St. Elisabeth of Hungary

Widow

Double

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Tuórum corda fidélium, Deus miserátor, illústra : et, beátæ Elísabeth précibus gloriósis ; fac nos próspera mundi despícere, et cælésti semper consolatióne gaudére.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Merciful Lord, we pray thee to pour the bright beams of thy grace into our hearts : that, by the glorious prayers of thy blessed Elisabeth ; we may learn to despise all worldly prosperity, and ever to rejoice in all heavenly consolation.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

At Second Vespers of Dedication of Basilicas of Ss. Peter & Paul, App.

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.
Tuórum corda fidélium, Deus miserátor, illústra : et, beátæ Elísabeth précibus gloriósis ; fac nos próspera mundi despícere, et cælésti semper consolatióne gaudére.  (Per Dóminum).

Let us pray.
Merciful Lord, we pray thee to pour the bright beams of thy grace into our hearts : that, by the glorious prayers of thy blessed Elisabeth ; we may learn to despise all worldly prosperity, and ever to rejoice in all heavenly consolation.  (Through).

A Commemoration is made of St. Pontianus, PM:

Ant:  Iste Sanctus pro lege Dei sui certávit usque ad mortem, et a verbis impiórum non tímuit ; fundátus enim erat supra firmam petram.

Ant:  This is a Saint who strove for the truth, even unto death, and feared not the words of sinful men, forasmuch as he was founded upon a sure foundation.

V.  Glória et honóre coronásti eum, Dómine.
R.  Et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.

V.  Thou hast crowned him with glory and worship, O Lord.
R.  And hast made him to have dominion of the works of thy hands.

Oremus.
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde : et per beátum Pontiánum Mártyrem tuum atque Summum Pontíficem, perpétua protectióne custódi ; quem totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastórem.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O eternal Shepherd, do thou look favorably upon thy flock, which we beseech thee to guard and keep for evermore through the Blessed Pontianus thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, whom thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Sunday Compline
 

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.

Elísabeth, Andréæ regis Hungáriæ fília, ab infántia Deum timére cœpit ; et, crescens ætáte, crevit étiam pietáte.  Ludovíco Lantgrávio Hássiæ et Thuríngiæ in cónjugem copuláta, non minóri cura quæ Dei quam quæ viri sui erant, exsequebátur.  Surgens enim noctúrno témpore, oratióni diu incumbébat ; ac, váriis misericórdiæ offíciis dédita, víduis, pupíllis, ægrótis, egéntibus sédulo inserviébat, gravíque fame urgénte, domus suæ fruménta liberáliter erogábat.  Leprósos hospítio suscípiens, manus eórum et pedes osculabátur.  Curándis autem et aléndis paupéribus insígne xenodochíum constrúxit.

Elisabeth, daughter of Andrew II, King of Hungary, began to fear God even from a little child, and grew in grace as she grew in years.  She was married to Ludwig, Landgrave of Hesse and Thuringia, and thenceforth gave herself up the things of her husband, with as much zeal as to the things of God.  She rose in the night to make long prayers.  She consecrated herself to works of mercy.  She waited continually on widows and orphans, the sick and the needy.  When a sore famine came she provided corn bountifully from her own house.  She founded an house of refuge for lepers, and would even kiss their hands and feet.  She built also a great hospital for the suffering and starving poor.

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.

Defúncto cónjuge, ut Deo libérius servíret, depósitis ómnibus sæculáris glóriæ induméntis, vili túnica indúta est, atque, órdinem Pœniténtium sancti Francísci ingréssa, patiéntiæ et humilitátis virtúte máxime enítuit.  Nam, bonis ómnibus exúta, a própriis ædibus ejécta, ab ómnibus derelícta, contumélias, irrisiónes, obtrectatiónes invícto ánimo tolerávit, ádeo ut summópere gaudéret se tália pro Deo pati.  Ad ínfima quæque ministéria erga páuperes et ægrótos se abjíciens, eis necessária procurábat, solis oléribus et legumínibus pro suo victu conténta.

Her husband died, and Elisabeth, more utterly to be God's only, laid aside all the garments of earthly state, clad herself in mean raiment, and entered the Third Order of St. Francis, wherein she was a burning and shining light of long-suffering and lowliness.  Stripped of all her goods, and turned out of her own house, she was deserted by all, and assailed with insults, gibes, and calumnies, but she bore it all with patience, yea, even rejoicing that she suffered such things for God's sake.  She gave herself to the meanest services toward the poor and sick, and sought for them the needfuls of life, while she lived herself only on potherbs and vegetables.

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.

Cum vero in his aliísque plúrimis sanctis opéribus vitam religiosíssime transegísset, finis tandem suæ peregrinatiónis advénit, quem domésticis suis ante prædíxit.  Cumque, defíxis in cælum óculis, divínæ contemplatióni vacáret, a Deo mirabíliter recreáta et sacraméntis refécta, obdormívit in Dómino.  Statímque plúrima ad ejus túmulum mirácula patráta sunt.  Quibus audítis et rite probátis, Gregórius nonus Sanctórum número eam adscrípsit.

In these and many other holy works she prayerfully passed the rest of her life, till the end of her earthly pilgrimage came, as she had already foretold to her servants.  With her eyes fixed on heaven, absorbed in the thought of God, by him wondrously comforted, and strengthened by the Sacraments, she fell asleep in the Lord.  Forthwith many miracles were wrought at her grave, which being known and duly proved, Gregory IX numbered her name among those of 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.  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.

Elísabeth, Andréæ regis Hungáriæ fília, ab infántia timére Deum cœpit : et, crescens ætáte, crevit étiam pietáte.  Ludovíco Lantgrávio Hássiæ et Thuríngiæ in cónjugem copuláta, non minóri cura, quæ Dei quam quæ viri sui erant, exsequebátur.  Oratióni assídue incúmbens et misericórdiæ opéribus dédita, víduis, pupíllis, ægrótis, egéntibus sédulo inserviébat, in quorum étiam levámen insígne xenodochíum constrúxit.  Defúncto cónjuge, ut Deo libérius servíret, vili túnica indúta est, atque, órdinem Pœniténtium sancti Francísci ingréssa, patiéntiæ et humilitátis virtúte máxime enítuit.  Nam bonis ómnibus exúta, a própriis dómibus ejécta, ab ómnibus derelícta, contumélias, irrisiónes, obtrectatiónes invícto ánimo tolerávit, ádeo ut summópere gaudéret se tália pro Deo pati.  Cum tandem in sanctis opéribus vitam religiosíssime transegísset, obdormívit in Dómino.  Eam, miráculis claram, Gregórius nonus in Sanctórum númerum rétulit.

From her childhood Elisabeth, daughter of Andrew II, King of Hungary, began to fear God ; and she grew in holiness as she grew in age.  When she was married to Ludwig, Landgrave of Hesse and Thuringia, she devoted herself no less to the service of God than to the welfare of her husband.  She was constant in prayer and in the works of mercy, zealously serving widows, orphans, the sick and the needy, for whom she built a fine hospital.  When her husband died, she put on a coarse garment and, in order to serve God more freely, entered the Order of Penítents of St. Francis, where she shone most especially with the virtues of patience and humility.  These virtues she shewed when she was despoiled of her possessions, driven from her home and abandoned by all.  With unconquered spirit she endured insults, derision and detractions, even rejoicing greatly that she could suffer such things for God.  Having passed her life most religiously in holy works, she fell asleep in the Lord.  Famous for miracles, she was enrolled among the Saints by Gregory IX.

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 : Dixit Jesus discípulis suis parábolam hanc :  Símile est regnum cælórum thesáuro abscóndito in agro.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus spake this parable unto his disciples:  The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Cælórum regnum, fratres caríssimi, idcírco terrénis rebus símile dícitur, ut, ex his quæ ánimus novit, surgat ad incógnita quæ non novit : quátenus exémplo visibílium se ad invisibília rápiat, et, per ea quæ usu dídicit quasi confricátus incaléscat ; ut per hoc, quod scit notum dilígere, discat et incógnita amáre.  Ecce enim cælórum regnum thesáuro abscóndito in agro comparátur ; quem, qui invénit homo, abscóndit, et præ gáudio illíus vadit, et vendit univérsa quæ habet, et emit agrum illum.

Dearly beloved brethren, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto earthly things, that the mind may, from what it knoweth well, come to contemplate what it knoweth not.  Thus by the example of things which are seen, it may rise to things unseen, and be warmed, as it were, by the touch of those common things which it is accustomed to use, and so from things known and loved, may learn to love also the things hitherto unknown and unloved.  For the kingdom of heaven is likened unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

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

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

R.  Os suum apéruit sapiéntiæ, et lex cleméntiæ in lingua ejus : considerávit sémitas domus suæ, * Et panem otiósa non comédit.
V.  Gustávit et vidit quia bona est negotiátio ejus : non exstinguétur in nocte lucérna ejus.
R.  Et panem otiósa non comédit.

R.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness ; she looketh well to the ways of her household * And she eateth not the bread of idleness.
V.  She perceiveth that her merchandise is good ; her candle goeth not out by night.
R.  And she eateth not the bread of idleness.

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 Advocates with God.
R.  Amen.

Qua in re hoc quoque notándum est, quod invéntus thesáurus abscónditur, ut servétur : quia stúdium cæléstis desidérii a malígnis spirítibus custodíre non súfficit, qui hoc ab humánis láudibus non abscóndit.  In præsénti étenim vita, quasi in via sumus, qua ad pátriam pérgimus.  Malígni autem spíritus iter nostrum quasi quidam latrúnculi óbsident.  Deprædári ergo desíderat, qui thesáurum públice portat in via.  Hoc autem dico, non ut próximi ópera nostra bona non vídeant, cum scriptum sit : Vídeant ópera vestra bona, et gloríficent Patrem vestrum qui in cælis est ; sed, ut per hoc quod ágimus, laudes extérius non quærámus.  Sic autem sit opus in público, quátenus inténtio máneat in occúlto ; ut, et de bono ópere próximis præbeámus exémplum, et tamen per intentiónem, qua Deo soli placére quærimus, semper optémus secrétum.

And herein we must remark that the treasure, when once it hath been found, is hidden to keep it safe.  He whose intimate yearnings after God are not hidden from the praise of men, is open thereby to the attacks of evil spirits.  In this life we are, as it were, journeying homewards on a road beset by evil spirits who are like highwaymen.  He therefore inviteth robbery who carrieth his treasure ostentatiously.  Doubtless our neighbour should be able to see our good works, as it is written : Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  But this is not to be understood to mean that we are to seek the praise of men by what we do.  Rather, let us in such wise work in the open that the inner intention of devotion is not advertised.  So we shall give an example to our neighbour, and yet keep hidden, except from the sight of God, our purpose of pleasing him.

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

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

R.  Regnum mundi et omnem ornátum sæculi contémpsi, propter amórem Dómini mei Jesu Christi : * Quem vidi, quem amávi, in quem crédidi, quem diléxi.
V.  Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum : dico ego ópera mea Regi.
R.  Quem vidi, quem amávi, in quem crédidi, quem diléxi.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quem vidi, quem amávi, in quem crédidi, quem diléxi.

R.  Earthly kingdoms and all the glory of the world did I spurn, for the love of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, * Whom I have seen, whom I have loved, in whom I have believed, whom I have greatly desired.
V.  My heart is inditing of a good matter : I speak of the things which I have made unto the King.
R.  Whom I have seen, whom I have loved, in whom I have believed, whom I have greatly desired.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Whom I have seen, whom I have loved, in whom I have believed, whom I have greatly desired.

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 St. Pontianus, Pope and Martyr :

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.

Pontiánus, Románus, præfuit Ecclésiæ Alexándro imperatóre ; qui sanctum Pontíficem, propter christiánæ fídei confessiónem, in Sardíniam ínsulam cum Hippólyto presbytero relegávit.  Ubi is, pro Christi fide multis calamitátibus afflíctus, tértio Kaléndas Novémbris e vita migrávit.  Ejus corpus, Fabiáno Pontífice, cum clero Romam delátum, in cœmetério Callísti via Appia sepelítur.  Sedit annos quátuor, menses quátuor, dies vigínti quinque.  Fecit ordinatiónes duas mense Decémbri, quibus creávit presbyteros sex, diáconos quinque, epíscopos per divérsa loca sex.

Pontianus was a Roman, who ruled the Church in the reign of the Emperor Alexander.  This Emperor banished him into the Island of Sardinia, along with the Priest Hippolytus, on account of their profession of the Christian faith.  There he endured many hardships because of his belief in Christ, and departed this life upon the 19th day of November .  His body was brought to Rome by Pope Fabian and his clergy, and buried in the cemetery of Callistus upon the Appian Way.  He sat in the seat of Peter four years, four months and twenty-five days.  He held two Ordinations in the month of December, wherein he made six Priests, five Deacons, and six Bishops for divers places.

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:  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.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Tuórum corda fidélium, Deus miserátor, illústra : et, beátæ Elísabeth précibus gloriósis ; fac nos próspera mundi despícere, et cælésti semper consolatióne gaudére.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Merciful Lord, we pray thee to pour the bright beams of thy grace into our hearts : that, by the glorious prayers of thy blessed Elisabeth ; we may learn to despise all worldly prosperity, and ever to rejoice in all heavenly consolation.  Through.

Commemoration is made of St. Pontianus, PM:

Ant:  Qui odit ánimam suam in hoc mundo, in vitam ætérnam custódit eam.

Ant:  He that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

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.
Gregem tuum, Pastor ætérne, placátus inténde : et per beátum Pontiánum Mártyrem tuum atque Summum Pontíficem, perpétua protectióne custódi ; quem totíus Ecclésiæ præstitísti esse pastórem.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O eternal Shepherd, do thou look favorably upon thy flock, which we beseech thee to guard and keep for evermore through the Blessed Pontianus thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, whom thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Vespers from the Chapter onward of the following day (mtv), Commemoration of the preceding day.