Queen of Portugal, Widow

Semidouble

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

At Second Vespers of
Ss. Cyril & Methodius, Bpp. and Cc.

Ant:  Et nunc, reges, intellígite, erudímini, qui judicátis terram.

Ant:  Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.

V.  Ora pro nobis, beáta Elísabeth.
R.  Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

V.  Pray for us, O blessed Elisabeth.
R.  That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Oremus.
Clementíssime Deus, qui, beátam Elísabeth regínam, inter céteras egrégias dotes, béllici furóris sedándi prærogatíva decorásti : da nobis, ejus intercessióne ; post mortális vitæ, quam supplíciter pétimus, pacem, ad ætérna gáudia perveníre.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Most merciful God, who amongst many excellent gifts didst bestow on the blessed Queen Elisabeth peculiar grace to allay the violence of war : grant, we beseech thee ; that by her intercession we may both obtain in this life that peace for which we humbly pray, and hereafter attain to eternal felicity.  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
 

Invitatory and Hymn

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Laudémus Deum nostrum * In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

Let us praise our God * For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

Laudémus Deum nostrum * In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

Let us praise our God * For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

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.

Laudémus Deum nostrum * In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

Let us praise our God * For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

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.

In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

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.

Laudémus Deum nostrum * In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

Let us praise our God * For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

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.

In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

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.

Laudémus Deum nostrum * In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

Let us praise our God * For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

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.

In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

Laudémus Deum nostrum * In sanctis opéribus beátæ Elísabeth.

Let us praise our God * For all the good works of blessed Elisabeth.

Domáre cordis ímpetus Elísabeth
Fortis, inópsque Deo
Servíre, regno prætulit.

En fúlgidis recépta cæli sédibus,
Sidereǽque domus
Ditáta sanctis gáudiis.

Nunc regnat inter cælites beátior,
Et premit astra, docens
Quæ vera sint regni bona.

Patri potéstas, Filióque glória,
Perpetuúmque decus
Tibi sit, alme Spíritus.  Amen.

Pure, meek, with soul serene,
Sweeter to her it was to serve unseen
Her God, than reign a Queen.

Now far above our sight,
Enthroned in the azure, starry height,
She reigns in realms of light.

So long as time shall flow,
Teaching to all who sit on thrones below
The good that power can do.

Praise to the Father be,
Praise to the Son, praise Holy Ghost to thee!
Through all eternity.  Amen.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun the First 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 Holy Women, Mulierem fortem.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Holy Women
 

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.

Elísabeth Aragóniæ régibus ortam, Christi anno millésimo ducentésimo septuagésimo primo, in præságium futúræ sanctimóniæ, paréntes, præter morem relícto matris aviǽque nómine, a magna ejus matértera, Thuríngiæ dómina, sancta Elísabeth, in baptísmo nominátam voluére.  Ubi nata est, statim pátuit quam felix regum regnorúmque esset futúra pacátrix ; natalítia enim ejus lætítia perniciósas avi patrísque dissensiónes in concórdiam convértit.  Pater vero, crescéntis póstea fíliæ admirátus índolem, affirmábat fore, ut una Elísabeth réliquas Aragoniórum regum sánguine creátas féminas virtúte longe superáret.  Sic cæléstem ipsíus vitam in contemnéndo córporis ornátu, in fugiéndis voluptátibus, in jejúniis frequentándis, in divínis précibus assídue recitándis, in caritátis opéribus exercéndis, venerátus, rerum suárum regníque felicitátem uníus fíliæ méritis referébat accéptam.  Tandem, ubíque nota et a multis princípibus exoptáta, Dionysio Lusitániæ regi christiánis cæremóniis rite est in matrimónium collocáta.

