The Seven Sorrows of the
Blessed Virgin Mary

Double of II Class

Ember Wednesday in September never occurs before this day

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

2nd Vespers

Of the Octave Day of the Nativity of the B.V.M. nothing is said in the Office of the Seven Sorrows.  But if in any place there is celebrated on this day any II Class Double Feast of a higher rank, which is not a Feast of the B.V.M., a Commemoration of the Octave Day itself is made at Lauds.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, in cujus passióne, secúndum Simeónis prophetíam, dulcíssimam ánimam gloriósae Vírginis et Matris Maríæ dolóris gládius pertransívit : concéde propítius ; ut, qui dolóres ejus venerándo recólimus, passiónis tuæ efféctum felícem consequámur : Qui vivis et regnas.
Let us pray.
O God, in whose passion the sword of grief did pierce the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, thy Mother, that so might be fulfilled the word of thy Prophet Simeon : mercifully grant that we who here do call to mind her sorrows ; may be fulfilled with the blessed fruits of thy passion.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

 

 

First Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary


The Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem

Ant.    Quo ábiit * diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo declinávit diléctus tuus, et quærémus eum tecum?

Ant.    Whither is thy Beloved gone, * O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?  For we would seek him with thee.

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.

Psalm 109.  Dixit Dominus

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.    Quo ábiit diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo declinávit diléctus tuus, et quærémus eum tecum?

Ant.    Whither is thy Beloved gone, O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?  For we would seek him with thee.

Ant.    Recédite a me, * amáre flebo, nolíte incúmbere ut consolémini me.

Ant.    Look away from me; * I will weep bitterly; labour not to comfort me.

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.
 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.    Recédite a me, amáre flebo, nolíte incúmbere ut consolémini me.

Ant.    Look away from me; I will weep bitterly; labour not to comfort me.

Ant.    Non est ei * spécies neque decor, et vídimus eum, et non erat aspéctus.

Ant.    He hath no form * nor comeliness, and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Psalmus 121.  Lætatus sum

Lætátus sum in his, quæ dicta sunt mihi: * In domum Dómini íbimus.
2  Stantes erant pedes nostri, * in átriis tuis, Jerúsalem.
3  Jerúsalem, quæ ædificátur ut cívitas: * cujus participátio ejus in idípsum.
4  Illuc enim ascendérunt tribus, tribus Dómini: * testimónium Israël ad confiténdum nómini Dómini.
5  Quia illic sedérunt sedes in judício, * sedes super domum David.
6  Rogáte quæ ad pacem sunt Jerúsalem: * et abundántia diligéntibus te:
7  Fiat pax in virtúte tua: * et abundántia in túrribus tuis.
8  Propter fratres meos, et próximos meos, * loquébar pacem de te:
9  Propter domum Dómini, Dei nostri, * quæsívi bona tibi.

Psalm 121.  Lætatus sum

I was glad when they said unto me, * We will go into the house of the Lord.
2  Our feet shall stand * in thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3  Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity in itself.
4  For thither did the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, * to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5  For their seats have sat in judgment, * even the seats upon the house of David.
6  O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; * they shall prosper that love thee.
7  Peace be within thy walls, * and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8  For my brethren and companions' sakes, * I spake peace of thee.
9  Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, * I have sought to do thee good.

Ant.    Non est ei spécies neque decor, et vídimus eum, et non erat aspéctus.

Ant.    He hath no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Ant.    A planta pedis * usque ad vérticem cápitis non est in eo sánitas.

Ant.    From the sole of the foot * even unto the head, there is no soundness in him.

Psalmus 126.  Nisi Dominus

Nisi Dóminus ædificáverit domum, * in vanum laboravérunt qui ædíficant eam.
2  Nisi Dóminus custodíerit civitátem, * frustra vígilat qui custódit eam.
3  Vanum est vobis ante lucem súrgere: * súrgite postquam sedéritis, qui manducátis panem dolóris.
4  Cum déderit diléctis suis somnum: * ecce heréditas Dómini fílii : merces, fructus ventris.
5  Sicut sagíttæ in manu poténtis: * ita fílii excussórum.
6  Beátus vir qui implévit desidérium suum ex ipsis: * non confundétur cum loquétur inimícis suis in porta.

Psalm 126.  Nisi Dominus

Except the Lord build the house, * they labour in vain that build it.
2  Except the Lord keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
3  It is vain for you to rise up before the light : * rise ye after ye have sitten, ye that eat the bread of sorrow.
4  When he giveth his beloved sleep : * behold, children are the heritage of the Lord: the reward, and the fruit of the womb.
5  Like as the arrows in the hand of the mighty, * even so are the children of them that have been shaken.
6  Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; * he shall not be confounded when he shall speak with his enemies in the gate.

Ant.    A planta pedis usque ad vérticem cápitis non est in eo sánitas.

Ant.    From the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no soundness in him.

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, * stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Revive me with flowers, * stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

Psalmus 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Lauda, Jerúsalem, Dóminum: * lauda Deum tuum, Sion.
2  Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.
3  Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.
4  Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.
5  Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.
6  Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?
7  Emíttet verbum suum, et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus, et fluent aquæ.
8  Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias, et judícia sua Israël.
9  Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.

Psalm 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; *  praise thy God, O Sion.
2  For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.
3  Who hath placed peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the fat of the crops.
4  Who sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and his word runneth swiftly.
5  Who giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the mist like ashes.
6  He sendeth his ice like morsels: * who is able to abide before the face of his frost?
7  He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his spirit shall breathe forth, and the waters shall flow.
8  Who declareth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and judgments unto Israel.
9  He hath not dealt so with every nation; * neither hath he given them knowledge of his judgments.

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Revive me with flowers, stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

STAND

Capitulum           Thren. 2. 13.
Cui comparábo te?  vel cui assimilábo te, fília Jerúsalem?  cui exæquábo te, et consolábor te, virgo fília Sion?  Magna est velut mare contrítio tua.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Lam. 2. 13.
What thing shall I take to witness for thee?  what thing shall I liken unto thee, O Daughter of Jerusalem?  what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O Virgin Daughter of Sion?  for thy breach is great like the sea.
R.
 Thanks be to God.

Hymnus

Jam toto súbitus vesper eat polo,
Et sol attónitum præcípitet diem,
Dum sævæ récolo ludíbrium necis,
Divinámque catástrophen.

Spectátrix áderas supplício, Parens,
Malis uda, gerens cor adamántinum;
Natus funérea péndulus in cruce
Altos dum gémitus dabat.

Pendens ante óculos Natos atrócibus
Sectus verbéribus, Natus hiántibus
Fossus vulnéribus, quot penetrántibus
Te confíxit acúleis!

Eheu!  Sputa, álapæ, vérbera, vúlnera,
Clavi, fel, áloë, spóngia, láncea,
Sitis, spina, cruor, quam vária pium
Cor préssere tyránnide!

Cunctis intérea stas generósior,
Virgo, Martyribus : prodígio novo,
In tantis móriens non moréris, Parens,
Diris fixa dolóribus.

Sit summæ Tríadi glória, laus, honor,
A qua supplíciter, sollícita prece,
Posco virgínei róboris æmulas
Vires rebus in áperis.  Amen.

The Hymn

Now fitly may dark night black out the evening sky—
The sun to earth all light, as if in grief, deny—
Whilst we, of Mary's plight with Christ on Calvary,
Proclaim the awesome mystery.

Thou, Mother, through all pain of anguished sorrow tried
Strong-hearted didst remain, close to Christ crucified,
Whilst he the King his reign completed on his Tree
In dreadful, spoken agony.

They took thy Son with scorn, with scourges him assailed,
And crowned him with the thorn, and on the Cross then nailed;
There with him thou wast torn—each hateful mockery
And cruel wounding wounded thee.

The spitting and the blows; bearing the crushing Cross;
The nails, the thirst and woes; the dice that gamesters toss;
The death wrought by his foes;—whate'er his pain might be
Was also suffered there by thee.

So, by him standing nigh, thou on that blood-stained hill
A thousand deaths didst die, obedient to his will;
As Simeon did descry, the sword of agony
Transfixed thy soul and martyred thee.

And now to Christ be praise, for our redemption won;
The same in heaven's lays to God Triune be sung;
But through our earthly days, O Mother, pray that we
Strong-hearted, love thy Son like thee.  Amen.

V.  Regína Mártyrum, ora pro nobis.
R.  Quæ juxta crucem Jesu constitísti.

V.  Pray for us, O Queen of Martyrs.
R.  Who didst stand stedfast at the Cross of Jesus.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Nolíte * me consideráre quod fusca sim, quia decolorávit me sol : fílii matris meæ pugnavérunt contra me.

Ant. on Magnif:  Look not upon me, * because I am black, because the sun hath tanned me.  My mother's children were angry with me.

MAGNIFICAT THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, in cujus passióne, secúndum Simeónis prophetíam, dulcíssimam ánimam gloriósae Vírginis et Matris Maríæ dolóris gládius pertransívit : concéde propítius ; ut, qui dolóres ejus venerándo recólimus, passiónis tuæ efféctum felícem consequámur : Qui vivis et regnas.

Let us pray.
O God, in whose passion the sword of grief did pierce the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, thy Mother, that so might be fulfilled the word of thy Prophet Simeon : mercifully grant that we who here do call to mind her sorrows ; may be fulfilled with the blessed fruits of thy passion.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

Commemoration is made of the preceding day :

Ant:  O Crux benedícta, quæ sola fuísti digna portáre Regem cælórum et Dóminum, allelúja!

Ant:  O Cross exceeding blessed, thou alone wast counted worthy to uphold the Lord, the King of heaven, alleluia.

V.  Hoc signum Crucis erit in cælo.
R.  Cum Dóminus ad judicándum vénerit.
V.  This Sign of the Cross shall appear in heaven.
R.  When the Lord shall come to judgment.

Oremus.
Deus, qui nos hodiérna die Exaltatiónis sanctæ Crucis ánnua solemnitáte lætíficas : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, cujus mystérium in terra cognóvimus, ejus redemptiónis præmia in cælo mereámur.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who dost gladden us upon this day by the festival of the Exaltation of the holy Cross : grant that we who have acknowledged the mystery of redemption here on earth, may rejoice in the everlasting fruits thereof in heaven.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Sunday Compline

 

 

Compline

The conclusion of Hymns at all Hours shall be the following:
Jesu tibi sit glória,
Qui passus es pro sérvulis,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.
Praise, Virgin-Born, to thee we give,
Who died to make thy servants live;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

 

 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

Invitatory and Hymn

Stemus juxta crucem cum María Matre Jesu, * Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Let us take our stand at the Cross, like unto Mary the Mother of Jesus ; * Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

Stemus juxta crucem cum María Matre Jesu, * Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Let us take our stand at the Cross, like unto Mary the Mother of Jesus ; * Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

Psalmus 94.
Venite, exsultemus Domino

Psalm 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.

Stemus juxta crucem cum María Matre Jesu, * Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Let us take our stand at the Cross, like unto Mary the Mother of Jesus ; * Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

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.

Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

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.

Stemus juxta crucem cum María Matre Jesu, * Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Let us take our stand at the Cross, like unto Mary the Mother of Jesus ; * Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

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.

Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

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.

Stemus juxta crucem cum María Matre Jesu, * Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Let us take our stand at the Cross, like unto Mary the Mother of Jesus ; * Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

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.

Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

Stemus juxta crucem cum María Matre Jesu, * Cujus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.

Let us take our stand at the Cross, like unto Mary the Mother of Jesus ; * Like unto her whose soul was smitten with the sword of sorrow.

Hymnus The Hymn
O quot undis lacrimárum,
Quo dolóre vólvitur,
Luctuóse de cruénto
Dum revúlsum stípite,
Cernit ulnis incubántem
Virgo Mater Fílium.

Os suáve, mite pectus
Et latus dulcíssimum,
Dexterámque vulnerátum
Et sinístram sáuciam,
Et rubras cruóre plantas
Ægra tingit lácrimis.

Centiésque milliésque
Stringit arctis néxibus
Pectus illud et lacértos,
Illa figit vúlnera :
Sicque tota colliquéscit
In dolóris ósculis.

Eja, Mater, obsecrámus
Per tuas has lácrimas,
Filiíque triste funus,
Vulnerúmque púrpuram,
Hunc tui cordis dolórem
Conde nostris córdibus.

Esto Patri, Filióque,
Et coævo Flámini,
Esto summæ Trinitáti
Sempitérna glória,
Et perénnis laus honórque
Hoc et omni sæculo.  Amen.

What a flood of tears and sorrow,
What an agony of pain,
Overwhelmed the mourning Mother,
When her Son, so lately slain,
From the blood-stained Cross was lowered
To her loving arms again.

With her tears she bathed his body,
Bruised and stricken, yet most sweet;
Underneath his heart the spear-wound;
Pierced hands and crimsoned feet:
Then, in deep maternal anguish,
Kissed each wound-print, as was meet.

Oft and oft his arms and bosom
Fondly straining to her own;
Oft her pallid lips imprinting
On each wound of her dear Son!
Till in one last kiss of anguish
All her melting soul is gone.

By these tears of thine, O Mother,
By the death of thy dear Son,
By his cruel wounds empurpled,
By thy pain surpassed by none,
Move our spirits to compassion
Till our grief with thine is one.

Doxology
Laud and honour to the Father,
Laud and honour to the Son,
Laud and honour to the Spirit;
Ever three and ever One;
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run.  Amen.

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

 

 

First Nocturn

Ant.    Multiplicáti sunt * qui tríbulant me, multi insúrgunt advérsum me.

Ant.    How are they increased * that trouble me! many are they that rise against me.

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.    Multiplicáti sunt qui tríbulant me, multi insúrgunt advérsum me.

Ant.    How are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise against me.

Ant.    Paravérunt sagíttas suas * pháretra, ut sagíttent in obscúro rectos corde.

Ant.    They make ready their arrows * within the quiver, that they may privily shoot at them which are true of heart.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 10.  In Domino confido

In Dómino confído : quómodo dícitis ánimæ meæ: * Tránsmigra in montem sicut passer?
2  Quóniam ecce peccatóres intendérunt arcum, paravérunt sagíttas suas in pháretra, * ut sagíttent in obscúro rectos corde.

3  Quóniam quæ perfecísti, destruxérunt: * justus autem quid fecit?
4  Dóminus in templo sancto suo, * Dóminus in cælo sedes ejus.

5  Oculi ejus in páuperem respíciunt: * pálpebræ ejus intérrogant fílios hóminum.

6  Dóminus intérrogat justum et ímpium: * qui autem díligit iniquitátem, odit ánimam suam.

7  Pluet super peccatóres láqueos: * ignis, et sulphur, et spíritus procellárum pars cálicis eórum.

8  Quóniam justus Dóminus, et justítias diléxit: * æquitátem vidit vultus ejus.

Psalm 10.  In Domino confido

In the Lord do I put my trust : how say ye then to my soul, * that she should flee as a bird unto the hill?
2  For lo, the ungodly bend their bow, and make ready their arrows within the quiver, * that they may shoot in the dark at them which are true of heart.
3  For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made : * and what hath the righteous done?
4  The Lord is in his holy temple; * the Lord's seat is in heaven.
5  His eyes consider the poor, * and his eyelids try the children of men.
6  The Lord trieth the righteous and the wicked : * but he that delighteth in wickedness, abhoreth his own soul.
7  Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares, * fire and brimstone, storm and tempest shall be their portion to drink.
8  For the Lord is righteous and loveth righteousness; * his countenance hath beholden the thing that is just.

Ant.    Paravérunt sagíttas suas pháretra, ut sagíttent in obscúro rectos corde.

Ant.    They make ready their arrows within the quiver, that they may privily shoot at them which are true of heart.

Ant.    Defécit in dolóre * vita mea, et anni mei in gemítibus.

Ant.    My life is waxen old * with heaviness, and my years with mourning.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 30. In te, Domine, speravi

In te, Dómine, sperávi non confúndar in ætérnum: * in justítia tua líbera me.
2  Inclína ad me aurem tuam, * accélera ut éruas me
.
3  Esto mihi in Deum protectórem, et in domum refúgii: * ut salvum me fácias.

4  Quóniam fortitúdo mea, et refúgium meum es tu: * et propter nomen tuum dedúces me, et enútries me.

5  Edúces me de láqueo hoc, quem abscondérunt mihi: * quóniam tu es protéctor meus.
6  In manus tuas comméndo spíritum meum: * redemísti me, Dómine, Deus veritátis.

7  Odísti observántes vanitátes, * supervácue.

8  Ego autem in Dómino sperávi: * exsultábo, et lætábor in misericórdia tua.

9  Quóniam respexísti humilitátem meam, * salvásti de necessitátibus ánimam meam.
10  Nec conclusísti me in mánibus inimíci: * statuísti in loco spatióso pedes meos.
11  Miserére mei, Dómine, quóniam tríbulor: * conturbátus est in ira óculus meus, ánima mea, et venter meus:
12  Quóniam defécit in dolóre vita mea: * et anni mei in gemítibus.
13  Infirmáta est in paupertáte virtus mea: * et ossa mea conturbáta sunt.
14  Super omnes inimícos meos factus sum oppróbrium et vicínis meis valde: * et timor notis meis.
15  Qui vidébant me, foras fugérunt a me: * oblivióni datus sum, tamquam mórtuus a corde.
16  Factus sum tamquam vas pérditum: * quóniam audívi vituperatiónem multórum commorántium in circúitu.

17  In eo dum convenírent simul advérsum me, * accípere ánimam meam consiliáti sunt.

18  Ego autem in te sperávi, Dómine: *  dixi: Deus meus es tu : in mánibus tuis sortes meæ.

19  Eripe me de manu inimicórum meórum, * et a persequéntibus me.
20  Illústra fáciem tuam super servum tuum, salvum me fac in misericórdia tua: * Dómine, non confúndar, quóniam invocávi te.
21  Erubéscant ímpii, et deducántur in inférnum: * muta fiant lábia dolósa.
22  Quæ loquúntur advérsus justum iniquitátem: * in supérbia, et in abusióne.
23  Quam magna multitúdo dulcédinis tuæ, Dómine, * quam abscondísti timéntibus te.
24  Perfecísti eis, qui sperant in te, * in conspéctu filiórum hóminum.
25  Abscóndes eos in abscóndito faciéi tuæ * a conturbatióne hóminum.

26  Próteges eos in tabernáculo tuo * a contradictióne linguárum.

27  Benedíctus Dóminus: * quóniam mirificávit misericórdiam suam mihi in civitáte muníta.

28  Ego autem dixi in excéssu mentis meæ: * Projéctus sum a fácie oculórum tuórum.

29  Ideo exaudísti vocem oratiónis meæ, * dum clamárem ad te.
30  Dilígite Dóminum omnes sancti ejus: * quóniam veritátem requíret Dóminus, et retríbuet abundánter faciéntibus supérbiam.
31  Viríliter ágite, et confortétur cor vestrum, * omnes, qui sperátis in Dómino.

Psalm 30. In te, Domine, speravi

In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion; * deliver me in thy righteousness.
2  Bow down thine ear to me; * make haste to deliver me.
3  And be thou my protector and house of defence, * that thou mayest save me.
4  For thou art my strength and my refuge : * be thou also my guide for thy Name's sake, and nourish me.
5  Draw me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; * for thou art my strength.
6  Into thy hands I commend my spirit; * for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
7  Thou hast hated them that hold of lying vanities * without purpose.
8  My trust hath been in the Lord : * I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy.
9  For thou hast considered my trouble, * and hast saved my soul from adversities.
10  Thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; * but hast set my feet in a spacious place.
11  Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble, * and mine eye is consumed for very heaviness; yea, my soul and my body.
12  For my life is wasted with grief, * and my years with mourning.
13  My strength faileth me, because of my poverty, * and my bones are consumed.
14  I became a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours; * and they of mine acquaintance were afraid of me.
15  They that did see me without, conveyed themselves from me : * I am clean forgotten as a dead man out of mind.
16  I am become like a broken vessel : * for I have heard the blasphemy of the multitude, that dwell on every side.
17  While they conspired together against me, * and took their counsel to take away my life.
18  But my hope hath been in thee, O Lord; * I have said, Thou art my God : my lot is in thy hand.
19  Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, * and from them that persecute me.
20  Show thy servant the light of thy countenance, and save me for thy mercy's sake : * let me not be confounded, O Lord, for I have called upon thee.
21  Let the ungodly be put to confusion, and brought down to hell : * let the lying lips be put to silence.
22  Which speak iniquity against the righteous, * with pride and disdain.
23  O how plentiful is thy goodness, O Lord, * which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee.
24  Which thou hast wrought for them that put their trust in thee, * even before the sons of men!
25  Thou shalt hide them in the covert of thine own face * from the plottings of men.
26  Thou shalt protect them in thy tabernacle * from the strife of tongues.
27  Blessed be the Lord; * for he hath shewed me his wonderful mercy in a fortified city.
28  But I said in the excess of my mind : * I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes.
29  Therefore, thou heardest the voice of my prayer, * when I cried unto thee.
30  O love the Lord, all ye his saints; * for the Lord will require truth, and plenteously rewardeth the proud doer.
31  Do ye manfully, and your heart shall be strengthened, * all ye that put your trust in the Lord.

Ant.    Defécit in dolóre vita mea, et anni mei in gemítibus.

Ant.    My life is waxen old with heaviness, and my years with mourning.

STAND

V.  Regína Mártyrum, ora pro nobis.
R.  Quæ juxta crucem Jesu constitísti.
V.  Pray for us, O Queen of Martyrs.
R.  Who didst stand stedfast at the Cross of Jesus.
Pater noster. 
secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.
Our Father. 
Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to:
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

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.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere. V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

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.

Lesson i
De Jeremía Prophéta

The Lesson is taken from the Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet

Thren. 1, 2 et 20-21

Plorans plorávit in nocte, et lácrimæ ejus in maxíllis ejus : non est qui consolétur eam ex ómnibus caris ejus : omnes amíci ejus sprevérunt eam, et facti sunt ei inimíci.  Vide, Dómine, quóniam tríbulor, conturbátus est venter meus, subvérsum est cor meum in memetípsa, quóniam amaritúdine plena sum.  Foris intérfecit gládius, et domi mors símilis est.  Audiérunt quia ingemísco ego, et non est qui consolétur me.

She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are upon her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, and are become her enemies.  Behold, O Lord; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I am full of anguish.  Abroad the sword bereaveth, and at home there is as death.  They have heard that I sigh, and there is none to comfort me.

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

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


The Prophecy of Simeon

R.  Símeon, vir justus et timorátus, dixit ad Maríam : * Tuam ipsíus ánimam pertransíbit gládius.
V.  Ne vocétis me pulchram, sed amáram, quia amaritúdine valde replévit me Omnípotens.
R.  Tuam ipsíus ánimam pertransíbit gládius.

R.  There was a man whose name was Simeon ; and the same man was just and devout ; and Simeon said unto Mary : * Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.
V.  Call me not for my pleasantness, but call me for my bitterness, for the Almighty hath dealt most bitterly with me.
R.  Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.


V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere. V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

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.

Lesson ii Thren, 2, 13 et 15-16

Cui comparábo te? vel cui assimilábo te, fília Jerúsalem? cui exæquábo te, et consolábor te, virgo fília Sion?  Magna est enim velut mare contrítio tua : quis medébitur tui?  Plausérunt super te mánibus omnes transeúntes per viam : sibilavérunt, et movérunt caput suum super fíliam Jerúsalem : Hæccine est urbs, dicéntes, perfécti decóris, gáudium univérsæ terræ?  Aperuérunt super te os suum omnes inimíci tui, sibilavérunt et fremuérunt déntibus, et dixérunt : Devorábimus.

What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?  All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?  All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We will swallow her up.

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

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


The Flight into Egypt

R.  Surge, et áccipe Púerum et Matrem ejus, et fuge in Ægyptum ; * Et esto ibi usque dum dicam tibi.
V.  Vocávi fílium meum ex Ægypto, ut véniat salus in Israël.
R.  Et esto ibi usque dum dicam tibi.

R.  Arise, and take the young Child and his Mother, and flee into Egypt ; * And be thou there until I bring thee word.
V.  Out of Egypt have I called my Son, that salvation may come unto Israel.
R.  And be thou there until I bring thee word.


V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere. V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

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.

Lesson iii Cap. Thren. 2, 17-18

Fecit Dóminus quæ cogitávit, complévit sermónem suum quem præcéperat a diébus antíquis : destrúxit et non pepércit, et lætificávit super te inimícum et exaltávit cornu hóstium tuórum.  Clamávit cor eórum ad Dóminum super muros fíliæ Sion : Deduc quasi torréntem lácrimas per diem et noctem ; non des réquiem tibi, neque táceat pupílla óculi tui.

The Lord hath done that which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused thine enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.  Their heart cried unto the Lord for the walls of the daughter of Zion.  Let tears run down like a river day and night.  Give thyself no rest, neither let the apple of thine eye cease.

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

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


The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

R.  Fili, quid fecísti nobis sic? * Ego et pater tuus * Doléntes quærebámus te.
V.  Quid est quod me quærebátis?  In his quæ Patris mei sunt, opórtet me esse.
R.  Ego et pater tuus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Doléntes quærebámus te.

R.  Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? * I and thy father, * We have sought thee sorrowing.
V.  How is it that ye sought me?  Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
R.  I and thy father.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  We have sought thee sorrowing.


 

 

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Factum est cor meum * tamquam cera liquéscens in médio ventris mei.

Ant.    My heart also * in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 21. Deus, Deus meus

Deus, Deus meus, respice in me : quare me dereliquísti? * longe a salúte mea verba delictórum meórum.
2  Deus meus, clamábo per diem, et non exáudies: * et nocte, et non ad insipiéntiam mihi.
3  Tu autem in sancto hábitas: * laus Israël.
4  In te speravérunt patres nostri: * speravérunt, et liberásti eos.
5  Ad te clamavérunt, et salvi facti sunt: * in te speravérunt, et non sunt confúsi.
6  Ego autem sum vermis, et non homo: * oppróbrium hóminum, et abjéctio plebis.
7  Omnes vidéntes me derisérunt me: * locúti sunt lábiis, et movérunt caput.
8  Sperávit in Dómino, erípiat eum: * salvum fáciat eum, quóniam vult eum.
9  Quóniam tu es, qui extraxísti me de ventre: * spes mea ab ubéribus matris meæ.  In te projéctus sum ex útero.
10  De ventre matris meæ Deus meus es tu, * ne discésseris a me :
11  Quóniam tribulátio próxima est: * quóniam non est qui ádjuvet.
12  Circumdedérunt me vítuli multi: * tauri pingues obsedérunt me.
13  Aperuérunt super me os suum: * sicut leo rápiens et rúgiens.
14  Sicut aqua effúsus sum: * et dispérsa sunt ómnia ossa mea.
15  Factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquéscens: * in médio ventris mei.
16  Aruit tamquam testa virtus mea, et lingua mea adhæsit fáucibus meis: * et in púlverem mortis deduxísti me.
17  Quóniam circumdedérunt me canes multi: * concílium malignántium obsédit me.
18  Fodérunt manus meas et pedes meos: * dinumeravérunt ómnia ossa mea.
19  Ipsi vero consideravérunt et inspexérunt me: * divisérunt sibi vestiménta mea, et super vestem meam misérunt sortem.
20  Tu autem, Dómine, ne elongáveris auxílium tuum a me: * ad defensiónem meam cónspice.
21  Erue a frámea, Deus, ánimam meam: * et de manu canis únicam meam.
22  Salva me ex ore leónis: * et a córnibus unicórnium humilitátem meam.
23  Narrábo nomen tuum frátribus meis: * in médio Ecclésiæ laudábo te.
24  Qui timétis Dóminum, laudáte eum: * univérsum semen Jacob, glorificáte eum.
25  Tímeat eum omne semen Israël: * quóniam non sprevit, neque despéxit deprecatiónem páuperis :
26  Nec avértit fáciem suam a me: * et cum clamárem ad eum, exaudívit me.
27  Apud te laus mea in ecclésia magna: * vota mea reddam in conspéctu timéntium eum.
28  Edent páuperes, et saturabúntur: et laudábunt Dóminum qui requírunt eum: * vivent corda eórum in sæculum sæculi.
29  Reminiscéntur et converténtur ad Dóminum * univérsi fines terræ :
30  Et adorábunt in conspéctu ejus * univérsæ famíliæ Géntium.
31  Quóniam Dómini est regnum: * et ipse dominábitur Géntium.
32  Manducavérunt et adoravérunt omnes pingues terræ: * in conspéctu ejus cadent omnes qui descéndunt in terram.
33  Et ánima mea illi vivet: * et semen meum sérviet ipsi.
34  Annuntiábitur Dómino generátio ventúra: * et annuntiábunt cæli justítiam ejus pópulo qui nascétur, quem fecit Dóminus.

Psalm 21. Deus, Deus meus

My God, my God, look upon me; why hast thou forsaken me? * far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
2  O my God, I will cry in the day-time, but thou shalt not hear; * and in the night season, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.
3  But thou dwellest in the holy place, * O thou Worship of Israel.
4  Our fathers hoped in thee; * they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.
5  They called upon thee, and were holpen; * they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.
6  But as for me, I am a worm, and no man; * a very scorn of men, and the outcast of the people.
7  All they that see me have laughed me to scorn; * they  have spoken with their lips, and have shaken their heads.
8  He trusted in the Lord, that he would deliver him; * let him deliver him, if he delight in him.
9  For thou art he that took me out of my mother's womb; * thou wast my hope from my mother's breasts.  I was cast upon thee from the womb.
10  Thou art my God even from my mother's womb, * O go not from me.
11  For trouble is hard at hand, * and there is none to help me.
12  Many oxen are come about me; * fat bulls close me in on every side.
13  They gape upon me with their mouths, * as it were a ramping and a roaring lion.
14  I am poured out like water, * and all my bones are scattered.
15  My heart also is even like melting wax * in the midst of my bowels.
16  My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws, * and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death.
17  For many dogs are come about me, * and the council of the wicked hath laid siege against me.
18  They have pierced my hands and my feet : * they have numbered all my bones.
19  They have stood staring and looking upon me : * they have parted my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
20  But remove not thy help far from me, O Lord; * haste thee to help me.
21  Deliver my soul from the sword, O God, * mine only one from the power of the dog.
22  Save me from the lion's mouth; * and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns.
23  I will declare thy Name unto my brethren; * in the midst of the Church will I praise thee.
24  O praise the Lord, ye that fear him: * magnify him, all ye of the seed of Jacob.
25  And fear him, all ye seed of Israel : * for he hath not despised nor abhorred the supplication of the poor :
26  Neither hath he hid his face from me; * and when I called unto him he heard me.
27  My praise is of thee in the great congregation; * my vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear him.
28  The poor shall eat, and be satisfied; they that seek after the Lord shall praise him: * their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
29  All the ends of the world shall remember, * and be turned unto the Lord :
30  And all the kindreds of the nations * shall worship before him.
31  For the kingdom is the Lord's, * and he shall have dominion among the nations.
32  All such as be fat upon earth have eaten, and worshipped : * all they that go down into the dust shall fall before him.
33  And unto him shall my soul be quickened : * and my seed shall serve him.
34  They shall be declared unto the Lord a generation to come, * and the heavens shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.

Ant.    Factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquéscens in médio ventris mei.

Ant.    My heart also in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.

Ant.    Deus, vitam meam * annuntiávi tibi : posuísti lácrimas meas in conspéctu tuo.

Ant.    O God, I have declared * my life unto thee : thou hast put my tears into thy bottle.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 55.  Miserere mei, Deus

Miserére mei, Deus, quóniam conculcávit me homo: * tota die impúgnans tribulávit me.
2  Conculcavérunt me inimíci mei tota die: * quóniam multi bellántes advérsum me.
3  Ab altitúdine diéi timébo: * ego vero in te sperábo.
4  In Deo laudábo sermónes meos, in Deo sperávi: * non timébo quid fáciat mihi caro.
5  Tota die verba mea exsecrabántur: * advérsum me omnes cogitatiónes eórum in malum.
6  Inhabitábunt, et abscóndent: * ipsi calcáneum meum observábunt.
7  Sicut sustinuérunt ánimam meam, pro níhilo salvos fácies illos: * in ira pópulos confrínges.
8  Deus, vitam meam annuntiávi tibi: * posuísti lácrimas meas in conspéctu tuo.
9  Sicut et in promissióne tua: * tunc converténtur inimíci mei retrórsum :
10  In quacúmque die invocávero te: * ecce cognóvi quóniam Deus meus es.
11  In Deo laudábo verbum, in Dómino laudábo sermónem: * in Deo sperávi, non timébo quid fáciat mihi homo.
12  In me sunt, Deus, vota tua, * quæ reddam,  laudatiónes tibi.
13  Quóniam eripuísti ánimam meam de morte, et pedes meos de lapsu: * ut pláceam coram Deo in lúmine vivéntium.

Psalm 55.  Miserere mei, Deus

Be merciful unto me, O God, for man hath trodden me underfoot; * all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.
2  Mine enemies have trodden upon me all the day long; * for they be many that make war against me.
3  From the height of the day I shall fear, * yet put I my trust in thee.
4  In God will I praise my words, in God have I put my trust, * I will not be afraid what flesh can do unto me.
5  All the day long they detested my words; * all their thoughts were against me unto evil.
 They will dwell and hide themselves, * and mark my steps.
7  As they have laid wait for my soul, for nothing shalt thou save them : * in thy displeasure thou shalt break the people.
8  O God, I have declared my life unto thee : * thou hast set my tears in thy sight.
9  As also in thy promise : * then shall mine enemies be put to flight.
10  In what day soever I shall call upon thee, * behold I know thou art my God.
11  In God will I praise the word, yea, in the Lord will I praise his speech : * in God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12  Unto thee, O God, will I pay the vows that are in me; * unto thee be the praise.
13  For thou hast delivered my soul from death, and my feet from falling, * that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

Ant.    Deus, vitam meam annuntiávi tibi : posuísti lácrimas meas in conspéctu tuo.

Ant.    O God, I have declared my life unto thee : thou hast put my tears into thy bottle.

Ant.    Fuérunt mihi * lácrimæ meæ panes die ac nocte.

Ant.    My tears * have been my meat day and night.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 41. Quemadmodum

Quemádmodum desíderat cervus ad fontes aquárum: * ita desíderat ánima mea ad te, Deus.
2  Sitívit ánima mea ad Deum fortem vivum: * quando véniam, et apparébo ante fáciem Dei?
3  Fuérunt mihi lácrimæ meæ panes die ac nocte: * dum dícitur mihi quotídie: Ubi est Deus tuus?
4  Hæc recordátus sum, et effúdi in me ánimam meam: * quóniam transíbo in locum tabernáculi admirábilis, usque ad domum Dei.
5  In voce exsultatiónis, et confessiónis: * sonus epulántis.
6  Quare tristis es, ánima mea? * et quare contúrbas me?
7  Spera in Deo, quóniam adhuc confitébor illi: * salutáre vultus mei, et Deus meus.
8  Ad meípsum ánima mea conturbáta est : * proptérea memor ero tui de terra Jordánis, et Hermóniim a monte módico.
9  Abyssus abyssum ínvocat, * in voce cataractárum tuárum.
10  Omnia excélsa tua, et fluctus tui * super me transiérunt.
11  In die mandávit Dóminus misericórdiam suam : * et nocte cánticum ejus.
12  Apud me orátio Deo vitæ meæ, * dicam Deo : Suscéptor meus es.
13  Quare oblítus es mei? * et quare contristátus incédo, dum afflígit me inimícus?
14  Dum confringúntur ossa mea, * exprobravérunt mihi qui tríbulant me inimíci mei.
15  Dum dicunt mihi per síngulos dies : Ubi est Deus tuus? * quare tristis es, ánima mea? et quare contúrbas me?
16  Spera in Deo, quóniam adhuc confitébor illi : * salutáre vultus mei, et Deus meus.

Psalm 41. Quemadmodum

Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, * so longeth my soul after thee, O God.
2  My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the strong, living God: * when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
 My tears have been my meat day and night, * while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God?
4  These things I remembered, and poured out my soul within me; * for I shall go over into the place of the wondrous tabernacle, even unto the house of God.
5  In the voice of praise and thanksgiving, * the sound of one keeping holy-day.
6  Why art thou sad, O my soul? * and why dost thou trouble me?
7  O put thy trust in God, for I will yet praise him, * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
8  My soul is vexed within me; * therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, from Hermon and the little hill.
9  The deep calleth on the deep, * at the noise of thy water-floods.
10  All thy waves and storms * are gone over me.
11  The Lord hath commanded his mercy in the daytime; * and a canticle to him in the night season.
12  The prayer to the God of my life is with me, * I will say unto God : Thou dost uphold me.
13  Why hast thou forgotten me? * and why go I mourning, whilst the enemy oppresseth me?
14  Whilst my bones are smitten asunder, * mine enemies that trouble me have reproached me.
15  While they say daily unto me: Where is now thy God? * why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou trouble me?
16  O put thy trust in God, for I will yet praise him, * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.

Ant.    Fuérunt mihi lácrimæ meæ panes die ac nocte.

Ant.    My tears have been my meat day and night.

STAND

V.  Fascículus myrrhæ diléctus meus mihi.
R. 
Inter úbera mea commorábitur.
V.  My Well-Beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh.
R.  He shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
Pater noster. 
secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.
Our Father. 
Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to:
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

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.

Lesson iv
Sermo sancti Bernárdi Abbáatis The Lesson is taken from a Sermon by Bernard the Abbot
Sermo de duodecim stellis

Martyrium Vírginis tam in Simeónis prophetía, quam in ipsa Domínicæ passiónis história commendátur.  Pósitus est hic (ait sanctus senex de púero Jesu) in signum cui contradicétur ; et tuam ipsíus ánimam (ad Maríam autem dicébat) pertransíbit gládius.  Vere tuam, o beáta Mater, ánimam pertransívit.  Alióquin non nisi eam pertránsiens, carnem Fílii tui penetráret.  Et quidem posteáquam emísit spíritum tuus ille Jesus, ipsíus plane non áttigit ánimam crudélis láncea, quæ ipsíus apéruit latus, sed tuam útique ánimam pertransívit.  Ipsíus nimírum ánima jam ibi non erat, sed tua plane inde nequíbat avélli.

The Martyrdom of the Virgin is set before us, not only in the prophecy of Simeon, but also in the story itself of the Lord's Passion.  The holy old man said of the Child Jesus : Behold, this Child is set for the fall and the rising again of many  in Israel ; and for a sign which shall be spoken against ; yea (said he unto Mary), a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also.  Even so, O Blessed Mother!  The sword did indeed pierce through thy soul! for nought could pierce the Body of thy Son, nor pierce thy soul likewise.  Yea, and when this Jesus of thine had given up the ghost, and the bloody spear could torture him no more, thy soul winced as it pierced his dead side―his own Soul might leave him, but thine could not.

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

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

R.  Jesum bajulántem sibi crucem * Sequebátur turba mulíerum, quæ plangébant et lamentabántur eum.
V.  Fíliæ Jerúsalem, super vos ipsas flete et super fílios vestros.
R.  Sequebátur turba mulíerum, quæ plangébant et lamentabántur eum.

R.  Jesus, bearing his Cross, went forth, * And there followed him a company of women, which bewailed and lamented him.
V.  Daughters of Jerusalem, weep for yourselves and for your children.
R.  And there followed him a company of women, which bewailed and lamented him.


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.

Lesson v

Tuam ergo pertransívit ánimam vis dolóris, ut plusquam Mártyrem non immérito prædicémus, in qua nimírum corpóreæ sensum passiónis excésserit compassiónis afféctus.  An non tibi plusquam gládius fuit sermo ille, revéra pertránsiens ánimam, et pertíngens usque ad divisiónem ánimæ et spíritus : Múlier, ecce fílius tuus?  O commutatiónem!  Joánnes tibi pro Jesu tráditur, servus pro Dómino, discípulus pro Magístro, fílius Zebedæi pro Fílio Dei, homo purus pro Deo vero.  Quómodo non tuam affectuosíssimam ánimam pertransíret hæc audítio, quando et nostra, licet sáxea, licet férrea péctora, sola recordátio scindit?

The sword of sorrow pierced through thy soul, so that we may truly call thee more than martyr, in whom the love, that made thee suffer along with thy Son, wrung thy heart more bitterly than any pang of bodily pain could do.  Did not that word of his indeed pierce through thy soul, sharper than any two-edged sword, even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit : Woman, behold thy son!  O what a change to thee!  Thou art given John for Jesus, the servant for his Lord, the disciple for his Master, the son of Zebedee for the Son of God, a mere man for Very God.  O how keenly must the hearing of those words have pierced through thy most loving soul, when even our hearts, stony, iron, as they are, are wrung at the memory thereof only!

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

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

R.  Postquam venérunt in locum qui dícitur Calváriæ, ibi crucifixérunt eum : * Stabat autem juxta crucem Jesu Mater ejus.
V.  Tunc beátam illíus ánimam dolóris gládius pertransívit.
R.  Stabat autem juxta crucem Jesu Mater ejus.

R.  And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him : * Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus his Mother.
V.  Then was it that a sword of sorrow pierced through her blessed soul.
R.  Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus his Mother.


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.

Lesson vi

Non mirémini, fratres, quod María Martyr in ánima fuísse dicátur.  Mirétur qui non memínerit se audivísse Paulum inter máxima Géntium crímina memorántem, quod sine affectióne fuíssent.  Longe id fuit a Maríæ viscéribus, longe sit a sérvulis ejus.  Sed forte quis dicat : Numquid non eum præscíerat moritúrum?  Et indubitánter.  Numquid non sperábat contínuo resurrectúrum?  Et fidéliter.  Super hæc dóluit crucifíxum?  Et veheménter.  Alióquin quisnam tu, frater, aut unde tibi hæc sapiéntia, ut miréris plus Maríæ Fílium patiéntem?  Ille étiam mori córpore pótuit ; ista cómmori corde non pótuit?  Fecit illud cáritas, qua majórem nemo hábuit ; fecit et hoc cáritas, cui post illam símilis áltera non fuit.

Marvel not, my brethren, that Mary should be called a Martyr in spirit.  He indeed may marvel who remembereth not what Paul saith, naming the greater sins of the Gentiles, that they were without natural affection.  Far other were the bowels of Mary, and far other may those of her servants be!  But some man perchance will say : Did she not hope that he was soon to rise again?  Yea, she most faithfully hoped it.  And did she still mourn because he was crucified?  Yea, bitterly.  But who art thou, my brother, or whence hast thou such wisdom, to marvel less that the Son of Mary suffered than that Mary suffered with him?  He could die in the Body, and could not she die with him in her heart?  His was the deed of that Love, greater than which hath no man, her's, of a love, like to which hath no man, save he.

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

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

R.  Joseph ab Arimathæa * Pétiit corpus Jesu, quod, de cruce depósitum, * Suo compléxu Mater excépit.
V.  Dolens Sunamítis sinu et génibus suis sustínuit mórtuum fílium.
R.  Pétiit corpus Jesu, quod, de cruce depósitum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Suo compléxu Mater excépit.

R.  Joseph of Arimathea  * Begged the body of Jesus and he took it down from the Cross * And his Mother received it into her arms.
V.  Like as the Shunammite woman took her son, and held him on her knees in his death, and her soul was vexed within her.
R.  He begged the body of Jesus and he took it down from the Cross.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And his Mother received it into her arms.


 

 

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Intendérunt arcum * rem amáram, ut sagíttent in occúltis immaculátum.

Ant.    They bend their bow, * even bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the perfect.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 63.  Exaudi, Deus

Exáudi, Deus, oratiónem meam cum déprecor: * a timóre inimíci éripe ánimam meam.
2  Protexísti me a convéntu malignántium: * a multitúdine operántium iniquitátem.
3
  Quia exacuérunt ut gládium linguas suas: * intendérunt arcum rem amáram, ut sagíttent in occúltis immaculátum.
4  Súbito sagittábunt eum, et non timébunt: * firmavérunt sibi sermónem nequam.
5  Narravérunt ut abscónderent láqueos: * dixérunt: Quis vidébit eos?
6  Scrutáti sunt iniquitátes: * defecérunt scrutántes scrutínio.
7  Accédet homo ad cor altum: * et exaltábitur Deus.
8  Sagíttæ parvulórum factæ sunt plagæ eórum: * et infirmátæ sunt contra eos linguæ eórum.
9  Conturbáti sunt omnes qui vidébant eos: * et tímuit omnis homo.
10  Et annuntiavérunt ópera Dei, * et facta ejus intellexérunt.
11  Lætábitur justus in Dómino, et sperábit in eo: * et laudabúntur omnes recti corde.

Psalm 63.  Exaudi, Deus

Hear my prayer, O God, when I make supplication to thee : * preserve my soul from the fear of the enemy.
2  Thou hast protected me from the gathering together of the froward, * and from the multitude of wicked doers.
3  Who have whet their tongue like a sword, * and have bent their bow a bitter thing, to shoot out their arrows in secret at the undefiled.
4  They shall shoot at him on a sudden, and shall not fear : * they are resolute in wickedness.
5  They have communed among themselves, how they may lay snares; * and they have said, Who shall see them?
6  They have searched after wickedness : * they have failed in their search.
7  Man shall come to the deep of his heart : * and God shall be exalted.
8  The arrows of children are their wounds : * yea, their tongues shall make them fall.
9  All they that saw them were troubled : * and every man feared.
10
  And they have declared the works of God : * and understood that which he hath done.
11  The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, and put his trust in him; * and all they that are true of heart shall be glad.

Ant.    Intendérunt arcum rem amáram, ut sagíttent in occúltis immaculátum.

Ant.    They bend their bow, even bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the perfect.

Ant.    Anima mea * turbáta est valde : sed tu, Dómine, úsquequo?

Ant.    My soul also * is sore troubled: but, Lord, how long wilt thou punish me?

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 6.  Domine, ne in furore

Dómine, ne in furóre tuo árguas me, * neque in ira tua corrípias me.
2
 Miserére mei, Dómine, quóniam infírmus sum : * sana me, Dómine, quóniam conturbáta sunt ossa mea.
3
 Et ánima mea turbáta est valde : * sed tu, Dómine, úsquequo?
4  Convértere, Dómine, et éripe ánimam meam : * salvum me fac propter misericórdiam tuam.
5  Quóniam non est in morte qui memor sit tui : * in inférno autem quis confitébitur tibi?
6  Laborávi in gémitu meo, lavábo per síngulas noctes lectum meum : * lácrimis meis stratum meum rigábo.
7  Turbátus est a furóre óculus meus : *  inveterávi inter omnes inimícos meos.
8  Discédite a me, omnes, qui operámini iniquitátem : *  quóniam exaudívit Dóminus vocem fletus mei.
9  Exaudívit Dóminus deprecatiónem meam, *  Dóminus oratiónem meam suscépit.
10  Erubéscant, et conturbéntur veheménter omnes inimíci mei : * convertántur et erubéscant valde velóciter.

Psalm 6.  Domine, ne in furore

O Lord, rebuke me not in thine indignation, * neither chasten me in thy displeasure.
2  Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak; * O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed.
3  My soul also is sore troubled: * but, thou, O Lord, how long?
4  Turn thee, O Lord, and deliver my soul; * O save me, for thy mercy's sake.
5  For in death no man remembereth thee; * and who will give thee thanks in the pit?
6  I have laboured in my groanings, every night wash I my bed, * and water my couch with my tears.
7  Mine eye is grieved with tribulation, * I have grown old amongst all mine enemies.
8  Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; * for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
9  The Lord hath heard my petition; * the Lord hath received my prayer.
10  All mine enemies shall be confounded, and sore vexed; * they shall be turned back, and put to shame suddenly.

Ant.    Anima mea turbáta est valde : sed tu, Dómine, úsquequo?

Ant.    My soul also is sore troubled: but, Lord, how long wilt thou punish me?

Ant.    Deus adjútor * in tribulatiónibus quæ invenérunt nos nimis.

Ant.    God is our help * in trouble, which is come upon us exceedingly.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 45.  Deus noster refugium

Deus noster refúgium, et virtus: * adjútor in tribulatiónibus, quæ invenérunt nos nimis.
2  Proptérea non timébimus dum turbábitur terra: * et transferéntur montes in cor maris.
3  Sonuérunt, et turbátæ sunt aquæ eórum: * conturbáti sunt montes in fortitúdine ejus.
4  Flúminis ímpetus lætíficat civitátem Dei: * sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.
5  Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur: * adjuvábit eam Deus mane dilúculo.
6  Conturbátæ sunt Gentes, et inclináta sunt regna: * dedit vocem suam, mota est terra.
7  Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.
8  Veníte, et vidéte ópera Dómini, quæ pósuit prodígia super terram: * áuferens bella usque ad finem terræ.
9  Arcum cónteret, et confrínget arma: * et scuta combúret igni.
10  Vacáte, et vidéte quóniam ego sum Deus: * exaltábor in Géntibus, et exaltábor in terra.
11  Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

Psalm 45.  Deus noster refugium

God is our hope and strength, * a very present help in trouble, which hath found us exceedingly.
2  Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, * and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
3  Though the waters thereof rage and swell, * and though the mountains shake at the strength of the same.
4  The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God; * the Most Highest hath made holy his tabernacle.
5  God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; * God shall help her, and that right early.
6  The nations were troubled, and the kingdoms were bowed down; * but he hath shewed his voice, and the earth hath been moved.
7  The Lord of Hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8  O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord : what wonders he hath brought upon the earth : * he maketh wars to cease even to the end of the earth.
9  He shall break the bow, and break the spear in sunder, * and the shield he shall burn in the fire.
10  Be still then, and know that I am God: * I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.
11  The Lord of Hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Ant.    Deus adjútor in tribulatiónibus quæ invenérunt nos nimis.

Ant.    God is our help in trouble, which is come upon us exceedingly.

STAND

V.  Per te salútem hauriámus, Virgo María.
R.  Ex vulnéribus Christi.
V.  Through thee, O Virgin Mary, may we draw the waters of salvation.
R.  Even from the wounds of Christ thy Son.
Pater noster. 
secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.
Our Father. 
Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to:
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

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.

Lesson vii
Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Joánnem The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gospel according to John
Chap. 19, 25-27

In illo témpore : Stábant juxta crucem Jesu Mater ejus, et soror Matris ejus María Cléophæ, et María Magdaléne.  Et réliqua.

At that time : There stood by the Cross of Jesus his Mother, and his Mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Homilía sancti Ambrósii Epíscopi A Homily by St. Ambrose the Bishop
De Institut. Virg. cap. 7

Stabat juxta crucem Mater, et, fugiéntibus viris, stabat intrépida.  Vidéte utrum pudórem mutáre potúerit Mater Jesu, quæ ánimum non mutávit.  Spectábat piis óculis Fílii vúlnera, per quæ sciébat ómnibus futúram redemptiónem.  Spectábat non degéneri mater spectáculo, quæ non metúerat peremptórem.  Pendébat in cruce Fílius, Mater se persecutóribus offerébat.

There stood by the Cross of Jesus his Mother.  Men had forsaken him, but she stood there fearless.  Behold, how the Mother of Jesus could break through her shrinking modesty, but could not belie her heart.  With the eyes of a mother's love she gazed upon the wounds of her Son, those wounds through which she knew that redemption for all mankind was flowing.  The Mother, who feared not the executioners, was able to endure the sight of their work.  Her son was hanging upon the Cross, and she braved his tormentors.

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

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

R.  Quis tibi sensus fuit, o Mater dolórum, * Dum Joseph síndone Fílium tuum invólvit, et pósuit eum in monuménto?
V.  Consideráte et vidéte, si est dolor, sicut dolor meus.
R.  Dum Joseph síndone Fílium tuum invólvit, et pósuit eum in monuménto?

R.  O what a sickening at heart was thine, thou Mother of sorrows : * When Joseph wrapped thy Son in linen and laid him in the sepulchre?
V.  Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.
R.  When Joseph wrapped thy Son in linen and laid him in the sepulchre?


V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipsa Virgo vírginum intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May she whose feast day we are keeping, Mary, blessed Maid of maidens, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Lesson viii
Epist. 25 ad Ecclesiam Vercellensem, prope finem

María Mater Dómini ante crucem Fílii stabat.  Nullus me hoc dócuit, nisi sanctus Joánnes Evangelísta.  Mundum álii concússum in passióne Dómini conscripsérunt, cælum ténebris obdúctum, refugísse solem, in paradísum latrónem, sed post piam confessiónem, recéptum.  Joánnes dócuit, quod álii non docuérunt, quemádmodum in cruce pósitus Matrem appelláverit.  Pluris putátur quod victor suppliciórum pietátis offícia Matri exhibébat, quam quod regnum cæléste donábat.  Nam si religiósum est quod latróni donátur vénia, multo uberióris pietátis est quod a Fílio Mater tanto afféctu honorátur.

Mary, the Mother of the Lord, stood by the Cross of her Son.  My only informant of this fact is the holy Evangelist John.  Others have written that when the Lord suffered, the earth quaked, the heavens were veiled in darkness, the sun was hidden, and the thief received, after a good confession, the promise of Paradise.  John hath taught us what the others have not taught us.  Upon the Cross he called her Mother.  It is reckoned a greater thing that in the moment of triumph over agony, he should have discharged the watchful duty of a Son to his Mother, than that he should have made gift of the kingdom of heaven.  For if it be a sacred thing to have forgiven the thief, this so great kindness of the Son to the Mother is to be worshipped as the outcome of a tenderer and more touching love.

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

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

R.  In toto corde tuo gémitus Matris tuæ ne obliviscáris, * Ut perficiátur propitiátio et benedíctio.
V.  Ave, princeps generósa, Martyrúmque prima rosa, Vírginúmque lílium.
R.  Ut perficiátur propitiátio et benedíctio.
V.
  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ut perficiátur propitiátio et benedíctio.

R.  Forget not the sorrows of thy mother with thine whole heart, * That thine offering and thy blessing may be perfected.
V.  Hail, O Maid of royal birth, noblest Martyr-rose of earth, lily of virginity.
R.  That thine offering and thy blessing may be perfected.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  That thine offering and thy blessing may be perfected.


If this day should be Ember Wednesday, Lesson ix is to be taken from the Homily of that day, with a Commemoration at Lauds, as is noted below.  Otherwise, Lesson ix is as follows below.

Ninth Lesson of Ember Wednesday


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


For St. Nicomedes, Martyr :

 

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.

Lesson ix

The bridge across the Tiber on the Via Nomentana

Nicomédes présbyter, persequénte Christiános Domitiáno imperatóre, quod corpus Felículæ Vírginis, propter confessiónem christiánæ fídei a Flacco cómite interféctæ, sepelísset, comprehéndi jussus est ; ductúsque ad státuas deórum, cum eis sacrificáre velle (quod fácere jubebátur) constánter negavísset, proptérea quod sacrifícium uni Deo vero, qui regnat in cælis, deberétur, plumbátis cæsus, in eo martyrio ánimam Deo réddidit.  Cujus corpus cum idem comes in profluéntem Tíberim prójici imperásset, Justus, Nicomédis cléricus diligénter conquisítum, ad muros Urbis via Nomentána honorífice in sepúlcro cóndidit.

This Nicomedes was a priest who was ordered to be seized during the persecution of the Christians by the Emperor Domitian, because he had buried the body of the Virgin Felicula, who had been slain by the Count Flaccus for confessing the Christian Faith.  He was led to the statues of the gods, and forasmuch as he stoutly disobeyed the command to sacrifice to them, since sacrifice is due only to the one true God who reigneth in heaven, he was flogged with scourges loaded with lead until he sealed his testimony by giving up his spirit to God.  The said Count Flaccus ordered his body to be thrown into the floods of the Tiber, but Justus, clerk to Nicomedes, sought diligently for it until he found it, and buried it honourably upon the Via Nomentana, hard by the walls of the city.

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

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

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS TE DEUM

If, however, the Ninth Lesson is not that of the commemorated Saint, then the following lesson is said in its place:

Ecce, inquit, fílius tuus : ecce mater tua.  Testabátur de cruce Christus, et inter matrem atque discípulum dividébat pietátis officia.  Condébat Dóminus non solum públicum, sed étiam domésticum testaméntum : et hoc ejus testaméntum signábat Joánnes, dignus tanto testatóre testis.  Bonum testaméntum, non pecúniæ, sed vitæ ætérnæ ; quod non atraménto scriptum est, sed Spíritu Dei vivi, qui ait : Lingua mea cálámus scribæ velóciter scribéntis.

Behold, saith the Lord, thy son : Behold thy Mother!  Christ bore witness from the Cross, and divided the offices of his tender love between his Mother and his disciple.  Thus doth the Lord give us a testament, not only of his love for souls, but also of his natural affection.  Moreover, the testimony which John doth give us concerning this same testament, is a worthy testimony to the original Testator himself.  It is a good testament, not of earthly riches, but of eternal life, written not in ink, but in the Spirit of the living God, who speaketh of such testimony in the Psalms, saying : My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

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

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

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS TE DEUM

 

 

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

Ant.    Quo ábiit * diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo declinávit diléctus tuus, et quærémus eum tecum?

Ant.    Whither is thy Beloved gone, * O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?  For we would seek him with thee.

Psalmus 92.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit, decórem indútus est: * indútus est Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se.
2  Etenim
firmávit orbem terræ, * qui non commovébitur.
3  Paráta sedes tua ex tunc: * a sæculo tu es.
4  Elevavérunt flúmina, Dómine: * elevavérunt flúmina vocem suam.
5  Elevavérunt flúmina fluctus suos, * a vócibus aquárum multárum.

6  Mirábiles elatiónes maris: * mirábilis in altis Dóminus.
7  Testimónia tua credibília facta sunt nimis: * domum tuam decet sanctitúdo, Dómine, in longitúdinem diérum.

Psalm 92.  Dominus regnavit

The Lord hath reigned, and hath put on glorious apparel; * the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2  For he hath stablished the round world, * that it cannot be moved.
3  Thy throne is prepared from of old : * thou art from everlasting.
4  The floods have lift up, O Lord, * yea, the floods have lift up their voice.
5  The floods have lift up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.
6  The waves of the sea are mighty, * glorious is the Lord, who dwelleth on high.
7  Thy testimonies are become exceeding credible: * holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever and ever.

Ant.    Quo ábiit diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo declinávit diléctus tuus, et quærémus eum tecum?

Ant.    Whither is thy Beloved gone, O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?  For we would seek him with thee.

Ant.    Recédite a me, * amáre flebo, nolíte incúmbere ut consolémini me.

Ant.    Look away from me; * I will weep bitterly; labour not to comfort me.

Psalmus 99.  Jubilate

Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * servíte Dómino in lætítia.
2  Introíte in conspéctu ejus, * in exsultatióne.
3  Scitóte quóniam Dóminus ipse est Deus: * ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos.

4  Pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus: *
introíte portas ejus in confessióne, átria ejus in hymnis: confitémini illi.
5  Laudáte nomen ejus: quóniam suávis est Dóminus, in ætérnum misericórdia ejus, * et usque in generatiónem et generatiónem véritas ejus.

Psalm 99.  Jubilate

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness.
2  Come before his presence * with exceeding great joy.
3  Know ye that the Lord he is God; * it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.
4  We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture : * O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be ye thankful unto him.
5  Give praises unto his Name: for the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

Ant.    Recédite a me, amáre flebo, nolíte incúmbere ut consolémini me.

Ant.    Look away from me; I will weep bitterly; labour not to comfort me.

Ant.    Non est ei * spécies neque decor, et vídimus eum, et non erat aspéctus.

Ant.    He hath no form * nor comeliness, and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Psalmus 62.  Deus, Deus meus

Deus, Deus meus, * ad te de luce vígilo.
2  Sitívit in te ánima mea, * quam multiplíciter tibi caro mea.

3  In terra desérta, et ínvia, et inaquósa: * sic in sancto appárui tibi, ut vidérem virtútem tuam, et glóriam tuam.
4  Quóniam mélior est misericórdia tua super vitas: * lábia mea laudábunt te.
5  Sic benedícam te in vita mea: * et in nómine tuo levábo manus meas.

6  Sicut ádipe et pinguédine repleátur ánima mea: * et lábiis exsultatiónis laudábit os meum.
7  Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutínis meditábor in te: * quia fuísti adjútor meus.
8  Et in velaménto alárum tuárum exsultábo, adhæsit ánima mea post te: * me suscépit déxtera tua.

9  Ipsi vero in vanum quæsiérunt ánimam meam, introíbunt in inferióra terræ: *
tradéntur in manus gládii, partes vúlpium erunt.
10  Rex vero lætábitur in Deo, laudabúntur omnes qui jurant in eo: * quia obstrúctum est os loquéntium iníqua.

Psalm 62.  Deus, Deus meus

O God, thou art my God; * to thee do I watch at break of day.
2  My soul hath thirsted for thee, * my flesh also in many different ways.
3  In a barren and dry land where no water is: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, that I might behold thy power and thy glory.
4  For thy mercy is better than the life itself : * my lips shall praise thee.
5  Thus will I bless thee as long as I live : * and I will lift up my hands in thy Name.
6  My soul shall be filled as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
7  If I have remembered thee in my bed, I will think upon thee in the morning : * because thou hast been my helper.
8  And under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice, my soul hath hung upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me.
9
  But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go down into the nether parts of the earth : * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes.
10  But the king shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak wicked things shall be stopped.

Ant.    Non est ei spécies neque decor, et vídimus eum, et non erat aspéctus.

Ant.    He hath no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Ant.    A planta pedis * usque ad vérticem cápitis non est in eo sánitas.

Ant.    From the sole of the foot * even unto the head, there is no soundness in him.

Canticum trium Puerorum
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 et 56

Benedícite, ómnia ópera Dómini, Dómino: * Laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.

2    Benedícite, Angeli Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, cæli, Dómino.

3    Benedícite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes virtútes Dómini, Dómino.

4    Benedícite, sol et luna, Dómino: * benedícite, stellæ cæli, Dómino.

5    Benedícite, omnis imber et ros, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes spíritus Dei, Dómino.

6    Benedícite, ignis et æstus, Dómino: * benedícite, frigus et æstus, Dómino.

7    Benedícite, rores et pruína, Dómino: * benedícite, gelu et frigus, Dómino.

8    Benedícite, glácies et nives, Dómino: * benedícite, noctes et dies, Dómino.

9    Benedícite, lux et ténebræ, Dómino: * benedícite, fúlgura et nubes, Dómino.

10  Benedícat terra Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

11  Benedícite, montes et colles, Dómino: * benedícite, univérsa germinántia in terra, Dómino.

12  Benedícite, fontes, Dómino: * benedícite, mária et flúmina, Dómino.

13  Benedícite, cete, et ómnia, quæ movéntur in aquis, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes vólucres cæli, Dómino.

14    Benedícite, omnes béstiæ et pécora, Dómino: * benedícite, fílii hóminum, Dómino.

15    Benedícat Israël Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

16    Benedícite, sacerdótes Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, servi Dómini, Dómino.

17    Benedícite, spíritus, et ánimæ justórum, Dómino: * benedícite, sancti et húmiles corde, Dómino.

18    Benedícite, Ananía, Azaría, Mísaël, Dómino: * Laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.
(Fit reverentia:)

19    Benedicámus Patrem et Fílium cum Sancto Spíritu: * laudémus et superexaltémus eum in sæcula.
20  Benedíctus es, Dómine, in firmaménto cæli: * et laudábilis, et gloriósus, et superexaltátus in sæcula.
Hic non dícitur Glória Patri, neque Amen.

The Song of the Three Holy Children
Benedicite, omnia opera
  Dan. 3, 57-88 and 56

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
2  O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord.
3  O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
4  O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord.
5  O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: * O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord.
6  O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord.
7  O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord.
8  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord.
9  O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord.
10  O let the Earth bless the Lord; * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
11  O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord. 
12  O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord.
13  O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord.
14  O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord.
15  O let Israël bless the Lord; * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
16  O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
17  O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord.
18  O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever:
(During the following verse, all bow:)
19  Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
20  Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; * and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Here is not said Amen or Glory be.

Ant.    A planta pedis usque ad vérticem cápitis non est in eo sánitas.

Ant.    From the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no soundness in him.

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, * stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Revive me with flowers, * stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

Psalmus 148.  Laudate Dominum

Laudáte Dóminum de cælis: * Laudáte eum in excélsis.
2  Laudáte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * Laudáte eum, omnes virtútes ejus.
3  Laudáte eum, sol et luna: * Laudáte eum, omnes stellæ et lumen.
4  Laudáte eum, cæli cælórum: * et aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, laudent nomen Dómini.
5  Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt: * ipse mandávit, et creáta sunt.
6  Státuit ea in ætérnum, et in sæculum sæculi: * præcéptum pósuit, et non præteríbit.
 Laudáte Dóminum de terra, * dracónes, et omnes abyssi.
8  Ignis, grando, nix, glácies, spíritus procellárum: * quæ fáciunt verbum ejus:
9  Montes, et omnes colles: * ligna fructífera, et omnes cedri.
10  Béstiæ, et univérsa pécora: * serpéntes, et vólucres pennátæ:
11  Reges terræ, et omnes pópuli: * príncipes, et omnes júdices terræ.
12  Júvenes, et vírgines : senes cum junióribus laudent nomen Dómini: * quia exaltátum est nomen ejus solíus.
13  Conféssio ejus super cælum et terram: * et exaltávit cornu pópuli sui.

14  Hymnus ómnibus sanctis ejus: * fíliis Israël, pópulo appropinquánti sibi.

Psalm 148.  Laudate Dominum

O praise ye the Lord from the heavens: * praise ye him in the height.
2  Praise him, all ye Angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
3  Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
4  Praise him, all ye heavens of heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens, praise the Name of the Lord.
5  For he spake the word, and they were made; * he commanded, and they were created.
6  He hath established them for ever, yea, unto ages of ages : * he hath set forth a law, and it shall not pass away.
7  Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and ice, wind and storm, * fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;
10  Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;
11  Kings of the earth, and all people; * princes, and all judges of the world;
12  Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord: * for his Name only is exalted.
13  His praise is above heaven and earth : * and he shall exalt the horn of his people.
14  A hymn unto all his saints : * even unto the children of Israel, a people that draw nigh unto him.

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Revive me with flowers, stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

STAND

Capitulum           Thren. 2. 13.
Cui comparábo te?  vel cui assimilábo te, fília Jerúsalem?  cui exæquábo te, et consolábor te, virgo fília Sion?  Magna est velut mare contrítio tua.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Lam. 2. 13.
What thing shall I take to witness for thee?  what thing shall I liken unto thee, O Daughter of Jerusalem?  what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O Virgin Daughter of Sion?  for thy breach is great like the sea.
R.
 Thanks be to God.

Hymnus

Summæ Deus cleméntiæ,
Septem dolóres Vírginis
Plagásque Jesu Fílii
Fac rite nos revólvere.

Nobis salútem cónferant
Deíparæ tot lácrimæ
Quibus laváre súfficis
Totíus orbis crímina.

Sit quinque Jesu vúlnerum
Amára contemplátio,
Sint et dolóres Vírginis
Ætérna cunctis gáudia.

*  Jesu tibi sit glória,
Qui passus es pro sérvulis,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

The Hymn

O God, in whom all grace doth dwell,
Grant us the grace to ponder well,
The Virgin Mother's sorrows seven,
The cruel wounds to Jesus given.

O may the tears which Mary poured
Gain for us pardon of the Lord;
The holy tears which in their worth
Excel all penances of earth.

And may the contemplation sore
Of those five wounds which Jesus bore,
With all the Virgin's Sorrows, be
Our joy throughout eternity.

Proper Doxology
Praise, Virgin-Born, to thee we give,
Who died to make thy servants live;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.


The Scala Santa in Rome

V.  María Virgo, per virtútem tot dolórum.
R.  Fac nos gaudére in regno cælórum.

V.  By the woes that tortured thee.
R.  Mary, ask for joy for me.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Veníte, * ascendámus ad montem Dómini, et vidéte, si est dolor, sicut dolor meus.

Ant. on Bened:  Come ye, * and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.

 BENEDICTUS

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, in cujus passióne, secúndum Simeónis prophetíam, dulcíssimam ánimam gloriósae Vírginis et Matris Maríæ dolóris gládius pertransívit : concéde propítius ; ut, qui dolóres ejus venerándo recólimus, passiónis tuæ efféctum felícem consequámur : Qui vivis et regnas.

Let us pray.
O God, in whose passion the sword of grief did pierce the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, thy Mother, that so might be fulfilled the word of thy Prophet Simeon : mercifully grant that we who here do call to mind her sorrows ; may be fulfilled with the blessed fruits of thy passion.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

At Lauds, after the Commemoration of the Ember Day (if it be such), is made Commemoration of St. Nicomedes, Martyr, as follows :

Ant:  Qui odit ánimam suam in hoc mundo, in vitam ætérnam custódit eam.

Ant:  He that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

V.  Justus ut palma florébit.
R.  Sicut cedrus Líbani multiplicábitur.

V.  The righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree.
R.  And shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus.

Oremus.
Adésto, Dómine, pópulo tuo : ut, beáti Nicomédis Mártyris tui mérita præclára suscípiens, ad impetrándam misericórdiam tuam semper ejus patrocíniis adjuvétur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to assist thy people : that, like as we do venerate the singular merits of thy blessed Martyr Saint Nicomedes, so his advocacy may at all times succour us to the obtaining of thy mercy.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

 

 

Prime

Ant.  Quo ábiit * diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo declinávit diléctus tuus, et quærémus eum tecum?

Ant.  Whither is thy Beloved gone, * O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?  For we would seek him with thee.

Festal Psalms

Return to the Office of Prime

In the Brief Respond shall be said the proper verse as follows:
V.  Qui passus es propter nostram salútem. V.  Thou that didst suffer for our salvation.

Lectio Brevis   Thren. 2.18.
Deduc quasi torréntem lácrimas per diem et noctem ; non des réquiem tibi, neque táceat pupílla óculi tui.  Tu autem,  Dómine, miserére nobis.
R. Deo grátias.

Brief Lesson    Lam. 2.18.
Let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; * let not the apple of thine eye cease.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Return to the Office of Prime

 

 

Terce

Ant.    Recédite a me, * amáre flebo, nolíte incúmbere ut consolémini me.

Ant.    Look away from me; * I will weep bitterly; labour not to comfort me.

Sunday Psalms

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum           Thren. 2. 13.
Cui comparábo te?  vel cui assimilábo te, fília Jerúsalem?  cui exæquábo te, et consolábor te, virgo fília Sion?  Magna est velut mare contrítio tua.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Lam. 2. 13.
What thing shall I take to witness for thee?  what thing shall I liken unto thee, O Daughter of Jerusalem?  what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O Virgin Daughter of Sion?  for thy breach is great like the sea.
R.
 Thanks be to God.

Then follows the Brief Respond as given below:

V.  O vos omnes, * Qui transítis per viam.
R.  O vos omnes, * Qui transítis per viam.
V.  Atténdite et vidéte, si est dolor, sicut dolor meus.
R.  Qui transítis per viam.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  O vos omnes, * Qui transítis per viam.

V.  Defecérunt præ lácrimis óculi mei.
R.  Conturbáta sunt ómnia víscera mea.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  All ye * That pass by.
R.  All ye * That pass by.
V.  Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.
R.  Ye that pass by.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  All ye * That pass by.

V.  Mine eyes do fail with tears.
R.  All my bowels are troubled.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Then is said The Collect of the Day

 

 

Sext

Ant.    Non est ei * spécies neque decor, et vídimus eum, et non erat aspéctus.

Ant.    He hath no form * nor comeliness, and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Sunday Psalms

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum            Thren. 1. 2.
Plorans plorávit in nocte, et lácrimæ ejus in maxíllis ejus : non est qui consolétur eam ex ómnibus caris ejus.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Lam. 1. 2.
She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are upon her cheeks.  Among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Then follows the Brief Respond as given below:

V.  Defecérunt * Præ lácrimis óculi mei.
R.  Defecérunt * Præ lácrimis óculi mei.
V.  Conturbáta sunt ómnia víscera mea.
R.  Præ lácrimis óculi mei.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Defecérunt * Præ lácrimis óculi mei.

V.  Fascículus myrrhæ diléctus meus mihi.
R.  Inter úbera mea commorábitur.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  Mine eyes do fail * With tears.
R.  Mine eyes do fail * With tears.
V.  All my bowels are troubled.
R.  With tears.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Mine eyes do fail * With tears.

V.  A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me.
R.  He shall lie betwixt my breasts.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Then is said The Collect of the Day

 

 

None

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, * stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Revive me with flowers, * stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

Sunday Psalms

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum        Lam 2.18.
Deduc quasi torréntem lácrimas per diem et noctem ; non des réquiem tibi, neque táceat pupílla óculi tui.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter       Lam. 2.18.
Let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; * let not the apple of thine eye cease.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Then follows the Brief Respond as given below:

V.  Fascículus myrrhæ * Diléctus meus mihi.
R.  Fascículus myrrhæ * Diléctus meus mihi.
V.  Inter úbera mea commorábitur.
R.  Diléctus meus mihi.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Fascículus myrrhæ * Diléctus meus mihi.

V.  Anima mea liquefácta est.
R.  Ut diléctus locútus est.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  A bundle of myrrh * Is my well-beloved unto me.
R.  A bundle of myrrh * Is my well-beloved unto me.
V.  He shall lie betwixt my breasts.
R.  Is my well-beloved unto me.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  A bundle of myrrh * Is my well-beloved unto me.

V.  My soul failed.
R.  When my beloved spake.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Then is said The Collect of the Day

 

 

Second Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

Ant.    Quo ábiit * diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo declinávit diléctus tuus, et quærémus eum tecum?

Ant.    Whither is thy Beloved gone, * O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?  For we would seek him with thee.

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.

Psalm 109.  Dixit Dominus

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.    Quo ábiit diléctus tuus, o pulchérrima mulíerum?  quo declinávit diléctus tuus, et quærémus eum tecum?

Ant.    Whither is thy Beloved gone, O thou fairest among women?  whither is thy Beloved turned aside?  For we would seek him with thee.

Ant.    Recédite a me, * amáre flebo, nolíte incúmbere ut consolémini me.

Ant.    Look away from me; * I will weep bitterly; labour not to comfort me.

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.
 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.    Recédite a me, amáre flebo, nolíte incúmbere ut consolémini me.

Ant.    Look away from me; I will weep bitterly; labour not to comfort me.

Ant.    Non est ei * spécies neque decor, et vídimus eum, et non erat aspéctus.

Ant.    He hath no form * nor comeliness, and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Psalmus 121.  Lætatus sum

Lætátus sum in his, quæ dicta sunt mihi: * In domum Dómini íbimus.
2  Stantes erant pedes nostri, * in átriis tuis, Jerúsalem.
3  Jerúsalem, quæ ædificátur ut cívitas: * cujus participátio ejus in idípsum.
4  Illuc enim ascendérunt tribus, tribus Dómini: * testimónium Israël ad confiténdum nómini Dómini.
5  Quia illic sedérunt sedes in judício, * sedes super domum David.
6  Rogáte quæ ad pacem sunt Jerúsalem: * et abundántia diligéntibus te:
7  Fiat pax in virtúte tua: * et abundántia in túrribus tuis.
8  Propter fratres meos, et próximos meos, * loquébar pacem de te:
9  Propter domum Dómini, Dei nostri, * quæsívi bona tibi.

Psalm 121.  Lætatus sum

I was glad when they said unto me, * We will go into the house of the Lord.
2  Our feet shall stand * in thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3  Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity in itself.
4  For thither did the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, * to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5  For their seats have sat in judgment, * even the seats upon the house of David.
6  O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; * they shall prosper that love thee.
7  Peace be within thy walls, * and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8  For my brethren and companions' sakes, * I spake peace of thee.
9  Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, * I have sought to do thee good.

Ant.    Non est ei spécies neque decor, et vídimus eum, et non erat aspéctus.

Ant.    He hath no form nor comeliness, and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Ant.    A planta pedis * usque ad vérticem cápitis non est in eo sánitas.

Ant.    From the sole of the foot * even unto the head, there is no soundness in him.

Psalmus 126.  Nisi Dominus

Nisi Dóminus ædificáverit domum, * in vanum laboravérunt qui ædíficant eam.
2  Nisi Dóminus custodíerit civitátem, * frustra vígilat qui custódit eam.
3  Vanum est vobis ante lucem súrgere: * súrgite postquam sedéritis, qui manducátis panem dolóris.
4  Cum déderit diléctis suis somnum: * ecce heréditas Dómini fílii : merces, fructus ventris.
5  Sicut sagíttæ in manu poténtis: * ita fílii excussórum.
6  Beátus vir qui implévit desidérium suum ex ipsis: * non confundétur cum loquétur inimícis suis in porta.

Psalm 126.  Nisi Dominus

Except the Lord build the house, * they labour in vain that build it.
2  Except the Lord keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
3  It is vain for you to rise up before the light : * rise ye after ye have sitten, ye that eat the bread of sorrow.
4  When he giveth his beloved sleep : * behold, children are the heritage of the Lord: the reward, and the fruit of the womb.
5  Like as the arrows in the hand of the mighty, * even so are the children of them that have been shaken.
6  Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; * he shall not be confounded when he shall speak with his enemies in the gate.

Ant.    A planta pedis usque ad vérticem cápitis non est in eo sánitas.

Ant.    From the sole of the foot even unto the head, there is no soundness in him.

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, * stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Revive me with flowers, * stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

Psalmus 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Lauda, Jerúsalem, Dóminum: * lauda Deum tuum, Sion.
2  Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.
3  Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.
4  Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.
5  Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.
6  Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?
7  Emíttet verbum suum, et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus, et fluent aquæ.
8  Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias, et judícia sua Israël.
9  Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.

Psalm 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; *  praise thy God, O Sion.
2  For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.
3  Who hath placed peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the fat of the crops.
4  Who sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and his word runneth swiftly.
5  Who giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the mist like ashes.
6  He sendeth his ice like morsels: * who is able to abide before the face of his frost?
7  He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his spirit shall breathe forth, and the waters shall flow.
8  Who declareth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and judgments unto Israel.
9  He hath not dealt so with every nation; * neither hath he given them knowledge of his judgments.

Ant.    Fulcíte me flóribus, stipáte me malis, quia amóre lángueo.

Ant.    Revive me with flowers, stay me up with apples, for I am swooning with love.

STAND

Capitulum           Thren. 2. 13.
Cui comparábo te?  vel cui assimilábo te, fília Jerúsalem?  cui exæquábo te, et consolábor te, virgo fília Sion?  Magna est velut mare contrítio tua.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Lam. 2. 13.
What thing shall I take to witness for thee?  what thing shall I liken unto thee, O Daughter of Jerusalem?  what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O Virgin Daughter of Sion?  for thy breach is great like the sea.
R.
 Thanks be to God.

Hymnus

Jam toto súbitus vesper eat polo,
Et sol attónitum præcípitet diem,
Dum sævæ récolo ludíbrium necis,
Divinámque catástrophen.

Spectátrix áderas supplício, Parens,
Malis uda, gerens cor adamántinum;
Natus funérea péndulus in cruce
Altos dum gémitus dabat.

Pendens ante óculos Natos atrócibus
Sectus verbéribus, Natus hiántibus
Fossus vulnéribus, quot penetrántibus
Te confíxit acúleis!

Eheu!  Sputa, álapæ, vérbera, vúlnera,
Clavi, fel, áloë, spóngia, láncea,
Sitis, spina, cruor, quam vária pium
Cor préssere tyránnide!

Cunctis intérea stas generósior,
Virgo, Martyribus : prodígio novo,
In tantis móriens non moréris, Parens,
Diris fixa dolóribus.

Sit summæ Tríadi glória, laus, honor,
A qua supplíciter, sollícita prece,
Posco virgínei róboris æmulas
Vires rebus in áperis.  Amen.

The Hymn

Now fitly may dark night black out the evening sky—
The sun to earth all light, as if in grief, deny—
Whilst we, of Mary's plight with Christ on Calvary,
Proclaim the awesome mystery.

Thou, Mother, through all pain of anguished sorrow tried
Strong-hearted didst remain, close to Christ crucified,
Whilst he the King his reign completed on his Tree
In dreadful, spoken agony.

They took thy Son with scorn, with scourges him assailed,
And crowned him with the thorn, and on the Cross then nailed;
There with him thou wast torn—each hateful mockery
And cruel wounding wounded thee.

The spitting and the blows; bearing the crushing Cross;
The nails, the thirst and woes; the dice that gamesters toss;
The death wrought by his foes;—whate'er his pain might be
Was also suffered there by thee.

So, by him standing nigh, thou on that blood-stained hill
A thousand deaths didst die, obedient to his will;
As Simeon did descry, the sword of agony
Transfixed thy soul and martyred thee.

And now to Christ be praise, for our redemption won;
The same in heaven's lays to God Triune be sung;
But through our earthly days, O Mother, pray that we
Strong-hearted, love thy Son like thee.  Amen.


V.  Regína Mártyrum, ora pro nobis.
R.  Quæ juxta crucem Jesu constitísti.

V.  Pray for us, O Queen of Martyrs.
R.  Who didst stand stedfast at the Cross of Jesus.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Opprésit me dolor, * et fácies mea intúmuit a fletu, et pálpebræ meæ caligavérunt.

Ant. on Magnif:  Sorrow hath crushed me; * my face is swollen with weeping, and on mine eyelids is the shadow of death.

MAGNIFICAT THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, in cujus passióne, secúndum Simeónis prophetíam, dulcíssimam ánimam gloriósae Vírginis et Matris Maríæ dolóris gládius pertransívit : concéde propítius ; ut, qui dolóres ejus venerándo recólimus, passiónis tuæ efféctum felícem consequámur : Qui vivis et regnas.

Let us pray.
O God, in whose passion the sword of grief did pierce the gentle soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, thy Mother, that so might be fulfilled the word of thy Prophet Simeon : mercifully grant that we who here do call to mind her sorrows ; may be fulfilled with the blessed fruits of thy passion.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

Commemoration is made only of the following day