PAX ☩ INTER ☩ SPINAS

The Epiphany of Our Lord

[Festival of the 1st Class]

AT FIRST VESPERS

Antiphons on the Psalms

Behold I will bring upon her as it were a river of peace, and as an overflowing torrent the glory of the Gentiles. (Isa. 66)
Arise, and behold thy children gathered together from the rising to the setting sun, by the word of the Holy One rejoicing in the remembrance of God. (Baruch 5)
Enlarge the place of thy tent; for thou shalt pass on to the right hand, and to the left: and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles. (Isa. 54)
Thou shalt see, and abound, and thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged, when the strength of the Gentiles shall come to thee. (Isa. 60)

Lesson. (Num. 24) The hearer of the words of God hath said, who knoweth the doctrine of the Highest, and seeth the visions of the Almighty, who falling hath his eyes opened: † I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not near. * A star shall rise out of Jacob and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel. R. Thanks be to God.

Short Responsory. (Ps. 71) There shall be blessed in him * All the tribes of the earth. There shall be blessed in him * All the tribes of the earth. V. All nations shall magnify him. * All the tribes of the earth. V. Glory be … There shall be blessed in him * All the tribes of the earth.

Hymn. Quæ stella sole pulchrior.

What star is this, with beams so bright,
A stranger midst the orbs of light?
It shines to herald forth the King,
Glad tidings of our God to bring.

See now fulfilled what God decreed:
“From Jacob shall a Star proceed”;
And lo! the eastern sages stand,
To read in heaven the Lord’s command.

While outward signs the star displays,
An inward light the Lord conveys,
And urges them with force benign,
To seek the Giver of the sign.

True love can brook no dull delay,
Through toils and dangers lies their way;
And yet their home, their friends, their all
They leave at once, at God’s high call.

Oh, while the Star of heavenly grace
Invites us, Lord, to seek Thy face,
May we no more that grace repel,
Or quench the light which shines so well.

To God the Father, God the Son,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One,
May every tongue and nation raise
An endless song of thankful praise. Amen.

[Hymn from the Parisian Breviary, by Charles Coffin (1676-1749); translation by John Chandler, Turle’s Psalms and Hymns (1863)]

V. Desire of me, and I shall give thee the nations for thine inheritance.
R. And the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. (Ps. 2)

Antiphon on Magnificat. (Tob. 13) O thou City of God, thou shalt shine with a glorious light: nations from afar shall come to thee; and shall bring gifts, and shall adore the Lord in thee.

¶ Collect as a Lauds below.

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AT MATINS

Ant. on Venite. The Word of life, which was with the Father, and hath appeared unto us: * O come, let us adore.

Hymn. Qua lapsu tacito stella loquacibus.

The beauteous star that beams on high
The wanderers watch with anxious eye,
And strive with careful step to tread
The path o’er which its light is shed.

At length arrived at Salem’s walls,
The Lord his messenger recalls;
And as a bark they seem to stray,
Which hath no star to guide her way.

But nothing can the heart affright
Which walks by faith and not by sight;
To Herod’s court they boldly bring
The tidings of a new-born King.

Hope ne’er deceives the faithful mind ;
Who meekly seeks is sure to find;
In him on whom his people trod,
The Gentiles see their king and God.

Then let us praise our heavenly king,
To Father, Son and Spirit sing;
That Spirit is the star divine
Which will in faithful bosoms shine. Amen.

[Hymn from the Parisian Breviary, by Charles Coffin (1676-1749); translation by Robert Campbell, of Sherrington (†1868)]

NOCTURN I

Antiphons on the Psalms.

Look about thee, O Jerusalem, towards the east, and behold the joy that cometh to thee from God. (Baruch 4)
Give praise, O thou barren, that bearest not: sing forth praise, and make a joyful noise, thou that didst not travail with child: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband. (Isa. 54)
Fear not, for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west. (Isa. 43)
Stretch out the skins of thy tabernacles, spare not: lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes. (Isa. 54)
I will say to the north: Give up: and to the south: Keep not back.(Isa. 43)
Every one that calleth upon my Name, I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, and made him. (Isa. 43)

V. The Kings of Tharsis and of the isles shall offer presents:
R. The Kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts. (Ps. 71)

Lesson I. (From Isaiah the Prophet, ch. 55). All you that thirst, come to the waters: and you that have no money make haste, buy, and eat: come ye, buy wine and milk without money, and without any price. Why do you spend money for that which is not breed, and your labour for that which doth not satisfy you? Hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and your soul shall be delighted in fatness. Incline your ear and come to me: hear and your soul shall lire, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the faithful mercies of David. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, for a leader and a master to the Gentiles. Behold thou shalt call a nation, which thou knewest not: and the nations that knew not thee shall run to thee, because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for he hath glorified thee.

Responsory I. It is written: As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, * And every tongue shall confess to God. V. Many peoples, and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the face of the Lord. * And every tongue shall confess to God. (Rom. 14; Zach. 8)

Lesson II. (ibid, ch. 60) Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and a mist the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thy eyes round about, and see: all these are gathered together, they are come to thee: thy sons shall come from afar, and thy daughters shall rise up at thy side. Then shalt thou see, and abound, and thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged, when the multitude of the sea shall be converted to thee, the. strength of the Gentiles shall come to thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Madian and Epha: all they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense: and shewing forth praise to the Lord.

Responsory II. Nations from afar shall come to thee; * And they shall bring gifts, and shall adore the Lord in thee. V. God hath visited the Gentiles to take of them a people to his Name. * And they shall bring gifts, and shall adore the Lord in thee. (Tob. 13; Acts 15)

Lesson III (ibid. ch. 61). I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation: and with the robe of justice he hath covered me, as a bridegroom decked with a crown, and as a bride adorned with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth her seed to shoot forth: so shall the Lord God make justice to spring forth, and praise before all the nations.

Responsory III. It is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: * For many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband. V. Thou shalt say in thy heart: Who hath begotten these? I was barren and brought not forth. * For many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband. (Gal. 4; Isa. 49)

Lesson IV (ibid. ch. 62). For Sion’s sake I will not hold my peace, and for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not rest till her just one come forth as brightness, and her saviour be lighted as a lamp. And the Gentiles shall see thy just one, and all kings thy glorious one: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. And thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be called Forsaken: and thy land shall no more be called Desolate: but thou shalt be called My pleasure in her, and thy land inhabited. Because the Lord hath been well pleased with thee: and thy land shall be inhabited.

Responsory IV. Kings shall shut their mouth at him: * For they to whom it was not told of him, have seen: and they that heard not, have beheld. V. Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. * For they to whom it was not told of him, have seen: and they that heard not, have beheld. V. Glory be … * For they to whom it was not told of him, have seen: and they that heard not, have beheld. (Isa. 52; Rom. 3)

NOCTURN II

Antiphons on the Psalms

Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of thee. (Zach. 2)
Men of stature shall come over to thee, and shall be thine: and they shall worship thee, and shall make supplication to thee. (Isa. 45)
All the nations shall be gathered together in the name of the Lord to Jerusalem, and they shall not walk after the perversity of their most wicked heart. (Jer. 3)
It shall be in the place where it shall be said to them: You are not my people: it shall be said to them: Ye are the sons of the living God. (Osee 1)
I will say to that which was not my people: Thou art my people: and they shall say: Thou art my God. (Osee 2)
The earth shall be filled, that men may know the glory of the Lord, as waters covering the sea. (Hab. 2)

V. All the nations thou hast made shall come:
R. And adore before thee, O Lord. (Ps. 85)

Lesson V. (From the 2nd Sermon of Saint Leo the Pope, on the Epiphany of the Lord) Dearly beloved brethren, rejoice in the Lord; again I say, rejoice. But a few days are past since the solemnity of Christ’s Birth, and now the glorious light of His Manifestation is breaking upon us. On that day the Virgin brought Him forth, and on this the world knew Him. The Word made Flesh was pleased to reveal Himself by degrees to those for whom He had come. When Jesus was born He was manifested indeed to the believing, but hidden from His enemies. Already indeed the heavens declared the glory of God, and their sound went out into all lands, when the Herald Angels appeared to tell to the shepherds the glad tidings of a Saviour’s Birth; and now the guiding star leadeth the wise men to worship Him, that from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof, the Birth of the true King may be known abroad; that through those wise men the kingdoms of the east might learn the great truth, and the Roman empire remain no more in darkness.

Responsory V. The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: * To them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. V. The darkness is passed, and the true light now shineth. * To them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. (Isa. 9; I John 2)

Lesson VI. The very cruelty of Herod, when he strove to crush at His birth this King Whom he alone feared, was made a blind means to carry out this dispensation of mercy. While the tyrant with horrid guilt sought to slay the little Child he did not know, amid an indiscriminate slaughter of innocents, his infamous act served to spread wider abroad the heaven-told news of the Birth of the Lord. Thus were these glad tidings loudly proclaimed, both by the novelty of their story, and the iniquity of their enemies. Then was the Saviour borne into Egypt, that nation, of a long time hardened in idolatry, might by the mysterious virtue which went out of Him, even when His presence was unknown, be prepared for the saving light so soon to dawn on them, and might receive the Truth as a wanderer even before they had banished falsehood.

Responsory VI. To thee the Gentiles shall come from the ends of the earth, and shall say: * Surely our fathers have possessed lies, a vanity which hath not profited them. V. Shall a man make gods unto himself, and there are no gods? * Surely our fathers have possessed lies, a vanity which hath not profited them. (Jer. 16)

Lesson VII. Blindness on the part of the Jews demonstrates what great thanks we owe to the Lord for his enlightenment of the Gentiles. What could be so blind, what so unacquainted with light, as those priests and scribes of the Israelites? When Herod asked the wise men where, according to the testimony of Scripture, the Christ was born, they made an investigation and gave reply from the prophet’s words that it was where the star from heaven indicated. Now, the words of the Prophet were moving on to instruct the nations, and the hearts of foreigners were learning about the Christ who had been foretold by ancient prophecies. Meanwhile, the infidelity of Jews uttered truth with the lips but kept falsehood in their hearts. They were unwilling to recognize with their eyes the One whom they did not worship when humbled in the weakness of infancy, they would go on to crucify when resplendent at the height of his powers.

Responsory VII. Blindness in part has happened in Israel, * Until the fulness of the Gentiles should come in, and so all Israel should be saved. V. They have forsaken the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel. Until the fulness of the Gentiles should come in, and so all Israel should be saved. (Rom. 11; Isa. 1)

Lesson VIII. Dearly beloved brethren, we recognise in the wise men who came to worship Christ, the first-fruits of that dispensation to the Gentiles wherein we also are called and enlightened. Let us then keep this Feast with grateful hearts, in thanksgiving for our blessed hope, whereof it doth commemorate the dawn. From that worship paid to the new-born Christ is to be dated the entry of us Gentiles upon our heirship of God and co-heirship with Christ. Since that joyful day the Scriptures which testify of Christ have lain open for us as well as for the Jews. Yea, their blindness rejected that Truth, Which, since that day, hath shed Its bright beams upon all nations. Let all observance, then, be paid to this most sacred day, whereon the Author of our salvation was made manifest, and as the wise men fell down and worshipped Him in the manger, so let us fall down and worship Him enthroned Almighty in heaven. As they also opened their treasures and presented unto Him mystic and symbolic gifts, so let us strive to open our hearts to Him, and offer Him from thence some worthy offering.

Responsory VIII. Bring ye to the Lord, O ye families of the nations: bring ye to the Lord glory and empire. Give to the Lord glory to his Name; and * Come ye in his sight: and † Adore the Lord in holy reverence.V. Hear these things, all ye nations: give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell. * Come ye in his sight: and adore the Lord in holy reverence.V. Glory be … † Adore the Lord in holy reverence.

NOCTURN III

Antiphon. I will sing unto the Lord a new song: his praise from the ends of the earth. (Isa. 42)

Canticle I. Laudate, cæli, et exsulta, terra. (Isa. 49)

Give praise, O ye heavens, and rejoice, O earth, * ye mountains, give praise with jubilation:
Because the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy on his poor ones.
And Sion said: The Lord hath forsaken me, * and the Lord hath forgotten me.
Can a woman forget her infant, * so as not to have pity on the son of her womb?
And if she should forget, * yet will not I forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee in my hands: * thy walls are always before my eyes.
Thy builders are come: * they that destroy thee and make thee waste shall go out of thee.

Canticle II. Leva in circuitu. (ibid)

Lift up thy eyes round about, and see all these are gathered together, they are come to thee:
As I live, saith the Lord, † thou shalt be clothed with all these as with an ornament, * and as a bride thou shalt put them about thee.
For thy deserts, and thy desolate places, † and the land of thy destruction shall now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, * and they that swallowed thee up shall be chased far away.
The children of thy barrenness shall still say in thy ears: * The place is too strait for me, make me room to dwell in.
And thou shalt say in thy heart: Who hath begotten these? * I was barren and brought not forth, led away, and captive:
And who hath brought up these? * I was destitute and alone: and these, where were they?

Canticle III. Hæc dicit Dominus. (ibid)

Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, * and will set up my standard to the people.
And they shall bring thy sons in their arms, * and carry thy daughters upon their shoulders.
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, * and queens thy nurses:
They shall worship thee with their face toward the earth, * and they shall lick up the dust of thy feet.
And thou shalt know that I am the Lord, * for they shall not be confounded that wait for him.

Antiphon. I will sing unto the Lord a new song: his praise from the ends of the earth. (Isa. 42)

V. Rejoice in God, all the earth:
R. Sing, exult and chant psalms. (Ps. 97)

Lesson IX. (From the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians, ch. 2). And you, when you were dead in your offences, and sins, wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of this air, of the spirit that now worketh on the children of unbelief: in which also we all conversed in time past, in the desires of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, (who is rich in mercy,) for his exceeding charity wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by whose grace you are saved,) and hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus. That he might shew in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus.

Responsory IX. Now without the law the justice of God is made manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets: even the justice of God, by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe in him: * For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and do need the glory of God. V. The promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call. * For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and do need the glory of God. (Rom. 3; Acts 2)

Lesson X. For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man may glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them. For which cause be mindful that you, being heretofore Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands; that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the conversation of Israel, and strangers to the testament, having no hope of the promise, and without God in this world.

Responsory X. We ourselves were some time unwise, incredulous, erring. * But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared: not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us. V. We were slaves to divers desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. * But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior appeared: not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us. (Titus 3)

Lesson XI. But now in Christ Jesus, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the Blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in his flesh: making void the law of commandments contained in decrees; that he might make the two in himself into one new man, making peace; and might reconcile both to God in one body by the Cross, killing the enmities in himself.

Responsory XI. Whereas you were some time alienated and enemies in mind in evil works: * And now he hath reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unspotted, and blameless before him. V. It hath well pleased the Father, that all in him fullness should dwell; and through him to reconcile all things unto himself. * And now he hath reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unspotted, and blameless before him. (Col. 1)

Lesson XII. And coming, he preached peace to you that were afar off, and peace to them that were nigh. For by him we have access both in one Spirit to the Father. Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners; but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and the domestics of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone: in whom all the building, being framed together, groweth up into an holy temple in the Lord.

Responsory. You are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: * That you may declare his virtues, † Who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. V. O bless our God, ye Gentiles: and make the voice of his praise to be heard. * That you may declare his virtues, † Who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. V. Glory be … † Who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (I Pet. 2; Ps. 65)

The Holy Gospel. (Matt. 2). When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; and sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the Child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him. Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And entering into the house, they found the Child with Mary his Mother, and falling down they adored him [here all shall fall down]; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.

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AT LAUDS

Antiphons on the Psalms

The goodness and kindness of God our Saviour hath appeared. (Titus 3)
The life was manifested; and we have seen the life eternal, which was with the Father, and hath appeared to us. (I John 1)
He who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus. (II Cor. 4)
God desired make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ. (Col. 1)
Grace has been given by God, that the oblation of the Gentiles may be made acceptable and sanctified in the Holy Ghost. (Rom. 15)

Lesson. (II Tim. 1) God hath delivered us and called us by his holy calling, † not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world: * but is now made manifest by the illumination of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Brief Respond. Blessed is he that cometh * In the Name of the Lord. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord. God is the Lord, and hath shined upon us. * In the Name of the Lord. V. Glory be … Blessed is he … (Ps. 117)

Hymn. Linquunt tecta Magi Magi principis urbis.

Lo! the pilgrim Magi leave their Royal Halls,
And, with love devoutest, Bethlehem’s lowly walls
Seek with eager footsteps; while firm Faith, which rests
Built on Hope unswerving, triumphs in their breasts!

O what joys extactic thrilled each heart, from far
When, to guide their footsteps, gleamed that Beacon Star,
O’er that home so holy pouring down its ray,
In His Mother’s bosom where the Infant lay!

There no ivory glistens, glows no regal gold,
Nor doth gorgeous purple those fair limbs enfold;
But His Court He keepeth in a stable bare,
His Throne is a manger, rags His purple are.

Costly pomps and pageants earthly kings array;
He, a mightier Monarch, hath a nobler sway;
Straw though be His pallet, mean His garm may be,
Yet with power transcendent He all hearts can three!

At His crib they worship prostrate on the floor;
And a God, there present, in that Babe adore;
Let us to that Infant we, their offspring true,
Hearts with faith o’erflowing give, our tribute due.

Holiest Love presenting as Gold, to our King;
To the Man pure bodies, Myrrh-like, chastely bring;
Unto Him, as Incense, vow and prayer address;
Go with offerings meetest, this our God confess!

Glory to the Father, Fount of Light alone;
Who unto the Gentiles made His Glory known;
Equal Praise and Merit, blessed Son, to Thee;
And to Thee, sweet Spirit, evermore shall be. Amen.

[Hymn from the Parisian Breviary, by Charles Coffin (1676-1749); translation by John David Chambers (1806-1876)]

V. The people that shall be created shall praise the Lord;
R. Who hath looked down from his high sanctuary. (Ps. 101)

Antiphon on Benedictus. Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us: to enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death. (Luke 1)

Collect. O God, who on this day by the leading of a star didst manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; mercifully grant that we who know thee now by faith, may be brought to the contemplation of the beauty of thy majesty. Through the same … (From the Gregorian Sacramentary)

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AT PRIME

Canon. (from the Council of Ephesus, a.d. 431, part 2, act 1) The mysterious gifts are signs that Christ is King and God, and that death has been swallowed up by the dispensation of his passion. The Magi offered gold, recognizing that he is King. They offered incense, for they knew that they were offering to God. They offered myrrh to show forth death in the mystery of his passion.

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AT TERCE

Lesson. (Ephes. 3) The mystery of Christ in other generations was not known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit: † that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, * and co-partners of his promise in Christ Jesus, by the gospel.

V. He hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.
R. He hath remembered his mercy. (Ps. 97)

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AT SEXT

Lesson. (Isa. 49) I have given thee to be a covenant of the people, that thou mightest raise up the earth, and possess the inheritances that were destroyed: † that thou mightest say to them that are bound: Come forth: * and to them that are in darkness: Shew yourselves.

V. All the ends of the earth have seen:
R. The salvation of our God. (Ps. 97)

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AT NONE

Lesson. (Rom. 15) I say that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, † as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy Name. * And again he saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

V. I will give praise to thee, O Lord, among the people:
R. I will sing a psalm to thee among the nations. (Ps. 56)

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AT II VESPERS

Antiphons on the Psalms

The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations is now made manifest. (Col. 1) ― Ps. 109, Dixit Dominus
The Gentiles, who followed not after justice, have attained to justice, even the justice that is of faith. (Rom. 9) ― Ps. 112, Laudate pueri Dominum
Christ preached peace to you that were afar off, and peace to them that were nigh. (Ephes. 2) ― Ps. 121, Laetatus sum
God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh justice, is acceptable to him. (Acts 10) ― Ps. 137, Confitebor … quoniam

Lesson. (Rom. 9) God hath called us, not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles: as in Osee he saith: † I will call that which was not my people, my people; * and her that was not beloved, beloved; and her that had not obtained mercy, one that hath obtained mercy.

Brief Responsory. (Ps. 95) Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour. V. Bring to the Lord glory unto his Name. V. Glory be … Bring ye to the Lord …

Hymn. Huc vos O miseri.

To Bethlehem, sinners! haste
Your senseless idols leave,
Which deaf and dumb, debased
And blinded vows deceive;
For see! before your eyes
The shining towers arise,
Where Very God an inmate lies!

Lo! Eastern Kings are fain
To travel first the road;
The prophets are made plain;
And e’en the dark abode,
Where wrapt in error’s gloom,
The Gentiles wait their doom,
His wondrous beams of light illume.

New Jews and Gentiles all,
Once separated quite
By that partition wall,
In amity unite,
With Him One Body made;
And thus to all conveyed,
God’s favour is to each displayed.

How deep Thy counsels are!
O God, Thy plans how vast!
O wondrous love which far
Its first degree surpassed!
Judæa, through thy disgrace,
The outcast Gentile race
Win Life and Glory in thy place!

Now from the olive root
Its native boughs decay;
Degenerate, void of fruit,
Adulterous offspring, they;
With wonder we behold
New shoots supplant the old,
Strange flowers and foliage unfold!

The noble olive Stem
Bears us its branches fair;
Ne’er, barren like to them
May we their ruin share;
O God, Whom we adore,
Thine ancient Branch restore,
Keep Thou the engrafted evermore!

To Him, Who us doth raise,
His members so to be,
We give, O Father, praise,
Like praise, O Son, to Thee
Our living Head! and laud
To Holy Ghost accord
Who in those members life restored. Amen.

[Hymn from the Parisian Breviary, by Charles Coffin (1676-1749); translation by John David Chambers (1806-1876)]

V. The people shall praise thee for ever;
R. Yea, for ever and ever. (Ps. 44)

Antiphon on Magnificat. Great is the mystery of godliness, which was manifested in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, appeared unto angels, hath been preached unto the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory. (I Tim. 3)

¶ Collect as a Lauds above.

4 months ago

Mass of St Luke, Evangelist

[From the Missale Romano-Monasticum, Ad Usum Congregationis Ss. Vitoni et Hydulphi, Ordinis Sancti Benedicti (1781)]*

* The Congregation of Saints Vanne and Hydulph was founded in 1600 by Abbot Didier de la Cour in the duchy of Lorraine. The Maurists were an offshoot of this congregation (founded by the same Abbot in 1618), and in some way were their counterpart in the kingdom of France. Maurist liturgical texts draw heavily on those of Ss. Vanne and Hydulph.

Introit (Isai. 52). Quam pulchri super montes. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, and that preacheth peace: of him that sheweth forth good, that preacheth salvation, that saith to Sion: Thy God shall reign! Ps. 96. The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice: * let the multitude of the islands be glad. Glory be … How beautiful …

Collect. O God, who didst make blessed Luke to be not only the physician of bodies, but also the physician of souls through the handing on of the Gospel of thy Son for our believing: grant that we, ever intent on the medicine of thy heavenly word, may flee all hurtful things, and may faithfully lay hold of those things that be healthful. Through the same … (From the Cluniac Breviary)

The Epistle (II Tim. 4). Dearly beloved: Be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober. For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly. For Demas hath left me, loving this world, and is gone to Thessalonica: Crescens into Galatia, Titus into Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith hath done me much evil: the Lord will reward him according to his works: whom do thou also avoid, for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all forsook me: may it not be laid to their charge. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished, and that all the Gentiles may hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work: and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Gradual (Eph. 3). I was made a minister of the Gospel according to the operation of the power of God. V. To me is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Alleluia, alleluia. V. (I Thess. 2) We would gladly impart unto you not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls. Alleluia.

The Holy Gospel (Luke 1). Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things that have been accomplished among us; according as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word: it seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mayest know the verity of those words in which thou hast been instructed.

¶ The Creed is said.

Offertory (I Thess. 2). As we were approved by God that the Gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who proveth our hearts.

Secret. Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord, through these heavenly gifts to serve thee in freedom of spirit: that the gifts which we offer may, through the mediation of blessed Luke, thy Evangelist, work in us both healing and glory. Through … (From the Paris Missal)

¶ Preface of the Apostles.

Communion (I Pet. 1). The word of the Lord endureth for ever; and this is the word which by the Gospel hath been preached unto you.

Postcommunion. Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God: that those things which we have received from thy holy altar may, through the prayers of thy blessed Evangelist Luke, sanctify our souls, and avail for our protection. Through … (From the Roman & Paris Missals)

7 months ago

St Luke, Evangelist

October 18

[Feast of the III Class]

AT I VESPERS

Antiphons on the Psalms:

The voice of the watchmen: they have lifted up their voice, they shall praise together; for the Lord shall comfort his people. (Isai. 52)
The first shall say to Sion: Behold they are here, and to Jerusalem I will give an Evangelist. (Isai. 41)
He showed you his covenant, which he commanded you to do, and words that he wrote. (Deut. 4)
The mystery of God shall be finished, as he has declared [evangelizavit] by his servants. (Apoc. 10)

Lesson. Christ gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and other some Evangelists, and other some Pastors and Doctors: for the perfecting of the Saints, for the word of the ministry, for the building up of the Body of Christ. (Ephes. 4)

Brief Respond. Who shall declare * The powers of the Lord? Who shall declare * The powers of the Lord? V. Who shall set forth all his praises? * The powers of the Lord. V. Glory be … Who shall declare * The powers of the Lord? (Ps. 105)

Hymn. Christi perennes Nuntii.*

Behold the messengers of Christ,
Who bear to every place,
The unveiled mysteries of God,
The Gospel of His grace.

The things through mists and shadows dim
By holy prophets seen,
In the full light of day they saw
With not a cloud between.

What Christ, true Man, divinely wrought,
What God in manhood bore,
They wrote, as God inspired, in words
That live forevermore.

Although in space and time apart,
One Spirit ruled them all;
And in their sacred pages still
We hear that Spirit’s call.

To God, the blessèd Three in One,
Be glory, praise, and might,
Who called us from the shades of death
To His own glorious light. Amen.

* [Jean-Baptiste de Santeüil (†1697); included in the Breviaries of Cluny and St Vanne. Translation by Isaac Williams (†1865)]

V. The Lord shall give the word to them that preach good tidings:
R. With great power. (Ps. 67)

Antiphon on Magnificat. Lift up your voice with strength, ye that bring good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Judah: Behold your God. (Isai. 40)

AT NOCTURNS

Invitatory. Christ, who giveth Evangelists for the perfecting of the Saints: * O come, let us adore. (Ephes. 4)

[Hymn as at I Vespers]

Antiphons of the 1st Nocturn

I saw; and behold, the likeness of the four living creatures: and this was their appearance: there was the likeness of a man in them. (Ezech. 1)
Their feet were straight feet, and they sparkled like the appearance of glowing brass. (Ezech. 1)
They had the hands of a man under their wings; the wings of one were joined to the wings of another. (Ezech. 1)
As for the likeness of their faces: there was the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side of all the four: and the face of an ox, on the left side: and the face of an eagle above. (Ezech. 1)
Every one of them went straight forward: whither the impulse of the Spirit was to go, thither they went. (Ezech. 1)
Their appearance was like that of burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps. (Ezech. 1)

V. Let these things be written unto another generation:
R. And the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord. (Ps. 101)

[Lessons with their responsories from the occurrent feria]

Antiphons of the 2nd Nocturn

I saw, and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and upon the throne One sitting. (Apoc. 4)
Round about the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind. (Apoc. 4)
The first living creature was like a lion: and the second living creature like a calf: and the third living creature, having the face, as it were, of a man: and the fourth living creature was like an eagle flying. (Apoc. 4)
Each one of them had six wings: and round about and within they are full of eyes. (Apoc. 4)
They rested not day and night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty. (Apoc. 4)
When those living creatures gave glory and honour and benediction to him that sits on the throne, who lives for ever and ever: the four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sits on the throne and adored him that lives for ever and ever. (Apoc. 4)

[2nd Nocturn Lessons: 1. From the Book of Jerome the Presbyter on Ecclesiastical Writers, ch. 7; 2. & 3. From the first Book of Augustine the Bishop on the consensus of the Evangelists, ch. 1]

Responsory 5. It seemed good to me, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus, * That you may know the verity of those words in which you have been instructed. V. The former treatise I made of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach. (Luke 1; Acts 1)

Responsory 6. God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day: who was seen for many days by them who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, * Who to this present are his witnesses to the people. V. He was seen by Cephas, and after that by the eleven; then was he seen by more than five hundred brethren at once: of whom many remain until this present. (Acts 13; I Cor. 15)

Responsory 7. As we were approved by God that the Gospel should be committed to us: * Even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proves our hearts. V. We testified to every one of you that you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and glory. (I Thess. 2)

Responsory 8. That which was from the beginning, that which we have seen and have heard of the word of life, we declare unto you: * That you also may have fellowship with us † And our fellowship may be with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. V. According as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word. (I John 1; Luke 1)

Antiphon on the Canticles of the III Nocturn. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings! (Isai. 52)

Canticle 1. Quam pulchri super montes. (Isai. 52)

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, and that preaches peace: * of him that shows forth good,
That preaches salvation, * that says to Sion: Thy God shall reign!
The voice of thy watchmen: they have lifted up their voice, they shall praise together:
For they shall see eye to eye * when the Lord shall convert Sion.
Rejoice, and give praise together, O ye deserts of Jerusalem: * for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has prepared his holy arm in the sight of all the Gentiles: * and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Canticle 2. Spiritus Domini super me. (Isai. 61)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, * because the Lord has anointed me:
He has sent me to preach to the meek, to heal the contrite of heart, * and to preach a release to the captives, and deliverance to them that are shut up.
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God: * to comfort all that mourn:
To appoint to the mourners of Sion, † and to give them a crown for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, * a garment of praise for the spirit of grief:
And they shall be called in it the mighty ones of justice, * the planting of the Lord to glorify him.
And they shall build the places that have been waste from of old, † and shall raise up ancient ruins, and shall repair the desolate cities, * that were destroyed for generation and generation.
And strangers shall stand and shall feed your flocks: * and the sons of strangers shall be your husbandman, and the dressers of your vines.
But you shall be called the Priests of the Lord: * to you it shall be said: Ye ministers of our God:
Ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, * and you shall pride yourselves in their glory.

Canticle 3. Ponam in eis signum. (Isai. 66)

I will set a sign among them, * and I will send of them that shall be saved, to the Gentiles into the sea,
Into Africa, and Lydia them that draw the bow: * into Italy, and Greece, to the islands afar off,
To them that have not heard of me, * and have not seen my glory.
And they shall declare my glory to the Gentiles: † and they shall bring all your brethren out of all nations for a gift to the Lord, * to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord,
As if the children of Israel should bring an offering in a clean vessel * into the house of the Lord.
And I will take of them to be Priests, and Levites, * saith the Lord.
For as the new heavens, and the new earth, which I will make to stand before me, saith the Lord: * so shall your seed stand, and your name.

[Lessons of the 3rd Nocturn, from the 2nd Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (ch. 4)]

Lesson 9. Seeing we have this ministration, according as we have obtained mercy, we faint not. But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor adulterating the word of God: but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience, in the sight of God. And if our Gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.

Responsory 9. Christ sent me to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of speech, lest the Cross of Christ should be made void: * For the word of the Cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God. V. For since the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. (I Cor. 1)

Lesson 10. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord: and ourselves your servants through Jesus. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us.

Responsory 10. We declare unto you the life eternal, which was with the Father and has appeared to us; and these things we write to you, that you may rejoice, * And that your joy may be full. V. These things are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing, you may have life in his Name. (I John 1; John 20)

Lesson 11. In all things we suffer tribulation: but are not distressed. We are straitened: but are not destitute. We suffer persecution: but are not forsaken. We are cast down: but we perish not. Always bearing about in our body the mortification of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our bodies. For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake: that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us: but life in you.

Responsory 11. Testifying to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, I fear nothing; * Neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received, to testify the gospel of the Grace of God. V. I am not ashamed of the Gospel.

Lesson 12. But having the same spirit of faith, as it is written: I believed, for which cause I have spoken; we also believe. For which cause we speak also: knowing that he who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and place us with you. For all things are for your sakes: that the grace, abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God. For which cause we faint not: but though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Responsory 12. Such confidence we have, through Christ, towards God, * Who also has made us fit ministers of the New Testament, not in the letter but in the spirit. V. Not that we are sufficient to think anything of ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from God. (II Cor. 3)

AT LAUDS

Antiphons on the Psalms

Of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day on which he was taken up. (Acts 1)
It seemed good to me, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to thee in order. (Luke 1)
The mystery has been made known to me, as I have written; which reading thou mayest understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. (Ephes. 3)
In the faith of the truth, he has called you by our Gospel, unto the acquisition of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (II Thess. 2)
Of the Gospel was I made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God. (Ephes. 3)

Lesson. The grace of God is now made manifest by the illumination of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought to light life and incorruption by the Gospel. (II Tim. 1)

Short Respond. What great things have we heard * And we have known! What great things have we heard * And we have known! V. Our fathers have told us. * And we have known! V. Glory be … What great things have we heard * And we have known! (Ps. 77)

Hymn. Sinae sub alto vertice.*

From thundering skies at Sinai’s rock
Of old the Law was given:
And trumpet loud and lightnings spoke
The present God of heaven.

But now He loves with temper’d might
A veil of flesh to wear,
And, suited to our feeble sight,
In milder form appear.

Ingraved on stone, the Law defined
Rule, but no strength convey’d;
Writ on the heart, the Gospel join’d
Its rules with power to aid.

This was by voice and faithful pen,
This by the lives reveal’d,
Answering the voice of sainted men,
And by their life-blood seal’d.

O Thou, by whose good Spirit taught,
The words of life they bear,
Plant thou their records in our thought,
And ever root them there.

So be, Thrice Holy God, to Thee,
Whose voice from shades of night
Call’d us Thy glory’s beams to see,
High praise and sovereign might. Amen.

[* Jean-Baptiste de Santeüil (†1697); Translation by Richard Mant (†1848)]

V. The declaration of thy words giveth light:
R. And giveth understanding to little ones. (Ps. 118)

Antiphon on Benedictus. His praise is in the Gospel through all the churches; and not that only: but he was also ordained by the Churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord. (II Cor. 8)

AT TERCE

Lesson. Now Christ has reconciled us in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unspotted and blameless before him: if so you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and immoveable from the hope of the Gospel which you have heard, which is preached in all the creation that is under heaven: whereof I am made a minister. (Coloss. 1)

V. The law of thy mouth is good to me:
R. Above thousands of gold and silver. (Ps. 118)

AT SEXT

Lesson. The things also that are of God, no man knows, but the Spirit of God. Now, we have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God: that we may know the things that are given us from God: which things also we speak: not in the learned words of human wisdom, but in the doctrine of the Spirit. (I Cor. 2)

V. The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls:
R. The testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones. (Ps. 18)

AT NONE

Lesson. Casting away all uncleanness and abundance of naughtiness, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1)

V. Thy word is exceedingly refined with fire:
R. And thy servant has loved it. (Ps. 118)

AT II VESPERS

Antiphons on the Psalms

We have come to you in the Gospel of Christ; having hope of your increasing faith. (II Cor. 10)
We would gladly impart unto you not only the Gospel of God but our own souls also. (I Thess. 2)
The hope that is laid up for you in heaven, you have heard in the word of the truth of the Gospel which has come unto you. (Coloss. 1)
Let your conversation be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, with one mind labouring together for the faith of the Gospel; for unto you it is given, that you may believe in Christ. (Philip. 1)

Lesson. We announce to you the mystery which has been hidden from ages and generations, but now is manifested to his Saints, to whom God would make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ, in you the hope of glory. (Coloss. 1)

Brief Respond. The words of the Lord * They are pure words. The words of the Lord * They are pure words. V. As silver is tried in the fire. * They are pure words. V. Glory be … The words of the Lord * They are pure words. (Ps. 11)

[Hymn as at I Vespers]

V. The Lord hath raised up a testimony in Jacob:
R. And hath placed a law in Israel. (Ps. 77)

Antiphon on Magnificat. Only Luke is with me; but the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that by me the preaching may be accomplished and that all the Gentiles may hear. (II Tim. 4)

7 months ago