Tuesday, February 3

The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m

The Call to Prayer

The LORD is in his holy temple.* Let all the earth keep silence before him.

based on Psalms 11:4

The Request for Presence

O LORD, I call to you; come to me quickly* hear my voice when I cry to you. Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense,* the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 141:1–2

The Greeting

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, grant us your peace.

The Hymn

O Zion, open wide your gates, let symbols disappear; Apriest and victim both in one, the Truth himself is here. Aware of hidden deity the lowly Virgin brings Her newborn babe, with two young doves, her humble offerings. The aged Simeon sees at last his Lord, so long desired, And Anna welcomes Israel’s hope, with holy rapture fired. But silent knelt the mother blessed of the yet silent Word, And pondering all things in her heart, with speechless praise adored. All glory to the Father be, all glory to the Son, All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee, while endless ages run.

Jean Baptiste de Santeuil

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,* abides under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my stronghold,* my God in whom I put my trust.”

Psalm 91:1–2

The Vespers Psalm

Holiness Adorns Your House, O LORD

The LORD is King; he has put on splendid apparel;* the LORD has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength. He has made the whole world so sure* that it cannot be moved; Ever since the world began, your throne has been established;* you are from everlasting. The waters have lifted up, O LORD, the waters have lifted up their voice;* the waters have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea,* mightier is the LORD who dwells on high. Your testimonies are very sure,* and holiness adorns your house, O LORD, for ever and for evermore.

Psalm 93

The Refrain

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,* abides under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my stronghold,* my God in whom I put my trust.”

The Gloria

Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end. Alleluia. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. †

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

O Almighty and everlasting God, I humbly beseech Your Majesty, that as Your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of flesh, so too You would grant that I be presented to You with a purified soul. Through the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

adapted from THE SHORT BREVIARY