Ss. Primus and Felician

Martyrs

Simple

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

V.  Lætámini in Dómino et exsultáte, justi.
R.  Et gloriámini, omnes recti corde.

V.  Be glad, O ye righteous, and rejoice in the Lord.
R.  And be joyful, all ye that are true of heart.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Istórum est enim * regnum cælórum, qui contempsérunt vitam mundi, et pervenérunt ad præmia regni, et lavérunt stolas suas in sánguine Agni.

Ant. on Magnif:  Blessed are they * who have despised earthly pleasure, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, and have won the heavenly great reward.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Fac nos, quæsumus, Dómine, sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Primi et Feliciáni semper festa sectári : quorum suffrágiis protectiónis tuæ dona sentiámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, O Lord, we pray thee : that, as by the prayers of thy blessed Martyrs, Primus and Felician, we do feel the effectual succour of thy protection ; so we may at all times devoutly observe their festival.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS if it is said

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

The Nocturn
 

The Nocturn

The first two Lessons are taken from the occurrent Scripture.  Lesson iii is proper as given below.

Scripture Lessons
 

Primus et Feliciánus fratres, in persecutióne Diocletiáni et Maximiáni accusáti christiánæ religiónis, in víncula conjiciúntur ; quibus solúti, inde eripiúntur ab Angelo.  Mox ad prætórem addúcti, cum christiánam fidem acérrime tueréntur, alter ab áltero distrácti sunt ; ac primum várie tentáta est constántia Feliciáni.  Sed, cum suasóres impietátis se posse quidquam verbis profícere desperárent, affíxis stípiti mánibus ejus et pédibus, ipsum sine cibo et potu inde tríduum pendéntem reliquérunt.  Postrídie ejus diéi, prætor vocátum ad se Primum sic affátur : Vides quanto sit prudéntior, quam tu, frater tuus, qui obsecútus imperatóribus, apud ipsos est honorátus?  Quem si tu quoque imitári volúeris, párticeps eris ejus honóris et gratiæ.  Cui Primus : Qui factum sit fratri meo, cognóvi ex Angelo.  Utinam, quemádmodum sum cum eo voluntáte conjunctíssimus, sic ab eódem ne martyrio disjúngar.  Quo dicto excánduit prætor, et ad céteros cruciátus, quibus Primum affécit, præsénte jam Feliciáno, liquátum igne plumbum in os ejus jussit infúndi.  Mox utrúmque perdúci ímperat in theátrum, in eósque immítti duos leónis ; qui, prostráti ad eórum génua, cápite et cauda ipsis blandiebántur.  Ad id spectáculum cum ámplius duódecim míllia hóminum conveníssent, quingénti cum suis famíliis christiánam religiónem suscepérunt.  Quibus rebus permótus prætor, eos secúri pércuti jussit.

Primus and Felician were two brothers who were accused of Christianity during the persecution by Diocletian and Maximian, and thrown into irons, which an angel broke, and so freed their limbs.  In the presence of the governor they most earnestly clave to the profession of their faith, and were immediately parted one from the other.  Felician's was the steadfastness which was first tried in divers ways.  They, however, that strove to argue him into sin, when they found that words availed nothing, fastened his hands and feet to a post, and left him to hang there three days without food or drink.  On the fourth day the governor called Primus before him, and said to him : Seest thou how much thy brother is wiser than thou?  He hath obeyed the Emperors, and they have made him honourable.  Thou hast only to follow his ensample to be made partaker of his honours and favours.  Primus answered him : What hath befallen my brother I know, for an angel hath told me.  God grant that, seeing I have the same will that he hath, I may not be divided from him in uplifting of testimony.  These words raised the wrath of the governor, and to the torments which he had already inflicted on Primus, he added this also, that he had boiling lead put into his mouth, compelling his brother Felician to be present and see it done.  After that, he had them led into the theatre and two lions let loose upon them, in the presence of about twelve thousand people who were gathered together to see the show.  The lions only fawned upon the knees of the Saints, making friends with them with motions of their heads and tails.  This exhibition turned five hundred persons and their households to Christ.  The governor, then, moved beyond all endurance by what had passed, caused Primus and Felician to be beheaded.

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

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

Lauds

Ad Bened. Ant:  Vestri capílli cápitis * omnes numeráti sunt : nolíte timére : multis passéribus melióres estis vos.

Ant. on Bened:  Even the very hairs of your head * are all numbered; fear not therefore ; ye are of more value than many sparrows.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Fac nos, quæsumus, Dómine, sanctórum Mártyrum tuórum Primi et Feliciáni semper festa sectári : quorum suffrágiis protectiónis tuæ dona sentiámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, O Lord, we pray thee : that, as by the prayers of thy blessed Martyrs, Primus and Felician, we do feel the effectual succour of thy protection ; so we may at all times devoutly observe their festival.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS if it is said

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH