The Daily Offices: Morning & Evening Prayer
Eve of the Nativity to Eve of Epiphany
Practicalities PRAYER TOGETHER This booklet provides the text of all the prayers for you to fully participate in the daily offices of Morning and Evening Prayer. The source for this daily office is Celebrating Common Prayer: A version of The Daily Office, Society of Saint Francis. Since the Liturgy of the Church is “the work of the People” the baptized with the clergy share in leading (officiating) the offering of prayer. Before an Office begins you may be asked to be prepared to read from the Bible. SILENCE AND THE SACRED Silence is kept in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Lady Chapel so that these spaces are a place of peace for prayer, reflection and contemplation. So please feel free to meet and talk once outside the chapels. LIGHTING A CANDLE AND PRAYER BEFORE AN ICON Before or after the Daily Offices and Mass you are encouraged to light a candle as a sign of your prayer. Also you may want to use the image of St. James’, or one of the statues of the Virgin and Christ-child, as an aid to prayer. THE DAILY OFFICES AS PUBLIC PRAYER One of the unique gifts of the Parish of St. James’ to the life of the Church is the constant offering of public prayer. Morning and Evening Prayer is said, and Mass is celebrated, every day of the year. You are always welcome to join in this sacrifice of praise. Morning Prayer is said in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel every day, Monday-Saturday, at 9.00 am. On Sundays it is said at 8.00 am in the Church. Evening Prayer is said in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on Monday - Friday at 5.00 pm. On Saturdays it is said in the Lady Chapel at 5.00 pm. On Sundays it is said at 5.00 pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, except on the last Sunday of the month when Evensong and Benediction are offered at 5.30 pm and usually preceded by half an hour of organ music which begins at 5.00 pm.
Morning Prayer THE ANGELUS
Stand The Angelus bell is rung. Then the officiant leads the Angelus prayer.
All
All
All
The Angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy, Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. ‘Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; Let it be to me according to your word.’ Hail Mary…
All
‘The Word was made flesh And dwelt among us.’
Bow Arise
Hail Mary…
All
‘Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.’
All
Let us pray. We beseech you, O Lord, to pour your grace into our hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his + cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. MORNING PRAYER | 3
THE PREPARATION
All
+ O Lord, open our lips And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
All
Blessèd are you, Sovereign God, creator of all; To you be glory and praise for ever! You founded the earth in the beginning and the heavens are the work of your hands. As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us, let the light of your love always shine in our hearts and your praises ever be on our lips, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever!
All
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us O come, let us worship.
THE OPENING CANTICLE A song of God’s glorious name O Lord our governor, how exalted is your name in all the world! All
Out of the mouths of infants and children your majesty is praised above the heavens. ‘You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, to quell the enemy and the avenger.
All
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, What are mortals, that you should be mindful of them? mere human beings, that you should seek them out?
All
You have made them little lower than the angels; you adorn them with glory and honour. You give them mastery over the works of your hands; and put all things under their feet,
4 | MORNING PRAYER
Stand
Bow Arise
Stand
All
All sheep and oxen, even the wild beasts of the field, The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea. and the King of Glory shall come in.
All
O Lord our governor, how exalted is your name in all the world! Psalm 8
All
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.
HYMN
Bow Arise
Stand A hymn may be sung or said.
THE OPENING PRAYER
Stand
The night has passed and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind: Silence may be kept.
All
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.
THE PSALMS
Be seated The appointed psalm is announced. At the end of each psalm the psalm prayer is said by the officiant then: MORNING PRAYER | 5
All
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.
THE FIRST READING
Bow Arise
Be seated
The first reading is read from the Old Testament or the Apocrypha. Reader
A reading from ... Here ends the reading. A time of silence is kept for reflection.
THE SECOND CANTICLE Either—A SONG OF THE MESSIAH Refrain
To us a child is born, to us a son is given; who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, upon them the light has dawned.
All
You have increased their joy and given them great gladness; they rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest. For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them; the collar that lay heavy on their shoulders.
All
For to us a child is born and to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called: Wonderful Counsellor; the Mighty God; the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace.
6 | MORNING PRAYER
Stand
All
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness.
All
All
Refrain
From this time forth and for evermore; the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 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.
from Isaiah 9:2-7
Bow Arise
To us a child is born, to us a son is given; who is called Mighty God and Prince of Peace. Or—A SONG OF GOD’S CHOSEN ONE
Refrain
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
All
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
All
He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear, But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.
All
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. The calf and the lion cub together, with a little child to lead them.
MORNING PRAYER | 7
All
They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. From Isaiah 11
All
Refrain
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.
Bow Arise
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding
THE SECOND READING
Be seated
The second reading is read from the New Testament. Reader
A reading from ... Here ends the reading. A time of silence is kept for reflection.
RESPONSORY
Stand
All
The Word of Life which was from the beginning, We proclaim to you.
All
The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining: The Word of Life which was from the beginning.
All
That which we heard, which we saw with our eyes and touched with our hands, We proclaim to you.
All
For our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. The Word of Life which was from the beginning, we proclaim to you.
8 | MORNING PRAYER
THE GOSPEL CANTICLE - BENEDICTUS Refrain
Stand
To us is born a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,* and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest! + Blessèd are you, Lord, the God of Israel,* you have come to your people and set them free.
All
You have raised up for us a mighty Saviour,* born of the house of your servant, David. Through your holy prophets, you promised of old* to save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us,
All
To show mercy to our forebears,* and to remember your holy covenant. This was the oath you swore to our father, Abraham,* to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
All
Free to worship you without fear,* holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life. And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,* for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
All
To give God’s people knowledge of salvation* by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God* the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
All
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,* and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:68 -79
All
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.
Bow Arise
MORNING PRAYER | 9
Refrain
To us is born a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord,* and all the heavenly hosts now sing, Glory to God in the highest!
Kneel or stand
THE PRAYERS
The Kyries may be used as responses to intercession. A time of silent prayer may be kept. For … (Here a petition or intention is given.)
All
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
All
For … (Here a petition or intention is given.) Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy. For … (Here a petition or intention is given.)
All
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Kneel or stand
Then shall follow the Collect of the day. Let us pray… All
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust: All
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 | MORNING PRAYER
Kneel or stand
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Be seated
A READING FROM THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS
A non-scriptural reading may be read from the lives of the Saints or the Tradition of the Church. Kneel or stand
THE BLESSING All
+May the grace of Christ our Saviour be with us all. Amen.
All
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God. You are welcome to take this booklet away with you to aid your own prayers.
MORNING PRAYER | 11
12 | MORNING PRAYER
Evening Prayer THE ANGELUS
Stand The Angelus bell is rung. Then the officiant leads the Angelus prayer.
All
All
All
The Angel of the Lord brought tidings to Mary And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. ‘Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; Let it be to me according to your word.’ Hail Mary…
All
‘The Word was made flesh And dwelt among us.’
Bow Arise
Hail Mary…
All
‘Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.’
All
Let us pray. We beseech you, O Lord, to pour your grace into our hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his + cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. EVENING PRAYER | 13
THE BLESSING OF THE LIGHT
Stand
The altar candles are lit immediately before this prayer. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. In him was life, and the life was the light of all.
All
The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you all. And also with you.
All
+Let us give thanks to the Lord our God Who is worthy of all thanksgiving and praise.
All
Blessèd are you, Sovereign God, our light and our salvation, to you be glory and praise for ever! In the beginning you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. To dispel the darkness of our night, you sent forth your Son, the first-born of all creation. He is our Christ, the light of the world, and him we acclaim, as all creation sings to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessèd be God for ever!
Bow Arise
HYMN
A SONG OF THE LIGHT
Stand
This hymn may be said, or a version of it may be sung, or another suitable hymn. All
O joyful light, from the pure glory of the eternal heavenly Father,* O holy, blessèd Jesus Christ. As we come to the setting of the sun* and see the evening light, We give thanks and praise to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit of God. Worthy are you at all times to be sung with holy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,* and to be glorified through all creation.
14 | EVENING PRAYER
Bow Arise
Verses from Psalm 141 may be said: All
Let my prayer rise before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly; hear my voice when I cry to you. Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips.
All
Let my prayer rise before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Let not my heart incline to any evil thing; let me not be occupied in wickedness. But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God, in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless.
All
Let my prayer rise before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
THE OPENING PRAYER
All
Stand
As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise, now and for ever. Amen.
PSALMS
Be seated The appointed psalm is announced. At the end of each psalm the psalm prayer is said by the officiant then:
All
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now,
Bow Arise EVENING PRAYER | 15
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. THE FIRST READING
Be seated
The first reading is read from the Old Testament or the Apocrypha. Reader
A reading from ... Here ends the reading. A time of silence is kept for reflection.
THE SECOND CANTICLE
Stand
Either—A SONG OF REDEMPTION Refrain
All
All
All
Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. The Father has delivered us from the dominion of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of his belovèd Son; In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. All things were created through him and for him, he is before all things and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the Church, he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead. For it pleased God that in him all fullness should dwell, and through him all things be reconciled to himself. Colossians 1. 13-20
All
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.
16 | EVENING PRAYER
Bow Arise
Refrain
Christ is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.
Or—A SONG OF LOVE Refrain
God’s love was revealed among us so that we might live through Jesus. Belovèd, let us love one another, for love is of God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
All
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was revealed among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
All
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. Belovèd, since God loved us so much, we ought also to love one another.
All
For if we love one another, God abides in us, and God’s love will be perfected in us. 1 John 4. 7-11
All
Refrain
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.
Bow Arise
God’s love was revealed among us so that we might live through Jesus.
EVENING PRAYER | 17
THE SECOND READING
Be seated
The second reading is read from the New Testament. Reader
A reading from ... Here ends the reading. A time of silence is kept for reflection.
A RESPONSORY
All
All
All
Stand Your salvation is near to those who fear you, that glory may dwell in our land. Your salvation is near to those who fear you, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. That glory may dwell in our land. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Your salvation is near to those who fear you, that glory may dwell in our land.
18 | EVENING PRAYER
Bow Arise
THE GOSPEL CANTICLE - THE SONG OF MARY Refrain
Stand
When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course: from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word. + My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,* my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
All
For you, Lord, have looked with favour on your lowly servant.* From this day all generations will call me blessèd: You, the Almighty, have done great things for me* and holy is your name.
All
You have mercy on those who fear you,* from generation to generation.
Bow Arise
You have shown strength with your arm* and scattered the proud in their conceit, All
Casting down the mighty from their thrones* and lifting up the lowly. You have filled the hungry with good things* and sent the rich away empty.
All
You have come to the aid of your servant, Israel,* to remember the promise of mercy, The promise made to our forebears,* to Abraham and his children for ever. Luke 1.46-55
All All
Refrain
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.
Bow Arise
When peaceful silence lay over all, and night was in the midst of her swift course:
EVENING PRAYER | 19
from your royal throne O God, down from the heavens, leapt your almighty Word.
Kneel or stand
THE PRAYERS
The Kyries may be used as responses to intercession. A time of silent prayer may be kept. For … (Here a petition or intention is given.)
All
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. For … (Here a petition or intention is given.)
All
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy. For … (Here a petition or intention is given.)
All
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Then shall follow the Collect of the day. Let us pray… All
Amen.
20 | EVENING PRAYER
Kneel or stand
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Kneel or stand
Rejoicing in the presence of God here among us, let us pray in faith and trust: All
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
A READING FROM THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS
Be seated
A non-scriptural reading may be read from the lives of the Saints or the Tradition of the Church.
EVENING PRAYER | 21
ANTHEM OF OUR LADY: ALMA REDEMPTORIS
Kneel or stand
All
After childbirth, you remained a virgin. Pray for us, O Mother of God.
All
Let us pray. O God, through the fruitfulness of the Virgin Mary you have given us the reward of eternal salvation; grant that we may always know the power of her intercession through whom we have been counted worthy to receive the author of all life, the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
22 | EVENING PRAYER
THE BLESSING
Kneel or stand
All
+ May the grace of Christ our Saviour be with us all. Amen.
All
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
You are welcome to take this booklet away with you to aid your own prayers.
EVENING PRAYER | 23
303 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC, v6a 1l4 telephone: 604-685-2532, fax: 604-6857605 email: office@stjames.bc.ca web: www.stjames.bc.ca parish office hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 am-4:00pm