The daily night office of compline concludes with one of four Marian antiphons. We are an ecumenical group. It will be difficult for some to have part of our prayers focused on appreciating Mary. I wondered about including a concession. One that would allow them to feel welcomed, considered, and valued by our group. I thought of the tradition I came out of that did not give Mary much thought or reverence.

This began with a time of deep reflection, prayer, rest, and contemplation. I felt invited to craft a set of four Kingdom antiphons for compline. These will exist after our Marian antiphons as an alternative for the one praying.

There was much consideration into possible topics and focuses for these four antiphons. The topic should be of similar narrative and textual importance within the Gospels. There would be no Jesus without the faith, trust, and motherly love of Mary. The work of Jesus would have been wholly different if his central message was not the Kingdom of God.

These four Kingdom antiphons mirror and follow our translations of the Marian antiphons. They offer a turn from the one who cared for Jesus, to the message Jesus cared for. In print and online both will be given. This allows those praying compline to pray the antiphon of their choosing. During certain days, we strongly encourage people to pray the Marian antiphons. Theses days include celebrations of Mary, the holy family, and where Mary plays an important role. They are listed after the antiphons.

These are the standard instructions within the breviary.

You may pray either the Marian or Kingdom antiphon to conclude Compline.

These are the instructions that strongly encourage people to pray the Marian antiphon.

Tonight, we strongly encourage you to pray the Marian antiphon in light of today’s proper.
You may pray either the Marian or Kingdom antiphon to conclude Compline.

This alternative focuses on what Jesus himself proclaimed. We sought to maintain as much of the language and imagery as we could. As you will see, each Antiphon has been carefully, lovingly, and faithfully adapted.

Pray Compline Any Day

Refresh that page every day to get compline for the current day. You can also add a date to the end of the URL in YYYY-MM-DD format for a specific day.

Our Kingdom Antiphons

Alma Redemptoris Mater

From the start of Advent through 1 February

Loving mother * of the Redeemer,
    our gateway of heaven,
    and guiding star of the seas.
Assist those who have fallen,
    yet desire to rise again.

You have borne the Holy Creator,
    while all creation marveled,
    and you remained a virgin.
Accepting with praise angel Gabriel's invitation,
    have mercy on us sinners.

Holy kingdom * of the Redeemer
    our promise from heaven,
    and guiding star of the seas. 
Assist those who have fallen,
    yet desire to rise again.

Kingdom borne by the Holy Creator,
    while all creation marveled,
    and you proclaimed good news.
Accepting with praise Christ's Kingdom invitation,
    have mercy on us sinners.

Ave Regina Caelorum

From 2 February through the end of Lent

Hail, * Queen of Heaven!
Hail, Lady of Angels!
Hail, Fruitful Flower!
Through you light rose over creation.

Rejoice, glorious Mother,
Beautiful among all others!
Hail, Splendid Radiance.
Call out to Christ for us.

Hail, * Kingdom of Heaven!
Hail, Dwelling of Angels!
Hail, your Divine Will!
On earth as it is in heaven.

Rejoice, glorious Kingdom,
Beautiful above all others!
Hail, Splendid Radiance.
Call out to Christ with us.

Regina caeli

For the whole period of Eastertide

Queen of Heaven, * rejoice, Alleluia!
For the Lord who you chose to bear, Alleluia!
He has risen as He said, Alleluia!
Pray to God for us, Alleluia!

Kingdom of Heaven, * rejoice, Alleluia!
For the Lord wears His crown, Alleluia!
He has risen as He said, Alleluia!
Praise our God with us, Alleluia!

Salve Regina

For the Ordinary between Pentecost and Advent

Hail, * holy Queen, mother of mercy,
    one of life, gentleness, and hope.
We cry in our exile as children of Eve.
    Towards you we sigh, mourn, and weep
    in this valley of tears.

Turn, most gracious advocate,
    your eyes of mercy towards us.
As we end our exile, show us Jesus, 
    the blessed fruit of your flesh.
    Merciful, loving, and sweet Virgin Mary.

Hail, * holy Kingdom, home of mercy,
    one of life, gentleness, and hope.
We cry in our exile as children of Eve.
    Towards you we sigh, mourn, and weep
    in this valley of tears.

Turn, most gracious advocate,
    your eyes of mercy towards us.
As we end our exile, show us Jesus,
    the blessed King on your throne.
    Merciful, loving, and sweet Lord Christ.

Days we Encourage the Marian Antiphon

These are the dates from the Urban Monastic calendar that strongly encourage the Marian antiphon. There are additional celebrations which will also include the instruction. Those celebrations are either optional or not included in our basic calendar.

• Each Sunday of Advent
• Solemnity of Nativity of the Lord
• Feast of Holy Family
• Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
• Solemnity of Epiphany of the Lord
• Feast of Baptism of the Lord
• All of Christmastide
• Feast of Presentation of Jesus (2 February)
• Solemnity of Joseph, Spouse of Mary (19 March)
• Solemnity of Annunciation of the Lord (25 March)
• Holy Week
• Solemnity of Resurrection of the Lord
• Memorial of Immaculate Heart of Mary

Photo Credit
Paul Prins on 1 January 2023 along the ‎⁨left bank of the Seine in Paris, France.