Confessor

Greater Double

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

V.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum.
R.  Stolam glóriæ índuit eum.

V.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him.
R.  He clothed him with a robe of glory.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Similábo eum * viro sapiénti, qui ædificávit domum suam supra petram.

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui Ecclésiam tuam beáti Domínici Confessóris tui illumináre dignátus es méritis et doctrínis : concéde ; ut ejus intercessióne temporálibus non destituátur auxíliis, et spirituálibus semper profíciat increméntis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who hast vouchsafed to enlighten thy Church with the merits and teaching of blessed Dominic thy Confessor : grant, we pray thee ; that by his intercession we may fail not of thy succour in all things temporal, and continually prosper in all spiritual advancement.  Through.

Ant:  Sepeliérunt Stéphanum viri timoráti, et fecérunt planctum magnum super eum.

Ant:  Devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

V.  Stéphanus vidit cælos apértos.
R.  Vidit, et introívit : beátus homo, cui cæli patébant

V.  Stephen saw the heavens set open.  He saw, and did enter in.
R.  How blest is he to whom the doors of heaven are set open!

Oremus.
Da nobis, quæsumus, Dómine, imitári quod cólimus : ut discámus et inimícos dilígere ; quia ejus Inventiónem celebrámus, qui novit étiam pro persecutóribus exoráre Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord, to imitate what we venerate, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the Invention of him who knew how to plead even for his persecutors even unto our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

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 before the First Sunday of August

Scripture Lessons after the First Sunday of August

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.

Domínicus, Calarógæ in Hispánia ex nóbili Gusmanórum família natus, Paléntiæ liberálibus disciplínis et theologíæ óperam dedit ; quo in stúdio cum plúrimum profecísset, prius Oxoménsis ecclésiæ canónicus reguláris, deínde órdinis fratrum Prædicatórum auctor fuit.  Hujus mater grávida sibi visa est, in quiéte, continére in alvo cátulum ore præferéntem facem, qua, éditus in lucem, orbem terrárum incénderet.  Quo sómnio significabátur fore ut, splendóre sanctitátis ac doctrínæ, gentes ad christiánam pietátem inflammaréntur.  Veritátem éxitus comprobávit ; id enim et præstitit per se, et per sui órdinis sócios deínceps est consecútus.

Dominic was a Spaniard, a son of the noble family of Guzman.  He was born at Calaruega, in the year of our Lord 1170, and was sent to be taught worldly and sacred learning at Palencia.  He attained great success in his studies, and became, first, a Regular Canon of the Cathedral Church of Osma, and afterwards Founder of the Order of Friars Preachers.  While his mother was great with child, she dreamt that what was in her womb was a little whelp dog with a lighted torch in his mouth, and that when she was delivered of him, he set all the world on fire.  By this dream was figured that burning and shining light of holiness of life and power of doctrine, whereby he should enkindle godliness throughout whole nations.  The end proved the truth of the image, for this is in good sooth what his work was, a work which he hath continued to do through the Brethren of his Order.

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

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

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.

St. Dominic speaks to the Albigensian heretics

Hujus autem ingénium ac virtus máxime enítuit in everténdis hæréticis, qui perniciósis erróribus Tolosátes pervértere conabántur ; quo in negótio septem consúmpsit annos.  Póstea Romam venit ad Lateranénse concílium cum epíscopo Tolosáno, ut ordo, quem institúerat, ab Innocéntio tértio confírmarétur.  Quæ res dum in deliberatióne versátur.  Domínicus hortátu Pontíficis ad suos revértitur, ut sibi régulam delígeret.  Romam rédiens, ab Honório tértio, qui próximus Innocéntio succésserat, confirmatiónem órdinis Prædicatórum ímpetrat.  Romæ autem duo instítuit monastéria, álterum virórum, mulíerum álterum.  Tres étiam mórtuos ad vitam revocávit, múltaque ália édidit mirácula, quibus ordo Prædicatórum mirífice propagári cœpit.

His wisdom and bravery were most chiefly shewn in confounding the heretics, who were fain, with their pestilential falsehoods, to corrupt the people of the county of Toulouse.  In this business he spent seven years.  Afterwards he came to Rome to the Fourth Lateran Council, along with the Bishop of Toulouse, that the Order which he had founded might be confirmed by Innocent III.  While the matter was under consideration, Dominic, by the advice of the Pope, went home, that he might put his Rule into shape.  He returned again to Rome and obtained from Honorius III, the immediate successor of Innocent, the confirmation of the Order of Preachers.  At Rome Dominic founded two convents, one for men, and one for women.  He raised three dead men to life, and worked many other miracles, wherethrough the Order of Preachers became exceedingly spread abroad.

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

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

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.

Verum, cum ejus ópera ubíque terrárum monastéria jam ædificaréntur, innumerabilésque hómines religiósam ac piam vitam institúerent, Bonóniæ anno Christi ducentésimo vigésimo primo supra millésimum in febrem íncidit.  Ex qua cum se moritúrum intellígeret, convocátis frátribus et alúmnis suæ disciplínæ, eos ad innocéntiam et integritátem cohortátus est.  Postrémo caritátem, humilitátem, paupertátem, tamquam certum patrimónium eis testaménto relíquit ; fratribúsque orántibus, in illis verbis, Subveníte, Sancti Dei, occúrrite, Angeli, obdormívit in Dómino, octávo Idus Augústi.  Quem póstea Gregórius nonus Póntifex rétulit in Sanctórum númerum.

By his work convents were already during his life-time established in all countries, and almost countless persons embraced the life of prayer and godliness.  In the year of Christ 1221 he fell sick of a fever at Bologna.  When he understood that he was about to die, he called together his brethren and disciples, and exhorted them to innocence and uprightness.  Lastly, he left to them as his legacy, love, lowliness, and poverty, and as the brethren were all praying, and the words were being said, Come ye to help him, O ye Saints of God! run ye to meet him, O ye Angels, he fell asleep in the Lord.  It was the 6th day of August.  Pope Gregory IX afterwards placed his 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 Sarcophagus containing the Saint's bones is on the altar in his chapel
at the Church of San Domenico, Bologna, Italy

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.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.

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.
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.
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.

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.

Domínicus, Calarógæ in Hispánia ex nóbili Gusmanórum família natus, et Paléntiæ liberálibus disciplínis et theología erudítus, prius Oxoménsis ecclésiæ canónicus factus, dein órdinis Prædicatórum auctor fuit.  Ejus ingénium et virtus máxime enituérunt in converténdis hæréticis, qui Tolosátes pervértere conabántur.  Romam véniens, ab Innocéntio tértio Pontífice máximo sui órdinis approbatiónem confirmationémque pétiit, quam ab ejus successóre Honório tértio impetrávit.  Cum vero ejus ópera innumerábiles hómines religiósam ac piam vitam institúerent, Bonóniæ, anno ducentésimo vigésimo primo supra millésimum, alúmnis caritátem, humilitátem et paupertátem tamquam certum patrimónium relínquens, in illis verbis : Subveníte, Sancti Dei, occúrrite, Angeli, obdormívit in Dómino, octávo Idus Augústi.  Eum Gregórius Papa nonus in Sanctórum númerum rétulit.

Born at Calaruega in Spain of the noble family of Guzman, Dominic studied the liberal arts and theology at Palencia.  At first he was made a canon of the church of Osma ; later he became the founder of the Order of Preachers.  His genius and virtue were most conspicuous in the conversion of the heretics who were trying to pervert the people of Toulouse.  He went to Rome and asked Pope Innocent III to approve and confirm his Order, and obtained this approval from his successor Honorius III.  After seeing his efforts bring innumerable men to a religious and holy life, he bequeathed charity, humility and poverty as a solid heritage to his disciples, and fell asleep in the Lord at Bologna on the 6th day of August, 1221, while these words were being said : Come ye to help him, O ye Saints of God! run ye to meet him, O ye Angels!  Pope Gregory IX enrolled him 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.

Church of San Domenico, Bologna

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 Sint lumbi vestri præcincti is read from the Common of a Confessor not a Bishop, Series 1.

Gospel Homily from Common of Confessors
 

Lauds

V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas.
R.  Et osténdit illi regnum Dei.

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.

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.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui Ecclésiam tuam beáti Domínici Confessóris tui illumináre dignátus es méritis et doctrínis : concéde ; ut ejus intercessióne temporálibus non destituátur auxíliis, et spirituálibus semper profíciat increméntis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who hast vouchsafed to enlighten thy Church with the merits and teaching of blessed Dominic thy Confessor : grant, we pray thee ; that by his intercession we may fail not of thy succour in all things temporal, and continually prosper in all spiritual advancement.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH