Friday within the Octave of the Ascension

Semidouble

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

 Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Concéde, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui hodiérna die Unigénitum tuum Redemptórem nostrum ad cælos ascendísse crédimus; ipse quoque mente in cæléstibus habitémus.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that like as we do believe thine only-begotten Son our Saviour to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity.

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
 

 

 

Invitatory and Hymn

Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Alleluia, Christ the Lord, who hath ascended into heaven, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Alleluia, Christ the Lord, who hath ascended into heaven, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Psalmus 94.
Venite, exsultemus Domino

Psalm 94.
Venite, exsultemus Domino

Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro : præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.

O come, let us sing unto the Lord ; let us heartily rejoice in the God of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving ; and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.

Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Alleluia, Christ the Lord, who hath ascended into heaven, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos : quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.

For the Lord is a great God ; and a great King above all gods:  For the Lord will not cast off his people:  In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also.

Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

O come, let us worship, alleluia.

In the following verse of the Psalm, at the words veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum (O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker) all genuflect.

Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus : veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum : plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos, quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.

The sea is his and he made it ; and his hands prepared the dry land.  O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker: For he is the Lord our God ; and we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Alleluia, Christ the Lord, who hath ascended into heaven, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness ; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.

Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ; ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways:  unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.

Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Alleluia, Christ the Lord, who hath ascended into heaven, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Alleluia, Christ the Lord, who hath ascended into heaven, * O come, let us worship, alleluia.

Hymnus

Æterne Rex altíssime,
Redémptor et fidélium,
Cui mors perémpta détulit
Summæ triúmphum glóriæ :

Ascéndis orbes síderum,
Quo te vocábat cælitus
Colláta, non humánitus,
Rerum potéstas ómnium :

Ut trina rerum máchina,
Cæléstium, terréstrium,
Et inferórum cóndita,
Flectat genu jam súbdita.

Tremunt vidéntes Angeli
Versam vicem mortálium :
Peccat caro, mundat caro,
Regnat Deus Dei caro.

Sis ipse nostrum gáudium,
Manens olympo præmium,
Mundi regis qui fábricam,
Mundána vincens gáudia.

Hinc te precántes quæsumus,
Ignósce culpis ómnibus,
Et corda sursum súbleva
Ad te supérna grátia.

Ut, cum repénte cœperis
Clarére nube júdicis,
Pœnas repéllas débitas,
Reddas corónas pérditas.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui victor in cælum redis,
Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

The Hymn

Eternal Monarch, King most high,
Whose blood hath brought redemption nigh,
By whom the death of Death was wrought,
And conquering grace to man was brought :

Ascending to the throne of might,
And seated at the Father's right,
All power, O Jesu, is thine own
That here thy Manhood had not known.

To thee the whole creation now
Doth in its three-fold order bow,
Of things on earth, and things on high,
And things that underneath do lie.

With awe the Angels contemplate
The wondrous change of man's estate;
Though flesh hath sinned, Flesh purged the stain,
And in that Flesh our God doth reign.

Be thou our joy, O mighty Lord,
As thou wilt be our great reward;
Earth's joys to thee are nothing worth,
Thou joy and crown of heaven and earth.

We therefore beg, dear Lord, of thee
To pardon our iniquity;
Yea, of thine own supernal grace
Uplift our hearts to seek thy face :

That when in clouds, O Judge of doom,
Thy glory shall this earth illume,
Thou mayst remit our debt of pain,
And grant our long-lost crowns again.

Proper Doxology
All praise from every heart and tongue
To thee, ascended Lord, be sung;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The First Nocturn
 

 

 

First Nocturn

Ant.    Eleváta est.

Ant.    Thou hast set thy glory.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 8.  Domine, Dominus noster

Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!
2  Quóniam eleváta est magnificéntia tua, * super cælos.
3  Ex ore infántium et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimícos tuos, * ut déstruas inimícum et ultórem.
4  Quóniam vidébo cælos tuos, ópera digitórum tuórum: * lunam et stellas, quæ tu fundásti.
5  Quid est homo quod memor es ejus? * aut fílius hóminis, quóniam vísitas eum?
6  Minuísti eum paulo minus ab Angelis, glória et honóre coronásti eum: * et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.
7  Omnia subjecísti sub pédibus ejus, * oves et boves univérsas : ínsuper et pécora campi.
8  Vólucres cæli, et pisces maris, * qui perámbulant sémitas maris.
9  Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!

Psalm 8.  Domine, Dominus noster

O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
2  For thou hast set thy glory * above the heavens.
3  Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou perfected praise, because of thine enemies, * that thou mightest destroy the enemy and the avenger.
4  For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained;
5  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
6  Thou madest him lower than the Angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and worship : * thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.
7  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet : * all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8  The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9  O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

Ant.    Eleváta est magnificéntia tua super cælos, Deus, allelúja.

Ant.    Thou hast set thy glory above the heavens, O God, alleluia.

Ant.    Dóminus in templo.

Ant.    The Lord is in his holy Temple.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 10.  In Domino confido

In Dómino confído : quómodo dícitis ánimæ meæ: * Tránsmigra in montem sicut passer?
2  Quóniam ecce peccatóres intendérunt arcum, paravérunt sagíttas suas in pháretra, * ut sagíttent in obscúro rectos corde.

3  Quóniam quæ perfecísti, destruxérunt: * justus autem quid fecit?
4  Dóminus in templo sancto suo, * Dóminus in cælo sedes ejus.

5  Oculi ejus in páuperem respíciunt: * pálpebræ ejus intérrogant fílios hóminum.

6  Dóminus intérrogat justum et ímpium: * qui autem díligit iniquitátem, odit ánimam suam.

7  Pluet super peccatóres láqueos: * ignis, et sulphur, et spíritus procellárum pars cálicis eórum.

8  Quóniam justus Dóminus, et justítias diléxit: * æquitátem vidit vultus ejus.

Psalm 10.  In Domino confido

In the Lord do I put my trust : how say ye then to my soul, * that she should flee as a bird unto the hill?
2  For lo, the ungodly bend their bow, and make ready their arrows within the quiver, * that they may shoot in the dark at them which are true of heart.
3  For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made : * and what hath the righteous done?
4  The Lord is in his holy temple; * the Lord's seat is in heaven.
5  His eyes consider the poor, * and his eyelids try the children of men.
6  The Lord trieth the righteous and the wicked : * but he that delighteth in wickedness, abhoreth his own soul.
7  Upon the ungodly he shall rain snares, * fire and brimstone, storm and tempest shall be their portion to drink.
8  For the Lord is righteous and loveth righteousness; * his countenance hath beholden the thing that is just.

Ant.    Dóminus in templo sancto suo, Dóminus in cælo, allelúja.

Ant.    The Lord is in his holy Temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven, alleluia.

Ant.    A summo cælo.

Ant.    His going forth.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 18.  Cæli enarrant

Cæli enárrant glóriam Dei: * et ópera mánuum ejus annúntiat firmaméntum.
2  Dies diéi erúctat verbum, * et nox nocti índicat sciéntiam.
3  Non sunt loquélæ, neque sermónes, * quorum non audiántur voces eórum.
4  In omnem terram exívit sonus eórum: * et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.

5  In sole pósuit tabernáculum suum: * et ipse tamquam sponsus procédens de thálamo suo.
6  Exsultávit ut gigas ad curréndam viam, * a summo cæli egréssio ejus.
7  Et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus: * nec est qui se abscóndat a calóre ejus.
8
  Lex Dómini immaculáta, convértens ánimas: * testimónium Dómini fidéle, sapiéntiam præstans párvulis.

9  Justítiæ Dómini rectæ, lætificántes corda: * præcéptum Dómini lúcidum illúminans óculos.

10  Timor Dómini sanctus, pérmanens in sæculum sæculi: * judícia Dómini vera, justificáta in semetípsa.
11  Desiderabília super aurum et lápidem pretiósum multum: * et dulcióra super mel et favum.
12  Etenim servus tuus custódit ea, * in custodiéndis illis retribútio multa.
13  Delícta quis intélligit? ab occúltis meis munda me: * et ab aliénis parce servo tuo.

14  Si mei non fúerint domináti, tunc immaculátus ero: * et emundábor a delícto máximo.

15  Et erunt ut compláceant elóquia oris mei: * et meditátio cordis mei in conspéctu tuo semper.

16  Dómine, adjútor meus, * et redémptor meus.

Psalm 18.  Cæli enarrant

The heavens declare the glory of God; * and the firmament sheweth his handy-work.
2  One day uttereth speech unto another; * and night sheweth knowledge unto night.
3  There is neither speech nor language; * where their voices are not heard.
4  Their sound is gone out unto all the lands; * and their words unto the ends of the earth.
5  In the sun hath he set his tabernacle; * and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
6  Hath rejoiced as a giant to run his course, * his going forth is from the uttermost part of the heaven.
7  And his circuit even unto the end thereof; * and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.
8  The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul; * the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
9  The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
10  The fear of the Lord is holy, and endureth for ever; * the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
11  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much precious stone; * sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb.
12  For thy servant keepeth them; * and in keeping of them there is great reward.
13  Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults : * save thy servant also from the sins of others.
14  If they get not the dominion over me, so shall I be undefiled, * and innocent from the great offence.
15  And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please, * and the meditation of my heart be alway in thy sight.
16  O Lord, my strength * and my redeemer.

Ant.    A summo cælo egréssio ejus, et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus, allelúja.

Ant.    His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit even to the end thereof, alleluia.

STAND

V.  Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, allelúja.
R.  Et Dóminus in voce tubæ, allelúja.
V.  God is gone up with a merry noise, alleluia.
R.  And the Lord with the sound of the trump, alleluia.
Pater noster. 
secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.
Our Father. 
Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to:
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

Absolutio: Exáudi, Dómine Jesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis : Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  Graciously hear, O Lord Jesu Christ, the prayers of thy servants, and have mercy upon us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere. V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 1: Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1:  May the Father Eternal bless us with a never-ending blessing.
R.  Amen.

Lesson i
Incipit Epístola secúnda beáti Petri Apóstoli Here beginneth the latter Epistle of blessed Peter the Apostle
Chap. 1, 1-4

Simon Petrus, servus et Apóstolus Jesu Christi, iis, qui coæquálem nobíscum sortíti sunt fidem in justítia Dei nostri et Salvatóris Jesu Christi.  Grátia vobis et pax adimpleátur in cognitióne Dei, et Christi Jesu Dómini nostri, quómodo ómnia nobis divínæ virtútis suæ, quæ ad vitam et pietátem donáta sunt per cognitiónem ejus, qui vocávit nos própria glória et virtúte, per quem máxima et pretiósa nobis promíssa donávit, ut per hæc efficiámini divínæ consórtes natúræ, fugiéntes ejus, quæ in mundo est, concupiscéntiæ corruptiónem.

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

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

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

R.  Post passiónem suam per dies quadragínta appárens eis, et loquens de regno Dei, allelúja : * Et, vidéntibus illis, elevátus est, allelúja : et nubes suscépit eum ab óculis eórum, allelúja.
V.  Et convéscens præcépit eis, ab Jerosólymis ne discéderent, sed exspectárent promissiónem Patris.
R.  Et, vidéntibus illis, elevátus est, allelúja : et nubes suscépit eum ab óculis eórum, allelúja.

R.  After his passion he was seen of them forty days, wherein he spake of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, alleluia :  *  And while they beheld he was taken up, alleluia : and a cloud received him out of their sight, alleluia.
V.  And as he sat at meat with them, he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father.
R.  And while they beheld he was taken up, alleluia : and a cloud received him out of their sight, alleluia.


V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere. V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 2: Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adjuváre dignétur.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: May the Son of God, the sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
R.  Amen.

Lesson ii Chap. 1, 5-9

Vos autem curam omnem subinferéntes ministráte in fide vestra virtútem, in virtúte autem sciéntiam, in sciéntia autem abstinéntiam, in abstinéntia autem patiéntiam, in patiéntia autem pietátem, in pietáte autem amórem fraternitátis, in amóre autem fraternitátis caritátem.  Hæc enim, si vobíscum adsint et súperent, non vácuos nec sine fructu vos constítuent in Dómini nostri Jesu Christi cognitióne ; cui enim non præsto sunt hæc, cæcus est et manu tentans, obliviónem accípiens purgatiónis véterum suórum delictórum.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

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

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

R.  Omnis pulchritúdo Dómini exaltáta est super sídera : * Spécies ejus in núbibus cæli, et nomen ejus in ætérnum pérmanet, allelúja.
V.  A summo cælo egréssio ejus, et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus.
R.  Spécies ejus in núbibus cæli, et nomen ejus in ætérnum pérmanet, allelúja.

R.  Like as the moon shining in the firmament, so is the Lord exalted to be the beauty of heaven, *  Giving light above the glory of the stars in the highest places, wherein his Name endureth for ever and ever, alleluia.
V.  He goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again.
R.  Giving light above the glory of the stars in the highest places, wherein his Name endureth for ever and ever, alleluia.


V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere. V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.

Benedíctio 3: Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: May the grace of the Holy Spirit all our heart and mind enlighten.
R.  Amen.

Lesson iii Chap. 1, 10-15

Quaprópter, fratres, magis satágite, ut per bona ópera certam vestram vocatiónem et electiónem faciátis : hæc enim faciéntes, non peccábitis aliquándo.  Sic enim abundánter ministrábitur vobis intróitus in ætérnum regnum Dómini nostri et Salvatóris Jesu Christi.  Propter quod incípiam vos semper commonére de his : et quidem sciéntes et confirmátos in præsénti veritáte.  Justum autem árbitror quámdiu sum in hoc tabernáculo, suscitáre vos in commonitióne : certus quod velox est deposítio tabernáculi mei secúndum quod et Dóminus noster Jesus Christus significávit mihi.  Dabo autem óperam, et frequénter habére vos post óbitum meum, ut horum memóriam faciátis.

Wherefore brethren, labour the more, that by good works ye may make sure your calling and election : for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though indeed ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.  Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

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

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

R.  Exaltáre, Dómine, allelúja, * In virtúte tua, allelúja.
V.  Eleváta est, magnificéntia tua super cælos, Deus.
R.  In virtúte tua, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  In virtúte tua, allelúja.

R.  Be thou exalted, Lord, alleluia : * In thine own strength, alleluia.
V.  Thou hast set thy glory above the heavens, O God.
R.  In thine own strength, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  In thine own strength, alleluia.

If today's Office be that of the day within the Octave of the Ascension, the Second Nocturn is begun as below.  However, if the Office be that of an occurring Feastday, the Office is continued according to the current weekday.

Second Nocturn of Friday within the Octave of the Ascension

Second Nocturn of Occurring Feastday


 

 

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Exaltáre, Dómine.

Ant.    Be thou exalted, O Lord.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 20.  Domine, in virtute tua

Dómine, in virtúte tua lætábitur rex: * et super salutáre tuum exsultábit veheménter.
2  Desidérium cordis ejus tribuísti ei: * et voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.

3  Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis: * posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.

4  Vitam pétiit a te: * et tribuísti ei longitúdinem diérum in sæculum, et in sæculum sæculi.
5  Magna est glória ejus in salutári tuo: * glóriam et magnum decórem impónes super eum.
6  Quóniam dabis eum in benedictiónem in sæculum sæculi: * lætificábis eum in gáudio cum vultu tuo.
7  Quóniam rex sperat in Dómino: * et in misericórdia Altíssimi non commovébitur.
8  Inveniátur manus tua ómnibus inimícis tuis: * déxtera tua invéniat omnes, qui te odérunt.

9  Pones eos ut clíbanum ignis in témpore vultus tui: * Dóminus in ira sua conturbábit eos, et devorábit eos ignis.

10  Fructum eórum de terra perdes: * et semen eórum a fíliis hóminum.
11  Quóniam declinavérunt in te mala: * cogitavérunt consília, quæ non potuérunt stabilíre.

12  Quóniam pones eos dorsum: * in relíquiis tuis præparábis vultum eórum.

13  Exaltáre, Dómine, in virtúte tua: * cantábimus et psallémus virtútes tuas.

Psalm 20.  Domine, in virtute tua

The King shall rejoice in thy strength, O Lord; * exceeding glad shall he be in thy salvation.
2  Thou hast given him his heart's desire, * and hast not denied him the request of his lips.
3  For thou hast prevented him with the blessings of goodness, * and hast set a crown of precious stones upon his head.
4  He asked life of thee; * and thou gavest him length of days, for ever, even world without end.
5  His honour is great in thy salvation; * glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him.
6  For thou shalt give him to be a blessing for ever and ever, * and make him glad with the joy of thy countenance.
7  For the king putteth his trust in the Lord; * and in the mercy of the Most Highest he shall not be moved.
8  May all thine enemies find thy hand; * and may thy right hand find out all them that hate thee.
9  Thou shalt make them like a fiery oven in time of thy wrath: * the Lord shall destroy them in his displeasure, and the fire shall consume them.
10  Their fruit shalt thou root out of the earth, * and their seed from among the children of men.
11  For they intended mischief against thee, * and devised counsels such as they were not able to perform.
12  Therefore shalt thou put them to flight, * in thy remnants shalt thou make ready the face of them.
13  Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength; * so will we sing, and praise thy power.

Ant.    Exaltáre, Dómine, in virtúte tua : cantábimus et psallémus, allelúja.

Ant.    Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thine own strength : so will we sing, and praise thy power, alleluia.

Ant.    Exaltábo te.

Ant.    I will magnify thee.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 29.  Exaltabo te, Domine

Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me: * nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.
2  Dómine, Deus meus, clamávi ad te, * et sanásti me.

3  Dómine, eduxísti ab inférno ánimam meam: * salvásti me a descendéntibus in lacum.

4  Psállite Dómino, sancti ejus: * et confitémini memóriæ sanctitátis ejus.
5  Quóniam ira in indignatióne ejus: * et vita in voluntáte ejus.

6  Ad vésperum demorábitur fletus: * et ad matutínum lætítia.

7  Ego autem dixi in abundántia mea: * Non movébor in ætérnum.

8  Dómine, in voluntáte tua, * præstitísti decóri meo virtútem.

9 Avertísti fáciem tuam a me, * et factus sum conturbátus.
10  Ad te, Dómine, clamábo: * et ad Deum meum deprecábor.
11  Quæ utílitas in sánguine meo, * dum descéndo in corruptiónem?
12  Numquid confitébitur tibi pulvis, * aut annuntiábit veritátem tuam?
13  Audívit Dóminus, et misértus est mei: * Dóminus factus est adjútor meus.

14  Convertísti planctum meum in gáudium mihi: * conscidísti saccum meum, et circumdedísti me lætítia:

15  Ut cantet tibi glória mea, et non compúngar: * Dómine, Deus meus, in ætérnum confitébor tibi.

Psalm 29.  Exaltabo te, Domine

I will magnify thee, O Lord, for thou hast set me up, * and not made my foes to triumph over me.
2  O Lord my God, I cried unto thee; * and thou hast healed me.
3  Thou, Lord, hast brought my soul out of hell: * thou hast saved me from them that go down to the pit.
4  Sing praises unto the Lord, O ye saints of his : and give thanks to the memory of his holiness.
5  For wrath is in his indignation : * and life in his good will.
Weeping may endure for a night, * but with the morning cometh joy..
7  And in my prosperity I said, * I shall never be removed.
8  Thou, Lord, in thy favour * gavest strength to my beauty.
9  Thou didst turn thy face from me, * and I was troubled.
10  Unto thee, O Lord, will I cry; * and gat me to my Lord right humbly.
11  What profit is there in my blood, * when I go down to corruption?
12  Shall the dust give thanks unto thee? * or shall it declare thy truth?
13  The Lord hath heard, and was merciful unto me; * the Lord became my helper.
14 Thou hast turned my mourning into joy; * thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness :
15  To the end that my glory shall sing unto thee : * O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Ant.    Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me, allelúja.

Ant.    I will magnify thee, O Lord, for thou hast set me up, alleluia.

Ant.    Ascéndit Deus.

Ant.    God is gone up.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 46.  Omnes Gentes

Omnes Gentes, pláudite mánibus: * jubiláte Deo in voce exsultatiónis.
2  Quóniam Dóminus excélsus, terríbilis: * Rex magnus super omnem terram.
3  Subjécit pópulos nobis: * et Gentes sub pédibus nostris.
4  Elégit nobis hereditátem suam : * spéciem Jacob, quam diléxit.
5  Ascéndit Deus in júbilo: * et Dóminus in voce tubæ.
6  Psállite Deo nostro, psállite: * psállite Regi nostro, psállite.
7  Quóniam Rex omnis terræ Deus: * psállite sapiénter.
8  Regnábit Deus super Gentes: * Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.
9  Príncipes populórum congregáti sunt cum Deo Abraham: * quóniam dii fortes terræ veheménter eleváti sunt.

Psalm 46.  Omnes Gentes

O clap your hands, all ye nations: * O shout unto God with the voice of joy.
2  For the Lord is high, and to be feared; * he is the great King upon all the earth.
3  He hath subdued the peoples under us, * and the nations under our feet.
4  He hath chosen out an heritage for us, * even the excellency of Jacob, whom he loved.
5  God is gone up with a merry noise, * and the Lord with the sound of the trump.
6  O sing praises, sing praises unto our God; * O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
7  For God is the King of all the earth: * sing ye praises with understanding.
 God shall reign over the nations; * God sitteth upon his holy throne.
9  The princes of the people are joined unto the God of Abraham; * for the strong gods of the earth are very high exalted.

Ant.    Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, et Dóminus in voce tubæ, allelúja.

Ant.    God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump, alleluia.

STAND

V.  Ascéndens Christus in altum, allelúja.
R.  Captívam duxit captivitátem, allelúja.
V.  Christ is gone up on high, alleluia.
R.  And hath led captivity captive, alleluia.
Pater noster. 
secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.
Our Father. 
Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to:
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

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.

Lesson iv
Sermo sancti Leónis Papæ The Lesson is taken from a Sermon by St. Leo the Pope
Sermo 2 de Ascensione Domini

Sacraméntum, dilectíssimi, salútis nostræ, quam prétio sánguinis sui universitátis Cónditor æstimávit, a die corporális ortus usque ad éxitum passiónis, per dispensatiónem humilitátis implétum est.  Et licet multa, étiam in forma servi, divinitátis signa radiáverint ; próprie tamen illíus témporis áctio ad demonstrándam suscépti hóminis pertínuit veritátem.  Post passiónem vero ruptis mortis vínculis, quæ vim suam in eum, qui peccáti erat néscius, incedéndo perdíderat ; infírmitas in virtútem, mortálitas in immortalitátem, contumélia transívit in glóriam : quam Dóminus Jesus Christus in multis manifestísque documéntis, multórum declarávit aspéctibus, donec triúmphum victóriæ, quem reportárat a mórtuis, inférret et cælis.

Dearly beloved, that mysterious thing, our salvation, which the Maker of the universe valued at the price of his own precious blood, was in process of fulfilment by him, in a dispensation of humility, from the time of his coming in the flesh, even unto the moment when, at the end of the passion, he cried on the cross : It is finished.  And although many tokens of his Godhead were manifested in him, even in the form of a servant, yet as a whole, the word of those three and thirty years was concerned with manifesting the verity of the Manhood which the Son of God had taken into himself.  But when the suffering was all over, whereby the bonds of death were broken, (for death had lost all its power by attacking him who knew no sin,) then was weakness changed into strength, mortality into immortality, insult into glory.  Which same, the Lord Jesus Christ, on so many occasions, made manifest by so many infallible proofs, until the day came when he bore aloft into heaven the triumph of that victory which he had won over 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.  Tempus est, ut revértar ad eum, qui me misit, dicit Dóminus : nolíte contristári, nec turbétur cor vestrum : * Rogo pro vobis Patrem, ut ipse vos custódiat, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Nisi ego abíero, Paráclitus non véniet : cum assúmptus fúero, mittam vobis eum.
R.  Rogo pro vobis Patrem, ut ipse vos custódiat, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Now I go my way to him that sent me, saith the Lord : let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid : *  For I will pray the Father that he may keep you in my Name, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  If I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart I will send him unto you.
R.  For I will pray the Father that he may keep you in my Name, alleluia, alleluia.


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.

Lesson v

Sicut ergo in solemnitáte pascháli resurréctio Dómini fuit nobis causa lætándi : ita ascénsio ejus in cælos præséntium nobis est matéria gaudiórum, recoléntibus illum diem, et rite venerántibus, quo natúræ nostræ humilitátis in Christo super omnem cæli milítiam, super omnes órdines Angelórum, et ultra ómnium altitúdinem potestátum, ad Dei Patris est provécta conséssum.  Quo órdine óperum divinórum nos fundáti, nos ædificáti sumus : ut mirabílior fíeret grátia Dei, cum remótis a conspéctu hóminum, quæ mérito reveréntiam sui sentiebántur indícere, fides non defíceret, spes non fluctuáret, cáritas non tepéret.

In the Solemnity of the Passover the cause of our joy was that Christ was risen again.  This day we rejoice because that he is ascended up into heaven.  Justice demandeth that we call to mind and celebrate the day whereon our lowly nature was, in the person of Christ, borne up on high above all the heavenly hosts, above all the circles of Angels, beyond the heights of all the Powers, even to the throne, where he was to sit on the right hand of the Father.  Our foundations are laid, and our house is built, upon this succession of the works of God.  And his grace is made more wonderful by this, that, even though the visible object of worship was thus removed from among men, the Faith of the Church did not grow weak, nor did her hope waver, nor her love become cold.

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

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

R.  Non turbétur cor vestrum : ego vado ad Patrem ; et cum assúmptus fúero a vobis, mittam vobis, allelúja, * Spíritum veritátis, et gaudébit cor vestrum, allelúja.
V.  Ego rogábo Patrem, et álium Paráclitum dabit vobis.
R.  Spíritum veritátis, et gaudébit cor vestrum, allelúja.

R.  Let not your heart be troubled that I go unto my Father ; for when I am taken up from you, I will send you the Paraclete, * Even the Spirit of Truth, and your heart shall rejoice, alleluia.
V.  I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter.
R.  Even the Spirit of Truth, and your heart shall rejoice, alleluia.


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.

Lesson vi

Magnárum hic vigor est méntium, et valde fidélium lumen est animárum, incunctánter crédere, quæ córporeo non vidéntur intúitu, et ibi fígere desidérium, quo néqueas inférre conspéctum.  Hæc autem píetas unde in nostris córdibus nascerétur, aut quómodo quisquam justificarétur per fidem, si in iis tantum salus nostra consísteret, quæ obtútibus subjacérent?  Unde et illi viro, qui de resurrectióne Christi videbátur ambígere, nisi in ipsíus carne vestígia passiónis et visu explorásset et tactu : Quia vidísti me, inquit Dóminus credidísti : beáti qui non vidérunt, et credidérunt.

This is what giveth vigour to great minds, this is the light of truly faithful souls, to wit : to believe unhesitatingly those things unknown to mere physical perception, and to fix the desires upon that which the eyes cannot see.  For how could this spirit of filial piety spring up in our hearts, or how could anyone be justified by faith, if our salvation consisted only in things visible to the sight?  There was a man who would not believe in the resurrection of Christ until he had examined by sight, and touched the marks of the passion in the divine body, and the Lord said to him : Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed ; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

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

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

R.  Ascéndens Christus in altum, captívam duxit captivitátem, * Dedit dona homínibus, allelúja, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, et Dóminus in voce tubæ.
R.  Dedit dona homínibus, allelúja, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Dedit dona homínibus, allelúja, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  When Christ went up on high, and led captivity captive,  * He received gifts for men, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump.
R.  He received gifts for men, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  He received gifts for men, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.


 

 

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Nimis exaltátus est.

Ant.    Thou art exalted.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 96.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit exsúltet terra: * læténtur ínsulæ multæ.
2  Nubes, et calígo in circúitu ejus: * justítia, et judícium corréctio sedis ejus.
3  Ignis ante ipsum præcédet: * et inflammábit in circúitu inimícos ejus.
4  Illuxérunt fúlgura ejus orbi terræ: * vidit et commóta est terra.
5  Montes, sicut cera fluxérunt a fácie Dómini: * a fácie Dómini omnis terra.
6  Annuntiavérunt cæli justítiam ejus: * et vidérunt omnes pópuli glóriam ejus.
7  Confundántur omnes, qui adórant sculptília: * et qui gloriántur in simulácris suis.
8  Adoráte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * audívit, et lætáta est Sion.
9  Et exsultavérunt fíliæ Judæ: * propter judícia tua, Dómine:
10  Quóniam tu Dóminus Altíssimus super omnem terram: * nimis exaltátus es super omnes deos.
11  Qui dilígitis Dóminum, odíte malum: * custódit Dóminus ánimas sanctórum suórum, de manu peccatóris liberábit eos.
12  Lux orta est justo, * et rectis corde lætítia.
13  Lætámini, justi in Dómino: * et confitémini memóriæ sanctificatiónis ejus.

Psalm 96.  Dominus regnavit

The Lord hath reigned, may the earth be glad thereof; * yea, the multitude of the isles shall be joyful.
2  Clouds and darkness are round about him: * righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his seat.
3  There shall go a fire before him, * and burn up his enemies on every side.
4  His lightnings gave shine unto the world: * the earth saw it, and trembled.
5  The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord; * the whole earth at the presence of the Lord.
6  The heavens have declared his righteousness, * and all the peoples have seen his glory.
7  Confounded be all they that worship carved images, * and that delight in their vain gods.
8  Worship him, all ye his Angels : * Sion heard of it, and rejoiced.
9  And the daughters of Judah were glad, * because of thy judgments, O Lord.
10  For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: * thou art exalted far above all gods.
11  O ye that love the Lord, hate evil: * the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.
12  There is sprung up a light for the righteous, * and joy for such as are true-hearted.
13  Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; * and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness.

Ant.    Nimis exaltátus est, allelúja : super omnes deos, allelúja.

Ant.    Thou art exalted, alleluia : far above all gods, alleluia.

Ant.    Dóminus in Sion.

Ant.    The Lord is great in Sion.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 98.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit, irascántur pópuli: * qui sedet super Chérubim, moveátur terra.
2  Dóminus in Sion magnus: * et excélsus super omnes pópulos.
3  (fit reverentia) Confiteántur nómini tuo magno : quóniam terríbile, et sanctum est : * et honor regis judícium díligit.
4  Tu parásti directiónes: * judícium et justítiam in Jacob tu fecísti.
5  Exaltáte Dóminum Deum nostrum, et adoráte scabéllum pedum ejus: * quóniam sanctum est.
6  Móyses et Aaron in sacerdótibus ejus: * et Sámuel inter eos, qui ínvocant nomen ejus:
7  Invocábant Dóminum, et ipse exaudiébat eos: * in colúmna nubis loquebátur ad eos.
8  Custodiébant testimónia ejus: * et præcéptum quod dedit illis.
9  Dómine, Deus noster, tu exaudiébas eos: * Deus, tu propítius fuísti eis, et ulcíscens in omnes adinventiónes eórum.
10  Exaltáte Dóminum Deum nostrum, et adoráte in monte sancto ejus: * quóniam sanctus Dóminus Deus noster.

Psalm 98.  Dominus regnavit

The Lord hath reigned, let the people be angry : * he that sitteth upon the Cherubim, let the earth be moved.
2  The Lord is great in Sion, * and high above all people.
3  (all bow) Let them give thanks unto thy great Name, for it is terrible, and holy : * and the King's honour loveth judgment.
4  Thou hast prepared equity, * thou hast executed judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5  O magnify the Lord our God, and worship his footstool; * for it is holy.
6  Moses and Aaron among his priests, * and Samuel among such as call upon his Name:
7  These called upon the Lord, and he heard them: * he spake unto them out of the cloudy pillar
8  They kept his testimonies, * and the law that he gave them.
9  Thou heardest them, O Lord our God; * thou wast to them a merciful God, and taking vengeance against all their inventions.
10  O magnify the Lord our God, and worship in his holy mountain; * for the Lord our God is holy.

Ant.    Dóminus in Sion, allelúja : magnus et excélsus, allelúja.

Ant.    The Lord is great in Sion, alleluia : and high above all people, alleluia.

Ant.    Dóminus in cælo.

Ant.    The Lord hath prepared.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 102. Benedic, anima mea

Bénedic, ánima mea, Dómino : * et ómnia, quæ intra me sunt, nómini sancto ejus.
2
  Bénedic, ánima mea, Dómino : * et noli oblivísci omnes retributiónes ejus.
3
  Qui propitiátur ómnibus iniquitátibus tuis : * qui sanat omnes infirmitátes tuas.
4
  Qui rédimit de intéritu vitam tuam : * qui corónat te in misericórdia et miseratiónibus.
5
  Qui replet in bonis desidérium tuum : * renovábitur ut áquilæ juvéntus tua.
6
  Fáciens misericórdias Dóminus : * et judícium ómnibus injúriam patiéntibus.
7
  Notas fecit vias suas Móysi, * fíliis Israël voluntátes suas.
8
  Miserátor, et miséricors Dóminus : * longánimis et multum miséricors.
9
  Non in perpétuum irascétur :  * neque in ætérnum comminábitur.
10
 Non secúndum peccáta nostra fecit nobis : * neque secúndum iniquitátes nostras retríbuit nobis.
11
  Quóniam secúndum altitúdinem cæli a terra : * corroborávit misericórdiam suam super timéntes se.
12
  Quantum distat ortus ab occidénte : * longe fecit a nobis iniquitátes nostras.
13 
Quómodo miserétur pater filiórum, misértus est Dóminus timéntibus se : * quóniam ipse cognóvit figméntum nostrum.
14
  Recordátus est quóniam pulvis sumus : * homo, sicut fœnum dies ejus, tamquam flos agri sic efflorébit.
15
  Quóniam spíritus pertransíbit in illo, et non subsistet : * et non cognóscet ámplius locum suum.
16
  Misericórdia autem Dómini ab ætérno, * et usque in ætérnum super timéntes eum.
17
  Et justítia illius in fílios filiórum, * his qui servant testaméntum ejus.
18
   Et mémores sunt mandatórum ipsíus, * ad faciéndum ea.
19
  Dóminus in cælo parávit sedem suam : * et regnum ipsíus ómnibus dominábitur.
20
  Benedícite Dómino, omnes Angeli ejus : * poténtes virtúte, faciéntes verbum illius, ad audiéndam vocem sermónum ejus.
21
  Benedícite Dómino, omnes virtútes ejus : * minístri ejus, qui fácitis voluntátem ejus.
22
  Benedícite Dómino, ómnia ópera ejus : * in omni loco dominatiónis ejus, bénedic, ánima mea, Dómino.

Psalm 102. Benedic, anima mea

Bless the Lord, O my soul; * and all that is within me, praise his holy Name.
2  Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits:
3  Who forgiveth all thy sin, * and healeth all thine infirmities;
4  Who saveth thy life from destruction, * and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5  Who satisfieth thy desire with good things, * thy youth shall be renewed as the eagle's.
6  The Lord executeth righteousness * and judgment for all them that are oppressed with wrong.
7  He shewed his ways unto Moses, * his works unto the children of Israel.
8  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, * longsuffering, and of great goodness.
9  He will not alway be chiding; * neither keepeth he his anger for ever.
10  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; * nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.
11  For according to the height of the heaven above the earth; * so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.
12  As far as the east is from the west; * so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.
13 
Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children, even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him : * for he knoweth whereof we are made.
14  He remembereth that we are but dust : * the days of man are but as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.
15  For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone; * and the place thereof shall know it no more.
16  But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth for ever, * and for evermore upon them that fear him.
17  And his righteousness upon children's children; * even upon such as keep his covenant,
18  And think upon his commandments * and to the keeping thereof.
19  The Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven, * and his kingdom shall rule over all.
20  O bless the Lord, all ye angels of his, * ye that are mighty in strength, and fulfil his commandment, even ye that hearken unto the voice of his word.
21  O bless the Lord, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
22  O bless the Lord, all ye works of his, * in all places of his dominion, bless thou the Lord, O my soul.

Ant.    Dóminus in cælo, allelúja : parávit sedem suam, allelúja.

Ant.    The Lord hath prepared, alleluia : his seat in heaven, alleluia.

STAND

V.  Ascéndo ad Patrem meum, et Patrem vestrum, allelúja.
R. 
Deum meum, et Deum vestrum, allelúja.
V.  I ascend to my Father and your Father, alleluia.
R.  To my God and your God, alleluia.
Pater noster. 
secreto usque ad
V.  Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem.
R.  Sed líbera nos a malo.
Our Father. 
Which words are said aloud, and the rest secretly to:
V.  And lead us not into temptation.
R.  But deliver us from evil.

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.

Lesson vii
Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Marcum The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Mark
Chap. 16, 14-20

In illo témpore : Recumbéntibus úndecim discípulis, appáruit illis Jesus : et exprobrávit incredulitátem eórum et durítiam cordis, quia iis, qui víderant eum resurrexísse, non credidérunt.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus appeared unto the eleven disciples as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart : because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Homilía sancti Gregórii Papæ A Homily by St. Gregory the Pope
Eadem Homilia 29

Qui credíderit, et baptizátus fúerit, salvus erit : qui vero non credíderit, condemnábitur.  Fortásse unusquísque apud semetípsum dicat : Ego jam crédidi, salvus ero.  Verum dicit, si fidem opéribus tenet.  Vera étenim fides est, quæ in hoc, quod verbis dicit, móribus non contradícit.  Hinc est enim quod de quibúsdam falsis fidelibus Paulus dicit : Qui confiténtur se nosse Deum, factis autem negant.  Hinc Joánnes ait : Qui dicit se nosse Deum, et mandáta ejus non custódit, mendax est.

He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be condemned.  Perchance some man will say within himself ; I have already believed, and therefore I have within myself the power from on high whereby I shall be saved.  Thou hast well said, provided thou shewest thy faith by thy works.  He only hath a true faith whose life doth not give the lie to his confession.  Hence it is that Paul saith, concerning some who were falsely faithful : They profess that they know God ; but in works they deny him.  And John likewise saith : He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar.

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

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

R.  Ego rogábo Patrem, et álium Paráclitum dabit vobis, * Ut máneat vobíscum in ætérnum, Spíritum veritátis, allelúja.
V.  Si enim non abíero, Paráclitus non véniet ad vos : si autem abíero, mittam eum ad vos.
R.  Ut máneat vobíscum in ætérnum, Spíritum veritátis, allelúja.

R.  I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, *  That he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, alleluia.
V.  For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you : but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
R.  That he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, alleluia.


V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8: Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8: May help divine be with us all, for ever abiding.
R.  Amen.

Lesson viii

Quod cum ita sit, fídei nostræ veritátem in vitæ nostræ consideratióne debémus agnóscere.  Tunc enim veráciter fidéles sumus, si quod verbis promíttimus, opéribus complémus.  In die quippe baptísmatis, ómnibus nos antíqui hostis opéribus, atque ómnibus pompis abrenuntiáre promísimus.  Itaque unusquísque vestrum ad consideratiónem suam mentis óculos redúcat ; et si servat post baptísmum, quod ante baptísmum spopóndit, certus jam, quia fidélis est, gáudeat.

Since this is so, it behoveth us to test the reality of our faith by a careful consíderation of our lives.  For then only are we truly Christ's faithful people when we fulfil in works what we promise in words.  The day whereon we were baptized we bound ourselves to renounce all the works of the old enemy, and all his pomps.  Therefore let every one of you now turn his inward eye upon his own behaviour and if, since his Baptism, he hath kept that promise which he made before it, let him know that he is in very truth one of Christ's faithful ones ; and then only let him rejoice.

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

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

R.  Ponis nubem ascénsum tuum, Dómine : * Qui ámbulas super pennas ventórum, allelúja.
V.  Confessiónem et decórem induísti, amíctus lumen sicut vestiméntum.
R.  Qui ámbulas super pennas ventórum, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Qui ámbulas super pennas ventórum, allelúja.

R.  Thou makest the clouds thy chariot, O Lord, * Thou walkest upon the wings of the wind, alleluia.
V.  Thou art clothed with honour and majesty, covering thyself with light as with a garment.
R.  Thou walkest upon the wings of the wind, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Thou walkest upon the wings of the wind, alleluia.


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.

 

Lesson ix

The Mount of Olives

Sed ecce, si quod promísit, mínime servávit, si ad exercénda prava ópera, ad concupíscéndas mundi pompas dilápsus est : videámus, si jam scit plángere quod errávit.  Apud misericórdem namque júdicem nec ille fallax habétur, qui ad veritátem revértitur, étiam postquam mentítur : quia omnípotens Deus, dum libénter nostram pœniténtiam súscipit, ipse suo judício hoc, quod errávimus, abscóndit.

But if he have utterly broken his promise, if he have fallen away to work iniquity, and to lust after the pomps of the world, let us see if he now knoweth how to weep over his backsliding.  For he that returneth to the truth, even after he hath lied, is not counted as a liar by our merciful Judge.  Nay, in this case Almighty God welcometh our repentance, and himself declareth that, in his judgment, we are no longer guilty of that which we have done amiss.

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

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

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS TE DEUM
 

 

 

Lauds