Elisabeth, of the royal race of Aragon, was born in the year of Christ 1271, and it was an omen of her saintly life, that her father and mother, contrary to the usual custom, caused her to be baptized, not by the name of her mother or grandmother, but by that of her mother's aunt, the holy Lady Elisabeth of Thuringia.  As soon as ever she was born, her destiny of being a peacemaker between kings and kingdoms began to appear, for the joy of her birth put an end to the ruinous quarrels of her father and grandfather.  As she grew up, her father, delighted with her disposition, was used to foretell that his Elisabeth would in herself excel all the daughters of the kingly house of Aragon, and that the happiness of his own home and kingdom was all owing to this one damsel, whose heavenly life he venerated for her indifference to bodily finery, her abstinence from pleasures, her many fasts, her instancy in prayer to God, and her activity in doing works of charity.  This illustrious maiden was sought in marriage by many princes, and was wedded with Christian rites to Denis, King of Portugal.

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.

Juncta conjúgio, non minórem excoléndis virtútibus quam líberis educándis óperam dabat, viro placére studens, sed magis Deo.  Médiam fere anni partem solo pane tolerábat et aqua ; quæ in quodam ipsíus morbo divínitus versa est in vinum, cum id a médicis præscríptum bíbere recusásset.  Páuperis féminæ ulcus horréndum exosculáta, derepénte sanávit.  Pecúnias paupéribus distribuéndas, ut regem latérent, hibérno témpore in rosas convértit.  Vírginem cæcam a nativitáte illuminávit ; multos álios solo crucis signo a gravíssimis morbis liberávit ; plúrima id genus mirácula patrávit.  Monastéria, collégia et templa non modo exstrúxit, sed étiam magnífice dotávit.  In regum discórdiis componéndis admirábilis fuit ; in privátis publicísque mortálium sublevándis calamitátibus indeféssa.

As a wife, she gave herself up as much to the education of her children, as to her own improvement, striving in all ways, next to God, to please her husband.  For nearly half the year, she was used to live on bread and water, and once, when she was ill, God changed the water into wine, which the physicians had ordered her to drink, but which she was unwilling to take.  Once when she kissed a disgusting ulcer in a poor woman, it was immediately healed.  One winter-time when she was giving some money to the poor, and was fain her husband should not see her alms, the coins changed into roses.  She gave sight to a maiden who had been born blind, and healed many other persons of grievous sicknesses by the Sign of the Cross.  The miracles of this kind, which she worked, were many.  She not only built, but richly endowed convents, schools, and churches.  She had a wonderful skill in making peace between kings, and toiled unweariedly to lighten all suffering, whether public or private.

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.

Defúncto rege Dionysio, sicut virgínibus in prima ætáte, in matrimónio conjúgibus, ita víduis in solitúdine fuit ómnium virtútem exémplar.  Illico enim religiósis sanctæ Claræ véstibus indúta, régio fúneri constánter intérfuit, ac paulo post, Compostéllam proficíscens, multa ex holosérico, argénto, auro, gemmísque donária pro regis ánima óbtulit.  Inde revérsa domum, quidquid sibi carum aut pretiósum supérerat, in sacros ac pios usus convértit ; absolvendóque suo vere régio Conimbricénsi vírginum cœnóbio, et aléndis paupéribus, et protegéndis víduis, defendéndis pupíllis, míseris ómnibus juvándis inténta, non sibi, sed Deo, et mortálium ómnium cómmodis vivébat.  Reges duos, fílium et génerum, pacificatúra Stremótium nóbile óppidum véniens, morbo ex itínere contrácto, ibídem a Vírgine Deípara, visitáta, sanctíssime óbiit, anno millésimo trecentésimo trigésimo sexto die quarta Júlii.  Post mortem multis miráculis cláruit, præsértim suavíssimo córporis jam per annos fere trecéntos incorrúpti odóre ; semper étiam regínæ sanctæ cognoménto célebris.  Tandem anno jubilǽi, et nostræ salútis millésimo sexcentésimo vigésimo quinto, totíus christiáni orbis concúrsu et appláusu, ab Urbáno octávo rite inter Sanctos adscrípta est.

King Denis died and Elisabeth, who in her maidenhood had been a pattern to virgins, and in her married life to wives, now, in her loneliness, was an ensample to widows.  Clad in the raiment of the nuns of St. Clare, she faithfully attended at the King's funeral, and soon after went to Compostella, where she offered many precious gifts, of silk and gold, and silver, and precious stones, for the benefit of his soul.  Thence she returned home, and spent in holy and godly uses everything that remained to her that was dear and costly, eager to relieve every kind of suffering.  She lived, not for herself, but for God, and to be useful to mankind.  She finished the convent for nuns, right worthy of a Queen, which she had founded at Coïmbra.  She fed the poor, defended widows, protected orphans.  A war being lighted up, between her son Alphonsus IV, King of Portugal, and her grandson Alphonsus XI, King of Castile, she resolved to set out to reconcile them, and went to the famous city of Estremoz.  On the journey she caught a violent fever, of which, after a vision of the Virgin Mother of God, she died a saintly death on the 4th day of July, in the year 1336.  She became illustrious for miracles after her death, especially for the sweetness of the savour of her body, which hath now remained uncorrupt for well-nigh three hundred years, and she hath always been spoken of as the Holy Queen.  At length, in the year of our salvation 1625, which was that of the Jubilee, Urban VIII, all Christendom gathered together and approving, formally enrolled her name 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.

The Castle of Estremoz where St. Elisabeth died in 1336

R.  Fallax grátia, et vana est pulchritúdo : * Múlier timens Dóminum ipsa laudábitur.
V.  Date ei de fructu mánuum suárum, et laudent eam in portis ópera ejus.
R.  Múlier timens Dóminum ipsa laudábitur.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Múlier timens Dóminum ipsa laudábitur.

R.  Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, * But the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
V.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
R.  But the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  But the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

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.

Elísabeth Aragóniæ régibus orta est anno Christi millésimo ducentésimo septuagésimo primo.  Natális ejus lætítia perniciósas avi patrísque dissensiónes in concórdiam convértit, ex quo statim pátuit, quam felix regum regnorúmque esset futúra pacátrix.  In castigándo córpore, in précibus assídue recitándis, in caritátis opéribus exercéndis admirábilis fuit.  Dionysio Lusitániæ regi in matrimónium trádita, non minórem excoléndis virtútibus quam líberis educándis óperam dabat, viro placére studens, sed magis Deo.  Monastéria, collégia et templa non modo exstrúxit, sed étiam magnífice dotávit.  In regum discórdiis componéndis admirábilis fuit, in privátis publicísque mortálium sublevándis calamitátibus indeféssa et miráculis clara.  Defúncto rege Dionysio, cum hábitum Seráphici órdinis induísset, quidquid sibi carum aut pretiósum supérerat, pro regis ánima templo Compostelláno óbtulit, et in sacros ac pios usus convértit.  Dénique reges duos, fílium et génerum, pacificatúra, morbo ex itínere contrácto, a Vírgine Deípara visitáta, sanctíssime óbiit.  Eam, miráculis claram, Urbánus octávus inter Sanctos adscrípsit.

Elisabeth was born of the royal family of Aragon in the year of our Lord 1271.  The joy of her birth put an end to the unhappy quarrels between her grandfather and her father, thus making it clear from the outset that she would be a blessed peacemaker between kings and kingdoms.  She was remarkable for the way in which she chastised her body, for her constancy in prayer, and for her exercise of the works of charity.  When she was married to Denis, King of Portugal, she devoted herself no less to the work of cultivating virtue than to that of educating her children, striving to please her husband, but still more to please God.  She not only had monasteries, colleges and churches built, but gave them magnificent endowments.  She was wonderful in settling the disputes of kings, unwearied in relieving the private and public calamities of her fellow-men, and famous for her miracles.  When King Denis had died, she put on the habit of the Seraphic Order, and whatever she had that was dear and precious to her she offered at the church of Compostella for the soul of the king and used for works of devotion and mercy.  Finally, having fallen ill as a result of a journey she made to establish peace between two kings, her son and her grandson, she died a most holy death, after receiving a visit from the Virgin Mother of God.  Famous for miracles, she was enrolled among the Saints by Urban VIII.

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 Simile est regnum cælorum thesauro abscondito is read from the Common of Holy Women.

