St. Anthony of Padua: Common of Doctors

Inside a typical Renaissance church complete with an altarpiece of the Madonna and Child between two saints, Saint Anthony of Padua (born Fernando Martins de Bulhões, 1195-1231), takes his vows as a Franciscan monk. The saint is shown kneeling humbly before his superior who offers the order's distinctive brown habit. Anthony was an Augustinian  before adopting the Franciscan rule, hence the two Augustinians standing behind Anthony holding their distinctive black and white habit which he has cast off. A group of Franciscans stand at the right and sing in celebration while a group of finely dressed young, presumably representing the rich social environment of Anthony's upbringing in Lisbon, are shown near the door of the church at the left.

Lauds: Novus

Doctor ætérnus cóleris piúsque,

Christe, qui leges áperis salútis,

verba qui vitæ mérito putáris

  solus habére.

Teque clamámus, bone Pastor orbis,

cælitus semper solidásse Sponsæ

verba, constánter quibus illa mundo

  lumen adésset.

Ipse quin præbes fámulos corúscos,

áureas stellas velut emicántes,

certa qui nobis réserent beátæ

  dógmata vitæ.

Unde te laudes récinant, Magíster,

Spíritus fundis bona qui stupénda

ore doctórum, tua quo poténter

  lux patet alma.

Quique nunc iustus celebrátur, instet

ut tuam plebem per amœna lucis

des gradi, donec tibi dicat hymnos

  lúmine pleno. Amen.

O Christ, eternal and holy teacher, you are worshipped, who reveal the laws of salvation, you alone are understood to have the words which lead to a worthy life. We cry to you, heavenly Good Shepherd of the world, always to confirm the words of your Bride the Church, through which she is the light to the world.  You make your servants shine like brilliant golden stars, which reveal to us the doctrine of a blessed light. For this, O Master, they sing your praises, you who pour upon us the wonderful goods of the Spirit through the mouth of teachers through whom gracious light is powerfully revealed.  Now this just teacher is celebrated, who urges that you grant your people to advance by the pleasure of light until they, filled with light, may sing hymns to you. Amen.

Office of Readings and II Vespers: Novus

Ætérne sol, qui lúmine

creáta comples ómnia,

supréma lux et méntium,

te corda nostra cóncinunt.

Tuo fovénte Spíritu,

hic viva luminária

fulsére, per quæ sæculis

patent salútis sémitæ.

Quod verba missa cælitus,

natíva mens quod éxhibet,

per hos minístros grátiæ

novo nitóre cláruit.

Horum corónæ párticeps,

doctrína honéstus lúcida,

hic vir beátus splénduit

quem prædicámus láudibus.

Ipso favénte, quæsumus,

nobis, Deus, percúrrere

da veritátis trámitem,

possímus ut te cónsequi.

Eternal Sun, you fill all created things with light, the supreme light of minds, our hearts sing to you.  By your loving Spirit, may there flow out strong lights through which the paths of salvation may be opened to the world. What words sent from heaven, what natural reason demonstrates through these ministers of grace grows bright with new light. Participanting in their reward, sharing in brilliant teaching, this blessed man shone forth, whose praises we proclaim. With his favor, we ask, O God, that we may run: give to us the path of truth that we may come to you.