Ss. Soter and Caius

Popes and Martyrs

Semidouble

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde : et per beátos Sotérem et Cajum Mártyres tuos atque Summos Pontífices, perpétua protectióne custódi; quos totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastóres.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O eternal Shepherd, do thou look favourably upon thy flock, which we beseech thee to guard and keep for evermore, through the blessed Soter and Caius, thy Martyrs and Supreme Pontiffs, whom thou didst choose to be the chief shepherds of the whole Church.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

At Second Vespers of St. Anselm

Ant:  Lux perpétua lucébit Sanctis tuis, Dómine, et ætérnitas témporum, allelúja.

Ant:  Light perpetual shall shine upon thy Saints, O Lord, and an ageless eternity, alleluia.

V.  Sancti et justi, in Dómino gaudéte, allelúja.
R.  Vos elégit Deus in hereditátem sibi, allelúja.

V.  O ye holy and righteous, rejoice in the Lord, alleluia.
R.  For blessed are the folk that God hath chosen to him to be his inheritance, alleluia.

Oremus.
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde : et per beátos Sotérem et Cajum Mártyres tuos atque Summos Pontífices, perpétua protectióne custódi; quos totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastóres.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O eternal Shepherd, do thou look favourably upon thy flock, which we beseech thee to guard and keep for evermore, through the blessed Soter and Caius, thy Martyrs and Supreme Pontiffs, whom thou didst choose to be the chief shepherds of the whole Church.  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 Several Martyrs outside Eastertide, Fratres : Debitores, with Responds from the Common of Martyrs in Eastertide, as therein given.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Martyrs
 

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.

Soter, Fundis in Campánia natus, sancívit ne sacræ vírgines vasa sacra et pallas attíngerent, neve thuris ministério in ecclésia uteréntur.  Idem státuit ut Christi corpus in Cœna Dómini sumerétur ab ómnibus, iis excéptis, qui propter grave peccátum id fácere prohiberéntur.  Sedit in pontificátu annos tres, menses úndecim, dies decem et octo.  Martyrio coronátur sub Marco Aurélio imperatóre, et in cœmetério, quod póstea Callísti dictum est, sepelítur ; more majórum mense Decémbri creátis presbyteris decem et octo, diáconis novem, epíscopis per divérsa loca úndecim.

Soter, a countryman of Fondi in Campania, succeeded the holy martyr Anicetus.  It was he who ordained that nuns should not touch the sacred vessels and linen of the Altar, nor serve with the incense in the Church.  He ordained likewise, that on the anniversary of the Lord's Supper, every one should receive the Body of Christ, except those who were forbidden to do so on account of grievous sin.  He sat as Pope three years, eleven months, and twenty-eight days.  He ordained in the month of December eighteen priests, nine deacons, and eleven bishops for divers places.  He was crowned with martyrdom under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and was buried after the manner of them that had gone before him, in the Cemetery, which was afterwards called that of St. Callistus.

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

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

R.  Lux perpétua lucébit Sanctis tuis, Dómine, * Et ætérnitas témporum, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Lætítia sempitérna erit super cápita eórum : gáudium et exsultatiónem obtinébunt.
R.  Et ætérnitas témporum, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Light perpetual shall shine upon thy Saints, *  And an ageless eternity, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness.
R.  And an ageless eternity, alleluia, 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.

Cajus Dálmata ex génere Diocletiáni imperatóris, constítuit ut his órdinum et honórum grádibus in Ecclésia ad episcopátum ascenderétur : Ostiárii, Lectóris, Exorcístæ, Acólythi, Subdiáconi, Diáconi, Presbyteri.  Hic Diocletiáni crudelitátem in Christiános fúgiens, aliquámdiu in spelúnca delítuit ; verum octo post annis una cum Gabíno fratre martyrii corónam consecútus est, cum sedísset annos duódecim, menses quátuor, dies quinque ; creátis mense Decémbri presbyteris vigintiquínque, diáconis octo, epíscopis quinque.  Sepúltus est in cœmetério Callísti, décimo Kaléndas Maji.  Ejus memóriam Urbánus octávus in Urbe renovávit, dírutam ecclésiam restítuit ; título, statióne et ipsíus relíquiis decorávit.

Caius was a Dalmatian and a kinsman of the Emperor Diocletian.  It was he who ordained that the following should be the order of degrees in the Church through which all should pass before they be made bishop : First, Porter ; second, Lector ; third, Exorcist ; fourth, Acolyte ; fifth, Subdeacon ; sixth, Deacon ; seventh, Priest.  Caius fled from the cruelties practised by Diocletian against the Christians, and lay hid for a while in a cave, but after eight years he and his brother Gabinus won the crown of martyrdom.  At that time he had sat in the chair of Peter twelve years, four months, and five days, and had ordained in the month of December twenty-five priests, eight deacons, and five bishops.  He was buried in the Cemetery of Callistus upon the twenty-second day of April.  It was Urban VIII who renewed the memorial of him in the City, rebuilt his Church, which had been in ruins, and distinguished it by making it one of those whence the Cardinals take their titles, and of those which are called Stations, and enriching it with the relicks of the Saints.

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 servis suis, allelúja, * Consolábitur Deus, allelúja.
V.  Judicábit Dóminus pópulum suum, et in servis suis.
R.  Consolábitur Deus, allelúja.

R.  God shall be comforted, alleluia, * In his servants, alleluia.
V.  For the Lord will avenge his people, and be gracious unto his servants.
R.  In his servants, 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.

Dignum et cóngruum est, fratres, ut post lætítiam Paschæ, quam in Ecclésia celebrávimus, gáudia nostra cum sanctis Martyribus conferámus ; et iis annuntiémus Domínicæ resurrectiónis glóriam, qui consórtes sunt Domínicæ passiónis.  Qui enim sócii sunt contuméliæ, debent et partícipes esse lætítiæ.  Ita enim dicit beátus Apóstolus : Sicut sócii passiónum estis, et resurrectiónis éritis ; si tolerábimus, inquit, et conregnábimus.  Qui ergo toleravérunt mala propter Christum, debent et glóriam habére cum Christo.

Brethren, it is meet and right that we who have participated in the Eastertide jubilation of the liturgy should mingle our own gladness with that of the holy Martyrs.  Yea, let us declare our understanding of the glory of the Lord's Resurrection to these partakers of his passion.  For it must needs be that they who were companions in his shame are now partakers in his joy.  To this end the blessed Apostle siath : As ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the Resurrection.  If we suffer, saith he, we shall also reign with him.  They therefore who endure suffering for Christ ought also, along with Christ, to receive glory.

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

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

R.  Fíliæ Jerúsalem, veníte et vidéte Mártyres cum corónis, quibus coronávit eos Dóminus * In die solemnitátis et lætítiæ, allelúja.
V.  Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum, benedíxit fílios tuos in te.
R.  In die solemnitátis et lætítiæ, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  In die solemnitátis et lætítiæ, allelúja.

R.  Go forth, O ye daughters of Sion, and behold the King of Martyrs with the crown wherewith the Lord hath crowned him * In the day of his espousals, and in the day of gladness, alleluia.
V.  For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, and hath blessed thy children within thee.
R.  In the day of his espousals, and in the day of gladness, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  In the day of his espousals, and in the day of gladness, 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.

Pope St. Soter

Pope St. Caius

Soter, Fundis in Campánia natus, sancívit ne sacræ vírgines vasa sacra et pallas attíngerent, neve thuris ministério in ecclésia uteréntur.  Idem státuit, ut Christi corpus in Cœna Dómini sumerétur ab ómnibus, iis excéptis, qui propter grave peccátum id fácere prohiberéntur.  Martyrio coronátur sub Marco Aurélio imperatóre, sepúltus est in cœmetério, quod póstea Callísti dictum est.  Cajus Dálmáta ex génere Diocletiáni imperatóris, constítuit ut his órdinum et honórum grádibus in Ecclésia ad episcopátum ascenderétur : Ostiárii nempe, Lectóris, Exorcístæ, Acólythi, Subdiáconi, Diáconi, Presbyteri.  Hic Diocletiáni crudelitátem in Christiános fúgiens, aliquámdiu in spelúnca delítuit ; verum octo post annis una cum Gabíno fratre martyrii corónam consecútus, in cœmetério Callísti páriter sepúltus est.

Soter, a countryman of Fondi in Campania, succeeded the holy martyr Anicetus.  It was he who ordained that nuns should not touch the sacred vessels and linen of the Altar, nor serve with the incense in the Church.  He ordained likewise, that on the anniversary of the Lord's Supper, every one should receive the Body of Christ, except those who were forbidden to do so on account of grievous sin.  He was crowned with martyrdom under the Emperor Marcus Aurélius, and was buried in the Cemetery, which was afterwards called that of St. Calixtus.  Caius was a Dalmatian and a kinsman of the Emperor Diocletian.  It was he who ordained that the following should be the order of degrees in the Church through which all should pass before they be made bishop : First, Porter ; second, Lector ; third, Exorcist ; fourth, Acolyte ; fifth, Subdeacon ; sixth, Deacon ; seventh, Priest.  Caius fled from the cruelties practised by Diocletian against the Christians, and lay hid for a while in a cave, but after eight years he and his brother Gabinus won the crown of martyrdom, and was likewise buried in the Cemetery of Callistus.

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 Venit Jesus is read from the Common of Several Pontiffs, with Responds from the Common of Martyrs in Eastertide.

Gospel Homily from Common of Several Pontiffs

Lauds

V.  Pretiósa in conspéctu Dómini, allelúja.
R.  Mors Sanctórum ejus, allelúja.

V.  Right dear in the sight of the Lord, alleluia.
R.  Is the death of his Saints, alleluia.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Fíliæ Jerúsalem, * veníte et vidéte Mártyres cum corónis, quibus coronávit eos Dóminus in die solemnitátis et lætítiæ, allelúja, allelúja.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde : et per beátos Sotérem et Cajum Mártyres tuos atque Summos Pontífices, perpétua protectióne custódi; quos totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastóres.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O eternal Shepherd, do thou look favourably upon thy flock, which we beseech thee to guard and keep for evermore, through the blessed Soter and Caius, thy Martyrs and Supreme Pontiffs, whom thou didst choose to be the chief shepherds of the whole Church.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

COMMEMORATION OF THE CROSS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Vespers from the Chapter onwards of the following day, with Commemoration of the preceding, and Commemoration of the Cross.