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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

An FYI on EP in the OF – Introduction

Andrew R. Motyka · May 15, 2013

o you’ve been asked to plan Evening Prayer (aka “Vespers”) at your parish. This is a wonderful opportunity for common prayer in your community, and is strongly recommended by the Church:

Where possible, the principal Hours should be celebrated communally in church by other groups of the faithful. The most important of these groups are the local parishes – the cells of the diocese – established under a pastor acting for the bishop. These “represent in some degree the visible Church established throughout the world.” (General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours #21)

The only problem is that you have no idea how this is supposed to go. Sure, you’re picked up the latest edition of Magnificat, or maybe even have a book of Christian Prayer. However, you’re a music director, and you’ve never sung Vespers before. What do you do? Let’s take a walk through Evening Prayer in the Ordinary Form, and offer some good suggestions (that are by no means exhaustive) to use in St. Joe Schmoe’s Average Parish.

Note: If you’ve been asked to prepare sung Morning Prayer, you’re in luck. It is identical to Evening Prayer in every way except for the Gospel Canticle, which is the Canticle of Zechariah in the morning where it is the Canticle of Mary in the evening. Also, Morning Prayer takes place in the morning instead of the evening, in case you need everything laid out for you.

The order of liturgy (and yes, Evening Prayer is liturgy) follows:

Introduction
Hymn
1st Psalm
2nd Psalm
Canticle
Reading
(Homily)
Responsory
Gospel Canticle (Canticle of Mary, AKA the Magnificat)
Intercessions
Our Father
Prayer
Conclusion

The first thing you might notice is that there is neither an entrance nor a concluding procession. That is simply because, in the Liturgy of the Hours, there is not the same significance of a priest’s entrance as there is in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A celebration of Evening Prayer does not require a priest or deacon at all. However, if a priest or deacon leads the prayer, there are slight differences in the liturgy, especially at the introduction and conclusion.

The second thing I would call your attention to is the fact that nearly all, if not all, of this liturgy is sung. The Liturgy of the Hours is sung prayer, especially because they are primarily marked by the proclamation of the Psalms, which are the Church’s song. Keep this in mind as you prepare for this liturgy. Historically, Evening Prayer has been the focus of much effort on the part of composers, more so than any other Hour of the day. This is primarily because it took place at the end of the day, when workers could easily attend the rite, and is evidenced by the overwhelming number of choral Magnificats, which greatly outnumber their counterpart canticles in the other Hours.

Next week, we will begin with suggestions on how to handle the first parts of Evening Prayer: the introduction, Hymn, and Psalms. This is where the real “meat” of Evening Prayer is, and there are lots of options for good celebration.

For Part 1 of the series, please click HERE.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Liturgical Round (“Canon”) in C-Major
    Those who direct children’s choirs are always on the lookout for repertoire that’s dignified, inspired, and pleasing—yet still within reach of young choristers. Such directors will want to investigate this haunting liturgical round (PDF download) which has been married to the KYRIE from Mass VI (EDITIO VATICANA). I have provided an accompaniment, but it’s only for use during rehearsal; i.e. when teaching this round to your choristers. I also provided an organ accompaniment for the KYRIE—which some know by its trope (Kyrie Rex Genitor)—so that your congregation can take part when this round is used as a choral extension during Mass.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Latin Liturgy Association
    We note with pleasure that Mrs. Regina Morris, president of the Latin Liturgy Association, has featured—on page 4 of Volume CXXIX of their official newsletter—the three (3) terrific versions of the Stations of the Cross found in the Brébeuf Hymnal. One of the main authors for the blog of the Church Music Association of America said (6/10/2019) about this pew book: “It is such a fantastic hymnal that it deserves to be in the pews of every Catholic church.”
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Music List” • 28th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 12 October 2025, which is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the dazzling feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The training in singing, to sing in a chorus, is not only an exercise of external listening and of the voice; it is also training for interior listening, listening with the heart, an exercise in training for life and for peace.”

— Pope Benedict XVI

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