The Office at Compline

THE ITINERARY

THE ANTIPHON

In the way of peace and prosperity the almighty and merciful Lord direct us; and may the angel Raphael accompany us on the way that we may return to our home in peace, in safety, and in joy.

THE SONG OF ZACHARIAS

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, to perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins through the tender mercy of our God when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Glory be to the Father... (The antiphon repeated)

THE KYRIE

THE LORD'S PRAYER

And lead us not into temptation:
But deliver us from evil.
O God, save Thy servants:
Who trust in Thee.
May He send us help from the sanctuary:
And give us support from Zion.
Be unto us, O Lord, a strong tower:
Against all calamity.
Let no evil happen to us.
But guard us from all danger and peril.
Blessed be the Lord today.
The God of our salvation protect us.
Make us know Thy ways, O Lord.
Teach us Thy paths.
Oh, that our ways may be steadfast:
In keeping Thy statutes!
The crooked ways shall be made straight.
And the rough ways shall be made smooth.
God will give His angels charge of you:
To guard you in all your ways.
Hear our prayer, O Lord.
And let our cry come to Thee.
The Lord be with you:
And with Thy spirit.

THE COLLECTS

O God, who didst cause the Children of Israel to pass dry-shod through the midst of the sea and who by the leading of a star didst bring the Wise Men the way unto Thyself, grant to us, we beseech Thee, a prosperous journey and fair weather that, attended by Thy holy angel, we may happily arrive at the place whither we are going and finally attain to the haven of eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

O God, who didst bring Abraham, Thy servant, from Ur of the Chaldees and didst keep him in safety through all the days of his pilgrimage, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst protect Thy servants; be to us, O Lord, in setting forth our Support, in the way a consolation, in heat a shadow, in rain and cold a covering, in weariness a chariot, in adversity a support, in slippery places a staff, in shipwreck a port that, Thou being our Leader, we may prosperously reach the place whither we go and at length return in safety to our home; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayer, and dispose the way of Thy servants toward the attainment of everlasting salvation that amongst all the changes and chances of this mortal life we may ever be defended by Thy most gracious and ready help; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that Thy family may walk in the way of salvation and, following the counsels of the blessed John, the forerunner, may safely come to Him whom he foretold, Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Let us go forth in peace:
In the name of the Lord. Amen.