St. Hedwig

Grand Princess of Poland, Widow

Semidouble

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátam Hedwígem a sæculi pompa ad húmilem tuæ crucis sequélam toto corde transíre docuísti : concéde ; ut ejus méritis et exémplo discámus peritúras mundi calcáre delícias, et in ampléxu tuæ crucis ómnia nobis adversántia superáre.  Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst teach thy blessed Hedwig, forsaking the pomps and vanities of this life, to follow thee stedfastly in the lowly bearing of thy Cross : mercifully grant that, by her merits and example, we may learn to trample under foot the contemptible pleasures of this world, and cleaving stedfastly to thy Cross to overcome all things that are contrary to our salvation.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

At Second Vespers of St. Teresa, V.

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 merchant man seeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

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.
Deus, qui beátam Hedwígem a sæculi pompa ad húmilem tuæ crucis sequélam toto corde transíre docuísti : concéde ; ut ejus méritis et exémplo discámus peritúras mundi calcáre delícias, et in ampléxu tuæ crucis ómnia nobis adversántia superáre.  Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst teach thy blessed Hedwig, forsaking the pomps and vanities of this life, to follow thee stedfastly in the lowly bearing of thy Cross : mercifully grant that, by her merits and example, we may learn to trample under foot the contemptible pleasures of this world, and cleaving stedfastly to thy Cross to overcome all things that are contrary to our salvation.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

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 Holy Women, Mulierem fortem.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Holy Women
 

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.

Hedwígis, régiis clara natálibus, innocéntia tamen vitæ longe clárior, sanctæ Elisabéthæ fíliæ regis Hungáriæ matértera, Berthóldi et Agnétis Moráviæ marchiónum fília, ánimi ab ineúnte ætáte moderatiónem prótulit.  Adhuc enim puéllula puerílibus abstínuit, et, duodénnis Henríco Polóniæ duci a paréntibus núptui trádita, thálami fide sancte serváta, prolem inde suscéptam in Dei timóre erudívit.  Ut autem commódius Deo vacáret, ex pari voto et consénsu unánimi, ad separatiónem thori virum indúxit.  Quo defúncto, ipsa in monastério Trebnicénsi, Deo, quem assíduis précibus exoráverat, inspiránte, Cisterciénsem devóta sumpsit hábitum ; in eóque, contemplatióni inténta, divínis Offíciis et Missárum solémniis a solis ortu ad merídiem usque assídua assístens, antíquum humáni géneris hostem fortis contémpsit.

Hedwig, a Princess, in whom the splendour of her family was outshone by the radiant innocency of her life, was the daughter of Berthold and Agness, Marquess and Marchioness of Moravia, and maternal aunt to the holy Elisabeth, daughter of the King of Hungary.  From her earliest childhood she was a very grave child, and had already done with childish things when, at twelve years of age, she was given in marriage by her father and mother to Henry, Grand Prince of Poland.  In marriage she kept the bed in all holiness undefiled, and brought up in the fear of God the children that were therein begotten of her.  After the birth of her sixth child, she was fain to give herself more continually to God, and induced her husband to agree to a mutual vow of separation of bed-fellowship.  After his death, by the inspiration of God, whom she besought in unceasing prayer, she clad herself for godliness' sake in the habit of a Cistercian nun in the monastery at Trzebnica.  She continued absorbed in God.  She remained engaged in the Divine Office and hearing Masses from sunrise till noon, and trod mightily under foot the old enemy of man.

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 veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam : * Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.

R.  Ride on because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness : * And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

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.

Sæculi autem commércia, ni divína vel animárum salútem attíngerent, audíre vel loqui non sustínuit.  Prudéntia in agéndis sic emícuit, ut neque excéssus esset in modo nec error in órdine, comis alióqui et mansuéta in próximum.  Grandem autem de se triúmphum jejúniis et vigíliis, vestiúmque asperitáte, austéra carnem mácerans, reportávit ; hinc sublimióribus flores virtútibus christiánis, consiliórum gravitáte, animíque candóre et quiéte, in exímium religiósæ pietátis evásit exémplar.  Omnibus se ultro subjícere atque vilióra præ céteris moniálibus alácriter múnia subíre, paupéribus étiam flexo genu ministráre, leprosórum pedes ablúere et osculári, ipsi familiáre erat ; neque illórum úlcera sánie manántia, sui victrix, abhórruit.

She could not bear to hear talk of worldly things, unless they had to do with the things of God or the saving of souls.  She was very wise in business, not doing too much, nor unseasonably, and withal courteous and gentle toward all men.  She got a great victory over herself by maltreating her flesh with fasting, watching, and rough clothing.  She was an ensample of the higher Christian graces and of a godly nun, by the wisdom of her counsels, and the straightforwardness and peacefulness of her mind.  It was her use to rank herself after all others, and cheerfully to undertake lower offices than those of the other nuns.  She ministered to the poor even upon her knees, and washed and kissed the feet of lepers, having such command over herself as not to recoil from their sores oozing with matter.

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

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

R.  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem : * Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.
V.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam.
R.  Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.

