The Psalms and Canticles of Vespers: Benedict XVI's and John Paul II's Catechesis on Evening Prayer

Here is the series of catecheses on the Psalms and Canticles of Vespers (Evening Prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours). It was started by Pope John Paul II and completed by Pope Benedict XVI. This series follows John Paul II's Catechesis on Lauds and precedes Benedict XVI's Catechesis on the Apostles. It began on October 8, 2003, and concluded on February 15, 2006.

The only book form of these audiences I have ever seen is published by the Catholic Truth Society, which is the official publisher of the Holy See in the UK.


Introduction to Vespers

1. The origins of the Liturgy of Vespers and the symbolism of light (Oct. 8, 2003)


2. Vespers, Prayer of Sunset: Structure of Evening Prayer in the Roman rite (Oct. 15, 2003)

Week I

1. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Psalm 141:1-9 - Prayer in danger (Nov. 5, 2003)


2. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Psalm 142 - I cry with my voice to the Lord! (Nov. 12, 2003)


3. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Philippians 2:6-11 - Christ, servant of God (Nov. 19, 2003)


4. Sun. II - Psalm 110:1-5, 7 - Sit at my right hand! (Nov. 26, 2003)


5. Sun. II - Psalm 114 - They all sang with one voice (Dec. 3, 2003)


6. Sun. II - Revelation 19:1-7 - Let us rejoice and be glad! (Dec. 10, 2003)


7. Sun. II - 1 Peter 2:21b-24 - Our Lord’s glorious Passion as foreseen at his Baptism in the River Jordan (Jan. 14, 2004)


8. Mon. - Psalm 11 - A prayer of trust to the Lord who is not indifferent to right and wrong (Jan. 28, 2004)


9. Mon. - Psalm 15 - To dwell on your holy mountain (Feb. 4, 2004)


10. Mon. - Ephesians 1:3-10 - Blessed be the Lord! (Feb. 18, 2004)


11. Tue. - Psalm 20 - Grant victory, O Lord! (Mar. 10, 2004)


12. Tue. - Psalm 21:2-8, 14 - For the king trusts in the Lord! (Mar. 17, 2004)


13. Tue. - Revelation 4:11; 5:9, 10, 12 - Worthy is the lamb who was slain! (Mar. 31, 2004)


14. Wed. - Psalm 27:1-6 - The Lord is my light and my help! (Apr. 21, 2004)


15. Wed. - Psalm 27:7-14 - Confidence in God in times of tribulation (Apr. 28, 2004)


16. Wed. - Colossians 1:12-20 - Christological hymn (May 5, 2004)


17. Thu. - Psalm 30 - A hymn of thanksgiving for deliverance from death and from the experience of trial and crisis (May 12, 2004)


18. Thu. - Psalm 32 - Happy those who are forgiven! (May 19, 2004)


19. Thu. - Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a - Hymn of thanksgiving to God (May 26, 2004)


20. Fri. - Psalm 41 -Prayer of a sick man betrayed by his friends (Jun. 2, 2004)


21. Fri. - Psalm 46 - God our refuge and strength (Jun. 16, 2004)


22. Fri. - Revelation 15:3-4 - Just and true are your ways! (Jun. 23, 2004)

Week II

1. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Psalm 119:105-112 - Your word is a lamp for my steps and a light for my path (Jul. 21, 2004)


2. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Psalm 16 - My happiness lies in you alone (Jul. 28, 2004)


3. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Philippians 2:6-11 - He emptied himself! (Aug. 4, 2004)


4. Sun. II - Psalm 110:1-5, 7 - Sit on my right: your foes I will put beneath your feet (Aug. 18, 2004)


5. Sun. II - Psalm 115 - We who live bless the Lord! (Sept. 1, 2004)


6. Sun. II - Revelation 19:1-7 - Alleluia... Praise our God! (Sept. 15, 2004)


7. Sun. II - 1 Peter 2:21b-24 - The face of the suffering Christ and his patience in bearing the burden of the Cross (Sept. 22, 2004)


8. Mon. - Psalm 45:2-10 - My heart overflows (Sept. 29, 2004)


9. Mon. - Psalm 45:11-18 - Listen, O daughter! (Oct. 6, 2004)


10. Mon. - Ephesians 1:3-10 - Blessed be God! (Oct. 13, 2004)


11. Tue. - Psalm 49:1-13 - In his riches, man lacks wisdom! (Oct. 20, 2004)


12. Tue. - Psalm 49:14-21 - God will ransom me! (Oct. 27, 2004)


13. Tue. - Revelation 4:11; 5:9, 10, 12 - Worthy is the Lamb (Nov. 3, 2004)


14. Wed. - Psalm 62 - In God alone be at rest! (Nov. 10, 2004)


15. Wed. - Psalm 67 - The earth has yielded its fruit (Nov. 17, 2004)


16. Wed. - Colossians 1:12-20 - Firstborn of all creation (Nov. 24, 2004)


17. Thu. - Psalm 72:1-11 - Justice shall flourish (Dec. 1, 2004)


18. Thu. - Psalm 72:12-19 - He shall save the poor! (Dec. 15, 2004)


19. Thu. - Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a - By the blood of the Lamb (Jan. 12, 2005)


20. Fri. - Psalm 116:1-9 - O Lord, deliver me! (Jan. 26, 2005)


21. Fri. - Psalm 121 - Israel’s guard (May 4, 2005)


22. Fri. - Revelation 15:3-4 - Just and true are your ways! (May 11, 2005)

Week III

1. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Psalm 113 - Praise the name of the Lord! (May 18, 2005)


2. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Psalm 116:10-19 - Prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord (May 25, 2005)


3. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Philippians 2:6-11 - He humbled himself (Jun. 1, 2005)


4. Sun. II - Psalm 111 - To fear the Lord (Jun. 8, 2005)


5. Mon. - Psalm 123 - Have mercy on us! (Jun. 15, 2005)


6. Mon. - Psalm 124 - If the Lord had not been on our side (Jun. 22, 2005)


7. Mon. - Ephesians 1:3-10 - He chose us (Jul. 6, 2005)


8. Tue. - Psalm 125 - On Israel, peace! (Aug. 3, 2005)


9. Tue. - Psalm 131 - My heart is not proud (Aug. 10, 2005)


10. Wed. - Psalm 126 - Deliver us, O Lord (Aug. 17, 2005)


11. Wed. - Psalm 127 - If the Lord does not build the house (Aug. 31, 2005)


12. Wed. - Colossians 1:12-20 - Firstborn of all creation! (Sept. 7, 2005)


13. Thu. - Psalm 132:1-10 - A place for the Lord (Sept. 14, 2005)


14. Thu. - Psalm 132:11-18 - My crown shall shine (Sept. 21, 2005)


15. Fri. - Psalm 135:1-12 - Praise the Lord for the Lord is good (Sept. 28, 2005)


16. Fri. - Psalm 135:13-21 - Sons of Israel, bless the Lord! (Oct. 5, 2005)

Week IV

1. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Psalm 122 - Peace upon you! (Oct. 12, 2005)


2. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Psalm 130 - Lord, hear my voice! (Oct. 19, 2005)


3. Sun. I (Sat. evening) - Philippians 2:6-11 - Jesus Christ is Lord! (Oct. 26, 2005)


4. Sun. II - Psalm 112 - Open-handed, he gives to the poor (Nov. 2, 2005)


5. Mon. - Psalm 136:1-9 - His mercy endures for ever! (Nov. 9, 2005)


6. Mon. - Psalm 136:10-26 - To the God of Heaven give thanks (Nov. 16, 2005)


7. Mon. - Ephesians 1:3-10 - He chose us in him (Nov. 23, 2005)


8. Tue. - Psalm 137:1-6 - If I forget you, Jerusalem (Nov. 30, 2005)


9. Tue. - Psalm 138 - Judaic hymn of thanksgiving (Dec. 7, 2005)


10. Wed. - Psalm 139:1-12 - O where can I go? (Dec. 14, 2005)


11. Wed. - Psalm 139:13-18, 23-24 - The wonder of my being (Dec. 28, 2005)


12. Wed. - Colossians 1:12-20 - All the fullness of God (Jan. 4, 2006)


13. Thu. - Psalm 144:1-8 - He is my stronghold (Jan. 11, 2006)


14. Thu. - Psalm 144:9-15 - Sing a new song! (Jan. 25, 2006)


15. Fri. - Psalm 145:1-13a - I will give you glory! (Feb. 1, 2006)


16. Fri. - Psalm 145:13b-21 - The Lord is faithful in all his words (Feb. 8, 2006)

The Magnificat

1. Luke 1:46-55 - Magnificat: My soul glories the Lord (Feb. 15, 2006)

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