Friday in the second week of Lent

(St Ambrose on Luke 9)

Lectio 1: Lectio Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum - In illo témpore: Dixit Iesus turbis Iudæórum, et princípibus sacerdótum parábolam hanc: Homo erat paterfamílias, qui plantávit víneam, et sepem circúmdedit ei. Et réliqua. Homilía sancti Ambrósii Epíscopi - Pleríque várias significatiónes de víneæ appellatióne derívant: sed evidénter Isaías víneam Dómini Sábaoth, domum Israël esse memorávit. Hanc víneam quis alius, nisi Deus, cóndidit? Hic est ergo qui eam locávit colónis, et ipse péregre fuit: non quia ex loco ad locum proféctus est Dóminus, qui ubíque semper præsens est: sed quia est præséntior diligéntibus, negligéntibus abest. Multis tempóribus ábfuit, ne præprópera viderétur exáctio. Nam quo indulgéntior liberálitas, eo inexcusabílior pervicácia.

Reading 1: From the holy Gospel according to Matthew - At that time Jesus said to the multitude of Jews and the chief priests: Hear ye another parable. There was a man a householder, who planted a vineyard, and made a hedge round about it. And so on. Homily by St Ambrose - Many derive divers spiritual meanings from the term vineyard, but Isaias giveth us to know that the vineyard of the Lord of Sabaoth is the house of Israel, Who but God planted that vineyard? He it was that let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country; not that the Lord, Who is everywhere present, moveth from place to place; but because He is nigh unto them that seek Him, and from such as regard Him not He standeth afar off. For a long time He tarried away, lest He might seem to ask too early for the fruits of His vineyard. For where kindness is greatest, there ingratitude is worst.

R. Dum exíret Iacob de terra sua, vidit glóriam Dei, et ait: Quam terríbilis est locus iste!* Non est hic aliud, nisi domus Dei, et porta cæli. V. Vere Deus est in loco isto, et ego nesciébam. R. Non est hic aliud, nisi domus Dei, et porta cæli.

R. As Jacob went out from his own land, he saw the glory of God, and said How dreadful is this place * This is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heaven. V. Surely God is in this place, and I knew it not. R. This is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heaven.

NR 313

Lectio 2: Unde bene secúndum Matthǽum habes, quia et sepem circúmdedit: hoc est, divinæ custodiæ munitióne vallávit, ne fácile spiritálium patéret incúrsibus bestiárum. Et fodit in ea tórcular. Quómodo intellégimus quid sit tórcular, nisi forte quia Psalmi pro torculáribus inscribúntur; eo quod in his mystéria Domínicæ passiónis, modo musti Sancto fervéntis Spíritu, redundántius æstuáverint? Unde ebrii putabántur, quibus Spíritus Sanctus inundábat. Ergo et hic fodit tórcular, in quod uvæ rationábilis fructus intérior spiritáli infusióne deflúeret.

Reading 2: Therefore it is well written in Matthew, for our instruction, that He hedged it round about, that is, He girded it with the fortifications of His own Divine protection, that it might not easily lie open to the ravages of spiritual wild beasts. And digged a wine-press in it. What sense are we to put upon the wine-press, unless it be that the Psalms are here described under that title, because in them the mysteries of the Lord's Passion flow over like new wine, working under the power of the Holy Ghost? Whence also, they upon whom the Holy Ghost was outpoured were deemed to be drunken God therefore digged a wine-press, whereinto the reasonable grapes of inward fruitfulness poured their spiritual richness.

R. Si Dóminus Deus meus fúerit mecum in via ista, per quam ego ámbulo, et custodíerit me, et déderit mihi panem ad edéndum, et vestiméntum quo opériar, et revocáverit me cum salúte:* Erit mihi Dóminus in refúgium, et lapis iste in signum. V. Surgens ergo mane Iacob, tulit lápidem quem supposúerat capiti suo, et eréxit in títulum, fundénsque óleum désuper, dixit. R. Erit mihi Dóminus in refúgium, et lapis iste in signum.

R. If the Lord my God will be with me, in this way that I go, and will keep me, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, and will bring me again safely * The Lord shall be my refuge, and this stone shall be a sign. V. So Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it, and said. R. The Lord shall be my refuge, and this shall be a sign.

NR 313-4

Lectio 3: Ædificávit turrim, vérticem scílicet legis attóllens: atque ita hanc víneam munítam, instrúctam, ornátam, locávit Iudǽis. Et témpore frúctuum sérvulos misit. Bene tempus frúctuum pósuit, non provéntuum. Nullus enim fructus éxstitit Iudæórum, nullus vineæ huius provéntus, de qua Dóminus ait: Exspectávi ut fáceret uvas, fecit autem spinas. Itaque non lætítiæ vino, non spiritáli musto, sed cruénto Prophetárum sánguine torculária redundárunt.

Reading 3: And built a tower that is, He raised up the goodly structure of the Law. And so this His vineyard, thus fortified, furnished, and garnished, He gave over to the Jews. And when the time of the fruit drew near, He sent His servants to the husbandmen. Well doth He call it the time of the fruit, not the time of the in-gathering. For the Jews yielded Him no fruit; the Lord had no ingathering from that vineyard of which He said: When I looked that it should bring forth grapes, it brought forth wild grapes. Not that wine that maketh glad the heart of man, not with the new wine of the spirit, reeked that wine-press, but with the blood of the Prophets, brutally shed.

R. Erit mihi Dóminus in Deum, et lapis iste quem eréxi in títulum, vocábitur domus Dei: et de univérsis quæ déderis mihi, * Décimas et hóstias pacíficas ófferam tibi. V. Si revérsus fúero próspere ad domum patris mei. R. Décimas et hóstias pacíficas ófferam tibi. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Décimas et hóstias pacíficas ófferam tibi.

R. The Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be called God's house, and of all that Thou shalt give me * I will offer tithes and peace-offerings to thee. V. If I come again to my father's house in peace. R. I will offer tithes and peace-offerings unto thee. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. I will offer tithes and peace-offerings unto thee.

NR 314

Oratio: Da, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, sacro nos purificánte ieiúnio, sincéris méntibus ad sancta ventúra fácias perveníre. Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Collect: O Almighty God, grant, we beseech thee, that the Sacred Fast may so cleanse us that thereby Thou mayest make us to come with clean hearts unto those holy ordinances which are now before us. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Feast of St Benedict, Class I

  

Invitatory antiphon: Regem Confessórum Dóminum, * Veníte, adorémus. (LR 190)

The Lord, the King of Confessors, * O come, let us worship.

Hymnus (LR 317; LH 556-7) Quidquid antíqui cecinére vates, Quidquid aetérne moniménta legis, Cóntinet nobis celebránda summi Vita Monàrchae. Extulit Móysen péetas benígnum, Inclitum proles Abraham decórat, Isaac sponsae decus et sevéri Iussa paréntis. Ipse virtútum cúmulis onústus, Célsior nostri Patriárcha coetus, Isaac, Móysen, Abraham sub uno, Péctore clausit. Ipse, quos mundi rápuit procéllis, Hic pius flatu státuat secúndo : Pax ubi nullo, requiésque gliscit Mixta pavóre. Glória Patri, genitáeque Proli, Et tibi, compar utriúsque semper Spíritus alme, Deus unus, omni Témpore saecli, Amen.

Hymn* All that the ancient pro­phets preached, and all that the books of the divine Law tell us of holiness, is contained in the life of the great patriarch which we are now extolling. Moses was celebrated for his meekness; Abraham for his being father of all believers; Isaac for the beauty of his bride, and his obedience to the trying commands of his father. The sublime patriarch  of our family was richly laden with  every  virtue; and in his Single person represented Isaac, Moses, and Abraham. May he have a loving care of those whom he has delivered from this stormy world, and lead them with prosperous gales to the port where thee is no fear that can ruffle peace and repose. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son that is begotten of him!  To thee, also, O Spirit of love, coequal with them, one God, be glory for endless ages.  Amen.

*Trans Laurence Shepherd, in the Liturgical Year by Abbot Gueranger, vol 5, 1949, Reprint by St Bonaventure Publications, 2009, pp437-8.

Nocturn I (Sirach 44:1-15)

Ant. 1: Fuit vir / vitae venerábilis, grátia Benedíctus et nómine. Ps 1: 8C - LR 318	Ant. 1: *There was a man of venerable life, blessed by grace, and blessed in name.
Ant. 2: Ab ipso / puerítiae suae témpore cor gerens seníle, aetátem móribus tránsiens, † nulli ánimum voluptáti dedit. Ps 2: 1F - LR 315	Ant. 2: From his younger years he carried always the mind of an old man; for his age was inferior to his virtue: he rejected all vain pleasures.
Ant. 3: Liberióri génere / ex província Núrsiae ortus, † Romae liberálibus stúdiis tráditus fúerat. Ps 4: 8G – LR 319	Ant. 3: He was born in the province of Nursia, and studied the liberal arts at Rome.
Ant. 4: Dum in hac terra adhuc esset, / quo temporáliter líbere adhuc uti potuísset, † iam, quasi áridum mundum cum flore despéxit. Ps 5: 1F – LR 319	Ant. 4: And though he were in the world, and might freely have enjoyed such commodities as it yieldeth, yet did he nothing esteem it, nor the vanities thereof.
Ant. 5: Relícta domo / rebúsque patris, soli Deo placére cúpiens, † sanctae conversatiónis hábitum quaesívit. Ps 8: 7C – LR 319	Ant. 5: Forsaking his father's house and wealth, desiring only to please God, .he sought for some place, where he might attain to the desire of his holy purpose.
Ant. 6: Recéssit ígitur / sciénter nésciens, et sapiénter indóctus. Ps 10: 7C – LR 320	Ant. 6: He departed therefore, instructed with learned ignorance, and furnished with unlearned wisdom.
V. Amávit eum Dóminus, et ornávit eum. R. Stolam glóriæ índuit eum.	V. The Lord loved him and beautified him. R. He clothed him with a robe of glory.

*Translations: KE (largely following the Gardener translation of the Dialogues)

Lectio 1: De libro Ecclesiastici - Laudémus viros gloriósos, et paréntes nostros in generatióne sua. Multam glóriam fecit Dóminus: magnificéntia sua a sǽculo. Dominántes in potestátibus suis, hómines magni virtúte et prudéntia sua prǽditi, nuntiántes in prophétis dignitátem prophetárum: Et imperántes in præsénti pópulo, et virtúte prudéntiæ pópulis sanctíssima verba.

Reading 1: Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation. The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning. Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets, And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.

R. Fuit vir / vitae venerábilis grátia Benedíctus et nómine, † ab ipso puerítae suae témpore cor gerens seníle * Aetátem quippe móribus tránsiens nulli ánimum voluptáti dedit. V. Recéssit ígitur sciénter néscius et sapiénter indóctus. R. Aetátem quippe móribus tránsiens nulli ánimum voluptáti dedit.

V. There was a man of venerable life, blessed by grace, and blessed in name, for he was called Benedict. From his younger years, he always had the mind of an old man * for his age was inferior to his virtue. R. In this way he departed, instructed with learned ignorance, and furnished with unlearned wisdom. V. For his age was inferior to his virtue.

LR 320; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Lectio 2: In perítia sua requiréntes modos músicos, et narrántes cármina Scripturárum: Hómines dívites in virtúte, pulchritúdinis stúdium habéntes, pacificántes in dómibus suis. Omnes isti in generatiónibus gentis suæ glóriam adépti sunt, et in diébus suis habéntur in láudibus.	Reading 2: Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.  Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses. All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.
R. Sanctus Benedíctus / plus appétiit mala mundi pérpeti quam laudes; † pro Deo labóribus fatigári, * Quam vitae huius favóribus extólli. V. Divína namque praevéntus grátia magis ac magis ad supérna ánimo suspirábat. R. Quam vitae huius favóribus extólli.	R. St Benedict desiring rather the miseries of the world than the praises of men: rather to be wearied with labor for God's sake * than to be exalted with transitory commendation. V. For filled greatly with divine grace, his soul aspired to even higher things. R. Than to be exalted with transitory commendation.

LR 321; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Lectio 3: Qui de illis nati sunt reliquérunt nomen narrándi laudes eórum. Et sunt quorum non est memória: periérunt quasi qui non fúerint: et nati sunt quasi non nati, et fílii ipsórum cum ipsis. Sed illi viri misericórdiæ sunt, quorum pietátes non defuérunt. Cum sémine eórum pérmanent bona.

Reading 3: They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related: And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them. But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed: Good things continue with their seed.

R. Inito consílio / venénum vino miscuére: † quo obláto ex more ad benedicéndum Patri, vir Dei signo crucis édidit, † et vas pestíferi potus ita confráctum est, * Ac si pro signo lápidem dedísset. V. Intelléxit prótinus vir dei quia potum mortis habúerat, † quod portáre non póterat signum vitae. R. Ac si pro signo lápidem dedísset.

R. Taking counsel together, they agreed to poison his wine: according to the custom, offered to the Abbot to bless, he made the sign of the cross, and straightway the glass broke in pieces * as though the sign of the cross had been a stone thrown against it. R. The man of God by and by perceived that the glass had in it the drink of death, which could not endure the sign of life. V. As though the sign of the cross had been a stone thrown against it.

LR 321-2; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Lectio 4: Hæréditas sancta nepótes eórum, et in testaméntis stetit semen eórum: Et fílii eórum propter illos usque in ætérnum manent: semen eórum et glória eórum non derelinquétur. Córpora ipsórum in pace sepúlta sunt, et nomen eórum vivit in generatiónem et generatiónem. Sapiéntiam ipsórum narrent pópuli, et laudem eórum núntiet ecclésia.

Reading 4: Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants. And their children for their sakes remain forever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken. Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.  Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.

R. Dómine, / non aspícias peccáta mea, sed fidem huius hóminis, † qui rogat resuscitári fílium suum: † et redde in hoc corpúsculum ánimam quam tulísti. † Et compléta oratióne revíxit:* Et sanum réddidit patri suo. V. Et regrediénte ánima corpúsculum omne contrémuit, † et sub óculis ómnium qui áderant, vivus appáruit. R. Et sanum réddidit patri suo. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. Et sanum réddidit patri suo.

R. Behold not, O Lord, my sins, but the faith of this man, who desires to have his son raised to life, and restore that soul to the body which you have made. And when the prayer was ended he revived. And he gave him back to his father healthy. V. And the soul returned again, and therewith the child's body began to tremble in such sort that all which were present beheld it. R. And he gave him back to his father healthy. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. And he gave him back to his father healthy.

LR 321; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Nocturn II

Ant. 1: Benedíctus / in dies magis augebátur divína grátia, † ut étiam prophético spiritu ventúra praedíceret. Ps 14 :3A – LR 324	Ant. 1: Benedict grew daily in the grace of God, so that, being granted the gift of prophecy, he foretold things to come.
Ant. 2: Huic, / dum erémum péteret, Románus mónarchus obviávit: † cuius cum desidérium cognovísset, et secrétum ténuit, et adiutórium impéndit. Ps 20: 1F – LR 324	Ant. 2: When he was seeking the desert he met the monk Romanus, who, knowing his desire, kept his secret and gave him help.
Ant. 3: Tantam grátiam / ei virtus dívina contúlerat, † ut sub uno solis rádio omnem mundum colléctum conspíceret. Ps 23 : 1A – LR 324	Ant.: Through the divine power he was granted the great grace to see the whole world gathered together under one ray of sunlight.
Ant. 4: Pater sanctus / dum inténtam oculórum áciem in splendóre corúscae lucis habére, viderétur, † vidit Germáni ánimam Capuáni epíscopi in sphaera ígnea ab Angelis in caelum deférri. Ps 95 : 4E – LR 324-5	Ant. 4: While the holy father stood attentively beholding the brightness of that glittering light, he saw the soul of Germanus, Bishop of Capua carried up to heaven by the angels in a fiery globe.
Ant. 5: Iníto consílio / fratres venénum vino miscuére: † quo obláto, signum crucis édidit: et vas pestíferi potus sic confráctum est, ac si pro signo lápidem dédisset. Ps 96:2D – LR 325	Ant. 5: Taking counsel together, the brothers agreed to poison his wine: but when it was offered he made the sign of the cross, and straightway the glass broke in pieces, as though the sign of the cross had been a stone thrown against it.
Ant. 6: Tunc ad locum / diléctae solitúdinis rédiit ; † et solus in supérni inspectatóris óculis habitávit secum. Ps 97: 7C – LR 325-6	Ant. 6: And then he returned back to the wilderness which so much he loved, and dwelt alone with himself, in the sight of his Creator.
V. Os iusti meditábitur sapiéntiam. R. Et lingua eius loquétur iudícium.	V. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom. R. And his tongue talketh judgment.

Ant translations KE - 4, 5&6 adapted from Gardener.

Lectio 5: Benedíctus, Núrsiæ nóbili génere ortus, Romæ liberálibus disciplínis erudítus, ut totum se Iesu Christo daret, ad eum locum, qui Sublácus dícitur, in altíssimam spelúncam penetrávit; in qua sic per triénnium delítuit, ut unus id sciret Románus mónachus, quo ad vitæ necessitátem minístro utebátur. Dum ígitur ei quodam die ardéntes ad libídinem faces a diábolo subiiceréntur, se in vépribus támdiu volutávit, dum, laceráto córpore, voluptátis sensus dolóre opprimerétur.

Reading 5: Benedict was born of a noble family at Norcia, about the year of our Lord 480, and studied letters at Rome. Desiring to give himself altogether to Christ Jesus, he betook himself to a very deep cave at the place now called Subiaco. In this place he lay hid for three years, unknown to all except the monk Romanus, by means of whom he received the necessaries of life. While he was in the cave at Subiaco, the devil one day assailed him with an extraordinary storm of impure temptation, and to get it under, he rolled himself in brambles till his whole body was lacerated, and the sting of pain drove out the sallies of lust.

R. O laudánda / sancti Benedícti mérita gloriósa, qui dum pro Christo pátriam mundíque sprevit pompam, † adéptus ómnium contubérnium Beatórum * Et párticeps factus praemiórum aeternórum. V. Inter choros confessórum spléndidum póssidet locum, † ubi ipsum fontem ómnium intuétur bonórum. R. Et párticeps factus praemiórum aeternórum.

R. O praise the glorious merits of St Benedict who for Christ left his fatherland and the pomp of the world, and arrived at the companionship of all the blessed * And was made a partaker of eternal rewards. V. He holds a splendid place among the chorus of confessors, where he gazes upon the font of all good R. And was made a partaker of eternal rewards.

LR 326; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Lectio 6: Sed iam erumpénte ex illis látebris fama eius sanctitátis, quidam mónachi se illi instituéndos tradidérunt: quorum vivéndi licéntia cum eius obiurgatiónes ferre non posset, venénum in potióne ei dare constítuunt. Verum, póculum ei præbéntibus, crucis signo vas confrégit, ac relícto monastério in solitúdinem se recépit. Sed cum multi ad eum quotídie discípuli convenírent, duódecim monastéria ædificávit, éaque sanctíssimis légibus communívit.

Reading 6: At last the fame of his holiness spread itself abroad from the desert, and some monks came to him for guidance, but the looseness of their lives was such that they could not bear his exhortations, and they plotted together to poison him in his drink. When they gave him the cup, he made the sign of the Cross over it, whereupon it immediately broke, and Benedict left that monastery, and retired to a desert place alone.  Nevertheless his disciples followed him daily, and for them he built twelve monasteries, and set holy laws to govern them.

R. Cum sanctus Benedíctus / in cella consísteret, † elevátis sursum óculis, vidit soróris suae ánimam de córpore eius egréssam, * In colúmbae spécie caeli secréta penetráre. V. Qui tantae eius glóriae congáudens omnipoténti deo grátias rétulit eiúsque óbitum frátribus denuntiávit. R. In colúmbae spécie caeli secréta penetráre.

R. When St Benedict was standing in his cell, lifted his eyes he saw the soul of his sister which was departed from her body * Ascend into heaven in the likeness of a dove. V. Rejoicing much to see her great glory, with hymns and praise he gave thanks to almighty God, and imparted the news of her death to his monks. R. Ascend into heaven in the likeness of a dove.

LR 327; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Lectio 7: Póstea Cassínum migrávit, ubi simulácrum Apóllinis, qui adhuc ibi colebátur, commínuit, aram evértit et lucos succéndit; ibíque sancti Martíni sacéllum et sancti Ioánnis ædículam exstrúxit, oppidános autem et íncolas christiánis præcéptis ímbuit. Quare augebátur in dies magis divína grátia Benedíctus, ut étiam prophético spíritu ventúra prædíceret. Quod ubi accépit Tótila Gothórum rex, exploratúrus, an res ita esset, spathárium suum régio ornátu et comitátu præmíttit, qui se regem simuláret. Quem ut ille vidit, Depóne, inquit, fili, depóne quod geris; nam tuum non est. Tótilæ vero prædíxit advéntum eius in Urbem, maris transmissiónem, et post novem annos mortem.

Reading 7: Afterwards he went to Cassino, and destroyed the image of Apollo which was still worshipped there, overturned the altar, and burnt the groves. There, in the year 529, he built the Church of St Martin and the little chapel of St John; and instilled Christianity into the townspeople and inhabitants. He grew in the grace of God day by day, so that being endowed with the spirit of prophecy he foretold things to come. When Totila, King of the Goths, heard of it, and would see whether it really were so, he sent his Spatharius before him, with the kingly ensigns and attendance, and feigning himself to be Totila. But as soon as Benedict saw him he said: My son, put off that which thou wearest, for it is not thine. To Totila himself he foretold that he would go to Rome, would cross the sea, and would die after nine years.

R. Intempéstae / noctis hora vir dei instans vigíliis assíduae oratiónis, velut sub uno solis radio, * Omnem mundum colléctum conspexit. V. Vidénti enim Creatórem angústa est omnis creatúra. R. Omnem mundum colléctum conspexit.

R. The man of God, keeping vigil in the dark hours of the night with assiduous prayer, under one beam of the sun * Saw the whole world gathered together. V. For he who sees the creator all created things seems small. R. Saw the whole world gathered together.

LR 328; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Lectio 8: Qui áliquot ménsibus ántequam e vita migráret, præmónuit discípulos, quo die esset moritúrus; ac sepúlcrum, in quo suum corpus condi vellet, sex diébus ántequam eo inferrétur, aperíri iussit: sextóque die deférri vóluit in ecclésiam; ubi, sumpta Eucharístia, sublátis in cælum óculis orans, inter manus discipulórum efflávit ánimam: quam duo mónachi eúntem in cælum vidérunt, pállio ornátum pretiosíssimo, circum eam fulgéntibus lampádibus, et claríssima et gravíssima spécie virum, stantem supra caput ipsíus, dicéntem audiérunt: Hæc est via, qua diléctus Dómini Benedíctus in cælum ascéndit.

Reading 8: Some months before he departed this life, Benedict forewarned his disciples on what day he was to die; and he ordered his grave to be opened six days before he was carried to it. On the sixth day, being the 21st of March, in the year 543, he would be carried into the Church, where he received the Eucharist, and then, in the arms of his disciples, with his eyes lifted up to heaven, and wrapt in prayer, he gave up the ghost. Two monks saw his soul rising to heaven, clothed in a most precious garment, and surrounded with lights, and One of a most glorious and awful aspect standing above, Whom they heard saying This is the way whereby Benedict, the beloved of the Lord, goeth up to heaven.

R. Pater sanctus / dum inténtam oculórum áciem in splendóre corúscae lucis habére viderétur, † vidit Germáni ánimam Capuáni epíscopi * In sphaera ígnea ab angelis in caelum deférri. V. Factúmque est, ut reverendíssimum virum Germánum epíscopum is qui missus fúerat, iam defúnctum réperit. R. In sphaera ígnea ab angelis in caelum deférri. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. R. In sphaera ígnea ab angelis in caelum deférri.

R. While the venerable father stood attentively beholding the brightness of that glittering light, he saw the soul of Germanus, Bishop of Capua,* Carried up by Angels into heaven in a fiery globe. V. It was discovered that the reverent man Germanus had departed this life at that very instant. R. Carried up by Angels into heaven in a fiery globe. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. R. Carried up by Angels into heaven in a fiery globe.

LR 328; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Nocturn III (Sermon of St Peter Damian on St Benedict)

Ant: Benedíctum / prophéticis condecorémus cánticis, † qui tam fulsit prophetía, quam et doctrinae grátia. Canticles: 3A  - LR 329-30 (Ecclesiasticus 14:22, 15:3-4, 6; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11)	Ant.:* Let us adorn Benedict with prophetic canticles, who shone with prophecy as much as with grace of learning.
V. Lex Dei eius in corde ipsíus. R. Et non supplantabúntur gressus eius.	V. The law of his God is in his heart. R. None of his steps shall slide.

*Trans KE

Lectio ix: Ecce nos relíquimus ómnia, et secúti sumus te. Solémne verbum, magna promíssio, opus sanctum, dignum benedictióne: relínquere ómnia, et sequi Christum. Haec sunt verba voluntárie persuasória paupertátis, quae monastéria genuérunt, quae claustra mónachis, anachorétis silvas copiósius replevérunt.  Haec enim sunt, de quibus psallit Ecclésia: Propter verba labiórum tuórum ego custodívi vias duras; perceptúra requiem pro labóre, pro paupertáte divítias, pro tribulatióne mercédem.  Magnum revéra est relínquere ómnia, sed maius Christum sequi, cum multos ómnia reliquísse, nec Christum secútos fuísse legámus.  Hoc opus, hic labor est, hic salútis humánae summa consístit; nec Christum póssumus sequi, nisi ómnia relinquámus, quia exsúltat ut gigas ad curréndam viam, et onerátus eum sequi non potest.

Reading 9:* Sermon of St Peter Damian - 'Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee. Solemn word, mighty undertaking, a holy work and one worthy of blessing, to leave all things and follow Christ. These are the persuasive words of voluntary poverty, which have brought forth monasteries, and filled the cloister with monks and the woods with anchorites. These are the words of which the Church sings: 'By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.'  We shall receive rest for our labour, riches for our poverty, a reward for our tribulation. It is a great thing to forsake all, but to follow Christ is a greater; for we read of many who have left all but who have not followed Christ. This is our task, this our labour; in this lies the essence of human salvation; nor can we follow Christ unless we forsake all, for He rejoices as a strong man to run a race, and he who bears a load cannot follow.

℟. Sanctíssime / Conféssor Christi Benedícte monachórum Pater et Dux: * Intercéde pro nostra omniúmque salúte. ℣. Devótae plebi súbveni sancta intercessióne ut tuis adiúta précibus regna caeléstia consequátur. ℟. Intercéde pro nostra omniúmque salúte.

℟. O Benedict, Most holy confessor of Christ, father and leader of monks, * Intercede for us and the salvation of all. ℣. Assist your devoted people with holy intercession so that with the help of your prayers they may reach the heavenly kingdom. ℟. Intercede for us and the salvation of all.

LR 330; LH 520; AM 1194: trans Gardener (adapted KE); Reading trans Patricia McNutty, St Peter Damian Selected Writings On The Spiritual Life Translation With An Introduction, Harper and Brothers, NY, 1939.

Lectio x: Ecce, inquit, nos relíquimus ómnia, non solum facultátes mundi, sed et ánimi quoque cupiditátes: neque enim relínquit ómia, qui retínuit vel seípsum; immo vero nihil prodest, sine seípso cétera reliquísse, quandóquidem nullum áliud onus est grávius hómini, quam homo ipse.  Quis enim tyránnus crudélior, quae sǽvior potéstas hómini, quam hóminis ipsíus volúntas? Séquitur: Quid ergo erit nobis? Iam ómnia relíquit Petrus, iam non solum séquitur, sed et diu secútus est; et nunc primum intérrogat, quidnam sit acceptúrus.  Quid est, Petre?  Nonne obediéntiam promisísti in auris auditióne, non in pacti conventióne?  Sed audíte iam, quid loquátur Dóminus Deus, et atténdite spem, in qua mundo fluctuánte speráre debémus: Sedébitis, ait Dóminus, ait Véritas.  Solémnis séssio, grata quíes, plena sufficiéntia.

Reading 10: 'Behold' he says, 'we have forsaken all' not only the riches of this world but the desires of the soul too; for he who holds on to the self has not forsaken all. And it is useless to abandon other things if we do not abandon ourselves, since man's heaviest burden is man himself. What tyrant is more cruel to man, what power more savage, than his own will? Under its sway you can never rest or sit at your ease, and the more it wearies you in enforcing obedience to itself, the more it goads and stings and weighs you down, being unmindful of kindness and a stranger to mercy. This is the nature of self-will: the more obedient its subject, the more cruelly is he bound in its chains.  'What shall we have therefore?' Peter has forsaken all; not only is he following, he has followed for a long time; and now for the first time he asks what he will receive. What, Peter? Did you not promise obedience to the voice? You made no contract with the Lord. But listen to what the Lord God says, and await that hope in which, in this uncertain world, we must confide.'  'You shall sit', says the Lord who is Truth. Splendid sitting, welcome rest, full sufficiency.

℟. Ipso anno, / quo de hac vita erat exitúrus, † quibúsdam discípulis secum conversántibus, quibúsdam longe manéntibus, * Sanctíssimi sui óbitus denuntiávit diem. ℣. Praeséntibus indicens, ut audíta per siléntium tégerent: † abséntibus índicans, quod vel quale eis signum fíeret quando eius ánima de córpore exíret. ℟. Sanctíssimi sui óbitus denuntiávit diem.

℟. In the year that was to be the last of his life, while some of his disciples were talking with him and some remained further away, * the most holy man foretold the day of his death. ℣. He bound them to strict secrecy, some others, he only informed of the special sign they would receive at the time of his death. ℟. The most holy man foretold the day of his death.

LR 331; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Lectio xi: Sed ne magnæ promissiónis dulcédinem longánimis expectátio contorquéret, mentis nostrae mobilitátem sermónem témperat dulcióri.  Novit enim ipse figméntum nostrum, quóniam dilatiónis moras pusillanímitas nostra non sústinet; ideóque benignitáte sua huic quoque obviat cogitatióni, et occúrrit étiam ex hac parte, dicens: Et omnis, qui relíquerit domum, aut patrem, aut matrem, aut fratrum, aut uxórem, aut agros, aut fílios, propter nomen meum, céntuplum accípiet, et vitam ætérnam possidébit. Obstrúctum est certe os loquéntium iníqua. Iamque confundántur omnes iníqua agéntes supervácue.  Habémus enim promissiónem vitae huius, quae nunc est, páriter et futúræ, manifestúmque est præséntis témprois esse céntupli promissiónem, ex eo nimírum quod séquitur: Et vitam ætérnam possidébit.

Reading 11: But lest our long awaiting should mar the sweetness of His promise, He controls the restlessness of our minds with a sweeter word. For he knows our weakness; He knows that our cowardice cannot brook delays; in His loving kindness He meets this problem and counteracts it, saying: 'And everyone that has forsaken house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.' "The mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped'; now all they who transgress without cause are ashamed.  For we have promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come;  and it is clear that the promise of receiving a hundred-fold applies to this life, since the words which follow are 'and shall inherit everlasting life'.

℟. Sexto die / portári se in oratório a discípulis fecit, † ibíque éxitum suum domínicis sacraméntis munívit, * Atque inter discipulórum manus expirávit. ℣. Cumque per síngulos dies lánguor ingravésceret, eréctis in caelum mánibus stetit. ℟. Atque inter discipulórum manus expirávit.

℟. On the sixth day, he had his disciples carry him into the oratory where he received the sacraments our Lord to gain strength for his approaching end * Then, in the arms of his disciples he breathed his last ℣.  While for several days sickness had wasted his remaining energy, he stood with hands outstretched to heaven ℟. Then, in the arms of his disciples he breathed his last

LR 331-2; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Lectio xii: Qui ergo nondum céntuplum accepérunt, scruténtur corda sua, et univésa mánuum suárum stúdia diligénter exáminent; nec dúbium, quib invéniant ángulum et diversórium, quod Salvátor non novit. Sed quid est céntuplum istud, nisi consolatiónes visitationésque et primítiae Spíritus, qui super mel dulcis est, nisi testimónium consciéntiae nostræ, nisi læta et iucundíssima iustórum expectátio, nisi memória abundántiae suavitátis Dei, et magna vere multitúdo dulcédinis eius, quam nec expértis necésse est dícere, nec inexpértis illis verbis exprímere quiquam potest?  Cui vero sic speciáliter totus evangélicae lectiónis excursus assignári potest, quemádmodum Patri et Magístro nostro beátro Benedícto?  Hic a puerítia mundum cum fíore relíquit, et curréntem Christum cursu rapidíssimo secútus est, nec déstitit, donec consequerétur.

Reading 12: Those who have not yet received the hundredfold reward must scrutinize their hearts and diligently examine all the work of their hands; they will certainly find some corner or lodging-place unknown to the Saviour. And what is our hundredfold reward but the consolations, the visitations and the first fruits of the Spirit, sweeter than honey; the witness of our consciences; the joyous and lovely expectation of the just, the memory of God's abundant sweetness, the great multitude of His delights, of which there is no need to tell those who have known them, just as it is impossible to describe them to those who have not known them. There is no one to whom all this exposition of our text better applies than to our father and master St. Benedict. He forsook the world and all its flowers in boyhood to run with strong strides after the running Christ; and he did not rest until he had caught up with Him.

℟. Via, / recto oriéntis trámite ab eius cella in caelum usque tendebátur; † cui venerándo hábitu vir désuper clarus assístens, cuius esset via, quam cérnerent, inquisívit: * Illi autem se nescíre proféssi sunt. ℣. Quibus ipse ait: † Haec est via, qua diléctus Dómini Benedíctus caelos ascéndit. ℟. Illi autem se nescíre proféssi sunt. ℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. ℟. Illi autem se nescíre proféssi sunt.

℟. A straight road stretched eastwards from his cell until it reached up into heaven. And there in the brightness stood a man of majestic appearance, who asked them, Do you know who passed this way? * They declared that they did not know. ℣. This, he told them, is the road taken by blessed Benedict, the Lord's beloved, when he ascended to heaven. ℟. They declared that they did not know. ℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost. ℟. They declared that they did not know.

LR 332-3; trans Gardener (adapted KE)

Gospel: St Matthew 19: 27-29:

Sequéntia sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum. R. Gloria tibi, Domine. In illo témpore: Dixit Petrus ad Iesum: Ecce, nos relíquimus ómnia, et secúti sumus te: quid ergo erit nobis? Iesus autem dixit illis: Amen, dico vobis, quod vos, qui secuti estis me, in regeneratióne, cum séderit Fílius hóminis in sede maiestátis suæ, sedébitis et vos super sedes duódecim, iudicántes duódecim tribus Israël. Et omnis, qui relíquerit domum, vel fratres, aut soróres, aut patrem, aut matrem, aut uxórem, aut fílios, aut agros, propter nomen meum, céntuplum accípiet, et vitam ætérnam possidébit. R. Amen.

Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. R. Glory to you, O Lord. R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have?  And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. R. Amen.

Oratio: Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui hodiérna die carnis edúctum ergástulo sanctíssimum tuum Benedictum sublevásti ad caelum: † concede, quáesumus, haec festa tuis fámulis celebrántibus cunctórum véniam delictórum; * ut, qui exsultántibus ánimis eius claritáti congáudent, ipso apud te interveniénte, consociéntur et méritis. Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, Who didst this day deliver from the prison of the flesh Thy most holy Confessor Benedict and didst bear him up to heaven, we beseech Thee, grant Thy servants who are celebrating this festival, forgiveness of all sins, that in the gladness wherein they are united in rejoicing at his glory, they may by his intercession before Thee partake also in his merits. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.