Confessor

Greater Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers
 

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

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

V.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him.
R.  He clothed him with a robe of glory.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Similábo eum * viro sapiénti, qui ædificávit domum suam supra petram.

Ant. on Magnif:  I will liken him * unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui Ecclésiam tuam beáti Francísci méritis fœtu novæ prolis amplíficas : tríbue nobis ; ex ejus imitatióne, terréna despícere, et cæléstium donórum semper participatióne gaudére.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who by the merits of blessed Francis dost increase thy Church with a new offspring : grant, we beseech thee ; that after his pattern, we may learn to despise all things earthly, and ever to rejoice in the partaking of thy heavenly bounty. 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.  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.
Dómine, qui dixísti : Nisi efficiámini sicut párvuli, non intrábitis in regnum cælórum : da nobis, quæsumus ; ita sanctæ Terésiæ Vírginis in humilitáte et simplicitáte cordis vestígia sectári, ut præmia consequámur ætérna : Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said, Except ye become as little children ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven : grant us, we beseech thee ; in meekness and lowliness of heart to follow the footsteps of blessed Theresa thy Virgin, and so at last to come unto thine everlasting kingdom.  Where thou livest and reignest, with the Father, in the unity.

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 Confessor not a Bishop, Series 2,  Justus si morte.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Confessors
 

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.

Francíscus, Assísii in Umbria natus, patris exémplum secútus, a prima ætáte mercatúram fecit.  Qui, quodam die, páuperem, pro Christi amóre flagitántem pecúniam, cum præter consuetúdinem repulísset, repénte eo facto commótus, large ei misericórdiam impertívit ; et ex eo die Deo promísit se némini umquam poscénti eleemósynam negatúrum.  Cum vero post in gravem morbum incidísset, ex eo aliquándo confirmátus, cœpit ardéntius cólere offícia caritátis ; qua in exercitatióne tantum profécit, ut, evangélicæ perfectiónis cúpidus, quidquid habéret, paupéribus largirétur.  Quod ferens iníquius pater, eum ad Assisinátem epíscopum duxit, ut coram illo bonis céderet patérnis ; qui, rejéctis étiam véstibus, patri concéssit ómnia, illud subjúngens, sibi in pósterum majórem facultátem fore dicéndi : Pater noster, qui es in cælis.

Francis was born at Assisi in Umbria.  From his early youth he followed the example of his father, and busied himself with merchandise.  It befell one day that, contrary to his usage, he had thrust from him a beggar, who cried for money for Christ's sake, when, being cut to the heart with regret, he gave him large alms, and promised to God from that day forth never to deny to any that asked of him.  He fell after this into a grievous sickness, and from the time that he was healed thereof, he gave himself more earnestly to works of love for his neighbour.  At length he became fain in this sort to be perfect, even as the Lord hath said in the Gospel, and gave to the poor whatsoever he had.  His father would not have it so, and brought him before the Bishop of Assisi, that he might renounce all right to his inheritance.  He cheerfully gave up all to his father, even to his clothes, telling them that now he should be able with more utter dependence to say : Our Father, who art in 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.  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.

Cum autem illud ex Evangélio audísset : Nolíte possidére aurum, neque argéntum, neque pecúniam in zonis vestris, non peram in via, neque duas túnicas, neque calceaménta ; sibi eam régulam servándam propósuit.  Itaque, detráctis cálceis et una conténtus túnica, cum duódecim sócios adhibuísset, órdinem Minórum instítuit.  Quare Romam venit anno salútis millésimo ducentésimo nono, ut sui órdinis régula ab apostolica Sede confírmarétur.  Quem cum accedéntem ad se summus Póntifex Innocéntius tértius rejecísset ; quod in somnis póstea sibi ille, quem repúlerat, collabéntem Lateranénsem basílicam suis húmeris sustinére visus esset, conquisítum accérsi jussit, benignéque accípiens, omnem ejus institutórum ratiónem confirmávit.  Francíscus ígitur, dimíssis in omnes orbis terræ partes frátribus ad prædicándum Christi Evangélium, ipse cúpiens sibi áliquam dari martyrii occasiónem, navigávit in Syriam ; ubi, a rege soldáno liberalíssime tractátus, cum nihil profíceret, rédiit in Itáliam.

He heard read the words of the Gospel : Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes.  Thereupon he determined that that should be his rule of living.  He took off his shoes, and contented himself with one coat.  When he had gathered twelve comrades, he founded the Order of Friars Minor.  He went to Rome in the same year, to get from the Apostolic See a confirmation of his Order.  When he came Pope Innocent III thrust him away.  Thereafter he dreamt that he saw the Church of the most Holy Saviour falling, and whom he had cast forth bearing it up with his shoulders.  He bade therefore that he should be sought for and brought again before him, welcomed him kindly, and approved all the Rule which he had established.  Francis therefore sent his Friars into all quarters of the world to preach the Gospel of Christ.  He himself was fain to find some occasion of martyrdom, and therefore made a voyage into Syria, but the Sultan treated him with the greatest kindness, offering him many gifts, and, since he could do no good, he returned again to Italy.

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.

St. Francis tries to convert the Moslems in Syria

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.

Multis ígitur exstrúctis suæ famíliæ domicíliis, se in solitúdinem montis Alvérni cóntulit ; ubi quadragínta diérum, propter honórem sancti Michaélis Archángeli, jejúnio inchoáto, festo die Exaltatiónis sanctæ Crucis, ei Séraphim crucifíxi effígiem inter alas cóntinens appáruit ; qui ejus et mánibus, et pédibus, et láteri vestígia clavórum impréssit.  Quæ sanctus Bonaventúra, cum Alexándri quarti summi Pontíficis prædicatióni interésset, narrásse Pontíficem a se visa esse, lítteris commendávit.  His insígnibus summi in eum Christi amóris, máximam habébat ómnium admiratiónem.  Ac biénnio post, gráviter ægrótans, deférri vóluit in ecclésiam sanctæ Maríæ Angelórum ; ut, ubi grátiæ spíritum a Deo accéperat, ibi spíritum vitæ rédderet.  Eo in loco fratres ad paupertátem ac patiéntiam, et sanctæ Románæ Ecclésiæ fidem servándam cohortátus, Psalmum illum pronúntians, Voce mea ad Dóminum clamávi ; in eo versículo, Me exspéctant justi, donec retríbuas mihi, efflávit ánimam quarto Nonas Octóbris.  Quem, miráculis clarum, Gregórius nonus Póntifex máximus in Sanctórum númerum adscrípsit.

When there had already been built many houses of Friars of his Order, he withdrew himself into a most secret place upon Mount Alverno, and began to fast for forty days in honour of the holy Archangel Michael.  Upon the Feastday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, he saw a vision of a crucified Seraph, which left in his hands and feet holes with nails therein, and in his side a great wound.  Holy Bonaventure hath left it in writing that he once heard Pope Alexander IV, when preaching, testify that he had himself seen these marks.  It was a sign of such love of Christ toward him as stirred up the great wonder of all men.  Two years thereafter he fell sick unto death, and was fain to be carried into the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, that he might give up the breath of life in the same place where God had breathed into him the breath of the life of grace.  Being there laid on the earth, sprinkled with ashes, and covered with an old habit, he exhorted the Friars to be poor and lowly, and to cleave to the faith of the Holy Church of Rome, after which he began to recite the 141st Psalm : I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and in uttering the words, The righteous wait for me, until thou reward me, he gave up the ghost, on the 4th day of October.  He was famous for miracles, and Pope Gregory IX added his name to the list of the Saints.

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.

The Church of St. Mary of the Angels (the Porziuncula)
where St. Francis died in 1226

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.

Francíscus, Assísii in Umbria natus, patris exémplum secútus, a prima ætáte mercatúram fecit.  Gravi morbo corréptus, cum convaluísset, cœpit ardéntius cólere caritátis offícia, et patri id indígne ferénti, bona ómnia cessit, subjúngens sibi in pósterum majórem facultátem fore dicéndi : Pater noster, qui es in cælis.  Cum autem ex Evangélio apostólicæ paupertátis mónita audísset, detráctis cálceis et una conténtus túnica, cum duódecim sócios adhibuísset, órdinem Minórum instítuit ; quem, a summo Pontífice Innocéntio tértio, cælitus admónito, confirmátum, mirífice propagávit.  Mox in solitúdinem montis Alvérni se cóntulit, ibíque, die Exaltatiónis sanctæ Crucis a Séraphim Crucifíxi effígiem inter alas præ se ferénte, sacra accépit stígmata ; in ejus mánibus, pédibus et látere clavórum et lánceæ vestígiis apparéntibus.  Biénnio post gráviter ægrótans, in ecclésia sanctæ Maríæ Angelórum, ubi grátiæ spíritum a Deo accéperat, fratres ad paupertátem, patiéntiam et sanctæ Románæ Ecclésiæ fidem servándam hortátus, piíssime ánimam efflávit quarto Nonas Octóbris.

Francis was born at Assisi in Umbria and, following his father's example, as a young man became a merchant.  After recovering from a very serious illness he began most eagerly to undertake works of charity and, since his father indignantly objected, he gave up to him everything he had, adding that henceforth he had a better right to say, Our Father, who art in heaven.  Having heard the Gospel words concerning the poverty of Apostles, he took off his sandals and kept only one cloak and, when he had gained twelve disciples, founded the Order of Friars Minor.  This was confirmed by Pope Innocent III, who had been divinely forewarned, and it spread in a wonderful way.  Later Francis went to the solitude of Mount Alverno where, on the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, he received the Stigmata from a Seraph carrying between his wings the image of the Crucified ; the traces of the nails and the lance then appeared in his hands, feet and side.  Two years afterwards he fell very ill and, in the Church of St. Mary of the Angels where he had received the spirit of grace from God, he exhorted the brethren to poverty, patience and the preservation of the faith of the holy Roman Church and, on the 4th of October, most lovingly breathed forth his soul.

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

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

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

In the Third Nocturn, the Gospel Homily Confiteor tibi is read from the Common of Abbots, Series 2.

Gospel Homily from Common of Abbots
 

The Tomb of St. Francis, Assisi
 

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:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.

Ant. on Bened:  Well done, good and faithful servant: * thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter into the joy of thy Lord.

BENEDICTUS

The Upper Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi

Oremus.
Deus, qui Ecclésiam tuam beáti Francísci méritis fœtu novæ prolis amplíficas : tríbue nobis ; ex ejus imitatióne, terréna despícere, et cæléstium donórum semper participatióne gaudére.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who by the merits of blessed Francis dost increase thy Church with a new offspring : grant, we beseech thee ; that after his pattern, we may learn to despise all things earthly, and ever to rejoice in the partaking of thy heavenly bounty. Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

The Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi
 

Second Vespers

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

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

Oremus.
Deus, qui Ecclésiam tuam beáti Francísci méritis fœtu novæ prolis amplíficas : tríbue nobis ; ex ejus imitatióne, terréna despícere, et cæléstium donórum semper participatióne gaudére.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who by the merits of blessed Francis dost increase thy Church with a new offspring : grant, we beseech thee ; that after his pattern, we may learn to despise all things earthly, and ever to rejoice in the partaking of thy heavenly bounty. Through.