St. John Bosco

Confessor

Double

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

V.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum.
R.  Stolam glóriæ índuit eum.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Similábo eum * viro sapiénti, qui ædificávit domum suam supra petram.

Ant. on Magnif:  I will liken him * unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui sanctum Joánnem Confessórem tuum adolescéntium patrem et magístrum excitásti, ac per eum, auxiliatríce Vírgine María, novas in Ecclésia tua famílias floréscere voluísti : concéde, quæsumus ; ut eódem caritátis igne succénsi, ánimas quærere, tibíque soli servíre valeámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst raise up as a teacher and father unto young men and maidens thy holy Confessor John, through whom also, holpen by the Virgin Mary, thou didst make new families to increase in thy Church : we beseech thee that we likewise may be so set on fire of love ; that we may seek diligently after souls, and give ourselves wholly unto thy service.  Through.

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.

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

V.  Full of grace are thy lips.
R.  Because God hath blessed thee for ever.

Oremus.
Deus, qui inter cétera poténtiæ tuæ mirácula étiam in sexu frágili victóriam martyrii contulísti : concéde propítius ; ut, qui beátæ Martínæ Vírginis et Mártyris tuæ natalítia cólimus, per ejus ad te exémpla gradiámur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who among the manifold works of thine almighty power hast bestowed even upon the weakness of women strength to win the victory of martyrdom : grant, we beseech thee, that we, who on this day recall the heavenly birth of blessed Martina thy Virgin and Martyr; may so follow in her footsteps, that we may likewise attain unto thee.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn
 

First Nocturn

The Lessons for the First Nocturn are taken from the occurrent Scripture.  If, however, they are to be taken from the Common, they are read from that of a Confessor not a Bishop, Series 1,  Beatus vir.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Confessors
 

Second Nocturn

Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity.
R.  Amen.

Joánnes Bosco, húmili loco natus apud Castum Novum in Asténsibus atque sanctíssime, patre amísso, disciplína matérna institútus, mira de se vel a prima ætáte porténdit.  Ingénio enim mitis atque ad pietátem pronus, singulári se gerébat auctoritáte inter æquáles, quorum lites dirímere, fáciles rixas compónere, túrpia verba jocósque lascívos compéscere matúre cœpit.  Tum verbis eos jucúndis ad se advocáre, ludis preces insérere, quæ sacra elóquia in templo audivísset mirábili sermónis cópia ac dulcédine reférre, ad Pœniténtiæ et Eucharístiæ sacraménta rite suscipiénda puérulos quam primum quamque crebérrime indúcere satégit.  Oris quoque decor verecúndus, morum suávitas, atque innocentíssimæ vitæ candor ómnium ánimos ad eum pertrahébant.  Licet vero, familiáris rei angústia pressus labórum ærumnarúmque plenam adolescéntiam égerit, in id tamen unum hílaris ac Deo fidens conténdit, ut sacerdótio augerétur.

John Bosco, born in the poor town of Castelnuovo d'Asti, and having lost his father at the age of two, was raised by his mother in a most saintly manner, and from his earliest years gave evidence of an extraordinary future.  Docile and pious, he had a remarkable influence over those of his own age, whose fights he soon began to settle, and whose indecent words and improper jokes he stopped.  Then he busied himself with drawing them to him by good stories, by including prayers in their games, by repeating in an attractive way the complete sermons he had heard in church, and with persuading them to receive the sacraments of Penance and of the Holy Eucharist without delay and frequently.  His unassuming manner, his affability, and his innocence drew everyone to him.  Although pressed with difficulties at home, and forced to work hard in his youth, he ardently desired with trust in God to become a priest.

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

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

R.  Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutávit illum : * Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.
V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas, et osténdit illi regnum Dei.
R.  Et dedit illi claritátem ætérnam.

R.  The Lord multiplied the fruit of his labours and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait. * And gave him perpetual glory.
V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and shewed him the kingdom of God.
R.  And gave him perpetual glory.

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.

Voti tandem compos efféctus, Cheriénsem civitátem primum, ac dein Augústam Taurinórum pétiit, quo ácrius, beáto Josépho Cafásso magístro, et in sciéntia sanctórum profíceret et ad sacram morum doctrínam addiscéndam ánimum adjúngeret.  Ibi autem, cum voluntátis inclinatióne tum supérno instínctu incitátus, suum in adolescéntulos ánimum convértit, ut prima iis christiánæ sapiéntiæ tráderet rudiménta.  Quorum cum fíeret in dies major númerus, sedem ad eos coadunándos stábilem ac firmam, haud sine cælésti afflátu, ásperis et diutúrnis difficultátibus superátis, in illa urbis parte collocávit, quæ vulgo Valdócco appellátur, in eámque rem totus incúbuit.  Paulo vero post, Vírgine Deípara auxiliánte, quæ ei puérulo per visum in somnis futúra innúerat, Joánnes Salesianórum Societátem institúere decrévit, cujus esset præsértim juveníles ánimas Christo lucrifácere ; item novam famíliam suscépit constituéndam sacrárum vírginum, quæ, ab Auxiliatríce Dei Matre nuncupátæ, adolescéntulas dirígerent in vias Dómini ; quibus demum pium Cooperatórum cœtum adjécit ad Salesianórum ópera stúdio ac pietáte fovénda.  Itaque brevi factum est, ut permágnam et christiánæ et civíli societáti utilitátem afférret.

His wish was fulfilled, and he went first to Chieri, and then to Turin, where under the direction of Blessed Joseph Cafasso, he made rapid progress in the science of the Saints and in the learning of moral theology.  There moved by divine grace and personal liking he began to take an interest in the youths, whom he taught the rudiments of the Christian religion.  Their number increased day by day, and notwithstanding great and persistent difficulties, under divine inspiration he made a foundation for them in that section of the city called the Valdocco, on which he began to spend all his energy.  Shortly after, with the help of the Blessed Virgin, who in a vision to him when a boy had revealed his future, John founded the Society of the Salesians, whose principal purpose was to be the saving of youthful souls for Christ.  In like manner he founded a new family of nuns, who were called the daughters of St. Mary Auxiliatrix, and who would do for poor girls what the Salesians were doing for boys.  To these he finally attached the Third Order of Salesian Cooperators, who by their piety and zeal were to assist in the educational work of the Salesians.  And so in a short time he made great contributions both to the Church and to the State.

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

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

R.  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, * Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.
V.  Induit eum Dóminus lorícam fídei, et ornávit eum.
R.  Et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

R.  The Lord loved him and adorned him; he clothed him with a robe of glory : * And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.
V.  The Lord hath put on him the breast-plate of faith, and hath adorned him.
R.  And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.

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.

Animárum enim stúdio flagrans, nulli pepércit labóri nullíque impénsæ, ut festórum diérum ascetéria pro adolescéntulis, pupillórum hospítia, pusiónum operariórum scholas, ædes púeris aléndis, instituéndis, templa Deo longe latéque per orbem excitáret.  Simul Christi fidem in Subalpínis verbo et exémplo fovére, per totam Itáliam óptimos libros conficiéndo, edéndo, divulgándo tutári, Evangélii præcónes ad gentes infidéles sæpius mitténdo propagáre non désiit.  Simplex ac rectus homo Dei, ad omne opus bonum instrúctus, omnígenis virtútibus flóruit, quas incensíssimæ caritátis ardor alébat.  Mente in Deum constánter erécta ac supérnis charismátibus cumulátus, nullis sanctíssimus vir, nec minis terréri, nec labóribus fatigári, nec curis ópprimi, neque rebus advérsis perturbári videbátur.  Tria autem pietátis offícia suis máxime commendávit : ut quam sæpíssime ad sacram exhomologésim sacrámque synáxim accéderent, ut Maríam Auxiliatrícem peramánter cólerent, ut Pontífici máximo ceu fílii addictíssimi obsequeréntur.  Nec siléntio prætereúndum est eum, in difficíllimis rerum adjúnctis, præsto non semel Románo Pontífici adfuísse, ut mala ex légibus contra Ecclésiam eo témpore latis deriváta temperáret.  Vitæ cursum, tot tantísque opéribus ac labóribus refértum, confécit prídie Kaléndas Februárias anno salútis millésimo octingentésimo octogésimo octávo, ætátis septuagésimo tértio.  Quem multis clarum miráculis Pius undécimus, Póntifex máximus, anno millésimo nongentésimo vigésimo nono Beatórum, quinquénnio post, die solémni Paschæ, décimo nono exeúnte sæculo a perácta humáni géneris Redemptióne, géntibus ex orbe univérso in Urbem confluéntibus, Sanctórum ordínibus adserébat.

Filled with zeal for souls, he spared himself no labour and no expense to build recreational centres for the young, orphanages, schools for working children, schools and homes for the training of the young, and churches far and wide throughout the world.  At the same time he did not stop spreading the Faith throughout the Subalpine country by word and by example, and throughout the whole of Italy, by writing and editing good books and by distributing the same, and in the foreign missions to which he sent numerous preachers.  A simple and upright man, bent on every good work, he shone with all manner of virtue, which was fostered by his intense and ardent charity.  With his mind always on God, and showered with heavenly gifts, this holy man of God was not disturbed by threats, nor tired by work, nor overwhelmed by care, nor upset by adversity.  He recommended three works of piety to his followers : to receive as frequently as possible the sacraments of Penance and of Holy Eucharist, to cultivate a devotion to St. Mary Auxiliatrix, and to be the most loyal children of the Sovereign Pontiff.  It should also be mentioned that John Bosco in very difficult circumstances went to the Pope more than once to console him in the evils coming from laws at that time passed against the Church.  With a life of such accomplishments he died on the 31st day of January, 1888.  Illustrious for his many miracles, the Supreme Pontiff, Pius XI, beatified him in 1929.  Five years later, in the nineteenth centenary of the anniversary of our redemption, he was canonized among a vast gathering come to the Eternal City from every part of the world.

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

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

R.  Iste homo perfécit ómnia quæ locútus est ei Deus, et dixit ad eum : Ingrédere in réquiem meam : * Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quia te vidi justum coram me ex ómnibus géntibus.

R.  This is he which did according to all that God commanded him ; and God said unto him : Enter thou into my rest : * For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  This is he which despised his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For thee have I seen righteous before me among all people.

If this Feast be reduced to the rank of Simple, and Lesson IX of this Feast is to be said according to the Rubrics, the following abbreviated version may be used.

Joánnes Bosco, húmili loco natus, post ærumnósam innocentissimámque puerítiam, stúdiis Chérii óperam dedit, quo quidem témpore ingénii et virtútum laude enítuit.  Sacérdos creátus, Augústam Taurinórum pétiit, ubi ómnibus ómnia factus est ; sed præsértim in adolescéntulos eósque páuperes ac derelíctos adjuvándos curam impéndit.  Liberálibus disciplínis, opifícium scholis, festórum diérum ascetériis a venenátis errórum vitiorúmque pábulis puerílem ætátem removére omni ope stúduit : quam ad rem duas in Ecclésia virórum virginúmque famílias excitávit.  Plúrimos ipse édidit libros christiána sapiéntia refértos.  De ætérna étiam infidélium salúte per sacras suórum sodálium expeditiónes óptime méruit.  Mente in Deum constánter erécta, nullis homo sanctíssimus, nec minis terréri, nec labóribus fatigári, nec curis ópprimi, nec rebus advérsis perturbári videbátur.  Obiit anno salútis millésimo octingentésimo octogésimo octávo, ætátis septuagésimo tértio.  A Pio undécimo, Pontífice máximo, in Sanctórum númerum relátus est.

The childhood of John Bosco, who was born in a small village, was marked both by its hardships and by his happy innocence of soul.  He studied at Chieri, where in a short time he earned great praise for his brilliance and his virtue.  Ordained priest, he went to Turin, where he made himself all things to all men, and undertook in particular the work of aiding poor and neglected boys.  By providing them with teaching in the liberal arts and in trades and by keeping them occupied on holidays, he strove with all his might to remove young people from the poisonous sources of delinquency and vice.  For this purpose, he established two congregations in the Church, one for men and one for women religious.  He himself published many books filled with Christian wisdom.  He also accomplished great things for the eternal salvation of unbelievers through the missionary enterprises of his congregations.  With his mind constantly raised to God, this holy man never seemed to be terrified by threats, worn out by labours, oppressed by cares, or disturbed by adversities.  He died in the year of salvation 1888 at the age of seventy-three, and was numbered among the saints by Pope Pius XI.

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

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

After the conclusion of the Second Nocturn, the Third Nocturn is begun according to the current weekday, as given in the table below.

Third Nocturn

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

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

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

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

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

In illo témpore : Accessérunt discípuli ad Jesum, dicéntes : Quis, putas, major est in regno cælórum?  Et réliqua.

At that time : Came the disciples unto Jesus, saying : Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  And so on, and that which followeth.

Viden quot modis nos indúcat Dóminus ad curam vel minórum fratrum?  Ne ítaque díxeris : Ærárius est ille, aut calceórum sutor, agrícola, insípiens, ut ídeo despícias illum.  Ne enim in illud mali íncidas, perpénde quot modis te indúcat, ut modéste agas et eórum curam geras.  Púerum in médio státuit et ait : Efficiámini ut párvuli : et : Quicúmque suscéperit párvulum talem, me súscipit : et : Qui scandalizáverit, extréma patiétur.  Si ergo Deus ita gaudet de párvulo qui repértus est, cur tu despícias eos quos Deus tam sollícite curat, cum oportéret ánimam ipsam trádere pro uno ex párvulis istis?  Tanta quippe est Deo cura de ánima, ut ne Fílio quidem suo pepércerit.  Quare, óbsecro, primo dilúculo cum a domo exiérimus, hunc unum scopum habeámus et hanc præcípue sollicitúdinem, ut periclitántem eripiámus.  Non loquor hic de sensíbili perículo ; hoc enim ne perículum quidem est ; sed de perículo ánimæ, quod homínibus parat diábolus.

Do ye see in how many ways the Lord leadeth us on to the care of our lesser brethren?  Therefore do not say : He is only a taxpayer, or a shoemaker, or a farmer, or that he is foolish, that ye may in that way look down on him.  So that ye will not fall into such evil, reflect on how many ways he leadeth you to act humbly and take care of them.  He placed a child in their midst and said : Become like little children ; and : Whosoever receiveth one such little child for my sake, receiveth me ; and : Who causeth one to sin, will suffer the severest penalties.  If therefore God so rejoiceth over a little one that hath been found, why do ye despise those for whom God is so solicitous, when ye should trade your own life for one of those little ones?  So great indeed is God's care for a soul that he did not spare his own Son.  Wherefore, I entreat you, the first thing in the morning when we go out of the house, let us have in mind this purpose and this concern, to save someone in danger.  I do not speak here of a visible danger, for this is not danger at all, but of danger to the soul, which the devil prepareth for men.

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

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

R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et de omni corde suo laudávit Dóminum : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.
V.  Ecce homo sine queréla, verus Dei cultor, ábstinens se ab omni ópere malo, et pérmanens in innocéntia sua.
R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.

R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine : * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.
V.  Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Cujus festum cólimus, ipse intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8:  May he whose feast day we are keeping, be our Advocates with God.
R.  Amen.

Improbus, inquis, diffícile tolerátur.  Atque ídeo debes illi amóre jungi, ut eum a vítio remóveas, ut convértas et ad virtútem redúcas.  At non obtémperat, inquis, neque consílium admíttit.  Unde hoc nosti?  An exhortátus es et emendáre studuísti?  Hortátus sæpe sum, ínquies.  Quóties?  Sæpius : semel et íterum.  Idne sæpius vocas?  Etiámsi per totam vitam id fecísses, nec defícere, nec desperáre oportébat.  Non vides quómodo nos Deus semper hortátur per Prophétas, per Apóstolos, per Evangelístas?  Quid ígitur?  Num recte operámur?  Num in ómnibus obtemperámus?  Mínime.  Num ídeo finem fecit admonéndi?

