The Office of St. Mary on the Sabbath

Commonly Called the Saturday Office of Our Lady

Simple

This Office is to be said on every Saturday of the year whereon a Feast of simple rite may be celebrated except when the Saturday is occupied by a Simple Octave Day.  In occurrence with  a Feast of simple rite other than an Octave Day, the Saturday Office is preferred, and the Feast commemorated; but in concurrence with II Vespers of a Feast, the Saturday Office has a Commemoration, when the Rubrics permit.

(Thus, this Saturday Office is not to be celebrated, or even commemorated in occurrence, if the Saturday be a September Ember Day, a Vigil, a day in Advent or Lent, a Simple Octave Day or a semidouble or double Office.)

However, if this Saturday Office be celebrated between the Feast and Octave  Day of any II Class Double of the BVM (as, for example, the Nativity of the BVM), the Propers of the said Feast are in that case to be used instead of those given for the following Saturday Office of our Lady.

The Office begins with Friday Vespers, and ends with None on Saturday, the weekday Psalms and Antiphons being used, according to the rules of an Office of simple rite, with the rest as directed below; and in Eastertide Alleluia is added as indicated in the parentheses.

Vespers

Compline

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

COLLECT OF THE DAY

From the Saturday after the Epiphany Octave until the Saturday before the Purification inclusive :

Oremus.
Deus, qui salútis ætérnæ, beátæ Maríæ virginitáte fœcúnda, humáno géneri præmia præstitísti : tríbue, quæsumus ; ut ipsam pro nobis intercédere sentiámus, per quam merúimus auctórem vitæ suscípere, Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum : Qui tecum vivit.
R.  Amen.

Let us pray.
O God, who by the child-bearing of a pure Virgin hast bestowed upon all mankind the rewards of everlasting life : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may know the succour of her intercession, through whom we have been found worthy to receive the Author of life, even Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee.
R.  Amen.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

Friday Psalms

STAND

Ab inítio et ante sæcula creáta sum, et usque ad futúrum sæculum non désinam, et in habitatióne sancta coram ipso ministrávi.
R.  Deo grátias.

He created me from the beginning before the world, and I shall never fail.  In the holy tabernacle I served before him.
R.  Thanks be to God.

KNEEL

Ave, maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix cæli porta.

Sea-Star! we acclaim thee,
God's kind Mother name thee!
Hail, thou Maid immortal,
Heaven's blissful portal.

STAND

Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen cæcis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

Monstra te esse matrem,
Sumat per te preces,
Qui pro nobis natus
Tulit esse tuus.

Virgo singuláris,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos, culpis solútos,
Mites fac et castos.

Vitam præsta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut, vidéntes Jesum,
Semper collætémur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spirítui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.  Amen.

Ask light for the blinded,
Free the worldly-minded;
Thus our ills repressing,
Win us every blessing.

Be to us a Mother;
For thy Son, our Brother,
Will, for our salvation,
Heed thy supplication.

Maiden meek and lowly,
Singularly holy,
Hardened sinners render
Meek and chaste and tender.

In straight paths direct us,
On our way protect us,
Till on Jesus gazing,
We shall join thy praising.

Doxology
Father, Son eternal,
Holy Ghost supernal,
Thee we bless as Trinal,
One and First and Final.  Amen.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Magnum * hereditátis mystérium : templum Dei factus est úterus nesciéntis virum : non est pollútus ex ea carnem assúmens ; omnes gentes vénient, dicéntes : Glória tibi, Dómine.

Ant. on Magnif:  Heirs are we * of a great mystery ; the womb of her that knew not man is become the temple of the Godhead ; he, of a Virgin incarnate, suffereth no defilement; all the nations shall gather, saying, Glory be to thee, O Lord.

Oremus.
Deus, qui salútis ætérnæ, beátæ Maríæ virginitáte fœcúnda, humáno géneri præmia præstitísti : tríbue, quæsumus ; ut ipsam pro nobis intercédere sentiámus, per quam merúimus auctórem vitæ suscípere, Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum : Qui tecum vivit.
R.  Amen.

Let us pray.
O God, who by the child-bearing of a pure Virgin hast bestowed upon all mankind the rewards of everlasting life : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may know the succour of her intercession, through whom we have been found worthy to receive the Author of life, even Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee.
R.  Amen.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

Suffragium de omnibus Sanctis

Ant.  Sancti omnes intercédant pro nobis ad Dóminum.

V. Mirificávit Dóminus Sanctos suos.
R. Et exaudívit eos clamántes ad se.

Oremus.
A cunctis nos, quæsumus, Dómine, mentis et córporis defénde perículis : et intercedénte beáto Joseph, cum beátis Apóstolis tuis Petro et Paulo, [atque beáto N.,] et ómnibus Sanctis, salútem nobis tríbue benígnus et pacem ; ut destrúctis adversitátibus et erróribus univérsis, Ecclésia tua secúra tibi sérviat libertáte.  Per Dóminum.
R. Amen.

The Suffrage of the Saints

Ant.  May all the Saints of God intercede for us with the same Lord our God.

V. The Lord hath chosen to himself them that are godly.
R. When they call upon the Lord he will hear them.

Let us pray.
Defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all dangers both of body and soul : and at the intercession of blessed Joseph, of thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul, [of blessed N.,] and of all thy Saints, grant us thy saving health and peace ; that being defended from all adversities and all false doctrines, thy Church may serve thee in freedom and quietness.  Through.
R. Amen.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Compline

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

Ave, María, grátia plena ; * Dóminus tecum.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, * The Lord is with thee.

Ave, María, grátia plena ; * Dóminus tecum.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, * The Lord is with thee.

Psalmus 94.
Veníte, exsultémus Dómino

Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro : præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.

O come, let us sing unto the Lord ; let us heartily rejoice in the God of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving ; and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.

Ave, María, grátia plena ; * Dóminus tecum.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, * The Lord is with thee.

Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos : quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.

For the Lord is a great God ; and a great King above all gods:  For the Lord will not cast off his people:  In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also.

Dóminus tecum.

The Lord is with thee.

In the following verse of the Psalm, at the words veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum (O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker) all genuflect.

Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus : veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum : plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos, quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.

The sea is his and he made it ; and his hands prepared the dry land.  O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker: For he is the Lord our God ; and we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Ave, María, grátia plena ; * Dóminus tecum.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, * The Lord is with thee.

Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness ; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.

Dóminus tecum.

The Lord is with thee.

Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ; ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways:  unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.

Ave, María, grátia plena ; * Dóminus tecum.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, * The Lord is with thee.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Dóminus tecum.

The Lord is with thee.

Ave, María, grátia plena ; * Dóminus tecum.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, * The Lord is with thee.

Cui luna, sol et ómnia
Desérviunt per témpora,
Perfúsa cæli grátia,
Gestant puéllæ víscera.

Beáta Mater múnere,
Cujus, supérnus Artifex
Mundum pugíllo cóntinens,
Ventris sub arca clausus est.

Beáta cæli núntio,
Fœcúnda Sancto Spíritu,
Desiderátus géntibus
Cujus per alvum fusus est.

*  Jesu tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

The Lord whom sun and moon obey,
Whom all things serve from day to day,
Was by the Holy Ghost conceived,
Of her who through his grace believed.

How blest that Mother, in whose shrine
The great Artificer divine,
Whose hand contains the earth and sky,
Once deigned, as in his ark, to lie:-

Blest in the message Gabriel brought,
Blest by the work the Spirit wrought;
From whom the Great Desire of earth
Took human flesh and human birth.

Proper Doxology
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

The Nocturn

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The Nocturn.  The Psalms with their Antiphons are taken from the Office of Saturday Matins.

Saturday Matins

Précibus et méritis beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis et ómnium Sanctórum, perdúcat nos Dóminus ad regna cælórum.
R.  Amen.

At the prayers of the blessed Ever-Virgin Mary and all Saints : for her sake and their sakes ; lead us onward, O Lord, unto the kingdom of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Benedictio 1: Nos cum prole pia benedícat Virgo María.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1: Bless us, Mary, Maiden mild ; bless us, Jesu, Mary's Child.
R.  Amen.

Lesson i with its Respond is taken from the occurrent Scripture, as given in the proper place.

Scripture Lessons

Benedíctio 2: Ipsa Virgo Vírginum intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: Virgin of virgins, vouchsafe to plead to thy Son our Lord for every need.
R.  Amen.

Lesson ii with its Respond is taken from the occurrent Scripture, as given in the proper place.

Scripture Lessons

Benedíctio 3: Per Vírginem matrem concédat nobis Dóminus salútem et pacem.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: At the prayer of his Virgin Mother, may the Lord increase in all his people both health and peace.
R.  Amen.

Lesson iii is taken from the Office of St. Mary on the Sabbath, according to the month, as given below.

Lesson of St. Mary on the Sabbath

January

February

However, if this Saturday Office be celebrated between the Feast and Octave  Day of any II Class Double of the BVM (as, for example, the Nativity of the BVM), the Ninth Lesson is said as on the Feast Day.

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

Saturday Psalms

STAND

Capitulum           Eccli. 24. 14.
Ab inítio et ante sæcula creáta sum, et usque ad futúrum sæculum non désinam, et in habitatióne sancta coram ipso ministrávi.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Eccli. 24. 14.
He created me from the beginning before the world, and I shall never fail.  In the holy tabernacle I served before him.
R.  Thanks be to God.

O gloriósa vírginum,
Sublímis inter sídera,
Qui te creávit, párvulum
Lacténte nutris úbere.

Quod Heva tristis ábstulit,
Tu reddis almo gérmine :
Intrent ut astra flébiles,
Cæli reclúdis cárdines.

Tu Regis alti jánua
Et aula lucis fúlgida :
Vitam datam per Vírginem,
Gentes redémptæ, pláudite.

*  Jesu tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

O glorious Maid, exalted far
In light more bright than any star,
From him who made thee thou hast won
Grace to be Mother of his Son.

That which was lost in hapless Eve
Thy holy Scion did retrieve;
The tear-worn sons of Adam's race,
Through thee have glimpsed the heavenly place.

Thou wast the gate of heaven's Lord,
The door through which the Light had poured;
Thou, Maiden-Mother, Life dost bring
Ye ransomed nations, shout and sing!

Proper Doxology
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee,
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

From the Saturday after the Epiphany Octave until the Saturday before the Purification inclusive :

Ad Bened. Ant:  Mirábile mystérium * declarátur hódie : innovántur natúræ, Deus homo factus est : id quod fuit permánsit, et quod non erat assúmpsit non commixtiónem passus, neque divisiónem.

Ant. on Bened:  A great and wondrous mystery * is made known to us this day : in a new manner are natures united, for God hath become incarnate: what he was, he still abode; and what he was not, he took unto himself, suffering in his Person neither confusion nor divísion.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui salútis ætérnæ, beátæ Maríæ virginitáte fœcúnda, humáno géneri præmia præstitísti : tríbue, quæsumus ; ut ipsam pro nobis intercédere sentiámus, per quam merúimus auctórem vitæ suscípere, Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum : Qui tecum vivit.
R.  Amen.

Let us pray.
O God, who by the child-bearing of a pure Virgin hast bestowed upon all mankind the rewards of everlasting life : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may know the succour of her intercession, through whom we have been found worthy to receive the Author of life, even Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord : Who liveth and reigneth with thee.
R.  Amen.

From the Saturday after the Purification until the Saturday before Quinquagesima inclusive :

Ad Bened. Ant:  Beáta Dei Génitrix, María, * Virgo perpétua, templum Dómini, sacrárium Spíritus Sancti, sola sine exémplo placuísti Dómino nostro Jesu Christo : ora pro pópulo, intérveni pro clero, intercéde pro devóto femíneo sexu.

Ant. on Bened:  O ever-blessed Mother of God, * Mary Ever-Virgin, temple of the Godhead, hallowed shrine of the Holy Spirit; thou only, above all others, wast acceptable to our Lord Jesus Christ: pray for the people, plead for the clergy, entreat for all women dedicated to God.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Concéde nos fámulos tuos, quæsumus, Dómine Deus, perpétua mentis et córporis sanitáte gaudére : et gloriósa beátæ Maríæ semper Vírginis intercessióne, a præsénti liberári tristítia, et ætérna pérfrui lætítia.  Per Dóminum nostrum.
R.  Amen.

Let us pray.
O Lord God Almighty, we beseech thee to keep us thy servants both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls : that by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, we may be delivered from our present sorrow, and attain in the end unto everlasting gladness.
R.  Amen.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

Suffragium de ómnibus Sanctis

Ant.  Sancti omnes intercédant pro nobis ad Dóminum.

V. Mirificávit Dóminus Sanctos suos.
R. Et exaudívit eos clamántes ad se.

Oremus.
A cunctis nos, quæsumus, Dómine, mentis et córporis defénde perículis : et intercedénte beáto Joseph, cum beátis Apóstolis tuis Petro et Paulo, [atque beáto N.,] et ómnibus Sanctis, salútem nobis tríbue benígnus et pacem ; ut destrúctis adversitátibus et erróribus univérsis, Ecclésia tua secúra tibi sérviat libertáte.  Per Dóminum.
R. Amen.

The Suffrage of the Saints

Ant.  May all the Saints of God intercede for us with the same Lord our God.

V. The Lord hath chosen to himself them that are godly.
R. When they call upon the Lord he will hear them.

Let us pray.
Defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all dangers both of body and soul : and at the intercession of blessed Joseph, of thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul, [of blessed N.,] and of all thy Saints, grant us thy saving health and peace ; that being defended from all adversities and all false doctrines, thy Church may serve thee in freedom and quietness.  Through.
R. Amen.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Prime

Lectio Brevis    Ecclus. 24.19
In platéis sicut cinnamómum et bálsamum aromatízans odórem dedi : quasi myrrha elécta, dedi suavitátem odóris.  Tu autem,  Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

Return to the Office of Prime

Terce

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum                      Eccli. 24. 14.
Ab inítio et ante sæcula creáta sum, et usque ad futúrum sæculum non désinam, et in habitatióne sancta coram ipso ministrávi.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Ecclus. 24. 14.
He created me from the beginning before the world, and I shall never fail.  In the holy tabernacle I served before him.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Spécie tua * Et pulchritúdine tua.
R.  Spécie tua * Et pulchritúdine tua.
V.  Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Et pulchritúdine tua.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Spécie tua * Et pulchritúdine tua.

V.  Adjuvábit eam Deus vultu suo.
R.  Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Sext

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum                      Eccli. 24. 15.
Et sic in Sion firmáta sum, et in civitáte sanctificáta simíliter requiévi, et in Jerúsalem potéstas mea.  Et radicávi in pópulo honorificáto, et in parte Dei mei heréditas illíus, et in plenitúdine sanctórum deténtio mea.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Ecclus. 24. 15.
So was I established in Sion: likewise in the beloved city he gave me rest, and in Jerusalem was my power.  And I took root in an honourable people, even in the portion of the Lord's inheritance.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Adjuvábit eam * Deus vultu suo.
R.  Adjuvábit eam * Deus vultu suo.
V.  Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur.
R.  Deus vultu suo.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Adjuvábit eam * Deus vultu suo.

V.  Elégit eam Deus, et præelégit eam.
R.  In tabernáculo suo habitáre facit eam.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

None

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum                      Eccli. 24. 19.
In platéis sicut cinnamómum et bálsamum aromatízans odórem dedi : quasi myrrha elécta, dedi suavitátem odóris.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Ecclus. 24. 19.
I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aspalathus, * and I yielded a pleasant odour like the best myrrh.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Elégit eam Deus, * Et præelégit eam.
R.  Elégit eam Deus, * Et præelégit eam.
V.  In tabernáculo suo habitáre facit eam.
R.  Et præelégit eam.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Elégit eam Deus, * Et præelégit eam.

V.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.
R.  Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.