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?

ST. 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: 18th 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.

 

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.

Holy Family

 

 

Vespers I & II: Pope Leo XIII

 

The first three verses are addressed to Jesus, Mary and Joseph in turn.

 

O lux beáta cælitum

et summa spes mortálium,

Iesu, cui doméstica

arrísit orto cáritas;

 

María, dives grátia,

o sola quæ casto potes

fovére Iesum péctore,

cum lacte donans óscula;

 

Tuque ex vetústis pátribus

delécte custos Vírginis,

dulci patris quem nómine

divína Proles ínvocat:

 

De stirpe Iesse nóbili

nati in salútem géntium,

audíte nos, qui súpplices

ex corde vota fúndimus.

 

Qua vestra sedes flóruit

virtútis omnis grátia,

hanc detur in domésticis

reférre posse móribus.

 

Iesu, tuis obœdiens

qui factus es paréntibus,

cum Patre summo ac Spíritu

semper tibi sit glória. Amen.

 

O blessed Light of heaven’s saints and highest hope of mortal men, Jesus, upon whose birth domestic love smiled.  Mary, rich in grace, who alone feed Jesus from a pure heart, giving him kisses with the milk. And you, O Joseph, one of the old patriarchs, chosen Guardian of the Virgin, whom your Offspring addressed with the divine and sweet name of ‘father’. From the noble line of Jesse, born to save the nations, hear us humbly pouring out our prayers to you.  Your home flourished with the grace of every virtue; may this be given to our domestic life. To Jesus, made obedient to your parents, with the most high Father and the Spirit, to you be glory for evermore. Amen.

 

 

 

Office of Readings: Pope Leo XIII

 

Dulce fit nobis memoráre parvum

Názaræ tectum tenuémque cultum;

éxpedit Iesu tácitam reférre

  cármine vitam.

 

Arte qua Ioseph húmili excoléndus,

ábdito Iesus iuvenéscit ævo,

seque fabrílis sócium labóris

  ádicit ultro.

 

Assidet nato pia mater almo,

ássidet sponso bona nupta, felix

si potest curas releváre lassis

  múnere amíco.

 

O neque expértes óperæ et labóris,

nec mali ignári, míseros iuváte;

quotquot implórant cólumen, benígno

  cérnite vultu.

 

Sit tibi, Iesu, decus atque virtus,

sancta qui vitæ documénta præbes,

quique cum summo Genitóre et almo

  Flámine regnas. Amen.

 

It is sweet for us to remember the little house at Nazareth and its simple life and to sing of the hidden life that Jesus spent there. In the hidden time Jesus grew and learned the humble skill of Joseph and as a carpenter also made himself a companion of those who work. The holy Mother sits next to her loving Son like a good wife with her spouse, happy to relieve the worries of the weary with the gift of love. O you who surely knew of  work and trouble and were not ignorant of evil, come to the aid of the wretched; look upon those who beg your support with a kindly countenance. To you, O Jesus, honor and strength, you who give us life in the Holy Scriptures, you who rule with almighty Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

 

Lauds: novus

 

Christe, splendor Patris,

Dei mater Virgo,

Ioseph, tam sacrórum

pígnorum servátor,

 

Nitet vestra domus

flóribus virtútum,

unde gratiárum

fons prománat ipse.

 

Angeli stupéntes

Natum Dei cernunt

servi forma indútum

servis famulántem.

 

Imus præes, Ioseph,

humilísque iubes;

iubes et María

et utríque servis.

 

Cunctis præstant aulis

hæc egéna sæpta,

salus unde cœpit

géneris humáni.

 

Iesu, Mater, Ioseph,

mansiónis vestræ

nostras date sedes

donis frui sanctis.

 

Tibi laudes, Christe,

spem qui nobis præbes,

tuos per paréntes

cæli adíre domum. Amen.

 

O Christ, the splendor of the Father, O Virgin Mother of God, O Joseph, protector of the holy family bond.  Your home shines forth with the flowers of the virtues, from which is derived the Fount of graces Himself. Seeing the birth of God angels are amazed, he clothed in the form of a servant, and subject to his family. The lowly and humble head of the family Joseph commands, Mary also orders, and you, Jesus, obey both. This lowly impoverished home surpasses all royal halls, because from here began the salvation of the human race. Jesus, Mother, and Joseph, grant to our homes the holy gifts of your home.  Praise, O Christ, to you, who gives hope to us, through your two parents, to reach the home of heaven. Amen.

 

St. Stephen, Protomartyr

 

Peter got his name from a rock because by the firmness of his faith he was the first to deserve to be a foundation of the Church. Similarly, Stephen got his name from a crown because he was the first to deserve to undergo the conflict for the name of Christ, the first to merit to inaugurate martyrdom by that bloodshed so characteristic of the soldiers of Christ. Let Peter retain his longstanding headship of the Apostolic College. Let him unlock the kingdom of heaven for those who enter it, bind the guilty by his power, and mercifully absolve the repentant. But Stephen is the first of the martyrs. Let him be the leader of that purpled army, for he was an eager warrior who shed his blood for the still warm blood of his Lord.

He procured for himself a purple robe, dyed with his own blood. Therefore, later on, he rightly received a crown from his King. And this was he who at his birth got his name from a crown. Clearly, God foreknew and predestined him; now He called him as the first one to come to the glory of martyrdom.

ST. PETER CHRYSOLOGUS

The Office of Readings: 13th Century

Festum celébre mártyris

digne colámus Stéphani,

qui primus in certámine

palma nitet victóriæ.

Martyr fidélis, cómminus

falsis renítens téstibus,

Iesu vidébat glóriam,

stantis Patris ad déxteram.

Nunc te precámur, ínclite,

succúrre, martyr, cóncite;

nobis rogátus ímpetra

cæli ut patéscat régia.

Lotus cruóris flúmine,

splendéscis alto lúmine;

nostri memor nunc súpplica

tecum fruámur glória.

Præstet favens hæc múnera

natus Puer de Vírgine,

cum Patre et almo Spíritu

regnans per omne sæculum. Amen.

Let us celebrate worthily the solemn feast of the martyr Stephen, who was the first in the battle to glow with the palms of victory. Faithful martyr, illustrious in close combat with false witnesses, he saw the glory of Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. Now we pray to you, O renowned martyr, come quickly to help us: that your pleading might open to us the long- sought kingdom of heaven. Washed in the stream of blood you grow bright with heavenly light; now be mindful of our petitions that we may bask in glory with you. May the Son born from the Virgin favor us and grant us these gifts, with the Father and the loving Spirit, ruling through all ages. Amen.

Lauds: 9th Century: Breviarum Gothicum 

Christus est vita véniens in orbem,

qui ferens vulnus removénsque mortem,

ad Patris dextram repeténdo, regnat

  sede supérna.

Hunc sequens primus Stéphanus miníster

sortis illátæ título est decórus,

quam dedit spirans Dómini benígnus

  Spíritus illi.

Sáxeo nimbo lapidátus instat,

sústinet mortis rábiem profánam,

hóstibus quærit véniam misértus

  péctore grato.

Quæsumus flentes, benedícte prime

martyr et civis sociáte iustis:

cælitus, claræ regiónis heres,

  mitte favóres.

Glóriæ laudes Tríadi beátæ

mártyrum læti cómites canámus,

quæ dedit primas Stéphano ex agóne

  ferre corónas. Amen.

Christ is the life coming into the world, bearing his wounds and taking death away, returning to the right hand of the Father, he rules from a heavenly throne.  Stephen the first deacon, followed him, worthy of his title by virtue of his fate, which the Lord bestowed in his goodness, breathing upon him the Spirit. Stoned, struck by a shower of rocks, he endures the unholy rage of murder, with a gracious heart he mercifully seeks pardon for the crowd.  We pray with tears, O blessed Martyr and Fellow-citizen of all the just in heaven, heir of the glorious kingdom, send us help.  Praise to the glorious and blessed Trinity, we joyously sing with the martyrs, who granted Stephen in his suffering to be the first of many to bear the martyrs’ crown. Amen.

 

From the Treatise of Saint Thomas Aquinas On the Humanity of Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

From the Dominican Proper: Holy Name

 

And he was called Jesus. It must be noted that the names of individuals are always bestowed, because of a certain fittingness in the person o: whom the name is bestowed This is done either because of the time—as tb: names of saints are often bestowed on those who are born on their feast days—or because of a relationship, or because of some other However, the names that are divinely bestowed always signify some gratuitous gift divinely given to those on whom the names are imposed. So, it was said to Abraham: You shall be called Abraham for I have made you the ancestor of many nations. And it was said to Peter: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church. Therefore, because to the man Christ this gift of grace was bestowed that through him all might be saved, his name is fittingly called Jesus, that is, "Savior."

Truly it must be said that this name Jesus is of great and varied power. For it is a refuge for the penitent, a remedy for the sick, a strength for those struggling, a support for those praying, because it confers pardon from sin the grace of health, victory to those tempted, the power and confidence to  obtain salvation.

Concerning the first point it is said: I write to you, little children because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. And all the prophets testify about him. Augustine says: "What is Jesus if not savior?" Therefore, because you are a savior be Jesus to me! I am unwilling, Lord, I am unwilling to pay such attention to my wickedness that I should forget your goodness." But it must be noted that this name is imposed by circumcision which signifies that those spiritually circumcised are saved. Hence Bernard says: "It is clear, [brothers,] that we must be circumcised to receive the name that saves; to be circumcised clearly not according to the letter but in spirit and truth."

Concerning the second point it is said: Your name is oil poured out.  Since oil alleviates sorrow, so also does the name of Jesus. Hence Bernard says: "My soul, you have a hidden source of healing from the vessel of that name, which is Jesus, which is never found inefficacious for any disease. Again, Peter of Ravenna says: "This is the name that gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, movement to the crippled, speech to the mute, life to the dead.”

Concerning the third point it is said: The name of the Lord is the strongest tower. And, in my name they will cast out demons. Again, the disciples returned with joy saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons were subject to us!" Hence Peter of Ravenna says: "The power of this Name puts to flight all the power of the devil over bodies that were obsessed.”

Concerning the fourth point it is said: If you ask anything of the Father it will be given to you. Hence Augustine says: "In my name: that is the name of Christ Jesus. Christ signifies king, Jesus signifies savior. Whatever we ask through this name, we ask in the name of the Savior. Nevertheless, he himself is savior not only when he does what we ask, but also when he does not do it. For when he sees what is asked for is contrary to salvation, by not doing it he shows himself the Savior. Therefore, the physician knows whether what the sick person requests is good for health, Therefore, the physician may go against the request to bring about the health of the sick person."

 

 

IN NATIVITATE DOMINI

IN NATIVITATE DOMINI

Vespers I & II: 6^th Century

Christe, redémptor ómnium,

ex Patre, Patris Unice,

solus ante princípium

natus ineffabíliter,

Tu lumen, tu splendor Patris,

tu spes perénnis ómnium,

inténde quas fundunt preces

tui per orbem sérvuli.

Salútis auctor, récole

quod nostri quondam córporis,

ex illibáta Vírgine

nascéndo, formam súmpseris.

Hic præsens testátur dies,

currens per anni círculum,

quod solus a sede Patris

mundi salus advéneris;

Hunc cælum, terra, hunc mare,

hunc omne quod in eis est,

auctórem advéntus tui

laudat exsúltans cántico.

Nos quoque, qui sancto tuo

redémpti sumus sánguine,

ob diem natális tui

hymnum novum concínimus.

O Christ, Redeemer of all, the Father’s only Son, alone begotten ineffably before world began. You the light and splendor of the Father, You the eternal hope of all men, attend to the prayers which thy servants pour forth in all the world. Remember, O Author of our salvation, that once you took the form of our body and were born from the spotless Virgin. This present day gives witness in the passing cycle of the year that you alone came from the throne of the Father as the salvation of the world.  Him sky, earth, Him sea, Him all that is in them praise , exulting in song the coming of their creator. We too, who have been redeemed by your holy blood, on the day of your birth together sing a new hymn.

The Office of  Readings: novus

Candor ætérnæ Deitátis alme,

Christe, tu lumen, vénia atque vita

ádvenis, morbis hóminum medéla,

  porta salútis.

Intonat terræ chorus angelórum

cælicum carmen, nova sæcla dicens,

glóriam Patri, generíque nostro

  gáudia pacis.

Qui iaces parvus dóminans et orbi,

Virginis fructus sine labe sanctæ,

Christe, iam mundo potiáris omni,

  semper amándus.

Násceris cælos pátriam datúrus,

unus e nobis, caro nostra factus;

ínnova mentes, trahe caritátis

  péctora vinclis.

Cœtus exsúltans canit ecce noster,

ángelis læto sociátus ore,

et Patri tecum parilíque Amóri

  cántica laudis. Amen.

Loving Splendor of eternal Divinity, O Christ, you come as light, pardon and life, healing the sickness of men, the gate of salvation.  O earth the choir of angels thunder a heavenly song, proclaiming a new age, glory to the Father and the joy of peace to our race. You who lie but a baby rule the world, the fruit of the holy Virgin without sin, O Christ,  ever-loved, now you rule all the world.  You are born to giver us heaven as our fatherland, one of us, made our flesh, lead our hearts with chains of love. Behold our assembly rejoicing sings gladly with the angels a canticle of praise  to the Father with you, O Christ, and equally to the Spirit, the Bond of Love. Amen.

Lauds: Sedulius

A solis ortus cárdine

adúsque terræ límitem

Christum canámus príncipem,

natum María Vírgine.

Beátus auctor sæculi

servíle corpus índuit,

ut carne carnem líberans

non pérderet quod cóndidit.

Clausæ paréntis víscera

cæléstis intrat grátia;

venter puéllæ báiulat

secréta quæ non nóverat.

Domus pudíci péctoris

templum repénte fit Dei;

intácta nésciens virum

verbo concépit Fílium.

Eníxa est puérpera

quem Gábriel prædíxerat,

quem matris alvo géstiens

clausus Ioánnes sénserat.

Feno iacére pértulit,

præsépe non abhórruit,

parvóque lacte pastus est

per quem nec ales ésurit.

Gaudet chorus cæléstium

et ángeli canunt Deum,

palámque fit pastóribus

pastor, creátor ómnium.

From the point of the rising sun to the end of the earth we sing of the Christ the Prince born of the Virgin Mary. The blessed Maker of the world took our servile body that delivering flesh by flesh that what he had created would not be destroyed. Heavenly grace inters  and is enclosed within the womb of his Mother; the girl’s stomach bears mysteries which does not understand. The home of a pure heart suddenly becomes the temple of God; she untouched and knowing not man, conceived the Son by a word. She brought forth by human birth him, whom Gabriel had foretold, the one whom John enclosed in his mother’s womb leaping for joy acknowledged. The child endured the bed of hay, he did not abhor the manger and he, who lets not the birds hunger is feed with a little milk.  The choir of heavenly beings rejoice and angels sing to God and before the shepherds there is the Shepherd, the Creator of all.

December 17th-24th: Collects

 

Advent IV: Sunday

Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde, ut qui, Angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem eius et crucem ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur.

Pour, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, who have known  the Incarnation of Christ your Son by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought into the glory of his Resurrection.

Dec. 17

Deus, humanae conditor et redemptor naturae, qui Verbum tuum in utero perpetuae virginitatis carnem assumere voluisti, respice propitius ad preces nostras, ut Unigenitus tuus, nostra humanitate suscepta, nos divino suo consortio sociare dignetur.

O God, Creator and Redeemer of human nature, who willed that your Word should take flesh in an ever-virgin womb, look with favor on our prayers, that your Only Begotten Son, having taken to himself our humanity, may be pleased to grant us a share in his divinity.

Dec. 18

Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus, ut, qui sub peccati iugo ex vetusta servitute deprimimur, exspectata Unigeniti tui nova nativitate liberemur.

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who are weighed down from of old by slavery beneath the yoke of sin, may be set free by the newness of the long-awaited Nativity of your Only Begotten Son.

Dec. 19

Deus, qui splendorem gloriae tuae per sacrae Virginis partum mundo dignatus es revelare, tribue, quaesumus, ut tantae incarnationis mysterium et fidei integritate colamus, et devoto semper obsequio frequentemus.

O God, who through the child-bearing of the holy Virgin graciously revealed the radiance of your glory to the world, grant, we pray, that we may venerate with integrity of faith the mystery of so wondrous an Incarnation and always celebrate it with due reverence.

Dec. 20

Deus, aeterna maiestas, cuius ineffabile Verbum, Angelo nuntiante, Virgo immaculata suscepit, et, domus divinitatis effecta, Sancti Spiritus luce repletur, quaesumus, ut nos, eius exemplo, voluntati tuae humiliter adhaerere valeamus.

O God, eternal majesty, whose ineffable Word the immaculate Virgin received through the message of an Angel and so became the dwelling-place of divinity, filled with the light of the Holy Spirit, grant, we pray, that by her example we may in humility hold fast to your will.

Dec. 21

Preces populi tui, quaesumus, Domine, clementer exaudi, ut, qui de Unigeniti tui in nostra carne adventu laetantur, cum venerit in sua maiestate, aeternae vitae praemium consequantur.

Hear in kindness, O Lord, the prayers of your people, that those who rejoice at the coming of your Only Begotten Son in our flesh may, when at last he comes in glory, gain the reward of eternal life

Dec. 22

Deus, qui, hominem delapsum in mortem conspiciens, Unigeniti tui adventum redimere voluisti, praesta, quaesumus, ut qui humili eius incarnationem devotione fatentur, ipsius etiam Redemptoris consortia mereantur.

O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death, willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son, grant, we pray, that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor may merit his company as their Redeemer.

Dec. 23

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, nativitatem Filii tui secundum carnem propinquare cernentes, quaesumus, ut nobis indignis famulis tuis misericordiam praestet Verbum, quod ex Virgine Maria dignatum est caro fieri, et in nobis habitare Iesus Christus, Dominus noster.

Almighty ever-living God, as we see how the Nativity of your Son according to the flesh draws near, we pray that to us, your unworthy servants, mercy may flow from your Word, who chose to become flesh of the Virgin Mary and establish among us his dwelling, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Dec. 24

Festina, quaesumus, ne tardaveris, Domine Iesu, ut adventus tui consolationibus subleventur, qui in tua pietate confidunt. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

Come quickly, we pray, Lord Jesus, and do not delay, that those who trust in your compassion may find solace and relief in your coming.

The O Antiphons: The Golden Legend

 

William Granger Ryan, trans. Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend, Princeton

The Lord's advent was timely because he came in the fullness of time: "When the fullness of time was come, God sent his Son. " Augustine says: "There are many who ask why Christ did not come sooner. It was because by the will of him who made all things in time, the fullness of time had not arrived. When that fullness had come, the One came who freed us from time, and, freed from time, we are to come to that eternity in which there will be no time." Thirdly, the whole world was wounded and ailing, and since the disease was universal it was the moment for a universal medicine to be applied. Augustine: "The great physician came when throughout the world mankind lay like a great invalid. "

In the seven antiphons that are sung before the Lord's birthday, shows the multiplicity of our ills and for each of them begs a remedy of the physician. Before the Son of God came in the flesh, we were ignorant or blind, liable to eternal punishment, slaves of the devil, shackled with sinful habits, enveloped in darkness, exiles driven from our true country. Therefore, we had need of a teacher, a redeemer, a liberator, an emancipator, an enlightener, and a savior.

Because we were ignorant and needed to be taught by him, we call out in the first antiphon: "O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most high, reaching from end to end and ordering all things mightily and sweetly. Come, and teach us the way of prudence!"

Yet it would be of little profit if we were taught but not redeemed, so we ask to be redeemed by him when we cry to God in the second antiphon: "O Adonai and leader of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the flames of the burning bush, and on Sinai gave him the Law. Come, stretch out your arm and redeem us. "

And what good would it do if we were instructed and redeemed, if after redemption we were still held captive? Therefore, we pray to be set free, when we plead in the third antiphon: "O Root of Jesse, you are raised as a banner to the peoples. Before you kings shall remain silent, with you all nations will plead for help. Come to set us free, do not delay!"

Yet of what use would it be to captives if, being redeemed and given their freedom, their shackles were still not stricken from them so that they could be under their own control and go freely wherever they wished? So, it would do us little good if he redeemed and freed us but left us in chains. Therefore, in the fourth antiphon we pray to be delivered of all the bonds of sin: "O Key of David, you open and no one closes, you close and no one opens. Come, and from the prison house release man enchained and sitting in the shadow of death!"

But because the eyes of those who have been in prison for a long time grow dim and they no longer see clearly, even after we are set free from prison, we still have to have our eyes opened to the light, so that we may see where we ought to go. Therefore, in the fifth antiphon we pray: "O rising Dawn, splendor of light eternal and sun of justice! Come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.”  

And if we were taught, redeemed, freed from all enemies, and enlightened, how would it benefit us unless we were to be saved? So, in the next two antiphons we beg for the gift of salvation, saying: "O King of the Gentiles, for whom they long, O Headstone who make the two one! Come and save man, whom you formed out of the slime of the earth. " And likewise, "O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver, awaited by the nations and their savior! Come and save us, O Lord our God!" So first we plead for the salvation of the pagans, saying, "O King of the Gentiles," and then pray for the salvation of the Jews, to whom God gave the Law.