Series 2 of Lessons for Virgins

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.

For a Virgin or Holy Woman Martyr, the Lessons of the First Nocturn are said as given below :

Confitébor tibi, Dómine, Rex, et collaudábo te Deum Salvatórem meum.  Confitébor nómini tuo : quóniam adjútor et protéctor factus es mihi, et liberásti corpus meum a perditióne, a láqueo linguæ iníquæ et a lábiis operántium mendácium, et in conspéctu astántium factus est mihi adjútor.  Et liberásti me secúndum multitúdinem misericórdiæ nóminis tui a rugiéntibus, præparátis ad escam, de mánibus quæréntium ánimam meam, et de portis tribulatiónum, quæ circumdedérunt me : a pressúra flammæ, quæ circúmdedit me, et in médio ignis non sum æstuáta : de altitúdine ventris ínferi, et a lingua coinquináta, et a verbo mendácii, a rege iníquo, et a lingua injústa.

I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my Saviour : I do give praise unto thy Name : for thou art my defender and helper, and hast preserved my body from destruction, and from the snare of the slanderous tongue, and from the lips that forge lies, and hast been mine helper against mine adversaries : and hast delivered me, according to the multitude of thy mercies and greatness of thy Name, from the teeth of them that were ready to devour me, and out of the hands of such as sought after my life, and from the manifold afflictions which I had ; from the choking of fire on every side, and from the midst of the fire which I kindled not ; from the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words.  By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous tongue.

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

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

R.  Veni Sponsa Christi, áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparávit in ætérnum ; pro cujus amóre sánguinem tuum fudísti, * Et cum Angelis in paradísum introísti, allelúja.
V.  Veni, elécta mea, et ponam in te thronum meum ; quia concupívit Rex spéciem tuam.
R.  Et cum Angelis in paradísum introísti, allelúja.

R.  Come, thou Bride of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever, for whose love thou didst shed thy blood : * And thou shalt enter amongst the Angels into the paradise of God, alleluia.
V.  Come, O thou my chosen one, and I will set my throne within thee : so shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty.
R.  And thou shalt enter amongst the Angels into the paradise of God, alleluia.

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.

Laudábit usque ad mortem ánima mea Dóminum, et vita mea appropínquans erat in inférno deórsum.  Circumdedérunt me úndique, et non erat qui adjuváret.  Respíciens eram ad adjutórium hóminum, et non erat.  Memoráta sum misericórdiæ tuæ, Dómine, et operatiónis tuæ, quæ a sæculo sunt : quóniam éruis sustinéntes te, Dómine, et líberas eos de mánibus géntium.

My soul drew near even unto death, my life was near to the hell beneath.  They compassed me on every side, and there was no man to help me : I looked for the succour of men, but there was none.  Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon thy acts of old, how thou deliverest such as wait for thee, and savest them out of the hands of the enemies, O Lord our God.

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

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

R.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis, * Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum, allelúja.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum, allelúja.

R.  Full of grace are thy lips; * Because God hath blessed thee for ever, alleluia.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  Because God hath blessed thee for ever, alleluia.

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.

Exaltásti super terram habitatiónem meam, et pro morte defluénte deprecáta sum.  Invocávi Dóminum, Patrem Dómini mei, ut non derelínquat me in die tribulatiónis meæ, et in témpore superbórum sine adjutório.  Laudábo nomen tuum assídue, et collaudábo illud in confessióne, et exaudíta est orátio mea.  Et liberásti me de perditióne, et eripuísti me de témpore iníquo.  Proptérea confitébor, et laudem dicam tibi, et benedícam nómini Dómini.

Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth, and I have prayed for deliverance from death.  I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.  I will praise thy Name continually, and will sing praise with thanksgiving ; and so my prayer was heard : for thou savdst me from destruction, and deliveredst me from the evil time : therefore will I give thanks, and praise thee, and bless thy Name, O Lord.

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

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

R.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua * Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna, allelúja.
V.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis, proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.
R.  Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna, allelúja.

R.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, * Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign, alleluia.
V.  Full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever.
R.  Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign, alleluia.

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.

Nunc nobis ad vírgines sermo est ; quarum, quo sublímior glória est, major et cura est.  Flos est ille ecclesiástici gérminis, decus atque ornaméntum grátiæ spiritális, læta índoles, laudis et honóris opus íntegrum atque incorrúptum, Dei imágo respóndens ad sanctimóniam Dómini, illústrior pórtio gregis Christi.  Gaudet per illas atque in illis lárgiter floret Ecclésiæ matris gloriósa fœcúnditas ; quantóque plus copiósa virgínitas número suo addit, tanto plus gáudium matris augéscit.  Ad has lóquimur, has adhortámur affectióne pótius quam potestáte ; non quod extrémi et mínimi, et humilitátis nostræ ádmodum cónscii, áliquid ad censúram licéntiæ vindicémus, sed quod, ad sollicitúdinem magis cauti, plus de diáboli infestatióne timeámus.

We are now to address ourselves to virgins who because they have a vocation of such holy dignity, are especially the object of our care.  For consecrated virginity is the beautiful flower which doth blossom from the sturdy stem of the Church.  It is the charm and loveliness of spiritual grace.  It is a generation of gladness.  It is a work of praise and honour, untouched and uncorrupted.  It is the image of God reflecting the holiness of the Lord.  It is the brightest portion of the flock of Christ.  It is the joy of our holy Mother the Church, and the rich blossom of her glorious fruitfulness.  And every addition to the number of her virgins is an increase of her gladness.  To these we would speak.  Them would we exhort, more in tenderness than in authority.  Not that we, who are last and least, and feel so keenly the lowliness of our own estate, would speak as finding any fault to reprove, but where our solicitude is so great, we naturally feel dread of any troubling by the wicked one.

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

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

R.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam : * Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua, allelúja.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua, allelúja.

R.  Ride on because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness : * And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things, alleluia.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things, alleluia.

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.

Neque inánis hæc caútio est et vana formído, quæ ad salútis viam cónsulit, quæ Domínica et vitália præcépta custódit ut, quæ se Christo dicáverint, et a carnáli concupiscéntia recedéntes, tam carne quam mente se Deo vóverint, consúmment opus suum magno præmio destinátum ; nec ornári jam aut placére cuíquam, nisi Dómino suo, stúdeant, a quo et mercédem virginitátis exspéctant, dicénte ipso : Non omnes cápiunt verbum, sed illi quibus datum est.  Sunt enim spadónes, qui ex útero matris sic nati sunt ; et sunt spadónes, qui coácti sunt ab homínibus ; et sunt spadónes, qui seípsos castravérunt propter regnum cælórum.

This is not an unreasonable care, nor a groundless dread.  For it looketh to the way of salvation, and to the holding fast of the live-giving commandments of the Lord.  Thus it hath this end in view : that they who have consecrated themselves to Christ by forsaking the pleasure of the flesh, and have vowed themselves to be God's own, in body as well as in mind, may finish the work for which so vast a reward awaiteth them.  Therefore let them desire no more to seem fair and pleasing in any eyes but those of the Lord, from whose hand they look to receive the wage of their continence, as he himself hath said : All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given : for there are some eunuchs which were so born from their mother's womb : and there are some eunuchs which were made eunuchs of men : and there be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake.

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

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

R.  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem : * Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ, allelúja.
V.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam.
R.  Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ, allelúja.

R.  Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity : * Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness, alleluia.
V.  Because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and of righteousness.
R.  Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness, alleluia.

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.

Dénuo quoque per hanc Angeli vocem continéntiæ munus osténditur, virgínitas prædicátur : Hi sunt, qui cum muliéribus se non coinquinavérunt ; vírgines enim permansérunt : hi sunt qui sequúntur Agnum quocúmque íerit.  Neque enim tantum másculis continéntiæ grátiam Dóminus repromíttit, et féminas præterit ; sed, quóniam fémina viri pórtio est et ex eo sumpta atque formáta est, in Scriptúris fere ómnibus ad protoplástum Deus lóquitur, quia sunt duo in carne una, et in másculo simul significátur et fémina.  Quod, si Christum continéntia séquitur, et regno Dei virgínitas destinátur ; quid est illis cum terréno cultu et cum ornaméntis, quibus, dum homínibus placére géstiunt, Deum offéndunt?

And yet again the voice of an Angel hath proclaimed what is the reward of continence : "These are they which were not defiled with women ; for they are virgins ; these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.  And it is to both male and female that the Lord hath promised this glorious reward for virginity.  He passeth not by women even when he seemeth to address men.  For since the woman is made out of man, and taken and formed from him, God in his holy Scriptures is used mostly to address himself to the race in the form wherein he originally created it, for they twain are one flesh, and when mankind is spoken of, womankind also is signified.  But if continence be a following of Christ, and virginity have its end and aim in the kingdom of heaven, what concern have such with earthly finery, or with self-adorning, whereby, while they seek to please men, they offend God?

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

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

R.  Afferéntur Regi vírgines post eam, próximæ ejus * Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne, allelúja.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne, allelúja.

R.  After her shall virgins be brought unto the King : * Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing, alleluia.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing, alleluia.

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 parábolam hanc : Símile est regnum cælórum thesáuro abscóndito in agro.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus spake unto his disciples this parable : The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Cælórum regnum, fratres caríssimi, idcírco terrénis rebus símile dícitur, ut, ex his quæ ánimus novit, surgat ad incógnita quæ non novit : quátenus exémplo visibílium se ad invisibília rápiat, et, per ea quæ usu dídicit quasi confricátus incaléscat ; ut per hoc, quod scit notum dilígere, discat et incógnita amáre.  Ecce enim cælórum regnum thesáuro abscóndito in agro comparátur ; quem, qui invénit homo, abscóndit, et præ gáudio illíus vadit, et vendit univérsa quæ habet, et emit agrum illum.

Dearly beloved brethren, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto earthly things, that the mind may, from what it knoweth well, come to contemplate what it knoweth not.  Thus by the example of things which are seen, it may rise to things unseen, and be warmed, as it were, by the touch of those common things which it is accustomed to use, and so from things known and loved, may learn to love also the things hitherto unknown and unloved.  For the kingdom of heaven is likened unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

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

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

R.  Hæc est Virgo sápiens, quam Dóminus vigilántem invénit, quæ accéptis lampádibus sumpsit secum óleum : * Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias, allelúja.
V.  Média nocte clamor factus est : Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
R.  Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias, allelúja.

R.  This is one of those wise virgins, whom the Lord found watching, for when she took her lamp, she took oil with her. * And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage, alleluia.
V.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
R.  And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage, alleluia.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus (vel Quárum) festum cólimus, ipsa (vel ipsæ) intercédat (vel intercédant) pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May she (or they) whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate(s) with God.
R.  Amen.

Qua in re hoc quoque notándum est, quod invéntus thesáurus abscónditur, ut servétur : quia stúdium cæléstis desidérii a malígnis spirítibus custodíre non súfficit, qui hoc ab humánis láudibus non abscóndit.  In præsénti étenim vita, quasi in via sumus, qua ad pátriam pérgimus.  Malígni autem spíritus iter nostrum quasi quidam latrúnculi óbsident.  Deprædári ergo desíderat, qui thesáurum públice portat in via.  Hoc autem dico, non ut próximi ópera nostra bona non vídeant, cum scriptum sit : Vídeant ópera vestra bona, et gloríficent Patrem vestrum qui in cælis est ; sed, ut per hoc quod ágimus, laudes extérius non quærámus.  Sic autem sit opus in público, quátenus inténtio máneat in occúlto ; ut, et de bono ópere próximis præbeámus exémplum, et tamen per intentiónem, qua Deo soli placére quærimus, semper optémus secrétum.

And herein we must remark that the treasure, when once it hath been found, is hidden to keep it safe.  He whose intimate yearnings after God are not hidden from the praise of men, is open thereby to the attacks of evil spirits.  In this life we are, as it were, journeying homewards on a road beset by evil spirits who are like highwaymen.  He therefore inviteth robbery who carrieth his treasure ostentatiously.  Doubtless our neighbour should be able to see our good works, as it is written : Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  But this is not to be understood to mean that we are to seek the praise of men by what we do.  Rather, let us in such wise work in the open that the inner intention of devotion is not advertised.  So we shall give an example to our neighbour, and yet keep hidden, except from the sight of God, our purpose of pleasing him.

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

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

R.  Média nocte clamor factus est : * Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei, allelúja.
V.  Prudéntes vírgines, aptáte vestras lámpades.
R.  Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei, allelúja.

R.  At midnight there was a cry made: * Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him, alleluia.
V.  Trim your lamps, O ye wise Virgins.
R.  Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him, alleluia.

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.

Thesáurus autem cæléste est desidérium ; ager vero, in quo thesáurus abscónditur, disciplína stúdii cæléstis.  Quem profécto agrum, vénditis ómnibus, cómparat, qui, voluptátibus carnis renúntians, cuncta sua terréna desidéria per disciplínæ cæléstis custódiam calcat : ut nihil jam quod caro blandítur, líbeat ; nihil quod carnálem vitam trucídat, spíritus perhorréscat.

The treasure is the desire for heaven.  The field in which it is hidden is the earnestness of spirit wherein this desire is planted and cultivated.  Which field is bought and paid for at the price of selling that a man hath, to wit, by renouncing the pleasures of the flesh and putting all earthly lusts under the feet of discipline, so that the smileth back no more when the flesh smileth at him, and is dismayed no more at anything that can only kill the body.  Whosoever doeth thus, hath already sold all that he had, and bought that field.

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

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