Common of the Apostles

Office of Readings: Novus

O sempitérnæ cúriæ

regis supremi príncipes,

quos ipse Iesus édocens

donávit orbi Apóstolos,

Supérna vos Ierúsalem,

lucérna cuius Agnus est,

gemmas micántes póssidet,

præclára vos fundámina.

Vos et celébrat grátulans

nunc sponsa Christi Ecclésia,

quam sermo vester éxciit,

quam consecrástis sánguine.

Cadéntibus cum sæculis

iudex Redémptor séderit,

qua laude vos sedébitis,

senátus altæ glóriæ!

Nos ergo vestra iúgiter

prex adiuvándo róboret,

fudístis ut quæ sémina

in grana cæli flóreant.

Ætérna Christo glória,

qui fecit esse núntios

vos Patris, atque Spíritus

replévit almo númine. Amen.

O princes of the heavenly court of the supreme King, the Apostles, whom Jesus himself taught and gave to the whole world.  The heavenly Jerusalem, whose lamp is the Lamb possessed you as sparkling jewels and as its glorious foundation. The Church, the bride of Christ, whom your word inspired and your blood consecrated, now celebrates you and rejoices with you. When the end of the ages comes, the Redeemer as Judge will be enthroned, in praise also you will sit in the senate of  highest glory.  May your prayer, therefore, ever help and strengthen us that the seeds which you have planted may grow into a heavenly harvest. Eternal glory to Christ, who made you heralds of the Father and filled you with the nourishing power of the Spirit. Amen.

Vespers: 10^th Century

Exsúltet cælum láudibus,

resúltet terra gáudiis:

Apostolórum glóriam

sacra canunt sollémnia.

Vos, sæcli iusti iúdices

et vera mundi lúmina,

votis precámur córdium,

audíte preces súpplicum.

Qui cælum verbo cláuditis

serásque eius sólvitis,

nos a peccátis ómnibus

sólvite iussu, quæsumus.

Quorum præcépto súbditur

salus et languor ómnium,

sanáte ægros móribus,

nos reddéntes virtútibus,

Ut, cum iudex advénerit

Christus in fine sæculi,

nos sempitérni gáudii

fáciat esse cómpotes.

Deo sint laudes glóriæ,

qui dat nos evangélicis

per vos doctrínis ínstrui

et prósequi cæléstia. Amen.

Let heaven rejoice with praises, let earth resound with gladness; Holy feast sing of the Apostles’ glory. You, the just judges of the earth and true lights of the world, we ask with prayers of the heart; hear our humble petitions. You, who close heaven and open its bars  by a word, we ask that by your order you absolve us from all sin.  Health and sickness are subject to your command; heal the sick and restore to us the virtues; that, when Christ the Judge shall come at the end of time, he may make us to share in eternal joys. To God be praise and glory,  who through you grants that we be taught the doctrine of the Gospel and attain unto heaven. Amen.

Richard Mant 1906

Let the round world with songs rejoice;

let heaven return the joyful voice;

all mindful of the Apostles' fame,

let heaven and earth their praise proclaim.

Ye servants who once bore the light

of Gospel truth o'er heathen night,

still may your work that light impart,

to glad our eyes and cheer our heart.

O God, by whom to them was given

the key that shuts and opens heaven,

our chains unbind, our loss repair,

and grant us grace to enter there;

for at thy will they preached the word

which cured disease, which health conferred:

O may that healing power once more

our souls to grace and health restore:

that when thy Son again shall come,

and speak the world's unerring doom,

he may with them pronounce us blessed,

and place us in thy endless rest.

To thee, O Father; Son, to thee;

to thee, blessed Spirit, glory be!

So was it ay for ages past,

so shall through endless ages last.