Joshua Bennett
Vespers, derived from the Latin word for 'evening', is an evening prayer observed by several Christian denominations, including Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. Vespers is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, which is a set of prayers said at specific times of the day. Vespers typically involves the singing or chanting of psalms and other biblical canticles, such as the Magnificat, and its structure has remained largely unchanged since the sixth century. While the duration of Vespers is not fixed, it usually takes place between 4 pm and 6 pm and can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the number of psalms recited and the length of the prayers and hymns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office |
| Time | Between 4 pm and 6 pm |
| Duration | Not mentioned, but the service includes multiple hymns, psalms, readings, and prayers |
| Frequency | Daily |
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What You'll Learn
Vespers is an evening prayer
Vespers is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, and is one of the canonical hours in Catholic (both Latin and Eastern Catholic liturgical rites), Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church fulfills Jesus' command to "pray always" (Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Through Vespers and the Liturgy of the Hours, the people of God sanctify the day by continual praise of God and prayers of intercession for the world.
Vespers typically follows a set order that focuses on the performance of psalms and other biblical canticles. The general structure of Vespers in the Roman Rite Catholic liturgy begins with the singing or chanting of the opening responsory, including the verse "Deus, in adiutorium meum intende", followed by the "Gloria Patri," and the "Alleluia" (omitted during Lent). This opening formula is common to all the liturgical hours, except the first of the day, where it is replaced by the Invitatory. The appointed hymn is then sung, followed by the appointed psalmody. In the liturgy in general use since 1970, two psalms and a New Testament canticle are sung. In older forms of the Roman Office, five psalms were sung. Each psalm and canticle conclude with a "Gloria Patri" and are preceded and followed by an antiphon. Most psalms also have a short caption explaining their Christological or spiritual significance.
The timing of Vespers has varied throughout history. In the sixth century, Vespers in the Latin Church was described as the "evening hour, or vespertine synaxis", composed of four psalms, a capitulum, a response, a hymn, a versicle, a canticle from the Gospel, litany, Pater with the ordinary finale, oratio, or prayer, and dismissal. Vespers time varied according to the season between the tenth hour (4 p.m.) and the twelfth hour (6 p.m.). Cassian, describing the Office as it was celebrated by the monks of Egypt, says it was recited around five or six o'clock, with all the lights lighted. Today, Vespers, or Evening Prayer, takes place as dusk begins to fall.
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It is part of the Liturgy of the Hours
Vespers, or Evening Prayer, is a liturgy of evening prayer and is one of the canonical hours in Catholic (both Latin and Eastern Catholic liturgical rites), Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. Vespers is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office. In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church fulfils Jesus' command to "pray always" (Luke 18:1; see also 1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Liturgy of the Hours includes several specified times of prayer. The most important times, called the "hinge hours," are Morning Prayer (which takes place upon rising) and Evening Prayer (Vespers) (which takes place as dusk begins to fall).
The Liturgy of the Hours, like many other forms of the canonical hours, consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns, readings, and other prayers and antiphons prayed at fixed prayer times. Vespers typically follows a set order that focuses on the performance of psalms and other biblical canticles. Vespers is composed of the psalms called Lucernales. The “Peregrinatio” does not mention the number of psalms sung at this hour, but Cassian, who describes this Office as it was celebrated by the monks of Egypt, says they recited twelve psalms. In the sixth century, the Office of Vespers in the Latin Church was composed of four psalms, a capitulum, a response, a hymn, a versicle, a canticle from the Gospel, litany (Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison), Pater with the ordinary finale, oratio, or prayer, and dismissal. In the present arrangement, Vespers consists of two psalms (or two parts of a longer psalm) and a canticle (or hymn) taken from the Epistles or the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. Each psalm is preceded by an antiphon.
The general structure of the Roman Rite Catholic liturgy of vespers is as follows: Vespers begins with the singing or chanting of the opening responsory consisting of the verse Deus, in adiutorium meum intende, followed by the Gloria Patri, and the Alleluia. The appointed hymn (from the hymnaria) is then sung, followed by the appointed psalmody. In the liturgy in general use since 1970, there are two psalms and a New Testament canticle. Each psalm (and canticle) concludes with a doxology (Gloria Patri) and is preceded and followed by an antiphon.
The present official form of the Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Rite is that contained in the four-volume Latin-language publication Liturgia Horarum, the first edition of which appeared in 1971. English and other vernacular translations were soon produced and were made official for their territories by the competent episcopal conferences. The four-volume Liturgy of the Hours, with Scripture readings from the New American Bible, appeared in 1975 with approval from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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Vespers is also called Evening Prayer
Vespers, derived from the Latin word 'vesper', meaning "evening", is a liturgy of evening prayer. It is one of the canonical hours in Catholic (both Latin and Eastern Catholic liturgical rites), Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. Vespers is also called Evening Prayer.
Vespers typically follows a set order that focuses on the performance of psalms and other biblical canticles. The structure of the Roman Rite Catholic liturgy of vespers is as follows: Vespers begins with the singing or chanting of the opening responsory consisting of the verse "Deus, in adiutorium meum intende", followed by the "Gloria Patri", and the "Alleluia". The "Alleluia" is omitted during Lent. After this, the appointed hymn is sung, followed by the appointed psalmody. In the liturgy in general use since 1970, there are two psalms and a New Testament canticle. Each psalm (and canticle) concludes with a "Gloria Patri" and is preceded and followed by an antiphon.
In the sixth century, the Office of Vespers in the Latin Church was almost the same as it has been throughout the Middle Ages and up to the present day. Vespers was composed of four psalms, a capitulum, a response, a hymn, a versicle, a canticle from the Gospel, litany ("Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison"), "Pater" with the ordinary finale, "oratio", or prayer, and dismissal. Vespers is thus a solemn part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, where the Church fulfills Jesus' command to "pray always".
The most important times, called the "hinge hours", are Morning Prayer (which takes place upon rising) and Evening Prayer (Vespers) (which takes place as dusk begins to fall). Vespers offers thanks for the day just past and makes an evening sacrifice of praise to God.
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The service includes the singing of psalms
Vespers, derived from the Latin word 'vesper', meaning "evening", is a liturgy of evening prayer observed by the Catholic Church. It is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, which includes several specified times of prayer. The most important times, called the "hinge hours", are Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer (Vespers).
Vespers is a solemn service that includes the singing of psalms, which form the first part of the service, also known as psalmody. The number of psalms recited varies, with some sources stating four, others five, and some mentioning two psalms and a New Testament canticle. Each psalm is usually preceded by an antiphon, which sets the tone for the singing and calls attention to the spiritual meaning of the psalm.
The psalms recited at Vespers are selected from the series of psalms from Pss. cix to cxlvii, with the exception of Ps. cxviii, which is often divided due to its length. The psalmody is followed by the second part of the service, which includes the capitulum and formulae.
Vespers is typically held between 4 pm and 6 pm, marking the transition from day to evening. It is a time for the faithful to offer thanks for the day that has passed and to praise God through continual prayer and intercession for the world's needs.
The singing of psalms during Vespers is a significant aspect of the service, providing an opportunity for worship and reflection, and it is often chanted or sung in an alternating fashion.
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Vespers is performed by various Christian denominations
Vespers, derived from the Latin word 'vesper', which means "evening", is a liturgy of evening prayer. It is one of the canonical hours in Catholic (both Latin and Eastern Catholic liturgical rites), Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. Vespers typically follows a set order that focuses on the performance of psalms and other biblical canticles.
In the Latin Church, Vespers in the sixth century was almost the same as it has been throughout the Middle Ages and up to the present day. The evening hour, or vespertine synaxis, is composed of four psalms, a capitulum, a response, a hymn, a versicle, a canticle from the Gospel, litany, Pater with the ordinary finale, oratio, or prayer, and dismissal. Vespers is divided into two parts: the psalmody or singing of the psalms, and the capitulum and formulae. Vespers time varies according to the season between 4 pm and 6 pm.
In the Eastern Orthodox liturgy, Vespers often conclude with compline, especially during an all-night vigil. The liturgical day begins in the evening with the setting of the sun, following the Biblical account of creation. At the Nativity of Our Lord Orthodox Church, Vespers is celebrated at 5 pm on Saturday evenings and on the Eves of Feast Days.
The Anglican communion has maintained an evening office, which is called evening prayer or evensong. The Anglican Breviary contains Vespers in English according to the pre-1970 Roman Rite. The Liberal Catholic Rite also includes Vespers, including the Te Deum as an alternative to the Magnificat.
The Assyrian Church of the East, the Ancient Church of the East, the Chaldean Catholic Church, and the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church use the term Ramsha for Vespers in the East Syriac liturgy.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, synagogues in the Classical Reform tradition referred to their Friday evening worship services as "vespers". Nowadays, these services are called kabbalat shabbat, which means "welcoming the Sabbath".
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Frequently asked questions
Vespers is a liturgy of evening prayer observed by Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans. Vespers is also known as Evening Prayer and is part of the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office. Vespers is held at sunset, anytime between 4 pm and 6 pm. While I could not find an exact duration for Vespers, it involves the singing or recitation of psalms, readings from the Gospel, and silent reflection.
During Vespers, the singing or recitation of two psalms (or two parts of a longer psalm) and a canticle or hymn from the New Testament is observed. Vespers begin with the singing or chanting of the opening responsory, "Deus, in adiutorium meum intende", followed by the Gloria Patri, and the Alleluia.
Bishops, priests, deacons, and many men and women in consecrated life pray the Liturgy of the Hours each day. Lay people are also encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, especially Morning and Evening Prayer (Vespers).
Vespers is one of the "hinge hours" of the Liturgy of the Hours, which are the most important times of prayer. Through Vespers, the people of God sanctify the day by continual praise of God and prayers of intercession for the world. Vespers offers thanks for the day that has passed and makes an evening sacrifice of praise to God.
