OFFICE OF THE DEAD:
Evening Prayer

¶ If this Office is said as the Common Office for the Dead, the Antiphons are not doubled. [I.e., stop at the dagger (†) in the Antiphons on the psalms, and the Canticles.] But they are doubled whenever it is being celebrated as a matter of special obligation or commemoration as on All Souls day or:
1. The day of death or burial or the reception of the news of death;
2. A special commemoration of the death such as the Third Day's Mind, the Week's Mind, or the Year's Mind and other like anniversaries;
3. At any other time of solemn commemoration.

The Psalter

Ant 1. I will walk † before the LORD of Life * in the land of the living.

PSALM 116. Dilexi, quoniam.

Ant 1. I will walk before the LORD of Life * in the land of the living.

Ant 2. Too long, † O LORD, have I had to live * among the enemies of peace.

PSALM 120. Ad Dominum.

Ant 2. Too long, O LORD, have I had to live * among the enemies of peace.

Ant 3. The LORD and Giver of Life † shall preserve you from all evil; * it is even he who shall keep your soul.

PSALM 121. Levavi oculos.

Ant 3. The LORD and Giver of Life shall preserve you from all evil; * it is even he who shall keep your soul.

Ant 4. If you, O LORD, † were to note what is done amiss, * O LORD, who could stand?

PSALM 130. De profundis.

Ant 4. If you, O LORD, were to note what is done amiss, * O LORD, who could stand?

The Lessons

A reading from Wisdom 4:7-20 (NRSV)

UT the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest. For old age is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years; but understanding is gray hair for anyone, and a blameless life is ripe old age. There were some who pleased God and were loved by him, and while living among sinners were taken up. They were caught up so that evil might not change their understanding or guile deceive their souls. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind. Being perfected in a short time, they fulfilled long years; for their souls were pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took them quickly from the midst of wickedness. Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, or take such a thing to heart, that God's grace and mercy are with his elect, and that he watches over his holy ones. The righteous who have died will condemn the ungodly who are living, and youth that is quickly perfected will condemn the prolonged old age of the unrighteous. For they will see the end of the wise, and will not understand what the Lord purposed for them, and for what he kept them safe. The unrighteous will see, and will have contempt for them, but the Lord will laugh them to scorn. After this they will become dishonored corpses, and an outrage among the dead forever; because he will dash them speechless to the ground, and shake them from the foundations; they will be left utterly dry and barren, and they will suffer anguish, and the memory of them will perish. They will come with dread when their sins are reckoned up, and their lawless deeds will convict them to their face.

Here ends the Reading.

Ant. on Mag. All, says the LORD, † whom the Father has given to me shall come to me: * and the one who comes to me, I will in no wise cast out.

The Song of Mary Ever-Blessed Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55