St. John of God

Confessor

Double

Common

Passion Sunday never occurs before this date

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Similábo eum * viro sapiénti, qui ædificávit domum suam supra petram.

Ant. on Magnif:  I will liken him * unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Joánnem, tuo amóre succénsum, inter flammas innóxium incédere fecísti, et per eum Ecclésiam tuam nova prole fœcundásti : præsta, ipsíus suffragántibus méritis ; ut igne caritátis tuæ vítia nostra curéntur, et remédia nobis ætérna provéniant.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst enkindle with thy love the heart of thy blessed servant Saint John, that he was thereby enabled to walk unhurt amid the flames of fire, and hast through him enriched thy Church with a new offspring : grant that by the help of his merits our sins may be purged with the fire of thy charity, and our souls healed to the attainment of everlasting salvation.  Through.

Ant:  O Doctor óptime, Ecclésiæ sanctæ lumen, beáte Thoma, divínæ legis amátor, deprecáre pro nobis Fílium Dei.

Ant:  O Doctor right excellent, O light of Holy Church, O blessed Thomas, lover of the divine law, entreat for us the Son of God.

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

Oremus.
Deus, qui Ecclésiam tuam beáti Thomæ Confessóris tui mira eruditióne claríficas, et sancta operatióne fœcúndas : da nobis, quæsumus ; et quæ dócuit, intelléctu conspícere, et quæ egit, imitatióne complére. (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
O God, who hast enlightened thy Church with the wondrous learning of thy blessed Confessor Saint Thomas, and enriched the same with his holiness of life : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may both understand aright the doctrine that he taught, and also follow in all things the pattern of his conversation.  (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 Common of a Confessor not a Bishop, Series 1,  Beatus vir.

Lessons from Common of Confessors

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.

Joánnes de Deo, ex cathólicis piísque paréntibus in óppido Montis Majóris Junióris, regni Lusitániæ, natus, quam sublímiter in sortem Dómini fúerit eléctus, insuétus splendor super ejus domo refúlgens, sonitúsque æris campáni sua sponte emíssus, ab ipso nativitátis témpore non obscúre prænuntiárunt.  A laxióri vivéndi ratióne, divína operánte virtúte, revocátus, magnæ sanctitátis exhibére spécimen cœpit, et ob audítam prædicatiónem verbi Dei sic ad melióra se excitátum sensit, ut jam ab ipso sanctióris vitæ rudiménto consummátum áliquid perfectúmque visus sit attigísse.  Bonis ómnibus in páuperes carcéribus inclúsos erogátis, admirábilis pœniténtiæ suíque ipsíus contémptus cuncto pópulo spectáculum factus, a plerísque, ceu demens, gráviter afflíctus, in cárcerem améntibus destinátum conjícitur.  At Joánnes cælésti caritáte magis incénsus, gémino atque amplo valetudinário ex piórum eleemósynis in civitáte Granaténsi exstrúcto, jactóque novi órdinis fundaménto, Ecclésiam nova prole fœcundávit fratrum Hospitalitátis, infírmis præcláro animárum corporúmque proféctu inserviéntium, et longe latéque per orbem diffusórum.

John of God was born of Catholic and devout parents in the town of Montemor o Novo, in the kingdom of Portugal.  The lot to which the Lord had elected him was distinguished ; at the very hour of his birth this was clearly foretold, when an unusual light was shining over his home and a bronze bell was ringing without human aid.  Recalled from a lax way of living by the grace of God, he began to give an example of great holiness.  A sermon he heard on the the word of God so encouraged him to better things, that from the very beginning of this more holy life, he seemed to have attained the height of perfection.  He gave all he possessed to the poor who were in prison.  He shewed great contempt of self in public by such unusual penances that many thought he was seriously afflicted with lunacy, and he was thrown into a prison for the insane.  But John, all the more inflamed with celestial charity, collected alms from the devout sufficient to build two large hospitals in the city of Granada.  Here he also founded the new Order of Brothers Hospitallers, with which he enriched the Church ; its object was to assist the sick, both in their spiritual and corporeal wants ; it spread far and wide throughout the world.

