exhortations or instructions on the duties of a Christian life.

The responsory follows the lessons, and is so called, because in chanting the office of the church, one sings the lesson and all the others answer.

Under the name of antiphon was formerly comprised whatever was sung by a double choir. The word is now restricted to that verse which precedes and follows a psalm.

The collect or prayer, is so called, because it is a collection or summary of the petitions and supplications of the whole office, and is always ended with the words, through Jesus Christ our Lord, &c., to signify, that he is our only mediator of redemption, and our principal mediator by intercession; that through his merits only can we obtain the mercy of heaven, by our own prayers or those of the faithful and the saints.

Lauds is an appendage of matins, and is an expression of praise.

Vespers, or evening song, is a portion of the office which belongs more properly to the afternoon.

Complin, or completion of the office, consists of prayers and devotions, particularly suited to the close of the day, when we give thanks for the blessings we have received, and implore the divine protection for the night.

To render the following devotions of more practical utility, the mysteries of religion or attributes of God which form the principal subject of them, are respectively pointed out at the commencement of every day's office, together with the obligations which they naturally suggest to the mind, that the Christian may the more easily fix his attention, and conceive those sentiments which will animate him in the service of God and the zealous performance of his duties.

Prayers to be said before the office.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever. Amen.

Direct, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions by thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by thy gracious assistance; that every prayer and work of ours may begin always from thee, and by thee be happily ended; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer after the office.

O holy Mary! my sovereign Queen, and most loving mother! receive me under thy most blessed patronage and special protection, and into the bosom of thy mercy, this day, and every day, and at the hour of my death. I recommend to thee my soul and body. I commit to thy care all my hopes and comforts, all my afflictions and miseries, my life and my death; that by thy intercession and through thy merits, all my actions may be directed and disposed according to thy will and that of thy blessed Son. Amen.

2

OFFICE FOR SUNDAY.

In this office the resurrection of our Lord and the glory of heaven are more particularly commemorated. The fruit to be derived from it, is to sigh continually after the joys of the world to come.

MATINS.

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 them who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

HAIL, Mary! full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

I BELIEVE in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living, and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church; the communion of Saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and life everlasting. Amen. V. O Lord, thou wilt open my lips;

R. And my mouth will declare thy praise. V. O God, come to my assistance;

R. O Lord, make haste to help me.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Alleluia.

From Septuagesima till Easter, instead of Alleluia, say, Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.