St. Agatha

Virgin and Martyr

Double

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

If First Vespers be said entire, the Antiphons are from Lauds below, with Psalms as in I Vespers of the Common of Apostles.

STAND

The courtyard at the church of Santa Agáta dei Goti in Rome

Capitulum           Eccli. 51. 1.
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.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Eccli. 51. 1.
I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my Saviour:  for thou art my defender and helper, and hast preserved my body from destruction.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Jesu, coróna Vírginum,
Quem Mater illa cóncipit
Quæ sola Virgo párturit,
Hæc vota clemens áccipe :

Qui pergis inter lília
Septus choréis Vírginum,
Sponsus decórus glória
Sponsísque reddens præmia.

Quocúmque tendis, Vírgines
Sequúntur, atque láudibus
Post te canéntes cúrsitant,
Hymnósque dulces pérsonant ;

Te deprecámur súpplices,
Nostris ut addas sénsibus
Nescíre prorsus ómnia
Corruptiónis vúlnera.

*  Virtus, honor, laus, glória
Deo Patri cum Fílio,
Sancto simul Paráclito,
In sæculórum sæcula.  Amen.

Jesu, the Virgins' Crown, do thou
Accept us, as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The Mother and the Maid we own.

Amongst the lilies thou dost feed,
With virgin choirs accompanied;
With glory deck'd, the spotless brides
Whose bridal gifts thy love provides.

They, wheresoe'er thy footsteps bend,
With hymns and praises still attend;
In blessed troops they follow thee,
With dance, and song, and melody.

We pray thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.

Ordinary Doxology
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honour, might, and glory be,
From age to age eternally.  Amen.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Stans beáta Agatha * in médio cárceris, expánsis mánibus orábat ad Dóminum : Dómine Jesu Christe, magíster bone, grátias tibi ago, qui me fecísti víncere torménta carníficum : jube me, Dómine, ad tuam immarcescíbilem glóriam felíciter perveníre.

Ant. on Magnif:  Blessed Agatha, * in the midst of the prison, stretched forth her hands to God and said : O Lord Jesu Christ, my good Master, I thank thee because thou hast made me to withstand the torments of the executioners; bid me now, O Lord, to enter with joy into that glory which fadeth not away.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus qui inter cétera poténtiæ tuæ mirácula étiam in sexu frágili victóriam martyrii contulísti : concéde propítius ; ut, qui beátæ Agathæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ natalítia cólimus, per ejus ad te exémpla gradiámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee ; that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of Saint Agatha thy Virgin and Martyr, may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee.  Through.

Ant:  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

Ant:  The Lord loved him, and adorned him ; he clothed him with a robe of glory, and at the gates of Paradise he crowned him.

V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas.
R.  Et osténdit illi regnum Dei.

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God.

Oremus.
Deus, qui in Ecclésia tua, nova semper instáuras exémpla virtútum : da pópulo tuo beáti Andréæ Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis ita sequi vestígia ; ut assequátur et præmia.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in thy Church dost ever shew forth fresh examples of holiness : grant, we pray thee, that thy people may so follow in the footsteps of thy blessed Confessor and Bishop Andrew ; that they may likewise attain unto his recompence.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Compline of the Feria
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn
 

Invitatory and Hymn

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Psalmus 94.
Venite, exsultemus Domino

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.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

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.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

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.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

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.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

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.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

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.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The First Nocturn.

First Nocturn

Ant.    Ingénua  sum, * et ex spectábili génere, ut omnis parentéla mea testátur.

Ant.    I am well born, * and of good family, as my kinship doth witness.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 1.  Beatus vir

Beátus vir, qui non ábiit in consílio impiórum, et in via peccatórum non stetit, * et in cáthedra pestiléntiæ non sedit :
2  Sed in lege Dómini volúntas ejus, * et in lege ejus meditábitur die ac nocte.
3  Et erit tamquam lignum, quod plantátum est secus decúrsus aquárum, * quod fructum suum dabit in témpore suo:
4  Et fólium ejus non défluet: * et ómnia quæcúmque fáciet, prosperabúntur.
5  Non sic ímpii, non sic: * sed tamquam pulvis, quem prójicit ventus a fácie terræ.
6  Ideo non resúrgent ímpii in judício: * neque peccatóres in concílio justórum.
7  Quóniam novit Dóminus viam justórum: * et iter impiórum períbit.
8  Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
9  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * and hath not sat in the seat of pestilence.
2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; * and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.
3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side, * that will bring forth his fruit in due season.
4  His leaf also shall not wither; * and all whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.
5  As for the ungodly, it is not so with them; * but they are like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth.
6  Therefore the ungodly shall not rise again in judgment; * neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
7  For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; * and the way of the ungodly shall perish.
8  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, *  and to the Holy Ghost:
9  As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end.  Amen.

Ant.    Ingénua  sum, et ex spectábili génere, ut omnis parentéla mea testátur.

Ant.    I am well born, and of good family, as my kinship doth witness.

Ant.    Summa ingenúitas * ista est, in qua sérvitus Christi comprobátur.

Ant.    But the noblest heritage * of my birth is that I was born the slave of Christ.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 2.  Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Quare fremuérunt Gentes: * et pópuli meditáti sunt inánia?
2  Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes convenérunt in unum * advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus Christum ejus.
3  Dirumpámus víncula eórum: * et projiciámus a nobis jugum ipsórum.
4  Qui hábitat in cælis, irridébit eos: * et Dóminus subsannábit eos.
5  Tunc loquétur ad eos in ira sua, * et in furóre suo conturbábit eos.
6  Ego autem constitútus sum Rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus, * prædicans præcéptum ejus.
7  Dóminus dixit ad me: * Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te.
8  Póstula a me, et dabo tibi Gentes hereditátem tuam, * et possessiónem tuam términos terræ.
9  Reges eos in virga férrea, * et tamquam vas fíguli confrínges eos.
10  Et nunc, reges, intellígite: * erudímini, qui judicátis terram.
11  Servíte Dómino in timóre: * et exsultáte ei cum tremóre.
12  Apprehéndite disciplínam, nequándo irascátur Dóminus, * et pereátis de via justa.
13  Cum exárserit in brevi ira ejus: * beáti omnes qui confídunt in eo.

Psalm 2.  Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Why do the heathen so furiously rage together? * and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
2  The kings of the earth have arisen, and the rulers have taken counsel together * against the Lord, and against his Anointed.
3  Let us break their bonds asunder, * and cast away their cords from us.
4  He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn: *  the Lord shall have them in derision.
5  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, * and vex them in his sore displeasure :
6  Yet I have been stablished King by him upon his holy hill of Sion, * preaching his commandment.
7  The Lord hath said unto me : * Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
8  Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9  Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; * be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.
11  Serve the Lord in fear, * and rejoice unto him with reverence.
12  Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, * and so ye perish from the right way.
13  If his wrath be kindled, yea, but in a short time : *  blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Ant.    Summa ingenúitas ista est, in qua sérvitus Christi comprobátur.

Ant.    But the noblest heritage of my birth is that I was born the slave of Christ.

Ant.    Ancílla Christi sum, * ídeo me osténdo servílem habére persónam.

Ant.    As Christ's handmaiden, * I am proud of the signs of my complete servitude.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 3.  Domine quid multiplicati?

Dómine quid multiplicáti sunt qui tríbulant me? * multi insúrgunt advérsum me.
2  Multi dicunt ánimæ meæ: * Non est salus ipsi in Deo ejus.
3  Tu autem, Dómine, suscéptor meus es, * glória mea, et exáltans caput meum.
4  Voce mea ad Dóminum clamávi: * et exaudívit me de monte sancto suo.
5  Ego dormívi, et soporátus sum: * et exsurréxi, quia Dóminus suscépit me.
6  Non timébo míllia pópuli circumdántis me: * exsúrge, Dómine, salvum me fac, Deus meus.
7  Quóniam tu percussísti omnes adversántes mihi sine causa: * dentes peccatórum contrivísti.
8  Dómini est salus: * et super pópulum tuum benedíctio tua.

Psalm 3.  Domine quid multiplicati?

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! * many are they that rise against me.
2  Many one there be that say of my soul, * There is no help for him in his God.
3  But thou, O Lord, art my defender; * thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head.
4  I did call upon the Lord with my voice, * and he heard me out of his holy hill.
5  I laid me down and slept, * and rose up again, for the Lord sustained me.
6  I will not be afraid for thousands of the people that have set themselves against me round about ; * up, Lord, and help me, O my God.
7  For thou smitest all that are mine enemies without cause ; * thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8  Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; * and thy blessing is upon thy people.

Ant.    Ancílla Christi sum, ídeo me osténdo servílem habére persónam.

Ant.    As Christ's handmaiden, I am proud of the signs of my complete servitude.

STAND

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.

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.  Dum torquerétur beáta Agatha in mamílla gráviter, dixit ad júdicem : * Impie, crudélis et dire tyránne, non es confúsus amputáre in fémina, quod ipse in matre suxísti?
V.  Ego enim hábeo mamíllas íntegras intus in ánima mea, quas ab infántia Dómino consecrávi.
R.  Impie, crudélis et dire tyránne, non es confúsus amputáre in fémina, quod ipse in matre suxisti?

R.  Whilst they put grievous tortures to her breasts, blessed Agatha cried out : * Profane and cruel art thou, O pitiless tyrant ; hast thou no shame to do this to me, having thyself suckled at a mother's breast?
V.  Within my soul I have made a dedication of my breasts unto virginity, which same in my childhood I consecrated unto the Lord.
R.  Profane and cruel art thou, O pitiless tyrant ; hast thou no shame to do this to me, having thyself suckled at a mother's breast?

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.  Agatha lætíssime et gloriánter ibat ad cárcerem, * Quasi ad épulas invitáta ; et agónem suum Dómino précibus commendábat.
V.  Nobilíssimis orta natálibus, ab ignóbili gaudens trahebátur ad cárcerem.
R.  Quasi ad épulas invitáta ; et agónem suum Dómino précibus commendábat.

R.  Agatha went to prison with great joy and exultation,  * Like a guest to a place of honour, for she had commended herself to God in prayer.
V.  This daughter of a noble race thought it an honour to be taken to prison by one of lowly birth.
R.  Like a guest to a place of honour, for she had commended herself to God in prayer.

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 savedst 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.  Quis es tu, qui venísti ad me curáre vúlnera mea?  Ego sum Apóstolus Christi : nihil in me dúbites, fília : ipse me misit ad te, * Quem dilexísti mente et puro corde.
V.  Nam et ego Apóstolus ejus sum, et in nómine ejus scias te esse curándam.
R.  Quem dilexísti mente et puro corde.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quem dilexísti mente et puro corde.

R.  Who art thou, who comest to heal my wounds?  I am an Apostle of Christ : have no fear of me, my daughter : He hath sent me to thee * Whom thou lovest with all thy pure heart and soul.
V.  For I am his Apostle, and I bid thee know that thou art healed in the Name of him.
R.  Whom thou lovest with all thy pure heart and soul.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Whom thou lovest with all thy pure heart and soul.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Agatha sancta * dixit : Si feras mihi promíttis, audíto Christi nómine mansuéscunt.

Ant.    Holy Agatha * said, Dost thou promise beasts?  I shall tame them in Christ's Name.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 4. Cum invocarem

Cum invocárem exaudívit me Deus justítiæ meæ: *  in tribulatióne dilatásti mihi.
2  Miserére mei, * et exáudi oratiónem meam.
3  Fílii hóminum, úsquequo gravi corde? *  ut quid dilígitis vanitátem et quæritis mendácium?
4  Et scitóte quóniam mirificávit Dóminus sanctum suum: * Dóminus exáudiet me cum clamávero ad eum.
5  Irascímini, et nolíte peccáre: * quæ dícitis in córdibus vestris, in cubílibus vestris compungímini.
6  Sacrificáte sacrifícium justítiæ, et speráte in Dómino, * multi dicunt quis osténdit nobis bona?
7  Signátum est super nos lumen vultus tui, Dómine: *  dedísti lætítiam in corde meo.
8  A fructu fruménti, vini et ólei sui * multiplicáti sunt.
9  In pace in idípsum * dórmiam et requiéscam;
10  Quóniam tu, Dómine, singuláriter in spe * constituísti me.

He hath heard me when I call, the God of my righteousness: * thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble.
2  Have mercy upon me, * and hearken unto my prayer.
3  O ye sons of men, how long will ye be dull of heart? * and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?
4  Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly; * when I call upon the Lord he will hear me.
5  Be ye angry, and sin not; * the things that ye say in your hearts, repent ye them upon your beds.
6  Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord, * there be many that say, who will shew us any good?
7  The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is sealed upon us, * thou hast put gladness in my heart.
8  By the fruit of their corn and wine and oil * have they been multiplied.
9  I will lay me down in peace, * and take my rest;
10  For it is thou, Lord, only, * that makest me dwell in safety.

Ant.    Agatha sancta dixit : Si feras mihi promíttis, audíto Christi nómine mansuéscunt.

Ant.    Holy Agatha said, Dost thou promise beasts?  I shall tame them in Christ's Name.

Ant.    Si ignem adhíbeas, * rórem mihi salvíficum de cælo Angeli ministrábunt.

Ant.    If thou put the fire to me, * Angels will bring me a saving dew.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 5.  Verba mea

Verba mea áuribus pércipe, Dómine, * intéllige clamórem meum.
2  Inténde voci oratiónis meæ: * Rex meus et Deus meus.
3  Quóniam ad te orábo: * Dómine, mane exáudies vocem meam.
4  Mane astábo tibi et vidébo: * quóniam non Deus volens iniquitátem tu es.
5  Neque habitábit juxta te malígnus: * neque permanébunt injústi ante óculos tuos.
6  Odísti omnes, qui operántur iniquitátem: * perdes omnes, qui loquúntur mendácium.
7  Virum sánguinum et dolósum abominábitur Dóminus: * ego autem in multitúdine misericórdiæ tuæ.
8  Introíbo in domum tuam: * adorábo ad templum sanctum tuum in timóre tuo.
9  Dómine, deduc me in justítia tua: * propter inimícos meos dírige in conspéctu tuo viam meam.
10  Quóniam non est in ore eórum véritas: * cor eórum vanum est.
11  Sepúlcrum patens est guttur eórum, linguis suis dolóse agébant, * júdica illos, Deus.
12  Décidant a cogitatiónibus suis, secúndum multitúdinem impietátum eórum expélle eos, * quóniam irritavérunt te, Dómine.
13  Et læténtur omnes, qui sperant in te, * in ætérnum exsultábunt: et habitábis in eis.
14  Et gloriabúntur in te omnes, qui díligunt nomen tuum: * quóniam tu benedíces justo.
15  Dómine, ut scuto bonæ voluntátis tuæ * coronásti nos.

Psalm 5.  Verba mea

Ponder my words, O Lord, * consider my cry.
2  O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, * my King and my God.
3  For unto thee will I make my prayer : * in the morning shalt thou hear my voice, O Lord.
4  Early in the morning will I stand before thee, and will see : * for thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickedness.
5  Neither shall any evil dwell with thee : * nor shall the unjust abide before thine eyes.
6  For thou hatest all them that work iniquity : * thou shalt destroy them that speak lies.
7  The Lord will abhor both the blood-thirsty and deceitful man : * but as for me, in the multitude of thy mercy.
8   I will come into thine house; * and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
9  Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, * because of mine enemies make my way plain before thy face.
10  For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; * their heart is vain.
11  Their throat is an open sepulchre, they flatter with their tongue : * judge thou them, O God.
12  Let them perish through their own imaginations; cast them out in the multitude of their ungodliness; * for they have rebelled against thee, O Lord.
13  And let all them that put their trust in thee rejoice: * they shall for ever be glad, and thou shalt dwell amongst them.
14  And all they that love thy Name shall be joyful in thee; * for thou, Lord, wilt give thy blessing unto the righteous.
15  Thou hast crowned us, O Lord, * as with a shield of thy good will.

Ant.    Si ignem adhíbeas, rórem mihi salvíficum de cælo Angeli ministrábunt.

Ant.    If thou put the fire to me, Angels will bring me a saving dew.

Ant.    Agatha * lætíssime et gloriánter ibat ad cárcerem, quasi ad épulas invitáta ; et agónem suum Dómino précibus commendábat.

Ant.    Agatha * went to prison with great joy and exultation,  like a guest to a place of honour, for she had commended herself to God in prayer.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 8.  Domine, Dominus noster

Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!
2  Quóniam eleváta est magnificéntia tua, * super cælos.
3  Ex ore infántium et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimícos tuos, * ut déstruas inimícum et ultórem.
4  Quóniam vidébo cælos tuos, ópera digitórum tuórum: * lunam et stellas, quæ tu fundásti.
5  Quid est homo quod memor es ejus? * aut fílius hóminis, quóniam vísitas eum?
6  Minuísti eum paulo minus ab Angelis, glória et honóre coronásti eum: * et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.
7  Omnia subjecísti sub pédibus ejus, * oves et boves univérsas : ínsuper et pécora campi.
8  Vólucres cæli, et pisces maris, * qui perámbulant sémitas maris.
9  Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!

O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
2  For thou hast set thy glory * above the heavens.
3  Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou perfected praise, because of thine enemies, * that thou mightest destroy the enemy and the avenger.
4  For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained;
5  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
6  Thou madest him lower than the Angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and worship : * thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.
7  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet : * all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8  The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9  O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

Ant.    Agatha lætíssime et gloriánter ibat ad cárcerem, quasi ad épulas invitáta ; et agónem suum Dómino précibus commendábat.

Ant.    Agatha went to prison with great joy and exultation,  like a guest to a place of honour, for she had commended herself to God in prayer.

STAND

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.

Agatha virgo, in Sicília nobílibus paréntibus nata, quam Panormitáni et Catanénses civem suam esse dicunt, in persecutióne Décii imperatóris Cátanæ gloriósi martyrii corónam consecúta est.  Nam cum pari pulchritúdinis et castitátis laude commendarétur, Quintiánus Sicíliæ prætor ejus amóre captus est.  Sed cum, tentáta modis ómnibus ejus pudicítia, Agatham in suam senténtiam perdúcere non posset, christiánæ superstitiónis nómine comprehénsam, Aphrodísiæ consuetúdine cum de constántia coléndæ christiánæ fídei et servándæ virginitátis removéri non posset, núntiat illa Quintiáno se in Agatha óperam pérdere.  Quare ille ad se Vírginem addúci jubet ; et, Nonne, inquit, te pudet nóbili génere natam, húmilem et servílem Christianórum vitam ágere?  Cui Agatha : Multo præstántior est christiána humílitas et sérvitus, regum ópibus ac supérbia.

The Maiden Agatha was a Sicilian of noble birth.  The citizens of Palermo and Catania dispute as to which city had the honour of being her birthplace.  It was at Catania that, during the persecution under the Emperor Decius, she won the crown of a glorious martyrdom.  She was equally celebrated for her beauty and her chastity, and Quintianus, Governor of Sicily, conceived a passion for her.  He tried every sort of device to overcome her modesty, and when he found it impossible to make her consent to his wishes, he caused her to be arrested on a charge of Christian superstition, and handed over to a woman named Aphrodisia to be corrupted.  The company, however, of this woman had no effect in shaking her constancy in the Christian worship, nor her settled determination to preserve her purity.  Aphrodisia therefore reported to Quintianus that she was only throwing away her pains on Agatha.  He ordered her to be brought before him.  Thou, said he, art the daughter of a noble family―dost thou feel no shame in living the degraded and slavish life of a Christian?  Agatha answered him, The lowliness and bondage of a Christian are far nobler than the estate and pride of a king.

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

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

R.  Ego autem adjúta a Dómino, perseverábo in confessióne ejus, qui me salvam fecit, * Et consolátus est me.
V.  Grátias tibi ago, Dómine Jesu Christe, qui misísti ad me Apóstolum tuum curáre vúlnera mea.
R.  Et consolátus est me.

R.  I am holpen by the Lord, and will continue to bear witness to him, for he doth save me, * And give me sweet comfort.
V.  I thank thee, O Lord Christ Jesu, who hast sent thine Apostle to heal my wounds.
R.  And give me sweet comfort.

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.

Quam ob rem irátus prætor hanc ei optiónem dat, velítne pótius venerári deos, an vim tormentórum subíre.  At illa constans in fide, primum cólaphis cæsa míttitur in cárcerem ; unde postrídie edúcta, cum in senténtia permanéret, admótis candéntibus láminis in equúleo torquétur.  Tum ei mamílla abscínditur ; quo in vúlnere Quintiánum appéllans Virgo, Crudélis, inquit, tyránne, non te pudet amputáre in fémina, quod ipse in matre suxísti?  Mox conjécta in víncula, sequénti nocte a sene quodam, qui se Christi Apóstolum esse dicébat, sanáta est.  Rursum evocáta a prætóre, et in Christi confessióne persevérans, in acútis téstulis et candéntibus carbónibus ei subjéctis volutátur.

Then the Governor, being incensed against her, gave her the alternative of either sacrifícing to the gods, or being submitted to the torture ; and as she remained firm in the faith, she was buffeted and sent back to prison.  The next day she was brought forth, and, because her resolution was still unshaken, she was stretched on the rack and tortured with pieces of white-hot metal.  Then her breasts were cut off.  When Agatha received this injury she cried out to Quintianus, Cruel tyrant, art thou not ashamed to do this to me, having thyself suckled at a mother's breast?  She was remanded again to prison and put in irons.  That night an old man, who called himself an Apostle of Christ, came to her, and healed her wounds.  The following day she was brought for the last time before the Governor.  Her constancy was unmoved, and she was rolled on sharp potsherds and live embers.

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

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

R.  Ipse me curávit, qui per Apóstolum Petrum in custódia me confortávit, pro eo quod jussa sum suspéndi in equúleo. * Propter fidem castitátis ádjuva me, Dómine, Deus meus, in tortúra mamillárum meárum.
V.  Ipse me dignátus est ab omni plaga curáre, et mamíllam meam meo péctori restitúere.
R.  Propter fidem castitátis ádjuva me, Dómine, Deus meus, in tortúra mamillárum mearum.

R.  He that sent his Apostle Peter to comfort me hath given me healing, because I was tormented on the rack, * Yea, for the sake of holy chastity I was holpen by the Lord my God in the torture of my breasts.
V.  He vouchsafed to heal my wounds and make my breasts whole again.
R.  Yea, for the sake of holy chastity I was holpen by the Lord my God in the torture of my breasts.

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.

Quo témpore, ingénti terræmótu urbs tota contrémuit, ac duo paríetes, corruéntes, Silvínum et Falcónium íntimos prætóris familiáres oppressérunt.  Quare veheménter commóta civitáte, véritus pópuli tumúltum Quintiánus, Agatham semimórtuam clam redúci ímperat in cárcerem.  Quæ sic Deum precáta : Dómine, qui me custodísti ab infántia, qui abstulísti a me amórem sæculi, qui me carníficum torméntis superiórem præstitísti, áccipe ánimam meam.  Ea in oratióne migrávit in cælum, Nonis Februárii : cujus corpus a Christiánis sepelítur.

At that time the whole city was shaken with a great earthquake, and two of the Governor's dearest friends, Silvinus and Falconius, were killed by falling walls.  The townspeople were in an uproar, and Quintianus, in fear of a riot, ordered Agatha, who was half dead, to be carried back to prison quietly.  Then she made the following prayer : O Lord, who hast been my Keeper from my childhood, who hast taken from me all love for this present world, who hast strengthened me so that I am more than conqueror over the cruelty of the executioners, receive my spirit.  With these words she passed to heaven, finishing her testimony on the 5th day of February.  Her body was buried by the Christians.

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

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

R.  Vidísti, Dómine, et spectásti agónem meum, quómodo pugnávi in stádio ; sed, quia nólui obedíre mandátis príncipum, * Jussa sum in mamílla torquéri.
V.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam.
R.  Jussa sum in mamílla torquéri.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Jussa sum in mamílla torquéri.

R.  O Lord, thou hast seen and known that I have fought a good fight, and kept the Faith, for I obeyed not the commands of princes, * Therefore in my breasts, which were the token of my virginity, did they torture me.
V.  Because of the Word of truth, of meekness and righteousness.
R.  Therefore in my breasts, which were the token of my virginity, did they torture me.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Therefore in my breasts, which were the token of my virginity, did they torture me.

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.

Agatha, in Sicília nobílibus paréntibus nata, in persecutióne Décii imperatóris, Cátanæ gloriósum martyrium fecit.  Nam cum Quintiánus, Sicíliæ prætor, ómnibus modis ejus pudicítiam frustra tentásset, Agatha, superstitiónis christiánæ nómine comprehénsa, primum cólaphis cæditur, dein admótis candéntibus láminis in equúleo torquétur, tum ei mamílla abscínditur.  Mox conjécta in víncula, a beáto Petro Apóstolo, noctu ei apparénte, sanátur.  Rursum evocáta a prætóre et in Christi confessióne persevérans, in acútis téstulis et candéntibus carbónibus ei subjéctis volutátur.  Sed ob ingéntem terræmótum veheménter commóta civitáte, Quintiánus, véritus pópuli tumúltum, eam semimórtuam clam redúci ímperat in cárcerem ; ubi paulo post migrávit in cælum, Nonis Februárii.

The Maiden Agatha was born of noble parents in Sicily during the persecution under the Emperor Decius, and won the crown of a glorious martyrdom in Catania.  When Quintianus, Governor of Sicily, tried every sort of device to overcome her modesty, Agatha, having been arrested on a charge of Christian superstition, was first buffeted and then stretched on the rack and tortured with pieces of white-hot metal.  Finally her breasts were cut off.  She was again put in irons, and her wounds healed by the Apostle Peter, who appeared to her that night. Brought again before the Governor, and unmoved in her confession of Christ, she was rolled on sharp potsherds and live embers.  At that time the whole city was shaken with a great earthquake. Quintianus, fearing a riot by the people, ordered Agatha, who was half dead, to be carried back to prison quietly, where she passed to heaven on the 5th day of February.

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

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

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Nisi diligénter * perféceris corpus meum a carnifícibus attrectári, non potest ánima mea in paradísum Dómini cum palma intráre martyrii.

