Virgin

Semidouble

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua.
R.  Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.

V.  In thy comeliness, yea in thy beauty.
R.  Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Veni, Sponsa Christi, * áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparávit in ætérnum.

Ant. on Magnif:  Come, thou bride of Christ, * receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever.

Oremus.
Exáudi nos, Deus, salutáris noster : ut, sicut de beátæ Marthæ Vírginis tuæ festivitáte gaudémus ; ita piæ devotiónis erudiámur afféctu.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation : that, like as we do rejoice in the festival of blessed Martha thy holy Virgin ; so we may learn to follow her in all godly and devout affections.  Through.

Ant:  Gaudent in cælis ánimæ Sanctórum, qui Christi vestígia sunt secúti, et, quia pro ejus amóre sánguinem suum fudérunt, ídeo cum Christo exsúltant sine fine.

Ant:  In the heavenly kingdom the souls of the Saints are rejoicing, even such as walked in the footsteps of Christ, for love of whom they shed their very life-blood; therefore with Christ they now do reign for ever and ever.

V.  Exsultábunt Sancti in glória.
R.  Lætabúntur in cubílibus suis.

V.  Let the Saints be joyful with glory.
R.  Let them rejoice in their beds.

Oremus.
Sanctórum tuórum nos, Dómine, Nazárii, Celsi, Victóris et Innocéntii conféssio beáta commúniat : et fragilitáti nostræ subsídium dignánter exóret.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
We pray thee, O Lord : that the glorious confession of thy blessed Saints, Nazarius, Celsus, Victor, and Innocent, may strengthen us against all temptations, and obtain for the frailty of our mortal nature the succour of thy bounteous goodness.  (Through.)

Then is made Commemoration of Ss. Felix II, Pope, Simplicius, Faustinus and Beatrice, Martyrs :

The Martyrdom of Ss. Simplicius and Faustinus

Ant:  Istórum est enim regnum cælórum, qui contempsérunt vitam mundi, et pervenérunt ad præmia regni, et lavérunt stolas suas in sánguine Agni.

Ant:  Blessed are they who have despised earthly pleasure, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, and have won the heavenly great reward.

V.  Lætámini in Dómino et exsultáte, justi.
R.  Et gloriámini, omnes recti corde.

V.  Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord.
R.  And be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.

Oremus.
Præsta, quæsumus, Dómine : ut, sicut pópulus christiánus Mártyrum tuórum Felícis, Simplícii, Faustíni et Beatrícis temporáli solemnitáte congáudet, ita perfruátur ætérna ; et, quod votis célebrat, comprehéndat efféctu.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that as thy Christian people do here in time unite in solemn joy for the blessedness of thy Martyrs Felix, Simplicius, Faustinus, and Beatrice, they may also rejoice with them hereafter in their eternal joy, and may understand by very knowledge, that whereof they now speak in their prayers.  (Through.)

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

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 Virgins, De virgínibus.

St. Lazarus

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.

Martha, nobílibus et copiósis paréntibus nata, sed Christi Dómini hospítio clárior, post ejus ascénsum in cælum, cum fratre, soróre, et Marcélla pedíssequa, ac Maximíno, uno ex septuagínta duóbus discípulis Christi Dómini, qui totam illam domum baptizáverat, multísque áliis Christiánis, comprehénsa a Judæis, in navem sine velo ac remígio impónitur, vastissimóque mari ad certum naufrágium commíttitur.  Sed navis, Deo gubernánte, salvis ómnibus, Massíliam appúlsa est.

Martha was the daughter of noble and wealthy parents, but is best known as having been the hostess of the Lord Christ.  After that he was ascended into heaven, Martha, along with her brother Lazarus, her sister Mary Magdalene, her waiting-woman Marcella, Maximin, who was one of the seventy-two disciples of the Lord Christ, and who had baptized the whole of the family, and many other Christians, was taken by the Jews, and turned adrift upon the open sea in a ship without sail or oars, to meet with certain wreck, but by the governance of God the ship came to land at Marseilles with all safe.

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.

Relics of St. Lazarus, Larnaca, Cyprus

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.

Eo miráculo et horum prædicatióne, primum Massiliénses, mox Aquénses ac finítimæ gentes in Christum credidérunt ; Lazarúsque Massiliénsium et Maximínus Aquénsium epíscopus creátur.  Magdaléna vero, assuéta oratióni et pédibus Dómini, ut óptima parte contemplándæ cæléstis beatitúdinis, quam elégerat, fruerétur, in vastam altíssimi montis spelúncam se cóntulit ; ubi trigínta annos vixit, ab omni hóminum consuetúdine disjúncta, quotidiéque per id tempus ad audiéndas cæléstium laudes in altum ab Angelis eláta.

Through the miracle and the preaching of the Saints, the people of Marseilles first, and then those of Aix, and of the uttermost tribes, believed in Christ, and Lazarus was made Bishop of Marseilles, and Maximin Bishop of Aix.  Mary Magdalene  sat still at Jesus' feet being altogether given to prayer and the contemplation of heavenly blessedness , that that good part which she had chosen might not be taken away from her, withdrew herself to a great cave in an exceeding high mountain, where she lived for thirty years, utterly cut off from all conversation with men, and every day during that time carried up by Angels into the air, to listen to them that dwell in heaven praising God.

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.

Martha autem, mirábili vitæ sanctitáte et caritáte, ómnium Massiliénsium ánimis in sui amórem et admiratiónem addúctis, in locum a viris remótum cum áliquot honestíssimis féminis se recépit ; ubi summa cum laude pietátis et prudéntiæ diu vixit, ac demum, morte sua multo ante prædícta, miráculis clara migrávit ad Dóminum, quarto Kaléndas Augústi.  Cujus corpus apud Taráscum magnam habet veneratiónem.

Martha, by the wondrous holiness and charity of her life, drew upon herself the love and wonder of all the inhabitants of Marseilles.  She withdrew herself in company with some other honourable women into a place out of the way of men, where she lived long, with great praise for godliness and discretion.  She foretold her own death long before, and at last, illustrious for miracles, passed away to be ever with the Lord, upon the 29th day of July.  Her body is held in great worship at Tarascon.

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.

Reliquary of St. Martha at Tarascon, France

Martha, nobílibus et copiósis paréntibus nata, sed Christi Dómini hospítio clárior, post ejus ascénsum in cælum, cum fratre, soróre multísque áliis Christiánis comprehénsa a Judæis et in navem sine velo ac remígio impósita, Massíliam appulísse tráditur.  Eo miráculo et horum prædicatióne Massiliénses et finítimæ gentes in Christum credidérunt.  Martha autem, mirábili vitæ sanctitáte et caritáte ómnium Massiliénsium ánimis in sui amórem et admiratiónem addúctis, in locum a viris remótum cum áliquot honestíssimis féminis re recépit ; ubi summa cum laude pietátis et prudéntiæ diu vixit, ac demum, morta sua multo ante prædícta, miráculis clara migrávit ad Dóminum.

Martha was born of noble and wealthy parents, but is most renowned for her hospitality to Christ the Lord.  Tradition says that after his Ascension she was arrested by the Jews, together with her brother and sister, and many other Christians, and put into a boat without sail or oars, which came to harbour in Marseilles.  Because of this miracle and their preaching, the people of Marseilles and the neighbouring tribes believed in Christ.  Martha won the love and admiration of all the people of Marseilles by her wonderful holiness of life and her charity.  She retired with other good women to a place far removed from men.  There she lived for a long time, highly renowned for her piety and her prudence.  At length, famous for miracles, she went to the Lord, having foretold her death long before it occurred.

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

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

Collegiate Church of St. Martha, Tarascon, France

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 : Intrávit Jesus in quoddam castéllum ; et múlier quædam, Martha nómine, excépit illum in domum suam.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus entered into a certain village, and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Verba Dómini nostri Jesu Christi, quæ modo ex Evangélio recitáta sunt, ádmonent nos, esse unum áliquid quo tendámus, quando in hujus sæculi multitúdine laborámus.  Téndimus autem adhuc peregrinántes, nondum manéntes ; adhuc in via, nondum in pátria ; adhuc desiderándo, nondum fruéndo.  Tamen tendámus, et sine pigrítia et sine intermissióne tendámus, ut aliquándo perveníre valeámus.  Martha et María duæ soróres erant, ambæ non solum carne, sed étiam religióne germánæ ; ambæ Dómino adhæsérunt, ambæ Dómino in carne præsénti concórditer serviérunt.

The words of our Lord Jesus Christ which have just been read from the Gospel, give us to wit that there is one thing toward the which we are making our way, all the while that we are striving amid the divers cares of this world.  Thitherward we make our way, whileas we are still strangers and pilgrims, unpossessed as yet of any abiding city, still on the journey, not yet come home, still hoping, not yet enjoying.  Still thitherward let us make our way, not slothfully nor by fits and starts, but so that some day we may arrive thither.  Martha and Mary were sisters, not in the flesh only, but also in godliness; together, they clave unto the Lord ; together, with one heart they served the Lord present in the Flesh.

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.

Suscépit eum Martha, sicut solent súscipi peregríni ; sed tamen suscépit fámula Dóminum, ægra Salvatórem, creatúra Creatórem.  Suscépit autem spíritu pascénda, in carne pascéndum.  Vóluit enim Dóminus formam servi accípere, et, accépta forma servi, in illa pasci a servis, dignatióne, non conditióne.  Nam et ista dignátio fuit, se præbére pascéndum.  Habébat carnem, in qua esuríret quidem, et sitíret ; sed nescítis, quia in erémo esuriénti Angeli ministrábant?  Ergo quod pasci vóluit, pascénti præstitit.  Quid autem mirum, si et de sancto Elía præstitit víduæ, quem prius, corvo ministránte, pascébat?  Numquid pascéndo defécerat, quando ad víduam mittébat?  Nequáquam, sed religiósam víduam, per obséquium exhíbitum servo suo, benedícere disponébat.

Martha received him into her house.  It was just as strangers are received, but it was the handmaiden receiving her Lord, the sick receiving her Saviour, the creature receiving her Creator.  She received him, to give bodily meat unto him by whom she herself was to be fed unto eternal life.  It had been the Lord's will to take upon him the form of a servant, to be fed by servants (still out of his good pleasure, not of necessity), and in that form of a servant which he had taken upon him.  This was his good pleasure, to offer himself as a subject for hospitality.  He had Flesh, wherein he was somewhiles an-hungered and athirst, but know ye not how that, when he was in the desert and was an-hungered, angels came and ministered unto him.  Himself it was therefore, that gave unto them of whom he was fain to be fed, the wherewithal.  And what wonder is this, if we consider how that holy Elijah, coming from being fed by the ministry of ravens, asked bread of the widow of Zarephath, and himself gave her the wherewithal to feed him?  Had God failed to feed Elijah when he sent him unto the widow?  God forbid.  He did so that he might bless that godly widow for a service rendered unto his servant.

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

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.

Sic ergo suscéptus est Dóminus, tamquam hospes, qui in sua própria venit, et sui eum non recepérunt ; sed quotquot recepérunt eum, dedit eis potestátem fílios Dei fíeri, adóptans servos et líberos fáciens, rédimens cáptívos et fáciens coherédes.  Ne quis tamen vestrum fórsitan dicat : O beáti, qui Christum suscípere in domum própriam meruérunt!  Noli dolére, noli murmuráre quia tempóribus natus es, quando jam Dóminus non vides in carne.  Non tibi ábstulit istam dignatiónem.  Cum uni, inquit, ex mínimis meis fecístis, mihi fecístis.  Hæc de Dómino pascéndo in carne, sed pascénte in spíritu, pauca pro témpore dixérimus.

Thus was that same Lord received as a guest, who came unto his own, and his own received him not, but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, adopting servants and making them children, redeeming prisoners and appointing them co-heirs.  Perchance some of you will say : O how blessed were they who were worthy to receive Christ as a guest into their own home! but mourn not, neither murmur, for that thou hast been born in an age wherein thou canst no more see Christ in the flesh.  He hath not put the honour of receiving him beyond thy reach.  Inasmuch, saith he, as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  The above remarks have occurred to me regarding the Lord considered as fed in the flesh, and I shall now touch briefly, as time permits, upon the same, considered as the Feeder of the soul.

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.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.
R.  Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

V.  Full of grace are thy lips.
R.  Because God hath blessed thee for ever.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Símile est regnum cælórum * hómini negotiatóri quærénti bonas margarítas : invénta una pretiósa, dedit ómnia sua, et comparávit eam.

Ant. on Bened:  The kingdom of heaven * is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Exáudi nos, Deus, salutáris noster : ut, sicut de beátæ Marthæ Vírginis tuæ festivitáte gaudémus ; ita piæ devotiónis erudiámur afféctu.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation : that, like as we do rejoice in the festival of blessed Martha thy holy Virgin ; so we may learn to follow her in all godly and devout affections.  Through.

Then is made Commemoration of Ss. Felix II, Pope, Simplicius, Faustinus and Beatrice, Martyrs :

St. Beatrice

Ant:  Vestri capílli cápitis omnes numeráti sunt : nolíte timére : multis passéribus melióres estis vos.

Ant:  Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered; fear not therefore ; ye are of more value than many sparrows.

V.  Exsultábunt Sancti in glória.
R.  Lætabúntur in cubílibus suis.

V.  Let the Saints be joyful with glory.
R.  Let them rejoice in their beds.

Oremus.
Præsta, quæsumus, Dómine : ut, sicut pópulus christiánus Mártyrum tuórum Felícis, Simplícii, Faustíni et Beatrícis temporáli solemnitáte congáudet, ita perfruátur ætérna ; et, quod votis célebrat, comprehéndat efféctu.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that as thy Christian people do here in time unite in solemn joy for the blessedness of thy Martyrs Felix, Simplicius, Faustinus, and Beatrice, they may also rejoice with them hereafter in their eternal joy, and may understand by very knowledge, that whereof they now speak in their prayers.  (Through.)

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Second Vespers

Church of St. Martha, Tarascon, France

V.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.
R.  Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

V.  Full of grace are thy lips.
R.  Because God hath blessed thee for ever.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Veni, Sponsa Christi, * áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparávit in ætérnum.

Ant. on Magnif:  Come, thou bride of Christ, * receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever.

Oremus.
Exáudi nos, Deus, salutáris noster : ut, sicut de beátæ Marthæ Vírginis tuæ festivitáte gaudémus ; ita piæ devotiónis erudiámur afféctu.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation : that, like as we do rejoice in the festival of blessed Martha thy holy Virgin ; so we may learn to follow her in all godly and devout affections.  Through.

Commemoration of the following day