Chapter 43

1Let her hymns of praise be said quietly thus:

2NIGHT HYMN OF PRAISE OF WIDOWS

3Holy, holy, without spot, who dwells in the light; God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; God of Enoch and David, Elijah and Elisha, Moses and Joshua, the prophets, and the others who truly proclaimed your name; God of the apostles; God who has guided all things by your reason and blessed those who lovingly trust in you: my soul praises you with the power of the spirit of my power. My heart always praises you, O Lord, and your might.

4Let all my power praise you, O Lord, for if you will, I am yours, O God, the God of the poor. You are the helper of those who lack, the one who watches over the meek, and the supporter of the weak. Support me, O Lord, because by your grace you were pleased that I should be your handmaid. You have bestowed on me a great name, that I should be called a Christian.

5You have freed me from servitude so that I may serve God, the Mighty One who is forever and sees all things, and so that I may praise you without condemnation. Yes, O Lord God, establish my heart in you until it is perfected in the Holy Spirit.

6Renew us for the edification of your holy Church, Son and Word and Thought of the Father, Christ who came for the salvation of the human race, who suffered and was buried, rose, and was glorified by him who sent you. Turn and help, O Lord. Set our thoughts upright by the strong faith of the Spirit. Glorify your name in us. For in your Father, in you, and in the Holy Spirit is our hope forever and ever.

7With those who are with her, let her say: Amen.

8At dawn, let her say the hymn of praise thus:

9HYMNS OF PRAISE AT DAWN OF WIDOWS WHO SIT IN FRONT

10O eternal God, Guide of our souls, Maker of light, Treasure of life, who rests in the praises and prayers of the holy ones, compassionate, merciful, kind, King of all and God, our Lord: my spirit praises you, sending up to you the unceasing voice of your handmaid, O Lord. She implores you to perfect in your handmaid the spirit of reason, piety, and right knowledge.

11I praise you, O Lord, who took away from our poverty all disturbance and confusion, wrath, contention, and evil habits; who prepared and changed the feelings of my understanding so that I might serve you alone, O God; who adorned your holy Church with various ministries; who drives away from your handmaid all doubt, fear, and weakness; and who sustains the thoughts of those who rightly serve you.

12I praise you, O God, who enlightened me with the light of your knowledge through your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom be praise and might to you forever and ever. Amen.

13With those who are with her, let her say: Amen.