Abbot and Doctor of the Church

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.

V.  The Lord loved him, and adorned him.
R.  He clothed him with a robe of glory.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  O Doctor óptime, * Ecclésiæ sanctæ lumen, beáte Bernárde, divínæ legis amátor, deprecáre pro nobis Fílium Dei.

Ant. on Magnif:  O Doctor right excellent, * O light of Holy Church, O blessed Bernard, lover of the divine law, entreat for us the Son of God.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Oremus.
Deus, qui pópulo tuo ætérnæ salútis beátum Bernárdum  minístrum tribuísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quem Doctórem vitæ habúimus in terris, intercessórem habére mereámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, by whose providence blessed Bernard was sent to guide thy people in the way of everlasting salvation : grant, we beseech thee ; that as we have learned of him the doctrine of life on earth, so we may be found worthy to have him for our advocate in heaven.  Through.

Ant:  Hic vir, despíciens mundum et terréna, triúmphans, divítias cælo cóndidit ore, manu.

Ant:  Lo, a servant of God, who esteemed as naught all things earthly, and by word and work laid him up treasures in heaven.

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.

Oremus.
Deus, qui beátum Joánnem, Confessórem tuum, ad cultum Sacrórum Córdium Jesu et Maríæ rite promovéndum, mirabíliter inflammásti, et per eum novas in Ecclésia tua Famílias congregáre voluísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut cujus pia mérita venerámur, virtútum quoque instruámur exémplis.  (Per eúmdem Dóminum.)

Let us pray.
O God, who to spread abroad a knowledge of the meekness and lowliness of the heart of Jesus and Mary, and of devotion to them both didst wondrously kindle the zeal of blessed John thy Confessor, by whom also thou didst raise up new religious families in thy Church : grant, we beseech thee ; that we who reverence his worthy deeds may ever find instruction from the example of his godliness.  (Through.)

Ant:  Hódie María Virgo cælos ascéndit : gaudéte, quia cum Christo regnat in ætérnum.

Ant:  As on this day the Virgin Mary went up into heaven ; rejoice ye, for with Christ she reigneth for ever and ever.

V.  Exaltáta est sancta Dei Génitrix.
R.  Super choros Angelórum ad cæléstia regna.

V.  Thou art exalted, O holy Mother of God.
R.  Above choirs of Angels, unto the heavenly kingdom.

Oremus.
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui Immaculátam Vírginem Maríam, Fílii tui Genitrícem, córpore et ánima ad cæléstem glóriam assumpsísti : concéde, quæsumus ; ut ad supérna semper inténti, ipsíus glóriæ mereámur esse consórtes.  Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum.

Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast taken up into heavenly glory both the body and soul of the Mother of thy Son, the immaculate Virgin Mary : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may in such wise set our affections on things above ; that we may finally attain unto fellowship with her in glory.  Through the same.

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 Bishop Confessor
 

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.

Bernárdus, Fontánis in Burgúndia honésto loco natus, adoléscens propter egrégiam formam veheménter sollicitátus a muliéribus, numquam de senténtia coléndæ castitátis dimovéri pótuit.  Quas diáboli tentatiónes ut effúgeret, duos et vigínti annos natus, monastérium Cisterciénse, unde hic ordo incépit et quod tum sanctitáte florébat, íngredi constítuit.  Quo Bernárdi consílio cógnito, fratres summópere conáti sunt eum a propósito deterrére.  In quo ipse eloquéntior ac felícior fuit ; nam sic eos aliósque multos in suam perdúxit senténtiam, ut cum eo trigínta júvenes eámdem religiónem suscéperint.  Mónachus, jejúnio ita déditus erat, ut quóties suméndus esset cibus, tóties torméntum subíre viderétur.  In vigíliis étiam et oratiónibus mirífice se exercébat ; et, christiánam paupertátem colens, quasi cæléstem vitam agébat in terris, ab omni caducárum rerum cura et cupiditate aliénam.

Bernard was born at a decent place in Burgundy called Fontaines.  On account of extraodinary good looks, he was as a boy very much sought after by women, but he could never be turned aside from his resolution to keep chaste.  To fly from these temptations of the devil, he determined at two-and-twenty years of age to enter the monastery of Citeaux, whence the Cistercian Order took its rise.  When this resolution of Bernard's became known, his brothers did all their diligence to change his purpose, but he only became the more eloquent and happy about it.  Them and others he so brought over to his mind, that thirty young men entered the same Order along with him.  As a monk he was so given to fasting, that as often as he had to eat, so often he seemed to be in pain.  He exercised himself wonderfully in watching and prayer, and was a great lover of Christian poverty.  Thus he led on earth an heavenly life, purged of all care and desire for transitory things.

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.

Elucébat in eo humilitas, misericórdia, benígnitas.  Contemplatióni autem sic addíctus erat, ut vix sénsibus, nisi ad offície pietátis, uterétur : in quibus tamen prudéntiæ laude excellébat.  Quo in stúdio occupátus, Genuénsem ac Mediolanénsem aliósque episcopátus oblátos recusávit, proféssus se tanti offícii múnere indígnum esse.  Abbas factus Claravallénsis, multis in locis ædificávit monastéria, in quibus præclára Bernárdi institútio ac disciplína diu víguit.  Romæ sanctórum Vincéntii et Anastásii monastério, ab Innocéntio secúndo Papa restitúto, præfécit abbátem illum, qui póstea Eugénius tértius summus Póntifex fuit ; ad quem étiam librum misit de Consideratióne.

He was a burning and shining light of lowliness, mercifulness, and kindness.  His concentration of thought was such, that he hardly used his senses except to do good works, in which latter he acted with admirable wisdom.  Thus occupied, he refused the Bishopricks of Genoa, Milan, and others, which were offered to him, declaring that he was unworthy of so high a sphere of duty.  Being made Abbot of Clairvaux he built monasteries in many places, wherein the excellent rules and disciplines of Bernard long flourished.  When Pope Innocent II restored the monastery of St. Vincent and St. Anastasius at Rome, Bernard set over it the Abbot who was afterwards the Supreme Pontiff Eugene III, and who is also the same to whom he addressed his book upon Consideration.

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.

Multa prætérea scripsit, in quibus appáret eum doctrína pótius divínitus trádita quam labóre comparáta instrúctum fuísse.  In summa virtútum laude exorátus a máximis princípibus de eórum componéndis controvérsiis et de ecclesiásticis rebus constituéndis, sæpius in Itáliam venit.  Innocéntium item secúndum Pontíficem máximum in confutándo schísmate Petri Leónis, cum apud imperatórem et Henrícum Angliæ regem, tum in concílio Pisis coácto, egrégie adjúvit.  Dénique, tres et sexagínta annos natus, obdormívit in Dómino, ac, miráculis illústris, ab Alexándro tértio Papa inter Sanctos relátus est.  Pius vero octávus Póntifex máximus, ex sacrórum Rítuum Congregatiónis consílio, sanctum Bernárdum  universális Ecclésiæ Doctórem declarávit et confirmávit, nec non Missam et Offícium de Doctóribus ab ómnibus recitári jussit, atque indulgéntias plenárias quotánnis in perpétuum órdinis Cisterciénsium ecclésias visitántibus die hujus Sancti festo concéssit.

He was the author of many writings, in which it is manifest that his teaching was rather given him of God, than gained by hard work.  In consequence of his high reputation for excellence, he was called by the most exalted Princes to act as arbiter of their disputes, and for this end, and to settle affairs of the Church, he often went to Italy.  He was an eminent helper to Pope Innocent II, in putting down the schism of Peter Leoni, and worked to this end, both at the Courts of the Emperor and of Henry, King of England, and in the Council of Pisa.  He fell asleep in the Lord in the sixty-third year of his age.  He was famous for miracles, and Pope Alexander III numbered him among the Saints.  Pope Pius VIII, acting on the advice of the Congregation of Sacred Rites, declared and confirmed St. Bernard a Doctor of the Universal Church.  He also commanded that all should use the Mass and Office for him as for a Doctor, and granted perpetual yearly plenary indulgences to all who should visit Churches of the Cistercian Order upon the Feastday of this Saint.

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.

Bernárdus, Fontánis in Burgúndia honésto loco natus, usque a puerítia castitátem diligentíssime cóluit.  Ætáte duórum et vigínti annórum, monastérium Cisterciénse, unde hujus nóminis ordo incépit, ingréssus, fratres quoque suos aliósque multos addúxit ad eámdem religiónem suscipiéndam.  In vigíliis et oratiónibus mirífice se exercébat.  Elucébat in eo humílitas, misericórdia, benígnitas, prudéntia, et assíduum cæléstia meditándi stúdium.  Factus abbas Claravallénsis, multis in locis ædificávit monastéria, ubi præclára ejus institútio ac disciplína diu víguit.  Multa prætérea scripsit, in quibus appáret, eum doctrína pótius divínitus trádita quam labóre comparáta instrúctum fuísse.  Exorátus a magnis princípibus de eórum componéndis controvérsiis et de ecclesiásticis rebus constituéndis, sæpius in Itáliam venit.  Innocéntium secúndum Pontíficem máximum in confutándo schísmate Petri Leónis egrégie adjúvit.  Tres et sexagínta annos natus, óptime de Ecclésia méritus, obdormívit in Dómino.

Born of a good family at Fontaines in Burgundy, Bernard carefully cherished his chastity from his very boyhood.  At the age of twenty-two he entered the monastery of Citeaux, from which the Cistercian Order taketh its name, and brought with him his brothers and many others to undertake the same religious life.  He applied himself to vigils and prayer in a wonderful way.  The virtues of humility, mercy, kindness, prudence shone out in him, together with constant zeal for meditating on divine things.  He was made Abbot of Clairvaux and built monasteries in many places where his principles and discipline flourished for a long time.  He also wrote many works in which it is clear that he had been instructed by teaching given him from heaven rather than by his own labour.  Because he was implored by great princes to settle their disputes and to arrange the affairs of the Church, he went often to Italy, and was of great assistance to Pope Innocent II in confuting the schism of Peter de Leone.  At the age of sixty-three, he fell asleep in the Lord, having earned great honour from the Church.

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

In the Third Nocturn, the Gospel Homily Vos estis sal terræ is read from the Common of Doctors, Series 1.

Gospel Homily from Common of Doctors
 

Lauds

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 pópulo tuo ætérnæ salútis beátum Bernárdum  minístrum tribuísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quem Doctórem vitæ habúimus in terris, intercessórem habére mereámur in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, by whose providence blessed Bernard was sent to guide thy people in the way of everlasting salvation : grant, we beseech thee ; that as we have learned of him the doctrine of life on earth, so we may be found worthy to have him for our advocate in heaven.  Through.

Ant:  Quæ est ista quæ ascéndit sicut auróra consúrgens, pulchra ut luna, elécta ut sol, terríbilis ut castrórum ácies ordináta?

Ant:  Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, ascending like the dawn-light to the highest heavens?  For she is fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners going forth to war.

V.  Exaltáta est sancta Dei Génitrix.
R.  Super choros Angelórum ad cæléstia regna.

V.  Thou art exalted, O holy Mother of God.
R.  Above choirs of Angels, unto the heavenly kingdom.

Oremus.
Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui Immaculátam Vírginem Maríam, Fílii tui Genitrícem, córpore et ánima ad cæléstem glóriam assumpsísti : concéde, quæsumus ; ut ad supérna semper inténti, ipsíus glóriæ mereámur esse consórtes.  Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum.

Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who hast taken up into heavenly glory both the body and soul of the Mother of thy Son, the immaculate Virgin Mary : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may in such wise set our affections on things above ; that we may finally attain unto fellowship with her in glory.  Through the same.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH