The official night time prayer of the Church is the Compline which is recited after sunset and before bed. Here is an alternative form of prayer which can be recited before retiring for the night. It is an excellent opportunity for an examination of conscience and to thank God for the blessings we have received during the day.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be to the Father
Pray the Apostles Creed.
V. Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful.
R. And kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shall renew the face of the earth.
Let Us Pray
O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant us, we beseech Thee, that by the gift of the same Spirit we may always be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
(Place yourself in the presence of God and give Him thanks for all the benefits which you have received from Him, particularly this day.)
O My God, I firmly believe that thou art here present and dost plainly see me, and that Thou dost observe all my actions, all my thoughts and the most secret motions of my heart. Thou dost watch over me with an incomparable love, every moment bestowing favors and preserving me from evil. Blessed be Thy Holy Name, and may all creatures bless Thy goodness for the benefits which I have ever received from Thee, and particularly this day. May the Saints and Angels supply my defect in rendering Thee due thanks. Never permit me to be so base and wicked as to repay Thy goodness with ingratitude and Thy blessings with offenses and injuries.
(You should here ask of Our Lord Jesus Christ for the grace to discover the sins which you have committed this day and beg of Him a true sorrow for them and sincere repentance.)
O My Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of the living and the dead, before Whom I must appear one day to give an exact account of my whole life, enlighten me, I implore Thee, and give me a humble and contrite heart, that i may see wherein I have offended Thine infinite Majesty, and judge myself now with such a just severity, that then Thou mayest judge me with mercy and clemency.
(You should endeavor, as far as possible, to put yourself in the disposition in which you desire to be found at the hour of death.)
O My God, I accept death as a homage and an adoration which I owe to thy divine Majesty and as a punishment justly due to my sins, in union with the death of my Dear Redeemer and as the only means of coming to Thee, my beginning and Last End.
I firmly believe all the sacred truths which the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church believes and teaches, because Thou hast revealed them. And by the assistance of Thy holy grace, I am resolved to live and die in communion with this, Thy Church.
Relying upon Thy goodness, power and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins and life everlasting, through the merits of Thy Son Jesus Christ, my only Redeemer, and by the intercession of His Blessed Mother and all the Saints.
I love Thee with all my heart and soul, and I desire to love Thee as the blessed do in Heaven. I adore all the designs of Thy Divine Providence, resigning myself entirely to Thy Holy Will. I also love my neighbor for Thy sake, as I love myself.
I sincerely forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. I renounce the devil, and all his works: the world, and all its pomps; the flesh, and all its temptations.
I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.
Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give thee my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with thee. Amen.
Lord Jesus, receive my soul.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and all the Saints pray for us to Our Lord, that we may be preserved this night from all sin and all evils. Amen.
O Blessed St. Michael, defend us in the day of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful Judgement. Amen.
O Angel of God, who art appointed by divine mercy to be my guardian, enlighten and protect, direct and govern me this night. Amen.
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.
May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution and remission of all our sins. Amen.
Recent Comments