St. Anselm

Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui pópulo tuo ætérnæ salútis beátum Ansélmum minístrum tribuísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quem Doctórem vitæ habúimus in terris, intercessórem habére mereámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, by whose providence blessed Anselm was sent to guide thy people in the way of everlasting salvation : grant we beseech thee, that as we have learned of him the doctrine of life on earth, so we may be found worthy to have him for our advocate in heaven.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

Canterbury Cathedral

V.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum, allelúja.
R.  Stolam glóriæ índuit eum, allelúja.

V.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him, alleluia.
R.  He clothed him with a robe of glory, alleluia.

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

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui pópulo tuo ætérnæ salútis beátum Ansélmum minístrum tribuísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quem Doctórem vitæ habúimus in terris, intercessórem habére mereámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, by whose providence blessed Anselm was sent to guide thy people in the way of everlasting salvation : grant we beseech thee, that as we have learned of him the doctrine of life on earth, so we may be found worthy to have him for our advocate in heaven.  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 the Common of Doctors,  Sapientiam.

Scripture Lessons

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.

Ansélmus, Augústæ Prætóriæ in fínibus Itáliæ, Gundúlpho et Ermembérga nobílibus et cathólicis paréntibus natus, a téneris annis assíduo litterárum stúdio atque perfectióris vitæ desidério, non obscúrum futúræ sanctitátis et doctrínæ spécimen dedit.  Et licet juveníli ardóre aliquándo ad sæculi illécebras traherétur, brevi tamen in prístinam viam revocátus, pátria et bonis ómnibus derelíctis, ad monastérium Beccénse órdinis sancti Benedícti se cóntulit ; ubi, emíssa regulári professióne, sub Herluíno abbáte observantíssimo et Lanfránco viro doctíssimo, tanto ánimi fervóre et jugi stúdio in lítteris et virtútibus assequéndis profécit, ut mirum in modum tamquam sanctitátis et doctrínæ exémplar ab ómnibus haberétur.

Anselm was born of noble and Catholic parents, named Gundulph and Hermenberga, at Aosta, in Piedmont.  From his tenderest years his diligence in study, and his aspirations to a more perfect state of life, gave no indistinct foreshadowing of the holiness and learning to which he afterwards attained.  The heat of youth drew him for a while into the snares of the world, but he soon returned to his first courses, and, forsaking his own country and his goods, betook himself to the monastery of Bec, under the rule of St. Benedict.  There he made his profession as a monk, and under the rigid discipline of Herluin, the Abbot, and the learned instruction of the profound Lanfranc, with great zeal of spirit and eager obedience to the Rule, he made such progress in learning and godliness, that he shone before all others as an ensample of holiness of life, and power of doctrine.

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, allelúja.
V.  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo, et fílius iniquitátis non nocébit ei.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei, allelúja.

R.  I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. * My hand shall hold him fast, alleluia.
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, alleluia.

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.

Abstinéntiæ et continéntiæ tantæ fuit, ut assiduitáte jejúnii omnis pene cibórum sensus in eo viderétur exstínctus.  Diúrno enim témpore in exercítiis monásticis docéndo, et respondéndo váriis de religióne quæsítis eménso ; quod réliquum erat noctis, somno subtrahébat, ut divínis meditatiónibus, quas perénni lacrimárum imbre fovébat, mentem recreáret.  Eléctus in priórem monastérii ínvidos fratres ita caritáte, humilitáte et prudéntia lenívit, ut quos æmulos accéperat, sibi et Deo amícos, máximo cum reguláris observántiæ emoluménto, rédderet.  Mórtuo abbáte, et in ejus locum, licet invítus, sufféctus, tanta doctrínæ et sanctitátis fama ubíque refúlsit, ut non modo régibus et epíscopis veneratióni esset, sed sancto Gregório séptimo étiam accéptus, qui tunc magnis persecutiónibus agitátus, lítteras amóris plenas ad eum dedit, quibus se et Ecclésiam cathólicam ejus oratiónibus commendábat.

Mortification and purity were his marked characteristics, and by constant fasting all taste for food seemed to have died in him.  He spent the day in the monastic work, in teaching, and in answering hard questions upon religion, and he took away from sleep during what remained to him of the night, that he might refresh his soul by thoughts of God, wherein he was alway comforted by an unceasing flow of tears.  When he was chosen Prior of the monastery, he so won over, by his charity, loweliness, and wisdom, some brethren who looked ill upon him, that from enviers, as he had found them, he turned them into lovers of God and of himself likewise, with exceeding gain to the strictness of observance in that Abbey.  After the death of the Abbot, Anselm, though against his own will, was chosen to succeed him.  In this high place the light of his learning and holiness so shone all round about, that he was reverenced not only by Kings and Bishops, but was taken up by the holy Pope Gregory VII, who, amid the great persecutions which were then trying him, wrote with words of great love to Anselm to recommend himself and the Catholic Church to his prayers.

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, allelúja.
V.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei, allelúja.

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, alleluia.
V.  I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast, alleluia.

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.

Defúnctus Lanfránco archiepíscopo Cantuariénsi, ejus olim præceptóre, Ansélmus, urgénte Willélmo Angliæ rege et instántibus clero ac pópulo, ipso tamen repugnánte, ad ejúsdem ecclésiæ régimen vocátus, statim (ut corrúptos pópuli mores reformáret) verbo et exémplo prius, dein scriptis, et concíliis celebrátis, prístinam pietátem et ecclesiásticam disciplínam redúxit.  Sed cum mox idem Willélmus rex vi et minis Ecclésiæ jura usurpáre tentásset, ipse sacerdotáli constántia réstitit ; bonorúmque direptiónem et exsílium passus, Romam ad Urbánum secúndum se cóntulit : a quo honorífice excéptus et summis láudibus ornátus est, cum in Barénsi concílio Spíritum Sanctum étiam a Fílio procedéntem, contra Græcórum errórem, innúmeris Scripturárum et sanctórum Patrum testimóniis propugnásset.  E vivis Willélmo subláto, ab Henríco rege, ejus fratre, in Angliam revocátus, obdormívit in Dómino ; famam non solum miraculórum et sanctitátis (præcípue ob insígnem devotiónem erga Dómini nostri passiónem et beátam Vírginem ejus Matrem) assecútus, sed étiam doctrínæ, quam ad defensiónem Christiánæ religiónis, animárum proféctum, et ómnium theologórum, qui sacras lítteras scholástica méthodo tradidérunt, normam cælitus hausísse ex ejus libris ómnibus appáret.

After the death of Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, Anselm, whose teacher Lanfranc had formerly been, was driven by William II, King of England, supported by the entreaties of the clergy and people, though sorely against his own wishes to take upon him the government of that Church.  Raised to that See he straightway set himself to reform the corrupt manners of the people, and, first by his word and example, and then by his writings and the Councils which he held, succeeded in restoring the ancient godliness and discipline of the Church.  But when the aforesaid King William tried by force and threats to seize on the rights of the Church, Anselm withstood him as beseemed a Priest, and after that he had suffering the plundering of all his goods, and been sent into banishment, he betook himself to Rome to Urban II.  There he was received with great worship, and won high praise for that in the Council of Bari, he maintained by countless proofs from Scripture and the holy Fathers, against the error of the Greeks, that the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Son also.  When William lived no more, his brother Henry I, King of England, called back Anselm thither, and there he fell asleep in the Lord.  His is a name illustrious not for miracles only, nor for holiness (and indeed he had a wondrous love for his Lord who had suffered for him, and for the blessed Maiden Mother of the same our Lord), but also for the deep learning which he used for the defence of the Christian Religion and the good of souls.  That wonderful knowledge of theology which he had, and which is shewn in all the books which he wrote, seemeth to have been given him from heaven for the teaching of all writers on the same subject, who have used what is called the Scholastic method.

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

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

The Chapel of St. Anselm at Canterbury Cathedral

R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et omnis terra doctrína ejus repléta est : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum, allelúja.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum, allelúja.

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, alleluia.
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, alleluia.
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, alleluia.

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.

Ansélmus, Augústæ Prætóriæ in fínibus Itáliæ, nobílibus et cathólicis paréntibus natus, adoléscens, pátria et bonis ómnibus derelíctis, in monastério Beccénsi órdinis sancti Benedícti emíssa regulári professióne, in lítteris et virtútibus assequéndis mirum in modum profécit.  Régibus, epíscopis veneratióni fuit, et sancto Gregório séptimo étiam accéptus, qui tunc, persecutiónibus agitátus, lítteras amóris plenas ad eum dedit, se et Ecclésiam ejus oratiónibus comméndans.  Defúncto Lanfránco archiepíscopo Cantuariénsi, ejus olim præceptóre, ad ejúsdem ecclésiæ régimen vocátus, verbo et exémplo, scriptis et concíliis celebrátis, prístinam pietátem et ecclesiásticam disciplínam redúxit.  Sed cum mox Willélmus rex vi et minis jura Ecclésiæ usurpáre tentásset, ípseque invícte restitísset, bonórum direptiónem et exsílium passus, Romam ad Urbánum secúndum se cóntulit.  A quo honorífice excéptus et summis láudibus ornátus, in Barénsi concílio Spíritum Sanctum étiam a Fílio procedéntem, contra Græcórum errórem, innúmeris Scripturárum et sanctórum Patrum testimóniis propugnávit.  Post mortem Willélmi, ab Henríco rege ejus fratre in Angliam revocátus obdormívit in Dómino.

Anselm, born of noble Catholic parents at Aosta on the borders of Italy, as a young man abandoned his homeland and all his possessions and was professed at the Benedictine monastery of Bec, where he advanced in a most wonderful way in the attainment of learning and virtue.  He was held in honour by kings and bishops, and was a friend of St. Gregory VII, at the time much troubled by persecutions, who wrote him letters filled with affection, commending himself and the Church to Anselm's prayers.  After the death of Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury and Anselm's former teacher, he was called to rule over that Church, and, by word and example, by writings and by holding councils, he restored it to its pristine state of piety and ecclesiastical discipline.  But, soon after, when King William tried by force and threats to usurp the rights of the Church and Anselm steadfastly resisted, his possessions were confiscated and he himself exiled.  He went to Urban II in Rome, who welcomed him with honour and the highest praise.  At the Council of Bari, he defended against the errors of the Greeks the doctrine that the Holy Ghost proceedeth also from the Son, by countless proofs taken from the Scriptures and the holy Fathers.  After King William's death, his brother Henry recalled Anselm to England, and there he fell asleep in the Lord.

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

In the Third Nocturn, the Gospel Homily Vos estis sal terræ is read from the Common of Doctors, Series 2.

Gospel Homily from Common of Doctors
 

Lauds

Canterbury Cathedral

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

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

Ad Bened. Ant:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, dicit Dóminus.  Allelúja.

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.  Alleluia.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui pópulo tuo ætérnæ salútis beátum Ansélmum minístrum tribuísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quem Doctórem vitæ habúimus in terris, intercessórem habére mereámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, by whose providence blessed Anselm was sent to guide thy people in the way of everlasting salvation : grant we beseech thee, that as we have learned of him the doctrine of life on earth, so we may be found worthy to have him for our advocate in heaven.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Second Vespers

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

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

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

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui pópulo tuo ætérnæ salútis beátum Ansélmum minístrum tribuísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quem Doctórem vitæ habúimus in terris, intercessórem habére mereámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, by whose providence blessed Anselm was sent to guide thy people in the way of everlasting salvation : grant we beseech thee, that as we have learned of him the doctrine of life on earth, so we may be found worthy to have him for our advocate in heaven.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any