Manual of the Sisters of charity/Night Prayers
NIGHT PRAYERS.
✠ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Blessed he the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever more. Amen.
COME, O Holy Ghost! replenish the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy divine love. Impress our minds with the respect and attention which we owe to the presence of our God, our Father, and our Judge, before Whom we presume to appear and to Whom we dare to offer up our prayers, whereas we are but dust and ashes.
An Act of Adoration.
O MY God! I adore Thee as my Creator and sovereign Lord; I am nothing before Thee; I depend on Thee, and submit myself entirely to Thee.
An Act of Faith.
O MY God! I firmly believe all the sacred truths the holy Catholic Church believes and teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.
An Act of Hope.
O MY God! relying on Thy goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the assistance of Thy grace, and life everlasting; through the merits of Jesus Christ, and by the intercession of His blessed Mother and the Saints.
An Act of Love.
O MY God! I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul; purely because Thou art infinitely perfect and deserving of all love. I love also my neighbor as myself, for the love of Thee; I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.
An Act of Thanksgiving.
O MY God! I give Thee thanks for having created me; for having preserved me; for having redeemed me by the blood of Thy Son; for having made me a child of Thy Church; and, generally, for all the favors I have received from Thy infinite goodness.
Let us implore the grace of God to know and detest our sins.
GREAT God, sovereign Judge of the living and the dead! Who wiliest not the death of the sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, I humbly present myself before Thee, to give Thee an account of this day. Give light to my mind, that I may know my sins; and sorrow to my heart, that "I may detest them, as much as they deserve to be detested.
Let us examine our consciences on the sins which we have committed this day, by thoughts, words, actions and omissions; insisting, particularly, on the failings to which we are most subject. (A pause _____ after which say:)
I confess to Almighty God, &c, as on page 54.
An Act of Contrition.
O MY God! I am most heartily sorry for all my sins; and I detest them, above all things, because they offend Thee, O God of Infinite Goodness! Whom I wish to love with all my heart. I firmly purpose, by Thy holy grace, never more to offend Thee, to confess my sins, and do penance for them.
Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
This Litany is said by the Community on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
| Lord, have mercy on us. | ||
| Christ, have mercy on us. | ||
| Lord, have mercy on us. | ||
| Jesus, hear us. | ||
| Jesus, graciously hear us. | ||
| Father of Heaven, God, Have mercy on us. | ||
| Son, Redeemer of the world, God, Have mercy on us. | ||
| Holy Ghost, God, Have mercy on us. | ||
| Holy Trinity, one God, | Have mercy on us. | |
| Jesus, Son of the living God, | ||
| Jesus, Splendor of the Father, | ||
| Jesus, Brightness of eternal Life, | ||
| Jesus, King of Glory, | ||
| Jesus, Sun of Justice, | ||
| Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, | ||
| Jesus, amiable, | ||
| Jesus, admirable, | ||
| Jesus, the powerful God, | ||
| Jesus, Father of the world to come, | ||
| Jesus, Angel of the great council, | ||
| Jesus, most powerful, | ||
| Jesus, most patient, | ||
| Jesus, most obedient, | ||
| Jesus, meek and humble of heart, | ||
| Jesus, Lover of Chastity, | ||
| Jesus, Lover of us, | ||
| Jesus, God of Peace, | ||
| Jesus, Author of Life, | ||
| Jesus, Model of Virtues, | ||
| Jesus, zealous for souls, | ||
| Jesus, our God, | Have mercy on us. | |
| Jesus, our Refuge, | ||
| Jesus, Father of the Poor, | ||
| Jesus, Treasure of the Faithful, | ||
| Jesus, good Shepherd, | ||
| Jesus, true Light, | ||
| Jesus, eternal Wisdom, | ||
| Jesus, infinite Goodness, | ||
| Jesus, our Way and our Life, | ||
| Jesus, Joy of Angels, | ||
| Jesus, King of the Patriarchs, | ||
| Jesus, Master of the Apostles, | ||
| Jesus, Teacher of the Evangelists, | ||
| Jesus, Strength of Martyrs, | ||
| Jesus, Light of Confessors, | ||
| Jesus, Purity of Virgins, | ||
| Jesus, Crown of all Saints, | ||
| Be merciful, Spare us, O Jesus! | ||
| Be merciful, Hear us, O Jesus! | ||
| From all evil, Deliver us, O Jesus! | ||
| From all sin, Deliver us, O Jesus! | ||
| From Thy wrath, Deliver us, O Jesus! | ||
| From the snares of the devil, Deliver us, O Jesus! | ||
| From the spirit of fornication, | Deliver us, O Jesus! | |
| From eternal death, | ||
| From the neglect of Thy inspirations, | ||
| By the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, | ||
| By Thy nativity, | ||
| By Thy infancy, | ||
| By Thy most divine life, | ||
| By Thy labors, | ||
| By Thy agony and passion, | ||
| By Thy cross and dereliction, | ||
| By Thy languors, | ||
| By Thy death and burial, | ||
| By Thy resurrection, | ||
| By Thy ascension,[1] | ||
| By Thy joys, | ||
| By Thy glory, |
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Jesus!
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Jesus!
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Jesus!
Jesus, hear us, Jesus, graciously hear us!
Let us Pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said, Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you, mercifully attend to our supplication, and grant us the divine gift of Thy charity, that we may ever love Thee with our whole heart, and never desist from Thy praise; Who livest and reignest world without end.
Let us Pray.
DEFEND, we beseech Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, this Thy family from all adversity; and as, with our whole hearts, we lie prostrate before Thee, defend us from the snares of our enemies: through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Pour down Thy blessing, O Lord, on Thy holy Church, on our holy Father, the Pope, on this Diocess, on our Right Reverend Bishop and on all Pastors of souls; on this country, on our rulers, and all superiors, temporal and spiritual; on this congregation,, on this family, on our parents, relatives, benefactors, friends and enemies. Help the poor, the sick, and those who are in their agony. Convert all sinners, and enlighten all heretics and infidels.
Our Father, &c. Hail Mary, &c. I believe in God, &c, as on page 54.
Let us pray for the souls of the faithful departed and, particularly, for those of our friends and benefactors.
Psalm cxxix.
OUT of the depths, I have cried unto Thee, O Lord! Lord hear mv voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee, there is merciful forgiveness; and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch, even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with . Him plentiful redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord!
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let us Pray.
O GOD, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful! grant to the souls of Thy servants departed, the remission of all their sins, that through the help of pious supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired; Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
Let us recommend our rest to God, to the Blessed Virgin and the Saints.
V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night to keep us without sin.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord! have mercy on us.
Let us Pray.
VISIT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this habitation and drive away from it all the snares of the enemy. Let Thy holy Angels dwell therein, to preserve us in peace; and may Thy blessing be upon us for ever: through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Let us recommend ourselves to God, to the Blessed Virgin and the Saints.
MOST holy Virgin, Mother of mercy, my good Angel, my holy Patrons, all ye blessed Saints in Heaven, I implore your powerful protection. Intercede for me, I beseech you, before the Lord, that He may be pleased to pour His blessings on me, to grant me a quiet night, and the grace of a holy and happy death. Amen.
MY God! I offer up unto Thee the rest I am going to take, in union with the rest which my Saviour Jesus Christ took upon earth, and with His death and burial; I offer also my awaking in the morning in honor of His awaking, and of His glorious resurrection. I adore the dispositions of His Sacred Heart in these various states and humbly beg; of Thee the favor of being made partaker of them. Amen.
V. May our evening prayer ascend unto Thee, O Lord.
R. And may Thy mercy descend on us.
Glory be to the Father, &c., (seven times.)
Hail Mary, &c.
May the divine assistance remain always with us. Amen.
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The points for the morning meditation are then read, after which all kneel again and close the evening prayers by the following invocations:
To be protected from Fire.
WE fly to thy patronage, &c.
Pray for us, &c.
Blessed St. Vincent, &c.
Let us place ourselves, our property and all entrusted to our care, under the protection of the Blessed Virgin.
O MARY, conceived without sin, &c., (three times.)
Litany of the Infant Jesus.
To be said instead of the preceding, from the Purification.
| LORD, have mercy on us. | ||
| Christ, have mercy on us. | ||
| Lord, have mercy on us. | ||
| Christ, have mercy on us. | ||
| God, the Father of Heaven, | Have mercy on us. | |
| God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, | ||
| God, the Holy Ghost, | ||
| Holy Trinity, one God, | ||
| Infant, Jesus Christ, | ||
| Infant, true God, | ||
| Infant, Son of the living God, | ||
| Infant, Son of the Virgin Mary, | ||
| Infant, strong in weakness, | ||
| Infant, powerful in tenderness, | ||
| Infant, treasurer of grace, | ||
| Infant, fountain of love, | ||
| Infant, renewer of the Heavens, | ||
| Infant, repairer of the earth, | ||
| Infant, head of the Angels, | ||
| Infant, root of the Patriarchs, | ||
| Infant, speech of the Prophets, | ||
| Infant, desire of the Gentiles, |
Infant, light of the Magi,
Infant, salvation of infants,
Infant, expectation of the just,
Infant, instructor of the wise,
Infant, first fruit of all saints,
Be merciful to us; hear us, Infant Jesus.
Be merciful to us; spare us, Infant Jesus.
From the slavery of the children of Adam deliver us, O Infant Jesus.
From the slavery of the devil, deliver us, O Infant Jesus.
From the concupiscence of the flesh, deliver us, O infant Jesus.
From the malice of the world, deliver us, O Infant Jesus.
From the pride of life, deliver us, O Infant Jesus.
From an inordinate desire of knowledge, deliver us, O Infant Jesus.
From blindness of spirit, deliver us, O Infant Jesus.
From an evil will, deliver us, O Infant Jesus.
From our sins, deliver us, O Infant Jesus.
Through Thy most pure conception, hear us, O Infant Jesus.
| Through Thy most humble nativity, | Hear us, O Infant Jesus. | |
| Through Thy tears, | ||
| Through Thy painful circumcision, | ||
| Through Thy glorious manifestation, | ||
| Through Thy pious presentation, | ||
| Through Thy innocent conversation, | ||
| Through Thy divine life, | ||
| Through Thy poverty, | ||
| Through Thy many sufferings, | ||
| Through Thy labors and journeys, |
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Infant Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world; hear us, O Infant Jesus.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: have mercy on us, O Infant Jesus.
Let us Pray.
O LORD Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, vouchsafe to reduce Thy incarnate divinity to the humiliating states of birth and infancy, grant that we, acknowledging Thy infinite wisdom in Thy infancy, Thy power in Thy weakness, and Thy majesty in Thy littleness, may adore Thee, a little one on earth, and behold Thee great in heaven; Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in unity with the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Devotions which may be used after Night Prayers.
Kneeling by the bedside:
ONE day more is gone, O my God, and I am so much nearer the one when I shall appear before Thee. Perhaps ere morning shall have dawned, I shall be summoned. Be merciful to me, O my God! Swreet Jesus, be not my Judge, but my Saviour. Into the hands of Thy mercy, O Lord, I commend my soul and body, my senses, my words, and all my actions, the course and end of my life, the day, hour and manner of my death, that whether I labor or rest, live or die, I may simply and cheerfully abide by Thy holy will.
Whilst undressing:
DETACH my heart from sin, O Lord, and from all that is not Thee. Grant that I may correct myself of whatever displeases Thee in me.
Before going to sleep:
OPEN Thy heart to me, my Saviour, and allow Thy unworthy child to live, to rest and to die in that safe asylum of peace and love, that even when I slumber, I may say with the holy Spouse, "I sleep, but my heart watches."
Holy Mary, my Mother, remember that I am thine. Protect , me, defend me, as thy property and possession.
My faithful Angel guardian, watch over me; St. Vincent, pray for me.
Kissing your crucifix with reverence and love, adore your dying Saviour, fold your hands across your breast, recall the subject of meditation, and compose yourself to sleep with some such prayer as:
FATHER, into Thy hands, I commend my spirit!
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! I give you my heart and my soul!
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! let my soul send forth her last sigh in peace, with you to aid me.
To the three ejaculations above, an indulgence of 300 days is attached, as often as they are devoutly said. If only one be recited, an indulgence of 100 days is granted.
- ↑ By Thy institution of the most blessed Sacrament.