Opening
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
We thank You for the day now ending, For gifts we noticed and for those we missed. For mercy that outran our failing, For love that met us in the midst. As evening gathers, Christ remain our light— Not fading with the sun’s decline. Receive the work our hands have offered; In You let every hour shine.
Original, Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
Forgive what was harsh; heal what was hurried; keep what was true.
Psalm 24 (23):7–10
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle. Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory.
Glory Be
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.
Antiphon
Forgive what was harsh; heal what was hurried; keep what was true.
Psalm II
Antiphon
In the evening sacrifice of praise, receive my thanks and my tears.
Psalm 46 (45):2–3, 5–6
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Our God is our refuge and strength, a helper in the tribulations that have greatly overwhelmed us. Because of this, we will not be afraid when the earth will be turbulent and the mountains will be transferred into the heart of the sea. The frenzy of the river rejoices the city of God. The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle. God is in its midst; it will not be shaken. God will assist it in the early morning.
Glory Be
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.
Antiphon
In the evening sacrifice of praise, receive my thanks and my tears.
Silence
A moment of silence
Reading
James 1:2–8
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
My brothers, when you have fallen into various trials, consider everything a joy, knowing that the proving of your faith exercises patience, and patience brings a work to perfection, so that you may be perfect and whole, deficient in nothing. But if anyone among you is in need of wisdom, let him petition God, who gives abundantly to all without reproach, and it shall be given to him. But he should ask with faith, doubting nothing. For he who doubts is like a wave on the ocean, which is moved about by the wind and carried away; then a man should not consider that he would receive anything from the Lord. For a man who is of two minds is inconstant in all his ways.
Responsory
Let my prayer rise before you like incense. The lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Magnificat
Antiphon
The humble are lifted; keep us small enough for joy.
Luke 1:46–55
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Canticle
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit leaps for joy in God my Savior. For he has looked with favor on the humility of his handmaid. For behold, from this time, all generations shall call me blessed. For he who is great has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation to generations for those who fear him. He has accomplished powerful deeds with his arm. He has scattered the arrogant in the intentions of their heart. He has deposed the powerful from their seat, and he has exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has taken up his servant Israel, mindful of his mercy, just as he spoke to our fathers: to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Glory Be
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.
Antiphon
The humble are lifted; keep us small enough for joy.
Intercessions
For vespers prayed in every language this hour.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For parishes that feel small.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For the pope and for hidden contemplatives.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For vocations still unnamed.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For the Church to be a gentle light at evening.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
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.
Closing prayer
Father of mercies, we thank you for the day now ending — for gifts noticed and unnoticed. Let gratitude remain as the light declines. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.