A Simple Office of Compline

Ah dun tahpt hit m'seff | 13 February, 2003 | moi

[neocon]

Introduction

V/.   Deus X in adjutórium méum inténde. R/.   Dómine, ad adjuvándum me festína. Glória Pátri, et Fílio, *    et Spirítui Sáncto. Sicut érat in princípio, et nunc, et sémper, *    et in sæcula sæculórum.  Ámen.

V/.   O God, X come to my assistance. R/.   O Lord, make haste to help me. Praise the Fáther, the Són, and the Holy Spírit    bóth now ánd foréver. The God Who ís, Who wás, and ís to come    at the énd of the áges.  Amén.

A brief examination of conscience is made,
followed by an act of contrition such as:

Confíteor Deo omnipoténti quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo, ópere, et omissióne: (et, percutientes sibi pectus, dicunt:) mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. (Deinde prosequuntur:) Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, omnes Angelos et Sanctos, oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum.

I confess to almighty God, that I have sinned through my own fault: (strike breast) in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Psalmody

Psalm 4

Antiphon:  Misérere míhi, Dómine, et exáudi oratiónem méam. Cum invocárem exaudívit me Déus justítiæ méæ: *    in tribulatióne dilatásti míhi. Miserére méi, * et exáudi oratiónem méam. Fílii hóminum úsquequo grávi córde? *    ut quid dilígitis vanitátem et quæritis mendácium? Et scitóte quóniam mirificávit Dóminus sánctum súum: *    Dóminus exáudiet me cum clamávero ad éum. Irascímini, et nolíte peccáre: † quæ dícitis in córdibus véstris, * in cubílibus véstris compungímini. Sacrificáte sacrifícium justítiæ, † et speráte in Dómino. * Múlti dícunt:   Quis osténdit nóbis bóna? Signátum est super nos lúmen vúltus túi Dómine: *    dedísti lætitíam in córde méo. A frúctu fruménti, víni et ólei súi, * multiplicáti sunt. In páce in idípsum * dórmiam et requiéscam. Quóniam tu Dómine singuláriter in spe * constituísti me. Glória Pátri, et Fílio, *    et Spirítui Sáncto. Sicut érat in princípio, et nunc, et sémper, *    et in sæcula sæculórum.  Ámen. Antiphon:  Misérere míhi, Dómine, et exáudi oratiónem méam.

Antiphon:  Háve mércy, Lórd, and héar mý práyer. When I cáll, ánswer me, O Gód of jústice; *    from ánguish You reléased me, have mércy and héar me! O mén, how lóng will your héarts be clósed, *    will you lóve what is fútile and séek what is fálse? It is the Lórd Who grants fávors to thóse whom He lóves; *    the Lórd héars me whenéver I cáll Him. Fear Him; do not sín: pónder on your béd and be stíll. *    make jústice your sácrifice and trúst in the Lórd. "What can bríng us háppiness?" mány sáy. *    Let the líght of Your fáce shíne on us, O Lórd. You have pút into my héart a gréater jóy *    than théy have from abúndance of córn and new wíne. I will líe down in péace and sléep comes at ónce *    for Yóu alone, Lórd, make me dwéll in sáfety. Práise the Fáther, the Són, and the Holy Spírit    bóth nów ánd foréver. The Gód Who ís, Who wás, and is to cóme    át the énd of the áges.  Amén. Antiphon:  Háve mércy, Lórd, and héar mý práyer.

Psalm 90(91)

Antiphon:  Scápulis súis obumbrábit tíbi:    non timébis a timóre noctúrno. Qui hábitat in adjutório Altíssimi, *    in protectióne Déi cæli commorábitur. Dícet Dómino: Suscéptor méus es tu et refúgium méum: *    Déus méus, sperábo in éum. Quóniam ípse liberávit me de láqueo venántium, *    et a vérbo áspero. Scápulis súis obumbrábit tíbi: *    et sub pénnis éjus sperábis. Scúto circúmdabit te véritas éjus: *    non timébis a timóre noctúrno. A sagítta volánte in díe, † a negótio perambulánte in ténebris: *    ab incúrsu, et dæmónio meridiáno. Cádent a látere túo mílle, † et decem míllia a déxtris túis: *    ad te autem non appropinquábit. Verúmtamen óculis túis considerábis: *    et retributiónem peccatórum vidébis. Quóniam tu es Dómine spes méa: *    Altíssimum posuísti refúgium túum. Non accédet ad te málum: *    et flagéllum non appropinquábit tabernáculo túo. Quóniam Ángelis súis mandávit de te: *    ut custódiant te in ómnibus viis túis. In mánibus portábunt te: *    ne forte offéndas ad lápidem pédem túum. Super áspidem et basilíscum ambulábis: *    et conculcábis leónem et dracónem. Quóniam in me sperávit, liberábo éum: *    prótegam éum, quóniam cognóvit nómen méum. Clamábit ad me, et égo exáudiam éum: † cum ípso sum in tribulatióne: *    erípiam éum et glorificábo éum. Longitúdine diérum replébo éum: *    et osténdam ílli salutáre méum. Glória Pátri, et Fílio, *    et Spirítui Sáncto. Sicut érat in princípio, et nunc, et sémper, *    et in sæcula sæculórum.  Ámen. Antiphon:  Scápulis súis obumbrábit tíbi:    non timébis a timóre noctúrno.

Antiphon:  Hé will concéal you with his wíngs;    you will not féar the térror of the níght. He who dwélls in the shélter of the Most Hígh *   and abídes in the sháde of the Almíghty sáys to the Lórd:  "My réfuge, *    my strónghold, my Gód in Whom I trúst!" It is Hé Who will frée you from the snáre *    of the fówler who séeks to destróy you; Hé will concéal you with His pínions *    and únder His wíngs you will find réfuge. You will not féar the térror of the níght *    nor the árrow that flíes by dáy, nor the plágue that prówls in the dárkness *    nor the scóurge that lays wáste at nóon. A thóusand may fáll at your síde, *    tén thousand fáll at your ríght, you, it will néver appróach; *    His fáithfulness is búckler and shíeld. Your éyes have ónly to lóok *    to sée how the wícked are repáid, yóu who have said:  "Lórd, my réfuge!" *    and have máde the Most Hígh your dwélling. Upon yóu no évil shall fáll, *    no plágue appróach where you dwéll. For yóu has He commánded His Ángels, *    to kéep you in áll your wáys. They shall béar you upón their hánds *    lest you stríke your fóot against a stóne. On the líon and the víper you will tréad *    and trámple the young líon and the drágon. Since he clíngs to Me in lóve, I will frée him; *    protéct him, for he knóws My Náme. When he cálls I shall ánswer, "I AM wíth you." *    I will sáve him in distréss and give him glóry. With léngth of lífe I will contént him; *    I shall lét him see My sáving pówer. Praise the Fáther, the Són, and the Holy Spírit    bóth now ánd foréver. The God Who ís, Who wás, and ís to come    at the énd of the áges.  Amén. Antiphon:  Hé will concéal you with his wíngs;    you will not féar the térror of the níght.

Psalm 133(134)

Antiphon:  In nóctibus benedícite Dóminum. Ecce nunc benedícite Dóminum, *    ómnes sérvi Dómini: Qui státis in dómo Dómini, *    in átriis dómus Déi nóstri. In nóctibus extóllite mánus véstras in sáncta, *    et benedícite Dóminum. Benedícat te Dóminus ex Síon, *    qui fécit cælum et térram. Glória Pátri, et Fílio, *    et Spirítui Sáncto. Sicut érat in princípio, et nunc, et sémper, *    et in sæcula sæculórum.  Ámen. Antiphon:  In nóctibus benedícite Dóminum.

Antiphon:  Bléss the Lórd through the níght. O cóme, bléss the Lórd, *    all yóu who sérve the Lórd, who stánd in the hóuse of the Lórd, *    in the cóurts of the hóuse of our Gód. Lift up your hánds to the hóly pláce, *    and bléss the Lórd through the níght. May the Lórd bléss you from Síon, *    He Who máde both héaven and éarth. Praise the Fáther, the Són, and the Holy Spírit    bóth now ánd foréver. The God Who ís, Who wás, and ís to come    at the énd of the áges.  Amén. Antiphon:  Bléss the Lórd through the níght.

Reading and Responsory
1 Peter 5:8-9a

Frátres:  Sóbrii estóte, et vigiláte: quia adversárius véster diábolus, tamquam léo rúgiens, círcuit, quærens quem dévoret: cúi resístite fórtes in fíde. R/.   In mánus túas, Dómine, * Comméndo spíritum méum. R/.   In mánus túas, Dómine, * Comméndo spíritum méum. V/.   Redemísti nos Dómine, Déus veritátis. * R/.   Comméndo spíritum méum. V/.   Glória Pátri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sáncto. R/.   In mánus túas, Dómine, * Comméndo spíritum méum.

Brothers:  Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand up to him, strong in faith. R/.   Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. R/.   Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. V/.   You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth. R/.   I commend my spirit. V/.   Praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/.   Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Canticle
Luke 2:29-31
(Nunc dimíttis, The Canticle of Simeon)

Antiphon:  Lúmen ad revelatiónem géntium,    et glóriam plébis túæ Ísrael. Nunc dimíttis X sérvum túum, Dómine *    secúndum vérbum túum in páce. Quia vidérunt óculi méi * salutáre túum: Quód parásti * ante fáciem ómnium populórum: Lúmen ad revelatiónem géntium, *    et glóriam plébis túæ Ísrael. Glória Pátri, et Fílio, *    et Spirítui Sáncto. Sicut érat in princípio, et núnc, et sémper, *    et in sæcula sæculórum.  Ámen. Antiphon:  Lúmen ad revelatiónem géntium:    et glóriam plébis túæ Ísrael.

Antiphon:  Chríst is the líght of the nátions    and the glóry of Ísrael, His péople. Lord, X nów You let Your sérvant go in péace;    Your wórd has béen fulfílled: Mý own eyes have séen the salvátion    whích You have prepared in the síght of every péople: A líght to revéal You to the nátions    and the glóry of Your péople Ísrael. Praise the Fáther, the Són, and the Holy Spírit    bóth now ánd foréver. The God Who ís, Who wás, and ís to come    at the énd of the áges.  Amén. Antiphon:  Chríst is the líght of the nátions    and the glóry of Ísrael, His péople.

Prayer

Vísita, quæsumus Dómine, habitatiónem istam, et omnes insídias inimíci ab ea longe repélle: † Ángeli tui sancti hábitent in ea, qui nos in pace custódiant; * et benedíctio tua sit super nos semper. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum: † qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, * per ómnia sæcula sæculórum. R/.  Amén.

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 our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. R/.  Amen.

Marian Anthem

Sálve, Regína, * máter misericórdiæ: Víta, dulcédo, et spes nóstra, sálve. Ad te clamámus, éxules, fílii Hévæ. Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et fléntes, in hac lacrimárum válle. Eia ergo, Advocáta nóstra, íllos túos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Jésum, benedíctum frúctum véntris túi, nóbis post hoc exsílium osténde. O cleméns: O pía: O dúlcis * Vírgo María. V/.   Ora pro nóbis, sáncta Déi Génitrix. * R/.   Ut dígni efficiámur promissiónibus Chrísti.

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. V/.   Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, R/.   that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Conclusion

V/.  X Divínum auxílium máneat sémper nobíscum. R/.  Amén.

V/.  X May the Divine Assistance be always with us. R/.  Amen.

[neocon]

Several months ago, some FR friends expressed to me an interest in the Liturgy of the Hours, the broader use of which the Second Vatican Council recommended to the laity. While the full Divine Office is rather complex, with many variations according to the feast of the day, traditionally the 7th hour of prayer, the Office of Compline ("to make the day complete") or Night Prayer has been (almost) the same every evening, incorporating the same three Psalms, Scripture reading, Gospel canticle, etc. As such, it was easily memorized, and could be recited in the dark or, perhaps, by candelight. The modern office incorporates greater variety, but is by that fact more difficult to memorize.

So, to serve as an introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours, I have put together a (slightly) simplified Office of Compline, which is fairly easily memorized, and can be said in bed, with the lights out, just before falling asleep, if desired. Since music is a great mnemonic aid, I have pointed the texts of the Latin Psalmody for use with Gregorian mode VIII-G (with incipit). The English Psalm texts are of the Grail translation, approved for liturgical use in the US and the UK, and are pointed for use with the Gelineau, Bevenot, or Murray tones. (It should be noted that the goal of the Grail translation was to preserve the rhythm and emphasis of the original Hebrew.)

This version of Compline will not satisfy the canonical requirement encumbent upon those in Holy Orders or living the consecrated life. I put it forth only as an informal means of introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours for those who have little acquaintance with this great source of spiritual riches in the heritage of the Church. My hope is that by doing so Christians who find this simple hour of prayer fruitful will be encouraged to a deeper participation in the Liturgy of the Hours.

[neocon]

Since you have been doing yeo-person work in posting the daily readings for Holy Mass, would you be so kind as to ping the appropriate people who might be interested in this thread? TIA.

[sinkspur]

This version of Compline will not satisfy the canonical requirement encumbent upon those in Holy Orders or living the consecrated life.

I suspect it would.

You'd be surprised at how few priests celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours outside a communal setting.

[St.Chuck]

bump

[neocon]

I suspect it would [satisfy the canonical requirement]

It's fairly close, but if you notice, I've omitted the Hymn, altered the text of the Confiteor for private recitation, did not include any variations in the antiphons, used the processional antiphon for Candlemas for the Canticle of Simeon, and did not include the alternative Marian Anthems Regina Coeli, Alma Redemptoris Mater, etc., which are meant to vary by the seasons. My intent in these simplifications was to aid memorization.

Also, in the revised breviary, there are only two psalms to be said every evening, with a different pair for each day of the week, and there are "psalm-prayers" added between them. This gives a greater exposure to Scripture, which is all to the good, and the other variations are also commendable, but they militate against memorization.

You'd be surprised at how few priests celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours outside a communal setting.

I'm sorry to say that it would not surprise me. The interest expressed to me by FR friends in the Liturgy of the Hours resulted from a remark I made that the priests who are currently the source of scandal in the Church must have first abandoned their prayer life, starting probably with their requirement to say their office.

I know how very busy the religious life is for a diocesan priest these days, but any active apostolate which does not spring from a life of prayer is unlikely to yield much fruit. My wish would be to see the priests of a parish follow the example of the cathedral canons of St. Augustine, and recite the office together, and on Sundays restore the practice of a public celebration of Solemn Vespers (Evensong to the Anglicans) for the benefit of the laity.

[Siobhan]

Thank you for posting this, neocon.

[american colleen]

Thank you, neocon. I've printed it out.

Boy is it terrific to have you back!

[neocon]

Took me a sec, but I got it. :)

A little Flannery O'Connor humor there ... ;-)

My mom is a third order Carmelite ...

God bless her! The Carmelites have played an important role in my life. When I attended an advanced studies program at an Episcopal boarding school, which had mandatory chapel, there was within walking distance a Carmelite monastery I could go to for Sunday Mass. When I visited the concentration camp at Dachau, where nearly 2000 Polish Catholic priests were worked/starved to death, I was overwhelmed by the oppressive spirit which informed that place, and was grateful for the Carmelite chapel I could spend half an hour in afterwards to recover my inner peace. Not to mention, of course, the great contributions of the Carmelite Saints, Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross, to those who would progress in the spiritual life.

It's a wonderful way to keep bringing your mind back to God during the day.

One of the most important things lost in modern life is the "Little Hours" of Terce, Sext, and None, which served to break up, for the laity as well as for the professed monks, the working day into three-hour intervals. Labora is important, but ora must always be foremost. (A Benedictine reference, there.)

I can use my ping list to get you going.

Many thanks. I'm very pressed for time just now, so I won't be able to post for a while. God bless!

[neocon]

Thank you, Siobhan. I continue to remember your dear Da in my prayers, and hope you too are feeling better.

[neocon]

Boy is it terrific to have you back!

Sure, an' 'tis nice 'o ye t' say dat, colleen.

I won't be able to spend much time at FR, though. I live in the Archdiocese of Boston, and am a cantor at a church in the Diocese of Manchester (NH), so you can imagine what life is like just now. Now that we're back in Ordinary Time until Lent, the choir obligations are not quite so demanding, but we generally do a Latin Ordinary for Lent, and I'm trying to introduce the Mass setting Orbis Factor, or at least the Kyrie from it to them. I'd also like to have them learn the Angus Dei from Mass XV, which has some very beautiful melismatic word-painting in the middle.

I've not been blessed with robust health, so that too will keep me away from FR.

Very best wishes to you all!

[kstewskis]

pinging my most humble and obedient! thought you'd enjoy this.

thank you for posting this, neocon

[american colleen]

Neocon, I'm glad for another soulmate! I'm from the Arch of Boston as well. Things are nuts down here. The latest is the bogus "Parish Pastoral Council" which is an abnormal growth of Voice of the Faithful - another way to infiltrate the parishes under a happy psuedonym. I am told that Bishop Lennon is very aware of what is going on.

I will add you to my rosary list and pray that your health will not be an impediment to your work. I can tell you are a soldier.

God Bless.

[Romulus]

I want to give you my special thanks for this splendid product. I've printed it out and brought a copy home; it'll live in the table next to my bed. Gratias ago tibi.