Ye say it is hard to tolerate the bad.  Ye should be joined to him in love, to lead him away from vice, to convert him and lead him back to virtue.  But he doth not follow, say ye, nor taketh he advice.  How know ye this?  Have ye exhorted him and have ye tried to correct him?  I have often exhorted, ye will say.  How often?  Once or twice.  Do ye call that very often?  Even if ye were to do it for your whole life, ye should neither stop nor despair.  Do ye not see how God always encourageth us through the Prophets, through the Apostles, and through the Evangelists?  What followeth? Do we act right?  Do we obey in everything?  Not at all.  Should there be an end, then, to admonishing?

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

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

R.  Sint lumbi vestri præcíncti, et lucérnæ ardéntes in mánibus vestris: * Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Vigiláte ergo, quia nescítis qua hora Dóminus vester ventúrus sit.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Et vos símiles homínibus exspectántibus dóminum suum, quando revertátur a núptiis.

R.  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning: * And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And be ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding.

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.

Nihil quippe tam pretiósum est quam ánima : quid enim prodest hómini, si mundum univérsum lucrétur, ánimæ vero suæ detriméntum patiátur?  Verum ómnia pervértit et dejécit pecuniárum amor, Deíque timórem decússit, sicut tyránnus arcem sic ánimas óccupans.  Idcírco et filiórum et nostram neglígimus salútem.  Hinc magna insipiéntia ; hinc líberi servis vilióres fiunt.  Ecquid de servis loquor?  Mulum si quis hábeat, multum curat ut agasónem illi óptimum provídeat, non ímprobum, non furácem, non temuléntum, non artis suæ imperítum : si autem fílio pædagógum dare opus sit, casu et sine deléctu óbvium quemque excípimus ; etsi hac arte nulla sit major.  Quid par illi arti, quæ dirigéndæ júvenis menti et índoli incúmbit?  Qui tali instrúctus est facultáte, plus diligéntiæ exhíbeat opórtet, quam quivis pictor aut statuárius.

There is indeed nothing as precious as a soul.  For what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?  But love of money hath destroyed and cast down everything, it hath thrust aside the fear of God, taking possession of the soul as a tyrant occupieth a fortress.  And so we neglect our own salvation and that of our children.  Great is that folly, and our children are worse than servants.  Why do I speak of servants?  If ye have a mule, ye take care to give it the best groom, one who is not worthless, nor a thief, nor a drunk, and one is not inexperienced in his work.  If, however, it is necessary to have a preceptor for your son, ye take anyone ye may meet by chance and ye give no thought to selection, although there is no profession greater than this one.  What is equal to that profession which is concerned with directing the soul and forming the mind and character of the young?  He who hath such a task should shew more diligence than any painter or sculptor.

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 Don Bosco Sanctuary, Piedmont, Italy

V.  Justum dedúxit Dóminus per vias rectas.
R.  Et osténdit illi regnum Dei.

V.  The Lord guided the righteous in right paths.
R.  And shewed him the kingdom of God.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Euge, serve bone * et fidélis, quia in pauca fuísti fidélis, supra multa te constítuam, intra in gáudium Dómini tui.

Ant. on Bened:  Well done, good and faithful servant: * thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter into the joy of thy Lord.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui sanctum Joánnem Confessórem tuum adolescéntium patrem et magístrum excitásti, ac per eum, auxiliatríce Vírgine María, novas in Ecclésia tua famílias floréscere voluísti : concéde, quæsumus ; ut eódem caritátis igne succénsi, ánimas quærere, tibíque soli servíre valeámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who didst raise up as a teacher and father unto young men and maidens thy holy Confessor John, through whom also, holpen by the Virgin Mary, thou didst make new families to increase in thy Church : we beseech thee that we likewise may be so set on fire of love ; that we may seek diligently after souls, and give ourselves wholly unto thy service.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

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