Opening
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
Hymn
Guard us through the dark, O Father; Watch beside the beds we keep. Drive away the fears that visit When the house is hushed in sleep. Jesus, light that night cannot extinguish, Hold our names within Your care. If we wake to trouble’s knocking, Let us find You already there.
Original, Prayer on Fire
Psalm I
Antiphon
Handmaid of the Lord, help us say yes when we are afraid.
Psalm 16 (15):5–9
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup. It is you who will restore my inheritance to me. The lots have fallen upon me with clarity. And, indeed, my inheritance has been very clear to me. I will bless the Lord, who has bestowed understanding upon me. Moreover, my temperament has also corrected me, even through the night. I have made provision for the Lord always in my sight. For he is at my right hand, so that I may not be disturbed. Because of this, my heart has been joyful, and my tongue has exulted. Moreover, even my body will rest in hope.
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
Handmaid of the Lord, help us say yes when we are afraid.
Psalm II
Antiphon
Mary, quiet flame of faith, keep us near your Son.
Psalm 134 (133):1–2
Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Psalm
Behold, bless the Lord now, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. In the nights, lift up your hands in sanctity, and bless the 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
Mary, quiet flame of faith, keep us near your Son.
Silence
A moment of silence
Reading of the feast
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 Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Nunc Dimittis
Antiphon
In peace we lie down, for you alone make us dwell in safety.
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
In peace we lie down, for you alone make us dwell in safety.
Intercessions
Hold the dying and those who sit with them. Let this night be a passageway of hope, not of terror.
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
God our Father, on this Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, you lifted her into the joy of your presence. Receive our praise this day, and keep us near her Son until we too are gathered home. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.