Finding of St. Stephen the First Martyr ~ Semiduplex

Start
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. 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 Proper of Saints}
Ant. The Lord, the King of Martyrs, * O come, let us worship.
Ant. The Lord, the King of Martyrs, * O come, let us worship.
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. The Lord, the King of Martyrs, * O come, let us worship.
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. O come, let us worship.
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. The Lord, the King of Martyrs, * O come, let us worship.
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. O come, let us worship.
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. The Lord, the King of Martyrs, * O come, let us worship.
℣. 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 come, let us worship.
Ant. The Lord, the King of Martyrs, * O come, let us worship.

Hymn {from the Common or Feast}
O God, of those that fought thy fight,
Portion, and prize, and crown of light,
Break every bond of sin and shame
As now we praise thy martyr's name.

He recked not of the world's allure,
But sin and pomp of sin forswore:
Knew all their gall, and passed them by,
And reached the throne prepared on high.

Bravely the course of pain he ran,
And bare his torments as a man:
For love of thee his blood outpoured,
And thus obtained the great reward.

With humble voice and suppliant word
We pray thee therefore, holy Lord,
While we thy martyr's feast-day keep,
Forgive thy loved and erring sheep.

Glory and praise for aye be done
To God the Father, and the Son,
And Holy Ghost, who reign on high,
One God, to all eternity.
Amen.

Psalms with lections {Antiphons from the Psalter for the season of the Church year}
Nocturn I
Ant. The Lord hath looked down from heaven.
Psalm 13 [1]
13:1 The fool hath said in his heart: * there is no God.
13:1 They are corrupt, and are become abominable in their ways: * there is none that doth good, no not one.
13:2 The Lord hath looked down from heaven upon the children of men, * to see if there be any that understand and seek God.
13:3 They are all gone aside, they are become unprofitable together: * there is none that doth good: no not one.
13:3 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they acted deceitfully: * the poison of asps is under their lips.
13:3 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; * their feet are swift to shed blood.
13:3 Destruction and unhappiness in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known: * there is no fear of God before their eyes.
13:4 Shall not all they know that work iniquity, * who devour my people as they eat bread?
13:5 They have not called upon the Lord: * there have they trembled for fear, where there was no fear.
13:6 For the Lord is in the just generation: you have confounded the counsel of the poor man; * but the Lord is his hope.
13:7 Who shall give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? * when the Lord shall have turned away the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
℣. 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 looked down from heaven upon the children of men.

Ant. He who worketh justice.
Psalm 14 [2]
14:1 Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? * or who shall rest in thy holy hill?
14:2 He that walketh without blemish, * and worketh justice:
14:3 He that speaketh truth in his heart, * who hath not used deceit in his tongue:
14:3 Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: * nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.
14:4 In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: * but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord:
14:4 He that sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth not; * He that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent:
14:5 He that doth these things, * shall not be moved 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. He who worketh justice may rest on thy holy mountain, O Lord.

Ant. O Lord, incline.
Psalm 16 [3]
16:1 Hear, O Lord, my justice: * attend to my supplication.
16:1 Give ear unto my prayer, * which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.
16:2 Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: * let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable.
16:3 Thou hast proved my heart, and visited it by night, * thou hast tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.
16:4 That my mouth may not speak the works of men: * for the sake of the words of thy lips, I have kept hard ways.
16:5 Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: * that my footsteps be not moved.
16:6 I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: * O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.
16:7 Shew forth thy wonderful mercies; * thou who savest them that trust in thee.
16:8 From them that resist thy right hand keep me, * as the apple of thy eye.
16:8 Protect me under the shadow of thy wings: * from the face of the wicked who have afflicted me.
16:9 My enemies have surrounded my soul: They have shut up their fat: * their mouth hath spoken proudly.
16:11 They have cast me forth, and now they have surrounded me: * they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth.
16:12 They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; * and as a young lion dwelling in secret places.
16:13 Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; * deliver my soul from the wicked one; thy sword from the enemies of thy hand.
16:14 O Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life: * their belly is filled from thy hidden stores.
16:14 They are full of children: * and they have left to their little ones the rest of their substance.
16:15 But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: * I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.
℣. 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, incline thy ear to me, and hear my voice, my Lord.

℣. Show forth thy wonderful mercies.
℟. Thou who savest them that trust in thee.

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. O Lord Jesus Christ, graciously hear the prayers of Thy servants, and have mercy upon us, Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, ever world without end.
℟. Amen.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Eternal Father bless us with an eternal blessing.
℟. Amen.

Reading 1
From the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 7:51-54
51 You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you also.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them who foretold of the coming of the Just One; of whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54 Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. And Stephen, full of grace and power
* Did great wonders and miracles among the people.
℣. There arose certain of the synagogue, disputing with Stephen; and they were not able to resist the wisdom, and the Spirit which spoke.
℟. Did great wonders and miracles among the people.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Son, the Sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
℟. Amen.

Reading 2
Acts 7:55-58
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
56 And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him.
57 And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul.
58 And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. All that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on Stephen, saw
* His face as it had been the face of an angel standing among them.
℣. Full of grace and power, he did great wonders and miracles among the people.
℟. His face as it had been the face of an angel standing among them.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten all our hearts and minds.
℟. Amen.

Reading 3
Acts 7:59; 8:1-2
59 And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.
1 And at that time there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men took order for Stephen's funeral, and made great mourning over him.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. The blessed Stephen looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and said
* Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of the power of God.
℣. But Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and said
℟. Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of the power of God.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of the power of God.

Nocturn II
Ant. I will love thee. ‡
Psalm 17(2-16b) [4]
17:2 I will love thee, ‡ O Lord, my strength: * The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer.
17:3 My God is my helper, * and in him will I put my trust.
17:3 My protector, and the horn of my salvation, * and my support.
17:4 Praising, I will call upon the Lord: * and I shall be saved from my enemies.
17:5 The sorrows of death surrounded me: * and the torrents of iniquity troubled me.
17:6 The sorrows of hell encompassed me: * and the snares of death prevented me.
17:7 In my affliction I called upon the Lord, * and I cried to my God:
17:7 And he heard my voice from his holy temple: * and my cry before him came into his ears.
17:8 The earth shook and trembled: * the foundations of the mountains were troubled and were moved, because he was angry with them.
17:9 There went up a smoke in his wrath: and a fire flamed from his face: * coals were kindled by it.
17:10 He bowed the heavens, and came down, * and darkness was under his feet.
17:11 And he ascended upon the cherubim, and he flew; * he flew upon the wings of the winds.
17:12 And he made darkness his covert, his pavilion round about him: * dark waters in the clouds of the air.
17:13 At the brightness that was before him the clouds passed, * hail and coals of fire.
17:14 And the Lord thundered from heaven, and the Highest gave his voice: * hail and coals of fire.
17:15 And he sent forth his arrows, and he scattered them: * he multiplied lightnings, and troubled them.
17:16 Then the fountains of waters appeared, * and the foundations of the world were discovered:
17:16 At thy rebuke, O Lord, * at the blast of the spirit of thy wrath.
℣. 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. I will love thee, O Lord, who art my strength.

Ant. The Lord will reward me.
Psalm 17(17-35) [5]
17:17 He sent from on high, and took me: * and received me out of many waters.
17:18 He delivered me from my strongest enemies, and from them that hated me: * for they were too strong for me.
17:19 They prevented me in the day of my affliction: * and the Lord became my protector.
17:20 And he brought me forth into a large place: * he saved me, because he was well pleased with me.
17:21 And the Lord will reward me according to my justice; * and will repay me according to the cleanness of my hands:
17:22 Because I have kept the ways of the Lord; * and have not done wickedly against my God.
17:23 For all his judgments are in my sight: * and his justices I have not put away from me.
17:24 And I shall be spotless with him: * and shall keep myself from my iniquity.
17:25 And the Lord will reward me according to my justice: * and according to the cleanness of my hands before his eyes.
17:26 With the holy thou wilt be holy; * and with the innocent man thou wilt be innocent:
17:27 And with the elect thou wilt be elect: * and with the perverse thou wilt be perverted.
17:28 For thou wilt save the humble people; * but wilt bring down the eyes of the proud.
17:29 For thou lightest my lamp, O Lord: * O my God, enlighten my darkness.
17:30 For by thee I shall be delivered from temptation; * and through my God I shall go over a wall.
17:31 As for my God, his way is undefiled: the words of the Lord are fire-tried: * he is the protector of all that trust in him.
17:32 For who is God but the Lord? * or who is God but our God?
17:33 God, who hath girt me with strength; * and made my way blameless.
17:34 Who hath made my feet like the feet of harts: * and who setteth me upon high places.
17:35 Who teacheth my hands to war: * and thou hast made my arms like a brazen bow.
℣. 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 will reward me according to my justice.

Ant. The Lord liveth.
Psalm 17(36a-51) [6]
17:36 Thou hast given me the protection of thy salvation: * and thy right hand hath held me up:
17:36 And thy discipline hath corrected me unto the end: * and thy discipline, the same shall teach me.
17:37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; * and my feet are not weakened.
17:38 I will pursue after my enemies, and overtake them: * and I will not turn again till they are consumed.
17:39 I will break them, and they shall not be able to stand: * they shall fall under my feet.
17:40 And thou hast girded me with strength unto battle; * and hast subdued under me them that rose up against me.
17:41 And thou hast made my enemies turn their back upon me, * and hast destroyed them that hated me.
17:42 They cried, but there was none to save them, to the Lord: * but he heard them not.
17:43 And I shall beat them as small as the dust before the wind; * I shall bring them to nought, like the dirt in the streets.
17:44 Thou wilt deliver me from the contradictions of the people; * thou wilt make me head of the Gentiles.
17:45 A people which I knew not, hath served me: * at the hearing of the ear they have obeyed me.
17:46 The children that are strangers have lied to me, * strange children have faded away, and have halted from their paths.
17:47 The Lord liveth, and blessed be my God, * and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
17:48 O God, who avengest me, and subduest the people under me, * my deliverer from my enraged enemies.
17:49 And thou wilt lift me up above them that rise up against me: * from the unjust man thou wilt deliver me.
17:50 Therefore will I give glory to thee, O Lord, among the nations, * and I will sing a psalm to thy name.
17:51 Giving great deliverance to his king, and shewing mercy to David, his anointed: * 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. The Lord liveth, and blessed be my God, my salvation.

℣. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, among the nations.
℟. And I will sing a psalm to thy name.

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 God the Father Omnipotent, be to us merciful and clement.
℟. Amen.

Reading 4
In the year of our Lord 415, in the reign of the Emperor Honorius, a Priest named Lucian, (dwelling at Caphargamala, about twenty miles from Jerusalem,) received a message from God, in consequence of which discovery was made of the bodies of the Saints Stephen the First Martyr, Gamaliel, Nicodemus, and Abibon, (the son of Gamaliel,) which had long been lying unknown and unheeded. Lucian was asleep when Gamaliel appeared to him in a dream as a tall comely old man of worshipful presence, told him where the bodies were lying, and bade him go to John, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and deal with him that they might have more honourable burial.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. They stoned Stephen, calling upon God and saying:
* Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit; and lay not this sin to their charge.
℣. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, saying
℟. Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit; and lay not this sin to their charge.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May Christ to all His people give, for ever in His sight to live.
℟. Amen.

