Pope and Martyr

Semidouble

Common

Lauds

Oremus.
Preces pópuli tui, quæsumus, Dómine, cleménter exáudi : ut beáti Marcélli Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis méritis adjuvémur, cujus passióne lætámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people : that, as we do rejoice in the passion of thy blessed Pontiff and Martyr Marcellus, so his merits may be our succour and defence.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

At Second Vespers of St. Paul the first Hermit

Ant:  Iste Sanctus pro lege Dei sui certávit usque ad mortem, et a verbis impiórum non tímuit ; fundátus enim erat supra firmam petram.

Ant:  This is a Saint who strove for the truth, even unto death, and feared not the words of sinful men, forasmuch as he was founded upon a sure foundation.

V.  Glória et honóre coronásti eum, Dómine.
R.  Et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.

V.  Thou hast crowned him with glory and worship, O Lord.
R.  And hast made him to have dominion of the works of thy hands.

Oremus.
Preces pópuli tui, quæsumus, Dómine, cleménter exáudi : ut beáti Marcélli Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis méritis adjuvémur, cujus passióne lætámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people : that, as we do rejoice in the passion of thy blessed Pontiff and Martyr Marcellus, so his merits may be our succour and defence.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

First Nocturn

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken from the occurrent Scripture.  If, however, they are to be taken from the Common, they are read from that of a Martyr, A Mileto.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of a Martyr
 

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.

Marcéllus Románus, a Constántio et Galério usque ad Maxéntium pontificátum gessit.  Cujus hortátu Lucína matróna Romána, bonórum suórum Dei Ecclésiam fecit herédem.  Aucto in Urbe fidélium número, ad eórum utilitátem, ad baptísmum pœnitentiámque dandam eis, qui christiánam religiónem suscíperent, et ad Mártyrum sepultúram, novos Títulos instítuit, et quasi álteras diœcéses distríbuit.  Quibus rebus ira incénsus Maxéntius, Marcéllo grávia supplícia minátur, nisi, depósito pontificátu, idólis immoláret.

This Marcellus was a Roman, and held the supreme Pontificate from the reign of Constantius and Galerius, till that of Maxentius.  It was through his persuasion that the Roman lady Lucina left the whole of her property to the Church of God.  As the believers increased, he instituted new titles in the City, which he divided after the manner of dioceses for their convenience, and for the baptism and penance of heathens converted to Christianity, and for the burial of the martyrs.  These proceedings excited the wrath of Maxentius, who threatened Marcellus with the heaviest punishment, unless he would lay down the Popedom and sacrifice to idols.

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.  Descendítque cum illo in fóveam, et in vínculis non derelíquit eum.
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 went down with him into the pit, and left him not in bonds.
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.

Qui cum insánas hóminis voces neglígeret, misit eum in catábulum, ut bestiárum, quæ públice alebántur, curam sustinéret : ubi Marcéllus assíduis jejúniis et précibus novem menses vitam duxit, paróchias, quas præsens non póterat, vísitans per epístolas.  Inde eréptus a cléricis, hospítio recípitur a beáta Lucína, in cujus ædibus ecclésiam dedicávit, quæ hódie título sancti Marcélli nominátur : in qua et Christiáni orábant, et ipse beátus Marcéllus prædicábat.

The servant of God treated with contempt the mad cries of this man, who accordingly took him and sent him to a menagerie, to take care of the beasts which were fed at the public cost.  Marcellus remained at this place for nine months, which he spent in continual fasting and prayer, and, as he could not visit the parishes in person, he wrote letters to them.  Some clerks rescued him, and the blessed Lucina hospitably received him into her house, in which he dedicated a church, which is now known under the title of St. Marcellus.  Here the Christians met to pray, and the blessed Marcellus himself preached.

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

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

R.  Desidérium ánimæ ejus tribuísti ei, Dómine, * Et  voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.
V.  Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis, posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.
R.  Et  voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.

R.  Thou hast given him, O Lord, his heart's desire, * And hast not denied him the request of his lips.
V.  For thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, and hast set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
R.  And hast not denied him the request of his lips.

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.

Quibus cógnitis, Maxéntius in eam ecclésiam catábuli béstias transférri, et a Marcéllo custodíri jubet : ubi loci fœditáte, multísque ærúmnis afflíctus obdormívit in Dómino.  Cujus corpus in cœmetério Priscíllæ via Salária a beáta Lucína sepúltum est décimo séptimo Kaléndas Februárii.  Sedit annos quinque, mensem unum, dies vigínti quinque.  Scripsit epístolam ad epíscopos Antiochénæ provínciæ de primátu Románæ Ecclésiæ, quam caput ecclesiárum appellándam demónstrat ; ubi étiam illud scriptum est, nullum concílium jure celebrári, nisi ex auctoritáte Románi Pontíficis.  Ordinávit mense Decémbri Romæ presbyteros vigínti quinque, diáconos duos, epíscopos per divérsa loca vigínti unum.

These proceedings came to the knowledge of Maxentius, who thereupon had wild beasts brought from the menagerie and located in the church, where Marcellus was made to feed them.  The noisomeness of the place and the filthiness of his occupation broke down a constitution already enfeebled by many ailments, and he fell asleep in the Lord.  The blessed Lucina buried his body in the cemetery of Priscilla, on the Salarian Way, on the 16th of January.  He sat on the throne of Peter for five years, one month, and twenty-five days.  He wrote an epistle to the Bishops of the Patriárchate of Antioch on the primacy of the Roman Church, wherein he proveth the right of the same Church to be called the head of all the Churches.  In the letter he likewise saith that no Council can be lawfully gathered together except by the authority of the Roman Pontiff.  He ordained at Rome in the month of December twenty-five Priests, two Deacons, and twenty-one Bishops for divers Sees.

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

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

The Catacombs of Priscilla, Rome

R.  Stola jucunditátis índuit eum Dóminus : * Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.
V.  Cibávit illum Dóminus pane vitæ et intelléctus : et aqua sapiéntiæ salutáris potávit illum.
R.  Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.

R.  The Lord hath put on him a robe of honour, * And hath put about his head a crown of joy.
V.  With the bread of life and understanding the Lord hath fed him, and hath given him the water of wisdom to drink.
R.  And hath put about his head a crown of joy.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And hath put about his head a crown of joy.

If this Feast be reduced to the rank of Simple, and Lesson IX of this Feast is to be said according to the Rubrics, the following abbreviated version may be used.

Marcéllus Románus, a Constántio et Galério usque ad Maxéntium pontificátum gessit.  Ejus hortátu Lucína, matróna Romána, bonórum suórum Dei Ecclésiam fecit herédem.  Aucto in Urbe fidélium número, novos Títulos instítuit, et quasi álteras diœcéses distríbuit.  Quare irátus Maxéntius, grávia supplícia minátur, nisi, depósito pontificátu, idólis immoláret.  Acriter réstitit póntifex, ideóque missus fuit in catábulum, ut bestiárum, quæ públice alebántur, curam sustinéret.  Novem menses ibi tradúxit, paróchias, quas præsens non póterat, vísitans per epístolas.  Inde eréptus a cléricis, hospítio recípitur a beáta Lucína, in cujus ædibus ecclésiam dedicávit, ubi fidélibus prædicábat.  Tunc Maxéntius in eam ecclésiam béstias catábuli transférri et a Marcéllo custodíri jubet : qui, loci fœditáte et ærúmnis afflíctus obdormívit in Dómino.  Ejus corpus in cœmetério Priscíllæ via Salária a beáta Lucína sepúltum est die décimo sexta Januárii.

This Marcellus was a Roman, and held the supreme Pontificate from the reign of Constantius and Galerius, till that of Maxentius.  It was through his persuasion that the Roman lady Lucina left the whole of her property to the Church of God.  As the believers increased, he instituted new titles in the City, which he divided after the manner of dioceses.  This excited the wrath of Maxentius, who threatened Marcellus with the heaviest punishment, unless he would lay down the Popedom and sacrifice to idols.  The Pope resisted stedfastly, and accordingly he was taken and sent to a menagerie, to take care of the beasts which were fed at the public cost.  Marcellus remained at this place for nine months, and, as he could not visit the parishes in person, he visited them by his letters.  Some clerks rescued him, and the blessed Lucina hospitably received him into her house, in which he dedicated a church, and preached to the faithful.  Then Maxentius had wild beasts brought from the menagerie and located in the church, where Marcellus was made to feed them.  Broken down by the noisomeness of the place and many ailments, he fell asleep in the Lord.  The blessed Lucina buried his body in the cemetery of Priscilla, on the Salarian Way, on the 16th day of January.

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

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

After the conclusion of the Second Nocturn, the Third Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below.

Third Nocturn

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

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 : Venit Jesus in partes Cæsaréæ Philíppi, et interrogábat discípulos suos, dicens : Quem dicunt hómines esse Fílium hóminis?  Et réliqua.

At that time : When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And so on, and that which followeth.

Cum, sicut evangélica lectióne reserátum est, interrogásset Dóminus discípulos, quem ipsum (multis divérsa opinántibus) créderent ; respondissétque beátus Petrus, dicens : Tu es Christus Fílius Dei vivi ; Dóminus ait : Beátus es, Simon Bar-Jona, quia caro et sanguis non revelávit tibi, sed Pater meus, qui in cælis est : et ego dico tibi, quia tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram ædificábo Ecclésiam meam, et portæ ínferi non prævalébunt advérsus eam.  Et tibi dabo claves regni cælórum : et quodcúmque ligáveris super terram, erit ligátum et in cælis : et quodcúmque sólveris super terram, erit solútum et in cælis.  Manet ergo disposítio veritátis, et beátus Petrus, in accépta fortitúdine petræ persevérans, suscépta Ecclésiæ gubernácula non relíquit.

When the Lord, as we read in the Gospel, asked his disciples who did men, amid their divers speculations, believe him the Son of Man to be, blessed Peter answered and said : Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And the Lord answered and said unto him : Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona : for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father, which is in heaven : and I say also unto thee : That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ; and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven ; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven ; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  But the dispensation of truth perdures, and blessed Peter, persevering in the strength of the rock which he hath received, hath not relinquished the position he assumed at the helm of the Church.

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

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

R.  Coróna áurea super caput ejus : * Expréssa signo sanctitátis, glória honóris et opus fortitúdinis.
V.  Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis, posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.
R.  Expréssa signo sanctitátis, glória honóris et opus fortitúdinis.

R.  The Lord set a crown of gold upon his head, *  Wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work, goodly and beautiful.
V.  For thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, and hast set a crown of gold upon his head.
R.  Wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work, goodly and beautiful.

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.

In univérsa namque Ecclésia, Tu es Christus Fílius Dei vivi, quotídie Petrus dicit ; et omnis lingua, quæ confitétur Dóminum, magistério hujus vocis imbúitur.  Hæc fides diábolum vincit et captivórum ejus víncula dissólvit.  Hæc érutos mundo, ínserit cælo, et portæ ínferi advérsus eam prævalére non possunt.  Tanta enim divínitus soliditáte muníta est, ut eam neque hærética umquam corrúmpere právitas, nec pagána potúerit superáre perfídia.  His ítaque modis, dilectíssimi, rationábile obséquio celebrétur hodiérna festívitas : ut in persóna humilitátis meæ ille intelligátur, ille honorétur, in quo et ómnium pastórum sollicitúdo, cum commendatárum sibi óvium custódia persevérat, et cujus étiam dígnitas in indígno heréde non déficit.

In the universal Church it is as if Peter were still saying  every day : Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  For every tongue which confesseth the Lord is taught that confession by the teaching of Peter.  This is the Faith that overcometh the devil and looseth the bonds of his prisoners.  This is the Faith which maketh men free of the world and bringeth them to heaven, and the gates of hell are impotent to prevail against it.  This is the rock which God hath fortified with such ramparts of salvation, that the contagion of heresy will never be able to infect it, nor idolatry and unbelief to overcome it.  And therefore, dearly beloved, we celebrate today's festival with reasonable obedience, that in my humble person he may be acknowledged and honoured who doth continue  to care for all the shepherds as well as sheep entrusted unto him, and who doth lose none of his dignity even in an unworthy successor.

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

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

R.  Dómine, prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis: * Posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.
V.  Vitam pétiit a te, et tribuísti ei longitúdinem diérum in sæculum sæculi.
R.  Posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.

R.  Thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness; * Thou hast set a crown of pure gold upon his head, O Lord.
V.  He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life, even for ever and ever.
R.  Thou hast set a crown of pure gold upon his head, O Lord.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Thou hast set a crown of pure gold upon his head, O Lord.

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.

Cum ergo cohortatiónes nostras áuribus vestræ sanctitátis adhibémus, ipsum vobis, cujus vice fúngimur, loqui crédite : quia et illíus vos afféctu monémus, et non áliud vobis, quam quod dócuit, prædicámus ; obsecrántes, ut succíncti lumbos mentis vestræ, castam et sóbriam vitam in Dei timóre ducátis.  Coróna mea, sicut Apóstolus ait, et gáudium vos estis, si fides vestra, quæ ab inítio Evangélii in univérso mundo prædicáta est, in dilectióne et sanctitáte permánserit.  Nam licet omnem Ecclésiam, quæ in toto est orbe terrárum, cunctis opórteat florére virtútibus ; vos tamen præcípue inter céteros pópulos decet méritis pietátis excéllere, quos in ipsa apostólicæ petræ arce fundátos, et Dóminus noster Jesus Christus cum ómnibus redémit, et beátus Apóstolus Petrus præ ómnibus erudívit.

When, therefore, we address our exhortations to your godly ears, believe ye that ye are hearing him speak whose office we are discharging.  Yea, it is with his love for you that we warn you.  And we preach unto you no other thing than that which he taught, entreating you as did he : Gird up the loins of your mind ; be sober ; be ye holy in all manner of living ; pass the time of your sojourning here in the fear of God.  My disciples, dearly beloved, ye are to me as the disciples of the Apostle Paul were to him, namely : My crown and joy; if so be that your faith, abide, still in all lowliness and holiness, like unto the first times of the Gospel.  For although the whole Church, which is in all the world, should indeed abound in all the virtues, it becometh especially you among all others to excel in acts of piety, founded as ye be on the very citadel of the Apostolic Rock―ye who have not only been redeemed with the rest of men by our Lord Jesus Christ, but who have been instructed by the blessed Apostle Peter far beyond all others.

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

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

Lauds

The Church of San Marcello, Rome

V.  The righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree.
R.  And shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Qui odit * ánimam suam in hoc mundo, in vitam ætérnam custódit eam.

Ant. on Bened:  He that hateth his life * in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Preces pópuli tui, quæsumus, Dómine, cleménter exáudi : ut beáti Marcélli Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis méritis adjuvémur, cujus passióne lætámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people : that, as we do rejoice in the passion of thy blessed Pontiff and Martyr Marcellus, so his merits may be our succour and defence.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH