St. Catherine of Alexandria

Virgin and Martyr

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui dedísti legem Móysi in summitáte montis Sínai, et in eódem loco per sanctos Angelos tuos corpus beátæ Catharínæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ mirabíliter collocásti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, ejus méritis et intercessióne, ad montem, qui Christus est, perveníre valeámus : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
O God, who on Mount Sinai didst give the law to Moses, and afterwards, through the ministry of holy Angels, didst mystically give rest thereon to the body of blessed Catherine thy Virgin and Martyr : grant, we beseech thee ; that, by her intercession, we may be brought unto that mountain which is Christ.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

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 præparavit in ætérnum.

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

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui dedísti legem Móysi in summitáte montis Sínai, et in eódem loco per sanctos Angelos tuos corpus beátæ Catharínæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ mirabíliter collocásti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, ejus méritis et intercessióne, ad montem, qui Christus est, perveníre valeámus : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
O God, who on Mount Sinai didst give the law to Moses, and afterwards, through the ministry of holy Angels, didst mystically give rest thereon to the body of blessed Catherine thy Virgin and Martyr : grant, we beseech thee ; that, by her intercession, we may be brought unto that mountain which is Christ.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

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

Ant:  O Doctor right excellent, O light of Holy Church, O blessed John, 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.

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.

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 Virgin Martyrs, Confitebor.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Virgin Martyrs
 

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.

Catharína, nóbilis virgo Alexandrína, a prima ætáte stúdia liberálium ártium cum fídei ardóre conjúngens, brevi ad eam sanctitátis et doctrínæ perfectiónem pervénit, ut, decem et octo annos nata, eruditíssimum quemque superáret.  Quæ cum Maximíni jussu multos, propter christiánæ religiónis professiónem varie torméntis cruciátos, ad supplícium rapi vidéret, non dubitánter ipsum ádiit Maximínum, eíque nefáriam immanitátem objíciens, sapientíssimis ratiónibus Christi fidem ad salútem necessáriam esse affirmávit.

Catherine was a noble maiden of Alexandria, who from her earliest years joined the study of the liberal arts with fervent faith, and in a short while came to such an height of holiness and learning, that when she was eighteen years of age she prevailed over the chiefest wits.  When she saw many diversely tormented and haled to death by command of Maximinus, because they professed the Christian religion, she went boldly unto him and rebuked him for his savage cruelty, bringing forward likewise most sage reasons why the faith of Christ should be needful for salvation.

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.

Cujus prudéntiam Maximínus admirátus, retinéri eam jubet, accersítis úndique doctíssimis homínibus, magnísque propósitis præmiis, qui convíctam Catharínam a Christi fide ad idolórum cultum perduxíssent.  Quod contra áccidit.  Nam plures philósophi, qui ad eam coarguéndam convénerant, vi ac subtilitáte ejus disputatiónis tanto Jesu Christi amóre sunt incénsi, ut pro illo mori non dubitáverint.  Quam ob rem Maximínus blandítiis ac promíssis Catharínam de senténtia dedúcere aggréditur ; verum, id frustra fíeri intélligens, verbéribus afféctam plumbatísque contúsam, dies úndecim sine cibo ac potu inclúsam tenet in cárcere.

Maximinus marvelled at her wisdom, and bade keep her, while he gathered together the most learned men from all quarters and offered them great rewards if they would confute Catherine and bring her from believing in Christ to worship idols.  But the event fell contrariwise, for many of the philosophers who had come to dispute with her were overcome by the force and skill of her reasoning, so that the love of Christ Jesus was kindled in them, and they were content even to die for his sake.  Then did Maximinus strive to beguile Catherine with fair words and promises, and when he found it was lost pains, he caused her to be hided, and bruised with lead-laden whips, and so cast into prison, and neither meat nor drink given to her for the space of eleven days.

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.

Quo témpore Maximíni uxor et Porphyrius belli dux, viséndæ Vírginis causa cárcerem ingréssi, et ejúsdem prædicatióne in Jesum Christum credéntes, póstea martyrio coronáti sunt.  Interim Catharína edúcitur e custódia ; et rota expedítur, crebris et acútis præfíxa gládiis, ut Vírginis corpus crudelíssime dilacerarétur.  Quæ máchina, brevi Catharínæ oratióne, confrácta est ; eóque miráculo multi Christi fidem suscepérunt.  Ipse Maximínus, in impietáte et crudelitáte obstinátior, Catharínam secúri pércuti ímperat.  Quæ, fórtiter dato cápite, ad duplicátum virginitátis et martyrii præmium evolávit séptimo Kaléndas Decémbris; cujus corpus ab Angelis in Sina, Arábiæ monte, mirabíliter collocátum est.

At that time Maximinus' wife and Porphyry the Captain of his host, went to the prison to see the damsel, and at her preaching believed in Jesus Christ, and were afterwards crowned with martyrdom.  Then was Catherine brought out of ward, and a wheel was set, wherein were fastened many and sharp blades, so that her virgin body might thereby be most direfully cut and torn in pieces, but in a little while, as Catherine prayed, this machine was broken in pieces, at the which marvel many believed in Christ.  But Maximinus was hardened in his godlessness and cruelty, and commanded to behead Catherine.  She bravely offered her neck to the stroke and passed away hence to receive the twain crowns of maidenhood and martyrdom, upon the 25th day of November.  Her body was marvellously laid by Angels upon Mount Sinai in Arabia.

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.

This Ceremonial cloth was a cover for the reliquary of St. Catherine. 
The central representation shows the angels carrying the Saint's body to the highest peak of Mount Sinai.

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.

Catharína, nóbilis virgo Alexandrína, liberálium ártium stúdia cum fídei ardóre conjúngens, cum multos Christiános Maximíni jussu ad supplícium rapi vidéret, ipsum ádiit Maximínum, eíque Christi fidem ad salútem esse necessáriam strénue affirmávit.  Ejus prudéntiam admirátus, tyránnus retinéri eam jubet ; et, accersítis úndique doctíssimis homínibus, ei persuadére studet, ut ad idolórum cultum se convértat.  Sed contra áccidit ; plures enim ex iis viris, sapientíssimis ratiónibus a Catharína convícti, Christi fidem sunt ampléxi et pro ea mori non dubitárunt.  Quam ob rem Maximínus blandítiis primum, deínde torméntis Catharínam de senténtia dedúcere aggréditur ; sed, cum nihil profíceret, eam secúri pércuti ímperat.

Catherine was a noble virgin of Alexandria who united a zeal for the liberal arts with an ardent faith.  When she saw many Christians given up to torture by Maximinus, she went to him and strongly stated the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation.  Wondering at her wisdom, the tyrant commanded her to be held, and, assembling the most learned men from all sides, he tried to persuade her to turn to the worship of idols.  But the opposite happened ; many of those men were convinced by Catherine's wise reasoning and embraced the faith of Christ and did not hesitate to die for it.  Because of this, Maximinus tried promises first and then threats to win Catherine from her conviction ; but, when nothing succeeded, he had her beheaded with an axe.

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

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

The monastery on Mount Sinai

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 decem is read from the Common of Virgins, Series 1.

The Betrothal of St. Catherine of Alexandria

Gospel Homily from Common of Virgins
 

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.
Deus, qui dedísti legem Móysi in summitáte montis Sínai, et in eódem loco per sanctos Angelos tuos corpus beátæ Catharínæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ mirabíliter collocásti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, ejus méritis et intercessióne, ad montem, qui Christus est, perveníre valeámus : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
O God, who on Mount Sinai didst give the law to Moses, and afterwards, through the ministry of holy Angels, didst mystically give rest thereon to the body of blessed Catherine thy Virgin and Martyr : grant, we beseech thee ; that, by her intercession, we may be brought unto that mountain which is Christ.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Vespers from the Chapter onwards of the following day.  Commemoration of the preceding, and of St. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop and Martyr.