The Common of Virgins

 

 

Lauds: 14^th Century

 Aptáta, virgo, lámpade

ad núptias ingréssa es

ætérni regis glóriæ,

quem laudant turbæ cælicæ.

 

Grata convíva súperis,

cælésti sponso iúngeris

ampléxu casti fœderis,

pudóris dives méritis.

 

Normam vivéndi ínstrue,

nos prece tua cónfove,

possímus ut resístere

hostis nostri versútiæ.

 

Exémplar vitæ vírginum,

María roget Fílium,

ut eius adiutórium

nos iuvet per exsílium.

 

Sit Deitáti glória

per infiníta sæcula

pro vírginis victória,

qua gaudet cæli cúria. Amen.

 

With your lamp prepared, O Virgin, you enter the wedding feast of the King of eternal glory, whom the heavenly hosts praise. Happy companion of the saints you are joined to the heavenly Spouse embraced in a chaste covenant, rich in the merits of purity. Instruct us in pattern of life, bless by your prayers, that we might be able to resist the craftiness of our enemy.  Mary, model of the virgins’ life, pray to your Son, that he may aid us by his help through our exile. Glory to the Divine Godhead through endless ages for the victory of this virgin for which the heavenly courts rejoice. Amen

 

 

The Office of Readings: 15^th Century

 Dulci deprómat cármine

devóta plebs sollémnia,

dum in cælórum cúlmine

hæc virgo micat glória.

 

Virgo, quæ Christi láudibus

vacávit iam viríliter,

sanctórum nunc agmínibus

coniúngitur felíciter.

 

Vicit per pudicítiam

infírmæ carnis vítium;

sprevit mundi blandítiam

Christi sequens vestígium.

 

Per hanc nos, Christe, dírige

servans a cunctis hóstibus;

culpárum lapsus córrige

nos ímbuens virtútibus.

 

Iesu, tibi sit glória,

qui natus es de Vírgine,

cum Patre et almo Spíritu,

in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

 

The devout people celebrate this solemnity with a sweet hymn, while in the heights of heaven this virgin shines in glory. The virgin, who once was free bravely to sing the praises of Christ, now is happily joined to the company of the saints. She conquered through purity the faults of weak flesh, she spurned the flattery of the world, following in the steps of Christ.  Through her, O Christ, direct us, saving us from all enemies, correct our lapses into sin, filling us with the virtues. Jesus, to you be glory, born of a Virgin, with the Father and loving Spirit, through eternal ages. Amen.

 

Vespers: St. Anselm?

Iesu, coróna vírginum,

quem Mater illa cóncipit

quæ sola virgo párturit,

hæc vota clemens áccipe,

 

Qui pascis inter lília

sæptus choréis vírginum,

sponsus decórus glória

sponsísque reddens præmia.

 

Quocúmque pergis, vírgines

sequúntur, atque láudibus

post te canéntes cúrsitant

hymnósque dulces pérsonant.

 

Te deprecámur, lárgius

nostris adáuge méntibus

nescíre prorsus ómnia

corruptiónis vúlnera.

 O Jesus, crown of virgins, whom that Mother conceived, the virgin alone who gave birth, mercifully receive our prayers. You who feed among the lilies, safe with the choirs of virgins, in the glory of the beautiful bridegroom, who grants rewards to his brides. Wherever, O Christ, you go, the virgins follow with their praises, they run after you singing, making sweet hymns resound. We pray to you, increase our mind’s understanding that we may never experience the wounds of corruption.