St Ambrose: Luke 14: 1, 7-14

A lesson of humility, when in this wedding feast is repressed the desire for a higher place: with gentleness however, so that the goodness of persuasion removes all severity from the prohibition, that reason makes effective the persuasion, and the warning corrects the desire. In his immediate neighborhood comes goodness: the word of the Lord defines it and distinguishes it as to be exercised towards the poor and the weak; because to be hospitable to be paid back, it is calculation of greed. Finally, as to a veteran who has finished his service, this bonus is offered, the contempt of riches. For whoever, absorbed by the lower worries, obtains terrestrial domains, cannot obtain the kingdom of heaven, since the Lord says: "Sell all your goods, and follow me" (Matt., XIX, 21). 

This is why the Apostle tells us to flee from greed (Rom., I, 29), lest they be hindered, in the manner of the Gentiles, by injustice, malice, impurity, avarice we cannot reach the Kingdom of Christ: for "every miser, every unclean person - he is a slave to idols - cannot be heir to the kingdom of Christ and to God" (Ephesians 5: 5). (The guests) therefore apologize, because the Kingdom is not closed to anyone who has not excluded himself by the testimony of his word; the Lord in his clemency invites everyone, but it is our cowardice or our misguidance that separates us.

So, after the proud disdain of the rich, He turned to the Gentiles; He made good and bad come in, to make the good grow, to change the dispositions of the wicked well, to realize what was read today: "Then wolves and lambs will have common pasture" (Is., LXV, 25 ). He invites the poor, the infirm, the blind: which shows us that bodily infirmity excludes no one from the Kingdom, and that sins are rarer when there is no invitation to sin; or that the infirmity of sins is forgiven by the mercy of the Lord, so that being redeemed from his fault not by works, but by faith, if one glorifies oneself it will be in the Lord (Rom. IX, 32, I Cor., 1,31).

Instruction of St. Bruno of Asti The praise of the queen in Psalm 44 applied to the Blessed Virgin

From the Office of Our Lady: 1959

At thy right hand stands the queen, in Ophir gold arrayed. Whereas the kings' daughters are in the plural, the queen is in the singular, because we are to understand by her the Catholic Church or the blessed Virgin Mary, who is the queen and mistress of the Church. She stands at God's right hand because she receives more honor from God than the whole of creation put together.

It was because the prophet was enabled by the Holy Spirit to see the archangel talking to Mary that he said, "Listen, my daughter, and consider my words attentively. Listen to what the angel says, listen to what heaven's messenger promises you. Remember your chastity, listen carefully, be all attention: what he has to tell you is very hard to grasp. Listen, then, and try to realize what he means; lend a ready ear; take his words into your heart and take the Word into your womb. Virgin when you conceive, you will still be a virgin when you bring forth your Son. Lend a ready ear, for it is by way of your hearing that he who is to be born of you will enter into you: he is the Word, and words come in through the ear. " Mary conceived because she listened and believed. If she had not listened, she would not have believed; but she did listen and so she did believe, and by believing she conceived.

Thou art to forget, henceforward, thy own nation, and the house of thy father.

Thy beauty, now, is all for the king's delight.  And what beauty it must have been if it made her alone of all women the Object of God's choice and drew the Lord himself to love her.

All the rich among the people, shall entreat thy countenance.  Not only, he says, will the women of Tyre worship your Son, but you too will receive their prayers; they will pay their vows to you as well. Even if we take "countenance" to mean no more than "image", the saying will still be not inappropriate, for we do find that her images are universally venerated wherever representations of her exist. But there is another way in which all the rich among the people entreat the beautiful countenance of the blessed Virgin Mary: they entreat it in the sense that they beg to have the like themselves, for there is no one who does not desire to possess the beauty and holiness that are hers.

After her shall virgins be brought to the king.  She, he says, will go first; she will precede the others because she is their queen and mistress. All the rest will follow her and after her will be brought to the king, Christ the Lord. Her neighbors shall be brought to thee. They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing. The name "neighbor" is given to those who are like her in mind and spirit, those whose lives resemble hers.

Hymn to St. Augustine

Magne Pater Augustine,

Preces nostras suscipe

Et per eas Conditori

Nos unire satage:

Atque rege gregem tuum,

Summum decus praesulum.

Amatorem paupertatis

Te collaudant pauperes:

Assertorem veritatis

Amant veri judices:

Frangis nobis favos mellis,

De Scripturis disserens.

Quae obscura prius erant

Nobis plana faciens,

Tu de verbis Salvatoris

Dulcem panem conficis,

Et propinas potum vitae

De Psalmorum nectare.

Tu de vita clericorum

Sanctam scribis regulam,

Quam qui amant et sequuntur

Viam tenent regiam,

Atque tuo sancto ductu

Redeunt ad patriam.

Regi regum salus, vita,

Decus, et imperium:

Trinitati laus et honor

Sit per omne saeculum,

Quae concives nos adscribat

Supernorum civium.

HOLY Father, Saint Augustine,

Hearken to thy children's cry;

Plead for us as now thou standest

Near the throne of God on high:

Guide thy flock O loving Shepherd,

Who to us in Christ art high.

Holy poverty's true lover,

All Christ's poor ones hymn thy praise,

Truth's own champion and defender,

Loved by all who seek her ways;

Scripture's God-enlightened teacher,

All her wealth thy pen displays.

Lighting depths obscure and hidden,

Thou dost break us heavenly bread

From the doctrine of our Saviour,

From the gracious words he said;

With the Psalm's life-giving nectar

All who learn of thee are fed.

For the white-robed canon's choir

Laws of wisdom thou didst frame:

Those who love thy words and keep them,

Thy sure patronage may claim;

Safe, they treat the ways of Sion,

Calling on thy worthy name.

Glory to the King of Ages;

Praise and triumph to his reign;

Let us sound our answering strain;

E'en now, 'neath our Patron's banner,

Citizens of heaven's domain. Amen.

Matins: Common of Holy Women not Virgins

Huius obténtu, Deus alme, nostris

Parce iam culpis, vítia remíttens,

Quo tibi puri resonémus almum

Péctoris hymnum.

Glória Patri, genitéque Proli,

Et tibi, compar utriúsque semper

Spíritus alme, Deus unus, omni

Témpore saecli. Amen.

BY her protection, gracious God, O spare thou

All our offences, all our faults remitting,

So that with hearts made pure to sing thy praises,

We too may hymn thee.

THOU, the All-Father, thou the One-Begotten,

Thou, Holy Spirit, Three inOne co-equal,

Glory be henceforth thine through all the ages,

World without ending. Amen.

St. Monica: Common of Holy Women

Office of Readings: 15^th Century?

Hæc fémina laudábilis

et honoráta méritis,

ut sanctis pollet móribus,

triúmphat sic cum ángelis.



Ex corde devotíssimo

orans Deum cum lácrimis,

vigíliis, ieiúniis

hærébat hæc assíduis.



Contémnens mundi glóriam

ac mente semper íntegra,

perféctam post iustítiam

migrávit super sídera.



Quæ sanctitátis áctibus

sua ditávit límina,

lætátur nunc perpétuis

cæléstis ædis præmiis.



Laus uni ac trino Dómino,

qui nos eius precátibus,

perácto vitæ término,

coniúngat cæli cívibus. Amen.

This woman was so praiseworthy, so honored for her merits, so strong in her holy devotions that she triumphed with the angels. From a devoted heart she prayed to God with tears and continually adhered to vigils and fasting. Rejecting the glory of the world and with a mind ever pure, after she had perfected virtue, she passed beyond the stars. With holy deeds she enriched her home and now   she rejoices perpetually in the rewards of a heavenly home. Praise to the One and Triune Lord who  by her prayers, when this life is done, joins us to the citizens of heaven. Amen.

Lauds

Nóbilem Christi fámulam disérta

voce cantémus, decus æmulátam

féminæ fortis, sacra cui profúdit

página laudes.

Cui fides vivax, pia spes amórque

in Deum fervens, óperum bonórum

fértilis radix, amor unde fratrum

náscitur ultro.

Motus illíus méritis, remítte,

sóntibus nobis scelus omne, Iesu,

ut tibi puro resonémus æquas

péctore laudes.

Sit Patri summo decus atque virtus,

laus tibi Nato celebrísque cultus,

Flámini Sancto párilis potéstas

nunc et in ævum. Amen.

Let us sing with a noble voice of this honored servant of Christ, who imitated the strong woman, to who the sacred pages pours out praise. To whom living faith, gracious hope and fervent love of God, the fertile root of all goods, from which is born love of the brethren. Aroused by her merits, O Jesus, pardon every wrong of sinners, that with a pure heart we may sing to you due praise. To the most high Father, honor and might, praise and great worship to you the Son, equal power to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. 

Vespers: Silvius Antoniano 1603



Fortem viríli péctore

laudémus omnes féminam,

quæ sanctitátis glória

ubíque fulget ínclita.


Hæc sancto amóre sáucia,

huius cadúca sæculi

dum calcat, ad cæléstia

iter perégit árduum.


Carnem domans ieiúniis,

dulcíque mentem pábulo

oratiónis nútriens,

cæli potítur gáudiis.


Rex Christe, virtus fórtium,

qui magna solus éfficis,

huius precátu, quæsumus,

audi benígnus súpplices.


Iesu, tibi sit glória,

qui nos beátæ sérvulæ

speráre das suffrágia

et sempitérna præmia. Amen.



High let us all our voices raise

In that heroic woman's praise

Whose name, with saintly glory bright,

Shines in the starry realms of light.



Filled with a pure celestial glow,

She spurned all love of things below;

And heedless here on earth to stay,

Climbed to the skies her toilsome way.



With fasts her body she subdued,

But filled her soul with prayer's sweet food:

In other worlds she tastes the bliss

For which she left the joys of this.



O Christ, the strength of all the strong;

To whom our holiest deeds belong!

Through her prevailing prayers on high,

In mercy hear thy people's cry!



Hymns of glory, songs of praise,

Father, unto Thee we raise;

Risen Lord, all praise to Thee,

Ever with the Spirit be

Amen.





Let us all praise this strong woman brave in heart, who bright with the glory of holiness shines in all places. She, wounded by holy love and weak in the eyes of the world, while she walked the earth, she made the hard road that leads to heaven. Ruling the flesh by fasting, the mind with sweet food, nourished by prayers, she drank the praises of heaven. O Christ the King, the strength of the brave, who alone works great things: by her prayers, we beseech you, kindly hear our supplications. O Jesus to you be glory, grant that by the suffrages of your blessed servant we may hope for eternal rewards. Amen.

.

Monday: Weeks 1 & 3:

Lauds: St. Ambrose

“It will be asked: ‘In what sort was the Son begotten?’ As one who is forever, as the Word, as the brightness of eternal light, (Hebrews 1:3)  for brightness takes effect in the instant of its coming into existence.” Ambrose de Fid. 1:79

In a general audience (October 24, 2007), Pope Benedict XVI referred to Ambrose: “Dear brothers and sisters, I would like further to propose to you a sort of ‘patristic icon,’ which, interpreted in the light of what we have said, effectively represents ‘the heart’ of Ambrosian doctrine. In the sixth book of the Confessions, Augustine tells of his meeting with Ambrose, an encounter that was indisputably of great importance in the history of the Church. He writes in his text that whenever he went to see the Bishop of Milan, he would regularly find him taken up with catervae of people full of problems for whose needs he did his utmost. There was always a long queue waiting to talk to Ambrose, seeking in him consolation and hope. When Ambrose was not with them, with the people (and this happened for the space of the briefest of moments), he was either restoring his body with the necessary food or nourishing his spirit with reading. Here Augustine marvels because Ambrose read the Scriptures with his mouth shut, only with his eyes (cf. Confessions, 6, 3). Indeed, in the early Christian centuries reading was conceived of strictly for proclamation, and reading aloud also facilitated the reader’s understanding. That Ambrose could scan the pages with his eyes alone suggested to the admiring Augustine a rare ability for reading and familiarity with the Scriptures. Well, in that ‘reading under one’s breath,’ where the heart is committed to achieving knowledge of the Word of God – this is the ‘icon’ to which we are referring -, one can glimpse the method of Ambrosian catechesis; it is Scripture itself, intimately assimilated, which suggests the content to proclaim that will lead to the conversion of hearts. Thus, with regard to the magisterium of Ambrose and of Augustine, catechesis is inseparable from witness of life. What I wrote on the theologian in the Introduction to Christianity might also be useful to the catechist. An educator in the faith cannot risk appearing like a sort of clown who recites a part ‘by profession.’ Rather – to use an image dear to Origen, a writer who was particularly appreciated by Ambrose -, he must be like the beloved disciple who rested his head against his Master’s heart and there learned the way to think, speak and act. The true disciple is ultimately the one whose proclamation of the Gospel is the most credible and effective.”

Splendor patérnæ glóriæ, (1)

de luce lucem próferens, (2)

lux lucis et fons lúminis,

diem dies illúminans,

Verúsque sol, illábere

micans nitóre pérpeti,

iubárque Sancti Spíritus

infúnde nostris sénsibus.

Votis vocémus et Patrem,

Patrem perénnis glóriæ,

Patrem poténtis grátiæ,

culpam reléget lúbricam.

Infórmet actus strénuos,

dentem retúndat ínvidi,

casus secúndet ásperos,

donet geréndi grátiam.

Mentem gubérnet et regat

casto, fidéli córpore;

fides calóre férveat,

fraudis venéna nésciat. (3)

Christúsque nobis sit cibus,

potúsque noster sit fides; (4)

læti bibámus sóbriam

ebrietátem Spíritus.

Lætus dies hic tránseat;

pudor sit ut dilúculum, (50

fides velut merídies,

crepúsculum mens nésciat.

Auróra cursus próvehit;

Auróra totus pródeat,

in Patre totus Fílius

et totus in Verbo Pater. Amen.

1)      Heb. 1:3: the brightness of God’s glory;

2)     Nicene Creed: Lumen de lumine; 

3)     the Arian heresy; 

4)     Eucharistic reference;

5)     Faith as pure or modest as the dawn;

Hope as the heat of noon; mind know no darkness.

6)     Totus = dawn, totus = the Son, totus = the Father. 

Radiance of the Father’s glory, bring forth light from light, Light of light and Source of light, Day illuminating day. And true Sun descend upon us, glittering with perpetual glow, ray of the Holy Spirit, pour out upon our thoughts. In prayer we call upon the Father, the Father of endless glory, the Father of powerful glory, take away our devious sin.  Shape our manly deeds, blunt the teeth of the envious one, turn to good our difficulties, grant us the gift to act. May he direct and rule our minds, our bodies keep chaste and faithful, may faith burn bright, and know no venomous deceit. May Christ be our food, faith our drink; let us joyfully drink the Spirit’s sober drunkenness. May this day pass happily; our modesty like dawn, faith enkindled as noonday, the mind ignorant of nightfall.  Dawn in its course advances, may full dawn come: the Son wholly in the Father, the Father wholly in his Word. Amen.

When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: 18^th Century

Ætérna lux, divínitas,

in unitáte Trínitas,

te confitémur débiles,

te deprecámur súpplices.

Summum Paréntem crédimus

Natúmque Patris únicum,

et caritátis vínculum

qui iungit illos Spíritum.

O véritas, o cáritas,

o finis et felícitas,

speráre fac et crédere,

amáre fac et cónsequi.

Qui finis et exórdium

rerúmque fons es ómnium,

tu solus es solácium,

tu certa spes credéntium.

Qui cuncta solus éfficis

cunctísque solus súfficis,

tu sola lux es ómnibus

et præmium sperántibus.

Christum rogámus et Patrem,

Christi Patrísque Spíritum;

unum potens per ómnia,

fove precántes, Trínitas. Amen.

Eternal light, Divinity, Trinity in unity, weak as we are we give you thanks, humbly we pray to you. We believe in the highest Father, the only Son of the Father, and the Spirit, the bond of love which joins them. O truth, O Love, O end of all and happiness, teach us to hope and believe, to love and follow you.  The end and the beginning, you are the source of all things, you alone our consolation, you the certain hope of those who trust in you.  You alone do all things, you alone are sufficient for all things, you the only light for all and only hope for those who hope in you. We ask Christ and the Father and the Spirit of both Christ and the Father, the single power behind all things, assist us as we pray. Amen.

Vespers: St. Gregory the Great?

Imménse cæli cónditor,

qui, mixta ne confúnderent, (1)

aquæ fluénta dívidens,

cælum dedísti límitem,

Firmans locum cæléstibus

simúlque terræ rívulis,

ut unda flammas témperet,

terræ solum ne díssipet:

Infúnde nunc, piíssime,

donum perénnis grátiæ,

fraudis novæ ne cásibus (2)

nos error átterat vetus.

Lucem fides invéniat,

sic lúminis iubar ferat;

hæc vana cuncta térreat,

hanc falsa nulla cómprimant.

1)      Gen.1:7: God divides the waters above and below;

2)     The new fraud is also old =the temptation of Adam;

3)     Lux brings not just physical light but also grace;

Infinite Creator of heaven, you who separated the flowing waters and set a limit to the sky, so that the two not be mixed and confused. Fortifying a place for the heavens and also for the rivers of the earth,  that water might temper heat and the soil of earth not be dried up. Pour now, most holy, into us the gift of endless grace, that no occasions of new deceit or ancient deception destroy us. May light find faith, thus be supported by the beam of light; so may all vanities be removed, and no falsehood compromise our faith.

IN PASSIONE S. IOANNIS BAPTISTÆ

Ad Officium lectionis & Ad Vesperas: Beda Venerabilis



Præcéssor almus grátiæ

et veritátis ángelus,

lucérna Christi et pérpetis

evangelísta lúminis,



Prophetíæ præcónia,

quæ voce, vita et áctibus

cantáverat, hæc ástruit

mortis sacræ signáculo.



Nam nascitúrum sæculis,

nascéndo quem prævénerat,

sed et datórem próprii

monstráverat baptísmatis,



Huiúsce mortem innóxiam,

qua vita mundo est réddita,

signat sui præságio

baptísta martyr sánguinis.



Præsta, Pater piíssime,

sequi Ioánnis sémitas,

metámus ut pleníssime

ætérna Christi múnera. Amen.

Loving forerunner of grace and angel of truth, lamp of Christ and preacher of perpetual light, the proclamation of prophecy, which he sang in voice, life and deeds, he confirmed by the sign of a holy death. For he was to be born to the world John preceded in birth and also revealed as the giver of   his own baptism. The martyr Baptist  by his blood prefigures the innocent death  by which life is restored to the world. Grant us , O Father most holy, to follow the path of John, that we may reap fully the eternal gifts of Christ. Amen.

Ad Laudes matutinas: Paulus Diaconus

O nimis felix meritíque celsi,

nésciens labem nívei pudóris,

præpotens martyr eremíque cultor,

  máxime vatum.

Nunc potens nostri méritis opímis

péctoris duros lápides repélle,

ásperum planans iter, et refléxos

  dírige calles,

Ut pius mundi sator et redémptor,

méntibus pulsa mácula polítis,

rite dignétur véniens sacrátos

  pónere gressus.

Láudibus cives célebrant supérni

te, Deus simplex paritérque trine;

súpplices ac nos véniam precámur:

  parce redémptis. Amen.

O mighty martyr, cultivator of solitude, greatest of the prophets, exceedingly blessed and worthy of heaven, knowing no fall from your snow-white purity. Now powerful in your great merits, drive away the hard stones of our hearts, making its way smooth and its crooked paths straight.  That when the holy Creator and Redeemer of the world comes, in souls polished and with stains removed, he might make his holy way rightly and worthily.   May the citizens of heaven praise you, God simple and equally three; but we humbly pray pardon: spare the redeemed. Amen

S. AUGUSTINI, EPISCOPI ET ECCLESIÆ DOCTORIS

Ad Laudes matutinas & ad vesperas: Eckbertus schonaugiensis, saec. XII: Dom Anselmo Lentini alt.

Apparently a hymn originally for St. Gregory the Great but altered to fit St. Augustine. The last two line of the second stanza are new and particularly refer to St. Augustine. The doxology is also new.

Fulget in cælis célebris sacérdos,

stella doctórum rútilat corúsca,

lumen intáctum fídei per orbis

  clímata spargens.

Cive tam claro, Sion o supérna,

læta dic laudes Dómino salútis,

qui modis miris sibi vinxit ipsum

  lúmine complens.

Hic fidem sacram vigil usque firmat,

arma et errórum súbigit poténter,

sórdidos mores lavat et repéllit

  dógmate claro.

Qui, gregis Christi speculátor almus,

énites clero monachísque forma,

tu Dei nobis fáciem benígnam

  fac prece semper.

Laus, honor, virtus Triádi beátæ,

cuius in terris studuísti amánter

alta scrutári nitidáque in astris

  luce potíris. Amen.

A renowned bishop shines in heaven, the ruddy star of the doctors sparkles, scattering the unwavering light of faith throughout the whole world.  O heavenly Zion, gladly sing praises to the God of your salvation, for your illustrious citizen, who in a wondrous way, filled with light, has exercised self-control. This man guards and strengthens the holy faith and powerfully subdues the weapons of error, he repels and washes away the disreputable ways of living by dogmatic clarity. You, who were a careful watchman over the flock of Christ, a shining example for the clergy and the monks alike, ever pray for us before the goodly face of God.  Laud, honor and power to the blessed Trinity, whose depths you lovingly and enthusiastically searched out on earth and whose brilliant light you now possess among the stars.  Amen.

Common of the Apostles

The 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 highest Princes of the supreme King of the eternal court, the Apostles whom Jesus taught and gave to the world.  The spiritual Jerusalem, whose lamp is the Lamb, possessed you, sparkling jewels, as her bright foundation.  Now the Church, the bride of Christ, which your word inspires and your blood consecrated, hails and celebrates you. When the world ends and the Judge, the Redeemer, sits enthroned, in whose praise you will also sit, O assembly of glory. Wherefore now may your prayer ever aid and strengthen us that the seeds which you have planted may flourish in the grain of heaven. Eternal glory to Christ, you made you messengers of the Father and the Spirit who filled you with divine love. Amen.

Vespers: 10^th Century? Or at Lauds and Vespers (LofH)

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.

May heaven exult with praises, earth resound with joy: holy solemnities sing the glory of the Apostles. Who with a word close the doors to heaven and loosen its bars: we beseech you at your command absolve us from all our sins. By your decree ill health and the sickness are subdued: heal the sick and restore us to strength of life. That when Christ the Judge will come at the end of time, he will grant us to share in everlasting joys. Praises of glory be to God, who granted that through you we be instructed in the teaching of the Gospel and attain heaven. Amen.