Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Commemoration of 6th Day in Octave at 2nd Vespers of St. Thomas

Ant:  Hódie Christus natus est : hódie Salvátor appáruit : hódie in terra canunt Angeli, lætántur Archángeli  : hódie exsúltant justi, dicéntes : Glória in excélsis Deo, allelúja.

Ant:  This is the time when the Christ was born ; this is the time when a Saviour appeared ; this is the time when on earth Angels were singing, Archangels rejoicing ; this is the time when the righteous should exult and say: Glory to God in the highest, alleluia.

Oremus.
Concéde, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti jugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of thine only-begotten Son, may deliver us whom slavery from of old doth keep under the yoke of sin.  Through the same.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

At Matins, Lauds, and the Hours, all is said as on Christmas, except what is here given as proper.

Invitatory and Hymn

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn

Invitatory and Hymn

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * O come, let us worship.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * O come, let us worship.

Psalmus 94.
Venite, exsultemus Domino

Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro : præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.

O come, let us sing unto the Lord ; let us heartily rejoice in the God of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving ; and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * O come, let us worship.

Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos : quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam : quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.

For the Lord is a great God ; and a great King above all gods:  For the Lord will not cast off his people:  In his hand are all the corners of the earth, and the strength of the hills is his also.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

In the following verse of the Psalm, at the words veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum (O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker) all genuflect.

Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus : veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum : plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos, quia ipse est Dóminus Deus noster ; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.

The sea is his and he made it ; and his hands prepared the dry land.  O come, let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker: For he is the Lord our God ; and we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * O come, let us worship.

Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatióne, secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto : ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness ; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi : Semper hi errant corde ; ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas : quibus jurávi in ira mea : Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their hearts, for they have not known my ways:  unto whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * O come, let us worship.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.  Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,  et in sæcula sæculórum.  Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:  as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Veníte, adorémus.

O come, let us worship.

Christus natus est nobis : * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born : * O come, let us worship.

Salvation's Author, call to mind
How, taking form of humankind,
Born of a Virgin undefiled
Thou in man's flesh becam'st a Child.

As soon as the introductory part of Matins is finished, there is begun The First Nocturn. 

First Nocturn

Ant.    Dóminus dixit.

Ant.    The Lord hath said.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 2.  Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Quare fremuérunt Gentes: * et pópuli meditáti sunt inánia?
2  Astitérunt reges terræ, et príncipes convenérunt in unum * advérsus Dóminum, et advérsus Christum ejus.
3  Dirumpámus víncula eórum: * et projiciámus a nobis jugum ipsórum.
4  Qui hábitat in cælis, irridébit eos: * et Dóminus subsannábit eos.
5  Tunc loquétur ad eos in ira sua, * et in furóre suo conturbábit eos.
6  Ego autem constitútus sum Rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus, * prædicans præcéptum ejus.
7  Dóminus dixit ad me: * Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te.
8  Póstula a me, et dabo tibi Gentes hereditátem tuam, * et possessiónem tuam términos terræ.
9  Reges eos in virga férrea, * et tamquam vas fíguli confrínges eos.
10  Et nunc, reges, intellígite: * erudímini, qui judicátis terram.
11  Servíte Dómino in timóre: * et exsultáte ei cum tremóre.
12  Apprehéndite disciplínam, nequándo irascátur Dóminus, * et pereátis de via justa.
13  Cum exárserit in brevi ira ejus: * beáti omnes qui confídunt in eo.

Psalm 2.  Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Why do the heathen so furiously rage together? * and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
2  The kings of the earth have arisen, and the rulers have taken counsel together * against the Lord, and against his Anointed.
3  Let us break their bonds asunder, * and cast away their cords from us.
4  He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn: *  the Lord shall have them in derision.
5  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, * and vex them in his sore displeasure :
6  Yet I have been stablished King by him upon his holy hill of Sion, * preaching his commandment.
7  The Lord hath said unto me : * Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
8  Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9  Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; * be learned, ye that are judges of the earth.
11  Serve the Lord in fear, * and rejoice unto him with reverence.
12  Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, * and so ye perish from the right way.
13  If his wrath be kindled, yea, but in a short time : *  blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Ant.    Dóminus dixit ad me : Fílius meus es tu, ego hódie génui te.

Ant.    The Lord hath said unto me : Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Ant.    Tamquam sponsus.

Ant.    As a bridegroom.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 18.  Cæli enarrant

Cæli enárrant glóriam Dei: * et ópera mánuum ejus annúntiat firmaméntum.
2  Dies diéi erúctat verbum, * et nox nocti índicat sciéntiam.
3  Non sunt loquélæ, neque sermónes, * quorum non audiántur voces eórum.
4  In omnem terram exívit sonus eórum: * et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.
5  In sole pósuit tabernáculum suum: * et ipse tamquam sponsus procédens de thálamo suo.
6  Exsultávit ut gigas ad curréndam viam, * a summo cælo egréssio ejus.
7  Et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus: * nec est qui se abscóndat a calóre ejus.
8  Lex Dómini immaculáta, convértens ánimas: * testimónium Dómini fidéle, sapiéntiam præstans párvulis.
9  Justítiæ Dómini rectæ, lætificántes corda: * præcéptum Dómini lúcidum illúminans óculos.
10  Timor Dómini sanctus, pérmanens in sæculum sæculi: * judícia Dómini vera, justificáta in semetípsa.
11  Desiderabília super aurum et lápidem pretiósum multum: * et dulcióra super mel et favum.
12  Etenim servus tuus custódit ea, * in custodiéndis illis retribútio multa.
13  Delícta quis intélligit? ab occúltis meis munda me: * et ab aliénis parce servo tuo.
14  Si mei non fúerint domináti, tunc immaculátus ero: * et emundábor a delícto máximo.
15  Et erunt ut compláceant elóquia oris mei: * et meditátio cordis mei in conspéctu tuo semper.
16  Dómine, adjútor meus, * et redémptor meus.

Psalm 18.  Cæli enarrant

The heavens declare the glory of God; * and the firmament sheweth his handy-work.
2  One day uttereth speech unto another; * and night sheweth knowledge unto night.
3  There is neither speech nor language; * where their voices are not heard.
4  Their sound is gone out unto all the lands; * and their words unto the ends of the earth.
5  In the sun hath he set his tabernacle; * and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
6  Hath rejoiced as a giant to run his course, * his going forth is from the uttermost part of the heaven.
7  And his circuit even unto the end thereof; * and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.
8  The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul; * the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.
9  The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.
10  The fear of the Lord is holy, and endureth for ever; * the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
11  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much precious stone; * sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb.
12  For thy servant keepeth them; * and in keeping of them there is great reward.
13  Who can tell how oft he offendeth? O cleanse thou me from my secret faults : * save thy servant also from the sins of others.
14  If they get not the dominion over me, so shall I be undefiled, * and innocent from the great offence.
15  And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please, * and the meditation of my heart be alway in thy sight.
16  O Lord, my strength * and my redeemer.

Ant.    Tamquam sponsus Dóminus procédens de thálamo suo.

Ant.    As a bridegroom, the Lord cometh forth out of his chamber.

Ant.    Diffúsa est.

Ant.    Full of grace.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 44.  Eructavit cor meum

Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: * dico ego ópera mea Regi.
2  Lingua mea cálamus scribæ: * velóciter scribéntis.
3  Speciósus forma præ fíliis hóminum, diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis: * proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.
4  Accíngere gládio tuo super femur tuum, * potentíssime.
5  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua: * inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.
6  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam: * et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.
7  Sagíttæ tuæ acútæ, pópuli sub te cadent: * in corda inimicórum Regis.
8  Sedes tua, Deus, in sæculum sæculi: * virga directiónis virga regni tui.
9  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: * proptérea unxit te, Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ præ consórtibus tuis.
10  Myrrha, et gutta, et cásia a vestiméntis tuis, a dómibus ebúrneis: * ex quibus delectavérunt te fíliæ regum in honóre tuo.
11  Astitit regína a dextris tuis in vestítu deauráto: * circúmdata varietáte.
12  Audi, fília, et vide, et inclína aurem tuam: * et oblivíscere pópulum tuum, et domum patris tui.
13  Et concupíscet Rex decórem tuum: * quóniam ipse est Dóminus Deus tuus, et adorábunt eum.
14  Et fíliæ Tyri in munéribus * vultum tuum deprecabúntur: omnes dívites plebis.
15  Omnis glória ejus fíliæ Regis ab intus, * in fímbriis áureis circumamícta varietátibus.
16  Adducéntur Regi vírgines post eam: * próximæ ejus afferéntur tibi.
17  Afferéntur in lætítia et exsultatióne: * adducéntur in templum Regis.
18  Pro pátribus tuis nati sunt tibi fílii: * constítues eos príncipes super omnem terram.
19  Mémores erunt nóminis tui: * in omni generatióne et generatiónem.
20  Proptérea pópuli confitebúntur tibi in ætérnum: * et in sæculum sæculi.

My heart is inditing of a good matter; * I speak my works unto the King.
2  My tongue is the pen of a writer : * that writeth swiftly.
3  Thou art fairer than the children of men, full of grace are thy lips, * therefore hath God hath blessed thee for ever.
4  Gird thee with thy sword upon thy thigh, * O thou Most Mighty.
5  In thy comeliness, yea in thy beauty : * go forth, ride prosperously, and reign.
6  Because of truth, of meekness, and righteousness; * and thy right hand shall wondrously lead thee.
7  Thy arrows are very sharp, and the people shall be subdued unto thee; *  even in the hearts of the King's enemies.
8  Thy seat, O God, endureth for ever; * the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
9  Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; * wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
10  All thy garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, * whereby the daughters of kings have made thee glad in thy glory.
11  Upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, * wrought about with divers colours.
12  Hearken, O daughter, consider, and incline thine ear; * forget also thine own people, and thy father's house.
13  So shall the King have pleasure in thy beauty; * for he is the Lord thy God, and they shall worship him.
14  And the daughters of Tyre shall be there with a gift; * yea, all the rich among the people shall entreat thy countenance.
15  The King's daughter is all glorious within; * in wrought gold clothed round about with divers colours.
16  Virgins shall be brought after her unto the King : * her neighbours shall be brought unto thee.
17  With joy and gladness shall they be brought, * they shall be brought into the King's temple.
18  Instead of thy fathers, thou shalt have children, * whom thou shalt make princes over all the earth..
19  They shall remember thy Name * throughout all generations.
20  Therefore shall the people give thanks unto thee for ever, * yea, and for ever, and world without end.

Ant.    Diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis, proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

Ant.    Full of grace are thy lips, therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

STAND

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 Epístola ad Romános

The Lesson is taken from the Epistle to the Romans

Propter quod inexcusábilis es, o homo omnis, qui júdicas.  In quo enim júdicas álterum, teípsum condémnas : eádem enim agis quæ júdicas.  Scimus enim quóniam judícium Dei est secúndum veritátem in eos, qui tália agunt.  Exístimas autem hoc, o homo, qui júdicas eos, qui tália agunt, et facis ea, quia tu effúgies judícium Dei?  An divítias bonitátis ejus, et patiéntiæ, et longanimitátis contémnis?  Ignóras quóniam benígnitas Dei ad pœniténtiam te addúcit?

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.  But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.  And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

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

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

R.  Hódie nobis de cælo pax vera descéndit : * Hódie per totum mundum mellíflui facti sunt cæli.
V.  Hódie illúxit nobis dies redemptiónis novæ, reparatiónis antíquæ, felicitátis ætérnæ.
R.  Hódie per totum mundum mellíflui facti sunt cæli.

R.  As of today hath true peace from heaven come down to earth : * As of today have the skies begun to drop down honey through all the world.
V.  As of today the dawn of a new redemption hath been seen, even the restoration ordained of old ; yea, felicity eternal.
R.  As of today have the skies begun to drop down honey through all the world.

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.

Secúndum autem durítiam tuam, et impœnitens cor, thesaurízas tibi iram in die iræ, et revelatiónis justi judícii Dei, qui reddet unicuíque secúndum ópera ejus : iis quidem, qui secúndum patiéntiam boni operis, glóriam, et honórem, et incorruptiónem quærunt, vitam ætérnam : iis autem, qui sunt ex contentióne, et qui non acquiéscunt veritáti, credunt autem iniquitáti, ira et indignátio.

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.

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

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

R.  Quem vidístis, pastóres? dícite, annuntiáte nobis, in terris quis appáruit? * Natum vídimus, et choros Angelórum collaudántes Dóminum.
V.  Dícite, quidnam vidístis? et annuntiáte Christi nativitátem.
R.  Natum vídimus, et choros Angelórum collaudántes Dóminum.

R.  Whom saw ye, O ye shepherds? speak! tell us! give us the tidings ; who is this that hath appeared on earth? * We beheld a new-born Child, and choirs of Angels singing praise to the Lord.
V.  Speak, what have ye seen?  And tell us of the Birth of Christ.
R.  We beheld a new-born Child, and choirs of Angels singing praise to the 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.

Tribulátio et angústia in omnem ánimam hóminis operántis malum, Judæi primum et Græci : glória autem, et honor, et pax omni operánti bonum, Judæo primum et Græco : non enim est accéptio personárum apud Deum.  Quicúmque enim sine lege peccavérunt, sine lege períbunt : et quicúmque in lege peccavérunt, per legem judicábúntur.  Non enim auditóres legis justi sunt apud Deum, sed factóres legis justificabúntur.

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God.  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

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 magnum mystérium, et admirábile sacraméntum, ut animália vidérent Dóminum natum, jacéntem in præsépio : * Beáta Virgo, cujus víscera meruérunt portáre Dóminum Christum.
V.  Ave, María, grátia plena : Dóminus tecum.
R.  Beáta Virgo, cujus víscera meruérunt portáre Dóminum Christum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Beáta Virgo, cujus víscera meruérunt portáre Dóminum Christum.

R.  How great the mystery, fraught with a wondrous, hidden meaning, that beasts should behold the new-born Lord, lying in the manger : * Blessed art thou, O Virgin, whose womb was made meet to bear the Lord Christ.
V.  Hail, Mary, full of grace : the Lord is with thee.
R.  Blessed art thou, O Virgin, whose womb was made meet to bear the Lord Christ.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Blessed art thou, O Virgin, whose womb was made meet to bear the Lord Christ.

Second Nocturn

Ant.    Suscépimus.

Ant.    We wait.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 47.  Magnus Dominus

Magnus Dóminus, et laudábilis nimis * in civitáte Dei nostri, in monte sancto ejus.
2  Fundátur exsultatióne univérsæ terræ mons Sion, * látera Aquilónis, cívitas Regis magni.
3  Deus in dómibus ejus cognoscétur: * cum suscípiet eam.
4  Quóniam ecce reges terræ congregáti sunt: * convenérunt in unum.
5  Ipsi vidéntes sic admiráti sunt, conturbáti sunt, commóti sunt: * tremor apprehéndit eos.
6  Ibi dolóres ut parturiéntis: * in spíritu veheménti cónteres naves Tharsis.
7  Sicut audívimus, sic vídimus in civitáte Dómini virtútum, in civitáte Dei nostri: * Deus fundávit eam in ætérnum.
8  Suscépimus, Deus, misericórdiam tuam, * in médio templi tui.
9  Secúndum nomen tuum, Deus, sic et laus tua in fines terræ: * justítia plena est déxtera tua.
10  Lætétur mons Sion, et exsúltent fíliæ Judæ: * propter judícia tua, Dómine.
11  Circúmdate Sion, et complectímini eam: * narráte in túrribus ejus.
12  Pónite corda vestra in virtúte ejus: * et distribúite domus ejus, ut enarrétis in progénie áltera.
13  Quóniam hic est Deus, Deus noster in ætérnum et in sæculum sæculi: * ipse reget nos in sæcula.

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised * in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.
2  The hill of Sion is founded with the joy of the whole earth; * upon the north side lieth the city of the great King.
3  In her palaces shall God be well known : * for he shall protect her.
4  For lo, the kings of the earth are assembled: * yea, they are gathered together.
5  So they saw, and they marvelled, they were troubled, they were moved : * fear came there upon them.
6  There were pains as upon a woman in her travail : * with a violent wind thou shalt break the ships of Tharsis.
7  Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God; * God upholdeth the same for ever.
8  We have received thy mercy, O God, * in the midst of thy temple.
9  O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the world's end; * thy right hand is full of righteousness.
10  Let the mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Judah be glad, * because of thy judgments, O Lord.
11  Walk about Sion, and go round about her; * and tell ye in the towers thereof.
12  Set your hearts on her strength : * and distribute her houses, that ye may tell it in another generation.
13  For this is God, even our God, for ever world without end : * he shall rule us for evermore.

Ant.    Suscépimus, Deus misericórdiam tuam in médio templi tui.

Ant.    We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

Ant.    Oriétur.

Ant.    In the days of the Lord.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 71.  Deus, judicium tuum

Deus, judícium tuum regi da: * et justítiam tuam fílio regis.
2  Judicáre pópulum tuum in justítia, * et páuperes tuos in judício.
3  Suscípiant montes pacem pópulo: * et colles justítiam.
4  Judicábit páuperes pópuli, et salvos fáciet fílios páuperum: * et humiliábit calumniatórem.
5  Et permanébit cum sole, et ante lunam, * in generatióne et generatiónem.
6  Descéndet sicut plúvia in vellus: * et sicut stillicídia stillántia super terram.
7  Oriétur in diébus ejus justítia, et abundántia pacis: * donec auferátur luna.
8  Et dominábitur a mari usque ad mare: * et a flúmine usque ad términos orbis terrárum.
9  Coram illo prócident Æthíopes: * et inimíci ejus terram lingent.
10  Reges Tharsis, et ínsulæ múnera ófferent: * reges Arabum et Saba dona addúcent.
11  Et adorábunt eum omnes reges terræ: * omnes Gentes sérvient ei:
12  Quia liberábit páuperem a poténte: * et páuperem, cui non erat adjútor.
13  Parcet páuperi et ínopi: * et ánimas páuperum salvas fáciet.
14  Ex usúris et iniquitáte rédimet ánimas eórum: * et honorábile nomen eórum coram illo.
15  Et vivet, et dábitur ei de auro Arábiæ, et adorábunt de ipso semper: * tota die benedícent ei.
16  Et erit firmaméntum in terra in summis móntium, superextollétur super Líbanum fructus ejus: * et florébunt de civitáte sicut fœnum terræ.
17  Sit nomen ejus benedíctum in sæcula: * ante solem pérmanet nomen ejus.
18  Et benedicéntur in ipso omnes tribus terræ: * omnes Gentes magnificábunt eum.
19  Benedíctus Dóminus, Deus Israël, * qui facit mirabília solus.
20  (Fit reverentia) Et benedíctum nomen majestátis ejus in ætérnum: * et replébitur majestáte ejus omnis terra: fiat, fiat.

Psalm 71.  Deus, judicium tuum

Give to the King thy judgment, O God, * and thy justice unto the King's son.
2  To judge thy people with justice, * and thy poor with judgment.
3  The mountains also shall receive peace for the people, * and the little hills righteousness.
4  He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor, * and he shall humble the oppressor.
5  And he shall endure with the sun and before the moon, * throughout all generations.
6  He shall come down like the rain into a fleece of wool, * even as the drops that fall gently upon the earth.
7  In his time shall justice flourish, yea, and abundance of peace, * so long as the moon endureth.
8  And his dominion shall be from sea to sea, * and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
9  The Ethiopians shall kneel before him; * and his enemies shall lick the dust.
10  The kings of Tharsis and of the isles shall give presents; * the kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts.
11  And all the kings of the earth shall worship him; * all nations shall do him service.
12  For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty; * even the poor that hath no helper.
13  He shall spare the poor and needy, * and he shall save the souls of the poor.
14  He shall redeem their souls from usuries and wickedness; * and dear shall their names be in his sight.
15  He shall live, and unto him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, and they shall ever worship him : * all the day long shall they bless him.
16  There shall be a firmament in the earth, high upon the hills, and above Lebanon shall the fruit thereof be exalted : * they shall be green in the city like grass upon the earth.
17  Blessed be his Name for evermore; * his Name endureth before the sun.
18  And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed : * all nations shall magnify him.
19  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, * which only doeth wondrous things;
20  (All bow during the first half of this verse) And blessed be the Name of his Majesty for ever: * and all the earth shall be filled with his Majesty. Amen, Amen.

Ant.    Oriétur in diébus Dómini abundántia pacis, et dominábitur.

Ant.    In the days of the Lord shall abundance of peace arise and flourish.

Ant.    Véritas de terra.

Ant.    Truth is sprung.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 84.  Benedixisti

Benedixísti, Dómine, terram tuam: * avertísti captivitátem Jacob.
2  Remisísti iniquitátem plebis tuæ: * operuísti ómnia peccáta eórum.
3  Mitigásti omnem iram tuam: * avertísti ab ira indignatiónis tuæ.
4  Convérte nos, Deus, salutáris noster: * et avérte iram tuam a nobis.
5  Numquid in ætérnum irascéris nobis? * aut exténdes iram tuam a generatióne in generatiónem?
6  Deus, tu convérsus vivificábis nos: * et plebs tua lætábitur in te.
7  Osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam: * et salutáre tuum da nobis.
8  Audiam quid loquátur in me Dóminus Deus: * quóniam loquétur pacem in plebem suam.
9  Et super sanctos suos: * et in eos, qui convertúntur ad cor.
10  Verúmtamen prope timéntes eum salutáre ipsíus: * ut inhábitet glória in terra nostra.
11  Misericórdia, et véritas obviavérunt sibi: * justítia, et pax osculátæ sunt.
12  Véritas de terra orta est: * et justítia de cælo prospéxit.
13  Etenim Dóminus dabit benignitátem: * et terra nostra dabit fructum suum.
14  Justítia ante eum ambulábit: * et ponet in via gressus suos.

Psalm 84.  Benedixisti

O Lord, thou hast blessed thy land; * thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
2  Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, * thou hast covered all their sins.
3  Thou hast softened all thy displeasure, * thou hast turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.
4  Turn thou us, O God our Saviour, * and let thine anger cease from us.
5  Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? * and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?
6  Thou shalt turn again, O God, and quicken us, * and thy people shall rejoice in thee.
7  Shew us, O Lord, thy mercy, * and grant us thy salvation.
8  I will hearken what the Lord God will say in me; * for he shall speak peace unto his people.
9  And unto his saints, * and unto them that are turned again unto their heart.
10  Surely his salvation is nigh unto them that fear him; * that glory may dwell in our land.
11  Mercy and truth are met together: * justice and peace have kissed.
12  Truth is sprung out of the earth, * and justice hath looked down from heaven.
13  Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness; * and our land shall yield her fruit.
14  Justice shall walk before him, * and shall direct his steps in the way.

Ant.    Véritas de terra orta est, et justítia de cælo prospéxit.

Ant.    Truth is sprung out of the earth, and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.

STAND

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.

Omnibus quidem diébus, dilectíssimi, atque tempóribus, ánimis fidélium divína meditántium Dómini et Salvatóris nostri ex María Vírgine ortus occúrrit, ut mens, ad confessiónem sui auctóris erécta, sive in gémitu supplicatiónis, sive in exsultatióne laudis, sive in sacrifícii oblatióne versétur, nihil crébrius nihílque fidéntius spiritáli attíngat intúitu, quam quod Deus, Dei Fílius, génitus de Patre coætérno, idem étiam partu est natus humáno.  Sed hanc adorándam in cælo et in terra nativitátem nullus nobis dies magis quam hodiérnus insínuat, et nova étiam in eleméntis luce radiánte, coram sénsibus nostris mirábilis sacraménti íngerit claritátem.  Non solum enim in memóriam, sed in conspéctum quodámmodo redit Angeli Gabriélis cum María stupénte collóquium, et concéptio de Spíritu Sancto tam mire promíssa quam crédita.

In any day of the year, dearly beloved, whenever we make our meditations, we are mindful of the birth from a Virgin Mother of our Lord and Saviour.  Whenever our souls are uplifted in the worship of our Maker, whether we sigh in supplication, rejoice in praise, or offer sacrifice, there is nothing which we more frequently or more confidently set our minds upon than the fact that God, the Son of God, begotten of the co-eternal Father, was also born by a human birth.  But on this day his Nativity, which is to be adored both in heaven and on earth, is brought before us as at no other time.  For today it is as though a new and radiant light is shining forth in the heavens, in such wise that the brightness of this wondrous mystery is perceived even by our senses.  And not only do we call to mind what the Angel Gabriel said to the awe-stricken Mary, but in some sort we seem even to be present at that colloquy when she conceived of the Holy Ghost.  And we marvel both at the promise made to her, and at her faith in that promise.

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

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

R.  Beáta Dei Génitrix María, cujus víscera intácta pérmanent : * Hódie génuit Salvatórem sæculi.
V.  Beata, quæ crédidit : quóniam perfécta sunt ómnia, quæ dicta sunt ei a Dómino.
R.  Hódie génuit Salvatórem sæculi.

R.  Blessed is God's holy Mother, Mary, maiden undefiled, * For as on this day she hath brought forth the Saviour of the world.
V.  Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
R.  For as on this day she hath brought forth the Saviour of the world.

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.

Hódie enim auctor mundi éditus est útero virgináli, et qui omnes natúras cóndidit, ejus est factus fílius, quam creávit.  Hódie Verbum Dei carne appáruit vestítum, et quod numquam fuit humánis óculis visíbile, cœpit étiam mánibus esse tractábile.  Hódie génitum in nostræ carnis animæque substántia Salvatórem angélicis vócibus didicére pastóres, et apud Dominicórum præsules gregum hódie evangelizándi forma præcóndita est ; ut nos quoque cum cæléstis milítiæ dicámus exércitu : Glória in excélsis Deo, et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis.

For as of today the Maker of the world was brought forth from a virginal womb, and he who made all things became the Son of her whom he had made.  As of today the Word of God appeared in a garment of flesh, and that which was never beheld by men's eyes can now be even touched by their hands.  As of today the shepherds learned from angelic voices that a Saviour was born in substance of our flesh and soul.  And this same angelic message was a pattern to the pastors of the Lord's flock to preach the Gospel on this day, and to do it in such wise that we too may say with the heavenly hosts : Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will.

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

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

R.  Sancta et immaculáta virgínitas, quibus te láudibus éfferam, néscio : * Quia quem cæli cápere non póterant, tuo grémio contulísti.
V.  Benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui.
R.  Quia quem cæli cápere non póterant, tuo grémio contulísti.

R.  O blessed Maiden, so holy and spotless in thy virginity, I know not how to praise thy greatness : * For thou hast borne in thy breast him whom the heavens cannot contain.
V.  Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
R.  For thou hast borne in thy breast him whom the heavens cannot contain.

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.

Unde ipsa colláti múneris magnitúdo dignam a nobis éxigit suo splendóre reveréntiam.  Ideo enim, sicut beátus Apóstolus docet, non spíritum hujus mundi accépimus, sed spíritum qui ex Deo est, ut sciámus quæ a Deo donáta sunt nobis ; qui non áliter pie cólitur, nisi id ei, quod ipse tríbuit, offerátur.  Quid autem in thesáuro Domínicæ largitátis ad honórem præséntis festi tam cóngruum póssumus inveníre, quam pacem, quæ in nativitáte Dómini prima est Angélico prædicáta concéntu?  Ipsa enim est quæ parit fílios Dei, nutrix dilectiónis et génitrix unitátis, réquies beatórum et æternitátis habitáculum ; cujus hoc opus próprium et speciále benefícium est, ut jungat Deo quos secérnit de mundo.

Verily the greatness of the gift bestowed upon us demandeth a reverence worthy of its splendour.  For, as the blessed Apostle saith, we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the things that are given us from God.  And him we can devoutly worship only by offering to him that which he bestoweth.  And in the treasury of the Lord's bounty, what can we find so appropriate to the honour of the present Feast, as that peace which at the birth of the Lord was first proclaimed by the angelic choir?  For peace it is which bringeth forth the children of God.  Peace it is also which is the nurse of affection, the mother of unity, the rest of the blessed, and our eternal home.  Peace it is whose proper work and special benefit is to join unto God those whom it separateth from the world.

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

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

R.  Beáta víscera Maríæ Vírginis, quæ portavérunt ætérni Patris Fílium : et beáta úbera, quæ lactavérunt Christum Dóminum : * Qui hódie pro salúte mundi de Vírgine nasci dignátus est.
V.  Dies sanctificátus illúxit nobis : veníte, Gentes, et adoráte Dóminum.
R.  Qui hódie pro salúte mundi de Vírgine nasci dignátus est.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Qui hódie pro salúte mundi de Vírgine nasci dignátus est.

R.  Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary that bore the son of the everlasting Father : and blessed are the paps which gave suck to Christ the Lord : * Who as on this day did vouchsafe to be born of the Virgin for the salvation of the world.
V.  Holy is the day that is dawning for us ; come all ye nations, and worship the Lord.
R.  Who as on this day did vouchsafe to be born of the Virgin for the salvation of the world.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Who as on this day did vouchsafe to be born of the Virgin for the salvation of the world.

Third Nocturn

Ant.    Ipse invocabit.

Ant.    He shall cry.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 88.  Misericordias Domini

Misericórdias Dómini * in ætérnum cantábo.
2  In generatiónem et generatiónem * annuntiábo veritátem tuam in ore meo.
3  Quóniam dixísti : In ætérnum misericórdia ædificábitur in cælis: * præparábitur véritas tua in eis.
4  Dispósui testaméntum eléctis meis, jurávi David, servo meo: * Usque in ætérnum præparábo semen tuum.
5  Et ædificábo in generatiónem et generatiónem * sedem tuam.
6  Confitebúntur cæli mirabília tua, Dómine, * étenim veritátem tuam in ecclésia sanctórum.
7  Quóniam quis in núbibus æquábitur Dómino: * símilis erit Dómino in fíliis Dei?
8  Deus, qui glorificátur in consílio sanctórum: * magnus et terríbilis super omnes qui in circúitu ejus sunt.
9  Dómine, Deus virtútum, quis símilis tibi? * potens es, Dómine, et véritas tua in circúitu tuo.
10  Tu domináris potestáti maris: * motum autem flúctuum ejus tu mítigas.
11  Tu humiliásti sicut vulnerátum, supérbum: * in bráchio virtútis tuæ dispersísti inimícos tuos.
12  Tui sunt cæli, et tua est terra, orbem terræ et plenitúdinem ejus tu fundásti: * aquilónem, et mare tu creásti.
13  Thabor et Hermon in nómine tuo exsultábunt: * tuum bráchium cum poténtia.
14  Firmétur manus tua, et exaltétur déxtera tua: * justítia et judícium præparátio sedis tuæ.
15  Misericórdia et véritas præcédent fáciem tuam: * beátus pópulus, qui scit jubilatiónem.
16  Dómine, in lúmine vultus tui ambulábunt, et in nómine tuo exsultábunt tota die: * et in justítia tua exaltabúntur.
17  Quóniam glória virtútis eórum tu es: * et in beneplácito tuo exaltábitur cornu nostrum.
18  Quia Dómini est assúmptio nostra, * et Sancti Israël, regis nostri.
19  Tunc locútus es in visióne sanctis tuis, et dixísti: * Pósui adjutórium in poténte : et exaltávi eléctum de plebe mea.
20  Invéni David, servum meum: * óleo sancto meo unxi eum.
21  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei: * et bráchium meum confortábit eum.
22  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo: * et fílius iniquitátis non appónet nocére ei.
23  Et concídam a fácie ipsíus inimícos ejus: * et odiéntes eum in fugam convértam.
24  Et véritas mea, et misericórdia mea cum ipso: * et in nómine meo exaltábitur cornu ejus.
25  Et ponam in mari manum ejus: * et in flumínibus déxteram ejus.
26  Ipse invocábit me: Pater meus es tu: * Deus meus, et suscéptor salútis meæ.
27  Et ego primogénitum ponam illum: * excélsum præ régibus terræ.
28  In ætérnum servábo illi misericórdiam meam: * et testaméntum meum fidéle ipsi.
29  Et ponam in sæculum sæculi semen ejus: * et thronum ejus sicut dies cæli.
30  Si autem derelíquerint fílii ejus legem meam: * et in judíciis meis non ambuláverint.
31  Si justítias meas profanáverint: * et mandáta mea non custodíerint :
32  Visitábo in virga iniquitátes eórum: * et in verbéribus peccáta eórum.
33  Misericórdiam autem meam non dispérgam ab eo: * neque nocébo in veritáte mea :
34  Neque profanábo testaméntum meum: * et quæ procédunt de lábiis meis, non fáciam írrita.
35  Semel jurávi in sancto meo: Si David méntiar: * semen ejus in ætérnum manébit.
36  Et thronus ejus sicut sol in conspéctu meo, * et sicut luna perfécta in ætérnum : et testis in cælo fidélis.
37  Tu vero repulísti et despexísti: * distulísti Christum tuum.
38  Evertísti testaméntum servi tui: * profanásti in terra Sanctuárium ejus.
39  Destruxísti omnes sepes ejus: * posuísti firmaméntum ejus formídinem.
40  Diripuérunt eum omnes transeúntes viam: * factus est oppróbrium vicínis suis.
41  Exaltásti déxteram depriméntium eum: * lætificásti omnes inimícos ejus.
42  Avertísti adjutórium gládii ejus: * et non es auxiliátus ei in bello.
43  Destruxísti eum ab emundatióne: * et sedem ejus in terram collisísti.
44  Minorásti dies témporis ejus: * perfudísti eum confusióne.
45  Usquequo, Dómine, avértis in finem: * exardéscet sicut ignis ira tua?
46  Memoráre quæ mea substántia: * numquid enim vane constituísti omnes fílios hóminum?
47  Quis est homo, qui vivet, et non vidébit mortem: * éruet ánimam suam de manu ínferi?
48  Ubi sunt misericórdiæ tuæ antíquæ, Dómine: * sicut jurásti David in veritáte tua?
49  Memor esto, Dómine, oppróbrii servórum tuórum: * (quod contínui in sinu meo) multárum Géntium.
50  Quod exprobravérunt inimíci tui, Dómine, * quod exprobravérunt commutatiónem Christi tui.
51  Benedíctus Dóminus in ætérnum: * fiat, fiat.

The mercies of the Lord; * will I sing for ever.
2  I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth, * from one generation to another.
3  For I have said, Mercy shall be set up for ever in the heavens; * thy truth shalt thou stablish therein.
4  I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant : * thy seed will I stablish for ever.
5  And I will set up thy throne * from one generation to another.
6  O Lord, the very heavens shall confess thy wondrous works; * and thy truth in the congregation of the saints.
7  For who among the clouds can be compared unto the Lord: * and who is like unto the Lord among the children of God?
8  God, who is glorified in the council of the saints, * great and terrible above all them that are round about him.
9  O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto thee? * thou art mighty, O Lord, and thy truth is round about thee.
10  Thou rulest the raging of the sea; * thou stillest the motion of the waves thereof.
11  Thou hast humbled the proud, as one that is slain : * thou hast scattered thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arm.
12  Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth, thou hast stablished the round world and all the fulness thereof : * thou hast created the north and the south.
13  Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy Name : * thou hast a mighty arm.
14  Let thy hand be strengthened, and thy right hand exalted : * justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne.
15  Mercy and truth shall go before thy face : * blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation.
16  They shall walk in the light of thy countenance, O Lord, and in thy Name shall they rejoice all the day : * and in thy justice shall they be exalted.
17  For thou art the glory of their strength : * and in thy loving-kindness shall our horns be exalted.
18  For our defence is of the Lord; * even the Holy One of Israel and our King.
19  Then spakest thou in a vision unto thy saints, and didst say, * I have laid help upon one that is mighty, and have exalted one chosen out of my people.
20  I have found David my servant; * with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21  My hand shall hold him fast, * and my arm shall strengthen him.
22  The enemy shall have no advantage over him; * and the son of wickedness shall not have power to hurt him.
23  I will smite down his foes before his face, * and them that hate him will I put to flight.
24  My truth also and my mercy shall be with him; * and in my Name shall his horn be exalted.
25  I will set his hand also in the sea, * and his right hand in the rivers.
26  He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, * my God, and the rock of my salvation.
27  And I will make him my firstborn, * higher than the kings of the earth.
28  My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, * and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29  His seed also will I make to endure for ever, * and his throne as the days of heaven.
30  But if his children forsake my law, * and walk not in my judgments;
31  If they profane my statutes, * and keep not my commandments;
32  I will visit their offences with the rod, * and their sin with scourges.
33  But my mercy will I not utterly take from him, * nor suffer my truth to fail.
34  Neither will I profane my covenant : * nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
35  Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David : * his seed shall endure for ever.
36  And his throne is like as the sun before me, * and as the moon perfect for evermore, and a faithful witness in heaven.
37  But thou hast abhorred and despised : * yea, thou hast been wroth with thine Anointed.
38  Thou hast overthrown the covenant of thy servant, * thou hast profaned his Sanctuary upon earth.
39  Thou hast broken down all his hedges, * and hast set his foundation upon thy fear.
40  All that pass by the way have plundered him, * and he is become a reproach to his neighbours.
41  Thou hast set up the right hand of them that oppress him, * and thou hast made all his adversaries to rejoice.
42  Thou hast turned away the help of his sword, * and hast not assisted him in the battle.
43  Thou hast made his glory to cease, * and cast his throne down to the ground.
44  The days of his time hast thou shortened, * and covered him with dishonour.
45  How long wilt thou hide thyself for ever : * and shall thy wrath burn like fire?
46  O remember what my substance is; * for hast thou made all men for nought?
47  What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? * and shall he deliver his soul from the hand of hell?
48  Lord, where are thy mercies of old, * which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
49  Be mindful, O Lord, of the reproach of thy servants, which I do bear in my bosom : * yea, the reproach of many people.
50  Wherewith thine enemies have blasphemed thee, O Lord, * and blasphemed the change of thine Anointed.
51  Blessed be the Lord for evermore. * Amen, and Amen.

Ant.    Ipse invocábit me, allelúja : Pater meus es tu, allelúja.

Ant.    He shall cry unto me, alleluia : Thou art my Father, alleluia.

Ant.    Læténtur cæli.

Ant.    Let the heavens rejoice.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 95.  Cantate Domino

Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: * cantáte Dómino, omnis terra.
2  Cantáte Dómino, et benedícite nómini ejus: * annuntiáte de die in diem salutáre ejus.
3  Annuntiáte inter gentes glóriam ejus, * in ómnibus pópulis mirabília ejus.
4  Quóniam magnus Dóminus, et laudábilis nimis: * terríbilis est super omnes deos.
5  Quóniam omnes dii Géntium dæmónia: * Dóminus autem cælos fecit.
6  Conféssio, et pulchritúdo in conspéctu ejus: * sanctimónia et magnificéntia in sanctificatióne ejus.
7  Afférte Dómino, pátriæ Géntium, afférte Dómino glóriam et honórem: * afférte Dómino glóriam nómini ejus.
8  Tóllite hóstias, et introíte in átria ejus: * adoráte Dóminum in átrio sancto ejus.
9  Commoveátur a fácie ejus univérsa terra: * dícite in Géntibus quia Dóminus regnávit.
10  Etenim corréxit orbem terræ qui non commovébitur: * judicábit pópulos in æquitáte.
11  Læténtur cæli, et exsúltet terra: commoveátur mare et plenitúdo ejus: * gaudébunt campi, et ómnia quæ in eis sunt.
12  Tunc exsultábunt ómnia ligna silvárum a fácie Dómini, quia venit: * quóniam venit judicáre terram.
13  Judicábit orbem terræ in æquitáte, * et pópulos in veritáte sua.

O sing unto the Lord a new song; * sing unto the Lord, all the whole earth.
2  Sing unto the Lord, and bless ye his Name; * be telling of his salvation from day to day.
3  Declare his glory among the heathen, * and his wonders among all peoples.
4  For the Lord is great, and exceeding worthy to be praised; * he is to be feared above all gods.
5  For all the gods of the heathen, they are but devils; * but it is the Lord that made the heavens.
6  Praise and beauty are before him; * holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary.
7  Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the nations, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour : * bring ye to the Lord the honour due unto his Name.
8  Bring ye sacrifices, and come into his courts : * O worship the Lord in his holy court.
9  Let the whole earth be moved at his presence : * tell it out among the heathen, that the Lord is King.
10  For he hath corrected the round world, which shall not be moved; * he shall judge the peoples with justice.
11  Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved and all the fulness thereof : * the fields shall be joyful, and all that is in them.
12  Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord, for he cometh : * yea, he cometh to judge the earth.
13  He shall judge the world with justice, * and the peoples with his truth.

Ant.    Læténtur cæli, et exsúltet terra ante fáciem Dómini, quóniam venit.

Ant.    Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, before the Lord, for he is come.

Ant.    Notum fecit.

Ant.    The Lord hath declared.

COMMENTARY

Psalmus 97.  Cantate Domino

Cantáte Dómino cánticum novum: * quia mirabília fecit.
2  Salvávit sibi déxtera ejus: * et bráchium sanctum ejus.
3  Notum fecit Dóminus salutáre suum: * in conspéctu Géntium revelávit justítiam suam.
4  Recordátus est misericórdiæ suæ, * et veritátis suæ dómui Israël.
5  Vidérunt omnes términi terræ * salutáre Dei nostri.
6  Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * cantáte, et exsultáte, et psállite.
7  Psállite Dómino in cíthara, in cíthara et voce psalmi: * in tubis ductílibus, et voce tubæ córneæ.
8  Jubiláte in conspéctu regis Dómini: * moveátur mare, et plenitúdo ejus: orbis terrárum, et qui hábitant in eo.
9  Flúmina plaudent manu, simul montes exsultábunt a conspéctu Dómini: * quóniam venit judicáre terram.
10  Judicábit orbem terrárum in justítia, * et pópulos in æquitáte.

O sing unto the Lord a new song; * for he hath done marvellous things.
2  His right hand hath wrought for him salvation : * and his arm is holy.
3  The Lord hath made known his salvation; * his righteousness hath he revealed in the sight of the heathen.
4  He hath remembered his mercy, * and his truth toward the house of Israel.
5  All the ends of the world have seen * the salvation of our God.
6  Be ye joyful unto God, all the earth : * make melody, rejoice, and sing.
7  Sing praise unto the Lord upon the harp, yea, upon the harp and with the voice of a psalm : * with long trumpets, and with the sound of the shawm.
8  O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord, the King : * let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof: the round world, and they that dwell therein.
9  Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; * for he is come to judge the earth.
10  With righteousness shall he judge the world, * and the peoples with equity.

Ant.    Notum fecit Dóminus, allelúja, salutáre suum, allelúja.

Ant.    The Lord hath declared, alleluia, his salvation, alleluia.

STAND

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 : Pastóres loquebántur ad ínvicem : Transeámus usque Béthlehem, et videámus hoc verbum quod factum est, quod Dóminus osténdit nobis.  Et venérunt festinántes.  Et réliqua.

At that time : The shepherds said one to another : Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste.  And so on, and that which followeth.

Vides festináre pastóres ; nemo enim cum desídia Christum requírit.  Vides pastóres Angelo credidísse : et tu Patri, Fílio, Spirítui Sancto, Angelis, Prophétis et Apóstolis crédere non vis?  Vide, quam signánter Scriptúra singulórum libret moménta verbórum.  Festínant, inquit, Verbum vidére.  Etenim cum caro Dómini vidétur, Verbum vidétur, quod est Fílius.

The shepherds came with haste.  So must every one put away sloth who would earnestly seek Christ.  The shepherds believed the Angel.  Wilt not thou believe Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; Angels, Prophets, and Apostles?  Here also remark how carefully every word in the Scripture is chosen.  They come with haste, it saith, to see the Word which is come to pass.  Truly it was a word, the very Word of God himself.  Whosoever saw the Lord's Flesh, saw the Word, that is, God the 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.  Verbum caro factum est, et habitávit in nobis : * Et vídimus glóriam ejus, glóriam quasi Unigéniti a Patre, plenum gratiæ et veritátis.
V.  Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, et sine ipso factum est nihil.
R.  Et vídimus glóriam ejus, glóriam quasi Unigéniti a Patre, plenum gratiæ et veritátis.

R.  The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, * And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
V.  All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made.
R.  And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.

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

Benedíctio 8: Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 8: May help divine be with us all, for ever abiding.
R.  Amen.

Non medíocre fídei tibi hoc videátur exémplum, quod vilis sit persóna pastórum.  Certe quo vílior ad prudéntiam, eo pretiósior ad fidem.  Non gymnásia choris reférta sapiéntium, sed plebem Dóminus símplicem requisívit, quæ phaleráre audíta et fucáre nescíret.  Simplícitas enim quæritur, non ambítio desiderátur.

Because the shepherds were men of little rank, belittle not the example of their faith.  Verily, though poor in learning, they were rich in faith.  The Lord seeketh not for schools crowded with wise men, but for a people with simplicity of heart, such as do not seek to disguise what they learn, by concealing it under vain and superfluous adornments.  He will have straightforwardness rather than vainglory.

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 Regem cæli, cui tália famulántur obséquia : stábulo pónitur, qui cóntinet mundum : * Jacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat.
V.  Natus est nobis hódie Salvator, qui est Christus Dóminus, in civitáte David.
R.  Jacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Jacet in præsépio, et in cælis regnat.

R.  The King of heavens is served with strange honours : he that holdeth the world in his hands is laid in a stable : * He that reigneth in heaven is cradled in a manger.
V.  Unto us is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
R.  He that reigneth in heaven is cradled in a manger.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  He that reigneth in heaven is cradled in a manger.

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.

Nec contemnénda putes quasi vília verba pastórum.  A pastóribus enim María fidem cólligit, a pastóribus pópulus ad Dei reveréntiam congregátur.  Miráti étiam sunt omnes qui audiérunt, de iis, quæ dicebántur a pastóribus ad ipsos.  María autem conservábat ómnia verba hæc, cónferens in corde suo.  Discámus sanctæ Vírginis in ómnibus castitátem, quæ non minus ore pudíca quam córpore, arguménta fídei conferébat in corde.

And belittle not the shepherds' words.  For the shepherds strengthened the faith even of Mary.  The shepherds also led God's people to his worship.  For we read : All they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.  Let us learn the modesty of the Holy Virgin, even that modesty of speech as of body, whereby she pondered in her heart the evidences of her faith.

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

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

Lauds

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

Psalmus 92.  Dominus regnavit

Dóminus regnávit, decórem indútus est: * indútus est Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se.
2  Etenim firmávit orbem terræ, * qui non commovébitur.
3  Paráta sedes tua ex tunc: * a sæculo tu es.
4  Elevavérunt flúmina, Dómine: * elevavérunt flúmina vocem suam.
5  Elevavérunt flúmina fluctus suos, * a vócibus aquárum multárum.
6  Mirábiles elatiónes maris: * mirábilis in altis Dóminus.
7  Testimónia tua credibília facta sunt nimis: * domum tuam decet sanctitúdo, Dómine, in longitúdinem diérum.

The Lord hath reigned, and hath put on glorious apparel; * the Lord hath put on his apparel, and girded himself with strength.
2  For he hath stablished the round world, * that it cannot be moved.
3  Thy throne is prepared from of old : * thou art from everlasting.
4  The floods have lift up, O Lord, * yea, the floods have lift up their voice.
5  The floods have lift up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.
6  The waves of the sea are mighty, * glorious is the Lord, who dwelleth on high.
7  Thy testimonies are become exceeding credible: * holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever and ever.

Psalmus 99.  Jubilate

Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * servíte Dómino in lætítia.
2  Introíte in conspéctu ejus, * in exsultatióne.
3  Scitóte quóniam Dóminus ipse est Deus: * ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos.
4  Pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus: * introíte portas ejus in confessióne, átria ejus in hymnis: confitémini illi.
5  Laudáte nomen ejus: quóniam suávis est Dóminus, in ætérnum misericórdia ejus, * et usque in generatiónem et generatiónem véritas ejus.

Psalm 99.  Jubilate

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands: * serve the Lord with gladness,
2  And come before his presence * with a song..
3  Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; * it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves.
4  We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture : * O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be ye thankful unto him.
5  Give praises unto his Name: for the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting; * and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

Psalmus 62.  Deus, Deus meus

Deus, Deus meus, * ad te de luce vígilo.
2  Sitívit in te ánima mea, * quam multiplíciter tibi caro mea.
3  In terra desérta, et ínvia, et inaquósa: * sic in sancto appárui tibi, ut vidérem virtútem tuam, et glóriam tuam.
4  Quóniam mélior est misericórdia tua super vitas: * lábia mea laudábunt te.
5  Sic benedícam te in vita mea: * et in nómine tuo levábo manus meas.
6  Sicut ádipe et pinguédine repleátur ánima mea: * et lábiis exsultatiónis laudábit os meum.
7  Si memor fui tui super stratum meum, in matutínis meditábor in te: * quia fuísti adjútor meus.
8  Et in velaménto alárum tuárum exsultábo, adhæsit ánima mea post te: * me suscépit déxtera tua.
9  Ipsi vero in vanum quæsiérunt ánimam meam, introíbunt in inferióra terræ: * tradéntur in manus gládii, partes vúlpium erunt.
10  Rex vero lætábitur in Deo, laudabúntur omnes qui jurant in eo: * quia obstrúctum est os loquéntium iníqua.

Psalm 62.  Deus, Deus meus

O God, thou art my God; * to thee do I watch at break of day.
2  My soul hath thirsted for thee, * my flesh also in many different ways.
3  In a barren and dry land where no water is: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, that I might behold thy power and thy glory.
4  For thy mercy is better than the life itself : * my lips shall praise thee.
5  Thus will I bless thee as long as I live : * and I will lift up my hands in thy Name.
6  My soul shall be filled as with marrow and fatness, * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
7  If I have remembered thee in my bed, I will think upon thee in the morning : * because thou hast been my helper.
8  And under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice, my soul hath hung upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me.
9  But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go down into the nether parts of the earth : * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes.
10  But the king shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak wicked things shall be stopped.

Canticum trium Puerorum
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 et 56

Benedícite, ómnia ópera Dómini, Dómino: * laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.

2    Benedícite, Angeli Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, cæli, Dómino.

3    Benedícite, aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes virtútes Dómini, Dómino.

4    Benedícite, sol et luna, Dómino: * benedícite, stellæ cæli, Dómino.

5    Benedícite, omnis imber et ros, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes spíritus Dei, Dómino.

6    Benedícite, ignis et æstus, Dómino: * benedícite, frigus et æstus, Dómino.

7    Benedícite, rores et pruína, Dómino: * benedícite, gelu et frigus, Dómino.

8    Benedícite, glácies et nives, Dómino: * benedícite, noctes et dies, Dómino.

9    Benedícite, lux et ténebræ, Dómino: * benedícite, fúlgura et nubes, Dómino.

10  Benedícat terra Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

11  Benedícite, montes et colles, Dómino: * benedícite, univérsa germinántia in terra, Dómino.

12  Benedícite, fontes, Dómino: * benedícite, mária et flúmina, Dómino.

13  Benedícite, cete, et ómnia, quæ movéntur in aquis, Dómino: * benedícite, omnes vólucres cæli, Dómino.

14    Benedícite, omnes béstiæ et pécora, Dómino: * benedícite, fílii hóminum, Dómino.

15    Benedícat Israël Dóminum: * laudet et superexáltet eum in sæcula.

16    Benedícite, sacerdótes Dómini, Dómino: * benedícite, servi Dómini, Dómino.

17    Benedícite, spíritus, et ánimæ justórum, Dómino: * benedícite, sancti et húmiles corde, Dómino.

18    Benedícite, Ananía, Azaría, Mísaël, Dómino: * laudáte et superexaltáte eum in sæcula.
(Fit reverentia:)

19    Benedicámus Patrem et Fílium cum Sancto Spíritu: * laudémus et superexaltémus eum in sæcula.
20  Benedíctus es, Dómine, in firmaménto cæli: * et laudábilis, et gloriósus, et superexaltátus in sæcula.
Hic non dícitur Glória Patri, neque Amen.

The Song of the Three Holy Children
Benedicite, omnia opera   Dan. 3, 57-88 and 56

O all ye Works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
2  O ye Angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord : * O ye Heavens, bless ye the Lord.
3  O ye Waters that be above the Firmament, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
4  O ye Sun and Moon, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Stars of Heaven, bless ye the Lord.
5  O ye Showers and Dew, bless ye the Lord: * O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord.
6  O ye Fire and Heat, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Winter and Summer, bless ye the Lord.
7  O ye Dews and Frosts, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Frost and Cold, bless ye the Lord.
8  O ye Ice and Snow, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Nights and Days, bless ye the Lord.
9  O ye Light and Darkness, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Lightnings and Clouds, bless ye the Lord.
10  O let the Earth bless the Lord; * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
11  O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord. 
12  O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord.
13  O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye Fowls of the Air, bless ye the Lord.
14  O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord.
15  O let Israël bless the Lord; * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
16  O ye Priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: * O ye Servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
17  O ye Spirits and Souls of the Righteous, bless ye the Lord: * O ye holy and humble Men of heart, bless ye the Lord.
18  O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him and magnify him for ever:
(During the following verse, all bow:)
19  Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
20  Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven; * and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.
Here is not said Amen or Glory be.

Psalmus 148.  Laudate Dominum

Laudáte Dóminum de cælis: * laudáte eum in excélsis.
2  Laudáte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * laudáte eum, omnes virtútes ejus.
3  Laudáte eum, sol et luna: * laudáte eum, omnes stellæ et lumen.
4  Laudáte eum, cæli cælórum: * et aquæ omnes, quæ super cælos sunt, laudent nomen Dómini.
5  Quia ipse dixit, et facta sunt: * ipse mandávit, et creáta sunt.
6  Státuit ea in ætérnum, et in sæculum sæculi: * præcéptum pósuit, et non præteríbit.
7  Laudáte Dóminum de terra, * dracónes, et omnes abyssi.
8  Ignis, grando, nix, glácies, spíritus procellárum: * quæ fáciunt verbum ejus:
9  Montes, et omnes colles: * ligna fructífera, et omnes cedri.
10  Béstiæ, et univérsa pécora: * serpéntes, et vólucres pennátæ:
11  Reges terræ, et omnes pópuli: * príncipes, et omnes júdices terræ.
12  Júvenes, et vírgines : senes cum junióribus laudent nomen Dómini: * quia exaltátum est nomen ejus solíus.
13  Conféssio ejus super cælum et terram: * et exaltávit cornu pópuli sui.
14  Hymnus ómnibus sanctis ejus: * fíliis Israël, pópulo appropinquánti sibi.

Psalm 148.  Laudate Dominum

O praise ye the Lord from the heavens: * praise ye him in the height.
2  Praise him, all ye Angels of his: * praise him, all his host.
3  Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
4  Praise him, all ye heavens of heavens, * and ye waters that are above the heavens, praise the Name of the Lord.
5  For he spake the word, and they were made; * he commanded, and they were created.
6  He hath established them for ever, yea, unto ages of ages : * he hath set forth a law, and it shall not pass away.
7  Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons and all deeps;
8  Fire and hail, snow and ice, wind and storm, * fulfilling his word;
9  Mountains and all hills; * fruitful trees and all cedars;
10  Beasts and all cattle; * creeping things and flying fowls;
11  Kings of the earth, and all people; * princes, and all judges of the world;
12  Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the Lord: * for his Name only is exalted.
13  His praise is above heaven and earth : * and he shall exalt the horn of his people.
14  A hymn unto all his saints : * even unto the children of Israel, a people that draw nigh unto him.

Capitulum           Hebr. 1. 1.
Multifáriam, multísque modis olim Deus loquens pátribus in prophétis: novíssime diébus istis locútus est nobis in Fílio, quem constítuit herédem universórum, per quem fecit et sæcula.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Heb. 1. 1.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.
R.  Thanks be to God.

A solis ortus cárdine
Ad usque terræ límitem,
Christum canámus Príncipem,
Natum María Vírgine.

Beátus auctor sæculi
Servíle corpus índuit:
Ut carne carnem líberans,
Ne pérderet quos cóndidit.

Castæ Paréntis víscera
Cæléstis intrat grátia:
Venter Puéllæ bájulat
Secréta, quæ non nóverat.

Domus pudíci péctoris
Templum repénte fit Dei:
Intácta nésciens virum,
Concépit alvo Fílium.

Enítitur puérpera,
Quem Gábriel prædíxerat,
Quem ventre Matris géstiens,
Baptísta clausum sénserat.

Fœno jacére pértulit:
Præsépe non abhórruit:
Et lacte módico pastus est,
Per quem nec ales ésurit.

Gaudet chorus cæléstium,
Et Angeli canunt Deo;
Palámque fit pastóribus
Pastor, Creátor ómnium.

Jesu tibi sit glória,
Qui natus es de Vírgine,
Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,
In sempitérna sæcula.  Amen.

From lands that see the sun arise,
To earth's remotest boundaries,
The Virgin-Born today we sing,
The Son of Mary, Christ the King.

Blest Author of this earthly frame,
To take a servant's form he came,
That, liberating flesh by flesh,
Whom he had made might live afresh.

In that chaste parent's holy womb,
Celestial grace hath found its home:
And she, as earthly bride unknown,
Yet calls that Offspring blest her own.

The mansion of the modest breast
Becomes a shrine where God shall rest:
The pure and undefiled one
Within her womb conceived the Son.

That Son, that royal Son, she bore,
Whom Gabriel's voice had told afore;
Whom, in his Mother yet concealed,
The infant Baptist had revealed.

The manger and the straw he bore,
The cradle did he not abhor:
A little milk his infant fare
Who feedeth even each fowl of air.

The heavenly chorus filled the sky,
The Angels sang to God on high,
What time to shepherds, watching lone,
They made creation's Shepherd known.

All honour, laud and glory be,
O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee;
Whom with the Father we adore,
And Holy Ghost for evermore.  Amen.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Glória in excélsis Deo, * et in terra pax homínibus bonæ voluntátis, allelúja, allelúja.

Ant. on Bened:  Glory be to God in the highest: * and on earth peace to men of good-will, alleluia, alleluia.

BENEDICTUS

THE BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Concéde, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti jugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of thine only-begotten Son, may deliver us whom slavery from of old doth keep under the yoke of sin.  Through the same.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Prime

Festal Psalms

Return to the Office of Prime

Lectio Brevis   Hebr. 1. 11.
Ipsi períbunt, tu autem permanébis; et omnes sicut vestiméntum veteráscent: et velut amíctum mutábis eos, et mutabúntur: tu autem idem ipse es, et anni tui non defícient.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

Brief Lesson    Heb. 1. 11.
They shall perish, but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Return to the Office of Prime

Terce

Ant.    Génuit puérpera * Regem, cui nomen ætérnum, et gáudia matris habens cum virginitátis honóre: nec primam símilem visa est, nec habére sequéntem, allelúja.

Ant.    Lo, a maiden * hath borne the Monarch whose Name is Everlasting: she hath both the joy of a mother and the honour of a virgin: before her hath none been seen like her, nor shall there be after, alleluia.

Sunday Psalms

STAND

Capitulum           Hebr. 1. 1.
Multifáriam, multísque modis olim Deus loquens pátribus in prophétis: novíssime diébus istis locútus est nobis in Fílio, quem constítuit herédem universórum, per quem fecit et sæcula.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter          Heb. 1. 1.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the Prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Verbum caro factum est, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Verbum caro factum est, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Et habitávit in nobis.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Verbum caro factum est, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Ipse invocábit me, allelúja.
R.  Pater meus es tu, allelúja.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

Sext

Sunday Psalms

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

The Little Chapter          Heb. 1. 10.
Unto the Son he saith : Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Notum fecit Dóminus, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Notum fecit Dóminus, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Salutáre suum.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Notum fecit Dóminus, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Vidérunt omnes fines terræ, allelúja.
R.  Salutáre Dei nostri, allelúja.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

None

Sunday Psalms

After completing the Antiphon following the Psalms, the Choir stands and then is said the Little Chapter and Brief Respond as follows:

STAND

Lectio Brevis   Hebr. 1. 11.
Ipsi períbunt, tu autem permanébis; et omnes sicut vestiméntum veteráscent: et velut amíctum mutábis eos, et mutabúntur: tu autem idem ipse es, et anni tui non defícient.
R.  Deo grátias.

Brief Lesson    Heb. 1. 11.
They shall perish, but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 
R.  Thanks be to God.

V.  Vidérunt omnes fines terræ, * Allelúja, allelúja.
R.  Vidérunt omnes fines terræ, * Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Salutáre Dei nostri.
R.  Allelúja, allelúja.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Vidérunt omnes fines terræ, * Allelúja, allelúja.

V.  Verbum caro factum est, allelúja.
R.  Et habitávit in nobis, allelúja.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.