Invitatories, Antiphons, Responsories, and Versicles for the Church Year

Invitatories, Antiphons,
Responsories, and Versicles for
the Church Year
The Invitatory varies with the Season and is always used with Psalm 95
at Matins. It is divided into two parts, separated by a colon. The first part, or
the whole, of the Invitatory may be sung or said by the Minister or sung by
a single voice or by the choir before the Psalm; and after the Psalm and
Gloria Patri the whole Invitatory shall be sung.
An Antiphon is used at Matins and Vespers with the Psalms, the
Magnificat, the Nunc Dimittis, and the Benedictus. It is used in the same
manner as the Invitatory.
The Responsory varies with the Season and may be sung after the last
Lesson at Vespers and Matins. At the end of the Responsory is sung Glory
be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost (but not "As it was in
the beginning," etc.), followed by the repetition of the last sentence of the
Responsory.
A Versicle may be used at Vespers after the Hymn and at Vespers and
Matins before the closing Collect. A Versicle is used before the Litany
Collects. The first part of the Versicle is said by the Minister and the second
part sung or said by the people.
The Advent Season
Invitatory
Behold, the King cometh: Oh, come, let us worship Him.
Antiphons

1. Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far: and let the whole
earth be filled with His glory.
2. Come, O Lord, and make no tarrying: loosen the bonds of Thy
people Israel.
3. Rejoice greatly, O Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh.
4. Behold, the Lord shall come and all His saints with Him: and in that
day the light shall be great. Hallelujah!
Responsory
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a
righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute
judgment and justice in the earth. And this is His name whereby He shall be
called, The Lord Our Righteousness.
Verse. In His days shall Judah be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely.
And this is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord Our
Righteousness.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
And this is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord Our
Righteousness.
Versicles
1.
℣ : Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined:
℟ : Our God shall come. Hallelujah!
2.
℣ : Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Hallelujah!
℟ : Make His paths straight. Hallelujah!
3.
℣ : Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down
righteousness:

℟ : Let the earth open and bring forth salvation. #### Christmastide
Invitatory
Unto us the Christ is born: Oh, come, let us worship Him.
Antiphons
1. The Lord hath said unto Me: Thou art My Son; this day have I
begotten Thee.
2. The Lord hath sent redemption unto His people: He hath
commanded His covenant forever.
3. Of the fruit of thy body: will I set upon thy throne.
4. Christ the Lord, our Savior, everlasting God and Mary's Son: we
praise Thee evermore
Responsory
The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Verse. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God.
Full of grace and truth.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
Full of grace and truth.
Versicles
1.
℣ : At even ye shall know that the Lord will come:
℟ : And in the morning, then shall ye see the glory of the Lord.
2. ℣ : As the bridegroom from his chamber:
℟ : Cometh forth the Lord to run His race.
3.

℣ : The Word was made flesh. Hallelujah!
℟ : And dwelt among us. Hallelujah!
4.
℣ : Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord:
℟ : God is the Lord, which hath showed us light.
5.
℣ : Unto us a Child is born. Hallelujah!
℟ : Unto us a Son is given. Hallelujah!
6.
℣ : Unto you is born this day a Savior. Hallelujah!
℟ : Which is Christ the Lord. Hallelujah!
The Epiphany Season
Invitatory
Christ hath appeared unto us: Oh, come, let us worship Him.
Antiphons
1. Give unto the Lord glory and strength: worship the Lord in the
beauty of holiness.
2. The Lord hath made known His Word. Hallelujah!: the Word of His
salvation. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
3. A Light to lighten the Gentiles: and the Glory of Thy people Israel.
4. We have seen His star in the East: and are come to worship Him.
Responsory
Arise, shine, for thy Light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon
thee.

Verse. And the Gentiles shall come to thy Light and kings to the
brightness of thy rising.
And the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
And the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Versicles
1.
℣ : The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents. Hallelujah:
℟ : The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Hallelujah!
2.
℣ : All they from Sheba shall come. Hallelujah!
℟ : They shall bring gold and incense. Hallelujah!
3.
℣ : Oh, praise the Lord, all ye nations. Hallelujah!
℟ : Praise Him, all ye people. Hallelujah!
The Passion Season
Antiphons
1, Man shall not live by bread alone: but by every word that proceedeth out
of the mouth of God.
2. Behold, now is the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation.
3, The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
together: against the Lord and against His Anointed. 4, He was
oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: and the
Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Responsory

