St. Stephen of Hungary

King, Confessor

Semidouble

mtv

Common

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Concéde, quæsumus, Ecclésiæ tuæ, omnípotens Deus : ut beátum Stéphanum Confessórem tuum, quem regnántem in terris propagatórem hábuit, propugnatórem habére mereátur gloriósum in cælis.  Per Dóminum.
Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that, like as thy blessed Confessor Saint Stephen in the time of his earthly kingdom laboured stedfastly for the extension of thy Church ; so it may be counted worthy to possess him for an advocate in the glory of heaven.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

 

 

First Vespers


Budapest, the capital city of Hungary

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:  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.
Concéde, quæsumus, Ecclésiæ tuæ, omnípotens Deus : ut beátum Stéphanum Confessórem tuum, quem regnántem in terris propagatórem hábuit, propugnatórem habére mereátur gloriósum in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that, like as thy blessed Confessor Saint Stephen in the time of his earthly kingdom laboured stedfastly for the extension of thy Church ; so it may be counted worthy to possess him for an advocate in the glory of heaven.  Through.


Esztergom, where St. Stephen was born in 977 A.D.

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 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.

Lesson iv

Stéphanus in Hungáriam Christi fidem et régium nomen invéxit.  Régia coróna a Románo Pontífice impetráta, ejúsque jussu in regem inúnctus, regnum Sedi apostólicæ óbtulit.  Vária pietátis domicília Romæ, Jerosólymis, Constantinópoli : in Hungária archiepiscopátum Strigoniénsem, episcopátus decem admirábili religióne et munificéntia fundávit.  Par in páuperes amor et liberálitas, quos véluti Christum ipsum compléctens, néminem a se mæréntem ac vácuum umquam dimísit ; quin ad eórum inópiam sublevándam, amplíssimis facultátibus erogátis, domésticam quoque supelléctilem exímia benignitáte frequénter distríbuit.  Suis ínsuper mánibus laváre páuperum pedes, noctu solus et ignótus nosocomía frequentáre, decumbéntibus inservíre ac cétera caritátis offícia exhibére consuévit.  Quarum virtútum mérito, illíus déxtera, resolúto cétero córpore, incorrúpta permánsit.

It was Stephen who first gave to Hungary the faith of Christ and the name of a kingdom.  He obtained the kingly crown from the Bishop of Rome, and being by command of the same anointed King, he made an offering of his kingdom to the Apostolic See.  With wonderful devotion and bounty he founded divers godly houses at Rome, Jerusalem, and Constantinople, and in Hungary the Archbishoprick of Esztergom and ten other Sees.  Toward the poor he had the same love and bounty.  He greeted them as though they were Christ himself, and never sent any one away sorrowing and empty.  He spent vast sums in relieving their poverty, and also often parted among them with exceeding tenderness even the furniture of his house.  Moreover it was his use to wash the feet of the poor with his own hands, and to go in the night alone and unknown, to the hospitals, and to wait on them that lay there, and shew them other deeds of kindness.  It was the reward of these good works that, when the rest of his body decayed, his right hand remained uncorrupt.

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

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


Reliquary containing the incorrupt right hand of St. Stephen

R.  Honéstum fecit illum Dóminus, et custodívit eum ab inimícis, et a seductóribus tutavit 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.


The Cathedral Church of Esztergom


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.

Lesson v

The Crown of St. Stephen

Orándi stúdio noctes pene totas ducébat insómnes ; atque in cæléstium rerum contemplatióne defíxus, intérdum extra sensus raptus, sublímis in áëra ferri visus fuit.  Perduéllium conspiratiónes ac validiórum hóstium ímpetus, miro prorsus modo, non semel oratiónis præsídio evitávit.  Suscéptum ex Ghisélla Bavárica, sancti Henríci imperatóris soróre, quam sibi matrimónio júnxerat, Emerícum fílium tanta morum disciplína talíque pietáte enutrívit, quantum ejus póstea sánctitas declarávit.  Regni vero negótia ita dispósuit, ut, accítis úndique prudentíssimis et sanctíssimis viris, nihil umquam sine illórum consílio molirétur ; humíllimis ínterim précibus in cínere et cilício Deum déprecans, ut univérsum Hungáriæ regnum, ántequam e vita migráret, cathólicum vidére mererétur ; vere, propter ingens dilatándæ fídei stúdium, illíus gentis Apóstolus nuncupátus, facta a Románo Pontífice ipsi posterísque régibus præferéndæ crucis potestáte.

