Night Prayer

Since we are totally dependent upon God, we must acknowledge and confess his dominion over us, continually giving him an unending sacrifice of praise. To that end, from the earliest days of the Church, Christians have devoted themselves to prayer at certain hours, including at the end of the day.

After an examination of conscience, and praising God through a hymn and psalms, there is a short reading from the Bible and response, followed by the Song of Simeon from Luke’s Gospel (Luke 2:29–32) and a concluding prayer; the time of prayer concludes with an anthem in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Night Prayer is also called Compline (which comes from the Latin for completion, Night Prayer being prayed at the completion of the day).

On the Universalis website can be found the texts used for Night Prayer.

See also our series Introduction to the Prayer of the Church about The Liturgy of The Hours, including Night Prayer (all the episodes are available as podcasts).

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