Symbols:
☩ – Large sign of the cross (Sign of the cross from the forehead to the breast and from the left shoulder to the right)
✠ – Sign of the cross over the lips
☨ – Sign of the cross over the heart
Prayers before the Office
✠ (Sign of cross over lips) APERI, Dómine, os meum ad benedicéndum nomen sanctum tuum:☨ (Sign of cross over heart) munda quoque cor meum ab ómnibus vanis, pervérsis et aliénis cogitatiónibus; intelléctum illúmina, afféctum inflámma, ut digne, atténte ac devóte hoc Offícium recitáre váleam, et exaudíri mérear ante conspéctum divínæ Majestátis tuæ. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
O LORD, open Thou my mouth, that I may bless Thy holy name; cleanse my heart too from all vain, evil, or wandering thoughts. Enlighten mine understanding, kindle mine affections, that I may be able to say this Office meetly with attention and devotion, and may deserve to be heard before the presence of Thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Amen.
Dómine, in unióne illíus divínæ intentiónis, qua ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvísti, has tibi Horas (vel hanc tibi Horam) persólvo.
O Lord, in union with that divine intention wherewith Thou Thyself, while on earth, didst offer praises unto God, I offer these hours (or this hour) unto Thee.
Vespers
V. Ave María, grátia plena * Dóminus tecum.
V. Hail, Mary, full of grace. * the Lord is with thee.
R. Benedícta tu * in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui.
R. Blessed art thou among women, * and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
V. Deus ☩ (Large sign of the cross) in adjutórium meum inténde.
V. O God, ☩ come to my assistance;
R. Dómine, ad adjuvándum me festína.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Allelúia.
Alleluia.
Psalms
Ant. (for the year) Beáta Mater.
Ant. (for the year) Blessed Mother.
Psalm 109
Dixit Dóminus Dómino meo: * Sede a dextris meis:
The Lord said to my Lord: * Sit thou at my right hand:
Donec ponam inimícos tuos, * scabéllum pedum tuórum.
Until I make thy enemies * thy footstool.
Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: * domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum.
The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: * rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.
Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ in splendóribus sanctórum: * ex útero ante lucíferum génui te.
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.
Jurávit Dóminus, et non pœnitébit eum: * Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech.
The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: * Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.
Dóminus a dextris tuis, * confrégit in die iræ suæ reges.
The Lord at thy right hand * hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.
Judicábit in natiónibus, implébit ruínas: * conquassábit cápita in terra multórum.
He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: * he shall crush the heads in the land of many.
De torrénte in via bibet: * proptérea exaltábit caput.
He shall drink of the torrent in the way: * therefore shall he lift up the head.
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Psalm 112
Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum: * laudáte nomen Dómini.
Praise the Lord, ye children: * praise ye the name of the Lord.
(Bow head) Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum.
(Bow head) Blessed be the name of the Lord, * from henceforth now and for ever.
A solis ortu usque ad occásum, * laudábile nomen Dómini.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.
Excélsus super omnes gentes Dóminus, * et super cælos glória ejus.
The Lord is high above all nations; * and his glory above the heavens.
Quis sicut Dóminus, Deus noster, qui in altis hábitat, * et humília réspicit in cælo et in terra?
Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: * and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
Súscitans a terra ínopem, * et de stércore érigens páuperem:
Raising up the needy from the earth, * and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:
Ut cóllocet eum cum princípibus, * cum princípibus pópuli sui.
That he may place him with princes, * with the princes of his people.
Qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, * matrem filiórum lætántem.
Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, * the joyful mother of children.
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Psalm 121
Lætátus sum in his, quæ dicta sunt mihi: * In domum Dómini íbimus.
I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: * We shall go into the house of the Lord.
Stantes erant pedes nostri, * in átriis tuis, Jerúsalem.
Our feet were standing * in thy courts, O Jerusalem.
Jerúsalem, quæ ædificátur ut cívitas: * cujus participátio ejus in idípsum.
Jerusalem, which is built as a city, * which is compact together.
Illuc enim ascendérunt tribus, tribus Dómini: * testimónium Israël ad confiténdum nómini Dómini.
For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: * the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
Quia illic sedérunt sedes in judício, * sedes super domum David.
Because their seats have sat in judgment, * seats upon the house of David.
Rogáte quæ ad pacem sunt Jerúsalem: * et abundántia diligéntibus te:
Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: * and abundance for them that love thee.
Fiat pax in virtúte tua: * et abundántia in túrribus tuis.
Let peace be in thy strength: * and abundance in thy towers.
Propter fratres meos, et próximos meos, * loquébar pacem de te:
For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, * I spoke peace of thee.
Propter domum Dómini, Dei nostri, * quæsívi bona tibi.
Because of the house of the Lord our God, * I have sought good things for thee.
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Psalm 126
Nisi Dóminus ædificáverit domum, * in vanum laboravérunt qui ædíficant eam.
Unless the Lord build the house, * they labour in vain that build it.
Nisi Dóminus custodíerit civitátem, * frustra vígilat qui custódit eam.
Unless the Lord keep the city, * he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.
Vanum est vobis ante lucem súrgere: * súrgite postquam sedéritis, qui manducátis panem dolóris.
It is vain for you to rise before light, * rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow.
Cum déderit diléctis suis somnum: * ecce heréditas Dómini fílii: merces, fructus ventris.
When he shall give sleep to his beloved, * behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.
Sicut sagíttæ in manu poténtis: * ita fílii excussórum.
As arrows in the hand of the mighty, * so the children of them that have been shaken.
Beátus vir, qui implévit desidérium suum ex ipsis: * non confundétur cum loquétur inimícis suis in porta.
Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; * he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Psalm 147
Lauda, Jerúsalem, Dóminum: * lauda Deum tuum, Sion.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: * praise thy God, O Sion.
Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.
Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates * he hath blessed thy children within thee.
Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.
Who hath placed peace in thy borders: * and filleth thee with the fat of corn.
Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.
Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth: * his word runneth swiftly.
Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.
Who giveth snow like wool: * scattereth mists like ashes.
Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?
He sendeth his crystal like morsels: * who shall stand before the face of his cold?
Emíttet verbum suum, et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus, et fluent aquæ.
He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his wind shall blow, and the waters shall run.
Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias, et judícia sua Israël.
Who declareth his word to Jacob: * his justices and his judgments to Israel.
Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.
He hath not done in like manner to every nation: * and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them.
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. (for the year) Beáta Mater et intácta Virgo, gloriósa Regína mundi intercéde pro nobis ad Dóminum.
Ant. (for the year) Blessed Mother and inviolate Virgin, glorious Queen of the world, intercede for us with the Lord.
Chapter (for the year)
Ecclesiasticus 24:14
Ab inítio et ante saecula creáta sum, et usque ad futúrum saeculum non désinam, et in habitatióne sancta coram ipso ministrávi.
From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him.
R. Deo grátias.
R. Thanks be to God.
Hymn
Ave maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix cæli porta.
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix cæli porta.
Ave, star of ocean,
Child divine who barest,
Mother, ever-virgin,
Heaven’s portal fairest.
Child divine who barest,
Mother, ever-virgin,
Heaven’s portal fairest.
Sumens illud Ave
Gabriélis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Hevæ nomen.
Gabriélis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Hevæ nomen.
Taking that sweet Ave
Erst by Gabriel spoken,
Eva’s name reversed,
Be of peace the token.
Erst by Gabriel spoken,
Eva’s name reversed,
Be of peace the token.
Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen cæcis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.
Profer lumen cæcis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.
Break the sinners’ fetters,
Light to blind restoring,
All our ills dispelling,
Every boon imploring.
Light to blind restoring,
All our ills dispelling,
Every boon imploring.
Monstra te esse matrem,
Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus,
Tulit esse tuus.
Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus,
Tulit esse tuus.
Show thyself a mother
In thy supplication;
He will hear who chose thee
At his incarnation.
In thy supplication;
He will hear who chose thee
At his incarnation.
Virgo singuláris,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos
Mites fac et castos.
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solutos
Mites fac et castos.
Maid all maids excelling,
Passing meek and lowly,
Win for sinners pardon,
Make us chaste and holy.
Passing meek and lowly,
Win for sinners pardon,
Make us chaste and holy.
Vitam præsta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut vidéntes Jesum,
Semper collætémur.
Iter para tutum,
Ut vidéntes Jesum,
Semper collætémur.
As we onward journey
Aid our weak endeavour,
Till we gaze on Jesus
And rejoice forever.
Aid our weak endeavour,
Till we gaze on Jesus
And rejoice forever.
Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spirítui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.
Summo Christo decus,
Spirítui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.
Father, Son, and Spirit,
Three in One confessing,
Give we equal glory
Equal praise and blessing.
Three in One confessing,
Give we equal glory
Equal praise and blessing.
Amen.
Amen.
V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Génitrix.
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Canticle of Our Lady (Luke 1:46-55)
Ant. (for the year) Sancta María.
Ant. (for the year) O holy Mary.
Magníficat ☩ (Large sign of the cross) * ánima mea Dóminum.
My soul ☩ * doth magnify the Lord.
Et exsultávit spíritus meus: * in Deo, salutári meo.
And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Saviour.
Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ: * ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.
Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est: * et sanctum nomen ejus.
Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; * and holy is his name.
Et misericórdia ejus, a progénie in progénies: * timéntibus eum.
And his mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear him.
Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo: * dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.
He hath shewed might in his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
Depósuit poténtes de sede: * et exaltávit húmiles.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis: * et dívites dimísit inánes.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Suscépit Israël púerum suum: * recordátus misericórdiæ suæ.
He hath received Israel his servant, * being mindful of his mercy:
Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: * Ábraham, et sémini ejus in sæcula.
As he spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. (for the year) Sancta Maria, succúrre míseris, juva pusillánimes, réfove flébiles, ora pro pópulo intérveni pro clero, intercéde pro devóto femíneo sexu.
Ant. (for the year) O holy Mary, succor the miserable; strengthen the weak; console the afflicted; pray for the people; plead for the clergy; intercede for devout women.
V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.
R. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat.
R. And let my cry come out to Thee.
Oration (for the year)
Orémus
Let us pray.
Concéde nos fámulos tuos, quæsumus, Dómine Deus, perpétua mentis et córporis sanitáte gaudére: et glóriosa beátæ Maríæ semper Virginis intercessióne, a præsénti liberári tristítia, et ætérna pérfrui lætítia.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God, unto all thy servants, that they may remain continually in the enjoyment of soundness both of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, always a Virgin, may be delivered from present sadness,
Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end
R. Amen.
R. Amen.
V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.
V. Benedicámus Dómino.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Deo grátias.
R. Thanks be to God.
The Antiphon of Our Lady
Virgo María, non est tibi símilis orta in mundo inter mulíeres: florens ut rosa; frangrans sicut lilium: ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Génitrix.
O Virgin Mary, there has not risen in the world, among women, one similar to thee: blooming as the rose, fragrant as the lily; pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
V. Dignáre me laudáre te, Virgo sacráta.
V. Vouchsafe, O sacred Virgin, to accept my praise.
R. Da mihi virtútem contra hostes tuos.
R. Give me strength against my enemies.
Orémus.
Let us pray.
Beátæ et gloriósæ sempérque Virginis Maríæ, quaésumus, Dómine, intercéssio gloriósa nos prótegat: et ad vitam perdúcat ætérnum. Per Christum, Dóminum Nostrum.
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that the heavenly intercession of the ever-glorious and blessed Virgin Mary may protect us, and conduct us to eternal life, through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
R. Amen.
V. Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdium Dei, requiéscant in pace.
V. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
R. Amen.
Prayer After the Office
To those who, after the Divine Office, shall on their knees recite with devotion the following prayer, Pope Leo X granted indulgence in respect of those shortcomings and faults which they may have committed through human frailty while saying Office.
SACROSÁNCTÆ, et indivíduæ Trinitáti, crucifíxi Dómini nostri Jesu Christi humanitáti, beatíssimæ et gloriosíssimæ sempérque Vírginis Maríæ fœcúndæ integritáti, et ómnium Sanctórum universitáti sit sempitérna laus, honor, virtus et glória ab omni creatúra, nobísque remíssio ómnium peccatórum, per infiníta sæcula sæculórum.
TO the most holy and undivided Trinity, to the manhood of our crucified Lord Jesus Christ, to the fruitful virginity of the most blessed and glorious Mary, ever a Virgin, to the entire assembly of the saints, be ascribed everlasting praise, honor, power, and glory, by every creature; and to us be granted the remission of all our sins, world without end.
R. Amen.
R. Amen
V. Beáta víscera Maríæ Vírginis, quæ portavérunt ætérni Patris Fílium.
V. Blessed is the Virgin Mary’s womb, which bore the Son of the Everlasting Father.
R. Et beáta úbera quæ lactavérunt Christum Dóminum.
R. And blessed are the paps that gave suck to Christ our Lord.
Then is said secretly an ‘Our Father’ and a ‘Hail Mary’.