Gospel Homily from Common of Holy Women
 

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

Antiphons and Psalms from Current Weekday

STAND

Capitulum                      Prov. 31. 10.
Mulíerem fortem quis invéniet?  Procul et de últimis fínibus prétium ejus.  Confídit in ea cor viri sui, et spóliis non indigébit.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Prov. 31. 10.
Who can find a virtuous woman?  For her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Opes decúsque régium relíqueras,
Elísabeth, Dei dicáta númini:
Recépta nunc beáris inter Angelos;
Libens ab hóstium tuére nos dolis.

Thy royal wealth and throne, O meek Elisabeth,
For Christ thou didst disown, by whom thy soul in death
The Angels' bliss was shewn; whose choir welcometh
With special minstrelsy all blest ones such as thee.

V.  Méritis et précibus beátæ Elísabeth.
R.  Propítius esto, Dómine, pópulo tuo.

V.  By the merits and prayers of blessed Elisabeth.
R.  Be favourable, O Lord, to thy people.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Tu glória Jerúsalem, * tu lætítia Israël, tu honorificéntia pópuli tui.

Ant. on Bened:  Thou art the exaltation of Jerusalem, * thou art the great glory of Israel, thou art the great rejoicing of thy nation.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Clementíssime Deus, qui, beátam Elísabeth regínam, inter céteras egrégias dotes, béllici furóris sedándi prærogatíva decorásti : da nobis, ejus intercessióne ; post mortális vitæ, quam supplíciter pétimus, pacem, ad ætérna gáudia perveníre.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Most merciful God, who amongst many excellent gifts didst bestow on the blessed Queen Elisabeth peculiar grace to allay the violence of war : grant, we beseech thee ; that by her intercession we may both obtain in this life that peace for which we humbly pray, and hereafter attain to eternal felicity.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Second Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

Antiphons and Psalms from Current Weekday

STAND

Capitulum                      Prov. 31. 10.
Mulíerem fortem quis invéniet?  Procul et de últimis fínibus prétium ejus.  Confídit in ea cor viri sui, et spóliis non indigébit.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Prov. 31. 10.
Who can find a virtuous woman?  For her price is far above rubies.  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Domáre cordis ímpetus Elísabeth
Fortis, inópsque Deo
Servíre, regno prætulit.

En fúlgidis recépta cæli sédibus,
Sidereǽque domus
Ditáta sanctis gáudiis.

Nunc regnat inter cælites beátior,
Et premit astra, docens
Quæ vera sint regni bona.

Patri potéstas, Filióque glória,
Perpetuúmque decus
Tibi sit, alme Spíritus.  Amen.

Pure, meek, with soul serene,
Sweeter to her it was to serve unseen
Her God, than reign a Queen.

Now far above our sight,
Enthroned in the azure, starry height,
She reigns in realms of light.

So long as time shall flow,
Teaching to all who sit on thrones below
The good that power can do.

Praise to the Father be,
Praise to the Son, praise Holy Ghost to thee!
Through all eternity.  Amen.

The convent of Santa Clara-a-Nova, Coïmbra
which contains the tomb of St. Elisabeth

V.  Ora pro nobis, beáta Elísabeth.
R.  Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

V.  Pray for us, O blessed Elisabeth.
R.  That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Elísabeth, * pacis et pátriæ mater, in cælo triúmphans, dona nobis pacem.

Ant. on Magnif:  O blessed Elisabeth, * mother of peace and of thy Fatherland, now victorious in heaven, grant us peace.

Oremus.
Clementíssime Deus, qui, beátam Elísabeth regínam, inter céteras egrégias dotes, béllici furóris sedándi prærogatíva decorásti : da nobis, ejus intercessióne ; post mortális vitæ, quam supplíciter pétimus, pacem, ad ætérna gáudia perveníre.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Most merciful God, who amongst many excellent gifts didst bestow on the blessed Queen Elisabeth peculiar grace to allay the violence of war : grant, we beseech thee ; that by her intercession we may both obtain in this life that peace for which we humbly pray, and hereafter attain to eternal felicity.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH