Pope and Martyr

Semidouble

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

At Second Vespers of St. Thomas of Villanova, BC

Ant:  Iste Sanctus pro lege Dei sui certávit usque ad mortem, et a verbis impiórum non tímuit ; fundátus enim erat supra firmam petram.

Ant:  This is a Saint who strove for the truth, even unto death, and feared not the words of sinful men, forasmuch as he was founded upon a sure foundation.

V.  Glória et honóre coronásti eum, Dómine.
R.  Et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.

V.  Thou hast crowned him with glory and worship, O Lord.
R.  And hast made him to have dominion of the works of thy hands.

Oremus.
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde : et per beátum Linum Mártyrem tuum atque Summum Pontíficem, perpétua protectióne custódi ; quem totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastórem.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
O eternal Shepherd, do thou look favourably upon thy flock, which we beseech thee to guard and keep for evermore through the Blessed Linus, thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, whom thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church.  (Through.)

Ant:  Veni, Sponsa Christi, áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparávit in ætérnum.

Ant:  Come, thou bride of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever.

V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua.
R.  Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.

V.  In thy comeliness, yea in thy beauty.
R.  Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.

Oremus.
Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui beátæ Theclæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ natalítia cólimus ; et ánnua solemnitáte lætémur, et tantæ fídei proficiámus exémplo.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, who this day observe the heavenly birthday of blessed Thecla, thy Virgin and Martyr, may in such wise rejoice in her yearly festival, that we may learn to follow rightly the pattern of her faith.  Through.

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 a Martyr, A Mileto.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of a Martyr

Second Nocturn

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 Fourth Lesson is used alone.

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.

Linus Póntifex, Volatérris in Etrúria natus, primus post Petrum gubernávit Ecclésiam.  Cujus tanta fides et sánctitas fuit, ut non solum dæmones ejíceret, sed étiam mórtuos revocáret ad vitam.  Scripsit res gestas beáti Petri, et ea máxime quæ ab illo acta sunt contra Simónem magum.  Sancívit ne qua múlier, nisi veláto cápite, in ecclésiam introíret.  Huic Pontífici caput amputátum est ob constántiam fídei, jussu Saturníni ímpii et ingratíssimi consuláris, cujus fíliam a dæmonum vexatióne liberáverat.  Sepúltus est in Vaticáno prope sepúlcrum Príncipis Apostolórum, nono Kaléndas Octóbris.  Sedit annos úndecim, menses duos, dies vigínti tres, creátis, bis mense Decémbri, epíscopis quíndecim, presbyteris decem et octo.

Pope Linus was by birth a native of Velletri in Tuscany, and was the immediate successor of Peter in the government of the Church.  His faith and holiness were such that he not only cast out devils, but also raised the dead.  He wrote the acts of Blessed Peter, and especially the history of his strife with Simon Magus.  He forbade women to enter the Church without having a veil upon their heads.  His own head was cut off, on account of his firmness in confessing Christ, by command of the godless Consul Saturninus, an unthankful wretch whose own daughter he had delivered from being tormented by a devil.  He was buried upon the Vatican Mount, hard by the grave of the Prince of the Apostles, upon the 23rd day of September.  He sat as Pope eleven years, two months, and twenty-three days.  He held two December ordinations, wherein he made fifteen Bishops, and eighteen Priests.

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.  Descendítque cum illo in fóveam, et in vínculis non derelíquit eum.
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 went down with him into the pit, and left him not in bonds.
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.

Príncipes persecúti sunt me gratis : et a verbis tuis trepidávit cor meum.  Bene hoc Martyr dicit, quod injúste persecutiónum torménta sustíneat ; qui nihil rapúerit, nullum violéntus opprésserit, nullíus sánguinem fúderit, nullíus torum putáverit esse violándum ; qui nihil légibus débeat, et gravióra latrónum sustinére cogátur supplícia ; qui loquátur juste, et non audiátur ; qui loquátur plena salútis, et impugnétur, ut possit dícere : Cum loquébar illis, impugnábant me gratis.  Gratis ígitur persecutiónem pátitur, qui impugnátur sine crímine ; impugnátur ut nóxius cum sit in tali confessióne laudábilis ; impugnátur quasi venéficus, qui in nómine Dómini gloriátur, cum píetas virtútum ómnium fundaméntum sit.

Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.  Thus might a Martyr speak of himself, for in that he is punished unjustly, he is persecuted.  He hath committed no robbery, oppressed none by violence, shed no blood, defiled the bed of no man, is debtor to the laws in nothing ; yet he is punished more grievously than any malefactor.  A Martyr speaketh righteousness, and there is none that will hear.  He proclaimeth salvation, and men fight against him.  Thus he well might say : When I speak unto them of peace, they make them ready to battle ; they fought against me without a cause.  Yea, they fought against him without a cause, for they could lay no sin to his charge.  They fought against him as an evildoer, albeit in his confession of God he is worthy of praise.  They fought against him as a sorcerer, and behold, he glorieth in the Name of the Lord, the love whereof is the source of all well-doing.

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

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

R.  Desidérium ánimæ ejus tribuísti ei, Dómine, * Et  voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.
V.  Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis, posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.
R.  Et  voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.

R.  Thou hast given him, O Lord, his heart's desire, * And hast not denied him the request of his lips.
V.  For thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, and hast set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
R.  And hast not denied him the request of his lips.

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.

Vere frustra impugnátur, qui apud ímpios et infídos impietátis arcéssitur, cum fídei sit magíster.  Verum, qui gratis impugnátur, fortis debet esse et constans ; quómodo ergo subtéxuit : Et a verbis tuis trepidávit cor meum?  Trepidáre infirmitátis est, timóris atque formídinis.  Sed est étiam infírmitas ad salútem, est étiam timor sanctórum : Timéte Dóminum, omnes sancti ejus; et, Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum.  Qua ratióne beátus?  Quia in mandátis ejus cupit nimis.

But certain also it is that they do fight against him in vain when they the ungodly accuse him of ungodliness, or when he who was a master of faith is accused of faithlessness.  Verily, him that is fought against without a cause it behoveth to be stedfast and fearless.  Wherefore then saith he: My heart standeth in awe of thy word?  Awe is sometimes a mark of the weak, the timid, and the fearful.  But there is also a weakness unto salvation, and a fear which is an holy fear, as it is written : O fear the Lord, all ye his Saints.  Or again : Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.  And wherefore is he blessed?  Because he hath great delight in his commandments.

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

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

R.  Stola jucunditátis índuit eum Dóminus : * Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.
V.  Cibávit illum Dóminus pane vitæ et intelléctus : et aqua sapiéntiæ salutáris potávit illum.
R.  Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et corónam pulchritúdinis pósuit super caput ejus.

R.  The Lord hath put on him a robe of honour, * And hath put about his head a crown of joy.
V.  With the bread of life and understanding the Lord hath fed him, and hath given him the water of wisdom to drink.
R.  And hath put about his head a crown of joy.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And hath put about his head a crown of joy.

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 : Venit Jesus in partes Cæsaréæ Philíppi, et interrogábat discípulos suos, dicens : Quem dicunt hómines esse Fílium hóminis?  Et réliqua.

At that time : When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And so on, and that which followeth.

Cum, sicut evangélica lectióne reserátum est, interrogásset Dóminus discípulos, quem ipsum (multis divérsa opinántibus) créderent ; respondissétque beátus Petrus, dicens : Tu es Christus Fílius Dei vivi ; Dóminus ait : Beátus es, Simon Bar-Jona, quia caro et sanguis non revelávit tibi, sed Pater meus, qui in cælis est : et ego dico tibi, quia tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram ædificábo Ecclésiam meam, et portæ ínferi non prævalébunt advérsus eam.  Et tibi dabo claves regni cælórum : et quodcúmque ligáveris super terram, erit ligátum et in cælis : et quodcúmque sólveris super terram, erit solútum et in cælis.  Manet ergo disposítio veritátis, et beátus Petrus, in accépta fortitúdine petræ persevérans, suscépta Ecclésiæ gubernácula non relíquit.

When the Lord, as we read in the Gospel, asked his disciples who did men, amid their divers speculations, believe him the Son of Man to be, blessed Peter answered and said : Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And the Lord answered and said unto him : Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona : for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father, which is in heaven : and I say also unto thee : That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ; and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven ; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven ; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  But the dispensation of truth perdures, and blessed Peter, persevering in the strength of the rock which he hath received, hath not relinquished the position he assumed at the helm of the 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.  Coróna áurea super caput ejus, * Expréssa signo sanctitátis, glória honóris, et opus fortitúdinis.
V.  Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis, posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.
R.  Expréssa signo sanctitátis, glória honóris, et opus fortitúdinis.

R.  The Lord set a crown of gold upon his head, * Wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work, goodly and beautiful.
V.  For thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, and hast set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
R.  Wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work, goodly and beautiful.

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.

In univérsa namque Ecclésia, Tu es Christus Fílius Dei vivi, quotídie Petrus dicit ; et omnis lingua, quæ confitétur Dóminum, magistério hujus vocis imbúitur.  Hæc fides diábolum vincit et captivórum ejus víncula dissólvit.  Hæc érutos mundo, ínserit cælo, et portæ ínferi advérsus eam prævalére non possunt.  Tanta enim divínitus soliditáte muníta est, ut eam neque hærética umquam corrúmpere právitas, nec pagána potúerit superáre perfídia.  His ítaque modis, dilectíssimi, rationábile obséquio celebrétur hodiérna festívitas : ut in persóna humilitátis meæ ille intelligátur, ille honorétur, in quo et ómnium pastórum sollicitúdo, cum commendatárum sibi óvium custódia persevérat, et cujus étiam dígnitas in indígno heréde non déficit.

In the universal Church it is as if Peter were still saying  every day : Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  For every tongue which confesseth the Lord is taught that confession by the teaching of Peter.  This is the Faith that overcometh the devil and looseth the bonds of his prisoners.  This is the Faith which maketh men free of the world and bringeth them to heaven, and the gates of hell are impotent to prevail against it.  This is the rock which God hath fortified with such ramparts of salvation, that the contagion of heresy will never be able to infect it, nor idolatry and unbelief to overcome it.  And therefore, dearly beloved, we celebrate today's festival with reasonable obedience, that in my humble person he may be acknowledged and honoured who doth continue  to care for all the shepherds as well as sheep entrusted unto him, and who doth lose none of his dignity even in an unworthy successor.

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

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

R.  Hic est vere Martyr, qui pro Christi nómine sánguinem suum fudit: * Qui minas júdicum non tímuit, nec terrénæ dignitátis glóriam quæsívit, sed ad cæléstia regna pervénit.
V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.
R.  Qui minas júdicum non tímuit, nec terrénæ dignitátis glóriam quæsívit, sed ad cæléstia regna pervénit.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Qui minas júdicum non tímuit, nec terrénæ dignitátis glóriam quæsívit, sed ad cæléstia regna pervénit.

R.  This is indeed a Martyr who for the Name of Christ poured forth his life-blood; * Who feared not the judgment of the world, nor clung to any earthly honours; but set his heart on a heavenly reward.
V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God.
R.  Who feared not the judgment of the world, nor clung to any earthly honours; but set his heart on a heavenly reward.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Who feared not the judgment of the world, nor clung to any earthly honours; but set his heart on a heavenly reward.

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

For St. Thecla, Virgin and Martyr :

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 9: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 9: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Thecla virgo, ex illústribus paréntibus Icónii nata, a Paulo Apóstolo fídei præcéptis institúta, miris sanctórum Patrum láudibus celebrátur.  Quæ décimum octávum annum agens, Thamíride sponso relícto, cum eam paréntes, quod Christiána esset, accusássent, in ardéntem rogum, qui, nisi Christo renuntiáret, ei parátus erat, prius signo crucis armáta, seípsam injécit.  Sed igne, plúvia quæ repénte exórta est, exstíncto, Antiochíam venit ; ubi, feris objécta et tauris in divérsa incitátis alligáta, mox conjécta in fossam plenam serpéntibus, ex ómnibus Jesu Christi grátia liberátur.  Cujus ardóre fídei et vitæ sanctitáte multi ad Christum convérsi sunt.  Iterum in pátriam rédiens, in montem sola secéssit.  Deínde, multis virtútibus et miráculis insígnis, nonagenária migrávit ad Dóminum, ac Seleucíæ sepúlta est.

The virgin Thecla was the daughter of noble parents at Iconium, and a disciple of the Apostle Paul.  She is the subject of extraordinary praises by the holy Fathers.  In the eighteenth year of her age, she parted from one Thamiris, to whom she had been betrothed, and her kindred accused her of being a Christian.  A pile was set a-fire for her, unless she should deny Christ, but she made the sign of the Cross, and willingly entered it, and rain came, and put out the fire.  She came to Antioch, where they threw her to wild beasts ; and strove to tear her asunder, by tying her to oxen driven different ways ; and cast her into a pit with many snakes ; but by the mercy of Jesus Christ she was delivered from all.  The warmth of her faith and the holiness of her life brought many to Christ.  She returned into her own country, and withdrew to be an hermit, alone on a certain mountain, and passed away to be with the Lord, aged ninety years, and famous for many good works and miracles.  She was buried at Seleucia.

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

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

Lauds

Pope St. Linus

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

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

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

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

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde : et per beátum Linum Mártyrem tuum atque Summum Pontíficem, perpétua protectióne custódi ; quem totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastórem.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O eternal Shepherd, do thou look favourably upon thy flock, which we beseech thee to guard and keep for evermore through the Blessed Linus, thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, whom thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church.  Through.

After the Commemoration of the Ember Day (if it be such), is made Commemoration of St. Thecla, Virgin and Martyr :

Ant:  Símile est regnum cælórum hómini negotiatóri quærénti bonas margarítas : invénta una pretiósa, dedit ómnia sua, et comparávit eam.

Ant:  The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

V.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.
R.  Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

V.  Full of grace are thy lips.
R.  Because God hath blessed thee for ever.

Oremus.
Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui beátæ Theclæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ natalítia cólimus ; et ánnua solemnitáte lætémur, et tantæ fídei proficiámus exémplo.  (Per Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, who this day observe the heavenly birthday of blessed Thecla, thy Virgin and Martyr, may in such wise rejoice in her yearly festival, that we may learn to follow rightly the pattern of her faith.  (Through.)

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH