Feast of the Finding of Holy Cross - day hours (May 3)

FINDING OF HOLY CROSS (MAY 3)

 

1& II VESPERS 

Psalms of Sunday with antiphons of the feast (AM 899 ff):

Ant 1: O magnum * pietátis opus! mors mórtua tunc est, in ligno quando mórtua vita fuit, allelúia. Ps 109	Ant 1: O what a work of love was that when life and death died together upon the tree, alleluia.
Ant 2: Salva nos, * Christe Salvátor, per virtútem Crucis: qui salvásti Petrum in mari, miserére nobis, allelúia. Ps 110	Ant 2: Save us, * O Christ the Saviour, save us through the might of your Cross, as you saved Peter in the sea, have mercy upon us, alleluia.
Ant 3: Ecce Crucem Dómini, * fúgite, partes advérsæ, vicit leo de tribu Iuda, radix David, allelúia. Ps 111	Ant 3: Behold, the Cross of the Lord! * flee, you partisans of the adversary, for the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, alleluia.
Ant 4: Per signum Crucis * de inimícis nostris líbera nos, Deus noster, allelúia. Ps 112	Ant 4: Through the sign of the Cross * free us from our enemies, O our God, alleluia.

 

Chapter (Philippians 2:5-7):

Fratres: Hoc enim sentíte in vobis, quod et in Christo Iesu: qui, cum in forma Dei esset, non rapínam arbitrátus est esse se æquálem Deo: sed semetípsum exinanívit, formam servi accípiens, in similitúdinem hóminum factus, et hábitu invéntus ut homo. ℟. Deo grátias.

Brethren: Yours is to be the same mind which Christ Jesus showed. His nature is, from the first, divine, and yet he did not see, in the rank of Godhead, a prize to be coveted; he dispossessed himself, and took the nature of a slave, fashioned in the likeness of men, and presenting himself to us in human form. ℟. Thanks be to God.

 

Short responsory (AM 896-7):

℟. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi, * alleluia, alleluia. ℟. Adorámus te,,,℣. Quia per Crucem tuam redemísti mundum. ℟. Alleluia, alleluia.℣. Glória Patri...℟. Adorámus te...

℟. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, * alleluia, alleluia. ℟. We adore you…℣. Because that through your cross you have redeemed the world. ℟. Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. Glory be to the Father... ℟. We adore you...

 

Hymn (AM 897):

Vexílla Regis pródeunt: Fulget Crucis mystérium, Quo carne carnis Cónditor Suspénsus est patíbulo.	Abroad the regal banners fly, Now shines the cross’s mystery; Upon it life did death endure, And yet by death did life procure.
Quo vulnerátus ínsuper Mucróne diro lánceæ, Ut nos laváret crímine, Manávit unda et sánguine.	Who, wounded with a direful spear, Did, purposely to wash us clear From stain of sin, pour out a flood Of precious water mixed with blood.
Impléta sunt quæ cóncinit David fidéli cármine, Dicens: In natiónibus Regnávit a ligno Deus.	That which the prophet-king of old Has in mysterious verse foretold, Is now accomplished, while we see God ruling nations from a tree.
Arbor decóra et fúlgida, Ornáta Regis púrpura, Elécta digno stípite Tam sancta membra tángere.	O lovely and refulgent tree, Adorned with purpled majesty; Culled from a worthy stock, to bear Those limbs which sanctifièd were.
Beáta, cuius bráchiis Sæcli pepéndit prétium, Statéra facta córporis, Prædámque tulit tártari.	Blest tree, whose happy branches bore The wealth that did the world restore; The beam that did that body weigh Which raised up hell’s expected prey.
(Said kneeling) O Crux, ave, spes única, In hac triúmphi glória Auge piis iustítiam, Reísque dona véniam.	O Cross, our one reliance, hail! On this triumphant day avail To give fresh merit to the saint, And pardon to the penitent.
Te summa, Deus, Trínitas, Colláudet omnis spíritus: Quos per Crucis mystérium Salvas, rege per sǽcula. Amen.	Blest Trinity, salvation’s spring, May every soul thy praises sing; To those you granted conquest by The holy cross, rewards apply. Amen.

 

Versicle

℣. Hoc signum Crucis erit in cælo, alleluia. ℟. Cum Dóminus ad iudicándum vénerit, alleluia.

℣. This sign of the Cross shall be in heaven, alleluia. ℟. When the Lord comes to judge, alleluia.

Magnificat antiphon for 1 Vespers (AM 898):

O Crux, * splendídior cunctis astris, mundo célebris, homínibus multum amábilis, sánctior univérsis: quæ sola fuísti digna portáre taléntum mundi, dulce lignum, dulces clavos, dúlcia ferens póndera; salva præséntem catérvam in tuis hódie láudibus congregátam. alleluia, allelúia.

Ant. O Cross, surpassing all the stars in splendour, exceeding dear to all Christian people and world-renowned, holiest of earth's treaures: which only was counted worthy to hold aloft the price of our redemption: sweet is your wood and sweet your iron, but sweetest of all the burden that hung on you! O that all who come this day to celebrate your praises may find in you salvation, alleluia, alleluia.

 

Magnificat antiphon for 2 Vespers (AM 903):

Crucem sanctam súbiit, * qui inférnum confrégit: accínctus est poténtia, surréxit die tértia, allelúia.

Ant: Jesus, our triumphant Head, * on the cross' ransom dread, the hands of power and mercy spread, that broke the prison of the dead, alleluia.

 

Collect (for all of the hours):

Deus, qui in præclára salutíferæ Crucis inventióne, passiónis tuæ mirácula suscitásti: concéde; ut vitális ligni prétio, ætérnæ vitæ suffrágia consequámur: Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. ℟. Amen.

O God, who, in the glorious finding of the Cross of renewed the wonders of your passion, grant that by the ransom which you paid upon that tree of life we may attain eternal life. Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. ℟. Amen

 

LAUDS

 

Festal psalms and canticle with antiphons of the feast (AM 898 ff):

Ant 1: O magnum * pietátis opus! mors mórtua tunc est, in ligno quando mórtua vita fuit, allelúia. Ps 92	Ant 1: O what a work of love was that when life and death died together upon the tree, alleluia.
Ant 2: Salva nos, * Christe Salvátor, per virtútem Crucis: qui salvásti Petrum in mari, miserére nobis, allelúia. Ps 99	Ant 2: Save us, * O Christ the Saviour, save us through the might of your Cross, as you saved Peter in the sea, have mercy upon us, alleluia.
Ant 3: Ecce Crucem Dómini, * fúgite, partes advérsæ, vicit leo de tribu Iuda, radix David, allelúia. Ps 62	Ant 3: Behold, the Cross of the Lord! * flee, you partisans of the adversary for the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, alleluia.
Ant 4: Nos autem * gloriári opórtet in cruce Dómini nostri Iesu Christi, allelúia. Canticle Benedicite (Dan 3)	Ant 4: But we * must glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, alleluia.
Ant 5: Per signum Crucis * de inimícis nostris líbera nos, Deus noster, allelúia. Ps 148-150	Ant 5: Through the sign of the Cross * free us from our enemies, O our God, alleluia.

Chapter (Philippians 2:5-7):

Fratres: Hoc enim sentíte in vobis, quod et in Christo Iesu: qui, cum in forma Dei esset, non rapínam arbitrátus est esse se æquálem Deo: sed semetípsum exinanívit, formam servi accípiens, in similitúdinem hóminum factus, et hábitu invéntus ut homo. ℟. Deo grátias.

Brethren: Yours is to be the same mind which Christ Jesus showed. His nature is, from the first, divine, and yet he did not see, in the rank of Godhead, a prize to be coveted; he dispossessed himself, and took the nature of a slave, fashioned in the likeness of men, and presenting himself to us in human form. ℟. Thanks be to God.

Short responsory (AM 900-1):

℟. Hoc signum Crucis erit in cælo, * alleluia, alleluia. ℟. Hoc signum… ℣. Cum Dóminus ad iudicándum vénerit. ℟. Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. Glória Patri…℟. Hoc signum…

℟. This sign of the Cross shall be in heaven, alleluia, alleluia. ℟. This sign…℣. When the Lord comes to judgment. ℟. Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. Glory be… ℟. This sign….

 

Hymn (AM 386):

Lustris sex qui iam peráctis, Tempus implens córporis, Se volénte natus ad hoc, Passióni déditus, Agnus in Crucis levátur Immolándus stípite.	Thirty years among us dwelling, His appointed time fulfilled, Born for this, he meets his passion, For that this he freely willed: On the cross the Lamb is lifted, Where his life-blood shall be spilled.
Hic acétum, fel, arúndo, Sputa, clavi, láncea: Mite corpus perforátur, Sanguis, unda prófluit: Terra, pontus, astra, mundus, Quo lavántur flúmine!	He endured the nails, the spitting, Vinegar, and spear, and reed; From that holy body broken Blood and water forth proceed: Earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean, By that flood from stain are free.
Crux fidélis, inter omnes Arbor una nóbilis: Nulla silva talem profert Fronde, flore, gérmine: Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, Dulce pondus sústinet.	Faithful cross above all other, One and only noble tree! None in foliage, none in blossom, None in fruit your peers may be; Sweetest wood and sweetest iron! Sweetest weight is hung on you.
Flecte ramos, arbor alta, Tensa laxa víscera, Et rigor lentéscat ille, Quem dedit natívitas: Ut supérni membra Regis Miti tendas stípite.	Bend your boughs, O tree of glory! Your relaxing sinews bend; For awhile the ancient rigour, That your birth bestowed, suspend; And the King of heavenly beauty On your bosom gently tend!
Sola digna tu fuísti Ferre sæcli prétium, Atque portum præparáre Nauta mundo náufrago, Quem sacer cruor perúnxit, Fusus Agni córpore.	You alone were counted worthy This world's ransom to uphold; For a shipwrecked race preparing Harbour, like the ark of old; With the sacred blood anointed From the smitten Lamb that rolled.
Glória et honor Deo Usquequáque altíssimo: Una Patri, Filíoque, Inclyto Paráclito: Cui laus est et potéstas Per ætérna sǽcula. Amen.	To the Trinity be glory Everlasting, as is meet; Equal to the Father, equal To the Son, and Paraclete: Trinal Unity, whose praises All created things repeat. Amen.

 

Versicle and Benedictus antiphon (AM 901):

℣. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi, alleluia. ℟. Quia per Crucem tuam redemísti mundum, alleluia.	℣. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee, alleluia. ℟. Because that through your Cross you have redeemed the world, alleluia.
Ant: Super ómnia * ligna cedrórum tu sola excélsior, in qua vita mundi pepéndit, in qua Christus triumphávit, et mors mortem superávit in ætérnum, allelúia.	Ant: You are higher * than all cedars, on which the life of the world hung, on which Christ openly triumphed, and his death trampled down death for ever, alleluia.

 

Collect as above for Vespers.

 

PRIME

 

Antiphon of the feast with psalms of the day:

O magnum * pietátis opus! mors mórtua tunc est, in ligno quando mórtua vita fuit, allelúia.

O what a work of love was that when life and death died together upon the tree, alleluia.

 

TERCE 

Antiphon:

Salva nos, * Christe Salvátor, per virtútem Crucis: qui salvásti Petrum in mari, miserére nobis, allelúia.

Save us, * O Christ the Saviour, save us through the might of your Cross, as you saved Peter in the sea, have mercy upon us, alleluia.

Chapter and versicle:

Fratres: Hoc enim sentíte in vobis, quod et in Christo Iesu: qui, cum in forma Dei esset, non rapínam arbitrátus est esse se æquálem Deo: sed semetípsum exinanívit, formam servi accípiens, in similitúdinem hóminum factus, et hábitu invéntus ut homo. ℟. Deo grátias.	Brethren: Yours is to be the same mind which Christ Jesus showed. His nature is, from the first, divine, and yet he did not see, in the rank of Godhead, a prize to be coveted; he dispossessed himself, and took the nature of a slave, fashioned in the likeness of men, and presenting himself to us in human form. ℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. Hoc signum Crucis erit in cælo, alleluia. ℟. Cum Dóminus ad iudicándum vénerit, alleluia.	℣. This sign of the Cross shall be in heaven, alleluia. ℟. When the Lord comes to judge, alleluia.

 SEXT

 Antiphon:

Ecce Crucem Dómini, * fúgite, partes advérsæ, vicit leo de tribu Iuda, radix David, allelúia.

Behold, the Cross of the Lord! * flee, you partisans of the adversary for the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered, alleluia.

 

Chapter (Gal 6:14) and versicle:

Mihi autem absit gloriári, nisi in Cruce Dómini nostri Iesu Christi: per quem mihi mundus crucifíxus est, et ego mundo. ℟. Deo grátias.	But God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. Adorámus te, Christe, et benedícimus tibi, allelúia. ℣. Quia per Crucem tuam redemísti mundum, allelúia.	℟. We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee, alleluia. ℣. Because that through your cross you have redeemed the world, alleluia.

 

NONE 

Antiphon:

Per signum Crucis * de inimícis nostris líbera nos, Deus noster, allelúia.

Through the sign of the Cross * free us from our enemies, O our God, alleluia.

 

Chapter (Phil 2:8-9) and versicle:

Humiliávit semetípsum factus obédiens usque ad mortem, mortem autem Crucis. Propter quod et Deus exaltávit illum, et donávit illi nomen, quod est super omne nomen. ℟. Deo grátias.	He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also has exalted him, and has given him a name which is above all names. ℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. Omnis terra adóret te, et psallat tibi, allelúia. ℣. Psalmum dicat nómini tuo, Dómine, alleluia.	℟. Let all the earth worship you, and sing unto you, alleluia. ℣. Let them sing praises to your name, O Lord, alleluia.