Virgin

Double

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

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.

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

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

Oremus.
Dómine Jesu Christe, qui investigábiles divítias Cordis tui beátæ Margarítæ Maríæ Vírgini mirabíliter revelásti ; da nobis ejus méritis et imitatióne, ut te in ómnibus et super ómnia diligéntes, jugem in eódem Corde tuo mansiónem habére mereámur.  Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wondrous manner didst make known unto blessed Margaret Mary thy Virgin, the unsearchable riches of thy Heart : grant us, by her merits and example ; that we may love thee in all things, and far above all things, and so find in thy Heart an habitation wherein we may dwell for ever more.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

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.

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.
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 Virgins, De virginibus.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Virgins
 

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.

Margaríta María Alacoque, in pago diœcésis Augustodunénsis, honésto génere nata, jam inde a téneris annis futúræ sanctitátis indícia præbuit.  In Deíparam Vírginem et in augústum Eucharístiæ sacraméntum amóre flagrans, adolescéntula Deo virginitátem devóvit, id exóptans únice ut ad christiánas virtútes vitam compóneret.  In delíciis habébat prolíxas preces rerúmque cæléstium contemplatiónem, sui contémptum, patiéntiam in advérsis, córporis afflictatiónem, caritátem in próximos, præsértim egénos ; summóque stúdio nitebátur ut sanctíssima divíni Redemptóris exémpla pro víribus reférret.

Margaret Mary Alacoque was born of a respectable family in a village in the diocese of Autun.  From her earliest years she gave signs of holiness.  Filled with a burning love of the Virgin Mother of God, and of the august mystery of the Eucharist, while still a young girl she dedicated her virginity to God.  Above all else she strove to realize in her life the performance of Christian virtues.  She delighted to spend continuous hours in prayers and in meditation upon the things of heaven.  She was humble, and patient in adversity.  She practised bodily penance.  She was charitable towards her neighbours, especially the poor.  By every means within her power she strove diligently to imitate the most holy example left by our divine Redeemer.

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.

Ordinem Visitatiónis ingréssa, statim religiósæ vitæ fulgóre nitére cœpit.  Altióris dono oratiónis a Deo est decoráta, aliísque grátiæ munéribus et crebris visiónibus.  Harum celebérrima fuit cum ante Eucharístiam precánti Jesus semetípsum conspiciéndum óbtulit, et divínum Cor in apérto péctore flammis incénsum ac spinis constríctum osténdit, præcepítque ut, ob talem caritátem et ad ingratórum hóminum injúrias expiándas, illa públicum Cordi suo cultum, magnis propósitis cæléstis thesáuri præmiis, instituéndum curáret.  Cunctánti ex humilitáte seque tantæ rei ímparem profiténti amantíssimus Salvátor addit ánimum, simúlque exímia sanctitáte virum, Cláudium de la Colombière, ducem et adjutórem desígnat ; eámque spe fovet illíus summæ utilitátis, quæ póstea e divíni Cordis cultu in Ecclésiam dimanávit.

Margaret entered the Order of the Visitation.  There her life became immediately a shining example to others.  God endowed her highly with the gift of prayer.  He gave her other favours, such as frequent visitations.  The most famous of these was that one when Jesus appeared to her as she knelt in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  Opening his breast he revealed his divine Heart glowing with flames and encircled with a crown of thorns.  He bade her in return for his excessive love and in atonement for the insults of ungrateful men, to seek to have established public adoration of his Heart.  This devotion he promised to enrich with treasures of heavenly grace.  When, out of humility, she hestitated to undertake so great a task, the loving Saviour encouraged her.  At the same time he pointed out Claude de la Colombière, a man of great holiness, as one who could guide and help her.  Our Lord also comforted her with the assurance that very great blessings would accrue afterwards to the Church from the worship of his divine Heart.

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.

