Theinvitatory (Latin:invitatorium; alsoinvitatory psalm) is thepsalm used to start certain daily prayer offices in Catholic and Anglican traditions. Most often it isPsalm 94(95), also known as the Venite.[n 1] The term derives from Medieval Latininvītātōrium, derived frominvītāre, "to invite."[1]
The invitatory is used to startNocturns in theLiturgy of the Hours, the Catholic Church's Divine Office.[2] It is usuallyPsalm 94(95), which beginsVenite exsultemus in Latin. After the reform of the Liturgy of the Hours following theSecond Vatican Council, the Invitatory is said either before theOffice of Readings orLauds, whichever is said first in a liturgical day. In place of Psalm 94(95),Psalm 99(100),Psalm 66(67), orPsalm 23(24) may be used as circumstances may suggest.
Verse 17 ofPsalm 50(51)Domine, labia mea aperies is often used as the invitatoryantiphon in the Liturgy of the Hours.[3]
In the Episcopal Church, the Morning Prayer office opens with an invitatory psalm, either the Venite (Psalm 95:1-7, or the entire psalm on Ash Wednesday, Holy Saturday, and all Fridays in Lent) or the Jubilate (Psalm 100). An invitatory antiphon may appear before, or before and after the invitatory psalm. The invitatory may be spoken or sung; there are several musical settings in plainsong orAnglican chant.[4]
An invitatory psalm may also be substituted for thePhos Hilaron in Evening Prayer.[4]
InAnglican prayer beads, the invitatory bead is next to the cross, most often corresponding to the openingversicle of Evening Prayer.[5]
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