Martyrs

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

Church of St. Eustache, Paris

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 concédis sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Eustáchii et Sociórum ejus natalítia cólere : da nobis in ætérna beatitúdine de eórum societáte gaudére.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who vouchsafest unto us to keep the heavenly birthday of blessed Eustace and his Companions, the holy Martyrs : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may rejoice in the perpetual felicity of their fellowship in heaven.  Through.

Ant:  Gaudent in cælis ánimæ Sanctórum, qui Christi vestígia sunt secúti, et, quia pro ejus amóre sánguinem suum fudérunt, ídeo cum Christo exsúltant sine fine.

Ant:  In the heavenly kingdom the souls of the Saints are rejoicing, even such as walked in the footsteps of Christ, for love of whom they shed their very life-blood; therefore with Christ they now do reign for ever and ever.

Orémus.
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

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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

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.

Eustáchius, qui et Plácidus, génere, ópibus et militári glória inter Romános insígnis, sub Trajáno imperatóre magístri mílitum títulum méruit.  Cum vero sese aliquándo in venatióne exercéret ac fúgiéntem miræ magnitúdinis cervum insequerétur, vidit repénte inter consisténtis feræ córnua excélsam atque fulgéntem Christi Dómini e cruce pendéntis imáginem.  Cujus voce ad immortális vitæ prædam invitátus, una cum uxóre Theopísta ac duóbus párvulis fíliis Agapíto et Theopísto, christiánæ milítiæ nomen dedit.

Eustace (whose name before his Baptism was Placidus) was a Roman, alike well-known on account of his noble birth, his great earthly wealth, and his eminent distinction as a soldier.  He gained, under the Emperor Trajan, the post of military commander.  Once upon a time he was hunting, and following an extraordinarily large stag, when the beast stood still, and Eustace saw between his horns a tall and glorious figure of the Lord Christ hanging upon the Cross, whence came a voice bidding him to follow after life eternal.  Thereupon Eustace and his wife Theopista, and their two little sons Agapitus and Theopistus, enlisted themselves as soldiers under the Great Captain, Christ.

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.

Mox ad visiónis prístinæ locum, sicut ei Dóminus præcéperat, regréssus, illum prænuntiántem audívit quanta sibi deínceps, pro ejus glória, perferénda essent.  Quocírca incredíbiles calamitátes mira patiéntia perpéssus, brevi in summam egestátem redáctus est.  Cumque clam se subdúcere cogerétur, in itínere cónjugem primum, deínde étiam líberos sibi miserabíliter eréptos ingémuit.  Tantis obvolútus ærúmnis, in regióne longínqua víllicum agens longo témpore delítuit, donec, cælésti voce recreátus ac nova occasióne a Trajáno conquisítus, íterum bello præfícitur.

In a little while he went back, according as the Lord had commanded him, to the place where he had seen the first vision, and there he heard from God how much he was to bear for his glory.  It was not long after that he had great losses and became exceedingly poor, but he bore it very patiently.  Then he was constrained to fly away privily, and on the journey was grievously afflicted in that, first, his wife and then his children were parted from him and carried he knew not whither.  Under the weight of these sorrows he lay hid a long while a far-off place, working as the steward of a land-owner, until the voice of God called him forth, and Trajan sought for him again to make him a captain in his army.

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.

Illa in expeditióne, líberis simul cum uxóre insperáto recéptis, victor Urbem ingénti ómnium gratulatióne ingréditur.  Sed paulo post inánibus diis pro parta victória sacrificáre jussus, constantíssime rénuit.  Cumque váriis ártibus ad Christi fidem ejurándam frustra tentarétur, una cum uxóre et líberis, leónibus objícitur.  Horum mansuetúdine concitátus imperátor, æneum in taurum subjéctis flammis candéntem eos immítti jubet, ubi divínis in láudibus consummáto martyrio, duodécimo Kaléndas Octóbris ad sempitérnam felicitátem convolárunt.  Quorum illæsa córpora, religióse a fidelibus sepúlta, póstmodum ad ecclésiam eórum nómine eréctam honorífice transláta sunt.

While he was with the army he found his wife and children once more, by an unexpected happiness, and re-entered the city of Rome as a conquering soldier amid the loud applause of all men, but thereupon, when he was commanded to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving for the victory to the gods that are no gods, he stoutly refused.  They tried him in vain with divers cajoleries to make him deny Christ, but could not, and he and his wife and little ones were thrown to the lions.  When these beasts would not touch them, the Emperor's fury was kindled, and he commanded them  all to be shut up in the brazen image of a bull, which was heated with fire underneath.  There they praised God until their testimony was ended, and they departed hence to be perfectly blessed for ever and ever, upon the 20th day of September.  Their bodies were buried whole by the faithful, with deep reverence, and were afterwards honourably carried to a Church built in their name.

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

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

The Martyrdom of St. Eustace

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.

The Church of Sant'Eustachio, Rome
where the bodies of the Holy Martyrs were buried

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 : Descéndens Jesus de monte, stetit in loco campéstri, et turba discipulórum ejus, et multitúdo copiósa plebis ab omni Judæa, et Jerúsalem, et marítima, et Tyri, et Sidónis.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus came down from the mountain and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude out of all Judea, and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Advérte ómnia diligénter, quómodo et cum Apóstolis ascéndat, et descéndat ad turbas.  Quómodo enim turba nisi in húmili Christum vidéret?  Non séquitur ad excélsa, non ascéndit ad sublímia.  Dénique ubi descéndit, invénit infírmos ; in excélsis enim infírmi esse non possunt.  Hinc étiam Matthæus docet in inferióribus débiles esse sanátos.  Prius enim unusquísque sanándus est, ut paulátim, virtútibus procedéntibus ascéndere possit ad montem ; et ídeo quemque in inferióribus sanat, hoc est, a libídine révocat, injúriam cæcitátis avértit.  Ad vúlnera nostra descéndit ; ut, usu quodam et cópia suæ natúræ, compartícipes nos fáciat esse regni cæléstis.

Mark well how Jesus goeth upward with his Apostles, and downward to the multitude.  How should the multitude behold Christ, save in a lower place?  Such go not up with him to the things which are above ; such attain not to the things which are high.  Hence, when Jesus cometh down, he findeth such as are diseased : for such like go not up to the heights.  Hence also Matthew saith that there were there "all sick people."  Of these every man had need of healing, that, when he had received strength, by and by, he might go up into the mountain.  And therefore, being himself come down to the plain, he healeth them in this lower place; that is to say, he calleth them away from their earthly desires, and freeth them of their blindness.  He cometh down to the level of our wounded condition, to impart to us something from the abundance of his own nature, thus to make us joint-heirs of the kingdom of heaven. 

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.

Beáti páuperes ; quia vestrum est regnum Dei.  Quátuor tantum beatitúdines sanctus Lucas Domínicas pósuit, octo vero sanctus Matthæus ; sed in illis octo istæ quátuor sunt, et in quátuor istis illæ octo.  Hic enim quátuor velut virtútes ampléxus est cardináles ; ille in illis octo mysticum númerum reserávit.  Pro octáva enim multi inscribúntur Psalmi, et mandátum áccipis octo illis partem dare, fortásse benedictiónibus.  Sicut enim spei nostræ, octáva, perféctio est ; ita octáva, summa virtútum est.

Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Saint Luke giveth us but four of the Lord's beatitudes, whilst Saint Matthew hath eight.  However, the four are contained in the eight, and the eight in the four.  For in these four are embraced the cardinal virtues, whilst the number eight in itself containeth a mystery.  It is written at the head of more than one of the Psalms that they are "for the octave." And thou hast received the commandment : Give a portion to seven, and also to eight.  To seven or eight what?  Perchance, degrees of blessedness.  For the octave of blessedness, namely this eighth beatitude, doth name the most glorious realization of all virtues, Blessed are they which are persecuted, and also the fullest realization of blessedness : Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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 for the Vigil of St. Matthew 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

For the Vigil of St. Matthew, Apostle :

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 9:  Per evangélica dicta deleántur nostra delícta.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9:  By the Gospel words today may our sins be done away.
R.  Amen.

In illo témpore : Vidit Jesus publicánum, nómine Levi, sedéntem ad telónium, et ait illi : Séquere me.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom ; and he said unto him : Follow me.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Mystica est hæc vocátio publicáni, quem sequi jubet, non córporis gressu, sed mentis afféctu.  Itaque ille, prius avára de mercédibus, dura de labóribus periculísque nautárum emoluménta convértens, verbo vocátus, própria derelínquit, qui rapiébat aliéna ; ac, vile illud sedíle destítuens, toto post Dóminum vestígio mentis incédit.  Convívii quoque magni éxhibet apparátum ; qui enim domicílio Christum récipit intérno, máximis delectatiónibus exuberántium páscitur voluptátum.

There is a mystery in this calling of the publican, whom he biddeth to follow him, not so much by bodily steps as by change of heart.  Hitherto Levi had been making greedy gains from merchandise, cruel riches at the cost of sailors' toils and dangers ; but now, at the call of a word, he, who had been plundering other men's goods, leaveth his own.  He leaveth that base station, and followeth hard after the Lord with all his heart.  And Levi made him a great feast in his own house.  He that welcometh Christ into his home, feasteth upon the excellency of all pleasures.

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

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

Lauds

The Martyrdom of St. Eustace and his family
Stained glass at the Cathedral of Chartres

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 concédis sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Eustáchii et Sociórum ejus natalítia cólere : da nobis in ætérna beatitúdine de eórum societáte gaudére.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who vouchsafest unto us to keep the heavenly birthday of blessed Eustace and his Companions, the holy Martyrs : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may rejoice in the perpetual felicity of their fellowship in heaven.  Through.

The Church of St. Eustache, Paris

At Lauds, Commemoration of Feria if it be an Ember Day; otherwise of the Vigil.  For Commemoration of Vigil, Antiphon and Versicle of current Feria, with Collect as follows :

Oremus.
Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut beáti Matthæi Apóstoli tui et Evangelístæ, quam prævenímus, veneránda solémnitas, et devotiónem nobis áugeat et salútem.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God : that we who on this day prepare to celebrate the feast of thy holy Apostle and Evangelist, Saint Matthew, may by the devout observance of the same increase in godliness to the attainment of everlasting salvation.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

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