St. Peter Damian: THE BOOK OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU: III

[Many of the brethren, followers of the eremitic life, have asked me whether, since they live alone in their cells, it is right for them to say ‘Dominus vobiscum’. . .and the like; and whether, despite the fact that they are by themselves, they should say the responses, as the custom of the Church demands.]

The phrase Dominus vobiscum is the priest's greeting to the people; he prays that the Lord may be with them, in accordance with the words spoken by the Prophet: 'I shall dwell within them’, and with those spoken by our Saviour to His disciples and all the faithful: 'Behold, I am with you’. This form of greeting, then, is no mere innovation instituted by human authority; it has the sanction of the ancient authority of the Scriptures. Anyone who examines the holy writings carefully will find many examples of its use, both in the singular and the plural. Did not the angel say to the blessed Mother of God: ‘The Lord is with thee'? And to Gideon likewise: 'The Lord is with thee, thou mightiest of men'? In the book of Ruth, too, we read that Boaz greeted his harvesters with the words: 'The Lord be with you.' And in the Book of Chronicles we find that the prophet sent by God hailed Asa King of Juda and his army as they were returning in triumph from battle with these words: 'The Lord be with you’, for you were with the Lord.

When the Church receives the salutary greeting of the priest, she greets him in return, and in doing so prays that, as he has desired that the Lord may be with them, so He may deign to be with him. 'And with thy spirit', she replies, meaning: 'May almighty God be with your soul, so that you may worthily pray to Him for our salvation.  Notice that she says not 'with thee', but 'with thy spirit'; this is to remind us that all things concerned with the services of the Church must be performed in a spiritual manner. And certainly, God must prefer to be with a man's spirit, for it is the soul of a reasonable man that is made in God's image and likeness; it alone is capable of receiving divine grace and illumination.

And the greeting which the bishop gives his people: 'Peace be with you' or 'Peace to you', also has its roots in the authority of Holy Writ, and is not just the product of man's mind. For we read in the Old Testament that the angel said to Daniel 'Peace be to you'; and in the New Testament the Lord almost always greets His disciples with the words 'Peace to you/ And He commended the same form of greeting to His disciples, saying: 'Into whatsoever house you shall enter, salute it, saying: "Peace to this house." So it is fitting that the rulers of the Church, who are the successors of the Apostles, should use this form of greeting; for they salute the household of God in which it is right that all men should be the sons of peace, so that the greeting of peace which rests upon them may be advantageous both to the givers of the greeting and to its receivers.

Pleased to be visited by the somewhat notorious Lone Star Parson:  

https://lonestarparson.blogspot.com/

Acta deos numquam mortalia fallunt

Collecy for Wednesday in 2nd Week of Easter

This collect is a disaster, the handiwork of a committee. Even when you decipher what it says, there is nothing to edify, to inspire. Not worth the trouble.

Annua recoléntes mystéria, quibus per renovátam oríginis dignitátem humána substántia spem resurrectiónis accépit, cleméntiam tuam, Dómine, supplíciter exorámus, ut, quod fide recólimus, perpétua dilectióne capiámus.

Celebrating the annual mysteries, through which human nature has received the hope of the Resurrection by the renewal of the dignity of its source, your mercy, O Lord, we humbly ask that what we may celebrate in faith, what we receive in eternal love.  

From Liturgy Archive: OK but it is not what the Latin says!

As we recall year by year the mysteries
by which, through the restoration of its original dignity,
human nature has received the hope of rising again,
we earnestly beseech your mercy, Lord,
that what we celebrate in faith
we may possess in unending love.

St. George, Martyr: Homily by S. Augustine, Bishop: On the Catechizing of the Unlearned

St. George, Martyr: Homily by S. Augustine, Bishop:  On the Catechizing of the Unlearned

THAT vine which was spreading abroad her fruitful branches throughout the whole world, as had been prophesied of her, and as the Lord himself had foretold, made larger shoots, the more richly she was watered with the blood of the martyrs. And as throughout all lands countless numbers died for the truth of the faith, the very persecuting kingdoms gave way, and bowed the neck of pride, and turned themselves to know and worship Christ. But it was fitting that this same vine, as had been often foretold by the Lord, should be pruned, and the unfruitful branches cut off from it, by which heresies and schisms in different places were caused under the name of Christ, by men who sought not his glory, but their own, by whose differences the Church might be more and more exercised and its doctrine and patience be made proved and made clear.

 ALL these things, therefore, as we read of them foretold so long before, so also do we see them accomplished; and as the first Christians, in that they as yet saw not the coming to pass of these things, were by miracles moved to believe; so we, in that all these things have been so fulfilled, as we read them in the Books which were written long before these things were fulfilled, wherein all things were spoken of as future and are now seen as present, are built up into faith, to believe, enduring and abiding in the Lord, that those things also which remain will without any doubt come to pass.

WE still read of future tribulations in the same Scriptures, and of that last day, the Day of Judgment, wherein all the citizens of both these cities will receive again their bodies and arise, and give an account of their life before the Judgment-seat of Christ the Judge. For he will come in the brightness of his Power, who before deigned to come in the humiliation of his Humanity, and will separate all the godly from the ungodly, not only from them who altogether would not believe in him, but from them also who believed in him in vain and without fruit; about to give to the one an eternal kingdom with himself, to the others eternal punishment with the devil.

THE devil tempts not only through lusts, but also through terrors of insults, and of pains, and of death itself. But whatever man shall have suffered for the Name of Christ, and for the hope of eternal life, and shall have endured continuing firm, the greater reward shall be given him; but if he shall yield to the devil, he shall be condemned with him. But works of mercy, together with godly humility, obtain from the Lord, that he suffered not his servants to be tempted more than they are able to bear.

S. MARCI, EVANGELISTÆ

Ad Officium lectionis: novus

O vir beáte, Apóstolis

comes labórum sédule

adiútor atque múneris,

laudes precésque súscipe.

Christi per illos núntios

exórta sunt lætíssima

et veritátis sæcula

et pacis atque gáudii.

Assúmptus et tu cælitus

ad tanta consors póndera,

compar nitéscis glória

potentiáque prómines.

Tu, seminátor lúminis,

fac sole Christi vívido

virére ubíque gérmina

cæli replénda ad hórrea.

Simúlque cum primóribus

summo astitúrus Iúdici,

da nostra solvi débita,

nos da fovéri grátia.

Sit Trinitáti glória,

quæ præstet in cæléstibus

nos eius omni témpore

gaudére tecum præmiis. Amen.

O blessed man, companion to the apostles and honored helper in their difficult work,   receive our praises and prayers. Through those messengers of Christ a most happy time of truth and peace  was proclaimed.  You were taken to dwell and share in heaven for such a great work, shining forth with glory and power equal to the Apostles. You, the sower of light, by living under the sun of Christ make the seeds to grow even to fill the granaries of heaven. May you along with the noble Apostles stand before the highest Judge and grant us absolution of our debts and favor us with grace. Glory to the Trinity, who grants us to rejoice  in rewards with you in heavenly company   for ever. Amen.

Ad Laudes matutinas & Ad Vesperas: novus

Méntibus lætis tua festa, Marce,

atque pergrátis celebrámus omnes,

magna qui Christi tribuísse plebi

  te memorámus.

Matris exémplis, vénerans amóre

férvido Petrum, séqueris fidélis,

verba de Christi lábiis ab ipso

  hausta recóndis.

Spíritu accénsus, módico libéllo

mira tu summi réseras Magístri

gesta, tu narras quibus et loquélis

  ínstruat orbem.

Carus et Paulo, studiósus eius

cordis ardóres ímitans, labóras,

multa pro Iesu páteris, cruórem

  fundis amánter.

Laus, honor Christo, decus atque virtus,

cuius et testes valeámus esse,

ac, tuis escis recreáti, in ævum

  cérnere vultum. Amen.

With joy and thankfulness, O mark, we all celebrate your feast, we remember the great things of Christ you taught the people.  You followed faithfully the example of the Mother, venerating with fervent love Peter, you recorded the words drawn from the lips of Christ. Enkindled by the Spirit in your short gospel you revealed the wondrous  deeds of the  Master, you recounted the words by which he taught the world. Dear to Paul, you were anxious to imitate the fervor of his heart, to suffer much for the sake of Jesus, you lovingly poured out your blood. Praise and honor, glory and power to Christ, whose witnesses may we also be and refreshed by the nourishment of your gospel contemplate his face forever. Amen.

Ad libitum in feriis post octavam Paschae

Vespers: (saec. V-VI)

O rex ætérne, Dómine,

semper cum Patre Fílius,

iuxta tuam imáginem

Adam plasmásti hóminem.

Quem diábolus decéperat

hostis humáni géneris,

eius et formam córporis

sumpsísti tu de Vírgine,

Ut nos Deo coniúngeres

per carnis contubérnium,

datúrus in baptísmate,

Redémptor, indulgéntiam.

Tu crucem propter hóminem

suscípere dignátus es;

dedísti tuum sánguinem

nostræ salútis prétium.

Tu surrexísti, glóriam

a Patre sumens débitam;

per te et nos resúrgere

devóta mente crédimus.

Esto perénne méntibus

paschále, Iesu, gáudium,

et nos renátos grátiæ

tuis triúmphis ággrega.

Iesu, tibi sit glória,

qui morte victa prænites,

cum Patre et almo Spíritu,

in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

O King eternal, O Lord, Son ever with the Father, you created the man Adam according to your own image.  Whom the devil, the enemy of the human race, deceived, but you took the form of the body from the Virgin, that you might join us to God through a community of flesh, O Redeemer, to be given pardon in baptism. You did vouchsafe to undergo the cross for the sake of man; you gave your blood, the price of our salvation. You did rise, receiving due glory from the Father; through you we devoutly believe that we will rise.

 Office of Readings: The Venerable Bede

Lætáre, cælum, désuper,

appláude, tellus ac mare:

Christus resúrgens post crucem

vitam dedit mortálibus.

Iam tempus accéptum redit,

dies salútis cérnitur,

quo mundus Agni sánguine

refúlsit a calígine.

Mors illa, mortis pássio,

est críminis remíssio;

illæsa virtus pérmanet,

victus dedit victóriam.

Nostræ fuit gustus spei

hic, ut fidéles créderent

se posse post resúrgere,

vitam beátam súmere.

Nunc ergo pascha cándidum

causa bonórum tálium

colámus omnes strénue

tanto repléti múnere.

Esto perénne méntibus

paschále, Iesu, gáudium,

et nos renátos grátiæ

tuis triúmphis ággrega.

Iesu, tibi sit glória,

qui morte victa prænites,

cum Patre et almo Spíritu,

in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

Be glad, heaven above, clap your hands, earth and sea, Christ rising after the cross, gives life to mortal men. Now he has restored the appointed time, we recognize the day of salvation, when through the blood of the Lamb, the world again shines from out of the darkness.  That death, the passion of that death is the remission of sin; his might abides undiminished, the victor grants us victory.  This taste of hope causes the faithful to trust that they too will be able to rise after death and receive a blessed life. Now therefore clothed in paschal white we all powerfully celebrate such great good to be filled with such a great gift.

Lauds: St. Fulbert of Chartes

Chorus novæ Ierúsalem

hymni novam dulcédinem

promat, colens cum sóbriis

paschále festum gáudiis,

Quo Christus invíctus leo,

dracóne surgens óbruto,

dum voce viva pérsonat,

a morte functos éxcitat.

Quam devorárat ímprobus,

prædam refúndit tártarus;

captivitáte líbera

Iesum sequúntur ágmina.

Triúmphat ille spléndide

et dignus amplitúdine,

soli políque pátriam

unam facit rem públicam.

Ipsum canéndo súpplices

Regem precémur mílites,

ut in suo claríssimo

nos órdinet palátio.

Esto perénne méntibus

paschále, Iesu, gáudium,

et nos renátos grátiæ

tuis triúmphis ággrega.

Iesu, tibi sit glória,

qui morte victa prænites,

cum Patre et almo Spíritu,

in sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

May the choir of the new Jerusalem sing a new sweet hymn, celebrating the feast of Easter with sober joys. When Christ the unconquered lion rises, the serpent destroyed, and cries with a living voice and wakes the departed from death. Greedy hell surrenders the prey it has devoured, delivered from captivity, the crowds follow Jesus.  Christ triumphs marvelously and with worthy strength, of heaven and earth he makes one republic. Let us in song as lowly soldiers beseech the King, that he command us to serve in his most glorious palace.

St. Anselm and Eastertide

St. Anselm and Eastertide

Christian soul, brought to life again out of the heaviness of death, redeemed and set free from wretched servitude by the blood of God, rouse your mind and remember that you are risen, realize that you have been redeemed and set free. Consider again the strength of your salvation and where it is found. Meditate upon it, delight in the contemplation of it.  Shake off your lethargy and set your mind to thinking over these things. Taste the goodness of your Redeemer, be on fire with love for your Savior.

Chew the honeycomb of his words, suck their flavor, which is sweeter than sap, swallow their wholesome sweetness. Chew by thinking, by understanding, swallow by loving and rejoicing. See, Christian soul, here is the strength of your salvation, here is the cause of your freedom, here is the price (premium) of your redemption. You were a bond-slave and by this man you are free. By him you are brought back from exile, lost, you are restored, dead, you are raised. Chew this, bite it, suck it, let your heart swallow it, when your mouth receives the body and blood of your Redeemer. Make it in this life your daily bread, your food, your way-bread, for through this and not otherwise than through this, will you remain in Christ and Christ in you, and your joy will be full. . .  Consider, O my soul, and hear, all that is within me, how much my whole being owes to him! Lord, because you have made me, I owe (debeo) you the whole of my love; because you have redeemed me, I owe (debeo) you the whole of myself; because you have promised so much, I owe (debeo) you all my being. . .  I pray you, Lord, make me taste by love what I taste by knowledge; let me know by love what I know by understanding. I owe (debeo) you more than my whole self, but I have no more, and by myself I cannot render the whole of it to you. Draw me to you, Lord, in the fullness of love. I am wholly yours by creation; make me all yours, too, in love.

Anselm Meditatio 3: quoted Rachel Fulton, From Judgement to Passion: 2002