The Little Office of the most Holy Name of God offers adoration and praise to Our Lord and reparation for offenses against His holy Name. It appears in the 1879 edition of the Handbook of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face.
Already, as we are aware, fervent souls living in the world make a practice of reciting this Little Office every day. So praiseworthy an example cannot be too loudly praised, and we earnestly desire that it should have imitators, in sufficient number to stifle, by a sacred concert of praise, the horrible clamour which hell vomits forth at this time against God and his redoubtable Name. – Handbook of the Archconfraternity (1887)
MATINS.
The faithful soul, astonished at the patience of God in bearing with blasphemers, entreats Him to cover them with confusion, and thereby to cause their conversion.
Our Father.
V. Lord, Thou wilt open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall extol Thy Name.
How long, O God, shall the enemy outrage Thee? Is the adversary to provoke Thy Name forever?
They know not that Thou art our God, who destroyest wars from the beginning, and that the Lord is Thy Name.
Fill their faces with shame, and they shalt
seek Thy Name, O Lord.
Let them give praise to Thy great Name * because it is terrible and holy.
And blessed be the great Name of Thy glory with all blessing and praise.
Glory be to the Father.
Ant. Let us wait for mercy from the Lord; for
perhaps He will put a stop to His indignation, and He
will give glory to His own Name.
CHAPTER.
I will sanctify my great Name, which was profaned among the Gentiles , saith the Lord; and I will become jealous for the honour of my holy Name in order that the
nations may know that I am the Lord.
R. Let us give thanks to God.
V. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord?
R. And who shall not magnify Thy Name?
LET US PRAY.
O God, whose holy and terrible Name is unceasingly profaned by blasphemers, lighten the eyes of those who outrage Thee, that confessing the majesty of Thy Name,they may, together with us, revere and love it. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
V. May the Name of the Lord be blessed.
R. Now and forever. Amen.
AT LAUDS
The faithful soul invites all creatures to unite in praising the Name of the Lord.
Our Father.
V. Lord, Thou wilt open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall extol Thy Name.
Praise ye the Lord from the heavens * praise ye him in the high places.
Praise ye him, all His angels * praise ye him, all His hosts.
Praise ye him, sun and moon* praise him, all ye stars and light.
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and let all the waters that are above the heavens praise the Name of the Lord.
Praise him, beasts and all cattle, serpents and feathered fowl;
Kings of the earth and all people, princes and all judges of the earth;
Young men and maidens * let the old with the younger, praise the Name of the Lord, for His Name alone is exalted.
Glory to the Father.
Ant. Sing to the Lord with holy transports of joy, all ye inhabitants of the earth: sing canticles to the glory of His Name * render to Him, by your praises, the homage due to him.
CHAPTER.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, God of our fathers; and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever; and blessed is the holy Name of Thy glory: and worthy to be praised, and exalted above all from century to century.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. From the rising to the setting of the sun.
R. The Name of the Lord shall be blessed.
LET US PRAY.
Grant to us, almighty God, grace so to venerate thy holy Name on earth, that we may merit to praise and bless it with the angels and saints in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R. Now and evermore. Amen.
AT PRIME.
The faithful soul, terrified at the thought of all the crimes, and above all the blasphemies which are committed, thereby provoking God to inflict chastisements, conjures Him, by His Holy Name, to have pity on His people.
Our Father.
V. Lord,Thou wilt open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall extol Thy Name.
My God, open Thine eyes, and consider our desolation, and the city upon which Thy Name is invoked.
Arise, O Lord; why sleepest Thou? Arise, O Lord, help us and redeem us for Thy Name’s sake.
Remember not the iniquities of our fathers, but think at this time upon Thy power and upon Thy Name.
We confess that we have sinned with our fathers; that we have acted unjustly, and wrought iniquity.
If our iniquities cry out against us, O Lord, nevertheless be merciful to us for Thy Name’s sake, for our rebellions are many, we have sinned against Thee.
Help us, O God our Saviour; deliver us for the glory of Thy Name, and forgive us our sins for Thy Name’s sake.
Glory be to the Father.
Ant. Arise, O Lord, help us and redeem us for Thy Name’s sake.
CHAPTER.
And my people, upon whom my Name is called being converted, shall make supplication to me, and seek out my Face, and do penance for their most wicked ways * then will I hear from heaven , and will pardon their sins.
R. Let us give thanks to God.
V. Our heart finds its joy in Him.
R. And we hope in His holy Name.
LET US PRAY.
Deign, O Lord, for Thy Name’s sake, to show to us thy mercy that we may be delivered, both from our siris and from the chastisements they have deserved. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R. Now and forevermore. Amen.
AT TERCE.
The faithful soul, having withdrawn into solitude blesses, invokes and glorifies the Holy Name of God.
Our Father.
V. Lord,Thou wilt open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall extol Thy Name.
I will extol Thee, O God my king: and I will bless Thy Name for ever, yea for ever and ever.
I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the Angels * I will worship towards Thy holy temple, and I will give glory to Thy Name.
Every day I will bless Thee * and I will praise Thy Name for ever, yea for ever and ever.
I will bless Thee as long as I live: and in Thy Name I will lift up my hands to heaven.
And Thou, O Lord, defend me forThy Name’s sake; because Thy mercy is sweet.
Look upon me, O Lord, and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of them that love Thy Name.
My heart will thrill with joy in Thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: yea I will sing to the Name of the Lord the most High.
Glory be to the Father.
Ant. I will praise Thee, O God my King, and I will bless Thy Name for ever and ever.
CHAPTER.
The Name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
R. And let all that is within me bless His Holy Name.
LET US PRAY.
Grant us, almighty and eternal God, grace to Bless Thy Name with such pure heart and to invoke it with such confidence, that we may deserve to obtain all that we have asked of Thee. Through Jesus Christ.
V. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
R. From this time forth, for evermore. Amen.
AT SEXT.
The faithful soul is convinced, by its own experience, of the power of the Holy Name of God against the enemies of our salvation.
Our Father.
V. Lord, Thou will open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall extol Thy Name.
Blessed is the man whose trust is in the Name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.
My enemies have surrounded me and compassed me about: and in the name of the Lord , I have been revenged on them.
They surrounded me like bees, and they burned like fire among thorns * and in the Name of the Lord I was revenged on them.
I will give glory to Thy Name, O Lord: for Thou hast been a helper and protector to me.
And Thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of Thy Name from the hands of those who sought after my life.
Let those who know Thy Name trust in Thee * for Thou hast not forsaken those who seek Thee, O Lord.
Therefore, O Lord, I will confess Thee among the nations; and I will sing a psalm to the glory of Thy Name.
Glory to the Father.
Ant. In Thy Name we will despise those who rise up against us.
CHAPTER.
Let him who hath walked in darkness and who hath no light, hope in the Name of the Lord, and lean upon his God.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. In Thee, O Lord, we shall have strength to fight against our enemies.
R. And in Thy Name we will despise those who rise up against us.
LET US PRAY.
O God, who never forsakest those who hope in Thy Name, grant us Thy help in our weakness, so that under the protection of Thy holy Name we may triumph over all the obstacles which we may encounter in the way of salvation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
V. May the Name of the Lord be blessed.
R. Now and forevermore.
AT NONE.
The faithful soul admires the grandeur of the holy Name of God, and begs that it may be known, feared and glorified by all men.
Our Father.
V. Lord, Thou open wilt my lips.
R. And my mouth shall extol Thy Name.
O Lord our God, how admirable is Thy Name throughout the whole earth!
There is none like to Thee, O Lord * Thou art great, and great is Thy Name in might.
Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord,and magnify Thy Name?
Let Thy ear, Lord, be attentive to the prayer of Thy servants who desire to fear Thy Name.
Thou wilt hear us from the firmament where Thou dwellest, in order that all people, throughout the whole earth, may learn to fear Thy Name, like Thy people Israel.
And all the nations Thou hast made shall come and adore before Thee, O Lord * and they shall glorify Thy Name.
According to Thy Name O God, so also is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth.
And Thy Name shall be remembered from generation to generation.
Glory be to the Father.
Ant. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and magnify Thy Name?
CHAPTER.
From the rising to the setting of the sun, my Name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my Name a clean oblation * for great is my Name, among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. Holy and terrible is His Name.
R. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
LET US PRAY.
Make us, O Lord, to have a perpetual fear and Love of Thy holy Name, for Thou never ceasest to govern those whom Thou dost solidly establish in Thy love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
V. May the Name of the Lord be blessed.
R. Now and forevermore. Amen.
AT VESPERS.
The faithful soul engages all Christians to assemble in the holy place, to glorify the Name of the Lord after the example and under the auspices of the most holy Virgin.
Our Father.
Hail, Mary.
V. Lord, Thou wilt open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall extol Thy Name.
Magnify the Lord with me, and let us extol His Name together.
Go ye into His temple with praise, and into His courts with hymns * glorify him * and praise ye His Name.
For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord * the testimony of Israel, to praise the Name of the Lord.
Bring to the Lord glory and honour * bring to the Lord glory to His Name: adore ye the Lord in His holy court.
Sing ye to the Lord and bless His Name * shew forth His salvation from day to day.
Sing ye to God, sing a psalm to His Name * make a way for him who ascendeth upon the west * the Lord is His Name.
Sing ye to him a new psalm, extol and call upon His Name.
Glory be to the Father.
Ant. It is good to give praise to the Lord * and to sing Thy Name, O most High.
CHAPTER.
I have chosen and I have sanctified this place, saith the Lord, that my Name may be there for ever, and that my eyes and my heart may remain there perpetually.
R. Thanks be to God.
CANTICLE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour,
Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because He that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is His Name.
And His mercy is from generation unto generation, to them that fear him.
He hath showed might in His arm * He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.
He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy.
As He spoke to our Fathers: to Abraham and to his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father.
Ant. For He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His Name.
V. I will worship Thee towards Thy holy temple.
R. And I will give glory Thy Name, O Lord.
LET US PRAY.
Lord, we beseech Thee, look upon Thy family which is gathered together in Thy Name and grant to them that, not only by their words, but by their actions, they may make reparation for the outrages committed against Thy holy Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.
V. May the Name of the Lord be blessed.
R. Now and for evermore. Amen.
AT COMPLINE.
The faithful soul excites itself more and more to praise the Holy Name of God, in the hope of glorifying it in a still more perfect manner in heaven.
Our Father.
V. Lord, Thou wilt open my lips.
R. And my mouth shall extol Thy Name.
I will praise Thee forever, O Lord; and I will wait on Thy Name for it is good in the sight of Thy Saints.
All those who love Thy Name shall glory in Thee: for Thou wilt bless the just.
Because Thou hast heard the voice of my prayer, O Lord my God * Thou hast given a heritage to those who fear Thy Name.
That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Sion * and publish His praise in Jerusalem.
Let them praise His Name in holy songs; Let them sing to him with instruments of music.
Then I will freely sacrifice to Thee, and I will give praise to Thy Name * for it is good.
I will sing a psalm to Thy Name for ever and ever * that I may pay my vows from day to day.
I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,and I will glorify Thy Name forever.
Thy Good Spirit shall lead me into the right Land * for the sake of Thy Name, O Lord, Thou wilt quicken me in Thy justice.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy Name * the just wait for me until Thou reward me.
Glory be to the Father.
Ant. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy Name give glory.
CHAPTER.
Then I saw the Lamb standing upon mount Sion, and with him one hundred and forty-four thousand persons who had His Name, and the Name of His Father, written on their foreheads.
R. Thanks be to God.
V. Let all who love Thy Name, glorify themselves in Thee.
R. Because Thou wilt bless the just.
LET US PRAY.
Grant, O almighty God, that our mouths may not cease to celebrate Thy glory, and that having blessed Thee during our exile here on earth, we may deserve to praise Thee eternally in Heaven, bearing written on our foreheads Thy holy Name, and the Name of Thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. Amen.
V. May the Name of the Lord be blessed.
R. Now and forevermore.
V. Deliver us by Thy miraculous power.
V. And give glory to Thy Name, O Lord.
O Word of the omnipotent God, our Lord Jesus Christ, we beg of Thee to fortify us in the faith of Thy Name by the hope of perseverance and by the excellence of charity. Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost for ever and ever. Amen.