A Simple Version of Matins

For the layperson who would like to be in touch with the Divine Office, the public prayer of the Church, but who cannot follow the intricate day-by-day Full Ofice, there was always during the Middle Ages a "Little Hours" book in the educated man's house. Most children learned to read (Latin, of course) from this very book. The burning of these books in England during the Reformation was enormous. Individual pages that survived the carnage are nowadays offered for sale, neatly framed, in bookshops and card shops, but I doubt that one in a million passers-by knows from what wreckage these pages were spared.

Here is a version of Matins in the spirit of the 'Little Hours'.

Psalm 1

The Two Ways

Antiphon 1.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way:

who walk in the Law of the Lord.

1 Happy indeed is the man

who follows not the counsel of the wicked,

nor lingers in the way of sinners

nor sits in the company of scorners,

2 but whose delight is the law of the Lord

and who meditates His law day and night.

3 He is like a tree that is planted

beside the flowing waters,

that yields its fruit in due season

and whose leaves shall never fade;

and all that he does shall prosper.

4 Not so are the wicked, not so!

For they like winnowed chaff

shall be driven away by the wind.

5 For the wicked shall not stand firm in the Judgment,

nor sinners among the gathering of the just;

6 for the Lord guards the way of the just

but the way of the wicked shall end in ruin.

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.

Antiphon 1.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way:

who walk in the Law of the Lord.

Psalm 2

The Messianic King

Antiphon 2.

The Lord said to me: Thou art My Son:

this day have I begotten Thee.

1 Why this tumult among nations,

and why do the peoples plot in vain?

2 They arise, the kings of the earth,

and princes conspire together

against the Lord and His Anointed.

3 Come, let us break their bonds,

and cast their fetters from us!

4 He who dwells in the Heavens laughs;

the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.

5 Then he will speak in his anger,

his rage will strike them with terror.

6 I, indeed, have set up My King:

on Zion, My holy mountain.

7 (I will proclaim the decree of the Lord):

The Lord said to Me: Thou art My Son;

this day have I begotten Thee.

8 Ask and I will shall bequeath to Thee

the nations for Thy inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for Thy possession.

9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron:

And shatter them like a potter's jar.

10 Now, then, O kings, be wise,

take warning, O rulers of the earth:

11 serve the Lord with awe,

and trembling, pay him your homage:

12 Lest he be angry and you perish.

When suddenly his anger is enkindled.

Blessed are they who take refuge in Him.

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.

Antiphon 2.

The Lord said to me: Thou art My Son:

this day have I begotten Thee.

Psalm 3

Morning Prayer

Antiphon 3.

I lay down to sleep, and I have slept:

And I arose, because the Lord sustains me.

2 How many are my foes, O Lord!

How many are rising up against me!

3 there are many who say of me:

There is no help for him in God.

4 But Thou, OLord, art a shield about me,

my glory, who lift up my head.

5 With a loud voice I cried unto the Lord.

and He answered me from his holy mountain.

6 I lay down to sleep, and I have slept:

And I arose, because the Lord sustains me.

7 And now, I will not fear even thousands of people

who are ranged on every side against me.

8 Arise, O Lord; save me, my God!

For thou hast struck all my foes on the jaw,

Thins to break the fangs of the wicked!

9 Salvation is of the Lord!

Thy blessing be upon Thy people!

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.

Antiphon 3.

I lay down to sleep, and I have slept:

And I arose, because the Lord sustains me.

NOCTURN

In preparation for reading the Gospel, recite

this antiphon from the Cnaticles of Solomon:

V/. Whilst my Beloved was speaking, my soul

melted within me.

If you have not such love as this, recite at least these words of Samuel the prophet, conjoined to those of Simon Peter:

V/. Speak, Lord, thy servant is listening:

Thou hast the words of Eternal Life.

GOSPEL PASSAGE

If you love Me, you will keep My Commandments.

Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart.

My yoke is easy, and My burden light.

Do not fear, little flock:

It has pleased My Father to give you the Kingdom.

If they have hated you, remember:

they hated Me before they hated you.

The servant is not greater than his Master.

If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you.

Do not be afraid.

The Paraclete will come.

In the World you will have troubles;

But be of good cheer:

I have conquered the World.

I am come to give them life

And have it more abundantly.

Peace I leave you, My Peace i give unto you;

A peace the World cannot give.

I thank Thee, Father, that Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them to mere babes:

Yes, Father, for that was Thy Holy Will.

R/. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.

V/. Let us bless the Lord.

R/. Thanks be to God.

And may the souls of the Faithful Departed, through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

M. O'Farrell <sallybrook1996@gmail.com>