R.  Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity : * Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.
V.  Because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and of righteousness.
R.  Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.

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.

Mira fuit ejus patiéntia animíque constántia ; præcípue vero in morte Henríci ducis Silésiæ, sui, quem matérne diligébat, fílii in bello a Tártaris cæsi, enítuit ; pótius enim grátias Deo, quam fílio lácrimas réddidit.  Miraculórum dénique glória percrébuit ; púerum enim demérsum et molendíni rotis allísum et prorsus attrítum invocáta, vitæ restítuit ; aliáque præstitit, ut, rite iis Clemens quartus probátis, Sanctórum número eam adscrípserit, ejúsque festum in Polónia, ubi præcípua veneratióne uti patróna cólitur, die décima quinta Octóbris celebrári concésserit.  Quod deínde ut in tota Ecclésia fíeret, Innocéntius undécimus ampliávit.

Her long-suffering and endurance were very marvellous, especially when her son Henry, Duke of Silesia, to whom she bore a mother's love, was killed by the Tartars.  His death drew from her rather thanksgiving to God than tears for him.  She was famous for miracles.  One while, being called on, she restored to life a boy who had fallen into the water, been dashed against the wheels of a mill, and wholly crushed.  This and the like being duly proved, Clement IV numbered her name among those of the Saints, and allowed her Feastday to be kept in Poland, in which country, being Patroness, she hath most honour, upon the 15th day of October ; which permission was given to the whole Church by Innocent XI.

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

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

R.  Fallax grátia, et vana est pulchritúdo : * Múlier timens Dóminum ipsa laudábitur.
V.  Date ei de fructu mánuum suárum, et laudent eam in portis ópera ejus.
R.  Múlier timens Dóminum ipsa laudábitur.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Múlier timens Dóminum ipsa laudábitur.

R.  Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, * But the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
V.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
R.  But the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  But the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

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.

Hedwígis, régiis clara natálibus, sanctæ Elísabeth, fíliæ regis Hungáriæ matértera, duodénnis Henríco Polóniæ ducis núptui trádita, prolem inde suscéptam in Dei timóre erudívit.  Ut autem commódius Deo vacáret, ex pari voto et consénsu unánimi, ad separatiónem thori virum indúxit.  Quo defúncto, ipsa in monastério Trebnicénsi Cisterciénsem sumpsit hábitum ; in eóque, contemplatióni inténta, divínis Offíciis et Missárum solémniis assídua assístere in delíciis hábuit.  Sublimióribus florens virtútibus, arctíssima pœniténtia, consiliórum gravitáte animíque candóre, in exímium religiósæ pietátis evásit exémplum.  Omnibus se ultro subjícere atque vilióra múnia subíre, paupéribus étiam flexu genu ministráre, leprosórum pedes ablúere et osculári, ipsi familiáre erat.  Mira ejus patiéntia animíque constántia, præcípue in morte Henríci, ducis Silésiæ, sui fílii in bello a Tártaris cæsi, enítuit.  Miraculórum glória, præcípue post óbitum, claram, Clemens quartus Sanctórum número eam adscrípsit.

Hedwig was illustrious for her royal birth, being the maternal aunt of St. Elisabeth, daughter of the King of Hungary.  At the age of twelve, she was given in marriage to Henry, Duke of Poland, and brought up the children of their marriage in the fear of God.  In order to devote herself more closely to the service of God, she persuaded her husband to agree to a vow of continence for both of them.  Upon the death of her husband she took the Cistercian habit in the monastery of Trzebnica, where she was intent on contemplation and took her delight in continually assisting at the Divine Office and at Mass.  Adorned with the highest virtue, most severe penance, wise counsel and candour of soul, she became an example of the highest religious perfection.  She was accustomed to make herself subject to all and to undertake the most menial tasks, ministering to the poor on her knees, and washing and kissing the feet of lepers.  Her wonderful patience and constancy of soul were shewn especially at the death of Henry, Duke of Silesia, her son, who was killed in battle by the Tartars.  She was famous for miracles, especially after her death, and was enrolled among the Saints by Clement IV.

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

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

Basilica of St. Hedwig, Trzebnica, Poland

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 Simile est regnum cælorum thesauro abscondito is read from the Common of Holy Women.

Gospel Homily from Common of Holy Women
 

Lauds

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.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Date ei * de fructu mánuum suárum, et laudent eam in portis ópera ejus.

Ant. on Bened:  Give her * of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátam Hedwígem a sæculi pompa ad húmilem tuæ crucis sequélam toto corde transíre docuísti : concéde ; ut ejus méritis et exémplo discámus peritúras mundi calcáre delícias, et in ampléxu tuæ crucis ómnia nobis adversántia superáre.  Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst teach thy blessed Hedwig, forsaking the pomps and vanities of this life, to follow thee stedfastly in the lowly bearing of thy Cross : mercifully grant that, by her merits and example, we may learn to trample under foot the contemptible pleasures of this world, and cleaving stedfastly to thy Cross to overcome all things that are contrary to our salvation.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Vespers of the following day.  Commemoration of the preceding day