Chapter VII. On the Office of Vespers for Sundays and Feasts during Christmas

The Office of Vespers, or Even-Song, during the whole year, consists, firstly, of five Psalms and Antiphons, which vary, more or less, every day. As the main object of our Book is the convenience of the Faithful, we only give the Vespers of the Sundays and the principal Feasts. With regard to the Sundays, therefore, during Christmas, which are neither Feasts, nor within the Octave of a Feast, we give them here in full, reserving only that, which is peculiar to each, for the Proper. If it be a Feast, the Office must be sought for on its own day.

After the Pater and Ave have been said in secret, the Church commences this Hour with her favorite supplication:

℣. Incline unto my aid, O God.

℣. Deus in adjutorium meum intende.

℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.

℟. Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.

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. Alleluia.

Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum. Amen. Alleluia.

Ant. The Lord said.

Ant. Dixit Dominus.

The first Psalm is a prophecy of the glory of the Messias. This Child, who is now born to us in humility and poverty, is to be seated on the right hand of the eternal Father. Now, that we are celebrating his temporal Birth, it is most just that we should often sing the Psalm which speaks of his eternal Generation, as God, and of the future glory which awaits him, as Man.

Psalm 109

The Lord said to my Lord, his Son: Sit thou at my right hand, and reign with me.

Dixit Dominus Domino meo: * Sede a dextris meis.

Until, on the day of thy last coming, I make thy enemies thy footstool.

Donec ponam inimicos tuos: * scabellum pedum tuorum.

O Christ! the Lord thy Father will send forth the scepter of thy power out of Sion: from thence rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.

Virgam virtutis tuæ emittet Dominus ex Sion: * dominare in medio inimicorum tuorum.

With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength, in the brightness of the saints: For the Father hath said to thee: From the womb before the day-star I begot thee.

Tecum principium in die virtutis tuæ in splendoribus sanctorum: * ex utero ante luciferum genui te.

The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: he hath said, speaking of thee, the God-Man: Thou art a Priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.

Juravit Dominus, et non pœnitebit eum: * Tu es Sacerdos in æternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech.

Therefore, O Father, the Lord thy Son is at thy right hand: he hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.

Dominus a dextris tuis: * confregit in die iræ suæ reges.

He shall also judge among nations: in that terrible coming, he shall fill the ruins of the world: he shall crush the heads in the land of many.

Judicabit in nationibus, implebit ruinas: * conquassabit capita in terra multorum.

He cometh now in humility; he shall drink, in the way, of the torrent of sufferings: therefore, shall he lift up the head.

De torrente in via bibet: * propterea exaltabit caput.

Ant. The Lord said to my Lord, sit thou at my right hand.

Ant. Dixit Dominus Domino meo, sede a dextris meis.

Ant. Faithful.

Ant. Fidelia.

The following Psalm commemorates the mercies of God to his people—the promised Covenant—the Redemption—his fidelity to his promises.

Psalm 110

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: in the council of the just, and in the congregation.

Confitebor tibi, Domine, in toto corde meo: * in concilio justorum et congregatione.

Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills.

Magna opera Domini: * exquisita in omnes voluntates ejus.

His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever.

Confessio et magnificentia opus ejus: * et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: and being the bread of life, he hath given food to them that fear him.

Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum, misericors et miserator Dominus: * escam dedit timentibus se.

He will be mindful for ever of his covenant with men: he is come and will shew forth to his people the power of his works.

Memor erit in sæculum testamenti sui: * virtutem operum suorum annuntiabit populo suo.

That he may give them, his Church, the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hand are truth and judgment.

Ut det illis hæreditatem Gentium: * opera manuum ejus veritas et judicium.

All his commandments are faithful, confirmed for ever and ever: made in truth and equity.

Fidelia omnia mandata ejus, confirmata in sæculum sæculi: * facta in veritate et æquitate.

He hath sent Redemption to his people; he hath, thereby, commanded his covenant for ever.

Redemptionem misit populo suo: * mandavit in æternum testamentum suum.

Holy and terrible is his name: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Sanctum et terribile nomen ejus: * initium sapientiæ timor Domini.

A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.

Intellectus bonus omnibus facientibus eum: * laudatio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

Ant. Faithful are all his commandments; confirmed for ever and ever.

Ant. Fidelia omnia mandata ejus; confirmata in sæculum sæculi.

Ant. In his commandments.

Ant. In mandatis.

The next Psalm sings the happiness of the just man, and his hopes on the day of Jesus’ Birth. It is applicable also to the sinner, who shall be confounded because he profited nothing by that great Mystery of humility and love.

Psalm 111

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.

Beatus vir, qui timet Dominum: * in mandatis ejus volet nimis.

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.

Potens in terra erit semen ejus: * generatio rectorum benedicetur.

Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

Gloria, et divitiæ in domo ejus: * et justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: he is merciful, and compassionate, and just: he is born and dwells amongst us.

Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis: * misericors, et miserator, et justus.

Acceptable is the man that showeth mercy and lendeth; he shall order his words with judgment: because he shall not be moved for ever.

Jucundus homo, qui miseretur et commodat, disponet sermones suos in judicio: * quia in æternum non commovebitur.

The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing.

In memoria æterna erit justus: * ab auditione mala non timebit.

His heart is ready to hope in the Lord; his heart is strengthened: he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies.

Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus: * non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos.

He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor; his justice remaineth for ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory.

Dispersit, dedit pauperibus, justitia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi: * cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.

The wicked shall see, and shall be angry; he shall gnash with his teeth, and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Peccator videbit, et irascetur, dentibus suis fremet et tabescet: * desiderium peccatorum peribit.

Ant. In his commandments he delighteth exceedingly.

Ant. In mandatis ejus cupit nimis.

Ant. May the name of the Lord.

Ant. Sit nomen Domini.

The Psalm Laudate pueri, is a Canticle of praise to the Lord, who, from his high heaven, has taken pity on the fallen human race, and raised it up again by the Incarnation.

Psalm 112

Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.

Laudate, pueri, Dominum: * laudate nomen Domini.

Blessed be the name of the Lord: from henceforth now and for ever.

Sit nomen Domini benedictum: * ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.

A solis ortu usque ad occasum: * laudabile nomen Domini.

The Lord is high above all nations: and his glory above the heavens.

Excelsus super omnes Gentes Dominus: * et super cœlos gloria ejus.

Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth, nay who cometh down amidst us?

Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster qui in altis habitat: * et humilia respicit in cœlo et in terra?

Raising up the needy from the earth: and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill.

Suscitans a terra inopem: * et de stercore erigens pauperem.

That he may place him with princes: with the princes of his people.

Ut collocet eum cum principibus: * cum principibus populi sui.

Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, the joyful mother of children.

Qui habitare facit sterilem in domo: * matrem filiorum lætantem.

Ant. May the name of the Lord be for ever blessed.

Ant. Sit nomen Domini benedictum in sæcula.

Ant. We that live.

Ant. Nos qui vivimus.

The fifth Psalm, In exitu, recounts the prodigies witnessed under the ancient Covenant: they were figures, whose realities begin their accomplishment in the Birth of Jesus; for, he comes that he may deliver Israel from Egypt, emancipate the Gentiles from their idolatry, and pour out a blessing on every man who will consent to fear and love the Lord.

Psalm 113

When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous people.

In exitu Israel de Ægypto: * domus Jacob de populo barbaro.

Judea was made his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

Facta est Judæa sanctificatio ejus: * Israel potestas ejus.

The sea saw and fled; Jordan was turned back.

Mare vidit, et fugit: * Jordanis conversus est retrorsum.

The mountains skipped like rams: and the hills like the lambs of the flock.

Montes exsultaverunt ut arietes: * et colles sicut agni ovium.

What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee: and thou, O Jordan, that thou wast turned back?

Quid est tibi, mare, quod fugisti: * et tu, Jordanis, quia conversus es retrorsum?

Ye mountains that ye skipped like rams: and ye hills like lambs of the flock?

Montes exsultastis sicut arietes: * et colles sicut agni ovium?

At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved, at the presence of the God of Jacob.

A facie Domini mota est terra: * a facie Dei Jacob.

Who turned the rock into pools of water, and the stony hill into fountains of waters.

Qui convertit petram in stagna aquarum: * et rupem in fontes aquarum.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us: but to thy name give glory.

Non nobis, Domine, non nobis: * sed nomini tuo da gloriam.

For thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake: lest the Gentiles should say: Where is their God?

Super misericordia tua, et veritate tua: * nequando dicant Gentes: Ubi est Deus eorum?

But our God is in heaven: he hath done all things whatsoever he would.

Deus autem noster in cœlo: * omnia quæcumque voluit, fecit.

The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold: the works of the hands of men.

Simulacra Gentium argentum et aurum: * opera manuum hominum.

They have mouths, and speak not: they have eyes, and see not.

Os habent, et non loquentur: * oculos habent, et non videbunt.

They have ears, and hear not: they have noses, and smell not.

Aures habent, et non audient: * nares habent, et non odorabunt.

They have hands, and feel not: they have feet, and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat.

Manus habent, et non palpabunt, pedes habent, et non ambulabunt: * non clamabunt in gutture suo.

Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them.

Similes illis fiant qui faciunt ea: * et omnes qui confidunt in eis.

The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

Domus Israel speravit in Domino: * adjutor eorum, et protector eorum est.

The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

Domus Aaron speravit in Domino: * adjutor eorum, et protector eorum est.

They that fear the Lord have hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

Qui timent Dominum, speraverunt in Domino: * adjutor eorum, et protector eorum est.

The Lord hath been mindful of us, and hath blessed us.

Dominus memor fuit nostri: * et benedixit nobis.

He hath blessed the house of Israel: he hath blessed the house of Aaron.

Benedixit domui Israel: * benedixit domui Aaron.

He hath blessed all that fear the Lord, both little and great.

Benedixit omnibus qui timent Dominum: * pusillis cum majoribus.

May the Lord add blessings upon you: upon you, and upon your children.

Adjiciat Dominus super vos: * super vos, et super filios vestros.

Blessed be you of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Benedicti vos a Domino: * qui fecit cœlum et terram.

The heaven of heaven is the Lord’s: but the earth he has given to the children of men.

Cœlum cœli Domino: * terram autem dedit filiis hominum.

The dead shall not praise thee, O Lord: nor any of them that go down to hell.

Non mortui laudabunt te, Domine: * neque omnes qui descendunt in infernum.

But we that live bless the Lord: from this time now and for ever.

Sed nos qui vivimus, benedicimus Domino: * ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.

Ant. We that live bless the Lord.

Ant. Nos qui vivimus, benedicimus Domino.

After these five Psalms, a short Lesson from the holy Scriptures is then read. It is called Capitulum, because it is always very short. That for the several Feasts, is given on the respective Days. The following is said on the Sundays called After the Epiphany, as often as the Vespers are of the Sunday.

Capitulum

2 Cor. 1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation, who comforteth us in all our tribulations.

Benedictus Deus et Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi, Pater misericordiarum et Deus totius consolationis, qui consolatur nos in omni tribulatione nostra.

℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Deo gratias.

Then follows the Hymn. We give the one of the Sunday’s Office. It was composed by St. Gregory the Great, and celebrates Creation. It praises the Light, which God drew out of nothing, on this the first Day, and which is the beautiful image of our Divine Infant, the Light of the world, the Orient that has visited them who sat in the shadow of death.

Hymn¹

O infinitely good Creator of the Light! by thee was produced the Light of day, providing thus the world’s beginning with the beginning of the new-made Light.

Lucis Creator optime,
Lucem dierum proferens;
Primordiis lucis novæ,
Mundi parans originem.

Thou biddest us call the time from morn till eve, Day; this day is over; dark Night comes on—oh! hear our tearful prayers.

Qui mane junctum vesperi
Diem vocari præcipis,
Illabitur tetrum chaos,
Audi preces cum fletibus.

Let not our soul, weighed down by crime, mis-spend thy gift of life, and, forgetting what is eternal, be earth-tied by her sins.

Ne mens gravata crimine,
Vitæ sit exul munere,
Dum nil perenne cogitat,
Seseque culpis illigat.

Oh! may we strive to enter our heavenly home, and bear away the prize of life: may we shun what would injure us, and cleanse our soul from her defilements.

Cœleste pulset intimum,
Vitale tollat præmium:
Vitemus omne noxium,
Purgemus omne pessimum.

Most merciful Father! and thou, his Only Begotten Son, co-equal with him, reigning for ever with the Holy Paraclete! grant this our prayer. Amen.

Præsta, Pater piissime,
Patrique compar Unice,
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
Regnans per omne sæculum.
Amen.

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.

℣. May my prayer, O Lord, ascend,

℣. Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea,

℟. Like incense in thy sight.

℟. Sicut incensum in conspectu tuo.

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.²

Our Lady’s Canticle

(St. Luke 1)

My soul doth magnify the Lord;

Magnificat: * anima mea Dominum:

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

Et exsultavit spiritus meus: * in Deo salutari meo.

Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me Blessed.

Quia respexit humilitatem ancillæ suæ: * ecce enim ex hoc Beatam me dicent omnes generationes.

Because he that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is his name.

Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: * et sanctum nomen ejus.

And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.

Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies: * timentibus eum.

He hath showed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

Fecit potentiam in brachio suo: * dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble.

Deposuit potentes de sede: * et exaltavit humiles.

He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Esurientes implevit bonis: * et divites dimisit inanes.

He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum: * recordatus misericordiæ suæ.

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros: * Abraham et semini ejus in sæcula.

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:

℣. Let us bless the Lord.

℣. Benedicamus Domino.