Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn
 

Invitatory and Hymn

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Psalmus 94.
Venite, exsultemus Domino

Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro : præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.

O come, let us sing unto the Lord ; let us heartily rejoice in the God of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving ; and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos : quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.

For the Lord is a great God ; and a great King above all gods:  For the Lord will not cast off his people:  In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

In the following verse of the Psalm, at the words veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum (O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker) all genuflect.

Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus : veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum : plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos, quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.

The sea is his and he made it ; and his hands prepared the dry land.  O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker: For he is the Lord our God ; and we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness ; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ; ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways:  unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Cæléstis Agni núptias,
O Juliána, dum petis,
Domum patérnam déseris,
Chorúmque ducis Vírginum.

Sponsúmque suffíxum cruci
Noctes diésque dum gemis,
Dolóris icta cúspide
Sponsi refers imáginem.

Quin septifórmi vúlnere
Fles ad genu Deíparæ :
Sed crescit infúsa fletu,
Flammásque tollit cáritas.

Hinc morte fessam próxima
Non usitáto te modo
Solátur et nutrit Deus,
Dapem supérnam pórrigens.

*  Ætérne rerum Cónditor,
Ætérne Fili par Patri,
Et par utríque Spíritus,
Soli tibi sit glória.  Amen.

There day and night she mourns her Spouse;
Him crucified, she mourns with tears,
Till in herself, through very grief,
The image of that Spouse appears.

Wounded like him, she kneels transfixed
Before the Virgin-Mother's shrine,
And still the more she weeps, the more
Mounts in her heart the flame divine.

Such love abounding Christ repaid
His handmaid on her dying bed,
When with the food of heavenly life
As by a miracle he fed.

Ordinary Doxology
All laud to thee, Creator blest;
And laud to thine eternal Son;
And laud to him the Paraclete;
Eternal laud to Three in One.  Amen.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, the First Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below. 

First Nocturn

The Psalms and Antipohons for the First Nocturn are taken from the current weekday.  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 Virgins, De virginibus.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Virgins
 

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.

Juliána, ex nóbili Falconéria família, Claríssimo patre, qui templum Deíparæ ab Angelo salutátæ ære suo magnífice a fundaméntis Floréntiæ, ut nunc vísitur, eréxit, matre Reguardáta, ambóbus jam senescéntibus ac ad id tempus sterílibus, nata est anno millésimo ducentésimo septuagésimo.  Ab incunábulis non exíguum futúræ sanctitátis spécimen dedit ; vagiéntibus quippe labris, suavíssima Jesu et Maríæ nómina ultro proférre audíta est.  Puerítiam póstmodum ingréssa totam se christiánis virtútibus mancipávit, in quibus ádeo excélluit, ut beátus Aléxius pátruus, cujus institútis ac exémplis ínstruebátur, matri dícere non dubitáverit, ipsam non féminam peperísse, sed ángelum.  Nam ita modésto vultu animóque ab omni vel levíssima erróris mácula pura fuit, ut óculos vel levíssima, erróris mácula pura fuit, ut óculos numquam in toto vitæ cursu ad hóminis fáciem intuéndam eréxerit, auditóque peccáti vocábulo contremúerit.  Expléto nondum décimo quinto ætátis suæ anno, re familiári, licet opulénta, terrenísque posthábitis núptiis, Deo virginitátem in mánibus dívi Philíppi Benítii solémniter vovit, ab eóque ómnium prima religiósum Mantellatárum hábitum, ut dicunt, sumpsit.

Juliana was a daughter of the noble family of the Falconieri, and was born in the year 1270.  Her father was the same who at his own costs so splendidly built from the foundations the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation as it now standeth at Florence.  Her mother's name was Reguardata.  They were both well stricken in years, and, until the birth of Juliana, had been childless.  From her very cradle, she gave tokens of the holiness of life to which she afterwards attained.  And from the murmuring of her baby lips was caught the sweet sounds of the names of Jesus and Mary.  As she entered on her girlhood, she delivered herself up entirely to the pursuit of Christian godliness, and so excellently shone therein, that her uncle, the Blessed Alexius, scrupled not to tell her mother that she had given birth to an Angel rather than to a woman.  So modest was her carriage, and so clean her soul from the lightest speck of indiscretion, that she never in her whole life stared a man in the face, and that the very mention of sin made her shiver, and when the story of a grievous crime was told her, she dropped down nearly fainting.  Before she had finished her fifteenth year, she renounced her inheritance, although a rich one, and all prospect of an earthly marriage, and made to God a vow of virginity, before holy Philip Beniti, from whom she was the first to receive the religious habit of what are called the Mantellate Nuns.

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

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

R.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam : * Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.

R.  Ride on because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness : * And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

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.

Juliánæ exémplum secútæ sunt plúrimæ ex nobílióribus famíliis féminæ, ac mater ipsa fíliæ sese religióse instituéndam dedit, ita ut, aucto paulátim número, órdinem Mantellatárum institúerit, ac illi pie vivéndi leges summa prudéntia ac sanctitáte tradíderit.  Ejus virtútes cum óptime perspéctas divus Benítius habéret, morti próximus nulli mélius quam Juliánæ, non féminas tantum, sed et totum Servórum órdinem, cujus propagátor et moderátor exstíterat, commendátum vóluit.  Verum ipsa demísse semper de se cogitábat ; et, cum ceterárum esset magístra, in re quaque doméstica, licet vili, soróribus famulabátur.  Assiduitáte orándi íntegras insumébat dies in éxtasim sæpíssime rapta, et, si réliquum, in sedándis cívium dissídiis, criminósis a via iniquitátis retrahéndis, ac inserviéndis impendébat ægrótis ; quorum quandóque sániem ex ulcéribus manántem, admóto ore lambens, eos sanitáti restítuébat.  Corpus suum flagris, nodósis funículis, férreis cíngulis, vigíliis, humi nudæ cubándo, térere sólita fuit.  Parcíssimo cibo, et hoc vili, quátuor hebdómadæ diébus, et réliquis duóbus solo Angelórum pane conténta, excépto die sábbati, quo pane solo et aqua nutriebátur.

Many young women of noble families followed the example of Juliana, and even her own mother put herself for instruction under her daughter.  Thus in a little while their number increased, and she became the foundress of the Order of Mantellate Nuns, who whom she gave a rule of life full of wisdom and godliness.  Holy Philip Beniti, having thorough knowledge of her excellence, chose her above all living to whom at his death to leave the care not of the women only but of the whole of the Servite Order, of which he had been the propagator and director.  Juliana, who deemed very lowly of herself, even when she was the mistress of the others, ministered to her sisters in the meanest offices of the work of the house.  She passed whole days in incessant prayer, and was often rapt in spirit, and the remainder of her time she toiled to make peace among the citizens, who were at variance together, to recall transgressors from the ways of iniquity, and to nurse the sick, to cure whom she would sometimes even use her tongue to remove the matter that ran from their sores.  It was her custom to afflict her own body with whips, knotted cords, iron girdles, watching, and sleeping upon the ground.  Upon Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, she ate very sparingly some unpalatable food, upon Fridays she took nothing except the Bread of Angels, and upon Saturdays, besides the Holy Communion, only bread and water.

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

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

R.  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem : * Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.
V.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam.
R.  Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.

R.  Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity : * Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.
V.  Because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and of righteousness.
R.  Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.

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.

Dura hujúsmodi vivéndi ratióne in stómachi morbum íncidit, quo ingravescénte, cum septuagésimum ætátis annum ágeret, ad extrémum vitæ spátium redácta est.  Diutúrnæ valetúdinis incómmoda hílari vultu constantíque ánimo pértulit ; de uno tantum cónqueri audíta est, quod, cum cibum cápere ac retinére nullo modo posset, ab Eucharística mensa ob sacraménti reveréntiam arcerétur. Verum, his in angústiis constitúta, sacerdótem rogávit ut allátum divínum Panem, quem ore súmere nequíbat, péctori saltem extérius admovéret.  Précibus illíus morem gessit sacérdos ; et mirum! eódem témporis moménto divínus Panis dispáruit, et Juliána seréno ac ridénti vultu exspirávit.  Res supra fidem támdiu fuit, donec vírgineum de more curarétur corpus ; invénta enim est circa sinístrum péctoris latus carni véluti sigíllo impréssa forma hóstiæ, quæ Christi crucifíxi effígiem repræsentábat.  Hujus prodígii fama ceterorúmque miraculórum non Floréntiæ tantum, sed totíus christiáni orbis veneratiónem illi conciliávit, ac per quátuor prope íntegra sæcula ádeo aucta est, ut tandem Benedíctus Papa décimus tértius in ejus celebritáte Offícium próprium recitári ab univérso órdine beátæ Maríæ Vírginis Servórum jússerit.  Clemens vero duodécimus, munificentíssimus ejúsdem órdinis protéctor, novis in dies miráculis coruscántem, sanctárum Vírginum catálogo adscrípsit.

The self-inflicted hardships of her life brought upon her a disease of the stomach, whereby , when she was seventy years of age, she was brought to the point of death.  She bore the daily sufferings of her illness with a smiling face and a brave heart.  The only thing of which she was heard to complain was that, her stomach being so weak that she could not keep down any food, she was withheld by reverence for the Sacrament from drawing near to the Lord's Table.  Finding herself in these straits she begged the Priest to bring the Bread of God, and, as she dared not take it into her mouth, to put it as near as possible to her heart.  The Priest did as she wished, and, to the amazement of all present, the Divine Bread at once disappeared from sight, and at the same instant a smile of joyous peace crossed the face of Juliana, and she gave up the ghost.  All were confounded until the virgin body was being laid out after death in the accustomed manner.  Then there was found upon the left side of the bosom a mark like the stamp of a seal, reproducing the form of the Sacred Host, the mould of which was one of those that bear a figure of Christ crucified.  The noise of this and other wonders got for Juliana a reverence not only from Florence, but from all parts of the world, which so increased through the course of four hundred years, that Pope Benedict XIII commanded an office in her honour to be said by the whole Order of Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Clement XII, a munificent Protector of the same Order, finding new signs and wonders shedding lustre upon her memory every day, numbered her among the Holy Virgins.

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

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

R.  Afferéntur Regi vírgines post eam, próximæ ejus * Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.

R.  After her shall virgins be brought unto the King : * Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.

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.

Florence, Italy

Juliána, ex nóbili Falconéria família, ab incunábulis, vagiéntibus lábiis suavíssima Jesu et Maríæ nómina ultro proférre audíta est.  Expléto nondum décimo quinto ætátis anno, re familiári, licet opulénta, terrenísque núptiis posthábitis, Deo virginitátem in mánibus dívi Philíppi Benítii solémniter vovit, et ab eo ómnium prima religiósum Mantellatárum, quas vocant, hábitum sumpsit.  Cum vero ejus exémplum plúrimæ ex nobilióribus féminis sequeréntur, et mater fíliæ sese instituéndam dedísset, Juliána órdinem Mantellatárum instítuit.  Mira humilitáte, assíduo oratiónis stúdio, singulári abstinéntia excélluit.  Cum ob advérsam valetúdinem cibum cápere ac retinére nullo modo posset, ideóque ab Eucharística mensa arcerétur, sacerdótem rogávit, ut allátum divínum Panem, quem ore súmere nequíbat, péctori saltem extérius admovéret.  Quod cum sacérdos præstitísset, íllico divínus Panis dispáruit, et Juliána ridénti vultu exspirávit.

When Juliana, of the noble family of the Falconieri, was still in her cradle, her baby lips were heard to utter, without any prompting, the sweet names of Jesus and Mary.  Before she was fifteen years old, she renounced a rich inheritance and an earthly wedding and took a solemn vow of virginity in the presence of St. Philip Benizi.  She was the first to receive from him the habit of the religious called the Mantellates.  When many noble ladies followed her example, and even her mother gave herself over to her daughter to be instructed in the religious life, Juliana founded the Order of the Mantellate Nuns.  She excelled in a wonderful humility, a constant zeal for prayer and an amazing abstinence.  When her health failed so that she could take and retain no food at all, and was therefore kept from the Eucharistic table, she asked the Priest to place the divine Bread on her breast, since she could not receive it with her mouth.  When he did so, the holy Bread disappeared at once, and Juliana, smiling, departed this life.

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

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 : Dixit Jesus discípulis suis parábolam hanc :  Símile erit regnum cælórum decem virgínibus, quæ, accipiéntes lámpades suas, exiérunt óbviam sponso et sponsæ.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus spake this parable unto his disciples:  The kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridgegroom and the bride.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Sæpe vos, fratres caríssimi, admóneo prava ópera fúgere, mundi hujus inquinaménta devitáre, sed hodiérna sancti Evangélii lectióne compéllor dícere, ut, et bona, quæ ágitis, cum magna cautéla teneátis ; ne per hoc, quod a vobis rectum géritur, favor aut grátia humána requirátur ; ne appetítus laudis subrépat, et, quod foris osténditur, intus a mercéde vacuétur.  Ecce enim Redemptóris voce decem vírgines, et omnes dicúntur vírgines, et tamen intra beatitúdinis jánuam non omnes sunt recéptæ ; quia eárum quædam, dum de virginitáte sua glóriam foris éxpetunt, in vasis suis óleum habére noluérunt.

Dearly beloved brethren : oftentimes do I warn you to flee evil, and to keep yourselves unspotted from the world.  But today's reading from the holy Gospel moveth me to warn you even further, namely, to exercise prudence when ye attempt to do good.  Look ye well to your motives lest, when ye work righteousness, ye do it for the praise and admiration of men.  For if we do things to obtain praise of men, what appeareth so fair outwardly hath nothing inwardly which deserveth reward.  Behold how the Redeemer speaketh of these ten virgins.  He calleth them all virgins.  Yet not all of them were received within the gates of blessedness.  For some of them sought outwardly the honour of virginity, but had no substance of virginity within, for they took no oil wherewith to sustain the lamp of purity.

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

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

R.  Hæc est Virgo sápiens, quam Dóminus vigilántem invénit, quæ accéptis lampádibus sumpsit secum óleum : * Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias.
V.  Média nocte clamor factus est : Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
R.  Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias.

R.  This is one of those wise virgins, whom the Lord found watching, for when she took her lamp, she took oil with her. * And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage.
V.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
R.  And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipsa intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May she whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Sed prius quæréndum nobis est quid sit regnum cælórum, aut cur decem virgínibus comparétur, quæ étiam vírgines prudéntes et fátuæ dicántur.  Dum enim cælórum regnum constat quia reprobórum nullus ingréditur, étiam fátuis virgínibus cur símile esse perhibétur?  Sed sciéndum nobis est quod sæpe in sacro elóquio regnum cælórum præséntis témporis Ecclésia dícitur.  De quo álio in loco Dóminus dicit : Mittet Fílius hóminis Angelos suos, et cólligent de regno ejus ómnia scándala.  Neque enim in illo regno beatitúdinis, in quo pax summa est, inveníri scándala póterunt, quæ colligántur.

But first of all, it is for us to ask, What is the kingdom of heaven?  And wherefore shall the same be likened unto ten virgins, whereof, albeit five were wise, yet five were foolish?  For if the kingdom of heaven be such that there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, how can it be like unto five virgins which were foolish?  But we should know that in language of holy Scripture, the kingdom of heaven doth oftentimes signify the Church as she now is, touching the which the Lord saith in another place : The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend.  In that kingdom of blessedness, wherein peace shall have her perfect reign, there shall be nothing found that offendeth for the Angels to gather out.

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

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

R.  Média nocte clamor factus est : * Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
V.  Prudéntes vírgines, aptáte vestras lámpades.
R.  Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.

R.  At midnight there was a cry made: * Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
V.  Trim your lamps, O ye wise Virgins.
R.  Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.

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 Ss. Gervase and Protase, Martyrs :

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.

Gervásius et Protásius, Vitális et Valériæ fílii, quorum pater Ravénnæ, mater Medioláni pro Christi Dómini fide martyrium subiérunt, distribúto paupéribus património, domésticos servos libertáte donárunt.  Quo facto Gentílium sacerdótes immáne in illos concéptum ódium habébant.  Quare, cum Astásius comes in bellum proficísci vellet, hanc occasiónem perdéndi pios fratres se nactos esse putavérunt.  Itaque Astásio persuádent se a diis admónitos esse, nullo modo eum in bello victórem futúrum, nisi Gervásio et Protásio coáctis Christum negáre, eósdem ad sacra diis faciénda compélleret.  Quod cum illi detestaréntur, Astásius imperávit Gervásium támdiu cædi, dum inter vérbera exspiráret ; Protásium fústibus contúsum secúri pércuti jubet.  Quorum córpora Philíppus Christi servus clam sústulit et in suis ædibus sepelívit : quæ póstea sanctus Ambrósius, Dei mónitu invénta, in loco sacro et insígni collocánda curávit.  Passi sunt Medioláni décimo tértio Kaléndas Júlii.

Gervase and Protase were the sons of Vitalis and Valeria, both of whom testified even unto death for the Lord Christ's sake, the father at Ravenna, and the mother at Milan.  After the victory of their parents, Gervase and Protase gave all the inheritance to the poor, and set free their slaves.  This act of theirs stirred up against them a savage hatred on the part of the heathen priests, and when the Count Astasius was about setting forth to war, they believed they had got a good occasion for the destruction of the two godly brethren.  They persuaded Astasius that their gods had revealed to them that he had no chance of conquering in the war, unless he had first made Gervase and Protase to deny Christ and to offer sacrifice to the gods.  Being commanded so to do, they flatly refused, and Astasius then ordered Gervase to be lashed until he died between the stripes, and Protase to be cudgelled and beheaded.  A servant of Christ named Philip took away their dead bodies by stealth, and buried them in his own house, and, in after times, St. Ambrose, being warned of God, found them, and bestowed them in an hallowed and honourable place.  They suffered at Milan upon the 19th day of June.

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

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

Milan Cathedral