St. Gertrude the Great

Virgin

Double

Common

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui in corde beátæ Gertrúdis Vírginis jucúndam tibi mansiónem præparásti : ipsíus méritis et intercessióne ; cordis nostri máculas cleménter abstérge, et ejúsdem tríbue gaudére consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in the heart of thy blessed Virgin Gertrude didst prepare a mansion acceptable unto thyself : we beseech thee, by her merits and intercession, mercifully to cleanse our hearts from all defilements ; and to vouchsafe unto us to rejoice in her perpetual fellowship in heaven.  Through.

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.
Deus, qui in corde beátæ Gertrúdis Vírginis jucúndam tibi mansiónem præparásti : ipsíus méritis et intercessióne ; cordis nostri máculas cleménter abstérge, et ejúsdem tríbue gaudére consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in the heart of thy blessed Virgin Gertrude didst prepare a mansion acceptable unto thyself : we beseech thee, by her merits and intercession, mercifully to cleanse our hearts from all defilements ; and to vouchsafe unto us to rejoice in her perpetual fellowship in heaven.  Through.

Ant:  O Doctor óptime, Ecclésiæ sanctæ lumen, beáte Albérte, divínæ legis amátor, deprecáre pro nobis Fílium Dei.

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

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.

Orémus.
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
 

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.

Gertrúdis, Islébii in Saxónia nóbili génere nata, quinquénnis in monastério Rodardénsi, órdinis sancti Benedícti, virginitátem suam ac seípsam Jesu Christo óbtulit.  Quo ex témpore a mundánis rebus prorsus aliéna, virtutíque sédulo inténta, cæléstis vitæ genus instítuit.  Ad humaniórum litterárum notítiam, rerum divinárum cognitiónem adjúnxit ; quarum meditatióne veheméntius ad virtútem incénsa, brevi christiánam perfectiónem adépta est.  De Christo ejúsque vitæ mystériis sæpenúmero pio cum ánimi sensu loquebátur, unámque Dei glóriam cógitans, ad illam vota sua ómnia et actiónes referébat.  Quamvis autem multis exímiis natúræ et grátiæ donis a Deo aucta esset, ita tamen sibi ipsa vilescébat, ut, inter præcípua divínæ bonitátis mirácula, hoc item memoráret, quod se indigníssimam misericórditer sustinéret.

Gertrude was born of a noble family at Eisleben, in Saxony.  At five years of age, she offered her virginity and herself to Jesus Christ, in the Benedictine nunnery at Rodersdorf.  From that time forth she was utterly estranged from earthly things, ever striving for things higher, and began to lead a kind of heavenly life.  To learning in human letters she added knowledge of the things of God.  In the thought thereof she earnestly desired, and soon reached, the perfection of a Christian soul.  Of Christ, and of the things in his life, she spake oftentimes with movings of spirit.  The glory of God was the one end of all her thoughts, and to that her every longing and her every act were given.  Though God had crowned her with so many and so noble gifts both of nature and of grace, her belief regarding herself was so humble that she was used to number as among the greatest of the wonders of his goodness that he had always in his mercy borne with one who was so utterly unworthy.

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.

Trigésimum ætátis annum agens, primum Rodardénsis monastérii, ubi religiósam vitam est proféssa, deínde Elpediáni præses elécta, quadragínta annórum spátio, ea caritáte, prudéntia, et reguláris disciplínæ stúdio munus obívit, ut cœnóbium religiósæ perfectiónis domicílium viderétur.  Utrobíque vero, licet esset ómnium mater et magístra, ómnium tamen mínima habéri volébat, ac demissióne pari minístram se exhibébat.  Quo libérius Deo vacáret, vigíliis, abstinéntia aliísque cruciátibus corpus afflíxit ; sempérque sui símilis, morum innocéntiam, mansuetúdinem ac patiéntiam prætulit singulárem.  Proximórum salúti omni ope stúduit, piæque curæ copiósum fructum rétulit.  Divíni amóris vi frequéntes patiebátur éxstases, altissimæque contemplatiónis et divínæ uniónis donum obtínuit.

In the thirtieth year of her age she was elected Abbess of Rodersdorf, where she had professed herself in the religious life, and afterwards of Helfta.  This office she bore for forty years in love, wisdom, and zeal for strict observance, so that the house seemed like an ideal ensample of a sisterhood of perfect nuns.  To each one she was a mother and a teacher, and yet would be as the least of all, being in sooth in all lowliness among them as she that served.  That she might be more utterly God's only, she tormented her body with sleeplessness, hunger, and other afflictions, but withal ever true to herself, stood forth a pattern of innocency, gentleness, and long-suffering.  The salvation of her neighbours was her constant earnest endeavour, and her godly toil bore abundant fruit.  The love of God oftentimes threw her into trances, and she was given the grace of the deepest contemplation, even to union of spirit with God.

