Simple

All as in Common of Martyrs, except the following

Antiphons and Psalms at all the Hours and at the one Nocturn, the Nocturn Versicle, from the weekday, as in the Psalter.  The rest (omitting of course all Commemorations of Occurrences and Concurrences peculiar to the Christmas Octave) is as on the Feast, except the Lessons and the Collect.  The same order is observed on the two following days, on which, however, is said the Collect of the respective Feast Day.

The Lessons of the Epistle to the Romans, given on these three days, are always read, each set on its own day, with their Responds, in any Office of nine Lessons which may occur, unless it have Lessons from the Common or Proper, according to the Rubrics.

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

The Nocturn

Invitatory and Hymn

Christum natum, qui beátum hódie coronávit Stéphanum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The new-born Christ, who as on this day gave the crown to blessed Stephen, * O come, let us worship.

Christum natum, qui beátum hódie coronávit Stéphanum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The new-born Christ, who as on this day gave the crown to blessed Stephen, * O come, let us worship.

Psalmus 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.

Christum natum, qui beátum hódie coronávit Stéphanum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The new-born Christ, who as on this day gave the crown to blessed Stephen, * O come, let us worship.

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.

O come, let us worship.

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.

Christum natum, qui beátum hódie coronávit Stéphanum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The new-born Christ, who as on this day gave the crown to blessed Stephen, * O come, let us worship.

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.

O come, let us worship.

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.

Christum natum, qui beátum hódie coronávit Stéphanum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The new-born Christ, who as on this day gave the crown to blessed Stephen, * O come, let us worship.

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.

O come, let us worship.

Christum natum, qui beátum hódie coronávit Stéphanum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The new-born Christ, who as on this day gave the crown to blessed Stephen, * O come, let us worship.

Deus, tuórum mílitum
Sors, et coróna, præmium,
Laudes canéntes Mártyris
Absólve nexu críminis.

Hic nempe mundi gáudia,
Et blanda fraudum pábula
Imbúta felle députans,
Pervénit ad cæléstia.

Pœnas cucúrrit fórtiter,
Et sústulit viríliter,
Fundénsque pro te sánguinem,
Ætérna dona póssidet.

Ob hoc precátu súpplici
Te póscimus, piíssime :
In hoc triúmpho Mártyris
Dimítte noxam sérvulis.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

O God, thy soldiers' great reward,
Their portion, crown, and faithful Lord,
From all transgressions set us free
Who sing thy Martyr's victory.

By wisdom taught he learn'd to know
The vanity of all below,
The fleeting joys of earth disdain'd,
And everlasting glory gain'd.

For thee through many a woe he ran,
In many a fight he play'd the man;
For thee his blood he dar'd to pour,
And thence hath joy for evermore.

We therefore pray thee, Lord of love,
Regard us from thy throne above;
On this thy Martyr's triumph-day
Wash ev'ry stain of sin away.

Doxology
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

The Nocturn

De Epístola ad Romános

The Lesson is taken from the Epistle to the Romans

Justificáti ergo ex fide, pacem habeámus ad Deum per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum : per quem et habémus accéssum per fidem in grátiam istam, in qua stamus, et glóriámur in spe glóriæ filiórum Dei.  Non solum autem, sed et gloriámur in tribulatiónibus : sciéntes quod tribulátio patiéntiam operátur : patiéntia autem probatiónem, probátio vero spem : spes autem non confúndit : quia cáritas Dei diffúsa est in córdibus nostris per Spíritum Sanctum, qui datus est nobis.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

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

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

R.  Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccáta mundi : ecce de quo dicébam vobis : Qui post me venit, ante me factus est : * Cujus non sum dignus corrígiam calceaméntum sólvere.
V.  Qui de terra est, de terra lóquitur : qui de cælo venit, super omnes est.
R.  Cujus non sum dignus corrígiam calceaméntum sólvere.

R.  Behold the Lamb of God, behold him which taketh away the sins of the world ; he it is, of whom I said unto you : he that cometh after me is preferred before me ; *  The latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose.
V.  He that is of the earth speaketh of the earth ; he that cometh from heaven is above all.
R.  The latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose.

Ut quid enim Christus, cum adhuc infírmi essémus, secúndum tempus, pro ímpiis mórtuus est?  Vix enim pro justo quis móritur : nam pro bono fórsitan quis áudeat mori.  Comméndat autem caritátem suam Deus in nobis : quóniam cum adhuc peccatóres essémus, secúndum tempus Christus pro nobis mórtuus est : multo ígitur magis nunc justificáti in sánguine ipsíus, salvi érimus ab ira per ipsum.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

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

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

R.  Dies sanctificátus illúxit nobis : veníte, Gentes, et adoráte Dóminum : * Quia hódie descéndit lux magna in terris.
V.  Hæc dies quam fecit Dóminus, exsultémus et lætémur in ea.
R.  Quia hódie descéndit lux magna in terris.

(V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia hódie descéndit lux magna in terris.)

R.  Holy is the day that is dawning for us : come, all ye nations, and worship the Lord : * For as on this day a great light hath descended upon the earth.
V.  This is the day which the Lord hath made : we will rejoice and be glad in it.
R.  For as on this day a great light hath descended upon the earth.

(V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For as on this day a great light hath descended upon the earth.)

Christus caput  Mártyrum prior passus est  pro nobis, relínquens vobis exémplum, ut sequámini vestígia ejus.  Cujus passiónis vestígia prosecútus beatíssimus Stéphanus, confiténdo Christum lapidátus a Judæis, corónam méruit tamquam suo sibi  nómine pósitam.  Stéphanus enim Græce, Latíne coróna appellátur.  Jam coróna nomen habébat, et ídeo palmam martyrii suo nómine præferébat.  Qui cum lapidarétur, non solum non exspectábat de persecutóribus reportáre vindíctam, sed eis pótius a Deo véniam postulábat.

Christ, the Chief of Martyrs, also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.  And the steps of the Passion of this same Chief of Martyrs did blessed Stephen follow close, in that he was stoned by the Jews for his confession of Christ, and thereby gained the crown which pertained to him in virtue of his name.  For in the Greek language the word Stephen doth signify a crown.  Thus already bore the name Crown, whereby was foretold the palm of martyrdom ; which same he was to gain when he was stoned to death.  Yet notwithstanding, he sought not to draw down vengeance on his persecutors, but contrariwise prayed God to forgive them.

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

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

But in an Office of nine Lessons, Glória Patri is omitted in the second Respond, and the following Lesson is read :

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.

Si enim cum inimíci essémus, reconciliáti sumus Deo per mortem Fílii ejus : multo magis reconciliáti, salvi érimus in vita ipsíus.  Non solum autem : sed et glóriámur in Deo per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, per quem nunc reconciliatiónem accépimus.  Proptérea sicut per unum hóminem peccátum in hunc mundum intrávit, et per peccátum mors, et ita in omnes hómines mors pertránsiit, in quo omnes peccavérunt.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

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

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

R.  Benedíctus qui venit in nómine Dómini, Deus Dóminus, et illúxit nobis : * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Hæc dies quam fecit Dóminus, exsultémus et lætémur in ea.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord ; God is the Lord, who hath shewed us light : * Alleluia, alleluia.
V.  This is the day which the Lord hath made : we will rejoice and be glad in it.
R.  Alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Alleluia, alleluia.

In an Office of nine Lessons, after the conclusion of the First Nocturn, the Second Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below.

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

Capitulum           Act. 6. 8.
Stéphanus autem plenus grátia et fortitúdine, faciébat prodígia et signa magna in pópulo.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Act. 6. 8.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Invícte Martyr, únicum
Patris secútus Fílium,
Victis triúmphas hóstibus,
Victor fruens cæléstibus.

Tui precátus múnere
Nostrum reátum dílue,
Arcens mali contágium,
Vitæ repéllens tædium.

Solúta sunt jam víncula
Tui sacráti córporis :
Nos solve vinclis sæculi,
Dono supérni Núminis.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

Martyr of God, whose strength was steeled,
To follow close God's only Son,
Well didst thou brave the battle-field,
And well the heavenly bliss was won!

Now join thy prayers with ours, who pray
That God may pardon us, and bless;
For prayer keeps evil's plagues away,
And draws from life its weariness.

Long, long ago were loosed the chains
That held thy body once in thrall;
For us how many a bond remains!
O love of God, release us all.

Doxology
All honour, laud, and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost, for evermore.  Amen.

V.  Sepeliérunt Stéphanum viri timoráti.
R.  Et fecérunt planctum magnum super eum.

V.  Devout men carried Stephen to his burial.
R.  And made great lamentation over him.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Stéphanus autem * plenus grátia et fortitúdine, faciébat signa magna in pópulo.

Ant. on Bened:  Stephen, full of faith and power, * did great wonders and miracles among the people.

BENEDICTUS

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui primítias Mártyrum in beáti Levítæ Stéphani sánguine dedicásti : tríbue, quæsumus : ut pro nobis intercéssor exsístat, qui pro suis étiam persecutóribus exorávit Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast consecrated unto thyself the first-fruits of thy Martyrs in the blood of the blessed Levite Stephen : grant, we beseech thee ; that he may ever plead for our salvation, who for his murderers didst pray unto thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Prime

Lectio Brevis   Act. 7. 60
Pósitis autem génibus, clamávit voce magna, dicens : Dómine, ne státuas illis hoc peccátum.  Et cum hoc dixísset, obdormívit in Dómino.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

Brief Lesson    Act. 7. 60.
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, saying:  Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Return to the Office of Prime

Terce

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum           Act. 6. 8.
Stéphanus autem plenus grátia et fortitúdine, faciébat prodígia et signa magna in pópulo.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Act. 6. 8.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Glória et honóre * Coronásti eum, Dómine.
R.  Glória et honóre * Coronásti eum, Dómine.
V.  Et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.
R.  Coronásti eum, Dómine.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Glória et honóre * Coronásti eum, Dómine.

V.  Posuísti, Dómine, super caput ejus.
R.  Corónam de lápide pretióso.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  With glory and worship, * Thou hast crowned him, O Lord.
R.  With glory and worship, * Thou hast crowned him, O Lord.
V.  And hast made him to have dominion of the works of thy hands.
R.  Thou hast crowned him, O Lord.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  With glory and worship, * Thou hast crowned him, O Lord.

V.  Thou hast set a crown of pure gold.
R.  Upon his head, O Lord. 

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Sext

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Capitulum                      Act. 6. 9.
Surrexérunt autem quidam de synagóga, quæ appelátur Libertinórum, et Cyrenénsium, et Alexandrinórum, et eórum qui erant a Cilícia, et Asia, disputántes cum Stéphano : et non póterant resístere sapiéntiæ, et Spirítui qui loquebátur.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Act. 6. 9.
Then there arose certain of the Synagogue, which is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilícia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Posuísti, Dómine, * Super caput ejus.
R.  Posuísti, Dómine, * Super caput ejus.
V.  Corónam de lápide pretióso.
R.  Super caput ejus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Posuísti, Dómine, * Super caput ejus.

V.  Magna est glória ejus in salutári tuo.
R.  Glóriam et magnum decórem impónes super eum.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  Thou hast set a crown  * Of pure gold.
R.  Thou hast set a crown  * Of pure gold.
V.  Upon his head, O Lord. 
R.  Of pure gold.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Thou hast set a crown  * Of pure gold.

V.  His honour is great in thy salvation.
R.  Glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him. 

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

None

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Lectio Brevis   Act. 7. 60
Pósitis autem génibus, clamávit voce magna, dicens : Dómine, ne státuas illis hoc peccátum.  Et cum hoc dixísset, obdormívit in Dómino.
R.  Deo grátias.

Brief Lesson    Act. 7. 60.
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, saying:  Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.  And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Magna est glória ejus * In salutári tuo.
R.  Magna est glória ejus * In salutári tuo.
V.  Glóriam et magnum decórem impónes super eum.
R.  In salutári tuo.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Magna est glória ejus * In salutári tuo.

V.  Justus ut palma florébit.
R.  Sicut cedrus Líbani multiplicábitur.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  His honour is great * In thy salvation.
R.  His honour is great * In thy salvation.
V.  Glory and great worship shalt thou lay upon him. 
R.  In thy salvation.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  His honour is great * In thy salvation.

V.  The righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree.
R.  And shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.