St. Jane Frances de Chantal

Widow

Double

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

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Omnípotens et miséricors Deus, qui beátam Joánnam Francíscam  tuo amóre succénsam, admirábili spíritus fortitúdine per omnes vitæ sémitas in via perfectiónis donásti, quique per illam illustráre Ecclésiam tuam nova prole voluísti : ejus méritis et précibus concéde; ut, qui infirmitátis nostræ cónscii de tua virtúte confídimus, cæléstis grátiæ auxílio cuncta nobis adversántia vincámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Almighty and most merciful God, who didst enkindle blessed Jane Frances with the fire of thy love, and endue her with wondrous constancy to walk stedfastly in all the paths of her life on the way of perfection, and who through her didst vouchsafe to glorify thy Church with a new offspring; grant, we pray thee, by her merits and intercession ; that we who, knowing the frailty of our mortal nature do put our trust and confidence in thy mighty power, may, by the help of thy heavenly grace, overcome all things that are contrary to our salvation.  Through.

Ant:  O Doctor óptime, Ecclésiæ sanctæ lumen, beáte Bernárde, divínæ legis amátor, deprecáre pro nobis Fílium Dei.

Ant:  O Doctor right excellent, O light of Holy Church, O blessed Bernard, lover of the divine law, entreat for us the Son of God.

Oremus.
Deus, qui pópulo tuo ætérnæ salútis beátum Bernárdum  minístrum tribuísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quem Doctórem vitæ habúimus in terris, intercessórem habére mereámur in cælis.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
O God, by whose providence blessed Bernard was sent to guide thy people in the way of everlasting salvation : grant, we beseech thee ; that as we have learned of him the doctrine of life on earth, so we may be found worthy to have him for our advocate in heaven.  (Through.)

Ant:  Hódie María Virgo cælos ascéndit : gaudéte, quia cum Christo regnat in ætérnum.

Ant:  As on this day the Virgin Mary went up into heaven ; rejoice ye, for with Christ she reigneth for ever and ever.

V.  Exaltáta est sancta Dei Génitrix.
R.  Super choros Angelórum ad cæléstia regna.

V.  Thou art exalted, O holy Mother of God.
R.  Above choirs of Angels, unto the heavenly kingdom.

Oremus.
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui Immaculátam Vírginem Maríam, Fílii tui Genitrícem, córpore et ánima ad cæléstem glóriam assumpsísti : concéde, quæsumus ; ut ad supérna semper inténti, ipsíus glóriæ mereámur esse consórtes.  Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum.

Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast taken up into heavenly glory both the body and soul of the Mother of thy Son, the immaculate Virgin Mary : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may in such wise set our affections on things above ; that we may finally attain unto fellowship with her in glory.  Through the same.

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 Holy Women, Mulierem fortem.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Holy Women
 

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Joánna Francísca Frémiot de Chantal, Divióne in Burgúndia claríssimis orta natálibus, ab ineúnte ætáte exímiæ sanctitátis non obscúras édidit significatiónes.  Eam enim, vix quinquénnem, nóbilem quemdam Calvinístam sólida supra ætátem argumentatióne perstrinxísse ferunt, collatúmque ab eo munúsculum flammis íllico tradidísse, in hæc verba : En quómodo hærétici apud ínferos comburéntur, qui loquénti Christo fidem detréctant.  Matre orbáta, Deíparæ Vírginis tutélæ se commendávit, et fámulam, quæ ad mundi amórem eam alliciébat, ab se rejécit.  Nihil pueríle in móribus éxprimens, a sæculi delíciis abhórrens martyriúmque anhélans, religióni ac pietáti impénse studébat.  Baróni de Chantal núptui a patre trádita, virtútibus ómnibus excoléndis óperam dedit ; líberos, fámulos, aliósque sibi subjéctos in fídei doctrína bonísque móribus imbúere sátagens.  Profúsa liberalitáte páuperum inópiam sublevábat, annóna divínitus non raro multiplicáta ; quo factum est, ut némini se umquam, Christi nómine rogánti stipem, abnegatúram spopónderit.

Jane Frances Frémiot de Chantal was born of parents of the highest rank, at Dijon in Burgundy.  From her earliest childhood she gave no dark promise of a life of eminent holiness.  It is said that when she was scarcely fifteen years of age she confuted with precocious acuteness a Presbyterian nobleman, and when he gave her a little present she put it in the fire, saying : That is how heretics will burn in hell for not believing Christ when he speaketh.  On the death of her mother, she placed herself under the keeping of the Virgin Mother of God, and discharged a maid who strove to beguile her into loving the world.  She had nothing youthful about her ways.  She shrank from the pleasures of life.  She had a strong wish that she might die a martyr.  She devoted herself unweariedly to religion and godliness.  Her father gave her in marriage to the Baron de Chantal, and she strove to excel in all the duties and graces of a wife.  She made it her work to see that her children, her servants, and all others under her authority were taught the doctrines of the faith and the practice of good living.  She relieved the sufferings of the poor by plentiful almsgiving, for which purposes God not unfrequently miraculously multiplied her money.  And so it came to pass that no one ever asked her for food in Christ's name and was refused it.

