Night Prayers

IF it be a duty of the greatest importance to begin the day well, it is one of no less consequence to conclude it properly. The graces conferred on us during the course of the day, and the protection we stand in need of against the dangers of the night, are urgent reasons why we should address ourselves to God, and pray to Him with the utmost gratitude and fervour.

IN the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.

Our Father, &c. Hail, Mary, &c.
I believe in God, &c.
I confess to Almighty God, &c.

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us place ourselves in the presence of God, and give Him thanks for all the benefits which we have received from Him, particularly this day.

O MY God, I firmly believe that Thou art here, and perfectly seest me; and that Thou observest all my actions, all my thoughts, and the most secret motions of my heart. Thou watchest over me with an incomparable love, every moment bestowing favours, and preserving me from evil. Blessed be Thy holy name, and may all creatures bless Thy goodness for the benefits which I have ever received from Thee, and particularly this day. May the saints and angels supply my defect in rendering Thee due thanks. Never permit me to be so base and wicked as to repay Thy bounties with ingratitude, and Thy blessings with offences and injuries.

Let us ask of our Lord Jesus Christ grace to discover the sins which we have committed this day; and beg of Him a true sorrow for them, and a sincere repentance.

O MY Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of the living and the dead, before whom I must appear one day to give an exact account of my whole life; enlighten me, I beseech Thee, and give me an humble and a contrite heart, that I may see wherein I have offended Thine infinite Majesty; and judge myself now with such a just severity, that then Thou mayest judge me with mercy and clemency.

Let us examine our consciences, and consider where and in what company we have been this day. Let us call to mind the sins we have committed against God, our neighbour, or ourselves; and reflect whether we have fulfilled the duties of our state of life.

AGAINST GOD.—By omission or negligence in the discharge of our religious duties; irreverence, wilful distractions, or inattention in prayer; resistance to the divine grace; oaths; murmurings; want of confidence and resignation. Pause and examine.

AGAINST OUR NEIGHBOUR.—By rash judgments; hatred; jealousy; contempt; desire of revenge; quarrelling; passion; imprecations; injuries; detraction; raillery; false reports; damaging, either in goods or reputation; bad example; scandal; want of obedience, respect, charity, or fidelity. Pause and examine.

AGAINST OURSELVES.—By vanity; human respect; lies; thoughts; desires, discourses, or actions contrary to purity; by intemperance, rage, or impatience; by a useless and sensual life; or by sloth, in not complying with the duties of our state. Pause and examine.

(If nothing occur to your mind, wherein you have offended, renew your sorrow for the sins of your past life.)

Let us conceive a great sorrow for having offended God.

O MY God, I detest these and all other sins, which I have committed against Thy divine Majesty. I am extremely sorry that I have offended Thee, because Thou art infinitely good, and sin displeaseth Thee. I love Thee with my whole heart, and firmly purpose, by the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee. I resolve to avoid the occasions of sin; I will confess my sins, and will endeavour to make satisfaction for them. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, and pardon me, a wretched sinner.—In the name of Thy beloved Son, Jesus, I humbly beg of Thee, so to wash me with His precious blood, that my sins may be entirely remitted.

Let us endeavour, as much as possible, to put ourselves in the dispositions in which we desire to be found at the hour of death.

O MY God, I accept of death as a homage and adoration which I owe to Thy divine Majesty, and as a punishment justly due to my sins; in union with the death of my dear Redeemer, and as the only means of coming to Thee, my beginning and last end.

I firmly believe all the sacred truths which the Catholic Church believeth and teacheth, because Thou hast revealed them. And by the assistance of Thy holy grace, I am resolved to live and die in the communion of this Thy Church.

Relying upon Thy goodness, power, and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, and life everlasting, through the merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, my only Redeemer, and by the intercession of His Blessed Mother, and all the saints.

I love Thee with all my heart and soul, and desire to love Thee as the blessed do in heaven. I adore all the designs of Thy divine Providence, resigning myself entirely to Thy will.

I also love my neighbour for Thy sake, as I love myself; I sincerely forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

I renounce the devil, with all his works; the world, with all its pomps; the flesh, with all its temptations.

I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.

R. Lord Jesus, receive my soul.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the saints, pray for us to our Lord, that we may be preserved this night from sin and all evils. Amen.

Blessed St. Michael, defend us in the day of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful judgment. Amen.

O my good Angel, whom God, by His divine mercy, hath appointed to be my guardian, enlighten and protect me, direct and govern me this night. Amen.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, and forgive us our sins, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

May the almighty and merciful Lord give us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins. Amen.

V. Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night.

R. To keep us without sin.

V. Have mercy on us, O Lord.

R. Have mercy on us.

V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.

R. As we have hoped in Thee.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.

VISIT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this house and family, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let Thy holy angels dwell herein, who may keep us in peace, and let Thy blessing be always upon us: through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

May our Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and bring us to life everlasting; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

THE LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. ¹

See Hymn-book.

Before you go to bed, read a chapter in the Scripture, or some spiritual book; forecast with yourself the subject of the next morning's meditation, and think upon it while you are undressing yourself; when you compose yourself in your bed, think of your grave, and how quickly death, of which sleep is an image, will be with you, and what your sentiments will then be of all worldly vanities. Offer up to God your sleep, resigning yourself to it in acquiescence with His holy will; and that by this repose of nature, you may recover new vigour to serve Him. Wish that every breath you are to take this night might be an act of praise and love of the divine Majesty, like the happy breathings of the angels and saints, who never sleep; and so compose yourself to rest in the arms of your Saviour. If you wake in the night, renew the offering of yourself to God, and aspire to Him: “My soul hath desired Thee in the night” (Isa. xxvi. 9).

1. Indulgence of 300 days each time.