Confessor

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

St. Joseph Cupertino,
Patron Saint of Air Travellers and Pilots
Died September 18, 1663
Canonized by Pope Clement XIII, 1767

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

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Mórtuus sum, * et vita mea est abscóndita cum Christo in Deo.

Ant. on Magnif:  I am dead, * and my life is hid with Christ in God.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui ad unigénitum Fílium tuum exaltátum a terra ómnia tráhere disposuísti : pérfice propítius ; ut, méritis et exémplo seráphici Confessóris tui Joséphi, supra terrénas omnes cupiditátes eleváti, ad eum perveníre mereámur : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst ordain that thy Son should be lifted up from the earth, that he might draw all men unto him : mercifully grant that, by the merits and example of thine angelic Confessor Saint Joseph, we may in such wise be exalted above all earthly and carnal desires, that we may be found worthy to attain unto him.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

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

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

V.  Signásti, Dómine, servum tuum Francíscum.
R.  Signis redemptiónis nostræ.

V.  Thou hast signed, O Lord, thy servant Francis.
R.  With the Signs of our redemption.

Oremus.
Dómine Jesu Christe, qui, frigescénte mundo, ad inflammándum corda nostra tui amóris igne, in carne beatíssimi Francísci passiónis tuæ sacra Stígmata renovásti : concéde propítius ; ut ejus méritis et précibus crucem júgiter ferámus, et dignos fructus pœniténtiæ faciámus : Qui vivis et regnas.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesu Christ, who when the world was waxing cold, to the inflaming of our hearts with the fire of thy love didst renew in the flesh of thy blessed Saint Francis the sacred marks of thy passion : mercifully grant that by his merits and intercession ; we may be enabled ever to bear thy Cross, and to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn
 

First Nocturn

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 latter Epistle of blessed Paul to the Corinthians

Deus, qui dixit de ténebris lucem splendéscere, ipse illúxit in córdibus nostris ad illuminatiónem sciéntiæ claritátis Dei in fácie Christi Jesu.  Habémus autem thesáurum  istum in vasis fictílibus, ut sublímitas sit virtútis Dei et non ex nobis.  In ómnibus tribulatiónem pátimur, sed non angustiámur ; aporiámur, sed non destitúimur ; persecutiónem pátimur, sed non derelínquimur ; dejícimur, sed non perímus ; semper mortificatiónem Jesu in córpore nostro circumferéntes, ut et vita Jesu manisfestétur in corpóribus nostris.  Semper enim nos, qui vívimus, in mortem trádimur propter Jesum, ut et vita Jesu manifestétur in carne nostra mortáli.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

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

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

R.  Euge serve bone et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam : * Intra in gáudium Dómini tui.
V.  Dómine, quinque talénta tradidísti mihi, ecce ália quinque superlucrátus sum.
R.  Intra in gáudium Dómini tui.

R.  Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things : * Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
V.  Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents ; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
R.  Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

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.

Scimus enim quóniam si terréstris domus nostra hujus habitatiónis dissolvátur, quod ædificatiónem ex Deo habémus, domum non manufáctam, ætérnam in cælis.  Nam et in hoc ingemíscimus, habitatiónem nostram, quæ de cælo est, superíndui cupiéntes : si tamen vestíti, non nudi inveniámur.  Nam et qui sumus in hoc tabernáculo, ingemíscimus  graváti : eo quod nólumus exspóliari, sed supervestíri, ut absorbeátur quod mortále est, a vita.  Qui autem éfficit nos in hoc ipsum, Deus, qui dedit nobis pignus spíritus.  Audéntes ígitur semper, sciéntes quóniam dum sumus in córpore, peregrinámur a Dómino : (per fidem enim ambulámus et non per spéciem) audémus autem, et bonam voluntátem habémus magis peregrinári a córpore, et præséntes esse ad Dóminum.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

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

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

R.  Justus germinábit sicut lílium : * Et florébit in ætérnum ante Dóminum.
V.  Plantátus in domo Dómini, in átriis domus Dei nostri.
R.  Et florébit in ætérnum ante Dóminum.

R.  The righteous shall grow as the lily, * And flourish for ever before the Lord.
V.  Such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
R.  And flourish for ever before the Lord.

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.

Si gloriári opórtet (non éxpedit quidem) véniam autem ad visiónes, et revelatiónes Dómini.  Scio hóminem in Christo ante annos quatuórdecim (sive in córpore néscio, sive extra corpus néscio, Deus scit:) raptum hujúsmodi usque ad tértium cælum.  Et scio hujúsmodi hóminem, (sive in córpore, sive extra corpus, néscio, Deus scit:) quóniam raptus est in paradísum : et audívit arcána verba, quæ non licet hómini loqui.  Pro hujúsmodi gloriábor : pro me autem nihil gloriábor nisi in infirmitátibus meis.  Nam, et si volúero gloriári, non ero insípiens : veritátem enim dicam : parco autem, ne quis me exístimet supra id, quod videt in me, aut áliquid audit ex me.  Et ne magnitúdo revelatiónum extóllat me, datus est mihi stímulus carnis meæ ángelus sátanæ, qui me colaphízet.  Propter quod ter Dóminum rogávi, ut discéderet a me : et dixit mihi : Súfficit tibi grátia mea : nam virtus in infirmitáte perfícitur.  Libénter ígitur gloriábor in infirmitátibus meis, ut inhábitet in me virtus Christi.

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.  Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.  For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon 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.  Iste cognóvit justítiam, et vidit mirabília magna, et exorávit Altíssimum : * Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et invéntus est in número Sanctórum.

R.  This is he which knew righteousness, and saw great wonders, and made his prayer unto the Most High; * And he is numbered among the Saints.
V.  This is he which despised the life of this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  And he is numbered among the Saints.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And he is numbered among the Saints.

After the First Nocturn is finished, there is begun The Second Nocturn.  The Psalms with their Antiphons are taken from the occurring weekday, as in the table below.

Second Nocturn

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

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

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Joséphus a Cupertíno, óppido in Salentínis diœcésis Neritonénsis, anno reparátæ salútis millésimo sexcentésimo tértio, piis ibídem paréntibus ortus, Deíque amóre prævéntus, puerítiam atque adolescéntiam summa cum simplicitáte morúmque innocéntia molestóque morbo, patientíssime toleráto, Deíparæ Vírginis ope liberátus, se totum pietátis opéribus ac excoléndis virtútibus dedit ; utque Deo ad majóra vocánti se intímius conjúngeret, órdini seráphico nomen dare constítuit.  Post vários evéntus voti tandem compos factus, apud Minóres Conventuáles in cœnóbio Cryptulæ, inter láicos primum ob litterárum imperítiam, deínde inter cléricos divína dispositióne connumerátus est.  Sacerdótio post solémnia vota initiátus, perféctius sibi vitæ institútum propósuit.  Quam ob rem, mundánis quibuscúmque afféctibus terrenísque rebus pene ad vitam necessáriis íllico a se abdicátis, cilíciis, flagéllis, caténis, omni demum asperitátum ac pœnárum génere corpus afflíxit ; spíritum vero sanctæ oratiónis altissimæque contemplatiónis assiduitáte dúlciter enutrívit.  Hinc factum est, ut cáritas Dei, quæ jam erat in ejus corde a prima ætáte diffúsa, miro planéque singulári modo in dies coruscáverit.

Joseph was born of godly parents at Copertino, a small village of the diocese of Nardo, between Brindisi and Otranto, in the year of Redemption 1603.  The love of God came to him early, and he passed his childhood and youth in great guilelessness and harmlessness.  After recovering by the help of the Virgin Mother of God from a long and painful sickness which he bore very quietly, he gave himself altogether to godliness and self-improvement.  God called him inwardly to higher things, and to give himself more utterly to his service, he determined in himself to join the Seraphic Order.  After divers failures and changes, he obtained his wish among the Friars of the convent of La Grotella.  He went first as a lay brother, on account of his ignorance of letters, but God was pleased to allow him afterwards to be taken among the choir-brethren.  After taking his solemn vows he was ordained Priest, and then set before him to aim at a more perfect life.  To this end (as far as in him lay) he thrust from him all earthly affections and all carnal things, even to such as seem almost needful for life.  He tormented his body with haircloth, scourging, spiked chains, and every kind of hardship and affliction.  He fed his spirit sweetly upon the constant exercise of holy prayer, and gazing upon the highest matters.  And so it came to pass that the love of God, which had been enkindled in his heart from his earliest years, burnt forth day by day more strangely and openly.

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

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

R.  Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum : * Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.
V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.
R.  Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.

R.  The Lord multiplied the fruit of his labours and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait. * And gave him perpetual glory.
V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God.
R.  And gave him perpetual glory.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Elúxit præcípue ardentíssima ejus cáritas in extásibus ad Deum suavíssimis stupendísque ráptibus, quibus frequénter afficiebátur.  Mirum autem, quod, alienáto a sénsibus ánimo, statim ab éxtasi eum revocábat sola obediéntia.  Hanc quippe virtútem exímio stúdio prosequebátur, dícere sólitus, se ab ea véluti cæcum circumdúci, et mori pótius velle, quam non obedíre.  Paupertátem vero seráphici Patriárchæ ita æmulátus est, ut, morti próximus, præláto suo assérere vere potúerit se nihil habére, quod more religiosórum resignáret.  Itaque, mundo sibíque mórtuus, vitam Jesu manifestábat in carne sua, quæ dum in alíquibus ex turpitúdine obscœnum flagítium sentiébat, prodigiósum de se efflábat odórem, indícium nitidíssimæ illíus puritátis, quam, immúndo spíritu vehementíssimis tentatiónibus frustra obnubiláre diu conánte, servávit illæsam, tum arcta sénsuum custódia, tum jugi córporis maceratióne, tum denique speciali protectióne puríssimæ Vírginis Maríæ, quam matrem suam appelláre consuévit, ac véluti matrem dulcíssimam íntimo cordis afféctu venerabátur, eámque ab áliis venerári exoptábat, ut cum ejúsdem patrocínio, sicut ipse ajébat, ómnia bona consequeréntur.

The chief outcome of this love of God was the strong and marvellous trances whereinto he oftentimes fell.  It was, nevertheless, strange to observe that after he had entirely lost his senses he could be called out the trance by the mere order of his superiors.  To be utterly obedient was one of his chief aims, and he was used to say that those who ruled him could lead him about like a blind man, and that it was better to die than not to obey.  He so imitated the poverty of the Seraphic Patriarch, that when he was at the point of death, when the Friars use to dispose of anything they have, he was able to tell his Superior that he had absolutely nothing.  Thus bearing about in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus, the life also of Jesus was made manifest in his body.  When he saw that certain persons had committed a foul sin of uncleanness, there came from him a strong savour, a proof of that snowy and glorious purity which, in spite of the most hideous temptations whereby the unclean spirit wrestled long to darken it, he kept undefiled, partly by an iron bridling of his senses, partly by the stern punishments he inflicted upon his own body, and partly by the extraordinary protection of the pure Virgin Mary, whom he was used to call his own Mother, whom he honoured and worshipped as his most tender Mother in his very heart of hearts, and whom he was eager that all men should honour, because, as he said, if we have her protection, every good thing cometh with it.

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

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

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.
V.  The Lord hath put on him the breast-plate of faith, and hath adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love.
R.  Amen.

Hæc beáti Joséphi sollicitúdo a sua erga próximos caritáte prodíbat ; tanto enim animárum zelo exardébat, ut ómnium salútem modis ómnibus instantíssime procuráret.  Exténdens páriter caritátem suam in próximum, sive páuperem, sive infírmum, sive quacúmque ália tribulatióne vexátum, quantum in ipso erat, illum recreábat.  Nec aliéni erant ab ejus caritáte, qui objurgatiónibus, probris omnísque géneris injúriis ipsum appéterent ; nam eádem patiéntia, mansuetúdine, vultúsque hilaritáte tália excipiébat, qua tot inter ac tantas vicissitúdines resplénduit, dum vel moderatórum órdinis vel sacræ Inquisitiónis jussu hac illac erráre versaríque coáctus est.  Quamquam vero pópuli non solum, sed viri príncipes exímiam ejus sanctitátem et supérna charísmata admiraréntur, ea nihilóminus erat humilitáte, ut, magnum se peccatórem réputans, Deum eníxe deprecarétur ; ut sua ab eo illústria dona removéret, hómines vero exoráret ut in eum locum mórtuum ejus corpus injícerent, ubi memória sui esset prorsus oblitteráta.  At Deus, qui ponit húmiles in sublíme quique servum suum, dum víveret, cælésti sapiéntia, prophetía, córdium perscrutatióne, curatiónum grátia ceterísque donis cumulatíssime exornáverat, ejus quoque mortem iis, quibus ipse ántea prædíxerat, loco ac témpore, anno ætátis suæ sexagésimo primo, Auxími in Picéno pretiósam réddidit sepulcrúmque gloriósum.  Illum dénique, étiam post óbitum miráculis coruscántem, Benedíctus quartus décimus Beatórum, Clemens tértius décimus Sanctórum fastis adscrípsit.  Ejus autem Offícium et Missam Clemens quartus décimus, ejúsdem órdinis, ad univérsam Ecclésiam exténdit.

This eagerness on the part of the blessed Joseph was but one outcome from his love for his neighbours.  So great was his zeal for souls, that he vehemently sought in all ways for the salvation of all.  When he saw his neighbour in any trouble, whether it were poverty or sickness or any other affliction, his tenderness went out toward him, and he helped him as well as he could.  They who reviled, and slandered, and insulted himself were not cut off from his love.  He was used to welcome such with great long-suffering, meekness, and cheerfulness of countenance ; and he preserved the same constantly amid many hardships and changes when he was sent hither and thither by command of the Superiors of his Order, and of the Holy Inquisition.  People and princes alike marvelled at the exceeding holiness of his life, and the spiritual gifts poured upon him from above, but he was so lowly, that he sincerely held himself to be chief among sinners, and earnestly besought God to take away from him the more showy of his gifts.  Of men he entreated that after his death they would cast his body somewhere where his memory might soonest perish.  But God, who exalteth them of low degree, glorified his servant during life with the gifts of heavenly wisdom, of prophecy, of discerning the hidden thoughts of the heart, of healing, and of other spiritual gifts in marvellous abundance, gave him a precious death, and made the place of his rest glorious.  He fell asleep in Jesus upon the very day and at the very place foretold by himself, that is, at Osimo, in the 61st year of his own age.  He was famous for miracles even after his death, and Benedict XIV enrolled his name among those of the Blessed, and Clement XIII among those of the Saints.  Clement XIV, being himself a member of the same Order, extended the use of the Office and Mass in memory of him to the whole Church.

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

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

R.  Iste homo perfécit ómnia quæ locútus est ei Deus, et dixit ad eum : Ingrédere in réquiem meam : * Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.

R.  This is he which did according to all that God commanded him ; and God said unto him : Enter thou into my rest : * For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  This is he which despised his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.

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

Joséphus a Cupertíno, piis paréntibus ortus, adoléscens castis móribus insígnis, apud Minóres Conventuáles in cœnóbio Cryptulæ inter láicos primum, ob litterárum imperítiam, deínde inter cléricos divína dispositióne connumerátus est.  Sacerdótio initiátus, cilíciis, flagéllis omníque asperitátum génere corpus afflíxit ; spíritum vero sanctæ oratiónis assíduo pábulo enutrívit, quo factum est, ut ad altíssimæ contemplatiónis gradum a Deo vocátus sit.  Obediéntia et paupertáte insígnis, castitátem summópere cóluit, eámque, magnis tentatiónibus devíctis, servávit illæsam.  Mira dilectióne Vírginem Maríam prosecútus est, et magna caritáte in páuperes resplénduit.  Tanta erat humilitáte, ut, magnum peccatórem se réputans, Deum eníxe deprecarétur, ut sua ab eo illústria dona removéret.  Ordinis moderatórum vel sacræ Inquisitiónis jussu multas peragrávit regiónes ; demum, Auxími in Picéno, anno ætátis suæ sexagésimo primo, ad cælum evolávit.

Born of devout parents, as a young man Joseph of Cupertino was outstanding for his purity.  In the convent of the Friars Minor at Grotella, he was first enrolled among the lay-brothers because of his lack of learning, and then, by a disposition of divine Providence, he joined the clerics and was ordained.  He chastised his body with a hair-shirt, with scourgings and all kinds of austerities, and nourished his spirit continually with the food of holy prayer, so that he was called by God to the highest degree of contemplation.  Outstanding for obedience and poverty, he cultivated chastity above all, and preserved in unharmed, conquering great temptations.  He honoured the Virgin Mary with a wonderful love and shone for his great charity toward the poor.  His humility was so deep that he thought himself a great sinner and earnestly prayed God to take away the remarkable gifts he had been given.  He journeyed through many places at the command of the superior of the Order and of the holy Inquisition ; finally, at Osimo in Piceno, in the sixty-first year of his age, he made the last journey, to heaven.

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

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

Basilica of St. Joseph of Cupertino
the Saint's final resting place in Osimo

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

Third Nocturn

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.

In illo témpore : Loquebátur Jesus princípibus sacerdótum et pharisæis in parábolis dicens : Símile factum est regnum cælórum hómini regi, qui fecit núptias fílio suo.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus spake unto the chief priests and Pharisees by parables, and said : The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Quia jam, largiénte Dómino, nuptiárum domum, id est, sanctam Ecclésiam intrástis, solérter, fratres, aspícite, ne áliquid de mentis vestræ hábitu rex ingrédiens reprehéndat.  Cum magno enim cordis timóre pensándum est quod prótinus súbditur : Intrávit autem rex, ut vidéret discumbéntes, et vidit ibi hóminem non vestítum veste nuptiáli.  Quid, fratres caríssimi, éxprimi per nuptiálem vestem putámus?  Si enim vestem nuptiálem baptísma vel fidem dícimus, quis sine baptísmate et fide has núptias intrávit?  Eo enim ipso foris est, qui necdum crédidit.  Quid ergo debémus intellígere per nuptiálem vestem, nisi caritátem?  Intrat enim ad núptias, sed cum nuptiáli veste non intrat, qui, in sancta Ecclésia assístens, fidem habet, sed caritátem non habet.  Recte enim cáritas, nuptiális vestis vocátur, quia hanc in se cónditor noster hábuit, dum ad sociándæ sibi Ecclésiæ núptias venit.

Dearly beloved brethren, ye have already entered, at the Lord's bidding, into the house where the marriage feast is being held, that is to say, into the Holy Church, and look ye well to it, that when the King cometh in to see the guests, he see nothing amiss in your soul's wedding garment.  For indeed it is with great searchings of heart that we are behoven to consider that which so soon cometh.  And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment.  Dearly beloved brethren, what are we to think is signified by this wedding garment?  Is it baptism? or is it faith?  But without baptism and faith, who could be seated at the marriage feast?  He that believeth not would still be without the house.  What then, except love, must we understand by the wedding garment?  He who hath faith and is in the Holy Church, but hath not charity, cometh in unto the wedding indeed, but hath not a wedding garment.  And charity is well called the wedding garment, for it is the garment wherewithal our Maker decked himself when he came to wed the Church unto himself.

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

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

R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et de omni corde suo laudávit Dóminum : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Ecce homo sine queréla, verus Dei cultor, ábstinens se ab omni ópere malo, et pérmanens in innocéntia sua.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.

R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine : * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipse intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May he whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Sola quippe dilectióne Dei actum est, ut ejus Unigénitus mentes sibi electórum hóminum uníret.  Unde et Joánnes dicit : Sic enim diléxit Deus mundum, ut Fílium suum unigénitum daret pro nobis.  Qui ergo per caritátem venit ad hómines, eámdem caritátem innótuit vestem esse nuptiálem.  Omnis ergo vestrum, qui in Ecclésia pósitus Deo crédidit, jam ad núptias intrávit ; sed cum nuptiáli veste non venit, si caritátis grátiam non custódit.  Et certe, fratres, si quis ad carnáles núptias esset invitátus, vestem mutáret, congaudére se sponso et sponsæ ex ipso sui hábitus decóre osténderet, inter gaudéntes et festa celebrántes despéctis véstibus apparére erubésceret.  Nos ad Dei núptias venímus, et cordis vestem mutáre dissimulámus.  Congáudent Angeli, cum ad cælum assumúntur elécti.  Qua ergo mente hæc spirituália festa conspícimus, qui nuptiálem vestem, id est, caritátem, quæ sola nos speciósos éxhibet, non habémus?

It was the work of God's love alone that his Only-begotten Son should wed himself unto the souls of the elect.  Whence indeed John saith : God so loved the world, that he gave his Only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  He therefore whom love brought among men, sheweth that the same love is his wedding garment.  Each one therefore of you who is in the Church and believeth in God, hath already come in unto the marriage-feast, but if he keep not the grace of charity, he is come in thither not having a wedding garment.  In sooth, my brethren, if one be asked to an earthly marriage, he changeth his attire, to shew even by his garments that he rejoiceth in the joy of the Bride and Bridegroom, and he would be ashamed to appear in unseemly raiment among the guests that are feasting and making merry.  We are come unto God's marriage feast, and we make pretence to change the vesture of our hearts.  There is joy among the angels when the elect are taken to heaven.  With what face shall we look upon this spiritual feast if we come in thither not having charity, the only wedding garment wherein we can appear comely?

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

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

R.  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris: * Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.

R.  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: * And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.

If this day be an Ember Day, Lesson ix is of the Feria as follows.  Otherwise Lesson ix is as given below.

Gospel Homily for the Ember Day

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

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.

Sciéndum vero est quia, sicut in duóbus lignis, superióre vidélicet et inferióre, vestis téxitur : ita in duóbus præcéptis cáritas habétur, in dilectióne scílicet Dei et próximi.  Scriptum quippe est : Díliges Dóminum Deum tuum ex toto corde tuo et ex tota ánima tua, et próximum tuum sicut teípsum.  Qua in re notándum est, quia in dilectióne próximi mensúra amóris pónitur, cum dícitur : Díliges próximum tuum sicut teípsum.  Dei autem diléctio nulla mensúra constríngitur, cum dícitur : Díliges Dóminum Deum tuum ex toto corde tuo, ex tota ánima tua, ex tota virtúte tua.  Non enim jubétur quisque quantum díligat, sed ex quanto, cum dícitur, Ex toto ; quia ille veráciter Deum díligit, qui sibi de se nihil relínquit.  Duo ergo necésse est ut caritátis præcépta custódiat, quisquis habére in núptiis vestem nuptiálem curat.

We must know that as every garment is woven upon two beams, an upper and a lower, so love is bound unto two commandments, the one bidding us to love God, and the other to love our neighbour.  For thus is it written : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it : Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets.  In the which we are to see that bounds are set to that love wherewith we are to love our neighbour, for it is said : Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  But to the love wherewith we are to love God are set no bounds, for it is said : Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  A man is not commanded to what point he is to love God, but from what point, even as it is said : with all : for he only truly loveth God, who leaveth nothing for himself.  We are behoven therefore to keep two commandments touching love, if we would be seen at the marriage with a wedding garment.

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

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

Lauds

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

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

Ad Bened. Ant:  Osténdit mihi * Dóminus flúvium aquæ vivæ, spléndidum tamquam crystállum, procedéntem de sede Dei et Agni.

Ant. on Bened:  The Lord shewed me * a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui ad unigénitum Fílium tuum exaltátum a terra ómnia tráhere disposuísti : pérfice propítius ; ut, méritis et exémplo seráphici Confessóris tui Joséphi, supra terrénas omnes cupiditátes eleváti, ad eum perveníre mereámur : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst ordain that thy Son should be lifted up from the earth, that he might draw all men unto him : mercifully grant that, by the merits and example of thine angelic Confessor Saint Joseph, we may in such wise be exalted above all earthly and carnal desires, that we may be found worthy to attain unto him.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH