Lullaby

Uploaded by Br Lawrence Morey on June 3, 2012:

Compline (pronounced COM-plin, short "o," short "i") is the final office of the day, sung just before the monks go to bed. The lights are never turned on for compline. This means that, during the winter months at Gethsemani, it is sung in the dark. Since the same psalms and canticles are sung every evening, the monks know this office by heart. The darkness is not a hindrance, therefore, but an aid to prayer. 

This video contains the entire Office of Compline. We encourage you to sing along with us at home.

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 Compline – the Abbey of Gethsemani

Opening Verse and Response 

V - O God, come to my assistance, 
R - O Lord, make haste to help me 

Doxology 

Praise the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit 
Both now and forever, 
The God who is who was and is to come 
At the end of the ages. 


Hymn 

Before the ending of the day 
creator of the world we pray 
that with thy gracious favour thou 
wouldst be our guard and keeper now. 

From fears and terrors of the night 
defend us Lord by thy great might 
and when we close our eyes in sleep 
let hearts with Christ their vigil keep. 

O Father, this we ask be done 
through Jesus Christ thine only Son 
who with the Paraclete and thee 
now lives and reigns eternally. 
Amen. 


Psalm 4 

Psalm 90 

Unfortunately, we cannot include the texts for the psalms, since they are under 
copyright. The version we use is the Grail translation, and is widely available. It 
is published, for example, in the book The Psalms: A New Translation: Singing 
Version, by Paulist Press. This is for sale at the gift shop in Gethsemani’s 
Welcome Center, or from Amazon.com. This translation is also the one used in 
the various editions of the Roman Liturgy of the Hours. 

Short Reading – chosen at the reader’s discretion – usually no more than a verse.  
Versicle and Responsory 

V - Guard us O Lord as the apple of your eye 
R - Hide us in the shadow of your wings. 


Antiphon for Canticle of Simeon (AKA Nunc Dimittis) 

Lord, save us, save us while we are awake, 
protect us while we are asleep 
that we may keep our watch with Christ 
and when we sleep, rest in his peace. 

Canticle of Simeon 

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace, 
your word has been fulfilled 

My own eyes have seen the salvation 
which you have prepared in the sight of every people 

A light to reveal you to the nations 
and the glory of your people Israel. 

Doxology (Praise the Father, etc.) 
Repeat the antiphon (Lord, save us, etc.) 


Short Litany 

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy. 

Collect 

Let us pray: 

All powerful God, grant us so to remain united to your only Son in the mystery of his death and 
burial that we may rise with him to newness of life, for He lives and reigns forever and ever. 
R - Amen 

Blessing 

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. 
R - Amen. 
  
Marian Antiphon - Salve Regina

Hail Holy Queen 
Mother of mercy 
hail our life, our sweetness and our hope. 
To you do we cry 
poor banished children of Eve, 
to you do we send up our sighs, 
mourning and weeping 
in this vale of tears. 
Turn, then, most gracious advocate, 
your eyes of mercy toward us, 
and after this our exile 
show unto us 
the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. 
O clement, 
O loving, 
O sweet 
Virgin Mary.