St. John Leonard

Confessor

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Joánnem Confessórem tuum ad fidem in géntibus propagándam mirabíliter excitáre dignátus es, ac per eum in erudiéndis fidélibus novam in Ecclésia tua famíliam congregásti : da nobis fámulis tuis, ita ejus institútis profícere ; ut præmia consequámur ætérna.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in thy good providence didst enable blessed John thy Confessor wondrously to spread abroad the Faith amongst them that knew thee not, and through him didst establish a new family in thy Church for the edification of them that know thee : grant unto us thy servants so to imitate his good works, that we may partake of eternal recompence.  Through.

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 beátum Joánnem Confessórem tuum ad fidem in géntibus propagándam mirabíliter excitáre dignátus es, ac per eum in erudiéndis fidélibus novam in Ecclésia tua famíliam congregásti : da nobis fámulis tuis, ita ejus institútis profícere ; ut præmia consequámur ætérna.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in thy good providence didst enable blessed John thy Confessor wondrously to spread abroad the Faith amongst them that knew thee not, and through him didst establish a new family in thy Church for the edification of them that know thee : grant unto us thy servants so to imitate his good works, that we may partake of eternal recompence.  Through.

Statue of St. Bridget of Sweden at the Church of Vadstena

Ant:  Manum suam apéruit ínopi, et palmas suas exténdit ad páuperem, et panem otiósa non comédit.

Ant:  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor ; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy; she eateth not the bread of idleness.

Oremus.
Dómine, Deus noster, qui beátæ Birgíttæ per Fílium tuum unigénitum secréta cœléstia revelásti : ipsíus pia intercessióne da nobis fámulis tuis ; in revelatióne sempitérnæ glóriæ tuæ gaudére lætántes.  (Per eúmdem Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
O Lord our God, who, through thine only-begotten Son didst reveal to thy blessed Bridget the secrets of the kingdom of heaven : grant, we pray thee ; that by her devout intercession we thy servants may rejoice in the revelation of thine everlasting glory.  (Through the same.)

St. Denis is sent to France by Pope St. Clement

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

Ant:  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.

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.

Oremus.
Deus, qui hodiérna die beátum Dionysium, Mártyrem tuum atque Pontíficem, virtúte constántiæ in passióne roborásti, quique illi, ad prædicándum géntibus glóriam tuam, Rústicum et Eleuthérium sociáre dignátus es : tríbue nobis, quæsumus ; eórum imitatióne, pro amóre tuo próspera mundi despícere, et nulla ejus advérsa formidáre.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who as on this day didst endow thy blessed Martyr and Bishop Saint Denis with strength to suffer stedfastly for thy sake, and didst join unto him Rusticus and Eleutherius for the preaching of thy glory to the Gentiles : grant us, we beseech thee, so to follow their good example ; that for the love of thee we may despise all worldly prosperity, and be afraid of no manner of worldly adversity.  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 Confessor not a Bishop, Series 1,  Beatus vir.

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.

Joánnes Leonárdi, in óppido Décimi, non longe a Lucénsi urbe, piis et honéstis ortus paréntibus, jam inde a prima ætáte, solitúdinis et precatiónis amóre, grave quiddam ac matúrum præ se tulit.  Annos natus vigínti sex a  Deo vocátus ad ecclesiásticæ milítiæ nomen dandum, sæculáribus curis íllico núntium remísit.  Ac primo inter púeros latínæ linguæ rudiméntis instrúctus, deínde in lítteris et philosóphicis ac theológicis disciplínis ádeo profécit, ut vix acto quadriénnio ad sacerdótium ex obediéntia promótus fúerit.  Mox áliquot nactus bonæ índolis nóbiles júvenes, cum eos ad virtútis perfectiónem sédulo exercuísset, insequénti anno congregatiónem instítuit clericórum regulárium, quam a Matre Dei, ob incénsum erga ipsam suæ devotiónis afféctum, nuncupávit.  Horum cura et zelo tanta perácta est animórum commutátio, ut cum in Lucénsi república, hæreticórum præsértim perfidiósis ártibus, ardérent cívium ódia, profligatíque essent mores, brevi témpore primæva Christianórum píetas ibídem revixísse viderétur.

John Leonard was born of pious and respectable parents in the town of Diecimo, not far from the city of Lucca.  From very early boyhood he shewed himself mature and serious, with an inclination to solitude and prayer.  When he was twenty-six years old God called him to enlist among the soldiers of the Church.  John renounced immediately all his worldly interests.  At first he had to study elementary Latin with little boys, but he soon advanced in a knowledge of literature, philosophy and theology.  After a scant four years, at the command of his superior, he was ordained to the priesthood.  Soon afterward he and a group of noble youths, alike inflamed with high ideals, earnestly set about attaining perfection in virtue.  The following year they formed the Congregation of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God, a name chosen because of their intense devotion to her.  John and his companions laboured with such diligence in their care of souls, that before long a change of attitude was brought about.  In the city state of Lucca, where through the perfidious wiles of the heretics, hateful passion turned fiercely among the citizens, where morals were corrupted, in a very short space of time the primitive piety of the Christians seemed to revive.

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.

Pope Gregory XIII

Tam salutárium óperum causa íncidit Joánnes in acérrimas insectatiónes hóminum nequam, qui recens coáctam famíliam pérdere omni ope conáti sunt.  Sed vir Dei, æquo ánimo libénter ómnia ferens, impetráta a Summo Pontífice Gregório décimo tértio suæ congregatiónis confirmatióne, apostólici sui labóris fructus constánter servávit.  In árduis negótiis componéndis multi epíscopi eo consiliário et adjutóre usi sunt, et vel ipse Románus Póntifex eum delegávit ad intricáta litígia diriménda, et ad religiósas famílias reformándas.  Sancto Josépho Calasánctio, ejúsque pene collápsæ societáti, præsto fuit.  Haud levem quoque impéndit óperam negótiis nosocomíi Sancti Spíritus in Sáxia, et moniálibus oblátis sanctæ Francíscæ Románæ excoléndis.

In his work for the salvation of souls John met most bitter insults from wicked men who tried in every way to destroy the newly gathered family.  But the man of God, bearing all things cheerfully and serenely, defended pertinaciously the fruit of his apostolic labours by securing from the Supreme Pontiff, Gregory XIII, papal approbation of his Congregation.  Many bishops about to undertake difficult enterprises sought his advice and aid.  Even the Holy Father delegated to him the solution of intricate litigation and the reform of religious societies.  He stood in support of Saint Joseph Calasanctius when his society was on the verge of collapse.  Scarcely less arduous were the hours John devoted to the affairs of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit in the English section of Rome, and to those of the convent of Saint Frances of Rome.

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.

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.

Gráviter dolens, gentes ádeo plúrimas remótis in regiónibus luce Evangélii carére, inflammabátur desidério migrándi in illas oras ad lumen veræ religiónis effundéndum.  At cum intellixísset a sancto Philíppo Nério, a quo verus reformátor dicebátur, se suámque congregatiónem ad instituéndos Itáliæ pópulos destinári, divínæ acquiévit voluntáti ; mínime tamen abstínuit quin, si áliquam infidélibus opem afférre posset, experirétur.  Hinc ínitis consíliis cum piíssimo præsule Vives, cœtum instítuit presbyterórum, quibus propósitum esset idóneos informáre adolescéntes, in díssitas regiónes subínde mitténdos ad fidem propagándam.  Quare mérito véluti auctor censétur præclaríssimi illíus institúti, quod Summórum Pontíficum ópera amplificátum, proferéndæ per univérsum orbem cathólicæ fídei mirabíliter insérvit.  Plura ópera de re sacra et moráli conscrípsit, cuívis hóminum conditióni accommodatíssima.  Dénique a sacro ministério numquam defíciens, in cínere et cilício ad Dóminum migrávit Romæ, die nona Octóbris, anno millésimo sexcentésimo nono, ætátis sexagésimo sexto.  Quem sanctitátis et miráculis illústrem Pius nonus Póntifex Máximus Beatórum fastis accénsuit.  Pius vero undécimus, anno millésimo nongentésimo trigésimo octávo, die solémni Paschæ, inter Sanctos adscrípsit.

Greatly saddened that so many peoples in far distant places were without the light of the Gospel, John burned with a desire to journey to those countries to spread the light of the true Faith.  But when Saint Philip Neri, who called John a true reformer, shewed him that he and his Congregation were destined to educate the Italian people, John acquiesced to the will of God.  He did not, however, refrain so completely that he did not try to do some work for the infidels.  He is therefore, very rightly credited along with the pioneer Vives with being the founder of the movement among the bishops to send well-qualified young men to distant, alien lands to propagate the faith.  Wherefore he is very properly regarded as the author of that most illustrious institute which augmenteth the work of the Sovereign Pontiffs and serveth to spread the Catholic faith throughout the world.  John wrote many works on theology and morality, well adapted to the men of that day.  Finally, in sackcloth and ashes, lacking nothing in his sacred ministry, he passed to the Lord in Rome on the 9th day of October, 1609, at the age of sixty-six.  He was so famous for sanctity and miracles that Pius IX, the Supreme Pontiff, named him on the calendar of the Blessed.  In 1938 on the solemn Feast of Easter, Pius XI enrolled him among 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 pervenit 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.

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.

Joánnes Leonárdi non longe a Lucénsi urbe ortus, a prima ætáte grave quiddam ac matúrum præ se tulit.  Annos natus vigínti sex a Deo vocátus ad ecclesiásticæ milítiæ nomen dandum, primum inter púeros latínæ linguæ rudiméntis instrúctus, in lítteris et philosóphicis ac theológicis disciplínis ádeo profécit, ut vix acto quadriénnio ad sacerdótium ex obediéntia promótus fúerit.  Congregatiónem instítuit Clericórum Regulárium a Matre Dei, quorum cura et zelo in Lucénsi república magna animórum commutátio perácta est.  Hinc in acérrimas hóminum nequam insectatiónes incídit, sed, æquo ánimo ómnia libénter ferens, a Gregório decimotértio suæ congregatiónis confirmatiónem impetrávit.  Gráviter dolens gentes plúrimas remótis in regiónibus luce Evangélica carére, consíliis ínitis cum piíssimo præsule Vives, cœtum instítuit presbyterórum, quibus propósitum esset idóneos informáre adolescéntes, in díssitas regiónes subínde mitténdos ad fidem propagándam.  A sacro ministério numquam defíciens, in cínere et cilício ad Dóminum migrávit Romæ, die nona Octóbris, anno millésimo sexcentésimo nono, et a Pio undécimo Sanctórum fastis adscríptus est.

John Leonard, born near the city of Lucca, shewed himself from early youth grave and mature beyond his years.  At twenty-six, he was called by God to enter the ranks of the clergy.  He began by studying the rudiments of Latin with young boys, but made such progress in letters and in the disciplines of Philosophy and Theology that scarcely four years later he was, under obedience, promoted to the priesthood.  He founded the Congregation of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God, by whose work and zeal a great change of attitude was effected in the Republic of Lucca.  This aroused against John the bitter complaints of wicked men, but he bore everything with serenity of mind, obtaining the confirmation of his congregation from Gregory XIII.  He was very sorrowful over the multitudes in distant parts who lacked the light of the Gospel and, having taken counsel with the devout leader Vives, he founded an institute of priests whose work was to form young men who would be sent to propagate the faith in far countries.  Finally, having carried out his sacred ministry so perfectly, clad in sackcloth and ashes he went to the Lord at Rome on the 9th day of October in the year 1609, and was numbered among the Saints by Pope Pius XI.

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

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.

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 : Designávit Dóminus et álios septuagínta duos : et misit illos binos ante fáciem suam, in omnem civitátem et locum, quo erat ipse ventúrus.  Et réliqua.

At that time : The Lord appointed other seventy also : and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Dóminus et Salvátor noster, fratres caríssimi, aliquándo nos sermónibus, aliquándo vero opéribus ádmonet.  Ipsa étenim facta ejus præcépta sunt ; quia, dum áliquid tácitus facit, quid ágere debeámus innotéscit.  Ecce enim binos in prædicatiónem discípulos mittit ; quia duo sunt præcépta caritátis, Dei vidélicet amor et próximi, et minus quam inter duos cáritas habéri non potest.  Nemo enim próprie ad semetípsum habére caritátem dícitur ; sed diléctio in álterum tendit, ut cáritas esse possit.

Dearly beloved brethren, our Lord and Saviour doth sometimes admonish us by words, and sometimes by works.  Yea, his very works do themselves teach us : for that which he doth silently his example still moveth us to copy.  Behold how he sendeth forth his disciples to preach by two and two : since there are two commandments to love, that is, a commandment to love God, and a commandment to love our neighbour : and where there are not two, the one, being alone, hath not whereon to do the Lord's commandment.  And no man can properly be said to love himself : for love tendeth outward toward our neighbour, if it be the love whereto the Gospel doth oblige us.

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 est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et de omni corde suo laudávit Dóminum : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Ecce homo sine queréla, verus Dei cultor, ábstinens se ab omni ópere malo, et pérmanens in innocéntia sua.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.

R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine : * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.

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 Advocates with God.
R.  Amen.

Ecce enim binos ad prædicándum discípulos Dóminus mittit ; quátenus hoc nobis tácitus ínnuat, quia, qui caritátem erga álterum non habet, prædicatiónis offícium suscípere nullátenus debet.  Bene autem dícitur, quia misit eos ante fáciem suam in omnem civitátem et locum, quo erat ipse ventúrus.  Prædicatóres enim suos Dóminus séquitur : quia prædicátio prævénit, et tunc ad mentis nostræ habitáculum Dóminus venit, quando verba exhortatiónis præcúrrunt, atque per hoc véritas in mente suscípitur.

Behold, the Lord sendeth forth his disciples to preach by two and two : and thus doing, he doth silently teach us that whosoever loveth not his neighbour, such an one it behoveth not to take upon him the office of a preacher.  Well also is it said that he sent them before his face into every city and place whither he himself would come.  The Lord followeth his preachers : first cometh preaching, and then the Lord himself cometh to the house of our mind, whither the word of exhortation hath come before : and so cometh the truth into our mind.

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

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

R.  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris: * Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.

R.  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: * And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.

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 Saints Denis the Bishop, Rusticus and Eleutherius, Martyrs :

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.

Dionysius Atheniénsis, unus ex Areopagítis judícibus, cum adhuc in gentilitátis erróre versarétur, eo die, quo Christus Dóminus Cruci affíxus est, solem præter natúram defecísse animadvértens, exclamásse tráditur : Aut Deus natúræ pátitur, aut mundi máchina dissólvitur.  Cum autem Paulus Apóstolus in Areopágo Christum annuntiásset, Dionysius fidem christiánam ampléxus, ab eódem Apóstolo Atheniénsium ecclésiæ præféctus est.  Póstea, ut tráditur, Romam véniens, et a Cleménte Pontífice missus in Gálliam, Lutétiam usque Parisiórum, cum Rústico presbytero et Eleuthério diácono, Evangélium prædicávit.  Ibi omnes, quod Christum prædicárent, a Fescénnio præfécto apprehénsi, váriis torméntis cruciántur, et demum secúri feriúntur séptimo Idus Octóbris.

Denis, also known as Dionysius, was an Athenian, one of the judges of the Court of Areopagus, well versed in the errors of the Gentiles.  There is a tradition that on the day when the Lord Christ was nailed to the Cross, Denis, observing the unnatural eclipse of the sun, exclaimed, Either the God of Nature is suffering or else the mechanism of the universe is breaking up.  When Paul the Apostle proclaimed Christ in the Areopagus, Denis embraced the Christian faith and was appointed by the same Apostle to rule over the church in Athens.  Afterward, the tradition continueth, he went to Rome and was sent by Pope Clement to France.  With the priest Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherius as his companions Denis preached the Gospel in Paris.  There, because they had preached, all three were arrested by the Prefect Fescennius, tortured with racks and other instruments, and finally beheaded on the 9th day of October.

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

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

The Church of St. Denis, Paris

Lauds

Lucca, Italy

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

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Joánnem Confessórem tuum ad fidem in géntibus propagándam mirabíliter excitáre dignátus es, ac per eum in erudiéndis fidélibus novam in Ecclésia tua famíliam congregásti : da nobis fámulis tuis, ita ejus institútis profícere ; ut præmia consequámur ætérna.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in thy good providence didst enable blessed John thy Confessor wondrously to spread abroad the Faith amongst them that knew thee not, and through him didst establish a new family in thy Church for the edification of them that know thee : grant unto us thy servants so to imitate his good works, that we may partake of eternal recompence.  Through.

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

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

Oremus.
Deus, qui hodiérna die beátum Dionysium, Mártyrem tuum atque Pontíficem, virtúte constántiæ in passióne roborásti, quique illi, ad prædicándum géntibus glóriam tuam, Rústicum et Eleuthérium sociáre dignátus es : tríbue nobis, quæsumus ; eórum imitatióne, pro amóre tuo próspera mundi despícere, et nulla ejus advérsa formidáre.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who as on this day didst endow thy blessed Martyr and Bishop Saint Denis with strength to suffer stedfastly for thy sake, and didst join unto him Rusticus and Eleutherius for the preaching of thy glory to the Gentiles : grant us, we beseech thee, so to follow their good example ; that for the love of thee we may despise all worldly prosperity, and be afraid of no manner of worldly adversity.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Second Vespers

Cathedral Church of San Martino, Lucca

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 beátum Joánnem Confessórem tuum ad fidem in géntibus propagándam mirabíliter excitáre dignátus es, ac per eum in erudiéndis fidélibus novam in Ecclésia tua famíliam congregásti : da nobis fámulis tuis, ita ejus institútis profícere ; ut præmia consequámur ætérna.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in thy good providence didst enable blessed John thy Confessor wondrously to spread abroad the Faith amongst them that knew thee not, and through him didst establish a new family in thy Church for the edification of them that know thee : grant unto us thy servants so to imitate his good works, that we may partake of eternal recompence.  Through.