One of the unique features of the Dominican Rite of Office is the variability of much of the Office of Compline during during the seasons of Lent, Passiontide, Paschaltide, Ascensiontide, and through out the octave of Pentecost, when the hymn, Little Chapter, and responses change.
From Passion Sunday till Holy Thursday, the responsory is changes as follows:
From this Sunday until Easter Sunday, in the ferial and Sunday Offices, the responsories are said without the Gloria. Instead, the responsory is repeated.
The responsory In peace is now omitted. On Sundays and ferial days, the responsory is said as follows:
℟. Into your hands O Lord, * I commend my spirit. - Into your hands. You have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth. - I commend my spirit. And in place of Glory the ℟. Into your hands is repeated.But on feasts of the Saints, the resposory Into your hands is said with Glory in the usual manner.
This is followed immediately by the hymn for Lent:
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Christ,
qui lux es et dies,
Noctis
tenebras detegis
Lucisque
lumen crederis,
Lumen
beatum praedicans.
Precamur
sancta Domine,
Defende
nos in hac nocte:
Sit
nobis in te requies,
Quietam
noctem tribue.
Ne
gravis somnus irruat,
Nec
hostis nos subripiat,
Nec
caro illi consentiens
Nos
tibi reos statuat.
Oculi
somnum capiant,
Cor
ad te semper vigilet:
Dextera
tua protegat
Famulos,
qui te diligunt.
Defensor
noster aspice,
Insidiantes
reprime,
Guberna
tuos famulos,
Quos
Sanguine nercatus es.
Memento
nostril Domine,
In
gravi isto corpore:
Qui
es defensor animæ,
Adesto
nobis Domine.
Præsta
Pater omnipotens,
Per
Jesum Christum Dominum.
Qui
tecum in perpetuum
Regnat
cum sancto Spiritu.
Amen.
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You
are, O Christ, the light and day
Who
chases nightly shades away;
Yourself,
the light of light confessed,
Proclaim
to us the brightness blest.
O holy Lord, we pray that you
May
guard us well this whole night through;
In
you, O let us find repose
All
peaceful till the night shall close.
Let not dull sleep our spirits quell,
Ward
off from us the foe from hell,
Nor
let the flesh with him unite
To
make us guilty in your site.
Then let our eyes due slumber take,
But
hearts to you forever wake;
And
may your right arm from above
Shield
all who turn to you with love.
O strong Defender, hear our prayer,
Repel
our foes and break each snare;
Control
your servants, be their guide,
Who
for their ransom bled and died.
Remember us, O Lord we pray
In
weary body here today;
From
every ill the soul defend,
Be
with us, Lord, until the end.
Almighty Father, this accord
Through
Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord,
Who,
with the Holy Spirit true,
For
ever reigns in bliss with you.
Amen.
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The antiphon for the Canticle of Simeon, from the Passion Sunday to Holy Thursday exclusive (except on feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary), is:
Ant. O King, resplendent in the midst of your saints, ever worthy of praise, yet surpassing all words! You, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your holy name; leave us not, you are our God. And on the day of judgement, O blessed King, may you deign to place us among your saints and chosen ones.
As we approach Holy Week, let us increase our devotions and penances, and make a worthy preparation for the Holy Day of the Pasch.