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

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

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

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

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal.
R.  Amen.

Viro in venatióne interémpto, perfectióris vitæ consílium íniens, continéntiæ voto se obstrínxit.  Viri necem non solum æquo ánimo tulit, sed, in públicum indúltæ véniæ testimónium, occisóris fílium e sacro fonte suscípere sui victrix elégit.  Módica família, ténui victu atque vestítu conténta, pretiósas vestes in pios usus convértit.  Quidquid a domésticis curis supérerat témporis, précibus, piis lectiónibus laboríque impendébat.  Numquam addúci pótuit ut álteras núptias, quamvis útiles et honoríficas, iníret.  Ne autem a propósito castimóniæ observándæ in pósterum dimoverétur, illíus voto innováto, sanctíssimum Jesu Christi nomen candénti ferro péctori inscúlpsit.  Ardéntius in dies caritáte fervéscens, páuperes, derelíctos, ægros, teterrimísque morbis inféctos ad se adducéndos curábat : eósque non hospítio tantum excipiébat, solabátur, fovébat ; verum étiam sórdidas eorúmdem vestes depurgábat, láceras reficiébat, et manántibus fœtido pure ulcéribus lábia admovére non exhorrébat.

Her husband was accidentally killed out shooting, and in her widowhood she determined to embrace the more excellent way, and took a vow not to marry again.  She bore her bereavement with resignation to the Will of God, and so far overcame her horror of the gentleman who had fired the shot, that, to shew she attributed no blame to him, she stood godmother to his little boy.  She was quite content with few servants and plain cookery and dress, and sold her rich wardrobe for the benefit of charities.  She received offers of second marriage which would have been both politic and honourable, but never was induced to accept one of them, and to harden herself in her intention of remaining in her widowhood, she renewed her vow to that effect, and branded on her chest with a hot iron the most holy Name of Jesus Christ.  Her love grew tenderer every day, and she had brought to her the starving, the abandoned, the diseased, and those who were afflicted with the most sickening disorders.  Them she not only sheltered, comforted, and nursed, but washed, and mended their filthy and ragged garments, and shrank not from putting her mouth to their sores oozing with disgusting matter.

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.

A sancto Francísco Salésio, quo spíritus moderatóre usa fuit, divínam voluntátem edócta, próprium paréntem, sócerum, fílium dénique ipsum, quem étiam vocatióni obsisténtem, sua e domo egrédiens, pédibus calcáre non dubitávit, invícta constántia deséruit, et sacri institúti Visitatiónis sanctæ Maríæ fundaménta jecit.  Ejus institúti leges integérrime custodívit, et ádeo paupertátis fuit amans, ut vel necessária sibi deésse gaudéret.  Christiánæ vero ánimi demissiónis et obediéntiæ, virtútum dénique ómnium perfectíssimum exémplar se præbuit.  Altióres in corde suo ascensiónes dispónens, arduíssimo efficiéndi semper id, quod perféctius esse intellígeret, voto se obstrínxit.  Dénique, sacro Visitatiónis institúto ejus potíssimum ópera longe latéque diffúso, verbo, exémplo et scriptis étiam, divína sapiéntia refértis, ad pietátem et caritátem soróribus excitátis, méritis reférta, et sacraméntis rite suscéptis, Molínis, anno millésimo sexcentésimo quadragésimo primo, die décima tértia Decémbris, migrávit ad Dóminum ; ejúsque ánimam, occurrénte sancto Francísco Salésio, in cælos deférri sanctus Vincéntius a Paulo procul distans aspéxit.  Ejus corpus póstea Annécium translátum fuit ; eámque, miráculis ante et post óbitum claram, Benedíctus décimus quartus Beatórum, Clemens vero décimus tértius, Póntifex máximus, albo Sanctórum adjécit.  Festum autem ejúsdem die duodécimo Kaléndas Septémbris ab univérsa Ecclésia Clemens décimus quartus, Póntifex máximus, celebrári præcépit.

She used the services of St. Francis de Sales as her spiritual adviser, and when she learnt from him what was the will of God, she scrupled not to disregard the wishes of her own father, brother-in-law, and even of her son, whom she left with calm determination, went forth from her home, and founded the holy Institution of the Sisters of the Visitation of St. Mary.  She most rigidly kept the rules of this Institute, and loved so well to be poor, that it made her glad to lack even the necessaries of life.  She shewed herself a model of Christian lowliness, obedience, and all graces.  Having settled in her heart still to go up higher and higher towards the Temple of the Lord, she bound herself by a most difficult vow always to do that which she should understand to be best.  It was chiefly through her labour that the holy Institute of the Visitation became spread far and wide, and she stirred up the sisters to godliness and love by her words, by her example, and by writings full of Divine wisdom.  She duly received the Sacraments before her death, and then, at Moulins, on the 13th day of December, in the year 1641, departed hence, to be for ever with the Lord.  St. Vincent de Paul, who was far distant, in a vision beheld her soul borne to heaven, and St. Francis de Sales coming to meet it.  Her body was afterwards taken to Annecy.  She was famous for miracles both before and after her death, and Pope Benedict XIV enrolled her among the Blessed, and Pope Clement XIII among the Saints.  Pope Clement XIV ordered her Feastday to be kept by the whole Church upon the twenty-first day of August.

