The Little Office of the Immaculate Conception
The Aperi Domine
(Prayer before the hours)
Prayer Before Sext
O divine and adorable Lord Jesus Christ, who hast graciously redeemed us by thy bitter passion and death, we offer up this hour of Sext to thy honor and glory; and most humbly beseech thee, through the faintings thou didst endure in bearing the cross from Pilate's tribunal to Calvary, and the excessive pains thou didst suffer, when thy tender hands and feet were cruelly pierced with gross nails, and fastened to the cross, to grant us thy strengthening grace to arise immediately whenever we fall into sin, and to restrain our hands, our feet, and our other sensitive powers, from injuring our neighbour, and from all evil deeds; that we may rise up, and go to our heavenly Father with our hands replete with good works, and may merit thy eternal rewards. Amen.
4. Sext
Standing, All say the Hail Mary in silence.
All then make the sign of the Cross on their lips with the thumb, as the Officiant begins:
O. Come, my lips, and wide proclaim The blessed Virgin's spotless fame.
V. O Lady, make speed to befriend me.
R. From the hands of the enemy mightily defend me.
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, * as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. * Alleluia.
Hymn
1. Hail, virginal Mother! *
Hail, purity's cell!2. Fair shrine where the Trinity *
Loveth to dwell!3. Hail, garden of pleasure! *
Celestial balm!4. Cedar of chastity! *
Martyrdom's palm!5. Thou land set apart *
From uses profane!6. And free from the curse *
Which in Adam began!7. Thou city of God! *
Thou gate of the east!8. In thee is all grace, *
O joy of the blest!9. Amen
V. As the lily among the thorns.
R. So is my beloved among the daughters of Adam.
V. O Lady, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.
The Oration
O. Let us pray: Holy Mary, Queen of heaven, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Mistress of the world, who forsakest no one, and despisest no one; look upon me, O Lady, with an eye of pity, and entreat for me, of thy beloved Son, the forgiveness of all my sins; that, as I now celebrate with devout affection thy Holy and Immaculate Conception, so, hereafter, I may receive the prize of eternal blessedness, by the grace of Him whom thou, in virginity, didst bring forth, Jesus Christ, our Lord; who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, in perfect Trinity, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
V. O Lady, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto thee.
V. Let us bless the Lord.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
The Commendation
O. The praises and prayers
I lay at thy feet,
O Virgin of virgins!
O Mary most sweet!
Be thou my true guide
Through this pilgramage here
And stand by my side
When death draweth near.
R. Thanks be to God.
On to Close the hour or continue on to None.
