Beheading of St. John the Baptist ~ III. classis

Start
℣. O Lord, + open thou my lips.
℟. And my mouth shall declare thy praise.
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

Invitatory {Antiphon from the Common or Feast}
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}
At the Nocturn
Ant. The memory of thy testament * will live forever, O Lord our God.
Psalm 104(1-15) [1]
104:1 Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: * declare his deeds among the Gentiles.
104:2 Sing to him, yea sing praises to him: * relate all his wondrous works.
104:3 Glory ye in his holy name: * let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
104:4 Seek ye the Lord, and be strengthened: * seek his face evermore.
104:5 Remember his marvellous works which he hath done; * his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.
104:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant; * ye sons of Jacob his chosen.
104:7 He is the Lord our God: * his judgments are in all the earth.
104:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever: * the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
104:9 Which he made to Abraham; * and his oath to Isaac:
104:10 And he appointed the same to Jacob for a law, * and to Israel for an everlasting testament:
104:11 Saying: To thee will I give the land of Chanaan, * the lot of your inheritance.
104:12 When they were but a small number: * yea very few, and sojourners therein:
104:13 And they passed from nation to nation, * and from one kingdom to another people.
104:14 He suffered no man to hurt them: * and he reproved kings for their sakes.
104:15 Touch ye not my anointed: * and do no evil to my prophets.
℣. 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 memory of thy testament will live forever, O Lord our God.

Ant. The Lord increased his people exceedingly * and strengthened them over their enemies.
Psalm 104(16-27) [2]
104:16 And he called a famine upon the land: * and he broke in pieces all the support of bread.
104:17 He sent a man before them: * Joseph, who was sold for a slave.
104:18 They humbled his feet in fetters: the iron pierced his soul, * until his word came.
104:19 The word of the Lord inflamed him: * the king sent, and he released him: the ruler of the people, and he set him at liberty.
104:21 He made him master of his house, * and ruler of all his possession.
104:22 That he might instruct his princes as himself, * and teach his ancients wisdom.
104:23 And Israel went into Egypt: * and Jacob was a sojourner in the land of Cham.
104:24 And he increased his people exceedingly: * and strengthened them over their enemies,
104:25 He turned their heart to hate his people: * and to deal deceitfully with his servants.
104:26 He sent Moses his servant: * Aaron the man whom he had chosen.
104:27 He gave them power to shew his signs, * and his wonders in the land of Cham.
℣. 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 increased his people exceedingly and strengthened them over their enemies.

Ant. The Lord brought forth * his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness.
Psalm 104(28-45) [3]
104:28 He sent darkness, and made it obscure: * and grieved not his words.
104:29 He turned their waters into blood, * and destroyed their fish.
104:30 Their land brought forth frogs, * in the inner chambers of their kings.
104:31 He spoke, and there came diverse sorts of flies, * and sciniphs in all their coasts.
104:32 He gave them hail for rain, * a burning fire in the land.
104:33 And he destroyed their vineyards, and their fig trees: * and he broke in pieces the trees of their coasts.
104:34 He spoke, and the locust came, and the bruchus, * of which there was no number.
104:35 And they devoured all the grass in their land, * and consumed all the fruit of their ground.
104:36 And he slew all the firstborn in their land: * the firstfruits of all their labour.
104:37 And he brought them out with silver and gold: * and there was not among their tribes one that was feeble.
104:38 Egypt was glad when they departed: * for the fear of them lay upon them.
104:39 He spread a cloud for their protection, * and fire to give them light in the night.
104:40 They asked, and the quail came: * and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
104:41 He opened the rock, and waters flowed: * rivers ran down in the dry land.
104:42 Because he remembered his holy word, * which he had spoken to his servant Abraham.
104:43 And he brought forth his people with joy, * and his chosen with gladness.
104:44 And he gave them the lands of the Gentiles: * and they possessed the labours of the people:
104:45 That they might observe his justifications, * and seek after his law.
℣. 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 brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness.

Ant. The Lord saved them * for his own name's sake.
Psalm 105(1-15) [4]
105:1 Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: * for his mercy endureth for ever.
105:2 Who shall declare the powers of the Lord? * who shall set forth all his praises?
105:3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, * and do justice at all times.
105:4 Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: * visit us with thy salvation.
105:5 That we may see the good of thy chosen, that we may rejoice in the joy of thy nation: * that thou mayst be praised with thy inheritance.
105:6 We have sinned with our fathers: * we have acted unjustly, we have wrought iniquity.
105:7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt: * they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies:
105:7 And they provoked to wrath going up to the sea, * even the Red Sea.
105:8 And he saved them for his own name’s sake: * that he might make his power known.
105:9 And he rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up: * and he led them through the depths, as in a wilderness.
105:10 And he saved them from the hand of them that hated them: * and he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
105:11 And the water covered them that afflicted them: * there was not one of them left.
105:12 And they believed his words: * and they sang his praises.
105:13 They had quickly done, they forgot his works: * and they waited not for his counsels.
105:14 And they coveted their desire in the desert: * and they tempted God in the place without water.
105:15 And he gave them their request: * and sent fulness into their souls.
℣. 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 saved them for his own name's sake.

Ant. They forgot God * who saved them.
Psalm 105(16-31) [5]
105:16 And they provoked Moses in the camp, * Aaron the holy one of the Lord.
105:17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: * and covered the congregation of Abiron.
105:18 And a fire was kindled in their congregation: * the flame burned the wicked.
105:19 They made also a calf in Horeb: * and they adored the graven thing.
105:20 And they changed their glory * into the likeness of a calf that eateth grass.
105:21 They forgot God, who saved them, * who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Cham: terrible things in the Red Sea.
105:23 And he said that he would destroy them: * had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach:
105:24 To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them; * and they set at nought the desirable land.
105:25 They believed not his word, and they murmured in their tents: * they hearkened not to the voice of the Lord.
105:26 And he lifted up his hand over them: * to overthrow them in the desert;
105:27 And to cast down their seed among the nations, * and to scatter them in the countries.
105:28 They also were initiated to Beelphegor: * and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
105:29 And they provoked him with their inventions: * and destruction was multiplied among them.
105:30 Then Phinees stood up, and pacified him: * and the slaughter ceased.
105:31 And it was reputed to him unto justice, * to generation and generation for evermore.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. They forgot God who saved them.

Ant. And he saw when they were in tribulation * and he heard their prayer.
Psalm 105(32-48) [6]
105:32 They provoked him also at the waters of contradiction: * and Moses was afflicted for their sakes: because they exasperated his spirit.
105:33 And he distinguished with his lips; * they did not destroy the nations of which the Lord spoke unto them.
105:35 And they were mingled among the heathens, and learned their works: and served their idols, * and it became a stumblingblock to them.
105:37 And they sacrificed their sons, * and their daughters to devils.
105:38 And they shed innocent blood: * the blood of their sons and of their daughters which they sacrificed to the idols of Chanaan.
105:39 And the land was polluted with blood, and was defiled with their works: * and they went aside after their own inventions.
105:40 And the Lord was exceedingly angry with his people: * and he abhorred his inheritance.
105:41 And he delivered them into the hands of the nations: * and they that hated them had dominion over them.
105:42 And their enemies afflicted them: and they were humbled under their hands: * many times did he deliver them.
105:43 But they provoked him with their counsel: * and they were brought low by their iniquities.
105:44 And he saw when they were in tribulation: * and he heard their prayer.
105:45 And he was mindful of his covenant: * and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
105:46 And he gave them unto mercies, * in the sight of all those that had made them captives.
105:47 Save us, O Lord, our God: * and gather us from among nations:
105:47 That we may give thanks to thy holy name, * and may glory in thy praise.
105:48 Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting: * and let all the people say: So be it, so be it.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. And he saw when they were in tribulation and he heard their prayer.

Ant. Then they cried to the Lord * and he delivered them out of their distresses.
Psalm 106(1-14) [7]
106:1 Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: * for his mercy endureth for ever.
106:2 Let them say so that have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy: * and gathered out of the countries.
106:3 From the rising and the setting of the sun, * from the north and from the sea.
106:4 They wandered in a wilderness, in a place without water: * they found not the way of a city for their habitation.
106:5 They were hungry and thirsty: * their soul fainted in them.
106:6 And they cried to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he delivered them out of their distresses.
106:7 And he led them into the right way: * that they might go to a city of habitation.
106:8 Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: * and his wonderful works to the children of men.
106:9 For he hath satisfied the empty soul, * and hath filled the hungry soul with good things.
106:10 Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death: * bound in want and in iron.
106:11 Because they had exasperated the words of God: * and provoked the counsel of the most High:
106:12 And their heart was humbled with labours: * they were weakened, and there was none to help them.
106:13 Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction: * and he delivered them out of their distresses.
106:14 And he brought them out of darkness, * and the shadow of death; and broke their bonds in sunder.
℣. 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. Then they cried to the Lord and he delivered them out of their distresses.