He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, He was oppressed, and He was
afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He was delivered up to death that
He might quicken His people. Verse. In Salem also is His tabernacle and
His dwelling place in Zion. He was delivered up to death that He might
quicken His people.
Versicles
1.
℣ : Save me from the lion's mouth, O Lord:
℟ : And deliver me from the horns of the unicorns.
2.
℣ : Christ became obedient unto death: ℟ : Even the death of the cross.
3.
℣ : Christ was wounded for our transgressions: ℟ : He was bruised for
our iniquities.
Eastertide
Invitatory
The Lord is risen indeed: Hallelujah!
Antiphons
1. Hallelujah!: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
2. I laid me down and slept; I awaked: for the Lord sustained me.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
3. Hallelujah! The Lord is risen. Hallelujah!: As He said unto you.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
4. Hallelujah! Abide with us, for it is toward evening: and the day is
far spent. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Responsory

Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more
dominion over Him.
In that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Verse. Christ was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our
justification.
In that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Hallelujah!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
In that He liveth, He liveth unto God. Hallelujah!
Versicles
1.
℣ : The Lord is risen from the grave. Hallelujah! ℟ : Who hung for us
upon the tree. Hallelujah!
2.
℣ : Then were the disciples glad. Hallelujah!
℟ : When they saw the Lord. Hallelujah!
3.
℣ : This is the day which the Lord hath made. Hallelujah!
℟ : We will rejoice and be glad in it. Hallelujah!
4.
℣ : The Lord is risen indeed. Hallelujah!
℟ : And hath appeared unto Simon. Hallelujah!
Ascension Day
Invitatory
Hallelujah! The King ascendeth into heaven: Oh, come, let us worship Him.
Hallelujah!
Antiphons

1. If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I
depart, I will send Him unto you. Hallelujah!
2. Hallelujah! Christ hath ascended up on high. Hallelujah!: And hath
led captivity captive. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
3. I ascend unto My Father and your Father: and to My God and your
God. Hallelujah!
Responsory
Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel. Hallelujah!
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Verse. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.
Versicles
1.
℣ : I will not leave you comfortless. Hallelujah!
℟ : I go away and come again unto you. Hallelujah!
2.
℣ : God is gone up with a shout. Hallelujah!
℟ : The Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Hallelujah!
Whitsuntide
Invitatory
Hallelujah! The Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: Oh, come, let us
worship Him. Hallelujah!
Antiphons
1. Come, Holy Ghost, and fill the hearts of Thy faithful people, and
kindle in them the fire of Thy love: Thou, who through divers tongues

gatherest together the nations in the unity of the faith. Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
2. Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest
the face of the earth. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
3. I will not leave you comfortless. Hallelujah!: I will come to you,
and your heart shall rejoice. Hallelujah!
Responsory
And there appeared unto the Apostles cloven tongues like as of fire.
Hallelujah!
And the Holy Ghost sat upon each of them. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Verse. And they began to speak with other tongues the wonderful works of
God.
And the Holy Ghost sat upon each of them.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
And the Holy Ghost sat upon each of them.
Versicles
1.
℣ : The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah! ℟ : He shall
teach you all things. Hallelujah!
2.
℣ : And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah!
℟ : And they began to speak. Hallelujah!
3.
℣ : Create in me a clean heart, O God! Hallelujah! ℟ : And renew a
right spirit within me. Hallelujah!
The Trinity Season
Invitatory

The true God, One in Three and Three in One: Oh, come, let us worship
Him.
Antiphons
1. Unto Thee do we call, Thee do we praise, Thee do we worship: O
blessed Trinity.
2. Glory be to Thee, coequal Trinity: one God before all worlds began,
and now and forevermore.
3. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty: which was and is and is to
come.
Responsory
We bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. Praise Him and
magnify Him forever.
Verse. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven and above all
to be praised and glorified forever.
Praise Him and magnify Him forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
Praise Him and magnify Him forever.
Versicle
℣ : We bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.
℟ : Praise Him and magnify Him forever.
The Festival Of The Reformation
Antiphon
I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings: and will not be ashamed.
Versicles
1.
℣ : Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet. Hallelujah! ℟ : And a light unto
my path. Hallelujah!

2.
℣ : The Lord, our God, be with us. Hallelujah! ℟ : As He was with our
fathers. Hallelujah!
3.
℣ : Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion. Hallelujah! ℟ : Build
Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
4.
℣ : Stand fast therefore in the liberty. Hallelujah!
℟ : Wherewith Christ hath made you free. Hallelujah!
A Day Of Humiliation And Prayer
Antiphon
Be merciful unto me, O Lord, for I cry unto Thee daily: Bow down Thine
ear, O Lord, hear me, for I am poor and needy.
Versicles
1.
℣ : Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy loving-kindness: ℟ :
According unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my
transgressions.
2.
℣ : Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, O Lord: ℟ : For in Thy
sight shall no man living be justified.
3.
℣ : Lord, deal not with us after our sins: ℟ : Nor reward us according
to our iniquities.

4.
℣ : Create in us a clean heart, O God:
℟ : And take not Thy Holy Spirit from us.
5.
℣ : We have sinned with our fathers: ℟ : We have committed iniquity,
we have done wickedly.
Dedication Of A Church
Antiphon
The Lord is in His holy temple: the Lord's throne is in heaven.
Versicle
℣ : Thy testimonies are very sure. Hallelujah!
℟ : Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, forever. Hallelujah!
The Commemoration Of The Dead
Antiphons
1. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no
more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more
pain; for the! former things are passed away.
2. Oh, how glorious is that kingdom: wherein all the saints do rejoice
with Christ!! They are clothed with white robes and follow the Lamb
whithersoever He goeth.
Versicles
1.
℣ : We have here no continuing city. Hallelujah! ℟ : But we seek one to
come. Hallelujah!
2.

℣ : Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Hallelujah! ℟ : They rest
from their labors, and their works do follow them. Hallelujah!
For Other Times
Antiphons
1. Out of the depths: have I cried unto Thee, O Lord.
2. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty: God hath shined.
3. Commit thy way unto the Lord: trust also in Him.
4. Preserve my life: from the fear of the enemy.
5. It is good to sing praises: unto our God.
6. Forsake not the works: of Thine own hands.
7. The Lord: is the Strength of my life.
8. The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou at My right hand.
9. Blessed be the Lord God: the God of Israel.
10. Blessed be the Lord out of Zion: which dwelleth at Jerusalem.
11. Blessed: be His glorious name forever.
12. I was glad when they said unto me: Let us go into the house of the
Lord.
13. In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer
me.
14. I will praise Thy name: forever and ever.
15. Thou wilt show me: the path of life.
16. We praise the Lord: now, henceforth, and forever.
17. Blessed: is the man that feareth the Lord.
Responsory
Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house and the place where Thine
honor dwelleth. Verse. Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep
it.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house and the place where Thine
honor dwelleth.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house and the place where Thine
honor! dwelleth.
Versicles
1.
℣ : The eyes of all wait upon Thee,
℟ : And Thou givest them their meat in due season.
2.
℣ : The Lord is merciful and gracious. Hallelujah! ℟ : Slow to anger
and plenteous in mercy. Hallelujah!
3.
℣ : Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest
℟ : That He would send forth laborers into His harvest.
4.
℣ : Ask, and ye shall receive,
℟ : That your joy may be full.
5.
℣ : Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. Hallelujah!
℟ : For His mercy endureth forever. Hallelujah!
6.

℣ : It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord
℟ : And to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High.
7.
℣ : Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble.
℟ : Thou wilt preserve their heart; Thou wilt cause Thine ear to hear.
8.
℣ : The Lord will give strength unto His people. Hallelujah! ℟ : The
Lord will bless His people with peace. Hallelujah!
9.
℣ : They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.
Hallelujah! ℟ : And they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars
forever and ever. Hallelujah!
10.
℣ : By Me kings reign and princes decree justice.
℟ : By Me princes rule and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
11.
℣ : He shall give His angels charge over thee
℟ : To keep thee in all thy ways.
12.
℣ : The Lord God is a Sun and Shield; the Lord will give grace and glory.
Hallelujah! ℟ : No good thing will He withhold from them that walk
uprightly. Hallelujah!
13.

℣ : Sanctify us through Thy truth. Hallelujah!
℟ : Thy Word is truth. Hallelujah!
14.
℣ : Lord, teach me to do Thy will. Hallelujah! ℟ : Let Thy good Spirit
lead me in the right way. Hallelujah!
15.
℣ : Show me Thy ways, O Lord. Hallelujah! ℟ : Teach me Thy paths.
Hallelujah!
16.
℣ : Save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance;
℟ : Feed them also and lift them up forever.
17.
℣ : Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Thy name.
℟ : Deliver us and purge away our sins for Thy name's sake.
18.
℣ : I have trusted in Thy mercy. ℟ : My heart shall rejoice in Thy
salvation.
19.
℣ : Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not;
℟ : For of such is the kingdom of heaven.
20.
℣ : Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy
name. Hallelujah! ℟ : Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His
benefits. Hallelujah!

21.
℣ : Call upon Me in the day of trouble.
℟ : I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.
22.
℣ : Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts. ℟ : Strengthen
Thou me according unto Thy Word.