St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

Martyr

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Fidélem, seráphico spíritus ardóre succénsum, in veræ fídei propagatióne martyrii palma et gloriósis miráculis decoráre dignátus es : ejus, quæsumus, méritis et intercessióne, ita nos per grátiam tuam in fide et caritáte confírma ; ut in servítio tuo fidéles usque ad mortem inveníri mereámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst enkindle thy blessed Saint Fidelis with heavenly fervour of the spirit, and in the preaching of the true Faith, didst suffer him to shew forth wondrous miracles, and to be glorified with the palm of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee ; that, by his merits and intercession, we may through thy grace be so stablished in faith and charity, that we may be made worthy to shew forth our fidelity in thy service, even unto death.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

Schloss Sigmaringen

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

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

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Fidélem, seráphico spíritus ardóre succénsum, in veræ fídei propagatióne martyrii palma et gloriósis miráculis decoráre dignátus es : ejus, quæsumus, méritis et intercessióne, ita nos per grátiam tuam in fide et caritáte confírma ; ut in servítio tuo fidéles usque ad mortem inveníri mereámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst enkindle thy blessed Saint Fidelis with heavenly fervour of the spirit, and in the preaching of the true Faith, didst suffer him to shew forth wondrous miracles, and to be glorified with the palm of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee ; that, by his merits and intercession, we may through thy grace be so stablished in faith and charity, that we may be made worthy to shew forth our fidelity in thy service, even unto death.  Through.

Ant:  Sancti et justi, in Dómino gaudéte, allelúja : vos elégit Deus in hereditátem sibi, allelúja.

Ant:  O ye holy and righteous, rejoice in the Lord, alleluia; for blessed are the folk that God hath chosen to him to be his inheritance, alleluia.

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

Oremus.
Deus, qui nos beáti Geórgii Mártyris tui méritis et intercessióne lætíficas : concéde propítius ; ut, qui tua per eum benefícia póscimus, dono tuæ grátiæ consequámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who makest us glad with the merits and intercession of blessed George thy Martyr : mercifully grant that we who by his aid implore thy bounty, may by the abundance of thy grace receive the same.  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
 

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 one Martyr in Eastertide, as therein given.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Martyrs
 

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.

Fidélis, in óppido Suéviæ Sigmarínga ex honésta Reyórum família natus, ab ineúnte ætáte singuláribus natúræ et grátiæ donis ornátus præfúlsit.  Egrégiam quippe sortítus índolem, morúmque óptima imbútus disciplína, dum Fribúrgi philosophíæ et juris utriúsque láuream eméruit, in schola étiam Christi ad perfectiónis ápicem sédulo virtútum exercítio conténdere cœpit.  Nobílium exínde virórum várias Európæ províncias lustrántium comes ascítus, eos ad christiánam pietátem sectándam, tam verbis quam opéribus, excitáre non déstitit.  Quinímmo in eódem itínere crebris austeritátibus desidéria carnis mortificáre, ac ita seípsum régere stúduit, ut in tanta rerum vicissitúdine nullo umquam visus fúerit iræ motu perturbári.  Juris prætérea et justítiæ strénuus propugnátor, post réditum in Germániam célebre sibi nomen acquisívit in advocáti múnere ; in quo tamen cum fori perícula esset expértus, tutiórem ætérnæ salútis viam íngredi deliberávit, et supérna vocatióne illustrátus, paulo post órdini Seráphico inter fratres Minóres Capuccínos adscríbi pétiit.

Fidelis was born of the respectable family of Rey in the town of Sigmaringen in Swabia.  From his childhood he was adorned with many bright gifts of nature and grace.  Intellectually distinguished, and assisted by all the advantages of education, he took at Fribourg the degrees of Philosophy and of Civil and Canon Law, and it was while engaged in these studies, that he began to strive after the height of perfection in the school of Christ, to which end he earnestly trained himself in all the exercises of godliness.  He ceased not to exhort to Christian godliness, both by his words and works, the noblemen who made him their companion, and who were drawn from the chief families of divers parts of Europe.  While on his travels, he was careful to mortify the lusts of the flesh by frequent austerities, and so to get the command of himself, that he was never seen under any circumstances to be moved to anger.  He was a zealous champion of law and justice, and when he returned into Germany, he won a most distinguished name in his profession as an advocate.  After a while, however, in view of the dangers which beset him at the Bar, he determined to enter on a path safer as regarded his eternal salvation, and, in obedience to an inward call from above, he sought admission into the Seraphic Order, among the Capuchin Friars Minor.

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.

Piæ petitiónes compos rédditus, mundi suíque contémptor insígnis, in ipso statim tirocínio, magísque cum solémnis professióne vota in gáudio spíritus Dómino nuncupásset, in regulári observántia ómnibus admiratióni fuit et exémplo.  Oratióni máxime et sacris lítteris vacans, in verbi quoque ministério singulári grátia excéllens, nedum Cathólicos ad meliórem frugem, verum étiam heterodóxos ad veritátis cognitiónem attráxit.  Plúribus in locis cœnóbii præféctus constitútus, prudéntia, justítia, mansuetúdine, discretióne et humilitátis laude, munus sibi demandátum exércuit.  Arctíssimæ paupertátis zelátor egrégius, quidquid vel minus necessárium viderétur, e cœnóbio pénitus eliminávit.  Inter austéra jejúnia, vigílias et flagélla salutári seípsum prósequens ódio, in álios amórem, quasi mater in fílios, osténdit.  Cum pestífera febris Austríacas militáres cópias dire afflígeret, ipse in extrémis infirmórum indigéntiis ad assídua caritátis offícia toto spíritu incúbuit.  In componéndis étiam animórum dissídiis, aliísque próximi necessitátibus sublevándis consílio et ópere adeo præcláre se gessit, ut pater pátriæ merúerit appellári.

After he had obtained his holy wish, he shewed himself even in his noviceship a singular despiser of the world and of himself, and still more so when with great spiritual joy he had made his solemn profession to the Lord.  By his observance of the Rule, he became the wonder and the example of all.  He gave himself chiefly to prayer and sacred learning, but he excelled, by a remarkable grace, in the ministry of the Word, and thereby not only stirred up the Catholics to bring forth more fruit, but also drew misbelievers to the knowledge of the truth.  He was set at the head of communities of Friars in divers places, and discharged the duty so laid upon him with great praise for prudence, justice, meekness, wisdom, and lowliness.  He was animated by a vehement love of the strictest poverty, and cleansed the convent of whatever was not altogether needful.  While he pursued himself with an healthy hatred, and most stern fastings, watchings, and scourgings, he shewed to all others a love like the love of a mother for her sons.  When a contagious fever made horrid ravages among the Austrian soldiers, he gave himself up with his whole soul to unwearied offices of tenderness toward the helpless sick.  In allaying quarrels and relieving the temporal distress of his neighbour, he bore himself with such wisdom and zeal as to earn the name of Father of his country.

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.

Deíparæ Vírginis et rosárii cultor exímius, illíus præcípue aliorúmque Sanctórum patrocínio a Deo postulávit, ut in cathólicæ fídei obséquium vitam sibi et sánguinem fúndere licéret.  Cumque ardens hoc desidérium in quotidiána Sacri devóta celebratióne magis accenderétur, mira Dei providéntia factum est, ut fortis Christi athléta præses eligerétur illárum missiónum, quas Congregátio de Propagánda Fide pro Rhætia tunc témporis instítuerat.  Quod árduum munus prompto hilaríque ánimo suscípiens, tanto fervóre exsecútus est, ut, plúribus hæréticis ad orthodóxam fidem convérsis, spes non módica effúlserit totíus illíus gentis Ecclésiæ et Christo reconciliándæ.  Prophetíæ dono præditus, futúras Rhætiæ calamitátes, suíque necem ab hæréticis inferéndam sæpius prædíxit.  Postquam vero insidiárum probe cónscius impendénti agóni se præparásset, die vigésima quarta Aprílis anno millésimo sexcentésimo vigésimo secúndo, ad ecclésiam loci, Sevísium nuncupáti, se cóntulit ; ubi ab hæréticis, qui prídie conversiónem simulántes, eum dolóse ad prædicándum invitáverant, concióne tumultuárie interrúpta, per vérbera ac vúlnera eídem crudéliter inflícta gloriósam mortem magno et álacri corde perpéssus, primítias Mártyrum memorátæ Congregatiónis próprio sánguine consecrávit ; plúribus signis et miráculis exínde clarus, præsértim Cúriæ et Feldkírchii, ubi summa pópuli veneratióne illíus relíquiæ asservántur.

He tenderly and warmly loved the maiden Mother of God and her Rosary, and he besought God under the patronage of many of his holy servants, but especially under that of the same blessed Mother, to vouchsafe to let him offer his life and his blood together for the sake of the Catholic faith.  This burning desire came upon him more and more, day by day, as he celebrated with great ardour of spirit the Holy Liturgy ; and by the unexpected Providence of God it came to pass that this brave soldier of Christ was chosen President of the Missions which the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith had at that time just founded for the Grisons.  He accepted this hard task with a willing and joyful heart, and discharged it with such zeal, that many heretics were turned to the orthodox faith, and great hope was engendered that the whole of that people would return to the peace of Christ and his Church.  Fidelis, who was gifted with the spirit of prophecy, often foretold the great woes which afterwards came upon the Grisons, and that he himself would be murdered by the heretics.  At last, on a certain 23rd of April, some of the heretics, who pretended to be converted, entreated him to come and preach the following day at the Church of a place which is called Sevis.  He complied with the treacherous invitation, but, as he knew that plots were being laid against him, he had made himself ready beforehand for the last conflict.  On the 24th day of April, in the year 1622, he went to Sevis, and began to preach, but his discourse was interrupted by a riot, and he was brutally murdered.  By this glorious death, which he suffered with a willing and cheerful heart, he offered to God in his own blood the first-fruits of martyrdom from the above-mentioned Congregation.  God hath since glorified him by many signs and wonders, especially at Coire and Feldkirchen, where his relicks are kept with much popular veneration.

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.

Fidélis, in óppido Suéviæ Sigmarínga ex honésta Reyórum família natus, célebre sibi nomen acquisívit in advocáti múnere ; quo tamen, cum fori perícula esset expértus, déstitit, et supérna vocatióne illustrátus, inter fratres Minóres Capuccínos adscríbi pétiit.  Voti compos factus, regulári observántia ómnibus admiratióni fuit et exémplo.  Deíparæ Vírginis et rosárii cultor exímius, a Deo postulávit, ut pro cathólica fide martyr occúmberet, quod et consecútus est.  Eléctus enim præses Missiónum, quas Congregátio de Propagánda Fide pro Rhætia tunc témporis institúerat, cum nulli labóri parcens plures hæréticos ad Christi fidem convertísset, malórum invídiam súbiit.  Itaque die vigésima quarta Aprílis anno millésimo sexcentésimo vigésimo secúndo, ad ecclésiam loci, Sevísium nuncupáti, verbéribus ac vulnéribus cæsus ab hæréticis, qui conversiónem simulántes dolóse eum invitáverant, primítias Mártyrum memorátæ Congregatiónis próprio sánguine consecrávit.

Fidelis was born of a good family called Rey at Sigmaringen in Swabia, and gained a famous name for himself in legal work.  But when experience shewed him its dangers, he abandoned it and, enlightened by a call from heaven, asked to be admitted among the Capuchins.  When he had taken his vows, he was an inspiration and example to all by his observance of the rule and zealously promoted the cult of the Virgin Mother of God and of the Rosary.  He asked God that he might die as a martyr for the Catholic faith, and this was granted him.  For he was appointed leader of the missions which the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith had established at this time for the Grisons and, since he spared himself no toil and converted many heretics to Christ, he incurred the hatred of evil men.  So, on the 24th of April in the year 1622, at a church in a place called Sevis, he was struck down with blows and wounds by some heretics who had deceitfully invited him to meet them, pretending to be converts.  And thus he consecrated with his own blood the first-fruits of the Martyrs of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.

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 Ego sum vitis vera is read from the Common of Martyrs in Eastertide, Series 1.

Gospel Homily from Common of Martyrs

Lauds

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.

Ant. on Bened:  Go forth, O ye daughters of Sion, * and behold the Martyrs with their crowns, with which the Lord hath crowned them in the day of solemnity and rejoicing, alleluia, alleluia.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Fidélem, seráphico spíritus ardóre succénsum, in veræ fídei propagatióne martyrii palma et gloriósis miráculis decoráre dignátus es : ejus, quæsumus, méritis et intercessióne, ita nos per grátiam tuam in fide et caritáte confírma ; ut in servítio tuo fidéles usque ad mortem inveníri mereámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst enkindle thy blessed Saint Fidelis with heavenly fervour of the spirit, and in the preaching of the true Faith, didst suffer him to shew forth wondrous miracles, and to be glorified with the palm of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee ; that, by his merits and intercession, we may through thy grace be so stablished in faith and charity, that we may be made worthy to shew forth our fidelity in thy service, even unto death.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH