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.

Incipit liber Ezechiélis Prophétæ

Here beginneth the Book of Ezekiel the Prophet

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.  Ecce ego mitto vos sicut oves in médio lupórum, dicit Dóminus: * Estóte ergo prudéntes sicut serpéntes, et símplices sicut colúmbæ.
V.  Dum lucem habétis, crédite in lucem, ut fílii lucis sitis.
R.  Estóte ergo prudéntes sicut serpéntes, et símplices sicut colúmbæ.

R.  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, saith the Lord.  *  Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
V.  While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.
R.  Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

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.  Tóllite jugum meum super vos, dicit Dóminus, et díscite a me, quia mitis sum et húmilis corde: * Jugum enim meum suáve est, et onus meum leve.
V.  Et inveniétis réquiem animábus vestris.
R.  Jugum enim meum suáve est, et onus meum leve.

R.  Take my yoke upon you, saith the Lord, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; *  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
V.  And ye shall find rest unto your souls.
R.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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.  Dum stetéritis ante reges et præsides, nolíte cogitáre quómodo aut quid loquámini: * Dábitur enim vobis in illa hora quid loquámini.
V.  Non enim vos estis qui loquímini; sed Spíritus Patris vestri, qui lóquitur in vobis.
R.  Dábitur enim vobis in illa hora quid loquámini.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Dábitur enim vobis in illa hora quid loquámini.

R.  When ye stand before kings and princes, take no thought how or what ye shall speak; * For it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
V.  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
R.  For it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

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 futúra 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.  Vidi conjúnctos viros, habéntes spléndidas vestes, et Angelus Dómini locútus est ad me, dicens: * Isti sunt viri sancti facti amíci Dei.
V.  Vidi Angelum Dei fortem, volántem per médium cælum, voce magna clamántem et dicéntem.
R.  Isti sunt viri sancti facti amíci Dei.

R.  I saw men standing together, clothed in raiment white and glistering, and the Angel of the Lord spake unto me saying, *  These men are holy, for they are the friends of God.
V.  And I saw a strong Angel of God flying in the midst of heaven, and the same did proclaim with a loud voice, saying:
R.  These men are holy, for they are the friends of God.

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.  Beáti estis, cum maledíxerint vobis hómines, et persecúti vos fúerint, et díxerint omne malum advérsum vos, mentiéntes, propter me: * Gaudéte et exsultáte, quóniam merces vestra copiósa est in cælis.
V.  Cum vos óderint hómines, et cum separáverint vos, et exprobráverint, et ejécerint nomen vestrum tamquam malum propter Fílium hóminis.
R.  Gaudéte et exsultáte, quóniam merces vestra copiósa est in cælis.

R.  Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake: * Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
V.  When men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil for the Son of Man's sake.
R.  Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in 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.

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 triumphatóres et amíci Dei, qui contemnéntes jussa príncipum, meruérunt præmia ætérna : * Modo coronántur, et accípiunt palmam.
V.  Isti sunt qui venérunt ex magna tribulatióne, et lavérunt stolas suas in sánguine Agni.
R.  Modo coronántur, et accípiunt palmam.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Modo coronántur, et accípiunt palmam.

R.  These are they which do celebrate an eternal triumph and are become the friends of God, who overcame the princes of this world in the service of him who rewardeth everlastingly : * And now they have crowns on their heads and palms in their hands.
V.  These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.
R.  And now they have crowns on their heads and palms in their hands.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And now they have crowns on their heads and palms in their hands.

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.  Isti sunt qui vivéntes in carne, plantavérunt Ecclésiam sánguine suo : * Cálicem Dómini bibérunt, et amíci Dei facti sunt.
V.  In omnem terram exívit sonus eórum, et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.
R.  Cálicem Dómini bibérunt, et amíci Dei facti sunt.

R.  These are they who whilst yet in the flesh planted the Church in their own blood; *  Who drank of the Lord's cup, and so are become the friends of God.
V.  Their sound is gone out unto all the lands, and their words unto the ends of the world.
R.  Who drank of the Lord's cup, and so are become the friends of God.

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.  Isti sunt viri sancti, quos elégit Dóminus in caritáte non ficta, et dedit illis glóriam sempitérnam: * Quorum doctrína fulget Ecclésia, ut sole luna.
V.  Sancti per fidem vicérunt regna : operáti sunt justítiam.
R.  Quorum doctrína fulget Ecclésia, ut sole luna.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quorum doctrína fulget Ecclésia, ut sole luna.

R.  These men are holy, whom the Lord hath chosen in love unfeigned, to give them glory everlasting: * By whose doctrine the Church is made resplendent, even as the moon by the sun.
V.  These Saints through faith subdued kingdoms, and wrought righteousness.
R.  By whose doctrine the Church is made resplendent, even as the moon by the sun.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  By whose doctrine the Church is made resplendent, even as the moon by the sun.

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.