Welcome to Westminster Abbey. Daily prayer has been offered in this place for over a thousand years, and your participation in today's service is warmly welcomed. Please join in saying the words and singing the hymn printed in bold type.

The church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked T.

Photography, filming, and sound recording are not allowed in the Abbey during services. Please ensure that mobile telephones and other electronic devices are silent.

The service is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, directed by Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers, and the Choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by Simon Johnson, Master of Music. The organ is played during the service by Matthew Jorysz, Sub-Organist.

Following the service, a collection will be taken; the money from today's services will be divided equally between The Anglican Centre in Rome and the work of the Abbey. The Anglican Centre in Rome promotes Christian unity and encounter between Anglicans and Roman Catholics through their presence in Rome. This year is the Centre's sixtieth anniversary.

The Evening Offices at Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral

The Benedictine monks of Westminster Abbey sang in Latin each day seven services, or 'offices', consisting of psalms, canticles, prayers, and biblical readings. When the monastery was dissolved, and re-founded as the present Collegiate Church of St Peter by Elizabeth I in 1560, daily prayer continued in the form of the two offices of Matins and Evensong.

Evensong is an Anglican office, conflating the monastic evening offices of Vespers and Compline, and set out in the Book of Common Prayer of 1549, the first Prayer Book to provide for services in the English language. The two canticles, Magnificat (The Song of Mary, Luke 1: 46–55) and Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon, Luke 2: 29–32), form the invariable heart of Evensong, and have, together with the Versicles and Responses, been the subject of a wide range of musical settings.

This service provides a juxtaposition of liturgical music from two traditions which have developed independently of one another, but which are also intimately related.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster was established in 1850, with the building of the Cathedral commencing in 1895. Since 1903 the Latin office of Vespers has been sung daily in the Cathedral.

Tonight's Evensong, sung jointly by the Choirs of Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, is a celebration of our common heritage which stretches back to and beyond St Edward, whose example and devotion is commemorated with joy by both our churches. Here, at the Shrine of St Edward, we pray for the gift of unity which is Christ's own divine will.

Music before the service, played by Augustine Cox, Organ Scholar, Westminster Cathedral

Order of Service

All stand as the choir and clergy enter

The Choir of Westminster Cathedral sings the Introit

Iste Confessor Domini, colentes
Quem pie laudant populi per orbem,
Hac die laetus meruit supremos
Laudis honores.

Qui pius, prudens, humilis, pudicus,
Sobriam, duxit sine labe vitam,
Donec humanos animavit auræ
Spiritus artus.

Cuius ob praestans meritum frequenter,
Aegra quae passim iacuere membra.
Viribus morbi domitis, saluti
Restituuntur.

Noster hinc illi chorus obsequentem
Concinit laudem celebresque palmas,
Ut piis eius precibus iuvemur
Omne per aevum.

Sit salus illi, decus atque virtus,
Qui super caeli solio coruscans,
Totius mundi seriem gubernat
Trinus et unus.
   Amen.

He whose confession God of old accepted, whom through the ages all now hold in honour, gaining his guerdon this day came to enter heaven's high portal.

God-fearing, watchful, pure of mind and body, holy and humble, thus did all men find him; while, through his members, to the life immortal mortal life called him.

Thus to the weary, from the life enshrined, potent in virtue, flowed humane compassion. Sick and sore laden, howsoever burdened, there they found healing.

So now in chorus, giving God the glory, raise we our anthem gladly to his honour, that in fair kinship we may all be sharers here and hereafter.

Honour and glory, power and salvation, be in the highest unto him who reigneth changeless in heaven over earthly changes, triune, eternal. Amen.

Words: Vesper hymn for Confessor Bishops
Music: plainsong

All remain standing as the officiant introduces the Confession

Beloved, we are come together in the presence of Almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and show forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all people such things as their well-being doth require. Wherefore let us sit or kneel and keep silence, and remember God's presence with us now.

All kneel or sit to say together

O God, our Father,
we have sinned against thee
in thought, word, and deed;
we have not loved thee with all our heart;
we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves.
Have mercy upon us, we beseech thee;
cleanse us from our sins;
and help us to overcome our faults;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The officiant gives the Absolution

May the almighty and merciful Lord grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

All say together the Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

All stand. The officiant and Choir of Westminster Abbey sing the Responses

Music: Humphrey Clucas (b 1941)

All sit. The Choir of Westminster Cathedral sings Psalm 15

Antiphon Homo iste fecit mirabilia in vita sua et probatus, perfectus inventus est in gloria aeterna.

This man was found to be blameless and faithful; eternal glory will be his.

Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo;
   aut quis requiescet in monte sancto tuo?

Qui ingreditur sine macula et operatur iustitiam;
   qui loquitur veritatem in corde suo
qui non egit dolum in lingua sua;
   nec fecit proximo suo malum
  et opprobrium non accepit adversus proximos suos.
Ad nihilum deductus est in conspectu eius malignus
   timentes autem Dominum glorificat.
Qui iurat proximo suo, et non decepit; qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad usuram
   et munera super innocentem non accepit.

Qui facit haec non movebitur in aeternum.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto;
sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbours; in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honour those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt; who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and shall be forever. Amen.

Chant: plainsong

The Choir of Westminster Abbey sings Psalm 146

Praise the Lord, O my soul; while I live will I praise the Lord : yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God.
O put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man : for there is no help in them.
For when the breath of man goeth forth he shall turn again to his earth : and then all his thoughts perish.
Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help : and whose hope is in the Lord his God;
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is : who keepeth his promise for ever;
who helpeth them to right that suffer wrong : who feedeth the hungry.
The Lord looseth men out of prison : the Lord giveth sight to the blind.
The Lord helpeth them that are fallen : the Lord careth for the righteous.
The Lord careth for the strangers; he defendeth the fatherless and widow : as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down.
The Lord thy God, O Sion, shall be King for evermore : and throughout all generations.

All stand

Chant: William Marsh (1757–1818)

All sit for the first Lesson, Proverbs 8: 1–11

Does not wisdom call,
   and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way,
   at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
   at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
'To you, O people, I call,
   and my cry is to all that live.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
   acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
   and from my lips will come what is right;
for my mouth will utter truth;
   wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
   there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
They are all straight to one who understands
   and right to those who find knowledge.
Take my instruction instead of silver,
   and knowledge rather than choice gold;
for wisdom is better than jewels,
   and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Here ends the first lesson.

All stand. The choirs sing Magnificat, during which the High Altar is censed

Magnificat anima mea Dominum,
   et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo Salutari meo;
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.
   Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes;
quia fecit mihi Magna qui potens est,
   et sanctum nomen eius.
Et misericordia eius, a progenie in progenies
   timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo,
   dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.
Deposuit potentes de sede
   et exaltavit humiles.
Esurientes implevit bonis
   et divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum,
   recordatus misericordiae suae.
Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,
   Abraham et semini eius in saecula.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto;
sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his hand-maiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; for he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek; he hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

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.

Magnificat octavi toni, Thomas Tallis (c 1505–85)

All sit for the second Lesson, Matthew 5: 1–16

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

'Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

'Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

'Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

'Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

'You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

'You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.'

Here ends the second lesson.

All stand. The choirs sing Nunc dimittis

Nunc dimittis servum tuum Domine
   secundum verbum tuum in pace,
quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
   quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum,
lumen ad revelationem Gentium
   et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto;
sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, to be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people 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.

Nunc dimittis octavi toni, Thomas Tallis

All face east to say together the Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth:
and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

The officiant and Choir of Westminster Abbey sing the Lesser Litany; the Lord's Prayer and the Responses

Let us pray.

All kneel or sit

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The officiant sings the Collects; of the day, for peace, and for aid against all perils

O Sovereign God, who didst set thy servant Saint Edward upon the throne of an earthly kingdom and didst inspire him with zeal for the kingdom of heaven; grant that we may so confess the faith of Christ by word and deed, that we may, with all thy saints, inherit thine eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both, our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that, by thee, we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Music: Humphrey Clucas

All sit. The choirs sing the Anthem, during which the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor is censed

Blessed city, heavenly Salem,
Vision dear of peace and love,
Who of living stones art builded
In the height of heaven above,
And by angel hands apparelled
As a bride dost earthward move.

Out of heaven from God descending,
New and ready to be wed
To thy Lord, whose love espoused thee,
Fair adorned shalt thou be led;
All thy gates and all thy bulwarks
Of pure gold are fashioned.

Bright thy gates of pearl are shining,
They are open evermore;
And, their well earned rest attaining
Thither faithful souls do soar,
Who for Christ's dear name in this world
Pain and tribulation bore.

Many a blow and biting sculpture
Polished well those stones elect,
In their places now compacted
By the heavenly Architect,
Nevermore to leave the Temple
Which with them the Lord hath decked.

To this Temple, where we call thee,
Come, O Lord of hosts, today;
With thy wonted loving kindness
Hear thy servants as they pray;
And thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.
   Amen.

Words: Urbs beata Jerusalem, c 7th century, translated by John Mason Neale (1818–66)
Music: Edward Bairstow (1874–1946)

From the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, the Dean of Westminster Cathedral, says the Collect

Let us pray.

Faithful God, who called thy servant Saint Edward to serve thee and gave him joy in walking the path of holiness: renew in us the vision of thy glory and strengthen us to follow the way of perfection, until we see thee face to face in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Dean of Westminster says the Prayers; for the Royal Family, and for the Members of the Order of the Bath

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech thee to bless our most gracious Sovereign Lord King Charles, Queen Camilla, William Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the Royal Family: endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God save our Gracious Sovereign, and all the Members of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath living and departed. Amen.

All say

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore.
Amen.

All stand to sing the Hymn

All hail the power of Jesu's name;
   let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem
   to crown him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,
   ye ransomed of the fall;
hail him who saves you by his grace,
   and crown him Lord of all.

Hail him, ye heirs of David's line,
   whom David Lord did call;
the God incarnate, Man divine,
   and crown him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget
   the wormwood and the gall,
go spread your trophies at his feet,
   and crown him Lord of all.

Let every tribe and every tongue
   to him their hearts enthral,
lift high the universal song,
   and crown him Lord of all.

Words: from On the Resurrection, the Lord is King, Edward Perronet (1726–92) and others
Tune: Miles Lane 332 NEH, William Shrubsole (1760–1806)

The Dean of Westminster pronounces the Blessing

All remain standing as the choir and clergy depart

Music after the service, played by Peter Stevens, Assistant Master of Music, Westminster Cathedral

Improvisation sur le Te Deum, Charles Tournemire (1870–1939), transcribed by Maurice Duruflé (1902–86)

Those who wish to may sit for the remainder of the organ voluntary

If you attend worship at the Abbey regularly, you may like to add this page to your home screen for easy access to our orders of service.

Hymn covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (International) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no 1040271 and MRL no 1040288. Common Worship (Church House Publishing, 2000), material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council. Scripture Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version.