Octave Day of the Dedication of a Church

Within the Octave and on the Octave Day the Antiphons and Psalms at all the Hours and the Versicles of the Nocturns of the occurring day of the week are as in the Psalter.  The rest is as on the Feast, except the Lessons, which at the I Nocturn are said from occurring Scripture with their own Responds of the Season, and at the II and III Nocturns proper ones are assigned for each day as given below.

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.

Tabernáculum Móysen, Dómino præcipiénte, fecísse et sacrásse, cum mensa et altári ejus, et céteris vasis et utensílibus ad divínum cultum expléndum, légimus ; et non solum divínis précibus ea sacrásse, sed étiam sancti ólei unctióne, Dómino jubénte, perlinísse nóvimus.  Quáliter autem hæc facta sint, et quómodo ipsa sacra non álii quam sacerdótes, sacra unctióne delibúti Dominóque cum véstibus sancti sacráti, et Levítæ tractábant, ferébant, erigébant et deponébant ; in ipsis institutiónibus, quæ, jubénte Dómino, conscríptæ sunt per Móysen, in lege Dómini reperítur.

We read that Moses, by the command of the Lord, made and hallowed a tabernacle, with the table and altar, and other vessels and furniture thereof, for the worship of God ; and we know that he hallowed the same, not only by prayers to God, but by anointing them, at the command of the Lord, with holy oil.  How these things were done, and how none others but Priests anointed with holy ointment, and arrayed before the Lord in holy garments, and Levites, handled, carried, set up, and put in order these holy things, all this is to be found written in the Law of the Lord, among the ordinances which Moses wrote down at the command of the Lord.

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

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

R.  Orántibus in loco isto, * Dimítte peccáta pópuli tui, Deus, et osténde eis viam bonam per quam ámbulent, et da glóriam in loco isto.
V.  Qui regis Israël inténde, qui dedúcis velut ovem Joseph, qui sedes super Chérubim.
R.  Dimítte peccáta pópuli tui, Deus, et osténde eis viam bonam per quam ámbulent, et da glóriam in loco isto.

R.  When they pray toward this place, * Forgive the sins of thy people, O God, and teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and manifest forth thy glory in this place.
V.  Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, thou that sittest upon the Cherubims.
R.  Forgive the sins of thy people, O God, and teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and manifest forth thy glory in this place.

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.

Quáliter ergo David, regum piísimus, amplificáverit cultum Dei, et templum Dómino ædificáre volúerit, sed propter multum sánguinem quem effúderat prohíbitus est, et ipse ellégerat expénsas ; Sálomon quoque, fílius ejus idípsum quod ipse fácere optáverat, jubénte et auxiliánte Deo, perfécit, et templum cum altári, et réliqua ad divínum cultum peragéndum consecrávit ; in libro Regum légitur : Fecit ergo Sálomon in témpore illo festivitátem célebrem et omnis Israël cum eo, multitúdo magna ab intróitu Emath usque ad rivum Ægypti, coram Dómino Deo nostro septem diébus et septem diébus, id est, quatuórdecim diébus, et in die octáva dimísit pópulos.

In the Book of Kings, we read how David, the most godly of princes, made more splendid the worship of God, and was fain to build a temple unto the Lord, but was withheld, because of the quantity of blood which he had shed, and only gathered together treasures for that end ; and how Solomon his son, at the command and with the help of God, did that which his father had desired to do, and hallowed the temple and the altar and the other things pertaining to the worship of God.  And at that time Solomon held a Feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the River of Egypt, before the Lord our God seven days and seven days, even fourteen days, and on the eighth day he sent the people away.

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

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

R.  O quam metuéndus est locus iste : * Vere non est hic áliud nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.
V.  Hæc est domus Dómini fírmiter ædificáta, bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.
R.  Vere non est hic áliud nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.

R.  How dreadful is this place! * Surely this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
V.  The house of God is surely founded, stablished upon the rock.
R.  Surely this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

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.

Solemnitátes dedicatiónum ecclesiárum et sacerdótum per síngulos annos solémniter sunt celebrándæ, ipso Dómino exémplum dante, qui ad festum dedicatiónis templi, ómnibus id faciéndi dans formam, cum réliquis pópulis, eámdem festivitátem celebratúrus, venit ; sicut scriptum est : Facta sunt encænia in Jerosólymis, et hiems erat, et ambulábat Jesus in templo in pórticu Salomónis.  Quod autem octo diébus encænia sint celebránda, in libro Regum, perácta dedicatióne templi, reperiétis.

The Feast of the Dedication of Churches and Priests is to be kept year by year, as the Lord himself hath given us an ensample, that we should follow his steps, by coming with the rest of the people to keep the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple ; as it is written : It was at Jerusalem the Feast of the Dedication, and it was winter.  And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's Porch.  And concerning these Dedication Feasts, and how they were from the first kept with an Octave, ye have already learned from the reference above to the Third Book of Kings, in the account of the Dedication of the Temple.

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

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

R.  Mane surgens Jacob, erigébat lápidem in títulum, fundens óleum désuper ; votum vovit Dómino : * Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.
V.  Cumque evigilásset Jacob de somno, ait.
R.  Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.

R.  Jacob rose up early in the morning, and set up the stone for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it, and vowed a vow unto the Lord. * Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.
V.  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said.
R.  Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.

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 : Ingréssus Jesus perambulábat Jéricho.  Et ecce vir nómine Zachæus : et hic princeps erat publicanórum, et ipse dives.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.  And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Si veráciter sapiéntes esse atque ipsam sapiéntiam contemplári appétimus, stultos nos humíliter cognoscámus.  Relinquámus nóxiam sapiéntiam, discámus laudábilem fatuitátem.  Hinc quippe scriptum est : Stulta mundi elégit Deus, ut confúndat sapiéntes.  Hinc rursum dícitur : Si quis vidétur inter vos sápiens esse in hoc sæculo, stultus fiat, ut sit sápiens.  Hinc evangélicæ históriæ verba testántur quia Zachæus, cum vidére præ turba nihil posset, sycómori árborem ascéndit, ut transeúntem Dóminum cérneret.  Sycómorus quippe ficus fátua dícitur.

If we would be truly wise, and go on to a deep insight into true wisdom, we must be humble enough to acknowledge ourselves to be fools.  Let us cast away worldly wisdom, and learn praiseworthy folly.  For this reason indeed it is written : God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise.  Again it is said : If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  To this end also the Gospel beareth witness, wherein it saith that Zacchaeus, when he could see nothing for the press, climbed up into a sycamore tree, that he might behold the Lord as he passed that way.  For this name Sycamore, being interpreted, signifieth the Foolish Fig.

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

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

R.  Domus mea, domus oratiónis vocábitur, dicit Dóminus : in ea omnis qui petit, áccipit ; et qui quærit, ínvenit ; * Et pulsánti aperiétur.
V.  Pétite, et accipiétis ; quærite, et inveniétis.
R.  Et pulsánti aperiétur.

R.  My house shall be called the house of prayer, saith the Lord : therein whosoever asketh shall he receive ; and he that seeketh shall find ; * And unto him that knocketh it shall be opened.
V.  Ask, and ye shall receive ; seek, and ye shall find.
R.  And unto him that knocketh it shall be opened.

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.

Pusíllus ítaque Zachæus sycómorum súbiit et Dóminum vidit : quia, qui mundi stultítiam humíliter éligunt, ipsi Dei sapiéntiam subtíliter contemplántur.  Pusillitátem namque nostram ad vidéndum Dóminum turba præpedit ; quia infirmitátem humánæ mentis, ne lucem veritátis inténdat, curárum sæculárium tumúltus premit.  Sed prudénter sycómorum ascéndimus, si próvide eam quæ divínitus præcípitur stultítiam mente tenémus.  Quid enim in hoc mundo stúltius quam amíssa non quærere, posséssa rapiéntibus relaxáre, nullam pro accéptis injúriis injúriam réddere, immo adjúnctis áliis patiéntiam præbére?

Little Zacchaeus, then, accepted the humiliation of having recourse to the sycamore, and thereby he saw the Lord.  They who are humble enough to be fools in the estimation of the world have already attained deep insight into the wisdom of God.  It is the press of the crowd which standeth in our way, and keepeth those of our little stature from seeing the Lord.  For a crowd of worldly things presseth around our weak minds, and shutteth out the light of the truth.  But if we would exercise that wise folly which God commandeth, we must, as it were, climb up into our sycamore tree.  For example, what greater folly can there be in the eyes of the world than to make no effort for the recovery of worldly losses?  Or to leave that whereof we have been robbed in the hands of our despoilers?  Or to take no revenge for wrongs which have been done us?  Or even more, to him that taketh away our cloak to offer our coat also, and be patient?

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

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

R.  Lápides pretiósi omnes muri tui, *  Et turres Jerúsalem gemmis ædificabúntur.
V.  Portæ Jerúsalem ex sapphíro et smarágdo ædificabúntur, et ex lápide pretióso omnis circúitus muri ejus.
R.  Et turres Jerúsalem gemmis ædificabúntur.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et turres Jerúsalem gemmis ædificabúntur.

R.  All thy walls are of stones most precious. * The towers of Jerusalem  shall be built up with jewels.
V.  The gates of Jerusalem shall be built up with the sapphire stone, and the emerald, and all her walls round about with stones most precious.
R.  The towers of Jerusalem  shall be built up with jewels.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  The towers of Jerusalem  shall be built up with jewels.

If Lesson ix is to be taken from an occurring Feast or Sunday, it is given in its proper place, as announced in the Ordo.

Alternate Ninth Lesson

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.

Quasi enim sycómorum nos ascéndere Dóminus præcipit, cum dicit : Qui aufert quæ tua sunt, ne repétas ; et rursum : Si quis te percússerit in déxteram mamíllam, præbe illi et álteram.  Per sycómorum Dóminus tránsiens cérnitur : quia per hanc sapiéntem stultítiam, etsi necdum, ut est, sólide, jam tamen per contemplatiónis lumen Dei sapiéntia quasi in tránsitu vidétur, quam vidére néqueunt qui sibi sapiéntes esse vidéntur ; quia, ad conspiciéndum Dóminum, in eláta cogitatiónum suárum turba deprehénsi, adhuc sycómori árborem non invenérunt.

The Lord biddeth us, as it were, to climb up into our sycamore, when he saith : Of him, that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again.  And again, Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  From the boughs of this sycamore tree, the Lord is seen passing by.  He may indeed, as yet, not be seen face to face.  But by this wise folly the inward eye may see the Wisdom of God, as it were, passing by, even that Wisdom which they that are wise in their own conceit cannot see.  They are mixed up in the overbearing press of their own imaginations, and have not yet found the sycamore tree whereinto to climb up, if they would see the Lord.

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

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