The Third Sunday after Easter
The Introit Shout with joy to God, all the earth, alleluia: sing a psalm to His Name, alleluia: give glory to His praise, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Psalm. Say unto God: How terrible are Thy works, O Lord! In the multitude of Thy strength Thine enemies shall lie to Thee. ℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. — Shout with joy …
The Collect O God, to those that go astray You show the light of Thy truth, that they may return to the path of justice: grant that all who are enrolled in the Christian faith, may both spurn all that is hostile to that name, and follow after what is fitting to it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son …
The Epistle Dearly beloved: I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires, which war against the soul, having your conversation good among the Gentiles; that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good works which they shall behold in you glorify God in the day of visitation. Be ye subject therefore to every human creature for God’s sake: whether it be to the king as excelling, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good: for so is the will of God, that by doing well you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not as making liberty a cloak for malice, but as the servants of God. Honour all men: love the brotherhood: fear God: honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. For this is thankworthy before God: in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Alleluia Alleluia, alleluia, The Lord hath sent redemption to His people. Alleluia. It behoved Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead, and so to enter into His glory. Alleluia.
The Gospel (John 16 : 16 – 22) At that time Jesus said to His disciples: “A little while, and now you shall not see Me: and again a little while, and you shall see Me: because I go to the Father.” Then some of His disciples said to one another: “What is this that He says to us: ‘A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see Me,’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father.’” They said therefore: “What is this that He says, ‘A little while?’ We know not what He speaks.” And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask Him. And He said to them: “Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said: ‘A little while, and you shall not see Me: and again a little while, and you shall see Me.’ Amen, amen, I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow: but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice: and your joy no man shall take from you.”
Offertory Praise the Lord, O my soul: in my life I will praise the Lord: I will sing to my God as long as I shall be, alleluia.
The Secret Grant, O Lord, by these Mysteries, that checking our earthly longings, we may learn to love heavenly things. Through our Lord…
Communion A little while, and you shall not see Me, alleluia; and again a little while, and you shall see Me, because I go to the Father, alleluia, alleluia.
Postcommunion May the Sacraments which we have received, we beseech Thee, O Lord, renew us with spiritual refreshment and defend us with bodily help. Through our Lord
Compline (Second and final part)
After the “Te lucis ante terminum” comes the Short Responsory. The form of the responsory has different tones (tunes) in both Advent and in Paschaltide, and during the latter, we add “Alleluia,” to reflect the joy of the season. The words are:
Into Thy hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. (This is repeated)
You have redeemed us, Lord, God of Truth.
I commend my spirit. Glory be to the Father …
Into Thy hands …
Keep us, Lord, as the apple of Thine eye.
Shelter us under the shadow of Thy wings.
On the first and second Sundays of Passiontide, the Gloria is omitted. Then follows an antiphon before and after the Nunc Dimittis, also known as the “Canticle of Simeon”:
(Ant.) Protect us, Lord, while we are awake and guard us while we sleep, that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest with Him in peace.
(Nunc dimittis, Luke 2:29-32) At last Lord, You give leave to your servant
to go in peace according to Your promise,
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all people,
A light to the revelation of the gentiles,
and the glory of Your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father …
(Ant.) Protect us, Lord, while we are awake and guard us while we sleep, that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest with Him in peace.
The Lord be with you. (Response) And with your spirit.
Lord hear my prayer. (Response) And let my cry come unto You.
Let us pray. Visit, we beseech Thee, Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all snares of the Enemy. May Your holy angels dwell herein, to keep us in peace, and may Your blessing always be upon us. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Ghost, now and for ever. (Response) Amen.
The Lord be with you. (Response) And with your spirit.
Lord hear my prayer. (Response) And let my cry come unto You.
Let us bless the Lord. (Response) Thanks be to God.
May the all-powerful and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless and keep us. (Response) Amen.
This peaceful office of prayer closes with an Antiphon to Our Lady. We sing “Alma Redemptoris Mater,” from Advent to the Purification; “Ave, Regina caelorum” from then until Wednesday in Holy Week; “Regina caeli” from Easter Sunday to Friday after Pentecost; and for the balance of the year, “Salve Regina.”
