Compline
According to the Liberal Catholic rite
Similarly to Prime, Compline is a short service, which can be led by a layperson if necessary, and would therefore be eminently suited for a community Office or for family prayers. It also lends itself to use in church as an addition to Vespers, or when Vespers and Benediction are unsuitable, as on the evening of Good Friday. In order to avoid constant repetition, where Compline is said daily or where it is used in conjunction with the Holy Eucharist, other short lections selected from The Liturgy may at the discretion of the Priest be read as lessons instead of the Epistle and Gospel.
The people stand.
THE INVOCATION
The Priest or, if there be no Priest present, the ministrant in charge, intones:
P. In the Name of the Father ✙ and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. R/. Amen.
P. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
C. Who hath made heaven and earth.
P. At morn and at even will we praise Him.
C. For our hearts rest ever in His love.
CONFITEOR All kneel, and say:
O Lord, Thou hast created us to be immortal and made us to be an image of Thine own eternity; yet often we forget the glory of our heritage and wander from the path which leads to righteousness. But Thou, O Lord, hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are ever restless till they find their rest in Thee. Look with the eyes of Thy love upon our manifold imperfections and pardon all our shortcomings, that we may be filled with the brightness of the everlasting light and become the unspotted mirror of Thy power and the image of Thy goodness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE ABSOLUTION
P. God the Father, God the + Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve and sanctify you; the Lord in His lovingkindness look down upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord ✙ absolve you from all your sins and grant you the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen.
[If there be no Priest, the ministrant, still kneeling, says the following instead of the Absolution:
May the Lord bless us and ✙ absolve us from all our sins; and may His peace rest upon us this night and evermore.
C. Thanks be to God. ]
THE FIRST PSALM
The people stand and the Psalm is sung or said.
Antiphon: Thou art my lamp, O Lord. The Lord will lighten my darkness.
1. Behold, the night falleth: and darkness covereth the earth.
2. But Thy candle, O Lord, shineth upon my head: and by Thy light I walk through the darkness.
3. Thou hast brought us out of darkness, and out of the shadow of death: and broken our bonds in sunder.
4. Yea, the darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day: the darkness and the light to Thee are both alike.
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.
Antiphon: Thou art my lamp, O Lord. The Lord will lighten my darkness.
THE FIRST LESSON
All are seated and the Epistle of the Day is read as a lesson by the Priest or ministrant, or someone appointed by him.
THE SECOND PSALM
After that is sung the following, all standing:
Antiphon: He hath called us out of darkness. Into His marvelous light.
1. Who is there that walketh in darkness: and hath no light?
2. Let him trust in the Lord: and stay upon his God.
3. Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: he is merciful, loving and righteous.
4. I am the Light of the world, saith the Lord: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
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.
Antiphon: He hath called us out of darkness. Into His marvelous light.
THE SECOND LESSON
The people are seated and the Gospel of the Day is read as the second lesson.
AN ACT OF FAITH - The people rise and all intone:
We believe that God is Love and Power and Truth and Light; that perfect justice rules the world; that all His sons shall one day reach His Feet, however far they stray. We hold the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of man; we know that we do serve Him best when best we serve our brother man. So shall His blessing rest on us and peace for evermore. Amen.
THE COLLECTS
P. Let us pray. All kneel or sit If a ministrant leads the service, he kneels with the people.
The Collect for the Day is first said and then the following:
P. Teach us, O Lord, to see Thy life in all men and in all the peoples of Thine earth, and so guide the nations into the understanding of Thy laws that peace and goodwill may reign upon earth; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
P. O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels and all just works do proceed; give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; both that our hearts may be set to obey Thy commandments, and that by Thee we being defended from the fear of all evil may pass this night in rest and quietness; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
P. Almighty God, the Protector of all who trust in Thee, send forth Thy power to keep us this night both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in ourselves; that so far as is expedient for us we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
THE OFFICE HYMN
All rise and sing:
Glory to Thee, my God, this night
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of Kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Assoil me, Lord, from every sin,
And fill my heart with love within,
That with the world, myself and Thee
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
If in the night I sleepless lie
My mind with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
Nor powers of darkness me molest.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
If there is to be a sermon, it is delivered here.
