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
|
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
|
