Universalis: Compline (Night Prayer) (2024)

Listen to the podcast!

INTRODUCTION

O God, come to our aid.

O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of Conscience

This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

I confess to almighty God

and to you, my brothers and sisters,

that I have greatly sinned,

in my thoughts and in my words,

in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

through my fault,

through my fault,

through my most grievous fault;

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints,

and you, my brothers and sisters,

to pray for me to the Lord our God.

May almighty God have mercy on us,

forgive us our sins,

and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Hymn

Now that the daylight dies away,

By all thy grace and love,

Thee, Maker of the world, we pray

To watch our bed above.

Let dreams depart and phantoms fly,

The offspring of the night,

Keep us, like shrines, beneath thine eye,

Pure in our foe’s despite.

This grace on thy redeemed confer,

Father, co-equal Son,

And Holy Ghost, the Comforter,

Eternal Three in One.

Psalm 4
Thanksgiving

Lord, have mercy and hear me.

When I called out, he heard me, the God of my righteousness.

When I was in trouble, you gave me freedom:

now, take pity on me and listen to my prayer.

Sons of men, how long will your hearts be heavy?

Why do you seek for vain things?

Why do you run after illusions?

Know that the Lord has done marvellous things

for those he has chosen.

When I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

Be vigorous, but do not sin:

speak in the silence of your heart,

in your bed, be at rest.

Offer righteousness as a sacrifice,

and put your trust in the Lord.

Many are saying, Who will give us good things?

Let your face shine on us, Lord,

let the light of your face be a sign.

You have given me a greater joy

than the others receive

from abundance of wheat and of wine.

In peace shall I sleep, Lord, in peace shall I rest:

firm in the hope you have given me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Lord, have mercy and hear me.

Psalm 133 (134)
Evening prayer in the Temple

Bless the Lord through the night.

Come, bless the Lord,

all you servants of the Lord

who stand through the night in the house of the Lord!

Lift up your arms to the sanctuary

and bless the Lord!

May the Lord bless you from Zion–

the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Bless the Lord through the night.

Scripture Reading
Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Short Responsory

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

CanticleNunc Dimittis

Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.

Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.

You have fulfilled your promise.

My own eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.

A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;

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 ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.

Let us pray.

Visit this house, we pray you, Lord:

drive far away from it all the snares of the enemy.

May your holy angels stay here and guard us in peace,

and let your blessing be always upon us.

Through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

The Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

Amen.

Marian Anthem

Salve Regina

Hail to you, O Queen, mother of loving kindness,

our life, our happiness, our hope.

Hear us cry out to you,

children of Eve in our exile.

Hear as we sigh, with groaning and weeping

in this life, in this valley of tears.

Come then, our Advocate, turn towards us

the gaze of your kind and loving eyes.

And show us Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb,

when at last our exile here is ended.

O gentle, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

Salve, Regína, mater misericórdiæ;

vita, dulcédo et spes nostra, salve.

Ad te clamámus, éxsules, filii Evæ.

Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et flentes

in hac lacrimárum valle.

Eia ergo, advocáta nostra,

illos tuos misericórdes óculos

ad nos convérte.

Et Iesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui,

nobis post hoc exsílium osténde.

O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María.

The psalms and canticles here are our own translation from the Latin. The Grail translation of the psalms, which is used liturgically in most of the English-speaking world, cannot be displayed on the Web for copyright reasons. The Universalis apps and programs do contain the Grail translation of the psalms.

You can also view this page in Latin and English.

Universalis: Compline (Night Prayer) (2024)

FAQs

What is the Catholic Universalis night prayer? ›

world without end. Amen. Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.

What is the most powerful bedtime prayer? ›

(Guardian Angel prayer) Father, as I lie down for sleep tonight, wash over me with the warmth of Your love. In Your mercy, soothe my pain, whether in my body, mind or soul. Grant me a restful night of sleep so that when I awake, I'm strengthened to do Your will.

What is the nighttime prayer of Compline? ›

may your holy angels dwell with me and guard me in peace, and may your blessing be always upon me, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. In peace I will lie down and sleep; for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

What is Compline in the Catholic Church? ›

Compline is the final prayer of the day to be said before going to bed, even if this is after midnight. Compline, like the other Hours, is begun with the verse “O God, come to my assistance” whilst making the sign of the cross, followed by the “Glory be to the Father” and (outside of Lent) the Alleluia.

What is the most powerful prayer at night for Catholics? ›

Jesus Christ, my God, I adore you and I thank you for the many favors you have bestowed on me this day. I offer you my sleep and all the moments of this night, and I pray that you preserve me from sin.

What is the secret prayer in the Catholic Church? ›

The Secret (Latin Secreta, sc. oratio secreta) is the prayer said in a low voice by the celebrant at the end of the Offertory in the Roman Liturgy. It is the original and for a long time was the only offertory prayer.

What Catholic prayer do you say before bed? ›

Evening Prayer for Peace

O Lord God, grant your peace to us, for you have supplied us with all things — the peace of rest, the peace of the Sabbath which has no evening; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What is the best prayer to say before you go to bed? ›

Help us rest well, give us peaceful dreams, and send Your angels around our home to protect us throughout the night. Teach us to trust You and to love You more and more. You are good; You are great; and You are faithful, God. And we love You.

What is the old bedtime prayer? ›

Rest your weary ones, bless your dying ones, soothe your suffering ones, shield your joyous ones, and all for your love's sake, amen. It's a critical and complete exercise in intercession and in trust before I go to bed.

What Bible verse is good for night prayer? ›

Psalm 4. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Fall asleep to the comforting promise of Psalm 4, as you name and lay your worries down at God's feet—one by one. Hand your stress over to Jesus tonight, as he instructs us to, and meditate on this good night Bible verse.

What is the holy spirit goodnight prayer? ›

I ask your Holy Spirit to fill my home with your presence, with the peace of God and the love of Christ. I ask you to send forth your Spirit to raise up prayer and intercession for me this night.

What is the common prayer night prayer? ›

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm; and may God lead us to eternal life. Amen.

What is the final prayer of Compline? ›

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. Amen.

What's the difference between Compline and evening prayer? ›

Whereas Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer were designed as Cathedral offices, to be prayed corporately, Compline has always been a monastic, private office used in the comfort and seclusion of one's habitation.

What time should Compline be said? ›

Vespers (sunset, approximately 6 p.m.) Compline (end of the day before retiring, approximately 7 p.m.)

What is the old Catholic bedtime prayer? ›

LORD Jesus Christ, my God, I adore Thee and thank Thee for all the blessings which Thou hast conferred upon me this day. I offer Thee my rest and all the moments of this night, and I beseech Thee to preserve me from sin.

What is the traditional night prayer? ›

Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones, bless your dying ones, soothe your suffering ones, shield your joyous ones, and all for your love's sake, amen.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6597

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.