St. Albert the Great

Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church

Double

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Albértum Pontíficem tuum atque Doctórem, in humána sapiéntia divínæ fídei subjiciénda magnum effecísti ; da nobis, quæsumus, ita ejus magistérii inhærére vestígiis, ut luce perfécta fruámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who gavest grace unto blessed Albert, thy Bishop and Doctor, to become great because of his subjection of this world's wisdom to a childlike faith in thee : grant us, we beseech thee ; in such wise to follow his doctrine that finally we may enjoy the fulness of thy light in heaven.  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:  O Doctor óptime, * Ecclésiæ sanctæ lumen, beáte Albérte, divínæ legis amátor, deprecáre pro nobis Fílium Dei.

Ant. on Magnif:  O Doctor right excellent, * O light of Holy Church, O blessed Albert, lover of the divine law, entreat for us the Son of God.

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Albértum Pontíficem tuum atque Doctórem, in humána sapiéntia divínæ fídei subjiciénda magnum effecísti ; da nobis, quæsumus, ita ejus magistérii inhærére vestígiis, ut luce perfécta fruámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who gavest grace unto blessed Albert, thy Bishop and Doctor, to become great because of his subjection of this world's wisdom to a childlike faith in thee : grant us, we beseech thee ; in such wise to follow his doctrine that finally we may enjoy the fulness of thy light in heaven.  Through.

Ant.  Qui vult veníre post me, ábneget semetípsum, et tollat crucem suam, et sequátur me.

Ant:  If any man shall come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

V.  Justus ut palma florébit.
R.  Sicut cedrus Líbani multiplicábitur.

V.  The righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree.
R.  And shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus.

Oremus.
Excita, quæsumus, Dómine, in Ecclésia tua Spíritum, quo repletus beátus Josaphat  Martyr et Póntifex tuus ánimam suam pro ovibus pósuit : ut, eo intercedente, nos quoque eodem Spíritu moti ac roborati, ánimam nostram pro frátribus pónere non vereámur.  Per Dóminum... in unitáte ejúsdem Spíritus.

Let us pray.
Raise up, O Lord, we pray thee, in thy Church the Spirit whereby blessed Josaphat thy Martyr and Bishop laid down his life for the sheep : that, by his intercession, we being moved and strengthened by the same, may not fear to lay down our lives for our brethren.  Through... in the unity of the same.

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 Doctors,  Sapientiam.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Doctors
 

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.

Albértus, ob singulárem doctrínam cognoménto Magnus, Lauíngiæ ad Danúbium, in Suévia, natus, a púero diligénter institútus est.  Studiórum causa e pátria discédens, dum Patávii morarétur, hortánte beáto Jordáno, generáli Magístro Ordinis Prædicatórum, Dominiciánæ famíliæ, frustra obsisténte avúnculo, adscríbi postulávit.  Inter fratres adléctus, in ómnibus Deo déditus, religiósa observántia et pietáte enítuit, filiáli ac tenérrima in beátam Maríam Vírginem devotióne flagrans.  Totam vitæ formam, oratióne stúdium præveniéndo, ita dispósuit, ut apostólicam religiónem proféssus, ad prædicatiónem verbi Dei et animárum salútem procurándam idóneus eváderet adminíster.  Mox ad stúdia explénda Colóniam Agrippínam missus, ita profécit, ut omnes fere sæculáres sciéntias diligentíssime præ ómnibus suis coævis investigáverit atque áuxerit ; et de divínæ legis fonte, testánte Alexándro quarto, ádeo salutífera fluéntia doctrínæ potávit, ut ejúsdem in suo péctore vigéret plenitúdo.

Albert, called the Great, because of his extraordinary learning, was born in Suabia, at Lauingen on the Danube, and very carefully educated from boyhood.  To further his higher studies he left his native country and went to Padua.  At the urging of blessed Jordan, Master General of the Order of Preachers, he asked admission into the family of the Dominicans, in spite of the futile protests of his uncle.  After his election to membership among the brethren, Albert was dedicated in all things to God, and was conspicuous for his piety, his strict observance of the rule, and especially for his tender and filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Always before study he spent some time in prayer.  After his profession of apostolic religion, he so regulated his schedule of life that he became an accomplished preacher of the word of God and an efficient instrument for the salvation of souls.  Soon the Order sent Albert to complete his studies at Cologne, where he made such progress in every branch of secular science that he surpassed all his contemporaries in scholarship and achievement.  In the meantime, as Alexander IV testifieth, he drank so deeply of the health-giving waters of doctrine, sprung forth from the fountain of the divine law, that his soul was flooded with their abundance.

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

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

R.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.
V.  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo, et fílius iniquitátis non nocébit ei.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.

R.  I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. * My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  The enemy shall not be able to do him violence ; the son of wickedness shall not hurt him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast.

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.

Ut scientiárum thesáuris álios ditáret, lector Hildeshémii, deínceps Fribúrgi, Ratisbónæ et Argentínæ constitútus est.  Omnium in se admiratiónem convértens, cum in Parisiénsi ínclyta universitáte sacræ facultáti docéndo decus ádderet, magíster theologíæ renunciátus est.  Doctrínis gentílium philosophórum ad rectæ ratiónis dictámina revocátis, eárum cum fide cohæréntiam clárius commonstrávit.  De divinórum intelléctu mira expósuit.  Quantum vero univérsas disciplínas, præsértim sacras, férvido ingénio atque indefésso stúdio provéxerit, plúrima ejus scripta in omni fere scientiárum génere apérte declárant.  Ut stúdio generáli sui Ordinis præésset, Colóniam revérsus est, eo succéssu ut ejus in scholis auctóritas et doctrínæ fama magis magísque vigúerit.  Thomam de Aquíno discípulum diléctum hábuit, cujus altitúdinem mentis ipse primus perspéxit ac prædicávit.  Erga Sacrosánctum altáris Sacraméntum piíssimo ferebátur afféctu, deque eo præclára conscrípsit ; rei quoque mysticæ ánimis instituéndis vias amplióres parávit, ádeo ut frúgifer tanti magístri zelus quam late in Ecclésia patúerit.

That others might share the rich treasure of his learning, Albert was appointed professor at Hildesheim, then Freiburg, Ratisbon and Strasbourg successively.  He became the marvel of all.  During the period when he taught sacred theology in the famous University of Paris, he became world-famous, and received the degree of Master of Theology.  Examining the teachings of pagan philosophers in the light of sound reason, he demonstrated clearly that they were in fundamental accord with the tenets of the faith.  He expounded most brilliantly the thesis on the extent of the power of human understanding to comprehend divine mysteries.  How great was his genius, how brilliant his intellect, how zealously he applied himself to study until he had become learned in every branch of scholarship, especially sacred theology, is best shewn by his numerous writings.  These encompass every known subject.  Albert returned to Cologne to become president of the university conducted by his Order.  He was so successful that he became ever more widely acknowledged as an authority by the schools ; his reputation for learning increased.  Among his pupils was his beloved Thomas Aquinas.  Albert was first to recognize and acclaim the greatness of that intellect.  He had a deep devotion towards the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar and composed some magnificent works upon it.  He also pointed out wider fields for the study of the mystical things of the soul.  He succeeded so well that the zeal of this great master spread far and wide in the 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.  Pósui adjutórium super poténtem, et exaltávi eléctum de plebe mea : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.
V.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum.
R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.

R.  I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. * My hand shall hold him fast.
V.  I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him.
R.  My hand shall hold him fast.

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.

Tot inter gravíssima múnia, religiósæ vitæ exémplis præfúlgens, a frátribus Prior Teutóniæ provínciæ eléctus est.  Anágniam vocátus, Guliélmum, Ordines mendicántes ímpio ausu impeténtem, coram summo Pontífice Alexándro quarto retúdit, qui Epíscopum Ratisbonénsem eum póstea constítuit.  Curæ sui gregis Albértus se totum impéndit, morum humilitáte ac paupertátis amóre studiosíssime reténtis.  Dimísso offício, ad episcopális tamen órdinis labóres promptus atque álacer per Germániam et finítimas regiónes spirituália ministrávit.  Consília requiréntibus quam recta ac salutífera sollícite præbébat, et in sedándis discórdiis tam prudéntem se osténdit, ut eum non solum Colónia pacis conciliatórem nóverit, verum étiam ad díssitas regiónes Præláti ac viri príncipes árbitrum componéndis dissídiis eum sæpe advocáverint.  A sancto Ludovíco, Francórum rege, relíquiis Christi Passiónis, quam devotíssime Albértus colébat, donátus est.  In áltero Concílio Lugdunénsi negótia gravióra perégit.  Tandem, sénio consúmptus, docére déstitit.  Contemplatióni exínde inténtus, in gáudium Dómini sui intrávit anno millésimo ducentésimo octogésimo.  Sacros honóres in diœcésibus plúribus atque in Ordine Prædicatórum ei, Romanórum Pontíficum auctoritáte, jam ántea tribútos, Pius Papa undécimus cúmulans, sancti Albérti Magni festum, áddito Doctóris título, Sacrórum Rítuum Congregatiónis votum libentíssime excípiens, ad Ecclésiam univérsam exténdit ; et eum Pius duodécimus cultórum scientiárum naturálium cæléstem apud Deum Patrónum constítuit.

Amid so many very important duties Albert shone as an exemplar of the religious life.  His brethren, therefore, selected him to be prior of the German province.  He was summoned to Anagni, in the presence of the Supreme Pontiff, Alexander IV to refute that William who had been impiously and arrogantly attacking the mendicant orders.  Soon after this the Pope appointed Albert Bishop of Ratisbon.  As Bishop, Albert devoted himself almost entirely to the care of his flock.  Yet he retained meticulously his humility and love of poverty.  Up to the time he resigned his see, Albert was prompt and energetic in fulfilling the duties of his episcopal office.  He ministered to the spiritual needs of souls throughout Germany and the neighbouring provinces.  He was careful that the advice he gave to those who sought his counsels was wise and salutary.  So prudent was he in settling disputes that at Cologne he was called the peacemaker.  From far distant places, prelates and princes invited him to act as an arbiter to resolve differences.  Saint Louis, King of France, presented him with some relicks of the sacred Passion of Christ, and Albert cherished them devoutly all his days.  In the second Council of Lyons he was instruméntal in bringing to a successful conclusion several weighty matters.  He taught until he was worn out with age.  His last days were spent in holy contemplation.  In the year 1280 he entered into the joy of his Lord.  By the authority of the Roman Pontiffs, the honours of the altar had long since been conferred upon Albert in many dioceses and in the Order of Preachers, when Pius XI, gladly accepting the recommendations of the Congregation of Sacred Rites, extended his Feast to the universal Church, and conferred upon the title of Doctor.  Pope Pius XII appointed him the heavenly patron with God of all those who study the natural sciences.

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 omnis terra doctrína ejus repléta est : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervenit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
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.  He was a man who despised the life of the world and attained unto the kingdom of heaven.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the 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.

Albértus, ob singulárem doctrínam, cognoménto Magnus, Lauíngiæ ad Danúbium, in Suévia, natus, a púero diligénter institútus est.  Studiórum causa e pátria discédens, dum Patávii morarétur, hortánte beáto Jordáno generáli Magístro Ordinis Prædicatórum, frustra obsisténte avúnculo, Dominiciánæ famíliæ adscríbi postulávit.  Inter fratres adléctus, religiósa observántia ac pietáte enítuit, et beátam Maríam Vírginem summópere diléxit, animarúmque zelo flagrávit.  Ad stúdia explénda, Colóniam Agrippínam missus fuit.  Póstea Hildeshémii, Fribúrgi, Ratisbónæ et Argentínæ lector fuit constitútus.  In Parisiénsi cáthedra multam sibi laudem comparávit.  Thomam de Aquíno discípulum diléctum hábuit, ejúsque altitúdinem mentis primus perspéxit ac prædicávit.  Anágniæ, coram summo Pontífice Alexándro quarto, Guliélmum, Ordines mendicántes ímpio ausu impeténtem, retúdit, et póstea Epíscopus Ratisbonénsis fuit renunciátus.  In consíliis suppeditádis, in discórdiis componéndis mirífice se gessit, ádeo ut pacis conciliátor mérito fúerit appellátus.  Plúrima scripta in omni fere scientiárum génere, præsértim sacrárum, exarávit, et de mirábili Altáris Sacraménto præclára compósuit.  Virtútibus et miráculis claríssimus, óbiit in Dómino anno millésimo ducentésimo octogésimo.  Cultum in plúribus Diœcésibus et in Ordine Prædicatórum jamdúdum, Romanórum Pontíficum auctoritáte, ei prǽstitum, Pius Papa undécimus auxit, ejúsque festum, áddito Doctóris título, Sacrórum Rítuum Congregatiónis votum libénter excípiens, ad univérsam Ecclésiam exténdit ; et eum Pius duodécimus cultórum scientiárum naturálium cæléstem apud Deum Patrónum constítuit.

Albert, called the Great because of his unusual learning, was born at Lauingen on the Danube in Suabia and carefully educated from his boyhood.  He left his country to study at Padua.  While he was there he applied for entrance to the Dominicans.  His uncle protested futilely against this step, but Blessed Jordan, Master-General of the Order of Preachers, encouraged it.  When Albert had joined the friars, he was a shining example of religious observance and devotion.  He loved the Blessed Virgin Mary above all and burned with zeal for souls.  To complete his studies, he was sent to Cologne.  Then he was made professor at Hildesheim, at Freiburg, at Ratisbon, and at Strasbourg.  In the master's chair at Paris, he earned a high reputation.  He had Thomas Aquinas for his beloved disciple and was the first to perceive and to predict the loftiness of his intellect.  At Anagni, in the presence of Pope Alexander IV, he refuted William, who had wickedly attacked the mendicant orders.  Later Albert was made Bishop of Ratisbon where, in giving counsel and in settling disputes, he worked such wonders as to deserve the title of peacemaker.  He wrote many things about almost all branches of learning, especially the sacred sciences, and composed some famous works about the wonderful Sacrament of the altar.  Famous for his virtues and his miracles, he died in the Lord in the year 1280.  By the authority of the Pope, a cult had long since been granted him in many dioceses and in the Order of Preachers, when Pius XI, willingly acceding to the desire of the Congregation of Sacred Rites, gave him also the title of Doctor, and extended his Feast to the Universal Church.  Pope Pius XII appointed him the heavenly patron with God of all those who study the natural sciences.

Ratisbon (Regensburg), Germany

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 Vos estis sal terræ is read from the Common of Doctors, Series 1.

Gospel Homily from Common of Doctors

Lauds

Cologne Cathedral, Germany

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, dicit Dóminus.

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, saith the Lord.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Albértum Pontíficem tuum atque Doctórem, in humána sapiéntia divínæ fídei subjiciénda magnum effecísti ; da nobis, quæsumus, ita ejus magistérii inhærére vestígiis, ut luce perfécta fruámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who gavest grace unto blessed Albert, thy Bishop and Doctor, to become great because of his subjection of this world's wisdom to a childlike faith in thee : grant us, we beseech thee ; in such wise to follow his doctrine that finally we may enjoy the fulness of thy light in heaven.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH