Liturgical Guide: Office of Readings (Matins)

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." - Acts 16:25

The hymns selected for the Office of Readings (Matins) in the Liturgy of the Hours prepare our hearts and minds for the contemplation of the Word of God. While today's Matins has retained some of it's former character as a nocturnal prayer (and can still be used as such), the modern Office of Readings can be prayed at any time during the day because it takes it's theme not from the time of day (as the other hours) but rather, from the seasons and feast days that make up the liturgical year.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)

186. God of Truth Prepare Our Minds

187. Lord, Your Word Abiding

188. God, Whose Almighty Word

189. Eternal Father, Through Your Word

190. In Ancient Times God Spoke to Man

191. Lord Jesus, Once You Spoke to Men

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
132. Be Thou My Vision
133. O God of Truth Prepare Our Minds
134. Worship, Glory, Praise and Honour
135. Bright as Fire in Darkness
136. Eternal Father, Through Your Word
137. In Ancient Times, God Spoke to Man
138. How Great the Tale
139. This Day, at Thy Creating Word
140. All Creatures of Our God and King
141. Come Spirit Blest, with God the Son
142. O God of Truth and Lord of Power
143. O God, Creation's Secret Force
144. Where True Love is Dwelling, God is Dwelling There
145. God Hath Spoken by His Prophets
146. Immortal, Invisible

ROMAN BREVIARY
Aeterna Lux, Divinitas
Consors Paterni Luminis
Noc­te Sur­gen­es
Nox Atra Rerum Contegit
Rerum Creator Optime
Somno Refectis Artubus
Summae Deus Clementiae
Summae Parens Clementiae
Te Deum
Tu Trinitatis Unitas

Liturgical Guide: Mid-Afternoon Prayer (None)

"One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon." - Acts 3:1

The hymns selected for Mid-Afternoon Prayer (None) in the Divine Office reflect the hour's theme of perseverance: to complete the work we have begun this day, and also perseverance in our spiritual lives - to continue to fight "the good fight" 2 Timothy 4:7 and run the race "in such a way that you may win it." 1 Corinthians 9:24. For more information see: Daytime Prayer.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
13. God Father, Praise and Glory
28. Firmly I Believe and Truly
29. Lord God and Maker of All Things
30. Most Ancient of All Mysteries
31. Faith of Our Fathers
82. Sing Praise to Our Creator

131. All Hail, Adored Trinity

133. Come Thou Almighty King

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Eternal Father, Loving God
O Blessèd Lord, Creator God

Liturgical Guide: Midday Prayer (Sext)

"About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray." - Acts 10:9

The hymns selected for Midday Prayer (Sext) in the Divine Office reflect the hour's theme of battle with sin. The sun is at it's zenith; the heat of the day at it's strongest. Likewise, we too - caught up with the day's cares and the allurements of the world; feel and see most clearly the powers and influence of evil. It was from this time, the sixth hour (Noon) till 3PM that Our Savior hung upon the Cross with Hell bringing all it's forces to bear against him. For more information see: Daytime Prayer.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
24. Help Us, O Lord
25. Lord of All Hopefullness
26. Lord of All Being, Throned Afar
27. Almighty Ruler, God of Truth

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Lord God and Maker of All Things
O Blessèd Lord, Creator God

ROMAN BREVIARY (1962)
Rector Potens Verax Deus

Liturgical Guide: Midmorning Prayer (Terce)

"Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning." - Acts 2:15 

The hymns selected for Midmorning Prayer (Terce) in the Divine Office draw upon the theme of the invocation of the Holy Spirit. It was at the third hour (9AM) when the Paraclete came down upon all those "gathered together in one place" at Pentecost. This brief pause of prayer during the morning's daily activity acts then as a kind of 'Confirmation', or spiritual strengthening for us to meet the challenges ahead. For more information see: Daytime Prayer.

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)

18. Breathe on Me, Breath of God

19. From All That Dwell Below the Skies (with Alleluias)

20. From All That Dwell Below the Skies

21. Father, Lord of Earth and Heaven
22. Holy Spirit, Come Confirm Us
23. Come, Holy Ghost, Who Ever One

127. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, Come

128. The Spirit of God

129. Holy Spirit, God of Light

130. Splendor of Creation (Send Forth Your Spirit)

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Come, Holy Spirit, Live in Us
O Blessèd Lord, Creator God

Liturgical Guide: Night Prayer (Compline)

"Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God." - Luke 6:12

The hymns selected for Night Prayer (Compline) in the Divine Office draw upon the images of nightfall, darkness, sleep, and death to express Compline's themes: contrition of a sinful soul who desires to make peace with God, and petition for protection for "a peaceful night, and a perfect end".

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)

33. O Christ, You Are the Light and Day

34. Lord Jesus Christ, Abide With Us

42. Day is Done
48. We Praise You, Father, for Your Gifts
49. Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
50. This World, My God
51. Now at Daylight's Ending
52. All Praises to You, O God, This Night
53. The Master Came
99. When from the Darkness
184. O Radiant Light, O Sun Divine

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
109. Christ the True Light of Us, True Morn
110. Now it is Evening
111. Lead Kindly Light
112. Abide With Me
113. The Day Thou Gavest
114. Now Thank We All Our God
115. Lord of All Hopefulness

Liturgical Guide: Evening Prayer (Vespers)

"And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone," - Matthew 14:23

The hymns selected for Evening Prayer (Vespers) in Divine Office reflect the principal theme of thanksgiving. Chapter 2:39 of the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours says of this of Evening Prayer: "When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that 'we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.' We also recall the redemption through the prayer we send up 'like incense in the Lord's sight,' and in which 'the raising up of our hands' becomes 'an evening sacrifice.' "

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
32. Now We Thank We All Our God
33. O Christ, You Are the Light and Day
34. Lord Jesus Christ, Abide With Us
35. The Setting Sun
36. O Father, Whose Creating Hand
37. For the Fruits of His Creation
38. When in His Own Image
39. At the Name of Jesus
40. Love Divine All Loves Excelling
41. Now Fades All Earthly Splendor
42. Day is Done
43. O Worship the King
44. Romans VIII (For Those Who Love God)
45. Let All Things Now Living
46. Father, We Thank Thee
47. We Plough the Fields and Scatter

182. O God, Our Help in Ages Past

184. O Radiant Light, O Sun Divine

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Before We End Our Day, O Lord
Blest are the Pure in Heart
Blessed Be the Lord Our God
Christ be Near at Either Hand
Come, Praise the Lord the Almighty
Day is Done
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
In the Beginning God Created Heaven
O Light Serene of God the Father's Glory
O Strength and Stay, Upholding All Creation
O Trinity of Blessed Light
Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven
Praise to the Holiest
We Praise You, Father, for Your Gift
When God Filled the Earth with Life
When God Made Man, He Gave Him All the Earth

ROMAN BREVIARY
Caeli Deus Sanctissime
Hominis Superne Conditor
Immense Caeli Conditor
Lucis Creator Optime
Magnae Deus Potentiae
Plasmator Hominis Deus

Liturgical Guide: Morning Prayer (Lauds)

"In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." - Mark 1:35

The hymns selected for Morning Prayer (Lauds) in Divine Office call to mind a threefold theme of resurrection: nature awakening at the dawn of a new day, our Savior rising from the dead, and the spiritual awaking of the human soul. Chapter 2:38 of the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours says of this of Morning Prayer: "Celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, this hour also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the true light enlightening all people (see Jn 1:9) and 'the sun of justice' (Mal 4:2), 'rising from on high' (Lk 1:78)."

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
1. On This Day, the First of Days
2. Brightness of the Father's Glory
3. Sion, Sing
4. Morning Has Broken
5. Darkness Has Faded
6. When Morning Fills the Sky
7. Lord Whose Love in Humble Service
8. Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
9. Sing with All the Sons of Glory
10. I Sing the Mighty Power of God
11. All You Nations
12. This Day God Gives Me
13. God Father, Praise and Glory
14. All Creatures of Our God and King
15. O God of Light
16. We Turn to You, O God
17. Christ is the World's Light
18. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
19. From All That Dwell Below the Skies (with Alleluias)
20. From All That Dwell Below the Skies
82. Sing Praise to Our Creator
91. With Hearts Renewed

131. All Hail, Adored Trinity

132. Holy, Holy, Holy

151. Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens, Adore Him

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
All People Who on Earth Do Dwell
Alone with None but Thee, My God
Christ is the World's Redeemer
Come, O Creator Spirit, Come
Father, We Praise You, Now the Night is Over
I Am the Holy Vine
It Were My Soul's Desire
Lord God, Your Light which Dims the Stars
Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky
O Christ the Light of Heaven
Sing All Creation, Sing to God in Gladness
The Day is Filled with Splendour
The Father's Glory, Christ Our Light
Transcendent God in Whom We Live
We Bless You, Father, Lord of Life

ROMAN BREVIARY
Aeterna Caeli Gloria
Aeterne Rerum Conditor
Ales Diei Nuntius
Aurora Iam Spargit Polum
Ecce Iam Noctis
Iam Lucis Orto Sidere
Lux Ecce Surgit Aurea
Nox et Tenebrae et Nubila
Sol Ecce Surgit Igneus
Splendor Paternae Gloriae