Sixth Sunday
after Epiphany

Semidouble

Matins

Lauds

Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Orémus.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut semper rationabília meditántes ; quæ tibi sunt plácita, et dictis exsequámur, et factis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that, ever fixing our thoughts on reasonable things, we may both in word and in deed do that which is pleasing unto thee.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn
 

First Nocturn

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.

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.

Incipit Epístola beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Hebræos

Here beginneth the Epistle of
blessed Paul to the Hebrews

Multifáriam, multísque modis olim Deus loquens pátribus in prophétis : novíssime, diébus istis locútus est nobis in Fílio, quem constítuit herédem universórum, per quem fecit et sæcula : qui cum sit splendor glóriæ, et figúra substántiæ ejus, portánsque ómnia verbo virtútis suæ, purgatiónem peccatórum fáciens, sedet ad déxteram majestátis in excélsis : tanto mélior Angelis efféctus, quanto differéntius præ illis nomen hereditávit.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

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

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

R.  Dómine, ne in ira tua árguas me, neque in furóre tuo corrípias me : * Miserére mei, Dómine, quóniam infírmus sum.
V.  Timor et tremor venérunt super me, et contexérunt me ténebræ.
R.  Miserére mei, Dómine, quóniam infírmus sum.

R.  Put me not to rebuke, O Lord, in thine indignation, neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure : *  Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak.
V.  Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and darkness hath overwhelmed me.
R.  Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak.

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.

Cui enim dixit aliquándo Angelórum : Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te?  Et rursum : Ego ero illi in patrem, et ipse erit mihi in fílium?  Et cum íterum introdúcit primogénitum in orbem terræ, dicit : Et adórent eum omnes Angeli Dei.  Et ad Angelos quidem dicit : Qui facit Angelos suos spíritus, et minístros suos flammam ignis.  Ad Fílium autem : Thronus tuus, Deus, in sæculum sæculi : virga æquitátis, virga regni tui.  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem : proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo exsultatiónis præ particípibus tuis.

For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

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

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

R.  Deus, qui sedes super thronum, et júdicas æquitátem, esto refúgium páuperum in tribulatióne : * Quia tu solus labórem et dolórem consíderas.
V.  Tibi enim derelíctus est pauper, pupíllo tu eris adjútor.
R.  Quia tu solus labórem et dolórem consíderas.

R.  Thou, O Lord, art set in the throne that judgest right ; be thou a defence for the oppressed, even a refuge in due time of trouble ; *  Yea, thou alone beholdest ungodliness and wrong.
V.  The poor committeth himself unto thee, for thou art the helper of the friendless.
R.  Yea, thou alone beholdest ungodliness and wrong.

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.

Et : Tu in princípio, Dómine, terram fundásti : et ópera mánuum tuárum sunt cæli.  Ipsi períbunt, tu autem permanébis, et omnes ut vestiméntum veteráscent : et velut amíctum mutábis eos, et mutabúntur : tu autem idem ipse es, et anni tui non defícient.  Ad quem autem Angelórum dixit aliquándo : Sede a dextris meis, quoadúsque ponam inimícos tuos scabéllum pedum tuórum?  Nonne omnes sunt administratórii spíritus, in ministérium missi propter eos, qui hereditátem cápient salútis? 

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?  Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

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

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

R.  A dextris est mihi Dóminus, ne commóvear : * Propter hoc dilatátum est cor meum, et exsultávit lingua mea.
V.  Dóminus pars hereditátis meæ, et cálicis mei.
R.  Propter hoc dilatátum est cor meum, et exsultávit lingua mea.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Propter hoc dilatátum est cor meum, et exsultávit lingua mea.

R.  The Lord is at my right hand, so that I need not fall : * Wherefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth.
V.  The Lord himself is the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup.
R.  Wherefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Wherefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth.

Second Nocturn
 

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.

Si persónam, rem, tempus apostólici dicti cognóscerent hærétici, numquam humána in Deitátem transferéntes, tam ímpie et stulte advérsus Christum sese habuíssent.  Id intuéri licébit, si inítium lectiónis dénuo repetítum probe excípias.  Dicit enim Apóstolus : Multifáriam, multísque modis olim Deus locútus est pátribus nostris per Prophétas : últimis autem diébus locútus est nobis in Fílio.  Atque ita paulo post dicit : Perfécta ab eo nostrórum peccatórum purificatióne, ipsum sedére ad déxteram majestátis in excélsis, tanto meliórem Angelis factum, quanto præstántius nomen præ illis sortítus est.  De eo ígitur témpore, quo nobis per Fílium locútus est, cum peccatórum purgátio fíeret, apostólicum dictum mentiónem facit.  Quando autem nobis locútus est in Fílio, aut quando purgátio peccatórum facta, aut quando natus est homo, nisi post Prophétas, idque in últimis diébus?

If the hereticks had but known the Person, the matter, and the time, whereof the Apostle spake, when he was writing his Epistle to the Hebrews, they would never have behaved so wickedly and foolishly toward Christ as to attribute human qualities to his Godhead.  This will be easily seen if ye will but read the beginning of the passage on which we are commenting, and consider it carefully.  The Apostle there saith : God, who at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.  And again, a little further on : When the Son had purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high ; being made so much better than the Angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they.  The Apostle doth here expressly specify the time wherein God hath spoken unto us by his Son, namely : When the Son had by himself purged our sins.  Let us ask, then, when it was that God spake unto us by his Son? or when did the Son purge our sins? or when was he born Man?  And the Apostle answereth : After God spake unto the fathers by the Prophets : namely : In these last days.

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

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

R.  Notas mihi fecísti, Dómine, vias vitæ : * Adimplébis me lætítia cum vultu tuo : delectatiónes in déxtera tua usque in finem.
V.  Tu es qui restítues hereditátem meam mihi.
R.  Adimplébis me lætítia cum vultu tuo : delectatiónes in déxtera tua usque in finem.

R.  Thou shalt shew me the path of life, O Lord ;  *  In thy presence is the fulness of joy, and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.
V.  Thou it is that shalt maintain my lot.
R.  In thy presence is the fulness of joy, and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

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.

Deínde cum narrátio institúta esset de humána Verbi dispensatióne, deque últimis tempóribus : consequénter commemorávit, Deum neque superióribus ætátibus tacuísse, sed locútum esse per Prophétas : et postquam Prophétæ suo offício perfúncti sunt, et lex per Angelos pronuntiáta est, et Fílius étiam ad nos descéndit, et ad ministrándum accéssit ; tunc demum necessário subíntulit : Tanto mélior Angelis factus : osténdere volens, quanto Fílius præ servo excéllit, tanto functióne officióque servórum, Fílii administratiónem meliórem fuísse.

The Apostle, when about to enter upon a discussion of the human dispensation of the Word, which as he saith began in these last days, naturally mentioneth first that God had been silent in time past, but had spoken unto the fathers by the Prophets.  And secondly, he saith that after the Prophets had discharged their office, and the Law had been given by the ministry of Angels, then the Son also came down unto us to minister.  Whereupon he addeth : Being made so much better than the Angels : to shew that as the Son differeth from a servant, so the ministry of the Son must have been better than the ministry and office of the Angels who are not sons but servants.

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

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

R.  Díligam te, Dómine, virtus mea : Dóminus firmaméntum meum,  * Et refúgium meum.
V.  Liberátor meus, Deus meus, adjútor meus.
R.  Et refúgium meum.

R.  I will love thee, O Lord, my strength : the Lord is my stony rock, *  And my defence.
V.  My Saviour, my God, and my might.
R.  And my defence.

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.

Functiónem ígitur discérnens Apóstolus, tum véterem, tum novam, magna dicéndi libertáte útitur, ad Judæos scribens et loquens.  Propter hoc ígitur non in univérsum ex própria comparatiónis ratióne dixit, quod major aut honorátior esset : ne quis quasi de ejúsdem géneris, et cum eo commúnibus rebus hæc verba intellígeret : sed ídeo meliórem illum dixit, ut discrímen natúræ Fílii ad res creátas indicáret.

It was for this reason that the Apostle, seeing the difference between the new ministry of the Son and the old of the Angels, maketh very bold in writing and speaking to the Hebrews.  For this cause, therefore, he doth not compare the details of the two minístries, and then come to the general conclusion that the new was greater or more honourable than the old.  For if he had so done, some might have reasoned therefrom that the two minístries were of the same kind : and on this wise they might be misled to think that the Apostle's conclusion (to wit, that the new ministry is better than the old) was arrived at by comparing the degrees in each of things which the two minístries had in common.  Therefore, he saith plainly that the Son himself was made better than the Angels, to distinguish at once and completely the nature of the Son from the nature of things created.

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

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

R.  Dómini est terra, et plenitúdo ejus : * Orbis terrárum, et univérsi qui hábitant in eo.
V.  Ipse super mária fundávit eam, et super flúmina præparávit illam.
R.  Orbis terrárum, et univérsi qui hábitant in eo.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Orbis terrárum, et univérsi qui hábitant in eo.

R.  The earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is, * The compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
V.  For he hath founded it upon the seas, and prepared it upon the floods.
R.  The compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  The compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.

Third Nocturn
 

Third Nocturn

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 7: Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 7:  May the Gospel's holy lection be our safeguard and protection.
R.  Amen.

In illo témpore : Dixit Jesus turbis parábolam hanc : Símile est regnum cælórum grano sinápis, quod accípiens homo seminávit in agro suo.   Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus spake this parable unto the multitudes : The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Regnum cælórum prædicátio Evangélii est, et notítia Scripturárum, quæ ducit ad vitam, et de qua dícitur ad Judæos : Auferétur a vobis regnum Dei, et dábitur genti faciénti fructus ejus.  Símile est ergo hujuscémodi regnum grano sinápis, quod accípiens homo seminávit in agro suo.  Homo qui séminat in agro suo, a plerísque Salvátor intellígitur, quod in ánimis credéntium séminet : ab áliis ipse homo séminans in agro suo, hoc est in semetípso, et in corde suo.

The kingdom of heaven is the proclamation of the Gospel, and that knowledge of the Scriptures, which leadeth unto life, and whereof it is said to the Jews, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.  Therefore is this kingdom like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed it in his field.  By the man that sowed it in his field, many understand to be meant the Saviour, because he is the Sower that soweth in the souls of believers ; others understand every man that soweth good seed in his own field, that is, in himself and in his own heart.

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

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

R.  Ad te, Dómine, levávi ánimam meam : * Deus meus, in te confído, non erubéscam.
V.  Custódi ánimam meam, et éripe me.
R.  Deus meus, in te confído, non erubéscam.

R.  Unto thee, O Lord, will I lift up my soul ; * My God, I have put my trust in thee, O let me never be confounded.
V.  O keep my soul, and deliver me.
R.  My God, I have put my trust in thee, O let me never be confounded.

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.

Quis est iste, qui séminat, nisi sensus noster et ánimus ; qui suscípiens granum prædicatiónis, et fovens seméntem, humóre fídei facit in agro sui péctoris pulluláre?  Prædicátio Evangélii mínima est ómnibus disciplínis.  Ad primam quippe doctrínam, fidem non habet veritátis, hóminem Deum, Christum mórtuum, et scándalum crucis prædicans.  Confer hujuscémodi doctrínam dogmátibus philosophórum, et libris eórum, et splendóri eloquéntiæ, et compositióni sermónum : et vidébis quanto minor sit céteris semínibus seméntis Evangélii.

Who is he that soweth, but our own mind and soul, which take the grain from preaching, and by nourishing it in the soil, cause it to sprout in the field of our own breast?  The preaching of the Gospel is the least of all doctrines.  He that preacheth, for his first lesson, God made man, Christ dead, and the stumbling-block of the Cross, receiveth at first but little credit.  Compare such teaching as this with the doctrines of the Philosophers, with their books, their magnificent eloquence, and their rounded sentences, and thou shalt see how the grain of the Gospel, when it is sown, is the humblest of all seeds.

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

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

R.  Duo Séraphim clamábant alter ad álterum : * Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dóminus Deus Sábaoth : * Plena est omnis terra glória ejus.
V.  Tres sunt qui testimónium dant in cælo : Pater, Verbum, et Spíritus Sanctus : et hi tres unum sunt.
R.  Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Plena est omnis terra glória ejus.

R.  The two Seraphim did cry the One to the Other : * Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Hosts : * The whole earth is full of his glory.
V.  For there are Three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost : and these Three are One.
R.  Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of Hosts.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  The whole earth is full of his glory.

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.

Sed illa cum créverint, nihil mordax, nihil vívidum, nihil vitále demónstrant : sed totum fláccidum marcidúmque et mollítum ebúllit in ólera et in herbas, quæ cito aréscunt et córruunt.  Hæc autem prædicátio, quæ parva videbátur in princípio, cum vel in ánima credéntis, vel in tot mundo sata fúerit, non exsúrgit in ólera, sed crescit in árborem : ita ut vólucres cæli (quas vel ánimas credéntium, vel fortitúdines, Dei servítio mancipátas, sentíre debémus) véniant et hábitent in ramis ejus.  Ramos puto evangélicæ árboris, quæ de grano sinápis créverit, dógmatum esse diversitátes, in quibus supradictárum vólucrum unaquæque requiéscit.

But when the doctrines of men grow up, there is therein nothing piercing, nothing healthy, nothing life-giving.  The plant is drooping, and delicate, and soft.  There are herbs and grass whereof it may truly be said that the grass withereth and the flower fadeth.  But the grain of Gospel seed, though, when it was sown, it seemed to be the least of all seeds, when once it is rooted in the soul of man, or in the whole world, groweth not into an herb, but becometh a tree : so that the birds of the air (whereby we may understand, either the souls of believers, or the angelic powers bound to the service of God,) come and lodge in the branches thereof.  I consider that the branches of the Gospel tree, which groweth from the grain of mustard seed, are the divers developments of doctrine, on which the birds above mentioned find resting-places.

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.  Dóminus regnávit, decórem índuit.
R.  Induit Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se virtúte.

V.  The Lord is King and hath put on glorious apparel.
R.  The Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Símile est * regnum cælórum grano sinápis, quod mínimum est ómnibus semínibus : cum autem créverit, majus est ómnibus oléribus.

Ant. on Bened:  The kingdom of heaven * is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which is the least of all the seeds, but when it is grown up, it is greater than all herbs.

Orémus.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut semper rationabília meditántes ; quæ tibi sunt placíta, et dictis exsequámur, et factis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that, ever fixing our thoughts on reasonable things, we may both in word and in deed do that which is pleasing unto thee.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS if it is said

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Vespers

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Símile est * regnum cælórum ferménto, quod accéptum múlier abscóndit in farínæ satis tribus, donec fermentátum est totum.

Ant. on Magnif:  The kingdom of heaven * is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole is leavened.

Orémus.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut semper rationabília meditántes ; quæ tibi sunt placíta, et dictis exsequámur, et factis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that, ever fixing our thoughts on reasonable things, we may both in word and in deed do that which is pleasing unto thee.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS if it is said

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH