DIVINUM OFFICIUM Responsory

Responsorium III - Nocturn I

First Sunday of Lent, Nocturn I, Responsory 3

About This Prayer

This third responsory for the First Sunday of Lent is a famous penitential text: 'Emendemus in melius' - 'Let us amend for the better what we have ignorantly sinned, lest suddenly overtaken by the day of death, we seek time for penance and cannot find it.' This responsory powerfully expresses the urgency of conversion before death, a central theme of Lenten preaching.

Prayer Text

LATINE
R. Emendemus in melius, quae ignoranter peccavimus: ne subito praeoccupati die mortis, quaeramus spatium poenitentiae, * Et invenire non possimus. Attende, Domine, et miserere: quia peccavimus tibi.
V. Adjuva nos, Deus salutaris noster: et propter honorem nominis tui, Domine, libera nos.
R. Et invenire non possimus. Attende, Domine, et miserere: quia peccavimus tibi.
ENGLISH
R. Emendemus in melius, quae ignoranter peccavimus: ne subito praeoccupati die mortis, quaeramus spatium poenitentiae, * Et invenire non possimus. Attende, Domine, et miserere: quia peccavimus tibi.
V. Adjuva nos, Deus salutaris noster: et propter honorem nominis tui, Domine, libera nos.
R. Et invenire non possimus. Attende, Domine, et miserere: quia peccavimus tibi.

Liturgical Notes

NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
First Sunday of Lent, Nocturn I, Responsory 3
HORA
Matins
TEMPVS
lent
GENVS
Responsory