Martyrs

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

V.  Lætámini in Dómino et exsultáte, justi.
R.  Et gloriámini, omnes recti corde.

V.  Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord.
R.  And be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Istórum est enim * regnum cælórum, qui contempsérunt vitam mundi, et pervenérunt ad præmia regni, et lavérunt stolas suas in sánguine Agni.

Ant. on Magnif:  Blessed are they * who have despised earthly pleasure, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, and have won the heavenly great reward.

Oremus.
Deus, qui nos ánnua sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Januárii et Sociórum ejus solemnitáte lætíficas : concéde propítius ; ut, quorum gaudémus méritis, accendámur exémplis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, which makest us glad with the yearly festival of blessed Januarius, and his companions thy holy Martyrs : grant, we beseech thee, that as we do rejoice in their merits ; so we may be enkindled to follow them in all virtuous and godly living.  Through.

Ant:  Exístimo ómnia detriméntum esse propter eminéntem sciéntiam Jesu Christi Dómini mei.

Ant:  I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.

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

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

Oremus.
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

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

First Nocturn

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken from the occurrent Scripture.  If, however, they are to be taken from the Common, they are read from that of Several Martyrs, Fratres : Debitores.

Scripture Lessons

The Cathedral at Benevento

Lessons from Common of Several Martyrs

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.

Januárius, Benevénti epíscopus, Diocletiáno et Maximiáno in Christiános sæviéntibus, ad Timótheum Campániæ præsidem ob christiánæ fídei professiónem Nolam perdúcitur.  Ibi, ejus constántia várie tentáta, in ardéntem fornácem conjéctus, ita illæsus evásit, ut ne vestiméntum aut capíllum quidem flamma violáverit.  Hinc præses, accénsus iracúndia, Mártyris corpus ímperat usque eo dístrahi, quoad nervórum compáges artuúmque solvántur.  Festus intérea ejus diáconus et Desidérius lector, comprehénsi vinctíque, una cum epíscopo ante rhedam præsidis Putéolos pertrahúntur, et in eúmdem cárcerem, in quo Sósius Misénas et Próculus Puteolánus diáconus, Eutyches et Acútius láici, ad béstias damnáti, detinebántur, simul conjiciúntur.

What time the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian were furiously raging against Christians, Januarius, Bishop of Benevento, was taken to Nola, to Timotheus, Governor of Campania, on the charge of professing the Christian faith.  There his firmness was tried divers ways, and he was cast into a burning fiery furnace, but came forth thence unhurt, for neither upon his raiment nor upon the hairs of his head did the flame take any hold.  Thereupon the wrath of the Governor was enkindled, and he commanded the martyr to be torn limb from limb.  But in the meanwhile, Januarius' Deacon Festus and his Lector Desiderius were taken, and the whole three were led in bonds to Pozzuoli in front of the Governor's chariot, and there thrown into the same prison wherein were already held four other Christians condemned to be devoured by wild beasts, that is to say, Sosius, a Deacon of Misenum ; Proculus, a Deacon of Pozzuoli ; and two laymen, named respectively Eutyches and Acutius.

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

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

R.  Sancti tui, Dómine, mirábile consecúti sunt iter, serviéntes præcéptis tuis, ut inveniréntur illæsi in aquis válidis : * Terra appáruit árida, et in Mari Rubro via sine impediménto.
V.  Quóniam percússit petram, et fluxérunt aquæ, et torréntes inundavérunt.
R.  Terra appáruit árida, et in Mari Rubro via sine impediménto.

R.  Thy Saints, O Lord, have passed a wonderful way, serving thy commandments, that they might be found without hurt in the midst of the mighty waters. * Dry land appeared, and out of the Red Sea, a way without impediment.
V.  He smote the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed.
R.  Dry land appeared, and out of the Red Sea, a way without impediment.

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.

Póstero die omnes in amphitheátro feris objécti sunt ; quæ, naturális oblítæ feritátis, ad Januárii pedes se prostravére.  Id Timótheus mágicis cantiónibus tríbuens, cum senténtiam cápitis in Christi Mártyres pronuntiásset, óculis repénte captus, oránte mox beáto Januário, lumen recépit ; quo miráculo hóminum míllia fere quinque Christi fidem suscepérunt.  Verum ingrátus judex, níhilo placátior factus benefício, sed conversióne tantæ multitúdinis actus in rábiem ; véritus máxime príncipum decréta, sanctum Epíscopum cum sóciis gládio pércuti jussit.

The next day all seven were exposed to the wild beasts in the amphitheatre, but these creatures forgot their natural fierceness, and lay down at the feet of Januarius.  Timotheus would have it that this came from charms, and commanded the witnesses of Christ to be beheaded.  Thereupon he became of a sudden blind, until Januarius prayed for him ; by the which miracle nearly five thousand persons were turned to Christ.  But this good turn roused up no gratitude in the Governor, yea, rather, the conversion of so many drave him wild, and in his hot fear to obey the decrees of the Emperors he commanded that the holy Bishop and his companions should be smitten with the sword.

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

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

R.  Vérbera carníficum non timuérunt Sancti Dei, moriéntes pro Christi nómine : * Ut herédes fíerent in domo Dómini.
V.  Tradidérunt córpora sua propter Deum ad supplícia.
R.  Ut herédes fíerent in domo Domini.

R.  The Saints of God shrank not from the stripes of the executioners, but chose to die for the Name of Christ,  * That they might be made joint-heirs in the house of the Lord.
V.  They delivered their bodies for God's sake to suffer torment.
R.  That they might be made joint-heirs in the house of the Lord.

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.

Horum córpora finítimæ urbes, pro suo quæque stúdio certum sibi patrónum ex iis apud Deum adoptándi, sepeliénda curárunt.  Januárii corpus Neapolitáni divíno admónitu extulére ; quod, primo Benevéntum, inde ad monastérium montis Vírginis, postrémo Neápolim translátum et in majóri ecclésia cónditum, multis miráculis cláruit.  Sed illud in primis memorándum, quod erumpéntes olim e monte Vesúvio flammárum globos, nec vicínis modo sed longínquis étiam regiónibus vastitátis metum afferéntes, exstínxit.  Præclárum illud quoque, quod ejus sanguis, qui in ampúlla vítrea concrétus asservátur, cum in conspéctu cápitis ejúsdem Mártyris pónitur, admirándum in modum colliquefíeri et ebullíre, perínde atque recens effúsus, ad hæc usque témpora cérnitur.

The cities of those coasts strove to obtain their bodies for honourable burial, so as to make sure of having in them advocates with God.  By God's will the relicks of Januarius were taken to Naples at last, after having been carried from Puzzuoli to Benevento, and from Benevento to Monte Vergine ; when they were brought thence to Naples, they were laid in the chief Church there, and there have been famous on account of many miracles.  Among these is remarkable the stopping of eruptions of Mount Vesuvius, whereby both that neighbourhood and also places afar off have been like to have been brought to desolation.  It is also well known, and is the plain fact, seen even unto this day, that when the blood of Januarius, kept dried up in a small glass phial, is put in sight of the head of the same martyr, it is used to melt and bubble in a very strange way, as though it had but freshly been shed.

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

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

R.  Tamquam aurum in fornáce probávit eléctos Dóminus, et quasi holocáusti hóstiam accépit illos; et in témpore erit respéctus illórum, * Quóniam donum et pax est eléctis Dei.
V.  Qui confídunt in illum, intélligent veritátem : et fidéles in dilectióne acquiéscent illi.
R.  Quóniam donum et pax est eléctis Dei.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quóniam donum et pax est eléctis Dei.

R.  As gold in the furnace hath the Lord tried his chosen ones, and received them as a burnt-offering, and yet a while, and they shall be regarded; * For the grace of God, and his peace, are with his chosen.
V.  They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth : and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him.
R.  For the grace of God, and his peace, are with his chosen.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For the grace of God, and his peace, are with his chosen.

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.

Januárius, Benevénti epíscopus, Diocletiáno et Maximiáno in Christiános sæviéntibus, a Timótheo Campániæ præside ob christiánæ fídei professiónem frustra igne et equúleo tentátus est.  Mox vinctus una cum Festo ejus diácono et Desidério lectóre, ante rhedam præsidis Putéolos pertráhitur, et póstero die cum sóciis, quibus adjécti sunt Sósius Misénas, Próculus Puteolánus diáconus, Eutyches et Acútius láici, béstiis objícitur.  Verum, cum hæ innóxiæ illis fuíssent, et hóminum míllia fere quinque Christi fidem suscepíssent, actus in rábiem præses, sanctum Epíscopum cum sóciis gládio pércuti jussit.  Horum córpora Christiáni sepeliénda curavérunt.  Januárii corpus primo Benevéntum, inde ad monastérium montis Vírginis, postrémo in majóri ecclésia Neápolis cónditum, multis miráculis cláruit.  Ejus sanguis, qui in ampúlla vítrea asservátur, cum in conspéctu cápitis ejúsdem Mártyris pónitur, admirándum in modum colliquefíeri et ebullíre ad hæc usque témpora cérnitur.

Januarius was Bishop of Benevento when Diocletian and Maximian were fiercely persecúting the Christians.  For his profession of the Christian faith, he was submitted in vain to the tortures of fire and of the rack by Timotheus, Governor of Campania.  Soon after, with Festus his deacon and Desiderius, a lector, he was dragged in chains ahead of the Governor's chariot to Pozzuoli.  The next day, he and his companions were thrown to the beasts, together with the deacons Sosius of Misenum and Proculus of Pozzuoli and the laymen Eutyches and Acutius.  But when the beasts left them unharmed and nearly five thousand persons received faith in Christ, the Governor was enraged and commanded the holy Bishop and his companions to be beheaded.  The Christians attended to their burial.  The body of Januarius was first placed at Benevento, then in the monastery of Monte Vergine, and finally in the principal church of Naples, and is famous for many miracles.  His blood is kept in a glass vial and, even in our days, when it is placed in sight of the head of the holy Martyr, it is used to melt and bubble in a very strange way.

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

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

Reliquary of St. Januarius

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 : Sedénte Jesu super montem Olivéti, accessérunt ad eum discípuli secréto dicéntes : Dic nobis quando hæc erunt?  Et réliqua.

At that time : As Jesus sat upon the Mount of Olives, his disciples came unto him privately, saying : Tell us, when shall these things be? And so on, and that which followeth.

Discípuli Dóminum intérrogant quando hæc fíerent, quodve signum et advéntus sui et consummatiónis sæculi nóscerent.  Et, quia tria hæc in unum quæsíta sunt, distínctis et témporis et intelligéntiæ significatiónibus separántur.  Respondétur ígitur primum de civitátis occásu, et confirmántur veritáte doctrínæ, ne quis fallax ignorántibus posset obrépere ; ventúri enim erant étiam eórum témpore, qui se Christum essent nuncupatúri.  Ut ígitur fides pestífero mendácio détrahi posset, admonítio præcéssit.

The disciples asked the Lord, when these things were to come to pass, what signs they were to recognize as those of his coming, and what were those of the consummation of the world?  Here are in one question three several points, and the answers are to be understood of three several times, and by three several interpretations.  When shall these things be?  And herein he taught them concerning the fall of the city of Jerusalem, whereof he made plain announcement, lest the unlearned might fall a prey to any deceiver.  For within the lifetime of his then hearers were to come many, saying : I am the Christ.  He giveth warning therefore beforehand, lest such pestilential liars should gain any belief.

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

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

R.  Propter testaméntum Dómini et leges patérnas, Sancti Dei perstitérunt in amóre fraternitátis : * Quia unus fuit semper spíritus in eis, et una fides.
V.  Ecce quam bonus et quam jucúndum habitáre fratres in unum!
R.  Quia unus fuit semper spíritus in eis, et una fides.

R.  Because of the Covenant of the Lord and the laws of their fathers, the Saints of God stood fast in brotherly love:  *  For there was ever one spirit among them, and one faith.
V.  Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity.
R.  For there was ever one spirit among them, and one faith.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Quorum festum cólimus, ipsi intercédant pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

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

Confírmat ígitur eos ad tolerántiam passiónum, fugæ, verberatiónis, intéritus et públici in eos ódii propter nomen ejus.  Atque his quidem vexatiónibus multi turbabúntur, et, tantis insurgéntibus malis scandalizabúntur, et usque in mútuum ódium excitabúntur.  Et falsi prophétæ erunt (ut Nicoláus unus ex septem diacónibus fuit), multósque ementíta veritáte pervértent ; et, abundánte nequítia, cáritas refrigéscet.

Our Lord strengtheneth the disciples, therefore, to endure for his Name's sake sufferings, exiles, scourgings, destruction, and the people's hatred.  Many persons, indeed will be be troubled by these persecutions, scandalized by the great evils which will arise.  Some even will be aroused to hate one another. False prophets (such as Nicholas, one of the seven deacons) will arise to lead many astray by seeming truths.  As iniquity shall abound, the charity of many shall wax cold.

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

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

R.  Sancti mei, qui in carne pósiti, certámen habuístis:  *  Mercédem labóris ego reddam vobis.
V.  Veníte, benedícti Patris mei, percípite regnum.
R.  Mercédem labóris ego reddam vobis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Mercédem labóris ego reddam vobis.

R.  O ye my Saints and Righteous Ones, who have conténded valiantly in the flesh,  *  I will render you a reward of your labours.
V.  Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom.
R.  I will render you a reward of your labours.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  I will render you a reward of your labours.

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.

Sed usque in finem perseverántibus salus reserváta est ; ac tum, per omnes orbis partes viris apostólicis dispérsis, Evangélii véritas prædicábitur.  Et, cum univérsis fúerit cognítio sacraménti cæléstis invécta, tum Jerúsalem occásus et finis incúmbet ; ut prædicatiónis fidem, et infidélium pœna et metus civitátis érutæ consequátur.  Hæc ígitur in eam, ut fúerant prædícta, perfécta sunt ; et, lapidátis, fugátis, perémptis Apóstolis, fame, bello, captivitáte consúmpta est.  Ac tum fuit digna non esse, cum, ejéctis prædicatóribus Christi, indígnam Dei prædicatióne se præbuit.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  And this Gospel shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations ; and then shall the end come.  When the knowledge of the heavenly revelation had been carried everywhere, then should come the fall and end of Jerusalem ; then should the punishment of them that had not believed, and the awful example of the city that had been destroyed, bear out the truth of the preacher.  When she had stoned, and hunted down, and murdered the Apostles, then should she be consumed by famine, and war, and slavery.  And indeed she would then have shewn herself unworthy to be any longer, having shewn by casting out the preachers of Christ that she was unworthy that any should speak to her of God.

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

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

The Cathedral of San Gennaro, Naples

Lauds

The Cathedral Church of San Gennaro, Naples

V.  Exsultábunt Sancti in glória.
R.  Lætabúntur in cubílibus suis.

V.  Let the Saints be joyful with glory.
R.  Let them rejoice in their beds.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Vestri capílli cápitis * omnes numeráti sunt : nolíte timére : multis passéribus melióres estis vos.

Ant. on Bened:  Even the very hairs of your head * are all numbered; fear not therefore ; ye are of more value than many sparrows.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui nos ánnua sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Januárii et Sociórum ejus solemnitáte lætíficas : concéde propítius ; ut, quorum gaudémus méritis, accendámur exémplis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, which makest us glad with the yearly festival of blessed Januarius, and his companions thy holy Martyrs : grant, we beseech thee, that as we do rejoice in their merits ; so we may be enkindled to follow them in all virtuous and godly living.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH