During Advent, the Christian, on waking in the morning, will unite himself with the Church, who, in her Office of Matins, says to us these solemn words, which choirs of religious men and women, throughout the universe, have been chanting during the deep silence of the night:—
Come, let us adore the King our Lord, who is to come!
Regem venturum Dominum, venite, adoremus.
He will profoundly adore this great King, whose Coming is so near at hand: and with this idea deeply impressed upon his mind, he will perform the first acts of religion, both interior and exterior, wherewith he begins the day. The time for Morning Prayer being come, he may use the following method, which is formed upon the very prayers of the Church:—
Morning Prayers
First, praise and adoration of the Most Holy Trinity:—
℣. Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
℣. Benedicamus Patrem, et Filium, cum Sancto Spiritu.
℟. Let us praise him and extol him above all for ever.
℟. Laudemus et superexaltemus eum in sæcula.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℣. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
℟. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
Then, praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:—
℣. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee.
℣. Adoramus te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
℟. Because by thy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.
℟. Quia per Crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
Thirdly, invocation of the Holy Ghost:—
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle within them the fire of thy love.
Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis ignem accende.
After these fundamental acts of religion, you will recite the Lord’s Prayer, asking of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant that his holy Name may be glorified on earth by sending his Son, who will found the kingdom of God; and that he will vouchsafe to give us this Savior who is our Bread, and who will obtain for us, by the mediation so long looked for, the forgiveness of our sins; finally, that he will deliver us from sin, which is the sovereign evil.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done, on 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.
Pater noster, qui es in cœlis, sanctificetur nomen tuum: adveniat regnum tuum: fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cœlo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie: et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris: et ne nos inducas in tentationem: sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
Then address the Angelical Salutation to Mary, who is, in these days which precede the Nativity, so truly full of grace, since she has in her chaste womb Him who is the author of all grace. The Lord, the fruit of her womb, is with her; and we may already give her the sublime and unshared title of Mother of God.
The Angelical Salutation
Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostræ. Amen.
After this, recite the symbol of Faith; and as you pronounce the words, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, dwell on them with a special attention, adoring the Savior, who is as yet concealed in Mary’s womb.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, creatorem cœli et terræ. Et in Jesum Christum Filium ejus unicum Dominum nostrum: qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus: descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis: ascendit ad cœlos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis: inde venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos.
I believe in the Holy Ghost: the Holy Catholic Church; the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam. Sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam æternam. Amen.
After having thus made the Profession of your Faith, excite within yourself sentiments of penance, by the remembrance of the sins you have committed; of gratitude to the Lamb of God, who is coming in order to save us; and of fear of the Last Day. For this end, say with the Church the following hymn, taken from the Office of Lauds for Advent.
Hymn
The solemn voice of the Precursor is heard, explaining the obscurity of the ancient figures; let our slumbers cease; Jesus is rising on our horizon.
Let the sluggish soul now rise, and stay no more upon this earth; a new star is shining, which will take all sin away.
Lo! the Lamb is sent to forgive us freely our debt: let us unite in tears and prayers, that we may obtain pardon.
That when he comes the second time, filling the world with fear, he may not have to punish us for our sins, but may protect us in mercy.
Power, honor, praise, and glory, be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Paraclete, for ever and ever. Amen.
Obscura quæque personans;
Procul fugentur somnia:
Ab alto Jesus promicat.
Non amplius jacens humi:
Sidus refulget jam novum,
Ut tollat omne noxium.
Laxare gratis debitum:
Omnes simul cum lacrymis,
Precemur indulgentiam.
Metuque mundum cinxerit,
Non pro reatu puniat,
Sed nos pius tunc protegat.
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In sæculorum sæcula.
Amen.
Here make an humble confession of your sins, reciting the general formula made use of by the Church.
The Confession of Sins
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, and to all the saints, 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, to pray to our Lord God for me.
Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatæ Mariæ semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Joanni Baptistæ, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, et omnibus sanctis, 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, et omnes sanctos, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum.
May Almighty God have mercy on us, and, our sins being forgiven, bring us to life everlasting. Amen.
Misereatur nostri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis nostris, perducat nos ad vitam æternam. Amen.
May the Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.
Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus. Amen.
This is the proper place for making your Meditation, as no doubt you practice this holy exercise. During Advent, its principal object ought to be the removing from ourselves those hindrances, which would oppose Jesus’ coming and reigning within us. The love of sensual pleasures, avarice, and pride, that triple concupiscence which St. John so strongly condemns in his first Epistle, must be withstood, else our preparation for Christmas is useless. And as the chief thing in every Prayer or Meditation, is to turn our thoughts to Jesus Christ, we must, during Advent, contemplate him in the womb of Mary, where he remains hidden, giving us, by this his state of abasement, a most telling lesson of devotedness to his Father’s glory, of obedience to the divine decrees, and of humility; but, at the same time, he gives us a most powerful proof of the greatness of his love of us.
This thought will naturally suggest to us a variety of motives and resolutions for breaking those ties which keep us from a virtuous life. But should they not produce sufficient impression on us, we must then consider Jesus as our Judge, in the dread magnificence of his majesty, and all the severity of his inevitable vengeance.
The next part of your Morning Prayer must be to ask of God, by the following prayers, grace to avoid every kind of sin during the day you are just beginning. Say, then, with the Church, whose prayers must always be preferred to all others:
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℣. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℟. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
Almighty Lord and God, who hast brought us to the beginning of this day, let thy powerful grace so conduct us through it, that we may not fall into any sin, but that all our thoughts, words, and actions may be regulated according to the rules of thy heavenly justice, and tend to the observance of thy holy law. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Domine, Deus omnipotens, qui ad principium hujus diei nos pervenire fecisti, tua nos hodie salva virtute, ut in hac die ad nullum declinemus peccatum, sed semper ad tuam justitiam faciendam nostra procedant eloquia, dirigantur cogitationes et opera. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
Then, beg the divine assistance for the actions of the day, that you may do them well; and say thrice:
℣. Incline unto my aid, O God.
℣. Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℟. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
℣. Incline unto my aid, O God.
℣. Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℟. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
℣. Incline unto my aid, O God.
℣. Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℟. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
Lord God, and King of heaven and earth, vouchsafe this day to rule and sanctify, to direct and govern our souls and bodies, our senses, words, and actions in conformity to thy law, and strict obedience to thy commands; that by the help of thy grace, O Savior of the world! we may be fenced and freed from all evils. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.
Dirigere et sanctificare, regere et gubernare dignare, Domine Deus, Rex cœli et terræ, hodie corda et corpora nostra, sensus, sermones et actus nostros in lege tua, et in operibus mandatorum tuorum, ut hic et in æternum, te auxiliante, salvi et liberi esse mereamur, Salvator mundi. Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculorum.
℟. Amen.
℟. Amen.
After this, uniting yourself with the Church, which, both in the Divine Office, and during the Holy Sacrifice, prays for the coming of Jesus Christ, say:
℣. O Lord God of hosts, come and deliver us.
℣. Veni ad liberandum nos, Domine Deus virtutum.
℟. Show thy face, and we shall be saved.
℟. Ostende faciem tuam, et salvi erimus.
℣. Show us, O Lord, thy mercy.
℣. Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.
℟. And grant us the Savior, whom we expect from thee.
℟. Et salutare tuum da nobis.
℣. The Lord shall rise upon thee, O Jerusalem!
℣. Super te, Jerusalem, orietur Dominus.
℟. And his glory shall be seen upon thee.
℟. Et gloria ejus in te videbitur.
Let us pray.
(First Week.)
Oremus.
Exert, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy power and come; that by thy protection we may be freed from the imminent dangers of our sins, and be saved by thy mercy; who livest and reignest God, world without end.
Excita, quæsumus, Domine, potentiam tuam et veni; ut ab imminentibus peccatorum nostrorum periculis, te mereamur protegente eripi, te liberante, salvari. Qui vivis et regnas Deus, per omnia sæcula sæculorum.
℟. Amen.
℟. Amen.
(Second Week.)
Stir up, O Lord, our hearts to prepare the ways of thy Only Begotten Son; that by his coming, we may be enabled to serve thee with pure minds; who liveth and reigneth with thee, world without end.
Excita, Domine, corda nostra ad præparandas Unigeniti tui vias; ut per ejus adventum purificatis tibi mentibus servire mereamur. Qui tecum vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculorum.
℟. Amen.
