Blessed Sacrament Book/Evening Prayer
Evening Prayer
BEHOLD now, bless ye the Lord: all ye servants of the Lord.
"Ye that stand in the house of the Lord: in the courts of the house of our God.
"Lift up your hands by night to the holy places: and bless ye the Lord.
"May the Lord bless Thee out of Sion: Who hath made heaven and earth (Ps. cxxxiii).
"HE THAT dwelleth in the aid of the Most High: shall abide under the protection of the God of heaven.
"He shall say to 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 shall not be afraid of the terror of the night.
"For He hath given His angels charge over thee: to keep thee in all thy ways" (Ps. xc).
"IN Thee, put my trust; let never be confounded; deliver me in Thy justice.
"Bow down Thine ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
"Be Thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge: to save me.
"Into Thy hands I commend my spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth" (Ps. xxx).
"HAVE mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
"Lord, Thou hast set upon us the light of Thy countenance: Thou hast put gladness in my heart.
"In peace in the selfsame I will sleep and I will rest.
"For Thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope" (Ps.iv).
I
LORD, brighten our declining day,
That it may never wane,
Till death, when all things round decay,
Brings back the morn again.
II
Now with the fast departing light,
Maker of all! we ask of Thee,
Of Thy great mercy, through the night
Our guardian and defence to be.
Far off let idle visions fly;
No phantom of the night molest;
Curb Thou - our raging enemy,
That we in chaste repose may rest.
Father of mercies, hear our cry;
Hear us, O sole-begotten Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost most high,
Reignest while endless ages run.
III
As fades the glowing orb of day,
To Thee, great source of light, we pray;
Blest Three in One, to every heart
Thy beams of life and love impart.
At early dawn, at close of day,
To Thee our vows we humbly pay;
May we, 'mid joys that never end,
With Thy bright saints in homage bend.
IN the name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Glory to the Father, Who created me; glory to the Son, Who redeemed me; glory to the Holy Ghost, Who sanctifieth me.
Act of Adoration and Thanksgiving
Almighty and eternal God, I adore Thee, and I thank Thee for all the benefits I have received this day and all the days of my life, through Thy infinite goodness and mercy. Give me light to know my faults and grant me grace to be truly sorry for my sins.
Here examine your conscience on the faults of the day; on the offenses against God, and against your neighbor; on the commandments of God and of the Church; and particularly with regard to your predominant passion, and in reference to your promises and good resolutions.
If you have sinned grievously, resolve to go to confession at the first opportunity. Meditate for a few moments on eternity, death, judgment, heaven, and hell, mindful of the admonition of the Holy Spirit: " In all thy works, O man, remember thy last end and thou wilt never sin." Make an act of contrition.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am truly sorry for having sinned, because Thou art infinitely good and sin displeases Thee. I am firmly resolved, with the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee, and I will carefully avoid the occasions of sin.
Act of Love
I love Thee, my Lord and my God, with my whole heart and above all things, and for the love of Thee I love my neighbor as myself.
Grant that I may love Thee more and more; give me Thy grace that I may live a holy life, die a happy death, and glorify Thee eternally in heaven.
Our Father. Hail Mary, Apostles' Creed, Glory
O sweetest Heart of Jesus!
I implore
That I may ever love Thee
more and more.
300 days, each time. - Pius IX, Nov. 26, 1876
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love!
300 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, May 21, 1892.
Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation!
300 days, each time.— Pius IX, Sept. 30, 1863.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary! that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother! To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate! despise not my petitions, but, in thy clemency, hear and answer me. Amen.
Prayer for Benefactors
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all those who do us good, for Thy name's sake. Amen.
Indulgence of 50 days, twice a day. — Leo XIII, Dec. 17, 1892.
Ejaculations
O Mary! my queen! my mother! remember I am thine. Keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you. Amen.
May the blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the saints pray for us to Our Lord that we may be preserved this night from sin and evil. Amen.
O my good angel, whom
God has appointed to be my guardian, watch over me during this night.
May Our Lord bless us and preserve us from all evil and bring us to life everlasting.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
A Night Prayer, by St. Alphonsus Liguori
JESUS Christ, my God, I adore Thee and I thank Thee for all the graces Thou hast bestowed on me this day. I offer Thee my sleep and every moment of this night, and I beseech Thee to keep me free from sin. Therefore I place myself in Thy most sacred side and under the protecting mantle of our Lady, my mother. May Thy holy angels help me and keep me in peace, and may Thy blessing be upon me.
60 days, once a day. — Leo XIII, June 30, 1893.
De Profundis for the Faithful Departed
Ps. CXXIX
Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark our iniquities: O Lord, who shall abide it?
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness; and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even unto night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Clement XII, by a brief, Casiete Ecclesice thesauros, Aug. 11, 1737, granted an indulgence of 100 days to all the faithful who, at the sound of the bell, at the first hour after nightfall, shall say devoutly, on their knees, the psalm De profundis, or the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Requiem cetemam.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VI, by a rescript of the Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda, March 18, 1781, granted these indulgences to ail the faithful who may happen to dwell in a place where no bell for the dead is sounded, provided they shall say the De profundis, or the Our Father, and the Hail Mary, etc., about nightfall.
Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on the poor souls in purgatory.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord;
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them!
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer;
R. And let my cry come unto Thee!
Let us pray
O God! the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that through pious supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest now and forever. Amen.
Prayer from Compline
Visit, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all the snares of the enemy: let Thy holy angels dwell herein, to keep us in peace, and may Thy blessing be always upon us. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end- Amen.
Sprinkle your bed with holy water and, blessing yourself, say when you lie down to rest:
Lord, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.
Blessed be the Holy Name of Jesus! Sweetest Jesus, be to me not a judge but a saviour.
Indulgence of 60 days, every time.-- Pius IX, Nov. 29, 1853.
Evensong
Sweet Saviour! bless us
ere we go;
Thy word into our minds instil;
And make our lukewarm hearts to glow
With lowly love and fervent will.
Through life's long day and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus! be our light.
The day is done; its hours have run;
And Thou hast taken count of all,
The scanty triumphs grace has won,
The broken vow, the frequent fall.
Through life's long day and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus! be our light.
Grant us, dear Lord! from evil ways
True absolution and release;
And bless us more than in past days
With purity and inward peace.
Through life's long day and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus! be our light.
Do more than pardon; give us joy,
Sweet fear and sober liberty,
And loving hearts without alloy,
That only long to be like Thee.
Through life's long day and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus! be our light.
Labor is sweet, for Thou hast toiled,
And care is light, for Thou hast cared;
Let not our works with self be soiled,
Nor in unsimple ways ensnared.
Through life's long day and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus! be our light.
For all we love — the poor, the sad,
The sinful — unto Thee we call;
Oh let Thy mercy make us glad;
Thou art our Jesus and our all.
Through life's long day and death's dark night,
O gentle Jesus! be our light.
O Paradise!
O paradise! O Paradise!
Who doth not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land,
Where they that loved are blest;
Where loyal hearts, and true,
Stand ever in the light,
All rapture through and through,
In God's most holy sight?
O Paradise! O Paradise!
The world is growing old;
Who would not be at rest and free
Where love is never cold?
O Paradise! O Paradise!
Wherefore doth death delay,
Bright death, that is the welcome dawn
Of our eternal day.
O Paradise! O Paradise!
'Tis weary waiting here;
I long to be where Jesus is,
To feel, to see Him near.
O Paradise! O Paradise!
I want to sin no more;
I want to be as pure on earth
As on thy spotless shore
O Paradise! O Paradise!
I greatly long to see
The special place my dearest Lord
Is destining for me.
O Paradise! O Paradise!
I feel 'twill not be long;
Patience! I almost think I hear
Faint fragments of thy song;
Where loyal hearts, and true,
Stand ever in the light,
All rapture through and through,
In God's most holy sight.
Ejaculation
May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
100 days, once a day. — Pius IX, Feb. 29, 1868.
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,[1]
Holy Mother of God,
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 good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical Rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
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,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
Grant unto us, Thy servants, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, at all times to enjoy health of soul and health of body: and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever a virgin, when freed from the sorrows of this present life, to enter into that joy which hath no end. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen
In Advent and at Christmas time, in lieu of the above Collect there may be said the following;
IN ADVENT
O God, Who wast pleased to will that at the message of an angel Thy Word should take flesh in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary: grant, that we, Thy suppliants, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord.
From Christmas Day to the Feast of the Purification (Feb. 2).
O God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast assured to mankind the blessings of eternal life: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may ever experience the intercession of her, through whom we have been found worthy to receive the author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son.
Or the versicle and prayer may be varied according to the season of the ecclesiastical year.
IN ADVENT
V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.
Let us pray
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.
From Christmas day to the Purification.
V. After childbirth thou didst remain a most pure virgin.
R. O Mother of God, intercede for us.
Prayer, Deus qui salulis, as above.
From the Purification to Easter.
V. Make me worthy to praise thee, O holy Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thine enemies.
Let us pray
Vouchsafe unto us, O merciful God, a defence in our weakness; and grant that the prayers* of the most holy mother of God, whom we commemorate, may make us to rise out of our evil life. Through the same Christ our Lord.
IN PASCHAL TIME
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.
R. For the Lord hath truly risen. Alleluia.
Let us pray
O God, Who didst vouchsafe to give joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ; grant, we beseech Thee, that, through His mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord.
From Pentecost to Advent.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O almighty and everlasting God, Who, by the operation of the Holy Ghost, didst in body and in soul prepare Mary, the glorious virgin mother, to be a befitting dwelling place of Thy Son; grant that we who rejoicingly commemorate her may, by her loving intercession, be safeguarded from all the evils that threaten us, and from that death which is eternal. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy on us.
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
St. Joseph,[2]
Renowned offspring of David.
Light of patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Diligent protector of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family.
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most strong,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of artisans,
Glory to home life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the wretched,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. He made Him the Lord of His household.
R. And prince over all His possessions.
Let us pray
O God, Who in Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe t o choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may have for our advocate in heaven him whom we venerate as our protector on earth: Who livest and reignest world without end. R. Amen.
Night Offering to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
O divine Jesus! lonely to-night in so many tabernacles, without visitor or worshipper, I offer Thee my loving heart. May its every pulsation be a prayer of love to Thee. Thou art ever watching under the sacramental veils; in Thy love Thou never steepest, and Thou art never weary of Thy vigil for sinners. O Jesus, I love Thee. Thou art infinitely good, and yet I have displeased Thee by many sins. Forgive me — I am truly sorry for having offended Thee. O sweet Jesus! O lonely Jesus! may my heart be a lamp, the light of which shall burn henceforth for Thee alone. Bless me, Jesus. Come, and refresh me spiritually by Thy presence, before I take my rest. Let me nevermore be separated from Thee by sin. Adorable Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of divine love! within Thy sacred wound take Thou my soul, in order that my heart may be inflamed with love of Thee.
O Prisoner of love, divine Jesus! Chain my poor heart to the foot of Thy altar. Dearest Jesus, Thou hast made my heart for Thyself alone, and it can not find rest, except in Thee; hide it within Thy divine Heart in the tabernacle. When shall I see Thee face to face, and rest for ever in Thy bosom? "Thou art the God of my heart and the God that is my portion forever" (Ps. lxxii, 26).
O Sacrament most holy! O Sacrament divine!
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!
Acts of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Contrition
Various Forms Sanctioned for Different Countries
I.
The Following form is authorized for England:
Act of Faith
I firmly believe that there is one God, and that in this one God there are three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: that the Son took to Himself the nature of man, from the Virgin Mary's womb, by the power of the Holy Ghost; and that in this our human nature He was crucified and died for us; that afterwards He rose again, and ascended into heaven; from thence He shall come to repay the just with everlasting glory, and the wicked with everlasting punishment. Moreover, I believe whatsoever else the Catholic Church proposes to be believed; and this because God, Who is the sovereign truth, Who can neither deceive nor be deceived, has revealed all these things to this His Church.
Act of Hope
O my God, relying upon Thine almighty power and Thine infinite mercy and goodness, and because Thou art faithful to Thy promises, I trust in Thee that Thou wilt grant me forgiveness of my sins, through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son; and that Thou wilt give me the assistance of Thy grace, with which I may labor to continue to the end in the diligent exercise of all good works, and may deserve to obtain the glory which Thou hast promised in heaven.
Act of Charity
O Lord my God, I love Thee with my whole heart, and above all things, because Thou, O God, art the sovereign good, and for Thine own infinite perfections art most worthy of all love; and for Thy sake I also love my neighbor as myself.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they deserve Thy dreadful punishments, because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ, and most of all because they offend Thy infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of Thy grace, never to offend Thee again, and carefully to avoid the occasions of sin.