#compline

All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well...for there is a force of love moving through the universe that holds us fast and will never let us go.

I love Episcopal compline. I find it incredibly meaningful to pray before bed, especially in a group, and it brings me such comfort and joy. Recently, I found a version that is used on Episcopal prayer beads, and decided I wanted to alter it to fit the rosary. I've been trying to pray it nightly for Lent, and I swear I can feel God tuck me in when I do!

The Crucifix:

Make the sign of the cross and pray a "Glory Be", followed by this introductory prayer: Guide us in waking, O Lord, and guard us while sleeping. The Lord almighty grant us a quiet and perfect end.

The Beads Leading to the Medal:

On the next bead, pray the 'Our Father', followed by this prayer, once on each of the 'Hail Mary' Beads: "May God’s love surround us as we sleep and dream." After that, on the 'Glory Be' bead, finish with: "O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us."

The Decades:

Each decade goes as follows: The 'Our Father' is replaced with: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Loving God, I remember a time today when I could not seem to find you. Loving God, I remember a time today where you were very findable." and then finishes with an: "Our Father..." The 10 small 'Hail Mary' beads are replaced with: "Keep me as the apple of your eye,; hide me under the shadow of your wings." And finish on the 'Glory Be' bead with: "O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us."

The Closing:

On the final closing medal, we pray: "Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised. For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace"

The Liturgy of the Hours (also called the Divine Office or Breviary) is the official daily prayer of the Catholic Church. It sanctifies different parts of the day with prayer, primarily consisting of psalms, scripture readings, hymns, and prayers. Clergy, religious, and many laypeople pray it daily as a way to unite themselves with the universal Church and offer praise to God.

What Does the Liturgy of the Hours Contain?

The Liturgy of the Hours is divided into canonical hours, each designed for different times of the day. The major hours include:

Office of Readings (Matins) – Can be prayed at any time; includes extended scripture readings and writings from saints or Church Fathers.

Morning Prayer (Lauds) – Prayed at dawn to give thanks and offer the day to God.

Daytime Prayer (Terce, Sext, None) – Prayed at mid-morning (Terce), midday (Sext), or mid-afternoon (None), focusing on dependence on God throughout the workday.

Evening Prayer (Vespers) – Prayed at sunset, giving thanks for the day and reflecting on God’s mercy.

Night Prayer (Compline) – Prayed before bed, asking for God’s protection during the night.

Each hour consists of:

Opening verse (e.g., "O God, come to my assistance…")

Hymn (specific to the time of day or feast)

Psalms and Canticles (from the Book of Psalms and other scriptures)

Scripture Reading (a short passage from the Bible)

Responsory (a short prayer response)

Gospel Canticles (Benedictus for Morning, Magnificat for Evening, Nunc Dimittis for Night)

Intercessions (prayers for the Church and the world)

Concluding prayer and blessing. How to Use the Liturgy of the Hours?

Choose the Right Version

The full version is in the 4-volume Breviary.

A shorter version is Christian Prayer (1-volume).

Apps like iBreviary, Universalis, or Divine Office provide digital versions.

Follow the Liturgical Calendar

The prayers change based on the liturgical season (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time).

Feast days and solemnities have their own special prayers.

Pray at the Appointed Times

Laypeople can pray as much as they can. Morning and Evening Prayer are the most encouraged.

It can be prayed alone or in a group.

Use It as an Offering to God

The Liturgy of the Hours is not just personal devotion but an extension of the Church’s prayer.

as a starving, sumptuous waste that felt better than pomegranates ever could taste. Now, despair keen as a blade drawn again and again

in water run over a stone, and so bright it might be the fierce start of joy.

Image Source.

Scottish Night Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Thou angel of God who hast charge of me From the dear Father of mercifulness, The shepherding kind of the fold of the saints To make round about me this night; Drive from me every temptation and danger, Surround me on the sea of unrighteousness, And in the narrows, crooks, and straits, Keep thou my coracle*, keep it always. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path below me, And be a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, tonight, and forever. I am tired and I a stranger, Lead thou me to the land of angels, For me it is time to go home, To the court of Christ, to the peace of heaven.

from The Celtic Vision: Prayers, Blessings, Songs, and Invocations from the Gaelic Tradition, selections by Esther de Waal from the Carmina Gadelica, compiled by Alexander Carmichael (page 136)