lord, the Angel Gabriel appeared unto him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Canticle of the Blessed Virgin
Luke 1:46-55
1:46 My soul ✠ * doth magnify the Lord.
1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Saviour.
1:48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
1:49 Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; * and holy is his name.
1:50 And his mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear him.
1:51 He hath shewed might in his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble.
1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.
1:54 He hath received Israel his servant, * being mindful of his mercy:
1:55 As he spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
℣. 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.
Ant. When Zacharias went into the Temple of the Lord, the Angel Gabriel appeared unto him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, Who hast made this day to be honourable in our eyes because of the Birth of the blessed John, graciously quicken thy people with spiritual joy, and order the minds of all the faithful in the way of everlasting salvation.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Start
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May almighty God grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
℟. Amen.

Short reading
1 Pet 5:8-9
Brothers: Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℣. Our help is ✠ in the name of the Lord,
℟. Who made heaven and earth.
There follows an examination of conscience, or the Our Father said silently.
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. Amen.
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed: strikes his breast through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
May the almighty ✠ and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution and remission of our sins. Amen.
℣. Turn us then, ✙︎ O God, our saviour:
℟. And let thy anger cease from us.

℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
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.
Alleluia.

Psalms {Psalms & Antiphons from Sunday}
Ant. Have mercy * on me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4 [1]
4:2 When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: * when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me.
4:2 Have mercy on me: * and hear my prayer.
4:3 O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? * Why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4:4 Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: * the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
4:5 Be ye angry, and sin not: * the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
4:6 Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: * many say, Who sheweth us good things?
4:7 The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: * thou hast given gladness in my heart.
4:8 By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, * they are multiplied.
4:9 In peace in the selfsame * I will sleep, and I will rest:
4:10 For thou, O Lord, singularly * hast settled me in hope.
℣. 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.

Psalm 90 [2]
90:1 He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, * shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.
90:2 He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: * my God, in him will I trust.
90:3 For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: * and from the sharp word.
90:4 He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: * and under his wings thou shalt trust.
90:5 His truth shall compass thee with a shield: * thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.
90:6 Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: * of invasion, or of the noonday devil.
90:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: * but it shall not come nigh thee.
90:8 But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: * and shalt see the reward of the wicked.
90:9 Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: * thou hast made the most High thy refuge.
90:10 There shall no evil come to thee: * nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.
90:11 For he hath given his angels charge over thee; * to keep thee in all thy ways.
90:12 In their hands they shall bear thee up: * lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
90:13 Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: * and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.
90:14 Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: * I will protect him because he hath known my name.
90:15 He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: * I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.
90:16 I will fill him with length of days; * and I will shew him my salvation.
℣. 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.

Psalm 133 [3]
133:1 Behold now bless ye the Lord, * all ye servants of the Lord:
133:1 Who stand in the house of the Lord, * in the courts of the house of our God.
133:2 In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, * and bless ye the Lord.
133:3 May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, * he that made heaven and earth.
℣. 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.
Ant. Have mercy on me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.

Hymn
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That with thy wonted favor thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread under foot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.

Chapter Responsory Verse
Jer 14:9
But thou, O Lord, art among us, and thy name is called upon by us: forsake us not, O Lord our God.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. Into thy hands, O Lord, * do I commend my spirit.
℟. Into thy hands, O Lord, * do I commend my spirit.
℣. For thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, God of truth.
℟. I commend my spirit.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Into thy hands, O Lord, * do I commend my spirit.

℣. Keep us, Lord, as the apple of thine eye.
℟. Protect us under the shadow of thy wings.

Canticle: Nunc dimittis
Ant. Protect us, * Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest in peace.
Canticle of Simeon
Luke 2:29-32
2:29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, ✠ * according to thy word in peace;
2:30 Because my eyes have seen * thy salvation,
2:31 Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all peoples:
2:32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, * and the glory of thy people Israel.
℣. 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.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest in peace.

Prayer
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it the snares of the enemy; let thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace, and let thy blessing be always upon us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
Benediction. The almighty and merciful Lord, ✠ the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us.
℟. Amen.

Final Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hail holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping
In this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us.
And after this our exile show unto us
the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

℣. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.
O almighty, everlasting God, who by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, didst prepare the body and soul of Mary, glorious Virgin and Mother, to become a worthy dwelling for Thy Son; grant that we who rejoice in her commemoration may, by her gracious intercession, be delivered from present evils and from everlasting death. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
℣. May the divine assistance ✠ remain with us always.
℟. Amen.