Advent Vespers

Part III: Vespers Outline (cont.)

8. READING: Philippians 4:4-7 may be proclaimed; or a reading from one of the Sundays of Advent (not a Gospel reading). A short homily by the cleric might follow.
9. RESPONSORY - A period of silence may be observed after the reading or homily. Then the responsory is sung. The following is the proper text during Advent (taken from Sunday). Leader: "Lord, show us your mercy and love." People: "Lord, show us your mercy and love." Leader: "And grant us your salvation," People: "your mercy and love." Leader: "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit." People: "Lord, show us your mercy and love." A musical setting of this text is ideal, although another text (from Evening Prayer of a different day) may certainly be substituted. If these are not possible, the congregation might sing a verse or two of a hymn expressing the same theme, or the choir might offer a brief Advent motet [see the "O Antiphons" in CanticaNOVA's Booklet of Chant, Vol 1 - catalog #2001]
10. GOSPEL CANTICLE - The Magnificat is the Gospel canticle for Evening Prayer. It should be sung with its proper antiphon using the approved New American Bible translation. Lacking this facility, the congregation, with or without the cantor or choir, may sing a more familiar version. Great solemnity should surround its singing, during which the altar is ceremoniously incensed, as well as the priest and congregation.
11. INTERCESSIONS - The deacon (or other leader) introduces the intercessions. The response might be, "Come, Lord Jesus," respecting the Advent theme. Intercessions may be freely composed or taken from the Liturgy of the Hours or other sources. The last intercession of Evening Prayer is traditionally for the dead.
12. LORD'S PRAYER - The leader may introduce the Lord's Prayer, which might be sung using the simple, familiar chant formula; or use the Pater Noster in Latin.
13. CONCLUDING PRAYER - A proper Concluding Prayer can be found for every day during Advent. An alternative may be found among the various Opening Prayers at Mass for the days of Advent.
14. DISMISSAL - If a cleric presides, he blesses the people and adds, "Go in peace," to which they respond, "Thanks be to God." If no cleric is present, the leader offers no blessing but dismisses the people with, "May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life." They respond, "Amen."
15. RECESSIONAL - There should follow instrumental music to accompany the procession from the altar. Perhaps "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" (J. Brahms), "Gottes Sohn ist kommen" (J.S. Bach), "Toccata on 'Nun komm der Heiden Heiland'" (Paul Manz), or a movement from a Baroque oboe or flute concerto, or a Mozart clarinet piece, or a string selection.

The following are the postures for Evening Prayer: Stand for Processional, Introductory Verse, Hymn, Gospel Canticle, Intercessions, Lord's Prayer, Concluding Prayer, Dismissal and Recessional. Sit for the First and Second Psalm, New Testament Canticle, Reading, Responsory and Homily.