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 méritum acceptíssimæ sibi sponsæ Christus osténderet, in corde Gertrúdis jucúndam sibi esse mansiónem testátus est.  Deíparam Vírginem, véluti matrem et curatrícem a Jesu accéptam, pietáte præcípua prosequebátur, ab eáque multa accépit benefícia.  Erga diviníssimum Eucharístiæ sacraméntum et passiónem Dómini tanto amóre cum grati ánimi sensu afficiebátur, ut intérdum ubéribus lácrimis perfunderétur.  Justórum ánimas, piaculáribus flammis addíctas, quotidiánis subsídiis et précibus juvábat.  Multa ad confovéndam pietátem scripsit.  Divinárum étiam revelatiónum et prophetíæ dono cláruit.  Dénique, flagrantíssimo Dei amóre pótius quam morbo languéscens, anno Dómini millésimo ducentésimo nonagésimo secúndo vita decéssit.  Miráculis vivens et post mortem a Deo illustráta est.

Christ himself, to shew what such a bride was to him, revealed that he had in the heart of Gertrude a pleasant dwelling-place.  The Virgin Mother of God she ever sought with deep reverence as a mother and warden whom she had received from Jesus himself, and from her she had many benefits.  Toward the most Divine Sacrament of the Eucharist, and the sufferings of the Lord, her soul was moved with love and gratitude, so that she sometimes wept abundantly.  She helped with daily gifts and prayers the souls of the just condemned to the purifying fire.  She wrote much for the fostering of godliness.  She was glorified also by revelations from God, and by the gift of prophecy.  Her last illness was rather the wasting of a home-sickness to be with God than a decay of the flesh, and she left this life in the year of our Lord 1292.  God made her bright with miracles both during her life and after her death.

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.

Gertrúdis, Islébii in Saxónia nata, quinquénnis in monastério Elpidiénsi, órdinis sancti Benedícti, virginitátem suam ac seípsam Jesu Christo óbtulit.  Sanctam Mechtíldem magístram hábuit, qua duce ad altíssima contemplatiónis dona pervénit.  Erga diviníssimum Eucharístiæ sacraméntum et passiónem Dómini tanta caritáte æstuábat, ut, ea recógitans, ubéribus lácrimis perfunderétur.  Multa ad confovéndam pietátem scripsit.  Divinárum étiam revelatiónum et prophetíæ dono cláruit.  Dénique, flagrantíssimo Dei amóre pótius quam morbo languéscens, vita decéssit, miráculis vivens et post mortem illústris.

Born at Eisleben in Saxony, Gertrude offered her virginity and herself to Jesus Christ in the Benedictine monastery of Helfta when she was five.  She had St. Mechtilde for her teacher, and under this guidance attained the highest gifts of contemplation.  She burned with such love for the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist and the Passion of the Lord that when she thought of them she shed tears in profusion.  She wrote many things to foster devotion, and was known for the gift of divine revelation and of prophecy.  Finally, consumed more by her burning love of God than by sickness, she departed this life, famous for miracles both before and after her death.

The Cloister at Helfta

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 erit regnum cælorum is read from the Common of Virgins, Series 1.

Gospel Homily from Common of Virgins
 

Lauds

Pontifical High Mass at the
Church of St. Gertrude the Great, Cincinnati, Ohio

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.
Deus, qui in corde beátæ Gertrúdis Vírginis jucúndam tibi mansiónem præparásti : ipsíus méritis et intercessióne ; cordis nostri máculas cleménter abstérge, et ejúsdem tríbue gaudére consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in the heart of thy blessed Virgin Gertrude didst prepare a mansion acceptable unto thyself : we beseech thee, by her merits and intercession, mercifully to cleanse our hearts from all defilements ; and to vouchsafe unto us to rejoice in her perpetual fellowship in heaven.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Second Vespers

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 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.
Deus, qui in corde beátæ Gertrúdis Vírginis jucúndam tibi mansiónem præparásti : ipsíus méritis et intercessióne ; cordis nostri máculas cleménter abstérge, et ejúsdem tríbue gaudére consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who in the heart of thy blessed Virgin Gertrude didst prepare a mansion acceptable unto thyself : we beseech thee, by her merits and intercession, mercifully to cleanse our hearts from all defilements ; and to vouchsafe unto us to rejoice in her perpetual fellowship in heaven.  Through.