Ant.    Except thou make * the executioners to handle my body roughly, my soul cannot enter the Lord's paradise with the palm of martyrdom.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 10.  In Domino confido

In Dómino confído : quómodo dícitis ánimæ meæ: * Tránsmigra in montem sicut passer?
2  Quóniam ecce peccatóres intendérunt arcum, paravérunt sagíttas suas in pháretra, * ut sagíttent in obscúro rectos corde.
3  Quóniam quæ perfecísti, destruxérunt: * justus autem quid fecit?
4  Dóminus in templo sancto suo, * Dóminus in cælo sedes ejus.
5  Oculi ejus in páuperem respíciunt: * pálpebræ ejus intérrogant fílios hóminum.
6  Dóminus intérrogat justum et ímpium: * qui autem díligit iniquitátem, odit ánimam suam.
7  Pluet super peccatóres láqueos: * ignis, et sulphur, et spíritus procellárum pars cálicis eórum.
8  Quóniam justus Dóminus, et justítias diléxit: * æquitátem vidit vultus ejus.

Psalm 10.  In Domino confido

In the Lord do I put my trust : how say ye then to my soul, * that she should flee as a bird unto the hill?
2  For lo, the ungodly bend their bow, and make ready their arrows within the quiver, * that they may shoot in the dark at them which are true of heart.
3  For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made : * and what hath the righteous done?
4  The Lord is in his holy temple; * the Lord's seat is in heaven.
5  His eyes consider the poor, * and his eyelids try the children of men.
6  The Lord trieth the righteous and the wicked : * but he that delighteth in wickedness, abhoreth his own soul.
7  Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares, * fire and brimstone, storm and tempest shall be their portion to drink.
8  For the Lord is righteous and loveth righteousness; * his countenance hath beholden the thing that is just.

Ant.    Nisi diligénter perféceris corpus meum a carnifícibus attrectári, non potest ánima mea in paradísum Dómini cum palma intráre martyrii.

Ant.    Except thou make the executioners to handle my body roughly, my soul cannot enter the Lord's paradise with the palm of martyrdom.

Ant.    Vidísti, Dómine, * agónem meum, quómodo pugnávi in stádio ; sed, quia nólui obedíre mandátis príncipum, jussa sum in mamílla torquéri.

Ant.    O Lord, thou hast seen * and known that I have fought a good fight, and kept the Faith, for I obeyed not the command of princes, and so have they tortured my breasts.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 14.  Domine, quis habitabit?

Dómine, quis habitábit in tabernáculo tuo? * aut quis requiéscet in monte sancto tuo?
2  Qui ingréditur sine mácula, * et operátur justítiam :
3  Qui lóquitur veritátem in corde suo, * qui non egit dolum in lingua sua :
4  Nec fecit próximo suo malum, * et oppróbrium non accépit advérsus próximos suos.
5  Ad níhilum dedúctus est in conspéctu ejus malígnus: * timéntes autem Dóminum gloríficat :
6  Qui jurat próximo suo, et non décipit, * qui pecúniam suam non dedit ad usúram, et múnera super innocéntem non accépit.
7  Qui facit hæc: * non movébitur in ætérnum.

Psalm 14.  Domine, quis habitabit?

Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? * or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?
2  Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life, * and doeth the thing which is right.
3  He that speaketh the truth in his heart, * and that hath used no deceit in his tongue.
4  Nor done evil to his neighbour, * and hath not taken up slander against his neighbour.
5  In his sight the malicious is brought to nought, * but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.
6  He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not, * he that hath not given his money upon usury, nor taken reward against the innocent.
7  Whoso doeth these things * shall never fall.

Ant.    Vidísti, Dómine, agónem meum, quómodo pugnávi in stádio ; sed, quia nólui obedíre mandátis príncipum, jussa sum in mamílla torquéri.

Ant.    O Lord, thou hast seen and known that I have fought a good fight, and kept the Faith, for I obeyed not the command of princes, and so have they tortured my breasts.

Ant.    Propter fidem castitátis * jussa sum suspéndi in equúleo : ádjuva me, Dómine, Deus meus, in tortúra mamillárum mearum.

Ant.    Yea, for the sake of holy chastity * they ordered me to be stretched upon the rack : help me, O Lord, my God, in the torture of my breasts.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 15.  Conserva me, Domine

Consérva me, Dómine, quóniam sperávi in te. * Dixi Dómino : Deus meus es tu, quóniam bonórum meórum non eges.
2  Sanctis, qui sunt in terra ejus, * mirificávit omnes voluntátes meas in eis.
3  Multiplicátæ sunt infirmitátes eórum : * póstea acceleravérunt.
4  Non congregábo conventícula eórum de sanguínibus, *  nec memor ero nóminum eórum per lábia mea.
5  Dóminus pars hereditátis meæ, et cálicis mei : * tu es, qui restítues hereditátem meam mihi.
6  Funes cecidérunt mihi in præcláris : * étenim heréditas mea præclára est mihi.
7  Benedícam Dóminum, qui tríbuit mihi intelléctum : * ínsuper et usque ad noctem increpuérunt me renes mei.
8  Providébam Dóminum in conspéctu meo semper : * quóniam a dextris est mihi, ne commóvear.
9  Propter hoc lætátum est cor meum, et exsultávit lingua mea : * ínsuper et caro mea requiéscet in spe.
10  Quóniam non derelínques ánimam meam in inférno : * nec dabis sanctum tuum vidére corruptiónem.
11  Notas mihi fecísti vias vitæ, adimplébis me lætítia cum vultu tuo : * delectatiónes in déxtera tua usque in finem.

Psalm 15.  Conserva me, Domine

Preserve me, O God, for in thee have I put my trust. *  I have said unto the Lord, thou art my God; for thou hast no need of my goods.
2  To the saints that are in his land, * he hath exalted in them all my desires.
3  Their infirmities were multiplied : * they made haste thereafter.
4  Their meetings for blood-offerings will I not gather together, * neither be mindful of their names within my lips.
5  The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup; * it is thou that shalt restore mine inheritance.
6  The lot is fallen unto me in a fair ground; * yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7  I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding; * my reins also have chastened me in the night season.
8  I have set the Lord alway before me; * for he is on my right hand, therefore shall I not fall.
9  Wherefore my heart is glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: * my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10  Because thou shalt not leave my soul in hell; * neither shalt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption.
11  Thou hast shewn me the paths of life: thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance, * and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

Ant.    Propter fidem castitátis * jussa sum suspéndi in equúleo : ádjuva me, Dómine, Deus meus, in tortúra mamillárum mearum.

Ant.    Yea, for the sake of holy chastity * they ordered me to be stretched upon the rack : help me, O Lord, my God, in the torture of my breasts.

STAND

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 : Accessérunt ad Jesum pharisæi, tentántes eum et dicéntes : Si licet hómini dimíttere uxórem suam quacúmque ex causa?  Et réliqua.

At that time : The Pharisees came unto Jesus, tempting him and saying unto him : Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?  And so on, and that which followeth.

Dóminus noster, quia ad virginitátem hortári grave esse videbátur, a necessitáte legis de non solvéndo matrimónio, eos ad cupiditátem illíus tráhere studet.  Deínde, ut eam esse possíbilem osténdat, sic inquit : Sunt eunúchi qui ex ventre matris ita nati sunt ; et sunt qui ab homínibus eunúchi facti sunt, et sunt qui seípsos castravérunt propter regnum cælórum.  Quibus verbis laténter eos ad eligéndam virginitátem indúcit, dum eam virtútem esse possíbilem ástruit.

Our Lord seeketh to draw his hearers to virginity.  But because a direct exhortation thereto was nell-nigh more than they could bear, he took occasion from the severity of the law concerning divorce to direct their attention toward this high vocation.  To this end he sheweth that virginity is possible, saying : 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.  In these words he persuadeth them indirectly to choose virginity, while he teacheth them that this virtue is obtainable.

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

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

R.  Beáta Agatha, ingréssa cárcerem, expándit manus suas ad Deum, et dixit : Dómine, qui me fecísti víncere torménta carníficum, * Jube me ad tuam misericórdiam perveníre.
V.  Dómine, qui me creásti, et tulísti a me amórem sæculi, qui corpus meum a pollutióne separásti.
R.  Jube me ad tuam misericórdiam perveníre.

R.  Blessed Agatha, in the midst of the prison, stretched forth her hands to God and said : O Lord, who hast made me to withstand the torments of the executioners, * Grant me to attain at last unto thy mercy.
V.  O Lord, thou hast made me, and taken from me all love for this present world, and saved my body from pollution.
R.  Grant me to attain at last unto thy mercy.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Id autem hoc fere modo confírmat : Cógita tecum, si aut a natúra talis esses, aut ab homínibus eam injúriam passus, quid fáceres, cum et ejúsmodi voluptáte caréres, et nullam, caréndo, mercédem consequeréris?  Grátias ígitur nunc Deo agas, quod cum mercéde atque corónis idem sústines, quod illi sine corónis ac præmio tólerant.  Immo vero non idem, sed multo lévius ; tum quia spe erígeris et consciéntia recte facti, tum quia non ita ingéntibus concupiscéntiæ flúctibus jactáris.

This his doctrine he establisheth somewhat thus.  Supposing that thou hadst been born a eunuch by nature, or hadst been made a eunuch  by the cruelty of men, so that