The Time for Compline?

[Antonius_Lupus]

I was wondering: must we pray Compline immediately before bed?

This question came up because I have thought about praying Compline (after Vespers and other things) and then praying the Holy Rosary or some other prayer.

But then I started to wonder, given Compline’s structure and “feel”, and given some vague memories about the long read of the GILH, I wonder whether Compline should simply be the final prayer we say at the end of the day rather than say the Rosary.

Any thoughts? (Am I even making sense, lol)

 

[RobNY]

I was wondering: must we pray Compline immediately before bed?

This question came up because I have thought about praying Compline (after Vespers and other things) and then praying the Holy Rosary or some other prayer.

But then I started to wonder, given Compline’s structure and “feel”, and given some vague memories about the long read of the GILH, I wonder whether Compline should simply be the final prayer we say at the end of the day rather than say the Rosary.

Any thoughts? (Am I even making sense, lol)

It sure is fitting for compline to be the last prayer of the day. But it is not necessary. Compline comes after Vespers, and that is all.

If you’re going to pray both anyway, then it takes just as long to say compline and the rosary, regardless of the order. Since that’s the case-- order them how you prefer.

Of course, the rosary is a beautiful Marian prayer. I can’t imagine Mary would be angry if you ended your day with the rosary, rather than the Salve Regina of compline. Mary only cares that you love her and pray to her, no?

-Rob

 

[Aramis]

Ideally, one should start the day mindful of the Lord, and end the day likewise, mindful of the Lord.

Marian intercessory prayer is worthy, but is not prayer to the Lord, and should not replace it nor follow it.

 

[scottywolf777]

It sure is fitting for compline to be the last prayer of the day. But it is not necessary. Compline comes after Vespers, and that is all.

If you’re going to pray both anyway, then it takes just as long to say compline and the rosary, regardless of the order. Since that’s the case-- order them how you prefer.

Of course, the rosary is a beautiful Marian prayer. I can’t imagine Mary would be angry if you ended your day with the rosary, rather than the Salve Regina of compline. Mary only cares that you love her and pray to her, no?

-Rob

Traditionally especially in monastic houses the last prayer is one to Our Lady who is considered the “landlady” of the house. The rubrics specify a hymn but, the rosary isn’t out of line either. Also in some communities psalm 130 the de profundis is also offered fro the deceased members of the community as well. Since, I presume you’re not doing this in community the church allows alot of freedom let the Holy Spirit guide you in what is best for your devotional life.

 

[thistle]

I was wondering: must we pray Compline immediately before bed?

This question came up because I have thought about praying Compline (after Vespers and other things) and then praying the Holy Rosary or some other prayer.

But then I started to wonder, given Compline’s structure and “feel”, and given some vague memories about the long read of the GILH, I wonder whether Compline should simply be the final prayer we say at the end of the day rather than say the Rosary.

Any thoughts? (Am I even making sense, lol)

Although praying regularly daily is highly recommended there is no requirement to pray any particular prayer at any particular time of day. You are free to pray whatever you want whenever you want.

 

[OraLabora]

Traditionally especially in monastic houses the last prayer is one to Our Lady who is considered the “landlady” of the house. The rubrics specify a hymn but, the rosary isn’t out of line either. Also in some communities psalm 130 the de profundis is also offered fro the deceased members of the community as well. Since, I presume you’re not doing this in community the church allows alot of freedom let the Holy Spirit guide you in what is best for your devotional life.

At the abbey I am affiliated with, after the prayer of Compline comes the Marian antiphon, and following that, silent prayer of the Angelus prior to the “great silence of the night”. Except in Eastertide, the Angelus is omitted.

 

[corsair]

Recently I began saying the “Little Office of the BVM” both morning and evening. Then I found the Monks of Norcia on the internet. They usually have both forms of the Mass, then Vespers and occassionally Compline.

Now and then I tune in the the very Sede internet radio, WFTS, and listen to the Daughters of Mary sing Compline. Thats as bad as saying the Rosary with a Lutheran.

 

[MarkThompson]

Although praying regularly daily is highly recommended there is no requirement to pray any particular prayer at any particular time of day. You are free to pray whatever you want whenever you want.

When people ask detailed questions about the Office, can we have a moratorium on “informing” them that they don’t, in fact, have to pray the Office so they can do whatever they feel like? He knows. But if he’s going to do it, he’d like to do it right.

 

[OraLabora]

When people ask detailed questions about the Office, can we have a moratorium on “informing” them that they don’t, in fact, have to pray the Office so they can do whatever they feel like? He knows. But if he’s going to do it, he’d like to do it right.

Bingo.

The Office is the prayer of the entire Church. While the laity are not obliged to the Office, they are encouraged to pray it. And if you’re going to pray it, it is worth the effort to try to get it right. Nobody’s perfect, mistakes will be made, and particular life circumstances do require some flexibility. Sometimes with Compline, instead of chanting it prior to retiring for the night, I will listen to it in my car if coming home late from somewhere, or if I have to go to bed late and am tired, I will simply read it in bed before falling asleep.

 

[RobNY]

Ideally, one should start the day mindful of the Lord, and end the day likewise, mindful of the Lord.

Marian intercessory prayer is worthy, but is not prayer to the Lord, and should not replace it nor follow it.

Such a distinction causes unnecessary problems. Prayer to saints is a way of being in communion with the Lord. This I believe is exactly why Protestants have such trouble with prayer to the saints… it seems like a zero-sum game whereby one must detract from the Lord in order to pray to a saint. If this were the case, I’d be tempted to think that they were actually right.

But since communion with the Bl. Virgin Mary is communion with her adorable Son, there is no dichotomy. If one rises with prayer to the Bl. Virgin-- say, the Angelus–one rises mindful of the Lord. If one rests under her mantle and protection, then one rests under the protection of the Lord.

My piety, I grant you, is almost entirely directed at the Lord. The Mother of God is a transparent glass through whom I see the Lord. But even were someone to have a completely Marian piety, he would not be doing any wrong.

Traditionally especially in monastic houses the last prayer is one to Our Lady who is considered the “landlady” of the house. The rubrics specify a hymn but, the rosary isn’t out of line either. Also in some communities psalm 130 the de profundis is also offered fro the deceased members of the community as well. Since, I presume you’re not doing this in community the church allows alot of freedom let the Holy Spirit guide you in what is best for your devotional life.

Indeed. In fact, the Dominicans always sing the Salve Regina (in their solemn tone) at the end of compline… and then add an antiphon to holy father Dominic (usually the “O Lumen,” but it could be “O Spem Miram” or other such antiphons). There is some room for variation from community to community.

God bless,
Rob

 

[OraLabora]

Indeed. In fact, the Dominicans always sing the Salve Regina (in their solemn tone) at the end of compline… and then add an antiphon to holy father Dominic (usually the “O Lumen,” but it could be “O Spem Miram” or other such antiphons). There is some room for variation from community to community.

God bless,
Rob

Yep. In the Benedictine and Roman Offices, one sings one of the Marian antiphons particular to the season at the end of Compline: Alma Redemptoris from Advent until Feb. 2 (or on some calendars until the last day of Christmas time), Ave Regina Caelorum until the end of Lent, Regina Caeli at Eastertide, and Salve Regina until the end of O.T. Solemn tone on solemnities and Sundays, simple tone during the week.

The Cistercians (strict and common observances) always sing the Salve Regina on their own solemn tone at the end of Compline.

In the Solesmes congregation, we also silently recite the Angelus after the Marian antiphon except in Eastertide. Wherever Aramis got the idea that Marian prayer is not to follow prayer to the Lord is beyond me.

It is a deeply seated tradition in both the offices of religious communities and monks, and in fact in the Roman Office used by diocesan clergy as well, as the final prayer after Compline and before retiring at night. This is something going back millennia, not just a few decades!!!