Little office of the
blessed virgin mary

The sixth hour of the day (noon) is hallowed as being the time when our Lord was nailed to the Cross and later ascended into heaven. The special blessings that may suitably be asked for in Sext, the Prayer of the Sixth Hour, are charity towards our neighbor, health of body and peace of mind amidst the occupations in which we are engaged.

V: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
R: Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

V: Incline unto my aid O God.
R: O Lord make haste to help me.
V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.
R: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end, Amen. Alleluia.

From Septuagesima until Easter instead of Alleluia is said: Praise be thee, O Lord, King of everlasting Glory

Hymn:
Author of grace, sweet Saviour mine,
Remember that Thy flesh divine,
From the unsullied Virgin came,
Made like unto our mortal frame.

O Mary, Mother of all grace,
Mother of Mercy to our race,
Protect us now from Satan’s power,
And own us at life’s closing hour.

All glory be Thee, O Lord,
The Virgin’s son, by all ador’d,
And equal praise forever greet,
The Father and the Paraclete. Amen.

Psalm [125]: The people of God rejoice at their delivery from captivity

When the Lord brought back the captives of Sion, * then we became like men comforted.
2 Then was our mouth filled with gladness, * and our tongue with joy.
3 Then shall they say among the heathen, * The Lord hath done great things for them.
4 Yea, the Lord hath done great things for us; * whereof we rejoice.]: 5 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, * as the rivers in the south.
6 They that sow in tears * shall reap in joy.
7 Going they went and wept, * casting their seed.
8 But coming they shall come again with joyfulness, * carrying their sheaves.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Psalm [126]: Nothing can be done without God’s grace and blessing

1 Except the Lord build the house, * they labor in vain that build it.
2 Except the Lord keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
3 It is vain for you to rise up before the light : * rise ye after ye have taken your rest, ye that eat the bread of sorrow. 4 When he giveth his beloved sleep : * behold, children are the heritage of the Lord: the reward, and the fruit of the womb.
5 Like as the arrows in the hand of the mighty, * even so are the children of the them that have been shaken.
6 Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; * he shall not be confounded when he shall speak with his enemies in the gate.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Psalm [127]: The fear of God is the way to happiness.

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord, * and walk in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labors of thine hands: * blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine * upon the walls of thine house;
4 Thy children like the olive-branches * round about thy table.
5 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed * that feareth the Lord. 
6 The Lord bless thee out of Sion, * that thou shalt see Jerusalem in prosperity all the days of thy life.
7 Yea, that thou shalt see thy children’s children, * and peace upon Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. In offspring a mother, in childbirth a virgin, rejoice and be glad, O Virgin, Mother of the Lord.

Little Chapter ECCL. 24

And I took root in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God is his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of the saints.

R: Thanks be to God.

V: Pray for us, * O holy Mother of God.
R: Pray for us, * O holy Mother of God.

V: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
R: O holy Mother of God.

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R: Pray for us, * O holy Mother of God.
God hath chosen her and preferred her.
R. And He maketh her to dwell in His tabernacle.
V: O Lord, hear my prayer.
R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray

Protect Thy servants, O Lord, by granting them the gift of peace, and as they have confidence in the patronage of blessed Mary, ever virgin, so do Thou make them safe from all enemies. Through our Lord Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God world without end .
R: Amen.

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.
R: And let my cry come unto Thee.
R: Thanks be to God.

V: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
R: Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.