VESPERS (officium vespertinum)  , in the Roman Catholic liturgy, that part of the daily office which follows none (nona) and precedes compline (completorium) . In it the Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Deus in Adjutorium, &c., are followed by five psalms and five antiphons, after which come the " little chapter," the hymn and the verse, which vary according to the season, the Magnificat and its antiphon, and the appropriate collect . In its general features the use of this office can be traced back to a very early date both in the Eastern Church and in the Western . Vespers may be said or sung at any time after midday, and in some circumstances even before it .