The Little Office of Our Blessed Lady

Lauds

In the early Christian Night Watches, the meditations and readings that had lasted from midnight gave place, at the break of the dawn of the expected feast-day, to songs of praise and gladness, which continued till sunrise; and it is these Morning Praises that gave rise to the present Hour of Lauds. The chief thought of Lauds, then is that of praise and thanksgiving offered to God at the opening of a new day.


V: Incline unto my aid O God.
R: O Lord make haste to help me.
V: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.

Psalm 92. 
The glory and stability of the kingdom: that is, of the Church of Christ

The Lord hath reigned, and hath put on glorious apparel; * the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2  For he hath stablished the round world, * that it cannot be moved.
3  Thy throne is prepared from of old : * thou art from everlasting.
4  The floods have lift up, O Lord, * yea, the floods have lift up their voice.
5  The floods have lift up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.
6  The waves of the sea are mighty, * glorious is the Lord, who dwelleth on high.
7  Thy testimonies are become exceeding credible: * holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, unto length of days.

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.

Psalm 99.
All are invited to rejoice in God, the Creator of all

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness.
2  Come before his presence * with exceeding great joy.
3  Know ye that the Lord he is God; * it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.
4  We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture : * O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be ye thankful unto him.
5  Give praises unto his Name: for the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

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.

Psalm 62.  
The prophet aspireth after God

O God, thou art my God; * to thee do I watch at break of day.
2  My soul hath thirsted for thee, * my flesh also in many different ways.
3  In a barren and dry land where no water is: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, that I might behold thy power and thy glory.
4  For thy mercy is better than the life itself : * my lips shall praise thee.
5  Thus will I bless thee as long as I live : * and I will lift up my hands in thy Name.
6  My soul shall be filled as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
7  If I have remembered thee in my bed, I will think upon thee in the morning : * because thou hast been my helper.
8  And under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice, my soul hath hung upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me.
9
  But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go down into the nether parts of the earth : * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes.
10  But the king shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak wicked things shall be stopped.

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.

CANTICLE OF THE THREE YOUTHS
  Dan. 3, 56,57-88

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
2  O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord.
3  O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
4  O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord.
5  O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: * O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord.
6  O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord.
7  O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord.
8  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord.
9  O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord.
10  O let the Earth bless the Lord; * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
11  O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord. 
12  O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord.
13  O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord.
14  O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord.
15  O let Israël bless the Lord; * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
16  O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
17  O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord.
18  O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever:
(During the following verse, all bow:)
19  Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
20  Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; * and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Here is not said Amen or Glory be.

Psalm 148.  
All creatures are invited to praise their creator

O praise ye the Lord from the heavens: * praise ye him in the height.
2  Praise him, all ye Angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
3  Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
4  Praise him, all ye heavens of heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens, praise the Name of the Lord.
5  For he spake the word, and they were made; * he commanded, and they were created.
6  He hath established them for ever, yea, unto ages of ages : * he hath set forth a law, and it shall not pass away.
7  Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and ice, wind and storm, * fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;
10  Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;
11  Kings of the earth, and all people; * princes, and all judges of the world;
12  Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord: * for his Name only is exalted.
13  His praise is above heaven and earth : * and he shall exalt the horn of his people.
14  A hymn unto all his saints : * even unto the children of Israel, a people that draw nigh unto 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.

Ant. After childbirth thou didst still remain a virgin undefiled: Mother of God, intercede for us.

                Little Chapter
               ECCL. 24

Like a vine, I gave forth an odor of sweetness:
and my flowers are the fruits of honor and riches.

R: Thanks be to God.

Hymn:,
O glorious Lady, throned in light,
Sublime above the stary height,
Thine arms thy great Creator pressed,
A suckling at thy sacred breast.

Through the dear Blossom of thy womb,
Thou changest hapless Eva's doom:
Through thee to contrite souls is given
An opening to their home in heaven

Thou art the great King's portal bright,
With perls and stones of living light,
Come then, ye ransomed nations, sing
The life diveine 'twas hers to bring.

O Mary, Mother of all grace,
Mother of Mercy to our race,
Protect us now from Satan's power,
And own us at life's closing hour.

All glory be Thee, O Lord,
The Virgin's son, by all ador'd,
And equal praise forever greet,
The Father and the Paraclete. Amen.

V: God hath chosen her, and preferred her.

R: And He maketh her dwell in His tabernacle.

THE CANTICLE OF ZACHARY

Luke 1. 68-79

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; * for he hath visited and redeemed his people ;
2  And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us, * in the house of his servant David ;
3  As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, * which have been since the world began ;
4  That we should be saved from our enemies, * and from the hand of all that hate us.
5  To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, * and to remember his holy Covenant ;
6  To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, * that he would give us ;
7  That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies * might serve him without fear ;
8  In holiness and righteousness before him, * all the days of our life.
9  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 ;
10  To give knowledge of salvation unto his people * for the remission of their sins,
11  Through the tender mercy of our God; * whereby the Day-Spring from on high hath visited us ;
12  To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
13  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
14  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

During Advent
Ant. The Holy Ghost shall come down upon thee, O Mary: fear not, thou shalt bear within thy womb the Son of God, alleluia

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray

O God, Who wast please that, at the message of an angel, Thy Word should take flesh from the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant that we, Thy suppliants, who truly believe her to be the Mother of God, may be helped by her intercession with Thee. Through the same Christ our Lord.

R: Amen.



From Christmas to the Purification
Ant. A Women in childbirth brought forth a King Whose name is eternal; and, possessing a mother's joy with a virgin's honor, her like hath not appeared before nor since.

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray

O God, Who through the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast given to mankind the reward of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee that we may feel the intercession she makes for us, through whom we have been made worthy the Author of Life ,Christ our Lord.

R: Amen.



From the Purification to Easter Sunday

Same as Trinity Sunday to Advent


During Paschal Time
Ant. O blessed Mary, Mother of God, perpetual virgin, temple of the Lord, sanctuary of the Holy Ghost, thou alone without equal wast pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ: pray for the people, plead for the clergy, make intercession for the devout female sex. Alleluia, Alleluia.

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray

.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we, Thy servants, may enjoy continual health of mind and body; and that, through the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, we may be delivered from present sorrow, and enjoy eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen.



From Trinity Sunday to Advent
Ant. O glorious Mother of God, Mary, ever virgin, who alone wast found worthy to bear the Lord of all, and though a virgin, to nurse the King of angels, be graciously mindful of us, we beseech thee, and pray to Christ for us, that we, being upheld by thy care, may deserve to attain to heavenly kingdoms.

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we, Thy servants, may enjoy continual health of mind and body; and that, through the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, we may be delivered from present sorrow, and enjoy eternal hapiness. Through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen.

DAILY COMMERATIONS

OUR HOLY FATHER, SAINT DOMINIC

Ant. Blessed be the Redeemer of all, Who, in providing for the salvation of men, gave Saint Dominic to the world.

V: The law of his God is in his heart.

R: And his steps shall not fail.

Let us pray

O God, Who didst vouchsafe to enlighten Thy Church by the merits and teachings of Thy blessed Confessor, Our Father Dominic, grant through his intercession that it may never be destitude of temporal help, and may always increase in spiritual growth. Through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen.

SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA

Ant. May Catherine, the virgin blessed, give us the enjoyment of the true light of Christ and unite us to the heavenly choirs.

V: My soul shall exault in the Lord.

R: And shall be delighted with His salvation.

Let us pray

O God, Who didst enable blessed Catherine, graced with a special privilege of virginity and patience, to overcome the assaults of evil spirits, and to stand unshaken in the love of Thy holy Name, grant, we beseech Thee, that, after her example, treading under foot the wickedness of the world and overcomming the wiles of enemies, we may safely pass onward to Thy glory. Through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen.

ALL THE SAINTS OF THE DOMINICAN ORDER

Ant. O what happiness and glory belong always to the saints, how distinguished the merits of the Preachers, by whose words and deeds the world is adorned, by whose works the mind grows stronger.

V: The saints shall be joyful in glory.

R: They shall sing for joy on their couches.

Let us pray

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the examples fo the saints of our Order may incite us to a better life; that we may imitate the deeds of them whose memory we celebrate. Through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen.

ALL SAINTS

Ant. All ye saints of God vouchsafe to make intercession for our salvation, and for that of all.

V: Pray for us, all ye saints of God

R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that all Thy saints may pray for us unceassingly, and vouchsafe in Thy clemency to hear them. Through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen.

FOR PEACE

Ant. Give peace, O Lord, in our days, because there is no other who will fight for us, except Thee, our God.

V: Let peace be in thy strength.

R: And abundance in thy towers.

Let us pray

O God, from Whom are holy desires, right counsels, and just works, grant to Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts being devoted to Thy commandments, and the fear of enemies being taken away, the times may, by Thy protection, be peaceful. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reignth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

R: Amen.

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

V: Let us bless the Lord.

R: Thanks be to God.

V: Hail Mary,full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

R:Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

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