Common of Virgins

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

2nd Vespers

First Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

On excepted feasts the Antiphons and Psalms are as follows.  Otherwise the Antiphons and Psalms are of the current weekday, with what follows as below from the Chapter onwards.

Ant.    Hæc est Virgo sápiens, * et una de número prudéntum.

Ant.    This is a wise Virgin, * and one of the number of the prudent.

Psalmus 109.  Dixit Dominus

Dixit Dóminus Dómino meo: * Sede a dextris meis:
2  Donec ponam inimícos tuos, * scabéllum pedum tuórum.
3  Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: * domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum.
4  Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ in splendóribus sanctórum: * ex útero ante lucíferum génui te.
5  Jurávit Dóminus, et non pœnitébit eum: * Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech.
6  Dóminus a dextris tuis, * confrégit in die iræ suæ reges.
7  Judicábit in natiónibus, implébit ruínas: * conquassábit cápita in terra multórum.
8  De torrénte in via bibet: * proptérea exaltábit caput.

The Lord said unto my Lord, * Sit thou on my right hand:
2  Until I make thine enemies * thy footstool.
3  The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion: * be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
4  Thine shall be the dominion in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints : * from the womb before the day star have I begotten thee.
5  The Lord sware, and will not repent, * Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
6  The Lord upon thy right hand * shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
7  He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies: * and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
8  He shall drink of the brook in the way; * therefore shall he lift up his head.

Psalmus 112.  Laudate, pueri

Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum: * Laudáte nomen Dómini.
2  (fit reverentia) Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum.
3  A solis ortu usque ad occásum, * laudábile nomen Dómini.
4  Excélsus super omnes gentes Dóminus, * et super cælos glória ejus.
5  Quis sicut Dóminus, Deus noster, qui in altis hábitat, * et humília réspicit in cælo et in terra?
6  Súscitans a terra ínopem, * et de stércore érigens páuperem:
7  Ut cóllocet eum cum princípibus, * cum princípibus pópuli sui.
8  Qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, * matrem filiórum lætántem.

Psalm 112.  Laudate, pueri

Praise the Lord, O ye his servants; * O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  (all bow) Blessed be the Name of the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.
3  From the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the Lord's Name be praised.
4  The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling on high, * and beholdeth what is lowly in heaven and in the earth?
6  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, * and lifteth the needy out of the dung hill.
7  That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.
8  He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Psalmus 121.  Lætatus sum

Lætátus sum in his, quæ dicta sunt mihi: * In domum Dómini íbimus.
2  Stantes erant pedes nostri, * in átriis tuis, Jerúsalem.
3  Jerúsalem, quæ ædificátur ut cívitas: * cujus participátio ejus in idípsum.
4  Illuc enim ascendérunt tribus, tribus Dómini: * testimónium Israël ad confiténdum nómini Dómini.
5  Quia illic sedérunt sedes in judício, * sedes super domum David.
6  Rogáte quæ ad pacem sunt Jerúsalem: * et abundántia diligéntibus te:
7  Fiat pax in virtúte tua: * et abundántia in túrribus tuis.
8  Propter fratres meos, et próximos meos, * loquébar pacem de te:
9  Propter domum Dómini, Dei nostri, * quæsívi bona tibi.

Psalm 121.  Lætatus sum

I was glad when they said unto me, * We will go into the house of the Lord.
2  Our feet shall stand * in thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3  Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity in itself.
4  For thither did the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, * to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5  For their seats have sat in judgment, * even the seats upon the house of David.
6  O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; * they shall prosper that love thee.
7  Peace be within thy walls, * and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8  For my brethren and companions' sakes, * I spake peace of thee.
9  Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, * I have sought to do thee good.

Psalmus 126.  Nisi Dominus

Nisi Dóminus ædificáverit domum, * in vanum laboravérunt qui ædíficant eam.
2  Nisi Dóminus custodíerit civitátem, * frustra vígilat qui custódit eam.
3  Vanum est vobis ante lucem súrgere: * súrgite postquam sedéritis, qui manducátis panem dolóris.
4  Cum déderit diléctis suis somnum: * ecce heréditas Dómini fílii : merces, fructus ventris.
5  Sicut sagíttæ in manu poténtis: * ita fílii excussórum.
6  Beátus vir qui implévit desidérium suum ex ipsis: * non confundétur cum loquétur inimícis suis in porta.

Psalm 126.  Nisi Dominus

Except the Lord build the house, * they labour in vain that build it.
2  Except the Lord keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
3  It is vain for you to rise up before the light : * rise ye after ye have sitten, ye that eat the bread of sorrow.
4  When he giveth his beloved sleep : * behold, children are the heritage of the Lord: the reward, and the fruit of the womb.
5  Like as the arrows in the hand of the mighty, * even so are the children of them that have been shaken.
6  Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; * he shall not be confounded when he shall speak with his enemies in the gate.

Psalmus 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Lauda, Jerúsalem, Dóminum: * lauda Deum tuum, Sion.
2  Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.
3  Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.
4  Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.
5  Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.
6  Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?
7  Emíttet verbum suum et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus et fluent aquæ.
8  Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias et judícia sua Israël.
9  Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.

Psalm 147.   Lauda, Jerúsalem

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; *  praise thy God, O Sion.
2  For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.
3  Who hath placed peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the fat of the crops.
4  Who sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and his word runneth swiftly.
5  Who giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the mist like ashes.
6  He sendeth his ice like morsels: * who is able to abide before the face of his frost?
7  He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his spirit shall breathe forth, and the waters shall flow.
8  Who declareth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and judgments unto Israel.
9  He hath not dealt so with every nation; * neither hath he given them knowledge of his judgments.

STAND

Jesu, coróna Vírginum,
Quem Mater illa cóncipit
Quæ sola Virgo párturit,
Hæc vota clemens áccipe :

Qui pergis inter lília
Septus choréis Vírginum,
Sponsus decórus glória
Sponsísque reddens præmia.

Quocúmque tendis, Vírgines
Sequúntur, atque láudibus
Post te canéntes cúrsitant,
Hymnósque dulces pérsonant ;

Te deprecámur súpplices,
Nostris ut addas sénsibus
Nescíre prorsus ómnia
Corruptiónis vúlnera.

*  Virtus, honor, laus, glória
Deo Patri cum Fílio,
Sancto simul Paráclito,
In sæculórum sæcula.  Amen.

Jesu, the Virgins' Crown, do thou
Accept us, as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The Mother and the Maid we own.

Amongst the lilies thou dost feed,
With virgin choirs accompanied;
With glory deck'd, the spotless brides
Whose bridal gifts thy love provides.

They, wheresoe'er thy footsteps bend,
With hymns and praises still attend;
In blessed troops they follow thee,
With dance, and song, and melody.

We pray thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.

Ordinary Doxology
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honour, might, and glory be,
From age to age eternally.  Amen.

Ant. on Magnif:  Come, thou bride of Christ, * receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * 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.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * 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.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * 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 géneratióni 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 géneration, 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.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * 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.

Regem Vírginum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus.

The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

For a Virgin Martyr

For a Virgin who is not a Martyr

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The First Nocturn.  The Psalms with their Antiphons are taken from either the Proper, if today have a proper Office, or from the Common, as given below, or from the occurring weekday, if today be not an excepted Feast.

Proper Office

Common Office

First Nocturn

Ant.    O quam pulchra * est casta generátio cum claritáte!

Ant.    O how fair * is the chaste generation in the glory thereof.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 8.  Domine, Dominus noster

Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!
2  Quóniam eleváta est magnificéntia tua, * super cælos.
3  Ex ore infántium et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimícos tuos, * ut déstruas inimícum et ultórem.
4  Quóniam vidébo cælos tuos, ópera digitórum tuórum: * lunam et stellas, quæ tu fundásti.
5  Quid est homo quod memor es ejus? * aut fílius hóminis, quóniam vísitas eum?
6  Minuísti eum paulo minus ab Angelis, glória et honóre coronásti eum: * et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.
7  Omnia subjecísti sub pédibus ejus, * oves et boves univérsas : ínsuper et pécora campi.
8  Vólucres cæli, et pisces maris, * qui perámbulant sémitas maris.
9  Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!

O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!
2  For thou hast set thy glory * above the heavens.
3  Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou perfected praise, because of thine enemies, * that thou mightest destroy the enemy and the avenger.
4  For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers; * the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained;
5  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? * and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
6  Thou madest him lower than the Angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and worship : * thou makest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.
7  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet : * all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8  The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; * and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.
9  O Lord our Governour, * how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

Ant.    O quam pulchra est casta generátio cum claritáte!

Ant.    O how fair is the chaste generation in the glory thereof.

Ant.    Ante torum * hujus Vírginis frequentáte nobis dúlcia cántica drámatis.

Ant.    In honour of the nuptials * of such holy Virgins chant for us again and again devout canticles of serenade.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 18.  Cæli enarrant

Cæli enárrant glóriam Dei: * et ópera mánuum ejus annúntiat firmaméntum.
2  Dies diéi erúctat verbum, * et nox nocti índicat sciéntiam.
3  Non sunt loquélæ, neque sermónes, * quorum non audiántur voces eórum.
4  In omnem terram exívit sonus eórum: * et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.
5  In sole pósuit tabernáculum suum: * et ipse tamquam sponsus procédens de thálamo suo.
6  Exsultávit ut gigas ad curréndam viam, * a summo cælo egréssio ejus.
7  Et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus: * nec est qui se abscóndat a calóre ejus.
8  Lex Dómini immaculáta, convértens ánimas: * testimónium Dómini fidéle, sapiéntiam præstans párvulis.
9  Justítiæ Dómini rectæ, lætificántes corda: * præcéptum Dómini lúcidum illúminans óculos.
10  Timor Dómini sanctus, pérmanens in sæculum sæculi: * judícia Dómini vera, justificáta in semetípsa.
11  Desiderabília super aurum et lápidem pretiósum multum: * et dulcióra super mel et favum.
12  Etenim servus tuus custódit ea, * in custodiéndis illis retribútio multa.
13  Delícta quis intélligit? ab occúltis meis munda me: * et ab aliénis parce servo tuo.
14  Si mei non fúerint domináti, tunc immaculátus ero: * et emundábor a delícto máximo.
15  Et erunt ut compláceant elóquia oris mei: * et meditátio cordis mei in conspéctu tuo semper.
16  Dómine, adjútor meus, * et redémptor meus.

Psalm 18.  Cæli enarrant

The heavens declare the glory of God; * and the firmament sheweth his handy-work.
2  One day uttereth speech unto another; * and night sheweth knowledge unto night.
3  There is neither speech nor language; * where their voices are not heard.
4  Their sound is gone out unto all the lands; * and their words unto the ends of the earth.
5  In the sun hath he set his tabernacle; * and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
6  Hath rejoiced as a giant to run his course, * his going forth is from the uttermost part of the heaven.
7  And his circuit even unto the end thereof; * and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.
8  The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul; * the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
9  The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
10  The fear of the Lord is holy, and endureth for ever; * the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
11  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much precious stone; * sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb.
12  For thy servant keepeth them; * and in keeping of them there is great reward.
13  Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults : * save thy servant also from the sins of others.
14  If they get not the dominion over me, so shall I be undefiled, * and innocent from the great offence.
15  And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please, * and the meditation of my heart be alway in thy sight.
16  O Lord, my strength * and my redeemer.

Ant.    Ante torum hujus Vírginis frequentáte nobis dúlcia cántica drámatis.

Ant.    In honour of the nuptials of such holy Virgins chant for us again and again devout canticles of serenade.

Ant.    Revértere, * revértere, Sunamítis; revértere, ut intueámur te.

Ant.    Return, * return, O Shulamite, return, return, that we may look upon thee.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 23. Dómini est terra

Dómini est terra, et plenitúdo ejus: * orbis terrárum, et univérsi qui hábitant in eo.
2  Quia ipse super mária fundávit eum: * et super flúmina præparávit eum.
3  Quis ascéndet in montem Dómini? * aut quis stabit in loco sancto ejus?
4  Innocens mánibus et mundo corde, * qui non accépit in vano ánimam suam, nec jurávit in dolo próximo suo.
5  Hic accípiet benedictiónem a Dómino: * et misericórdiam a Deo, salutári suo.
6  Hæc est generátio quæréntium eum, * quæréntium fáciem Dei Jacob.
7  Attóllite portas príncipes vestras, et elevámini portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.
8  Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? * Dóminus fortis et potens : Dóminus potens in prælio.
9  Attóllite portas príncipes vestras,  et elevámini portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.
10  Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? * Dóminus virtútum ipse est Rex glóriæ.

The earth is the Lord's, and all the fulness thereof; * the compass of the world, and they that dwell therein.
2  For he hath founded it upon the seas, * and stablished it upon the rivers.
3  Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord? * or who shall stand in his holy place?
4  Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; * and that hath not lift up his soul unto vanity, nor deceitfully sworn to his neighbour.
5  He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God his saviour.
6  This is the generation of them that seek him; * even of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
7  Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting gates; * and the King of glory shall come in.
8  Who is this King of glory? * It is the Lord strong and mighty, even the Lord mighty in battle.
9  Lift up your gates, O ye princes; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting gates; * and the King of glory shall come in.
10  Who is this King of glory? * Even the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Ant.    Revértere, revértere, Sunamítis; revértere, ut intueámur te.

Ant.    Return, return, O Shulamite, return, return, that we may look upon thee.

STAND

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken either from the Common, as given below, or from either the occurrent Scripture, an alternate Common, or the Proper, as given in their proper place.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from an alternate Common

Proper Lessons

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.

De Epístola prima beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Corínthios

The Lesson is taken from the Former Epistle of Blessed Paul to the Corinthians

De virgínibus præcéptum Dómini non hábeo : consílium autem do, tamquam misericórdiam consecútus a Dómino, ut sim fidélis.  Exístimo ergo hoc bonum esse propter instántem necessitátem, quóniam bonum est hómini sic esse.  Alligátus es uxóri?  noli quærere solutiónem.  Solútus es ab uxóre?  noli quærere uxórem.  Si autem accéperis uxórem, non peccásti.  Et si núpserit virgo, non peccávit.  Tribulatiónem tamen carnis habébunt hujúsmodi.  Ego autem vobis parco.  Hoc ítaque dico, fratres : Tempus breve est : réliquum est, ut et qui habent uxóres, tamquam non habéntes sint ; et qui flent, tamquam non flentes ; et qui gaudent, tamquam non gaudéntes ; et qui emunt, tamquam non possidéntes ; et qui utúntur hoc mundo, tamquam non utántur ; præterit enim figúra hujus mundi.

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord : yet give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.  I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.  Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed.  Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.  But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned ; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned.  Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh : and I would spare you.  But this I say, brethren, the time is short : it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none ; and they that weep, as though they wept not ; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not ; and they that buy, as though they possessed not ; and they that use this world, as not using it to the full : for the fashion of this world passeth 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.  Veni Sponsa Christi, áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparávit in ætérnum ; pro cujus amóre sánguinem tuum fudísti, * Et cum Angelis in paradísum introísti.
V.  Veni, elécta mea, et ponam in te thronum meum ; quia concupívit Rex spéciem tuam.
R.  Et cum Angelis in paradísum introísti.

R.  Come, thou Bride of Christ, receive the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever, for whose love thou didst shed thy blood : * And thou shalt enter amongst the Angels into the paradise of God.
V.  Come, O thou my chosen one, and I will set my throne within thee : so shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty.
R.  And thou shalt enter amongst the Angels into the paradise of God.

R.  Veni, elécta mea, et ponam in te thronum meum * Quia concupívit Rex spéciem tuam.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Quia concupívit Rex spéciem tuam.

R.  Come, O thou my chosen one, and I will set my throne within thee : * So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty.

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.

Volo autem vos sine sollicitúdine esse.  Qui sine uxóre est, sollícitus est quæ Dómini sunt, quómodo pláceat Deo.  Qui autem cum uxóre est, sollícitus est quæ sunt mundi, quómodo pláceat uxóri ; et divísus est.  Et múlier innúpta et virgo cógitat quæ Dómini sunt, ut sit sancta córpore et spíritu.  Quæ autem nupta est, cógitat quæ sunt mundi, quómodo pláceat viro.  Porro hoc ad utilitátem vestram dico, non ut láqueum vobis injíciam, sed ad id, quod honéstum est, et quod facultátem præbeat sine impediménto Dóminum obsecrándi.

But I would have you free from cares.  He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.  There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a constraint upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

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

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

R.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis, * Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

R.  Full of grace are thy lips; * Because God hath blessed thee for ever.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  Because God hath blessed thee for ever.

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 quis autem turpem se vidéri exístimat super vírgine sua, quod sit superadúlta, et ita opórtet fíeri ; quod vult fáciat : non peccat, si nubat.  Nam, qui státuit in corde suo firmus, non habens necessitátem, potestátem autem habens suæ voluntátis, et hoc judicávit in corde suo, serváre vírginem suam, bene facit.  Igitur et qui matrimónio jungit vírginem suam, bene facit ; et qui non jungit, mélius facit.  Múlier alligáta est legi quanto témpore, vir ejus vivit.  Quod, si dormíerit vir ejus, liberáta est ; cui vult nubat, tantum in Dómino.  Beátior autem erit, si sic permánserit, secúndum meum consílium ; puto autem quod et ego Spíritum Dei hábeam.

But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.  Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching his own will, and hath determined this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, shall do well.  So then he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.  But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

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

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

R.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua * Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
V.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis, proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.
R.  Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.

R.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, * Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
V.  Full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever.
R.  Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Spécie tua * et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.

Ant.    In thy comeliness, * yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 44.  Eructavit cor meum

Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: * dico ego ópera mea Regi.
2  Lingua mea cálamus scribæ: * velóciter scribéntis.
3  Speciósus forma præ fíliis hóminum, diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis: * proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.
4  Accíngere gládio tuo super femur tuum, * potentíssime.
5  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua: * inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
6  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam: * et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
7  Sagíttæ tuæ acútæ, pópuli sub te cadent: * in corda inimicórum Regis.
8  Sedes tua, Deus, in sæculum sæculi: * virga directiónis virga regni tui.
9  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: * proptérea unxit te, Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ præ consórtibus tuis.
10  Myrrha, et gutta, et cásia a vestiméntis tuis, a dómibus ebúrneis: * ex quibus delectavérunt te fíliæ regum in honóre tuo.
11  Astitit regína a dextris tuis in vestítu deauráto: * circúmdata varietáte.
12  Audi, fília, et vide, et inclína aurem tuam: * et oblivíscere pópulum tuum, et domum patris tui.
13  Et concupíscet Rex decórem tuum: * quóniam ipse est Dóminus Deus tuus, et adorábunt eum.
14  Et fíliæ Tyri in munéribus * vultum tuum deprecabúntur: omnes dívites plebis.
15  Omnis glória ejus fíliæ Regis ab intus, * in fímbriis áureis circumamícta varietátibus.
16  Adducéntur Regi vírgines post eam: * próximæ ejus afferéntur tibi.
17  Afferéntur in lætítia et exsultatióne: * adducéntur in templum Regis.
18  Pro pátribus tuis nati sunt tibi fílii: * constítues eos príncipes super omnem terram.
19  Mémores erunt nóminis tui: * in omni géneratióne et géneratiónem.
20  Proptérea pópuli confitebúntur tibi in ætérnum: * et in sæculum sæculi.

My heart is inditing of a good matter; * I speak my works unto the King.
2  My tongue is the pen of a writer : * that writeth swiftly.
3  Thou art fairer than the children of men, full of grace are thy lips, * therefore hath God hath blessed thee for ever.
4  Gird thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, * O thou Most Mighty.
5  In thy comeliness, yea in thy beauty : * go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
6  Because of truth, of meekness, and righteousness; * and thy right hand shall wondrously lead thee.
7  Thy arrows are very sharp, and the people shall be subdued unto thee; *  even in the hearts of the King's enemies.
8  Thy seat, O God, endureth for ever; * the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
9  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; * wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10  All thy garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, * whereby the daughters of kings have made thee glad in thy glory.
11  Upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, * wrought about with divers colours.
12  Hearken, O daughter, consider, and incline thine ear; * forget also thine own people, and thy father's house.
13  So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty; * for he is the Lord thy God, and they shall worship him.
14  And the daughters of Tyre shall be there with a gift; * yea, all the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.
15  The King's daughter is all glorious within; * in wrought gold clothed round about with divers colours.
16  Virgins shall be brought after her unto the King : * her neighbours shall be brought unto thee.
17  With joy and gladness shall they be brought, * they shall be brought into the King's temple.
18  Instead of thy fathers, thou shalt have children, * whom thou shalt make princes over all the earth..
19  They shall remember thy Name * throughout all generations.
20  Therefore shall the people give thanks unto thee for ever, * yea, and for ever, and world without end.

Ant.    Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.

Ant.    In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.

Ant.    Adjuvábit eam * Deus vultu suo : Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur.

Ant.    God shall help her * with his countenance : God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 45.  Deus noster refugium

Deus noster refúgium, et virtus: * adjútor in tribulatiónibus, quæ invenérunt nos nimis.
2  Proptérea non timébimus dum turbábitur terra: * et transferéntur montes in cor maris.
3  Sonuérunt, et turbátæ sunt aquæ eórum: * conturbáti sunt montes in fortitúdine ejus.
4  Flúminis ímpetus lætíficat civitátem Dei: * sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.
5  Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur: * adjuvábit eam Deus mane dilúculo.
6  Conturbátæ sunt Gentes, et inclináta sunt regna: * dedit vocem suam, mota est terra.
7  Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.
8  Veníte, et vidéte ópera Dómini, quæ pósuit prodígia super terram: * áuferens bella usque ad finem terræ.
9  Arcum cónteret, et confrínget arma: * et scuta combúret igni.
10  Vacáte, et vidéte quóniam ego sum Deus: * exaltábor in Géntibus, et exaltábor in terra.
11  Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

Psalm 45.  Deus noster refugium

God is our hope and strength, * a very present help in trouble, which hath found us exceedingly.
2  Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, * and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
3  Though the waters thereof rage and swell, * and though the mountains shake at the strength of the same.
4  The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God; * the Most Highest hath made holy his tabernacle.
5  God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; * God shall help her, and that right early.
6  The nations were troubled, and the kingdoms were bowed down; * but he hath shewed his voice, and the earth hath been moved.
7  The Lord of Hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8  O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord : what wonders he hath brought upon the earth : * he maketh wars to cease even to the end of the earth.
9  He shall break the bow, and break the spear in sunder, * and the shield he shall burn in the fire.
10  Be still then, and know that I am God: * I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.
11  The Lord of Hosts is with us; * the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Ant.    Adjuvábit eam Deus vultu suo : Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur.

Ant.    God shall help her with his countenance : God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed.

Ant.    Aquæ multæ * non potuérunt exstínguere caritátem.

Ant.    Many waters * of affliction cannot quench love.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 47.  Magnus Dominus

Magnus Dóminus, et laudábilis nimis * in civitáte Dei nostri, in monte sancto ejus.
2  Fundátur exsultatióne univérsæ terræ mons Sion, * látera Aquilónis, cívitas Regis magni.
3  Deus in dómibus ejus cognoscétur: * cum suscípiet eam.
4  Quóniam ecce reges terræ congregáti sunt: * convenérunt in unum.
5  Ipsi vidéntes sic admiráti sunt, conturbáti sunt, commóti sunt: * tremor apprehéndit eos.
6  Ibi dolóres ut parturiéntis: * in spíritu veheménti cónteres naves Tharsis.
7  Sicut audívimus, sic vídimus in civitáte Dómini virtútum, in civitáte Dei nostri: * Deus fundávit eam in ætérnum.
8  Suscépimus, Deus, misericórdiam tuam, * in médio templi tui.
9  Secúndum nomen tuum, Deus, sic et laus tua in fines terræ: * justítia plena est déxtera tua.
10  Lætétur mons Sion, et exsúltent fíliæ Judæ: * propter judícia tua, Dómine.
11  Circúmdate Sion, et complectímini eam: * narráte in túrribus ejus.
12  Pónite corda vestra in virtúte ejus: * et distribúite domus ejus, ut enarrétis in progénie áltera.
13  Quóniam hic est Deus, Deus noster in ætérnum et in sæculum sæculi: * ipse reget nos in sæcula.

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised * in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.
2  The hill of Sion is founded with the joy of the whole earth; * upon the north side lieth the city of the great King.
3  In her palaces shall God be well known : * for he shall protect her.
4  For lo, the kings of the earth are assembled: * yea, they are gathered together.
5  So they saw, and they marvelled, they were troubled, they were moved : * fear came there upon them.
6  There were pains as upon a woman in her travail : * with a violent wind thou shalt break the ships of Tharsis.
7  Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God; * God upholdeth the same for ever.
8  We have received thy mercy, O God, * in the midst of thy temple.
9  O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the world's end; * thy right hand is full of righteousness.
10  Let the mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Judah be glad, * because of thy judgments, O Lord.
11  Walk about Sion, and go round about her; * and tell ye in the towers thereof.
12  Set your hearts on her strength : * and distribute her houses, that ye may tell it in another generation.
13  For this is God, even our God, for ever world without end : * he shall rule us for evermore.

Ant.    Aquæ multæ non potuérunt exstínguere caritátem.

Ant.    Many waters of affliction cannot quench love.

STAND

The Lessons for the Second Nocturn are taken either from the Common, as given below, or from an alternate Common, or from the Proper, as given in their proper place.

Lessons from an alternate Common

Proper Lessons

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.

Quóniam hódie natális est Vírginis, invítat nunc integritátis amor, ut áliquid de virginitáte dicámus ; ne, véluti tránsitu quodam præstrícta videátur, quæ principális est virtus.  Non enim ídeo laudábilis virgínitas, quia in Martyribus reperítur ; sed quia ipsa Mártyres fáciat.  Quis autem humáno eam possit ingénio comprehéndere, quam nec natúra suis inclúsit légibus? aut quis naturáli voce complécti, quod supra usum natúræ sit?  E cælo accersívit quod imitarétur in terris.  Nec immérito vivéndi sibi usum quæsívit e cælo, quæ Sponsum sibi invénit in cælo.

Today we keep the Feast of a Virgin.  And the high regards which we have for the chaste life constraineth us to speak somewhat concerning virginity.  For to fail so to do would seem to be neglectful of that which was her greatest strength.  And virginity is praiseworthy, not because it is found in some Martyrs, but because it maketh Martyrs.  Yet how can the natural man appreciate this, seeing that virginity is not included in the natural law?  Or again, how can the voice of nature move anyone to embrace a life which is supernatural?  For verily, virginity is a reflection on earth of a glory whose home is heaven.  And thus for one who hath found her Spouse in heaven, to live a life whose model is the life of heaven is no less than fitting.

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

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

R.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam : * Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.

R.  Ride on because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness : * And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

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.

Hæc nubes, áëra, Angelos, sideráque transgrédiens, Verbum Dei in ipso sinu Patris invénit, et toto hausit péctore.  Nam quis tantum, cum invénerit, relínquat boni?  Unguéntum enim exinanítum est nomen tuum ; proptérea adolescéntulæ dilexérunt te, et attraxérunt te.  Postrémo, non meum est illud quóniam, Quæ non nubunt neque nubéntur, erunt sicut Angeli Dei in cælo.  Nemo ergo mirétur, si Angelis comparéntur, quæ Angelórum Dómino copulántur.

A Virgin is one who hath lifted up her soul beyond the heavens and the Angels, and so hath come unto the very Word of God in the bosom of the Father, and there hath embraced him with her whole heart. Who that hath found for herself such a good would give it up?  Thy Name is as ointment poured forth : therefore do the Virgins love thee, and are drawn unto thee.  Lastly, it is not I but the Lord by whom it is said that they which neither marry nor are given in marriage are as the Angels of God in heaven.  Let no man therefore marvel that they which be married unto the Lord of Angels should be likened themselves to Angels.

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

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

R.  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem : * Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.
V.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam.
R.  Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.

R.  Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity : * Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.
V.  Because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and of righteousness.
R.  Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.

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.

Quis ígitur neget hanc vitam fluxísse de cælo, quam non fácile invenímus in terris, nisi postquam Deus in hæc terréni córporis membra descéndit?  Tunc in útero Virgo concépit, et Verbum caro factum est, ut caro fíeret Deus.  Dicet áliquis : Sed étiam Elías nullíus corpórei cóitus fuísse permíxtus cupiditátibus invenítur.  Ideo ergo curru raptus ad cælum ; ídeo cum Dómino appáret in glória ; ídeo Domínici ventúrus est præcúrsor advéntus.

Who then will deny that this manner of life cometh down from heaven, seeing that an example thereof is seldom found before God came down to dwell in earth in our human nature?  Then it was that a Virgin conceived him in her womb, and so the Word was made flesh, that flesh might be made God.  But some may say that in Elias we have the example of such a life, seeing that he sought not the fulfillment of the natural desire of procreation.  Yea, and he it is that was carried up in a fiery chariot unto heaven ; he it is that was seen with the Lord in all the glory of the Transfigúration ; and he it is that is to come as forerunner of the Lord's second Advent.

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

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

R.  Afferéntur Regi vírgines post eam, próximæ ejus * Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.
V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.

R.  After her shall virgins be brought unto the King : * Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.
V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Nigra sum, * sed formósa, fíliæ Jerúsalem ; ídeo diléxit me Rex, et introdúxit me in cubículum suum.

Ant.    I am black * but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem ; therefore thath the King loved me, and brought me into his chamber.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 95.  Cantate Domino

Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: * cantáte Dómino, omnis terra.
2  Cantáte Dómino, et benedícite nómini ejus: * annuntiáte de die in diem salutáre ejus.
3  Annuntiáte inter gentes glóriam ejus, * in ómnibus pópulis mirabília ejus.
4  Quóniam magnus Dóminus, et laudábilis nimis: * terríbilis est super omnes deos.
5  Quóniam omnes dii Géntium dæmónia: * Dóminus autem cælos fecit.
6  Conféssio, et pulchritúdo in conspéctu ejus: * sanctimónia et magnificéntia in sanctificatióne ejus.
7  Afférte Dómino, pátriæ Géntium, afférte Dómino glóriam et honórem: * afférte Dómino glóriam nómini ejus.
8  Tóllite hóstias, et introíte in átria ejus: * adoráte Dóminum in átrio sancto ejus.
9  Commoveátur a fácie ejus univérsa terra: * dícite in Géntibus quia Dóminus regnávit.
10  Etenim corréxit orbem terræ qui non commovébitur: * judicábit pópulos in æquitáte.
11  Læténtur cæli, et exsúltet terra: commoveátur mare et plenitúdo ejus: * gaudébunt campi, et ómnia quæ in eis sunt.
12  Tunc exsultábunt ómnia ligna silvárum a fácie Dómini, quia venit: * quóniam venit judicáre terram.
13  Judicábit orbem terræ in æquitáte, * et pópulos in veritáte sua.

O sing unto the Lord a new song; * sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
2  Sing unto the Lord, and bless ye his Name; * be telling of his salvation from day to day.
3  Declare his glory among the heathen, * and his wonders among all peoples.
4  For the Lord is great, and exceeding worthy to be praised; * he is to be feared above all gods.
5  For all the gods of the heathen, they are but devils; * but it is the Lord that made the heavens.
6  Praise and beauty are before him; * holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.
7  Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the nations, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour : * bring ye to the Lord the honour due unto his Name.
8  Bring ye sacrifices, and come into his courts : * O worship the Lord in his holy court.
9  Let the whole earth be moved at his presence : * tell it out among the heathen, that the Lord is King.
10  For he hath corrected the round world, which shall not be moved; * he shall judge the peoples with justice.
11  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved and all the fulness thereof : * the fields shall be joyful, and all that is in them.
12  Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord, for he cometh : * yea, he cometh to judge the earth.
13  He shall judge the world with justice, * and the peoples with his truth.

Ant.    Nigra sum, sed formósa, fíliæ Jerúsalem ; ídeo diléxit me Rex, et introdúxit me in cubículum suum.

Ant.    I am black but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem ; therefore thath the King loved me, and brought me into his chamber.

Ant.    Trahe me post te, * in odórem currémus unguentórum tuórum : óleum effúsum nomen tuum.

Ant.    Draw me after thee; * we will run after the savour of thy good ointments ; thy name is as oil poured forth.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 96.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit exsúltet terra: * læténtur ínsulæ multæ.
2  Nubes, et calígo in circúitu ejus: * justítia, et judícium corréctio sedis ejus.
3  Ignis ante ipsum præcédet: * et inflammábit in circúitu inimícos ejus.
4  Illuxérunt fúlgura ejus orbi terræ: * vidit et commóta est terra.
5  Montes, sicut cera fluxérunt a fácie Dómini: * a fácie Dómini omnis terra.
6  Annuntiavérunt cæli justítiam ejus: * et vidérunt omnes pópuli glóriam ejus.
7  Confundántur omnes, qui adórant sculptília: * et qui gloriántur in simulácris suis.
8  Adoráte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * audívit, et lætáta est Sion.
9  Et exsultavérunt fíliæ Judæ: * propter judícia tua, Dómine:
10  Quóniam tu Dóminus Altíssimus super omnem terram: * nimis exaltátus es super omnes deos.
11  Qui dilígitis Dóminum, odíte malum: * custódit Dóminus ánimas sanctórum suórum, de manu peccatóris liberábit eos.
12  Lux orta est justo, * et rectis corde lætítia.
13  Lætámini, justi in Dómino: * et confitémini memóriæ sanctificatiónis ejus.

The Lord hath reigned, may the earth be glad thereof; * yea, the multitude of the isles shall be joyful.
2  Clouds and darkness are round about him: * righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his seat.
3  There shall go a fire before him, * and burn up his enemies on every side.
4  His lightnings gave shine unto the world: * the earth saw it, and trembled.
5  The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord; * the whole earth at the presence of the Lord.
6  The heavens have declared his righteousness, * and all the peoples have seen his glory.
7  Confounded be all they that worship carved images, * and that delight in their vain gods.
8  Worship him, all ye his Angels : * Sion heard of it, and rejoiced.
9  And the daughters of Judah were glad, * because of thy judgments, O Lord.
10  For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: * thou art exalted far above all gods.
11  O ye that love the Lord, hate evil: * the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.
12  There is sprung up a light for the righteous, * and joy for such as are true-hearted.
13  Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; * and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness.

Ant.    Trahe me post te, in odórem currémus unguentórum tuórum : óleum effúsum nomen tuum.

Ant.    Draw me after thee; we will run after the savour of thy good ointments ; thy name is as oil poured forth.

Ant.    Veni, Sponsa Christi, * áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparávit in ætérnum.

Ant.    Come, thou Bride of Christ, * receive the crown, which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 97.  Cantate Domino

Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: * quia mirabília fecit.
2  Salvávit sibi déxtera ejus: * et bráchium sanctum ejus.
3  Notum fecit Dóminus salutáre suum: * in conspéctu Géntium revelávit justítiam suam.
4  Recordátus est misericórdiæ suæ, * et veritátis suæ dómui Israël.
5  Vidérunt omnes términi terræ * salutáre Dei nostri.
6  Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * cantáte, et exsultáte, et psállite.
7  Psállite Dómino in cíthara, in cíthara et voce psalmi: * in tubis ductílibus, et voce tubæ córneæ.
8  Jubiláte in conspéctu regis Dómini: * moveátur mare, et plenitúdo ejus: orbis terrárum, et qui hábitant in eo.
9  Flúmina plaudent manu, simul montes exsultábunt a conspéctu Dómini: * quóniam venit judicáre terram.
10  Judicábit orbem terrárum in justítia, * et pópulos in æquitáte.

O sing unto the Lord a new song; * for he hath done marvellous things.
2  His right hand hath wrought for him salvation : * and his arm is holy.
3  The Lord hath made known his salvation; * his righteousness hath he revealed in the sight of the heathen.
4  He hath remembered his mercy, * and his truth toward the house of Israel.
5  All the ends of the world have seen * the salvation of our God.
6  Be ye joyful unto God, all the earth : * make melody, rejoice, and sing.
7  Sing praise unto the Lord upon the harp, yea, upon the harp and with the voice of a psalm : * with long trumpets, and with the sound of the shawm.
8  O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord, the King : * let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof: the round world, and they that dwell therein.
9  Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; * for he is come to judge the earth.
10  With righteousness shall he judge the world, * and the peoples with equity.

Ant.    Veni, Sponsa Christi, áccipe corónam, quam tibi Dóminus præparávit in ætérnum.

Ant.    Come, thou Bride of Christ, receive the crown, which the Lord hath prepared for thee for ever.

STAND

The Lessons for the Third Nocturn are taken either from the Common, as given below, or from an alternate Common, or from the Proper, as given in their proper place.

Lessons from an alternate Common

Proper Lessons

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 discípulis suis parábolam hanc :  Símile erit regnum cælórum decem virgínibus, quæ, accipiéntes lámpades suas, exiérunt óbviam sponso et sponsæ.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus spake this parable unto his disciples:  The kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridgegroom and the bride.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Sæpe vos, fratres caríssimi, admóneo prava ópera fúgere, mundi hujus inquinaménta devitáre, sed hodiérna sancti Evangélii lectióne compéllor dícere, ut, et bona, quæ ágitis, cum magna cautéla teneátis ; ne per hoc, quod a vobis rectum géritur, favor aut grátia humána requirátur ; ne appetítus laudis subrépat, et, quod foris osténditur, intus a mercéde vacuétur.  Ecce enim Redemptóris voce decem vírgines, et omnes dicúntur vírgines, et tamen intra beatitúdinis jánuam non omnes sunt recéptæ ; quia eárum quædam, dum de virginitáte sua glóriam foris éxpetunt, in vasis suis óleum habére noluérunt.

Dearly beloved brethren : oftentimes do I warn you to flee evil, and to keep yourselves unspotted from the world.  But today's reading from the holy Gospel moveth me to warn you even further, namely, to exercise prudence when ye attempt to do good.  Look ye well to your motives lest, when ye work righteousness, ye do it for the praise and admiration of men.  For if we do things to obtain praise of men, what appeareth so fair outwardly hath nothing inwardly which deserveth reward.  Behold how the Redeemer speaketh of these ten virgins.  He calleth them all virgins.  Yet not all of them were received within the gates of blessedness.  For some of them sought outwardly the honour of virginity, but had no substance of virginity within, for they took no oil wherewith to sustain the lamp of purity.

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

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

R.  Hæc est Virgo sápiens, quam Dóminus vigilántem invénit, quæ accéptis lampádibus sumpsit secum óleum : * Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias.
V.  Média nocte clamor factus est : Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
R.  Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias.

R.  This is one of those wise virgins, whom the Lord found watching, for when she took her lamp, she took oil with her. * And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage.
V.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
R.  And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus (vel Quarum) festum cólimus, ipsa (vel ipsæ) intercédat (vel intercédant) pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

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

Sed prius quæréndum nobis est quid sit regnum cælórum, aut cur decem virgínibus comparétur, quæ étiam vírgines prudéntes et fátuæ dicántur.  Dum enim cælórum regnum constat quia reprobórum nullus ingréditur, étiam fátuis virgínibus cur símile esse perhibétur?  Sed sciéndum nobis est quod sæpe in sacro elóquio regnum cælórum præséntis témporis Ecclésia dícitur.  De quo álio in loco Dóminus dicit : Mittet Fílius hóminis Angelos suos, et cólligent de regno ejus ómnia scándala.  Neque enim in illo regno beatitúdinis, in quo pax summa est, inveníri scándala póterunt, quæ colligántur.

But first of all, it is for us to ask, What is the kingdom of heaven?  And wherefore shall the same be likened unto ten virgins, whereof, albeit five were wise, yet five were foolish?  For if the kingdom of heaven be such that there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, how can it be like unto five virgins which were foolish?  But we should know that in language of holy Scripture, the kingdom of heaven doth oftentimes signify the Church as she now is, touching the which the Lord saith in another place : The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend.  In that kingdom of blessedness, wherein peace shall have her perfect reign, there shall be nothing found that offendeth for the Angels to gather out.

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

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

R.  Média nocte clamor factus est : * Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
V.  Prudéntes vírgines, aptáte vestras lámpades.
R.  Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.

R.  At midnight there was a cry made: * Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
V.  Trim your lamps, O ye wise Virgins.
R.  Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.

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.

In quinque autem córporis sénsibus unusquísque subsístit ; geminátus autem quinárius denárium pérficit.  Et, quia ex utróque sexu fidélium multitúdo collígitur, sancta Ecclésia decem virgínibus símilis esse denuntiátur.  In qua quia mali cum bonis et réprobi cum eléctis admíxti sunt, recte símilis virgínibus prudéntibus et fátuis esse perhibétur.  Sunt namque pleríque continéntes, qui ab appetítu se exterióri custódiunt et spe ad interióra rapiúntur, carnem mácerant, et toto desidério ad supérnam pátriam anhélant, ætérna præmia éxpetunt, pro labóribus suis recípere laudes humánas nolunt.  Hi nimírum glóriam suam non in ore hóminum ponunt, sed intra consciéntiam cóntegunt.  Et sunt pleríque, qui corpus per abstinéntiam afflígunt, sed de ipsa sua abstinéntia humános favóres éxpetunt.

The body of every man doth consist of five senses, and five being doubled is ten.  Forasmuch, therefore, as the whole body of the faithful doth consist of two sexes, the Holy Church may be likened unto ten virgins.  And forasmuch as in the Church the good are for the present mingled with the bad, and the reprobate with the elect, it is rightly said that, of the ten virgins, five are wise and five are foolish.  There are many who have self-control, which do keep themselves from lusting after things outward, whose hope beareth them to things inward, who chastise their flesh, and are moved by intense homesickness for their Fatherland which is in heaven.  These are they who reckon their glory, not in the mouths of men, but in the testimony of their own conscience.  But also there are many who afflict the body by self-control, and yet, in that very self-control, do seek only the applause of men.

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

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

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

On excepted feasts the Antiphons and Psalms are as follows.  Otherwise the Antiphons and Psalms are of the current weekday, with what follows as below from the Chapter onwards.

Ant.    Hæc est Virgo sápiens, * et una de número prudéntum.

Ant.    This is a wise Virgin, * and one of the number of the prudent.

Psalmus 92.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit, decórem indútus est: * indútus est Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se.
2  Etenim firmávit orbem terræ, * qui non commovébitur.
3  Paráta sedes tua ex tunc: * a sæculo tu es.
4  Elevavérunt flúmina, Dómine: * elevavérunt flúmina vocem suam.
5  Elevavérunt flúmina fluctus suos, * a vócibus aquárum multárum.
6  Mirábiles elatiónes maris: * mirábilis in altis Dóminus.
7  Testimónia tua credibília facta sunt nimis: * domum tuam decet sanctitúdo, Dómine, in longitúdinem diérum.

The Lord hath reigned, and hath put on glorious apparel; * the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2  For he hath stablished the round world, * that it cannot be moved.
3  Thy throne is prepared from of old : * thou art from everlasting.
4  The floods have lift up, O Lord, * yea, the floods have lift up their voice.
5  The floods have lift up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.
6  The waves of the sea are mighty, * glorious is the Lord, who dwelleth on high.
7  Thy testimonies are become exceeding credible: * holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever and ever.

Psalmus 99.  Jubilate

Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * servíte Dómino in lætítia.
2  Introíte in conspéctu ejus, * in exsultatióne.
3  Scitóte quóniam Dóminus ipse est Deus: * ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos.
4  Pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus: * introíte portas ejus in confessióne, átria ejus in hymnis: confitémini illi.
5  Laudáte nomen ejus: quóniam suávis est Dóminus, in ætérnum misericórdia ejus, * et usque in géneratiónem et géneratiónem véritas ejus.

Psalm 99.  Jubilate

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness,
2  And come before his presence * with a song..
3  Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; * it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.
4  We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture : * O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be ye thankful unto him.
5  Give praises unto his Name: for the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

Psalmus 62.  Deus, Deus meus

Deus, Deus meus, * ad te de luce vígilo.
2  Sitívit in te ánima mea, * quam multiplíciter tibi caro mea.
3  In terra desérta, et ínvia, et inaquósa: * sic in sancto appárui tibi, ut vidérem virtútem tuam, et glóriam tuam.
4  Quóniam mélior est misericórdia tua super vitas: * lábia mea laudábunt te.
5  Sic benedícam te in vita mea: * et in nómine tuo levábo manus meas.
6  Sicut ádipe et pinguédine repleátur ánima mea: * et lábiis exsultatiónis laudábit os meum.
7  Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutínis meditábor in te: * quia fuísti adjútor meus.
8  Et in velaménto alárum tuárum exsultábo, adhæsit ánima mea post te: * me suscépit déxtera tua.
9  Ipsi vero in vanum quæsiérunt ánimam meam, introíbunt in inferióra terræ: * tradéntur in manus gládii, partes vúlpium erunt.
10  Rex vero lætábitur in Deo, laudabúntur omnes qui jurant in eo: * quia obstrúctum est os loquéntium iníqua.

Psalm 62.  Deus, Deus meus

O God, thou art my God; * to thee do I watch at break of day.
2  My soul hath thirsted for thee, * my flesh also in many different ways.
3  In a barren and dry land where no water is: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, that I might behold thy power and thy glory.
4  For thy mercy is better than the life itself : * my lips shall praise thee.
5  Thus will I bless thee as long as I live : * and I will lift up my hands in thy Name.
6  My soul shall be filled as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
7  If I have remembered thee in my bed, I will think upon thee in the morning : * because thou hast been my helper.
8  And under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice, my soul hath hung upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me.
9  But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go down into the nether parts of the earth : * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes.
10  But the king shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak wicked things shall be stopped.

Canticum trium Puerorum
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 et 56

Benedícite, ómnia ópera Dómini, Dómino: * Laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.

2    Benedícite, Angeli Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, cæli, Dómino.

3    Benedícite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes virtútes Dómini, Dómino.

4    Benedícite, sol et luna, Dómino: * benedícite, stellæ cæli, Dómino.

5    Benedícite, omnis imber et ros, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes spíritus Dei, Dómino.

6    Benedícite, ignis et æstus, Dómino: * benedícite, frigus et æstus, Dómino.

7    Benedícite, rores et pruína, Dómino: * benedícite, gelu et frigus, Dómino.

8    Benedícite, glácies et nives, Dómino: * benedícite, noctes et dies, Dómino.

9    Benedícite, lux et ténebræ, Dómino: * benedícite, fúlgura et nubes, Dómino.

10  Benedícat terra Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

11  Benedícite, montes et colles, Dómino: * benedícite, univérsa germinántia in terra, Dómino.

12  Benedícite, fontes, Dómino: * benedícite, mária et flúmina, Dómino.

13  Benedícite, cete, et ómnia, quæ movéntur in aquis, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes vólucres cæli, Dómino.

14    Benedícite, omnes béstiæ et pécora, Dómino: * benedícite, fílii hóminum, Dómino.

15    Benedícat Israël Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

16    Benedícite, sacerdótes Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, servi Dómini, Dómino.

17    Benedícite, spíritus, et ánimæ justórum, Dómino: * benedícite, sancti et húmiles corde, Dómino.

18    Benedícite, Ananía, Azaría, Mísaël, Dómino: * Laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.
(Fit reverentia:)

19    Benedicámus Patrem et Fílium cum Sancto Spíritu: * laudémus et superexaltémus eum in sæcula.
20  Benedíctus es, Dómine, in firmaménto cæli: * et laudábilis, et gloriósus, et superexaltátus in sæcula.
Hic non dícitur Glória Patri, neque Amen.

The Song of the Three Holy Children
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 and 56

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
2  O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord.
3  O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
4  O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord.
5  O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: * O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord.
6  O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord.
7  O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord.
8  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord.
9  O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord.
10  O let the Earth bless the Lord; * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
11  O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord. 
12  O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord.
13  O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord.
14  O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord.
15  O let Israël bless the Lord; * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
16  O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
17  O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord.
18  O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever:
(During the following verse, all bow:)
19  Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
20  Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; * and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Here is not said Amen or Glory be.

Psalmus 148.  Laudate Dominum

Laudáte Dóminum de cælis: * Laudáte eum in excélsis.
2  Laudáte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * Laudáte eum, omnes virtútes ejus.
3  Laudáte eum, sol et luna: * Laudáte eum, omnes stellæ et lumen.
4  Laudáte eum, cæli cælórum: * et aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, laudent nomen Dómini.
5  Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt: * ipse mandávit, et creáta sunt.
6  Státuit ea in ætérnum, et in sæculum sæculi: * præcéptum pósuit, et non præteríbit.
7  Laudáte Dóminum de terra, * dracónes, et omnes abyssi.
8  Ignis, grando, nix, glácies, spíritus procellárum: * quæ fáciunt verbum ejus:
9  Montes, et omnes colles: * ligna fructífera, et omnes cedri.
10  Béstiæ, et univérsa pécora: * serpéntes, et vólucres pennátæ:
11  Reges terræ, et omnes pópuli: * príncipes, et omnes júdices terræ.
12  Júvenes, et vírgines : senes cum junióribus laudent nomen Dómini: * quia exaltátum est nomen ejus solíus.
13  Conféssio ejus super cælum et terram: * et exaltávit cornu pópuli sui.
14  Hymnus ómnibus sanctis ejus: * fíliis Israël, pópulo appropinquánti sibi.

Psalm 148.  Laudate Dominum

O praise ye the Lord from the heavens: * praise ye him in the height.
2  Praise him, all ye Angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
3  Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
4  Praise him, all ye heavens of heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens, praise the Name of the Lord.
5  For he spake the word, and they were made; * he commanded, and they were created.
6  He hath established them for ever, yea, unto ages of ages : * he hath set forth a law, and it shall not pass away.
7  Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and ice, wind and storm, * fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;
10  Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;
11  Kings of the earth, and all people; * princes, and all judges of the world;
12  Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord: * for his Name only is exalted.
13  His praise is above heaven and earth : * and he shall exalt the horn of his people.
14  A hymn unto all his saints : * even unto the children of Israel, a people that draw nigh unto him.

STAND

Jesu, coróna Vírginum,
Quem Mater illa cóncipit
Quæ sola Virgo párturit,
Hæc vota clemens áccipe :

Qui pergis inter lília
Septus choréis Vírginum,
Sponsus decórus glória
Sponsísque reddens præmia.

Quocúmque tendis, Vírgines
Sequúntur, atque láudibus
Post te canéntes cúrsitant,
Hymnósque dulces pérsonant ;

Te deprecámur súpplices,
Nostris ut addas sénsibus
Nescíre prorsus ómnia
Corruptiónis vúlnera.

*  Virtus, honor, laus, glória
Deo Patri cum Fílio,
Sancto simul Paráclito,
In sæculórum sæcula.  Amen.

Jesu, the Virgins' Crown, do thou
Accept us, as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The Mother and the Maid we own.

Amongst the lilies thou dost feed,
With virgin choirs accompanied;
With glory deck'd, the spotless brides
Whose bridal gifts thy love provides.

They, wheresoe'er thy footsteps bend,
With hymns and praises still attend;
In blessed troops they follow thee,
With dance, and song, and melody.

We pray thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.

Ordinary Doxology
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honour, might, and glory be,
From age to age eternally.  Amen.

THE BENEDICTUS

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Prime

Ant.   Hæc est Virgo sápiens, * et una de número prudéntum.

Ant.  This is a wise Virgin, * and one of the number of the prudent.

Festal Psalms

Return to the Office of Prime

The Brief Lesson

For a Virgin Martyr

Lectio Brevis    Eccli. 51.9
Dómine, Deus meus, exaltásti super terram habitatiónem meam, et pro morte defluénte deprecáta sum.  Invocávi Dóminum, Patrem Dómini mei, ut non derelínquat me in die tribulatiónis meæ, et in témpore superbórum sine adjutório.  Tu autem,  Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

For a Virgin not a Martyr

Lectio Brevis    Sap. 4.1.
O quam pulchra est casta generátio cum claritáte!  Immortális est enim memória illíus, quóniam apud Deum nota est, et apud hómines.  Tu autem,  Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

Return to the Office of Prime

Terce

Sunday Psalms

STAND

The Little Chapter          2 Cor. 10. 17.
Brethren: He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Spécie tua * Et pulchritúdine tua.
R.  Spécie tua * Et pulchritúdine tua.
V.  Inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
R.  Et pulchritúdine tua.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Spécie tua * Et pulchritúdine tua.

V.  Adjuvábit eam Deus vultu suo.
R.  Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur.

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

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

Sext

Ant.   Hæc est quæ nescívit * torum in delícto : habébit fructum in respectióne animárum sanctárum.

Ant.   For blessed is the barren * that is undefiled; she shall have fruit in the visitation of holy souls.

Sunday Psalms

The Little Chapter          2 Cor. 11. 2.
I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Adjuvábit eam * Deus vultu suo.
R.  Adjuvábit eam * Deus vultu suo.
V.  Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur.
R.  Deus vultu suo.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Adjuvábit eam * Deus vultu suo.

V.  Elégit eam Deus, et præelégit eam.
R.  In tabernáculo suo habitáre facit eam.

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

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

None

Sunday Psalms

STAND

For a Virgin Martyr

For a Virgin not a Martyr

The Little Chapter          Wisdom 4. 1.
O how fair is the chaste generation in the glory thereof, for the memorial thereof is immortal; because it is known with God and with men.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Elégit eam Deus, * et præelégit eam.
R.  Elégit eam Deus, * et præelégit eam.
V.  In tabernáculo suo habitáre facit eam.
R.  Et præelégit eam.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Elégit eam Deus, * et præelégit eam.

V.  Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis.
R.  Proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

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

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

Second Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

On excepted feasts the Antiphons and Psalms are as follows.  Otherwise the Antiphons and Psalms are of the current weekday, with what follows as below from the Chapter onwards.

Psalmus 109.  Dixit Dominus

Dixit Dóminus Dómino meo: * Sede a dextris meis:
2  Donec ponam inimícos tuos, * scabéllum pedum tuórum.
3  Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: * domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum.
4  Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ in splendóribus sanctórum: * ex útero ante lucíferum génui te.
5  Jurávit Dóminus, et non pœnitébit eum: * Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech.
6  Dóminus a dextris tuis, * confrégit in die iræ suæ reges.
7  Judicábit in natiónibus, implébit ruínas: * conquassábit cápita in terra multórum.
8  De torrénte in via bibet: * proptérea exaltábit caput.

The Lord said unto my Lord, * Sit thou on my right hand:
2  Until I make thine enemies * thy footstool.
3  The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion: * be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies.
4  Thine shall be the dominion in the day of thy power, amid the brightness of the saints : * from the womb before the day star have I begotten thee.
5  The Lord sware, and will not repent, * Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.
6  The Lord upon thy right hand * shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath.
7  He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies: * and smite in sunder the heads over divers countries.
8  He shall drink of the brook in the way; * therefore shall he lift up his head.

Psalmus 112.  Laudate, pueri

Laudáte, púeri, Dóminum: * Laudáte nomen Dómini.
2  (fit reverentia) Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sæculum.
3  A solis ortu usque ad occásum, * laudábile nomen Dómini.
4  Excélsus super omnes gentes Dóminus, * et super cælos glória ejus.
5  Quis sicut Dóminus, Deus noster, qui in altis hábitat, * et humília réspicit in cælo et in terra?
6  Súscitans a terra ínopem, * et de stércore érigens páuperem:
7  Ut cóllocet eum cum princípibus, * cum princípibus pópuli sui.
8  Qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, * matrem filiórum lætántem.

Psalm 112.  Laudate, pueri

Praise the Lord, O ye his servants; * O praise the Name of the Lord.
2  (all bow) Blessed be the Name of the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.
3  From the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the Lord's Name be praised.
4  The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.
5  Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling on high, * and beholdeth what is lowly in heaven and in the earth?
6  He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, * and lifteth the needy out of the dung hill.
7  That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.
8  He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Psalmus 121.  Lætatus sum

Lætátus sum in his, quæ dicta sunt mihi: * In domum Dómini íbimus.
2  Stantes erant pedes nostri, * in átriis tuis, Jerúsalem.
3  Jerúsalem, quæ ædificátur ut cívitas: * cujus participátio ejus in idípsum.
4  Illuc enim ascendérunt tribus, tribus Dómini: * testimónium Israël ad confiténdum nómini Dómini.
5  Quia illic sedérunt sedes in judício, * sedes super domum David.
6  Rogáte quæ ad pacem sunt Jerúsalem: * et abundántia diligéntibus te:
7  Fiat pax in virtúte tua: * et abundántia in túrribus tuis.
8  Propter fratres meos, et próximos meos, * loquébar pacem de te:
9  Propter domum Dómini, Dei nostri, * quæsívi bona tibi.

Psalm 121.  Lætatus sum

I was glad when they said unto me, * We will go into the house of the Lord.
2  Our feet shall stand * in thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3  Jerusalem is built as a city * that is at unity in itself.
4  For thither did the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, * to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
5  For their seats have sat in judgment, * even the seats upon the house of David.
6  O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; * they shall prosper that love thee.
7  Peace be within thy walls, * and plenteousness within thy palaces.
8  For my brethren and companions' sakes, * I spake peace of thee.
9  Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, * I have sought to do thee good.

Psalmus 126.  Nisi Dominus

Nisi Dóminus ædificáverit domum, * in vanum laboravérunt qui ædíficant eam.
2  Nisi Dóminus custodíerit civitátem, * frustra vígilat qui custódit eam.
3  Vanum est vobis ante lucem súrgere: * súrgite postquam sedéritis, qui manducátis panem dolóris.
4  Cum déderit diléctis suis somnum: * ecce heréditas Dómini fílii : merces, fructus ventris.
5  Sicut sagíttæ in manu poténtis: * ita fílii excussórum.
6  Beátus vir qui implévit desidérium suum ex ipsis: * non confundétur cum loquétur inimícis suis in porta.

Psalm 126.  Nisi Dominus

Except the Lord build the house, * they labour in vain that build it.
2  Except the Lord keep the city, * the watchman waketh but in vain.
3  It is vain for you to rise up before the light : * rise ye after ye have sitten, ye that eat the bread of sorrow.
4  When he giveth his beloved sleep : * behold, children are the heritage of the Lord: the reward, and the fruit of the womb.
5  Like as the arrows in the hand of the mighty, * even so are the children of them that have been shaken.
6  Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; * he shall not be confounded when he shall speak with his enemies in the gate.

Psalmus 147.  Lauda, Jerusalem

Lauda, Jerúsalem, Dóminum: * lauda Deum tuum, Sion.
2  Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.
3  Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.
4  Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.
5  Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.
6  Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?
7  Emíttet verbum suum et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus et fluent aquæ.
8  Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias et judícia sua Israël.
9  Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.

Psalm 147.   Lauda, Jerusalem

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; *  praise thy God, O Sion.
2  For he hath made fast the bars of thy gates, * and hath blessed thy children within thee.
3  Who hath placed peace in thy borders, * and filleth thee with the fat of the crops.
4  Who sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, * and his word runneth swiftly.
5  Who giveth snow like wool, * and scattereth the mist like ashes.
6  He sendeth his ice like morsels: * who is able to abide before the face of his frost?
7  He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his spirit shall breathe forth, and the waters shall flow.
8  Who declareth his word unto Jacob, * his statutes and judgments unto Israel.
9  He hath not dealt so with every nation; * neither hath he given them knowledge of his judgments.

Jesu, coróna Vírginum,
Quem Mater illa cóncipit
Quæ sola Virgo párturit,
Hæc vota clemens áccipe :

Qui pergis inter lília
Septus choréis Vírginum,
Sponsus decórus glória
Sponsísque reddens præmia.

Quocúmque tendis, Vírgines
Sequúntur, atque láudibus
Post te canéntes cúrsitant,
Hymnósque dulces pérsonant ;

Te deprecámur súpplices,
Nostris ut addas sénsibus
Nescíre prorsus ómnia
Corruptiónis vúlnera.

*  Virtus, honor, laus, glória
Deo Patri cum Fílio,
Sancto simul Paráclito,
In sæculórum sæcula.  Amen.

Jesu, the Virgins' Crown, do thou
Accept us, as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The Mother and the Maid we own.

Amongst the lilies thou dost feed,
With virgin choirs accompanied;
With glory deck'd, the spotless brides
Whose bridal gifts thy love provides.

They, wheresoe'er thy footsteps bend,
With hymns and praises still attend;
In blessed troops they follow thee,
With dance, and song, and melody.

We pray thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.

Ordinary Doxology
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One,
Laud, honour, might, and glory be,
From age to age eternally.  Amen.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH