Vespers for a Newbie
  • TLMlover
    Posts: 179
    Hi all,

    A priest in another parish has asked me if I would play and cantor Vespers on Sundays at 5pm, starting in Advent. I am going to do it but I am clueless about all of it. Could somebody break it down for me, using super simple language?

    I have the NOH VIII Vesperale and VII Ad Laudes Verspertinas. I just don't know what the order of Vespers is, nor where to find the readings.

    Since this will be something new for the parish, I'm wondering if it might be better in English? Or maybe antiphons in Latin and responses in English? I would do the Marian antiphons in Latin (are they are a part of Vespers?) and any well-known hymns in Latin, but the majority probably in English.

    Is this an enormous project for me? I just really know NOTHING about Verspers and have not heard them sung. I only have heard Matins. I assume it's very similar.

    Thank you!
  • tomjaw
    Posts: 2,994
    Are you doing Traditional Vespers? or the new modern version?

    This is has Traditional Vespers https://www.divinumofficium.com

    and this has booklets,

    https://gregorian-chant-hymns.com/publications/liturgy-of-hours.html
  • TLMlover
    Posts: 179
    Thanks, Tom! I downloaded the booklet and it looks good. Is there an English version anywhere?
  • tomjaw
    Posts: 2,994
    @TLMlover
    Divinum Officium has a translation, but this is not a text approved for Liturgical Use. Traditional Vespers and the Divine Office in general was always* in Latin.

    The Modern Evening prayer can be in English but I have no idea how the modern liturgy of the hours works.

    *Exceptions apply.
  • TLMlover
    Posts: 179
    Incredibly, I just came across instructions for English Vespers, and resources, at Luke Massery's site "Antiphon Renewal."

    Also, I found downloadable pdf booklets in English from EWTN.

    And, Fr. Weber (bless him!) created a huge English pdf for the entire year, which also includes hymns.

    So, great resources are out there for both Latin and English! Yay!
    Thanked by 2Roborgelmeister CHGiffen
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