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

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

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

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

If this Feast be reduced to the rank of Simple, and Lesson IX of this Feast is to be said according to the Rubrics, the following abbreviated version may be used.

Joánna Francísca Frémiot de Chantal, Divióne in Burgúndia claríssimis orta natálibus, adhuc puélla, matre orbáta, Deíparæ Vírginis, tutélæ se commendávit.  Baróni de Chantal núptui a patre trádita, mulíerem fortem appríme réferens, ómnibus ómnia facta est.  Viro in venatióne interémpto, continéntiæ voto se obstrínxit et sui victrix, occisóris fílium e sacro fonte suscípere non dubitávit.  Ne autem a propósito castimóniæ observándæ in pósterum dimoverétur, voto innováto, sanctíssimum Jesu Christi nomen candénti ferro suo péctori inscúlpsit.  A sancto Francísco Salésio, quo spíritus moderatóre usa fuit, divínam voluntátem edócta, sacri institúti Visitatiónis sanctæ Maríæ fundaménta jecit, quod longe latéque diffúdit.  Cum dénique voto se obstrinxísset efficiéndi semper quod perféctius esse intellígeret, méritis reférta, Molínis migrávit ad Dóminum, anno millésimo sexcentésimo quadragésimo primo, die décima tértia Decémbris, et a Cleménte décimo tértio albo Sanctórum adjécta est.

Born of noble parents at Dijon in Burgundy, Jane Frances Frémiot de Chantal lost her mother while she was still a girl, and commended herself to the care of the Virgin Mother of God.  Her father gave her in marriage to the Baron de Chantal, and she shewed herself to be a valiant woman above all others, making herself all things to all persons.  When her husband was killed while hunting, she made a vow of continence, and she so mastered herself that she did not hesitate to act as godmother to the son of the man who killed her husband.  Lest later on she should be moved from her determination to observe chastity, she renewed her vow and inscribed the most holy Name of Jesus on her breast with a hot iron.  With St. Francis de Sales as her spiritual director, who taught her the divine will, she laid the foundations of the religious Institute of the Visitation of Holy Mary, which she spread fare and wide.  Finally she bound herself by a vow always to do what she understood to be most perfect.  Full of merits, she went to the Lord on the 13th day of December, 1641, at Moulins, and was enrolled among the Saints by Clement XIII.

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

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

Moulins Cathedral

After the conclusion of the Second Nocturn, the Third Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below.

Third Nocturn

In the Third Nocturn, the Gospel Homily Simile est regnum cælorum thesauro abscondito is read from the Common of Holy Women.

Convent of the Visitation, Annecy

Gospel Homily from Common of Holy Women
 

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:  Date ei * de fructu mánuum suárum, et laudent eam in portis ópera ejus.

Ant. on Bened:  Give her * of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Omnípotens et miséricors Deus, qui beátam Joánnam Francíscam  tuo amóre succénsam, admirábili spíritus fortitúdine per omnes vitæ sémitas in via perfectiónis donásti, quique per illam illustráre Ecclésiam tuam nova prole voluísti : ejus méritis et précibus concéde; ut, qui infirmitátis nostræ cónscii de tua virtúte confídimus, cæléstis grátiæ auxílio cuncta nobis adversántia vincámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Almighty and most merciful God, who didst enkindle blessed Jane Frances with the fire of thy love, and endue her with wondrous constancy to walk stedfastly in all the paths of her life on the way of perfection, and who through her didst vouchsafe to glorify thy Church with a new offspring; grant, we pray thee, by her merits and intercession ; that we who, knowing the frailty of our mortal nature do put our trust and confidence in thy mighty power, may, by the help of thy heavenly grace, overcome all things that are contrary to our salvation.  Through.

Ant:  Quæ est ista quæ ascéndit sicut auróra consúrgens, pulchra ut luna, elécta ut sol, terríbilis ut castrórum ácies ordináta?

Ant:  Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, ascending like the dawn-light to the highest heavens?  For she is fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners going forth to war.

V.  Exaltáta est sancta Dei Génitrix.
R.  Super choros Angelórum ad cæléstia regna.

V.  Thou art exalted, O holy Mother of God.
R.  Above choirs of Angels, unto the heavenly kingdom.

Oremus.
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui Immaculátam Vírginem Maríam, Fílii tui Genitrícem, córpore et ánima ad cæléstem glóriam assumpsísti : concéde, quæsumus ; ut ad supérna semper inténti, ipsíus glóriæ mereámur esse consórtes.  Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum.

Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast taken up into heavenly glory both the body and soul of the Mother of thy Son, the immaculate Virgin Mary : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may in such wise set our affections on things above ; that we may finally attain unto fellowship with her in glory.  Through the same.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH