S. IOANNIS, APOSTOLI ET EVANGELISTÆ

quem Christus arcte díligit

'Him whom Christ loved so strongly'

St John the Evangelist: Lauds: Carolus Rosa: 18th Century

We know he is celebrated for his declarations about Christian love. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [1 Jn. 4, 7, 12, 161 Now did he begin with some vast effort at loving on a large scale? Nay, he had the unspeakable privilege of being the friend of Christ. Thus he was taught to love others; first his affection was concentrated, then it was expanded. Next he had the solemn and comfortable charge of tending our Lord's Mother, the Blessed Virgin, after his departure. Do we not here discern the secret sources of his especial love of the brethren? Could he, who first was favored with his Savior's affection, then trusted with a son's office towards His Mother, could he be other than a memorial and pattern (as far as man can be), of love, deep, contemplative, fervent, unruffled, unbounded?

BLESSED JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

Office of Readings:  St. Peter Damian

Vírginis virgo veneránde custos,

præco qui Verbi cóleris fidélis,

terge servórum fácinus tuórum,

  sancte Ioánnes.

Fonte prorúmpens flúvius perénni

curris, aréntis satiátor orbis;

hausit ex pleno, modo quod propínat,

  péctore pectus.

Tu, decus mundi iubar atque cæli,

ímpetra nostris véniam ruínis;

da sacraméntum penetráre summum,

  quod docuísti.

Patris arcánum speculándo Verbum

grátiam fundis fídei per orbem;

nos ad ætérnam spéciem fruéndam,

  dux bone, transfer.

Sit decus summo sine fine Christo,

sancta quem virgo génuit María,

qui Patri compar Flaminíque Sancto

  regnat in ævum. Amen.

Venerable Virgin, Guardian of the Virgin, you are honored as the faithful   herald of the Word, purge the wickedness of your servants, holy John. As a river breaking forth from a perennial spring you run to satisfy a thirsty world; Your heart  draws from the heart of Christ the waters , which you now pour out. You, the ray of light shining upon earth and heaven, pray pardon for our ruined souls; grant that we pay penetrate the highest mystery which you taught. In meditating on the hidden Word of the Father you pour out upon the world the grace of faith: O good leader, grant we may enjoy everlasting beauty. Honor unending be to the most high Christ, born of the holy Virgin Mary, who equal to the Father and Holy Spirit, reigns for ever. Amen.

Lauds: Carolus Rosa: 18^th Century

Cohors beáta Séraphim

quem Christus arcte díligit

laudet, chorúsque cánticis

noster resúltet æmulis.

Hic discit, almus édocet

hic unde Verbum pródeat,

sinúmque matris ímpleat,

sinum Patris non déserens.

Felix Ioánnes, déligit

et te Magíster próvidus,

ut clara Thabor lúmina

hortíque cernas tædia.

Tu, raptus in sublímia,

arcána cæli cónspicis,

Agni sed et mystéria

Ecclesiæque pércipis.

O digne fili Vírgine,

succéssor alti nóminis,

nos adde Matri fílios,

nos conde Christi in péctore.

Verbo sit ingens glória,

caro quod est et créditur,

cum Patre et almo Spíritu

in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

May the blessed company of Seraphim praise him whom Christ loved so strongly, and our choir too resound with the same songs. This man learned and lovingly taught the Word going forth, filling his mother’s breast without abandoning the Father’s bosom. O Blessed John, the providential Master chose you to see both the bright light of Mt. Tabor and in the suffering of garden.  Caught up into the heights you revealed the secrets of heaven, but also you grasped the mysteries of the Lamb and the Church. O worthy Son of the Virgin, inheriting the most sublime name, add us as sons of your Mother, treasured in the heart of Christ. To the mighty Word be glory, confessed to have been made flesh, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, through endless ages. Amen.