Series 2 of Lessons for a Confessor Not a Bishop

First Nocturn

Absolutio: Exáudi, Dómine Jesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis : Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  Graciously hear, O Lord Jesu Christ, the prayers of thy servants, and have mercy upon us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

Benedíctio 1: Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1:  May the Father Eternal bless us with a never-ending blessing.
R.  Amen.

De libro Sapiéntiæ

The Lesson is taken from the Book of Wisdom

Justus si morte præoccupátus fúerit, in refrigério erit.  Senéctus enim venerábilis est non diutúrna, neque annórum número computáta : cani autem sunt sensus hóminis, et ætas senectútis vita immaculáta.  Placens Deo factus est diléctus, et vivens inter peccatóres translátus est.  Raptus est ne malítia mutáret intelléctum ejus, aut ne fíctio decíperet ánimam illíus.  Fascinátio enim nugacitátis obscúrat bona, et inconstántia concupiscéntiæ transvértit sensum sine malítia.  Consummátus in brevi explévit témpora multa ; plácita enim erat Deo ánima illíus, propter hoc properávit edúcere illum de médio iniquitátum.

But though the righteous die before his time, yet shall he be in rest.  For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.  But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.  He pleased God, and was beloved of him : so that living among sinners he was translated.  Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding or deceit beguile his soul.  For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest ; and the whirl of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind.  He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time : For his soul pleased the Lord : therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Euge serve bone et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam : * Intra in gáudium Dómini tui.
V.  Dómine, quinque talénta tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.
R.  Intra in gáudium Dómini tui.

R.  Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : * Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
V.  Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents ; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
R.  Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Benedíctio 2: Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adjuváre dignétur.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: May the Son of God, the sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
R.  Amen.

Pópuli autem vidéntes et non intelligéntes, nec ponéntes in præcórdiis tália : quóniam grátia Dei et misericórdia est in sanctos ejus, et respéctus in eléctos illíus.  Condémnat autem justus mórtuus vivos ímpios, et juvéntus celérius consummáta longam vitam injústi.  Vidébunt enim finem sapiéntis, et non intélligent quid cogitáverit de illo Deus, et quare muníerit illum Dóminus.  Vidébunt et contémnent eum ; illos autem Dóminus irridébit.  Et erunt post hæc decidéntes sine honóre, et in contumélia inter mórtuos in perpétuum ; quóniam disrúmpet illos inflátos sine voce, et commovébit illos a fundaméntis, et usque ad suprémum desolabúntur.

This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds.  That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.  Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living ; and youth, that is soon perfected, the many years of an unrighteous man's old age.  For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel hath decreed of him, and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety.  They shall see him, and despise him ; but God shall laugh them to scorn ; and they shall hereafter  be a dishonoured carcase, and a reproach among the dead for evermore.  For he shall read them, and cast them down headlong, that they shall be speechless ; and he shall shake them from the foundation ; and they shall be utterly laid waste.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Justus germinábit sicut lílium : * Et florébit in ætérnum ante Dóminum.
V.  Plantátus in domo Dómini, in átriis domus Dei nostri.
R.  Et florébit in ætérnum ante Dóminum.

R.  The righteous shall grow as the lily, * And flourish for ever before the Lord.
V.  Such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
R.  And flourish for ever before the Lord.

Benedíctio 3: Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: May the grace of the Holy Spirit all our heart and mind enlighten.
R.  Amen.

Et erunt geméntes, et memória illórum períbit.  Vénient in cogitatióne peccatórum suórum tímidi, et tradúcent illos ex advérso iniquitátes ipsórum.  Tunc stabunt justi in magna constántia advérsus eos, qui se angustiavérunt, et qui abstulérunt labóres eórum.  Vidéntes turbabúntur timóre horríbili, et mirabúntur in subitatióne insperátæ salútis ; dicéntes intra se, pœniténtiam agéntes, et præ angústia spíritus geméntes : Hi sunt quos habúimus aliquándo in derísum et in similitúdinem impropérii.  Nos insensáti vitam illórum æstimabámus insániam, et finem illórum sine honóre : ecce quómodo computáti sunt inter fílios Dei, et inter sanctos sors illórum est.

They shall be in sorrow ; and their memorial shall perish.  And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come with fear ; and their own iniquities shall convict them to their face.  Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labours.  When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for.  And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit, shall say within themselves, This was he whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach : we fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honour : how is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints!

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste cognóvit justítiam, et vidit mirabília magna, et exorávit Altíssimum : * Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum.

R.  This is he which knew righteousness, and saw great wonders, and made his prayer unto the Most High; * And he is numbered among the Saints.
V.  This is he which despised the life of this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  And he is numbered among the Saints.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And he is numbered among the Saints.

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Deridétur justi simplícitas.  Hujus mundi sapiéntia est : cor machinatiónibus tégere, sensum verbis veláre : quæ falsa sunt, vera osténdere ; quæ vera sunt, falsa demonstráre.  Hæc nimírum prudéntia usu a juvénibus scitur, hæc a púeris prétio díscitur : hanc qui sciunt, céteros déspiciéndo supérbiunt : hanc qui nésciunt, subjécti et tímidi in áliis mirántur ; quia ab eis hæc eádem duplicitátis iníquitas, nómine palliáta, dilígitur, dum mentis pervérsitas urbánitas vocátur.  Hæc sibi obsequéntibus præcépit honórum cúlmina quærere, adépta temporális glóriæ vanitáte gaudére, irrogáta ab áliis mala multiplícius réddere : cum vires súppetunt, nullis resisténtibus cédere ; cum virtútis possibílitas deest, quidquid explére per malítiam non valent, hoc in pacífica bonitáte simuláre.

The simplicity of the righteous is made a subject of derision.  The wisdom of this world hideth our true feelings by artifice, and useth language to conceal our thoughts ; this is the wisdom which demonstrateth the truth of falsehood, and sheweth the falsehood of the truth.  This kind of shrewdness the young acquire by practice, and children pay for the learning it.  Those who are good at this look down upon their neighbours ; those who are bad at it are humble and timid, and wonder at it in others ; they regard this astuteness too, wrong though it be, with wistful admiration, under softened epithets.  Unstraightforwardness is called good breeding.  The principles of the world teach those who entertain them, to try and rise to distinction, and when they have attained the bubble of glory which is so soon to pass away, to feel it sweet to have at their feet them on whom they may wreak rich revenge.  These principles teach a man, as long as he is strong enough, to try and attain his objects by cunning if we cannot get it by coercion.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum : * Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.
V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.
R.  Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.

R.  The Lord multiplied the fruit of his labours and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait. * And gave him perpetual glory.
V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God.
R.  And gave him perpetual glory.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

At contra, sapiéntia justórum est : nil per ostensiónem fíngere, sensum verbis aperíre, vera ut sunt dilígere, falsa devitáre ; bona gratis exhibére, mala libéntius toleráre quam fácere ; nullam injúriæ ultiónem quærere, pro veritáte contuméliam lucrum putáre.  Sed hæc justórum simplícitas deridétur ; quia ab hujus mundi sapiéntibus puritátis virtus fatúitas créditur.  Omne enim quod innocénter ágitur, ab eis procul dúbio stultum putátur ; et quidquid in ópere véritas ápprobat, carnáli sapiéntiæ fátuum sonat.  Quid namque stúltius vidétur mundo quam mentem verbis osténdere, nil cállida machinatióne simuláre, nullas injúriis contumélias réddere, pro maledicéntibus oráre, paupertátem quærere, posséssa relínquere, rapiénti non resístere, percutiénti álteram maxíllam præbére?

The wisdom of the righteous man is the contrary of all this.  They seek to avoid deception, to give their thoughts a clear expression in their words, to love the truth because it is the truth, to avoid falsehood, and rather to suffer than to inflict evil.  Such are they who seek not to avenge themselves for wrong, and deem it gain to be despised for the truth's sake.  This their simplicity is made a subject of derision, for such as are wise in this world believe the purity of their virtue to be simple foolery.  Whatsoever is done innocently, they consider without doubt stupid.  Such works as the truth approveth are idiotic, when tried by carnal standards of wisdom.  After all, what stupider thing is there in this world than to express our real thoughts in our words, to keep nothing quiet by skilful tact, to repay no injuries, to pray for them which curse us, to seek poverty, to give up property, to strive not with such as take from us, to turn the other cheek to the smiter?

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.
V.  The Lord hath put on him the breast-plate of faith, and hath adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Lampas contémpta apud cogitatiónes dívitum.  Sæpe contíngit, ut eléctus quisque, qui ad ætérnam felicitátem dúcitur, contínua hic adversitáte deprimátur ; non hunc rerum abundántia fúlciat, non dignitátum glória honorábilem osténdat, nulla ei obsequéntium, frequéntia súppetat, nulla hunc humánis óculis véstium pompa compónat.  A cunctis vero despicábilis cérnitur, et hujus mundi grátia indígnus æstimátur ; sed tamen ante occúlti júdicis óculos virtútibus émicat, vitæ méritis corúscat : honorári métuit, déspici non réfugit : corpus continéntia áfficit, sola in ánimo dilectióne pinguéscit : mentem semper ad patiéntiam præparat, et, eréctus pro justítia, de percéptis contuméliis exsúltat : afflíctis ex corde compátitur, de bonórum prosperitátibus quasi de própriis lætátur, sacri verbi pábula in mente sollícitus rúminat, et, inquisítus, quódlibet éloqui duplíciter ignórat.

A lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.  It often happeneth that one of the elect, who is on his way to be happy for ever, is crushed down here by repeated misfortunes.  He reposeth in no luxury of possessions, no distinction marketh him as honourable among men, no admiring followers court him, no rich dress maketh comely his bodily appearance.  Everybody seeth in him a person to be looked down, and his reputation is that of one unworthy of this world's favour.  And yet, that is a man who, to the eyes of the Judge who seeth in secret, is glorious through virtue, whose life is radiant with worth.  He disliketh to be honoured, and doth not refuse to meet with contempt.  He bringeth abstinence to bear on his body, and his luxury is spiritual richness in love.  He trieth to keep his feelings patient, and when he hath to stand up for righteousness' sake, is glad to be despised.  He feeleth from his heart for the afflicted, and the prosperity of the godly giveth him as much pleasure as if it were his own.  He is careful inwardly to digest the food of the Holy Word.  When he is inquíred of, he doth not know how to give a double answer.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste homo perfécit ómnia quæ locútus est ei Deus, et dixit ad eum : Ingrédere in réquiem meam : * Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.

R.  This is he which did according to all that God commanded him ; and God said unto him : Enter thou into my rest : * For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  This is he which despised his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.

Third Nocturn

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 7: Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 7:  May the Gospel's holy lection be our safeguard and protection.
R.  Amen.

In illo témpore : Dixit Jesus discípulis suis:  Nolíte timére, pusíllus grex, quia complácuit Patri vestro dare vobis regnum.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus said unto his disciples:  Fear not, little flock ; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Pusíllum gregem electórum, vel ob comparatiónem majóris númeri reprobórum, vel pótius ob humilitátis devotiónem nóminat ; quia vidélicet Ecclésiam suam, quantálibet numerositáte jam dilatátam, tamen usque ad finem mundi humilitáte vult créscere, et ad promíssum regnum humilitáte perveníre.  Ideóque ejus labóres blande consolátus, quam regnum Dei tantum quærere præcipit, eídem regnum a Patre dandum complácita benignitáte promíttit.

The elect are called a little flock.  Perchance this is because the reprobate are the big flock.  But more probably it is because the elect seek to be lowly.  Certain it is that God would have his Church, howsoever it may grow in numbers, always to grow in lowliness even unto the end of the world.  For only by humility can the Church attain that kingdom which is by promise.  Hence to give comfort in time of travail, for which reason he hath commanded us to seek only the kingdom of God, he sweetly and graciously saith that the Father will give the kingdom to his little flock.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et de omni corde suo laudávit Dóminum : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Ecce homo sine queréla, verus Dei cultor, ábstinens se ab omni ópere malo, et pérmanens in innocéntia sua.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.

R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine : * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipse intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May he whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Véndite quæ possidétis, et date eleemósynam.  Nolíte, inquit, timére ne, propter regnum Dei militántibus, hujus vitæ necessária desint ; quin étiam posséssa propter eleemósynam véndite.  Quod tunc digne fit, quando quis, semel pro Dómino suis ómnibus spretis, nihilóminus post hæc labóre mánuum, unde et victum transígere et eleemósynam dare queat, operátur.  Unde gloriátur Apóstolus, dicens : Argéntum et aurum aut vestem nullíus concupívi ; ipsi scitis quóniam ad ea quæ mihi opus erant, et his qui mecum sunt, ministravérunt manus istæ.  Omnia osténdi vobis, quóniam sic laborántes opórtet suscípere infírmos.

Sell that ye have and give alms.  That is to say : Have no fear that such things as are needful for this life be lacking to you whilst ye fight for the kingdom of God.  Nay rather, sell even that which ye have, and give alms.  For a man doeth well when for the Lord's sake he leaveth all that he hath, and then giveth himself to a life of work with his own hands, that so he may gain a livelihood, and have something more to give away as alms.  In this doth the Apostle boast himself, saying : I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel : yea, ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me : in all things I gave you an example, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris: * Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.

R.  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: * And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.

If Lesson ix is to be taken from an occurring Feast or Sunday, it is given in its proper place, as announced in the Ordo.

Alternate Ninth Lesson

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 9: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Fácite vobis sácculos, qui non veteráscunt ; eleemósynas vidélicet operándo, quarum merces in ætérnum máneat.  Ubi non hoc præcéptum esse putándum est, ut nil pecúniæ reservétur a sanctis, vel suis scílicet vel páuperum úsibus suggeréndæ ; cum et ipse Dóminus, cui ministrábant Angeli, tamen ad informándam Ecclésiam suam lóculos habuísse legátur, et a fidélibus obláta consérvans, et suórum necessitátibus aliísque indigéntibus tríbuens ; sed, ne Deo propter ista serviátur, et ob inópiæ timórem justítia deserátur.

Provide yourselves bags which wax not old.  That is, almsgiving is a bag that waxeth not old, and anything put in this bag is preserved for ever in the reward which is stored up in eternity.  Nevertheless, we must not think that this saying forbiddeth the saints to keep money for their own use, and for helping of the poor.  For the Lord himself, to whom Angels ministered, had a bag, and kept therein that which the faithful people gave unto him, that he might relieve the need of his disciples, and other poor folk.  But our Lord here commandeth us not to serve God for gain, nor to work righteousness for fear of poverty.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.