Vespere pro Dominica

Vespers of the Daily Office for Sunday
(English & Latin)

RECITED AT DUSK (c. 6PM)

Vespers form part of the priest’s daily office which is recited in the afternoon or evening. In ancient times they were chanted by the faithful every day, and this venerable custom is still retained by certain Religious Orders. After the prayers of praise which accompany the Sacrifice of the Mass there are no others so solemn as the vesper prayers.

Coming into the sanctuary with his assistants the celebrant first kneels before the altar and recites the following prayer:

Prayer before the Divine Office

O LORD, open Thou my mouth that I may bless Thy Holy Name; cleanse my heart from all vain, evil, and wandering thoughts; enlighten my under-standing; kindle my affections, that I may worthily, attentively, and devoutly recite this office, and may deserve to be heard before the presence of Thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord.

℟. Amen.

Lord, in union with that divine intention wherewith Thou didst Thyself praise God while on earth, I offer these hours unto Thee.

N.B. The ‘Glory be’ Minor Doxology is recited at the conclusion of every psalm; during Eastertide (i.e. from Easter Sunday until Trinity Sunday) ‘Alleluia’ is added as an antiphon at its conclusion.

O GOD, ♰ come come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.

℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Allelúia.

(From Septuagesima to Palm Sunday inclusive, instead of Alleluia is said:)

Praise to Thee, O Lord, King of etenal glory

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ANT: The Lord said.

PSALM 109

Christ’s exaltation and everlasting priesthood.

THE Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand: Until I make thy enemies thy footstool. The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.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. The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech. The Lord at thy right hand hath broken kings in the day of his wrath. 

He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: he shall crush the heads in the land of many. He shall drink of the torrent in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

Glory be …

ANT: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand.

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