Learn the Office 2.2 - Examen and Confession (Compline step-by-step 2)

When the day’s work is ended, thanksgiving should be offered for what has been granted us or for what we have done rightly therein and confession made of our omissions whether voluntary or involuntary, or of a secret fault, if we chance to have committed any in words or deeds, or in the heart itself; for by prayer we propitiate God for all our misdemeanors.  

The examination of our past actions is a great help toward not falling into like faults again; wherefore the Psalmist says: ‘the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.’ (Ps 4:5)  Again, at nightfall, we must ask that our rest be sinless and untroubled by dreams. At this hour, also, the ninetieth Psalm should be recited.

Long Rule of St Basil the Great (330-379)

Compline step-by-step part 2 - Examen and confession

This post continues this step-by-step guide to Compline and the components of the Benedictine Office, looking at the Examination of conscience and confession section of Compline.

OVERVIEW

The form of the Confiteor and absolutions used depends on whether or not the Office is being said with or by a priest.

The Confiteor used in the Benedictine Office includes a reference to St Benedict.

The examen

The rubrics in the 1962 Office provide two options - either make a brief examination of conscience, or say an Our Father silently.

The Confiteor and absolutions

The Diurnal then provides two versions of the Confiteor (I confess..).

In a choir of monks

The first version (MD 257, and with an instruction in red that 'The hedbomadary recites the Confiteor') is only used in a choir of monks (or where the Office is lead by a priest). 

The format is the same as in the prayers at the foot of the altar at an EF Mass, with the Confiteor recited first by the 'hebdomadary' (person leading the Office on the day), then by everyone else.

In private recitation or a choir of nuns

Where the Office is said by one person alone, a small group, or by a choir of nuns, the second formula (on page 258) is used.

The text of the Confiteor

It is also worth noting that wording of the Confiteor is slightly different than that used in either the Ordinary or Extraordinary Form Mass as it adds in an invocation to St Benedict.

For those not familiar with the Latin, the video below is not the monastic version, but it says it very slowly so is useful for learning.

Body postures an gestures

In private recitation it is not compulsory to follow the rubrics on standing, sitting, bowing etc - just do what you can.

Still, praying with our bodies helps our mind to focus on what we are doing, so making a profound bow while saying the Confiteor, just as the priest and servers do at Mass, is a good practice to get into the habit of.

You should also make a sign of the cross at the absolution (Indulgentiam...).




And for a version sung on one note:



*NB The videos may not be available in some regions.

Compline - opening section recap

 Opening section of Compline

Office component	Page number	Key words	Video time
Reading - How to say the short lesson and blessing	MD 256-7 AM	Jube Domne.. Noctem quietam…	1.07
Versicle	MD 257	Adjutorium nostrum…	1.56
Examination of Conscience Confession, absolution	MD 257 MD 258-9 (Unless in a monastery or with a priest leading)	Confiteor Deo omnipotenti… Misereatur nostri… Indulgentiam…	2.17 3.18 3.32
Versicle	MD 259	Converte nos Deus…	3.49