Night prayer sample

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NIGHT PRAYER

FROM THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS

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NIGHT PRAYER FROM THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS

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catholic truth society publishers to the holy see

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Contents Introduction ...................................................................7 Sunday (I) ........................................................................9 Sunday (II) ....................................................................17 Monday..........................................................................25 Tuesday..........................................................................31 Wednesday ....................................................................37 Thursday........................................................................43 Friday.............................................................................49 Examination of Conscience and Penitential Act..........55 Final Anthems to the Blessed Virgin Mary....................61 Other Prayers.................................................................63

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Introduction

d Christ himself told us about the need to pray continually and never to lose heart (Lk 18:1). The Church has faithfully followed this exhortation by never ceasing in her prayer, and by urging us to pray not only in the Eucharist but also in the ‘Liturgy of the Hours’ – of which Night Prayer forms a part.

The Liturgy of the Hours is meant to sanctify our whole day and all our activities. It is split into different ‘Hours’ to be prayed during different parts of the day – morning, midday, evening and night. Night Prayer is the last and shortest of these Hours, and is usually said just before going to bed.

Night Prayer should be a dialogue between God and us, and its simple structure reflects that.

After the opening words, we may begin by reflecting upon the day now ending, with a brief examination of conscience and an appropriate act of penance.

We then continue with an opening hymn of praise and thanksgiving.

Next there is the Psalmody – a reading from one of the Psalms (two on Sundays and Wednesdays). Before

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Introduction

each Psalm, we say a brief antiphon which recalls an important theme or line from the Psalm, and after it the ‘Glory be’ prayer, after which we repeat the antiphon.

Next, we read a short passage of Scripture, and then, to ‘respond’ to the Scripture passage, there is a brief prayerful formula called the Short Responsory, which gathers the Word of God to our hearts.

Then we pray the well-known canticle from Luke’s Gospel, the ‘Nunc Dimittis’, which is again preceded and concluded by a short antiphon. Night prayer finishes with a brief prayer and the closing blessing, ‘The Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end’.

Night Prayer is a deeply rewarding way to close the day, and may be said individually or communally.

Where it is said communally the Psalms can be recited antiphonally (i.e. alternate stanzas by alternate people or parts of the assembly), and, after the blessing, an anthem to the Blessed Virgin Mary may be recited or sung.

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CTS Editorial Staff

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SUNDAY (I) (AFTER EVENING PRAYER I OF SUNDAYS AND SOLEMNITIES)

d V O God, come to our aid.

R O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (Alleluia) Here an examination of conscience is commended. See page 55 for examination of conscience and penitential act.

HYMN

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Christ, the true light of us, true morn, Dispersing far the shades of night, Light whereof every light is born, Pledge of the beatific light, Thou all the night our guardian be Whose watch no sleep or slumber knows; Thou be our peace, that stayed on thee Through darkness we may find repose.

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N i g h t P r ay e r

Sleep then our eyes, but never sleep The watchful heaven-directed heart, And may thy hand in safety keep The servants whose desire thou art.

Look on us, thou, and at our side Our foes and thine repulse afar; Through every ill the faithful guide Who in thy blood redeemed are.

While soul within the body clings, Body and soul defend us, Lord, Sure in the shadow of thy wings, Kept in thy lasting watch and ward.

8th century Tr W. H. Shewring PSALMODY

Ant. 1: Lord, have mercy and hear me.

Eastertide: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Thanksgiving

Psalm 4

The Lord raised him from the dead and made him worthy of all admiration (St Augustine) When I call, answer me, O God of justice; * from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!

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S u n d ay s

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Solemnities I

O men, how long will your hearts be closed, * will you love what is futile and seek what is false?

It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves; * the Lord hears me whenever I call him.

Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still. * Make justice your sacrifice and trust in the Lord. ‘What can bring us happiness?’ many say. * Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.

You have put into my heart a greater joy * than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.

I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once * for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

(Glory be...)

Ant. Lord, have mercy and hear me.

Eastertide: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Ant. 2: Bless the Lord through the night.

Eastertide: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Evening prayer in the temple

Psalm 133(134)

Praise our God, all you his servants, and all who revere him, both great and small (Rv 19:5)

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O come, bless the Lord, * all you who serve the Lord, 11

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N i g h t P r ay e r

who stand in the house of the Lord, * in the courts of the house of our God. Lift up your hands to the holy place * and bless the Lord through the night.

May the Lord bless you from Sion, * he who made both heaven and earth.

(Glory be...)

Ant. Bless the Lord through the night.

Eastertide: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

SCRIPTURE READING

Dt 6:4-7

Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

SHORT RESPONSORY

R Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit (alleluia, alleluia). Repeat V You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.

R Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit (alleluia, alleluia).

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S u n d ay s

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Solemnities I

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

R Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit (alleluia, alleluia).

Easter Octave This is the day which was made by the Lord: let us rejoice and be glad, alleluia.

Ant. Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace (alleluia).

Nunc dimittis

Canticle: Lk 2:29-32

Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel At last, all-powerful Master, †you give leave to your servant * to go in peace, according to your promise.

For my eyes have seen your salvation * which you have prepared for all nations, the light to enlighten the Gentiles * and give glory to Israel, your people.

(Glory be...)

Ant. Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace (alleluia).

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N i g h t P r ay e r CONCLUDING PRAYER

Sundays (and Easter Octave) Come to visit us, Lord, this night, so that by your strength we may rise at daybreak to rejoice in the resurrection of Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Solemnities which do not occur on a Sunday (and Easter Triduum) Visit this house, we pray you, Lord: drive far away from it all the snares of the enemy.

May your holy angels stay here and guard us in peace, and let your blessing be always upon us.

Through Christ our Lord.

BLESSING

The Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

R Amen.

This concludes the Hour even in recitation on one’s own.

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S u n d ay s

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Solemnities I

ANTHEM TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

During Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas this anthem can be replaced by an appropriate alternative from page 61.

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope!

To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

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