Ut jussa Redemptóris impléret Margaríta omni diligéntia studébat.  Nec tamen illi defuére moléstiæ plures atque acres contuméliæ ab iis qui eam vano mentis erróri obnóxiam esse dictitábant.  Quæ ómnia æquo ánimo tulit, immo apponébat lucro, exístimans se per oppróbria et dolóres hóstiam Deo gratam fore, et majóra ad propósitum suum auxília consecutúram.  Religiósæ perfectiónis laude florens et per æternárum rerum contemplatiónem in dies síngulos cælésti sponso conjúnctior, ad eum evolávit, anno ætátis suæ quadragésimo tértio, reparátæ salútis millésimo sexcentésimo nonagésimo.  Miráculis insígnem Benedíctus décimus quintus Sanctis adscrípsit ; ejúsque offícium Pius undécimus Póntifex máximus ad univérsam Ecclésiam exténdit.

Margaret strove ardently to fulfil the Redeemer's command.  Vexations, even bitter insults were her portion from some who maintained that she was subject to mental aberrations.  She not only bore these sufferings patiently, she even profited by them, offering herself in anguish and reproach as a victim acceptable to God, bearing all things as a more sure means of accomplishing her purpose.  Renowned for her religious perfection, becoming each day more closely united with her divine spouse by contemplation of celestial things, she took flight to him in the forty-third year of her age, and in the year of restored salvation 1690.  She became famous for miracles.  Benedict XV added her to the list of the saints ; Pius XI extended her office to the universal 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.  Afferéntur Regi vírgines post eam, próximæ ejus * Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.

R.  After her shall virgins be brought unto the King : * Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.

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.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame at Paray-le-Monial, Burgundy, France

Margaríta María Alacoque, in pago diœcésis Augustodunénsis honésto génere nata, jam a téneris annis futúræ sanctitátis indícia præbuit.  In Deíparam Vírginem et in augústum Eucharístiæ sacraméntum amóre flagrans, adolescéntula Deo virginitátem devóvit ; ac Ordinem Visitatiónis ingréssa, statim religiósæ vitæ fulgóre nitére cœpit.  Altióris dono oratiónis a Deo est decoráta, aliísque grátiæ munéribus et crebris visiónibus.  Harum celebérrima ruit cum ante Eucharístiam precánti Jesus semetípsum conspiciéndum óbtulit, et divínum Cor in apérto péctore flammis incénsum ac spinis constrictum osténdit, præcepítque ut, ob talem caritátem et ad ingratórum hóminum injúrias expiándas, illa públicum Cordi suo cultum, magnis propósitis cæléstis thesáuri præmiis, instituéndum curáret.  Religiósæ perfectiónis laude florens et per æternárum rerum contemplatiónem in dies síngulos cælésti sponso conjúnctior, ad eum evolávit, anno ætátis suæ quadragésimo tértio, reparátæ salútis millésimo sexcentésimo nonagésimo.  Miráculis insígnem Benedíctus décimus quintus Sanctis adscrípsit : ejúsque offícium Pius undécimus ad univérsam Ecclésiam exténdit.

Margaret Mary Alacoque was born of good parents in a village of the diocese of Autun, and even from her early years gave signs of her future sanctity.  Burning with love for the Virgin Mother of God and for the august Sacrament of the Eucharist, as young woman she vowed her virginity to God.  When she had entered the Order of the Visitation, she began to shine at once with the brightness of the religious life.  She was adorned by God with the highest gifts of prayer, with other gifts of grace and with frequent visions.  The most celebrated was this : when she was praying before the Eucharist, Jesus shewed himself to her with his Heart burning with flames and encircled with thorns, in his open breast, and he commanded that, in return for such love and to expiate the injuries of ungrateful men, she was to strive to institute the public cult of this Heart, promising in return great treasures of heavenly grace.  She was famous for her religious perfection and, by the contemplation of divine things, each day she became more united with her heavenly Bridegroom.  To him she went in the forty-third year of her age, in 1690.  Renowned for miracles, she was numbered among the Saints by Benedict XV.  Pope Pius XI extended her Office to the universal Church.

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.
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, respóndens Jesus dixit : Confíteor tibi, Pater, Dómine cæli et terræ, quia abscondísti hæc a sapiéntibus et prudéntibus et revelásti ea párvulis.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus answered and said : I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Nulla ália est vera sciéntia, nisi ea quæ a Spíritu Sancto datur, sed hæc humílibus tantúmmodo tribúitur.  Nonne magnos vídimus theólogos qui mira dixérunt de virtútibus, sed ut eas non exercérent?  E contra complúres vídimus féminas, quæ de virtútibus dissérere nesciébant, sed virtútum ópera digne nóverant adimplére.  Eas enim Spíritus Sanctus sapiéntes effécit, quia et timórem Dómini et pietátem et humilitátem habébant.

There is no other true knowledge given but that which is given by the Holy Ghost.  And this is granted to the humble only.  Have we not known great theologians who spake marvellously of the virtues but did not practise them?  Have we not seen, on the contrary, many women who did not know how to discourse on the virtues, practise the works of virtue worthily?  The Holy Spirit hath made these wise because they had fear of the Lord, piety and humility.

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 Virgo sápiens, quam Dóminus vigilántem invénit, quæ accéptis lampádibus sumpsit secum óleum : * Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias.
V.  Média nocte clamor factus est : Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
R.  Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias.

R.  This is one of those wise virgins, whom the Lord found watching, for when she took her lamp, she took oil with her. * And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage.
V.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
R.  And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipsa intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May she whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Dóminus noster, magnus et præclaríssimus ómnium nostrárum infirmitátum médicus, ántequam in hunc mundum veníret, per prophétas suos palam nuntiáverat : Quod confráctum fúerit alligábo, et quod infírmum fúerit consolidábo.  Et deínde suo ipse ore clamávit dicens : Veníte ad me omnes qui laborátis et oneráti estis, et ego refíciam vos.  Quid ígitur mirum si ipsum ab ægrótis, a peccatóribus et publicánis circúmdatum cérnimus?  Nonne médici glória est ab ægrótis exquíri?

Our Lord is the great and excellent physician of all our infirmities.  Before he came into the world he announced openly to his prophets, I will bind up that which was broken, and I will strengthen that which is weak.  Finally with his own lips he invited us, saying, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  What wonder is it, then, if we see him surrounded by the sick, by sinners, and by publicans.  Is it not the glory of the physician to be sought out by the sick? 

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

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

R.  Média nocte clamor factus est : * Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
V.  Prudéntes vírgines, aptáte vestras lámpades.
R.  Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.

R.  At midnight there was a cry made: * Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
V.  Trim your lamps, O ye wise Virgins.
R.  Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.

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.

Fert ille nostras misérias et eas nobílitat, appónit misériam Cordi suo, osténdit latus.  Sed eum redamémus opórtet, alióquin qui præ amóre osténdit vúlnera, semel osténdet præ ira et indignatióne.  Fac, o bone Jesu, ut pacem, quam offers, accipiámus, videamúsque vúlnera tua, ut quandóquidem manent fides, spes, cáritas, fide radicáti, spe gaudéntes et caritáte fervéntes, exspectémus beátam spem et advéntum tuum, ita ut in illo Te, Agnum ad déxteram non leónem ad sinístram videámus ; ac pro fide visiónem, pro spe possessiónem et pro caritáte imperfécta perféctam habeámus, in qua gaudébimus in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

The Lord beareth our miseries and ennobleth them.  He layeth our miseries to his Heart ; he sheweth his side.  It is meet then, that we should make some return to him, lest he who now sheweth us his wounds out of love, may one day shew them with wrath and indignation.  Grant, O good Jesu, that we may receive the peace which thou dost offer and let us see thy wounds.  Since there remain faith, hope and charity, grant that, rooted in faith, rejoicing in hope, glowing in charity, we may await thy coming in the blessed expectation that we may see thee as the Lamb upon the right, and not as the lion on the left.  May clear sight take the place of hope, and, to our imperfect charity may there succeed that perfect charity in which we may rejoice forever and ever.  Amen.

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

Ant. on Bened:  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.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Dómine Jesu Christe, qui investigábiles divítias Cordis tui beátæ Margarítæ Maríæ Vírgini mirabíliter revelásti ; da nobis ejus méritis et imitatióne, ut te in ómnibus et super ómnia diligéntes, jugem in eódem Corde tuo mansiónem habére mereámur.  Qui vivis.

Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wondrous manner didst make known unto blessed Margaret Mary thy Virgin, the unsearchable riches of thy Heart : grant us, by her merits and example ; that we may love thee in all things, and far above all things, and so find in thy Heart an habitation wherein we may dwell for ever more.  Who livest and reignest with the Father.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Vespers of the following day.  Commemoration of the preceding day.