Monasteries and convents in the Catholic Church designate specific times of day for prayer. Traditionally, seven times a day are set aside for prayer. In the evening, Vespers and Compline bring the canonical hours to a close.
Bishop Thomas Cranmer drafted King Henry VIII’s divorce petition from Catherine of Aragon. When the Pope turned down Henry’s request, he made his historic break with the Catholic Church. Cranmer followed in the footsteps of his king, compiling the Anglican liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer. Cranmer combined the evening prayers of Vespers and Compline into one act of worship: Evensong, knowing it would not be politically advantageous to appear “too Catholic,” but recognizing that people were accustomed to praying at the canonical hours, Cranmer combined the evening prayers of Vespers and Compline into one act of worship: Evensong.
Evensong, or “evening song,” is said or sung in most cathedrals on a daily basis. In essence, it expresses gratitude to God for the day that has just passed and requests his protection for the coming night. It’s a collection of prayers, songs, and psalms that ask the worshiper to be still in spirit.
Evensong can take various forms, but the responses, Psalms, and antiphons offered are usually drawn from the Book of Common Prayer. The preces is a responsorial praise of God that usually begins the service. The Magnificat (Mary’s song from Luke 1: 46-55), Nunc Dimittis (Simeon’s Song from Luke 2: 28-30), and a Psalm, such as Psalm 67, are frequently sung after that. A hymn is sung, followed a responsorial prayer. The worshipers are then dispatched to perform their duties.
Evensong also includes Scripture readings from the lectionary for the day, as well as the Apostle’s Creed. Depending on which form of the service is being used that day in that church, the liturgy may be removed or added. Evensong is different in the Book of Common Prayer and the Common Worship Book, but both are beautiful and meaningful to worshipers.
The Christian church as a whole has always found it beneficial to pray both in the morning and in the evening, and an Evensong service allows Christians to end their days with quiet reflection and gratitude to God.