NUNC DIMITTIS
Antiphon: I will lay me down in peace and take my rest.
For it is Thou, Lord, only that makest me to dwell in safety.
1. ✙ Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy word.
2. For mine eyes have seen: Thy salvation,
3. Which Thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
4. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.
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.
Antiphon: I will lay me down in peace and take my rest.
For it is Thou, Lord, only that makest me to dwell in safety.
P. Let us pray. The people kneel.
P. Be with us in our homes, O Lord, and let Thy holy Angels dwell therein, to preserve us in peace; and let Thy blessing rest ever upon us, O Thou Lord of love, who livest for ever and ever. R/. Amen.
They remain kneeling.
P. Look, O Lord, upon this Thy family.
C. Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.
P. Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings.
C. Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.
P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.
C. Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.
THE BENEDICTION
P. Unto God's gracious love and protection we commit you; the Lord ✙ bless you and keep you; the Lord make His Face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up the light of His Countenance upon you and give you His peace, this night and for evermore. R/. Amen.
If Benediction follows Compline, the Grace is said instead of the Benediction.
[In the absence of a Priest, the ministrant closes the service with the following words, instead of the Benediction:
The grace of our ✙ Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. R/. Amen.]
SALVE REGINA
Mary, we hail thee, Mother and queen compassionate: Mary, our comfort, life, and hope, we hail thee. To thee we exiles, children of Eve, lift our crying. To thee we are sighing, as mournful and weeping, we pass through this vale of sorrow. Turn thou, therefore, O our intercessor, those thine eyes of pity and loving-kindness upon us sinners. Hereafter, when our earthly exile shall be ended show us Jesus the blessed fruit of thy womb, O gentle, O tender, O gracious Virgin Mary.
Similarly to Prime, Compline is a short service, which can be led by a layperson if necessary, and would therefore be eminently suited for a community Office or for family prayers. It also lends itself to use in church as an addition to Vespers, or when Vespers and Benediction are unsuitable, as on the evening of Good Friday. In order to avoid constant repetition, where Compline is said daily or where it is used in conjunction with the Holy Eucharist, other short lections selected from The Liturgy may at the discretion of the Priest be read as lessons instead of the Epistle and Gospel.
The people stand.
THE INVOCATION
The Priest or, if there be no Priest present, the ministrant in charge, intones:
P. In the Name of the Father ✙ and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. R/. Amen.
P. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.
C. Who hath made heaven and earth.
P. At morn and at even will we praise Him.
C. For our hearts rest ever in His love.
CONFITEOR All kneel, and say:
O Lord, Thou hast created us to be immortal and made us to be an image of Thine own eternity; yet often we forget the glory of our heritage and wander from the path which leads to righteousness. But Thou, O Lord, hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are ever restless till they find their rest in Thee. Look with the eyes of Thy love upon our manifold imperfections and pardon all our shortcomings, that we may be filled with the brightness of the everlasting light and become the unspotted mirror of Thy power and the image of Thy goodness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE ABSOLUTION
P. God the Father, God the + Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve and sanctify you; the Lord in His lovingkindness look down upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord ✙ absolve you from all your sins and grant you the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen.
[If there be no Priest, the ministrant, still kneeling, says the following instead of the Absolution:
May the Lord bless us and ✙ absolve us from all our sins; and may His peace rest upon us this night and evermore.
C. Thanks be to God. ]
THE FIRST PSALM
The people stand and the Psalm is sung or said.
Antiphon: Thou art my lamp, O Lord. The Lord will lighten my darkness.
1. Behold, the night falleth: and darkness covereth the earth.
2. But Thy candle, O Lord, shineth upon my head: and by Thy light I walk through the darkness.
3. Thou hast brought us out of darkness, and out of the shadow of death: and broken our bonds in sunder.
4. Yea, the darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day: the darkness and the light to Thee are both alike.
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.
Antiphon: Thou art my lamp, O Lord. The Lord will lighten my darkness.
THE FIRST LESSON
All are seated and the Epistle of the Day is read as a lesson by the Priest or ministrant, or someone appointed by him.
THE SECOND PSALM
After that is sung the following, all standing:
Antiphon: He hath called us out of darkness. Into His marvelous light.
1. Who is there that walketh in darkness: and hath no light?
2. Let him trust in the Lord: and stay upon his God.
3. Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: he is merciful, loving and righteous.
4. I am the Light of the world, saith the Lord: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
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.
Antiphon: He hath called us out of darkness. Into His marvelous light.
THE SECOND LESSON
The people are seated and the Gospel of the Day is read as the second lesson.
AN ACT OF FAITH - The people rise and all intone:
We believe that God is Love and Power and Truth and Light; that perfect justice rules the world; that all His sons shall one day reach His Feet, however far they stray. We hold the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of man; we know that we do serve Him best when best we serve our brother man. So shall His blessing rest on us and peace for evermore. Amen.
THE COLLECTS
P. Let us pray. All kneel or sit If a ministrant leads the service, he kneels with the people.
The Collect for the Day is first said and then the following:
P. Teach us, O Lord, to see Thy life in all men and in all the peoples of Thine earth, and so guide the nations into the understanding of Thy laws that peace and goodwill may reign upon earth; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
P. O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels and all just works do proceed; give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; both that our hearts may be set to obey Thy commandments, and that by Thee we being defended from the fear of all evil may pass this night in rest and quietness; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
P. Almighty God, the Protector of all who trust in Thee, send forth Thy power to keep us this night both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in ourselves; that so far as is expedient for us we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
THE OFFICE HYMN
All rise and sing:
Glory to Thee, my God, this night
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of Kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Assoil me, Lord, from every sin,
And fill my heart with love within,
That with the world, myself and Thee
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
If in the night I sleepless lie
My mind with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
Nor powers of darkness me molest.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
If there is to be a sermon, it is delivered here.
NUNC DIMITTIS
Antiphon: I will lay me down in peace and take my rest.
For it is Thou, Lord, only that makest me to dwell in safety.
1. ✙ Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy word.
2. For mine eyes have seen: Thy salvation,
3. Which Thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
4. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.
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.
Antiphon: I will lay me down in peace and take my rest.
For it is Thou, Lord, only that makest me to dwell in safety.
P. Let us pray. The people kneel.
P. Be with us in our homes, O Lord, and let Thy holy Angels dwell therein, to preserve us in peace; and let Thy blessing rest ever upon us, O Thou Lord of love, who livest for ever and ever. R/. Amen.
They remain kneeling.
P. Look, O Lord, upon this Thy family.
C. Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.
P. Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings.
C. Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.
P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.
C. Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit.
THE BENEDICTION
P. Unto God's gracious love and protection we commit you; the Lord ✙ bless you and keep you; the Lord make His Face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up the light of His Countenance upon you and give you His peace, this night and for evermore. R/. Amen.
If Benediction follows Compline, the Grace is said instead of the Benediction.
[In the absence of a Priest, the ministrant closes the service with the following words, instead of the Benediction:
The grace of our ✙ Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. R/. Amen.]
SALVE REGINA
Mary, we hail thee, Mother and queen compassionate: Mary, our comfort, life, and hope, we hail thee. To thee we exiles, children of Eve, lift our crying. To thee we are sighing, as mournful and weeping, we pass through this vale of sorrow. Turn thou, therefore, O our intercessor, those thine eyes of pity and loving-kindness upon us sinners. Hereafter, when our earthly exile shall be ended show us Jesus the blessed fruit of thy womb, O gentle, O tender, O gracious Virgin Mary.
