The settings and motets for Southwark Cathedral's monthly serivces of Compline and Eucharistic Devotions are sung by the Merbecke Choir.

These services, "the hidden gems of the London cathedrals", usually take place at 6.30 on the fourth Sunday of each month. Howevr, please note that there will be no services on 28th November (when the 6.30 service will be the annual Advent Procession) or 26th December 2010.

The audio player on the right includes background information and live music recordings by the Merbecke Choir. Scroll down for further information about the liturgy of Compline and Eucharistic Devotions.

COMPLINE AND EUCHARISTIC DEVOTIONS

The monastic day was shaped by a pattern of prayer. Those in the community would gather for Offices throughout the day, the last of which was called Compline. The name is derived from the Latin word completorium which means completion. The Office therefore completes the day and prepares us for the night that will follow.

At the time of the Reformation in England the Office of Compline disappeared as a service in its own right, although Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, in preparing the services for the Book of Common Prayer, included elements of the old offices of Vespers and Compline to create Evensong as we know it.

Compline was revised in Anglican usage in the 1928 Prayer Book and has been much used subsequently especially as an office in Lent and during retreats and quiet days. Common Worship has brought the office back as an authorised service of the Church. The form used in this service is the traditional order using the plainsong chants that link us back to the Sarum (Salisbury) usage.

Following Compline, we spend time reflecting on the Blessed Sacrament. The Sacrament is reserved in the Harvard Chapel of the Cathedral and taken to those who, through sickness or for any other reason, are unable to make their communion in church. The presence of the Blessed Sacrament is also an aid to devotion. In this part of the service the Sacrament is exposed on the altar and we are led in meditation before it.

As a conclusion the Priest may give his blessing using the Blessed Sacrament. This is similar to the action made by many Anglican priests as the host is placed in people's hands at communion - the sing of the cross is made with the host as a sign of God's blessing. This form of service - often called Benediction (Blessing) - has existed since the 14th century and commonly forms the conclusion to an office of some kind.