Opening
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
You have been bountiful to me, O Lord, In ways I barely saw. Now the sun goes down in quiet; Teach my soul your law of awe — not fear, but wonder that remains When all the tasks are done. Bless the work, forgive the wound, And keep us until morning comes.
Original – Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
Stay with us, Lord, for it is nearly evening.
Psalm 115 (114):1–2; 116 (115):5–6
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
I have loved: therefore, the Lord will heed the voice of my prayer. For he has inclined his ear to me. And in my days, I will call upon him. The Lord is merciful and just, and our God shows compassion. The Lord is the keeper of little ones. I was humbled, and he freed me.
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
Stay with us, Lord, for it is nearly evening.
Psalm II
Antiphon
As light fades, gather what this day has been — and bless it.
Psalm 130 (129):1–4
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
From the depths, I have cried out to you, O Lord. O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If you, O Lord, were to heed iniquities, who, O Lord, could persevere? For with you, there is forgiveness, and because of your law, I persevered with you, O Lord.
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
As light fades, gather what this day has been — and bless it.
Silence
A moment of silence
Reading
Romans 11:25–36
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery (lest you seem wise only to yourselves) that a certain blindness has occurred in Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has arrived. And in this way, all of Israel may be saved, just as it was written: “From Zion shall arrive he who delivers, and he shall turn impiety away from Jacob. And this will be my covenant for them, when I will take away their sins.” Certainly, according to the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But according to the election, they are most beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the call of God are without regret. And just as you also, in times past, did not believe in God, but now you have obtained mercy because of their unbelief, so also have these now not believed, for your mercy, so that they might obtain mercy also. For God has enclosed everyone in unbelief, so that he may have mercy on everyone. Oh, the depths of the richness of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable are his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Or who first gave to him, so that repayment would be owed? For from him, and through him, and in him are all things. To him is glory, for all eternity. Amen.
Responsory
Stay with us, Lord, for evening is near. And your word is our unfailing light. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Magnificat
Antiphon
Mercy from generation to generation — remember our house tonight.
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
Mercy from generation to generation — remember our house tonight.
Intercessions
Where hope thinned today, kindle it again.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For the despairing and the numb.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For those waiting on a diagnosis, a letter, a return.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For a last word of trust, not of panic.
R. Speak, Lord, we are listening.
For tomorrow, if you give it, to begin in mercy.
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
Stay with us, Lord, at evening tables and empty rooms. Be our bread and our peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.