The first hour of the day.
As soon as the clock rolls over to 6:00, the Prior knocks on his choir stall. “Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae” “Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto” In-between each of the three verses of the Angelus, the monks pray an Ave aloud. At the final verse, “Et Verbum Caro Factum Est” “Et habitavit in nobis,” the monks prostrate to the wooden floor in adoration of the Incarnate Word. The Angelus concludes with three Glorias. The brother sacristan lights the candles on either side of the altar in preparation for the beginning of Prime.
The first of the so-called 'little hours' (named so on account of their relative brevity) Prime had its origin in the later part of the 4th century and, according to the old Catholic Encyclopedia, was instituted by early monasteries in part to prevent lazy monks from sleeping in until 9am, the hour of Terce. As any monk who has practiced the Midnight Office for any period of time can testify, such a temptation is very real. The monks are blessed to use the Carmelite Rite which retains the ancient practice of Prime.
Similar to the other little hours, Prime begins with a hymn, then proceeds into three psalms, which are prayed one after the next with the antiphon recited after the last psalm. One major element that sets Prime part from the other little hours, however, is the inclusion of the Martyrology.
The Martyrology consists in the chanting by the lector of the feast of the following day, in addition to the myriad other saints (mainly early-Church martyrs) who on that day— as the Martyrology states it— “fell asleep in the Lord,” going to their heavenly reward.
After the Martyrology there are a series of petitions, verses and responses, asking the Lord for protection in the day that lies ahead, as well as His Blessing on the works of the monastery. Like all the little hours, Prime ends with the Salve Regina and the Fidelium prayer for the faithful departed. Silence fills the chapel for the space of a Pater and an Ave as the monks await the beginning of Mental Prayer.