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Vespers

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Today’s Evensong is that of the
First Vespers of the Octave Day of Holy Innocents, Mm

Carillon des Heures : Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

The Dual Prayer is said in silence as follows:

Pater noster, qui es in cælis, sanctificétur nomen tuum.  Advéniat regnum tuum.  Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.  Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie.  Et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem: sed líbera nos a malo.  Amen.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.  Amen.

Ave, María, grátia plena; Dóminus tecum: benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui Jesus. Sancta María, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatóribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.  Amen.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners; Now, and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

℣.  Deus, ✠ in adjutórium meum inténde.
℟.  Dómine, ad adjuvándum me festína.

℣.  O God, ✠ make speed to save me.

℟.  O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum.  Amen.  Allelúja.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum.  Amen.  Allelúja.

Ant.  Beáti omnes. †

Ant.  Blessed are all they. †

Psalm 127 : Sir John Stainer
Choir of Wells Cathedral, Somerset

Psalmus 127  :  Beati omnes

Psalm 127  :  Beati omnes

 Beáti omnes, † qui timent Dóminum, * qui ámbulant in viis ejus.

Blessed are all they † that fear the Lord, * and walk in his ways.

2  Labóres mánuum tuárum quia manducábis: * beátus es, et bene tibi erit.

2  For thou shalt eat the labours of thine hands: * O well is thee, and happy shalt thou be.

3  Uxor tua sicut vitis abúndans: * in latéribus domus tuæ.

3  Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine * upon the walls of thine house;

4  Fílii tui sicut novéllæ olivárum: * in circúitu mensæ tuæ.

4  Thy children like the olive-branches * round about thy table.

5  Ecce sic benedicétur homo, * qui timet Dóminum.

5  Lo, thus shall the man be blessed * that feareth the Lord.

6  Benedícat tibi Dóminus ex Sion: * et vídeas bona Jerúsalem ómnibus diébus vitæ tuæ.

6  The Lord from out of Sion shall so bless thee, * that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all thy life long.

7  Et vídeas fílios filiórum tuórum: * pacem super Israël.

7  Yea, that thou shalt see thy children’s children, * and peace upon Israel.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant.    Beáti omnes, qui timent Dóminum.

Ant.    Blessed are all they that fear the Lord.

Ant.  Confundántur omnes.

Ant.    Let them be confounded.

Psalm 128 : Sir John Leman Rodgers
Choir of Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire

Psalmus 110  :  Confitebor

Psalm 110  :  Confitebor

Sæpe expugnavérunt me a juventúte mea, * dicat nunc Israël:

Many a time have they fought against me from my youth up, * let Israel now say;

2  Sæpe expugnavérunt me a juventúte mea: * étenim non potuérunt mihi.

2  Yea, many a time have they fought against me from my youth up; * but they have not prevailed against me.

3  Supra dorsum meum fabricavérunt peccatóres: * prolongavérunt iniquitátem suam.

3  The ungodly have wrought upon my back, * they have lengthened their iniquity.

4  Dóminus justus concídit cervíces peccatórum: * confundántur et convertántur retrórsum omnes, qui odérunt Sion.

4  The righteous Lord hath hewn the necks of the ungodly * let them be confounded and turned backward, as many as hate Sion.

5  Fiant sicut fœnum tectórum: * quod priúsquam evellátur exáruit:

5  Let them be even as the grass upon the housetops, * which withereth afore it be grown up;

6  De quo non implévit manum suam qui metit: * et sinum suum qui manípulos cólligit.

6  Whereof the mower filleth not his hand, * neither he that bindeth up the sheaves his bosom.

7  Et non dixérunt qui præteríbant: Benedíctio Dómini super vos: * benedíximus vobis in nómine Dómini.

7  And they who go by say not: The blessing of the Lord be upon you; * we have blessed you in the Name of the Lord.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum.  Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant.  Confundántur omnes, qui odérunt Sion.

Ant.  Holy and reverend is his Name: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Ant.    De profúndis. †

Ant.  Out of the depths. †

Psalm 129 : Walter Parratt
Choir of Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire

Psalmus 129  :  De profundis

Psalm 129  :  De profundis

De profúndis †clamávi ad te, Dómine: * Dómine, exáudi vocem meam:

Out of the depths † I have cried unto thee, O Lord; * Lord, hear my voice.

2  Fiant aures tuæ intendéntes: * in vocem deprecatiónis meæ.

2  O let thine ears be attentive * to the voice of my supplication.

3  Si iniquitátes observáveris, Dómine: * Dómine, quis sustinébit?

3  If thou, O Lord, shalt observe our iniquities, * Lord, who shall endure it?

4  Quia apud te propitiátio est: * et propter legem tuam sustínui te, Dómine.

4  For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: * and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.

5  Sustínuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: * sperávit ánima mea in Dómino.

5  My soul hath relied on his word: * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.

6  A custódia matutína usque ad noctem: * speret Israël in Dómino.

6  From the morning watch even until night: * let Israel hope in the Lord.

7  Quia apud Dóminum misericórdia: * et copiósa apud eum redémptio.

7  Because with the Lord there is mercy, * and with him plentiful redemption.

8  Et ipse rédimet Israël: * ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus.

 

8  And he shall redeem Israel * from all his iniquities.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum.  Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

Ant.    De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómine.

Ant.    Out of the depths I have cried unto thee, O Lord.

Ant.   Dómine. †

Ant.  O Lord. †

Psalm 130 : John Rogers
Choir of Durham Cathedral, Co. Durham

Psalmus 130  :  Domine, non est exaltatum

Psalm 130  :  Domine, non est exaltatum

Dómine, † non est exaltátum cor meum: * neque eláti sunt óculi mei.

 

O Lord, † I am not high-minded; * I have no proud looks.

2  Neque ambulávi in magnis: * neque in mirabílibus super me.

2  I do not exercise myself in great matters * which are too high for me.

 

3  Si non humíliter sentiébam: * sed exaltávi ánimam meam.

 

3  But I refrain my soul, * and keep it low.

 

4  Sicut ablactátus est super matre sua: * ita retribútio in ánima mea.

 

4  Like as a child that is weaned from his mother: * yea, my soul is even as a weaned child.

 

5  Speret Israël in Dómino: * ex hoc nunc et usque in sǽculum.

 

5  O Israel, trust in the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.

 

Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum.  Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

Ant.    Dómine, non est exaltátum cor meum.

Ant.    O Lord, I am not high-minded.

Ant.    Elégit Dóminus.

Ant.    The Lord hath chosen.

Psalm 131 : John Henry Maunder & Edwin Edwards
Choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London

Psalmus 131  :  Memento, Domine

Psalmus 131  :  Memento, Domine

Meménto, Dómine, David, * et omnis mansuetúdinis ejus:

Lord, remember David, * and all his trouble:

2  Sicut jurávit Dómino, * votum vovit Deo Jacob:

2  How he sware unto the Lord, * and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob:

3  Si introíero in tabernáculum domus meæ, * si ascéndero in lectum strati mei:

3  I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house, * nor climb up into my bed;

4  Si dédero somnum óculis meis, * et pálpebris meis dormitatiónem:

4  I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, * nor mine eyelids to slumber;

5  Et réquiem tempóribus meis: donec invéniam locum Dómino, * tabernáculum Deo Jacob.

5  Neither the temples of my head to take any rest: * until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord, an habitation for the Mighty God of Jacob.

6  Ecce audívimus eam in Ephrata: * invénimus eam in campis silvæ.

6  Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata, * and found it in the wood.

7  Introíbimus in tabernáculum ejus: * adorábimus in loco, ubi stetérunt pedes ejus.

7  We will go into his tabernacle, * and fall low on our knees before his footstool.

8  Surge, Dómine, in réquiem tuam, * tu et arca sanctificatiónis tuæ.

8  Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place; * thou, and the ark of thy strength.

9  Sacerdótes tui induántur justítiam: * et sancti tui exsúltent.

9  Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; * and let thy saints sing with joyfulness.

10  Propter David, servum tuum: * non avértas fáciem Christi tui.

10  For thy servant David’s sake, * turn not away the presence of thine anointed.

11  Jurávit Dóminus David veritátem, et non frustrábitur eam: * de fructu ventris tui ponam super sedem tuam.

11  The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and he shall not shrink from it: * of the fruit of thy body shall I set upon thy seat.

12  Si custodíerint fílii tui testaméntum meum: * et testimónia mea hæc, quæ docébo eos.

12  If thy children will keep my covenant, * and my testimonies that I shall learn them;

13  Et fílii eórum usque in sǽculum: * sedébunt super sedem tuam.

13  Their children also * shall sit upon thy seat for evermore.

14  Quóniam elégit Dóminus Sion: * elégit eam in habitatiónem sibi.

14  For the Lord hath chosen Sion * to be an habitation for himself.

15  Hæc réquies mea in sǽculum sǽculi: * hic habitábo, quóniam elégi eam.

15  This shall be my rest for ever: * here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein.

16  Víduam ejus benedícens benedícam: * páuperes ejus saturábo pánibus.

16  I will bless her victuals with increase: * and will satisfy her poor with bread.

17  Sacerdótes ejus índuam salutári: * et sancti ejus exsultatióne exsultábunt.

17  I will deck her priests with health, * and her saints shall rejoice and sing.

18  Illuc prodúcam cornu David: * parávi lucérnam Christo meo.

18  There shall I make the horn of David to flourish: * I have ordained a lantern for mine anointed.

19  Inimícos ejus índuam confusióne: * super ipsum autem efflorébit sanctificátio mea.

19  As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame; * but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum.  Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

Ant.   Elégit Dóminus Sion in habitatiónem sibi.

Ant.    The Lord hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for himself.

Capitulum    Apoc. 14 : 1
Vidi supra montem Sion Agnum stantem, et cum eo centum quadragínta quátuor míllia habéntes nomen ejus, et nomen Patris ejus scriptum in fróntibus suis.
℟.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter  Apoc. 14 : 1
I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with him an hundred and forty and four thousand,
℟.  Thanks be to God.

Hymnus

Hymn

Salvete, Flores Martyrum

Salvete, Flores Martyrum

Salvéte, flores Mártyrum,
Quos lucis ipso in límine
Christi insecútor sústulit,
Ceu turbo nascéntes rosas.

All hail! ye infant martyr flowers,
Cut off in life’s first dawning hours:
As rosebuds snapt in tempest strife
When Herod sought your Saviour’s life.

Vos prima Christi víctima,
Grex immolatórum tener,
Aram sub ipsam símplices
Palma et corónis lúditis.

You, tender flock of Christ, we sing,
First victims slain for Christ your King:
Beneath the Altar’s heavenly ray
With Martyr-palms and crowns ye play.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.

All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

℣.  Heródes irátus occídit multos púeros.
℟.  In Béthlehem Judæ civitáte David.

℣.  Herod was exceeding wroth, and slew many children.
℟.  In Bethlehem Judah, the city of David.

Ad Magnif. Ant.  Hi sunt.

Ant. on Magnif.  These are they.

Canticum Beatæ Mariæ Virginis
Luc. 1 : 46-55

Magnificat
Luke 1 : 46-55

Magnificat (Canterbury Service) for Trebles : Philip Moore
Choir of Bristol Cathedral, Gloucestershire

Magníficat * ✠ ánima mea Dóminum.

My soul * ✠ doth magnify the Lord.

2  Et exsultávit spíritus meus: * in Deo, salutári meo.

2  And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Saviour.

3  Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ: * ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.

3  For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden: * for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

4  Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est: * (Fit reverentia) et sanctum nomen ejus.

4  For he that is mighty hath magnified me; * (Here all make a profound reverence) and holy is his Name.

5  Et misericórdia ejus, a progénie in progénies: * timéntibus eum.

5  And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all generations.

6  Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo: * dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.

6  He hath shewed strength with his arm; * he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

7  Depósuit poténtes de sede: * et exaltávit húmiles.

7  He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble and meek.

8  Esuriéntes implévit bonis: * et dívites dimísit inánes.

8  He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.

9  Suscépit Israël púerum suum: * recordátus misericórdiæ suæ.

9  He remembering his mercy * hath holpen his servant Israel.

10  Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros: * Abraham, et sémini ejus in sǽcula.

10  As he promised to our forefathers, * Abraham and his seed for ever.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum.  Amen.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant:  Hi sunt, qui cum muliéribus non sunt coinquináti: vírgines enim sunt, et sequúntur Agnum quocúmque íerit.

Ant:  These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins; and they follow the Lamb, whithersoever he goeth.

℣.  Dóminus vobíscum.
℟.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

℣.  The Lord be with you.
℟.  And with thy spirit.

Orémus.
Deus, cujus hodiérna die præcónium Innocéntes Mártyres non loquéndo, sed moriéndo conféssi sunt: ómnia in nobis vitiórum mala mortífica; ut fidem tuam, quam lingua nostra lóquitur, étiam móribus vita fateátur. Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟.  Amen.

Let us pray.
O God, whose praise the martyred Innocents did this day proclaim, not by speaking but by dying, do to death in us all the malice of sinfulness, that our lives may also proclaim thy faith, which our tongues profess. Through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
℟.  Amen.

℣.  Dóminus vobíscum.
℟.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

℣.  The Lord be with you.
℟.  And with thy spirit.

℣.  Benedicámus Dómino.
℟.  Deo grátias.

℣.  Bless we the Lord.
℟.  Thanks be to God.

Fidélium ánimæ ✠ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace.
℟.  Amen.

May the souls ✠ of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟.  Amen.

Then is said secretly the final Pater, unless Compline immediately follow; in which case the Opening thereof is immediately said.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis, sanctificétur nomen tuum.  Advéniat regnum tuum.  Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.  Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie.  Et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem: sed líbera nos a malo.  Amen.

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, In earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Office of Vespers ends here, unless it has been said in aggregation with Lauds so that the Marian Antiphon has not yet been said.  In this case, it is added on as follows:

℣. Dóminus ✠ det nobis suam pacem.
℟.  Et vitam ætérnam. Amen.

℣.  Grant unto us ✠ thy peace, O Lord.
℟.  And the life everlasting.  Amen.

Antiphona Finalis B.M.V.
Alma Redemptoris Mater

Concluding Antiphon of Our Lady
Alma Redemptoris Mater

Alma Redemptoris Mater : Plainchant
Chanticleer

Alma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæli
Porta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti,
Súrgere qui curat, pópulo: tu quæ genuísti,
Natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem,
Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab ore
Sumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.

Mother of Christ! Hear thou thy people’s cry,
Star of the deep, and portal of the sky!
Mother of Him Who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive and call to thee for aid;
Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.

℣.  Post partum, Virgo, invioláta permansísti.
℟.  Dei Génitrix, intercéde pro nobis.

℣.  After child-bearing thou remainedst a pure Virgin.
℟.  Intercede for us, O thou Mother of God.

Orémus.
Deus, qui salútis ætérnæ, beátæ Maríæ virginitáte fœcúnda, humáno géneri prǽmia præstitísti: tríbue, quǽsumus; ut ipsam pro nobis intercédere sentiámus, per quam merúimus auctórem vitæ suscípere, Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum.
℟.  Amen.

Let us pray.
O God, who, by the fruitful virginity of the Blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon all mankind the rewards of everlasting life: grant, we beseech thee; that we may know the succour of her intercession, through whom we have been found worthy to receive the Author of life, even Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord.
℟.  Amen.

℣. Divínum auxílium ✠ máneat semper nobíscum.
℟.  Amen.

℣.  May help divine ✠ be with us all, for ever abiding.
℟.  Amen.

January 3