Sulpitius Severus: Life of St. Martin

Sulpitius Severus: Life of St. Martin

No one ever saw him enraged, or excited, or lamenting, or laughing; he was always one and the same: displaying a kind of heavenly happiness in his countenance, he seemed to have passed the ordinary limits of human nature. Never was there any word on his lips but Christ, and never was there a feeling in his heart except piety, peace, and tender mercy. Frequently, too, he used to weep for the sins of those who showed themselves his revilers — those who, as he led his retired and tranquil life, slandered him with poisoned tongue and a viper's mouth. And truly we have had experience of some who were envious of his virtues and his life — who really hated in him what they did not see in themselves, and what they had not power to imitate. And — O wickedness worthy of deepest grief and groans!— some of his calumniators, although very few, some of his maligners, I say, were reported to be no others than bishops! Here, however, it is not necessary to name any one, although a good many of these people are still venting their spleen against myself. I shall deem it sufficient that, if any one of them reads this account, and perceives that he is himself pointed at, he may have the grace to blush. But if, on the other hand, he shows anger, he will, by that very fact, own that he is among those spoken of, though all the time perhaps I have been thinking of some other person. I shall, however, by no means feel ashamed if any people of that sort include myself in their hatred along with such a man as Martin. I am quite persuaded of this, that the present little work will give pleasure to all truly good men. And I shall only say further that, if any one read this narrative in an unbelieving spirit, he himself will fall into sin. I am conscious to myself that I have been induced by belief in the facts, and by the love of Christ, to write these things; and that, in doing so, I have set forth what is well known, and recorded what is true; and, as I trust, that man will have a reward prepared by God, not who shall read these things, but who shall believe them.

Deus, qui beatum Martinum per humilitatis iter ad caelestem gloriam perduxisti, tribue nobis eius ita nunc persequi exempla praeclara, ut exaltari cum ipso mereamur in caelis.

O God, who led blessed Martin de Porres
by the path of humility to heavenly glory,
grant to us so to follow his great example in this life
as to merit to be exalted with him in heaven.

Ben. Antiphon

Benedíctus Dóminus, quia redemptiónem ómnium géntium fecit et omnes de ténebris vocávit in admirábile lumen suum.

Blessed be the Lord, who has redeemed all  nations,  and called them all out of darkness into his amazing.

 light.

Mag. Antiphon 

Magnificémus Dóminum, qui húmilem servum suum Martínum cæléstibus donis exaltávit.\

Let us magnify the Lord. who exalted his humble servant Martin with heavenly gifts.