Martyrs

Semidouble

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

Ss. Cosmas and Damian performing transplant, using leg of a Moor

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.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Cosmæ et Damiáni natalítia cólimus, a cunctis malis imminéntibus, eórum intercessiónibus, liberémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, who observe the heavenly birthday of blessed Cosmas and Damian, thy Martyrs, may be their intercession be delivered from all evils that beset us.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

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

Lessons from Common of Several Martyrs

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 Lessons IV and V are joined together to form one.

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.

Cosmas et Damiánus, fratres Arabes, in Ægéa urbe nati, nóbiles médici, imperatóribus Diocletiáno et Maximiáno, non magis medicínæ sciéntia quam Christi virtúte, morbis étiam insanabílibus medebántur.  Quorum religiónem cum Lysias præféctus cognovísset, addúci eos ad se jubet, ac de vivéndi institúto et de fídei professióne interrogátos, cum se et Christiános esse, et christiánam fidem esse ad salútem necessáriam, líbere prædicárent, deos venerári ímperat ; et, si id recúsent, minátur cruciátus et necem acerbíssimam.

Cosmas and Damian, who were eminent physicians in the time of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, were brothers, and Arabs by race, but born in the city of Aegea in Cilicia.  Not more by their knowledge of medicine than by the power of Christ they healed diseases which had been hopeless for others.  When the Prefect Lysias learnt to what faith they belonged, he commanded them to be brought before him, and questioned them as to their way of life, and the confession of their religion ; and then, forasmuch as they freely owned themselves Christians and the Christian faith needful to salvation, he commanded them to worship the gods, under threats of torments and a most cruel death.

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.

Verum, ut se frustra hæc illis propónere intélligit : Colligáte, inquit, manus et pedes istórum, eósque exquisítis torquéte supplíciis.  Quibus jussa exsequéntibus, nihilóminus Cosmas et Damiánus in senténtia persistébant.  Quare, ut erant vincti, in profúndum mare jaciúntur.  Unde cum salvi ac solúti essent egréssi, mágicis ártibus præféctus factum assígnans, in cárcerem tradit, ac postrídie edúctos in ardéntem rogum ínjici jubet ; ubi, cum ab ipsis flamma refúgeret, várie et crudéliter tortos secúri pércuti vóluit.  Itaque, in Jesu Christi confessióne, martyrii palmam accepérunt.

But when he found that it was but in vain to lay such things before them, he said : Bind their hands and feet together, and put them to the sharpest of the question.  And he was obeyed, but nevertheless Cosmas and Damian abode still of the same mind.  Therefore they were cast into the depth of the sea, bound as they were, but they came forth again, whole and unbound.  The Prefect, therefore, who would have it that it came to pass so by force of art magic, cast them into prison.  On the morrow he haled them forth again, and bade cast them upon a great fire, but the flame turned away from them.  He was pleased then to have them tormented in divers and cruel sorts, and lastly, smitten with the axe.  Thus did they bear witness for Christ Jesus even until they grasped the palm of their testimony.

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.

Quotiescúmque, fratres caríssimi, sanctórum Mártyrum solémnia celebrámus, ita, ipsis intercedéntibus, exspectémus a Dómino cónsequi temporália benefícia, ut, ipsos Mártyres imitándo, accípere mereámur ætérna.  Ab ipsis enim sanctórum Mártyrum in veritáte festivitátum gáudia celebrántur, qui ipsórum Mártyrum exémpla sequúntur.  Solemnitátes enim Mártyrum exhortatiónes sunt martyriórum ; ut imitári non pígeat, quod celebráre deléctat.

Dearly beloved brethren, as often as keep the Feasts of the holy Martyrs, we look to obtain of the Lord, by their intercession, such good things in this life that thereby we, following them, may gain better in that which is to come.  For they only do truly keep Holiday on the Feasts of the Martyrs, who follow after the Martyrs' example.  These Feasts of the Martyrs are their preaching of martyrdom to us, whereby  to stir us up to imitate what we are not loath to honour.

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.

The Basilica of Ss. Cosmas and Damian, Rome

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 copia 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.  Hæc est vera fratérnitas, quæ numquam pótuit violári certámine : qui, effúso sánguine, secúti sunt Dóminum : * Contemnéntes aulam régiam, pervenérunt ad regna cæléstia.
V.  Ecce quam bonum et quam jucúndum habitáre fratres in unum!
R.  Contemnéntes aulam régiam, pervenérunt ad regna cæléstia.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Contemnéntes aulam régiam, pervenérunt ad regna cæléstia.

R.  This is indeed the love of brethren wherein the strife of man could make no breach ; yea, in resisting even unto blood they did follow their Lord, * For they held in contempt the court of the earthly king, and thereby attained to the kingdom of heaven.
V.  Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity.
R.  For they held in contempt the court of the earthly king, and thereby attained to the kingdom of heaven.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For they held in contempt the court of the earthly king, and thereby attained to the kingdom of heaven.

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 prius quæ sunt amplióra vídeámus.  Beáti, inquit, páuperes, quóniam vestrum est regnum Dei.  Primam benedictiónem hanc utérque Evangelísta pósuit.  Ordine enim prima est, et parens quædam generatióque virtútum ; quia qui contémpserit sæculária, ipse merébitur sempitérna, nec potest quisquam méritum regni cæléstis adipísci, qui, mundi cupiditáte pressus, emergéndi non habet facultátem.

But let us now consider the fuller of the forms of these beatitudes.  Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Both of the Evangelists give to this beatitude the first place.  Yea, surely, for poorness, at least in spirit, is the first in order, the mother and procreatrix of virtues ; since he that setteth no store by temporal things, winneth toward eternal things ; neither is any man able to gain the kingdom of heaven, on whom the love of this present world doth so press, that he cannot rid himself thereof.

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.  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.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Cosmæ et Damiáni natalítia cólimus, a cunctis malis imminéntibus, eórum intercessiónibus, liberémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, who observe the heavenly birthday of blessed Cosmas and Damian, thy Martyrs, may be their intercession be delivered from all evils that beset us.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH