St. John of the Cross

Confessor and Doctor

Double

mtv

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui sanctum Joánnem, Confessórem atque Doctórem, perféctæ sui abnegatiónis et Crucis amatórem exímium effecísti : concéde ; ut, ejus imitatióni júgiter inhæréntes, glóriam assequámur ætérnam.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst give to blessed John, thy Confessor and Doctor, grace to shew forth a singular love of perfect self-denial and of bearing thy Cross : grant, we beseech thee ; that we, cleaving stedfastly to his pattern, may attain to everlasting glory.  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 Joánnes, divínæ legis amátor, deprecáre pro nobis Fílium Dei.

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui sanctum Joánnem, Confessórem atque Doctórem, perféctæ sui abnegatiónis et Crucis amatórem exímium effecísti : concéde ; ut, ejus imitatióni jugiter inhæréntes, glóriam assequámur ætérnam.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst give to blessed John, thy Confessor and Doctor, grace to shew forth a singular love of perfect self-denial and of bearing thy Cross : grant, we beseech thee ; that we, cleaving stedfastly to his pattern, may attain to everlasting glory.  Through.

Then is made a Commemoration of the preceding day (St. Clement) as follows:

Ant:  Dedísti, Dómine habitáculum Mártyri tuo Cleménti in mari, in modum templi marmórei angélicis mánibus præparátum : iter præbens pópulo terræ, ut enárrent mirabília tua.

Ant:  Unto thy Martyr Clement, who was cast into the sea, thou, O Lord, didst give a place or fest therein, which same is a glistering shrine not builded of human hands but by thine Angels, and thou madest a way for the people of the land, to tell of all thy wondrous works.

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 Clementem 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 Clement thy Martyr and Supreme Pontiff, whom thou didst choose to be the chief shepherd of the whole Church.  (Through.)

Church of San Crisogono, Rome

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.
Adésto, Dómine, supplicatiónibus nostris : ut, qui ex iniquitáte nostra reos nos esse cognóscimus, beáti Chrysógoni Mártyris tui intercessióne líberémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications : that whereas we are tied and bound by the chain of our sins ; the intercession of thy blessed Martyr Chrysogonus may speedily help and deliver us.  Through.

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.

Joánnes a Cruce, Fontíberi in Hispánia piis paréntibus natus, a primis annis certo innótuit quam Deíparæ Vírgini futúrus esset accéptus ; nam quinquénnis, in púteum lapsus, ejúsdem Deíparæ manu sublátus, incólumis evásit.  Tanto autem patiéndi desidério flagrávit, ut novénnis, spreto mollióri lecto, super sarméntis cubáre consuéverit.  Adoléscens hospítio páuperum ægrotántium Metymnæ Campi fámulum sese addíxit, quibus magno caritátis ardóre, vilíssima quæque compléctens offícia, præsto áderat.  Cujus exémplo excitáti céteri, eádem caritátis múnera ardéntius obíbant.  Verum, ad altióra vocátus, beátæ Maríæ Vírginis de Monte Carmélo institútum ampléxus est ; ubi, sacérdos ex obediéntia factus, severióris disciplínæ et arctióris vitæ cupidíssimus, primitívam órdinis regúlam ex superióris licéntia ita proféssus est, ut, ob jugem Domínicæ passiónis memóriam, bello in se, tamquam in infensíssimum hostem indícto, vigíliis, jejúniis, férreis flagéllis omníque pœnárum génere, brevi carnem cum vítiis et concupiscéntiis suis crucifíxerit ; dignus plane, qui a sancta Terésia inter purióres sanctiorésque ánimas, Ecclésiam Dei id témporis illustrántes, recenserétur.

John of the Cross was born of godly parents at Fontiveros, in Spain.  It began soon to appear that he was foreordained to be an acceptable servant unto the Virgin Mother of God.  At five years of age he fell into a well, but the hand of the Mother of God took him up, and saved him from all hurt.  So burning was his desire to suffer that when he was nine years old he gave up any softer bed, and used to lie on potsherds.  In his youth he devoted himself as a servant in the hospital for the sick poor at Medina del Campo, and embraced with eager charity, the meanest offices there, his readiness likewise exciting others to imitate him.  He obeyed the call to higher things, and entered the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, wherein, by command of his Superiors, he received Priest's Orders.  By their leave and his own strong desire for the sternest discipline and the strictest life, he adopted the primitive Rule.  Full of the memory of what our Lord suffered, he declared war against himself as his own worst enemy, and carried it on by depriving himself of sleep and food, by iron chains, by whips, and by every kind of self-torture.  And in a little while he had crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts thereof.  he was indeed worthy that holy Teresa should say of him that he was one of the purest and holiest souls by whom God was then enlightening his 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.  Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum : * Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.
V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.
R.  Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.

R.  The Lord multiplied the fruit of his labours and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait. * And gave him perpetual glory.
V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God.
R.  And gave him perpetual glory.

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.

Singulári vitæ austeritáte et ómnium virtútum præsídio munítus, præ assídua rerum divinárum contemplatióne, diutúrnas et mirábiles éxtases frequénter patiebátur ; tantóque in Deum æstuábat amóre, ut, cum divínus ignis sese intro diútius continére non posset, foras erúmpere ejúsque vultum irradiáre visus sit.  Proximórum salúti summópere inténtus, tum in verbi Dei prædicatióne, tum in sacramentórum administratióne fuit assíduus.  Hinc tot méritis auctus, strictiorísque disciplínæ promovéndæ ardóre veheménter accénsus, sanctæ Terésiæ comes divínitus datus est, ut, quam ipsa inter soróres primævam Carméli órdinis observántiam instauráverat, eámdem et inter fratres, Joánne adjutóre, restitúeret.  Innúmeros ítaque una cum Dei fámula in divíno ópere promovéndo perpéssus labóres, cœnóbia, quæ ejúsdem sanctæ Vírginis cura per totam Hispániam erécta fúerant, nullis vitæ incómmodis et perículis térritus, síngula perlustrávit.  In quibus aliísque quam plúrimis, ejus ópera eréctis, restaurátam observántiam propagándo, verbo et exémplo firmávit ; ut mérito primus, post sanctam Terésiam, Carmelitárum excalceatórum órdinis proféssor et parens habeátur.

The strange hardness of his life, and the might of his graces, joined to the unceasing concentration of his mind on God, had the effect of oftentimes subjecting him to daily and extraordinary trances.  So burning was his love of God that the fire sometimes could not not be kept bound within, and brake forth, so that his face shone.  The salvation of his neighbours was one of his dearest longings, and he was unwearied in preaching the Word of God, and in administering the Sacraments.  As strong in so many good works, and glowing with zeal to make discipline harder, he was given by God to be an helpmeet to holy Teresa, and he aided her to set up again the primitive observance among the brethren of the Order of Mount Carmel, as she had already done among the sisters.  In doing God's work, he and God's handmaid together went through toils that cannot be numbered.  No discomforts of dangers held him back from going throughout all Spain to visit all and each of the convents which the care of that holy Virgin had founded, and in them, and in very many others erected by her means for spreading the renewed observance, he strengthened it by his word and ensample.  He is indeed worthy to be reckoned second only to the holy Teresa as a professor and founder of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites.

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

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

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.
V.  The Lord hath put on him the breast-plate of faith, and hath adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.

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.

Virginitátem perpétuo cóluit, impudentésque mulíeres ejus pudicítiæ insidiári conántes, non modo répulit, sed étiam Christo lucrifécit.  In divínis explicándis arcánis æque ac sancta Terésia, apostólicæ Sedis judício, divínitus instrúctus, libros de mystica theología, cælésti sapiéntia refértos, conscrípsit.  Semel interrogátus a Christo quid præmii pro tot labóribus pósceret, respóndit : Dómine, pati et contémni pro te.  Império in dæmones, quos e corpóribus sæpe fugábat, discretióne spirítuum, prophetíæ dono, miraculórum glória celebratíssimus, ea semper fuit humilitáte, ut sæpius a Dómino flagitáverit eo loco mori, ubi ómnibus esset ignótus.  Voti compos factus.  Ubédæ, diro morbo et in crure quinque plagis sánie manántibus, ad impléndum patiéndi desidérium constantíssime tolerátis, Ecclésiæ sacraméntis pie sanctéque suscéptis, in Christi crucifíxi ampléxu, quem semper in corde atque ore habúerat, post illa verba : In manus tuas comméndo spíritum meum, obdormívit in Dómino, die et hora a se prædíctis, anno salútis millésimo quingentésimo nonagésimo primo, ætátis quadragésimo nono.  Migrántem ejus ánimam splendidíssimus ignis globus excépit ; corpus vero suavíssimum odórem spirávit, quod, etiámnum incorrúptum, Segóviæ honorífice cólitur.  Eum, plúrimis ante et post óbitum fúlgentem signis, Benedíctus décimus tértius Póntifex máximus in Sanctórum númerum rétulit, et Pius undécimus ex Sacrórum Rítuum Congregatiónis consúlto, universális Ecclésiæ Doctórem declarávit.

He remained throughout all his life a clean maid, and when some shameless woman tried to beguile his modesty, he not only foiled them, but gained them for Christ.  In the judgment of the Apostolic See he was as much taught of God as was holy Teresa, for explaining God's hidden mysteries, and he wrote books of mystical theology filled with heavenly wisdom.  Christ once asked him what reward he would have for so much work ; whereto he answered : Lord, that I may suffer, and be disesteemed for thy sake.  He was very famous for his power over devils, whom he oftentimes scared out of men's bodies, for discerning of spirits, for the gift of prophecy, and for eminent miracles.  He was extraordinarily lowly, and oftentimes entreated of the Lord that he might die in some place where he was unknown.  In accordance with his prayer, he was sent to Ubeda.  To crown his love of suffering, he bore uncomplainingly five open sores in his leg, running with water.  In the year 1591, in the forty-ninth year of his age, being the day, and at the hour foretold by himself, after having in godly and holy wise received the Sacraments of the Church, hugging the image of that crucified Saviour of whom his heart and his mouth had been used to be full, he uttered the words : Into thy hands I commend my spirit, and fell asleep in the Lord.  As his soul passed away it was received into a glorious cloud of fire.  His body yielded a right sweet savour, and is still uncorrupt where it lieth, held in great honour, at Segovia.  He was famous for very many miracles, both before and since his death, and Pope Benedict XIII numbered his name among those of the Saints.  Pius XI, after consultation with the Congregation of Sacred Rites, declared him a doctor of 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.

Segovia Cathedral, Spain

R.  Iste homo perfécit ómnia quæ locútus est ei Deus, et dixit ad eum : Ingrédere in réquiem meam : * Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.

R.  This is he which did according to all that God commanded him ; and God said unto him : Enter thou into my rest : * For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  This is he which despised his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all 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.

Joánnes a Cruce, Fontíberi in Hispánia piis paréntibus natus, a primis annis certo innótuit quam Deíparæ Vírgini futúrus esset accéptus ; nam quinquénnis in púteum lapsus, ejúsdem manu sublátus, incólumis evásit.  Adoléscens hospítio páuperum ægrotántium Metymnæ Campi fámulum amantíssime se addíxit ; tum beátæ Maríæ Vírginis de Monte Carmélo institútum ampléxus et sacérdos ex obediéntia factus, primitívam régulam proféssus est.  Strictióris disciplínæ promovéndæ ardóre succénsus, sanctæ Terésiæ, a qua inter purióres et excellentióres ánimas Ecclésiam Dei tunc témporis illustrántes habebátur, comes divínitus datus est ad primævam Carméli órdinis observántiam inter fratres instaurándam.  Quo in ópere eníxe cum laborásset et multa esset passus, interrogátus a Christo, quid præmii pro tot labóribus pósceret, respóndit : Dómine, pati et contémni pro te.  Libros de mystica theología, cælésti sapiéntia refértos, conscrípsit.  Tandem Ubédæ, diro morbo patientíssime toleráto, obdormívit in Dómino, anno millésimo quingentésimo nonagésimo primo, ætátis quadragésimo nono.  Eum Pius undécimus, ex sacrórum Rítuum Congregatiónis consúlto, universális Doctórem declarávit.

John of the Cross was born of devout parents at Fontiveros in Spain.  In his earliest years it became known how dear he would be to the Virgin Mother of God ; for, when he was five years old, he fell into a well and, lifted out by her hand, escaped unharmed.  As a young man he made himself a most loving servant to the sick poor in the hospital of Medina del Campo.  Then he entered the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel and, ordained priest out of obedience, professed the primitive rule.  Burning with zeal to promote the stricter discipline, he was given by God as a companion to St. Teresa, who considered him among the purest and best souls in the Church of God at that time, to restore the primitive Carmelite observance among the brethren.  When he had laboured earnestly at this task and suffered many things, he was asked by Christ what reward he would ask for so many toils, and he answered, Lord, to suffer and be despised for thee.  He wrote books of mystical theology, full of heavenly wisdom.  At length, having most patiently endured a severe illness, he fell asleep in the Lord at Ubeda in 1591, in the forty-ninth year of his age.  Pius XI, on the advice of the Congregation of Sacred Rites, declared him a Doctor of 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.

Ubeda, Spain

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:   Vos estis sal terræ.  Quod si sal evanúerit, in quo saliétur?  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus said unto his disciples:  Ye are the salt of the earth : But if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  And so on, and that which followeth.

Osténdit Dóminus fátuos esse judicándos, qui temporálium bonórum vel cópiam sectántes vel inópiam metuéntes, amíttunt ætérna, quæ nec dari possunt ab homínibus nec auférri.  Itaque, si sal infatuátum fúerit, in quo saliétur?  Id est, si vos, per quos condiéndi sunt quodámmodo pópuli, metu persecutiónum temporálium amiséritis regna cælórum ; qui erunt hómines, per quos a vobis error auferátur, cum vos elégerit Deus, per quos errórem áuferat ceterórum?

The Lord would have us understand how that men do lose their power of savouring others with righteousness when they are willing to place their eternal welfare in jeopardy for the sake of any temporal advantage, like as attainment of ease or luxury, or escape from suffering or toil.  For that which is eternal, unlike things of this world, can neither be bestowed by men, nor by them taken away.  Hence, when he asketh : If the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? he would have us understand the question to be : If ye, by whom mankind is preserved from corruption, be willing to lose the kingdom of heaven so as to escape trials or persecutions in this world, who is there to preserve you from corruption, seeing ye are they that God hath chosen  to preserve all others from corruption?

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 de omni corde suo laudávit Dóminum : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Ecce homo sine queréla, verus Dei cultor, ábstinens se ab omni ópere malo, et pérmanens in innocéntia sua.
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.  Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

Ergo ad níhilum valet sal infatuátum, nisi ut mittátur foras et calcétur ab homínibus.  Non ítaque calcátur ab homínibus qui pátitur persecutiónem ; sed qui, persecutiónem timéndo, infatuátur.  Calcári enim non potest nisi inférior ; sed inférior non est, qui, quamvis córpore multa in terra sustíneat, corde tamen fixus in cælo est.

Those that should be the salt of the earth, but have lost their savour, are thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  But no one that suffereth persecution is truly said to be trodden under foot of men.  Rather, that one is truly trodden under foot of men  who through fear of persecution hath lost the savour of righteousness.  For no one can be trodden upon, unless he be beneath him which treadeth upon him.  And certainly no one who hath his heart in heaven, no matter how grievously he doth suffer in his body on earth, is rightly said to be beneath anyone who misuseth 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.  In médio Ecclésiæ apéruit os ejus, * Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.
V.  Jucunditátem et exsultatiónem thesaurizávit super eum.
R.  Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et implévit eum Dóminus spíritu sapiéntiæ et intelléctus.

R.  In the midst of the congregation he opened his mouth : * And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.
V.  He shall find joy, and a crown of gladness.
R.  And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And the Lord filled him with the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding..

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. Chrysogonus, 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.

 Chrysógonus, Diocletiáno imperatóre, Romæ inclúsus in cárcere, ibi biénnium sanctæ Anastásiæ facultátibus vixit ; quam étiam, afflíctam propter Christum a viro suo Públio, proptereáque a suis oratiónibus per lítteras auxílium postulántem, mútuis epístolis est consolátus.  Sed, cum imperátor Romam scripsísset ut, réliquis Christiánis qui in vínculis essent interféctis, Chrysógonus Aquiléjam ad se mitterétur, eo perdúctus est.  Cui imperátor : Accersívi, inquit, te, Chrysógone, ut honóribus áugeam, si modo indúxeris ánimum deos cólere.  At ille : Ego eum, qui vere est Deus, mente et oratióne véneror ; deos autem, qui nihil sunt nisi dæmonum simulácra, odi et éxsecror.  Quo respónso excandéscens imperátor, ad Aquas Gradátas eum secúri pércuti jubet octávo Kaléndas Decémbris.  Cujus corpus, projéctum in mare, paulo post in líttore invéntum, Zóilus presbyter in suis ædibus sepelívit.

Chrysogonus was imprisoned at Rome in the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.  There he lived for the space of two years upon the alms of the holy Anastasia.  She was suffering much persecution from her husband Publius for Christ's Name's sake, and was used to write to Chrysogonus to ask for the help of his prayers, and he in return comforted her by his epistles.  Presently the Emperor wrote to Rome commanding the rest of the Christians who were in prison there to be put to death, and Chrysogonus to be sent to himself at Aquileia.  When he was brought thither, he said unto him : I have sent for thee, O Chrysogonus, that I may increase thine honours, if only thou wilt bring thy mind to worship the gods.  Thereto Chrysogonus answered : With my mind and with my prayers I worship him who is God indeed, but such gods as are nothing but images of devils, them I hate and curse.  Then was the Emperor kindled to fury at this answer, and commanded Chyrsogonus to be beheaded at Aquae Gradatae upon the 24th day of November.  His body was cast into the sea, but found a little while afterwards washed up upon the shore, and the Priest Zoilus took it and buried it in his own house.

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

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

The Church of San Crisogono, Rome

Lauds

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, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.

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: enter into the joy of thy Lord.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui sanctum Joánnem, Confessórem atque Doctórem, perféctæ sui abnegatiónis et Crucis amatórem exímium effecísti : concéde ; ut, ejus imitatióni júgiter inhæréntes, glóriam assequámur ætérnam.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst give to blessed John, thy Confessor and Doctor, grace to shew forth a singular love of perfect self-denial and of bearing thy Cross : grant, we beseech thee ; that we, cleaving stedfastly to his pattern, may attain to everlasting glory.  Through.

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.
Adésto, Dómine, supplicatiónibus nostris : ut, qui ex iniquitáte nostra reos nos esse cognóscimus, beáti Chrysógoni Mártyris tui intercessióne liberémur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications : that whereas we are tied and bound by the chain of our sins ; the intercession of thy blessed Martyr Chrysogonus may speedily help and deliver us.  Through.

Mosaic of the Mother of God with St. Chrysogonus (left) and St. James
in the Church of San Crisogono, Rome

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH