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

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.

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.
4  The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling on high, * and beholdeth what is lowly in heaven and in the earth?
6  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, * and lifteth the needy out of the dung hill.
7  That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.
8  He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Ant.    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 suum 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The Lesson is taken from the Lamentations of Jeremiah the Prophet

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
6  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?
3  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

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.

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.

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.

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.<