St. Paul of the Cross

Confessor

Double

mtv

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Dómine Jesu Christe, qui ad mystérium crucis prædicándum, sanctum Paulum singulári caritáte donásti, et per eum novam in Ecclésia famíliam floréscere voluísti : ipsíus nobis intercessióne concéde ; ut passiónem tuam júgiter recoléntes in terris, ejúsdem fructum cónsequi mereámur in cælis : Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesu Christ, who for the preaching of the mystery of the Cross, didst endue  thy blessed Confessor Saint Paul with singular gifts of charity, and did likewise through him cause a new household of thy servants to flourish in thy Church : we beseech thee, that at his intercession we may learn so stedfastly to remember thy passion in this our life on earth, that we may be found worthy to attain to the benefits of the same in heaven.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

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:  Similábo eum * viro sapiénti, qui ædificávit domum suam supra petram.  Allelúja.

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Dómine Jesu Christe, qui ad mystérium crucis prædicándum, sanctum Paulum singulári caritáte donásti, et per eum novam in Ecclésia famíliam floréscere voluísti : ipsíus nobis intercessióne concéde ; ut passiónem tuam júgiter recoléntes in terris, ejúsdem fructum cónsequi mereámur in cælis : Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesu Christ, who for the preaching of the mystery of the Cross, didst endue  thy blessed Confessor Saint Paul with singular gifts of charity, and did likewise through him cause a new household of thy servants to flourish in thy Church : we beseech thee, that at his intercession we may learn so stedfastly to remember thy passion in this our life on earth, that we may be found worthy to attain to the benefits of the same in heaven.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

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

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

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.

Oremus.
Deus, qui ad tuéndam cathólicam fidem beátum Petrum, Confessórem tuum, virtúte et doctrína roborásti : concéde propítius ; ut ejus exémplis et mónitis errántes ad salútem resipíscant, et fidéles in veritátis confessióne persevérent.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
O God, who for the defence of the Catholic Faith didst make blessed Peter thy confessor to be mighty in godliness and doctrine : we beseech thee so to enlighten us by his example and admonitions ; that where we are in error we may become wise unto salvation, and where we are faithful we may persevere in the confession of the truth.  (Through.)

The Church of San Vitale, Ravenna

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 God hath chosen you as his inheritance, alleluia.

Oremus.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui beáti Vitális Mártyris tui natalítia cólimus, intercessióne ejus in tui nóminis amóre roborémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, who this day keep the heavenly birthday of blessed Vitalis, thy holy Martyr, may by his prayers be stablished in the love of thy holy Name.  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 a Confessor not a Bishop, Series 1,  Beatus vir.

Scripture Lessons

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.

Paulus a Cruce, Uvádæ in Ligúria natus, sed a Castellátio prope Alexandríam Statiellórum nóbili génere oriúndus, qua futúrus esset sanctitáte clarus, innótuit miro splendóre, qui noctu implévit pariéntis matris cubículum, et insígni augústæ cæli Regínæ benefício, quæ púerum in flumen delápsum a certo naufrágio illæsum erípuit.  A primo ratiónis usu Jesu Christi crucifíxi amóre flagrans, ejus contemplatióni prolíxius vacáre cœpit, et carnem innocentíssimam vigíliis, flagéllis, jejúniis, potu in sexta féria ex acéto cum felle mixto, ac dura quavis castigatióne contérere.  Martyrii desidério incénsus, exercítui se adjúnxit, qui Venétiis, ad bellum Turcis inferéndum, comparabátur ; cógnita vero inter orándum Dei voluntáte, arma ultro réddidit, præstantióri milítiæ óperam datúrus, quæ Ecclésiæ præsídio esse æternámque hóminum salútem procuráre totis víribus niterétur.  Revérsus in pátriam, honestíssimis núptiis sibíque deláta pátrui hereditáte recusátis, arctiórem iníre crucis sémitam ac rudi túnica a suo epíscopo índui vóluit.  Tum ejus jussu, ob eminéntem vitæ sanctimóniam et rerum divinárum sciéntiam, nondum cléricus, Domínicum agrum, máximo cum animárum fructu, divíni verbi prædicatióne excóluit.

Paul of the Cross was sprung of a noble family of the Danei, at Castellazzo, hard by Alessandria, in the province of Liguria, but was born at Ovada, in the same province.  The holiness with which he was afterwards to shine was foreshewn by a strange light which filled his mother's chamber while she was in labour, and by the remarkable help which was bestowed upon him by the great Queen of Heaven, who delivered him unhurt from certain destruction when he was fallen in to a river as a youth.  From the first use of reason, he burnt with love for Jesus crucified, and began to spend long times in contemplating him.  He chastised his innocent flesh with watching, scourging, fasting, and all severe hardships, and on Friday he drank vinegar mingled with gall.  He was seized with a desire for martyrdom, and enlisted in the army which was being raised at Venice to fight against the Turks ; but in consequence of the Will of God, made known to him while he was in prayer, he left the army in order to serve in a more exalted regiment whose duty it should be to defend the Church and to toil for the eternal salvation of men.  When he returned home he refused a very honourable marriage, and also the inheritance which was bequeathed to him by his father's brother, and would fain enter upon a straiter way of the cross and be clad by his own Bishop with a rough tunic.  By command of the Bishop, on account of his eminent holiness of life and knowledge of the things of God, he began, even before he became a clerk, to toil in the Lord's field with great profit of souls by preaching the Word.

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

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

Monte Argentario

Romam proféctus, theológicis disciplínis rite imbútus, a summo Pontífice Benedícto décimo tértio ex obediéntia sacerdótio auctus est.  Facta sibi ab eódem potestáte aggregándi sócios, in solitúdinem recéssit Argentárii montis, quo eum beáta Virgo jamprídem invitáverat, veste illi simul osténsa atri colóris, passiónis Fílii sui insígnibus, decoráta, ibíque fundaménta jecit novæ congregatiónis.  Quæ brevi, plúrimis ab eo tolerátis labóribus, præcláris aucta viris, cum Dei benedictióne valde succrévit ; a Sede apostólica non semel confirmáta, una cum régulis, quas orándo ipse a Deo accéperat, et quarto áddito voto, pergrátam Domínicæ passiónis memóriam promovéndi.  Sacras vírgines quoque instítuit, quæ excéssum caritátis divíni Sponsi sédulo meditaréntur.  Hæc inter, animárum inexháusta aviditáte ab Evangélii prædicatióne numquam defíciens, hómines pene innúmeros, étiam perditíssimos aut in hæresim lapsos, in salútis trámitem addúxit.  Præsértim Christi enarránda passióne, mirífica ejus oratiónis vis erat, qua una cum astántibus in fletum effúsus, quælibet obduráta corda ad pœniténtiam scindébat.

He betook himself to Rome, and when he had there studied a regular course of theology he was ordained Priest in obedience to the command of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XIII, who also gave him permission to gather comrades around him.  He withdrew to the solitude of Mount Argentario, whither he had been already called by the Blessed Virgin, at which same time she also shewed him in vision a black habit marked with the emblems of the sufferings of her Son.  At Mount Argentario, he laid the foundations of his new Congregation, which under the blessing of God grew quickly, through the labours of Paul, and attracted to it eminent men.  It received the confirmation of the Apostolic See more than once, with the rules which Paul himself had received from God in prayer and the addition of a fourth vow, that, namely, to promote the blessed remembrance of the sufferings of the Lord.  He founded a congregation of holy virgins also, who should dwell constantly upon the overflowing love of the Divine Bridegroom.  Amid all these works his untiring love for souls caused him never to weary in the preaching of the Gospel, and he led into the path of salvation men almost countless, among whom were some of the most lost, or those who had fallen into heresy.  The greatest and most wonderful power of his preaching was how he told of the sufferings of Christ, so that he himself and his hearers would alike burst into tears, and hardened hearts were cloven by repentance.

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, allelúja.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum, allelúja.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise, alleluia.
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, 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.

Tanta in ejus péctore alebátur divínæ caritátis flamma, ut indúsium quod erat cordi própius, sæpe véluti igne adústum, et binæ cóstulæ elátæ apparúerint.  Sacrum præsértim fáciens non póterat a lácrimis temperáre : frequénti quoque éxtasi cum mira intérdum córporis elevatióne frui, vultúque supérna luce radiánte conspiciebátur.  Quandóque, dum concionarétur, cæléstis vox verba ei suggeréntis audíta fuit, aut sermo ejus ad plura míllia pássuum intónuit.  Prophetíæ et linguárum dono, córdium scrutatióne, potestáte in dæmones, in morbos, in eleménta enítuit.  Cumque ipsis summis Pontifícibus carus ac venerándus esset, servum inútilem, peccatórem nequíssimum, a dæmóniis quoque conculcándum se judicábat.  Tandem, aspérrimi vitæ géneris ad longam usque senectútem tenacíssimus, anno millésimo septingentésimo septuagésimo quinto, cum præclára mónita, véluti sui spíritus transmíssa hereditáte, alúmnis tradidísset, Ecclésiæ sacraméntis ac cælésti visióne recreátus, Romæ, qua prædíxerat die, migrávit in cælum.  Eum Pius nonus Póntifex máximus in Beatórum, novísque deínde fulgéntem signis, in Sanctórum númerum rétulit.

The fire of the love of God burnt so in his heart that the part of his undergarment which was next thereto often presented the appearance of having been scorched, and two of his ribs seemed to be raised.  He could not withhold his tears, more especially when he was saying Mass, and when he was in a state of trance, as oftentimes befell, his body was sometimes seen to be raised into the air, and his face to shine as with light from heaven.  Sometimes when he was preaching a heavenly voice was heard prompting him, or his words became audible at the distance of several miles.  He was eminent for the gifts of prophecy, of speaking with tongues, of reading the heart, and of power over evil spirits, over diseases, and over the inanimate elements of nature.  The Supreme Pontiffs themselves regarded him as dear and venerable, but he held himself to be but an unprofitable servant, and a sinful wretch upon whom devils might well trample.  He held to the bitter hardships of his life, even unto a great age, and passed to heaven from Rome on the day which he had himself foretold, in the year 1775, after he had addressed to his disciples noble exhortations which are as the heritage of his spirit, and had been comforted by the sacraments of the Church, and by an heavenly vision.  The Supreme Pontiff Pius IX numbered his name among those of the blessed, and then, after renewed signs and wonders, among those 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.  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, allelúja.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus, allelúja.

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, alleluia.
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, alleluia.
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, 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.

Paulus a Cruce, Uvádæ in Ligúria natus, a primo ratiónis usu, Jesu Christi crucifíxi amóre flagrávit.  Martyrii desidério incénsus, exercítui se adjúnxit, qui Venétiis ad bellum Turcis inferéndum comparabátur.  Cógnita vero Dei voluntáte, honestíssimis núptiis sibíque deláta pátrui hereditáte recusátis, rudi túnica a suo epíscopo indútus, nondum cléricus, Domínicum agrum divíni verbi prædicatióne excóluit.  Romæ a Summo Pontifice Benedícto décimo tértio ex obediéntia sacerdótio auctus, in solitúdinem recéssit Argentárii montis, quo eum beáta Virgo jamprídem invitáverat, veste illi simul osténsa atri colóris passiónis Fílii sui insígnibus decoráta, ibíque fundaménta jecit novæ congregatiónis, cujus sodáles voto adstringeréntur Domínicæ passiónis memóriam promovéndi.  Sacras Vírgines quoque instítuit, quæ Dómini passiónem sédulo meditaréntur.  Prædicatióne, virtútibus et divínis charismátibus clarus, Romæ obdormívit in Dómino, anno millésimo septingentésimo septuagésimo quinto.  Eum Pius nonus Póntifex máximus in Beatórum, dein in Sanctórum númerum rétulit.

Paul of the Cross was born at Ovada in Liguria and, as soon as he came to the use of reason, burned with love for Jesus Christ crucified.  Fired with the desire for martyrdom, he joined the army which was being assembled in Venice to fight against the Turks.  But when the will of God was made known to him, and he had refused a most honourable marriage and an inheritance left to him by his uncle, he received a coarse tunic as a habit from his bishop and, although not yet a cleric, cultivated the field of the Lord by preaching the word of God.  In Rome, out of obedience to Pope Benedict XIII, he was raised to the priesthood.  Then he retired into the solitude of Monte Argentario, where the Blessed Virgin had already invited him to go, at the same time shewing unto him a black habit adorned with the insígnia of her Son's Passion.  There he laid the foundations of a new congregation, whose members bind themselves by vow to promote the memory of the Lord's Passion, and he also established one for nuns to meditate continually upon this mystery.  Renowned for his preaching, virtues, and divine charisms, he fell asleep in the Lord at Rome, in the year 1775.  Pope Pius IX enrolled him among the Blessed and then among 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.

Mother House of the Passionists in Rome

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 : Designávit Dóminus et álios septuagínta duos : et misit illos binos ante fáciem suam, in omnem civitátem et locum, quo erat ipse ventúrus.  Et réliqua.

At that time : The Lord appointed other seventy also : and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Dóminus et Salvátor noster, fratres caríssimi, aliquándo nos sermónibus, aliquándo vero opéribus ádmonet.  Ipsa étenim facta ejus præcépta sunt ; quia, dum áliquid tácitus facit, quid ágere debeámus innotéscit.  Ecce enim binos in prædicatiónem discípulos mittit ; quia duo sunt præcépta caritátis, Dei vidélicet amor et próximi, et minus quam inter duos cáritas habéri non potest.  Nemo enim próprie ad semetípsum habére caritátem dícitur ; sed diléctio in álterum tendit, ut cáritas esse possit.

Dearly beloved brethren, our Lord and Saviour doth sometimes admonish us by words, and sometimes by works.  Yea, his very works do themselves teach us : for that which he doth silently his example still moveth us to copy.  Behold how he sendeth forth his disciples to preach by two and two : since there are two commandments to love, that is, a commandment to love God, and a commandment to love our neighbour : and where there are not two, the one, being alone, hath not whereon to do the Lord's commandment.  And no man can properly be said to love himself : for love tendeth outward toward our neighbour, if it be the love whereto the Gospel doth oblige us.

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, allelúja.
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, 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.  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, alleluia.

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.

Ecce enim binos ad prædicándum discípulos Dóminus mittit ; quátenus hoc nobis tácitus ínnuat, quia, qui caritátem erga álterum non habet, prædicatiónis offícium suscípere nullátenus debet.  Bene autem dícitur, quia misit eos ante fáciem suam in omnem civitátem et locum, quo erat ipse ventúrus.  Prædicatóres enim suos Dóminus séquitur : quia prædicátio prævénit, et tunc ad mentis nostræ habitáculum Dóminus venit, quando verba exhortatiónis præcúrrunt, atque per hoc véritas in mente suscípitur.

Behold, the Lord sendeth forth his disciples to preach by two and two : and thus doing, he doth silently teach us that whosoever loveth not his neighbour, such an one it behoveth not to take upon him the office of a preacher.  Well also is it said that he sent them before his face into every city and place whither he himself would come.  The Lord followeth his preachers : first cometh preaching, and then the Lord himself cometh to the house of our mind, whither the word of exhortation hath come before : and so cometh the truth into our mind.

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, allelúja.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis, allelúja.

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, alleluia.
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, alleluia.
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, alleluia.

If this day should be Rogation Monday, Lesson ix is to be taken from the Homily of that day, with a Commemoration at Lauds, as is noted below.  Otherwise, Lesson ix is as follows below.

Ninth Lesson of Rogation Monday

If Lesson ix is to be taken from an occurring Feast or Sunday, it is given in its proper place, as announced in the Ordo.

Alternate Ninth Lesson

For St. Vitalis, Martyr :

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 9: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Vitális miles, sanctórum Gervásii et Protásii pater, una cum Paulíno júdice Ravénnam ingréssus, cum vidísset Ursicínum médicum, ob christiánæ fídei confessiónem ductum ad supplícium, páululum in torméntis titubáre, exclamávit : Ursicíne médice, qui álios curáre sólitus es, cave ne te mortis ætérnæ jáculo confícias.  Qua voce confirmátus Ursicínus, martyrium fórtiter subívit.  Quare Paulínus incénsus Vitálem comprehéndi jubet, et equúleo tortum atque in profúndam fóveam demérsum, lapídibus óbrui.  Quo facto quidam Apóllinis sacérdos, qui Paulínum in Vitálem incitárat, oppréssus a dæmone, clamáre cœpit : Tu me nímium, Vitális, Christi Martyr, incéndis ; et illo æstu jactátus, se præcipitávit in flumen.

Vitalis was a soldier, and the father of the holy Martyrs Gervase and Protase.  He went to Ravenna with Paulinus the judge, and there saw the physician Ursicinus led out to die, because he owned to being a believer in Christ.  As the torments went on, Ursicinus seemed to waver a little, and Vitalis cried out to him : Ursicinus! as a physician thou hast been used to heal other men's bodies, take heed lest thou let thine own soul die eternally.  These words encouraged Ursicinus, and he endured bravely in his testimony even unto the end ; but Paulinus was filled with fury, and caused Vitalis to be seized, tormented on the rack, and finally thrown into a pit and buried under an heap of stones.  When it was over, a certain priest of Apollo, who had urged on Paulinus against Vitalis, was seized by the devil, and began to cry out : Vitalis! Vitalis! thou art Christ's Martyr, but thou makest me to burn! thou makest me to burn! until in that phrenzy he threw himself into the river.

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

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

Lauds

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, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.  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: enter into the joy of thy Lord.  Alleluia.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Dómine Jesu Christe, qui ad mystérium crucis prædicándum, sanctum Paulum singulári caritáte donásti, et per eum novam in Ecclésia famíliam floréscere voluísti : ipsíus nobis intercessióne concéde ; ut passiónem tuam júgiter recoléntes in terris, ejúsdem fructum cónsequi mereámur in cælis : Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesu Christ, who for the preaching of the mystery of the Cross, didst endue  thy blessed Confessor Saint Paul with singular gifts of charity, and did likewise through him cause a new household of thy servants to flourish in thy Church : we beseech thee, that at his intercession we may learn so stedfastly to remember thy passion in this our life on earth, that we may be found worthy to attain to the benefits of the same in heaven.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

The Church of San Vitale, Ravenna

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

Ant:  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.

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

Oremus.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui beáti Vitális Mártyris tui natalítia cólimus, intercessióne ejus in tui nóminis amóre roborémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, who this day keep the heavenly birthday of blessed Vitalis, thy holy Martyr, may by his prayers be stablished in the love of thy holy Name.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

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