God, come to my assistance.
 - Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
 -  as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen. Alleluia.


HYMN
We Praise You, Father For Your Gifts
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
This World, My God, Is Held Within Your Hand
Now At The Daylight's Ending
O Christ, You Are The Light And Day
All Praise To You, O God, This Night
The Master Came To Bring Good News
Te Lucis Ante Terminum
Christe, Qui, Splendor Et Dies


PSALMODY

Antiphon: Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God's wings.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
and abides in the shade of the Almighty
says to the Lord: “My refuge,
my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”

It is he who will free you from the snare
of the fowler who seeks to destroy you;
he will conceal you with his pinions
and under his wings you will find refuge.

You will not fear the terror of the night
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the plague that prowls in the darkness
nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand fall at your right,
you, it will never approach;
his faithfulness is buckler and shield.

Your eyes have only to look
to see how the wicked are repaid,
you who have said: “Lord, my refuge!”
and have made the Most High your dwelling.

Upon you no evil shall fall,
no plague approach where you dwell.
For you has he commanded his angels,
to keep you in all your ways.

They shall bear you upon their hands
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
On the lion and the viper you will tread
and trample the young lion and the dragon.

Since he clings to me in love, I will free him;
protect him for he knows my name.
When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you.”
I will save him in distress and give him glory.

With length of life I will content him;
I shall let him see my saving power.

Antiphon 2: Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God's wings.


READING           Revelation 22:4-5
They shall see the Lord face to face and bear his name on their foreheads. The night shall be no more. They will need no light from lamps or the sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever.


RESPONSORY
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
 - Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
 - I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
 - Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.


GOSPEL CANTICLE            Luke 2:29-32

Antiphon: Protect us Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever.

Antiphon: Protect us Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.


PRAYER
Lord,
we have celebrated today the mystery of the rising of Christ to new life.
May we now rest in peace,
safe from all that could harm us,
and rise again refreshed and joyful
to praise you throughout another day.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Or, on solemnities that do not occur on Sunday:

Lord,
we beg you to visit this house
and banish from it all the deadly power of the enemy.
May your holy angels dwell here
to keep us in peace,
and may your blessing be upon us always.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.


BLESSING
May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.

Or:

The divine help remain with us always,
- and with those who are absent from us.


Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin Mary