For the Christians slain in Nice

 

 

  Seigneur, ton Fils unique a triomphé de la mort,
      et tu l'as fait passé de ce monde à ton Royaume.
                Accorde à tous nos frères et sours défunts de partager sa victoire
                        pour te contempler éternellement, toi, leur créateur et rédempteur.
                Par Jésus Christ, ton Fils, notre Seigneur et notre Dieu,
                        qui règne avec toi et le Saint Esprit,                         maintenant, pour les siècles des siècles. Amen !

Collects for the Dead

 

 IN COMMEMORATIONE OMNIUM FIDELIUM DEFUNCTORUM

Preces nostras, quǽsumus, Dómine, benígnus exáudi, ut, dum attóllitur nostra fides in Fílio tuo a mórtuis suscitáto, in famulórum tuórum præstolánda resurrectióne spes quoque nostra firmétur.

 

Kindly hear our prayers, O Lord, we beseech you, that while our faith in your Son raised from the dead is lifted high, so may our hope in the expected resurrection of your servants be strengthened.

 

Preces nostras, quaesumus, Dómine, benígnus exáudi, ut, dum extóllitur nostra fides in Fílio tuo a mórtuis suscitáto, in huius fámuli tui N. praestolánda resurrectióne, spes quoque nostra firmétur. Per Dóminum.

 

Kindly hear our prayers, O Lord, that while our faith in your Son raised from the dead is lifted high, so may our hope in the expected resurrection of your servant N. be strengthened.

 

Deus, glória fidélium et vita iustórum, cuius Fílii morte et resurrectióne redémpti sumus, propitiáre fámulo tuo N., ut, qui resurrectiónis nostrae mystérium agnóvit, aetérnte beatitúdinis gáudia percípere mereátur. Per Dóminum.

 

O God, the glory of the faithful and the life of the just, by whose death and resurrection we have been saved, grant to your servant, N. that he who has known the mystery of our resurrection, may worthily receive the joy of eternal blessing.

 

Inclína, Dómine, aurem tuam ad preces nostras, quibus misericórdiam tuam súpplices deprecámur, ut fámulum tuum N., quem in hoc século tuo pópulo misericórditer aggregásti, in pacis ac lucis regióne constítuas, et sanctórum tuórum concédas esse consórtem. Per Dóminum.

 

Incline, O Lord, your ear to our prayers, by which we humbly entreat your mercy, that your servant N. whom in this age you did mercifully gather to your people, you may establish in the abode of peace and light and grant him the company of your saints.

 

Pro pluribus:

Deus, qui Unigénitum tuum, devícta morte, ad caeléstia transíre fecísti, concéde fámulis tuis (N. et N.) huius vitae mortalitáte destructa, te conditórem et redemptórem possint perpétuo contemplári. Per Dóminum.

 

O God, who when your Only-begotten Son had conquered death, you brought him to heavenly places, grant to your servants (N. and N.) this mortal life destroyed, they may contemplate you forever, their creator and redeemer.

 

Pro fratribus, propinquis et benefactoribus:      

Deus, véniae largítor et humánae salútis amátor, quaesumus  sumus cleméntiam tuam, ut nostrae congregatiónis fratres, propínquos et benefactóres, qui ex hoc século transiérunt, beáta María semper Vírgine intercedénte cum ómnibus sanctis tuis, ad perpétuae beatitúdinis consórtium perveníre concédas. Per Dóminum.

 

O God, the giver of pardon and the lover of human salvation, we entreat your mercy that the brothers, neighbors, and benefactors of our congregation, who have passed from this world, by the intercession of blessed Mary ever-Virgin with all your saints, you would grant to come to the company of the perpetually blessed.

 

Vel alia ex Missali Romano.

IN COMMEMORATIONE OMNIUM FIDELIUM DEFUNCTORUM

 

 

Office of Readings: Novus

 

Qui vivis ante sæcula

vitæque fons es únicus,

nos, Deus, morti obnóxios

culpæque reos áspice.

 

Peccánti, Pater, hómini

pœnam sanxísti intéritum,

ut, pulvis datus púlveri,

se súbderet piáculum.

 

Vitále sed spiráculum

quod indidísti próvidus,

æternitátis pérmanet

germen immarcescíbile.

 

Hæc spes, hoc est solácium:

revirescémus, Dómine,

primúsque resurgéntium

ad te nos Christus rápiet.

 

Pro pluribus:

 

Hoc vitæ regno pérfrui

da fratres in te mórtuos,

quos Christi fides ímbuit,

quos almus unxit Spíritus.

 

Pro uno:

 

Hoc vitæ regno pérfrui
defúnctam præsta fámulam,
quam Christi fides ímbuit,
quam almus unxit Spíritus.

 

Hoc regnum nobis própera

e terris cum cessérimus,

ut concinámus ómnium

te finem, te princípium. Amen.

 

 

 

O God, you exist before the ages, the only source of life: behold us guilty and subject to the death of sin. O Father, you sentenced sinful man to the penalty of death that dust returned to dust might atone for crime.  But the living breath which you providentially bestowed upon man abides permanently as an incorruptible seed.  This is our hope; this is our consolation that we will be raised and Christ the Lord, the first born of those who rise, will seize us and take us to you.  (For several departed): Grant that our departed brothers, whom faith in Christ filled and the Holy Spirit anointed, may enjoy this kingdom of life. (For one departed):  Grant that our departed brother, whom faith in Christ filled and the Holy Spirit anointed, may enjoy this kingdom of life. When we pass away from earth grant us this kingdom that we may sing to you, the end and

beginning of all things. Amen.

 At Lauds: Novus

 

Spes, Christe, nostræ véniæ,

tu vita, resurréctio;

ad te sunt corda et óculi

cum mortis dolor íngruit.

 

Tu quoque mortis tædia

passus dirósque stímulos,

Patri, inclináto cápite,

mitis dedísti spíritum.

 

Vere nostros excípiens

languóres, pastor míserens,

tecum donásti cómpati

Patrísque in sinu cómmori.

 

Apértis pendens brácchiis,

in cor transfíxum pértrahis

quos moritúros ággravat

morbus vel mæror ánxius

 

Qui portis fractis ínferi

victor pandísti cælicas,

nos nunc doléntes érige,

post óbitum vivífica.

 

Sed et qui frater córpore

nunc dormit pacis réquie,

iam te beánte vígilet

tibíque laudes réferat. Amen.

 

Sed et qui fratres córpore

nunc somno pacis dórmiunt,

iam te beánte vígilent

tibíque laudes réferant. Amen.

 

O Christ, the hope of our pardon, the life and resurrection, hearts and eyes are set upon you, when the sorrow of death finds us. You also suffered the grief, the harsh pangs of death, when with bowed head you gently commended your spirit to the Father.  Truly you took our sorrows, merciful Shepherd, and granted that we might share with you the comfort of the Father’s bosom. With open and outstretched arms you take to your wounded heart those weighted down by death, the sick and those anxious with sorrow.  You, the Conqueror, when the gates of hell were broken, opened heaven; now raise up the sorrowful and give us life after death. (for one departed): Also may the brother, who now bodily sleeps in the rest of peace, watch for the blessed vision of you and offer you praise. Amen. (for several departed): Also may the brothers, who now bodily sleep in the rest of peace, watch for the blessed vision of you and offer you praise. Amen.

 

 

 

 

At Terce, Sext, None: Novus

 

Qui lacrimátus Lázarum

geménsque cum soróribus,

ipsum fecísti præpotens

illárum reddi stúdiis:

 

Qui petivísti sóntibus

benígnus indulgéntiam,

ac verba miserántia

dixísti pœnæ sócio:

 

Qui, móriens, discípulo

matrem donásti Vírginem,

tuórum quæ fidélium

agóni adésset último:

 

Da nobis, Christe Dómine,

tuo redémptis sánguine,

duræ mortis tristítiam

in vitæ verti gáudium.

 

Tuósque voca fámulos,

ex hoc proféctos sæculo,

ut ubi mors iam déerit

te vitæ canant príncipem. Amen.

 

 

You, who wept for Lazarus and mourned with his sisters, powerfully returned him to his eager sisters. You who mercifully sought forgiveness for the guilty and spoke merciful words to the one who shared your punishment:  As you were dying you gave the Virgin Mother to the disciple, she who comes to the aid of your faithful in their final agony: Grant to us, redeemed by your blood, Lord Christ, sadness in the bitterness of death, turned to  happiness in life. Call your departed servants from this world that when death takes them they may sing to you, the Ruler of Life. Amen.

 

 

 

Vespers 

 

Imménsæ rex poténtiæ,

Christe, tu Patris glóriam

nostrúmque decus móliens,

mortis fregísti iácula.

 

Infírma nostra súbiens

magnúmque petens prœlium,

mortem qua serpens vícerat,

victor calcásti móriens.

 

Surgens fortis e túmulo,

pascháli nos mystério

peccáto rursus mórtuos

ad vitam semper ínnovas.

 

Vitam largíre grátiæ,

ut, sponsus cum redíeris,

ornáta nos cum lámpade

iam promptos cælo invénias.

 

In lucem nos et réquiem

serénus iudex áccipe,

quos fides sanctæ Tríadi

devínxit atque cáritas.

 

Pro uno:

Tuúmque voca fámulum,

qui nunc exútus córpore

in regna Patris ínhiat,

ut te colláudet pérpetim. Amen.

Pro pluribus:

Fratres et omnes ádvoca,
qui nunc exúti córpore
in regna Patris ínhiant,
ut te colláudent pérpetim. Amen.

O King of great power, Christ, fighting for the glory of the Father and our own honor, you broke the darts of death.  Submitting to our weakness and searching out the great battle, you, a dying conqueror, crushed the death that the serpent had won. Rising valiantly from the tomb by the paschal mystery you restored us to eternal life, who are dead through sin. Increase the life of grace that when you, the bridegroom, return, you will find us with lighted lamps ready for heaven. Peaceful Judge, receive us in light and rest, we, whom the faith and love of the Trinity have conquered.  (Pro uno:) Call thy servant, now delivered from the body who longs for the kingdom of the Father that he might praise you forever. (Pro pluribus:) Call all our brothers, now delivered from the body who long for the kingdom of the Father that they might praise you forever. Amen.

St. Gregory, Pope: Sermon 30 on the Gospels (Roman Breviary)

 

It is written: By His Spirit the Lord hath adorned the heavens. Job xxvi. 13. Now the ornament of the heavens are the godly powers of preachers, and this ornament, what it is, Paul teacheth us thus To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another diverse kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. 1 Cor. Xii. So much power then as have preachers, so much ornament have the heavens. Wherefore again it is written, By the word of the Lord were the heavens made. Ps. xxxii. 6. For the Word of the Lord is the Son of the Father. But, to the end that all the Holy Trinity may be made manifest as the Maker of the heavens, that is, of the Apostles, it is straightway added touching God the Holy Ghost: you and all the host of them by the Breath of His mouth. Therefore, the might of the same heavens is the might of the Spirit, for they had not braved the powers of this world, unless the strength of the Holy Ghost had comforted them. For we know what manner of men the Teachers of the Holy Church were before the coming of this Spirit and since He came we see in Whose strength they are made strong. 

All Saints

 

 

I Vespers: Helisachar or Rabanus Maurus:  9th Century

 

Amalarius of Metz: Prologue of the Antiphonary: Helisachar, Abbot of St. Maximin in Trier

Upon the verses which one shall find scarcely altered if perchance he considers it worth his while to consult the present volume, the priest of God Helisachar—a person with excellent education, most zealous in reading and divine worship, and the first among the first men of the most excellent emperor Louis—labored and sweated. And not only did he labor mightily in this present business but whomsoever he was able to assemble around himself from his students.

 

Christe, redémptor ómnium,

consérva tuos fámulos,

Beátæ semper Vírginis

placátus sanctis précibus.

 

Beáta quoque ágmina

cæléstium spirítuum,

prætérita, præséntia,

futúra mala péllite.

 

Vates ætérni iúdicis

apostolíque Dómini,

supplíciter expóscimus

salvári vestris précibus.

 

Mártyres Dei íncliti

confessorésque lúcidi,

vestris oratiónibus

nos ferte in cæléstibus.

 

Chori sanctárum vírginum

monachorúmque ómnium,

simul cum sanctis ómnibus

consórtes Christi fácite.

 

Sit Trinitáti glória,

vestrásque voces iúngite

ut illi laudes débitas

persolvámus alácriter. Amen.

 

O Christ, redeemer of all, may it please you to preserve your servants by the holy prayers of the blessed Ever-Virgin. And through the blessed hosts of heavenly spirits drive away past, present and future evils. Prophets of the eternal Judge and Apostles of the Lord we humbly ask to be saved by your prayers. Illustrious Martyrs of God and brightly shining Confessors by your intercession carry us up into heaven. Choirs of holy Virgins and all monks with all the saints make us to share in Christ. Glory to the Trinity, that with your voices joined we may eagerly offer to Him due praises. Amen.

 

Ad Officium lectionis: 10^th Century

 

Christe, cælórum habitátor alme,

vita sanctórum, via, spes salúsque,

hóstiam clemens, tibi quam litámus,

  súscipe laudis.

 

Omnium semper chorus angelórum

in polo temet benedícit alto,

atque te sancti simul univérsi

  láudibus ornant.

 

Vírginis sanctæ méritis Maríæ

atque cunctórum páriter piórum,

cóntine pœnam, pie, quam merémur

  daque medélam.

 

Hic tuam præsta celebráre laudem,

ut tibi fidi valeámus illam

prósequi in cælis Tríadi canéntes

  iúgiter hymnos. Amen.

 

O Christ, loving dweller in the heavens, the life of the saints, their way and hope of salvation, mercifully receive the sacrifice, which we offer unto you. The choir of all the holy angels ever bless you in the height of heaven, and all the saints together adorn you with praises. By the merits of the holy Virgin Mary and equally the prayers of all the holy ones, check the punishment, O holy one, which we deserve and grant us healing. Here may we faithfully celebrate your praise and in the heavens ever sing hymns to the Trinity. Amen.

 

Lauds & II Vespers: 10th Century

 

Iesu, salvátor sǽculi,

redémptis ope súbveni

et, pia Dei Génetrix,

salútem posce míseris.

 

Cœtus omnes angélici,

patriarchárum cúnei

ac prophetárum mérita

nobis precéntur véniam.

 

Baptísta tui prǽvius

et cláviger æthéreus

cum céteris apóstolis

nos solvant nexu críminis.

 

Chorus sacrátus mártyrum,

sacerdótum conféssio

et virginális cástitas

nos a peccátis ábluant.

 

Monachórum suffrágia

omnésque cives cǽlici

ánnuant votis súpplicum

et vitæ poscant prǽmium.

 

Sit, Christe, tibi glória

cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu,

quorum luce mirífica

sancti congáudent pérpetim. Amen.

 

O Jesus, Savior of the world, come to the aid of the redeemed, and holy Mother of God pray for the salvation of the wretched. May all the angelic hosts, the merits of the cohort of patriarchs and prophets pray for our pardon. May the Baptist your forerunner and Peter the heavenly key bearer with the other apostles undo the bonds of our sins. The holy choir of martyrs, the praise of the priests, the chastity of virgins wash us from our sins. May the intercessions of monks and of all the citizens of heaven favor the prayers of the humble and seek for us the reward of life. O Christ to you be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, by whose wondrous light the saints rejoice forever. Amen.

Homily by S. Augustine, Bishop: On the Sermon on the Mount Bk. 1 Ch. 1 (All Saints)

 

 

IF the question is asked, what the mountain means, it may well be understood as meaning the greater precepts of righteousness; for there were lesser ones which were given to the Jews. Yet it is one God who, by means of his holy prophets and servants, according to a thoroughly arranged distribution of times, gave the lesser precepts to a people who as yet required to be bound by fear: and who, by means of his Son, gave the greater ones to a people whom it had now become suitable to set free by love. Moreover, when the lesser are given to the lesser, and the greater to the greater, they are given by him who alone knows how to present to the human race the medicine suited to the occasion

NOR is it surprising that the greater precepts are given for the kingdom of heaven, and the lesser for an earthly kingdom, by that one and the same God who made heaven and earth. With respect, then, to the righteousness which is greater, it is said by the prophet: Thy righteousness stands like the strong mountains. And this may well mean that the One Master alone fit to teach matters of so great importance teaches on a mountain.

THEN he teaches sitting, as pertains to the dignity of the instructor's office; and his disciples come to him, in order that they might be nearer in body for hearing his words, as they also approached in spirit to carry out his precepts. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying. The circumlocution before us, which runs: And he opened his mouth, perhaps gracefully intimates by the mere pause that the sermon will be somewhat longer than usual, unless, perchance, it should not be without meaning, that now he is said to have opened his own mouth, whereas under the old law he was accustomed to open the mouths of the prophets.

WHAT, then, does he say? Blessed are the poor in spirit: for to them the kingdom of heaven. We read in Scripture concerning temporal things: All is vanity and presumption of spirit; but presumption of spirit means audacity and pride: usually also the proud are said to have great spirits; and rightly, since the wind also is called spirit. And hence it is written: Fire, hail, snow, ice, spirit of tempest. But who does not know that the proud are spoken of as puffed up, as though swelled out with wind? And hence that expression of the Apostle: Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies. And the poor in spirit are rightly understood here as meaning the humble and Godfearing, that is, those who have not a spirit which puffs up.

Homily by St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. 87th Tract on John (SS. Simon and Jude)

 

 Homily by St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. 87th Tract on John (SS. Simon and Jude)

In the reading from the Gospel, the last before this, the Lord had said: Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go, and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you. And here He saith These things I command you, that ye love one another. And by this it is that we must understand what fruit from us it is, whereof He saith I have chosen, that ye should go, and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain, and so the words added That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you. He will give unto us when we love one another, since this (mutual love) is itself the gift of Him Who hath chosen us when as yet we were fruitless, since it hath not been we who have chosen Him, (but He Who hath chosen us,) and ordained us, that we should go, and bring forth fruit, that is to say, should love one another.

 

Love then, is the fruit which we should bring forth, and the Apostle Paul tells that this love is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. This is the love wherewith we love our neighbor, the love wherewith we love God, for we do not really love our neighbor unless we love God. For if any man love God, he loveth his neighbor as himself, since he that loveth not God loveth not himself. For on these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets. Love, then, is the fruit which we should bring forth. And concerning this fruit, the Lord gives us this commandment These things (says He) I command you, that ye love one another. Hence also the Apostle Paul Gal. v. 22 when he is about praising up the fruits of the Spirit as opposed to the works of the flesh, saith first of all: The fruit of the Spirit is love. And from that as the beginning he draws out a string of other fruits, as thence begotten and thereto bound, namely, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, chastity.

 

Who is really joyful that loves not the cause of his joy? Who can really be at one with another, unless he loves that other? Who is cheerful under long toil for a good work, unless he loves the aim? Who is kind, unless he loves the object of his tenderness? Who is good, unless by the persuasion of love? Who is truly faithful, unless by the faith which worketh by love? Who is gentle to any use, unless love move him? Who turns away from baseness unless he loves honor? Well, then, doth the Good Master so often command us to love, as though that commandment was all-sufficient, for love is that gift without which all other good things avail nothing, and which cannot be without having every other good gift which makes a good man good.