Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Duplex I. classis

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. Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.
Ant. Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.
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. Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.
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 Him.
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. Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.
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 Him.
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. Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship 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. O come, let us worship Him.
Ant. Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.

Hymn {from the Proper of Saints}
Jesus, the Ransomer of man,
Who, ere created light began,
Didst from the sovereign Father spring,
His power and glory equalling.

The Father’s Light and Splendor Thou,
Their endless hope to Thee that bow;
Accept the prayers and praise to-day
That through the world Thy servants pay.

Salvation’s Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled,
Thou in man’s flesh becam’st a Child.

Thus testifies the present day,
Through every year in long array,
That Thou, salvation’s source alone,
Proceedest from the Father’s throne.

The heavens above, the rolling main
And all that earth’s wide realms contain,
With joyous voice now loudly sing
The glory of their new-born King.

And we who, by Thy precious Blood
From sin redeemed, are marked for God,
On this the day that saw Thy birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed earth.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.
Amen.

Psalms with lections {Antiphons and psalms from the Proper of Saints}
Nocturn I
Ant. The Lord hath said unto Me: * Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Psalm 2 [1]
2:1 Why have the Gentiles raged, * and the people devised vain things?
2:2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, * against the Lord and against his Christ.
2:3 Let us break their bonds asunder: * and let us cast away their yoke from us.
2:4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: * and the Lord shall deride them.
2:5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, * and trouble them in his rage.
2:6 But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, * preaching his commandment.
2:7 The Lord hath said to me: * Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.
2:8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
2:9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
2:10 And now, O ye kings, understand: * receive instruction, you that judge the earth.
2:11 Serve ye the Lord with fear: * and rejoice unto him with trembling.
2:12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, * and you perish from the just way.
2:13 When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, * blessed are all they that trust in him.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. The Lord hath said unto Me: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Ant. The Lord is as a bridegroom * coming out of his chamber.
Psalm 18 [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.
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 Lord is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber.

Ant. Grace is poured into thy lips, * therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
Psalm 44 [3]
44:2 My heart hath uttered a good word; * I speak my works to the King.
44:2 My tongue is the pen of a scrivener * that writeth swiftly.
44:3 Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in thy lips; * therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
44:4 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, * O thou most mighty.
44:5 With thy comeliness and thy beauty * set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.
44:5 Because of truth and meekness and justice: * and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully.
44:6 Thy arrows are sharp: under thee shall people fall, * into the hearts of the king’s enemies.
44:7 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: * the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness.
44:8 Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: * therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
44:9 Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume thy garments, from the ivory houses: * out of which the daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory.
44:10 The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; * surrounded with variety.
44:11 Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: * and forget thy people and thy father’s house.
44:12 And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty; * for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore.
44:13 And the daughters of Tyre with gifts, * yea, all the rich among the people, shall entreat thy countenance.
44:14 All the glory of the king’s daughter is within, * in golden borders, clothed round about with varieties.
44:15 After her shall virgins be brought to the king: * her neighbours shall be brought to thee.
44:16 They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: * they shall be brought into the temple of the king.
44:17 Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: * thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.
44:18 They shall remember thy name * throughout all generations.
44:18 Therefore shall people praise thee 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. Grace is poured into thy lips, therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

℣. The Lord is as a bridegroom.
℟. Coming out of his chamber.

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
Isa 9:1-6
1 At the first time the land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephtali was lightly touched: and at the last the way of the sea beyond the Jordan of the Galilee of the Gentiles was heavily loaded.
2 The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen.
3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and hast not increased the joy. They shall rejoice before thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest, as conquerors rejoice after taking a prey, when they divide the spoils.
4 For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor thou hast overcome, as in the day of Median.
5 For every violent taking of spoils, with tumult, and garment mingled with blood, shall be burnt, and be fuel for the fire.
6 For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. This is the day whereon the King of heaven was pleased to be born of a Virgin, that He might bring back to heaven man who was lost.
* There is joy among the hosts of Angels, because eternal salvation hath appeared unto men.
℣. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, to men of goodwill.
℟. There is joy among the hosts of Angels, because eternal salvation hath appeared unto men.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. This is the day whereon the King of heaven was pleased to be born of a Virgin, that He might bring back to heaven man who was lost. There is joy among the hosts of Angels, because eternal salvation hath appeared unto men.

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

Reading 2
Isa 40:1-8
1 Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
3 The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
6 The voice of one, saying: Cry. And I said: What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of the field.
7 The grass is withered, and the flower is fallen, because the spirit of the Lord hath blown upon it. Indeed the people is grass:
8 The grass is withered, and the flower is fallen: but the word of our Lord endureth for ever.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. This day is the true peace come down unto us from heaven.
* This day throughout the whole world the skies drop down sweetness.
℣. This day is the daybreak of our new redemption, of the restoring of the old, of everlasting joy.
℟. This day throughout the whole world the skies drop down sweetness.

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

Reading 3
Isa 52:1-6
1 Arise, arise, put on thy strength, O Sion, put on the garments of thy glory, O Jerusalem, the city of the Holy One: for henceforth the uncircumcised, and unclean shall no more pass through thee.
2 Shake thyself from the dust, arise, sit up, O Jerusalem: loose the bonds from off thy neck, O captive daughter of Sion.
3 For thus saith the Lord: You were sold gratis, and you shall be redeemed without money.
4 For thus saith the Lord God: My people went down into Egypt at the beginning to sojourn there: and the Assyrian hath oppressed them without any cause at all.
5 And now what have I here, saith the Lord: for my people is taken away gratis. They that rule over them treat them unjustly, saith the Lord, and my name is continually blasphemed all the day long.
6 Therefore my people shall know my name in that day: for I myself that spoke, behold I am here.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. O ye shepherds, speak, and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth?
* We saw the new-born Child, and Angels singing praise to the Lord.
℣. Speak; what have ye seen? And tell us of the Birth of Christ.
℟. We saw the new-born Child, and Angels singing praise to the Lord.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. We saw the new-born Child, and Angels singing praise to the Lord.

Nocturn II
Ant. We have drunk in thy loving-kindness, * O God, in the midst of thy temple.
Psalm 47 [4]
47:2 Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised * in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
47:3 With the joy of the whole earth is mount Sion founded, * on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.
47:4 In her houses shall God be known, * when he shall protect her.
47:5 For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves: * they gathered together.
47:6 So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved: * trembling took hold of them.
47:7 There were pains as of a woman in labour; * with a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.
47:9 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: * God hath founded it for ever.
47:10 We have received thy mercy, O God, * in the midst of thy temple.
47:11 According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: * thy right hand is full of justice.
47:12 Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; * because of thy judgments, O Lord.
47:13 Surround Sion, and encompass her: * tell ye in her towers.
47:14 Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, * that ye may relate it in another generation.
47:15 For this is God, our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever: * he shall rule us 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. We have drunk in thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

Ant. In the Lord's days * shall abundance of peace arise and flourish.
Psalm 71 [5]
71:2 Give to the king thy judgment, O God: * and to the king’s son thy justice:
71:2 To judge thy people with justice, * and thy poor with judgment.
71:3 Let the mountains receive peace for the people: * and the hills justice.
71:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor: * and he shall humble the oppressor.
71:5 And he shall continue with the sun, and before the moon, * throughout all generations.
71:6 He shall come down like rain upon the fleece; * and as showers falling gently upon the earth.
71:7 In his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, * till the moon be taken away.
71:8 And he shall rule from sea to sea, * and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
71:9 Before him the Ethiopians shall fall down: * and his enemies shall lick the ground.
71:10 The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: * the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts:
71:11 And all kings of the earth shall adore him: * all nations shall serve him.
71:12 For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: * and the needy that had no helper.
71:13 He shall spare the poor and needy: * and he shall save the souls of the poor.
71:14 He shall redeem their souls from usuries and iniquity: * and their names shall be honourable in his sight.
71:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, for him they shall always adore: * they shall bless him all the day.
71:16 And there shall be a firmament on the earth on the tops of mountains, above Libanus shall the fruit thereof be exalted: * and they of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth.
71:17 Let his name be blessed for evermore: * his name continueth before the sun.
71:17 And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed: * all nations shall magnify him.
71:18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, * who alone doth wonderful things.
71:19 And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever: * and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. 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. In the Lord's days shall abundance of peace arise and flourish.

Ant. Truth is sprung out of the earth, * and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
Psalm 84 [6]
84:2 Lord, thou hast blessed thy land: * thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
84:3 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people: * thou hast covered all their sins.
84:4 Thou hast mitigated all thy anger: * thou hast turned away from the wrath of thy indignation.
84:5 Convert us, O God our saviour: * and turn off thy anger from us.
84:6 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever: * or wilt thou extend thy wrath from generation to generation?
84:7 Thou wilt turn, O God, and bring us to life: * and thy people shall rejoice in thee.
84:8 Shew us, O Lord, thy mercy; * and grant us thy salvation.
84:9 I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: * for he will speak peace
84:9 And unto his saints: * and unto them that are converted to the heart.
84:10 Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him: * that glory may dwell in our land.
84:11 Mercy and truth have met each other: * justice and peace have kissed.
84:12 Truth is sprung out of the earth: * and justice hath looked down from heaven.
84:13 For the Lord will give goodness: * and our earth shall yield her fruit.
84:14 Justice shall walk before him: * and shall set his steps in the way.
℣. 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. Truth is sprung out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

℣. Thou art fairer than the children of men.
℟. Grace is poured into thy lips.

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
From the Sermons of Pope St. Leo (the Great)
1st for Christmas
Dearly beloved brethren, Unto us is born this day a Saviour, Luke ii. 11. Let us rejoice. It would be unlawful to be sad to day, for today is Life's Birthday; the Birthday of that Life, Which, for us dying creatures, taketh away the sting of death, and bringeth the bright promise of the eternal gladness hereafter. It would be unlawful for any man to refuse to partake in our rejoicing. All men have an equal share in the great cause of our joy, for, since our Lord, Who is the destroyer of sin and of death, findeth that all are bound under the condemnation, He is come to make all free. Rejoice, O thou that art holy, thou drawest nearer to thy crown! Rejoice, O thou that art sinful, thy Saviour offereth thee pardon! Rejoice also, O thou Gentile, God calleth thee to life! For the Son of God, when the fulness of the time was come, which had been fixed by the unsearchable counsel of God, took upon Him the nature of man, that He might reconcile that nature to Him Who made it, and so the devil, the inventor of death, is met and beaten in that very flesh which hath been the field of his victory.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. How great is this mystery, how wonderful is the teaching of the faith! The beasts saw the new-born Lord lying in a manger.
* Blessed is that Virgin whose womb was made meet to bear our Lord Christ.
℣. Hail, Mary, full of grace the Lord is with thee.
℟. Blessed is that Virgin whose womb was made meet to bear our Lord Christ.

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

Reading 5
When our Lord entered the field of battle against the devil, He did so with a great and wonderful fairness. Being Himself the Almighty, He laid aside His uncreated Majesty to fight with our cruel enemy in our weak flesh. He brought against him the very shape, the very nature of our mortality, yet without sin. ~Heb. iv. 15. His birth however was not a birth like other births for no other is born pure, nay, not the little child whose life endureth but a day on the earth. To His birth alone the throes of human passion had not contributed, in His alone no consequence of sin had had part. For His Mother was chosen a Virgin of the kingly lineage of David, and when she was to grow heavy with the sacred Child, her soul had already conceived Him before her body. She knew the counsel of God announced to her by the Angel, lest the unwonted events should alarm her. The future Mother of God knew what was to be wrought in her by the Holy Ghost, and that her modesty was absolutely safe.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Blessed is God's holy Mother, Mary, maiden undefiled.
* This day hath she brought forth the Saviour of the world.
℣. Blessed is she that believed; for there is a performance of all those things which were told her from the Lord.
℟. This day hath she brought forth the Saviour of the world.

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

Reading 6
Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us give thanks to God the Father, through His Son, in the Holy Ghost: Who, for His great love wherewith He loved us, hath had mercy on us and, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, Eph. ii. 4, 5, that in Him we might be a new creature, and a new workmanship. Let us then put off the old man with his deeds Col. iii. 9; and, having obtained a share in the Sonship of Christ, let us renounce the deeds of the flesh. Learn, O Christian, how great thou art, who hast been made partaker of the Divine nature, 2 Pet. i. 4, and fall not again by corrupt conversation into the beggarly elements above which thou art lifted. Remember Whose Body it is Whereof thou art made a member, and Who is its Head, 1 Cor. vi. 15. Remember that it is He That hath delivered thee from the power of darkness and hath translated thee into God's light, and God's kingdom, Col. i. 13.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. O Mary, how holy and how spotless is thy virginity! I am too dull to praise thee!
* For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain.
℣. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
℟. For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain.

Nocturn III
Ant. He shall cry unto Me, alleluia, * Thou art My Father, alleluia.
Psalm 88 [7]
88:2 The mercies of the Lord * I will sing for ever.
88:2 I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth * to generation and generation.
88:3 For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: * thy truth shall be prepared in them.
88:4 I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant: * Thy seed will I settle for ever.
88:5 And I will build up thy throne * unto generation and generation.
88:6 The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord: * and thy truth in the church of the saints.
88:7 For who in the clouds can be compared to the Lord: * or who among the sons of God shall be like to God?
88:8 God, who is glorified in the assembly of the saints: * great and terrible above all them that are about him.
88:9 O Lord God of hosts, who is like to thee? * thou art mighty, O Lord, and thy truth is round about thee.
88:10 Thou rulest the power of the sea: * and appeasest the motion of the waves thereof.
88:11 Thou hast humbled the proud one, as one that is slain: * with the arm of thy strength thou hast scattered thy enemies.
88:12 Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth: the world and the fulness thereof thou hast founded: * the north and the sea thou hast created.
88:13 Thabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name: * thy arm is with might.
88:14 Let thy hand be strengthened, and thy right hand exalted: * justice and judgment are the preparation of thy throne.
88:15 Mercy and truth shall go before thy face: * blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation.
88:16 They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance: and in thy name they shall rejoice all the day, * and in thy justice they shall be exalted.
88:18 For thou art the glory of their strength: * and in thy good pleasure shall our horn be exalted.
88:19 For our protection is of the Lord, * and of our king the holy one of Israel.
88:20 Then thou spokest in a vision to thy saints, and saidst: * I have laid help upon one that is mighty, and have exalted one chosen out of my people.
88:21 I have found David my servant: * with my holy oil I have anointed him.
88:22 For my hand shall help him: * and my arm shall strengthen him.
88:23 The enemy shall have no advantage over him: * nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him.
88:24 And I will cut down his enemies before his face; * and them that hate him I will put to flight.
88:25 And my truth and my mercy shall be with him: * and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
88:26 And I will set his hand in the sea; * and his right hand in the rivers.
88:27 He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: * my God, and the support of my salvation.
88:28 And I will make him my firstborn, * high above the kings of the earth.
88:29 I will keep my mercy for him for ever: * and my covenant faithful to him.
88:30 And I will make his seed to endure for evermore: * and his throne as the days of heaven.
88:31 And if his children forsake my law, * and walk not in my judgments:
88:32 If they profane my justices: * and keep not my commandments:
88:33 I will visit their iniquities with a rod: *and their sins with stripes.
88:34 But my mercy I will not take away from him: * nor will I suffer my truth to fail.
88:35 Neither will I profane my covenant: * and the words that proceed from my mouth I will not make void.
88:36 Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David: * his seed shall endure for ever.
88:37 And his throne as the sun before me: * and as the moon perfect for ever, and a faithful witness in heaven.
88:39 But thou hast rejected and despised: * thou hast been angry with thy anointed.
88:40 Thou hast overthrown the covenant of thy servant: * thou hast profaned his sanctuary on the earth.
88:41 Thou hast broken down all his hedges: * thou hast made his strength fear.
88:42 All that pass by the way have robbed him: * he is become a reproach to his neighbours.
88:43 Thou hast set up the right hand of them that oppress him: * thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
88:44 Thou hast turned away the help of his sword; * and hast not assisted him in battle.
88:45 Thou hast made his purification to cease: * and thou hast cast his throne down to the ground.
88:46 Thou hast shortened the days of his time: * thou hast covered him with confusion.
88:47 How long, O Lord, turnest thou away unto the end? * shall thy anger burn like fire?
88:48 Remember what my substance is: * for hast thou made all the children of men in vain?
88:49 Who is the man that shall live, and not see death: * that shall deliver his soul from the hand of hell?
88:50 Lord, where are thy ancient mercies, * according to what thou didst swear to David in thy truth?
88:51 Be mindful, O Lord, of the reproach of thy servants * which I have held in my bosom of many nations:
88:52 Wherewith thy enemies have reproached, O Lord; * wherewith they have reproached the change of thy anointed.
88:53 Blessed be the Lord for evermore. * 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. He shall cry unto Me, alleluia, Thou art My Father, alleluia.

Ant. Let the heavens rejoice, * and let the earth be glad before the Lord, for He cometh.
Psalm 95 [8]
95:1 Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: * sing to the Lord, all the earth.
95:2 Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: * shew forth his salvation from day to day.
95:3 Declare his glory among the Gentiles: * his wonders among all people.
95:4 For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: * he is to be feared above all gods.
95:5 For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: * but the Lord made the heavens.
95:6 Praise and beauty are before him: * holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.
95:7 Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour: * bring to the Lord glory unto his name.
95:8 Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts: * adore ye the Lord in his holy court.
95:9 Let all the earth be moved at his presence. * Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned.
95:10 For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: * he will judge the people with justice.
95:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof: * the fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful.
95:12 Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: * because he cometh to judge the earth.
95:13 He shall judge the world with justice, * and the people with his truth.
℣. 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 the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad before the Lord, for He cometh.

Ant. The Lord hath made known, alleluia, * His salvation, alleluia.
Psalm 97 [9]
97:1 Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: * because he hath done wonderful things.
97:1 His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, * and his arm is holy.
97:2 The Lord hath made known his salvation: * he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.
97:3 He hath remembered his mercy * and his truth toward the house of Israel.
97:3 All the ends of the earth have seen * the salvation of our God.
97:4 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; * make melody, rejoice and sing.
97:5 Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm: * with long trumpets, and sound of cornet.
97:6 Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king: * let the sea be moved and the fulness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.
97:8 The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together at the presence of the Lord: * because he cometh to judge the earth.
97:9 He shall judge the world with justice, * and the people with equity.
℣. 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 made known, alleluia, His salvation, alleluia.

℣. He shall cry unto Me, alleluia.
℟. Thou art My Father, alleluia.

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 saving Lord Bless the reading of His Word.
℟. Amen.

Reading 7
From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 2:1-14
At that time, it came to pass that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. And so on.

Homily by Pope St. Gregory (the Great)
8th on the Gospels
By God's mercy we are to say three Masses today, so that there is not much time left for preaching; but at the same time the occasion of the Lord's Birthday itself obliges me to speak a few words. I will first ask why, when the Lord was to be born, the world was enrolled? Was it not to herald the appearing of Him by Whom the elect are enrolled in the book of life? Whereas the Prophet saith of
the reprobate: Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. Ps. lxviii. 29. Then, the Lord is born in Bethlehem. Now the name Bethlehem signifieth the House of Bread, and thus it is the birth-place of Him Who hath said: I am the Living Bread, Which came down from heaven. John vi. 51. We see then that this name of Bethlehem was prophetically given to the place where Christ was born, because it was there that He was to appear in the flesh by Whom the souls of the faithful are fed unto life eternal. He was born, not in His Mother's house, but away from home. And this is a mystery, showing that this our mortality into which He was born was not the home of Him Who is begotten of the Father before the worlds.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Blessed be the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the Eternal Father, and blessed be the paps which give suck to Christ our Lord.
* This day hath He been pleased for the salvation of the world to be born of a Virgin.
℣. This day which is breaking is holy; O come, ye Gentiles, and worship the Lord.
℟. This day hath He been pleased for the salvation of the world to be born of a Virgin.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Gospel's glorious word, cleansing to our souls afford.
℟. Amen.

Reading 8
From the holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 2:15-20
At that time, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. And so on.

Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop (of Milan)
Book II on Luke II
Behold the beginning of the Church. Christ is born, and the shepherds watch; shepherds, to gather together the scattered sheep of the Gentiles, and to lead them into the fold of Christ, that they might no longer be a prey to the ravages of spiritual wolves in the night of this world's darkness. And that shepherd is wide awake, whom the Good Shepherd stirreth up. The flock then is the people, the night is the world, and the shepherds are the Priests. And perhaps he is a shepherd to whom it is said: Be watchful and strengthen, Apoc. iii. 2, for God hath ordained as the shepherds of His flock not Bishops only, but also Angels.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
* And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
℣. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made.
℟. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. Christ That sent the Gospel preacher, In his meaning be our Teacher.
℟. Amen.

Reading 9
From the holy Gospel according to John
John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And so on.

Homily by St. Augustine, Bishop (of Hippo)
1st Tract on John
Lest thou shouldest think all things mean, as thou art accustomed to think of things human, hear and digest this The Word was God. Now perhaps there will come forward some Arian unbeliever, and say that the Word of God was a creature. How can the Word of God be a creature, when it was by the Word that all creatures were made? If He be a creature, then there must have been some other Word, not a creature, by which He was made. And what Word is that? If thou sayest that it was by the word of the Word Himself that He was made, I tell thee that God had no other, but One Only-begotten Son. But if thou say not that it was by the word of the Word Himself that He was made, thou art forced to confess that. He by Whom all things were made was not Himself made at all. Believe the Gospel.
℣. 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, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the new birth of thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin.
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.

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. O ye shepherds, speak, * and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth? We saw the newborn Child, and angels singing praise to the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.
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. O ye shepherds, speak, and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth? We saw the newborn Child, and angels singing praise to the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

Ant. The Mother brought forth the King, * Whose name is called The Eternal; the joy of a Mother was hers, remaining a Virgin unsullied; neither before nor henceforth hath there been or shall be such another, alleluia.
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 Mother brought forth the King, Whose name is called The Eternal; the joy of a Mother was hers, remaining a Virgin unsullied; neither before nor henceforth hath there been or shall be such another, alleluia.

Ant. The Angel said unto the shepherds * I bring you good tidings of great joy; for unto you is born this day a Saviour of the world, alleluia.
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 Angel said unto the shepherds I bring you good tidings of great joy; for unto you is born this day a Saviour of the world, alleluia.

Ant. There was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, * praising God, and saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, to men of good will, alleluia.
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. There was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, to men of good will, alleluia.

Ant. Unto us this day a little Child is born, * and His name shall be called the Mighty God, alleluia, alleluia.
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. Unto us this day a little Child is born, and His name shall be called the Mighty God, alleluia, alleluia.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Heb 1:1-2
God, who, at sundry times and in diverse manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
From lands that see the sun arise
To earth's remotest boundaries,
The Virgin-born today we sing,
The Son of Mary, Christ the King.

Blest Author of this earthly frame,
To take a servant's form He came,
That, liberating flesh by flesh,
Whom He had made might live afresh.

In that chaste parent's holy womb
Celestial grace hath found its home;
And she, as earthly bride unknown,
Yet calls that Offspring blest her own.

The mansion of the modest breast
Becomes a shrine where God shall rest:
The pure and undefilèd one
Conceived in her womb the Son.

That Son, that Royal Son she bore,
Whom Gabriel's voice had told afore;
Whom, in His mother yet concealed,
The infant Baptist had revealed.

The manger and the straw He bore,
The cradle did He not abhor;
By milk in infant portions fed,
Who gives e'en fowls their daily bread.

The heavenly chorus filled the sky,
The Angels sang to God on high,
What time to shepherds, watching lone,
They made creation's Shepherd known.

All honor, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born to thee:
All glory, as is ever meet,
To Father and to Paraclete.
Amen.

℣. The Lord hath made known, alleluia.
℟. His salvation, alleluia.

Canticle: Benedictus {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. Glory be to God in the highest; * and on earth, peace to men of good will, alleluia, alleluia.
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. Glory be to God in the highest; and on earth, peace to men of good will, alleluia, alleluia.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the new birth of thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin.
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.

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.

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
Mother of Christ, hear thou thy people's cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
O, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

℣. After childbirth thou didst remain a virgin.
℟. Intercede for us, O Mother of God.

Let us pray.
O God, who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son. 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 {Doxology: Nat}
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 honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.
Amen.

Psalms {Psalms for Sunday & antiphons from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. O ye shepherds, speak.
Psalm 53 [1]
53:3 Save me, O God, by thy name, * and judge me in thy strength.
53:4 O God, hear my prayer: * give ear to the words of my mouth.
53:5 For strangers have risen up against me; and the mighty have sought after my soul: * and they have not set God before their eyes.
53:6 For behold God is my helper: * and the Lord is the protector of my soul.
53:7 Turn back the evils upon my enemies; * and cut them off in thy truth.
53:8 I will freely sacrifice to thee, * and will give praise, O God, to thy name: because it is good:
53:9 For thou hast delivered me out of all trouble: * and my eye hath looked down upon my enemies.
℣. 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 118(1-16) [2]
118:1 (Aleph) Blessed are the undefiled in the way, * who walk in the law of the Lord.
118:2 Blessed are they that search his testimonies: * that seek him with their whole heart.
118:3 For they that work iniquity, * have not walked in his ways.
118:4 Thou hast commanded * thy commandments to be kept most diligently.
118:5 O! that my ways may be directed * to keep thy justifications.
118:6 Then shall I not be confounded, * when I shall look into all thy commandments.
118:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, * when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice.
118:8 I will keep thy justifications: * O! do not thou utterly forsake me.
118:9 (Béth) By what doth a young man correct his way? * By observing thy words.
118:10 With my whole heart have I sought after thee: * let me not stray from thy commandments.
118:11 Thy words have I hidden in my heart, * that I may not sin against thee.
118:12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: * teach me thy justifications.
118:13 With my lips * I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth.
118:14 I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, * as in all riches.
118:15 I will meditate on thy commandments: * and I will consider thy ways.
118:16 I will think of thy justifications: * I will not forget thy words.
℣. 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 118(17-32) [3]
118:17 (Ghimel) Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me * and I shall keep thy words.
118:18 Open thou my eyes: * and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.
118:19 I am a sojourner on the earth: * hide not thy commandments from me.
118:20 My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications, * at all times.
118:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud: * they are cursed who decline from thy commandments.
118:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt: * because I have sought after thy testimonies.
118:23 For princes sat, and spoke against me: * but thy servant was employed in thy justifications.
118:24 For thy testimonies are my meditation: * and thy justifications my counsel.
118:25 (Daleth) My soul hath cleaved to the pavement: * quicken thou me according to thy word.
118:26 I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: * teach me thy justifications.
118:27 Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: * and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.
118:28 My soul hath slumbered through heaviness: * strengthen thou me in thy words.
118:29 Remove from me the way of iniquity: * and out of thy law have mercy on me.
118:30 I have chosen the way of truth: * thy judgments I have not forgotten.
118:31 I have stuck to thy testimonies, O Lord: * put me not to shame.
118:32 I have run the way of thy commandments, * when thou didst enlarge my heart.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. O ye shepherds, speak, and tell us what ye have seen; who is appeared in the earth? We saw the newborn Child, and angels singing praise to the Lord, alleluia, alleluia.

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 that wast born of the Virgin Mary.
℟. 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{omit}

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Sunday and Weekday Intercessions{omit}

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}
December 26th 2026, the 17th day of the Moon,

On the 26th day of December, was born into the higher life

At Jerusalem, holy Stephen, the first Martyr. He was stoned by the Jews not long after the Ascension of the Lord.
At Rome, holy Marinus, of the Senatorial order. He was arrested under the Emperor Numerian and the Praefect Marcian, on the charge of being a Christian. He was tortured as they used to do to slaves, on the rack and with iron claws. They threw him into a furnace, but the fire was turned into dew, and he was delivered. He was thrown to wild beasts, but they left him unharmed. He was led again to the altar, and, when he prayed, the idols fell down. Then they smote him with the sword, and he became more than conqueror through up-lifting of his testimony.
Likewise, at Rome, on this day was laid to sleep (in the year 269) beside the Appian Road the holy Pope Denys, who worked hard for the Church, and is a bright ensample of faith.
At the same place (in the year 417), the holy Pope and confessor Zosimus.
In Mesopotamia, the holy Bishop Archelaus, well known for his teaching and holiness.
At Verona (in the year 380), holy Bishop Zeno.
At Rome, holy Theodore, the chamberlain of St Peter's church, of whom mention is made by blessed Pope Gregory.
And in diverse places an exceeding great multitude of holy Martyrs and Confessors and holy Virgins.
℣. 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.
Heb 1:11-12
They shall perish, but thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment. And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail.
℣. 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 {Doxology: Nat}
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.

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

Psalms {Psalms for Sunday & antiphons from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. The Mother brought forth the King.
Psalm 118(33-48) [1]
118:33 (He) Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: * and I will always seek after it.
118:34 Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; * and I will keep it with my whole heart.
118:35 Lead me into the path of thy commandments; * for this same I have desired.
118:36 Incline my heart into thy testimonies * and not to covetousness.
118:37 Turn away my eyes that they may not behold vanity: * quicken me in thy way.
118:38 Establish thy word to thy servant, * in thy fear.
118:39 Turn away my reproach, which I have apprehended: * for thy judgments are delightful.
118:40 Behold I have longed after thy precepts: * quicken me in thy justice.
118:41 (Vau) Let thy mercy also come upon me, O Lord: * thy salvation according to thy word.
118:42 So shall I answer them that reproach me in any thing; * that I have trusted in thy words.
118:43 And take not thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth: * for in thy words, I have hoped exceedingly.
118:44 So shall I always keep thy law, * for ever and ever.
118:45 And I walked at large: * because I have sought after thy commandments.
118:46 And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: * and I was not ashamed.
118:47 I meditated also on thy commandments, * which I loved.
118:48 And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments, which I loved: * and I was exercised in thy justifications.
℣. 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 118(49-64) [2]
118:49 (Zai) Be thou mindful of thy word to thy servant, * in which thou hast given me hope.
118:50 This hath comforted me in my humiliation: * because thy word hath enlivened me.
118:51 The proud did iniquitously altogether: * but I declined not from thy law.
118:52 I remembered, O Lord, thy judgments of old: * and I was comforted.
118:53 A fainting hath taken hold of me, * because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
118:54 Thy justifications were the subject of my song, * in the place of my pilgrimage.
118:55 In the night I have remembered thy name, O Lord: * and have kept thy law.
118:56 This happened to me: * because I sought after thy justifications.
118:57 (Heth) O Lord, my portion, * I have said, I would keep thy law.
118:58 I entreated thy face with all my heart: * have mercy on me according to thy word.
118:59 I have thought on my ways: * and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
118:60 I am ready, and am not troubled: * that I may keep thy commandments.
118:61 The cords of the wicked have encompassed me: * but I have not forgotten thy law.
118:62 I rose at midnight to give praise to thee; * for the judgments of thy justification.
118:63 I am a partaker with all them that fear thee, * and that keep thy commandments.
118:64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: * teach me thy justifications.
℣. 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 118(65-80) [3]
118:65 (Teth) Thou hast done well with thy servant, O Lord, * according to thy word.
118:66 Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge; * for I have believed thy commandments.
118:67 Before I was humbled I offended; * therefore have I kept thy word.
118:68 Thou art good; * and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.
118:69 The iniquity of the proud hath been multiplied over me: * but I will seek thy commandments with my whole heart.
118:70 Their heart is curdled like milk: * but I have meditated on thy law.
118:71 It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, * that I may learn thy justifications.
118:72 The law of thy mouth is good to me, * above thousands of gold and silver.
118:73 (Jod) Thy hands have made me and formed me: * give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments.
118:74 They that fear thee shall see me, and shall be glad: * because I have greatly hoped in thy words.
118:75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: * and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.
118:76 O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, * according to thy word unto thy servant.
118:77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live: * for thy law is my meditation.
118:78 Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me: * but I will be employed in thy commandments.
118:79 Let them that fear thee turn to me: * and they that know thy testimonies.
118:80 Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, * that I may not be confounded.
℣. 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 Mother brought forth the King, Whose name is called The Eternal; the joy of a Mother was hers, remaining a Virgin unsullied; neither before nor henceforth hath there been or shall be such another, alleluia.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Heb 1:1-2
God, who, at sundry times and in diverse manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. The Word was made flesh. * Alleluia, Alleluia.
℟. The Word was made flesh. * Alleluia, Alleluia.
℣. And dwelt among us.
℟. Alleluia, Alleluia.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. The Word was made flesh. * Alleluia, Alleluia.

℣. He shall cry unto Me, alleluia.
℟. Thou art My Father, alleluia.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the new birth of thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin.
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.

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 {Doxology: Nat}
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.

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

Psalms {Psalms for Sunday & antiphons from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. The Angel said unto the shepherds.
Psalm 118(81-96) [1]
118:81 (Caph) My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: * and in thy word I have very much hoped.
118:82 My eyes have failed for thy word, * saying: When wilt thou comfort me?
118:83 For I am become like a bottle in the frost: * I have not forgotten thy justifications.
118:84 How many are the days of thy servant: * when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
118:85 The wicked have told me fables: * but not as thy law.
118:86 All thy statutes are truth: * they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me.
118:87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth: * but I have not forsaken thy commandments.
118:88 Quicken thou me according to thy mercy: * and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
118:89 (Lamed) For ever, O Lord, * thy word standeth firm in heaven.
118:90 Thy truth unto all generations: * thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth.
118:91 By thy ordinance the day goeth on: * for all things serve thee.
118:92 Unless thy law had been my meditation, * I had then perhaps perished in my abjection.
118:93 Thy justifications I will never forget: * for by them thou hast given me life.
118:94 I am thine, save thou me: * for I have sought thy justifications.
118:95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: * but I have understood thy testimonies.
118:96 I have seen an end of all perfection: * thy commandment is exceeding broad.
℣. 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 118(97-112) [2]
118:97 (Mem) How have I loved thy law, O Lord! * it is my meditation all the day.
118:98 Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies: * for it is ever with me.
118:99 I have understood more than all my teachers: * because thy testimonies are my meditation.
118:100 I have had understanding above ancients: * because I have sought thy commandments.
118:101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way: * that I may keep thy words.
118:102 I have not declined from thy judgments, * because thou hast set me a law.
118:103 How sweet are thy words to my palate! * more than honey to my mouth.
118:104 By thy commandments I have had understanding: * therefore have I hated every way of iniquity.
118:105 (Nun) Thy word is a lamp to my feet, * and a light to my paths.
118:106 I have sworn and am determined * to keep the judgments of thy justice.
118:107 I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly: * quicken thou me according to thy word.
118:108 The free offerings of my mouth make acceptable, O Lord: * and teach me thy judgments.
118:109 My soul is continually in my hands: * and I have not forgotten thy law.
118:110 Sinners have laid a snare for me: * but I have not erred from thy precepts.
118:111 I have purchased thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever: * because they are the joy of my heart.
118:112 I have inclined my heart to do thy justifications for ever, * for the reward.
℣. 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 118(113-128) [3]
118:113 (Samech) I have hated the unjust: * and I have loved thy law.
118:114 Thou art my helper and my protector: * and in thy word I have greatly hoped.
118:115 Depart from me, ye malignant: * and I will search the commandments of my God.
118:116 Uphold me according to thy word, and I shall live: * and let me not be confounded in my expectation.
118:117 Help me, and I shall be saved: * and I will meditate always on thy justifications.
118:118 Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; * for their thought is unjust.
118:119 I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: * therefore have I loved thy testimonies.
118:120 Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: * for I am afraid of thy judgments.
118:121 (Ain) I have done judgment and justice: * give me not up to them that slander me.
118:122 Uphold thy servant unto good: * let not the proud calumniate me.
118:123 My eyes have fainted after thy salvation: * and for the word of thy justice.
118:124 Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy: * and teach me thy justifications.
118:125 I am thy servant: * give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies.
118:126 It is time, O Lord, to do: * they have dissipated thy law.
118:127 Therefore have I loved thy commandments * above gold and the topaz.
118:128 Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments: * I have hated all wicked ways.
℣. 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 Angel said unto the shepherds I bring you good tidings of great joy; for unto you is born this day a Saviour of the world, alleluia.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Heb 1:10
And: Thou in the beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth: and the works of thy hands are the heavens.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. The Lord hath made known. * Alleluia, Alleluia.
℟. The Lord hath made known. * Alleluia, Alleluia.
℣. His salvation.
℟. Alleluia, Alleluia.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. The Lord hath made known. * Alleluia, Alleluia.

℣. All the ends of the earth have seen. Alleluia.
℟. The salvation of our God. Alleluia.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the new birth of thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin.
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.

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 {Doxology: Nat}
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.

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

Psalms {Psalms for Sunday & antiphons from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. Unto us this day a little Child is born.
Psalm 118(129-144) [1]
118:129 (Phe) Thy testimonies are wonderful: * therefore my soul hath sought them.
118:130 The declaration of thy words giveth light: * and giveth understanding to little ones.
118:131 I opened my mouth, and panted: * because I longed for thy commandments.
118:132 Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me, * according to the judgment of them that love thy name.
118:133 Direct my steps according to thy word: * and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
118:134 Redeem me from the calumnies of men: * that I may keep thy commandments.
118:135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: * and teach me thy justifications.
118:136 My eyes have sent forth springs of water: * because they have not kept thy law.
118:137 (Sade) Thou art just, O Lord: * and thy judgment is right.
118:138 Thou hast commanded justice thy testimonies: * and thy truth exceedingly.
118:139 My zeal hath made me pine away: * because my enemies forgot thy words.
118:140 Thy word is exceedingly refined: * and thy servant hath loved it.
118:141 I am very young and despised; but * I forget not thy justifications.
118:142 Thy justice is justice for ever: * and thy law is the truth.
118:143 Trouble and anguish have found me: * thy commandments are my meditation.
118:144 Thy testimonies are justice for ever: * give me understanding, and I shall live.
℣. 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 118(145-160) [2]
118:145 (Coph) I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord: * I will seek thy justifications.
118:146 I cried unto thee, save me: * that I may keep thy commandments.
118:147 I prevented the dawning of the day, and cried: * because in thy words I very much hoped.
118:148 My eyes to thee have prevented the morning: * that I might meditate on thy words.
118:149 Hear thou my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy: * and quicken me according to thy judgment.
118:150 They that persecute me have drawn nigh to iniquity; * but they are gone far off from thy law.
118:151 Thou art near, O Lord: * and all thy ways are truth.
118:152 I have known from the beginning concerning thy testimonies: * that thou hast founded them for ever.
118:153 (Res) See my humiliation and deliver me: * for I have not forgotten thy law.
118:154 Judge my judgment and redeem me: * quicken thou me for thy word’s sake.
118:155 Salvation is far from sinners; * because they have not sought thy justifications.
118:156 Many, O Lord, are thy mercies: * quicken me according to thy judgment.
118:157 Many are they that persecute me, and afflict me; * but I have not declined from thy testimonies.
118:158 I beheld the transgressors, and I pined away; * because they kept not thy word.
118:159 Behold I have loved thy commandments, O Lord; * quicken me thou in thy mercy.
118:160 The beginning of thy words is truth: * all the judgments of thy justice are for ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 118(161-176) [3]
118:161 (Sin) Princes have persecuted me without cause: * and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.
118:162 I will rejoice at thy words, * as one that hath found great spoil.
118:163 I have hated and abhorred iniquity; * but I have loved thy law.
118:164 Seven times a day I have given praise to thee, * for the judgments of thy justice.
118:165 Much peace have they that love thy law, * and to them there is no stumbling-block.
118:166 I looked for thy salvation, O Lord: * and I loved thy commandments.
118:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies: * and hath loved them exceedingly.
118:168 I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies: * because all my ways are in thy sight.
118:169 (Tau) Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in thy sight: * give me understanding according to thy word.
118:170 Let my request come in before thee; * deliver thou me according to thy word.
118:171 My lips shall utter a hymn, * when thou shalt teach me thy justifications.
118:172 My tongue shall pronounce thy word: * because all thy commandments are justice.
118:173 Let thy hand be with me to save me; * for I have chosen thy precepts.
118:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; * and thy law is my meditation.
118:175 My soul shall live and shall praise thee: * and thy judgments shall help me.
118:176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: * seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments.
℣. 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. Unto us this day a little Child is born, and His name shall be called the Mighty God, alleluia, alleluia.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Heb 1:11-12
They shall perish, but thou shalt continue: and they shall all grow old as a garment. And as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. All the ends of the earth have seen. * Alleluia, Alleluia.
℟. All the ends of the earth have seen. * Alleluia, Alleluia.
℣. The salvation of our God.
℟. Alleluia, Alleluia.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. All the ends of the earth have seen. * Alleluia, Alleluia.

℣. The Word was made flesh. Alleluia.
℟. And dwelt among us. Alleluia.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the new birth of thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin.
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.

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 Proper of Saints}
Ant. Thine shall be the dominion * in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints, from the womb, before the day-star, have I begotten thee.
Psalm 109 [1]
109:1 The Lord said to my Lord: * Sit thou at my right hand:
109:1 Until I make thy enemies * thy footstool.
109:2 The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: * rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.
109:3 With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: * from the womb before the day star I begot thee.
109:4 The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: * Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.
109:5 The Lord at thy right hand * hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.
109:6 He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: * he shall crush the heads in the land of many.
109:7 He shall drink of the torrent in the way: * therefore shall he lift up the head.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Thine shall be the dominion in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints, from the womb, before the day-star, have I begotten thee.

Ant. The Lord sent redemption * unto His people, He hath commanded His covenant for ever.
Psalm 110 [2]
110:1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; * in the council of the just, and in the congregation.
110:2 Great are the works of the Lord: * sought out according to all his wills.
110:3 His work is praise and magnificence: * and his justice continueth for ever and ever.
110:4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: * he hath given food to them that fear him.
110:5 He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: * he will shew forth to his people the power of his works.
110:7 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: * the works of his hands are truth and judgment.
110:8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, * made in truth and equity.
110:9 He hath sent redemption to his people: * he hath commanded his covenant for ever.
110:9 (bow head) Holy and terrible is his name: * the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
110:10 A good understanding to all that do it: * his praise continueth for ever and ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. The Lord sent redemption unto His people, He hath commanded His covenant for ever.

Ant. Unto the upright there ariseth * light in the darkness; the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Psalm 111 [3]
111:1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: * he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.
111:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: * the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
111:3 Glory and wealth shall be in his house: * and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.
111:4 To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: * he is merciful, and compassionate and just.
111:5 Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment: * because he shall not be moved for ever.
111:7 The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: * he shall not fear the evil hearing.
111:7 His heart is ready to hope in the Lord: his heart is strengthened, * he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies.
111:9 He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: * his horn shall be exalted in glory.
111:10 The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: * the desire of the wicked shall perish.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness; the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Ant. With the Lord * there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.
Psalm 129 [4]
129:1 Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: * Lord, hear my voice.
129:2 Let thy ears be attentive * to the voice of my supplication.
129:3 If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: * Lord, who shall stand it.
129:4 For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: * and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.
129:5 My soul hath relied on his word: * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
129:6 From the morning watch even until night, * let Israel hope in the Lord.
129:7 Because with the Lord there is mercy: * and with him plentiful redemption.
129:8 And he shall redeem Israel * from all his iniquities.
℣. 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. With the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.

Ant. Of the fruit * of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
Psalm 131 [5]
131:1 Lord, remember David, * and all his meekness.
131:2 How he swore to the Lord, * he vowed a vow to the God of Jacob:
131:3 If I shall enter into the tabernacle of my house: * if I shall go up into the bed wherein I lie:
131:4 If I shall give sleep to my eyes, * or slumber to my eyelids,
131:5 Or rest to my temples: until I find out a place for the Lord, * a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
131:6 Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata: * we have found it in the fields of the wood.
131:7 We will go into his tabernacle: * we will adore in the place where his feet stood.
131:8 Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: * thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified.
131:9 Let thy priests be clothed with justice: * and let thy saints rejoice.
131:10 For thy servant David’s sake, * turn not away the face of thy anointed.
131:11 The Lord hath sworn truth to David, and he will not make it void: * of the fruit of thy womb I will set upon thy throne.
131:12 If thy children will keep my covenant, * and these my testimonies which I shall teach them:
131:12 Their children also for evermore * shall sit upon thy throne.
131:13 For the Lord hath chosen Sion: * he hath chosen it for his dwelling.
131:14 This is my rest for ever and ever: * here will I dwell, for I have chosen it.
131:15 Blessing I will bless her widow: * I will satisfy her poor with bread.
131:16 I will clothe her priests with salvation: * and her saints shall rejoice with exceeding great joy.
131:17 There will I bring forth a horn to David: * I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
131:18 His enemies I will clothe with confusion: * but upon him shall my sanctification flourish.
℣. 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. Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Heb 1:1-2
God, who, at sundry times and in diverse manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all, in these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
Jesus, the Ransomer of man,
Who, ere created light began,
Didst from the sovereign Father spring,
His power and glory equalling.

The Father’s Light and Splendor Thou,
Their endless hope to Thee that bow;
Accept the prayers and praise to-day
That through the world Thy servants pay.

Salvation’s Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled,
Thou in man’s flesh becam’st a Child.

Thus testifies the present day,
Through every year in long array,
That Thou, salvation’s source alone,
Proceedest from the Father’s throne.

The heavens above, the rolling main
And all that earth’s wide realms contain,
With joyous voice now loudly sing
The glory of their new-born King.

And we who, by Thy precious Blood
From sin redeemed, are marked for God,
On this the day that saw Thy birth,
Sing the new song of ransomed earth.

O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee
Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Ghost forevermore.
Amen.

℣. The Lord hath made known, alleluia.
℟. His salvation, alleluia.

Canticle: Magnificat {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. This day the Christ is born this day the Saviour is appeared; * this day the Angels sing praise in the earth and the Archangels rejoice; this day the righteous are glad and say: Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia.
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. This day the Christ is born this day the Saviour is appeared; this day the Angels sing praise in the earth and the Archangels rejoice; this day the righteous are glad and say: Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that the new birth of thy Only-begotten Son as man may set us free, who are held by the old bondage under the yoke of sin.
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.

Commemoration of St. Stephen the First Martyr
Ant. And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great signs among the people.

℣. Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, O Lord.
℟. And madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.

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 heavenly birthday 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 {Doxology: Nat}
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.

All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.
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
Mother of Christ, hear thou thy people's cry
Star of the deep and Portal of the sky!
Mother of Him who thee from nothing made.
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid:
O, by what joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

℣. After childbirth thou didst remain a virgin.
℟. Intercede for us, O Mother of God.

Let us pray.
O God, who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son. 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.