The Psalms and Canticles
Now that you have the prayers of Vespers/Evening Prayer before you, either in a book, or in an app such as Laudate or iBreviary, and you are familiar with the cross symbol, , which tells us to make the sign of the cross, and the Introduction, it is time to learn how to pray the Psalms and Canticles.
Each Psalm or Canticle is preceded by an Antiphon. The first time we see the antiphon, the presider or leader proclaims this alone: “He is the first-born of all creation; in every way the primacy is His.” After the Psalm or Canticle, the people will join with the presider for the last half of the antiphon. For example, Leader: “He is the first-born of all creation;” Leader and People: “in every way the primacy is His.”
The Psalms and Canticles following the antiphons are usually divided into four- line verses (occasionally there are fewer or more than four lines-we combine lines for consistency) and are prayed in this way:
Group I (usually those seated on the side of the room where the statue of Joseph would be located in a church) prays the first two lines; Group 2 (the Mary side) answers with the next two lines.
You will note the “*” after the first and third lines. This reminds us to pause and briefly consider what has just been said or sung. The first and third lines are presenting an idea. The second and fourth lines emphasize or complement the idea presented, so the pause gives us a chance to absorb the thought, and this is followed by an affirmation of the thought.
The first and third lines follow quickly on the heels of the second and fourth as a new thought is presented.
Praying the Psalms and Canticles in this way presents us with a conversational rhythm that is unfamiliar to us. When we speak to one another, or even in private prayer, we do not typically have an extended pause in the middle of a sentence and then quickly begin the next sentence. Praying the Psalms and Canticles in this way helps us to focus and meaningfully consider the prayers. I also find a lesson in patience in praying this way.
While quarantined, we’ll pray on our St. Joseph’s Facebook Page. Once we are back to our normal schedule, we’ll pray Vespers on Wednesday at 6pm in the chapel. I hope you will join to pray this public prayer of the Church.