Evening Prayer, also called Vespers, is one of the two main “hinge hours” of the Liturgy of the Hours, the other being Morning Prayer. It is prayed in the late afternoon or evening, often as the day is ending and the work is coming to a close. Its purpose is to give thanks to God for all that has taken place throughout the day and to entrust the evening and the coming night to His care. It is a time of quiet reflection and renewed hope, filled with praise, Scripture, and intercession. Evening Prayer is prayed daily, but it also plays a special role in preparing for Sundays and solemnities.
1. Begin with the opening verse
Start by turning to the Ordinary section of your breviary. Begin with the words, “O God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.” Then pray the Glory Be to the Father, and during most of the year, add “Alleluia.” During Lent and on other penitential days, the Alleluia is omitted. These opening words direct your heart toward God and mark the beginning of the evening hour of prayer.
2. Sing or recite the hymn
After the opening verse, continue with the hymn. This hymn reflects the spirit of the evening and may vary based on the liturgical season, day of the week, or feast being observed. You may find the hymn in the Psalter, the Proper of Seasons, or the Proper of Saints. If one is not clearly assigned, you may choose a familiar evening hymn appropriate for the time. Singing the hymn is ideal when possible, but praying it quietly and attentively is equally good.
3. Pray the two psalms and the New Testament canticle
Now move to the psalmody, which is made up of two psalms (or sections of psalms) and one canticle from the New Testament. Each of these is introduced and concluded with an antiphon. These antiphons are often drawn from the Proper of Seasons or the Proper of Saints, but on ordinary days they will be found in the Psalter section. The psalms and canticle for Evening Prayer are typically songs of thanksgiving, peace, and trust—ideal for the close of day. Pray each slowly and thoughtfully, allowing the Word of God to shape your reflection on the day’s events.
4. Read the short scripture passage
After the psalmody, read the short Scripture reading provided for the day. These readings are usually just a few verses and are meant to be pondered, not rushed. Each one offers a gentle reminder of God’s love, His promises, or a call to holiness. After reading, pause for a moment to reflect silently on the message.
5. Pray the responsory
Next, pray the short responsory. This poetic reflection allows the message of the Scripture reading to echo in your heart. It is usually a simple two-line verse, sometimes repeated, and it prepares you for the Gospel canticle that follows. The responsory helps transition the soul from reflection to praise.
6. Recite the Canticle of Mary (Magnificat)
Now recite the Canticle of Mary, also known as the Magnificat. This beautiful prayer, taken from the Gospel of Luke, is the song Mary sang when she visited Elizabeth and praised God for His goodness. Before and after the Magnificat, say the assigned antiphon, which reflects the theme of the day or feast. You’ll find the Magnificat in the Ordinary, as it is the same each day. Pray it with joy and reverence, remembering how God has done great things not only for Mary, but for all who serve Him.
7. Offer the intercessions
Following the Magnificat, pray the intercessions for the day. These prayers are offered for the Church, the world, your community, and your personal intentions. You may find the intercessions in the Psalter, the Proper of Saints, or the Proper of Seasons. Each intercession is followed by a short response, such as “Lord, hear our prayer.” This time of intercession allows you to lift up the needs of others before God in union with the Church.
8. Pray the Our Father
Now pray the Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer. This unites your voice with the whole Church, past and present, in the prayer that Jesus Himself taught. Take your time with this prayer and reflect on the meaning of each petition. It is the perfect summary of all Christian prayer.
9. Conclude with the final prayer
After the Our Father, pray the concluding prayer for the day. This prayer gathers together the spirit of the hour and brings it to a close. On ordinary weekdays, the concluding prayer is found in the Psalter for the day. On feasts or during liturgical seasons, it will be found in the Proper of Saints or Seasons. If a special saint is being honored, the Proper of Saints will provide a specific prayer.
10. End with the blessing and dismissal
Conclude Evening Prayer with the standard blessing. If you are praying alone, say, “May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.” If a priest or deacon is leading, he will offer a formal blessing and dismissal. This ending sends you forth in peace, preparing you for a quiet evening and restful night.
11. Use ribbons to prepare your breviary
To pray Evening Prayer smoothly, mark your breviary in advance. Place a ribbon in the Ordinary for the structure, another in the Psalter for the day’s psalms and canticle, another in the Proper of Seasons for the liturgical season, and one in the Proper of Saints if you are celebrating a memorial or feast. If no special texts are provided for a saint, you may be directed to the Commons. Using ribbons or bookmarks helps you avoid unnecessary distractions during prayer.
12. Remember: Saturday Evening Prayer is Sunday Evening Prayer I
A special feature of the Church’s liturgical prayer is that the celebration of Sunday begins on Saturday evening. Just as the Jewish Sabbath began at sundown, so too does the Church begin her observance of the Lord’s Day on Saturday evening. Therefore, when you pray Evening Prayer on Saturday, you are not praying Saturday’s Evening Prayer—you are praying Sunday Evening Prayer I. This is found in the Proper of Seasons under Sunday, and it includes special psalms, readings, and antiphons for the beginning of the Lord’s Day. Sunday then continues with Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer II on Sunday itself. The same principle applies to solemnities, which also begin with Evening Prayer I on the evening before the feast.
Evening Prayer is one of the most beautiful and peaceful moments of the day. It invites you to give thanks for what has passed and to entrust the night to God. Whether you pray alone or with others, the Church invites you to end each day with Scripture, praise, and intercession, offering the close of your day to the One who gave it.
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy
