LITTLE OFFICE (Tridentine): MATINS

Hail Mary, secretly, which is said always at the beginning of all the Hours.

℣. Thou † shalt open my lips, O Lord.
R. And my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.
℣. Come † unto my help, O God.
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia. Thus is said Alleluia at all the Hours throughout the year, except from Septuagesima to Holy Saturday; for then is said: Praise be to Thee, O Lord, King of everlasting glory.

Invit. Hail Mary, full of grace, * the Lord is with thee.
Invit. Hail Mary, full of grace, * the Lord is with thee.

Psalm 94. Venite, exsultemus Domino.
An invitation to praise God, and to obey Him.

1 O COME, let us exult in the Lord, let us rejoice before God our Saviour * let us come into His presence with thanksgiving, and with psalms rejoice before Him.
Invit. Hail Mary, full of grace, * the Lord is with thee.
2 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. The Lord will not cast off His people. For in His hand are all the ends of the earth, and He beholds the heights of the mountains.
Invit. The Lord is with thee.

In the following verse of the Psalm, at the words O come, let us worship and fall down, all genuflect.

For the sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and fall down; and weep before the Lord that made us. For He is the Lord our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Invit. Hail Mary, full of grace, * the Lord is with thee.
Today if ye shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and in the day of temptation in the wilderness; where your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works.
Invit. The Lord is with thee.
Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and said: They do always err in their heart. And they have not known My ways: so I sware in My wrath that they shall not enter into My rest.
Invit. Hail Mary, full of grace, * the Lord is with thee.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Invit. The Lord is with thee.
Invit. Hail Mary, etc.

Hymnus


THE God whom earth, and sea, and sky
Adore, and laud, and magnify,
Who o'er their threefold fabric reigns,
The Virgin Mary's womb contains.

The God whose will by moon, and sun,
And all things in due course is done,
Is borne upon a Maiden's breast,
By fullest heavenly grace possessed.

How blest that Mother, in whose shrine
The great Artificer Divine,
Whose hand contains the earth and sky,
Vouchsafed, as in His ark, to lie.

Blest, in the message Gabriel brought;
Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought;
From whom the great Desire of earth
Took human flesh and human birth.

To Thee be sung eternal praise,
O Virgin-born, through endless days;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore. Amen.



At the Nocturn
On Sunday, Monday, and Thursday:
From the First Nocturn.

On Tuesday and Friday:
From the Second Nocturn.

On Wednesday and Saturday:
From the Third Nocturn.

First Nocturn

Ant. Blessed art thou.

Psalm 8. Dómine, Dóminus noster
God is wonderful in His works; especially in mankind, singularly exalted by the Incarnation of Christ.

O LORD our Lord * how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!
2 For thy magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.
3 Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies * that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger.
4 For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers * the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.
5 What is man that thou art mindful of him * or the son of man that thou visitest hi?
6 Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour * and hast set him over the works of thy hands.
7 Thou hast subjected all things under his feet * all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields.
8 The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea * that pass through the paths of the sea.
9 O Lord our Lord * how admirable is thy name in all the earth!
Glory Be.
Ant. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb.

Ant. Like the choicest myrrh.

Psalm 18. Cæli enarrant
The works of God show forth His glory: His law is greatly to be esteemed and loved.

THE heavens shew forth the glory of God * and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.
2 Day to day uttereth speech * and night to night sheweth knowledge.
3 There are no speeches nor languages * where their voices are not heard.
4 Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth * and their words unto the ends of the world.
5 He hath set his tabernacle in the sun * and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his bride chamber,
6 He hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way * His going out is from the end of heaven.
7 And his circuit even to the end thereof * and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.
8 The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls * the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.
9 The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts * the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.
10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever * the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
11 More to be desired than gold and many precious stones * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.
12 For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward.
13 Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord * and from those of others spare thy servant.
14 If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot * and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.
15 And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: and the meditation of my heart always in thy sight.
16 O Lord, my helper, and my redeemer.
Glory Be.
Ant. Like the choicest myrrh, thou hast yielded an odour of sweetness, O holy Mother of God.

Ant. Before the couch.

Psalm 23. Domini est terra
A song of triumph for the translation of the Ark to Mount Sion.

THE earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof * the world, and all they that dwell therein.
2 For he hath founded it upon the seas * and hath prepared it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord * or who shall stand in his holy place?
4 The innocent in hands, and clean of heart * who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord * and mercy from God his Saviour.
6 This is the generation of them that seek him * of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates * and the King of Glory shall enter in.
8 Who is this King of Glory? * the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates * and the King of Glory shall enter in.
10 Who is this King of Glory? * the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.
Glory Be.
Ant. Before the couch of this Virgin sing often unto us sweet chants with solemnity.

Continue below at Grace is poured forth and the rest.

Second Nocturn

Ant. In thy comeliness.

Psalm 44. Eructavit cor meum
The excellence of Christ's Kingdom, and the endowments of His Church.

MY heart hath uttered a good word * I speak my works to the king.
2 My tongue is the pen of a scrivener * that writeth swiftly.
3 Thou art beautiful above the sons of men, grace is poured abroad in thy lips * therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
4 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh * O thou most mighty.
5 With thy comeliness and thy beauty set out * proceed prosperously, and reign.
6 Because of truth and meekness and justice * and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully.
7 Thy arrows are sharp: under thee shall people fall * into the hearts of the king's enemies.
8 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever * the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness.
9 Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity * therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10 Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume thy garments, from the ivory houses * out of which The daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory.
11 The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing * surrounded with variety.
12 Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear * and forget thy people and thy father's house.
13 And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty * for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore.
14 And the daughters of Tyre with gifts * yea, all the rich among the people, shall entreat thy countenance.
15 All the glory of the king's daughter is within in golden borders * clothed round about with varieties.
16 After her shall virgins be brought to the king * her neighbours shall be brought to thee.
17 They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing * they shall be brought into the temple of the king.
18 Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee * thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.
19 They shall remember thy name * throughout all generations.
20 Therefore shall people praise thee for ever * yea, for ever and ever.
Glory Be.
Ant. In thy comeliness and Thy beauty go forth, advance prosperously, and reign.

Ant. God shall help her.

Psalm 45. Deus noster refugium
The Church in persecution trusteth in the protection of God.

Our God is our refuge and strength * a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly.
2 Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled * and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.
3 Their waters roared and were troubled * the mountains were troubled with his strength.
4 The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful * the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle.
5 God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved * God will help it in the morning early.
6 Nations were troubled, and kingdoms were bowed down * he uttered his voice, the earth trembled.
7 The Lord of armies is with us * the God of Jacob is our protector.
8 Come and behold ye the works of the Lord: what wonders he hath done upon earth * making wars to cease even to the end of the earth.
9 He shall destroy the bow, and break the weapons: and the shield he shall burn in the fire.
10 Be still and see that I am God * I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of armies is with us * the God of Jacob is our protector.
Glory Be.
Ant. God shall help her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.

Ant. As of people all rejoicing.

Psalm 86. Fundamenta ejus
The glory of the Church of Christ.

The foundations thereof are in the holy mountains * the Lord loveth the gates of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.
2 Glorious things are said of thee * O city of God.
3 I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon * knowing me.
4 Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, * these were there.
5 Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her? * and the Highest himself hath founded her.
6 The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, * of them that have been in her.
7 The dwelling in thee * is as it were of all rejoicing.
Glory Be.
Ant. As of people all rejoicing: so is our habitation in thee.

Continue below at Grace is poured forth and the rest.

Third Nocturn

Ant. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.

Psalm 95. Cantate Domino
An exhortation to all creatures to praise God.

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: * sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: * shew forth his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the Gentiles: * his wonders among all people.
4 For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: * he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: * but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Praise and beauty are before him: * holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.
7 Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour: * Bring to the Lord glory unto his name.
8 Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts: * Adore ye the Lord in his holy court.
9 Let all the earth be moved at his presence. * Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned.
10 For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: * He will judge the people with justice.
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof: * the fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful.
12 Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: * because he cometh to judge the earth.
13 He shall judge the world with justice, * and the people with his truth.
Glory Be.
Ant. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, thou alone hast destroyed all heresies in the whole world.

Ant. Vouchsafe.

Psalm 96. Dominus regnavit
Joy at the coming and reign of Christ.

The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: * let many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: * justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.
3 A fire shall go before him, * and shall burn his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings have shone forth to the world: * the earth saw and trembled.
5 The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: * at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens declared his justice: * and all people saw his glory.
7 Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, * and that glory in their idols.
8 Adore him, all you his angels: * Sion heard, and was glad.
9 And the daughters of Juda rejoiced, * because of thy judgments, O Lord.
10 For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: * Thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.
11 You that love the Lord, hate evil: * the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.
12 Light is risen to the just, * and joy to the right of heart.
13 Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: * and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness.
Glory Be.
Ant. Vouchsafe that I may praise thee, O sacred Virgin: give me strength against thine enemies.

Ant. After childbirth.

Psalm 97. Cantate Domino
Invitation to praise the Lord for the victories of Christ.

Sing ye to the Lord anew canticle: * because he hath done wonderful things.
2 His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, * and his arm is holy.
3 The Lord hath made known his salvation: * he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.
4 He hath remembered his mercy * and his truth toward the house of Israel.
5 All the ends of the earth have seen * the salvation of our God.
6 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; * make melody, rejoice and sing.
7 Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm: * with long trumpets, and sound of cornet.
8 Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king: * let the sea be moved and the fulness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.
9 The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together at the presence of the Lord: * because he cometh to judge the earth.
10 He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with equity.
Glory Be.
Ant. After childbirth thou didst remain a pure virgin: intercede for us, O Mother of God.

End of the Nocturn

℣. Grace is poured forth on thy lips.
R. Therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
Our Father, said in secret.
℣. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
Absol. By the prayers and merits of the blessed Mary ever Virgin, and of all the Saints, may the Lord bring us to the kingdom of heaven. R. Amen.

℣. Pray, sir, a blessing.
Bened. May the Virgin Mary, with her loving Child, bless us. R. Amen.

Lesson i Ecclus. 24, 11-13.
In all these I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord. Then the creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and he that made me, rested in my tabernacle, and he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect. But Thou, Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Thanks be to God.

R. O holy and immaculate Virgin, with what praises I shall extol thee, I know not: * For He whom the heavens could not contain rested in thy bosom.
℣. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb. * For He whom the heavens could not contain rested in thy bosom.

℣. Pray, sir, a blessing.
Bened. May the Virgin of virgins herself intercede for us with the Lord.
R. Amen.

Lesson ii Ecclus. 24, 15-16.
And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.
R. Thanks be to God.

R. Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who didst bear the Lord, the Creator of the world: * Thou wast the mother of Him who made thee, and thou remainest a pure virgin for ever.
℣. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. * Thou wast the mother of Him who made thee, and thou remainest a pure virgin for ever.

When the Te Deum is said, add: Glory be, etc. Thou wast the mother, etc.

℣. Pray, sir, a blessing.
Bened. Through the Virgin Mother, may theh Lord grant unto us salvation and peace.
R. Amen.

Lesson iii Ecclus. 24, 17-20.
I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on Mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho. As a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon. and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh.
R. Deo grátias.

The following Responsory is omitted when the Te Deum is said.

R. Surely thou art happy, O holy Virgin Mary, and most wirthy of all praise: * For out of thee arose the Sun of justice, * Christ our God.
℣. Pray for the people, supplicate for the clergy, intercede for the devoted female sex. Let all experience thy assistance, whoever celebrate thy holy commemoration. * For out of thee arose the Sun of justice, * Christ our God.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Christ our God.

The Te Deum is not said in the time between Septuagesima and Easter, except on the Feasts of the Blessed Virgin.

Te Deum
Hymn of St. Ambrose and St. Augustine.

We praise thee, O God, * we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, * the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud, * the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim * continually do cry.
Holy,
Holy,
Holy, * Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full * of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles * praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets * praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs * praise thee.
The Holy Church throughout all the world * doth acknowledge thee;
The Father, * of an infinite Majesty.
Thine honourable, true, * and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, * the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory, * O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting * Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, * thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, * thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, * in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come * to be our Judge.

The following verse is said kneeling
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, * whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious Blood.

Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, * in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people, * and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, * and lift them up for ever.
Day by day * we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name * ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us * this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, * have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, * as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted, * let me never be confounded.