Dedication of the Basilicas
of Ss. Peter and Paul

Greater Double

Everything as in the
Common
except that which followeth

1st Vespers

Matins

Lauds

2nd Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Oremus.
Deus, qui nobis per síngulos annos hujus sancti templi tui consecratiónis réparas diem, et sacris semper mystériis repræséntas incólumes : exáudi preces pópuli tui, et præsta; ut quisquis hoc templum benefícia petitúrus ingréditur, cuncta se impetrásse lætétur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who yearly bringest us again unto the day of consecration of this thy holy temple, who dost likewise continually suffer us to draw near in safety unto thy holy mysteries : mercifully hear the prayers of us thy servants ; and grant that whosoever entereth this house to ask thy blessing may rejoice in the obtaining of all that he desireth.  Through.

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

First Vespers

St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

V.  Hæc est domus Dómini fírmiter ædificáta.
R.  Bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.

V.  The house of God is surely founded.
R.  Well is it builded on a firm foundation.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Sanctificávit Dóminus * tabernáculum suum : quia hæc est domus Dei, in qua invocábitur nomen ejus, de quo scriptum est : Et erit nomen meum ibi, dicit Dóminus.

Ant. on Magnif:  The Lord hath made this tabernacle * his holy place, for this is the house of the Lord, wherein we stand before his presence and cry unto him, and whereof it is written : My Name shall be there, saith the Lord.

Oremus.
Deus, qui nobis per síngulos annos hujus sancti templi tui consecratiónis réparas diem, et sacris semper mystériis repræséntas incólumes : exáudi preces pópuli tui, et præsta; ut quisquis hoc templum benefícia petitúrus ingréditur, cuncta se impetrásse lætétur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who yearly bringest us again unto the day of consecration of this thy holy temple, who dost likewise continually suffer us to draw near in safety unto thy holy mysteries : mercifully hear the prayers of us thy servants ; and grant that whosoever entereth this house to ask thy blessing may rejoice in the obtaining of all that he desireth.  Through.

Ant:  Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum : stolam glóriæ índuit eum, et ad portas paradísi coronávit eum.

Ant:  The Lord loved him, and adorned him ; he clothed him with a robe of glory, and at the gates of Paradise he crowned him.

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.
Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut beáti Gregórii Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis veneránda solémnitas, et devotiónem nobis áugeat, et salútem.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that the devout observance of this festival of blessed Gregory, thy Confessor and Bishop, may be profitable unto us for our advancement in all godliness, and for the attainment of everlasting salvation.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Sunday Compline

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

First Nocturn

Absolutio: Exáudi, Dómine Jesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis : Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  Graciously hear, O Lord Jesu Christ, the prayers of thy servants, and have mercy upon us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, for ever and ever.
R.  Amen.

Benedíctio 1: Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1:  May the Father Eternal bless us with a never-ending blessing.
R.  Amen.

De libro Apocalypsis beáti Joánnis Apóstoli

The Lesson is taken from the Apocalypse of blessed John the Apostle

Et erat structúra muri ejus ex lápide jáspide ; ipsa vero cívitas aurum mundum símile vitro mundo.  Et fundaménta muri civitátis omni lápide pretióso ornáta.  Fundaméntum primum jaspis, secúndum sapphírus, tértium chalcedónius, quartum smarágdus, quintum sárdonyx, sextum sárdius, séptimum chrysólithus, octávum beryllus, nonum topázius, décimum chrysóprasus, undécimum hyacínthus, duodécimum amethystus.

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.  And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

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

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

R.  In dedicatióne templi decantábat pópulus laudem : * Et in ore eórum dulcis resonábat sonus.
V.  Fundáta est domus Dómini supra vérticem móntium, et vénient ad eam omnes Gentes.
R.  Et in ore eórum dulcis resonábat sonus.

R.  When the temple was dedicated the people sang lauds, : * And sweet in their mouths was the sound thereof.
V.  The Lord's house is established in the top of the mountains, and all nations shall flow unto it.
R.  And sweet in their mouths was the sound thereof.

Benedíctio 2: Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adjuváre dignétur.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: May the Son of God, the sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
R.  Amen.

Et duódecim portæ duódecim margarítæ sunt per síngulas, et síngulæ portæ erant ex síngulis margarítis, et platéa civitátis aurum mundum, tamquam vitrum perlúcidum.  Et templum non vidi in ea ; Dóminus enim Deus omnípotens templum illíus est, et Agnus.  Et cívitas non eget sole neque luna, ut lúceant in ea ; nam cláritas Dei illuminávit eam, et lucérna ejus est Agnus.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

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

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

R.  Fundáta est domus Dómini supra vérticem móntium, et exaltáta est super omnes colles : * Et vénient ad eam omnes Gentes, et dicent : Glória tibi, Dómine.
V.  Veniéntes autem vénient cum exsultatióne, portántes manípulos suos.
R.  Et vénient ad eam omnes Gentes, et dicent : Glória tibi, Dómine.

R.  The Lord's house is established in the top of the mountains, and exalted above the hills, * And all nations shall flow unto it and say : Glory be to thee, O Lord.
V.  They shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring their sheaves with them.
R.  And all nations shall flow unto it and say : Glory be to thee, O Lord.

Benedíctio 3: Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: May the grace of the Holy Spirit all our heart and mind enlighten.
R.  Amen.

Et ambulábunt gentes in lúmine ejus, et reges terræ áfferent glóriam suam et honórem in illam.  Et portæ ejus non claudéntur per diem, nox enim non erit illic.  Et áfferent glóriam et honórem géntium in illam.  Non intrábit in eam áliquod coinquinátum aut abominatiónem fáciens et mendácium, nisi qui scripti sunt in libro vitæ Agni.

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.  And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

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

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

R.  Bénedic, Dómine, domum istam, quam ædificávi nómini tuo : veniéntium in loco isto * Exáudi preces in excélso sólio glóriæ tuæ.
V.  Dómine, si convérsus fúerit pópulus tuus, et oráverit ad sanctuárium tuum.
R.  Exáudi preces in excélso sólio glóriæ tuæ.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Exáudi preces in excélso sólio glóriæ tuæ.

R.  O Lord God, bless this house which I have builded unto thy Name, and whosoever shall come unto this place and pray, * Then hear thou from the excellent throne of thy glory.
V.  O Lord, when thy people turn and pray toward this place of thy sanctuary.
R.  Then hear thou from the excellent throne of thy glory.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Then hear thou from the excellent throne of thy glory.

After the conclusion of the First Nocturn, the Second Nocturn is begun according to the Common of the Dedication of Churches

Second Nocturn

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.

Ex locis sacris quæ olim apud Christiános veneratiónem habuérunt, illa celebérrima et frequentíssima  fuérunt, in quibus cóndita Sanctórum córpora, vel áliquod Mártyrum vestígium aut monuméntum esset.  In quorum número sanctórum locórum, in primis semper fuit insígnis ea Vaticáni pars, quam sancti Petri Confessiónem appellábant.  Nam eo Christiáni ex ómnibus orbis terræ pártibus, tamquam ad fídei petram et Ecclésiæ fundaméntum conveniéntes, locum, Príncipis Apostolórum sepúlcro consecrátum, summa religióne ac pietáte venerabántur.

Among the hallowed places which have from of old time been held in honour among Christians, the most famous and sought after were those where the bodies of the Saints were buried, or where there was some trace or token of the Martyrs.  Among these spots so hallowed hath been ever among the most noteworthy that place on the Vatican Hill which is called the Confession of St. Peter.  Thither Christians do come from all parts of the earth as unto the rock of faith and the foundation-stone of the Church, and surround with godly reverence and love the spot hallowed by the grave of the Prince of the Apostles.

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

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

R.  Orántibus in loco isto, * Dimítte peccáta pópuli tui, Deus, et osténde eis viam bonam per quam ámbulent, et da glóriam in loco isto.
V.  Qui regis Israël inténde, qui dedúcis velut ovem Joseph, qui sedes super Chérubim.
R.  Dimítte peccáta pópuli tui, Deus, et osténde eis viam bonam per quam ámbulent, et da glóriam in loco isto.

R.  When they pray toward this place, * Forgive the sins of thy people, O God, and teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and manifest forth thy glory in this place.
V.  Hear, O thou Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep, thou that sittest upon the Cherubims.
R.  Forgive the sins of thy people, O God, and teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and manifest forth thy glory in this place.

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.

Illuc Constantínus Magnus imperátor octávo die post suscéptum baptísmum venit, depositóque diadémate, et humi jacens, vim lacrimárum profúdit.  Mox, sumpto ligóne ac bidénte, terram éruit ; índeque duódecim terræ cóphinis, honóris causa duódecim Apostolórum, ablátis, ac loco basílicæ Príncipis Apostolórum designáto, ecclésiam ædificávit.  Quam sanctus Silvéster Papa décimo quarto Kaléndas Decémbris, eo modo quo Lateranénsem ecclésiam quinto Idus Novémbris consecráverat, dedicávit, et in ea altáre lapídeum, chrísmate delibútum, eréxit ; atque ex eo témpore sancívit ne deínceps altária nisi ex lápide fíerent.  Idem beátus Silvéster basílicam sancti Pauli Apóstoli, in via Ostiénsi ab eódem Constantíno imperatóre magnificentíssime ædificátam, dedicávit.  Quas basílicas idem imperátor multis prædiis attribútis locupletávit, ac munéribus amplíssimis exornávit.

Thither came the Emperor Constantine the Great upon the eighth day after his Baptism, and, taking off his crown, cast himself down upon the ground, and wept abundantly.  Then presently he took a spade and pick-axe, and began to break up the earth, whereof he carried away twelve baskets-full in honour of the twelve Apostles, and built a Church upon that spot, appointed for the Cathedral Church of the Prince of the Apostles.  This Church was hallowed by holy Pope Sylvester upon the 18th day of November, in like manner as he had hallowed the Church of the Lateran upon the 9th day of the same month.  In this Church did the Pope set up an altar of stone, and pour ointment thereon, and ordain that from thenceforth no altars should be set up, save of stone.  The same Emperor Constantine likewise built a very stately Church upon the road to Ostia, in honour of the holy Apostle Paul, which Church also was hallowed by the blessed Sylvester.  These Churches the Emperor enriched by grants of much land, and adorned with exceedingly rich gifts.

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

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

R.  O quam metuéndus est locus iste : * Vere non est hic áliud nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.
V.  Hæc est domus Dómini fírmiter ædificáta, bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.
R.  Vere non est hic áliud nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.

R.  How dreadful is this place! * Surely this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
V.  The house of God is surely founded, stablished upon the rock.
R.  Surely this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

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.

Porro Vaticánam basílicam, vetustáte jamprídem collabéntem, ac proptérea multórum Pontíficum pietáte látius ac magnificéntius a fundaméntis eréctam, Urbánus octávus, hac eádem recurrénte die anni millésimi sexcentésimi vigésimi sexti, solémni ritu consecrávit.  Basílicam vero Ostiénsem, quum dira incéndii vis anno millésimo octingentésimo vigésimo tértio pénitus consumpsísset, indeféssa quátuor Pontíficum cura splendídius quam ántea eréctam, et ab intéritu véluti vindicátum, Pius nonus, auspicatíssimam nactus occasiónem qua dogma de immaculáta beátæ Maríæ Vírginis Conceptióne, nuper ab ipso proclamátum, ingéntem cardinálium et episcopórum númerum ex díssitis étiam cathólici orbis regiónibus Romam attráxerat ; die décima Decémbris anni millésimi octingentésimi quinquagésimi quarti, tanta circúmdatus purpuratórum patrum et antístitum coróna, solémniter dedicávit, ejúsque celebritátis memóriam hac die recoléndam decrévit.

The Basilica of St. Peter upon the Vatican fell in course of times to ruins, and having been rebuilt from the foundations, enlarged and garnished, by the zeal of many Popes, was solemnly consecrated anew by Urban VIII, upon the same day, in the year 1626.  The Basilica of St. Paul upon the road to Ostia was almost entirely consumed by fire in the year 1823, but was rebuilt in a more splendid form, and, as it were, raised from the dead, by the unwearied zeal of four successive Popes.  In the year 1854 Pius IX seized the happy occasion when the doctrine concerning the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which he had just set forth, had drawn together to Rome a great multitude of Cardinals and Bishops from all quarters of the Catholic world, solemnly to dedicate this new Church in their presence upon the 10th day of December in the year aforesaid ; but he decreed that the yearly Feast in honour of that dedication should be kept upon this day, being the same as that of the Dedication of the Church of St. Peter.

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

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

R.  Mane surgens Jacob, erigébat lápidem in títulum, fundens óleum désuper ; votum vovit Dómino : * Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.
V.  Cumque evigilásset Jacob de somno, ait.
R.  Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Vere locus iste sanctus est, et ego nesciébam.

R.  Jacob rose up early in the morning, and set up the stone for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it, and vowed a vow unto the Lord. * Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.
V.  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said.
R.  Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.

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.

Ex locis sacris, quæ ab inítio apud Christiános veneratiónem habuérunt, insígnis semper hábita est Conféssio sancti Petri in Vaticánis, Príncipis Apostolórum sepúlcro consecráta.  Illuc Constantínus Magnus perrexísse tráditur, et sumpto ligóne ac bidénte terram eruísse, ac locum designásse basílicæ, quam suis súmptibus ipse ædificávit.  Eam sanctus Silvéster Papa décimo quarto Kaléndas Decémbris dedicávit, et ex eo témpore præscrípsit, ne deínceps altária nisi ex lápide fíerent.  Quam, vetustáte jamprídem collabéntem, ac multórum Pontificum pietáte magnificéntius a fundaméntis eréctam, Urbánus octávus eádem die, anno millésimo sexcentésimo vigésimo sexto, solémniter dedicávit.  Itémque basílicam sancti Pauli Apóstoli, in via Ostiénsi ab eódem Constantíno imperatóre sumptuosíssime exstrúctam, et a sancto Silvéstro Papa item consecrátam, ac, diro incéndio consúmptam, indeféssa quátuor Pontíficum cura splendídius quam ántea eréctam ; Pius nonus, auspicatíssimam nactus occasiónem definitiónis dógmatis de immaculáta beátæ Vírginis Maríæ Conceptióne, solémni antístitum coróna circúmdatus, consecrávit.

Among the hallowed places which have from of old time been held in honour among Christians, one of the most noteworthy was that place on the Vatican Hill which is called the Confession of St. Peter, the spot hallowed by the grave of the Prince of the Apostles.  Thither came the Emperor Constantine the Great and cast himself down upon the ground, presently taking up a spade and pick-axe, and marking out the place for the Basilica, which he built at his own expense.  This Church was hallowed by holy Pope Sylvester upon the 18th day of November.  It was at this time that he ordained that from thenceforth no altars should be set up, save of stone.  This Basilica fell in course of times to ruins, and was rebuilt from its foundations with greater magnificence.  The loving care of several successive Popes saw to the long task of rebuilding, and in the year 1626 Pope Urban VIII solemnly consecrated the new Basilica upon the anniversary of the original dedication.  In the same way the Basilica of St. Paul upon the road to Ostia was very richly built by Emperor Constantine and consecrated by St. Sylvester.  Then, after it had been almost entirely consumed by a great fire, it was rebuilt in a more splendid form by the unwearied zeal of four successive Popes.  Pius IX seized the happy occasion when the doctrine concerning the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which he had just set forth, had drawn together to Rome a great multitude of Bishops from all quarters of the Catholic world, solemnly to dedicate this new Church in their presence.

After the conclusion of the Second Nocturn, the Third Nocturn is begun according to the Common of the Dedication of Churches.

Third Nocturn

Third Nocturn

In the Third Nocturn, the Gospel Homily Ingressus Jesus is read from the Octave Day of the Dedication of a Church.

Gospel Homily from the Octave Day of the Dedication of a Church

Lauds

Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Wall, Rome

V.  Hæc est domus Dómini fírmiter ædificáta.
R.  Bene fundáta est supra firmam petram.

V.  The house of God is surely founded.
R.  Well is it builded on a firm foundation.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Zachæe, * festínans descénde, quia hódie in domo tua opórtet me manére.  At ille festínans descéndit, et suscépit illum gaudens in domum suam.  Hódie huic dómui salus a Deo facta est, allelúja.

Ant. on Bened:  Zacchaeus, * make haste, and come down ; for today I must abide at thy house.  And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully into his house.  This day is salvation come to this house from the Lord, alleluia.

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui nobis per síngulos annos hujus sancti templi tui consecratiónis réparas diem, et sacris semper mystériis repræséntas incólumes : exáudi preces pópuli tui, et præsta; ut quisquis hoc templum benefícia petitúrus ingréditur, cuncta se impetrásse lætétur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who yearly bringest us again unto the day of consecration of this thy holy temple, who dost likewise continually suffer us to draw near in safety unto thy holy mysteries : mercifully hear the prayers of us thy servants ; and grant that whosoever entereth this house to ask thy blessing may rejoice in the obtaining of all that he desireth.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Second Vespers

Basilica of St. Peter, Rome

Ad Magnif. Ant:  O quam metuéndus est * locus iste : vere non est hic áliud, nisi domus Dei et porta cæli.

Ant. on Magnif:  O how dreadful * is this place! surely this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Oremus.
Deus, qui nobis per síngulos annos hujus sancti templi tui consecratiónis réparas diem, et sacris semper mystériis repræséntas incólumes : exáudi preces pópuli tui, et præsta; ut quisquis hoc templum benefícia petitúrus ingréditur, cuncta se impetrásse lætétur.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who yearly bringest us again unto the day of consecration of this thy holy temple, who dost likewise continually suffer us to draw near in safety unto thy holy mysteries : mercifully hear the prayers of us thy servants ; and grant that whosoever entereth this house to ask thy blessing may rejoice in the obtaining of all that he desireth.  Through.