Vigil Office

		Vigil Office

		The Order for Evening Prayer for the evening before a Sunday or Principal Feast may be adapted in the following way: Evening Prayer begins with the Blessing of the Light and then continues with a repeating pattern of reading, psalm or canticle, silence and prayer; it concludes with the Gospel reading, the Gospel canticle, the prayers and the blessing.

		Alternatively, a Vigil may be kept less formally; those present participate by contributing readings and poetry, music and song, testimony and prayer.

		Preparation


		The Blessing of the Light

		A light, which may be the Paschal Candle, is brought in, or a candle may simply be lit. The Officiant greets the people with these or other suitable words

		In the evening, Jesus came and stood among the disciples and said to them: `Peace be with you!' [Alleluia!]
		John 20.19
		The light and peace of Jesus Christ be with you all
All		and also with you.

		Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all,
		to you be glory and praise for ever!
		In the darkness of this passing age,
		your saints proclaim the glory of your kingdom,
		revealed among us in Christ, our light.
		Open our eyes to behold your presence
		and join our song with those of the saints
		in praise of all your marvellous deeds,
		Blessed be Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
All		Blessed be God for ever.

		(or)

		Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
		our light and our salvation,
		eternal Creator of day and night,
		to you be glory and praise for ever!
		Now, as darkness is falling,
		hear the prayer of your faithful people.
		As we look for your coming in glory,
		wash away our transgressions,
		cleanse us by your refining fire
		and make us temples of your Holy Spirit.
		By the light of Christ,
		dispel the darkness of our hearts
		and make us ready to enter your kingdom,
		where songs of praise for ever sound,
		Blessed be Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
All		Blessed be God for ever.

		Other candles may be lit as Phos Hilaron - a Song of the Light, or another suitable hymn or canticle, is said or sung

		O gladdening light,
		of the holy glory of the immortal Father
		heavenly, holy, blessed,
		O Jesus Christ.

		Now that we have come to the setting of the sun
		and see the evening light
		we give praise to God,
		Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

		Worthy are you at all times
		to be worshipped with holy voices,
		O Son of God and giver of life:
		therefore all the world glorifies you.

		Verses from Psalm 141 may be said and incense may be burned.

All		Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
		the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

		O Lord, I call to you; come to me quickly;
		hear my voice when I cry to you.

		Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord,
		And guard the door of my lips.

All		Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
		the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

		Let not my heart incline to any evil thing;
		let me not be occupied in wickedness.

		But my eyes are turned to you, Lord God;
		in you I take refuge; do not leave me defenceless.

All		Let my prayer rise before you as incense,
		the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

		This opening prayer may be said

		That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful
		let us pray with one heart and mind.

		Silence is kept.

		As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
		so may your mercy come down upon us
		to cleanse our hearts
		and set us free to sing your praise
		now and for ever.
All		Amen.

		The Word of God

		An Old Testament Reading, a psalm, silence and this or another suitable Collect follow

		God of glory,
		you nourish us with your word
		which is the bread of life.
		Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
		that through us the light of your glory
		may shine in all the world;
		we ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
All		Amen.

		A New Testament Reading and The Song of Christ's Glory or another suitable canticle follow

		Refrain:
All		At the name of Jesus
		every knee shall bow.

1		Christ Jesus was in the form of God, •
		but he did not cling to equality with God.

2		He emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, •
		and was born in our human likeness.

3		Being found in human form, he humbled himself, •
		and became obedient unto death,
		even death on a cross;

4		Therefore, God has highly exalted him, •
		and bestowed on him the name above every name,

5		That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, •
		in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

6		And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, •
		to the glory of God the Father.
		Philippians 2.5-11
		Glory to the Father and to the Son
		and to the Holy Spirit;
		as it was in the beginning is now
		and shall be for ever. Amen.

All		At the name of Jesus
		every knee shall bow.

		Silence and this or another suitable Collect follow

		Kindle in our hearts, O God,
		the flame of that love which never ceases,
		that it may burn in us, giving light to others.
		May we shine for ever in your temple,
		set on fire with your eternal light,
		even your Son Jesus Christ,
		our Saviour and our Redeemer.
		Columba (521-597)

		The Gospel reading for the Sunday or Principal Feast is read (for responses see page 278).

		The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) follows with the appropriate refrain (see pages 359-491)

1		My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
		my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; •
		he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.

2		From this day all generations will call me blessed; •
		the Almighty has done great things for me
		and holy is his name.

3		He has mercy on those who fear him, •
		from generation to generation.

4		He has shown strength with his arm •
		and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

5		Casting down the mighty from their thrones •
		and lifting up the lowly.

6		He has filled the hungry with good things •
		and sent the rich away empty.

7		He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, •
		to remember his promise of mercy,

8		The promise made to our ancestors, •
		to Abraham and his children for ever.
		Luke 1.46-55
		Glory to the Father and to the Son
		and to the Holy Spirit;
		as it was in the beginning is now
		and shall be for ever. Amen.
		Prayers

		A litany or a suitable chant may be said or sung

		The Collect and the Lord's Prayer follow.

		Awaiting the fulfilment of the promise of glory,
		as our Saviour has taught us, so we pray
All		Father in heaven,

		(or)

		Awaiting the fulfilment of the promise of glory,
		let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
All		Our Father, who art in heaven,

		The Conclusion
		A hymn may be sung.

		The Lord bless us with every spiritual gift
		as we wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
All		Amen.

		Let us bless the Lord. [Alleluia! Alleluia!]
All		Thanks be to God. [Alleluia! Alleluia!]

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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