Little Office of the Passion

MATINS Priest. O Lord, thou wilt open my lips. Faithful. And my mouth shall declare thy praise. P. Incline unto mine aid, O God. F. O Lord, make haste to help me. P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory. INVITATORY P. Christ is captured and put to scorn, scourged and crucified. * Oh, come, let us adore him. F. Christ is captured and put to scorn, scourged and crucified. * Oh, come, let us adore him. Psalm XCIV P. Come let us praise the Lord with joy; let us joyfully sing to God our Savior. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise to him with psalms. F. Christ is captured and put to scorn, scourged and crucified. * Oh, come, let us adore him. P. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods. For in his hand are all the ends of the earth; and the heights of the mountains are his. F. Oh, come, let us adore him. P. For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us adore 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. F. Christ is captured and put to scorn, scourged and crucified. * Oh, come, let us adore him. P. Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me and saw my works. F. Oh, come, let us adore him. P. Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart. And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest. F. Christ is captured and put to scorn, scourged and crucified. * Oh, come, let us adore him. P. 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. F. Oh, come, let us adore him. P. Christ is captured and put to scorn, scourged and crucified. F. Oh, come, let us adore him. Hymn O may the Passion of the Lord, Whereby salvation is restored, The mind with love for him inspire, Our solace and our hearts' desire. In memory let us ever hold Christ's thorny crown, his pains untold, The bitter cross whereon he died, The nails, the lance that pierced his side. And may we constantly recall The reed, the vinegar, the gall, The anguish of that last dread hour, Those sacred wounds whence graces shower. O may these thoughts our souls imbue With sweetness of celestial dew, Till fostered by his tender care The glorious fruits of grace they bear. O Crucified, we worship thee, And beg with all our hearts that we May be united through thy love With all the saints in heaven above. To Christ, the Lord of Majesty, Betrayed and sold to set us free, Who suffered on the cruel tree, Be praise and honor endlessly. Amen. THE NOCTURN Antiphon P. Men without mercy rose up against me, and they spared not my life. Psalm II Why have the Gentiles raged, * and the people devised vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, * against the Lord, and against his Christ. Let us break their bonds asunder, * and let us cast away their yoke from us. He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: * and the Lord shall deride them. Then shall he speak to them in his anger, * and trouble them in his rage. But I am appointed king by him over Sion, his holy mountain, * preaching his commandment. The Lord hath said to me: * Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel. And now, O ye kings, understand: * receive instruction, you that judge the earth. Serve ye the Lord with fear: * and rejoice unto him with trembling. Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, * and you perish from the just way. When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, * blessed are all they that trust in him. 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 P. Men without mercy rose up against me, and they spared not my life. P. I have forsaken my house, I have left my inheritance. F. I have given my dear soul into the hands of sinners. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. Amen. Absolution P. May the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ bring us to the joys of paradise. F. Amen. Pray, Father, a blessing. Blessing P. Through his holy Passion may our Lord grant us his benediction. F. Amen. First Lesson (St. John XIX, 1-3) P. Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers platting a crown of thorns, put it upon his head: and they put on him a purple garment. And they came to him and said: Hail, King of the Jews. And they gave him blows, and spitting upon him, they took the reed and struck his head.—But thou, O Lord, have mercy on us. F. Thanks be to God. P. The ancients consulted together that by subtlety they might apprehend Jesus and put him to death. * They went out, as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs. F. The chief priests and the Pharisees consulted together that by subtlety they might apprehend Jesus and put him to death. P. They went out, as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs. F. Pray, Father, a blessing. Blessing P. Through the might of his holy cross, may our Lord bring us to the joys of light and truth. F. Amen. Second Lesson (St. John XIX. 16-18; St. Luke XXIII. 34) P. But the soldiers took Jesus and led him forth, and bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha, where they crucified him and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst. And Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.—But thou, O Lord, have mercy on us. F. Thanks be to God. P. You are come out, as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs to apprehend me. * I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you laid not hands on me, and lo! you scourge me and lead me to be crucified. F. And when they had laid hands on Jesus and taken him, he said to them: P. I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you laid not hands on me, and lo! you scourge me and lead me to be crucified. F. Pray, Father, a blessing. Blessing P. May the sprinkling of Christ's Blood be our everlasting health and protection. F. Amen. Third Lesson (St. John XIX. 28-30) P. Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar about hyssop, put it to his mouth. Jesus, therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.—But thou, O Lord, have mercy on us. F. Thanks be to God. P. Darkness covered the earth, whilst the Jews crucified Jesus. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me! * And bowing down his head, he gave up the ghost. F. Jesus crying out with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. P. And bowing down his head, he gave up the ghost. F. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. P. And bowing down his head, he gave up the ghost. LAUDS P. Incline unto mine aid, O God. F. O Lord, make haste to help me. P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory. Antiphon P. Reproaches and terrors have I suffered at their hands; and the Lord is with me as a mighty warrior. Psalm XII How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me unto the end? * how long dost thou turn away thy face from me? How long shall I take counsels in my soul, * sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? * Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God. Enlighten my eyes that I never sleep in death: * lest at any time my enemy say: I have prevailed against him. They that trouble me will rejoice when I am moved: * but I have trusted in thy mercy. My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: * yea I will sing to the name of the Lord the most High. 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 P. Reproaches and terrors have I suffered at their hands; and the Lord is with me as a mighty warrior. Little Chapter (Lamentations IV, 20) P. The breath of our mouth, Christ the Lord, is taken in our sins, to whom we said: Under thy shadow we shall live among the Gentiles. F. Thanks be to God. Hymn Now let us all with one accord To Christ our Captain anthems raise, Whose conquering cross our life restored,— Let heaven resound with songs of praise. O may thy dreadful agony With true contrition rend our breast, And make us ever seek for thee, O Jesus, our Redeemer blest. Those blissful scars which Jesus bore, The spitting, scourging, buffeting, To us have won for evermore The eternal gifts of Christ our King. Let not thy Blood be shed in vain But to our hearts its power apply, And wash them clean from every stain, Creator of the starry sky. The gifts which from thy Passion flow Grant us, O Savior, of thy grace, And in thy faithfulness bestow The heavenly vision of thy face. To Christ, the Lord of Majesty, Betrayed and sold to set us free, Who suffered on the cruel tree, Be praise and honor endlessly. Amen. P. He gave his cheek to him that struck him. F. He was filled with reproaches. Antiphon P. God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for all. Canticle of Zachary (St. Luke I, 68–79) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: * because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people: And hath raised up a horn of salvation to us, * in the house of David his servant: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, * who are from the beginning: Salvation from our enemies, * and from the hand of all that hate us: To perform mercy to our fathers, * and to remember his holy testament, The oath which he swore to Abraham our father, * that he would grant to us. That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, * we may serve him without fear. In holiness and justice before him, * all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: * for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways: To give knowledge of salvation to his people, * unto the remission of their sins: Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, * in which the Orient from on high hath visited us: To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: * to direct our feet into the way of peace. 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 P. God spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for all. P. Lord, have mercy on us. F. Christ, have mercy on us. P. Lord, have mercy on us. LET US PRAY P. O Lord Jesus Christ, who, at the hour of matins, didst will to be betrayed, captured, bound, scourged, buffeted and spit upon for the salvation of mankind: we beseech thee, make us to receive reproaches and injuries with joy for the glory of thy name, and so to keep the memory of thy most holy Passion ever in mind, that we may deserve to be made partakers in thy Resurrection. Who livest and reignest world without end. F. Amen. PRIME P. Incline unto mine aid, O God. F. O Lord, make haste to help me. P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory. Hymn O Sun of Justice, thou whose rays By sinful hands were veiled from gaze, O thou who, mocked on bended knee, Wast scourged for us most piteously. With fervent love, O Lord, we pray, Have mercy on our souls today; And lead us from this dark world's night To see in heaven thy glorious light. To Christ, the Lord of Majesty, Betrayed and sold to set us free, Who suffered on the cruel tree, Be praise and honor endlessly. Amen. Antiphon P. I turned not away my face from them that rebuked me and spat upon me. Psalm XLII Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy:* deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man. For thou art God my strength: why hast thou cast me off? * and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me? Send forth thy light and thy truth: * they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles. And I will go in to the altar of God: * to God who giveth joy to my youth. To thee, O God my God, I will give praise upon the harp: * why art thou sad, O my soul? And why dost thou disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: * the salvation of my countenance, and my God. 