Common of a virgin martyr: St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

Lauds: 15^th Century: Ambrosian Breviary

O castitátis sígnifer (1)

et fortitúdo mártyrum,

utrísque reddens præmia,(2)

audi benígnus súpplices.

Hæc virgo magni péctoris,

beáta sorte dúplici

bináque palma nóbilis,

hic tóllitur præcóniis.

Hæc te fatéri pértinax,

tortóris acre brácchium

armávit in se strénue

tibíque fudit spíritum.

Sic sæviéntis vúlnera

et blandiéntis víncere

mundi docens illécebram,

fidem docet nos íntegram.

Huius favóre débita

nobis remíttas ómnia,

foménta tollens críminum

tuámque subdens grátiam.

1.       O castitátis sígnifer /et fortitúdo mártyrum=Christ; 2. Everything is double for the Virgin Martyr: chastity and fortitude, bearing the rewards of both, blessed by a double portion, ennobled with a twofold palm, teaching us to conquer both the wounds of the cruel and the alluring flattery of the world.

O Standard Bearer of chastity and Strength of martyrs, bearing the rewards of both, kindly hear our prayers.  This virgin great in heart and blessed by a double portion, ennobled with a twofold palm, extolled by proclamations.  This woman resolute in confessing you, obstinately provoked the bitter arm of the torturer and poured out her spirit for you. In this way teaching us to conquer both the wounds of the cruel and the alluring flattery of the world, taught us integrity. By her merit forgive us all our sins, taking away the attraction of sin and giving us your grace.

The Office of Readings: before 9^th Century

O Christe, flos convállium,

te láudibus extóllimus,

quod hanc ornásti vírginem

palmis quoque martýrii.

Hæc prudens, fortis, sápiens, (1)

fidem proféssa líbere,

pro te dira supplícia

excépit impertérrita.

Sic spreto mundi príncipe,

tuo ditáta múnere,

cruénto parta prœlio  (2)

ætérna tulit præmia.

Huius, Redémptor, méritis

nos pius adde sócios,

ut, mente pura, frúctibus

tui fruámur sánguinis. (3)

1.       These manly virtues, we might say, military values, belong to the virgin martyrs, indeed, they are the virtues of every martyr, male or female; 2. Indeed the virgin martyr dies cruénto parta prœlio: 3. The virgin martyr imitates Christ and so her blood too is to be enjoyed.

O Christ, flower of the valleys, we raise our praises to you, because you have adorned this virgin also with the palms of martyrdom.  Prudent, strong and wise, professing openly the faith, she fearlessly endured severe punishments for your sake.  In this way, spurning the prince of this world, enriched by your gifts, dying in the bloody battle, she attained eternal rewards. By her merits, O holy Redeemer, make us her companions, that with pure minds we may enjoy the fruits of our blood.

Vespers: 9^th Century

Vírginis Proles opiféxque Matris, (1)

Virgo quem gessit peperítque Virgo,

vírginis festum cánimus tropæum:

  áccipe votum.

Hæc tua virgo, dúplici beáta

sorte dum gestit frágilem domáre

córporis sexum, dómuit cruéntum

  córpore sæclum.

Inde nec mortem nec amíca mortis

sæva pœnárum génera pavéscens,

sánguine fuso méruit sacrátum

  scándere cælum.

Huius obténtu, Deus alme, nostris

parce iam culpis, vítiis revúlsis,

quo tibi puri résonet per ævum

  péctoris hymnus. Amen.

1.       The virginity of the Virgin is the source of  the holy virgin’s virginity; 2. dúplici beáta: again doubly blessed by conquering herself and the cruelty of the world;

Off spring of the Virgin and Mother of the Creator, the Virgin who gave birth and remained a Virgin, we sing the festal triumph of a virgin: receive our prayer. This your virgin was twice blessed by lot: while she fought to conquer the bodily fragility of her sex, she triumphed also with her body the cruelty of the world.   Therefore fearing not death, nor the savage punishments that come with death, she was found worthy through the shedding of her blood to scale up to holy heaven. By her intercession, O gracious God, now forgive us our sins, uproot our vices, that this hymn from a pure heart may resound through the ages. Amen.