Reading 5
When the Patriarch of Jerusalem heard it, he called together Bishops and Priests from the neighbouring cities, and betook himself to the place, where he found the tombs hewn in the rock, and a right sweet savour flowing forth from them. The thing being noised abroad, a great multitude of people came together, and many that were sick and weak of diverse diseases returned home whole. The sacred body of holy Stephen was then carried with great pomp to the holy Church of Zion. Under the Emperor Theodosius the Younger it was taken to Constantinople and during the Popedom of Pelagius I. it was brought to Rome, where it has been laid in the sepulchre of the holy Martyr Lawrence in the Veranian Field.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. They ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, calling upon God, and saying:
* Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
℣. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul; and they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying
℟. Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Spirit's fire Divine in our hearts enkindled shine.
℟. Amen.

Reading 6
From the Book upon The City of God, written by St. Augustine, Bishop (of Hippo)
xxii, 8
When the Bishop Projectus brought some reliques of that most glorious Martyr Stephen to Tibilis, a great multitude came together and went out to meet the shrine. A blind woman prayed to be led to the Bishop who was bearing the hallowed deposit. She laid on the reliques the flowers which she was carrying, took them up again, touched her eyes with them and forthwith saw. She went forward rejoicing, at the head of the amazed procession, choosing her own path, and needing no more that any should lead her. I remember also the shrine of this same Martyr which hath been placed in the town of Synica, hard by this city of Hippo. Lucillus, Bishop of that place, was carrying it, with a multitude going before and following after when, all of a sudden, by bearing this hallowed burden, he was healed of the emerods, from which he was even then suffering, and which were being treated by a physician, an intimate friend of his, who was about to cut them.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. The ungodly fell upon the righteous, to put him to death.
* But he received the stones with joy, that he might earn a crown of glory.
℣. They stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.
℟. But he received the stones with joy, that he might earn a crown of glory.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. But he received the stones with joy, that he might earn a crown of glory.

Nocturn III
Ant. May the Lord hear. ‡
Psalm 19 [7]
19:2 May the Lord hear ‡ thee in the day of tribulation: * may the name of the God of Jacob protect thee.
19:3 May he send thee help from the sanctuary: * and defend thee out of Sion.
19:4 May he be mindful of all thy sacrifices: * and may thy whole burnt offering be made fat.
19:5 May he give thee according to thy own heart; * and confirm all thy counsels.
19:6 We will rejoice in thy salvation; * and in the name of our God we shall be exalted.
19:7 The Lord fulfil all thy petitions: * now have I known that the Lord hath saved his anointed.
19:7 He will hear him from his holy heaven: * the salvation of his right hand is in powers.
19:8 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: * but we will call upon the name of the Lord, our God.
19:9 They are bound, and have fallen: * but we are risen, and are set upright.
19:10 O Lord, save the king: * and hear us in the day that we shall call upon thee.
℣. 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 the Lord hear thee in the day of tribulation.

Ant. The king rejoices. ‡
Psalm 20 [8]
20:2 The king rejoices ‡ in thy strength, O Lord; * and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly.
20:3 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire: * and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips.
20:4 For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: * thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.
20:5 He asked life of thee: * and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.
20:6 His glory is great in thy salvation: * glory and great beauty shalt thou lay upon him.
20:7 For thou shalt give him to be a blessing for ever and ever: * thou shalt make him joyful in gladness with thy countenance.
20:8 For the king hopeth in the Lord: * and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
20:9 Let thy hand be found by all thy enemies: * let thy right hand find out all them that hate thee.
20:10 Thou shalt make them as an oven of fire, * in the time of thy anger: the Lord shall trouble them in his wrath, and fire shall devour them.
20:11 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth: * and their seed from among the children of men.
20:12 For they have intended evils against thee: * they have devised counsels which they have not been able to establish.
20:13 For thou shalt make them turn their back: * in thy remnants thou shalt prepare their face.
20:14 Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength: * we will sing and praise thy power.
℣. 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 king rejoices in Thy strength, O Lord.

Ant. I will extol thee. ‡
Psalm 29 [9]
29:2 I will extol thee, ‡ O Lord, for thou hast upheld me: * and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me.
29:3 O Lord my God, I have cried to thee, * and thou hast healed me.
29:4 Thou hast brought forth, O Lord, my soul from hell: * thou hast saved me from them that go down into the pit.
29:5 Sing to the Lord, O ye his saints: * and give praise to the memory of his holiness.
29:6 For wrath is in his indignation; * and life in his good will.
29:6 In the evening weeping shall have place, * and in the morning gladness.
29:7 And in my abundance I said: * I shall never be moved.
29:8 O Lord, in thy favour, * thou gavest strength to my beauty.
29:8 Thou turnedst away thy face from me, * and I became troubled.
29:9 To thee, O Lord, will I cry: * and I will make supplication to my God.
29:10 What profit is there in my blood, * whilst I go down to corruption?
29:10 Shall dust confess to thee, * or declare thy truth?
29:11 The Lord hath heard, and hath had mercy on me: * the Lord became my helper.
29:12 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into joy: * thou hast cut my sackcloth, and hast compassed me with gladness:
29:13 To the end that my glory may sing to thee, and I may not regret: * O Lord my God, I will give praise to thee 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. I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast upheld me.

℣. Sing to the Lord, O ye his saints.
℟. And give praise to the memory of his holiness.

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 the Almighty and merciful Lord loose us from the bonds of our sins.
℟. Amen.

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

Reading 7
From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 23:34-39
At that time, Jesus said to the scribes and pharisee: I send to you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them you will put to death and crucify. And so on,

Homily by St. Jerome, Priest at Bethlehem.
Book IV, Commentary on Matth. XXIII
We have already remarked that the Lord's words, Fill ye up the measure of your fathers, 32, refer in the first place to Himself, Whom the Jews afterwards put to death. In a secondary sense it may likewise be applied to His disciples, of whom He saith, Behold, I send unto you Prophets, and wise men, and Scribes. Here observe that, according to the Apostle writing to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. xii. 4, there are diversities of gifts among Christ's followers. Some are Prophets of that which is to come; some are wise men, who know the due season for rebuke and exhortation; some are Scribes learned in the law. And of these they stoned Stephen, slew Paul with the sword, crucified Peter, and scourged the Disciples mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. v, 40; xvi, 23.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Stephen, the servant of God, who was stoned by the Jews, saw the heavens opened he saw and entered in.
* Blessed is he, unto whom the heavens were opened.
℣. While his poor body was crushed by the hurtling shower of stones, God's brightness broke upon him out of the heavenly palaces.
℟. Blessed is he unto whom the heavens were opened.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. He whose feast-day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
℟. Amen.

Reading 8
It is a subject of dispute among commentators who is meant by Zacharias the son of Barachias. We read of several persons of the name of Zacharias. But here, in order to prevent any mistake, it is particularly said, Whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. I have read various opinions in various places upon this question, and I will give each. First, some hold that Zacharias the son of Barachias is the eleventh of the twelve Minor Prophets; and this opinion is supported by the father's name. But the Bible nowhere telleth us that this Prophet was slain between the temple and the altar; and it is hardly possible that he can have been, for in his time it could scarcely be said that even the ruins of the temple were in existence. Secondly, others maintain that this Zacharias was Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. This interpretation is derived from the dreams of the Apocryphal Gospels, wherein it is asserted that he was martyred for preaching Christ's coming.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. The gates of heaven were opened to Christ's blessed martyr Stephen, and he is the first of all the martyrs.
* Wherefore he reigneth crowned in heaven.
℣. For he was the first to make an offering of his death to that Saviour Who vouchsafed to suffer death for us.
℟. Wherefore he reigneth crowned in heaven.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Wherefore he reigneth crowned in heaven.

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

Reading 9
A third school will have it that this Zacharias, the son of Barachias, was that Zacharias of whom we read, in Chron. xxiv. 22, that he was slain by Joash, king of Judah, between the temple and the altar. Against this it is to be remarked, that that Zacharias was not the son of Barachias, but of Jehoiada the priest; whence it is written, Joash remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him. The question therefore ariseth, if this opinion be true, why, the name and manner of death both agreeing with this explanation, Zacharias is called the son, not of Jehoiada, but of Barachias. In Hebrew, Barachias signifieth the Blessed of the Lord, and Jehoiada proves his Righteousness. In the Gospel used by the Nazarenes the name of Jehoiada is used instead of Barachias.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Te Deum
We praise thee, O God, * we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, * the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud, * the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim * continually do cry.
bow head Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full * of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles * praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets * praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs * praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world * doth acknowledge thee;
The Father, * of an infinite Majesty.
Thine honourable, true, * and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, * the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory, * O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting * Son of the Father.
During the following verse all make a profound bow: When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, * thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, * thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, * in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come * to be our Judge.
Kneel for the following verse We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, * whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, * in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people, * and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, * and lift them up for ever.
Day by day * we magnify thee;
During the following verse, by local custom, all make a profound bow. And we worship thy Name * ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us * this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, * have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, * as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted, * let me never be confounded.

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 us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the Finding of the holy body of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ:
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.

Our Father is said completely in silence.
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.

Start
If Matins and Lauds are separated, then is 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Otherwise, the hour is started directly as follows:
℣. 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. They stoned Stephen.
Psalm 92 [1]
92:1 The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: * the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself.
92:1 For he hath established the world * which shall not be moved.
92:2 Thy throne is prepared from of old: * thou art from everlasting.
92:3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord: * the floods have lifted up their voice.
92:3 The floods have lifted up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.
92:4 Wonderful are the surges of the sea: * wonderful is the Lord on high.
92:5 Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: * holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.
℣. 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. They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying: Lay not this sin to their charge.

Ant. The stones of the brook.
Psalm 99 [2]
99:2 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: * serve ye the Lord with gladness.
99:2 Come in before his presence * with exceeding great joy.
99:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: * he made us, and not we ourselves.
99:3 We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. * Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him.
99:4 Praise ye his name: for the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, * and his truth to generation and generation.
℣. 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 stones of the brook were sweet to him; all the souls of the righteous follow him.

Ant. O my God, my soul followeth hard after thee.
Psalm 62 [3]
62:2 O God, my God, * to thee do I watch at break of day.
62:2 For thee my soul hath thirsted; * for thee my flesh, O how many ways!
62:3 In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory.
62:4 For thy mercy is better than lives: * thee my lips shall praise.
62:5 Thus will I bless thee all my life long: * and in thy name I will lift up my hands.
62:6 Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
62:7 If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning: * because thou hast been my helper.
62:8 And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings: my soul hath stuck close to thee: * thy right hand hath received me.
62:10 But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes.
62:12 But the king shall rejoice in God, all they shall be praised that swear by him: * because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things.
℣. 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 my God, my soul followeth hard after thee, for my flesh hath been stoned for thy sake.

Ant. Stephen saw the heavens opened;
Canticle of the Three Young Men [4]
Dan 3:57-88,56
3:57 All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: * praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:58 O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: * O ye heavens, bless the Lord:
3:59 O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: * O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord.
3:60 O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: * O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
3:61 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord.
3:62 O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: * O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord.
3:63 O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: * O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord.
3:64 O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: * O ye nights and days, bless the Lord.
3:65 O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: * O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
3:66 O let the earth bless the Lord: * let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:67 O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: * O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord.
3:68 O ye fountains, bless the Lord: * O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
3:69 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: * O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord.
3:70 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: * O ye sons of men, bless the Lord.
3:71 O let Israel bless the Lord: * let them praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:72 O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: * O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
3:73 O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: * O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord.
3:74 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: * praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:75 (Bow head) Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:56 Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: * and worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.
Ant. Stephen saw the heavens opened; he saw and entered in; blessed is he unto whom the heavens were opened.

Ant. Behold, I see.
Psalm 148 [5]
148:1 Praise ye the Lord from the heavens * praise ye him in the high places.
148:2 Praise ye him, all his angels: * praise ye him, all his hosts.
148:3 Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
148:4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: * and let all the waters that are above the heavens, praise the name of the Lord.
148:5 For he spoke, and they were made: * he commanded, and they were created.
148:6 He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: * he hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.
148:7 Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons, and all ye deeps:
148:8 Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds * which fulfill his word:
148:9 Mountains and all hills, * fruitful trees and all cedars:
148:10 Beasts and all cattle: * serpents and feathered fowls:
148:11 Kings of the earth and all people: * princes and all judges of the earth:
148:12 Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord: * For his name alone is exalted.
148:14 The praise of him is above heaven and earth: * and he hath exalted the horn of his people.
148:14 A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching 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. Behold, I see the heavens opened, and Jesus standing on the right hand of the power of God.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
Martyr of God, whose strength was steeled
To follow close God's only Son,
Well didst thou brave thy battlefield,
And well thy heavenly bliss was won!

Now join thy prayers with ours, who pray
That God may pardon us and bless;
For prayer keeps evil's plague away,
And draws from life its weariness.

Long, long ago, were loosed the chains
That held thy body once in thrall;
For us how many a bond remains!
O love of God release us all.

All praise to God the Father be,
All praise to thee, Eternal Son;
All praise, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
While never-ending ages run.
Amen.

℣. Devout men buried Stephen.
℟. And made great mourning over him.

Canticle: Benedictus {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. And Stephen, full of grace.
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. And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great signs among the people.

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 us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the Finding of the holy body of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Suffrage {default}
Ant. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and all the Saints intercede for us with the Lord.

℣. The Lord hath made his holy one wonderful:
℟. The Lord will hear me when I cry unto him.

Prayer
At the letter N., the name of the Titular of the local church is said, if the title is not a divine person or a mystery of the Lord, and when the Office or a Commemoration was not already said of the Saint, and when the name is not already in the prayer. The names of the holy Angels and of St. John the Baptist, if they are titulars, are said before the name of St. Joseph. In all these cases, the words blessed N. are omitted.
Let us pray.
O Lord, we ask thee to save us from dangers to mind and to body: and, by the intercession of the blessed and glorious Virgin Mother of God, blessed Joseph, the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, blessed N. and all the Saints, to eliminate all enmity and errors, that thy Church may safely serve thee in freedom.
Through the same 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.

Our Father is said completely in silence.
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.
℣. May the Lord grant us his peace.
℟. And life everlasting. 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.

Start
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. 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. The innocent in hands.
Psalm 23 [1]
23:1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof: * the world, and all they that dwell therein.
23:2 For he hath founded it upon the seas; * and hath prepared it upon the rivers.
23:3 Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: * or who shall stand in his holy place?
23:4 The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, * who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.
23:5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God his Saviour.
23:6 This is the generation of them that seek him, * of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
23:7 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: * and the King of Glory shall enter in.
23:8 Who is this King of Glory? * the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.
23:9 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: * and the King of Glory shall enter in.
23:10 Who is this King of Glory? * the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.
℣. 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 18(2-7b) [2]
18:2 The heavens shew forth the glory of God, * and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.
18:3 Day to day uttereth speech, * and night to night sheweth knowledge.
18:4 There are no speeches nor languages, * where their voices are not heard.
18:5 Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: * and their words unto the ends of the world.
18:6 He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: * and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his bride chamber,
18:6 Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way: * his going out is from the end of heaven,
18:7 And his circuit even to the end thereof: * and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.
℣. 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 18(8-15b) [3]
18:8 The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: * the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.
18:9 The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: * the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.
18:10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: * the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
18:11 More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.
18:12 For thy servant keepeth them, * and in keeping them there is a great reward.
18:13 Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord: * and from those of others spare thy servant.
18:14 If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: * and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.
18:15 And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: * and the meditation of my heart always in thy sight.
18:15 O Lord, my helper, * and my redeemer.
℣. 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 innocent in hands and clean of heart shall ascend the mountain of the Lord.

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.

Sunday and Weekday Intercessions {included}
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.
Credo is said silently until The resurrection of the body.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins.
℣. The resurrection of the body.
℟. And life everlasting. Amen.
℣. But I, O Lord, have cried unto thee:
℟. And in the morning my prayer shall rise to thee
℣. Let my mouth be filled with praise
℟. That I may sing thy glory and thy greatness all the day long.
℣. O Lord, turn away thy face from my sins
℟. And blot out all my iniquities.
℣. Create a clean heart in me, O God
℟. And renew a right spirit within me.
℣. Cast me not away from thy presence
℟. And take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
℣. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation
℟. And strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Sunday and Weekday Intercessions {included}
℣. Our help is ✠ in the name of the Lord,
℟. Who made heaven and earth.
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.
℣. Vouchsafe, O Lord,
℟. To keep us this day without sin.
℣. O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Have mercy upon us.
℣. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us.
℟. As our trust is in thee.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.

Prayer
skip second O Lord, hear my prayer
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}
August 4th 2026, the 20th day of the Moon, is commemorated the holy Confessor Dominic [of Guzman,] Founder of the Order of Friars Preachers, very famous for his holiness and teaching. He remained always a virgin, and through his wonderful gifts raised three dead men to life. By his preaching he crushed heresies, and grounded many in a religious and godly life. He fell asleep in peace, [in the year 1221,] upon the sixth day of this present month of August. But his feast is kept upon this day by command of Pope Paul IV.
On the same 4th day of August, were born into the better life:

At Thessalonica, [in the first century,] the blessed Aristarchus, the disciple and close companion of the holy Apostle Paul, concerning whom the same Apostle writeth unto the Colossians, (iv, 10) "Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, saluteth you." He was by the same Apostle ordained Bishop of the Thessalonians, and after long contendings under Nero he was crowned by Christ, and fell asleep.
At Rome, upon the Latin Way, [in the year 275,] the blessed martyr Tertullinus. He was a Priest who, under the Emperor Valerian, was horridly beaten with clubs, had his sides burnt and his mouth crushed, was stretched upon a rack and had his muscles cut, and then sentence was given to behead him, and so he finished his testimony.
At Constantinople, [in the fourth century,] the holy martyr Eleutherius, of the Senatorial Order, who was slain with the sword for Christ's sake, in the persecution under Maximian.
In Persia, [in the year 346,] the holy martyrs Ia and her Companions, who were diversely afflicted and underwent martyrdom along with nine thousand Christian prisoners under King Sapor.
At Cologne, the holy martyr Protasius.
At Verona, the holy Confessor Agabius, Bishop of that see.
At Tours, holy Euphronius, [Arch-] Bishop of that see.
At Rome, holy Perpetua, who was baptized by the blessed Apostle Peter. She turned her son Naserius and her husband Africanus to believe in Christ, and buried a great number of bodies of the holy martyrs, and passed away to be with the Lord, full of good works.
℣. 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.

℣. 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 {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May Almighty God arrange our deeds and our day in His peace.
℟. Amen.
Acts 7:59
And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.
℣. 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.

Thereafter, only Pater Noster is said silently, unless another Hour follows immediately.
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.

Start
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. 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. My light.
Psalm 26(1-6) [1]
26:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation, * whom shall I fear?
26:1 The Lord is the protector of my life: * of whom shall I be afraid?
26:2 Whilst the wicked draw near against me, * to eat my flesh.
26:2 My enemies that trouble me, * have themselves been weakened, and have fallen.
26:3 If armies in camp should stand together against me, * my heart shall not fear.
26:3 If a battle should rise up against me, * in this will I be confident.
26:4 One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; * that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
26:4 That I may see the delight of the Lord, * and may visit his temple.
26:5 For he hath hidden me in his tabernacle; * in the day of evils, he hath protected me in the secret place of his tabernacle.
26:6 He hath exalted me upon a rock: * and now he hath lifted up my head above my enemies.
26:6 I have gone round, and have offered up in his tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: * I will sing, and recite a psalm to 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.

Psalm 26(7-14) [2]
26:7 Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee: * have mercy on me and hear me.
26:8 My heart hath said to thee: My face hath sought thee: * thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.
26:9 Turn not away thy face from me; * decline not in thy wrath from thy servant.
26:9 Be thou my helper, * forsake me not; do not thou despise me, O God my Saviour.
26:10 For my father and my mother have left me: * but the Lord hath taken me up.
26:11 Set me, O Lord, a law in thy way, * and guide me in the right path, because of my enemies.
26:12 Deliver me not over to the will of them that trouble me; * for unjust witnesses have risen up against me; and iniquity hath lied to itself.
26:13 I believe to see the good things of the Lord * in the land of the living.
26:14 Expect the Lord, do manfully, * and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for 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.

Psalm 27 [3]
27:1 Unto thee will I cry, O Lord: my God, be not thou silent to me: * lest if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
27:2 Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication, when I pray to thee; * when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple.
27:3 Draw me not away together with the wicked; * and with the workers of iniquity destroy me not:
27:3 Who speak peace with their neighbour, * but evils are in their hearts.
27:4 Give them according to their works, * and according to the wickedness of their inventions.
27:4 According to the works of their hands give thou to them: * render to them their reward.
27:5 Because they have not understood the works of the Lord, and the operations of his hands: * thou shalt destroy them, and shalt not build them up.
27:6 Blessed be the Lord, * for he hath heard the voice of my supplication.
27:7 The Lord is my helper and my protector: * in him hath my heart confided, and I have been helped.
27:7 And my flesh hath flourished again, * and with my will I will give praise to him.
27:8 The Lord is the strength of his people, * and the protector of the salvation of his anointed.
27:9 Save, O Lord, thy people, and bless thy inheritance: * and rule them and exalt them 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. My light and my salvation is the Lord.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Acts 6:8
And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. Thou hast crowned him * with glory and honour, O Lord.
℟. Thou hast crowned him * with glory and honour, O Lord.
℣. And madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.
℟. Thou hast crowned him.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Thou hast crowned him * with glory and honour, O Lord.

℣. O Lord, Thou hast set a crown of precious stones.
℟. Upon his head.

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 us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the Finding of the holy body of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ:
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.

Thereafter, only Pater Noster is said silently, unless another Hour follows immediately.
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.

Start
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. 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. Deliver me.
Psalm 30(2-9) [1]
30:2 In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded: * deliver me in thy justice.
30:3 Bow down thy ear to me: * make haste to deliver me.
30:3 Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, * to save me.
30:4 For thou art my strength and my refuge; * and for thy name’s sake thou wilt lead me, and nourish me.
30:5 Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me: * for thou art my protector.
30:6 Into thy hands I commend my spirit: * thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.
30:7 Thou hast hated them that regard vanities, * to no purpose.
30:7 But I have hoped in the Lord: * I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy.
30:8 For thou hast regarded my humility, * thou hast saved my soul out of distresses.
30:9 And thou hast not shut me up in the hands of the enemy: * thou hast set my feet in a spacious place.
℣. 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 30(10-19) [2]
30:10 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am afflicted: * my eye is troubled with wrath, my soul, and my belly:
30:11 For my life is wasted with grief: * and my years in sighs.
30:11 My strength is weakened through poverty * and my bones are disturbed.
30:12 I am become a reproach among all my enemies, and very much to my neighbours; * and a fear to my acquaintance.
30:12 They that saw me without fled from me. * I am forgotten as one dead from the heart.
30:13 I am become as a vessel that is destroyed. * For I have heard the blame of many that dwell round about.
30:14 While they assembled together against me, * they consulted to take away my life.
30:15 But I have put my trust in thee, O Lord: * I said: Thou art my God. My lots are in thy hands.
30:16 Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies; * and from them that persecute me
30:17 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save me in thy mercy. * Let me not be confounded, O Lord, for I have called upon thee.
30:18 Let the wicked be ashamed, and be brought down to hell. * Let deceitful lips be made dumb.
30:19 Which speak iniquity against the just, * with pride and abuse.
℣. 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 30(20-25) [3]
30:20 How great is the multitude of thy sweetness, O Lord, * which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee!
30:20 Which thou hast wrought for them that hope in thee, * in the sight of the sons of men.
30:21 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy face, * from the disturbance of men.
30:21 Thou shalt protect them in thy tabernacle * from the contradiction of tongues.
30:22 Blessed be the Lord, * for he hath shewn his wonderful mercy to me in a fortified city.
30:23 But I said in the excess of my mind: * I am cast away from before thy eyes.
30:23 Therefore thou hast heard the voice of my prayer, * when I cried to thee.
30:24 O love the Lord, all ye his saints: * for the Lord will require truth, and will repay them abundantly that act proudly.
30:25 Do ye manfully, and let your heart be strengthened, * all ye that hope in 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. Deliver me in thy justice, O Lord.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Acts 6:9-10
Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. O Lord, Thou hast set * Upon his head.
℟. O Lord, Thou hast set * Upon his head.
℣. A Crown of precious stones.
℟. Upon his head.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. O Lord, Thou hast set * Upon his head.

℣. His glory is great in thy salvation.
℟. Honour and great majesty shalt Thou lay upon him.

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 us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the Finding of the holy body of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ:
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.

Thereafter, only Pater Noster is said silently, unless another Hour follows immediately.
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.

Start
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. 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. Rejoice ye just.
Psalm 31 [1]
31:1 Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven * and whose sins are covered.
31:2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, * and in whose spirit there is no guile.
31:3 Because I was silent my bones grew old; * whilst I cried out all the day long.
31:4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: * I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened.
31:5 I have acknowledged my sin to thee, * and my injustice I have not concealed.
31:5 I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: * and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.
31:6 For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee * in a seasonable time.
31:6 And yet in a flood of many waters, * they shall not come nigh unto him.
31:7 Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: * my joy, deliver me from them that surround me.
31:8 I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: * I will fix my eyes upon thee.
31:9 Do not become like the horse and the mule, * who have no understanding.
31:9 With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, * who come not near unto thee.
31:10 Many are the scourges of the sinner, * but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.
31:11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, * and glory, all ye right of 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 32(1-11) [2]
32:1 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: * praise becometh the upright.
32:2 Give praise to the Lord on the harp; * sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings.
32:3 Sing to him a new canticle, * sing well unto him with a loud noise.
32:4 For the word of the Lord is right, * and all his works are done with faithfulness.
32:5 He loveth mercy and judgment; * the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
32:6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were established; * and all the power of them by the spirit of his mouth:
32:7 Gathering together the waters of the sea, as in a vessel; * laying up the depths in storehouses.
32:8 Let all the earth fear the Lord, * and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of him.
32:9 For he spoke and they were made: * he commanded and they were created.
32:10 The Lord bringeth to nought the counsels of nations; * and he rejecteth the devices of people, and casteth away the counsels of princes.
32:11 But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: * the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
℣. 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 32(12-22) [3]
32:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: * the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance.
32:13 The Lord hath looked from heaven: * he hath beheld all the sons of men.
32:14 From his habitation which he hath prepared, * he hath looked upon all that dwell on the earth.
32:15 He who hath made the hearts of every one of them: * who understandeth all their works.
32:16 The king is not saved by a great army: * nor shall the giant be saved by his own great strength.
32:17 Vain is the horse for safety: * neither shall he be saved by the abundance of his strength.
32:18 Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him: * and on them that hope in his mercy.
32:19 To deliver their souls from death; * and feed them in famine.
32:20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: * for he is our helper and protector.
32:21 For in him our heart shall rejoice: * and in his holy name we have trusted.
32:22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, * as we have hoped in thee.
℣. 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. Rejoice ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Acts 7:59
And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

℟.br. His glory is great * in thy salvation.
℟. His glory is great * in thy salvation.
℣. Honour and great majesty shalt Thou lay upon him.
℟. In thy salvation.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. His glory is great * in thy salvation.

℣. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree.
℟. He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

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 us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the Finding of the holy body of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ:
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.

Thereafter, only Pater Noster is said silently, unless another Hour follows immediately.
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.

Start
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. 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. The Lord hath inclined * his ear unto me.
Psalm 114 [1]
114:1 I have loved, because the Lord will hear * the voice of my prayer.
114:2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me: * and in my days I will call upon him.
114:3 The sorrows of death have compassed me: * and the perils of hell have found me.
114:3 I met with trouble and sorrow: * and I called upon the name of the Lord.
114:4 O Lord, deliver my soul. * The Lord is merciful and just, and our God sheweth mercy.
114:6 The Lord is the keeper of little ones: * I was humbled, and he delivered me.
114:7 Turn, O my soul, into thy rest: * for the Lord hath been bountiful to thee.
114:8 For he hath delivered my soul from death: * my eyes from tears, my feet from falling.
114:9 I will please the Lord * in the land of the living.
℣. 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 inclined his ear unto me.

Ant. I will pay my vows * in the sight of all his people.
Psalm 115 [2]
115:1 I have believed, therefore have I spoken; * but I have been humbled exceedingly.
115:2 I said in my excess: * Every man is a liar.
115:3 What shall I render to the Lord, * for all the things that he hath rendered to me?
115:4 I will take the chalice of salvation; * and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
115:5 I will pay my vows to the Lord before all his people: * precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
115:7 O Lord, for I am thy servant: * I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid.
115:7 Thou hast broken my bonds: * I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
115:9 I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people: * in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O 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. I will pay my vows in the sight of all his people.

Ant. I have cried to the Lord, * and he hath heard me.
Psalm 119 [3]
119:1 In my trouble I cried to the Lord: * and he heard me.
119:2 O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, * and a deceitful tongue.
119:3 What shall be given to thee, or what shall be added to thee, * to a deceitful tongue?
119:4 The sharp arrows of the mighty, * with coals that lay waste.
119:5 Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged! I have dwelt with the inhabitants of Cedar: * my soul hath been long a sojourner.
119:7 With them that hated peace I was peaceable: * when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause.
℣. 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. I have cried to the Lord, and he hath heard me.

Ant. My help is from the Lord, * who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 120 [4]
120:1 I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, * from whence help shall come to me.
120:2 My help is from the Lord, * who made heaven and earth.
120:3 May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: * neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.
120:4 Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, * that keepeth Israel.
120:5 The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection * upon thy right hand.
120:6 The sun shall not burn thee by day: * nor the moon by night.
120:7 The Lord keepeth thee from all evil: * may the Lord keep thy soul.
120:8 May the Lord keep thy coming in and thy going out; * from henceforth now and 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. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Ant. I rejoiced * at the things that were said to me. ‡
Psalm 121 [5]
121:1 I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: * ‡ We shall go into the house of the Lord.
121:2 Our feet were standing * in thy courts, O Jerusalem.
121:3 Jerusalem, which is built as a city, * which is compact together.
121:4 For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: * the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
121:5 Because their seats have sat in judgment, * seats upon the house of David.
121:6 Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: * and abundance for them that love thee.
121:7 Let peace be in thy strength: * and abundance in thy towers.
121:8 For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, * I spoke peace of thee.
121:9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, * I have sought good things for thee.
℣. 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. I rejoiced at the things that were said to me.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Common or Feast}
Sir 31:8-9
Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
This the confessor of the Lord, whose triumph
Now all the faithful celebrate, with gladness
On this feast day year by year receiveth
Merited honors.

Saintly and prudent, modest in behaviour,
Peaceful and sober, chaste was he, and lowly.
While that life’s vigour, coursing through his members,
Quickened his being.

Sick ones of old time, to his tomb resorting,
Sorely by ailments manifold afflicted,
Oft-times have welcomed health and strength returning,
At his petition.

Whence we in chorus gladly do him honour,
Chanting his praises with devout affection,
That in his merits we may have a portion,
Now and forever.

His be the glory, power and salvation,
Who over all things reigneth in the highest,
Earth’s mighty fabric ruling and directing,
Onely and Trinal.
Amen.

℣. The Lord loved him and beautified him.
℟. He clothed him with a robe of glory.

Canticle: Magnificat {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. I will liken him unto a wise man, * which built his house upon a rock.
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. I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

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 been pleased to shed throughout thy Church the light of the worthy deeds and healthful teaching of thy blessed Confessor Dominic, grant unto the same, with the help of his prayers, that she may never be either helpless in things temporal, or barren in things spiritual.
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.

Commemoration of Finding of St. Stephen the First Martyr
Ant. Devout men buried Stephen And made great mourning over him.

℣. Stephen saw the heavens opened.
℟. He saw and entered: blessed man, to whom the heavens were opened.

Let us pray.
Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the Finding of the holy body of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Suffrage{omit}

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.

And if thus the Office is ended, only Pater Noster is 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.

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.
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.
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.
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.

Sunday Intercessions{omit}

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.

Thereafter is 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.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
If right after Compline, Matins is said, then Our Father, Hail Mary and Credo, are said twice, once each for end of the Office of the previous day, and for the beginning of the Office of the next.