St. Lawrence

Martyr

Double of II Class with Simple Octave

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

Ant.    Lauréntius * ingréssus est Martyr, et conféssus est nomen Dómini Jesu Christi.

Ant.    Lawrence * went in to be a martyr, and acknowledged the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalmus 109.  Dixit Dominus

Dixit Dóminus Dómino meo: * Sede a dextris meis:
2  Donec ponam inimícos tuos, * scabéllum pedum tuórum.
3  Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: * domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum.
4  Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ in splendóribus sanctórum: * ex útero ante lucíferum génui te.
5  Jurávit Dóminus, et non pœnitébit eum: * Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech.
6  Dóminus a dextris tuis, * confrégit in die iræ suæ reges.
7  Judicábit in natiónibus, implébit ruínas: * conquassábit cápita in terra multórum.
8  De torrénte in via bibet: * proptérea exaltábit caput.

The Lord said unto my Lord, * Sit thou on my right hand:
2  Until I make thine enemies * thy footstool.
3  The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion: * be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
4  Thine shall be the dominion in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints : * from the womb before the day star have I begotten thee.
5  The Lord sware, and will not repent, * Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
6  The Lord upon thy right hand * shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
7  He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies: * and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
8  He shall drink of the brook in the way; * therefore shall he lift up his head.

Ant.    Lauréntius ingréssus est Martyr, et conféssus est nomen Dómini Jesu Christi.

Ant.    Lawrence went in to be a martyr, and acknowledged the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ant.    Lauréntius * bonum opus operátus est, qui per signum crucis cæcos illuminávit.

Ant.    Lawrence * wrought a good work, who by the Sign of the Cross gave sight to the blind.

Psalmus 110.  Confitebor

Confitébor tibi, Dómine, in toto corde meo: * in consílio justórum, et congregatióne.
2  Magna ópera Dómini: * exquisíta in omnes voluntátes ejus.
3  Conféssio et magnificéntia opus ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4  Memóriam fecit mirabílium suórum, miséricors et miserátor Dóminus: * escam dedit timéntibus se.
5  Memor erit in sæculum testaménti sui: * virtútem óperum suórum annuntiábit pópulo suo:
6  Ut det illis hereditátem géntium: * ópera mánuum ejus véritas, et judícium.
7  Fidélia ómnia mandáta ejus: confirmáta in sæculum sæculi, * facta in veritáte et æquitáte.
8  Redemptiónem misit pópulo suo: * mandávit in ætérnum testaméntum suum.
9  (fit reverentia) Sanctum, et terríbile nomen ejus: * inítium sapiéntiæ timor Dómini.
10  Intelléctus bonus ómnibus faciéntibus eum: * laudátio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

Psalm 110.  Confitebor

I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, * in the assembly of the righteous, and in the congregation.
2  The works of the Lord are great, * meet to serve for the doing of his will.
3  His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour, * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  He hath made a memorial of his marvellous works; the Lord is merciful and gracious : * he hath given meat unto them that fear him.
5  He shall ever be mindful of his covenant : * he will shew his people the power of his works.
6  That he may give them the heritage of the heathen : * the works of his hands are verity and judgment.
7  All his commandments are true; they stand fast for ever and ever : * and are done in truth and equity.
8  He sent redemption unto his people; * he hath commanded his covenant for ever.
9  (all bow) Holy and terrible is his Name : * the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
10  A good understanding have all they that do thereafter; * his praise endureth for ever.

Ant.    Lauréntius bonum opus operátus est, qui per signum crucis cæcos illuminávit.

Ant.    Lawrence wrought a good work, who by the Sign of the Cross gave sight to the blind.

Ant.    Adhæsit * ánima mea post te, quia caro mea igne cremáta est pro te, Deus meus.

Ant.    My soul * cleaveth fast after thee, for my flesh hath been burnt with fire for thy sake.

Psalmus 111.  Beatus vir

Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum: * in mandátis ejus volet nimis.
2  Potens in terra erit semen ejus: * generátio rectórum benedicétur.
3  Glória, et divítiæ in domo ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4  Exórtum est in ténebris lumen rectis: * miséricors, et miserátor, et justus.
5  Jucúndus homo qui miserétur et cómmodat, dispónet sermónes suos in judício: * quia in ætérnum non commovébitur.
6  In memória ætérna erit justus: * ab auditióne mala non timébit.
7  Parátum cor ejus speráre in Dómino, confirmátum est cor ejus: * non commovébitur donec despíciat inimícos suos.
8  Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus: justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi, * cornu ejus exaltábitur in glória.
9  Peccátor vidébit, et irascétur, déntibus suis fremet et tabéscet: * desidérium peccatórum períbit.

Psalm 111.  Beatus vir

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord; * he hath great delight in his commandments.
2  His seed shall be mighty upon earth; * the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
3  Glory and riches shall be in his house; * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4  Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness; * he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
5  Happy is the man that sheweth mercy, and lendeth; he will guide his words with discretion : * for he shall never be moved.
6  The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance : * he shall not be afraid of any evil tidings.
7  His heart is ready, trusting in the Lord, his heart is stablished, * he shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies.
8  He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor, and his righteousness remaineth for ever; * his horn shall be exalted with honour.
9  The ungodly shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away; * the desire of the ungodly shall perish.

Ant.    Adhæsit ánima mea post te, quia caro mea igne cremáta est pro te, Deus meus.

Ant.    My soul cleaveth fast after thee, for my flesh hath been burnt with fire for thy sake.

Ant.    Misit Dóminus * Angelum suum, et liberávit me de médio ignis, et non sum æstuátus.

Ant.    The Lord hath sent * his Angel, and out of the midst of the fire hath he delivered me, so that I am not scorched.