Ant. These have seen * the works of the Lord, and his wonders.
Psalm 106(15-30) [8]
106:15 Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, * and his wonderful works to the children of men.
106:16 Because he hath broken gates of brass, * and burst the iron bars.
106:17 He took them out of the way of their iniquity: * for they were brought low for their injustices.
106:18 Their soul abhorred all manner of meat: * and they drew nigh even to the gates of death.
106:19 And they cried to the Lord in their affliction: * and he delivered them out of their distresses.
106:20 He sent his word, and healed them: * and delivered them from their destructions.
106:21 Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: * and his wonderful works to the children of men
106:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifice of praise: * and declare his works with joy.
106:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, * doing business in the great waters:
106:24 These have seen the works of the Lord, * and his wonders in the deep.
106:25 He said the word, and there arose a storm of wind: * and the waves thereof were lifted up.
106:26 They mount up to the heavens, and they go down to the depths: * their soul pined away with evils.
106:27 They were troubled, and reeled like a drunken man; * and all their wisdom was swallowed up.
106:28 And they cried to the Lord in their affliction: * and he brought them out of their distresses.
106:29 And he turned the storm into a breeze: * and its waves were still.
106:30 And they rejoiced because they were still: * and he brought them to the haven which they wished for.
℣. 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. These have seen the works of the Lord, and his wonders.

Ant. The just see and rejoice * and understand the mercy of the Lord.
Psalm 106(31-43) [9]
106:31 Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, * and his wonderful works to the children of men.
106:32 And let them exalt him in the church of the people: * and praise him in the chair of the ancients.
106:33 He hath turned rivers into a wilderness: * and the sources of water into dry ground:
106:34 A fruitful land into barrenness, * for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
106:35 He hath turned a wilderness into pools of water, * and a dry land into water springs.
106:36 And hath placed there the hungry; * and they made a city for their habitation.
106:37 And they sowed fields, and planted vineyards: * and they yielded fruit of birth.
106:38 And he blessed them, and they were multiplied exceedingly: * and their cattle he suffered not to decrease.
106:39 Then they were brought to be few: * and they were afflicted through the trouble of evils and sorrow.
106:40 Contempt was poured forth upon their princes: *and he caused them to wander where there was no passing, and out of the way.
106:41 And he helped the poor out of poverty: * and made him families like a flock of sheep.
106:42 The just shall see, and shall rejoice, * and all iniquity shall stop their mouth.
106:43 Who is wise, and will keep these things: * and will understand the mercies of the Lord?
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. The just see and rejoice and understand the mercy of the Lord.

℣. Let them exalt the Lord in the church of the people.
℟. And praise him in the chair of the ancients.

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 His blessing be upon us who doth live and reign for ever.
℟. Amen.

Reading 1
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 4:23-28
23 Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.
24 For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth.
25 For there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and grace.
26 Accept no person against thy own person, nor against thy soul a lie.
27 Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall:
28 And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Herod the King sent forth, and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison, for he feared him, for Herodias' sake,
* His brother Philip's wife, for he had married her.
℣. For John had rebuked Herod, for Herodias' sake.
℟. His brother Philip's wife, for he had married her.

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

Reading 2
Sir 4:29-32
29 For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice.
30 In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of thy ignorance.
31 Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but submit not thyself to every man for sin.
32 Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river
Sir 4:33-36
33 Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee.
34 Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works.
35 Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee.
36 Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. John the Baptist had rebuked Herod,
* For Herodias' sake, his brother's wife, whom he had married while his brother was yet alive.
℣. Herod sent an executioner, and commanded to behead John in the prison.
℟. For Herodias' sake, his brother's wife, whom he had married while his brother was yet alive.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. For Herodias' sake, his brother's wife, whom he had married while his brother was yet alive.

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

Reading 3
From the Treatise concerning Virgins, by St. Ambrose the Bishop

We must not hurry past the record of blessed Baptist John. We must ask what he was; by whom he was slain; and why and how. He was a righteous man, murdered for his righteousness by adulterers. He was a judge, who suffered condemnation to death by the guilty ones because he had justly judged their guilt. He was the prophet whose death was a fee paid to a dancing-girl for a lascivious dance. And lastly a thing from which even savages would shrink his head was served up as a dish at a banquet. For the order to commit the atrocity was given amid the merriment of a dinner-party; and the servants of the murderer introduced the murder amid the courses of the meal, running from banquet to prison, and from prison to banquet! See how many infamies are contained in this one crime.
℣. 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.
Lord, we beseech thee, that the keeping of this honourable feastday in memory of the holy Baptist John, thy Fore-runner, and thy Martyr, may be a mean to draw upon us the effectual outpouring of thy saving help.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

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

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

Psalms {Psalms & antiphons from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. For Herod had laid hold upon John, * and bound him, and put him in prison, for Herodias' sake.
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. For Herod had laid hold upon John, and bound him, and put him in prison, for Herodias' sake.

Ant. O Lord my King, * give me in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
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. O Lord my King, give me in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

Ant. The damsel danced, * and her mother charged her, saying: See thou ask nothing, but only the head of John.
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. The damsel danced, and her mother charged her, saying: See thou ask nothing, but only the head of John.

Ant. John had rebuked Herod for Herodias' sake, * his brother Philip's wife, for he had taken her.
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. John had rebuked Herod for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife, for he had taken her.

Ant. Give me in a charger the head of John the Baptist. * And the King was sorry, for his oath's sake.
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. Give me in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the King was sorry, for his oath's sake.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Common or Feast}
Jas 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive a crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him.
℟. 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.

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

Canticle: Benedictus {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. Herod sent * an executioner, and commanded that John's head should be cut off in the prison. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
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. Herod sent an executioner, and commanded that John's head should be cut off in the prison. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Lord, we beseech thee, that the keeping of this honourable feastday in memory of the holy Baptist John, thy Fore-runner, and thy Martyr, may be a mean to draw upon us the effectual outpouring of thy saving help.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Commemoration of St. Sabina, Martyr
Ant. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

℣. Grace is poured into thy lips.
℟. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Let us pray.
O God, Who, amidst the wondrous work of thy divine power, dost make even weak women to be more than conquerors in the uplifting of their testimony, mercifully grant unto all us which do keep the birthday of thy blessed witness Sabina, grace to follow her steps toward thee.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

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

Start
℣. 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. Lift up thyself, O Lord, * thou that judgest the earth: render retribution to the proud.
Psalm 93(1-11) [1]
93:1 The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: * the God of revenge hath acted freely.
93:2 Lift up thyself, thou that judgest the earth: * render a reward to the proud.
93:3 How long shall sinners, O Lord: * how long shall sinners glory?
93:4 Shall they utter, and speak iniquity: * shall all speak who work injustice?
93:5 Thy people, O Lord, they have brought low: * and they have afflicted thy inheritance.
93:6 They have slain the widow and the stranger: * and they have murdered the fatherless.
93:7 And they have said: The Lord shall not see: * neither shall the God of Jacob understand.
93:8 Understand, ye senseless among the people: * and, you fools, be wise at last.
93:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? * or he that formed the eye, doth he not consider?
93:10 He that chastiseth nations, shall he not rebuke: * he that teacheth man knowledge?
93:11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, * that they are vain.
℣. 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 93(12-23) [2]
93:12 Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord: * and shalt teach him out of thy law.
93:13 That thou mayst give him rest from the evil days: * till a pit be dug for the wicked.
93:14 For the Lord will not cast off his people: * neither will he forsake his own inheritance.
93:15 Until justice be turned into judgment: * and they that are near it are all the upright in heart.
93:16 Who shall rise up for me against the evildoers? * or who shall stand with me against the workers of iniquity?
93:17 Unless the Lord had been my helper, * my soul had almost dwelt in hell.
93:18 If I said: My foot is moved: * thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me.
93:19 According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, * thy comforts have given joy to my soul.
93:20 Doth the seat of iniquity stick to thee, * who framest labour in commandment?
93:21 They will hunt after the soul of the just, * and will condemn innocent blood.
93:22 But the Lord is my refuge: * and my God the help of my hope.
93:23 And he will render them their iniquity: and in their malice he will destroy them: * the Lord our God will destroy them.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 107 [3]
107:2 My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: * I will sing, and will give praise, with my glory.
107:3 Arise, my glory; arise, psaltery and harp * I will arise in the morning early.
107:4 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: * and I will sing unto thee among the nations.
107:5 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: * and thy truth even unto the clouds.
107:6 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory over all the earth: * that thy beloved may be delivered.
107:7 Save with thy right hand and hear me. * God hath spoken in his holiness.
107:8 I will rejoice, and I will divide Sichem * and I will mete out the vale of tabernacles.
107:9 Galaad is mine: and Manasses is mine: * and Ephraim the protection of my head.
107:10 Juda is my king: * Moab the pot of my hope.
107:10 Over Edom I will stretch out my shoe: * the aliens are become my friends.
107:11 Who will bring me into the strong city? * who will lead me into Edom?
107:12 Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? * and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our armies?
107:13 O grant us help from trouble: * for vain is the help of man.
107:14 Through God we shall do mightily: * and he will bring our enemies to nothing.
℣. 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. Lift up thyself, O Lord, thou that judgest the earth: render retribution to the proud.

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

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

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

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

Martyrology {anticipated}
Upon the morrow we keep the feast of the holy Virgin Rose of St. Mary, whose birth into the better life (in the year 1617) is mentioned upon the 26th day of this present month.
August 30th 2026, the 17th day of the Moon, were born into the better life:

At Rome, upon the Ostian Way, under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, the blessed Priest Felix. After being racked he was sentenced to be beheaded as he was being led to execution he was met by some man who of his own accord professed himself a Christian, and was accordingly forthwith beheaded along with him. The Christians never knew the name of this other, and they accordingly always spoke of him as him who was added, that is, added to the company of the holy martyr Felix in winning of the crown.
Likewise at Rome, the holy Virgin and martyr Gaudentia, with three others.
At Rome, [in the year 410,] also the holy Priest Pammachius, [a Roman Senator,] who was eminent for his teaching and holiness.
At Sfaitla, in Africa, [in the year 399,] sixty blessed martyrs, who were slain by the fury of the Gentiles.
At Susa, also in Africa, [in the year 250,] holy Boniface and Thecla, who were the parents of twelve sons, all blessed martyrs.
At Thessalonica, the holy Confessor Fantinus. He suffered much from the Saracens, and was thrust out of the monastery wherein he had lived in marvellous austerity. He led many into the path of salvation, and at length fell asleep in a good old age.
At Meaux, [in the year 670,] the holy Confessor [Fefrash, an Irishman, who came over into Gaul, where he is called] Fiacre, [and founded a monastery, and died towards the end of the seventh century.]
At Trevi, [near Subiaco, towards the middle of the eleventh century,] the holy Confessor Peter, famous for many graces and miracles, who there passed away to be with the Lord, and is held in honour and worship.
At Bologna, [in the year 1026,] the holy Abbot Bononius.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

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

The Capitular Office
℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us.
Our Father is said silently until And lead us not into temptation:.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
℣. And lead us not into temptation:
℟. But deliver us from evil.
℣. Look upon thy servants and upon thy works: and direct their children.
℟. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. Direct thou the works of our hands; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Let us pray.
O Lord, Almighty God, King of heaven and earth, Saviour of the world, bless, lead, rule and govern our hearts and bodies, our senses, words and deeds today, following thy law and commandments, that here and for eternity with thy help we shall be saved in freedom. Who livest and reignest, world without end.
℟. Amen.

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

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

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

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

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

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

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. Let my cry reach unto thee, O Lord: * turn not away thy face from me.
Psalm 101(2-13) [1]
101:2 Hear, O Lord, my prayer: * and let my cry come to thee.
101:3 Turn not away thy face from me: * in the day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to me.
101:3 In what day soever I shall call upon thee, * hear me speedily.
101:4 For my days are vanished like smoke: * and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire.
101:5 I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: * because I forgot to eat my bread.
101:6 Through the voice of my groaning, * my bone hath cleaved to my flesh.
101:7 I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: * I am like a night raven in the house.
101:8 I have watched, * and am become as a sparrow all alone on the housetop.
101:9 All the day long my enemies reproached me: * and they that praised me did swear against me.
101:10 For I did eat ashes like bread, * and mingled my drink with weeping.
101:11 Because of thy anger and indignation: * for having lifted me up thou hast thrown me down.
101:12 My days have declined like a shadow, * and I am withered like grass.
101:13 But thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: * and thy memorial 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 101(14-23) [2]
101:14 Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: * for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come.
101:15 For the stones thereof have pleased thy servants: * and they shall have pity on the earth thereof.
101:16 And the Gentiles shall fear thy name, O Lord, * and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
101:17 For the Lord hath built up Sion: * and he shall be seen in his glory.
101:18 He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: * and he hath not despised their petition.
101:19 Let these things be written unto another generation: * and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord:
101:20 Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary: * from heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth.
101:21 That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: * that he might release the children of the slain:
101:22 That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: * and his praise in Jerusalem;
101:23 When the people assemble together, * and kings, to serve 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 101(24-29) [3]
101:24 He answered him in the way of his strength: * Declare unto me the fewness of my days.
101:25 Call me not away in the midst of my days: * thy years are unto generation and generation.
101:26 In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst the earth: * and the heavens are the works of thy hands.
101:27 They shall perish but thou remainest: * and all of them shall grow old like a garment:
101:28 And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed. * But thou art always the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail.
101:29 The children of thy servants shall continue: * and their seed shall be directed 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. Let my cry reach unto thee, O Lord: turn not away thy face from me.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Common or Feast}
Jas 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive a crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him.
℟. 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.

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Lord, we beseech thee, that the keeping of this honourable feastday in memory of the holy Baptist John, thy Fore-runner, and thy Martyr, may be a mean to draw upon us the effectual outpouring of thy saving help.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

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

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

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

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

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

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. O Lord, my God, * thou art exceedingly great.
Psalm 103(1-12) [1]
103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: * O Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great.
103:1 Thou hast put on praise and beauty: * and art clothed with light as with a garment.
103:2 Who stretchest out the heaven like a pavilion: * who coverest the higher rooms thereof with water.
103:3 Who makest the clouds thy chariot: * who walkest upon the wings of the winds.
103:4 Who makest thy angels spirits: * and thy ministers a burning fire.
103:5 Who hast founded the earth upon its own bases: * it shall not be moved for ever and ever.
103:6 The deep like a garment is its clothing: * above the mountains shall the waters stand.
103:7 At thy rebuke they shall flee: * at the voice of thy thunder they shall fear.
103:8 The mountains ascend, and the plains descend * into the place which thou hast founded for them.
103:9 Thou hast set a bound which they shall not pass over; * neither shall they return to cover the earth.
103:10 Thou sendest forth springs in the vales: * between the midst of the hills the waters shall pass.
103:11 All the beasts of the field shall drink: * the wild asses shall expect in their thirst.
103:12 Over them the birds of the air shall dwell: * from the midst of the rocks they shall give forth their voices.
℣. 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 103(13-23) [2]
103:13 Thou waterest the hills from thy upper rooms: * the earth shall be filled with the fruit of thy works:
103:14 Bringing forth grass for cattle, * and herb for the service of men.
103:14 That thou mayst bring bread out of the earth: * and that wine may cheer the heart of man.
103:15 That he may make the face cheerful with oil: * and that bread may strengthen man’s heart.
103:16 The trees of the field shall be filled, and the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted: * there the sparrows shall make their nests.
103:17 The highest of them is the house of the heron. * The high hills are a refuge for the harts, the rock for the irchins.
103:19 He hath made the moon for seasons: * the sun knoweth his going down.
103:20 Thou hast appointed darkness, and it is night: * in it shall all the beasts of the woods go about:
103:21 The young lions roaring after their prey, * and seeking their meat from God.
103:22 The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together: * and they shall lie down in their dens.
103:23 Man shall go forth to his work, * and to his labour until the evening.
℣. 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 103(24-35) [3]
103:24 How great are thy works, O Lord? * thou hast made all things in wisdom: the earth is filled with thy riches.
103:25 So is this great sea, which stretcheth wide its arms: * there are creeping things without number:
103:26 Creatures little and great. * There the ships shall go.
103:27 This sea dragon which thou hast formed to play therein. * All expect of thee that thou give them food in season.
103:28 What thou givest to them they shall gather up: * when thou openest thy hand, they shall all be filled with good.
103:29 But if thou turnest away thy face, they shall be troubled: * thou shalt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and shall return to their dust.
103:30 Thou shalt send forth thy spirit, and they shall be created: * and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
103:31 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever: * the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
103:32 He looketh upon the earth, and maketh it tremble: * he toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.
103:33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: * I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
103:34 Let my speech be acceptable to him: * but I will take delight in the Lord.
103:35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, and the unjust, so that they be no more: * O my soul, bless thou 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. O Lord, my God, thou art exceedingly great.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Common or Feast}
Sir 15:3
With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved.
℟. 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.

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Lord, we beseech thee, that the keeping of this honourable feastday in memory of the holy Baptist John, thy Fore-runner, and thy Martyr, may be a mean to draw upon us the effectual outpouring of thy saving help.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

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

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

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

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

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

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. O God, be thou not silent * for the mouth of the wicked man is opened against me.
Psalm 108(2-13) [1]
108:2 God, be not thou silent in my praise: * for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful man is opened against me.
108:3 They have spoken against me with deceitful tongues; and they have compassed me about with words of hatred; * and have fought against me without cause.
108:4 Instead of making me a return of love, they detracted me: * but I gave myself to prayer.
108:5 And they repaid me evil for good: * and hatred for my love.
108:6 Set thou the sinner over him: * and may the devil stand at his right hand.
108:7 When he is judged, may he go out condemned; * and may his prayer be turned to sin.
108:8 May his days be few: * and his bishopric let another take.
108:9 May his children be fatherless, * and his wife a widow.
108:10 Let his children be carried about vagabonds, and beg; * and let them be cast out of their dwellings.
108:11 May the usurer search all his substance: * and let strangers plunder his labours.
108:12 May there be none to help him: * nor none to pity his fatherless offspring.
108:13 May his posterity be cut off; * in one generation may his name be blotted out.
℣. 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 108(14-21) [2]
108:14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered in the sight of the Lord: * and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
108:15 May they be before the Lord continually, and let the memory of them perish from the earth: * because he remembered not to shew mercy,
108:17 But persecuted the poor man and the beggar; * and the broken in heart, to put him to death.
108:18 And he loved cursing, and it shall come unto him: * and he would not have blessing, and it shall be far from him.
108:18 And he put on cursing, like a garment: * and it went in like water into his entrails, and like oil in his bones.
108:19 May it be unto him like a garment which covereth him; * and like a girdle with which he is girded continually.
108:20 This is the work of them who detract me before the Lord; * and who speak evils against my soul.
108:21 But thou, O Lord, do with me for thy name’s sake: * because thy mercy is sweet.
℣. 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 108(22-31) [3]
108:22 Do thou deliver me, for I am poor and needy, * and my heart is troubled within me.
108:23 I am taken away like the shadow when it declineth: * and I am shaken off as locusts.
108:24 My knees are weakened through fasting: * and my flesh is changed for oil.
108:25 And I am become a reproach to them: * they saw me and they shaked their heads.
108:26 Help me, O Lord my God; * save me according to thy mercy.
108:27 And let them know that this is thy hand: * and that thou, O Lord, hast done it.
108:28 They will curse and thou wilt bless: * let them that rise up against me be confounded: but thy servant shall rejoice.
108:29 Let them that detract me be clothed with shame: * and let them be covered with their confusion as with a double cloak.
108:30 I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth: * and in the midst of many I will praise him.
108:31 Because he hath stood at the right hand of the poor, * to save my soul from persecutors.
℣. 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 God, be thou not silent for the mouth of the wicked man is opened against me.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Common or Feast}
Sir 39:6
He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.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.

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Lord, we beseech thee, that the keeping of this honourable feastday in memory of the holy Baptist John, thy Fore-runner, and thy Martyr, may be a mean to draw upon us the effectual outpouring of thy saving help.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

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

Start
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

Psalms {Psalms & antiphons from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. Blessed be the Lord * my support, and my deliverer.
Psalm 143(1-8) [1]
143:1 Blessed be the Lord my God, who teacheth my hands to fight, * and my fingers to war.
143:2 My mercy, and my refuge: * my support, and my deliverer:
143:2 My protector, and I have hoped in him: * who subdueth my people under me.
143:3 Lord, what is man, that thou art made known to him? * or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?
143:4 Man is like to vanity: * his days pass away like a shadow.
143:5 Lord, bow down thy heavens and descend: * touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
143:6 Send forth lightning, and thou shalt scatter them: * shoot out thy arrows, and thou shalt trouble them.
143:7 Put forth thy hand from on high, take me out, and deliver me from many waters: * from the hand of strange children:
143:8 Whose mouth hath spoken vanity: * and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity.
℣. 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. Blessed be the Lord my support, and my deliverer.

Ant. Happy is that people * whose God is the Lord.
Psalm 143(9-15) [2]
143:9 To thee, O God, I will sing a new canticle: * on the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings I will sing praises to thee.
143:10 Who givest salvation to kings: * who hast redeemed thy servant David from the malicious sword: Deliver me,
143:11 And rescue me out of the hand of strange children; whose mouth hath spoken vanity: * and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity:
143:12 Whose sons are as new plants * in their youth:
143:12 Their daughters decked out, * adorned round about after the similitude of a temple:
143:13 Their storehouses full, * flowing out of this into that.
143:13 Their sheep fruitful in young, abounding in their goings forth: * their oxen fat.
143:14 There is no breach of wall, nor passage, * nor crying out in their streets.
143:15 They have called the people happy, that hath these things: * but happy is that people whose God is 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. Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.

Ant. For the Lord is great * and exceedingly to be praised: His greatness has no end.
Psalm 144(1-7) [3]
144:1 I will extol thee, O God my king: * and I will bless thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
144:2 Every day will I bless thee: * and I will praise thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
144:3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: * and of his greatness there is no end.
144:4 Generation and generation shall praise thy works: * and they shall declare thy power.
144:5 They shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of thy holiness: * and shall tell thy wondrous works.
144:6 And they shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: * and shall declare thy greatness.
144:7 They shall publish the memory of the abundance of thy sweetness: * and shall rejoice in thy justice.
℣. 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. For the Lord is great and exceedingly to be praised: His greatness has no end.

Ant. The Lord is sweet * to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Psalm 144(8-13a) [4]
144:8 The Lord is gracious and merciful: * patient and plenteous in mercy.
144:9 The Lord is sweet to all: * and his tender mercies are over all his works.
144:10 Let all thy works, O Lord, praise thee: * and let thy saints bless thee.
144:11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom: * and shall tell of thy power:
144:12 To make thy might known to the sons of men: * and the glory of the magnificence of thy kingdom.
144:13 Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages: * and thy dominion endureth throughout 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.
Ant. The Lord is sweet to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Ant. The Lord is faithful * in all his words: and holy in all his works. ‡
Psalm 144(13b-21) [5]
144:13 The Lord is faithful in all his words: and holy in all his works.
144:14 ‡ The Lord lifteth up all that fall: * and setteth up all that are cast down.
144:15 The eyes of all hope in thee, O Lord: * and thou givest them meat in due season.
144:16 Thou openest thy hand, * and fillest with blessing every living creature.
144:17 The Lord is just in all his ways: * and holy in all his works.
144:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: * to all that call upon him in truth.
144:19 He will do the will of them that fear him: * and he will hear their prayer, and save them.
144:20 The Lord keepeth all them that love him; * but all the wicked he will destroy.
144:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: * and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. The Lord is faithful in all his words: and holy in all his works.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Rom 11:33
O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways!
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
As fades the glowing orb of day,
To thee, great source of light, we pray;
Blest Three in One, to every heart
Thy beams of life and love impart.

At early dawn, at close of day,
To thee our vows we humbly pay;
May we, mid joys that never end,
With thy bright saints in homage bend.

To God the Father, and the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Be endless glory, as before
The world began, so evermore.
Amen.

℣. Let the evening prayer ascend unto thee, O Lord.
℟. And let there descend upon us thy mercy.

Canticle: Magnificat {Antiphon from the Proper of the season}
Ant. My son, keep thy fathers commandment * and forsake not the law of thy mother, but bind them continually upon thy heart.
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. My son, keep thy fathers commandment and forsake not the law of thy mother, but bind them continually upon thy heart.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of the season}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Keep, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy Church with thy perpetual mercy, and because the frailty of man without thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by thy help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

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

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

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

℣. Our help is ✠ in the name of the Lord,
℟. Who made heaven and earth.
There follows an examination of conscience, or the Our Father said silently.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed: strikes his breast through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
May the almighty ✠ and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution and remission of our sins. Amen.
℣. Turn us then, ✙︎ O God, our saviour:
℟. And let thy anger cease from us.

℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. May my request * come before thee, O Lord.
Psalm 87 [1]
87:2 Lord, the God of my salvation: * I have cried in the day, and in the night before thee.
87:3 Let my prayer come in before thee: * incline thy ear to my petition.
87:4 For my soul is filled with evils: * and my life hath drawn nigh to hell.
87:5 I am counted among them that go down to the pit: * I am become as a man without help, free among the dead.
87:6 Like the slain sleeping in the sepulchres, whom thou rememberest no more: * and they are cast off from thy hand.
87:7 They have laid me in the lower pit: * in the dark places, and in the shadow of death.
87:8 Thy wrath is strong over me: * and all thy waves thou hast brought in upon me.
87:9 Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me: * they have set me an abomination to themselves.
87:9 I was delivered up, and came not forth: * my eyes languished through poverty.
87:10 All the day I cried to thee, O Lord: * I stretched out my hands to thee.
87:11 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? * or shall physicians raise to life, and give praise to thee?
87:12 Shall any one in the sepulchre declare thy mercy: * and thy truth in destruction?
87:13 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark; * and thy justice in the land of forgetfulness?
87:14 But I, O Lord, have cried to thee: * and in the morning my prayer shall prevent thee.
87:15 Lord, why castest thou off my prayer: * why turnest thou away thy face from me?
87:16 I am poor, and in labours from my youth: * and being exalted have been humbled and troubled.
87:17 Thy wrath hath come upon me: * and thy terrors have troubled me.
87:18 They have come round about me like water all the day: * they have compassed me about together.
87:19 Friend and neighbour thou hast put far from me: * and my acquaintance, because of misery.
℣. 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 102(1-12) [2]
102:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: * and let all that is within me bless his holy name.
102:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and never forget all he hath done for thee.
102:3 Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: * who healeth all thy diseases.
102:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: * who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
102:5 Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: * thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s.
102:6 The Lord doth mercies, * and judgment for all that suffer wrong.
102:7 He hath made his ways known to Moses: * his wills to the children of Israel.
102:8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful: * longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.
102:9 He will not always be angry: * nor will he threaten for ever.
102:10 He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: * nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
102:11 For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: * he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.
102:12 As far as the east is from the west, * so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 102(13-22) [3]
102:13 As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him: * for he knoweth our frame.
102:14 He remembereth that we are dust: * man’s days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.
102:16 For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: * and he shall know his place no more.
102:17 But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity * and unto eternity upon them that fear him:
102:17 And his justice unto children’s children, * to such as keep his covenant,
102:18 And are mindful of his commandments * to do them.
102:19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: * and his kingdom shall rule over all.
102:20 Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: * you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.
102:21 Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: * you ministers of his that do his will.
102:22 Bless the Lord, all his works: * in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou 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. May my request come before thee, O Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canticle: Nunc dimittis
Ant. Protect us, * Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest in peace.
Canticle of Simeon
Luke 2:29-32
2:29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, ✠ * according to thy word in peace;
2:30 Because my eyes have seen * thy salvation,
2:31 Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all peoples:
2:32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, * and the glory of thy people Israel.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest in peace.

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

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

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

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

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