Fifth Sunday of September

Semidouble

September 26th or 27th

Vespers on the Eve of the
Fifth Sunday of September

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

All as at Saturday Vespers except for what is proper as below

V.  Vespertína orátio ascéndat ad te, Dómine.
R.  Et descéndat super nos misericórdia tua.

V.  Let our evening prayer come up before thee, O Lord.
R.  And let thy mercy come down upon us.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Dómine Rex omnípotens, * in dicióne tua cuncta sunt pósita, et non est qui possit tuæ resístere voluntáti.

Ant. on Magnif:  O my Lord the King Almighty! * all things are in thy power, and there is no man that can gainsay thy will.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS if it is said

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

First Nocturn

Second Nocturn

Third Nocturn
 

When the foregoing Thursday occurs after September 24th (as said on that day) the following Lessons are then anticipated.  Otherwise, if this Scripture cannot be read on this day, it with the Responds of this day should be transferred to the first ensuing day upon which the Scripture of the Season can be read, the Lessons of which day are then omitted.

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.

Incipit liber Esther

Here beginneth the Book of Esther

In diébus Assuéri, qui regnávit ab India usque Æthiópiam super centum vigínti septem províncias, quando sedit in sólio regni sui, Susan cívitas regni ejus exórdium fuit.  Tértio ígitur anno impérii sui, fecit grande convívium cunctis princípibus et púeris suis fortíssimis Persárum et Medórum ínclytis et præféctis provinciárum coram se, ut osténderet divítias glóriæ regni sui, ac magnitúdinem atque jactántiam poténtiæ suæ, multo témpore, centum vidélicet et octogínta diébus.

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) that in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Média, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: when he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.

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

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

R.  Dómine, mi Rex omnípotens, in dicióne tua cuncta sunt pósita, et non est qui possit resístere voluntáti tuæ : * Líbera nos propter nomen tuum.
V.  Exáudi oratiónem nostram, et convérte luctum nostrum in gáudium.
R.  Líbera nos propter nomen tuum.

R.  O my Lord, the King Almighty!  All things are in thy power, and there is no man that can gainsay thy will : * Deliver us for thy Name's sake.
V.  Hear our prayer, and turn our sorrow into joy.
R.  Deliver us for thy Name's sake.

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.

Cumque impleréntur dies convívii, invitávit omnem pópulum, qui invéntus est in Susan, a máximo usque ad mínimum ; et jussit septem diébus convívium præparári in vestíbulo horti et némoris, quod régio cultu et manu cónsitum erat.  Et pendébant ex omni parte tentória aérii colóris et carbásini ac hyacínthini sustentáta fúnibus byssinis atque purpúreis, qui ebúrneis círculis insérti erant et colúmnis marmóreis fulciebántur.  Léctuli quoque áurei et argéntei super paviméntum smarágdino et pário stratum lápide dispósiti erant, quod mira varietáte pictúra decorábat.

And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

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

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

R.  Confórta me, Rex, Sanctórum principátum tenens : * Et da sermónem rectum et bene sonántem in os meum.
V.  Dómine, Rex univérsæ potestátis, convérte consílium eórum super eos.
R.  Et da sermónem rectum et bene sonántem in os meum.

R.  Strengthen me, O King, who reignest over the holy ones ; * Put thou in my mouth clear and well-sounding words.
V.  O Lord, King of all forces, turn back their device upon themselves.
R.  Put thou in my mouth clear and well-sounding words.

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.

Bibébant autem, qui invitáti erant, áureis póculis et áliis atque áliis vasis cibi inferebántur.  Vinum quoque, ut magnificéntia régia dignum erat, abúndans et præcípuum ponebátur.  Nec erat qui noléntes cógeret ad bibéndum, sed, sicut rex statúerat præpónens mensis síngulos de princípibus suis, ut súmeret unusquísque quod vellet.  Vasthi quoque regína fecit convívium feminárum in palátio, ubi rex Assuérus manére consuéverat.

And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.  And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.  Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

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

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

R.  Spem in álium numquam hábui, prætérquam in te, Deus Israël : * Qui irásceris, et propítius eris, et ómnia peccáta hóminum in tribulatióne dimíttis.
V.  Dómine Deus, Creátor cæli et terræ, réspice ad humilitátem nostram.
R.  Qui irásceris, et propítius eris, et ómnia peccáta hóminum in tribulatióne dimíttis.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Qui irásceris, et propítius eris, et ómnia peccáta hóminum in tribulatióne dimíttis.

R.  I have had no hope in any other but in thee, O God of Israel : * Who art angry, and wilt again shew mercy, and forgivest all the sins of men when they are in affliction.
V.  O Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth! look upon our low estate!
R.  Who art angry, and wilt again shew mercy, and forgivest all the sins of men when they are in affliction.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  Who art angry, and wilt again shew mercy, and forgivest all the sins of men when they are in affliction.

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.

Quid Esther regína, nonne ut pópulum suum perículo erúeret (quod erat decórum atque honéstum) morti se óbtulit, nec immítis regis trepidávit  furórem?  Ipse quoque rex Persárum, ferox atque túmido corde, tamen decórum judicávit índici insidiárum, quæ sibi parátæ forent, grátiam repræsentáre, populúmque líberum a servitúte erípere, erúere neci, nec párcere neci ejus, qui tam indecóra suasísset.  Dénique quem secúndum a se, ac præcípuum inter omnes amícos habéret, cruci trádidit, quod dehonestátum se ejus frauduléntis consíliis animadvertísset.

What did Queen Esther?  Did she not, to save her people from danger (a beautiful and noble object) pur herself in jeopardy of death, and face the anger of the cruel King?  The King of the Persians, cruel and violent as he was, nevertheless, thought it seemly to shew grace unto him that told him of the plot that was made against him, to free the people from bondage, and to deliver them from death, but not to spare him that had persuaded such iniquity.  In the end he gave up to the gallows him, whom he had held second only to himself, and chiefest among all his friends, because he found himself dishonoured through his false counsels.

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

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

R.  Meménto mei, Dómine Deus, in bonum : * Et ne déleas miseratiónes meas, quas feci in domo Dei mei et in cæremóniis ejus.
V.  Recordáre mei, Dómine, Deus meus.
R.  Et ne déleas miseratiónes meas, quas feci in domo Dei mei et in cæremóniis ejus.

R.  Remember me for good, O Lord God, *  And put not away my works of mercy, which I have wrought in the house of my God, and in the times of his solemn rites.
V.  Remember me, O Lord my God.
R.  And put not away my works of mercy, which I have wrought in the house of my God, and in the times of his solemn rites.

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.

Et enim amicítia probábilis, quæ honestátem tuétur, præferénda sane ópibus, honóribus, potestátibus ; honestáti vero præférri non solet, sed honestátem sequi.  Qualis fuit Jónathæ, qui pro pietáte nec offénsam patris, nec salútis perículum refugiébat.  Qualis fuit Achímelech, qui pro hospitális grátiæ offíciis necem pótius sibi, quam proditiónem fugiéntis amíci, subeúndam arbitrabátur.  Nihil ígitur præferéndum honestáti ; quæ tamen ne amicítiæ stúdio prætereátur, étiam hoc Scriptúra ádmonet.

That true friendship, which careth for honour, careth less for riches, or dignities, or power than for itself, but for honour before itself.  Such was the friendship of Jonathan, which caused him to risk the anger of his father, and danger to himself.  Such was the friendship of Achimelech, who chose to earn death for himself by giving relief to David, rather to betray the outlaw.  But before honour nothing is to be put, and friendship must not be allowed to outrun it, even as we are warned by the Scriptures.

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

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

R.  Tribulatiónes civitátum audívimus, quas passæ sunt, et defécimus : timor et hebetúdo mentis cécidit super nos et super líberos nostros : ipsi montes nolunt recípere fugam nostram : * Dómine, miserére.
V.  Peccávimus cum pátribus nostris, injúste égimus, iniquitátem fécimus.
R.  Dómine, miserére.

R.  We have heard of the tribulation of those cities, which they have suffered, and we have fainted.  Fear and confusion of mind are fallen upon us.  Even the mountains will not give us a refuge. * Lord, have mercy.
V.  We have sinned like our forefathers, we have done unjustly, and wrought iniquity.
R.  Lord, have mercy.

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.

Sunt enim pleræque philosophórum quæstiónes : Utrum amíci causa quisquam contra pátriam sentíre necne débeat, ut amíco obédiat : utrum opórteat ut fidem déserat, dum indúlget atque inténdit amíci commoditátibus.  Et Scriptúra quidem ait : Clava, et gládius, et sagítta ferráta, sic homo est testimónium dans falsum advérsus amícum suum.  Sed consídera quid ástruat.  Non testimónium reprehéndit dictum in amícum, sed falsum testimónium.  Quid enim si Dei causa, quid si pátriæ, cogátur áliquis dícere testimónium?  Numquid præponderáre debet amicítia religióni, præponderáre caritáti vítium?

The Philosophers have started divers questions―whether friendship can, or cannot justify disloyalty to a man's own country―whether friendship can, or cannot justify serving a friend at the cost of breach of faith.  Scripture indeed saith : A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.  But mark that what is here condemned is not witness by itself, but false witness.  How if a man be compelled to give such witness, for the sake of God? or for the sake of his country?  Ought friendship to outweigh religion?  Is not to say this as much as to say that a sinful weakness is to outweigh a duty?

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

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

R.  Benedícat te Dóminus in virtúte sua, qui per te ad níhilum redégit inimícos nostros : * Ut non defíciat laus tua de ore hóminum.
V.  Benedíctus Dóminus qui creávit cælum et terram ; quia hódie nomen tuum ita magnificávit.
R.  Ut non defíciat laus tua de ore hóminum.
V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
R.  Ut non defíciat laus tua de ore hóminum.

R.  The Lord bless thee by his power, who hath brought our enemies to nought through thee : * And may the praise of thee never fail from the mouth of men.
V.  Blessed be the Lord, who hath created the heaven and the earth, because that he hath so glorified thy name this day.
R.  And may the praise of thee never fail from the mouth of men.
V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R.  And may the praise of thee never fail from the mouth of men.