St. Pius of Pietrelcina: Common of Pastors: For a Priest (Also St. Vincent de Paul Friday)

St. Pius of Pietrelcina: Common of Pastors

Lauds: Orderic Vitalis (1075 – c. 1142)

As Oderic Vitalis noted, history should be sung like a hymn in honor of the creator God

(Ancient and Medieval Memories: Studies in the Reconstruction of the Past, Janet Coleman)

Inclitus rector pater atque prudens,

cuius insígnem cólimus triúmphum,

iste conféssor sine fine lætus

  regnat in astris.

Inclitus rector pater atque prudens,

cuius insígnem cólimus triúmphum,

iste conféssor sine fine lætus

regnat in astris.

Ipse dux clarus fuit et magíster,

éxhibens sacræ documénta vitæ

ac Deo semper sátagens placére

péctore mundo.

Nunc eum nisu rogitémus omnes,

ábluat nostrum pius ut reátum,

et sua ducat prece nos ad alta

cúlmina cæli.

Sit Deo soli decus et potéstas,

laus in excélsis, honor ac perénnis,

qui suis totum móderans gubérnat

légibus orbem. Amen.

Great ruler and wise father, whose distinguished triumph we celebrate, this confessor rejoicing without end rules among the stars. He was a glorious leader and teacher, revealing evidence of a holy life, and striving ever to please God with a clean heart.  Now with all our strength let us all ask him that in his holiness to absolve our guilt and by his prayer lead us to the heights of heaven. Dignity and power to God alone and eternal praise and honor in the highest, who directs and governs the whole world by his laws. Amen.

Office of Readings 15^th Century

Christe, pastórum caput atque princeps,

géstiens huius celebráre festum,

débitas sacro pia turba psallit

  cármine laudes,

Hunc tibi eléctum fáciens minístrum

ac sacerdótem sócians, dedísti

dux ut astáret pópulo fidélis

ac bonus altor.

Hic gregis ductor fuit atque forma,

lux erat cæco, mísero levámen,

próvidus cunctis pater omnibúsque

  ómnia factus.

Christe, qui sanctis méritam corónam

reddis in cælis, dócili magístrum

fac sequi vita, similíque tandem

  fine potíri.

Æqua laus summum célebret Paréntem

teque, Salvátor, pie rex, per ævum;

Spíritus Sancti résonet per omnem

  glória mundum. Amen.

O Christ, Head and Prince of pastors, eager to celebrate the feast of this pastor, the holy band sings due praise with a holy hymn. Making for yourself a chosen minister, sharing in the priesthood, you made him a faithful leader and good provider to stand with the people. He was the leader of the flock and example for it, a light to the blind, relief to the wretched, a watchful father in all things and doing all things for all his people. O Christ, who rewards the saints in heaven with a merited crown, make us follow this teacher in an obedient life and at last reach the same end. May equal praise celebrate the highest Father and thee, O Savior, though the age; May the glory of the Holy Spirit resound throughout the whole world. Amen.

Vespers New: Dom Anselmo?



Vir celse, forma fúlgida
virtútis, hymnum súscipe,
qui iure dum te prædicat,
Dei canit magnália.

Qui sempitérnus Póntifex
stirpem Deo mortálium
revínxit, atque réddidit
paci novo nos fœdere,

Te fecit ipse próvidus
sui minístrum múneris,
Patri datúrum glóriam
eiúsque vitam plébibus.

Regális huius cúlminis
adéptus altitúdinem,
verbo fuísti et móribus
doctor, sacérdos, hóstia.

Locátus in cæléstibus,

sanctæ meménto Ecclésiæ,
oves ut omnes páscua
Christi petant felícia.

Sit Trinitáti glória,
quæ sancti honóris múnia
tibi minístro sédulo
dignis corónat gáudiis. Amen.

Noble man, shining example of virtue, receive the hymn, which while it rightly proclaims you sings the wonders of God. The eternal Pontiff united the race of men with God and gave us the new covenant of peace.  Providently he made you a minister of his gift, that glory be given to the Father and life to his People.  Having reached the height of this royal summit, you were in word and deeds, teacher, priest, sacrifice. Now in heaven, remember the holy Church that all the sheep may seek the happy pastures of Christ. Glory to the Trinity, who gave to you, a faithful minister, the gift of the honor of a saint and crowned you with deserved joys. Amen.