℟. Amen.
(Third Week.)
Bend thine ear, O Lord, we beseech thee, to our prayers, and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of thy visitation; who livest and reignest God, world without end.
Aurem tuam, quæsumus, Domine, precibus nostris accommoda: et mentis nostræ tenebras gratia tuæ visitationis illustra. Qui vivis et regnas Deus, per omnia sæcula sæculorum.
℟. Amen.
℟. Amen.
(Fourth Week.)
Exert, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy power and come; and succor us by thy great might; that by the assistance of thy grace, thy indulgent mercy may hasten what is delayed by our sins; who livest and reignest God, world without end.
Excita, quæsumus, Domine, potentiam tuam et veni, et magna nobis virtute succurre: ut, per auxilium gratiæ tuæ quod nostra peccata præpediunt, indulgentia tuæ propitiationis acceleret. Qui vivis et regnas Deus, per omnia sæcula sæculorum.
℟. Amen.
℟. Amen.
It would be well to add the special Prayer, which the Church says, during Advent, in honor of the Blessed Mother of God.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
O God, who wast pleased that thy Word, when the Angel delivered his message, should take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary; give ear to our humble petitions, and grant that we who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her prayers. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Deus, qui de beatæ Mariæ Virginis utero, Verbum tuum, Angelo nuntiante, carnem suscipere voluisti: præsta supplicibus tuis, ut qui vere eam Genitricem Dei credimus, ejus apud te intercessionibus adjuvemur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum.
℟. Amen.
℟. Amen.
During the day, you may use the instructions and prayers which you will find in this volume for each day of Advent, both for the Proper of the Time, and the Proper of the Saints. In the evening, you may use the following prayers.
Night Prayers
After having made the sign of the Cross, adore the Divine Majesty, who has so mercifully preserved you during this day, and so plentifully bestowed upon you, every hour, his grace and protection. Begin by reciting the hymn which the Church sings at Vespers during Advent.
Hymn
O Jesus, thou kind Creator of the heavens, eternal Light of believers, and Redeemer of all mankind, hear the prayers of thy suppliants.
Æterna lux credentium,
Jesu, Redemptor omnium,
Intende votis supplicum.
Lest the world should perish by the fraud of the devil, thou, impelled by the vehemence of thy love for us, didst thyself become the remedy of all our weakness.
Periret orbis, impetu
Amoris actus, languidi
Mundi medela factus es.
To expiate the sin of the whole world, thou didst come from the sanctuary of the Virgin’s womb, a victim destined to the cross.
Ut expiares, ad crucem,
E Virginis sacrario
Intacta prodis victima.
How glorious is thy power, when, at the very sound of thy Name, heaven and hell bend their trembling knee!
Nomenque quum primum sonat,
Et cœlites et inferi
Tremente curvantur genu.
We beseech thee, dread Judge of the last day, defend us from our enemies by the armor of thy heavenly grace.
Magnum diei judicem,
Armis supernæ gratiæ
Defende nos ab hostibus.
Power, honor, praise, and glory, be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Paraclete, for ever and ever.
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In sæculorum sæcula.
Amen.
Amen.
After this Hymn, say the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed, as in the Morning.
Then make the Examination of Conscience, going over in your mind all the faults you may have committed during the day; think how unworthy sin makes us of the merciful visit of our Savior, and make a firm resolution to avoid sin for the future, to do penance for it, and to avoid the occasions which might lead you into it.
The Examination of Conscience concluded, recite the Confiteor (or I confess) with heartfelt contrition, and then give expression to your sorrow by the following Act, which we have taken from the Venerable Cardinal Bellarmine’s Catechism:
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am exceedingly grieved for having offended thee, and with my whole heart I repent for the sins I have committed: I hate and abhor them above every other evil, not only because, by so sinning, I have lost Heaven and deserved Hell, but still more because I have offended thee, O Infinite Goodness, who art worthy to be loved above all things. I most firmly resolve, by the assistance of thy grace, never more to offend thee for the time to come, and to avoid those occasions which might lead me into sin.
You may then add the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, to the recitation of which Pope Benedict XIV. has granted an indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines for each time.
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe whatsoever the Holy Catholic Apostolic Roman Church requires me to believe: I believe it, because thou hast revealed it to her, thou who art the very Truth.
Act of Hope
O my God, knowing thy almighty power, and thy infinite goodness and mercy, I hope in thee that, by the merits of the Passion and Death of our Savior Jesus Christ, thou wilt grant me eternal life, which thou hast promised to all such as shall do the works of a good Christian; and these I resolve to do with the help of thy grace.
Act of Charity
O my God, I love thee with my whole heart and above all things, because thou art the Sovereign Good: I would rather lose all things than offend thee. For thy love also, I love and desire to love my neighbor as myself.
Then say to our Blessed Lady, in honor of the ineffable dignity of her Maternity, the following Anthem:
Anthem to the Blessed Virgin
Sweet Mother of our Redeemer, Gate whereby we enter heaven, and Star of the sea! help us, we fall; yet do we long to rise. Nature looked upon thee with admiration, when thou didst give birth to thy divine Creator, thyself remaining, before and after it, a pure Virgin. Gabriel spoke his Hail to thee; we sinners crave thy pity.
Porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,
Surgere qui curat populo: tu quæ genuisti,
Natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem,
Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore,
Sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere.
℣. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
℣. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ.
℟. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
℟. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts; that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Gratiam tuam, quæsumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde, ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui Incarnationem cognovimus, per Passionem ejus et Crucem ad Resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum.
℟. Amen.
℟. Amen.
You would do well to add the Litany of our Lady. An indulgence of three hundred days, for each time it is recited, has been granted by the Church.
The Litany of the Blessed Virgin
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray, etc.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of Wisdom,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Vessel of singular devotion,
Mystical Rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning Star,
Health of the weak,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
℣. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Christe, eleïson.
Kyrie, eleïson.
Christe, audi nos.
Christe, exaudi nos.
Pater de cœlis, Deus, miserere nobis.
Fili, Redemptor mundi Deus, miserere nobis.
Spiritus Sancte, Deus, miserere nobis.
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis.
Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis.
Sancta Dei Genitrix, ora, etc.
Sancta Virgo virginum,
Mater Christi,
Mater divinæ gratiæ,
Mater purissima,
Mater castissima,
Mater inviolata,
Mater intemerata,
Mater amabilis,
Mater admirabilis,
Mater Creatoris,
Mater Salvatoris,
Virgo prudentissima,
Virgo veneranda,
Virgo prædicanda,
Virgo potens,
Virgo clemens,
Virgo fidelis,
Speculum justitiæ,
Sedes sapientiæ,
Causa nostræ lætitiæ,
Vas spirituale,
Vas honorabile,
Vas insigne devotionis,
Rosa mystica,
Turris Davidica,
Turris eburnea,
Domus aurea,
Fœderis arca,
Janua cœli,
Stella matutina,
Salus infirmorum,
Refugium peccatorum,
Consolatrix afflictorum,
Auxilium Christianorum,
Regina Angelorum,
Regina Patriarcharum,
Regina Prophetarum,
Regina Apostolorum,
Regina Martyrum,
Regina Confessorum,
Regina Virginum,
Regina Sanctorum omnium,
Regina sine labe concepta.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Christe, audi nos.
Christe, exaudi nos.
℣. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
℟. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that we thy servants may enjoy constant health of body and mind, and by the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary, ever a Virgin, be delivered from all present affliction, and come to that joy which is eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Concede nos famulos tuos, quæsumus, Domine Deus, perpetua mentis et corporis sanitate gaudere: et gloriosa beatæ Mariæ semper Virginis intercessione, a præsenti liberari tristitia, et æterna perfrui lætitia. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Here invoke the Holy Angels, whose protection is, indeed, always so much needed by us, but never so much as during the hours of night. Say with the Church:
Holy Angels, our loving Guardians, defend us in the hour of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful judgment.
Sancti Angeli, custodes nostri, defendite nos in prælio, ut non pereamus in tremendo judicio.
℣. God hath given his Angels charge of thee.
℣. Angelis suis Deus mandavit de te.
℟. That they may guard thee in all thy ways.
℟. Ut custodiant te in omnibus viis tuis.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
O God, who in thy wonderful providence hast been pleased to appoint thy holy Angels for our guardians: mercifully hear our prayer, and grant we may rest secure under their protection, and enjoy their fellowship in heaven for ever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Deus, qui ineffabili providentia sanctos Angelos tuos ad nostram custodiam mittere dignaris: largire supplicibus tuis, et eorum semper protectione defendi, et æterna societate gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Then beg the assistance of the Saints by the following Antiphon and Prayer of the Church:
Ant. Behold, the Lord will come, and with him all his Saints; and on that day there shall be a great light. Alleluia.
Ant. Ecce Dominus veniet, et omnes Sancti ejus cum eo: et erit in die illa lux magna. Alleluia.
℣. Behold, the Lord shall appear upon a white cloud.
℣. Ecce apparebit Dominus super nubem candidam.
℟. And with him thousands of Saints.
℟. Et cum eo Sanctorum millia.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, and purify our hearts by thy grace: that when our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son shall come, together with all his Saints, he may find us ready to give him a place within us: who liveth and reigneth with thee for ever and ever. Amen.
Conscientias nostras, quæsumus, Domine, visitando purifica: ut veniens Jesus Christus Filius tuus Dominus noster, cum omnibus Sanctis suis, paratam sibi in nobis inveniat mansionem. Qui tecum vivit, &c.
And here you may add a special mention of the Saints to whom you bear a particular devotion, either as your Patrons or otherwise; as also of those whose feast is kept in the Church that day, or at least who have been commemorated in the Divine Office.
This done, remember the necessities of the Church Suffering, and beg of God that he will give to the souls in Purgatory a place of refreshment, light, and peace. For this intention recite the usual prayers.
Psalm 129
From the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine: Domine, exaudi vocem meam.
Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
Fiant aures tuæ intendentes: in vocem deprecationis meæ.
If thou wilt observe iniquities, O Lord, Lord, who shall endure it?
Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine: Domine, quis sustinebit?
For with thee there is merciful forgiveness; and by reason of thy law I have waited for thee, O Lord.
Quia apud te propitiatio est: et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.
My soul hath relied on his word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus: speravit anima mea in Domino.
From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: speret Israël in Domino.
Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with him plentiful redemption.
Quia apud Dominum misericordia: et copiosa apud eum redemptio.
And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Et ipse redimet Israël: ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus.
Eternal rest give to them, O Lord.
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
℣. From the gate of hell.
℣. A porta inferi.
℟. Deliver their souls, O Lord.
℟. Erue, Domine, animas eorum.
℣. May they rest in peace.
℣. Requiescant in pace.
℟. Amen.
℟. Amen.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℣. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℟. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the Faithful, give to the souls of thy servants departed the remission of their sins: that through the help of pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
Fidelium Deus omnium Conditor et Redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum, remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum: ut indulgentiam, quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
Here make a special memento of such of the Faithful departed as have a particular claim upon your charity; after which, ask of God to give you his assistance, whereby you may pass the night free from danger. Say, then, still keeping to the words of the Church:
Ant. Save us, O Lord, whilst awake, and watch us as we sleep; that we may watch with Christ, and rest in peace.
Ant. Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes, custodi nos dormientes: ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace.
℣. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night.
℣. Dignare, Domine, nocte ista.
℟. To keep us without sin.
℟. Sine peccato nos custodire.
℣. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
℣. Miserere nostri, Domine.
℟. Have mercy on us.
℟. Miserere nostri.
℣. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.
℣. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos.
℟. As we have hoped in thee.
℟. Quemadmodum speravimus in te.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℣. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℟. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
Let us pray.
Oremus.
Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this house and family, and drive from it all snares of the enemy: let thy holy Angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and may thy blessing be always upon us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Visita, quæsumus, Domine, habitationem istam, et omnes insidias inimici ab ea longe repelle: Angeli tui sancti habitent in ea, qui nos in pace custodiant, et benedictio tua sit super nos semper. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia sæcula sæculorum. Amen.
And that you may end the day in the same sentiments with which you began it, repeat your prayer for the coming of the Savior:
℣. Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One.
℣. Rorate, cœli desuper, et nubes pluant justum.
℟. Let the earth be opened, and bud forth the Savior.
℟. Aperiatur terra et germinet Salvatorem.
To which add one of the four prayers for Advent, taking the one which belongs to the week (as above), and then retire to rest in the expectation of Him who is to come in the mid-night.