Vespers is the Christian service of evening prayer, especially associated with Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, and other liturgical churches. It is traditionally associated with sunset and includes prayers, psalms, Scripture readings, hymns, and silence. Its exact order and length vary by tradition, but its purpose is to mark the close of the day in worship.
Where does the name Vespers come from?
The word comes from Latin vesperae, meaning “evening.” Early Christians gathered for prayer at the close of each day, and formal evening offices developed within monasteries and cathedrals. Today Vespers may be prayed in a church, home, hospital, or other setting. In the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours, it is one of the canonical hours; in the Orthodox tradition, Vespers begins the daily evening cycle.
What happens during Vespers?
Typical elements include an opening or invitatory antiphon, psalms with short refrains called antiphons, a canticle, Scripture lessons, prayers, and a final blessing or dismissal. A leader may chant or read the psalms, while a choir or congregation sings. Some services include a homily, intercessions, candles, incense, or a sung procession. In Western Christian practice, the psalms may be divided between the minister and congregation, with antiphons repeated between verses.
How do Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches observe Vespers?
In Roman Catholic churches, an evening Mass usually replaces Vespers. Catholic practice permits the first Vespers of a Sunday or feast to be joined to a Mass celebrated later that day, so a combined service may include both Vespers and Mass. In Byzantine-rite Orthodox churches, Vespers forms the evening portion of the prayer cycle; on Sundays and feasts, that cycle also includes Matins, or morning prayer, and the Divine Liturgy. Anglican and Episcopal churches may call their evening prayer Vespers or Evensong; it commonly includes psalms, readings, prayers, and sometimes Communion. Lutheran and other Western liturgical churches may use a similar evening office.
Is Vespers the same as Mass, Evensong, or a vigil?
Vespers is not the Mass, although a Mass may follow it. It is related to, but not identical with, the older daily Divine Office, the prayerful sequence of offices used in historic Catholic and Anglican practice. In current Catholic usage, “Divine Office” and “Liturgy of the Hours” usually name the same prayer discipline, although the traditional Divine Office includes several distinct hours. Vespers should not be confused with a vigil: a vigil prepares for a feast or holy day, while Vespers marks evening prayer generally.
What should I expect when attending Vespers?
If you attend, expect to stand or sit as the congregation prefers, follow printed or projected cues, and join responses when invited. You do not need to be a member or know the prayers. Some churches provide a hymnal or service sheet; you may listen instead of singing. Come early if you want a seat or a bulletin. If Communion is part of the service, Catholic visitors ordinarily receive it at Mass following Vespers rather than at Vespers alone. If a listing does not say whether Mass is included, ask the parish or church office before attending.