He passed almost whole nights in earnest prayer, and when totally rapt in the thought of heavenly things, he sometimes became beside himself, and was seen to rise off the ground into the air.  In more than one instance he strangely escaped through the power of prayer from rebellion, treason, and the onslaughts of mighty foes.  He married Gisela of Bavaria, sister to the holy Emperor Henry, and begat on her Emeric, whom he trained up in such manners and godliness, as are shewn by his also becoming a Saint.  To carry on the business of his kingdom, he gathered together from all quarters the most learned and godly men, and took nothing in hand without their advice.  Meanwhile he entreated of God by the most lowly supplications, offered up in sack-cloth and ashes, that, before he departed this life, he might see all Hungary Catholic.  On account of his excellent zeal for the spread of the Faith he is called the Apostle of that nation, and the Bishop of Rome gave to him and to his successors the right to have a Cross carried 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.


The Basilica of Esztergom

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.

Lesson vi

Our Lady of Mercy, Patroness of Hungary

Dei Genitrícem, quam ardentíssime venerabátur, amplíssimo in ejus honórem constrúcto templo, Hungáriæ patrónam instítuit ; ab eádem vicíssim Vírgine recéptus in cælum ipso suæ Assumptiónis die, quem Húngari e sancti regis institúto Magnæ Dóminæ diem appéllant.  Sacrum ejus corpus, suavíssimo fragrans odóre, liquóre cælésti scatens, inter multa et vária mirácula, Románi Pontíficis jussu, nobiliórem in locum translátum est atque honorificéntius cónditum.  Ejus autem festum Innocéntius undécimus Póntifex máximus, quarto Nonas Septémbris, ob insígnem victóriam ab exércitu Leopóldi primi, Romanórum elécti imperatóris et Hungáriæ regis, eádem die in Budæ expugnatióne, ope divína, e Turcis reportátam, celebrándum instítuit.

He had a burning zeal to honour the Mother of God.  He built a very great Church in her honour, and made her Patroness of Hungary.  In return, the same Virgin received him into heaven, upon the day of her own Assumption, which the Hungarians, by the example of the Holy King, call the Great Lady's Day.  His hallowed body yielded the sweetest savour, and reeked with an heavenly liquid, and amid many and divers wonders it was removed by command of the Bishop of Rome into a more noble place, and more honourably buried.  Pope Innocent XI ordered his Feast to be held upon the 2nd day of September, on account of the famous victory over the Turks which was gained upon this day, when the army of Leopold I, Emperor elect of the Romans, and King of Hungary, wrested from them, by the help of God, the city of Buda.

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

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


Basilica of St. Stephen, Budapest, Hungary

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.

Stéphanus, Hungarórum rex, in Hungáriam Christi fidem et régium nomen invéxit.  Régia coróna a Románo Pontífice impetráta, ejúsque jussu rex inúnctus, regnum Sedi apostólicæ óbtulit.  Vária pietátis domicília Romæ, Jerosólymis, Constantinópoli constítuit : in Hungária archiepiscopátum Strigoniénsem et episcopátus decem admirábili religióne et munificéntia fundávit.  Exímia in páuperes caritáte et assíduo orándi stúdio enítuit.  Dei Genitrícem quam ardentíssime venerabátur, amplíssimo in ejus honórem constrúcto templo, Hungáriæ patrónam instítuit ; ab eádem vicíssim Vírgine recéptus in cælum ipso suæ Assumptiónis die, quem Húngari e sancti Regis institúto Magnæ Dóminæ diem appéllant.  Ejus tamen festum ex constitutióne Innocéntii Papæ undécimi hac die potíssimum recólitur, quæ Budæ munitíssima arx, sancti Regis ope, ab exércitu christiáno strénue recuperáta fuit.

Stephen, King of Hungary, brought the faith of Christ and the title of kingdom to his country.  He obtained his royal crown from the Pope, and, when he had been anointed King at the Pope's command, he offered his kingdom to the Apostolic See.  He founded various religious houses at Rome, at Jerusalem, and at Constantinople.  In Hungary, with wonderful devotion and generosity, he established the archiepiscopal See of Eszertergom and ten other bishopricks.  He was famous for his great love of the poor and his constancy in prayer.  Her ardently venerated the Mother of God, declaring her the Patroness of Hungary and building a very large church in her honour.  In turn, he was received into heaven by the Virgin on the Feast of her Assumption, which in Hungary, by edict of the Holy King, was called the Day of the Great Lady.  By decree of Pope Innocent XI, however, the Feast of this saintly King is kept on the day on which, with his help, the Christian army in a hard-fought engagement recovered the strongly fortified citadel of Buda.

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

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


Esztergom

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS TE DEUM

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.

Lesson vii
Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Lucam The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Chap. 19, 12-26

In illo témpore : Dixit Jesus discípulis suis parábolam hanc :  Homo quidam nóbilis ábiit in regiónem longínquam accípere sibi regnum et revérti.  Et réliqua.

At that time : Jesus spake this parable unto his disciples:  A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Homilía sancti Ambrósii Epíscopi A Homily by St. Ambrose the Bishop
Liber 8 in Lucam

Bonus ordo, ut vocatúrus Gentes, et Judæos jussúrus intérfici, qui noluérunt regnáre supra se Christum, hanc præmítteret comparatiónem, ne dicerétur : Nihil déderat pópulo Judæórum ; unde póterat mélior fíeri? ut quid ab eo, qui nihil recépit, exígitur?  Non medíocris ista est mna, quam supra múlier evangélica, quia non invénit, lucérnam accéndit, lúmine quærit admóto, gratulátur invéntam.

It is well ordered that, being about to call the Gentiles, and to command the destruction of those Jews, who would not have Christ to reign over them, he should put forth first this parable ; lest it should be said : He had given the Jews no means of becoming better.  How can they be asked to repay who have received nothing?  That is not a piece of silver of little worth, which, when the woman before mentioned in this Gospel hath lost, she lighteth a candle, and sweepeth the house, and searcheth diligently until she findeth it.

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

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


Reliquary containing the incorrupt hand of St. Stephen

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 Advocate with God.
R.  Amen.

Lesson viii

Esztergom

Dénique ex una decem mnas álius fecit, álius quinque.  Fortásse iste morália habet, quia quinque sunt córporis sensus ; ille duplícia, id est, mystica legis et morália probitátis.  Unde et Matthæus quinque talénta et duo talénta pósuit : in quinque taléntis, ut sint morália ; in duóbus utrúmque, mysticum atque morále.  Ita quod número inférius, re ubérius.

With a single pound one gained ten and another five pounds.  Perchance by him which had the five pounds is signified he which practiseth well, since the body hath five senses, and by him which had the ten (that is, double the other), he which is learned and orthodox in the deep things of doctrine, as well as upright in his practical life.  Hence also in Matthew we have five talents and two talents―the five talents signifying good practice, and the two talents precept and practice together.  So that that which counteth as the greater number is but a fraction of the lesser number.

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

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


The Tomb of St. Stephen of Hungary in St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

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.

Lesson ix

Et hic póssumus decem mnas decem verba intellígere, id est, legis doctrínam ; quinque autem mnas, magistéria disciplínæ.  Sed legisperítum in ómnibus volo esse perféctum ; non enim in sermóne, sed in virtúte est regnum Dei.  Bene autem, quia de Judæis dicit, duo soli multiplicátam pecúniam déferunt ; non útique æris, sed dispensatiónis usúris.  Alia est enim pecúniæ fænebris, ália doctrínæ cæléstis usúra.

And here we may also understand by the ten pounds the ten words, that is, the Ten Commandments, and by the five pounds, the enforcement of their teaching.  But I would that a lawyer should be in all things perfect.  For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.  Meet also is it, that, in speaking of Jews, Christ should represent only two as bringing in increased capital, for these talents are talents not of money but of grace, and to increase money by usury is a very different thing from improving heavenly revelation by the like means.

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

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

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS TE DEUM
 

 

 

Lauds


Statue of St. Stephen in Budapest

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

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Concéde, quæsumus, Ecclésiæ tuæ, omnípotens Deus : ut beátum Stéphanum Confessórem tuum, quem regnántem in terris propagatórem hábuit, propugnatórem habére mereátur gloriósum in cælis.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that, like as thy blessed Confessor Saint Stephen in the time of his earthly kingdom laboured stedfastly for the extension of thy Church ; so it may be counted worthy to possess him for an advocate in the glory of heaven.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

 

Vespers of the following day.  Commemoration of the preceding.