Semidouble

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

First Vespers

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.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui gloriósos Mártyres fortes in sua confessióne cognóvimus, pios apud te in nostra intercessióne sentiámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, ; that, like as we have known thy glorious Martyrs to be constant in their confession of thy Faith ; we we may feel the succour of their loving intercession.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

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 Several Martyrs, Fratres : Debitores.

Scripture Lessons

Lessons from Common of Several Martyrs
 

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.

Septem fratres, fílii sanctæ Felicitátis, Romæ in persecutióne Marci Aurélii Antoníni a Públio præfécto primum blandítiis, deínde terróribus tentáti, ut Christo renuntiántes, deos veneraréntur ; et, sua virtúte, et matre hortánte, in fídei confessióne perseverántes, várie necáti sunt.  Januárius plumbátis cæsus ; Felix et Philíppus fústibus contúsi ; Silvánus ex altíssimo loco præceps dejéctus est ; Alexánder, Vitális et Martiális cápite plectúntur.  Mater eórum quarto post mense eámdem martyrii palmam consecúta est : illi sexto Idus Júlii spíritum Dómino reddidérunt.

In the persecution at Rome under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, there were seven brethren, sons of the holy woman Felicity, whom the Prefect Publius first essayed to cajole by kindness, and then to shake by fear, to deny Christ and worship the gods ; but, by their own bravery and the exhortation of their mother, they remained firm in their confession, and were all put to death in divers ways.  Januarius was lashed to death with whips loaded with lead ; Felix and Philip were beaten to death with cudgels ; Silvanus was thrown over a precipice ; Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis were beheaded.  Their mother gained the same palm of martyrdom four months afterwards.  The seven Brethren gave up their souls to God upon the 10th day of July.

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

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

R.  Sancti tui, Dómine, mirábile consecúti sunt iter, serviéntes præcéptis tuis, ut inveniréntur illæsi in aquis válidis : * Terra appáruit árida, et in Mari Rubro via sine impediménto.
V.  Quóniam percússit petram, et fluxérunt aquæ, et torréntes inundavérunt.
R.  Terra appáruit árida, et in Mari Rubro via sine impediménto.

R.  Thy Saints, O Lord, have passed a wonderful way, serving thy commandments, that they might be found without hurt in the midst of the mighty waters. * Dry land appeared, and out of the Red Sea, a way without impediment.
V.  He smote the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed.
R.  Dry land appeared, and out of the Red Sea, a way without impediment.

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.

Rufína et Secúnda soróres, vírgines Románæ, rejécto connúbio Armentárii et Veríni, quibus a paréntibus despónsæ fúerant, quod Jesu Christo virginitátem vovíssent, Valeriáno et Galliéno imperatóribus, comprehendúntur.  Quas cum nec promíssis nec terróre Június præféctus a propósito posset abdúcere, Rufínam primum virgis cædi jubet ; in cujus verbéribus Secúnda júdicem sic interpéllat : Quid est, quod sorórem meam honóre, me áfficis ignomínia?  Jube ambas simul cædi, quæ simul Christum Deum confitémur.  Quibus verbis incénsus judex ímperat utrámque detrúdi in tenebricósum et fœtidum cárcerem.  Quo loco statim claríssima luce et suavíssimo odóre compléto, in ardénte bálnei sólio includúntur.  Et cum inde étiam íntegræ evasíssent, mox saxo ad collum alligáto in Tíberim projéctæ sunt ; unde ab Angelo liberátæ, extra Urbem via Aurélia milliário décimo, cápite plectúntur.  Quarum córpora, a Plautílla matróna in ejus prædio sepúlta, ac póstea in Urbem transláta, in basílica Constantiniána prope baptistérium cóndita sunt.

The virgin sisters, Rufina and Secunda, were Romans.  Their parents had betrothed them to Armentarius and Verinus, but they both consecrated their virginity by vow to Christ, and refused marriage.  They were arrested in the reign of the Emperors Valerian and Gallienus.  The Prefect Junius failed to change their minds either by promises or threats, and then ordered Rufina to be scourged.  While the lashing was going on, Secunda said to the Judge : Why dost thou judge my sister to honour and me to dishonour?  Be pleased to whip us both together, for we both together declare that Christ is God.  The Judge was angered at these words, and ordered them both to a dark and stinking dungeon ; but it was presently filled with a bright light and a sweet savour.  They were then shut up in a hot flue of a bath, but they came forth from it unharmed.  Stones were next tied to their necks and they were cast into the river Tiber, but an Angel delivered them therefrom.  In the end they were beheaded on the Aurelian Way, at the tenth mile-stone from the City.  The Lady Plautilla buried their bodies upon her own farm, but they were afterwards brought into the city, and laid in the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Saviour, hard by the Baptistery.

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

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

R.  Vérbera carníficum non timuérunt Sancti Dei, moriéntes pro Christi nómine : * Ut herédes fíerent in domo Dómini.
V.  Tradidérunt córpora sua propter Deum ad supplícia.
R.  Ut herédes fíerent in domo Domini.

R.  The Saints of God shrank not from the stripes of the executioners, but chose to die for the Name of Christ,  * That they might be made joint-heirs in the house of the Lord.
V.  They delivered their bodies for God's sake to suffer torment.
R.  That they might be made joint-heirs in the house of the Lord.

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.

Magnum spectáculum, fratres, pósitum est ante óculos fídei nostræ.  Aure audívimus, corde vídimus optántem matrem ante se finíre istam vitam fílios suos, longe contráriis votis consuetúdini humánæ.  Omnes enim hómines fílios suos, ex hac vita migrándo, præcédere volunt, non sequi ; illa autem optávit postérior mori.  Non enim ammitébat fílios, sed præmittébat ; nec intuebátur quam vitam finírent, sed quam inchoárent.  Desinébant enim vívere, ubi quandóque fúerant moritúri ; et incipiébant vívere, sine fine victúri.  Parum est fuísse spectatrícem ; miráti sumus pótius hortatrícem.  Fœcúndior virtútibus quam fœtibus : videns certántes, in quibus ómnibus ipsa certábat, et in ómnibus vincéntibus ipsa vincébat.

Wonderful is the sight, my brethren, which is set before the eyes of our faith.  We have heard with out ears, and we see in our thoughts, a mother, with superhuman love, watching her sons leaving this life before her.  All men would fain depart hence before their children, but she was ready to die last.  Departing from her, they were not lost, but gone before.  And she looked, not to the life they were ending, but to the life they were beginning.  They laid aside a life which must needs end in death, and began that life wherein they are alive for ever.  The least of her work was that she was an on-looker ; more amazing is it, when we remember that she was their exhortress.  Her courage as more fruitful than her womb, and when she saw them contending and conquering, her heart contended and conquered in each.

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

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

R.  Tamquam aurum in fornáce probávit eléctos Dóminus, et quasi holocáusti hóstiam accépit illos; et in témpore erit respéctus illórum, * Quóniam donum et pax est eléctis Dei.
V.  Qui confídunt in illum, intélligent veritátem : et fidéles in dilectióne acquiéscent illi.
R.  Quóniam donum et pax est eléctis Dei.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Quóniam donum et pax est eléctis Dei.

R.  As gold in the furnace hath the Lord tried his chosen ones, and received them as a burnt-offering, and yet a while, and they shall be regarded; * For the grace of God, and his peace, are with his chosen.
V.  They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth : and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him.
R.  For the grace of God, and his peace, are with his chosen.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For the grace of God, and his peace, are with his chosen.

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.

Septem Fratres, fílii sanctæ Felicitátis, Romæ in persecutióne Marci Aurélii Antoníni a Públio præfécto frustra tentáti, ut idóla veneraréntur, sexto Idus Júlii, ipsa fortíssima matre eos ad martyrium hortánte várie necáti sunt.  Januárius plumbátis cæsus ; Felix et Philíppus fústibus contúsi ; Silvánus ex altíssimo loco præceps dejéctus est ; Alexánder, Vitális et Martiális cápite plectúntur.  Mater dénique, quarto post mense, eámdem martyrii palmam consecúta est.  Rufína et Secúnda soróres, vírgines Románæ, rejécto connúbio Armentárii et Veríni, quod virginitátem Christo vovíssent, Valeriáno et Galliéno imperatóribus, comprehénsæ, Júnii præfécti a blandítiis et minis a propósito mínime abdúctæ, vário tormentórum génere afflíctæ sunt.  Cum vero, ab Angelis custodítæ, in sancto propósito perseverárent, via Aurélia, milliário décimo, cápite plectúntur.  Quarum córpora, a Plautílla matróna in ejus prædio extra Urbem sepúlta, póstea in basílica Constantiniána prope baptistérium cóndita sunt.

At Rome, in the persecution of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, seven brothers, the sons of St. Felicity, were tempted in vain by the Prefect Publius to venerate idols.  On the 10th of July, encouraged by their brave mother, they were put to death in various ways : Januarius was scourged with leaded whips ; Felix and Philip were beaten with clubs ; Silvanus was thrown headlong from a high place ; Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis were beheaded.  Finally, four months afterwards, their mother gained the same palm of martyrdom.  The Roman virgins Rufina and Secunda were sisters, and since they refused to marry Armentarius and Verinus because they had vowed their virginity to Christ, they were arrested during the reigns of the emperors Valerian and Gallienus.  Junius the Prefect was unsuccessful in winning them from their determination by promises and threats, and so they were afflicted with various tortures.  Protected by Angels, they persevered in their holy resolution, and they were finally beheaded at the tenth milestone on the Aurelian Way.  Their bodies were buried by the matron Plautilla on her estate outside the City and later laid in the Basilica of Constantine near the baptistery.

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 : Loquénte Jesu ad turbas, ecce Mater ejus et fratres stabant foris quæréntes loqui ei.  Et réliqua.

At that time : While Jesus yet talked to the people, behold, his Mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Sancti Evangélii, fratres caríssimi, brevis est léctio recitáta, sed magnis mysteriórum pondéribus grávida.  Jesus étenim, cónditor et redémptor noster, Matrem se nosse dissímulat, et quæ ei mater sit et qui propínqui, non per cognatiónem carnis, sed per conjunctiónem spíritus desígnat, dicens : Quæ est mater mea, et qui sunt fratres mei?  Quicúmque enim fécerit voluntátem Patris mei, qui in cælis est, ipse meus frater, et soror, et mater est.  Quibus nobis verbis quid áliud ínnuit, nisi quod obsequéntes jussiónibus suis multos ex Gentilitáte cólligit ; et Judæam, ex cujus carne est génitus, non agnóscit?

Dearly beloved brethren : The holy Gospel which is read this day is but very short, but it is heavy with great mysteries.  Here Jesus, our Maker and Redeemer, feigneth himself as though he knew not his own Mother, and telleth who they be who are his mother and brethren, not by fleshly kinship, but by kinship of mind.  Who is my Mother?  And who are my brethren?  Whosoever shall do the will of my Father, which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.  By the which words, what are we to understand, save that he gathereth together from out of Heathendom many that are willing to obey his commandments, and that he knoweth not Jewry, whereof, according to the flesh, he is a son.

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 testaméntum Dómini et leges patérnas, Sancti Dei perstitérunt in amóre fraternitátis : * Quia unus fuit semper spíritus in eis, et una fides.
V.  Ecce quam bonus et quam jucúndum habitáre fratres in unum!
R.  Quia unus fuit semper spíritus in eis, et una fides.

R.  Because of the Covenant of the Lord and the laws of their fathers, the Saints of God stood fast in brotherly love:  *  For there was ever one spirit among them, and one faith.
V.  Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity.
R.  For there was ever one spirit among them, and one faith.

If Lesson ix is to be said of any commemorated Office, Lessons viii and ix below are read together as the Eighth Lesson.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8:  Quorum festum cólimus, ipsi intercédant pro nobis ad Dóminum.
R.  Amen.