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

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

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

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

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Paupéribus ægrótis, quos própriis quandóque húmeris domum deferébat, nulla re ad ánimæ corporísque salútem profícua déerit.  Effúsa quoque extra nosocomíum caritáte indigéntibus muliéribus víduis, et præcípue virgínibus periclitántibus clam aliménta subministrábat, curámque indeféssam adhibébat, ut carnis concupiscéntiam a próximis hujúsmodi vítio inquinátis extermináret.  Cum autem máximum in régio Granaténsi valetudinário excitátum fuísset incéndium, Joánnes  impávidus prosíliit in ignem, huc illuc discúrrens, quoúsque tum infírmos húmeris exportátos, tum léctulos e fenéstris projéctos ab igne vindicávit, ac per dimídiam horam inter flammas, jam in imménsum succrescéntes, versátus, exínde divínitus incólumis, univérsis cívibus admirántibus exívit ; in schola caritátis édocens, segniórem in eum fuísse ignem qui foris ússerat, quam qui intus accénderat.

He often carried the sick poor on his own shoulders to the hospital, and there he provided them with everything they could want, whether for soul or body.  His charity was also exercised outside the hospital ; he secretly provided food for needy widows, and especially for virgins whose virtue was in danger, and with indefatigable zeal he laboured to drive out the lust of the flesh from those of his neighbours who were stained with this vice.  On the occasion of an immense fire breaking out in the royal hospital of Granada, John fearlessly rushed into the flames, ran through the several wards, taking the sick upon his shoulders, and saving the beds from the flames by passing them through the windows ; although half an hour in middle of the flames which now raged with wildest fury, by the mercy of God he came forth uninjured to the astonishment of the whole city ; thus clearly shewing to the disciples of love, that the fire which burned outside of him was weaker than the fire which burned within 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.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

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

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Multíplici asperitátum génere, demissíssima obediéntia, extréma paupertáte, orándi stúdio, rerum divinárum contemplatióne, ac in beátam Vírginem pietáte mirífice excélluit, et lacrimárum dono enítuit.  Dénique gravi morbo corréptus, ómnibus Ecclésiæ sacraméntis rite sanctéque reféctus, víribus licet destitútus, própriis indútus véstibus, e léctulo surgens ac provolútus in génua, manu et corde Christum Dóminum e cruce pendéntem perstríngens, octávo Idus Mártii anno millésimo quingentésimo quinquagésimo óbiit in ósculo Dómini ; quem étiam mórtuus ténuit, nec dimísit, et in eádem córporis constitutióne sex círciter horas, quoúsque inde dimótus fuísset, tota civitáte inspectánte, mirabíliter permánsit, odórem mire fragrántem diffúndens.  Quem ante et post óbitum plúrimis miráculis clarum, Alexánder octávus Póntifex máximus in Sanctórum númerum rétulit ; et Leo décimus tértius, ex Sacrórum cathólici orbis antístitum voto ac Rítuum Congregatiónis consúlto, cæléstem ómnium hospitálium et infirmórum ubíque degéntium patrónum declarávit, ipsiúsque nomen in agonizántium litaníis invocári præcépit.

He excelled in every kind of austerity, in the most humble obedience, extreme poverty, zeal for prayer, contemplation of divine things, and a wonderful devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and he was noted for the gift of tears.  At length, falling seriously ill, he fervently received all the sacraments of the Church.  Though reduced to a state of utter weakness, he dressed himself, rose from his bed, fell on his knees, devoutly took the image of Christ the Lord hanging on the Cross into his hands, pressed it to his heart, and died (as it were) in the embrace of the Lord, on the 8th day of March, in the year of salvation 1550.  His body remained in this attitude, holding the crucifix, for about six hours after his death, until it was forcibly removed.  The whole city came to see the corpse which remained in such a strange position, giving forth a remarkably fragrant odour.  Made famous by many miracles before and after death, the Sovereign Pontiff Alexander VIII added him to the number of the Saints ; and Leo XIII, at the desire of the bishops of the Catholic world, and after consulting the Sacred Congregation of Rites, declared him the patron in heaven of all hospital and sick persons of every place, and ordered that his name should be invoked in the litany for the dying.

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

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

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

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

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.
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, et interrogávit eum unus ex eis legis doctor tentans eum : Magíster, quod est mandátum magnum in lege?  Et réliqua.

At that time : The Pharisees were gathered together, and then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  And so on, and that which followeth.

Sadducæis confúsis, pharisæi rursus aggrediúntur ; cumque quiéscere oportéret, decertáre voluérunt : et legis perítiam profiténtem præmíttunt, non díscere, sed tentáre cupiéntes ; ac ita intérrogant : Quodnam primum mandátum in lege sit.  Nam cum primum illud sit, Díliges Dóminum Deum tuum : putántes causas sibi allatúrum ad mandátum hoc corrigéndum, áliquid addéndo, quóniam Deum se faciébat, hoc modo intérrogant.  Quid ígitur Christus?  Ut osténdat idcírco ad hæc eos devenísse, quia nulla in eis esset cáritas, sed invídiæ livóre tabéscerent : Díliges, inquit, Dóminum Deum tuum : hoc primum et magnum mandátum est.  Secúndum autem símile huic : Díliges próximum tuum sicut teípsum.

When the Pharisees had heard that Christ had put the Sadducees to silence, they gathered themselves together for a fresh attack ; just when it behoved them to be quiet, they willed to contend ; and so they put forward one of themselves who professed skill in the law, not wishing to learn, but to lay a snare.  This person therefore proposed the question : Which is the great commandment in the law?  The first and great commandment is : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, but they expected that he would make some exception or addition to this in his own case, since he made himself God.  With this expectation they asked him the question ; but what said Christ?  To shew that they had adopted this course, because they were loveless, and sick with envy, he answered : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it : Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

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

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

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

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

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Quam ob rem símile est huic?  Quóniam hoc illud indúcit, et ab illo rursus munítur.  Quicúmque enim male agit, ódio habet lucem, et non venit ad lucem.  Et rursus : Dixit insípiens in corde suo, Non est Deus.  Deínde séquitur : Corrúpti sunt, et abominábiles facti sunt in stúdiis suis.  Et íterum : Radix ómnium malórum avarítia est ; quam quidam appeténtes, erravérunt a fide.  Et, Qui díligit me, mandáta mea servábit : quorum caput et radix est : Díliges Dóminum Deum tuum, et próximum tuum sicut teípsum.

Why is this second commandment like unto the first?  Because the first is the second's source and sanction.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light.  And again : The fool hath said in his heart : There is no God.  And there followeth : They are corrupt, and become abominable in their works.  And yet again : The love of money is the root of all evil ; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith.  And yet once more : If ye love me, keep my commandments―of which commandments the head and root is : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God ; and thy neighbour as thyself.

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

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

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

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

Lesson IX is from the Homily of the occurring weekday :

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 9:  Per evangélica dicta deleántur nostra delícta.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9:  By the Gospel words today may our sins be done away.
R.  Amen.

Lauds

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.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.

Ant. on Bened:  Well done, good and faithful servant: * thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter into the joy of thy Lord.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Joánnem, tuo amóre succénsum, inter flammas innóxium incédere fecísti, et per eum Ecclésiam tuam nova prole fœcundásti : præsta, ipsíus suffragántibus méritis ; ut igne caritátis tuæ vítia nostra curéntur, et remédia nobis ætérna provéniant.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst enkindle with thy love the heart of thy blessed servant Saint John, that he was thereby enabled to walk unhurt amid the flames of fire, and hast through him enriched thy Church with a new offspring : grant that by the help of his merits our sins may be purged with the fire of thy charity, and our souls healed to the attainment of everlasting salvation.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH