Esurientes implevit bonis: * et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israël puerum suum:recordatus misericordiæ suæ, Sicut locutus est ad pa tres nostros: Abraham et semini ejus in sæcula. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel his servant, being mindful of his mercy. As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. The Magnificat Antiphon is then repeated. The Prayer, or Collect, is given in the Proper of each Feast and Sunday. V. Benedicamus Domino. . Fidelium animæ per . Let us bless the Lord. B. Thanks be to God. V. May the souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. CHAPTER THE EIGHTH. ON THE OFFICE OF COMPLINE, DURING THE TIME AFTER PENTECOST. 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 bles sing. V. Jube, Domine benedi May the Almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. R. Amen. Noctem quietam, et finem perfectum concedat nobis Dominus omnipotens. R. Amen. 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, O 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: R. 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 repeats it. The Priest, having pronounced the general form of absolution, says: . Converte nos, Deus, Salutaris noster. R. Et averte iram tuam a nobis. . Deus, in adjutorium meum intende. B. Domine, ad adjuvan dum me festina. Gloria Patri. ANT. Miserere. . Convert us, O God our Saviour. B. And turn away thine anger from us. V. Incline unto mine aid, O God. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory, etc. ANT. Have mercy. The first Psalm expresses the confidence with which the just man sleeps in peace; but the wicked know not what calm rest is. 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 ye say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds. Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord : many say, Who showeth us good things? The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart. By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, they are multiplied. In peace, in the self-same, I will sleep, and I will rest. For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope. Et scitote quoniam mirificavit Dominus sanctum suum:* Dominus exaudiet me, cum clamavero ad eum. Irascimini, et nolite peccare: * quæ dicitis in cordicus vestris, in cubilibus vestris compungimini. Sacrificate sacrificium justitiæ, et sperate in Domino: multi dicunt: Quis ostendit nobis bona? Signatum est super nos lumen vultus tui, Domine:* dedisti lætitiam in corde meo. A fructu frumenti, vini et olei sui: * multiplicati sunt. In pace in idipsum: * dormiam et requiescam. Quoniam tu, Domine,singulariter in spe : constituisti me. The Church has introduced here the first six Verses of the 30th Psalm, because they contain the prayer which our Saviour made, when dying: Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my Spirit !-words so beautifully appropriate in this Office of the close of day. PSALM 30. In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded deliver me in thy justice. Bow down thine ear unto me: make haste to deliver me. Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, to save me. For thou art my strength, In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in æternum: * in justitia tua libera me. Inclina ad me aurem tuam: *accelera ut eruas me. Esto mihi in Deum protectorem, et in domum refugii: * ut salvum me facias. Quoniam fortitudo mea, et refugium meum es tu : et propter nomen tuum deduces me, et enutries me. Educes me de laqueo hoc, quem absconderunt mihi: * quoniam tu es protector meus. In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum: * redemísti me, Domine, Deus veritatis. and my refuge and for thy Name's sake, thou wilt lead me, and nourish. Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me: for thou art my protector. Into thy hands, I commend my spirit thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth. The third Psalm gives the motives of the just man's confidence, even during the dangers of the night. There is no snare neglected by the demons; but the good Angels watch over us, with brotherly solicitude. Then, we have God himself speaking, and promising to send us a Saviour. PSALM 90. Qui habitat in adjutorio Altissimi: in protectione Dei cœli commorabitur. Dicet Domino: Susceptor meus es tu, et refugium meum, Deus meus, sperabo in eum. Quoniam ipse liberavit me de laqueo venantium : et a verbo aspero. Scapulis suis obumbrabit tibi: et sub pennis ejus sperabis. Scuto circumdabit te veritas ejus non timebis a timore nocturno. A sagitta volante in die, a negotio perambulante in tenebris ab incursu, et dæmonio meridiano. Cadent a latere tuo mille, He that dwelleth in the aid of the Most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of heaven. He shall say unto the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust. For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word. He will overshadow thee with his shoulders; and under his wings thou shalt trust. His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night. Of the arrow that flieth in the day of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil. A thousand shall fall at thy |