St. Sylvester

Abbot

Double

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Clementíssime Deus, qui sanctum Silvéstrum Abbátem, sæculi hujus vanitátem in apérto túmulo pie meditántem, ad erémum vocáre, et præcláris vitæ méritis decoráre dignátus es : te súpplices exorámus ; ut, ejus exémplo terréna despiciéntes, tui consórtio perfruámur ætérno.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Most merciful God, we humbly pray thee : that, like as when thy blessed Abbot Sylvester was devoutly meditating over an open tomb on the vanity of this life, thou didst vouchsafe to call him thence unto the desert, and to adorn him with a life of wondrous merit; so thou wouldest enable us after his example, to despise all earthly things, and hereafter to rejoice in his eternal fellowship.  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:  Similábo eum * viro sapiénti, qui ædificavit domum suam supra petram.

Ant. on Magnif:  I will liken him * unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Clementíssime Deus, qui sanctum Silvéstrum Abbátem, sæculi hujus vanitátem in apérto túmulo pie meditántem, ad erémum vocáre, et præcláris vitæ méritis decoráre dignátus es : te súpplices exorámus ; ut, ejus exémplo terréna despiciéntes, tui consórtio perfruámur ætérno.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Most merciful God, we humbly pray thee : that, like as when thy blessed Abbot Sylvester was devoutly meditating over an open tomb on the vanity of this life, thou didst vouchsafe to call him thence unto the desert, and to adorn him with a life of wondrous merit; so thou wouldest enable us after his example, to despise all earthly things, and hereafter to rejoice in his eternal fellowship.  Through.

Commemoration is made of the preceding day (St. Catherine, VM) as follows:

Ant:  Veni, Sponsa Christi, áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparavit in ætérnum.

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

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.

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.)

Then is made a Commemoration of St. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop and Martyr:

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.
Infirmitátem nostram réspice, omnípotens Deus : et, quia pondus própriæ actiónis gravat, beáti Petri Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis intercéssio gloriósa nos prótegat.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Almighty God, mercifully look upon our infirmities : that whereas we are afflicted by the burden of our sins ; the glorious intercession of thy Martyr and Bishop blessed Peter may be our succour and defence.  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 a Confessor not a Bishop, Series 1,  Beatus vir.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Confessors
 

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.

Silvéster, Auximi in Picéno nóbili génere ortus, statim puerílem ætátem lítteris ac bonis móribus mirífice exornávit.  Adoléscens, Bonóniam ad stúdia jurisprudéntiæ missus a patre, cum sacris lítteris, a Deo mónitus, dedísset óperam, paréntis incúrrit indignatiónem ; quam æquo ánimo toto decénnio pértulit.  Ob egrégiam ejus virtútem a canónicis cathedrális Auximánæ ecclésiæ sócius honóris eléctus est ; in quo múnere pópulo oratiónibus, exémplo et conciónibus opem tulit.

Sylvester was born of a noble family at Osimo in Piceno, and in his childhood was a wonderful example both in regard to letters and good living.  When he grew older his father sent him to Bologna to study the law, but God warned him to give himself to divinity, and he thereby incurred the wrath of his father, which he bore with complacency for ten full years.  On account of his eminent graces he was elected an honorary canon of the Cathedral of Osimo, in the which dignity he ministered to the people by his prayers, his example, and his sermons.

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 tutavit 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.

Inter funus nóbilis cujúsdam defúncti, in apérto túmulo formósi viri suíque propínqui defórme cadáver conspíciens : Ego, inquit, sum, quod hic fuit ; quod hic est, ego ero.  Et mox, perácto fúnere, illa sibi Dómini occurrénte senténtia : Qui vult veníre post me, ábneget semetípsum, et tollat crucem suam, et sequátur me ; in solitúdinem, majóris perfectiónis stúdio, secéssit, ibíque vigíliis, oratiónibus jejuniísque déditus, crudas tantum herbas in cibum sæpius adhíbuit.  Ut autem magis latéret hómines, várias mutávit sedes ; ac demum pervénit ad montem Fanum, locum, quamvis prope Fabriánum, eo tamen témpore desértum, ibíque in honórem sanctíssimi patris Benedícti templum eréxit, congregationísque  Silvestrinórum fundaménta jecit, sub régula et hábitu in visióne sibi ab eódem Sancto osténsis.

At the funeral of a certain nobleman he perceived in an open grave the disfigured corpse of a kinsman of his own who had been very comely in his lifetime, and he said to himself, I am what he was, and what he is I shall be.  Straightway after the funeral he read the words of the Lord, If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  Thereupon he withdrew into the desert to seek after greater perfection, and then gave himself up to watching, praying, and fasting, very often taking no food but uncooked herbs.  In order, however, to cut himself off the more from men, he moved from one place to another, and at length came to Monte Fano, which is hard by Fabriano, but was itself then absolutely uninhabited.  Then he built a church in honour of the holy Father Benedict, and founded the congregation of Sylvestrians, with a rule and dress which were revealed to him in a vision by the holy Patriarch himself.

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.

At ínvidens sátanas váriis terróribus illíus mónachos turbáre nitebátur, noctu monastérii jánuas hostíliter invádens.  Sed vir Dei, hostis ímpetum ita représsit, ut mónachi in sancto institúto magis confírmaréntur ac patris sanctitátem agnóscerent.  Spíritu prophetíæ aliísque donis enítuit.  Quæ ut semper profúnda humilitáte conservávit, ita contra se dæmonis invídiam concitavit ; a quo præceps actus per scalas oratórii, et prope interiméndus, præsentíssimo Vírginis benefício incolumitáti rédditus est.  Quod benefícium perpétua et singulári in illam pietáte commendávit ad últimum usque vitæ spíritum, quem, fere nonagenárius, sanctitáte et miráculis clarus, Deo réddidit anno salútis millésimo ducentésimo sexagésimo séptimo, sexto Kaléndas Decémbris.  Ejus Offícium ac Missam Leo décimus tértius Póntifex máximus ad univérsam exténdit Ecclésiam.

Satan envied him, strove to trouble his monks by divers terrors, and made an hostile attack by night upon the gates of his monastery, but the man of God so overcame the assault of the enemy that his monks were the more confirmed in their Institute and recognised the holiness of their father.  He shone with the spirit of prophecy and other gifts.  These things he always preserved by the deepest lowliness, whereby he so stirred up against him the ill-will of the devil that that evil spirit cast him headlong down the stairs of his oratory, and went near to slay him, but he was restored to soundness by the helpful gift of the Virgin.  This help he remembered with an unceasing singular love toward her until the last breath of his life, the which breath he resigned to God, famous for holiness and miracles, aged almost ninety years, upon the 26th day of November, in the year of salvation 1267.  The Supreme Pontiff Leo XIII extended his Office and Mass to 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.

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.

Silvéster, Auximi in Picéno nóbili génere ortus, puerílem ætátem lítteris ac bonis móribus mirífice exornávit.  Sacris lítteris rite imbútus et canónicus factus, exémplo et sacris conciónibus pópulo opem tulit.  Inter funus nóbilis cujúsdam defúncti, in apérto túmulo formósi viri suíque propínqui defórme cadáver conspíciens : Ego, inquit, sum, quod hic fuit ; quod hic est, ego ero.  Et mox in solitúdinem, majóris perfectiónis stúdio, secéssit, ibíque vigíliis, oratiónibus jejuniísque déditus fuit.  Ut autem magis latéret hómines, várias  mutávit sedes, ac tandem ad montem Fanum, locum eo témpore desértum, in honórem sancti Benedícti templum eréxit, congregationísque Silvestrinórum fundaménta jecit.  Ibi mira sanctitáte mónachis præfúlsit ; spíritu prophetíæ, potestáte in dæmones aliísque donis enítuit, quæ semper profúnda humilitáte conservávit.  Obdormívit in Dómino, anno salútis millésimo ducentésimo sexagésimo séptimo.

Born of a noble family at Osimo in Piceno, Sylvester was remarkable even as a boy for his scholarship and his good character.  Having duly studied the sacred sciences and been made a canon, he benefited the people by his example and his preaching.  When, at the funeral of a certain dead nobleman, he saw the decaying corpse of the handsome man who had been his neighbour, he said : I am what this man was ; what he is, I shall be ; and soon, from a desire for greater perfection, he withdrew into solitude and there devoted himself to vigils, prayers and fasting.  That he might hide more completely from men's eyes, he changed his location several times.  Finally he went to Monte Fano, a place deserted at that time, where he built a church in honour of St. Benedict and laid the foundation of the Congregation of the Sylvestrines.  There his monks saw in him a wonderful model of holiness ; he was famous for the spirit of prophecy, for power over demons and for other gifts, which in his deep humility he always kept hidden.  He fell asleep in the Lord in the year of salvation 1267.

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

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

The Abbey of Monte Fano

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.

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 Petrus ad Jesum : Ecce nos relíquimus ómnia, et secúti sumus te : quid ergo erit nobis?  Et réliqua.

At that time : Peter said unto Jesus : Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  And so on, and that which followeth.

Grandis fidúcia!  Petrus piscátor erat, dives non fúerat, cibos manu et arte quærébat ; et tamen lóquitur confidénter : Relíquimus ómnia.  Et, quia non súfficit tantum relínquere, jungit quod perféctum est : Et secúti sumus te.  Fécimus quod jussísti : quid ígitur nobis dabis præmii?  Jesus autem dixit illis : Amen dico vobis, quod vos qui secúti estis me, in regeneratióne, cum séderit Fílius hóminis in sede majestátis suæ, sedébitis et vos super sedes duódecim, judicántes duódecim tribus Israël.  Non dixit, Qui reliquístis ómnia ; hoc enim et Crates fecit philósophus, et multi álii divítias contempsérunt : sed, Qui secúti estis me ; quod próprie Apostolórum est atque credéntium.

Such great confidence!  Peter was a fisherman, he was not rich, he earned his bread by his hand and skill, and nevertheless he is thus bold, and saith confidently : We have forsaken all.  And because it sufficeth not to forsake only, he addeth that which to do is to be perfect : And followed thee.  We have done that which thou hast commanded us, what reward therefore wilt thou give us?  And Jesus said unto them : Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Jesus saith not : Ye which have forsaken all, for this did even Crates the Philosopher, and they which have set nothing by riches are many, but, Ye which have followed me.  This did the Apostles, and this do believers do also.

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 Advocates with God.
R.  Amen.

In regeneratióne, cum séderit Fílius hóminis in sede majestátis suæ (quando et mórtui de corruptióne resúrgent incorrúpti) sedébitis et vos in sóliis judicántium, condemnántes duódecim tribus Israël ; quia, vobis credéntibus, illi crédere noluérunt.  Et omnis qui relíquerit domum, vel fratres, aut soróres, aut patrem, aut matrem, aut uxórem, aut fílios, aut agros propter nomen meum, céntuplum accípiet, et vitam ætérnam possidébit.  Locus iste cum illa senténtia cóngruit, in qua Salvátor lóquitur : Non veni pacem míttere, sed gládium.  Veni enim separáre hóminem a patre suo, et matrem a fília, et nurum a socru : et inimíci hóminis doméstici ejus.  Qui ergo, propter fidem Christi et prædicatiónem Evangélii, omnes afféctus contémpserint atque divítias et sæculi voluptátes ; isti céntuplum recípient, et vitam ætérnam possidébunt.

In the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, and when the dead shall rise again from corruption incorruptible, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones of judgment, condemning the twelve tribes of Israel, because, when ye believed in me, they would not.  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my Names' sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  This place agreeth well with that other where the Saviour saith : "I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes shall be they of his own household.  Every one therefore, that hath set no store by affection, and riches, and the pleasures of the world, for Christ's faith's sake, and the preaching of the Gospel, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

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

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

R.  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris: * Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.

R.  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: * And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.

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. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop 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.

Petrus, epíscopus Alexandríæ, post Theónam virum sanctíssimum, sanctitátis et doctrínæ splendóre non solum illustrávit Ægyptum, sed toti luxit Ecclésiæ Dei.  Qui in persecutióne Maximiáni Galérii illam témporum acerbitátem ita pértulit, ut multi, admirábilem ejus patiéntiam intuéntes, plúrimum in christiána virtúte profícerent.  Is primus Aríum diáconum Alexandrínum, propter schisma Meletiánum cui favébat, a fidélium communióne sejúnxit.  Ad eum, cápitis ab eódem Maximiáno damnátum, in cárcere cum Achíllas et Alexánder presbyteri deprecatóres Aríi veníssent, respóndit, noctu apparuísse sibi Jesum veste discíssa, causámque rei sciscitánti dixísse : Aríus vestem meam, quæ est Ecclésia, dilacerávit.  Quibus étiam prædícens fore, ut sibi in episcopátu succéderent, præcépit ne umquam Aríum in communiónem recíperent, quem Deo mórtuum esse sciret.  Et hanc divínam prænotiónem veram fuísse, non diu post rei probávit evéntus.  Dénique, duodécimo sui episcopátus anno, sexto Kaléndas Decémbris, abscísso cápite, ad martyrii corónam evolávit.

Peter succeeded that eminent Saint, Theonas, as Pope of Alexandria, and the glory of his holiness and teaching hath enlightened not Egypt only, but the whole Church of God.  The wondrous patience wherewith he bore the roughness of the times in the persecution under Maximian Galerius caused many greatly to increase in Christian graces.  He was the first who cut off Arius, then a Deacon of Alexandria, from the Communion of the faithful, on account of his leaning to the Meletian schism.  He was condemned to death by Maximian, and was in prison when there came to him the two Priests Achilles and Alexander to plead for Arius, but Peter told them that Jesus had appeared to him in the night clad in a rent garment, and when he asked what was thereby signified, had said unto him : Arius hath torn my vesture, which is the Church.  Also, he foretold to them that they should be Popes of Alexandria after him, and strictly commanded them never to receive Arius into Communion, because he knew him to be dead in the sight of God.  That this was a true prophecy the event did shortly prove.  At length in the twelfth year of his Popedom, upon the 26th day of November his head was cut off, and he went hence to receive the crown of his testimony.

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.  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 thou into the joy of thy Lord.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Clementíssime Deus, qui sanctum Silvéstrum Abbátem, sæculi hujus vanitátem in apérto túmulo pie meditántem, ad erémum vocáre, et præcláris vitæ méritis decoráre dignátus es : te súpplices exorámus ; ut, ejus exémplo terréna despiciéntes, tui consórtio perfruámur ætérno.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Most merciful God, we humbly pray thee : that, like as when thy blessed Abbot Sylvester was devoutly meditating over an open tomb on the vanity of this life, thou didst vouchsafe to call him thence unto the desert, and to adorn him with a life of wondrous merit; so thou wouldest enable us after his example, to despise all earthly things, and hereafter to rejoice in his eternal fellowship.  Through.

Commemoration of St. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop and Martyr :

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.
Infirmitátem nostram réspice, omnípotens Deus : et, quia pondus própriæ actiónis gravat, beáti Petri Mártyris tui atque Pontificis intercéssio gloriósa nos prótegat.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Almighty God, mercifully look upon our infirmities : that whereas we are afflicted by the burden of our sins ; the glorious intercession of thy Martyr and Bishop blessed Peter may be our succour and defence.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Second Vespers

The Hermitage of San Silvestro

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 Magnif. Ant:  Hic vir, despíciens mundum * et terréna, triúmphans, divítias cælo cóndidit ore, manu.

Ant. on Magnif:  Lo, a servant of God, * who esteemed as naught all things earthly, and by word and work laid him up treasures in heaven.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Clementíssime Deus, qui sanctum Silvéstrum Abbátem, sæculi hujus vanitátem in apérto túmulo pie meditántem, ad erémum vocáre, et præcláris vitæ méritis decoráre dignátus es : te súpplices exorámus ; ut, ejus exémplo terréna despiciéntes, tui consórtio perfruámur ætérno.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Most merciful God, we humbly pray thee : that, like as when thy blessed Abbot Sylvester was devoutly meditating over an open tomb on the vanity of this life, thou didst vouchsafe to call him thence unto the desert, and to adorn him with a life of wondrous merit; so thou wouldest enable us after his example, to despise all earthly things, and hereafter to rejoice in his eternal fellowship.  Through.