Vespers
¶ The Office begins at once with the first Antiphon, as follows.
Ant. Placébo * Dómino in regióne vivórum.
Ant. I will please the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 114
Diléxi, quóniam exáudiet Dóminus * vocem oratiónis meæ.
I have loved, because the Lord will hear the voice of my prayer.
Quia inclinávit aurem suam mihi: * et in diébus meis invocábo.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me: and in my days I will call upon him.
Circumdedérunt me dolóres mortis: * et perícula inférni invenérunt me.
The sorrows of death have compassed me: and the perils of hell have found me.
Tribulatiónem et dolórem invéni: * et nomen Dómini invocávi.
I met with trouble and sorrow: and I called upon the name of the Lord.
O Dómine, líbera ánimam meam:†miséricors Dóminus, et justus, * et Deus noster miserétur.
O Lord, deliver my soul: the Lord is merciful and just, and our God sheweth mercy.
Custódiens párvulos Dóminus: * humiliátus sum, et liberávit me.
The Lord is the keeper of little ones: I was little and he delivered me.
Convértere ánima mea in réquiem tuam: * quia Dóminus benefécit tibi.
Turn, O my soul, into thy rest: for the Lord hath been bountiful to thee.
Quia erípuit ánimam meam de morte:†óculos meos a lácrimis, * pedes meos a lapsu.
For he hath delivered my soul from death: my eyes from tears, my feet from falling.
Placébo Dómino * in regióne vivórum.
I will please the Lord in the land of the living.
Réquiem ætérnam.
Eternal rest.
Ant. Placébo Dómino in regióne vivórum.
Ant. I will please the Lord in the land of the living.
Ant. Hei mihi * quia incolátus meus prolongátus est.
Ant. Woe is me that my sojourning is prolonged.
Psalm 119
Ad Dóminum cum tribulárer clamávi: * et exaudívit me.
In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me.
Dómine, líbera ánimam meam a lábiis iníquis, * et a lingua dolósa.
O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
Quid detur tibi, aut quid apponátur tibi * ad linguam dolósam?
What shall be given to thee, or what shall be added to thee, to a deceitful tongue?
Sagíttæ poténtis acútæ, * cum carbónibus desolatóriis.
The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste.
Hei mihi, quia incolátus meus prolongátus est:†habitávi cum habitántibus Cedar: * multum íncola fuit ánima mea.
Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged! I have dwelt with the inhabitants of Cedar: my soul hath been long a sojourner.
Cum his, qui odérunt pacem, eram pacíficus: * cum loquébar illis, impugnábant me gratis.
With them that hated peace I was peaceable: when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause.
Réquiem ætérnam.
Eternal rest.
Ant. Hei mihi quia incolátus meus prolongátus est.
Ant. Woe is me that my sojourning is prolonged.
Ant. Dóminus custódit te * ab omni malo.
Ant. The Lord keepeth thee from all evil.
Psalm 120
Levávi óculos meos in montes, * unde véniet auxílium mihi.
I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me.
Auxílium meum a Dómino, * qui fecit cælum et terram.
My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Non det in commotiónem pedem tuum: * neque dormítet qui custódit te.
May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.
Ecce, non dormitábit neque dórmiet, * qui custódit Israel.
Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.
Dóminus custódit te, Dóminus protéctio tua, * super manum déxteram tuam.
The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.
Per diem sol non uret te: * neque luna per noctem.
The sun shall not burn thee by day: nor the moon by night.
Dóminus custódit te ab omni malo: * custódiat ánimam tuam Dóminus.
The Lord keepeth thee from all evil: may the Lord keep thy soul.
Dóminus custódit intróitum tuum, et éxitum tuum: * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sǽculum.
May the Lord keep thy coming in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever.
Réquiem ætérnam.
Eternal rest.
Ant. Dóminus custódit te ab omni malo.
Ant. The Lord keepeth thee from all evil.
Ant. Si iniquitátes * observáveris Dómine: Dómine, quis sustinébit?
Ant. If thou shalt observe iniquities O Lord: Lord, who shall sustain it?
Psalm 129
De profúndis clamávi ad te Dómine: * Dómine exáudi vocem meam:
From the depths I have cried to thee O Lord: Lord hear my voice:
Fiant aures tuæ intendéntes * in vocem deprecatiónis meæ.
Let thine ears be intent to the voice of my petition.
Si iniquitátes observáveris Dómine: * Dómine, quis sustinébit?
If thou shalt observe iniquities O Lord: Lord, who shall sustain it?
Quia apud te propitiátio est: * et propter legem tuam sustínui te Dómine.
Because with thee there is propitiation: and for thy law I have expected thee O Lord.
Sustínuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: * sperávit ánima mea in Dómino.
My soul hath relied on his word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
A custódia matutína usque ad noctem: * speret Israel in Dómino.
From the morning watch even until night: let Israel hope in the Lord.
Quia apud Dóminum misericórdia: * et copiósa apud eum redémptio.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
Et ipse rédimet Israel * ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus.
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Réquiem ætérnam.
Eternal rest.
Ant. Si iniquitátes observáveris Dómine: Dómine, quis sustinébit?
Ant. If thou shalt observe iniquities O Lord: Lord, who shall sustain it?
Ant. Audívi vocem * de cælo dicéntem mihi: Beáti mórtui qui in Dómino moriúntur.
Ant. I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
Psalm 137
Confitébor tibi Dómine in toto corde meo: * quóniam audísti verba oris mei.
I will praise thee O Lord with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth.
In conspéctu Angelórum psallam tibi: * adorábo ad templum sanctum tuum, et confitébor nómini tuo.
I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels: I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name.
Super misericórdia tua, et veritáte tua: * quóniam magnificásti super omne, nomen sanctum tuum.
For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.
In quacúmque die invocávero te, exáudi me: * multiplicábis in ánima mea virtútem.
In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me: thou shalt multiply strength in my soul.
Confiteántur tibi Dómine omnes reges terræ: * quia audiérunt ómnia verba oris tui:
May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee: for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.
Et cantent in viis Dómini: * quóniam magna est glória Dómini.
And let them sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
Quóniam excélsus Dóminus, et humília réspicit: * et alta a longe cognóscit.
For the Lord is high, and looketh on the low: and the high he knoweth afar off.
Si ambulávero in médio tribulatiónis, vivificábis me:†et super iram inimicórum meórum extendísti manum tuam, * et salvum me fecit déxtera tua.
If I shall walk in the midst of tribulation, thou wilt quicken me: and thou hast stretched forth thy hand against the wrath of my enemies: and thy right hand hath saved me.
Dóminus retríbuet pro me:†Dómine, misericórdia tua in sǽculum: * ópera mánuum tuárum ne despícias.
The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the works of thy hands.
Réquiem ætérnam.
Eternal rest.
Ant. Audívi vocem de cælo dicéntem mihi: Beáti mórtui qui in Dómino moriúntur.
Ant. I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
℣. Audívi vocem de cælo dicéntem mihi. ℟. Beáti mórtui qui in Dómino moriúntur.
℣. I heard a voice from heaven saying to me. ℟. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
Ant. Magníficat * ánima mea Dóminum.
Ant. My soul doth magnify the Lord.
Canticle of Mary
Luke 1. h.
Magníficat * 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 Israel púerum suum, * recordátus misericórdiæ suæ.
He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy:
Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros, * Abraham et sémini ejus in sǽcula.
As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
Réquiem ætérnam.
Eternal rest.
Ant. Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum.
Ant. My soul doth magnify the Lord.
¶ The following Preces are said kneeling.
Pater noster silently until:
Our Father silently until:
℣. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem. ℟. Sed líbera nos a malo.
℣. And lead us not into temptation. ℟. But deliver us from evil.
¶ The following Psalm is omitted when the Antiphons are doubled.
Psalm 129
De profúndis clamávi ad te Dómine: * Dómine exáudi vocem meam:
From the depths I have cried to thee O Lord: Lord hear my voice:
Fiant aures tuæ intendéntes * in vocem deprecatiónis meæ.
Let thine ears be intent to the voice of my petition.
Si iniquitátes observáveris Dómine: * Dómine, quis sustinébit?
If thou shalt observe iniquities O Lord: Lord, who shall sustain it?
Quia apud te propitiátio est: * et propter legem tuam sustínui te Dómine.
Because with thee there is propitiation: and for thy law I have expected thee O Lord.
Sustínuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: * sperávit ánima mea in Dómino.
My soul hath relied on his word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
A custódia matutína usque ad noctem: * speret Israel in Dómino.
From the morning watch even until night: let Israel hope in the Lord.
Quia apud Dóminum misericórdia: * et copiósa apud eum redémptio.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
Et ipse rédimet Israel * ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus.
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Réquiem ætérnam.
Eternal rest.
¶ Then is said:
℣. A porta ínferi. ℟. Erue Dómine ánimam ejus (ánimas eórum).
℣. From the gate of hell. ℟. Deliver his soul (their souls) O Lord.
℣. Requiésca(n)t in pace. ℟. Amen.
℣. May he (they) rest in peace. ℟. Amen.
℣. Dómine exáudi oratiónem meam. ℟. Et clamor meus ad te véniat.
℣. O Lord hear my prayer. ℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulos tuos pontificáli seu sacerdotáli fecísti dignitáte vigére:†præsta, quǽsumus; * ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregéntur consórtio.
O God, who hast made thy servants to execute the pontifical or priestly dignity amongst thine apostolic priests, grant, we beseech thee, that they may also be associated to their everlasting fellowship.
Deus, véniæ largítor et humánæ salútis amátor:†quǽsumus cleméntiam tuam; ut nostræ congregatiónis fratres, propínquos et benefactóres qui ex hoc sǽculo transiérunt, * beáta María semper Vírgine intercedénte cum ómnibus Sanctis tuis, ad perpétuæ beatitúdinis consórtium perveníre concédas.
O God, the giver of pardon and lover of the salvation of men, we beseech thy mercy, that thou wouldest grant that the brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors of our congregation, who have passed away from this world, by the intercession of the blessed ever Virgin Mary with all thy Saints, may attain to the fellowship of everlasting blessedness.
Fidélium Deus ómnium Cónditor et Redémptor, animábus famulórum famularúmque tuárum remissiónem cunctórum tríbue peccatórum:†ut indulgéntiam, quam semper optavérunt, * piis supplicatiónibus consequántur. Qui vivis et regnas in sǽcula sæculórum. ℟. Amen.
O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaids remission of all their sins, that through devout supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Who livest and reignest, world without end. ℟. Amen.
Fidélium Deus ómnium Cónditor et Redémptor, animábus famulórum famularúmque tuárum remissiónem cunctórum tríbue peccatórum:†ut indulgéntiam, quam semper optavérunt, * piis supplicatiónibus consequántur. Qui vivis et regnas &c. ℟. Amen.
O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaids remission of all their sins, that through devout supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired: Who livest and reignest &c. ℟. Amen.
Absólve, quǽsumus Dómine, ánimam fámuli tui N. (fámulæ tuæ N.), ut defúnctus (defúncta) sǽculo tibi vivat:†et quæ per fragilitátem carnis humána conversatióne commísit, * tu vénia misericordíssimæ pietátis abstérge. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. ℟. Amen.
Absolve, we beseech thee O Lord, the soul of thy servant N. (thine handmaid N.), that though dead unto the world, he (she) may live unto thee: and whatsoever he (she) hath done amiss in his (her) human conversation through the weakness of the flesh, do thou wipe away by the pardon of thy most merciful loving-kindness. Through our Lord &c. ℟. Amen.
Deus, cui próprium est miseréri semper et párcere, te súpplices exorámus pro ánima fámuli tui N. (fámulæ tuæ N.), quam hódie de hoc sǽculo migráre jussísti:†ut non tradas eam in manus inimíci, neque obliviscáris in finem, sed júbeas eam a sanctis Angelis súscipi, et ad pátriam paradísi perdúci; * ut quia in te sperávit et crédidit, non pœnas inférni sustíneat, sed gáudia ætérna possídeat. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, &c. ℟. Amen.
O God, for whom it is proper ever to have mercy and to spare, we humbly devoutly beseech thee for the soul of thy servant N. (thine handmaid N.), which thou hast to-day called out of this world, that thou mayest not deliver her into the hands of the enemy, not forget her forever, but command her to be received by the holy angels and led into paradise her fatherland, that, since she hath hoped and believed in thee, she might not bear the pains of hell, but possess everlasting joys. Through our Lord &c. ℟. Amen.
Quǽsumus Dómine, ut ánimæ fámuli tui N. (fámulæ tuæ N.), cujus depositiónis diem tértium (vel séptimum, vel trigésimum) commemorámus,†Sanctórum atque electórum tuórum largíri dignéris consórtium; * et rorem misericórdiæ tuæ perénnem infúndas. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat &c. ℟. Amen.
We beseech thee, O Lord, that thou wouldest vouchsafe to grant to the soul of thy servant N. (thine handmaid N.), the three day's (or week's, or month's) mind of whose burial we commemorate, the fellowship of thy Saints and elect, and to refresh her with the everlasting dew of thy mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ &c. ℟. Amen.
Deus indulgentiárum Dómine:†da ánimæ fámuli tui N. (fámulæ tuæ N., or animábus famulórumque tuárum), cujus (quorum) anniversárium depositiónis diem commemorámus, * refrigérii sedem, quiétis beatitúdinem, et lúminis claritátem. Per Dóminum &c. ℟. Amen.
O God, the Lord of pardon: grant unto the soul of thy servant N. (thine handmaid N., or thy servants and handmaids), the year's mind of whose burial we commemorate, a place of refreshment, blissful peace, and clearness of light. Through our Lord &c. ℟. Amen.
Deus, qui inter summos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. ineffábili tua dispositióne connumerári voluísti:†præsta, quǽsumus; ut qui Unigéniti Fílii tui vices in terris gerébat, * sanctórum tuórum Pontíficum consórtio perpétuo aggregétur. Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum &c. ℟. Amen.
O God, who by thy inscrutable providence didst will to count thy servant N. amongst thy high priests, grant, we beseech thee, that he who took the place of thine Only-Begotten Son on earth may be associated to the everlasting fellowship of thy holy pontiffs. Through the same our Lord &c. ℟. Amen.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. (fámulos tuos N. et N.) pontificáli fecísti dignitáte vigére:†præsta, quǽsumus; * ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregé(n)tur consórtio. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum &c. ℟. Amen.
O God, who hast made thy servant N. (thy servants N. and N.) to execute the pontifical dignity amongst thine apostolic priests, grant, we beseech thee, that he (they) may also be associated to their everlasting fellowship. Through &c. ℟. Amen.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. (fámulos tuos N. et N.) sacerdotáli fecísti dignitáte vigére:†præsta, quǽsumus; * ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregé(n)tur consórtio. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum &c. ℟. Amen.
O God, who hast made thy servant N. (thy servants N. and N.) to execute the priestly dignity amongst thine apostolic priests, grant, we beseech thee, that he (they) may also be associated to their everlasting fellowship. Through our Lord &c. ℟. Amen.
Præsta, quǽsumus Dómine:†ut ánima fámuli tui N. Sacerdótis, quem in hoc sǽculo commorántem, sacris munéribus decorásti, * in cælésti sede gloriósa semper exsúltet. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum &c. ℟. Amen.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the soul of thy servant the Priest N., whom thou didst adorn with the sacred offices whilst it dwelt in this world, might ever exult in the glorious heavenly home. Through our Lord &c. ℟. Amen.
Inclína Dómine aurem tuam ad preces nostras, quibus misericórdiam tuam súpplices deprecámur:†ut ánimam fámuli tui N., quam de hoc sǽculo migráre jussísti, in pacis ac lucis regióne constítuas, * et Sanctórum tuórum júbeas esse consórtem. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum &c. ℟. Amen.
O Lord, incline thine ear unto our prayers, wherein we devoutly call upon thy mercy, that thou mayest establish the soul of thy servant N., which thou hast commanded to depart from this word, in the country of peace and light, and cause her to be a partner with thy holy Saints. Through our Lord Jesus Christ &c. ℟. Amen.
Quǽsumus Dómine, pro tua pietáte miserére ánimæ fámulæ tuæ N.:†et a contágiis mortalitátis exútam, * in ætérnæ salvatiónis partem restítue. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum &c. ℟. Amen.
We beseech thee, O Lord, according to thy loving-kindness have mercy on the soul of thine handmaid N., and, as she is set free from contact with mortality, restore her to a portion in everlasting salvation. Through &c. ℟. Amen.
Deus, véniæ largítor et humánæ salútis amátor:†quǽsumus cleméntiam tuam; ut nostræ congregatiónis fratres, propínquos et benefactóres qui ex hoc sǽculo transiérunt, * beáta María semper Vírgine intercedénte cum ómnibus Sanctis tuis, ad perpétuæ beatitúdinis consórtium perveníre concédas. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum &c. ℟. Amen.
O God, the giver of pardon and lover of the salvation of men, we beseech thy mercy, that thou wouldest grant that the brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors of our congregation, who have passed away from this world, by the intercession of the blessed ever Virgin Mary with all thy Saints, may attain to the fellowship of everlasting blessedness. Through our Lord &c. ℟. Amen.
Deus, qui nos patrem et matrem honoráre præcepísti:†miserére cleménter animábus patris et matris meæ, eorúmque peccáta dimítte: * meque eos in ætérnæ claritátis gáudio fac vídere. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum &c. ℟. Amen.
O God, who didst command us to honour our father and mother, graciously have mercy upon the souls of my father and mother, and forgive them all their sins, and grant me to behold them in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through our Lord &c. ℟. Amen.
