Other Lessons for the
Feasts of Evangelists

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.

Et factum est in trigésimo anno, in quarto, in quinta mensis, cum essem in médio captivórum juxta flúvium Chobar, apérti sunt cæli, et vidi visiónes Dei.  In quinta mensis, ipse est annus quintus transmigratiónis regis Jóachim, factum est verbum Dómini ad Ezechiélem, fílium Busi, sacerdótem in terra Chaldæórum, secus flumen Chobar : et facta est super eum ibi manus Dómini.  Et vidi, et ecce ventus túrbinis veniébat ab Aquilóne : et nubes magna, et ignis invólvens, et splendor in circúitu ejus : et de médio ejus quasi spécies eléctri, id est, de médio ignis.

Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.  In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, the word of the Lord came expressly unto Ezekiel the Priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar: and the hand of the Lord was there upon him.  And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire flashing continually, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof, as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

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

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

R.  Beátus vir, qui métuit Dóminum, allelúja : * In mandátis ejus cupit nimis, allelúja, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória et divítiæ in domo ejus, et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
R.  In mandátis ejus cupit nimis, allelúja, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, alleluia :  *  He hath great delight in his commandments, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house, and his righteousness endureth for ever.
R.  He hath great delight in his commandments, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

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.

Et in médio ejus similitúdo quátuor animálium : et hic aspéctus eórum, similitúdo hóminis in eis.  Quátuor fácies uni, et quátuor pennæ uni.  Pedes eórum pedes recti, et planta pedis eórum, quasi planta pedis vítuli, et scintíllæ quasi aspéctus æris candéntis.  Et manus hóminis sub pennis eórum in quátuor pártibus : et fácies, et pennas per quátuor partes habébant, junctæque erant pennæ eórum altérius ad álterum.  Non revertebántur cum incéderent : sed unumquódque ante fáciem suam gradiebátur.

Also out of the midst thereof the likeness of four living creatures; and this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.  And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.  Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot, and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.  And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides, and they had faces and wings on four sides.  And their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.

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

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

R.  Tristítia vestra, allelúja, * Convertétur in gáudium, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Mundus autem gaudébit, vos vero contristabímini, sed tristítia vestra.
R.  Convertétur in gáudium, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Ye shall weep and lament, alleluia : *  But your sorrow shall be turned into joy, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  The world shall rejoice, and ye shall be sorrowful.
R.  But your sorrow shall be turned into joy, alleluia, alleluia.

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.

Similitúdo autem vultus eórum : fácies hóminis,  et fácies leónis a dextris ipsórum quátuor : fácies autem bovis, a sinístris ipsórum quátuor, et fácies áquilæ désuper ipsórum quátuor.  Fácies eórum, et pennæ eórum exténtæ désuper : duæ pennæ singulórum jungebántur, et duæ tegébant córpora eórum : et unumquódque eórum coram fácie sua ambulábat : ubi erat ímpetus spíritus, illuc gradiebántur, nec revertebántur cum ambulárent.

As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man and the face of a lion on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side, and they four had the face of an eagle above.  Thus were their faces, and their wings were stretched upward, two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies; and they went every one straight forward.  Whither the spirit was to go, they went, and they turned not when they went.

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

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

R.  Pretiósa in conspéctu Dómini, allelúja, * Mors Sanctórum ejus, allelúja.
V.  Custódit Dóminus ómnia ossa eórum, unum ex his non conterétur.
R.  Mors Sanctórum ejus, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Mors Sanctórum ejus, allelúja.

R.  Right dear in the sight of the Lord, alleluia, * Is the death of his Saints, alleluia.
V.  The Lord keepeth all their bones, so that not one of them is broken.
R.  The death of his Saints, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  The death of his Saints, alleluia.

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.

Sancta quátuor animália, quæ prophetíæ spíritu future prævidéntur, subtíli narratióne describúntur, cum dícitur : Quátuor fácies uni, et quátuor pennæ uni.  Quid per fáciem, nisi notítia ; et quid per pennas, nisi volátus exprímitur?  Per fáciem quippe unusquísque cognóscitur ; per pennas vero in altum ávium sublevántur.  Fácies ítaque ad fidem pértinet, penna ad contemplatiónem.  Per fidem namque ab omnipoténti Deo cognóscimur, sicut ipse de suis óvibus dicit : Ego sum pastor bonus, et cognósco oves meas, et cognóscunt me meæ.  Qui rursus ait : Ego scio quos elégerim.  Per contemplatiónem vero, qua super nosmetípsos tóllimur, quasi in áëra levámur.

The Prophet writeth very minutely touching the four holy living creatures, whom he saw in the spirit as being to come.  He saith : Every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.  What signifieth the face save likeness whereby we are known?  or wings, save the power to fly?  since it is by the face that man is known from man, and by their wings that the birds' bodies are carried up into the air.  So the face pertaineth to certitude, and the wings to contemplation.  With certitude we are known of God Almighty, who saith : I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  And again : I know whom I have chosen.  And by contemplation, whereby we rise above ourselves, we as it were fly heavenwards.

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

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

R.  Lux perpétua lucébit Sanctis tuis, Dómine, * Et ætérnitas témporum, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Lætítia sempitérna erit super cápita eórum : gáudium et exsultatiónem obtinébunt.
R.  Et ætérnitas témporum, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Light perpetual shall shine upon thy Saints, *  And an ageless eternity, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness.
R.  And an ageless eternity, 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.

Quátuor ergo fácies uni sunt : quia si requíras quid Matthæus de incarnatióne Dómini séntiat ; hoc nimírum sentit, quod Marcus, Lucas et Joánnes.  Si quæras quid Joánnes séntiat ; hoc procul dúbio, quod Lucas, Marcus et Matthæus.  Si quæras quid Marcus ; hoc quod Matthæus, Joánnes et Lucas.  Si quæras quid Lucas ; hoc quod Joánnes, Matthæus et Marcus sentit.  Quátuor ergo fácies uni sunt ; quia notítia fídei, qua cognoscúntur a Deo, ipsa est in uno, quæ est simul in quátuor.  Quidquid enim in uno invéneris, hoc in ómnibus simul quátuor cognósces.

Every one had four faces―four faces, that is, and one body.  If thou seek to know what Matthew teacheth concerning the Incarnation of the Lord, he teacheth no other doctrine than teacheth Mark, of Luke, or John.  If thou seek to know what John teacheth, it is beyond all doubt that his doctrine is the doctrine of Matthew, and Mark, and Luke.  If thou ask concerning Mark, he hath that which hath Matthew, and John, and Luke.  If thou wilt know of Luke, know that he teacheth as doth Matthew, and Mark, and John.  Therefore every one hath four faces, for God knoweth and seeth in them but one faith, which thou mayest see in each and in all.

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

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

R.  Virtute magna reddébant Apóstoli * Testimónium resurrectiónis Jesu Christi Dómini nostri, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Repléti quidem Spíritu Sancto, loquebántur cum fiducia verbum Dei.
R.  Testimónium resurrectiónis Jesu Christi Dómini nostri, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  With great power gave the Apostles *  Witness of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Verily they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.
R.  Witness of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia, alleluia.

But on Mondays and Thursdays between Low Sunday and the III after Easter, when and if the occurrent Scriptural Responds have been used in the First Nocturn, in place of the above is said :

R.  Pretiósa in conspéctu Dómini, allelúja, * Mors Sanctórum ejus, allelúja.
V.  Custódit Dóminus ómnia ossa eórum, unum ex his non conterétur.
R.  Mors Sanctórum ejus, allelúja.

R.  Right dear in the sight of the Lord, alleluia, * Is the death of his Saints, alleluia.
V.  The Lord keepeth all their bones, so that not one of them is broken.
R.  The death of his Saints, 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.

Et quátuor pennæ uni : quia Dei omnipoténtis Fílium Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum simul omnes concórditer prædicant ; et, ad divinitátem ejus mentis óculos levántes, penna contemplatiónis volant.  Evangelistárum ergo fácies ad humanitátem Dómini pértinet, penna ad divinitátem : quia in eum, quem corpóreum aspíciunt, quasi fácies intendunt ; sed, dum hunc esse incircumscríptum atque incorpóreum ex divinitáte annúntiant, per contemplatiónis pennam quasi in áëra levántur.  Quia ítaque una est fides incarnatiónis ejus in ómnibus, et par contemplátio divinitátis ejus in síngulis, recte nunc dícitur : Quátuor fácies uni, et quátuor pennæ uni.

And every one had four wings.  For they do all with one accord preach our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Almighty God : toward whose Godhead lifting up the eyes of their mind, they do lift the wings of contemplation, and do fly.  In the Evangelists, the face pertaineth to the Lord's Manhood, and the wings to his Godhead : for they turn their face toward him whom they see in bodily shape : but when they say that he is, as touching his Godhead, Incomprehensible, and Incorporeal, the wings of their contemplation do, in a manner, carry them in flight heavenward.  Because then, they have all one faith in the Incarnation, and all equally look by contemplation toward the Godhead : it is well written of them, Every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.

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

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

R.  Isti sunt agni novelli, qui annuntiavérunt, allelúja : modo venérunt ad fontes, * Repléti sunt claritáte, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  In conspéctu Agni amicti sunt stolis albis, et palmæ in mánibus eórum.
R.  Repléti sunt claritáte, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Repléti sunt claritáte, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Behold the firstlings of the flock, the lambs new-born who have proclaimed, alleluia : they came but just now unto the well : * They are all of a glistering whiteness, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  In the presence of the Lamb they are clothed with white robes, and hold palms in their hands.
R.  They are all of a glistering whiteness, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  They are all of a glistering whiteness, alleluia, alleluia.

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 : Designávit Dóminus et álios septuagínta duos : et misit illos binos ante fáciem suam, in omnem civitátem et locum, quo erat ipse ventúrus.  Et réliqua.

At that time : The Lord appointed other seventy also : and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Dóminus et Salvátor noster, fratres caríssimi, aliquándo nos sermónibus, aliquándo vero opéribus ádmonet.  Ipsa étenim facta ejus præcépta sunt ; quia, dum áliquid tácitus facit, quid ágere debeámus innotéscit.  Ecce enim binos in prædicatiónem discípulos mittit ; quia duo sunt præcépta caritátis, Dei vidélicet amor et próximi, et minus quam inter duos cáritas habéri non potest.  Nemo enim próprie ad semetípsum habére caritátem dícitur ; sed diléctio in álterum tendit, ut cáritas esse possit.

Dearly beloved brethren, our Lord and Saviour doth sometimes admonish us by words, and sometimes by works.  Yea, his very works do themselves teach us : for that which he doth silently his example still moveth us to copy.  Behold how he sendeth forth his disciples to preach by two and two : since there are two commandments to love, that is, a commandment to love God, and a commandment to love our neighbour : and where there are not two, the one, being alone, hath not whereon to do the Lord's commandment.  And no man can properly be said to love himself : for love tendeth outward toward our neighbour, if it be the love whereto the Gospel doth oblige 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.  Ego sum vitis vera, et vos pálmites : * Qui manet in me, et ego in eo, hic fert fructum multum, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Sicut diléxit me Pater, et ego diléxi vos.
R.  Qui manet in me, et ego in eo, hic fert fructum multum, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  I am the true Vine, ye are the branches : * He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you.
R.  He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, alleluia, alleluia.

But on Tuesdays and Fridays between Low Sunday and the III after Easter, when and if the occurrent Scriptural Responds have been used in the First Nocturn, in place of the above is said :

R.  Tristítia vestra, allelúja, * Convertétur in gáudium, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Mundus autem gaudébit, vos vero contristabímini, sed tristítia vestra.
R.  Convertétur in gáudium, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Ye shall weep and lament, alleluia : *  But your sorrow shall be turned into joy, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  The world shall rejoice, and ye shall be sorrowful.
R.  But your sorrow shall be turned into joy, alleluia, alleluia.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus (vel Quorum) festum cólimus, ipse (vel ipsi) intercédat (vel intercédant) pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May he [or they] whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocate(s) with God.
R.  Amen.

Ecce enim binos ad prædicándum discípulos Dóminus mittit ; quátenus hoc nobis tácitus ínnuat, quia, qui caritátem erga álterum non habet, prædicatiónis offícium suscípere nullátenus debet.  Bene autem dícitur, quia misit eos ante fáciem suam in omnem civitátem et locum, quo erat ipse ventúrus.  Prædicatóres enim suos Dóminus séquitur : quia prædicátio prævénit, et tunc ad mentis nostræ habitáculum Dóminus venit, quando verba exhortatiónis præcúrrunt, atque per hoc véritas in mente suscípitur.

Behold, the Lord sendeth forth his disciples to preach by two and two : and thus doing, he doth silently teach us that whosoever loveth not his neighbour, such an one it behoveth not to take upon him the office of a preacher.  Well also is it said that he sent them before his face into every city and place whither he himself would come.  The Lord followeth his preachers : first cometh preaching, and then the Lord himself cometh to the house of our mind, whither the word of exhortation hath come before : and so cometh the truth into our mind.

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

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

R.  Cándidi facti sunt Nazaræi ejus, allelúja : splendórem Deo dedérunt, allelúja : * Et sicut lac coaguláti sunt, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Candidióres nive, nitidióres lacte, rubicundióres ébore antíquo, sapphíro pulchrióres.
R.  Et sicut lac coaguláti sunt, allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et sicut lac coaguláti sunt, allelúja, allelúja.

R.  Her Nazarites are made white, alleluia, for they do manifest the splendour of God, alleluia : * And they are of one heart and of one soul, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Purer are they than freshly-fallen snow, whiter than milk, more ruddy in body than rubies, fairer than the polished sapphire.
R.  And they are of one heart and of one soul, alleluia, alleluia.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And they are of one heart and of one soul, alleluia, alleluia.

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.

Hinc namque eísdem prædicatóribus Isaías dicit : Paráte viam Dómini, rectas fácite sémitas Dei nostri.  Hinc fíliis Psalmísta ait : Iter fácite ei qui ascéndit super occásum.  Super occásum namque Dóminus ascéndit ; quia unde in passióne occúbuit, inde majórem suam glóriam resurgéndo manifestávit.  Super occásum vidélicet ascéndit ; quia mortem, quam pértulit, resurgéndo calcávit.  Ei ergo qui ascéndit super occásum, iter fácimus, cum nos ejus glóriam vestris méntibus prædicámus, ut eas et ipse post véniens, per amóris sui præséntiam illústret.

Therefore to preachers saith Isaiah : Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight an highway for our God.  And again the Psalmist saith : Spread a path before him that rideth upon the West.  The Lord rideth upon the West ; above that from which in death he veiled his glory hath he royally exalted that glory that excelleth, even the glory of his rising again.  He rideth upon the West, who, being risen again from the dead, is throned high above the death to which he bowed.  Before him, therefore, that rideth upon the West, we spread a path, when we set forth his glory before the eyes of your mind, to the end that he himself may come after, and himself enlighten the same your minds by his presence and his love.

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

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