TUESDAY
the Cuthbert Compline
Cuthbert's angelic vision, which coincided with the death of Aidan, convinced him that he was meant to follow Christ as surely as the beloved founder of Lindisfarne Abbey.
Cuthbert became a monk at Melrose Abbey, under the guidance of Boisil, who was then the prior. Cuthbert succeeded him. Later in his life he became bishop at Lindisfarne. He died in 687.
+ indicates that you may make the sign of the cross.
* indicates a change of reader.
All say together the sections in bold type.
The sections in bold italic type should be said by each in turn.
(silently)
I will lie down and sleep in peace for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
O God, and Spirit, and Jesu, the Three, from the crown of my head, O Trinity, to the soles of my feet mine offering be. Come I unto Thee, O Jesu, my King — O Jesu, do Thou be my sheltering.
My dear ones, O God, bless Thou and keep, in every place where they are.
Whoever has chosen to make the shelter of the Most High their dwelling place will stay in His over-shadowing.
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him.
He will rescue you from the traps laid for your feet, and save you from the destroying curse.
His faithful promises are your armour. You need no longer be afraid of any terror by night, or the death-arrow that flies by day.
The Lord Himself is your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold.
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for You are my crag and my stronghold.
How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
I will not lie down tonight with sin, nor shall sin nor sin's shadow lie down with me.
O God of life, this night, O darken not to me Thy light. O God of life, this night, close not Thy gladness to my sight. O God of life, this night, Thy door to me, O shut not tight, O God of life, this night.
Be it on Thine own beloved arm, O God of grace, that I in peace shall waken.
Hymn for optional use
As the bridegroom to his chosen, as the king unto his realm, as the keep unto the castle, as the pilot to the helm, so, Lord, art Thou to me.
As the fountain in the garden, as the candle in the dark, as the treasure in the coffer, as the manna in the ark, so, Lord, art Thou to me.
As the music at the banquet, as the stamp unto the seal, as the medicine to the fainting, as the wine-cup at the meal, so, Lord, art Thou to me.
As the ruby in the setting, as the honey in the comb, as the light within the lantern, as the father in the home, so, Lord, art Thou to me.
As the sunshine in the heavens, as the image in the glass, as the fruit unto the fig-tree, as the dew unto the grass, so, Lord, art Thou to me.
Jesu, Son of Mary! my helper, my encircler. Jesu, Son of David! my strength everlasting. Jesu, Son of Mary! my helper, my encircler.
The peace of all peace be mine this night in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.