Saturday, September 22
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.


The Call to Prayer
Sing to the LORD and bless his Name;* proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations* and his wonders among all peoples.
Psalm 96:2–3

The Request for Presence
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations,* that we may give thanks to your holy Name and glory in your praise.
Psalm 106:47


The Greeting

I will give you thanks for what you have done* and declare the goodness of your Name in the presence of the godly.
Psalm 52:9

The Hymn

Now let the earth with joy resound And heaven the chant re-echo round; Nor heaven nor earth too high can raise The great Apostles’ glorious praise! Sickness and health your voice obey, At your command they go or stay; From sin’s disease our souls restore, In good confirm us more and more. So when the world is at its end And Christ to judgment shall descend, May we be called those joys to see Prepared from all eternity. Praise to the Father, with the Son And Paraclete for ever one: To Thee, O holy Trinity Be praise for all eternity. Amen.
THE SHORT BREVIARY

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;* let them be joyful on their beds.
Psalm 149:5

The Vespers Psalm

You Know My Sitting Down and My Rising Up

LORD, you have searched me out and known me;* you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places* and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,* but you, O LORD, know it altogether. You press upon me behind and before* and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;* it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
Psalm 139:1–5

The Refrain

Let the faithful rejoice in triumph;* let them be joyful on their beds.

O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come unto you. Thanks be to God.
THE SHORT BREVIARY

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Grant that I, Lord, may not be anxious about earthly things, but love things heavenly; and even now, while I am placed among things that are passing away, hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayer of the Church

I beseech You, O Lord, let the prayers of blessed Matthew Your Apostle and evangelist assist me, that those things which by myself I cannot obtain may be granted me by his intercession. Through our Lord. Amen.
adapted from THE SHORT BREVIARY