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

Sed cum is, qui voluntátem Patris fécerit, soror et frater Dómini dícitur, propter utrúmque sexum qui ad fidem collígitur, mirum non est ; mirándum vero valde est, quómodo étiam mater dicátur.  Fidéles enim discípulos fratres vocáre dignátus est, dicens : Ite, nuntiáte frátribus meis.  Qui ergo frater Dómini fíeri ad fidem veniéndo potúerit, quæréndum est quómodo étiam et mater esse possit.

Seeing that both men and women are called to the faith, we marvel not that he saith that whosoever shall do the will of his Father, the same is his brother, and sister.  But it is startling to hear that the same is also his mother.  His faithful disciples he is pleased to call his brethren, where he saith : Go, tell my brethren.  If then it is by joining his religion that one can become the brother of the Lord, let us see how one can become his mother.

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 vera fratérnitas, quæ numquam pótuit violári certámine  : qui, effúso sánguine, secúti sunt Dóminum : * Contemnéntes aulam régiam, pervenérunt ad regna cæléstia.
V.  Ecce quam bonum et quam jucúndum habitáre fratres in unum!
R.  Contemnéntes aulam régiam, pervenérunt ad regna cæléstia.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Contemnéntes aulam régiam, pervenérunt ad regna cæléstia.

R.  This is indeed the love of brethren wherein the strife of man could make no breach ; yea, in resisting even unto blood they did follow their Lord, * For they held in contempt the court of the earthly king, and thereby attained to the kingdom of heaven.
V.  Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, brethren, to dwell together in unity.
R.  For they held in contempt the court of the earthly king, and thereby attained to the kingdom of heaven.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  For they held in contempt the court of the earthly king, and thereby attained to the kingdom of heaven.

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.

Sed sciéndum nobis est quia qui Christi soror et frater est credéndo, mater effícitur prædicándo.  Quasi enim parit Dóminum, quem cordi audiéntis infúderit ; et mater ejus prædicándo effícitur, si per ejus vocem amor Dómini in próximi mente generátur.  Ad quam rem nobis idónee confirmándam adest beáta Felícitas, cujus hódie natalítia celebrámus, quæ credéndo éxstitit ancílla Christi, et prædicándo facta est mater Christi.  Septem quippe fílios, sicut in gestis ejus emendatióribus légitur, sic post se tímuit vivos in carne relínquere, sicut carnáles paréntes solent metúere ne mórtuos præmíttant.

But we must know that even as one becometh his brother or his sister by believing in him, so one becometh his mother by preaching him.  Such an one, as it were, giveth birth to the Lord by causing him to be in the hearer's heart, and by words giving his love existence in their neighbour's mind.  For an example in point, behold blessed Felicity, whose Birth-day we keep today.  She was one whose faith made her Christ's hand-maiden, and whose preaching made her Christ's mother.  We read in the corrected edition of her Acts that she dreaded as much to leave her seven sons behind her alive in the flesh, as do worldly mothers to send theirs dead before them.

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.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui gloriósos Mártyres fortes in sua confessióne cognóvimus, pios apud te in nostra intercessióne sentiámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, ; that, like as we have known thy glorious Martyrs to be constant in their confession of thy Faith ; we we may feel the succour of their loving intercession.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Second Vespers

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Gaudent in cælis * ánimæ Sanctórum, qui Christi vestígia sunt secúti, et, quia pro ejus amóre sánguinem suum fudérunt, ídeo cum Christo exsúltant sine fine.

Ant. on Magnif:  In the heavenly kingdom * the souls of the Saints are rejoicing, even such as walked in the footsteps of Christ, for love of whom they shed their very life-blood; therefore with Christ they now do reign for ever and ever.

Oremus.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui gloriósos Mártyres fortes in sua confessióne cognóvimus, pios apud te in nostra intercessióne sentiámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, ; that, like as we have known thy glorious Martyrs to be constant in their confession of thy Faith ; we we may feel the succour of their loving intercession.  Through.

Commemoration of following day