Monday Housekeeping – Vespers

Monday Housekeeping – Vespers

6 P.M. brings us together for Vespers, a bookend to Lauds with similar components and lasting about as long. It concludes with the singing of the Canticle “Magnificat,” the Canticle of Mary. When the following day is Sunday or a Holy Day, Vespers anticipates it as “First Vespers.” This again follows Jewish custom in which 6 P.M. signals the start of the next day. “Second Vespers” is then on the evening of the actual Holy Day or Sunday. There is always incense offered at First Vespers.

~Next time: Compline