breviarium

Divine Office

Compline

Feast of
Stephan

Christmastide
1st Week
Psalter Week 4
Thursday
26
December
2024

Introduction

God, ✛ come to my assistance; *
Lord, make haste to help me.

Gloria

Glory to the Father, to the Son,
    and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now,
    and will be forever.
Amen
Alleluia

Examination of Conscience

After a short time examining your soul, spirit, and consciousness - pray to the Lord.

    I confess to Almighty God, and to all whose hope is in Christ. I have sinned in thought, word, and deed. I have sinned in what I have done and left undone. I have sinned, and continue to sin again and again. I have struggled to rest in God's presence. Help me deeply embrace the tender love of our Father. Help me take up my cross and follow Jesus. Help me sense and let the Holy Spirit guide me. This is why I plead that you pray to the Lord, our God, for me. Pray for me, along with all the saints.

    Almighty Father, have mercy on us. Continue to forgive us our sins, and lead us on the narrow path, with You, to eternal life.

Amen

Psalmody

Psalm 16

The Lord is my Portion
·
UMB-EN
Antiphon
Ant.

My flesh * will dwell in safety.

Protect me, my God! *
    For in You, I take refuge.
I said to the LORD, "You are my God! *
    I have nothing good apart from You."
As for the saints of the earth, the majestic ones, *
    all my delight is in them.

Those who have drawn near to other gods, *
    will see their sorrows multiplied.
For I will not pour out blood offerings to them, *
    or even let the names of other gods be on my lips.

The LORD is my portion and my cup, *
    You sustain my lot.
These boundary lines have fallen into pleasant places for me; *
    indeed, my inheritance is beautiful.
I will bless the LORD who counseled me; *
    indeed, my heart instructs me through the nights.

I have always set the LORD before me. *
    With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore, my heart is glad †
    and my tongue rejoices; *
    also, my flesh will dwell in safety.

For You will not abandon me to Sheol, *
    nor will You let Your holy one rot in the pit of death.
You will show me the way of life; †
    in Your presence is joy perfected; *
    in Your right hand are pleasures forever.

Gloria

Glory to the Father, to the Son,
    and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now,
    and will be forever.
Amen
Alleluia

Antiphon
Ant.

My flesh * will dwell in safety.

Reading

First Epistle to the Church in Thessaloniki 5:23-24

May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also see it through to the end.

Brief Response

℣ Into Your hands, LORD; I entrust you with my spirit.
℟ Into Your hands, LORD; * I entrust you with my spirit.
℣ For You have redeemed us, LORD, God of truth.
℟ Into Your hands, LORD; * I entrust you with my spirit.
℣ Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
℟ Into Your hands, LORD; * I entrust you with my spirit.

Gospel Canticle

Luke 2:29-32

Now, Go in Peace
·
UMB-EN
Antiphon
Ant.

Save us, Lord, when we take watch.
    Protect us while we sleep.
Awake, may we watch with Christ,
    and in rest, let us have peace.

Lord ✛, now let Your servant go in peace. *
    You have kept Your promise.
For my eyes have seen Your salvation, *
    which You prepared in the sight of all people.
A light of revelation for the nations, *
    and the glory of Your people Israel.

Gloria

Glory to the Father, to the Son,
    and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now,
    and will be forever.
Amen
Alleluia

Antiphon
Ant.

Save us, Lord, when we take watch.
    Protect us while we sleep.
Awake, may we watch with Christ,
    and in rest, let us have peace.

Concluding Prayer

Let us pray.
Lord our God, give us restful and restoring sleep tonight. † Give Your children peace after the exertion of our daily work. * Out of Your abundant faithfulness, You always revive us. With joy, we will serve You in spirit, soul, and body, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Blessing

May the Lord Almighty ✛ grant us a peaceful night, and a perfect end.
Amen

Concluding Antiphon

Tonight, we strongly encourage you to pray the Marian antiphon in light of today's proper.

You may pray either the Marian or Kingdom antiphon to conclude Compline.

Marian Antiphon

Hail, * holy Queen, mother of mercy,
    one of life, gentleness, and hope.
We cry in our exile as children of Eve.
    Towards you we sigh, mourn, and weep
    in this valley of tears.

Turn, most gracious advocate,
    your eyes of mercy towards us.
As we end our exile, show us Jesus,
    the blessed fruit of your flesh.
    Merciful, loving, and sweet Virgin Mary.

Kingdom Antiphon

Hail, * holy Kingdom, home of mercy,
    one of life, gentleness, and hope.
We cry in our exile as children of Eve.
    Towards You we sigh, mourn, and weep
    in this valley of tears.

Turn, most gracious advocate,
    your eyes of mercy towards us.
As we end our exile, show us Jesus,
    the blessed King on Your throne.
    Merciful, loving, and sweet Lord Christ.