St. Gregory the First

Pope, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui ánimæ fámuli tui Gregórii ætérnæ beatitúdinis præmia contulísti : concéde propítius ; ut, qui peccatórum nostrórum póndere prémimur, ejus apud te précibus sublevémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who on the soul of thy servant Gregory didst bestow the rewards of everlasting felicity : mercifully grant ; that we, which are sore oppressed by the burden of our sins, may by the succour of his intercession be relieved.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

St. Peter's, Rome

Ad Magnif. Ant:  O Doctor óptime, * Ecclésiæ sanctæ lumen, beáte Gregóri, divínæ legis amátor, deprecáre pro nobis Fílium Dei.

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui ánimæ fámuli tui Gregórii ætérnæ beatitúdinis præmia contulísti : concéde propítius ; ut, qui peccatórum nostrórum póndere prémimur, ejus apud te précibus sublevémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who on the soul of thy servant Gregory didst bestow the rewards of everlasting felicity : mercifully grant ; that we, which are sore oppressed by the burden of our sins, may by the succour of his intercession be relieved.  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 Doctors,  Sapientiam.

Lessons from Common of Doctors

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.

Gregórius Magnus, Románus, Gordiáni senatóris fílius, adoléscens philosophíæ óperam dedit ; et prætório offício functus, patre mórtuo, sex monastéria in Sicília ædificávit, Romæ séptimum sancti Andréæ nómine in suis ædibus, prope basílicam sanctórum Joánnis et Pauli ad clivum Scauri, ubi Hilarióne ac Maximiáno magístris, mónachi vitam proféssus, póstea abbas fuit.  Mox diáconus cardinális creátus, Constantinópolim a Pelágio Pontífice ad Tibérium Constantínum imperatórem legátus míttitur : apud quem memorábile étiam illud effécit, quod Eutychium patriárcham, qui scrípserat contra veram ac tractábilem córporum resurrectiónem, ita convícit, ut ejus librum imperátor in ignem injíceret.  Quare Eutychius paulo post cum in morbum incidísset, instánte morte, pellem manus suæ tenébat, multis præséntibus, dicens : Confíteor quia omnes in hac carne resurgémus.

Gregory the Great was a Roman, the son of Gordian the Senator.  As a young man he studied philosophy, and afterwards discharged the office of Praetor.  After his father's death he built six monasteries in Sicily, and a seventh in honour of St. Andrew, in his own house at Rome, hard by the Church of Saints John and Paul at the ascent of the hill Scaurus.  In this monastery of St. Andrew, he and his masters, Hilarion and Maximian, professed themselves monks, and Gregory was afterwards Abbot.  Later on, he was created a Cardinal Deacon, and sent to Constantinople as legate from Pope Pelagius to the Emperor Tiberius Constantine.  Before the Emperor he so successfully disputed against the Patriarch Eutychius, who had denied that our bodies shall verily and indeed rise again, that the Prince threw the book of the said Patriarch into the fire.  Eutychius himself also soon after fell sick, and when he felt death coming on him, he took hold of the skin of his own hand and said in in the hearing of many that stood by : I acknowledge that we shall all rise again in the flesh.

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

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

R.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.
V.  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo, et fílius iniquitátis non nocébit ei.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.

R.  I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. * My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  The enemy shall not be able to do him violence ; the son of wickedness shall not hurt him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast.

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.

Romam rédiens, Pelágio pestiléntia subláto, summo ómnium consénsu Póntifex elígitur.  Quem honórem ne accíperet, quámdiu pótuit, recusávit ; nam aliéno vestítu in spelúnca delítuit ; ubi deprehénsus indício ígneæ colúmnæ, ad sanctum Petrum consecrátur.  In pontificátu multa successóribus doctrínæ ac sanctitátis exémpla relíquit.  Peregrínos quotídie ad mensam adhibébat ; in quibus et Angelum, et Dóminum Angelórum peregríni fácie accépit.  Páuperes et urbános et extérnos, quorum númerum descríptum habébat, benígne sustentábat.  Cathólicam fidem multis locis labefactátam restítuit ; nam Donatístas in Africa, Ariános in Hispánia représsit, Agnoítas Alexandría ejécit.  Pállium Syágrio Augustodunénsi epíscopo dare nóluit, nisi neóphytos hæréticos expélleret ex Gállia.  Gothos hæresim Ariánam relínquere coégit.  Missis in Británniam doctis et sanctis viris Augustíno et áliis mónachis, ínsulam ad Jesu Christi fidem convértit, vere a Beda presbytero Angliæ vocátus Apóstolus.  Joánnis patriárchæ Constantinopolitáni audáciam fregit, qui sibi universális Ecclésiæ epíscopi nomen arrogábat.  Maurítium imperatórem, eos qui mílites fuíssent mónachos fíeri prohibéntem, a senténtia detérruit.

Gregory returned to Rome, and, Pelagius being dead of a plague, he was unanimously chosen Pope.  This honour he refused as long as he could.  He disguised himself and took refuge in a cave, but was betrayed by a fiery pillar.  Being discovered and overruled, he was consecrated at the grave of St. Peter.  He left behind him many ensamples of doctrine and holiness to them that have followed him in the Popedom.  Every day he brought pilgrims to his table, and among them he entertained not an Angel only, but the very Lord of Angels in the guise of a pilgrim.  He tenderly cared for the poor, of whom he kept a list, as well without as within the city.  He restored the Catholic faith in many places where it had been overthrown.  He fought successfully against the Donatists in Africa and the Arians in Spain.  He cleansed Alexandria of the Agnoites.  He refused to give the Pall to Syagrius, Bishop of Autun, unless he would expel the Neophyte heretics from Gaul.  He caused the Goths to abandon the Arian heresy.  He sent into Britain Augustine and divers other learned and holy monks, who brought the inhabitants of that island to believe in Jesus Christ.  Hence Gregory is justly called by Bede, the Priest of Jarrow, the Apostle of England.  He rebuked the presumption of John, Patriarch of Constantinople, who had taken to himself the title of Bishop of the Universal Church, and he dissuaded the Emperor Maurice from forbidding soldiers to become monks.

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

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

R.  Pósui adjutórium super poténtem, et exaltávi eléctum de plebe mea : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.
V.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.

R.  I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. * My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast.

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.

Ecclésiam ornávit sanctíssimis institútis et légibus.  Apud sanctum Petrum coácta synodo, multa constítuit : in iis, Ut in Missa Kyrie eléison nóvies repeterétur : ut extra id tempus, quod continétur Septuagésima et Pascha, Allelúja dicerétur : ut adderétur in Cánone, Diésque nostros in tua pace dispónas.  Litanías, Statiónes, et ecclesiásticum offícium auxit.  Quátuor concíliis, Nicæno, Constantinopolitáno, Ephesíno, Chalcedonénsi, tamquam quátuor Evangéliis honórem habéri vóluit.  Epíscopis Sicíliæ, qui ex antíqua ecclesiárum consuetúdine Romam síngulis triénniis conveniébant, quinto quoque anno semel veníre indúlsit.  Multos libros confécit ; quos cum dictáret, testátus est Petrus diáconus, se Spíritum Sanctum colúmbæ spécie in ejus cápite sæpe vidísse.  Admirabília sunt quæ dixit, fecit, scripsit, decrévit, præsértim infírma semper et ægra valetúdine.  Qui dénique multis éditis miráculis, pontificátus anno décimo tértio, mense sexto, die décimo, quarto Idus Mártii, qui dies festus a Græcis étiam propter insígnem hujus Pontíficis sapiéntiam ac sanctitátem præcípuo honóre celebrátur, ad cæléstem beatitúdinem evocátus est.  Cujus corpus sepúltum est in basílica sancti Petri, prope Secretárium.

Gregory adorned the Church with holy customs and laws.  He called together a Synod in the Church of St. Peter, and therein ordained many things ; among others, the ninefold repetition of the words Kyrie eleison in the Mass, the saying of the word Alleluia in the Church service except between Septuagesima inclusive and Easter exclusive, and the addition to the Canon of the Mass of the words : Do thou order all our days in thy peace.  He increased the Litanies, the number of the Churches where is held the observance called a Station, and the length of the Church Service.  He would that the four Councils of Nice, Constantinople, Ephesus, and Chalcedon should be honoured like four Gospels.  He released the Sicilian Bishop from visiting Rome every three years, willing them to come instead once every five years.  He was the author of many books, and Peter the Deacon declareth that he often saw the Holy Ghost on his head in the form of a dove when he was dictating them.  It is a marvel how much he spake, did, wrote, and legislated, suffering all the while from a weak and sickly body.  He worked many miracles.  At last God called him away to be blessed for every in heaven, in the thirteenth year, sixth month, and tenth day of his Pontificate, being the 12th day of March.  This day is observed by the Greeks, as well as by the Western Church, as a festival, on account of the eminent wisdom and holiness of this Pope.  His body was buried in the Church of St. Peter, hard by the Private Chapel.

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 omnis terra doctrína ejus repléta est : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
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.  He was a man who despised the life of the world and attained unto the kingdom of heaven.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the 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 : 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.  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 put upon him the breastplate of faith, and 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 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.  In médio Ecclésiæ apéruit os ejus, * Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.
V.  Jucunditátem et exsultatiónem thesaurizávit super eum.
R.  Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.

R.  In the midst of the congregation he opened his mouth : * And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.
V.  He shall find joy, and a crown of gladness.
R.  And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding..

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, dicit Dóminus.

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, saith the Lord.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui ánimæ fámuli tui Gregórii ætérnæ beatitúdinis præmia contulísti : concéde propítius ; ut, qui peccatórum nostrórum póndere prémimur, ejus apud te précibus sublevémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who on the soul of thy servant Gregory didst bestow the rewards of everlasting felicity : mercifully grant ; that we, which are sore oppressed by the burden of our sins, may by the succour of his intercession be relieved.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Second Vespers

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

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui ánimæ fámuli tui Gregórii ætérnæ beatitúdinis præmia contulísti : concéde propítius ; ut, qui peccatórum nostrórum póndere prémimur, ejus apud te précibus sublevémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who on the soul of thy servant Gregory didst bestow the rewards of everlasting felicity : mercifully grant ; that we, which are sore oppressed by the burden of our sins, may by the succour of his intercession be relieved.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH