£2cx+kolic. CZtuAtC.l\ C.O**p\'MC . * &*<>1 A€A6id>X 1 ro*v) compline Nihil obstat J« Stephanus Schappler Abbas-coadjutor Abbatiae Immaculatae Conceptionis Imprimatur Carolus H. Le Blond Episcopus Sancti Josephi Festum Exaltationis Crucis 1940 COMPLINE The Real Night Prayer r^OMPLINE is the second evening prayer of the Church, and differs from Vespers in that it is a subjective prayer of the sinful soul seeking rest in the peace of God. This hour of the divine office is a masterly composition of St. Benedict and may be called the ideal evening prayer. The symbolism of Compline is beautiful. Without introductory prayers, it begins at once with an examination of con- science and thoughts of peace. Light and the sun are favorite symbols both of the Scriptures and the liturgy for godliness for Christ and for Christian life. Christ is the divine Sun; He is the Son of Light. These thoughts are frequently repeated in the canonical hours. Likewise the opposites of light, namely, night and darkness, are used by the Bible and the liturgy as symbols for the dark powers of hell. This thought of night pervades the entire hour of Compline. As we pray Compline we picture night as the time for the devil's work, the BeadtSSsd cloak under which the world tries to hide its evil. The child of God fears the night and like the little chicken seeks shelter under its mother’s wings. We must note, however, here as in all liturgical prayer, we think not of our- selves only, but also of all our brethren, all those for whom “it is night” whether of temp- tation, of sin, or of death. And is it not true that the devil does use the night to perpetrate his evil designs? As darkness approaches, hell as it were establishes itself on earth to envelop men. How many sins the mantle of night covers. That is why the priest prays the evening prayer for protection for himself and all his brethren from the powers of hell. Sleep itself is a symbol, a picture of death. The night reminds man of death and so Com- pline is also a prayer for the evening of life, a prayer for a happy death. This twofold meaning of Compline is expressed with beauti- ful brevity in the blessing. “May Almighty God grant us a peaceful night and a happy end (death).” Finally, as a background for Compline, we see the Crucified in the death agony on Cal- vary and we pray Compline for strength dur- ing the calvary of our lives. Thus Compline is primarily a prayer of petition. Peace, prayer for protection, and confidence are its main elements. All these ideas are most beau- tifully expressed in the psalms. After the hymn follows the chapter: “Thou, 0 Lord, art among us.” Jesus is among us; we are gath- ered in His name. Then come two pictures of death. The first is found in the response: We see Jesus hanging on the cross. “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” We earn- estly repeat the words of our Savior. We place our souls in God's hands, asking Him to keep them during the night to come and to take them when comes the night of death. The versicle which follows gives two favorite pic- tures of night. a.) “Keep me as the apple of Thine eye.” I must be guarded as the eye; I desire to be as dear to Thee and as valued as the eye. b.) We fly to the protection of Thy wings as chickens do to their mother. Now follows the second picture of death in the Gos- pel song. We behold the gray-haired Simeon, singing his last song. He holds the Infant Jesus in his arms. His one desire has been granted. He has seen the Savior and now asks for release from service. We pray Compline as Simeon did his 4 1 1 In my great-need open road of escape it rri =?m Glory be to the Father.... Holy Ghost i „ |, JJ J J As it was in the... and ever shall be m S=£ m world without end. Amen Antiphon (to be sung by all) % t i M i Have mercy on me 0 Lord § s / j i and hear my prayer Tone For The Hymn The leader sings the first verse and the people continue. o i it i n — x : is r\ r ire s r s n Mn k K 1 J * J1 1 J Jim_h—/ * 9 0 * 0 Now that the daylight dies away by all thy grace and love, Thee, Maker of the «L . | H : r \ I j j 1 s S il a d—J 9.b «r world, we pray to watch our bed above Antiphon for Canticle (to be sung by all) iuuu 1 -J7T Keep us while we are awake, protect us Christ and rest in peace. E.T. Alleluia CORRECTIONS INSERT THE FOLLOWING-. Page 7 Psalm 4:3 Have mercy on me and hear my prayer Page 15 Psalm 133:2 who stand in the courts of the house of the Lord EbI / / ! ' i ALTAR & HOME PRESS Conception , Missouri