(Latin: canticum, song)

In the Divine Office, a sacred chant or prayer from Scripture apart from the Psalms, to which it bears a resemblance, however, in structure and poetic form. Scriptural canticles have found a place in the Office from the earliest times. The present Roman Breviary contains 14 canticles from the Old Testament arranged for use at Lauds throughout the week, supplying the place of the fourth Psalm:

The Breviary also contains three canticles from the New Testament, the Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis, respectively recited each day at Lauds, Vespers, and Compline:

The Benedictus, Magnificat, and Nunc Dimittis are called the "evangelical canticles," since they are taken from the Gospel of Saint Luke. In addition to these seventeen canticles the Roman Breviary also includes under canticles the "Quicumque vult salvus esse" or Creed of Saint Athanasius (Psalter, Sunday, at Prime). There are many canticles in Scripture besides the ones mentioned above. The "Te Deum," formerly included among the canticles in the Roman Breviary, is now placed among the hymns. The "Gloria in excelsis," the "Trisagion," and the "Gloria Patri" (the Lesser Doxology) have at times been added to these by different writers. The Greek Office uses thirteen canticles differently arranged than those in the Roman Office. The term canticle is applied variously in Protestant churches.