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. Then is said the Magnificat Antiphon, which is to be found in the Proper for the different Days. After this, the Church sings the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat, in which are celebrated the Divine Maternity and all its consequent blessings. This exquisite Canticle is an essential part of the Vespers, throughout the year; but how sweetly appropriate is it to the season of Christmas, during which, the Church is overflowing with joy at the Birth of Jesus! She turns to the Mother, and proclaims her Blessed. Blessed, indeed; for, the power of the Most High overshadowed her; the Holy Ghost gave unto her, for the salvation of the world, the Blessed Fruit of her Womb.1 OUR LADY'S CANTICLE. My soul doth magnify the 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 gene * 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 pro 1 St. Luke, i. 35. The Magnificat Antiphon is then repeated. The Prayer, or Collect, will be found in the Proper of each Sunday and Feast. The Vespers end with the following Versicles: V. Benedicamus Domino. B. Deo gratias. V. Fidelium animæ per misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace. R. Amen. V. Let us bless the Lord. . May the souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. CHAPTER VIII ON THE OFFICE OF COMPLINE, DURING CHRISTMAS. 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 bless ing. V. Jube, Domine, benedi cere. answers: Noctem quietam, et finem The Lector then reads these words, from the first Epistle of St. Peter: Brethren, be sober and watch for your adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour resist him, being strong in faith. But thou, Ŏ Lord, have mercy on us. : Fratres: Sobrii estote, et 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 Lord's. Prayer is recited in secret; after which the Priest says the Confiteor; and, when he has finished, the Choir says: Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat te ad vitam æternam. May Almighty God be merciful to thee, and, forgiving thy sins, bring thee to everlasting life. The Priest having answered Amen, the Choir repeats the Confiteor, thus : Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti, beatæ Mariæ semper Virgini,beato MichaeliArchangelo, beato Joanni Baptistæ, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, omnibus sanctis, et tibi Pater: quia peccavi nimis, cogitatione, verbo, et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes sanctos, et te, Pater, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum. I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, and to thee, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, and thee, Father, to pray to our Lord God for me. The Priest then says: Misereatur vestri omni- May Almighty God be merpotens Deus, et dimissis ciful to you, and, forgiving your sins, bring you to ever- peccatis vestris, perducat lasting life. R. Amen. May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins. vos ad vitam æternam. Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum, tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. The first Psalm expresses the confidence with which the just man sleeps in peace; but the wicked know not what calm rest is. It also speaks of the eternal Word, the Light of the Father, who is come to dispel our darkness. PSALM 4. 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. Oye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying? Know ye also that the Lord hath made his Holy One wonderful the Lord will hear me, when I shall cry unto him. Be ye angry, and sin not: the things you say in your mihi. * dilatasti |