Wednesday, September 16, 2026 · Week IV of the Psalter
The Divine Office
Seven times a day I have given praise to thee. Here are the three principal hours for today — morning, evening, and night — following the four-week Psalter of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Lauds
Laudes matutinae
At daybreak
The Church greets the rising sun as a figure of the Resurrection. Lauds is the morning sacrifice of praise, offered before the day claims you.
Domine, labia mea aperies.
O Lord, open thou my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
The Psalmody
The Canticle
Benedictus — the Canticle of Zechariah
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The present hour
Vespers
Vesperae
At the lighting of the lamps
The evening sacrifice. As the light fails, the Church gives thanks for the day received and lifts her prayer like incense.
Deus, in adiutorium meum intende.
O God, come to my assistance: O Lord, make haste to help me.
The Psalmody
The Canticle
Magnificat — the Canticle of Our Lady
Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Amen.
Compline
Completorium
Before sleep
The completion of the day, and the Church's nightly rehearsal for death — placing body and soul into the hands of God before the dark.
Converte nos, Deus salutaris noster.
Convert us, O God our Saviour: and turn away thine anger from us.
The Psalmody
The Canticle
Nunc dimittis — the Canticle of Simeon
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy. Amen.