The Versicle which follows the Hymn, and which we here give, is that of the Sunday: those for the Feasts are given in their proper places. V. May my prayer, O Lord, ascend B. Like incense in thy sight. Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea. B. Sicut incensum in conspectu tuo. Then is said the Magnificat Antiphon, which is to be found in the Proper. After this, the Church sings the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat, in which are celebrated the Divine Maternity, and all its consequent blessings. This exquisitely sweet Canticle is an essential part of the Office of Vespers. It is the evening incense, just as the Canticle Benedictus, at Lauds, is that of the morning. OUR LADY'S CANTICLE. My soul doth magnify the And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for, behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me Blessed. Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation unto generation, to them that fear him. He hath showed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble. VOL. X. * Magnificat: anima mea Dominum; Et exsultavit spiritus meus : * in Deo Salutari meo. Quia respexit humilitatem ancillæ suæ : ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est : * et sanctum Nomen ejus. Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies: * timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo : dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede: et exaltavit humiles. H Esurientes implevit bonis: * et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israël puerum suum: * recordatus misericordiæ suæ, Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros: * Abraham et semini ejus in sæcula. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy, As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. The Magnificat Antiphon is then repeated. The Prayer, or Collect, is given in the Proper of each Feast and Sunday. V. Benedicamus Domino. V. Fidelium animæ per V. Let us bless the Lord. CHAPTER THE NINTH. ON THE OFFICE OF COMPLINE, DURING THE TIME AFTER PENTECOST. THIS Office, which concludes the day, commences by a warning of the dangers of the night then, immediately follows the public Confession of our sins, as a powerful means of propitiating the divine justice, and obtaining God's help, now that we are going to spend so many hours in the unconscious, and, therefore, dangerous state of sleep, which is, also, such an image of death. The Lector, addressing the Priest, says to him: Pray, Father, give thy blessing. V. Jube, Domine benedi cere. The Priest answers: May the Almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. B. Amen. Noctem quietam, et finem perfectum concedat nobis Dominus omnipotens. B. Amen. The Lector then reads these words, from the first Epistle of St. Peter: Brethren, be sober and Fratres sobrii estote et watch for your adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may deyour resist him, being strong in faith. But thou, O Lord, have mercy on us. vigilate quia adversarius vester diabolus, tamquam leo rugiens circuit quærens quem devoret: cui resistite fortes in fide. Tu autem, Domine, miserere nobis. The Choir answers: B. Thanks be to God. B. Deo gratias. Then, the Priest: V. Adjutorium nostrum in V. Our help is in the nomine Domini. Name of the Lord. The Choir: B. Qui fecit cœlum et ter ram. B. Who hath made heaven and earth. Then the Lord's Prayer is recited in secret; after which, the Priest says the Confiteor, and when he has finished, the Choir repeats it. The Priest, having pronounced the general form of absolution, says: The first Psalm expresses the confidence with which the just man sleeps in peace; but the wicked know not what calm rest is. PSALM 4. Cum invocarem exaudivit me Deus justitiæ meæ: in tribulatione dilatasti mihi. Miserere mei : et exaudi orationem meam. Filii hominum, usquequo gravi corde? ut quid diligitis vanitatem, et quæritis mendacium? When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer. 0 ye sons of men, how long will ye be dull of heart? why do ye love vanity, and seek after lying? |