O God, who made the priest Blessed Jordan outstanding in his zeal for souls and his gift for drawing others to our Order, grant us, through his merits and example, grant that we may proclaim the way of salvation faithfully and live in that same spirit, and so always be able to extend the kingdom of Christ. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Texts and Translation from Joseph Connelly, Hymns of the Roman Liturgy
Matins/Office of Readings
Te
dicimus præconio,
Intacta
Mater Numinis,
Nostris
benigna laudibus
Tuam
repende gratiam.
Sontes
Adami posteri
Infecta
proles gignimur;
Labis
paternæ nescia
Tu
sola, Virgo, crederis.
Caput
draconis invidi
Tu
conteris vestigio,
Et
sola gloriam refers
Intaminatæ
originis.
O
gentis humanæ decus
Quæ
tollis Hevæ opprobrium
Tu
nos tuere supplices,
Tu
nos labantes erige.
Serpentis
antiqui potens
Astus
retunde et impetus,
Ut
cælitum perennibus
Per
te fruamur gaudiis.
Iesu,
tibi sit gloria
Qui
natus es de Virgine,
Cum
Patre, et almo Spiritu
In
sempiterna sæcula.
We sing of you, sinless mother of God, in words of
praise. In gracious acknowledgement of them, show us your favor in return. We,
Adam's guilty race, are from birth a sin-infected people, while you alone—this
is our faith—are free from Adam's sin. You crush under your heel the envious
serpent's head, and none but you can point to the distinction of a sinless
descent. You are the glory of mankind and take away Eve's reproach. Guard us
who pray to you and give us courage when we falter. Since you are powerful,
blunt the old serpent's crafty deceits and open attacks so that through you we
may enjoy the eternal joys of the blessed.
Lauds
Aurora
soli prævia,
Felix
salutis nuntia,
In
noctis umbra plebs tua
Te,
Virgo, supplex invocat.
Torrens
nefastis fluctibus
Cunctos
trahens voragine,
Leni
residit æquore
Cum
transit Arca fœderis.
Dum
torret arescens humus,
Tu
rore sola spargeris;
Tellure
circum rorida,
Intacta
sola permanes.
Fatale
virus evomens
Attollit
anguis verticem;
At
tu draconis turgidum
Invicta
conteris caput.
Mater
benigna, respice
Fletus
precesque supplicum,
Et
dimicantes tartari
Victrix
tuere ab hostibus.
Iesu,
tibi sit gloria,
Qui
natus es de Virgine,
Cum
Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In
sempiterna sæcula. Amen.
To you, Virgin, does your people, surrounded by
the darkness of night, address its humble prayer—you, the dawn that comes
before the Sun and the auspicious herald of salvation. The torrent, whose evil
waves sweep all mankind into the abyss, grows calm and its waters become smooth
as the ark of the covenant passes over. While the rest of the earth is scorched
and dried up, you alone ace wet with dew. Though the earth all around is wet
with dew, you alone remain untouched. The ser— pent lifts up its head and
empties out its deadly poison; but you, unscathed, crush the dragon's head and humble
its pride. Be graciously mindful, Mother, of your suppliants' tears and
prayers. As you triumphed over sin, preserve us from our enemies as we battle
with them.
Vespers
Omnis
expertem maculae Mariam
edocet
summus fidei magister;
Virginis
gaudens celebrat fidelis
terra triumphum.
Ipsa
se praebens humili puellae
Virgo
spectandam, recreat paventem,
seque
conceptam sine labe sancto
praedicat ore.
O
specus felix, decorata divae
matris
aspectu! veneranda rupes,
unde
vitales scatuere pleno
gurgite lymphae!
*Huc
catervatim pia turba nostris,
huc
ab externis peregrina terris
affuit
supplex et opem potentis
Virginis orat.
*Excipit
mater lacrimas precantum,
donat
optatam miseris salutem;
compos
hinc voti patrias ad oras
turba revertit.
Supplicum,
Virgo, miserata casus,
semper
o nostros refove labores,
impetrans
maestis bona sempiternae
gaudia vitae.
Sit
decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,
et
tibi, compar utriusque virtus,
Spiritus
semper, Deus unus, omni
temporis aevo.
The supreme teacher of the faith proclaims Mary to
be free from all sin, and the faithful of the world celebrate in joyous song
the praises of the Virgin's triumph. The Virgin presented herself before the
eyes of the lowly Bernadette, reassured the frightened girl and from her holy
lips came the words that she was conceived without sin. How happy the cave that
was honored with the presence of God's mother! How worthy of man's veneration
the rock from which living waters gushed forth in full Rood. To this place
come, as in duty bound, large crowds of suppliants from our own land, and to it
come suppliant pilgrim crowds from abroad. Here, French and foreigner alike,
implore the mighty Virgin's help. Their Mother catches the tears that her
suppliants shed and makes a gift to the afflicted of the peace of mind they
desire. Then, their wish granted, the pilgrims return to their homes. In your
compassion, Virgin, for the misfortunes of those that pray to you, bring us at
all times help and comfort in our labors, and through your intercession obtain
for us the happy gift of everlasting life.
Our Lady, Help of Christians
This hymn was used for Lauds on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians in appendices to the Roman Breviary of the 19th Century in certain regions. It could be used when Our Lady is celebrated on Saturday.
Te Redemptoris, Dominique nostri
Dicimus Matrem, speciosa Virgo,
Christianorum decus, et levamen –
Rebus in arctis.
Sæviant portæ licet inferorum,
Hostis antiquus fremat, et minaces
Ut Deo, sacrum populetur agmen,
Suscitet iras.
Nil truces possunt furiæ nocere
Mentibus castis, prece quas vocata
Annuens Virgo fovet, et superno
Robore firmat.
Tanta si nobis faveat Patrona,
Bellici cessat sceleris tumultus,
Mille sternuntur, fugiuntve turmæ,
Mille cohortes.
Tollit ut sancta caput in Sione
Turris, arx firmo fabricata muro,
Civitas David, clypeis, et acri
Milite tuta.
Virgo sic fortis Domini potenti
Dextera, cæli cumulata donis,
A piis longe famulis repellit
Dæmonis ictus.
Mother of our Lord and Saviour
First in beauty as in power!
Glory of the Christian nations!
Ready help in trouble’s hour!
Though the gates of Hell against us
With profoundest fury rage;
Though the ancient Foe assault us,
And his fiercest battle wage;
Nought can hurt the pure in spirit,
Who upon thine aid rely;
At thy hand secure of gaining
Strength and mercy from on high.
Safe beneath thy mighty shelter,-
Though a thousand hosts combine,
All must fall or flee before us,
Scatter’d by an arm divine.
Firm as once on holy Sion,
David’s tower rear’d its height;
With a glorious rampart girded,
And with glistening armour bright:
So th’ Almighty’s Virgin Mother
Stands in strength for evermore;
From Satanic hosts defending
All who her defence implore.
Through the everlasting ages,
Blessed Trinity to Thee!
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Praise and endless glory be.
Amen.
Ave generosa gloriosa et intacta
Ave
generosa gloriosa et intacta
puella,
tu pupilla castitatis,
tu
materia sanctitatis,
que
Deo placuit.
Nam
hec superna infusio in te fuit,
quod
supernum Verbum in te carnem induit.
Tu candidum lilium quod Deus ante omnem creaturam
inspexit.
O
pulcherrima et dulcissima,
quam
valde Deus in te delectabatur,
cum
amplexionem caloris sui in te posuit,
ita
quod Filius eius de te lactatus est.
Venter
enim tuus gaudium habuit
cum
omnis celestis symphonia de te sonuit,
quia
virgo Filium Dei portasti,
ubi
castitas tua in Deo claruit.
Viscera
tua gaudium habuerunt
sicut
gramen super quod ros cadit
cum
ei viriditatem infundit, ut et in te factum est,
O
mater omnis gaudii.
Nunc
omnis ecclesia in gaudio rutilet
ac
in symphonia sonet
propter
dulcissimam Virginem
et
laudabilem Mariam,
Dei
Genitricem. Amen.
Hail, nobly born, glorious and inviolate maiden, you the eye of chastity, you the substance of holiness, who was pleasing to God. For heaven was poured into you, when the heavenly Word put on flesh within you. You the white lily which God beheld before every creature. Most beautiful and most sweet, in whom God delighted, when he held you in his warm embrace that his son should be nursed by you. For your womb had this joy, when the whole heavenly symphony sounded forth from you. For as a virgin you bore the Son of God, when your chastity was bright in God. Your tender body had joy, like dew fallen upon the grass, when freshness is poured upon it, so it happened also to you, O Mother of all gladness. Now the whole Church glows with joy and resounds the symphony, on account of the Virgin and praiseworthy Mary, Mother of God. Amen.
Texts
and Translation from Joseph Connelly, Hymns of the Roman Liturgy
Matins/Office of Readings
Te
dicimus præconio,
Intacta
Mater Numinis,
Nostris
benigna laudibus
Tuam
repende gratiam.
Sontes
Adami posteri
Infecta
proles gignimur;
Labis
paternæ nescia
Tu
sola, Virgo, crederis.
Caput
draconis invidi
Tu
conteris vestigio,
Et
sola gloriam refers
Intaminatæ
originis.
O
gentis humanæ decus
Quæ
tollis Hevæ opprobrium
Tu
nos tuere supplices,
Tu
nos labantes erige.
Serpentis
antiqui potens
Astus
retunde et impetus,
Ut
cælitum perennibus
Per
te fruamur gaudiis.
Iesu,
tibi sit gloria
Qui
natus es de Virgine,
Cum
Patre, et almo Spiritu
In
sempiterna sæcula.
We sing of you, sinless mother of God, in words of praise. In gracious acknowledgement of them, show us your favor in return. We, Adam's guilty race, are from birth a sin-infected people, while you alone—this is our faith—are free from Adam's sin. You crush under your heel the envious serpent's head, and none but you can point to the distinction of a sinless descent. You are the glory of mankind and take away Eve's reproach. Guard us who pray to you and give us courage when we falter. Since you are powerful, blunt the old serpent's crafty deceits and open attacks so that through you we may enjoy the eternal joys of the blessed.
Lauds
Aurora
soli prævia,
Felix
salutis nuntia,
In
noctis umbra plebs tua
Te,
Virgo, supplex invocat.
Torrens
nefastis fluctibus
Cunctos
trahens voragine,
Leni
residit æquore
Cum
transit Arca fœderis.
Dum
torret arescens humus,
Tu
rore sola spargeris;
Tellure
circum rorida,
Intacta
sola permanes.
Fatale
virus evomens
Attollit
anguis verticem;
At
tu draconis turgidum
Invicta
conteris caput.
Mater
benigna, respice
Fletus
precesque supplicum,
Et
dimicantes tartari
Victrix
tuere ab hostibus.
Iesu,
tibi sit gloria,
Qui
natus es de Virgine,
Cum
Patre, et almo Spiritu,
In
sempiterna sæcula. Amen.
Vespers
Omnis
expertem maculae Mariam
edocet
summus fidei magister;
Virginis
gaudens celebrat fidelis
terra triumphum.
Ipsa
se praebens humili puellae
Virgo
spectandam, recreat paventem,
seque
conceptam sine labe sancto
praedicat ore.
O
specus felix, decorata divae
matris
aspectu! veneranda rupes,
unde
vitales scatuere pleno
gurgite lymphae!
*Huc
catervatim pia turba nostris,
huc
ab externis peregrina terris
affuit
supplex et opem potentis
Virginis orat.
*Excipit
mater lacrimas precantum,
donat
optatam miseris salutem;
compos
hinc voti patrias ad oras
turba revertit.
Supplicum,
Virgo, miserata casus,
semper
o nostros refove labores,
impetrans
maestis bona sempiternae
gaudia vitae.
Sit
decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,
et
tibi, compar utriusque virtus,
Spiritus
semper, Deus unus, omni
temporis aevo.
The supreme teacher of the faith proclaims Mary to be free from all sin, and the faithful of the world celebrate in joyous song the praises of the Virgin's triumph. The Virgin presented herself before the eyes of the lowly Bernadette, reassured the frightened girl and from her holy lips came the words that she was conceived without sin. How happy the cave that was honored with the presence of God's mother! How worthy of man's veneration the rock from which living waters gushed forth in full Rood. To this place come, as in duty bound, large crowds of suppliants from our own land, and to it come suppliant pilgrim crowds from abroad. Here, French and foreigner alike, implore the mighty Virgin's help. Their Mother catches the tears that her suppliants shed and makes a gift to the afflicted of the peace of mind they desire. Then, their wish granted, the pilgrims return to their homes. In your compassion, Virgin, for the misfortunes of those that pray to you, bring us at all times help and comfort in our labors, and through your intercession obtain for us the happy gift of everlasting life.
February 4 — St. Catherine de' Ricci
We found the red and ruddy sign of victory, Jesus on the Cross
Rivalry has a place as a good, It is not envy, as if someone were to keep his neighbor from the good, lest that person gets there first. Holy rivalry is a thirst for the heavenly spring to which we must hasten with great vigor. We must strive to advance without an obstacle in anyone's way. If this rivalry were in Christian hearts, how many people would come to that desired reward, which now only a few people are able to reach. My dearest children, let us so strive that we may run and obtain it. In this contest you will not be considered indifferent. The thief crucified with Jesus, though I was unprepared, was not judged to be unhappy, but rather happy. Does he not seem to you to have struggled far better than that great crowd of holy fathers who waited for their redemption for ages? For the thief, in an instant, ran swiftly to beat all the others and was worthy to be the first one at the victory, which he took away from none of those who were called to it.