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 P. I turned not away my face from them that rebuked me and spat upon me. Little Chapter (Hebrews XII, 3) P. Think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself, that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds. F. Thanks be to God. P. When he was reviled, he did not revile. F. And when he suffered, he threatened not. P. Lord, have mercy on us. F. Christ, have mercy on us. P. Lord, have mercy on us. LET US PRAY P. O Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of all judges, who at the first hour of the day wast brought before the governor Pilate for us sinners and didst there receive a most severe sentence, we humbly beseech thee to succor us when we shall be arraigned before thee, that in that last judgment we may not be condemned to eternal punishment, but may be found worthy to have fellowship with thy faithful in heaven. Who livest and reignest world without end. F. Amen. TIERCE P. Incline unto mine aid, O God. F. O Lord, make haste to help me. P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory. Hymn Thou who at this third hour wast led For guilty man thy Blood to shed, Bearing the cross they laid on thee, The weight of this world's misery. O fill our hearts with love, and bless Our life with fruits of holiness, Until, when strife is o'er, we stand Before thee in the heavenly land. To Christ, the Lord of Majesty, Betrayed and sold to set us free, Who suffered on the cruel tree, Be praise and honor endlessly. Amen. Antiphon P. The Lord was led as a sheep to the slaughter and he opened not his mouth. Psalm LXIII Hear, O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to thee: * deliver my soul from the fear of the enemy. Thou hast protected me from the assembly of the malignant, * from the multitude of the workers of iniquity. For they have whetted their tongues like a sword: * they have bent their bow a bitter thing, to shoot in secret the undefiled. They will shoot at him on a sudden, and will not fear: * they are resolute in wickedness. They have talked of hiding snares: * they have said: Who shall see them? They have searched after iniquities: * they have failed in their search. Man shall come to a deep heart: * and God shall be exalted. The arrows of children are their wounds: * and their tongues against them are made weak. All that saw them were troubled: * and every man was afraid. And they declared the works of God: * and understood his doings. The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in him: * and all the upright in heart shall be praised. 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 P. The Lord was led as a sheep to the slaughter and opened not his mouth. Little Chapter (I Peter II, 21, 22) P. Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow his steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. F. Thanks be to God. P. He was offered because it was his own will. F. And he himself bore our iniquities. P. Lord, have mercy on us. F. Christ, have mercy on us. P. Lord, have mercy on us. LET US PRAY P. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who at the third hour of the day, wast led forth to the torment of the cross for the salvation of the whole world: we humbly beseech thee, that by the power of thy most holy Passion, thou mayest blot out all our sins and bring us in thy mercy to the glory of thine everlasting bliss. Who livest and reignest world without end. F. Amen. SEXT P. Incline unto mine aid, O God. F. O Lord, make haste to help me. P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory. Hymn Jesus was hanged upon the tree And thirsted in his agony, In hands and feet he deigned to bear The cruel nails that held him there. Honor and blessing ever be, O Jesus crucified, to thee, Who by thy death and bitter pain Didst bring us exiles home again. To Christ, the Lord of Majesty, Betrayed and sold to set us free, Who suffered on the cruel tree, Be praise and honor endlessly. Amen. Antiphon P. They put over his head his cause written, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Psalm CXV I have believed, therefore have I spoken: * but I have been humbled exceedingly. I said in my excess: * Every man is a liar. What shall I render to the Lord: * for all the things that he hath rendered to me? I will take the chalice of salvation: * and I will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord before all his people: * precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, for I am thy servant: * I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast broken my bonds: * I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people: * in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. 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 P. They put over his head his cause written, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Little Chapter (I Peter II, 23-24) P. He delivered himself to him that judged him unjustly, who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice; by whose stripes we were healed. F. Thanks be to God. P. He was offered because it was his own will. F. And he himself bore our iniquities. P. Lord, have mercy on us. F. Christ, have mercy on us. P. Lord, have mercy on us. LET US PRAY P. O Lord Jesus Christ, who, at the sixth hour of the day, didst mount upon the gibbet of the cross and, thirsting for our salvation, didst suffer gall and vinegar to be given thee to drink: we humbly beseech thee to enkindle thy fire in our hearts and make us to thirst for the chalice of thy Passion. Who livest and reignest world without end. F. Amen. NONE P. Incline unto mine aid, O God. F. O Lord make haste to help me. P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory. Hymn May Christ's most blessed Passion win Deliverance from death and sin, Whereby to man the hope is given Of everlasting joys in heaven. Glory to Christ our Lord on high Who, with one last triumphant cry, Gave up his soul upon the cross And saved the world from endless loss. To Christ, the Lord of Majesty, Betrayed and sold to set us free Who suffered on the cruel tree, Be praise and honor endlessly. Amen. Antiphon P. When Jesus had taken the vinegar, he said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost. Psalm CXLI I cried to the Lord with my voice: * with my voice I made supplication to the Lord. In his sight I pour out my prayer, * and before him I declare my trouble. When my spirit failed me, * then thou knewest my paths. In this way wherein I walked, * they have hidden a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, * and there was no one that would know me. Flight hath failed me: * and there is no one that hath regard to my soul. I cried to thee, O Lord: * I said: Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living. Attend to my supplication: * for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors: * for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: * the just wait for me, until thou reward me. 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 P. When Jesus had taken the vinegar, he said: It is consummated. And bowing his head he gave up the ghost. Little Chapter (Hebrews II, 10) P. It became him for whom are all things and by whom are all things, who had brought many children into glory, to perfect the author of their salvation by his Passion. F. Thanks be to God. P. He hath delivered his soul unto death. F. And he was reputed with the wicked. P. Lord, have mercy on us. F. Christ, have mercy on us. P. Lord, have mercy on us. LET US PRAY P. O Lord Jesus Christ, who, with arms outstretched on the cross and head bowed down, didst at the ninth hour of the day yield up thy spirit to God thy Father and with the key of thy death didst vouchsafe to unlock the gates of paradise, grant to us thy unworthy suppliants, that in the hour of our death our souls may attain through thy mercy to thee who art the true paradise. Who livest and reignest world without end. F. Amen. VESPERS P. Incline unto mine aid, O God. F. O Lord, make haste to help me. P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory. Antiphon P. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book and to open the seven seals thereof, because thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God in thy blood. Psalm XXIX I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast upheld me: * and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I have cried to thee: * and thou hast healed me. Thou hast brought forth, O Lord, my soul from hell: * thou hast saved me from them that go down into the pit. Sing to the Lord, O ye his saints: * and give praise to the memory of his holiness. For wrath is in his indignation: * and life in his good will. In the evening weeping shall have place, * and in the morning gladness. And in my abundance I said: * I shall never be moved. O Lord, in thy favor, * thou gavest strength to my beauty. Thou turnedst away thy face from me, * and I became troubled. To thee, O Lord, will I cry: * and I will make supplication to my God. What profit is there in my blood, * whilst I go down to corruption? Shall dust confess to thee, * or declare thy truth? The Lord hath heard, and hath had mercy on me: * the Lord became my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into joy: * thou hast cut my sackcloth, and hast compassed me with goodness: To the end that my glory may sing to thee, and I may not regret: * O Lord my God, I will give praise to thee forever. 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 P. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book and to open the seven seals thereof, because thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God in thy blood. Little Chapter (Hebrews II, 9) P. We see Jesus for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor; that, through the grace of God, he might taste death for all. F. Thanks be to God. Hymn O thou who through death's agony For man didst break sin's barrier down, Bring us to find true peace in thee, Jesus, who art the Virgin's crown. A bitter potion thou didst drain 'Mid cruel scorn and suffering Thou spotless Lamb for sinners slain, O Lord Most High, eternal King. To all thy faithful, who this day Thy sacred Passion bear in mind, Give saving health and grace to pray, Jesus, Redeemer of mankind. Upon the altar of the tree Flowed forth in streams thy Blood divine, O Jesus, King of clemency. In whom the Father's light doth shine. O Blood of Christ whose glorious might Did strike the demon with despair, Grant we may come in robes of white The Lamb's great marriage feast to share. To Christ, the Lord of Majesty, Betrayed and sold to set us free, Who suffered on the cruel tree, Be praise and honor endlessly. Amen. P. The chastisement of our sins was upon him. F. For by his stripes we were healed. Antiphon P. Our Shepherd, the fountain of living water, is gone, for he laid down his life for his sheep and vouchsafed to die for his flock. The Magnificat (St. Luke I. 46-55) My soul * doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Savior. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me: * and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear him. He hath shown might in his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things: * and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel his servant, * being mindful of his mercy: As he spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and to his seed forever. 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. P. Lord, have mercy on us. F. Christ, have mercy on us. P. Lord, have mercy on us. LET US PRAY P. O Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to the pious belief of the faithful, didst at the hour of vespers will to be taken down from the cross and laid dead in the arms of thy Mother: grant, we beseech thee, that laying aside the burden of our sins, we may be presented in the sight of thy divine Majesty. Who livest and reignest world without end. F. Amen. COMPLINE P. Convert us, O God our Savior. F. And turn away thine anger from us. P. Incline unto mine aid, O God. F. O Lord, make haste to help me. P. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. F. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory. Antiphon P. They shall mourn for him as for an only son; because the innocent Lord is slain. Psalm LXXXVII O Lord, the God of my salvation:* I have cried in the day, and in the night before thee. Let my prayer come in before thee: * incline thy ear to my petition. For my soul is filled with evils: * and my life hath drawn nigh to hell. I am counted among them that go down to the pit: * I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. Like the slain sleeping in the sepulchres, whom thou rememberest no more: * and they are cast off from thy hand. They have laid me in the lower pit: * in the dark places, and in the shadow of death. Thy wrath is strong over me: * and all thy waves thou hast brought in upon me. Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me: * they have set me an abomination to themselves. I was delivered up, and came not forth: * my eyes languished through poverty. All the day I cried to thee, O Lord: * I stretched out my hands to thee. Wilt thou show wonders to the dead: * or shall physicians raise to life, and give praise to thee? Shall any one in the sepulchre declare thy mercy: * and thy truth in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark: * and thy justice in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O Lord, have cried to thee: * and in the morning my prayer shall prevent thee. Lord, why castest thou off my prayer: * why turnest thou away thy face from me? I am poor, and in labors from my youth: * and being exalted have been humbled and troubled. Thy wrath hath come upon me: * and thy terrors have troubled me. They have come round about me like water all the day: * they have compassed me about together. Friend and neighbor thou hast put far from me: * and my acquaintance, because of misery. 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 P. They shall mourn for him as for an only son; because the innocent Lord is slain. Hymn O sinless King, who at the close Of day didst in the rock repose, Do thou our restless passions still And win our hearts to do thy will. Lord, succor in the conflict dread The soul for whom thy Blood was shed, And bring us when life's trials cease To rest in thine eternal peace. To Christ, the Lord of Majesty, Betrayed and sold to set us free, Who suffered on the cruel tree, Be praise and honor endlessly. Amen. Little Chapter (I Peter IV, 1) P. Christ having suffered in the flesh, be you also armed with the same thought. F. Thanks be to God. P. And his place is in peace. F. And his abode in Sion. Antiphon P. Savior of the world, save us; thou who didst redeem us by thy Cross and Blood, succor us; we beseech thee, O Lord our God. Canticle of Simeon (St. Luke II. 29-32) Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, * according to thy word in peace: Because my eyes have seen * thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, * and 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 P. Savior of the world, save us; thou who didst redeem us by thy Cross and Blood, succor us; we beseech thee, O Lord our God. P. Lord, have mercy on us. F. Christ, have mercy on us. P. Lord, have mercy on us. LET US PRAY P. O Lord Jesus Christ, who at the last hour of the day, didst repose in the tomb, and wast lamented by thy sorrowful Mother and the other holy women; grant, we beseech thee, that we may mourn for thee with all the devotion of our hearts, and, abounding with tears of compunction, we may with ardent desire ever meditate upon thy most glorious Passion. Who livest and reignest world without end. F. Amen.