Opening
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
Angels of the quiet hours, Stand around this little place. Holy Spirit, seal the doorway; Christ, reveal Your peaceful face. May no evil claim the night watch; May no bitterness remain. In Your mercy we are sleeping— Waking only in Your name.
Original, Prayer on Fire
Psalmody
Antiphon
Give rest to the weary and hope to those who cannot sleep.
Psalm 91 (90):1–2, 5–6
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
He who dwells in the assistance of the Most High will abide in the protection of the God of heaven. He will say to the Lord, “You are my supporter and my refuge.” My God, I will hope in him. His truth will surround you with a shield. You will not be afraid: before the terror of the night, before the arrow flying in the day, before the business walking in darkness, nor of the invasion and the midday demon.
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
Give rest to the weary and hope to those who cannot sleep.
Silence
Hold the psalm a little longer.
Reading
Revelation 22:4–5
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
And they shall see his face. And his name shall be on their foreheads. And night shall be no more. And they will not need the light of a lamp, nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them. And they shall reign forever and ever.
Responsory
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in. From this time forth, and forevermore. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Nunc Dimittis
Antiphon
According to your promise, let this night be without fear.
Luke 2:29–32
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Canticle
“Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples: the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
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
According to your promise, let this night be without fear.
Intercessions
Shelter those who have no safe night. Keep the frightened, and teach us to sleep without abandoning them.
R. Lord, have mercy.
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, watch beside the beds we keep. Drive away the fears that visit in the dark, and let your peace be our wall. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.