Thursday, December 26, 2013

Compline During Christmastide

One of the unique features of the Dominican Rite of Office is the variability of antiphons at Compline during various seasons and on certain feasts.  This is particularly true during the seasons of Lent, Passiontide, Paschaltide, Ascensiontide, and through out the octave of Pentecost, when the hymn, Little Chapter, and responses change.

Throughout the season of Christmas (from Christmas Day until the Epiphany, the following two (2) antiphons are used at Compline each day.

The antiphon to the Psalms is:
To us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.
Even though the the feasts and ferial days of this time are II Class, the Psalms of Sunday are always prayed at Compline.

The antiphon at the Nunc dimittis is:
Alleluia.  The Word became flesh, alleluia; and dwelt among us, alleluia, alleluia.