Psalmus 112.  Laudate, pueri

Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum: * laudáte nomen Dómini.
2  (fit reverentia) Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum.
3  A solis ortu usque ad occásum, * laudábile nomen Dómini.
4  Excélsus super omnes gentes Dóminus, * et super cælos glória ejus.
5  Quis sicut Dóminus, Deus noster, qui in altis hábitat, * et humília réspicit in cælo et in terra?
6  Súscitans a terra ínopem, * et de stércore érigens páuperem:
7  Ut cóllocet eum cum princípibus, * cum princípibus pópuli sui.
8  Qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, * matrem filiórum lætántem.

Psalm 112.  Laudate, pueri

Praise the Lord, O ye his servants; * O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  (all bow) Blessed be the Name of the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.
3  From the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the Lord's Name be praised.
4  The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling on high, * and beholdeth what is lowly in heaven and in the earth?
6  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, * and lifteth the needy out of the dung hill.
7  That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.
8  He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Ant.    Misit Dóminus Angelum suum, et liberávit me de médio ignis, et non sum æstuátus.

Ant.    The Lord hath sent his Angel, and out of the midst of the fire hath he delivered me, so that I am not scorched.

Ant.    Beátus Lauréntius * orábat dicens : Grátias tibi ago, Dómine, quia jánuas tuas íngredi mérui.

Ant.    The blessed Lawrence * prayed and said : I give thee thanks, O Lord, that thou hast made me worthy to enter within thy gates.

Psalmus 116.  Laudate Dominum

Laudáte Dóminum, omnes Gentes: * laudáte eum, omnes pópuli :
2  Quóniam confirmáta est super nos misericórdia ejus: * et véritas Dómini manet in ætérnum.

Psalm 116.  Laudate Dominum

O praise the Lord, all ye nations; * praise him, all ye peoples.
2  For his mercy is confirmed upon us; * and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

Ant.    Beátus Lauréntius orábat dicens : Grátias tibi ago, Dómine, quia jánuas tuas íngredi mérui.

Ant.    The blessed Lawrence prayed and said : I give thee thanks, O Lord, that thou hast made me worthy to enter within thy gates.

STAND

Capitulum           2 Cor. 9. 6.
Fratres : Qui parce séminat, parce et metet ; et qui séminat in benedictiónibus, de benedictiónibus et metet.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        2 Cor. 9. 6.
He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Deus, tuórum mílitum
Sors, et coróna, præmium,
Laudes canéntes Mártyris
Absólve nexu críminis.

Hic nempe mundi gáudia,
Et blanda fraudum pábula
Imbúta felle députans,
Pervénit ad cæléstia.

Pœnas cucúrrit fórtiter,
Et sústulit viríliter,
Fundénsque pro te sánguinem,
Ætérna dona póssidet.

Ob hoc precátu súpplici
Te póscimus, piíssime :
In hoc triúmpho Mártyris
Dimítte noxam sérvulis.

*  Laus et perénnis glória
Patri sit, atque Fílio,
Sancto simul Paráclito,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

O God, thy soldiers' great reward,
Their portion, crown, and faithful Lord,
From all transgressions set us free
Who sing thy Martyr's victory.

By wisdom taught he learn'd to know
The vanity of all below,
The fleeting joys of earth disdain'd,
And everlasting glory gain'd.

For thee through many a woe he ran,
In many a fight he play'd the man;
For thee his blood he dar'd to pour,
And thence hath joy for evermore.

We therefore pray thee, Lord of love,
Regard us from thy throne above;
On this thy Martyr's triumph-day
Wash ev'ry stain of sin away.

Ordinary Doxology
Enduring laud and praise be done
To God the Father, and the Son,
And to the Holy Paraclete,
For endless ages, as is meet.  Amen.

The Ordination of St. Lawrence to the Diaconate
by Pope St. Sixtus II

V.  Glória et honóre coronásti eum, Dómine.
R.  Et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.

V.  Thou hast crowned him with glory and worship, O Lord.
R.  And hast made him to have dominion of the works of thy hands.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Levíta Lauréntius * bonum opus operátus est, qui per signum crucis cæcos illuminávit, et thesáuros Ecclésiæ dedit paupéribus.

Ant. on Magnif:  The Deacon Lawrence * wrought a good work, who by the Sign of the Cross gave sight to the blind ; yea, he dispersed among the needy the riches of the Church.

Oremus.
Da nobis, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus, vitiórum nostrórum flammas exstínguere : qui beáto Lauréntio tribuísti tormentórum suórum incéndia superáre.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O Almighty God, who didst give unto blessed Lawrence power to be more than conqueror in his fiery torment : grant unto us, we beseech thee, the power to quench the flames of our sinful lusts.  Through.

Ant:  Hic vir, despíciens mundum et terréna, triúmphans, divítias cælo cóndidit ore, manu.

Ant:  Lo, a servant of God, who esteemed as naught all things earthly, and by word and work laid him up treasures in heaven.

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.

Oremus.
Omnípotens et miséricors Deus, qui sanctum Joánnem Maríam pastoráli stúdio et jugi oratiónis ac pœniténtiæ ardóre mirábilem effecísti : da, quæsumus, ut ejus exémplo et intercessióne, ánimas fratrum lucrári Christo, et cum eis ætérnam glóriam cónsequi valeámus.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Almighty and merciful God, who didst wonderfully endue Saint John with pastoral zeal and a continual desire for prayer and repentance : grant, we beseech thee, that by his example and intercession ; we may win the souls of our brethren for Christ and with them attain glory everlasting.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Sunday Compline

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

Invitatory and Hymn

Beátus Lauréntius Christi Martyr triúmphat coronátus in cælis : * Veníte, adorémus Dóminum.

Christ the Lord, who gave his blessed Martyr Lawrence the crown of heavenly triumph, * O come, let us worship.

Beátus Lauréntius Christi Martyr triúmphat coronátus in cælis : * Veníte, adorémus Dóminum.

Christ the Lord, who gave his blessed Martyr Lawrence the crown of heavenly triumph, * 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.

Beátus Lauréntius Christi Martyr triúmphat coronátus in cælis : * Veníte, adorémus Dóminum.

Christ the Lord, who gave his blessed Martyr Lawrence the crown of heavenly triumph, * 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 Dóminum.

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.

Beátus Lauréntius Christi Martyr triúmphat coronátus in cælis : * Veníte, adorémus Dóminum.

Christ the Lord, who gave his blessed Martyr Lawrence the crown of heavenly triumph, * 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 Dóminum.

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.

Beátus Lauréntius Christi Martyr triúmphat coronátus in cælis : * Veníte, adorémus Dóminum.

Christ the Lord, who gave his blessed Martyr Lawrence the crown of heavenly triumph, * 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 Dóminum.

O come, let us worship.

Beátus Lauréntius Christi Martyr triúmphat coronátus in cælis : * Veníte, adorémus Dóminum.

Christ the Lord, who gave his blessed Martyr Lawrence the crown of heavenly triumph, * O come, let us worship.

Deus, tuórum mílitum
Sors, et coróna, præmium,
Laudes canéntes Mártyris
Absólve nexu críminis.

Hic nempe mundi gáudia,
Et blanda fraudum pábula
Imbúta felle députans,
Pervénit ad cæléstia.

Pœnas cucúrrit fórtiter,
Et sústulit viríliter,
Fundénsque pro te sánguinem,
Ætérna dona póssidet.

Ob hoc precátu súpplici
Te póscimus, piíssime :
In hoc triúmpho Mártyris
Dimítte noxam sérvulis.

*  Laus et perénnis glória
Patri sit, atque Fílio,
Sancto simul Paráclito,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

O God, thy soldiers' great reward,
Their portion, crown, and faithful Lord,
From all transgressions set us free
Who sing thy Martyr's victory.

By wisdom taught he learn'd to know
The vanity of all below,
The fleeting joys of earth disdain'd,
And everlasting glory gain'd.

For thee through many a woe he ran,
In many a fight he play'd the man;
For thee his blood he dar'd to pour,
And thence hath joy for evermore.

We therefore pray thee, Lord of love,
Regard us from thy throne above;
On this thy Martyr's triumph-day
Wash ev'ry stain of sin away.

Ordinary Doxology
Enduring laud and praise be done
To God the Father, and the Son,
And to the Holy Paraclete,
For endless ages, as is meet.  Amen.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The First Nocturn.

First Nocturn

Ant.    Quo progréderis * sine fílio, pater? quo, sacérdos sancte, sine minístro próperas?

Ant.    Whither goest thou * without thy son, O my father?  O Priest of God, why dost thou set forth without thy Deacon?

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 1.  Beatus vir

Beátus vir, qui non ábiit in consílio impiórum, et in via peccatórum non stetit, * et in cáthedra pestiléntiæ non sedit :
2  Sed in lege Dómini volúntas ejus, * et in lege ejus meditábitur die ac nocte.
3  Et erit tamquam lignum, quod plantátum est secus decúrsus aquárum, * quod fructum suum dabit in témpore suo:
4  Et fólium ejus non défluet: * et ómnia quæcúmque fáciet, prosperabúntur.
5  Non sic ímpii, non sic: * sed tamquam pulvis, quem prójicit ventus a fácie terræ.
6  Ideo non resúrgent ímpii in judício: * neque peccatóres in concílio justórum.
7  Quóniam novit Dóminus viam justórum: * et iter impiórum períbit.

Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * and hath not sat in the seat of pestilence.
2  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; * and in his law will he exercise himself day and night.
3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the water-side, * that will bring forth his fruit in due season.
4  His leaf also shall not wither; * and all whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.
5  As for the ungodly, it is not so with them; * but they are like the chaff, which the wind scattereth away from the face of the earth.
6  Therefore the ungodly shall not rise again in judgment; * neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
7  For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; * and the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Ant.    Quo progréderis sine fílio, pater? quo, sacérdos sancte, sine minístro próperas?

Ant.    Whither goest thou without thy son, O my father?  O Priest of God, why dost thou set forth without thy Deacon?

Ant.    Noli me derelínquere, * pater sancte, quia thesáuros tuos jam expéndi, quos tradidísti mihi.

Ant.    Leave me not, * Holy Father, for I have already distributed the treasures which thou gavest me.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 2.  Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Quare fremuérunt Gentes: * et pópuli meditáti sunt inánia?
2  Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes convenérunt in unum * advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus Christum ejus.
3  Dirumpámus víncula eórum: * et projiciámus a nobis jugum ipsórum.
4  Qui hábitat in cælis, irridébit eos: * et Dóminus subsannábit eos.
5  Tunc loquétur ad eos in ira sua, * et in furóre suo conturbábit eos.
6  Ego autem constitútus sum Rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus, * prædicans præcéptum ejus.
7  Dóminus dixit ad me: * Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te.
8  Póstula a me, et dabo tibi Gentes hereditátem tuam, * et possessiónem tuam términos terræ.
9  Reges eos in virga férrea, * et tamquam vas fíguli confrínges eos.
10  Et nunc, reges, intellígite: * erudímini, qui judicátis terram.
11  Servíte Dómino in timóre: * et exsultáte ei cum tremóre.
12  Apprehéndite disciplínam, nequándo irascátur Dóminus, * et pereátis de via justa.
13  Cum exárserit in brevi ira ejus: * beáti omnes qui confídunt in eo.

Psalm 2.  Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Why do the heathen so furiously rage together? * and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
2  The kings of the earth have arisen, and the rulers have taken counsel together * against the Lord, and against his Anointed.
3  Let us break their bonds asunder, * and cast away their cords from us.
4  He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn: *  the Lord shall have them in derision.
5  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, * and vex them in his sore displeasure :
6  Yet I have been stablished King by him upon his holy hill of Sion, * preaching his commandment.
7  The Lord hath said unto me : * Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
8  Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9  Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; * be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.
11  Serve the Lord in fear, * and rejoice unto him with reverence.
12  Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, * and so ye perish from the right way.
13  If his wrath be kindled, yea, but in a short time : *  blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Ant.    Noli me derelínquere, pater sancte, quia thesáuros tuos jam expéndi, quos tradidísti mihi.

Ant.    Leave me not, Holy Father, for I have already distributed the treasures which thou gavest me.

Ant.    Non ego te désero, * fili, neque derelínquo ; sed majóra tibi debéntur pro Christi fide certámina.

Ant.    I leave thee not, * O my son, neither do I forsake thee ; verily the truth of Christ calleth thee to a sterner wrestling than mine.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 3.  Domine quid multiplicati?

Dómine quid multiplicáti sunt qui tríbulant me? * multi insúrgunt advérsum me.
2  Multi dicunt ánimæ meæ: * Non est salus ipsi in Deo ejus.
3  Tu autem, Dómine, suscéptor meus es, * glória mea, et exáltans caput meum.
4  Voce mea ad Dóminum clamávi: * et exaudívit me de monte sancto suo.
5  Ego dormívi, et soporátus sum: * et exsurréxi, quia Dóminus suscépit me.
6  Non timébo míllia pópuli circumdántis me: * exsúrge, Dómine, salvum me fac, Deus meus.
7  Quóniam tu percussísti omnes adversántes mihi sine causa: * dentes peccatórum contrivísti.
8  Dómini est salus: * et super pópulum tuum benedíctio tua.

Psalm 3.  Domine quid multiplicati?

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! * many are they that rise against me.
2  Many one there be that say of my soul, * There is no help for him in his God.
3  But thou, O Lord, art my defender; * thou art my worship, and the lifter up of my head.
4  I did call upon the Lord with my voice, * and he heard me out of his holy hill.
5  I laid me down and slept, * and rose up again, for the Lord sustained me.
6  I will not be afraid for thousands of the people that have set themselves against me round about ; * up, Lord, and help me, O my God.
7  For thou smitest all that are mine enemies without cause ; * thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8  Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; * and thy blessing is upon thy people.

Ant.    Non ego te désero, fili, neque derelínquo ; sed majóra tibi debéntur pro Christi fide certámina.

Ant.    I leave thee not, O my son, neither do I forsake thee ; verily the truth of Christ calleth thee to a sterner wrestling than mine.

STAND

Absolutio: Exáudi, Dómine Jesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis : Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  Graciously hear, O Lord Jesu Christ, the prayers of thy servants, and have mercy upon us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

Benedíctio 1: Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1:  May the Father Eternal bless us with a never-ending blessing.
R.  Amen.

De libro Ecclesiástici

The Lesson is taken from the Book of Ecclesiasticus

Confitébor tibi, Dómine, Rex, et collaudábo te Deum Salvatórem meum.  Confitébor nómini tuo : quóniam adjútor et protéctor factus es mihi, et liberásti corpus meum a perditióne, a láqueo linguæ iníquæ et a lábiis operántium mendácium, et in conspéctu astántium factus est mihi adjútor.  Et liberásti me secúndum multitúdinem misericórdiæ nóminis tui a rugiéntibus, præparátis ad escam, de mánibus quæréntium ánimam meam, et de portis tribulatiónum, quæ circumdedérunt me : a pressúra flammæ, quæ circúmdedit me, et in médio ignis non sum æstuáta : de altitúdine ventris ínferi, et a lingua coinquináta, et a verbo mendácii, a rege iníquo, et a lingua injústa.

I will thank thee, O Lord and King, and praise thee, O God my Saviour : I do give praise unto thy Name : for thou art my defender and helper, and hast preserved my body from destruction, and from the snare of the slanderous tongue, and from the lips that forge lies, and hast been mine helper against mine adversaries : and hast delivered me, according to the multitude of thy mercies and greatness of thy Name, from the teeth of them that were ready to devour me, and out of the hands of such as sought after my life, and from the manifold afflictions which I had ; from the choking of fire on every side, and from the midst of the fire which I kindled not ; from the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words.  By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous tongue.

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

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

R.  Levíta Lauréntius bonum opus operátus est, qui per signum crucis cæcos illuminávit, * Et thesáuros Ecclésiæ dedit paupéribus.
V.  Dispérsit, dedit paupéribus : justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
R.  Et thesáuros Ecclésiæ dedit paupéribus.

R.  The Deacon Lawrence wrought a good work, who by the Sign of the Cross gave sight to the blind ; * Yea, he was always dispersing among the needy the riches of the Church.
V.  He hath dispersed abroad and given to the poor, and his righteousness remaineth for ever.
R.  Yea, he was always dispersing among the needy the riches of the Church.

Benedíctio 2: Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adjuváre dignétur.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: May the Son of God, the sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
R.  Amen.

Laudábit usque ad mortem ánima mea Dóminum, et vita mea appropínquans erat in inférno deórsum.  Circumdedérunt me úndique, et non erat qui adjuváret.  Respíciens eram ad adjutórium hóminum, et non erat.  Memoráta sum misericórdiæ tuæ, Dómine, et operatiónis tuæ, quæ a sæculo sunt : quóniam eruis sustinéntes te, Dómine, et líberas eos de mánibus géntium.  Exaltásti super terram habitatiónem meam, et pro morte defluénte deprecáta sum. 

My soul drew near even unto death, my life was near to the hell beneath.  They compassed me on every side, and there was no man to help me : I looked for the succour of men, but there was none.  Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon thy acts of old, how thou deliverest such as wait for thee, and savest them out of the hands of the enemies, O Lord our God.  Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth, and I have prayed for deliverance from death.

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

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

R.  Puer meus, noli timére, quia ego tecum sum, dicit Dóminus : * Si transíeris per ignem, flamma non nocébit tibi, et odor ignis non erit in te.
V.  Liberábo te de manu pessimórum et éruam te de manu fórtium.
R.  Si transíeris per ignem, flamma non nocébit tibi, et odor ignis non erit in te.

R.  O my child, be not afraid, for I am with thee, saith the Lord. *  When thou passest through the fire, the flame shall not harm thee, neither shall the smell of fire pass upon thee.
V.  And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.
R.  When thou passest through the fire, the flame shall not harm thee, neither shall the smell of fire pass upon thee.

Benedíctio 3: Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: May the grace of the Holy Spirit all our heart and mind enlighten.
R.  Amen.

Invocávi Dóminum, Patrem Dómini mei, ut non derelínquat me in die tribulatiónis meæ, et in témpore superbórum sine adjutório.  Laudábo nomen tuum assídue, et collaudábo illud in confessióne, et exaudíta est orátio mea.  Et liberásti me de perditióne, et eripuísti me de témpore iníquo.  Proptérea confitébor, et laudem dicam tibi, et benedícam nómini Dómini.

I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.  I will praise thy Name continually, and will sing praise with thanksgiving ; and so my prayer was heard : for thou savedst me from destruction, and deliveredst me from the evil time : therefore will I give thanks, and praise thee, and bless thy Name, O Lord.

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

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

R.  Strinxérunt córporis membra pósita super cratículam : ministrántibus prunas insúltat Levíta Christi : * Beáte Laurénti, Martyr Christi, intercéde pro nobis.
V.  Mea nox obscúrum non habet, sed ómnia in luce claréscunt.
R.  Beáte Laurénti, Martyr Christi, intercéde pro nobis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Beate Laurénti, Martyr Christi, intercéde pro nobis.

R.  They laid him upon the gridiron, and stretched out his limbs ; Christ's Levite held in derision them that brought the live coals : * O blessed Lawrence, Martyr of Christ, intercede for us.
V.  The darkness is no darkness with me, but the night is as clear as the dawning, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
R.  O blessed Lawrence, Martyr of Christ, intercede for us.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  O blessed Lawrence, Martyr of Christ, intercede for us.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Beátus Lauréntius * orábat, dicens : Dómine Jesu Christe, Deus de Deo, miserére mihi servo tuo.

Ant.    The blessed Lawrence * prayed, and said : O Lord Jesus Christ, God of God, take pity upon me thy servant.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 4. Cum invocarem

Cum invocárem exaudívit me Deus justítiæ meæ: *  in tribulatióne dilatásti mihi.
2  Miserére mei, * et exáudi oratiónem meam.
3  Fílii hóminum, úsquequo gravi corde? *  ut quid dilígitis vanitátem et quæritis mendácium?
4  Et scitóte quóniam mirificávit Dóminus sanctum suum: * Dóminus exáudiet me cum clamávero ad eum.
5  Irascímini, et nolíte peccáre: * quæ dícitis in córdibus vestris, in cubílibus vestris compungímini.
6  Sacrificáte sacrifícium justítiæ, et speráte in Dómino, * multi dicunt quis osténdit nobis bona?
7  Signátum est super nos lumen vultus tui, Dómine: *  dedísti lætítiam in corde meo.
8  A fructu fruménti, vini et ólei sui * multiplicáti sunt.
9  In pace in idípsum * dórmiam et requiéscam;
10  Quóniam tu, Dómine, singuláriter in spe * constituísti me.

He hath heard me when I call, the God of my righteousness: * thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble.
2  Have mercy upon me, * and hearken unto my prayer.
3  O ye sons of men, how long will ye be dull of heart? * and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?
4  Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly; * when I call upon the Lord he will hear me.
5  Be ye angry, and sin not; * the things that ye say in your hearts, repent ye them upon your beds.
6  Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord, * there be many that say, who will shew us any good?
7  The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is sealed upon us, * thou hast put gladness in my heart.
8  By the fruit of their corn and wine and oil * have they been multiplied.
9  I will lay me down in peace, * and take my rest;
10  For it is thou, Lord, only, * that makest me dwell in safety.

Ant.    Beátus Lauréntius orábat, dicens : Dómine Jesu Christe, Deus de Deo, miserére mihi servo tuo.

Ant.    The blessed Lawrence prayed, and said : O Lord Jesus Christ, God of God, take pity upon me thy servant.

Ant.    Dixit Románus * ad beátum Lauréntium : Vídeo ante te júvenem pulchérrimum, festína me baptizáre.

Ant.    Romanus said * to Blessed Lawrence : I see in front of thee a very well favoured young man ; make haste to baptize me.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 5.  Verba mea

Verba mea áuribus pércipe, Dómine, * intéllige clamórem meum.
2  Inténde voci oratiónis meæ: * Rex meus et Deus meus.
3  Quóniam ad te orábo: * Dómine, mane exáudies vocem meam.
4  Mane astábo tibi et vidébo: * quóniam non Deus volens iniquitátem tu es.
5  Neque habitábit juxta te malígnus: * neque permanébunt injústi ante óculos tuos.
6  Odísti omnes, qui operántur iniquitátem: * perdes omnes, qui loquúntur mendácium.
7  Virum sánguinum et dolósum abominábitur Dóminus: * ego autem in multitúdine misericórdiæ tuæ.
8  Introíbo in domum tuam: * adorábo ad templum sanctum tuum in timóre tuo.
9  Dómine, deduc me in justítia tua: * propter inimícos meos dírige in conspéctu tuo viam meam.
10  Quóniam non est in ore eórum véritas: * cor eórum vanum est.
11  Sepúlcrum patens est guttur eórum, linguis suis dolóse agébant, * júdica illos, Deus.
12  Décidant a cogitatiónibus suis, secúndum multitúdinem impietátum eórum expélle eos, * quóniam irritavérunt te, Dómine.
13  Et læténtur omnes, qui sperant in te, * in ætérnum exsultábunt: et habitábis in eis.
14  Et gloriabúntur in te omnes, qui díligunt nomen tuum: * quóniam tu benedíces justo.
15  Dómine, ut scuto bonæ voluntátis tuæ * coronásti nos.

Psalm 5.  Verba mea

Ponder my words, O Lord, * consider my cry.
2  O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling, * my King and my God.
3  For unto thee will I make my prayer : * in the morning shalt thou hear my voice, O Lord.
4  Early in the morning will I stand before thee, and will see : * for thou art the God that hast no pleasure in wickedness.
5  Neither shall any evil dwell with thee : * nor shall the unjust abide before thine eyes.
6  For thou hatest all them that work iniquity : * thou shalt destroy them that speak lies.
7  The Lord will abhor both the blood-thirsty and deceitful man : * but as for me, in the multitude of thy mercy.
8   I will come into thine house; * and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
9  Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, * because of mine enemies make my way plain before thy face.
10  For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; * their heart is vain.
11  Their throat is an open sepulchre, they flatter with their tongue : * judge thou them, O God.
12  Let them perish through their own imaginations; cast them out in the multitude of their ungodliness; * for they have rebelled against thee, O Lord.
13  And let all them that put their trust in thee rejoice: * they shall for ever be glad, and thou shalt dwell amongst them.
14  And all they that love thy Name shall be joyful in thee; * for thou, Lord, wilt give thy blessing unto the righteous.
15  Thou hast crowned us, O Lord, * as with a shield of thy good will.

Ant.    Dixit Románus ad beátum Lauréntium : Vídeo ante te júvenem pulchérrimum, festína me baptizáre.

Ant.    Romanus said to Blessed Lawrence : I see in front of thee a very well favoured young man ; make haste to baptize me.

Ant.    Beátus Lauréntius * dixit : Mea nox obscúrum non habet, sed ómnia in luce claréscunt.

Ant.    Blessed Lawrence * said : The darkness is no darkness with me, but the night is as clear as the dawning, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 8.  Domine, Dominus noster

Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!
2  Quóniam eleváta est magnificéntia tua, * super cælos.
3  Ex ore infántium et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimícos tuos, * ut déstruas inimícum et ultórem.
4  Quóniam vidébo cælos tuos, ópera digitórum tuórum: * lunam et stellas, quæ tu fundásti.
5  Quid est homo quod memor es ejus? * aut fílius hóminis, quóniam vísitas eum?
6  Minuísti eum paulo minus ab Angelis, glória et honóre coronásti eum: * et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.
7  Omnia subjecísti sub pédibus ejus, * oves et boves univérsas : ínsuper et pécora campi.
8  Vólucres cæli, et pisces maris, * qui perámbulant sémitas maris.
9  Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!

O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
2  For thou hast set thy glory * above the heavens.
3  Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou perfected praise, because of thine enemies, * that thou mightest destroy the enemy and the avenger.
4  For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained;
5  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
6  Thou madest him lower than the Angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and worship : * thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.
7  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet : * all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8  The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9  O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

Ant.    Beátus Lauréntius dixit : Mea nox obscúrum non habet, sed ómnia in luce claréscunt.

Ant.    Blessed Lawrence said : The darkness is no darkness with me, but the night is as clear as the dawning, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

STAND

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.

Cum furor Gentílium potestátum in electíssima quæque Christi membra sævíret, ac præcípue eos qui órdinis erant sacerdotális impéteret, in levítam Lauréntium, qui non solum ministério sacramentórum sed étiam dispensatióne ecclesiásticæ substántiæ præeminébat, ímpius persecútor efférbuit, dúplicem sibi prædam de uníus viri comprehensióne promíttens ; quem, si fecísset sacræ pecúniæ traditórem, fáceret étiam veræ religiónis exsórtem.  Armátur ítaque gémina face homo pecúniæ cúpidus et veritátis inimícus : avarítia, ut rápiat aurum ; impietáte, ut áuferat  Christum.  Póstulat sibi ab immaculáto sacrárii præsule opes ecclesiásticas, quibus avidíssimus inhiábat, inférri.  Cui levíta castíssimus, ubi eas repósitas habéret osténdens, numerosíssimos sanctórum páuperum óbtulit greges, in quorum victu atque vestítu inamissíbiles condíderat facultátes, quæ tanto intégrius erant salvæ, quanto sánctius probabántur expénsæ.

When the fury of the heathen power was raging against Christ's choicest members, in aiming in especial at such as were in Holy Orders, the wicked persecutor turned fiercely on the Levite Lawrence, who was remarkable, not only as a minister of the Sacraments, but also as distributor of the property of the Church, promising himself a double prey by the taking of this one man, namely, to make him betray the consecrated treasure, and apostátise from the true faith.  The wretch was thus doubly fired by his greed for money and his hatred of the truth. His greed urged him to seize the gold, and his wickedness to rob a believer of his chief treasure, even of Christ himself.  Wherefore he first demanded from this upright steward of the sacred treasury, to bring him the wealth of the Church, for which his rapacity longed.  But the pure-minded Levite shewed him where these riches were laid up.  For he brought forward before him a great multitude of the holy poor, by the feeding and clothing of whom he had laid up all that he had, in such wise, that it could be lost no more, and was now all the safer, as the way of spending it had been the holier.

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

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

R.  Quo progréderis sine fílio, pater? quo, sacérdos sancte, sine diácono próperas? * Tu numquam sine minístro sacrifícium offérre consuéveras.
V.  Quid ergo in me displícuit paternitáti tuæ? numquid degénerem me probásti?  Experíre utrum idóneum minístrum elégeris, cui commisísti Domínici sánguinis dispensatiónem.
R.  Tu numquam sine minístro sacrifícium offérre consuéveras.

R.  Whither goest thou without thy son, O my father?  O Priest of God, why dost thou set forth without thy Deacon? * It hath never been thy use to offer the Sacrifice without a Minister.
V.  Wherein have I been displeasing to thy Paternity?  Hast thou found me unworthy to be called thy son?  Make trial of me now, and see if I be a useless servant, for I am he unto whom thou hast committed the administration of the Cup of the Lord's Blood.
R.  It hath never been thy use to offer the Sacrifice without a Minister.

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.

Fremit ergo prædo frustrátus, et in ódium religiónis, quæ talem divitiárum usum instituísset, ardéscens, direptiónem thesáuri potióris aggréditur, apud quem nullam denariórum substántiam reperísset ; ut illud depósitum, quo sacrátius erat dives, auférret.  Renuntiáre Christo Lauréntium jubet, et solidíssimam illam levítici ánimi fortitúdinem diris parat urgére supplíciis ; quorum ubi prima nil óbtinent, vehementióra succédunt.  Láceros artus et multa vérberum sectióne conscíssos subjécto præcipit igne torréri ; ut per cratem férream, quæ jam de fervóre contínuo vim in se habéret uréndi, conversórum altérna mutatióne membrórum, fíeret cruciátus veheméntior et pœna prodúctior.

Being thus frustrated, the robber loudly complained ; and burning with indignation against a religion which enjoined such a use of riches, he attempted a still greater theft.  From him in whose possession no gold was to be found, the robber thereupon demanded the dearest of treasures, even that possession which had made the young man rich in holiness.  He commanded Lawrence to deny Christ.  Seeing the immoveable firmness of the Levite's soul, he made ready to assail the same with appalling tortures, of which the failure of any one was to be followed by another more fearful still.  He ordered the Christian's limbs to be torn on the rack.  After this he was scourged to the point of death.  Then he was condemned to be slowly roasted over a fire.  To this end he was laid on a gridiron, underneath which were burning coals, wherefrom the iron bars themselves became hot.  Thus as the torturers with their iron forks, constantly turned and re-arranged his limbs and body, his agony was kept keener, and his sufferings made to last the longer.

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

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

R.  Noli me derelínquere, pater sancte, quia thesáuros tuos jam expéndi. * Non ego te désero, fili, neque derelínquo ; sed majóra tibi debéntur pro fide Christi certámina.
V.  Nos quasi senes levióris pugnæ cursum recípimus, te autem quasi júvenem manet gloriósior de tyránno triúmphus : post tríduum me sequéris sacerdótem levíta.
R.  Non ego te désero, fili, neque derelínquo ; sed majóra tibi debéntur pro fide Christi certámina.

R.  Leave me not, Holy Father, for I have already distributed thy treasures. * I leave thee not, O my son, neither do I forsake thee ; verily the truth of Christ calleth thee to a sterner wrestling than mine.
V.  We who are old men have an easier race to run ; thou in thy youth are kept for a more glorious victory over the enemy ; yet three days, and thou shalt follow me, the Deacon behind the Priest.
R.  I leave thee not, O my son, neither do I forsake thee ; verily the truth of Christ calleth thee to a sterner wrestling than mine.

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.

Nihil óbtines, nihil próficis, sæva crudélitas.  Subtráhitur torméntis tuis matéria mortális, et, Lauréntio in cælos abeúnte, tu déficis flammis tuis.  Superári cáritas Christi flamma non pótuit ; et ségnior fuit ignis, qui foris ussit, quam qui intus accéndit.  Sævísti persecútor in Mártyrem : sævísti, et auxísti palmam, dum ággeras pœnam.  Nam quid non ad victóris glóriam ingénium tuum réperit, quando in honórem transiérunt triúmphi étiam instruménta supplícii?  Gaudeámus ígitur, dilectíssimi, gáudio spiritáli, et de felicíssimo ínclyti viri fine gloriémur in Dómino, qui est mirábilis in Sanctis suis, in quibus nobis et præsídium constítuit et exémplum ; atque ita per univérsum mundum claríficat glóriam suam, ut a solis ortu usque ad occásum, leviticórum lúminum coruscánte fulgóre, quam clarificáta est Jerosólyma Stéphano, tam illústris fíeret Roma Lauréntio.

O raging cruelty, in nothing wast thou the gainer!  In nothing didst thou profit!  That which can die passeth by degrees beyond thy torments.  And when Lawrence departed to heaven, thou wast brought to nothing.  The love of Christ could not be overcome by thy fires, for the flame which burnt outwardly on his body was colder than the fire which burnt inwardly in his soul.  Wherefore, dearly beloved, let us rejoice with spiritual joy, and make our boast in the Lord, who is wonderful in his Saints!  Them hath he appointed unto us as a protection and an example.  And thus he hath made known his glory through the whole world, that from the rising up of the sun, even unto the going down of the same, wherever those stars of Levitical light do shine, like as Jerusalem is made glorious by Stephen, even so is Rome made resplendent by Lawrence.

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

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

R.  Beátus Lauréntius clamávit et dixit : Deum meum colo, illi soli sérvio ; * Et ídeo non tímeo torménta tua.
V.  Mea nox obscúrum non habet, sed ómnia in luce claréscunt.
R.  Et ídeo non tímeo torménta tua.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et ídeo non tímeo torménta tua.

R.  The blessed Lawrence cried and said : My God do I worship, and him only do I serve, * And therefore I am not afraid of thy tortures.
V.  The darkness is no darkness with me, but the night is as clear as the dawning, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
R.  And therefore I am not afraid of thy tortures.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And therefore I am not afraid of thy tortures.

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Strinxérunt * córporis membra pósita super cratículam : subjiciéntibus prunas insúltat Levíta Christi.

Ant.    They laid him * upon the gridiron, and stretched out his limbs ; Christ's Levite held in derision them that brought the live coals

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 14.  Domine, quis habitabit?

Dómine, quis habitábit in tabernáculo tuo? * aut quis requiéscet in monte sancto tuo?
2  Qui ingréditur sine mácula, * et operátur justítiam :
3  Qui lóquitur veritátem in corde suo, * qui non egit dolum in lingua sua :
4  Nec fecit próximo suo malum, * et oppróbrium non accépit advérsus próximos suos.
5  Ad níhilum dedúctus est in conspéctu ejus malígnus: * timéntes autem Dóminum gloríficat :
6  Qui jurat próximo suo, et non décipit, * qui pecúniam suam non dedit ad usúram, et múnera super innocéntem non accépit.
7  Qui facit hæc: * non movébitur in ætérnum.

Psalm 14.  Domine, quis habitabit?

Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? * or who shall rest upon thy holy hill?
2  Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life, * and doeth the thing which is right.
3  He that speaketh the truth in his heart, * and that hath used no deceit in his tongue.
4  Nor done evil to his neighbour, * and hath not taken up slander against his neighbour.
5  In his sight the malicious is brought to nought, * but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord.
6  He that sweareth unto his neighbour, and disappointeth him not, * he that hath not given his money upon usury, nor taken reward against the innocent.
7  Whoso doeth these things * shall never fall.

Ant.    Strinxérunt córporis membra pósita super cratículam : subjiciéntibus prunas insúltat Levíta Christi.

Ant.    They laid him upon the gridiron, and stretched out his limbs ; Christ's Levite held in derision them that brought the live coals

Ant.    Igne me examinásti, * et non est invénta in me iníquitas.

Ant.    Thou hast tried me with fire, * and shalt find no wickedness in me.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 16.  Exaudi, Domine

Exáudi, Dómine, justítiam meam: * inténde deprecatiónem meam.
2  Auribus pércipe oratiónem meam, * non in lábiis dolósis.
3   De vultu tuo judícium meum pródeat: * óculi tui vídeant æquitátes.
4  Probásti cor meum, et visitásti nocte: * igne me examinásti, et non est invénta in me iníquitas.
5  Ut non loquátur os meum ópera hóminum: * propter verba labiórum tuórum ego custodívi vias duras.
6  Pérfice gressus meos in sémitis tuis: * ut non moveántur vestígia mea.
7  Ego clamávi, quóniam exaudísti me, Deus: * inclína aurem tuam mihi, et exáudi verba mea.
8  Mirífica misericórdias tuas, * qui salvos facis sperántes in te.
9  A resisténtibus déxteræ tuæ custódi me, * ut pupíllam óculi.
10  Sub umbra alárum tuárum prótege me: * a fácie impiórum qui me afflixérunt.
11  Inimíci mei ánimam meam circumdedérunt, ádipem suum conclusérunt : * os eórum locútum est supérbiam.
12  Projiciéntes me nunc circumdedérunt me: * óculos suos statuérunt declináre in terram.
13  Suscepérunt me sicut leo parátus ad prædam: * et sicut cátulus leónis hábitans in ábditis.
14  Exsúrge, Dómine, prǽveni eum, et supplánta eum: * éripe ánimam meam ab ímpio, frámeam tuam ab inimícis manus tuæ.
15  Dómine, a paucis de terra dívide eos in vita eórum: * de abscónditis tuis adimplétus est venter eórum.
16  Saturáti sunt fíliis: * et dimisérunt relíquias suas párvulis suis.
17  Ego autem in justítia apparébo conspéctui tuo: * satiábor cum apparúerit glória tua.

Psalm 16.  Exaudi, Domine

Hear, O Lord, my righteousness, * consider my supplication.
2  Hearken unto my prayer, * that goeth not out of feigned lips.
3  Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; * and let thine eyes look upon the thing that is equal.
4  Thou hast proved and visited mine heart in the night season;  * thou hast tried me by fire, and wickedness hath not been found in me.
5  That my mouth may not speak the works of men : * for the sake of the words of thy lips I have kept me in the ways that are hard.
6  O hold thou up my goings in thy paths, * that my footsteps slip not.
7  I have called upon thee, O God, for thou hast heard me: * incline thine ear to me, and hearken unto my words.
8  Shew thy marvellous loving-kindness, * thou that art the Saviour of them which put their trust in thee.
9  From such as resist thy right hand, keep me * as the apple of an eye.
10  Hide me under the shadow of thy wings : * from the face of the ungodly, that trouble me.
11  Mine enemies compass my soul round about, they are inclosed in their own fat, * and their mouth hath spoken proud things.
12  They have cast me forth and now they have compassed me on every side, * they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
13  They have taken me like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, * and as it were a lion's whelp lurking in secret places.
14  Up, Lord, disappoint him, and cast him down; * deliver my soul from the ungodly, thy sword from the enemies of thine hand.
15  Divide them, O Lord, from the few of the earth in their life : * their bellies are filled with thy hid treasure.
16  They are full of children, * and they have left the rest of their substance for their little ones.
17  But as for me, I will behold thy presence in righteousness; * and when thy glory shall appear, I shall be satisfied with it.

Ant.    Igne me examinásti, et non est invénta in me iníquitas.

Ant.    Thou hast tried me with fire, and shalt find no wickedness in me.

Ant.    Interrogátus * te Dóminum conféssus sum, assátus grátias ago.

Ant.    When they did question me, * I confessed thee to be the Lord ; now that I am burning on the red-hot coals, I give thee thanks.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 20.  Domine, in virtute tua

Dómine, in virtúte tua lætábitur rex: * et super salutáre tuum exsultábit veheménter.
2  Desidérium cordis ejus tribuísti ei: * et voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.
3  Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis: * posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.
4  Vitam pétiit a te: * et tribuísti ei longitúdinem diérum in sæculum, et in sæculum sæculi.
5  Magna est glória ejus in salutári tuo: * glóriam et magnum decórem impónes super eum.
6  Quóniam dabis eum in benedictiónem in sæculum sæculi: * lætificábis eum in gáudio cum vultu tuo.
7  Quóniam rex sperat in Dómino: * et in misericórdia Altíssimi non commovébitur.
8  Inveniátur manus tua ómnibus inimícis tuis: * déxtera tua invéniat omnes, qui te odérunt.
9  Pones eos ut clíbanum ignis in témpore vultus tui: * Dóminus in ira sua conturbábit eos, et devorábit eos ignis.
10  Fructum eórum de terra perdes: * et semen eórum a fíliis hóminum.
11  Quóniam declinavérunt in te mala: * cogitavérunt consília, quæ non potuérunt stabilíre.
12  Quóniam pones eos dorsum: * in relíquiis tuis præparábis vultum eórum.
13  Exaltáre, Dómine, in virtúte tua: * cantábimus et psallémus virtútes tuas.

Psalm 20.  Domine, in virtute tua

The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord; * exceeding glad shall he be in thy salvation.
2  Thou hast given him his heart's desire, * and hast not denied him the request of his lips.
3  For thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, * and hast set a crown of precious stones upon his head.
4  He asked life of thee; * and thou gavest him length of days, for ever, even world without end.
5  His honour is great in thy salvation; * glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him.
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