Sharing The Beauty Of Evensong In The Catholic Church

DURANDUS | NLM

Evensong is a liturgy of the Daily Office where psalms and other biblical passages are sung or said, usually close to sunset. The Latin word vesperas was rendered as aefensang by Old English speakers, and this became "evensong" in modern English.

• https://singtheoffice.com/ | Music companion for chanting the Office. Variable audio support available. A very useful site!

Structure

The office of Vespers normally includes psalms, the Magnificat, a hymn, and other prayers. By the Early Middle Ages, it became common for secular clergy to combine Vespers and Compline. By the sixteenth century, worshippers in western Europe conceived 'evensong' as Vespers and Compline performed without break. Modern Byzantine services advertised as 'vespers' often similarly conclude with Compline.

Background

The Anglican archbishop Thomas Cranmer created choral evensong as a component of the Book of Common Prayer (1549) during the Edwardian Reformation, drawing on the Use of Sarum, the liturgical practices, rites, and customs that were developed in Salisbury Cathedral, England, and used throughout much of England and parts of Northwest Europe from the late 11th century until the English Reformation, and other contemporary continental practices. Nearly all its elements are taken from medieval monastic service books, with only minor changes to the order in which they appear. For generations, it has offered beauty and sustenance, giving rise to some of the best sacred music, and it provides a straightforward yet elegant framework for introspection and prayer. Evensong is a beautiful synthesis that offers the wider Church a way to pray in common, to share the wisdom of God, and to transform culture for the salvation of souls.

Composers

1. Thomas Tallis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gHdCHi8cm0
2. William Byrd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGbGd073gfo
3. Orlando Gibbons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRqPnKezz3Y
4. Charles Villiers Stanford: https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Charles_Villiers_Stanford
5. Herbert Howells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxGwCuHQ1PM
6. Healey Willan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y57VhkNW6yY

The offices of Mattins (Morning Prayer) and Evensong (Evening Prayer) have been brought into the Catholic Church in the Personal Ordinariates established by the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus.

Online Daily Office

• https://dailyoffice.online/
• https://dwdo.uk/office.html

Versions of Evensong

1. Choral Evensong | A choir singing the responses, psalms, canticles, and anthems of the service. It often includes a congregational hymn but relies more on listening than active singing by the congregation. May include a sermon.
2. Sung Evensong | This version is more participatory, allowing for more congregational singing. It may be accompanied by an organ but doesn't necessarily include a choir.
3. Festive or Festal Evensong | Often used on special occasions like Christmas or Easter. 
4. "Village Service" Evensong | A more basic or simplified version of Evensong. 
5. "Said" or "Spoken" Evensong | The service is recited rather than sung, with prayers and readings spoken by the officiant and congregation.

• https://christhum.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/liturgy-bits-a-spotters-guide-to-evensong/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbO8SmO1ULo

A general outline of how Choral Evensong is typically conducted:

1. Processional: the choir and clergy process in, often with a short instrumental piece.
2. Preces and Responses: a series of prayers and responses sung or chanted by the choir and officiant, followed by a psalm setting.
3. Psalms (Psalmody) and Canticles.
4. First Lesson: a reading from the Old Testament.
5. Magnificat: a setting of the hymn of Mary, often sung by the choir.
6. Second Lesson: a reading from the New Testament.
7. Nunc Dimittis: another hymn, often sung by the choir, based on Luke 2:29-32.
8. Apostle's Creed: the Apostles' Creed is recited or chanted by the choir and congregation.
9. Lesser Litany: a series of prayers and responses, often including the Lord's Prayer.
10. Anthem: a choral anthem, often chosen to reflect the day or season, sung by the choir.
11. Hymn: a congregational hymn, which allows for participation from the congregation.
12. Intercessions: prayers for various needs and situations, often read aloud.
13. Benediction: a blessing given by the officiant, followed by a final organ voluntary as the choir and clergy process out.

Solemn Choral Evensong (OCSP): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LszvBuqdtQ

EVENSONG

The Responsory

(A double knock on the pew signals the start.)

(The head is bowed when the Name of Jesus is mentioned.)

Standing

The Officiant shall say:

V. ✠ O Lord open thou our lips.

R. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.

V. ✠ O God, make speed to save us.

R. O Lord, make haste to help us.

V. (bowing) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

R. (upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

V. Praise ye the Lord.

R. The Lord's name be praised.

The Psalmody

The Appointed Psalms are said alternating couplets, each concluding with the Glory Be (standing for the Glory Be after the last psalm). The asterisk (*) indicates a pause, usually of a '2 count', between phrases. This practice may elicit some bumps among those unfamiliar with the practice, but the count helps to avoid rushing and increases the likelihood that those gathered may sit with and savour the text, the word of God. Some may be familiar with Lectio Divina or Divine Reading. Similarly, the worshipper is encouraged to feast on the text and allow it to fully occupy one's attention, thus disposing oneself to the Word Who speaks to hearts and minds to refine us in His likeness.

e.g., Psalm 78 Attendite, popule.

HEAR my law, O my people *

(then seated) incline your ears unto the words of my mouth.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son *

and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be *

world without end. Amen.

(seated) The First Lesson (Old Testament) is read.

A bow is made toward the altar/cross before and after the Reading, or if the Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle, the reader genuflects toward the tabernacle before and after the Reading.

Here beginneth the [#] Verse of the [#] Chapter of the Book of [N].

Here endeth the first lesson.

The Office Hymn (stand), together with its Versicle and Response, may be sung.

The Magnificat is recited, and may be accompanied by the appointed Antiphon.

Magnificat

Antiphon

(The leader begins and all join in.) MY ✠ soul doth magnify the Lord *

and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded *

the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth *

all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me *

and (bow) holy is his Name. (upright)

And his mercy is on them that fear him *

throughout all generations.

He hath showed strength with his arm *

he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat *

and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things *

and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel *

as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

(bow) Glory be to the Father and to the Son *

and to the Holy Ghost.

(upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be *

world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

(Seated) The Second Lesson (New Testament) is read.

Here beginneth the... .

Here endeth the second lesson.

The Nunc Dimittis is recited standing.

Nunc Dimittis

(Leader and all joining) LORD, ✠ now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace *

according to thy word.

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, *

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles *

and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

(bow) Glory be to the Father and to the Son *

and to the Holy Ghost.

(upright) As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be *

world without end. Amen.

The Apostle's Creed shall be said by the Officiant and People standing.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholic Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; ✠ And the life everlasting. Amen.

And afterward the prayers are said, all devoutly kneeling.

Priest officiant

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

or Lay officiant

V. O Lord, hear our prayer.

R. And let our cry come unto thee.

V. Let us pray.

V. Lord have mercy upon us.

R. Christ have mercy upon us.

V. Lord have mercy upon us.

Then the Officiant and People shall say the Lord's Prayer.

(Leader with all joining in.) OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Then shall follow these Versicles and Responses.

V. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us

R. And grant us thy salvation.

V. O Lord, save the King.

R. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.

V. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness.

R. And make thy chosen people joyful.

V. O Lord, save thy people.

R. And bless thine inheritance.

V. Give peace in our time, O Lord.

R. Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.

V. O God, make clean our hearts within us.

R. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

The Collect of the Day is said. (The head is bowed when the Name of Jesus is mentioned.)

The Collect for Peace is said.

O GOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

The Collect for Aid Against all Perils is said.

LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

In quires and places where they sing, an Anthem may follow. Then various prayers may be read, or at least the Prayer of Saint Chrysostom and the Grace.

• A Prayer for the Pope
• A Prayer for the Ordinariate
• A Prayer for the King's Majesty
• A Prayer for the Royal Family
• A Prayer for the Clergy and People

A Prayer of Saint Chrysostom

ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

The Grace

THE grace ✠ of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

The Marian Anthem appointed for the season may be recited or sung standing.

Here endeth the Order of Evening Prayer.