Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 142 (143)
A prayer in time of trouble
Lord, I trust you: do not hide your face from me.
Lord, listen to my prayer: in your faithfulness turn your ear to my pleading; in your justice, hear me. Do not judge your servant: nothing that lives can justify itself before you. The enemy has hounded my spirit, he has crushed my life to the ground, he has shut me in darkness, like the dead of long ago. So my spirit trembles within me, my heart turns to stone. I remind myself of the days of old, I reflect on all your works, I meditate once more on the work of your hands. I stretch out my arms to you, I stretch out my soul, like a land without water. Come quickly and hear me, O Lord, for my spirit is weakening. Do not hide your face from me, do not let me be like the dead, who go down to the underworld. Show me your mercy at daybreak, because of my trust in you. Tell me the way I should follow, for I lift up my soul towards you. Rescue me from my enemies: Lord, I flee to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your good spirit will lead me to the land of justice; for your name’s sake, Lord, you will give me life. In your righteousness you will lead my soul away from all tribulation. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Lord, I trust you: do not hide your face from me.

Reading	1 Peter 5:8-9
Be calm and keep watch. The Devil, your enemy, is circling you like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, strong in faith.

Short Responsory	?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. - Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Canticle	Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace. You have fulfilled your promise. My own eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples. A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness; the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.

Prayer
Let us pray. Of your kindness, Lord, dispel the darkness of this night, so that we your servants may go to sleep in peace and wake to the light of the new day, rejoicing in your name. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

A M E N

An antiphon to Our Lady should be recited here.

October 2008
Sun 5	27th Sunday of the year
Mon 6	Monday of week 27 of the year or Saint Bruno, priest
Tue 7	Our Lady of the Rosary
Wed 8
Thu 9	Thursday of week 27 of the year or Saints Denis, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs or Saint John Leonardi, priest
Fri 10
Sat 11
Sun 12	28th Sunday of the year
Mon 13	Monday of week 28 of the year

Calendar used:

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