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.

 

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.