Getting Started
In the previous article concerning the chanting of Vespers, we learned that this is one hour of the Liturgy of the Hours, the “other” public prayer of the Church, with roots in the Old Testament. In the coming series of articles, we will discuss how to pray Vespers, or any of the other hours comprising the Liturgy of the Hours.
First things first: where does one find the prayers for Vespers? Of course, there are books available, and the apps iBreviary and Laudate also have the prayers available for everyday of the year. We use the translation found at iBreviary.
iBreviary App
Laudate App
Whether sung (preferred) or spoken, Vespers is prayed antiphonally. This means that one person or group of people prays the first part of the prayer, and another group prays the second part. This is the same way we most often pray the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet in a group.
In the Introduction, you will notice a small cross, , with the words, “God, come to my assistance.” This tells us to make the Sign of the Cross while saying these words. This symbol occurs elsewhere in our prayers, too. You will see this at the beginning of the Gospel Canticle- the Benedictus at Morning Prayer (Lauds) and the Magnificat at Vespers-and when the final prayer includes, “May the Lord bless us, protect us from evil…”
Following the Introduction, we sing a hymn. This is often a hymn thanking God for our day and asking him to watch over us by night. The hymn will also be seasonal. Then we begin praying the Psalms and Canticles. We will discuss the traditional way to pray the Psalms and Canticles in the next article. Tune into Vespers chanted at St. Joseph’s Church at 6pm on Sundays and Wednesdays on St. Joseph’s Catholic facebook page.