9. The Number of Psalms to Be Recited at the Night Office
During the wintertime, as mentioned above, this verse is to be recited three times at the beginning:
O Lord, you will open my lips,
and my mouth will announce your praise. (Ps 51:17)
2 To this should be added Psalm 3 with the doxology. 3 After this, Psalm 95 with an antiphon, or at least, it should be chanted all the way through. 4 Next follows an Ambrosian hymn, then six psalms with antiphons.
5 After these have been recited along with a verse, let the abbot give a blessing, and when all are seated on the benches, let the brothers, one after another, read three lessons from the book on the lectern, with three responsories sung between them. 6 Two responsories should be recited without the doxology, but after the third reading, let the one who sings recite the doxology.
7 As soon as the cantor begins to recite, let all rise from their seats out of honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity.
8 Books having divine authority should be read at the Night Office: both the Old Testament and the New, and also commentaries on them, made by renowned and orthodox catholic fathers. 9 Then, after these three readings with their responsories, the remaining six psalms follow and should be sung with Alleluia. 10 After them, there follows the reading from the Apostle, recited by heart, then a verse and the petition of the litany, that is, the Kyrie eleison.
11 And so the Night Vigils comes to an end.
